5L or Gen III?

[albert5268]

OK so I'm looking at getting my next car... a VT or VTII SS. I wanted to get the series II for the GenIII until my mate told me that GenIII's die very easily if you thrash them, more easily than the 5L. I have never heard this before but he said he has had a couple of mates and his uncle thrash their GenIII's and they died within a year or two of buying them.

Is there already a thread on which motor is better? Or does anyone have any experience or opinion on the issue?! I would really appreciate it as I can't wait to get my T and start modding... Cheers

[mattman]

Any car will die if you thrash it.

Perhaps what he is referring to is some early GENIII's (read - VTII) had some teething issues, but if you do your homework and find the right car you won't have a problem.

If you want big power, go the 5.7, no question, just don't leave a trail of rubber everywhere you go.

[albert5268]

Cheers mate... I don't think i will be thrashing it much at all seeing as though I will be keeping my VS as a paddock basher. I'm also leaning towards GENIII for the better fuel consumption and updated technology. Plus the Series II introduced the M6... looks like I'm after a VTII now!

[Snotty]

when they said that the engines died, do you know what actually gave way?

[Reaper]

Some early VTII Gen III's had excessive oil consumption and piston slap issues. Both of these issues would have been repaired under warranty. I never heard of any letting go because of it though I'm sure there were probably a few. I have had a VXII SS and now a VYII SS and neither has given an ounce of trouble.

That said, the Holden 5L is an excellent mill, virtually indestructable unless you do something really stupid. Just to add an extra, If you can stretch your budget a little, go for a VX. IMHO The body is a lot stiffer and overall the car feels a little more refined. Another alternative would be the VSII. Lighter body and they went like a rocket (Plus it would be cheaper to buy one in tip top condition).

Reaper

[MikesVT]

Hmmm... my personal opinion... Go for the Series 2, I personally like the GenIII alost more than the 5.0lt, and i think the series 2 overall is a much nicer car (the clear indicators side and rear as well as some other minor things give it that real class/sports factor)... Just my two cents. Good luck with it! Either way, it'll be a great car

[1991_Vn2nV]

If ya gonna get a 5L, go to the VN-VS range. Atleast they aint as heavy as the 5L VT.

Power was boosted from the VS Series 2 168kw to 179kw for the 5L VT, but considering the weight difference, the VS would be just as quick! The series 1 had 165kw, and was the same figures as the VR, VP and VN 5L commodores.

However the VT Series 2 had 220kw... BIG jump. VX was 225kw.

[greenfoam]

Yep like the others said, If you want the 5 liter in a refined but still light car get a VS series 2, God's personal Commodore of choice I'm sure and better than a 5 liter VT will ever be . If you're going gen III the VX seems to be the weapon of choice with the local drag racing boys

[albert5268]

Thanks for all the info guys!! really appreciated!

I just spent a weekend in Adelaide with my mate in his VT and i really like the interior, the dash and the quality of the seats etc. over my VS interior. The only problems he had with it was with the extra weight over the VS making it sluggish and personally i hate the look of the stock VT rear end (but that is easy fixed). Also i have found it a lot easier to find custom parts/extras for the VT online (i live in the country so it's a lot easier buying parts online than driving 300k's) and it seems almost effortless finding cheap bolt-on LS1 mods. I just didn't want to make the wrong decision engine-wise. Any other opinions/information would be greatly appreciated!!!!

[minux]

The only wrong decision you could make is if you get a 5 litre.

If i were you i'd buy from LS1.com, that way you can buya loved car that has been tuned and zorsted and already putting out 230 rwkw.

[1991_Vn2nV]

I think interior is definitely personal preference. I feel closed in our VT and VX. Like with the way the dash wraps around etc... The VN to VS interior is definitely a long way off quality wise, but its more open and comfortable for me.

[stockvs]

If you do end up with a 5.0 you can always liven it up with a Yella Terra bolt on aftermarket supercharger.
whoo hoo!

[RVN 355]

I like the 5L there unbreakable,sound tuffer and go well, the 5.7L will require more maintenance,cost more to fix etc but do require much less work for good numbers @ the rears with just a maf tune,remap,Headers,CAI,Exhaust and So Diff Gears + Cam if ya want some more poke. GEN III willl break well past the 250Rwkw Range with mods --- Out of the Reach for most 5L with out Forced Induction or Huge Mods within the Internals -Stroker side of things.

5.7L GEN III is already up on kw from the mild 5L 304ci 165kw,HSv 185kw Series to the HSV VT 5L 195i where there is now so many options for the 350 Small Block so if ya got the cash go the GEN III you will appreciate it showing up those WRX"s

[albert5268]

Yeah thanks for the info!!! Really now it's just a choice between VS (5L) or VTII/VX (GenIII) which will be decided by my bank balance!!! Definately have a couple of sleeps on it and then decide which way to go! Thanks for the comments, they've helped make an informed decision whichever way i go!

[Pretender]

OK so I'm looking at getting my next car... a VT or VTII SS. I wanted to get the series II for the GenIII until my mate told me that GenIII's die very easily if you thrash them, more easily than the 5L. I have never heard this before but he said he has had a couple of mates and his uncle thrash their GenIII's and they died within a year or two of buying them.

Is there already a thread on which motor is better? Or does anyone have any experience or opinion on the issue?! I would really appreciate it as I can't wait to get my T and start modding... Cheers

Your mate is correct, the Gen III will die a hell of a lot quicker than a 304 if both are mistreated. As far as I'm concerned it is common knowledge but not in this forum. Solution, don't thrash them all the time. GM, not Chev, had not addressed the oil surge problems due to poor block design with the 350 from the late 60s into the 90s. I assume it has been fixed now though. If treated well and not abused the Gen III will give little trouble with the bonus of extra herbs.

I'm ready for a flaming but all you need to do is have a look into how many motors have been replaced or rebuilt in late model Monaros and Commodores. The owners killed their motors because they thought they had a racing car and thus tried to drive it like one and the motor could not hold up.
The good news is most drivers don't thrash their cars all the time.

Edit: This is also the case with the turbo Fords that are dying all over the place now because they can't handle a non stop thrashing and their motors are no longer bullet proof.

[RVN 355]

For sure i know someone who Did A Turbo Seal or something on a Xr6 with not even 50,000 whats this say,too much & these new engines can't handle it to the days of the old school V8'S