I reconditioned an engine in a VL Brock 'plus pack' around 1990. With the polariser disconnected from the universe the performance difference was staggeringly nil ! The smooth ride from the polarized VL was probably the recommended 24(if i remember right) psi tyre pressure. 👍🤣
1st thing. Its a polariser, not a polarizer. Brock was many things, but never a yank. 2nd thing, IMPORTANT! Polariser needs to be remapped for cam and passenger arm rest. I know a bloke who does polariser reflashes and flash tunes mufflers. Let me know
Really enjoy the Kye content. He’s a natural. Really good to listen to and explains everything in a way that’s easy to understand. Up there with Frank from Dandy for being really informative.
That's a great comparison actually. Frank from Dandy Engines is beyond talented at what he does. They both give extremely insightful information, but they do it in a way that anybody could understand.
You can tell someone who TRULY knows their shit, because when they do, they can make it make sense to someone with no exposure to it. Very well educated and well spoken is Kye.
I'll second that. The HRT cars in the Group A era sounded wicked too. But unquestionably the best V8 sound at the mountain I've ever heard was the Brabham BT62 when it did some demo laps at the 12 Hour in 2019. Ye gods, that thing sounded like it was going to rip the sky open. What a glorious noise.
A classic car running a modern ignition/fuel system is what the creators of that car would have done anyways, so you have made it better for sure. A non-running classic is just that.
Kai is a hero for recognizing the engine was doing something funky at high rpm right away. That comes from experience and it's something a lot of tuners could take note of. That easily could have been something overlooked by most people and turned into a catastrophic failure on the dyno before you realized it. He saved a lot of time and headache by pulling it off and having you guys take a look BEFORE something broke and that's a huge help. Well done Kai.
I love my JDM stuff but there's no doubting that car is super cool and clean af. Great stuff by Kye to treat it with the respect it deserves and needed. Time to enjoy :)
As someone who's owned and built nearly every 4.2ltr, 5lt and 5.7lt model Commodore and HSV that Holden made in my youth, the most pure evil sounding was my VS SS manual with a HSV 185i engine/exhaust minus the rear resonator, my dogs could hear me comming home and least 3km away according to my dear old mum....Oh the sound of those heel n toe down changes....mmmmm 😀🇦🇺
Who cares what the haters think. The build on this is awesome. It can be returned to stock for the purists, but if it was my car, I know I’d be keeping it as it is now. And I’m not just shooting my mouth off. I also own a Calais Sport. It left HDT the same month as this one, and has a build number about a dozen lower. As far as rarity, that becomes a bit of a non-event with the post-split HDT cars - whilst they may have started as a basic “pack” almost every one was built to the customer’s own desires, with a slew of available options on offer. I know my car is very unique, but so is just about every HDT car built after Feb ‘87. This is what makes them all so special - Brock gave the punters what they wanted, and buyers built what they desired. It kept Brock going for another 18 months. I’m sure he would approve of modern technology to improve the power & reliability. Brock was always looking to the latest thing GM USA were doing, and there are many examples of that influence on VH, VK and even VL. I’m sure he would have embraced using LS parts. We know HDT were already working on EFI before the split too…. So I think his approval would be a no brainer. And to answer the very first question, the Aussie 308/304/350 is by far THE best sounding GM V8. LP also proved that to everyone who watched and heard him run the VP at Bathurst when everyone else went Chev. Holden always had to beat the yanks, and the “plastic” is proof our engineers built a better small block for the era.
Valve train is a science in its self! Having the lifter bores machined, (or sleeved if need be), along with the a crank line honed, plus the deck of the block faced to match the crank, and then line hone the cam tunnel using custom cam bearings, makes all the valve train float minimal. : )
The Skid Factory +: An interesting, fact-filled presentation concerning introduction of nitrous to this particular car/engine. In the process, identified mechanical issues w/ the existing ignition timing system and existing valve train. These issues were essentially corrected w/ the addition of a specific crank wheel/sensor, along w/ upgraded valve springs. The end result, a now _safely workable_ nitrous introduction to this particular car/engine set-up. As per usual... *_Well done_* , guys!!! 🤗🤗🤗 Accordingly, the video is given the _YT_ 'thumbs-up' 👍'rēē -ward' for an outstanding production! Keep 'em coming, you two!
