1986 Holden Commodore HDT LE 3.0 turbo from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Excellence above all others

Faults:

A blocked injector.

General Comments:

I have just got the car back after 9 years of sitting and the engine is still perfect condition, running and idling perfect, all I had to do was replace the fuel pump & filter, oil change, air cleaner, and flush the the tank out.

The exterior just had a small amount of rust as normal for the VL's under the rear rubber of the rear windscreen.

I have to say after sitting idle for so long I could not believe the condition of the car.

It still runs like a rocket, and handles like a dream, I have a 1996 EF XR6, and it does not go as well as the VL does, and the XR has been highly modified. The VL had major work done to the engine almost 10 years ago, it is incredible...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 29th April, 2001

16th Aug 2001, 00:14

Email me sin@rogue.ii.net please.

- Sin

1986 Holden Commodore VL 3.0L Six from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Guaranteed head turner with sharp cornering and fast sprinting ability

Faults:

Occasional noisy hydraulic valve lifter - too many high revs.

Other than that it's perfect.

General Comments:

With some upgraded and lowered suspension, hi-flow intake, exhaust, Mag wheels with grippy tyres, dark tint, a set of Recaro buckets, sports wheel it don't get no better!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th March, 2001

1986 Holden Commodore VL Straight 6 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Sweet ride

Faults:

Kept on popping exhaust manifold nuts, gave up and got extractors.

A real big pine tree!!

An 18 year old girl driving and not watching!!

Leaky boot.

Bit of rust above the rear windshield and around the bottom corners of the front windshield.

General Comments:

Kick ass 1st car.

Drifts a bit at high speeds.

Needs a turbo though! If anyone knows if it possible to bolt on a turbo to the existing block? Also on rough prices if you have done this? Or if any one out there knows what a decent RB30 complete is worth, please let me know.

Finlayson_c@hotmail.com.

Thanks.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st March, 2001

23rd Jul 2001, 21:16

To add a turbo to your existing engine, a lot of mods have to be done like decompressing the engine, turbo cam, adding a crank angle sensor, a detonation sensor, pressure relief valve, bigger brakes, bigger swaybar (fe2 option) and a few other minor things.

Probably best off buying a RB30ET engine with turbo specs already. Take a look at the Holden unofficial home page at the VL turbo specs compared to the non turbo model. If you proceed to making your VL a turbo, you won't look back after your first drive. Good luck.

4th Aug 2002, 05:54

Why would anyone go through all the hassle of fitting a turbo to a VL?.The guys insurance costs would go through the roof and that's only one of the results. First you'd have to find out exactly what was different on the turbo model as apposed to the standard VL. The inlet and exhaust manifolds are different as is the engine management system. The exhaust engine pipe and system has to be changed and that just the start of it.You're still going to have to rebuild the engine to turbo specification. The turbo engines had a high volume oil pump, dished lower compression pistons and a different cam profile.

Really to soarse all the parts and then get them fitted and working it's going to cost you more than what the car is worth!.The standard VL turbos only produced 150kw!.My own R31 Skyline fitted with a RB30E engine is producing that much at the rear wheels with NO turbo charger in sight!

Turbos get you easy power, but at a big cost. There are always effective alternatives.

1986 Holden Commodore Berlina Wagon 3 litre from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Good, reliable, tough all rounder

Faults:

Crank angle sensor (of course).

Low pressure fuel pump.

Steering rack.

Gearbox (my fault, bad river crossing).

Minor rust on front windscreen cowl (since removed).

Two tie rod ends.

General Comments:

Remarkable vehicle. Have had it in the NT for three years, electrics have run two 130 watt spotlights and hipo stereo with no worries.

Reliable vehicle if you give it the respect that it deserves.

Fast vehicle for it's age and technology level.

Very comfortable, nice interior in the Berlina.

Easy engine to work on and modify.

Have added extractors, sports exhaust, air ram and cold air intake, all worth the trouble.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th March, 2001