VK CALAIS 333 pack, LS1

[TUFGMHParticipant SydneyVH SL/E & VK Calais LS1 View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 96]

So, after years of pushing a mate into a sale only for cold feet to continually and justifiably kick in, I have finally come into possession of his neat Calais.

Air con, power options including cruise working- check

Under the radar stocker look- check

Decent fuel economy and highway happy- check

Runs a 12 or better- check

#LStheworld– check

 

 

He has done a great job on the conversion, getting the digital dash working well with the setup, adding extra little features like a cruise cutout switch if neutral is selected, integrated a lot of the LS factory ancillaries to make maintenance easier.

The only scheme for this one is to tidy up the aesthetics a little and enjoy..

[VRSenator065Participant Adelaide SAVR Senator LSx454 1960 Kombi (project) 1921 Nash Hot Rod (future project) View build HERE Member since: February 17, 2015 Posts: 5 777]

Gotta love an LS swap, very nice.  By the look of it also engineered?

[TUFGMHParticipant SydneyVH SL/E & VK Calais LS1 View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 96]

It come under VSI6 when done so only required a blue slip for the engine change ;)

[ajvx01Participant adelaideVC 308 taxi bt1 wanna be! View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 102]

looks great, although if it were me i’d disconnect the invisible caravan.

ls with digital dash wouldnt have been easy!

[ajvx01Participant adelaideVC 308 taxi bt1 wanna be! View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 102]

looks great, although if it were me i’d disconnect the invisible caravan.

ls with digital dash wouldnt have been easy!

[TUFGMHParticipant SydneyVH SL/E & VK Calais LS1 View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 96]

The suspension is one of the first priorities lol. The weight difference in front of the firewall must play on the SL springs.

[rayray07Participant Newcastle6.0L VK In the build View build HERE Member since: July 19, 2015 Posts: 41]

This is real neat. I like how all the factory gear works together.

[sands vsParticipant vs commodore View build HERE Member since: March 1, 2015 Posts: 619]

Impressive always wanted to find out how you made the cruise work too.

[TUFGMHParticipant SydneyVH SL/E & VK Calais LS1 View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 96]

My mate used an aftermarket setup from a VX Commodore which uses the original module. Two of the push buttons to the left of the dash have been utilised for the setup.

The original cruise button on the column is on/off and cancel

The left switch on dash is accelerate and has the light behind it working as “Cruise” light and comes on when cruise is on, the right light is the “Active” light and comes on when you set it with the button in front of it, this button also works as the reduce speed if held. I will put up a video later, but quickly give a run through of a sequence using the above.

Driving along, I press the original button to activate which lights up the cruise light, then press the right button on the dash to set when desired speed is reached. To cancel, I press the original column button. To turn off, I press the original button once more.

It kicks down as per normal and engine brakes, disengages by pressing brake pedal, but as there is no ABS module, there is no brake assist.

[05xlawParticipant 05xlawbt1 View build HERE Member since: June 4, 2016 Posts: 25]

wow luv this thing so stealthy,just needs the lawns bowl hat on the parcel shelf..ultimate sleeper !

[TUFGMHParticipant SydneyVH SL/E & VK Calais LS1 View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 96]

Cheers mate. Would love to mount a turbo under the airbox in the inner guard later to keep with the theme, will make it a reality a bit down the track ;)

[TUFGMHParticipant SydneyVH SL/E & VK Calais LS1 View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 96]

A late update. I have owned it for just over 3 months and have done a few mods while doing about 6500km at the same time, so will do my best to add it all now.

-First job is to re bush the rear of the car, on take off under WOT the rear was loose and all over the place, lane changing didn’t require an indicator, when it changed to 2nd but went right hard. I had a VB 355 which had a lot more poke that was always as straight as a die and went wherever it was pointed, so the goal was to get as close as possible as that on the factory wheel/tyre combo. All the parts were in the shed including solid upper rear control arms and braced lower. I’d say the 235’s on the factory 15’s weren’t helping either.