Such an iconic car! its great to see that people aren't scared do do a few improvements and a sprinkle of fruit. In my eyes it only adds to the value when it's done right 👍 And when it comes on song on the spray.... offfft🤟
Hands down, one of my favourite models, HDT VL. absolutely loving the content fella’s, always so informative and entertaining. And yes this would be very close to one of the best sounding Holden V8’s. Not much compares to a nitrous sucking small block for street smiles 😆
Shout out to all the people that sold their clean VLs for not much just before the prices went way north!! My mate had a very clean Berlina turbo that he sold to a young apprentice colleague in the early 00s Zoom magazine told us to buy these performance cars, but didn't say hold onto them hahah
Sold a mint vl Calais for $2500 after spending 17k on it because I got sick of seeing it sitting around not running properly haha. I don't miss it one bit was the worst engine I ever owned.
Not a vl but literally gave away my vsII factory manual clubby in '15 cause my new WRX landed and it needed a new diff. The fact I had literally 90% of the parts I'd bought for a 383 rebuild stolen in a house burglary in late '13 didn't help with that decision. On the brightside we still have beer so here a virtual cheers fellas 🍻
Cool car! As a Canadian, I can say during the time frame for this car, the best GM offered in North America was front wheel drive with a V6. Styling cues abound compared with the North American cars. From the glove box release to the side view mirrors, to the overall shape, it all looks very familiar.
I love VAG cars for their reliability. Had 2 Skodas, 2 Audis and a VW. Had 3 issues in my 20years - first Audi had a cracked Bosch thermostat housing, 2nd Audi that is 23 years old but I’ve owned for over 15 (on 27PSI the whole time) has had a yaw sensor fail and part of the instrument cluster partially fail. Great cars, but tight engine bays
Love my 2000 audi B5 A4 1.8t quattro sport, runs just like new. Put a garrett GT2871r and it moves along really good on 12psi. I have a genuine N75j to push it to 15psi but haven't installed it yet. Is a one lady owner car that I scored for 3k, the only one I've found the exact same is 20k online. Edit- yes my lcd in the cluster is barely readable haha.
@@lancecooper4646 20 years and going strong with their products, so I’m confident. Glad I don’t get gasket issues or oil leaks like every other manufacturer - haven’t had that since a jap car
Love the sound of the Aussie 5L. One of my favourite childhood memories in Sydney is hearing 2 great sounding V8s racing and getting closer. Next thing a SLR5000 and a Walkinshaw went flying by. Literally flying because they both got air crossing the intersection that had a slight bump. Such a great sound.
DID YOU KNOW that Mr Callies - of, well, Callies fame - made a fortune manufacturing matched pairs of camshaft and distributor gears for NASCAR and Pro Stock drag racing teams? That was his foray between selling the crankshaft company and going into the lifter business with Ed Morel? It's an overlooked area of precision in pushrod engines, but when you're winding up a small block to 8,000 rpm for 500 miles a go, you discover the advantages of things like distributor gears and timing sets that actually keep time, I guess. Also, a Holden V8 through a single exhaust always seems to turn out 🤤
Never understood why Brocky loved his crystals so much. Always thought he would be more down to earth than but each to their own. Love Brocky and I am not one to judge.
So when it sounds like a rev limiter but it isn't then the valve springs are shot. You got to be a good tuner to catch that potentally catastrophic sound. And btw: Kye has a very good way to explain how stuff works, why he does things and what might have caused that massive oil leak under your engine... 😁😁😎😎👍👍
Yes, basically it's setting the offset so the ECU's "TDC" aligns with the engine's true TDC. If it's a scratch tune, it isn't so critical - the problem is when a base tune is used because that may be "timed" way to early or late, and when the engine is bebuilt and the disc, or pickup, aren't in their original positions.
Nah bud you won't catch me out? That wasn't Nitrous mate🤣 that was one dem fkn Energy Polariser thing'os ayy! seriously Peter Brock would be proud of the update honestly great work everyone evolved awesome 👌 Cheers🍻 from Sydney.
I learned this the hardware too. I had about 8 degrees (4 degree swing) of scatter on my L28ET. Might have been cleaner if I'd replaced the oil pump drive gear/shaft and then done the bronze bushing trick on the timing cover... ...or just switch to a wheel on the crank and leave the cam sync on the dizzy.
