drunk_kev
04-10-2009, 12:11 PM
I present to you Junes very deserving winner, Darrens Imaculate VH SS Commodore.
Darren purchased the SS as a dead stocker in 2003, with immaculate Red paintwork and the trusty 253 and 4 speed in place. Since then he has embarked on a ongoing modification path which is still ongoing.
The engine was removed and ditched for a efi 5 litre conversion complete with T5 5 speed manual box. The trusty 5 litre isn’t standard by any means, with a crow cam and valve springs package, rollermaster double row timing chain, yella terra roller rockers completing the valve train modifications. Fuel supply has been upgraded with a bosch 044 pump and 42lb injectors. These were fitted after the SS went in for a tune and made 250rwhp but had to be abandoned due to the old pump not supplying enough juice.
The T5 has a RPM Heavy duty clutch to transfer all that power back to the 10 bolt diff with 3.08 gears, perfect for highway cruising. Exhaust gases emanate through Pacemaker headers into a single 3inch exhaust and resonator. Defiantly has that perfect V8 burble that you can only get with a Holden 5 litre.
Not one to do things by halves, Darren has tackled the suspension and braking system on the SS to bring it up from 80’s spec. Koni adjustable shocks are fitted front and rear, with lovell super low springs bringing the VH closer to mother earth. Whiteline sway bars front and rear tighten the whole package up, with nolathane bushes fitted all round. Braking has been upgraded courtesy of VN V8 front rotors and callipers with discs on the rear. The standard 14inch Cheviot mag wheels have been dumped for the timeless classic Walkinshaw rim. Suits this car too a tee. Defiantly a car that goes, can handle the twisty stuff with ease and stop on a dime.
The interior has been a mission on its own. Previous to Darren owning the SS, the owner stupidly replaced the original SS door trims and rear seat with beige SL/X items. One can only wonder what he was thinking! So on came the mission of getting them retrimmed with the factory “Dark Claret” colour to return it back to its original glory. The dash has been recovered and SAAS front seats hold driver and passenger in place. A Momo twirler points the SS in any direction Darren wants to travel. Other modifications to the car which can’t be seen to the naked eye is a VL fuel tank, VS steering rack and K frame , which helps with clearance for the extractors.
All in all one very well brought together package, with the majority of modifications performed by the owner himself, which is what impresses this scribe most. Definatly a prime example of a top quality early model commodore.
But as I said in my initial paragraph, the path of modification as we all know never ends. Future plans for the SS include a new seat of front seats to replace the SAAS items, and Darren has picked up a Trickshift twin throttle manifold to fit! To get this to work the battery will moved to the boot and custom piping made up for the airbox. Then a tune. Will e good to see the results then.
Well done mate, and keep enjoying the car!
http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab197/COTM/june%202008/vhss1.jpg
http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab197/COTM/june%202008/vhss2.jpg
http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab197/COTM/june%202008/vhss3.jpg
http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab197/COTM/june%202008/vhss4.jpg
Darren purchased the SS as a dead stocker in 2003, with immaculate Red paintwork and the trusty 253 and 4 speed in place. Since then he has embarked on a ongoing modification path which is still ongoing.
The engine was removed and ditched for a efi 5 litre conversion complete with T5 5 speed manual box. The trusty 5 litre isn’t standard by any means, with a crow cam and valve springs package, rollermaster double row timing chain, yella terra roller rockers completing the valve train modifications. Fuel supply has been upgraded with a bosch 044 pump and 42lb injectors. These were fitted after the SS went in for a tune and made 250rwhp but had to be abandoned due to the old pump not supplying enough juice.
The T5 has a RPM Heavy duty clutch to transfer all that power back to the 10 bolt diff with 3.08 gears, perfect for highway cruising. Exhaust gases emanate through Pacemaker headers into a single 3inch exhaust and resonator. Defiantly has that perfect V8 burble that you can only get with a Holden 5 litre.
Not one to do things by halves, Darren has tackled the suspension and braking system on the SS to bring it up from 80’s spec. Koni adjustable shocks are fitted front and rear, with lovell super low springs bringing the VH closer to mother earth. Whiteline sway bars front and rear tighten the whole package up, with nolathane bushes fitted all round. Braking has been upgraded courtesy of VN V8 front rotors and callipers with discs on the rear. The standard 14inch Cheviot mag wheels have been dumped for the timeless classic Walkinshaw rim. Suits this car too a tee. Defiantly a car that goes, can handle the twisty stuff with ease and stop on a dime.
The interior has been a mission on its own. Previous to Darren owning the SS, the owner stupidly replaced the original SS door trims and rear seat with beige SL/X items. One can only wonder what he was thinking! So on came the mission of getting them retrimmed with the factory “Dark Claret” colour to return it back to its original glory. The dash has been recovered and SAAS front seats hold driver and passenger in place. A Momo twirler points the SS in any direction Darren wants to travel. Other modifications to the car which can’t be seen to the naked eye is a VL fuel tank, VS steering rack and K frame , which helps with clearance for the extractors.
All in all one very well brought together package, with the majority of modifications performed by the owner himself, which is what impresses this scribe most. Definatly a prime example of a top quality early model commodore.
But as I said in my initial paragraph, the path of modification as we all know never ends. Future plans for the SS include a new seat of front seats to replace the SAAS items, and Darren has picked up a Trickshift twin throttle manifold to fit! To get this to work the battery will moved to the boot and custom piping made up for the airbox. Then a tune. Will e good to see the results then.
Well done mate, and keep enjoying the car!
http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab197/COTM/june%202008/vhss1.jpg
http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab197/COTM/june%202008/vhss2.jpg
http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab197/COTM/june%202008/vhss3.jpg
http://i863.photobucket.com/albums/ab197/COTM/june%202008/vhss4.jpg