Introducing myself...
Discussion
A long time viewer, never poster, on this forum. Thought I'd finally make the effort to register and say hello to everyone. Hello!
I'm a Brit living and working over here in Sydney, I drive a 2001 HSV VX Clubsport is sting red, nicknamed the red rocket. I've slowly been doing all the mods in preparation for more power, think I will go for a cam but have been contemplating twin turbos which are ever so popular now over here as the price on the kits has come down a lot. Th e plan is to get the car totally sorted out here so I can take it home and enjoy driving it without doing any more work in the UK.
Feel free to checkout my website at www.alastair-mcpherson.com/hsv.htm which has photos of my car, some videos including my high speed spin off at wakefield park, and also details of my mods and some more common mods which I haven't done yet, that might prove a useful resource for some of the members here.
The car is being tuned at Marranos, one of the most respected tuning houses here in Sydney, and probably Australia. I believe the guys at LSV know of Sonny and his crew. I'm usually found on LS1.com.au, but I plan to export the car back home with me next year, so thought it would be good to get to know the HSV community back home in advance.
Look forward to meeting you all one day, and will be looking for some advice on the import process nearer the time (SVA, shipping, contacts etc), not to mention which garage is going to look after my beloved once I'm back home.
If I can help with anything on the Australia side of things then feel free to ask.
I'm a Brit living and working over here in Sydney, I drive a 2001 HSV VX Clubsport is sting red, nicknamed the red rocket. I've slowly been doing all the mods in preparation for more power, think I will go for a cam but have been contemplating twin turbos which are ever so popular now over here as the price on the kits has come down a lot. Th e plan is to get the car totally sorted out here so I can take it home and enjoy driving it without doing any more work in the UK.
Feel free to checkout my website at www.alastair-mcpherson.com/hsv.htm which has photos of my car, some videos including my high speed spin off at wakefield park, and also details of my mods and some more common mods which I haven't done yet, that might prove a useful resource for some of the members here.
The car is being tuned at Marranos, one of the most respected tuning houses here in Sydney, and probably Australia. I believe the guys at LSV know of Sonny and his crew. I'm usually found on LS1.com.au, but I plan to export the car back home with me next year, so thought it would be good to get to know the HSV community back home in advance.
Look forward to meeting you all one day, and will be looking for some advice on the import process nearer the time (SVA, shipping, contacts etc), not to mention which garage is going to look after my beloved once I'm back home.
If I can help with anything on the Australia side of things then feel free to ask.
Welcome! Your car looks great, excellent write-up of mods as well. I read with particular interest about the heavy shift action you were suffering, mine has that as well, although until now I've put it down to it being a dirty great big box and an even dirtier greater bigger engine in front of it 
Might be something that needs looking into there.
Scary spin in that video. Any idea what happened, looked like it came out of nowhere.
Might be something that needs looking into there. Scary spin in that video. Any idea what happened, looked like it came out of nowhere.
You are in the best country in the world... sniffle sniffle sniffle.. Thanks for all the warm welcomes everyone.
As for that spin, it was the slightest touches on the break pedal at about 100 mph at the wrong moment, a slight dogleg right. Shouldn't have touched the brakes at all but it was my first time on the track and got a bit nervous! The back stepped out by about a foot but at that speed I was never going to recover it. Fortunately wakefield park doesn't have many fixed objects or walls so hitting something is pretty unlucky!
Decided to treat myself to the sureflo exhaust, the one you can hear in the videos on my website. One of the best sounding around apparently. The car is booked in for June 27th, so I'll try and get some videos up on the website when its done. Can't wait, should sound sweet. I just love the V8 burble, owned a V8 soarer before I came out here, with a supercharger on the 4 litre V8.
Still in two minds whether to go for a cam or go full twin turbo. Not sure the engine will last too long with the twins, its done 115k (km) which over here is considered a bit tired. Are there many examples of FI HSVs running in the UK? If so what engine work has been done to prevent damage?
As for that spin, it was the slightest touches on the break pedal at about 100 mph at the wrong moment, a slight dogleg right. Shouldn't have touched the brakes at all but it was my first time on the track and got a bit nervous! The back stepped out by about a foot but at that speed I was never going to recover it. Fortunately wakefield park doesn't have many fixed objects or walls so hitting something is pretty unlucky!
Decided to treat myself to the sureflo exhaust, the one you can hear in the videos on my website. One of the best sounding around apparently. The car is booked in for June 27th, so I'll try and get some videos up on the website when its done. Can't wait, should sound sweet. I just love the V8 burble, owned a V8 soarer before I came out here, with a supercharger on the 4 litre V8.
Still in two minds whether to go for a cam or go full twin turbo. Not sure the engine will last too long with the twins, its done 115k (km) which over here is considered a bit tired. Are there many examples of FI HSVs running in the UK? If so what engine work has been done to prevent damage?
Edited by VXClubby on Friday 1st June 10:13
o.versteer said:
Welcome! Your car looks great, excellent write-up of mods as well. I read with particular interest about the heavy shift action you were suffering, mine has that as well, although until now I've put it down to it being a dirty great big box and an even dirtier greater bigger engine in front of it Might be something that needs looking into there.
Yeah it was driving me nuts mate, especially being used to an automatic I was beginning to think I made the wrong decision. Also with the rip shift going in, it just made the thing seem a whole lot worse. Might be something that needs looking into there. I wanted the car spot on, so was happy to part with the cash to get the box dropped, taken apart, and put back together by Marranos. It cost me $1300, about 500 quid, but was worth it, and they did the clutch at the same time to save money.
If you have a problem with your box its tricky, I reckon live with it if you can, if not make sure you take it to a specialist, my box was mauled when repairing some gears by a previous mechanic which is what caused the stick to bind, basically a heavy handed monkey, very annoying! (and expensive)
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