Nice care, sounds tough and great informative video (thanks Kye) Will be interesting to see how the VL goes at the track and if it has enough top end RPM with the new valve springs when it crosses the line at the end of the 1/4 mile. 👍🏻
I did the same thing for my crank trigger and it lasted about 8 years until the rubber lining went bad on the underdrive pulley. FYI if you're gonna do this... do it on an aftermarket unit like ati or Keep a close eye on the rubber and always remember that the rubber allows the underdrive pulley to move a little.
Awesome! love the Holden V8 sounds tuff and great power.. add a set of Yella Terra ported alloy heads better roller cam plus roller rockers and shell make more power revving it to over 8000RPM
WE FORGET TO TEST THE POLARIZER!
I reconditioned an engine in a VL Brock 'plus pack' around 1990. With the polariser disconnected from the universe the performance difference was staggeringly nil ! The smooth ride from the polarized VL was probably the recommended 24(if i remember right) psi tyre pressure. 👍🤣
1st thing.
Its a polariser, not a polarizer.
Brock was many things, but never a yank.
2nd thing, IMPORTANT! Polariser needs to be remapped for cam and passenger arm rest.
I know a bloke who does polariser reflashes and flash tunes mufflers.
Let me know
@@craig8187 idle tard helps smoothness.
So does 6 cylinders inline
Yeah, c'mon. You need to put the Polarizer on!
if you fit two of them does it become a bi-polariser ? 🤔
Really enjoy the Kye content. He’s a natural. Really good to listen to and explains everything in a way that’s easy to understand. Up there with Frank from Dandy for being really informative.
That's a great comparison actually. Frank from Dandy Engines is beyond talented at what he does. They both give extremely insightful information, but they do it in a way that anybody could understand.
You can tell someone who TRULY knows their shit, because when they do, they can make it make sense to someone with no exposure to it. Very well educated and well spoken is Kye.
Kye is a total god at explaining things. He's such a natural in front of the camera, too.
The Aussie 5.0 is hands down the best sounding v8 👌🏼
If Peter Brock was in that room, he would have had a huge smile on his face and maybe a little excitement experiencing what you’ve done.
I reckon that extra power came from the Energy Polarizer rather than the N2O
The sound of Larry Perkins Holden V8s at 7500 on Conrod was the best sounding V8 I've heard on the mountain
I'll second that. The HRT cars in the Group A era sounded wicked too. But unquestionably the best V8 sound at the mountain I've ever heard was the Brabham BT62 when it did some demo laps at the 12 Hour in 2019. Ye gods, that thing sounded like it was going to rip the sky open. What a glorious noise.
A classic car running a modern ignition/fuel system is what the creators of that car would have done anyways, so you have made it better for sure. A non-running classic is just that.
Kai sounds like he really knows his stuff! Good tuner to pick that up…
Kai is a hero for recognizing the engine was doing something funky at high rpm right away. That comes from experience and it's something a lot of tuners could take note of. That easily could have been something overlooked by most people and turned into a catastrophic failure on the dyno before you realized it. He saved a lot of time and headache by pulling it off and having you guys take a look BEFORE something broke and that's a huge help. Well done Kai.
The best sounding V8 ever made, the 5L will always have a place in my heart ❤️
💯
I love my JDM stuff but there's no doubting that car is super cool and clean af. Great stuff by Kye to treat it with the respect it deserves and needed. Time to enjoy :)
As someone who's owned and built nearly every 4.2ltr, 5lt and 5.7lt model Commodore and HSV that Holden made in my youth, the most pure evil sounding was my VS SS manual with a HSV 185i engine/exhaust minus the rear resonator, my dogs could hear me comming home and least 3km away according to my dear old mum....Oh the sound of those heel n toe down changes....mmmmm 😀🇦🇺
"WE BUILD EXCITEMENT".......Says it all.....!
Mission accomplished.
: )
I'm not a Commodore guy but this vehicle is a work of functional performance art. I love it.
It is certainly a beautiful car. Canada never saw them, shame really.
@@schwags1969 You have Sasquatch. Don't complain.
Hands down the best sounding GM V8 , especially a solid cammed stroker ! But my God you can sink some money into em for 470RWHP.
