Stumbles VN Commodore

[stumbles]

Well I finally finished putting my VB back together and is in for a repsray shortly so trashing it doesnt really appeal. Trawling ebay the other week and came across this. Only $300 so will put together a budget skid car.

VN Commodore
5 Speed Manual
stock
stock
stock
etc etc

Was able to get my mates sister in law to pose for some pics as i wanted to do the right thing by the PF lads.

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s154/dane-and-bekk/Holden%20Scene/VN%20Project%20Car/P3290111.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s154/dane-and-bekk/Holden%20Scene/VN%20Project%20Car/P3290120.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s154/dane-and-bekk/Holden%20Scene/VN%20Project%20Car/P3290126.jpg
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s154/dane-and-bekk/Holden%20Scene/VN%20Project%20Car/P3290148.jpg

[Crash Dummy]

Nice nice. Good work stubles but the peg leg skid photos aren't loading yet. What's happening ?

[Lobster]

Nice!

[canthinkofone]

Quality thread!

[Euroboost]

Nice buy for $300, guys happily pay that just for the pedal box!
Looks like a series 2 with the later engine as well.

[HoonBoy]

Very impressed that you managed to get a manual for that price. I couldn't find anything when I was looking :(

[Jim]

haha looks just like mine!
good stuff. manual is a winnar

[stumbles]

cheers lads

yeh was cheap enough mainly cause it was out of town (Taralga) only a couple of hours from my place so figurd may as well pick it up.

Cant resist cheap manual VN's for some reason.

Have only ever drifted so will be keen on doing some circuit stuff as well

[MRMOPARMAN]

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s154/dane-and-bekk/Holden%20Scene/VN%20Project%20Car/P3290126.jpg

is it a commodore or a lexen?

for $300 thats a bargain. the gearbox is worth way more than that alone

whats the plans for it?

[BLO-666]

MRMOPARMAN beat me to it i was gonna ask if its a lexan Oh what a feeling :)

[Jim]

first thing to do is either fit an ebay mini spool ($90) or a VN/VP/VR/VS LSD. If you can find a VL diff and get the 3.45 gears out of it or the 4.11's from a R31 nissan pintara you'll be laughing.

[stumbles]

4.11's and mini spool next week

from there the usual kinda stuff, strip what i can, race seat etc etc.

Virtually copying Jim !

[HoonBoy]

How much for the diff work? I've got a spare diff, mini spool and 4.1:1 gears all sitting here waiting for me to get some time to put them alltogether or find a usefull diff place open on weekends.

[stumbles]

got stuck into it today

- new oil / filter
- new plugs
- cleaned and removed fuel tank
- new fuel pump
- removed exhaust

After sitting around for 5yrs started up and ran sweet. Had been a country car its whole life so plenty of dust to deal with.

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/vn%20sedan/P4110224.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/vn%20sedan/P4110225.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/vn%20sedan/P4110226.jpg

Big thanks to Jim for the exhaust as well

[stumbles]

Well after a bit of a delay project is back on.

Wasnt sure which way to go with the car, be it a serious kinda track car or more a bit of fun aka skids and drift days etc. Due to a limted budget going with the second option.

So going to be put it together as a mock up police car. A true Drift Pig.

Did some shopping this week to get the project kicking again http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJzXAjYFCN0. Also ordered a siren to go with it which hopfully will get later this week. Fortuately I know work for a roof rack company so will take all the bits into work and make up a light bar.

Working on stickers for it now and will just give it a cut and polish and chuck em on.

Still deciding on all the mechanical bits and working out a bit of a budget.

Heres how the interior looks at the moment
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/vn%20sedan/comm.jpg
Will look similar to this once done
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/vn%20sedan/cop.jpg

[Steve]

That will be hilarious at track days chasing other cars around with lights flashing.

[gtrboyy]

Will look good chasing that yellow vn drift taxi.

[Jim]

geez I might have to dress mine up like something appropriate to suit now!
maybe I should paint the back wheels black and put P plates on it so you can chase me :lol:

[koppers]

http://www.inthejob.com/NSW_GERD_vn_Commodore.jpg

[evil_weevil]

*subscribes*

awesome thread - will have to let us sydney siders know when its first outing is!

[stumbles]

well car is back at my place now (was at my mates) so getting stuck into cleaning it out and measuring up for stickers

have that VN cop pic, prefer the later model design with the checker look along the sides and blue and red beacons

[stumbles]

Gave the whole car a cut and polish today and it came up really well.

Also measured up for so i can order the stickers on Monday.

tomorrow will get stuck into the interior (sound deadening removal) and will get some more pics.

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/vn%20sedan/vnclean.jpg

[Jim]

make them say "PO-PO" or something

[bigmuz]

http://www.inthejob.com/NSW_GERD_vn_Commodore.jpg

What an awesome pic- a BRand new magna and the pinnacle of motoring; the vn commodore in the same pic.

