Damien, the owner of our feature vehicle is a carpet layer by trade. Back in 2002 he thought it was time to upgrade his VS 308 ute to one of the new VY utes with the LS1. The poor old 308 had a hard life as Damien’s everyday work ute carting carpet around the Melbourne’s bayside suburbs and the Mornington Peninsula. Long rolls of carpet meant that on occasion Damien would stand on the bonnet and guards to load/off load – I am sure you can get the general picture of the sort of workhorse it was.

When the Hothouse VY arrived it looked too good to go down the same road as the VS. It didn’t take Damien long too decide that his VY was going to be something special rather than a workhorse.

Back in 2002 it was early days for LS1 tuning. All sorts of stories were going around of how to get power out your LS1. Damien wanted his VY to sound like a V8 and go hard however he was prepared to wait until he could get the job done properly.

The next part of this story will be familiar to many of you. Fate intervened and Damien was given G&D’s number - a chat and meet with Glenn followed. An exhaust and edit was all that was required to unleash some real power and make the VY sound like a V8. Damien left G&D a very happy VY owner.

A little time passed and Damien wanted more power out his VY. Next thing you know the VY is running a G&D cam with a mafless tune. The tune was great and the VY had just enough lump in the idle for anyone mechanically minded to pick out the cam.

More time passed and Damien was getting serious about modifying his ute. Not just for power but the full package. This VY has everything, engine, exhaust, wheels, brakes, suspension, engine bay fittings, custom leather finishes to the interior, custom carpet, rear wing, custom sound system, custom lighting effects, etc etc but not enough power.

Back to G&D and this time it is a PWR Supercharger. Finally (well for the moment) Damien has enough power - all he has to do is lose some car weight. Currently the VY has run a best of 11.589 seconds down the quarter in full street trim. When Damien says street trim he means street trim as in how it is driven on the road - full interior, carpet in the tray, spare wheel, jack, rear wing, towbar, and whatever happens to be in the tank. Sub 11 is the aim and with the removal of the wing, tray carpet, spare wheel, jack Damien has no doubt he will get there.

The thing about this VY is the meticulous attention to detail shown by Damien. Everything matches. The custom carpet in the tray is a knockout and the inside there are a set of custom mats (a little “quieter” than the tray carpet). Under the bonnet everything is beautifully detailed and the presentation is absolutely first class. I have not seen Damien’s carpet laying work however given his attention to detail with this VY I suspect his customers are very happy. Should I need carpet laid I know who I will be calling.

Driving is a dream with the whine from the supercharger and exhaust note matching the smooth instant throttle response. The auto shift is firm but will take whatever you give it. Brakes are up to the job and handling is firm but not uncomfortable.

With a car like Damien’s most of us would have said enough but not Damien. A bigger throttle body and maybe an upgraded fuel system are on the shopping list however the real kicker is the next major project Damien has his eye on – scissor doors. Fortunately for Damien JHP Developments have expressed an interest in assisting with the door modification so with any luck we will be able to bring you the full details of the conversion at a later date.

All in all a FineVY.

Damien would like to thank G&D for all the go fast work and JHP Developments for their ongoing support in modifying and customising the VY.

One thing that is missing is a blue silicon upper hose for the engine bay. If you know where Damien can get one, please email/call G&D with the details.

This car is really a pleasure to look at it. If you ever get the opportunity, give it a little bit more than the usual glance and check out the attention to detail. Meanwhile I think I need to speak to the Minister for Finance about one of those PWR blowers or get a staff job at G&D so I can trial one for development purposes.

G&D and Damien have provided me with a wealth of information however any errors in putting together this review are mine.