90’s TO NINES

Bryce Brame
1986 Holden VL Calais

ARTICLE: JESSE BONNICI | PHOTOGRAPHER: JESSE BONNICI

At first glance, Bryce’s Pink VL Calais evokes a sense of nostalgia for the vibrant aesthetic of the 90s. The paint job instantly transports you back to an era characterised by oversized chrome rims, eye-catching paint schemes, and booming sound systems that defined the autosalon scene of the time.

Bryce has proudly owned this VL Calais for just over 3 years, during which he has undertaken the task of transforming his standard VL into a 9-second street car. Remarkably, Bryce achieved this feat on his inaugural outing with the car, clocking a 9.91@136mph time slip. However, reaching this milestone wasn’t the result of a backyard slap-together turbo build. Each step was meticulously executed to prepare the car to handle the stress, power, and anything Bryce could throw at it.

Starting with the RB30 engine, Eugene at Flowcraft Race Engines in Ravenhall handled all the machining in preparation for the forged bottom end. The RB30 underwent a complete overhaul, featuring Spool H-Beam Rods and JE Forged Pistons. Opting for the single-cam configuration, a Custom Grind Camshaft was installed in the RB30 Head, resulting in a perfect exhaust note that complements the car’s performance. Boosting the engine’s aspiration is a Garrett GTX3582 Turbocharger paired with a Plazmaman Plenum, assisting with the output of 420 rear-wheel kilowatts (550+ Horsepower) on pump E85, tuned with an ICE Ignition system by the team at Garageworx Service Center.

Moving to the driveline, Bryce spared no expense in configuring the Driveline, Handling, and Braking of the car. The transmission is a Transbraked Turbo 400 built by MDT Race Engines and Autos in Ballarat, complemented by a Dominator 4200 Stall Converter. Showtime Customs Tubular Arms and Viking Double Adjustable Rear Shocks have been fitted at the rear, ensuring optimal drivability both on the street and the strip. The differential houses a shortened BorgWarner Diff fitted with 31 Spline axles and an upgraded gear set. An essential upgrade is the VE HSV Brake system, offering a complete overhaul to the braking power of the standard VL brakes.

While the performance modifications are impressive, Bryce has also paid attention to the aesthetics of his Calais. While retaining the original interior trim and body kit, the car underwent a complete respray, including the engine bay, in a striking Custom Candy Pink thanks to Bryce’s father at “Brames Paint & Panel” in Ballarat. Over the past three years, Bryce’s Calais has undoubtedly been a standout in Ballarat, with its iconic VL look further accentuated by 17” Weld Alumastars up front paired with a 15×8 Rear with a 255 Tire.

Now, having recently completed the build, Bryce looks forward to enjoying his Calais and creating cherished memories with it. We imagine there are many events to come where we will see this car; however, it is currently entered in the ‘Western Highway Shootout’ in Ballarat. We extend our congratulations to Bryce on finishing the car and wish him the best of luck in future events.

SPECIAL THANKS
Garageworx Service Centre, Brames Paint & Panel, Flowcraft, MDT Transmissions, Eureka Automotive and Bryce’s Family