 

Suspension mods as follows:

-Change worn Pedders shocks for new Koni adjustables

-All bushes upgraded to Nolathane

-Factory upper rear control arms changed to solid Pedders

-Factory lower control arms changed to Lowe Fabrications boxed and trimmed

-Swaybar now and adjustable type with curve for exhaust clearance

-All springs upgraded to Kings Low with a slightly softer rate up front a less weight

-K frame notched and powdercoated gloss black at Narellan Powdercoating

-Whole front powdercoated with new ball joints

-New rubber spring pads from Rare Spares South Brisbane (mate works there)

-New rotors, pads and rebuilt calipers

-K-Mac adjustable strut tops

-New steering rack and tierods next as there is a slow leak

 

The car handles a lot better, more direct and readable. Makes it great as a daily

 

Some of the parts were “borrowed” from my VH SL/E resto lol

[TUFGMHParticipant SydneyVH SL/E & VK Calais LS1 View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 96]

Also had a set of 16×8 Simmons V5’s that were bought for my SLE, so I split them up and got them off to a Powdercoater and polisher, hopefully they will be reassembled this week if the back holds up. All up with buying them and refurb, I should be able to get out of it for under $1000

 

Before:

 

 

After:

 

 

Also trying to keep as much as possible to “period correct” mods. Added plate covers once a set of 5 figure ones were found in an old school AutoPro. The plates would have looked better in silver on black IMO

 

 

Whilst scouring eBay on the weekend before Powercruise for tidy up bits a new carpet popped up nearby for $100 which was too good to let pass. a few hours were spent cutting holes and trimming excess, not a bad result ;)

Only pain now is the seats look like crap, so off to hunt down an upholstery cleaner.

 

[TUFGMHParticipant SydneyVH SL/E & VK Calais LS1 View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 96]

Sydney Powercruise come up a week after and my brother was camping up the back. It was only an extra $100 or so over a season pass to enter the car on the Friday, so I thought I’d take the option over walking the kilometre from his tent to the stands lol. Couldn’t tell you what it pulled down the main straight as the electronic speedo tops out at 192 :p The suspension was still buggered at that stage so the little 40-50kmh rolling skids it could muster only sent it off to the right instead of where I wanted it :(

 

 

There are a few other mods piling up:

-TCI 4000rpm stall with lockup

-232/238 Comp Cam (was lying around but want something in the 222/228 range or similar for dailying)

-Reco 241 heads with PAC springs

 

Other than that, all that needs doing is some good lifters, clean up the body and go a better diff as the 10 bolt is starting to suffer.

[VRSenator065Participant Adelaide SAVR Senator LSx454 1960 Kombi (project) 1921 Nash Hot Rod (future project) View build HERE Member since: February 17, 2015 Posts: 5 777]

Bloody hell, you have been busy.  Great mods, imagine the car would handle like new now (better I suppose).  Just a thought if you are staying with the sleeper theme, maybe dont go turbo, now you have the LS in, its straight forward to go 454 cubes of na goodness, just a thought….

• This reply was modified 7 years, 10 months ago by  VRSenator065.
• This reply was modified 7 years, 10 months ago by  VRSenator065.

[TUFGMHParticipant SydneyVH SL/E & VK Calais LS1 View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 96]

That is an option as well. Both require an engineer lol.

[cava454Moderator 93 VR BT1 View build HERE Member since: February 20, 2015 Posts: 2 390]

If it’s already registered just run the gauntlet.

[VRSenator065Participant Adelaide SAVR Senator LSx454 1960 Kombi (project) 1921 Nash Hot Rod (future project) View build HERE Member since: February 17, 2015 Posts: 5 777]

cava454 wrote:

If it’s already registered just run the gauntlet.

Plenty do I know, but its a very nice feeling pulling by a cop, or driving into a show knowing its legal.

[05xlawParticipant 05xlawbt1 View build HERE Member since: June 4, 2016 Posts: 25]

I know iv said it already.. But luv this thing!

Best bang for buck those ls’s

One day i mite be tempted to throw one in.

[cava454Moderator 93 VR BT1 View build HERE Member since: February 20, 2015 Posts: 2 390]

You won’t be getting engineering with a 232/238 cam, or any thing aftermarket for that matter.

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