View Full Version : BigJims VH Race Car
My weekend race car. Currently running in the QV8S series in Qld. Been doing it up for about 2 years. Got in running for the Shannon’s
meet at QR in 2011. Only been out to a handful of events but will run the series in the QV8S this year. Lot to learn in driving it but slowly
getting better in the times i am running.
Specs
VH with VK Group C kit, Rear bar and group C spoiler still to do but not far away.
RacePak Dash and sensors
LS1 motor and 6 speed making around 440rwhp
6 piston v8 supercar front brakes and Mazda RX7 4 piston rear brakes
Willwood pedal box
Borgwarner full floater Diff with Kazz LSD and 3.9 gears
Watts Link rear end
Front springs 600lb and rears 350lb adjustable height. Run the little front coil over springs in rear.
MCA 3 way adjustable rear shocks and Bilstein coilovers front, soon to get MCA fronts.
V8 supercar 17 x 11 wheels
The car has plenty of power, just got to learn lines of the tracks and more experience and should see my times fall.
Current Times
Lakeside - 1:02.20 only been there twice and had car issues once so hopefully better times next time out.
QR National - 1:22.66
QR Clubman - 1:02.28
QR Sprint - 0:58.50
Thanks to people who have helped along the way and still help out. Chris, Chris NZshaker, Garry and Dan.
Big help from Western Suburbs Mechanical who have helped a heap and let me use the workshop. Chris is the owner there and if you need anything done give them a call.
PS Rag got left under bonnet in 1st pic, lucky it caught up where it did. lol
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk234/BigJim_022/VHRace2.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk234/BigJim_022/324654_10150588622038052_787708051_9185014_2004012 839_o.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk234/BigJim_022/335169_10150588600228052_787708051_9184888_1237977 223_o.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk234/BigJim_022/VHRace1.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk234/BigJim_022/IMG_6785Custom.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk234/BigJim_022/Front.jpg
Cheers for posting. That is really, really cool!! Wouldn't happen to be the ex GSR Skillender/Laird Commo??
Yep it was there IPRA thing that they used to race, i bought it as a roller
Looks a bit different these days
Cheers for posting. That is really, really cool!! Wouldn't happen to be the ex GSR Skillender/Laird Commo??
Yeah, the BW rear end and some other things gave it a way. A great base for a car. Any pics of the bay and interior?
adamRSLC
29-04-12, 07:04 PM
Subscribed , any pics of the build ? . Rear end watts link conversion aren't the norm for early Commo's and would be good to have a squizz , cheers adam
Purple-Headed Love Truncheon
29-04-12, 07:28 PM
Subscribed , any pics of the build ? . Rear end watts link conversion aren't the norm for early Commo's and would be good to have a squizz , cheers adam
i also came here to ask this too
turbo510
29-04-12, 07:41 PM
Great car
+2 on build/more pics
Duncan1
29-04-12, 07:43 PM
Brilliant... Nice work
yeah ill post up some other pics later, just got to find where i put them
LINCOLN
29-04-12, 08:46 PM
Looks so good - I am more a Ford nut.... but I love the look with the c kit/sound with a grumpy motor of these things.
More build pics please.
SausageFingers
29-04-12, 10:18 PM
Needs more nqcv8 tunes
NZSHAKER
30-04-12, 08:13 PM
Here are the few photos I have of the car during some of the build stage and to crappy videos at the end....Any questions im sure Jim will ba able to answer them
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0100.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0099.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0098.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0097.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0096.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0095.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0094.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0093.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0092.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0091.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0090.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0089.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0087.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0086.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0085.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0084.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0083.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0082.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0081.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0080.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0079.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0078.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0077.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0076.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0075.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0074.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0073.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0048.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0046.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0045.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0031.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMAG0030.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-amHVCdtc0&feature=g-upl
NZSHAKER
30-04-12, 08:16 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCvssK9Lo30&list=UUFYiSgvnQtNecv3Hj4Lcthg&index=1&feature=plcp
So it still uses a wet sump, is the accusump holding up with the cornering??
Definitely more pics
Great job
Risk10k
30-04-12, 08:32 PM
Excellent! Much love for the VB-VH, stupidly clean example - especially for a track hack :)
So it still uses a wet sump, is the accusump holding up with the cornering??
Definitely more pics
Great job
I use a stock LS1 sump with a modified and hinged gated insert in it and the accusump valve is set to open at 35psi, Ive only seen it come on once so far when pressure dropped to below 35psi, the racepak dash alerts me when oil pressure drops below 35psi and with the dash can log the pressure and review it at any part of the track. So far so good. The gated insert in the sump works a treat, but i did a fair bit of die grinding areas of the sump to make it work the way i wanted to. The entire system takes 10L of oil now. A dry sump will come when this lets me down.
NZSHAKER
30-04-12, 08:51 PM
Jims First Race First Corner First Crash opps
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMG_9378.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMG_9383.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s27/NZSHAKER/IMG_9381.jpg
That was interesting, but car fixed for 2nd round. Still got out and raced in races 2 and 3 on the 1st round to get points.
