1987 Holden Commodore Executive VL 3.0 straight 6 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Sweet, neat and will beat!

Faults:

Rear shocks broken.

A few dash bulbs have blown.

Air conditioning switch doesn't work.

Slight rust on the front and rear window sills.

Car sometimes cuts out for no reason and has a really rough acceleration, although I've heard the crank angle sensor could have something to do with this. I might look into it.

General Comments:

My Vl is a mad piece of machinery, it goes like the clappers and pulls the smelliest burnouts ever!

The car has had, since I bought it in 2000, a full clean out and a new carpet fitted, K&N pod type filter installed in place of original air box with plumbing for cool air from the front grille.

Oil cooler also installed on the right side front bumper.

New shocks will be fitted all round soon along with new pads and DBA cross drilled and slotted rotors.

Other than this the car is a white executive with the dark gray trim and persuit wheels, although there is a nice shiny dump pipe on the end, and totally non see through windows except for the front :)

Badges are reomoved and the car really goes off the line, not to mention magnetising the chicks to it!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd March, 2001

1987 Holden Commodore VL Executive 3.0 6 cylinder from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Filth first car!!!

Faults:

Air conditioning switch is screwed.

Indicator switch thing is broken, high beam doesn't work.

Crank angle sensor starting to pack it in at 168000.

Boot leaks a bit.

Automatic gear lever has broken.

General Comments:

Everything else on the car is sweet, for 2 grand it's a bargain, it cuts sick acceleration wise considering it's age, the engine's mad.

With power steering it's a bit sensitive from the front end.

Mine's lowered, stock standard executive, white with black tint, pursuit rims, 2.5 inch exhaust, that's about it and all up it's only set me back about 2500... pulls the chicks.

If anyone knows anything basic about power gains with the standard 6, preferably DIY, vl_turbo_boy@hotmail.com.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th March, 2001

1987 Holden Commodore VL (SL) 3.0L Standard from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Extreme potential and lifetime reliability

Faults:

ABSOLUTELY nothing with the engine!!

Some boot leakage.

Squeaky front suspension.

The entire gearbox/clutch was changed only to find out that there was nothing wrong with the gearbox, only the clutch assembly. However this conversion paid off in terms of performance.

General Comments:

This car is absolutely 100% reliable and will start first click, no matter what.

It does have a tendency to lose traction easily over uneven roads and is quite a bumpy ride.

However this car has enormous potential and can easily humiliate VR and VP traffic light hero's.

It is fully stock and is desperately begging for some modification.

If anyone has any suggestions on how to cheaply enhance it's performance please contact me at: Mark81@one.net.au.

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

Review Date: 16th March, 2001

24th Jul 2001, 23:48

I dunno what you mean by VP VR traffic light heroes as I have a VP bt1 that is only a 6, that would wipe your stock VL.

1987 Holden Commodore Walkinshaw 5.0 worked from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

One fast car that loves moving

Faults:

Since I rebuilt it nothing other than lots of sets of tyres.

TROUBLE getting max power at high RPM, fixed by lowering the compression.

General Comments:

The car is what I wanted, a 447 horse power car at the rear wheels and for only a small cost. It is a shame it is time to sell it and get a new project started.

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

Review Date: 13th March, 2001

8th May 2001, 02:15

Awsome review... walkies go hard ay... cheerz for the review.

1987 Holden Commodore VL 3.0 ULP from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Do up the engine, and fly cheaply

Faults:

Seized water pump, replaced the pump and discarded the thermostat. This problem will overheat your engine if you don't fix it, very bad for the Nissan RB30 engine, you will crack the cylinder head if you don't fix the cooling problems.

Had to replace bands in the gearbox.

Exhaust cylinder studs hard to remove from the head.

General Comments:

As a car the VL is quiet and fairly comfortable, it is basically a crappy run of the mill Commodore with a very high tech, strong motor. Good power for excellent fuel economy.

The engine in these cars are virtually indestructible, excellent power can be made without touching the engine block or its internals. Just by upgrading the exhaust system you will get good performance, although the car in standard form is not a great performer, the engine is very welcome to upgrades, and won't suffer any drawbacks.

Power is so easy to get, keeping up or even thrashing newer VN - VS model Commodores (speaking from experience) is not a problem. I can keep up with an Ford EL XR6 with no chip or cam upgrades.

The key is power to weight.

The turbo motor is better, but if you're young, you just won't get the insurance cheaply. If you want a real performer from a ordinary car, then doing up these cars are a good start to really surprising the average traffic light warrior.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th March, 2001