Now try getting one to do 500+rwhp N/A... 🫠🥲😢😭😭😭
🤣
That crank trigger setup is exactly what Kye told me I need on the cortina, better do that hey 😅
Growing up as a kid he was one of my heroes I grew up in the states but he was world-renowned like Gurney and Shelby innovators. Wheelman.
Who cares what the haters think. The build on this is awesome. It can be returned to stock for the purists, but if it was my car, I know I’d be keeping it as it is now. And I’m not just shooting my mouth off. I also own a Calais Sport. It left HDT the same month as this one, and has a build number about a dozen lower.
As far as rarity, that becomes a bit of a non-event with the post-split HDT cars - whilst they may have started as a basic “pack” almost every one was built to the customer’s own desires, with a slew of available options on offer. I know my car is very unique, but so is just about every HDT car built after Feb ‘87. This is what makes them all so special - Brock gave the punters what they wanted, and buyers built what they desired. It kept Brock going for another 18 months.
I’m sure he would approve of modern technology to improve the power & reliability. Brock was always looking to the latest thing GM USA were doing, and there are many examples of that influence on VH, VK and even VL. I’m sure he would have embraced using LS parts. We know HDT were already working on EFI before the split too…. So I think his approval would be a no brainer.
And to answer the very first question, the Aussie 308/304/350 is by far THE best sounding GM V8. LP also proved that to everyone who watched and heard him run the VP at Bathurst when everyone else went Chev. Holden always had to beat the yanks, and the “plastic” is proof our engineers built a better small block for the era.
I’m a Ford fan from Scotland but I love all cars and I really loved the in-depth back story of this car.
I love it when an Aussie Icon does a bit of snorting!
Valve train is a science in its self!
Having the lifter bores machined, (or sleeved if need be), along with the a crank line honed, plus the deck of the block faced to match the crank, and then line hone the cam tunnel using custom cam bearings, makes all the valve train float minimal.
: )
Kye's definitely a huge asset to have in the guru team 👌🏽👌🏽 Fantastic stuff. You lads just constantly deliver the goods 🙌.
I still reckon the Aussie 308 is one of the best sounding V8’s out there. This thing sounds balls !!!
SBF goes close, but not quite enough to top the iron lion 👌🏻
The Skid Factory +: An interesting, fact-filled presentation concerning introduction of nitrous to this particular car/engine. In the process, identified mechanical issues w/ the existing ignition timing system and existing valve train. These issues were essentially corrected w/ the addition of a specific crank wheel/sensor, along w/ upgraded valve springs.
The end result, a now _safely workable_ nitrous introduction to this particular car/engine set-up. As per usual... *_Well done_* , guys!!! 🤗🤗🤗
Accordingly, the video is given the _YT_ 'thumbs-up' 👍'rēē -ward' for an outstanding production! Keep 'em coming, you two!
Nice to see a unique car and a different old school power plant
Great to have such a capable tuner. It is obvious that he really knows what he is doing!
I'm going to say it, that's my favorite car you guys have worked on so far. It looks phenomenal, the red is awesome.
Agreed nothing comes close!
Well done guys. Holden v8 producing some serious power.!
Fire! Gorgeous car. It’s an alternate universe (AUS) 80’s American muscle sedan
304/355 best sounding v8 full stop
Enjoy Shane! Top stuff from the Skid boys, Kye and the mystery engine builder.
Love following this iconic Aussie build. Hats off fellas! Would love to see it hook down the 1/4 mile
great description on valve float Mate. I'm from Texas, thought id throw the Mate in instead of Y'all. Pretty clever Aye, wait, that's Canadian.
"Ya, Boy!"
Superb car! I adored the Iron-Lion V8's. They were excellent in their day.
Congrats all fantastic job .... engine sounds sweet and a little lumpy ..... 😍👌👍👍👍
Thank for asking questions. Thanks mate . Happy new years. The gong.
Love that VL, such a great episode.
Hearing this motor, man it sounds tough!! It’s sooooo good to hear an old school v8 and revving to…
Sounds sooooo crisp!
Epic car, counds good. The improvements are spot on, it needed the upgrade.
