After nearly 3.5 years of owning it, I finally I have got the ball rolling on this my 3rd VL. I am the 3rd owner, with logbooks , of this '86 model Berlina. Some of you may have seen that I got rid of pretty much everything of the wild RB26/30 that I was building and since I'm into custom made bits 'n pieces, I thought the RB26/30 wouldn't cut it if I wanted to be a little different. In light of this, and with a little too much thinking, reading, googling, youtubing and time with cars with a little, and a lot more cubes, I am heading down the V8 route. Don't worry not the (very) old school push rod but a Nissan quad cam V8 4.5L, yes the VH45 and from what I belive the one and only so far. Its not like 6 cylinders and two cams are not confusing enough, I decided to go with 8 cylinders and 4 cams. Throw into the mix 2 turbo's, 2 wastegates, 2 blow-off valves, 2 plenums, 2 throttle bodies (yes I have an obsession lol with keeping things even and symmetrical), a powerglide and a massive fuel system, let the fun begin. Along with the Japanese V8 came some impressive featues including 6 bolt mains, aluminium block and a standard bottom end that can be pushed to 600rwhp with standard internals, I asked myself why not. I was orignally going down the Toyota 1UZ path, and not only was it not enough cubes and not a Nissan, I had found one already in progress, not a great idea if you want to be different. Form the outside the car will retain its factory Berlina appearance, bar the wheels due to the size of the brakes for engineering purposes, but on the inside and engine bay is where most the fun will be. So Far the list is as follows: Engine Current - '91 model VH45 - completely rebuilt using standard pistons with 138k and new rings and new bearings (thanks Stewart "Ezekial" - same guy I got the gearbox off originally) - balanced and nitrided factory crankshaft and factory conrods - new water pump - EMS 8860 computer - Pico Tech 8 EGT logger (thanks Kyle 6BOOST) - 3x Bosch 044 fuel pumps To do - new timing chains, tensioners and gears - two custom intake manifolds/plenum chambers with 80mm billet throttle bodies - two billet fuel rails - two custom exhaust manifolds with merge collectors - either 2 turbo's either Garrett 3082 or 35/40. This with converter selection will be the most important part of the car being exactly what I want. Gearbox/Driveline/Suspension - Northmead Auto completely rebuilt 2 speed powerglide - standard planetary's so good for approx 1000hp - see here http://www.calaisturbo.com.au/showthread.php?t=122943. I bought it, sold it, a mate then bought it and I just bought it back of my mate - all this for the same gearbox still unused and uninstalled - PTC Transbrake - Adaptor plate to standard VH45 bellhousing - again Stewart - PWR transcooler with bradied lines and speedflow fittings - again Stewart - 343mm front discs with twin spot calipers and adaptors - 315mm rear discs with single spot calipers and adaptors - Diff - not sure yet, wouldn't mind going the whole hog with a 9" inch, but that can wait, I have plenty of other stuff to do and the Aussie dollar keeps on getting stronger go you good thing.... I had a VL turbo diff with 3.9's and a minispool but sold it a couiple of years ago to Brad 7FOUR7 To do - 4 link rear end - Coilovers front and rear Interior/Engine bay/Exterior - chromoly 6 point (so far) roll cage - thanks to Adam at Raceline Fabrications [phone removed] - two plastic race seats at the front - complete autometer dash on its way - thanks Brad "7FOUR7" - B&M shifter - again Stewart - completely smoothed engine bay - completed welded nearly all the seams - reinforced front end after intercooler cutouts To do - finish engine bay - primer roll cage - remove all heating - more guages and switches - completely hidden wiring - fuel system - complete respray in original colours incouding pinstriping - last is decide on a set of tasteful wheels All of this and the car will be 100% registered, engineered and most importantly street driven, although on weekends only and the odd 200km round trip to North Sydney for work with maybe a visit to the track to get the racing bug out of the system....well when you look at it, whenever I would like to hopefully. There is plenty left to do but its a start and from my point of view, it can only get better from here on in. I have a few plenums on at the moment, but first thing is to drop the engine and gearbox in, make the mounts and dummy up some turbo positions & exhaust/exhaust manifold layout, which should only take a weekend or two. From there I can work on them with the engine back out and finish of the engine bay. All this in readiness for it to get painted...once thats done, its simply installation plus the usual hiccups along the way. Sounds easy, but there is plenty of man hours left...dam I love this stuff. Completion, hopefully, by the end of the year, but I also have an extension on my new house on the horizon so I better get my butt into top (2nd lol)gear. Cant wait to be driving back on the street after so many years out of the seat of a quick..ish street car.....when's that next cruise LOL Cheers, Ariel Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