Fuck we've come a long way. Looking at that pic it's easier to think that the VN came directly after the WB Kingswood and ignored the VB VC VH VK and VL Commodes...

[BoganDAVE]

it needs POP038 plates

[Jim]

apparently if it is dressed up like a cop car you have to transport it covered or you'll get in the shit from the real ones.

[ALLMTR]

apparently if it is dressed up like a cop car you have to transport it covered or you'll get in the shit from the real ones.

It's funny cause it's true

[stumbles]

yeh got a cover during the week for it.

Got stuck into the interior today.

just need to do passengers side floor. Will get stuck into wiring during the week but gives you an idea how the dash is going to look. Pissed off all the heater/air con stuff.

Will use centre air vent for some guages and radio bit underneath for switches.

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/vn%20sedan/in.jpg

[stumbles]

busy day today. They say a picture is worth a thousand words so here goes !!

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/vn%20sedan/new01.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/vn%20sedan/new02.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/vn%20sedan/new03.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/vn%20sedan/new04.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/vn%20sedan/new05.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/vn%20sedan/new06.jpg

[pillow]

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s154/dane-and-bekk/Holden%20Scene/VN%20Project%20Car/P3290148.jpg

She can play with my dipstick ;)

Cool project though :yup:

[bigmuz]

Go on ebay and get a cop chip and you're good to go.

[Jim]

haha that's classic
you better not be faster than me, fucker :p

[stumbles]

she aint fast,. maybe people will get confused on the track and pull over for me

[Jim]

make a nice change from people telling me if I break down out there the marshals will just assume I am dropping off a passenger.

[carcrazy]

That is hilarious!

So whats the go with dressing a car as a copper, can you get busted etc?

Pretty girl btw too ;)

[stumbles]

Spoke to the traffic sargent at the local cop shop, essentially he said dont have it on the street and keep it covered on the trailer and will have no dramas. I asked if I could tow it down to the cop shop and take a pic out the front parked with some other genuine cars but no dice. lol.

[thedude]

So whats the go with dressing a car as a copper, can you get busted etc?
Just get the signage done as magnetic signs so it's removable and make a cover to go over the light bar.
There's an ex-highway CL Charger in Sydney that the owner restored to original police spec.
It gets displayed with NSW HP signage and 70's light bar.
The signage is magnetic and there is a cover to go over the light for when it's being driven.

[stumbles]

Siren turned up today, freaking awesome ! lucky has an adjustable volume. It can go loud as hell.

Has 4 different siren sounds, a horn and a microphone. Ebay ftw.

to quote from the packaging:

"Three of five electronic horn with microphone. The product has pretty design. The sound compounded by the digital programs and measure up the requirements of police and fire control department. when you use the microphone, it sound very clear.

LONG TIME WARRANTY"

heres a video. Will be using the 3rd tone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPkZ_ky1RgE

[Potsy]

Ghey.:gay:
Could proabably get you a "genuine" article from work, but i value my job.
Sorry.

[ALLMTR]

I'll send you some keepourcops.org stickers.

[Spammy]

Maybe put a Macca's red M and a Dinkum Donuts logo on there as well.

[stumbles]

nah, the car isnt meant to be taking the piss out of the cops.

[MR 1JZ]

apparently if it is dressed up like a cop car you have to transport it covered or you'll get in the shit from the real ones.

:rotflol:

I used to drive my old cop car laurel on the road with a transport permit...all we used to do is cover up the word "police" with duct tape...flashing lights, checkers, "drifting for a safer community" stickers all stayed...

was awesome hahaha

[evil_weevil]

car is looking awesome!

pretty clean too now, well done!

[stumbles]

Beacons were more of a pain in the ass to mount that originally planned but got there in the end.

Still need to finish off the wiring to make the headlights flash.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jI7qbkm-V8

[HoonBoy]

I'm sure the neighbours loved that :)

[thedude]

Hahaha, that's fucking awesome!

[tim510]

change the sticker to POOLICE

[F|sh]

very cool1 i am surprised and dissapointed that noone has asked for more pics of the missus!

so you need the FE2 suspension and your sorted :D

[stumbles]

Took it out to Street Commodores Cruise 4 Charity today.

Next couple of weeks will be getting stuck into the mechanical side.

- diff / 4.11 + mini spool
- brakes / new discs, hyrdo handbrake
- suspension / probally just some decent spring and shocks for the moment

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/c4c%202009/DSCF9689.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/c4c%202009/DSCF9688.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/c4c%202009/DSCF9690.jpg

[stumbles]

Did some shopping this week

mini spool and 4.11's

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/vn%20sedan/diff.jpg

have also ordered suspension and new brakes

Will be taking it out to Oran Park on the 13th September

[Potsy]

What you doing at Oran on the 13th? Supersprint?