Not the best video but found myself leading race 1 of the 2nd round, the GTO passes me easy down the back straight. Its got more power than mine and cuts some bloody fast times. And Gary the driver can drive. Still managed 2nd in that race.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoA5VW7CMPs
The last couple of corners to the finish line of Race 1 of round 2. Nearly got the GTO over the line. Beat me by 0.20 of a second, but he wasn't pushing it within the race that hard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS-0-iuM6a0
very nice mate love the old group c commos
Turbo 351
01-05-12, 10:27 AM
Very impressive... Wait for fatboy to see this
rowdytoot
01-05-12, 10:38 AM
thats fucking awesome... do want :D
Seen this thing a couple of times. Love it. Welcome to PF.
Cool as man - love the 'ol school crommies! Sound the goods too..
Nice one BJ, good to see it out on the track.
Ned Loh
02-05-12, 08:42 AM
Looks like fun.
Any chance you could post a pic under dash showing exactly where you have attached the pedal box? I was looking at that recently and it looked like a PITA to get the pedals where I want them with location of steering column. I didn't have a pedal box to physically offer up though.
From the pics it looks like a big gap between brake pedal and accelerator pedal. Is that why you have the side tab on the accel pedal? How does it go with heel/toe?
Looks like fun.
Any chance you could post a pic under dash showing exactly where you have attached the pedal box? I was looking at that recently and it looked like a PITA to get the pedals where I want them with location of steering column. I didn't have a pedal box to physically offer up though.
From the pics it looks like a big gap between brake pedal and accelerator pedal. Is that why you have the side tab on the accel pedal? How does it go with heel/toe?
The accelerator pedal is a lot closer these days as i modified that bit, it was to far between those 2 pedals. Heel and toe isn't a drama with size 16 race boots, but what i found is a couple of times i went to jump on the brake and nearly missed it being to far between pedals.
Ill take a pic and post up tonight.
Some closer pics of the watts link setup and the pedal box mounting from inside.
Also a couple of others i put in there
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk234/BigJim_022/DSC07659.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk234/BigJim_022/DSC07660.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk234/BigJim_022/DSC07653.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk234/BigJim_022/DSC07672.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk234/BigJim_022/DSC07674.jpg
http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk234/BigJim_022/DSC07673.jpg
adamRSLC
03-05-12, 02:29 PM
No sway bar required Jim ? , also normal bushes to locate the upper/lower trailing arms ? . The reason I ask is I tried some spherical bearings in the upper trailing arms and the body mount of the lower arms and it improved a few traits but caused more issues than improvements .
Thanks for the pics , Adam
Ned Loh
03-05-12, 04:58 PM
Cheers Jim. Kinda confirms that pedal box into early commo is a PITA.
Love the factory clock on left in dash shot.
full_noise
10-05-12, 09:56 PM
Hi Jim - nice rig,
How do you find the MCA struts?.
Do you run them on the front also???
Cheers
Walt Kowalski
10-05-12, 11:17 PM
That's a nice package.
Looks tough.
The Watts is installed incorrectly. Links need to be swapped top to bottom on the diff so horizontal at ride height.
57013
awesome car, i like it alot. some serious cars in this section :)
Looks tough.
The Watts is installed incorrectly. Links need to be swapped top to bottom on the diff so horizontal at ride height.
Shit now looking at it your right. i put the diff back in after putting a Kaaz in it the day before the last race meet and it was late, i must of been in dream land. lol
You wouldn't believe it but last race i raced it like that and it felt pretty good.
Thanks for the pick up on that
VKGrupeA
11-05-12, 06:55 PM
See that little silver and green Commy coming in forth..........only a 308 with early heads.....not bad for a shit heap!!!!
The last couple of corners to the finish line of Race 1 of round 2. Nearly got the GTO over the line. Beat me by 0.20 of a second, but he wasn't pushing it within the race that hard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS-0-iuM6a0
VKGrupeA
11-05-12, 07:05 PM
Jimbo.....just clicking through the photo's though....I think you might have installed the Watts wrong when the diff was last out man.....bell crank just needs turning around so top and bottom arms are parallel.
Talk soon,
Dan
Jimbo.....just clicking through the photo's though....I think you might have installed the Watts wrong when the diff was last out man.....bell crank just needs turning around so top and bottom arms are parallel.
Talk soon,
Dan
Looks like it was Dan, but that happens late at night after a lot of beers it seems. I cant blame anyone but me though as i put it in. haha :D
See that little silver and green Commy coming in forth..........only a 308 with early heads.....not bad for a shit heap!!!!
Your right the car coming forth is a shit box. Needs a better driver to. :gay:
VKGrupeA
12-05-12, 09:29 AM
A shit heap Jimbo....definitely not a shit box!!!!
Your right the car coming forth is a shit box. Needs a better driver to. :gay:
NZSHAKER
12-05-12, 11:38 PM
Dan I thought your was a motor was a 304 thats how your got to race in the under 5ltr class
Here is one video Jim
http://youtu.be/cG_HGsAZU2g
NZSHAKER
13-05-12, 09:34 AM
http://youtu.be/F1eJGxiHTWI
NZSHAKER
13-05-12, 09:46 AM
http://youtu.be/JO_G8QXdgJc
VKGrupeA
13-05-12, 10:56 AM
Oh.....yeh, that's right
Dan I thought your was a motor was a 304 thats how your got to race in the under 5ltr class
Here is one video Jim
http://youtu.be/cG_HGsAZU2g
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