All sound no ground

[Fu Manchu]

Haven't had a Commodore since my 2001 SS, and today test drove a 2007 VE Calais - nice clean one, low k's for it's age. But, I'm unfamiliar with the VE V6 engine characteristics. Wondering if anyone can confirm if this is normal: cruising at HWY speed, when planting my right foot, it kicked back nice and smooth, and the engine revs instantly shot us (as expected) nice note from the exhaust, but no instant rush in acceleration. It was like it needed to spool up a bit. After the short delay, there was nice strong and consistent acceleration. Might be normal, but just felt odd to me for a naturally aspirated donk.

It’s normal. The ECM moderates throttle input. It’s a drive by wire set up. This is why throttle controllers are so popular. Every car uses drive by wire. It’s really old tech to have a cable between the pedal and the throttle body.

Throttle response is moderated to get the best efficiency out of the change in speed.

In the series1 VE, this could be changed two ways. One with the sports mode button which gave the shitty 5L40e plenty of get up. Then there is active select which is a manual shift found by moving the gear selector across, then up and down motions manually select the gear.

Series 1.5 and series 2 has the 6 speed gearbox (a 6L50?) with just active select. You’ll get heaps more out of it with that.

 

[Fu Manchu]

It's a 5spd auto.

 

[Fu Manchu]

It’s weird how those gear boxes did great in the VZ and they take a beating in the Adventras.

Into a VE and we’re a bit average.

 

[lmoengnr]

It’s weird how those gear boxes did great in the VZ and they take a beating in the Adventras.

Into a VE and we’re a bit average.

Did they move production to Mexico?

 

[losh1971]

Did they move production to Mexico?

China or Korea. The gear from Mexico was still ok. Hahahaha... I believe the same people who assembled the Craptiva trans also assembled the 5 speeds.