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VNcommodore
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27 Posts
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 Posted - 10 Nov 2006 : 04:28:30 AM
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Q1: I have a VN that runs on LPG mainly. For some reason it runs smoother on LPG than on Petrol. When I switch to petrol, the car is a bit more shaky especially when the car is idle (e.g when near traffic lights, or slowing down, it would start shaking heaps and then eventually the engine would stop working). It's common for the engine to just stop working when the car isn't using much power like at the traffic lights (my work around is to put it on neutral near the traffic lights and keep reving until the traffic lights are green). But when running LPG, the VN is really smooth. I.e the car doesn't shake a lot when idle, the engine wont turn off for no reason like it does on petrol, etc. I'm thinking the LPG is smooth because the engine has been running on LPG for a long time (7yrs+) and has gotten used to it. But I'm wondering if there is anyway to get it to work with petrol better as well. I don't want to do any modifications that might screw up it's stability with LPG, I just want to make it run the same way it does with LPG, when it's on petrol. Anyone know the reason why it runs better on LPG, and how I can make it run equally as good on petrol?
Q2: If I get a cold air intake (CAI) for my V6 VN, would it improve the performance of my car ONLY when running on petrol? Or does CAI's improve performance no matter what the fuel is? Like will it improve performance of my car when running on LPG too?
Q3: Does CAI effect the fuel consumption? Will it use up more LPG/Petrol than usual or less or will it not change anything? (Or does it effect petrol only? Not gas? etc...)
Q4: Does CAI's make the car accelerate faster, or does it just improve performance while driving?
Q5: On ebay, there are CAI's for V8 VN's and V6 VN's... I have a V6, but if I installed a V8 VN's CAI, would it be better? Or should I get the one designed for the V6 VN?
Q6: I am going to buy blue front parking lights (instead of the normal yellow ones) for my VN (usually $5-$30), can someone please provide instructions on how to remove the shielding on my headlights and all that stuff to replace the parking lights with the modified blue ones?
Q7: Are blue parking lights, and blue neon lights underneath the car illegal? Some people say they are, but others say, it's not if they are used when the car is idle. And then there are those guys who say it's not illegal and drive around with neon lights. Not only that, but when I asked some policemen once, they weren't even sure themselves!  LOL.
Q8: What can I do to reduce the noise of my VN!!! Sometimes when I have my music up, it can't be heard outside as well because the sound of the engine is fading out the music. lol. I don't want people looking at my car in shock at how loud it is every time I start up the car either... Any cheap modifications I can make that reduce the noise of the car??? It's not the cool "loud V8 engine" sound either, its more like "chitty chitty bang bang" style sound... 
Thanks mouce for your answers, they're much appreciated! 
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Edited by - VNcommodore on 10 Nov 2006 04:33:20 AM |
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mouce
National Driver
1525 Posts
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Posted - 10 Nov 2006 : 09:48:11 AM
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A1: The engine doesn't get 'used' to a particular type of fuel, apparently the VN ecu isn't that advanced. However, there's a few things that could have died while you've been running on gas. First to go would be the injectors, if they don't get used they tend to 'gum' up a bit, and they don't spray properly. Do yourself a favour, get a tank of PULP, throw in a BIG dose of injector cleaner and a cup of metho and go for a long drive on a highway. That might get them working again. It could also be that the fuel filter is well and truly blocked, the tank could be full of crud. The metho will help get rid of any water in there. Also check the rest of the fuel system.
A2, A3, A4, A5: CAI's will make a difference no matter what the fuel is. Well worth it. Get your hands on a CAI for a VS s/c V6, direct from Holden they cost between $50-$70...cheapest way to do it. If you were to combine it with a good quality panel filter such as a K&N you'll notice more of an improvement. As for the fuel usage it depends on how hard you drive. It you drive exactly the same as before the CAI you'll use a little less fuel, if you drive a bit harder (as you'll be inclined to do) then yeah, you'll use a bit more.
