What are the VT SS 5.0 litres like?

[muso]

I have looked at a VT SS 5.0 litre manual sedan, it is very nice but I have not driven it, I would put it on LPG if I bought it, I would like the Gen III LS1 but have heard that LPG on the LS1 is a big no no. With the current fuel prices it would have to go on LPG if it's a V8. The other car I have looked at is a VT Super charged L67 V6, I have not driven that either as I am not serious yet and don't like driving other people's cars and using their petrol if not ready to buy.

I found a Motor magazine write up and shock horror, the 5.0 VT SS manual was not only slower than VT S supercharged V6, it was even slower than a stock VT Ecotec V6 manual S. Doing the maths of engine power\torque and weight I cannot see how this is possible.

Wheels Nov 1998:
VT SS 5.0 5 speed manual sedan 0-100km=8.2 secs 0-400m =15.8 secs
VT S supercharged V6 auto sedan 0-100=7.2 secs 0-400=15.9 secs
VT S n\a Ecotec 5 speed manual 0-100=7.6 secs 0-400= 15.6 secs

The n\a Ecotec is from another magazine, the conditions for the first 2 cars must have been very different than the last car or they don't know how to drive. Surely technically the 5 litre should be the quickest followed closely by the super 6 and then the n/a 6 which would have been considerably slower if it had been an automatic.

I know it is splitting hairs but some of these figures don't sound right and obviously the 5.0 litre is the premium model and the best engine for LPG and in it's final development prior to the VTII Gen 3 is surely at it's best.

[VY2SSUTE]

Not worth it get a VS, when VT came out the extra weight killed it even the VT Clubsport was a joke(getting hammered by most sixes) in sprints, go the GEN 3 u will neva look back!!!
Matt

[minux]

LS1 on gas is fine, but the great thing about the 5.0 litre is the great bottom end. But nothing cams and tune doesnt fix

[Secki]

I have a 5.0 VT SS, absolutley love it!!!!, but as you said they are thirsty little buggers, i have brand new gas injection set up for mine, just deciding whether to install it or not........

[muso]

I have a 5.0 VT SS, absolutley love it!!!!, but as you said they are thirsty little buggers, i have brand new gas injection set up for mine, just deciding whether to install it or not........

You should get it installed because I have heard that with gas injection you don't lose the power and economy like you do with gas carby conventional converter. How does the VT SS 5.0 go? is yours a manual or auto?
Also what size fuel tank is it? and how many km's do you get around town?

[muso]

Not worth it get a VS, when VT came out the extra weight killed it even the VT Clubsport was a joke(getting hammered by most sixes) in sprints, go the GEN 3 u will neva look back!!!
Matt

But I'm talking about VT Ecotec manuals (similar body weight) beating the 5 litre manuals, how can that be? Gen 3 is a lot more expensive, and I have been warned against running an LPG system on them.

What about the super charged L67? They respond to minor mods with great gains but probably use as much petrol as a 5 litre or Gen III and you cannot put a super charged engine on LPG as far as I know.

[clubbie_50]

I have a vt 195i I have a exhaust and air intake modified, I love it there a really good strong motor to work with. Plus sounds better than a rattly gen 3, no offence wouldnt not have one just stating that there is nothing wrong with the 5L.
Got good tourqe spread.!

[clubbie_50]

My girl has a supercharged vt bloody nice car, its not that quick but you do notice it from time to time at the right revs.
Heaps more tourqe than the stock eco so it tows better and good up hills. They are apparently really good internally, stiill go the 5L

[robbie77]

yeh the supercharged is a good car but thirsty little sucker around town and you can't put them on gas because you need to have the high octain level to stop the detonation but in saying all that you spend $1800 (imported parts) for pipe, pulley, rockers and chip and they honk!!!!

[muso]

yeh the supercharged is a good car but thirsty little sucker around town and you can't put them on gas because you need to have the high octain level to stop the detonation but in saying all that you spend $1800 (imported parts) for pipe, pulley, rockers and chip and they honk!!!!

Thirstier around town than a 5 litre? I know the super charged 6 is probably quicker than the 5 litre stock for stock but you can't put LPG on them plus I think you have to run premium fuel which costs more, are the VT 5 litres noisy? It's just that the Gen III feels so quiet, smooth and refined.

[clubbie_50]

5L mine was smooth as before did the exhaust, your right about the super6 being thursty alright.!

[madmartian1]

i got the 195i motor and manual in my ss and i think its alright could be a little quicker but does the job i spose. ive got 3.9s in the back and k&n filter and exhaust mods and all that and it keeps the gen3`s on their toes like its been said above its got good torque and lights up very easy

[Secki]

How does the VT SS 5.0 go? is yours a manual or auto?
Also what size fuel tank is it? and how many km's do you get around town?

Only an auto, but still hammers, goes well.... as for super 6's on gas, i thought it be possible as gas is higher octane than any petrol we can buy. like 110 or something isnt it?
anyway ive never heard of one on gas.

Around town im not sure i drive about 40 mins freeway, and 20 mins city driving, get around 480-550, freeway only driving get anywhere upto 660km..... tank is 75 litres i think.........

and yes i think the 5.0 sounds heaps better than 5.7 ;s

[clubbie_50]

I wonder what the story is with a super 6 on gas, like you say gas has a higher octane level than our top shelf premium.!
If you set a car up on straight gas you can actually have it running harder than petrol. Not so sure with dual fuel setup

[vtss5spd]

vt 3.8 manuals beating 5L s is a load of shit. That magazine is crap.
I have a vt ss 5l in a manual with 210 000 km on it and it kicks the balls of an ecotec.
I spent about $1400 on getting a set of advanced headers on it, a dual 2.5 inch cat back redback system and a k&n panel filter. Not only does it sound wicked but it goes a fair bit better too. I have raced a vt sc6 and i dont know what mods he had but definately an exhaust system, and i beat him too, granted it was close.
But what the other boys are saying is true gen 3s go harder, mine is close but never gets it (about 1.5 to 2 lengths behind a gen 3 to 140 or so) but 5L in a vt are great fun they are nice and torquey and sound fat with an exhaust, go a 5L, save money, and if u want more power do it up over time.
I was going to get gas on my car, and b4 i bought it i enquired at a few different places about having dual fuel put in.
i got told that super 6 is a straight up no no by all places, and alot of um aring about gen 3.
1 place said they could do a gen 3 but it was very risky, pricey and you would lose a lot more power than you do in 5L. He said they did the gen 3 conversions on the statesman silver taxis.
He reckoned if you go gas go the 5L.

[sixes]

The VT 5 litre was / is a great motor. One of the better small V8's

[Morganv8]

i've heard about intake backfire when on gas or something??? anyone heard this?

[mattman]

Yeah steer clear of gas on the l67... it's just not good.

You can get intake backfires even on a slightly modded v6...