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This is what my 1997 Holden Calais used to look like. It ran a 3800 series engine with an Eaton M90 blower and FIT power upgrade package. It had 19" ROH Fury rims bolted in front of a set of VT twinspot brakes and a SS body kit. I built it myself with the help of my mates.

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The interior has a VS Statesman Dash and Centre console. WH Statesman Suede Seats (Front and rear) and VT Parcel Shelf. The doors skins have had the leather redone to match the dash colour. I installed a pillar mount for my boost and air/fuel gauges which I trimmed to match the rest of the pillars and roof.

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The stereo comprises of 3 Pioneer amps, 2 pioneer 12inch subs, Pioneer HU, Kenwood 7x10s in the rear and Pioneer 6 1/2" Speaker up front. I also have a PS2 mini running off an inverter and JVC 9" Widescreen mounted to the ceiling.

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My car has been off the road for 13 months now. It is getting a full rebuild, from the engine to the interior. The three areas I am focus on are the Drivetrain, Body and Interior.
The plan is to:
- install a RB25DET engine from a skyline
- get 350rwhp with bolt on mods
- build the auto to handle the power

- hide the components in the engine bay
- smooth the bay
- full respray (same colors)

- reupholster the interior
- sound deaden the car (get rid of most squeaks)
- reinstall sound equipment
- lighten the by a few hundred kilos

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The engine is installed. We used a VL subframe and engine mounts and the cross member for the Jatco transmission bolted straight up. we used the front half of a VL tailshaft and the rear half of the VS tailshaft.

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The engine bay was stripped of most unimportant components and the new GReddy manifold was fitted. The ABS unit has been relocated to the battery tray (the battery to be moved to the boot).

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The intercooler has some new heavy duty mounts and the new turbo has been bolted in place. The turbo housing had to be rotated to fit in the bay and a new mount had to be manufactured for the wastegate actuator. The new brake lines have been run as have most of the vacuum lines. The Skyline gear selector has been installed in the cabin.

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The car was looking like a bit of a pig at this point, covered in dust and grease. It had been 12 months in one place, so I thought I would buy it some presents and give it a wash, before it went to the exhaust shop for the cooler plumbing and, ofcourse exhaust.

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A morning with a soapy bucket of water. The car now wears a 19" Advanti Karla rims. I decided to keep them 19" as I had tyres for them. I also cleaned alot of the engine bay out, wires and lines that did not have to be in there are gone. I also bought a Blitz Blow Off Valve and GReddy Emanage Ultimate mangament system.

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The exhaust has now been finished. 3 Inch mild steel with Race Muffler and Twin Dumper Exhaust Tips. The intercooler plumbing has also been manufactored and has been sent off HPC coating.

I have the surge tank for the car now. And have pulled the old looms out of the engine bay ready for the new engine loom. I got a set of HSV Coulson headrests from Ebay and bought some Genuine Trim to match my existing trim, it is being made up now and should have them back next week. The existing front headrests will go in the back seats because they are adjustable unlike the headrests in the back now.

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I have pulled the fan shroud out and cut it down to fit the bay with the longer engine and am painting it up the same colour as the car. I repainted my engine covers silver, will fit tomorrow and see how they look.

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Headrests are finished. I have been told over time the creases will go away. They look pretty good and are comfy too.

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I have started piecing Loretta back together now. The workshop is having a dyno day tomorrow and I wanted her to be dressed in her best. I never thought she would be making her first public appearence unfinished. Here are a couple of pictures as she sits now.

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Fuel system is almost complete, here is a photo of the surge tank and external pump in the boot. Also you can see the fuel reg mounted to the front drivers strut. Fuel tank has also been removed and sprayed black and clean out.

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Here is a few more photos from the last few days off my mobile phone camera. I have not updated the page for a little while and I thought now might be a good time as it goes in to the autoelec this week to be wired up. So you can see the new oil catch can, my fuel system and a bunch of speed flow fittings. Eventually all the wiring will be under the quarter panels and the bay smoothed out.

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Here is a photo I did in my spare time, not much really, just looks nice.

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Today I bought some RB26 engine covers which I think I will polish up or get chrome dipped. I think they will make the bay look a little smoother than the standard covers look. The car cranks over via key now, I am just waiting for the word that it is coming back from the auto elec so we can get the brake lines run and the finishing touches for the engine.

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