Booo, hiss... Troutman's VT

[Troutman]

1999 Holden Calais

G'day all,

I finally got some pics of my car recently for those who were interested. Obviously nowhere near as emotional as my now deceased EA that led to the invention original eafalcon.com, not to mention the other cars on this site. However, my goal was simply to buy an equivalent car without being stuck eternally in the '80s period or being enslaved by badge loyalty for that matter. Here it succeeds well (and no I'm not going to try and make a VT club).

Since a near-stock VT is not generic enough for me I have cleaned it up with some minor mods including debadging, de-spoilering, de-tu-toning, 'pop' plates/King Pin frames, and towbar removal. It already had FE2, tints and such. It has done under 78,000 kms which is about half of average, and it is only driven a couple of times per month on average just as the EA was.

Though stock under the bonnet, it has had a tune which means 190-200 kilowatts (maybe 260 horsepower) at the rear wheels. A highly efficient liquid injection LPG has also been fitted so running costs are equivalent to a small manual four cylinder. I've considered making it fast whilst leaving the exterior as is, but that idea is postponed indefinitely. For now it does the job.

Now let's get the abuse over with, I've got my flame suit on.

[Sunboost]

Looks mint. I like those VT2 Calais wheels.

[Michael (HYPOEB)]

Is it an 8? even if it is,200rwkw seems abit steep for a stock 8?

[Steady]

nah, piss it in.

would be better with 240rw, or even better with head/cam L76

[LTDHO]

Mate.......

What can I say?

Oh well, hope you enjoy it.

[SnyperEB]

Ewwwwwwwww.....Na looks pretty clean.

[Commando]

Dave?

Jack/John.

Looks great! Nice & subtle, nothing wanky.

[Bipolar]

VTII is definitely the best looking IMO. Looks like you found great example.

[galapogos01]

i have pretty much the same pic of my own car. was this taken off the GOR somewhere near the otways?

looks good btw! good to see you're still around, Jack.

Jason

[LTDHO]

What made you decide on a VT?

[[Sterling]]

VT/VX Clubbys are the sex!

Is this an LS1 or 5.0? im not sure when they started/stopped.

[EFFalcon]

Is it an 8? even if it is,200rwkw seems abit steep for a stock 8?

He said its had a tune.. so seems pretty spot on to me.


and yes kester, its an LS1.

[Kenaz]

It looks mint, Jack! Nice pickup I wish my girlfriends VT had a LS1

Kester, the LS1 was introduced with the VT II

[private9]

Nice clean car mate.

[Troutman]

Cheers guys!

Looks mint. I like those VT2 Calais wheels.

Cheers Sunny, the wheels seem to work with the colour, and silver is the opposite extreme compared to black when it comes to detailing. I get away with a lot of laziness now...

Is it an 8? even if it is,200rwkw seems abit steep for a stock 8?

Stock power is 220kW at the flywheel, and the tune bumps up power by all of 20% with premium fuel. Stock power was around the 160rwkw mark.

would be better with 240rw, or even better with head/cam L76

I never met a kilowatt I didn't like, but I appreciate the quietness of the car as is so can't rush into cams, diffs or exhausts. The options I would look at all cost big bucks, so for now it's OK as is.

Ewwwwwwwww.....Na looks pretty clean.

haha cheers.

Looks great! Nice & subtle, nothing wanky.

That's my style too...

VTII is definitely the best looking IMO. Looks like you found great example.

Cheers matey. One old guy owned it, ran on 98 octane with fully synthetic oil since new etc. All my previous cars I tried to 'restore' but never got very far, so buying a good example was the best money I ever spent.

i have pretty much the same pic of my own car. was this taken off the GOR somewhere near the otways?

G'day jbolger the pic was taken near Olinda in the Dandenong Ranges where I was picking up an item bought on Ebay. Come to think of it, close to where we had that cruise back in the day, with Acidburns and Bass Crazy and...

What made you decide on a VT?

I was considering BA Fairmonts but found the V8 was rare as hen's teeth. The VT is old enough that an excellent example is affordable. The AUs are great cars but personally I prefer the VT's styling over it or the VX/VY. Hanging around those LS1 guys back in the day probably did me no favours either.

VT/VX Clubbys are the sex!

The original VT 5.0 was quite classic, but the LS1 was a big improvement in fuel economy, weight reduction and performance - not to mention aftermarket support (in the States it's possible to build an entire motor with all aftermarket parts).
LS1 started in '99 and was discontinued during/after the VZ model. I considered the Clubby but like the understatement of a common or garden model.

He said its had a tune.. so seems pretty spot on to me.
and yes kester, its an LS1.

On the money once again John.

It looks mint, Jack! Nice pickup I wish my girlfriends VT had a LS1

Cheers Ash. Well you can always do a conversion. hehe
Can't beat the V6 for running costs though.

Nice clean car mate.

Cheers mate.

[[Sterling]]

Ahhhk, i was a little unsure, i thought the LS1's were 1st available to be optioned in the VX's.

Still a nice looking car with a decent engine. my only sugestion would be to lower the rear a tad to make it even with the front.

[psychotic-angel]

i have a soft spot for the vt they look good lowered with some decent rims good pick up mate

[Nikk O'lass]

Nice tidy car, needs less ride height though....

[braad]

nice clean VT.

so whats next? OTR intake, zorst? go a cam!

is it dual fuel?

[dungerxr]

i can happily say i hate ALL vt's (exept one that has the roof cut off by an angle grinder and is on fire in a paddock) they remind me of a mazda 121 'bubble' car.

[Dansedgli]

Any other insightful things to add?

[dungerxr]

sorry all who are offeneded. but i must put my thoughts somewhere. had to buy the miss a stato. why not a fairlane i ask her??

[braad]

coz the AU/BA-spec fairlanes look gay

[TBO240]

booo hiss boo