[stumbles]

What you doing at Oran on the 13th? Supersprint?

Nah drift day we are running. North Circuit.

http://www.holdenscene.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=1661

Open to all makes if anyone is keen for a skid.

[Potsy]

Nice, i put in for the Supersprint, but sadly am placed as a reserve (Again).
Might get a late call up, i hope:(

[stumbles]

During the week flushed the cooling system out and during the process start blowing smoke and coolant was leaking into the engine somewhere. All signs pointed to a leaking manifold gasket. Upon removing the mainfold confirmed this was the case.

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/mani1.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/mani2.jpg

Nice new gaskets in place

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/mani3.jpg

Was also a good chance to clean up the motor, replace some more hoses and put in a thermostat.

Also got the diff out and its off to get its 4.11 gears and mini spool fitted.

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/diff1.jpg

[stumbles]

new bit turned up today

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/DSCF9829.jpg

[bigmuz]

lows or superlows?

[stumbles]

ultra lows !

[stumbles]

Another new bit arrived today ....

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/DSCF9834.jpg

[stumbles]

Had a busy weekend.

Diff back in
new brake pads
lines for hyrdo handbrake
springs in (rear)
removed stock handbrake

Was thinking it didnt look that low in the rear then I compared it to a original pic and was reminded.

Unfortunately budget hasnt stretched too new shocks yet but they are on the way along with new bushes and bigger sway bars.

Next weekend will put the front springs in and do a million little things to make sure its all good for the 13th.

original height in rear
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/before.jpg

new height
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/after.jpg

[MR 1JZ]

I thought ultra lows were mega uleh spec road scrapers!

[F|sh]

its a 3.8 yeah?

i think time to change the VN05 to VN38 to give it a bit more oh shit cops effect

[HoonBoy]

Did you find someone to do the welding for you?

[stumbles]

yeh, i think so.

[evil_weevil]

Spotted this today at OP North!
Looked fkn cool with the cop lights on!! Any pics??

I was doing a supersprint on south cct!

[stumbles]

should have some pics soon.

Made it through to 3.30pm before experiencing complete engine destruction !

the block now has an extra hole.

[evil_weevil]

sick!
Now what?

[thedude]

Now what?
2J or LS1.

Do it.

[stumbles]

common sense says just put another crapy VN V6 in.

I have very little common sense.

[evil_weevil]

they are cheap motors, its an easy fix, why not eh!

[thedude]

Or find a S/charged V6, remove supercharger, add turbo, win?

[stumbles]

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/op2.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/op1.jpg
http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/op3.jpg

And a bit of video of some small clips.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbjsga04ono

[XAC15T]

just chuck a 304 in... much easier... :)

[Jim]

haha looks mad fun!!

do you want another V6? A mate has an allegededly good one for a carton of beer sitting in his shed.

[stumbles]

my understanding is there is a diff between the auto and manual motors ?

[Jim]

something to do with the spigot bearing in the crank, but I think you can get a bearing carrier to use the auto motor. dellow or mal wood I guess?

[[TUFFVQ]]

pretty sure it depends on the engine series (ie VN series 1 engines are diff between auto and manual, VN series 2 to VR are the same auto and manual, but a series 1 flywheel won't fit any other series donk)

[stumbles]

Heres another pic

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/new.jpg

Plan from here will be to pull the motor out shortly and see what happened. If the block is useable will probally rebuild it if its as screwed as I think then will swap it over for a 2nd hand motor. After the skidpan day (1st Nov) will do the turbo conversion in time for summernats

[F|sh]

auto have different bolt pattern to manual....

[stumbles]

Are you sure about that ?

Ive been told its just a crank issue.

[F|sh]

yes the auto crank has a different bolt pattern to the manual crank.

[stumbles]

Got stuck in today.....

hmmmm what could be the problem ?

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/IMG_6126.jpg

Aftermarket block ventilation system

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/P9270186-1.jpg

"Heres your problem"

http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa230/stumblesau/P9270175.jpg

Took all the accessories off so motor is pretty bare now and as once I track down a suitable new one will swap em over.

[tripper]

Or find a S/charged V6, remove supercharger, add turbo, win?

i say just add turbos to a stock motor, should be able to pick up cheap stock turbos from a SR20 for example

[HoonBoy]

Are you going to look for a manual motor or an auto with the flywheel conversion bits?

[stumbles]

still undecided really.

Most likely will be buy new flywheel/clutch and use a auto motor with the 8 bolt crank. ideally would rebuild the lot and do turbo setup now but probally wont pan out.

[HoonBoy]

I've got the auto in the rolled VR if you want something cheap. Was good before the ECU hit a tree and it sat upside down for a while..