ON SHOW KILLERRides Rides CHRIS BOSEVSKI VL

Words / Pics- Paul Beck

Calais Turbo

There’s no denying that the VL Calais Turbo is now regarded as a cult car and is very much in demand with prospective owners willing to drop a big load of cash to get into the driver’s seat. Finding a VL Calais Turbo in standard form is like finding out you’ve got all the Powerball numbers lined up. It happens, but very rarely. Then there’s guys like Chris Bosevski who just like to change things up a bit, adding their own changes to make their Calais Turbo a more impressive ride than the Holden engineers could. I came across Chris’ Calais in the show car pavilion at last year’s Springnats, where it certainly was a standout in amongst a building full of cool cars. It was the custom Red and Silver paint scheme that first grabbed my attention, but the closer I got, the more impressed I was with the build quality of the VL. Sure, the body was mint and the paint was so smooth, it looked like it was poured onto the body, but its more than just a nice paint job laid on by mate, Cameron Milne. This Calais is the complete package – front the outside in, under the bonnet and the driveline!

Chris modified the existing centre console to fit the B&M Pro-Ratchet shifter like it was meant to be there.

Originally, the HK left the factory covered in Silver Mink with red trim – one of the most desirable colour combinations for this model. The first thing Pete did was to remove the panels (including the complete front end) and then sandblast the underside to clean it up and make sure there wasn’t any nasty surprises waiting for him. When the dust had settled, the bare floor proved to be in great shape and it was at this stage that Pete added a 3.55-geared Detroit Locker diff as well as HQ drum brakes and all new lines and bushes. And with a big horsepower engine upgrade planned, Pete dropped the HK off to Brett at Wicked Industries to add some chassis connectors and minitubs – just the thing to through those 15x8-inch Auto Drag Centerlines under complete with the 28x10.5inch Mickey Thompson Sportsman Pros. Completing the underside makeover are HQ disc brakes, 90/10 shocks and lowered Lovells springs on the front end with 15x5.5-inch rims and 640-15 Excelsior tyres. The rear end now sits lower too, thanks to reset leaf springs and Koni adjustable shocks. /Users/killerrides/Desktop/’20:21 MAGAZINES/KILLER RIDES MAGAZINE/KILLER RIDES ON SHOW/RED VL COMMODORE_SPRINGNATS/IMG_1933.JPG

Inside is a mass of grey velour using the usual Calais patterned material highlighted with bold red accents, that covers the factory door trims as well as the more body-hugging VS GTS front and rear seats. The original gauge cluster has been made redundant so that the Haltech IQ7 dash can take front and centre position within the custom carbon fibre surround. Chris modified the existing centre console to fit the B&M Pro-Ratchet shifter like it was meant to be there. The custom trim continues into the boot area where once again, the grey velour is highlighted with red accents.

But it’s under the bonnet that gets most VL fans hearts racing. Sitting in amongst the surgically clean engine bay is one tough six-pack. Before the Barra came along, the factory turbocharged hero car was the pumped RB-powered VL. Over the years, these engines have seen serious development to the point where they are making incredible horsepower. Chris’ RB30ET engine is no different with a host of high-end gear to produce enough grunt to run a best of 9.0-secs @ 155mph in full street trim! The bottom end features Nitto pistons, rings and oil pump, and race rings and bearings with everything being balanced and blueprinted. The cylinder head has been extensively modified with race porting, larger valves, heavier springs, half inch head studs and a Kelford cam. A Hypertune intake, throttle body and fuel rail was bolted up to one side, with the opposing side scoring a 6boost exhaust manifold, 60mm Turbosmart wastegate and Garrett GTX4202R turbo unit. The exhaust system comprises of 4-inch pipe from the turbo back, forcing the gases out with ease. The engine is controlled via a Haltech PS2000 ECU.

Finding a VL Calais Turbo in standard form is like finding out you’ve got all the Powerball numbers lined up. It happens, but very rarely.

Forget the standard 4-speed auto, Chris went with just two gears to handle the grunt, with the Powerglide auto featuring billet internals, transbrake and trans cooler. A 3-inch, one-piece tailshaft connects the ‘glide to the factory fitted Borg Warner diff that now has 31-spline axles and a 3.45-geared centre. Stopping power is ample thanks to the Wilwood brakes fitted to each corner, slightly obstructed from view by the 17x4.5 and 15x8-inch Billet Specialties Win

Lite wheels. Other notable underside upgrades include Nolathane bushes throughout, Pro9 lower control arms, 90/10 shocks in the front and 50/50 shocks in the rear. Chris’ efforts didn’t go unnoticed by the Springnats Judges scoring a bunch of awards including a place in the Top 10 Cars of Show, Top Sedan (Street Car), Top Standard Paint, Top Pro Street and Pro’s Choice! Like I said, it’s a damn impressive build. Looks like I’m not the only one who thinks so…