1988 Holden Commodore VL Vacationer Wagon 3.0 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Great fun to drive, pretty quick for a non turbo straight six and gives Fords a run for their money

Faults:

Cracked head.

Water pump.

Viscous can.

Radiator.

Electrical problems with the distributor.

Crank timing sensor.

General Comments:

After a few problems now and again, the old girl seems to be a good runner. It works really well for me, but always looking for cheap and easy modifications to improve performance.

Other area's of improvement include -

New distributor.

New heavier leads, 8mm.

Twin electric cooling fans.

Extractors (coby).

Performance exhaust system fitted.

Heavier duty suspension - shocks, coils and front sway bar.

15 inch alloy mags (Astron).

Limited slip diff.

Automatic has also been tickled.

Cold air induction modification - made ducting from brake ducking hole in front skirt, through to bottom of air box 2&3/4inch pipe used (works well).

Finer filter fitted and gauze on the motor side removed.

Upgrade on the headlights 90 over 100, also had to replace the fuse unit and install a fusible link.

Tinted windows up to the front door pillar.

VL bonnet scoop and front skirt.

Hand controls and a few other modifications made to allow for a wheelchair.

To do a flat 15 seconds is my aim, and not far away.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th April, 2001

1988 Holden Commodore VL Berlina RB30 3.0 litre from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

A high performance car at such a low price

Faults:

Distributor cap.

Crank angle sensor.

Plugs and leads.

New head studs.

General Comments:

The car is a very quick car for such a small 6 cylinder.

The car is imaculate inside and out.

I have put on a 2.5 inch exhaust and a K&N air filter, beats standard VN and VP Commodores and VR's.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th March, 2001

21st May 2001, 00:58

How ya going, I agree too mate, I have a 5 speed manual VL too, and I raced a VT Commodore and I was about one meter in front all the way. Pretty impressed with the speed of this little 6.

I also have 2.5 inch exhaust and a K&N air filter. Send me some photos of ya car aaronhoward@hotmail.com

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1988 Holden Commodore VL RB30E from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Ultimate power and looks for a non-turbo without going over board!!!

Faults:

Snapped a water pump shaft at 210,000 km.

Power steering rack died at 200,000 km.

General Comments:

Have done the following improvements to up the car's performance :-

- Extractors.

- Exhaust, 2 inch.

- Hi-flow cat & muffler.

- Lowered 3 inches.

- Sports steering wheel.

- Tinted windows.

- K&N air filter (with some extra plumbing!)

- Stereo ($3000).

- BMW 7 inch steel rims with 225's all the way round.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th March, 2001

21st Mar 2001, 17:01

How much power are you getting with those mods to the engine?

If you don't know for sure, can you compare it to another car you have raced? Could you reply in the comments section of this website?

31st May 2001, 16:06

I have no problem leaving a VN-VX 6, any Ford and some V8's.

I have a mate in Wagga Wagga who has a VN (6) worked off it's head by Chiptorque, and it stays with me to about 45km/h, then I get a car length. I get another at 95km/h, then when I hit 3rd at 100km/h, I just go!! 145km/h hit 4th, 180km/h hit 5th, then off the clock! His headlights are just one blur in the background!!

7th Jun 2001, 22:15

How many modifications did it take for you to blow off a stock VN V6?

24th Jun 2001, 19:27

It didn't take too many mod's to beat a VN! Just extractors, exhaust, and when I lowered the car and put in stiff springs in, it gives the back of the car better traction to take off!

Also with GT 55 CHAMPIONS on all corners (at $170 per tyre), they grip really well!!

7th Jul 2001, 18:20

What's up?

Yeah, well I have a a 5 speed VL too, the only mods I have got are 2.5 inch exhaust and a K&N air filter and I blow away all the late model Commodores and Falcons. Can also beat some VL turbos.

aaronhoward@hotmail.com

Thanks.