man... DAAAAAMMMNNN!!! that is gunna be one wicked machine when done. much involved in putting vq45 in Ariel??

Thats a ripper project. Good luck with it man

thanks guys. Just custom engine and gearbox mounts, nothing major really....its the rest of it that will be difficult. The exhaust manifolds and turbo placement the way i want it are going to be a tough task. I want both turbos in the usual north south layout but space is quite tight. I do have the option of putting them east west, but I just don't like the look of it. I just want to get the engine in and then I will know 100% how they will fit.

Fantastic Ariel. This is a genuinely interesting project, and one of a kind. I'll be following this closely! A question; why those brakes? Have you considered some bigger calipers?

A bit different to what others are doing which is cool. Keen to see some engine bay pics when you have the motor in

exactly what i thought, something completely different and never been done before, not only that, but will definately punch out some strong numbers.....and burnouts lol yeah still tossing up whether i should get some wilwoods or ap style front calipers. The rears are fine though. i myself cant wait for engine bay pics...i will put them up as soon as they are available.

I wouldn't bother with Wilwoods unless your planning on circuit racing it

good to see someone thinking outside the box.

Quote: Originally Posted by ISL33P will definately punch out some strong numbers.....and burnouts lol YES! good to see you havent lost the spirit like some, v1 was killer at the 2nd above mentioned activity haha btw got a nice set of mint 19s to suit your ride for sale Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

just spoke to some old work friends and seems I can get some ferrari 355 calipers for $600 each.....looks like I have found what I'm after dam Steve, if they were holden original style weheels I would have considered them...only thing is i dont want the whole look at me thing. i was after a set if 17" vs senator 5 spokes...always been a favourite of mine and they are just enough to fit my brakes, nothing over the top

VS Senator were 10 spokes

Quote: Originally Posted by ISL33P I thought the RB26/30 wouldn't cut it if I wanted to be a little different. firstly, you got rocks in your head?? secondly, holy sh!t, build it!!!!!! Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

Looks awesome mate cant wait to see it finished!

Sounds like a winner Ariel, best of luck mate

maybe vr senator or vr/s gts...one of those. unfortunatley the wheels are a necessary evil becuase i have never had anything but 15's to keep the sleeper theme. haha rocks....that is guaranteed lol

Ive been pondering this conversion, very interesting in how it all fits together, two nice plenums, and two low mounted 35/40s Will look sensational, just make sure you copy a set of engine/gearbox mounts. Robert Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

i might just drop then engine in this weekend just to give myself a rough idea. Planning on running it as far back as possible to give as much possible clearance for the turbos, but not forgetting i will need space for a couple of 3-3.5" exhausts and a starter motor. i will definately be taking all the measurements for both eng and g/box mounts...i would be happy to make them for you. A lot of people will most probably run a z32 manual g/box which you can buy cheap and the conversion is off the shelf in the states.

Quote: Originally Posted by ISL33P dam Steve, if they were holden original style weheels I would have considered them...only thing is i dont want the whole look at me thing. i was after a set if 17" vs senator 5 spokes...always been a favourite of mine and they are just enough to fit my brakes, nothing over the top hahaha man, ill get some HSV center caps if ya fussy :P jk lol. i had a set of vs senator 10spokes awhile back, they were shadow chrome too, looked trick on my old vr. a mate of mine may have the rims your after, ill suss em out and get back to you man.

yeah that would be good....they are more expensive then the new 18 and 19's brand new...figure that out Some original photos have not been recovered yet.