Buying a VZ HSV Senator

[AdhesiveCapsulitis]

Gday to all.
Been searching for a nice example of a VZ Senator for a while. Drove one today and was dissapointed in it. I was expecting to get nailed to the seat. It was fast, but not quick as I would expect from 297KW. Some years ago I owned a worked 308 VL and it would have eatin it. I was expecting more. Could this be a lemon. Any thoughts.

[VzVzVz]

Yeah, probably down on power, don't buy it is my advice. But if its speed and power you're after, why not go a clubby? The Senator is more of a luxury car, not a driver's car.

[mattsv6]

I believe all VZ Senators are Auto? I recently drove a VZ Maloo with the same engine, it was a manual and it had tons of power. If there is a difference in the diff ratios (manual vs auto) this could have had an impact on the "pushed into your seat" feeling? Just an idea...

[Surfwagon]

In comparison to early holden V8 either 5L or 5.8L the LSx engines can feel down on power at low revs but once up in the higher revs these engines leave the Holdens for dead and revving is one thing the LS engines do easily, far better than the Holden V8.
Another thing with the VZ HSV LS2's as opposed to the VT2-Vy2 LS1's is the use of an electric throttle body which is tied in with the traction control and Automatic trans abuse mode which does tend to slow down off the mark sprints in the auto's.
Saying all that I still love my auto VZ senator and prefer it power level to any of the V8's and the L67 I owned previously.
Another thing that is way better, given the power levels is the fuel economy of these 6.0L monsters.
Also the both VZ HSV's auto or manual use the same 3.46 rear ratio, unlike the HSV VT2-VY2 which used 3.08 for auto and 3.73 for manuals (GTS 3.9).
another thing you might want factor in is that the senator weighs in at just under 1700kg whilst the VL V8 is just under 1400kg, 300kg difference.

[AdhesiveCapsulitis]

Thanks for the input. Nice Senator by the way. I have driven a second one today. This was tickled some with headers, exhaust, tune and 3.7s but no cai. There was a dyno graph showing a touch over the 300rwhp. Im thinking the gearing may have a little to do with it. Thinking back the VL had 3.9s, and no traction control. Was fairly slippery for couple hundred metres. Anyways I didnt buy it. Body wasnt as nice as one would hope for. I'll keep hunting.
Cheers..

[AdhesiveCapsulitis]

In comparison to early holden V8 either 5L or 5.8L the LSx engines can feel down on power at low revs but once up in the higher revs these engines leave the Holdens for dead and revving is one thing the LS engines do easily, far better than the Holden V8.

Apreciate your thoughts here. Although the holden V8 in original form is fairly primitive in design and quality of assembly, it will respond extremely well with more updated machining techniches and valve train components (valve train geometry was shocking. cam tunnels and lifter bores were never square to the main tunnel and cylinder bores varied considerably in angles). In fact I dont know of an engine that can rev as hard with the right work, being the short block geometry ideally suited for high RPM. Big bore short stroke with a relatively short conrod length. In saying that, yes in original format the 5.0 is lame in revs but a correctly built one will turn very hard.
Cheers..