HSV Commodore

Too true, too true :hehe:

it's been easier for me to log on recently as i had been having trouble logging on in the evening (which i guess is when the numerous Americans log on) but they upgraded the server and things like that so the site seems to be operating better nowadays, and i havent been seeing that irritating "The server is too busy" page!! :bloated:
so i have been on a bit more, and finding decent threads here and there is getting difficult, but it still happens!

The Buick V6 is far from gutless,my brothers automatic VN was quicker than a AU Falcon we drove in a 400 metre sprint by a few seconds,the disappointing thing is the Commodore ran a 3.08:1 diff ratio whereas the Falcon ran a 3.45:1 ratio.
the Falcon had only done 60,000 kms whereas the VN had done 450,000 kms and the motor had been neglected,we pulled it down,it had thrashed out valve guides and cylinder number 2 had worn rings (1 MM ring end gap) but the engine was still more potent than the Falcon engine,the auto was also worn out too.
We gave the motor a freshen up,fitted new rings,gaskets,seals,etc and had the heads recoed with K line inserts fitted into the valve guides,I think the engine has more compression as the engine builder shaved the heads (don't know how much by),it is now fitted with pacemaker headers and a Toyota Supra 5 speed transmission.
The motor now revs out nicely with a far greater top end,revs out more like a Jap motor,it surpisingly has a more modern bottom end than the Falcon as it has a shorter stroking wider bore diameter compared to the narrow bore and long stroking old school design that Ford use.

AU falcons are a piece of junk.

My mate as a ED 4ltr Auto Fairmont thats done 170,000km's.

That was quicker than my old Mans AU Falcon which he has now sold.

The ED is also quicker than another mate of mine that has a VN Auto with a 3" Exhaust.

The VN gets the initial jump then by the end of first the ED is slowly slowly pulling in front.

VN's are gutless and so are the ED's.

Drive a new VRX 5 speed Magna.. They are pretty quick due to the large amounts of torque down low and in the mid range.

The 03' VRX 5 Speed Magna which my Fiancee's Brother has pulls around 1 car length on a Exec Auto VS 5ltr with an exhaust.

I also had a run with a stock old shape WRX.

It was a rolling run in first from around 20km's.

First gear jumped ahead of the WRX slightly then bye the end of first the WRX had slightly grabed the lead again. Slapped second and the Magna jumped in front again then by the end of second the WRX was only ever so slightly in front again.

I was actually quite surprised with the VRX.. The Ralli Art will be good 185kw.. The advantage the Magna's have is where the power is made, the gearing and the weight of the car.

When I say gutless the VN's do feel gutless as i've been driving my 32 Skyline around for 1 1/2 years running 16psi and making close to 170rwkw.

It slightly pulls away from 255LS1 Maloo Manual Utes.

Upon release Wheels magazine recorded a 0-400 metre time of 15.6 for manual Executive V6 VN - an identical time to an old 1969 Wheels test of a HT 350 Monaro 4speed. I wouldn't describe a 300 horse Monaro as being gutless ...

Wheels got a 15.8 for the VN V6 auto btw, isn't that the same time as for a 327 GTS 4 speed?

I think Magnas are a very under-rated car & new AWD models hold lots of appeal IMO if kept plain without all the hideous spoilers etc which so blight the VRX. I wish Mitsubishi would adopt & retain those pretty VRX wheels as a Magna-range 'signature' wheel, much as Ford did with the 12 slot