The Garage

The reason why you dont see that car on the street is that you only get one car model from complete series of models. The car shown in the video Vauxhall VXR8 is know as just "R8" here and even we dont get to see many of them on the roads. It is one of their flagship models. You see, R8 is based on Commodore, just like M5 is based on a 5 series BMW. Commodore range starts with a 3.0 liter Executive model known as commodore omega. Then we have commodore berlina, which comes with more goodies. Then we have Calais Range which are luxury cars based on commodores. Then we have SV6 which is a 3.6 liter sports manual version with body kit and all that. Then we have SS a d SSv version which are sports versions based on commodores with 6 liter V8s.
Holden Commodore is the best selling vehicle in Australia for more than a year now, knocking out Toyota corolla.

teggy · January 21, 2011, 3:26am

Re: The Garage

Back in grease monkey mode:

Projected car: 2003 Nissan Maxima SE Titanium Edition

Current specs(Factory/OEM): 3.5L VQ35DE 255HP Engine, 4 Spd Automatic Trans, Stiffer suspension than other trims (GLE/GXE), Titanium Edition paint, Titanium polished 17" wheels, Black leather (incl. door panel inserts, shift knob, armrest). Titanium accents on center console and Instrument cluster, Maxima badged chrome door sills, Digital Climate Control, Auto-dimming+Compass rear view mirror, Power everything, Moonroof, Spoiler and Bose Audio system, HID headlights, fog lights.

Current mods: So far have only upgraded the brakes.

Installed: Brembo blank rotors all around with Akebono ceramic pads on the front, Hawk HPS pads on the rear.

Next set of preferred mods: Will do these in specific stages. Firstly: Suspension and Stiffening the chassis/handling.

-Stillen Front Strut bar.
-Progress Anti-sway bar.
-Tein SS Coilover package.

Of these, I’ve already ordered Stillen Front Strut bar and Progress anti-sway bar. Going to install them sometime during the week or next weekend (as parts arrive). Next item on the list to order/install is Coilovers. Will update with a write up on how I did it along with pictures to accompany install.

More mods to come later after this stage of desired mods is completed.

Vehicle as it is right this moment:

teggy · February 4, 2011, 3:45am

Re: The Garage

Got the Front Strut bar and Rear Anti-Sway bar, but weather hasn't been favorable. Hoping for a window of opportunity to install them both. :(

Lafanter · February 10, 2011, 12:48am

Re: The Garage

man
why spending on a nissan … i m sure its a front wheel drive

teggy · February 11, 2011, 3:15am

Re: The Garage

Yup, it's FWD. But has tons of potential. Maxima has a huge following here.

M_Cool · February 16, 2011, 10:24am

Re: The Garage

Yeah Nissan Maxima QC V 6 is an awesome car... it's like a cheap Merc or Lex.

My elder brother had one a few years back 2 liter version.

I wanna save up for a scooby myself but I bet insurance will be a killer.

teggy · March 11, 2011, 5:29pm

Re: The Garage

Installed both the FTSB and RSB 2 weeks ago. Will upload pics soon. The car handles a bit better. Can definately throw it into corner and it comes out flat without the body roll. :k:

Next stop: Tein SS coils. Leaving the motor alone for now. Might considering boosting it after i’ve beefed up the suspension.

goddamniamsoawesome · March 11, 2011, 5:34pm

Re: The Garage

Great work going on with the customization bru, I just caught up with this :k: Also what made you choose a FWD? I’d be reluctant to invest time and money on a FWD myself. Either way looking forward to full on photographs and what will the car be used for?

teggy · March 11, 2011, 5:47pm

Re: The Garage

Well, thank you sir.

No particular reason for choosing it. Have always had a liking for maximas. Was going to get a 99 SE-R, but ended up with this one instead. This has more potential in terms of power plant, and upgrades.

Yeah, I know FWD isn’t anything to rave about (having prev. owned rwd benz/bimmer). But, figured I’d own one of favs and juice it up a little as long as I have it. Probably won’t spend ridiculous amounts of money on it, just enough to make it solid enough for my liking. Maybe beef up the motor enough to school some kid on a stop light, if it comes to that.

Yeah, i’m naughty like that. lol

goddamniamsoawesome · March 11, 2011, 6:03pm

Re: The Garage

A hobby-project then, great. Oh no doubt, they’re great cars and the blocks are solid on these. Naah brother, if you’ve got the passion to do this then more power to you A car from the production line won’t necessarily have the same feel as you’d like so I hear you. Be careful on the road buddy, I have enough horror stories :hinna:

There’s a big customisation scene here in the Middle East too. I like this thread, I’ll post some nice photographs and videos for those who are interested… Keep watching

goddamniamsoawesome · March 21, 2011, 12:55am

Re: The Garage

Let’s bump it for the boys in here.

