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My 1998 VT Clubsport drained of power steering fluid in my first week of ownership, so obviously its been a factory issue for many years now. The dealer tightened the clamps and re-filled it and it wasnt a problem, despite having been run briefly with no fluid. I've had 3 new holdens/HSV's...

I know exactly the sort of noise you mean, its a gravelly sounding vibration that you get when lugging the car in most of the gears. I agree that it does sound like the box isnt lubricating well at low rpm and loading it up at the same time could be the cause of the noise. I personally am not...

I had it lowered using Eibach springs and shortened Bilstein shocks/strut inserts. It was lowered around 70mm (give or take a few) at the rear and a little less at the front. This is an expensive way to go ($2,200) but the ride is way better than the standard suspension despite the lowering. I...

If you want to talk to someone in North Melbourne then the best place to go (IMO) is Trutrack. Ask for Ralph 9326 5392. He has lowered plenty of SS utes and will be able to tell you what the difference will be between a cheap job and good job. There is a bit of science involved and bunging in a...

I've done 29k in mine now and it has worn in quite nicely. Gearbox is nice and smooth and the engine more willing. Apart from the fuel gauge there are no issues. Planning to swap over to one of the L76 SS's at the end of the year though.

Capa told me two weeks ago that the sc kit for the alloytec will be available "very soon". Getting the software right is whats causing the delay.

Yeah, I get the same thing but its not the smoothest of engines to begin with. At least its just the odd shake, as opposed to the ecotecs shake rattle and roll.

Once the new 6LT hits the streets, particularly if it is more economical, you wouldnt want to have gone anywhere near an SSZ. It's resale along with anything else with an LS1 will take a nose dive. It's been this way since Jesus played fullback for Jerusalem and with high petrol prices and a...

I did a trip from Melb to Adelaide recently in the VZ 175 UTE. I averaged 8.4l/100 overall (including a couple of days driving around adelaide) and on the trip back averaged 8.1 l/100 ie used 60 litres. I filled up before leaving in Adelaide and and again when I reached the BP on Kings Way in...

Sorry Shanghai VZ, I was talking about the manual. I didnt realise the auto had a different diff ratio. I knew it was the case in the one tonners but I thought the normal ute and sedans had the 2.7. You learn something everyday!

I went back over the specs for the suspension on my ute and it was dropped 50mm at the front (close to 2inches) and 67mm at the rear which is around 2.5inches. Pictures are attached...hopefully although its not looking too hopeful as I go to submit the reply.

Thats got more to do with the commodores stupid 2.7 diff ratio than any shortage of power. Give them the same diff ratios and it would be a different story as the ford is quite a bit heavier.

I doubt it is saleable. Who would buy it? The only engine it fits is the alloytec in a commodore and they all use the same exhaust. The only difference between the SV6 190kw and the 175kw is the intake manifold and variable timing on two rather than four of the cams. Bugger all really. Maybe...

All Fords from that time were speed limited to 180 kph as they had serious vibration issues with their tailshafts. Fords fix was to limit the speed...

I guess if it had really strong plastic clips we would have to start calling it a footrest instead of a glove box...

It's amazing how much better it looks with the rear lowered a bit. I'll try and get some pics of mine over the weekend and post them so you can have a look. I specifically asked for a set-up that would not have me taking the front out on spoon drains or speed humps and steep driveways etc. It...

My S ute had standard non FE2 but from what I see of SS's with FE2 they still appear to sit to high. It's obviously due to the fact that they are built to carry a load. Holden like most manufacturers doesnt like to waste good money on quality suspension set-ups. As far as ride goes, it is now...

I've owned and driven both the ecotec and the alloytec and I'll take the Alloytec anyday. The ecotec is just harsh and unpleasant. It has always reminded me of something that would be better as a stationary engine for pumping water or generating electricity. I just drove from Melbourne to...

I've mentioned in other threads that we had two VZ one tonners and sold them both. They were complete pieces of poo... Fuel economy was shocking and the old 4 speed auto just doesnt suit the alloytec. The one tonners felt gutless and were very uninspiring. My manual VZ S ute is so much better...

It's not really that much when you consider what the car costs to start with and you need to keep in mind that you only dropped your rears an inch which doesnt require the shocks to be changed. I dropped the rear by 3 inches and the front by 2+ and going that low means you need to change quite a...

I would have thought that an SV6 would get to 230kph without too much trouble. The old VL was good for 217 kph as tested by the car magazines, maybe also by yourself on the purpose built tracks ??? That was 117 kw's and a "normal" diff ratio. The sv6 has 190kw and a 2.7 (or round-a-bout) diff...