Such an iconic car! its great to see that people aren't scared do do a few improvements and a sprinkle of fruit. In my eyes it only adds to the value when it's done right 👍
And when it comes on song on the spray.... offfft🤟
I reckon Brocky would love it 👍
Hands down, one of my favourite models, HDT VL. absolutely loving the content fella’s, always so informative and entertaining. And yes this would be very close to one of the best sounding Holden V8’s. Not much compares to a nitrous sucking small block for street smiles 😆
Shout out to all the people that sold their clean VLs for not much just before the prices went way north!! My mate had a very clean Berlina turbo that he sold to a young apprentice colleague in the early 00s Zoom magazine told us to buy these performance cars, but didn't say hold onto them hahah
Thanks for reminding me of the 4 rare classics that I sold for peanuts many years ago. They were all pretty rust free and straight as an arrow too.
Sold a mint vl Calais for $2500 after spending 17k on it because I got sick of seeing it sitting around not running properly haha. I don't miss it one bit was the worst engine I ever owned.
I bought my BT1 VL turbo for $3500 in 2003, still have it to this day although its been a very long time since its seen the road.
Not a vl but literally gave away my vsII factory manual clubby in '15 cause my new WRX landed and it needed a new diff. The fact I had literally 90% of the parts I'd bought for a 383 rebuild stolen in a house burglary in late '13 didn't help with that decision.
On the brightside we still have beer so here a virtual cheers fellas 🍻
even my "crappy"old SL i sold in 2005 is worth way more than the 1200 i let it go for back then 😥
Cool car! As a Canadian, I can say during the time frame for this car, the best GM offered in North America was front wheel drive with a V6. Styling cues abound compared with the North American cars. From the glove box release to the side view mirrors, to the overall shape, it all looks very familiar.
Wasn't the GNX out around this time, then GMC Syclone and Typhoon not long after? The GNX is probably as rare as a Brock VL to be fair.
Bloody cool car. I really enjoy how well Kye explains everything in detail and also in a way that is easy to understand
love the aesthetics of this car, especially the front clip - looks so much like the late 80's Pontiac Sunbird here in Canada
As am American who has always got screwed over by watered down versions of cool cars I'm so jealous and love to see these awesome rides.
Very cool indeed. Thanks for sharing 👍🏻👍🏻🙃🙃
I love VAG cars for their reliability. Had 2 Skodas, 2 Audis and a VW.
Had 3 issues in my 20years - first Audi had a cracked Bosch thermostat housing, 2nd Audi that is 23 years old but I’ve owned for over 15 (on 27PSI the whole time) has had a yaw sensor fail and part of the instrument cluster partially fail. Great cars, but tight engine bays
VAG & DSG.....good luck with that 👍😛
Love my 2000 audi B5 A4 1.8t quattro sport, runs just like new. Put a garrett GT2871r and it moves along really good on 12psi. I have a genuine N75j to push it to 15psi but haven't installed it yet. Is a one lady owner car that I scored for 3k, the only one I've found the exact same is 20k online.
Edit- yes my lcd in the cluster is barely readable haha.
@@lancecooper4646 20 years and going strong with their products, so I’m confident. Glad I don’t get gasket issues or oil leaks like every other manufacturer - haven’t had that since a jap car
And I just love Vag...
5L has always been the best sounding of the GM engines..
PS: beautiful car (the VL is pretty nice too ;) )
Love the sound of the Aussie 5L. One of my favourite childhood memories in Sydney is hearing 2 great sounding V8s racing and getting closer. Next thing a SLR5000 and a Walkinshaw went flying by. Literally flying because they both got air crossing the intersection that had a slight bump.
Such a great sound.
Kia is the best tuner on youtube with his ability to explain what he's doing for the results he's getting. He's no Hoff for sure lol
Most people who owned a v8 of that series used to have a stutter in their accelerator peddle.... Sounds amazing!
I love what you done anything to make a cool car more drivable is a win in my books
Sounds sick on the road boys👌
Can't beat the sound of the iron lion at full noise
Nice to listen to a good tuner! Good looking brocky guys👌
This one was very interesting and exciting.
I think it was James May that said, " Buy what YOU want."
Great job.
To test the polarizer . Take to top of Sydney Bridge and drop.
You guys are the best 4wd channel on UA-cam
DID YOU KNOW that Mr Callies - of, well, Callies fame - made a fortune manufacturing matched pairs of camshaft and distributor gears for NASCAR and Pro Stock drag racing teams? That was his foray between selling the crankshaft company and going into the lifter business with Ed Morel?