A6: Pop the bonnet, and on the back of the light assembly you'll see a large plastic cover, unscrew that and remove the small globe. Pop the new one in (make sure you get it around the right way otherwise it won't light up). Keep in mind that driving with blue parking lights in is illegal in all states of Australia, and I believe in NZ as well. Do NOT drive with them in there.
A7: Coloured external lights are illegal when the car is on public land. They can be freely used on private property, and most police will not bat an eyelid if the car is parked (ie. side of the road, with the engine stopped and the handbrake on). Does not matter if they are LED or Neons, they are illegal for use on public roads. The only coloured lights that can legally face forwards on the car are white and orange. The only ones that can face rearwards are red and white (being the reversing lights). And that's the letter of the law.
A8: Sounds like there's something that's not happy under there. For the record though, technically it's illegal to be driving with music loud enough to be heard outside the car (but I don't know of anyone who has been booked for it). Open the bonnet and start the engine, and find what's making the most noise...is it a grinding noise? A ticking noise? A whistle? A whine?...more info will help narrow it down. |
Bite off more than you can chew, and chew like hell - Peter Brock (1945-2006) |
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VNcommodore
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27 Posts
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Posted - 12 Nov 2006 : 03:17:41 AM
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Thanks mouce!
Just a clarification. So if I were to get blue parking lights, they are legal if they are only used when parked, like say near the driveway or parked at a friends house or something? So I can't be fined for simply having the blue bulb, it has to actually be turned on while in public roads for it to be illegal right?
I'm going to be taking my car to the mechanic soon, hopefully he will know what causes the engine to be so loud.
Also according to some random aussie site i found, neon lights are legal as long as they are not blue/red/white/yellow. http://www.ledshoponline.com/under_car_led_light_kit.htm. Its under "legal notice". Is there any truth to that site?
Thanks again for your help. |
Edited by - VNcommodore on 12 Nov 2006 03:21:20 AM |
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Madness
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22 Posts
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Posted - 12 Nov 2006 : 2:04:44 PM
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I think those colours are reserved for emergency vehicles, which is why other colours MIGHT be legal... Dont know why you cant have white neons... your headlights are white
Also... the v6 super-charged CAI is larger than the v8.. so stick with that one from holden. |
Edited by - Madness on 12 Nov 2006 2:06:42 PM |
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VNcommodore
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Posted - 12 Nov 2006 : 9:46:48 PM
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quote:
I think those colours are reserved for emergency vehicles, which is why other colours MIGHT be legal... Dont know why you cant have white neons... your headlights are white
I think white neons are illegal because from the rear view, red should be the only color visible. White would probably confuse people thinking there is a car going in the wrong direction or something.
quote:
Also... the v6 super-charged CAI is larger than the v8.. so stick with that one from holden.
Thanks for your help.  |
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mouce
National Driver
1525 Posts
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Posted - 14 Nov 2006 : 3:21:28 PM
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When it comes to parking lights, any colour other than white is illegal for use on public roads. Near a driveway is technically illegal, in the driveway (ie. on private property) IS legal. As for the white neons, there's nothing illegal about having white neons fitted to the front of your car, so long as the light is not visible from the side of the car and does not 'dazzle' other road users. The only white lights that are legally allowed to be shown on the rear of the car are the reversing lights and the number plate light (which legally needs to be white as well, so no blue ones there  .
It does not matter what the colour, no undercar lighting is allowed on Victorian Roads (that much I know for sure), and from my understanding of the copy of the Australian Road Safety Act, as well as all of the ADR's that I've got here, no undercar lighting is legal in ANY state of Australia. As for what the site says, to be honest, they have it wrong. It does not matter on the colour of the light, it does not matter if it flashes or not, undercar lighting is illegal on public roads. It is not illegal to have it installed, but it is illegal to use it. |
Bite off more than you can chew, and chew like hell - Peter Brock (1945-2006) |
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VNcommodore
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