I paid $2,500.00 (fitted) but I had quotes for a quadrant set-up of around $2,000.00. It used quadrant springs (not eibach) and the Bilstein shocks weren't custom valved. The front struts in the VZ's are a sealed unit and need to be cut and shut to fit the Bilsteins so there is quite a bit...

Be very careful what you put in it so that you dont end up with a crap ride, or crashy suspension. There is a lot more to lowering a car than just dropping in some new springs. I had my ute lowered by around 3 inches at the rear and 2 inches at the front. I went for Eibach springs and...

You are right re the operation of the cruise. It happens to me all the time on highway trips. You pull in for a break or some petrol and then head off again and the cruise doesnt work. It's amazing how far you can drive without actually using the brake. First time it happened to me I thought...

It's really nice of Holden to devalue their cars for us this way. It's freekin typical. They do the same with the HSV's ie buy a new one and three months later the same car is being runout at a $7000.00 discount. They need to learn a big lesson about looking after their current customers not...

It's China that is the problem, not Iraq although no doubt the middle east situation isnt helping things. Unless China stops needing oil (it wont, it will need more and more) then it is here to stay along with a steadily declining resale value for V8's. The second-hand car industry is in a...

I think you have hit the nail on the head. Our auto VZ onetonners were absolutely shocking on fuel even when not towing. My manual styleside gets good economy for a big car ie 8.5 lph highway and 11-12 lph around town driven sensibly. I have a friend with a VY Crewman V6 and he has the same...

I was in at Summit Holden in West Melbourne today. I asked the service guy if they had a fix yet for the VZ fuel gauge issue. He said that Holden were working their tails off to sort it out and were almost there. The dealership is expecting a fix to be available in mid November (This year I...

I dropped my VZ in to the dealer today and was given a VY loaner. I haven't had a lot of nice things to say about the VZ but its 1000% nicer than than the VY and that shocking Ecotec thing they call an engine. Driving one after the other was a real eye opener. The VY makes lots of noise and...

See below - Was announced this week. GM: HOLDEN LAUNCHES DUAL-FUEL COMMODORE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The success of Australia’s most popular car range will be enhanced with the launch of a dual-fuel Commodore, featuring a...

I used to own a VX clubsport and there was no way it only used 10% more fuel than the alloytec I currently have. That would have meant it was averaging 13.2L /100 around town...maybe if it was all down hill with a tail wind in neutral...maybe, just...nah even then it wouldnt have been possible...

There is light at the end of the tunnel, old mans ute. Over the next ten years the Commodore will die a slow death due to the ever increasing price of petrol. If it is still around, it will be made in China so we can look forward to a better quality product. The person you spoke to in the...

Sounds like an alloytec hooked up behind the old 4 spd auto? We had two one tonners that were this combination and they were shocking on fuel for some reason. My manual is a lot better and if driven sensibly around town will get 11.something which I think is fairly reasonable. They get better...

I've had the VZV6 out on the skid pan at Decca. Burn-outs, slides, donuts, four wheel drifts etc. I tried to break it. I never came across any hint of anti-abuse programing interrupting the fun, so maybe it's not a V6 thing?

Guys, there is a massive thread about this issue already with all the info you could want on the subject. Basically, the fuel gauges and trip computers are pieces of crap and Holden can't or won't fix it but check the other thread.

The CAPA kit, which they say will be priced in the high $4000 range seems to be a bit of a bargain to me. You can pay more than that for one turbo-charger. You get the supercharger, plumbing and obviously a re-map or tune of the ecu and gain over 100kw. All from something that is quiet, looks...

Nicely put ShanghaiVZ. It is all about having an opinion and constructively arguing your point of view. It makes for an interesting thread (provided a level of respect is maintained) as opposed to a "nice" sanitized thread. No car is perfect. If someone asked the question, "Do you think the...

Perhaps a comparo between the R35 Skyline and the commodore would be preferable, non-turbo of course? I know which car would come out in front. I think its mentioned by someone else a little later but the GTR is based on the everyday average Jap domestic market Skyline. Obviously the engine...

Woohoo...! Thats a bit childish VZonetonnerS...is that the sort of intellectual, well thought out and argued response that I should expect on this website? Is it not possible to tell the truth and be realistic as opposed to patriotic? Yeah, I drive a VZ at the moment and its fine for...

Oh dear...you havent heard of the GTR Skyline, the subaru WRX and Liberty B3, the Toyota Supra, the Honda s2000 and NSX and the many other excellent non performance biased cars. Avalon/Camry/Magna are OZ built cars last time I heard. Look at the IRS in the commodore, the 4 speed auto, the...