5 litre performance ??

[jamiefh]

Hey everyone

I just bought a vs statesman with the 5 litre v8. This is my first v8 and I'm not sure how quick they should be but when I drive it, it feels slow. I have a vs calai with the v6 and I reckon it feels faster

Is this normal?? If not maybe somethings wrong with the 5 litre ?? Is there some things I should do?? any help is much appreciated.

[Vee-ard]

VR Buick V6 Power = 130kw.
VS Ecotec V6 Power = 147kw.
5.0L V8 Power = 165kw.

Not a great difference there. Certainly not like the difference between the chev LS1 (about 250kw, depending on series) and the ecotec.

0-100 you wont notice much of a difference, but above that the 8 pulls harder. Also, V8's respond better to mods like extractors and exhaust more than the 6.

There's a reason they call the aussie iron a boat anchor, however the low compression ratio of 8.3:1 is awesome for adding boost to.

[WogBoyz]

Man get a full exhaust, a good intake, a shift kit if auto and a good tune and you will be set

[Projectile]

can you run a supercharger straight onto standard compression? i got ACL flat top pistons in mine when it was rebuilt and i always wondered if i would have to get lower compression to add boost or if i could just bolt on?

[jamiefh]

Yer I would like to know that and if so what brand should I put on

[Disturbed_vegeta]

Mine felt the same when I got it. A 3.45 diff, 5speed, cai, exhaust with pacys and a foamy tunemade it run heaps quicker

[commocars]

yeah felt same way. i have got all mods now except a tune, plus its on gass sooo thats pooo

[GTP 85]

(on a VN 5L) I've got the usual mods i.e. tri- y's, metal cat, single 2.5 pipe zorst, 3.45's. Got it dyno tuned too and went ok when she was auto. Then converted to manual and a retune and made 170 odd kw at the wheels. the manual made a huge difference

Still feels slow to me, but i've only ever messed with v6's and my racer v6 is very snappy. In comparision tho the old v8's have a way better spread of torque

[soop]

VR Buick V6 Power = 130kw.
VS Ecotec V6 Power = 147kw.
5.0L V8 Power = 165kw.

Not a great difference there. Certainly not like the difference between the chev LS1 (about 250kw, depending on series) and the ecotec.

0-100 you wont notice much of a difference, but above that the 8 pulls harder. Also, V8's respond better to mods like extractors and exhaust more than the 6.

There's a reason they call the aussie iron a boat anchor, however the low compression ratio of 8.3:1 is awesome for adding boost to.

Don't quote torque at all will you... That will destroy your little theory.
Best thing you could do for the 5ltr is a good service.
Plugs, Leads, Dizzy cap and rotor button, coil. A 5spd conversion will really open it up too. Bit of a bastard job but so worth it.
If it hasn't already got one, find a nice LSD center.
Obviously all the usual exhaust mods.
Then look at modifying the motor. Look into getting the heads shaved to bring the comp ratio up a bit. I'm not sure on the particulars regarding it, thus why I say look into it.
A decent cam will get it singing as well. If you go this far, contact nicefrog on ebay about a custom memcal, I think he does them for around $70. But decide if you want a cam or not first. If you do, get the cam done prior.

[tooslow]

Hey everyone

I just bought a vs statesman with the 5 litre v8. This is my first v8 and I'm not sure how quick they should be but when I drive it, it feels slow. I have a vs calai with the v6 and I reckon it feels faster

Is this normal?? If not maybe somethings wrong with the 5 litre ?? Is there some things I should do?? any help is much appreciated.

the reason why your v6 feels faster is because your stato is heavier than your v6
just do normal service with new leads and sparks then see how it feels then
dont bother changing it to a 5speed unless you got the dough for it cos you could spent that money on something else
with your diff it should be lsd already cos its an 8 so just change the diff ratio

[ParkwayDrv]

the reason why your v6 feels faster is because your stato is heavier than your v6
just do normal service with new leads and sparks then see how it feels then
dont bother changing it to a 5speed unless you got the dough for it cos you could spent that money on something else
with your diff it should be lsd already cos its an 8 so just change the diff ratio

Where did you come up with that?

