Faults:

I bought the car as a build up. It is/was a 1992 VP, now building a November 1995 engine. This engine is I think an ex supercharged one due to the roller rockers, not lifters.

As with all V6 Commodore 3800's, the main cause of death is poor servicing, cheap oil etc, resulting in big ends 2/3 failing due to poor oil supply and/or pressure. To avoid ever pulling this engine down again, I had the blocks number 2+3 oil ports drilled to 3/8" to help with oil flow, not pressure, as recommended by one of the best Chev builders in the USA. Also fitted CLEVITE 77 bearings and race series cam bearings, as they cook and spin due to this oil problem, using Hastings Sealed Power rings too. I asked our friends at Holden about oiling issues; "for legal reasons, can't comment".

About the window rattle at full up; try adjusting the limit switch for the electric winder so it cuts out a few mm later, holding a bit of pressure on the mechanism, stopping the rattling.

Some rear noise can be faulty universals, giving impression of differential slap.

Vibration at speed from the drive line,can be center bearing support rubbers worn; a common head ache in much earlier models.

When dropping the suspension, consider an adjustable pan hard rod, so the axle is not pushed to the left.

Some clunking at take off, worn trailing arm bushes, something the pits love failing you for; change them all for Neoprene as I did.

In closing, my build will/has headers, 2 1/2 full flow system, 1995 supercharger heads with the roller rockers, rods, GM pistons, block, but a stock cam, after durability not a speeding fine. Anyone with something similar?

jimrichards1964@westnet.com.au

General Comments:

Can't wait to fire it up, and license it.

Love the hip hugging seats, and the interior, but the dash is a bit basic. Why only 1 electric mirror, if 1 at all?

New strut cartridges, kings springs, within the allowed 1/3 drop in bump height.

My premature mid life crisis, no penny wasted, lots of time spent, doing it right first time, ground up build.

Faults:

Hit a kangaroo so had to get the front right fender replaced, hairline cracks on the nose so that was re-sprayed, manual gear box played up for a while (gears sticking)

General Comments:

Very smooth ride, quiet, handles great, but lack of power for a late model V6 I think. 152kw (200 HP)

Car is fast enough though, it can go the speed when needed.

Interior is good, rear seats are very comfy, front seats also.

Faults:

The fuel dial is unreliable. At one stage it would read 3/4 full tank, when the tank was completely empty. I once ran out of fuel due to this.

The sensor for the ABS also failed when meant that until the part arrived and was fitted, I had no ABS.

The vaccum control for the air vents also malfunctioned. This meant I was unable to control the air flow direction.

The drivers door window handle also comes apart. The handle and part that you hold on to separate quickly and easily.

General Comments:

The interior is comfortable and it drives very well. It has excellent handling and fast, responsive braking.

Faults:

The only problem that I have had is the sunglass holder would not clip back up. Mentioned it to my dealer at my next service and was fixed straight away.

General Comments:

I was very happy when I picked up a Black VX SS with a 6 speed and leather seats. After fitting pacemakers and a dual 2.5inch exhaust my smile got even bigger. I can wait to pay it off to start to modify it.

The only down side is being 20 years old and having a rather large insurance bill, but it is worth it.