It's an overlooked area of precision in pushrod engines, but when you're winding up a small block to 8,000 rpm for 500 miles a go, you discover the advantages of things like distributor gears and timing sets that actually keep time, I guess.
Also, a Holden V8 through a single exhaust always seems to turn out 🤤
Never understood why Brocky loved his crystals so much. Always thought he would be more down to earth than but each to their own. Love Brocky and I am not one to judge.
He put a box of rocks in his cars.That's pretty down to Earth;)
Nice machining work on the CAS.
So when it sounds like a rev limiter but it isn't then the valve springs are shot. You got to be a good tuner to catch that potentally catastrophic sound. And btw: Kye has a very good way to explain how stuff works, why he does things and what might have caused that massive oil leak under your engine... 😁😁😎😎👍👍
If PB was around today he would want exactly what was done.. great job fellas!
I still think Brocky would approve and appreciate this!
Every episode has my new favorite car!
Great vid team. Love seeing these rare gems modernised
The paintjob on that car is absolutely outstanding!
The Nitros purge, reminds me of a LPG gas bottle freezing up when you run a jet heater off of it in cold weather... : )
Could one fill balloons from the purge fitting and get invited to parties?
Yes, basically it's setting the offset so the ECU's "TDC" aligns with the engine's true TDC. If it's a scratch tune, it isn't so critical - the problem is when a base tune is used because that may be "timed" way to early or late, and when the engine is bebuilt and the disc, or pickup, aren't in their original positions.
Kye seems like such a top bloke, potentially saved old mate thousands there. I wonder what he drives daily or if he's got a project car of some sort?
In second that. What's Kye driving? Hmmmmm!
Kye tuned my wrx about 4 weeks ago, He had a ke70 corolla in there that was his but I didn't see what was in it
That is one angry sounding V8. Amazing!
Beautiful bit of history. 05
Kye is very articulate. Never late in a V8.
I reckon brocky loved the nangs, he'd be proud.
Cool AF. Sounds awesome.
Nah bud you won't catch me out?
That wasn't Nitrous mate🤣
that was one dem fkn Energy Polariser thing'os ayy!
seriously Peter Brock would be proud of the update honestly great work everyone evolved awesome 👌
Cheers🍻 from Sydney.
Nice Car, looks much better then the Silver ones.
Awesome car. Awesome vid as usual. So many impressive people on this channel 👍🏻
That's a nice Holden to import to the states 👍
“We build excitement” so good gents
I learned this the hardware too. I had about 8 degrees (4 degree swing) of scatter on my L28ET. Might have been cleaner if I'd replaced the oil pump drive gear/shaft and then done the bronze bushing trick on the timing cover...
...or just switch to a wheel on the crank and leave the cam sync on the dizzy.
Best sounding V8 period
Nice care, sounds tough and great informative video (thanks Kye) Will be interesting to see how the VL goes at the track and if it has enough top end RPM with the new valve springs when it crosses the line at the end of the 1/4 mile. 👍🏻
This could end up as a very 'polarizing' video 😉
Jiminy Cricket came to remind you to always let you conscious be your guide when it comes to purity 😀
I did the same thing for my crank trigger and it lasted about 8 years until the rubber lining went bad on the underdrive pulley. FYI if you're gonna do this... do it on an aftermarket unit like ati or Keep a close eye on the rubber and always remember that the rubber allows the underdrive pulley to move a little.
Sounds really nice on the road! Do a skid you 😼
We couldn't find any willing youtubers to do a skid on a public road.
Great series, would love to see a update at the track!
I see by the lack of 'breather box' emissions that the nitrous has also sorted out the ring seal against the cylinder!
Love the Easter Egg.... turbo on the fan! Jase O
Dyno Yoda is a walking book of car knowledge
DANGER TO MANIFOLD!!!
Sounds great!
Love that car.
Volvo C70, I had a T5 like that over here in the Uk. Great car.
Answer to the thumbnail, yes it is one of GM's best sounding V8's...
Awesome!
love the Holden V8 sounds tuff and great power..
add a set of Yella Terra ported alloy heads better roller cam plus roller rockers and shell make more power revving it to over 8000RPM
awesome awesome video, great dyno tuner you got there ❤