[Vee-ard]

Don't quote torque at all will you... That will destroy your little theory.

My bad.

VR V6 = 295Nm
VS V6 = 304Nm
V8 = 385Nm

Not really an inspiring difference.

Mods, in this order:
Service the car. (plugs, leads, fuel filter, oil filter, new oil)
Exhaust.
New memcal tune.
Shift kit for auto.
3.45 Diff gears.
Supercharger.

dont stuff around with crap like a CAI, they aren't worth the cash.

[Reaper]

Don't quote torque at all will you... That will destroy your little theory.
Best thing you could do for the 5ltr is a good service.
Plugs, Leads, Dizzy cap and rotor button, coil. A 5spd conversion will really open it up too. Bit of a bastard job but so worth it.
If it hasn't already got one, find a nice LSD center.
Obviously all the usual exhaust mods.
Then look at modifying the motor. Look into getting the heads shaved to bring the comp ratio up a bit. I'm not sure on the particulars regarding it, thus why I say look into it.
A decent cam will get it singing as well. If you go this far, contact nicefrog on ebay about a custom memcal, I think he does them for around $70. But decide if you want a cam or not first. If you do, get the cam done prior.

Biggest gains right there in bold. Add the exhaust if yours is buggered.

After that you need to look at a rebuild. A cam in itself won't be a huge gain unless yours is round (holden cams are known to wear out). At that stage you may want to consider a rebuild which can get costly.

Another thing to consider is 3.45 gears for the diff. It's a nice balance between acceleration and highway cruising without super high revs.

Reaper

[Reaper]

My bad.

VR V6 = 295Nm
VS V6 = 304Nm
V8 = 385NM

Not really an inspiring difference.

I'll take 25% or so boost in torque any day.

Mods, in this order:
Service the car. (plugs, leads, fuel filter, oil filter, new oil)

Add a new coil (Bosch MEC718 - don't go HEC - they aren't suited to the efi dizzy) to that list. Most 5 litre coils are the original oem ones that should have been replaced a decade ago but because of their location are rarely thought about.

Reaper

[tooslow]

Where did you come up with that?

haha thats a good joke you had me there

[soop]

I'll take 25% or so boost in torque any day.



Add a new coil (Bosch MEC718 - don't go HEC - they aren't suited to the efi dizzy) to that list. Most 5 litre coils are the original oem ones that should have been replaced a decade ago but because of their location are rarely thought about.

Reaper

Where in the rev range is that 385nm made?
Safe bet its about 2500- 3000 rpm?

V6 about 4500rpm?

[VR028]

Where in the rev range is that 385nm made?
Safe bet its about 2500- 3000 rpm?

V6 about 4500rpm?

peaks at 3600 i think but is much wider torque band than the v6 would have

[Vee-ard]

Where in the rev range is that 385nm made?
Safe bet its about 2500- 3000 rpm?

V6 about 4500rpm?

VR V6 Peak torque of 295Nm @ 3200RPM
VS V6 Peak torque of 304Nm @ 3600RPM

V8 Peak torque of 385Nm @ 3600RPM

So, no.. I love the Aussie V8, but it IS a damn boat anchor.

Its the torque CURVE that makes the V8 feel good.

[soop]

In standard form they're not great. Give them some compression and they're as good as anything .
I'd take a 5ltr over a V6 anyday. Even if just for the sound.

But yes, they're a relic. I mean, they did start first production of them in 1969.
Remember what they did with them in the group C days though, they are able to take some punishment and make good power.

[jamiefh]

Sounds good guys I'm defiantly gunna do a nice service next week see how that goes then look at diff ratios and go from there. Don't got a lotta money so prob start with the lower end of stuff and once I got some cash get some good stuff like a cam job or something.

Any recommendations for oil type ??