So I finally bought myself a DIY/fix-it-and-drive-it project. I picked it up at one of the local sales, paid cash because I don’t really do credit when I buy anything. Hence the banger so I can have a bit of fun fixing it up. Its ACV is really well so I know they hold resale pretty reasonably.

I’ll be fixing it up in my garage because its a good challenge I reckon. I’ve worked on my cars myself previously too so hopefully this won’t take too long. I’m not 100% sure if I’ll end up keeping it or not because its a V6 and I think if it was a V8 I’d most definitely keep it long term. I’ll probably be buying something sporty in the next couple of months anyway, I plan on restarting track-days InshaAllah because I love racing so I don’t really know. I want a truck but at the same time I want a nice coupe or sports saloon. Lots of thinking to do.

Make & Model - VW Touareg
Year - 2005
Mileage - 80K kms or 49K mi

Does not start
I did a bit of poking around and it would crank using a jumper but wouldn’t come to life. Some unplugging of the supply showed no fuel passing through onto the injectors; Let’s hope it isn’t big and I reckon its the fuel pump. The problem is replacing the fuel pump is going to be a bit of a ***** and lots of experimentation.

Flat battery
T25 Torx & lots of patience I think (Googled the routine for this one and it takes one hour so I’ll aim for that)

RR tyre flat & all the wheels have grime
Still has some air so hopefully no puncture and a simple inflation will do the job. And I might use some tyre shine or some degreasing agent. Maybe even a bit of weak acid.

FL headlight shattered
Err will be some work because I might have to remove and reinstall bumper in between a headlight replacement.

Rear badge missing and Rear scratched/slight dent
A simple replacement. I’ll buy a new one and pop it back on with some industrial adhesives. Also about the scratch and the tiny dent hmm I might have to call in help for this, I don’t have the paint or the skill to do a large area because doing this means repainting the rear hood panel.

Door trim (Bottom) missing
Again, this should be as simple as buying new trim and popping them in place.

Interior
Needs some cleaning/shampooing quite possibly. Otherwise seems in brilliant condition AlhamdliAllah.

It sounds a lot worse than it is because its been parked out for some months now. It has complete service records and has been religiously maintained by the previous owner. Looks real crispy too. Onwards now!

/Greasymonkey

teggy · March 21, 2011, 5:56am

Re: The Garage

Niiiice. :D

You'll have a lot of fun with these wheels, inshaAllah.

I help you replace fuel pump, you install Headers for me? :D

goddamniamsoawesome · March 21, 2011, 10:58am

Re: The Garage

Cheers Teggy! Yes I will, as soon as I get it running. I’ve had Audis and VWs in the past so I am familiar with their setup and so a bit confident :k:

Oh sweet that’s supposed to be a real nice mod, it’ll be a ***** to do it alone. I hope you have a lift and all the tools. What’s the plan?

If you still need help, grab some burgers and drinks and let’s brainstorm bru!

goddamniamsoawesome · March 23, 2011, 10:18pm

Re: The Garage

I hate Ze Germans! In revenge for the Allies defeating them, they have taken over the world of automobiles and made sure they design every vehicle in a way that it will take the last ounce of motivation and dedication to get the simplest ****ing thing done. Oh why did I choose a VW as my project?
My overalls are bolloxed. I smell of WD40, Grease, Petrol and Motor Oil. I just showered but my fingernails are still disgusting and my hands aren’t too clean either. A full day of sliding under a car, leaning inside the engine bay, playing around with the fuel tank and messing around with the battery slots will do this to you. Be warned!
First of all I just took the hose, bucket, rags and car-shampoo to the car. Spent a good hour cleaning every inch I could get to, everywhere. So now it looks really clean and slick. I’m like woah! MashaAllah!
Replaced the battery but ****ing VW, I had to remove two bolts from the driver’s seat and remove the battery that way. I messed up my Torx bit sizes so I had to make a couple of trips to the hardware store before I could do this. Goddamnit, its exhausting but yeah, 45minutes in all.
I degreased and shined up the wheels. I didn’t have to use much; just some WD40, wheel-shine and a whole lot of rubbing with a rag. They look pretty alright, let me post up some photos. 30 minutes overall.

I cleaned up the ‘dent’ a little bit using a bit of petrol and a soft rag, the marks from the other car are gone and there’s just one scratch remaining so booyah, pretty good job done!

I also degreased the engine bay, sprayed a whole lot of degreasing spray into the engine bay and a few hours of wiping and cleaning and what not. It was ****ing difficult but I’m getting somewhere, almost looks like new. Around 2 hours to do the whole thing properly.

The front grille looks awesome too. Again, nothing more than surface-cleaner and WD40 and a rag. I shined it up with some shine-spray. 10 minutes approximately.

Headlight replacement, fuel pump to be done, interior shampoo/polish as well and umm yeah sounds about good to go.