22-03-10, 18:39 GMT+10#1
No doubt you've seen it. Everyone knows it.
This is Paul's VL Calais Turbo. It's one of those VL's that inspires others to build something fast and classy. This one has a little something special though, being able to run the car on LPG means Paul can get the most out of a high octane fuel whilst keeping the cash in his pocket and not donating it to the service station. Gas has a high octane rating and it's half the price of petrol.
Let's get to it. This Calais runs the obligatory RB30ET engine but has a nice shiney new addition. Hidden down below that famous spaghetti manifold was a low mount GT35 but now sitting high and mighty is the polished Garett T51R. It smiles at you with a glistening shine.
It's currently pumping 26 pounds of boost down through the Garett intercooler, through the custom plenum and finally towards the forged pistons where it's mixed with LPG and torched by the teamwork of the Haltech IG5 ignition and the Crane coil to create a stomping 354rwkw.
Helping convert the new-found power rearward is another new addition by the way of a 2-speed Powerglide auto and 3200rpm stall. This has replaced the trusty old 3 speed in the hunt for power and reliability. Having the same top gear ratio there's no lack in driveability between the two units.
The twisting motion is propelled down the tailshaft and into the faithful VL turbo diff which has proven that it's up to a beating with countless transbrake launches on slicks at the track.
GAS747 has had a range of wheels along the way and it's no wonder when there are so many choices available for when you get sick of looking at your car the way it is. At the moment it's sitting on polished Calais 15's but I'm sure a new set of wheels won't be too far away. Behind the dishes sit a VT brake upgrade for extra stopping power - A good thing to have with this much power under your right foot.
As with much of this car the interior is also an area of change. Originally with an immaculate VL Calais interior this was upgraded a few years ago to a HSV Coulson interior which pulled the luxury of the Calais from the 1980's into the late '90s. As the car has become more powerful the constant chase for quicker times inevitably leads to having a lighter car so the Coulson's have been shifted for a more race inspired cockpit.
The rear set was removed all together to fit the roll cage and upfront a set of Velo Milano leather race buckets sit. Strapping Paul and his co-pilot hard into the cow skin are some nice big race harnesses. This interior screams 'RACE CAR'.
Paul is yet to race the car with the new turbo, convertor, auto and interior but there's no doubt that the infamous GAS747 is going to go faster.
VL Calais Turbo - Straight LPG
Power: 354 RWKW on 26 PSI
1/4 Mile: 10.58 @ 130 MPH (Old set up. New set up not tested.)
Running Gear
Engine: RB30
Turbo: T51R
Bottom End: Forged Pistons, O-Ringed Block
Cam: Wade 818
Ignition: Haltech IG5 ignition only computer, Crane HI-6
Exhaust: 3" system, Custom Extractors
Plenum: Custom Plenum chamber
Intercooler: Garret Core
Drive Line
Transmission: 2 Speed power glide built by preston automatics
Converter: TCE 3200 stall
Diff: Borg Warner LSD
The Car
Brakes: VT Brakes
Suspension: Front 90/10s Rear adjustable upper control arms
Rubber: Morroso DS2 front runners, MT Drag slicks 26 X 10
Interior
Wheel: Momo sport
Gauges: Autometer
Thanks
Jason Ghiller
Preston Automatics and Differentials
JOHN COLAIDIS
Andrew ludlow
Some original photos have not been recovered yet.
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