VX SS Commodore - My diary.

[afstruct]

Yep love using but still want to preserve.
Back in 2013 talking with a dealer at a community event = keep monaro under 100k ( it was att) = not any more because not only do I want to use but can't aford or justify a show pony that never gets used.

I understand brake/ verious costs .
Harrops = similar cost .
Always remember = spirited driving back through bylong hwy = country windy roads( Mudgee to Newcastle ) = monaro still stock apart from cat back exhaust. Brakes could be sooo much better.
So for me when adding power = stopping was always going to be / before or same time.
Stock are not on the same planet!!!!!!! as harrop/ or guessing brembos.
If into spirited driving = even on country roads can not recommend enough = even more than the supercharger !!!!
The power in reserve and feel = just do not compare = so if money becomes available = just do it = you will not regret!!!!

 

[Chuckmeister]

Well, just got my car back. On the brake side of things, the visual impact is not really as great as I thought it was going to be. The red is more of a deeper plummier type of red rather than the bright fire engine red. Still looks alot tidier though and definitely is stopping better.

Front brakes before..

Rear brakes before...

RDA slotted and dimpled rotors

Fronts done...

Rears done...

Fronts on the car...

And finally the rears on the car..

 

[Chuckmeister]

I've had an interesting month with a problem that became a mystery. My traction control light came on my dash.My gear shifts were not changing properly, revs were really wierd. It was like it wasn't tuned.

To keep things short....first I changed the throttle position sensor....I'm trying to go from least expensive to most expensive...that didn't work..
Then I changed the wheel speed sensors...pretty expensive but still did't work...

so I read that if you have blown rear tail lights or LEDS (not being compatible) ,that can interfere in voltage terms with the ABS module... I just dismissed this but I did change all my brake light globes because this issue has been sh!tting me. Anyway that didn't help.

So I unplugged the ABS module and sent it to these guys, and they politely and at no charge (no fix no charge) said no issues with the ABS module (and I really have to thank these guys..very honest company old school service) and sent the module back at postage. They opened it, checked it and sent back at postage.

Anyway...went back to the mechanic today and he changed another Throttle position sensor to test but I was talking to him about how I put in a couple of high output LED's but just in the numberplate lights. Those little stabby in things that you think are **** all. Anyway put in the new TPS and I put in the new bulbs while I was waiting.
Turned on the car and perfect, so assumed it was the TPS sensor.

I got home and thought I'd put back the LED's in the number plate lights. Took it for a drive, twice...fine. Then went for another drive and the traction control light came back on.

The only option left was to experiment and put the normal number plate lights back in....bang...it works again....I have spend hundreds and hundreds trying to diagnose this issue and it was a couple of led's in the number plate light sockets worth a few dollars causing the problem.
I've also swapped them out and can easily replicate the problem...
Something for others to consider with the same problem in the future..

 

[Chuckmeister]

grrr...seems like lasts nights (jacks fueled) happy rant after a month of despair has rebounded back to the latter.
Traction control light came on today again but this time its not on all the time...it seems random.
Mechanic is baffled...now its time for an auto electrician...went and booked one in today...geesus these guys charge like solicitors

 

[Chuckmeister]

Got my car back from the mechanics today. Had the transmission fully rebuilt in heavy duty format. Stronger clutches etc.
The first kickdown took me by surprise, wasn't expecting the wheel spin on the rear and the sharper gear changes are awesome but that was only good for about the first 10 kilometers when my traction control issue reared its ugly head again. Thats everything replaced regarding the drivetrain.
The only thing left is back to the auto electrician to see if he can dig out the issue. Its definately a fun car to drive when its running the way it should.

Also replaced the stock speakers out last week and replaced with these..

 

[afstruct]

Dam about issues.
Hit like because= it's definitely a fun car to drive when right!!!!! = WHY !!! we as enthusiass use / own !!!!

 

[Chuckmeister]

Finally got this issue sorted out. Well its been 2 days and no limp mode so I'm hoping..
Damn murphy visited this problem. I took my car to the auto sparky last week. It was throwing a Throttle body sensor error. I had already had it replaced. They replaced it again. Took it for a drive and all appeared ok. They rang me up to pick up the car and surprise, as I pulled up in the taxi it fell back into limp mode. I had it booked in tomorrow at the sparkys but....

Over the weekend I was googling a ton of stuff from the torque converter not locking up to bad solenoids etc I came across a post with another guy with similar issues who's problem ended up being a bad/broken fuse connection or a bad contact.
I went out to the garage pulled the transmission fuse, checked it and pushed it back in and for 2 days I haven't seen the issue.
Basically when I pushed the fuse in it clicked in but another push showed that there was a double click in to fit properly.
Its been an expensive and frustrating little fuse but happy its (seemingly) fixed

Now I can back onto some fun stuff.

 

[Chuckmeister]

As much as I hate to say it..my problem still exists. (mystery limp mode)

I checked the butterfly on the TB the other day. The front looked great, put my finger on the back and it was pretty thick in oil.
So they took off my TB today, gave it a good clean, replaced the gasket and put on a catch can.
They changed the shift points a little as 1st and second were a little close (after the rebuild)and sometimes on shiftdown it would kick back 2 gears when really not needed
The mechanics couldn't get it to go into limp mode after several test drives and I've been in it 3 or times... so far so good.

my nice shiney new piece of bling...

 

[Chuckmeister]

Well its official...I have beaten this freakin' limp mode problem that has been plaguing my car for the past 6 months.

It turns out I now own the most expensive throttle body grommet on the planet.

Apparently there is a grommet in the throttle body either connected to the tps or near it that was not fitting properly. It explains why sometimes I could drive the car and other times it would limp mode. The mechanic suggested that it must have been moving so sometimes working, sometimes not.
I'm not sure if I should be ethically pissed off about this since it happened when the I had the motor done or if this is just how things go...anyway I'm just happy that I can rip around in my car again. New trans was always on the cards anyway, sharper shift points etc make it more lively etc ...the limp mode issue just forced the issue. There is a 10 block radius that know I have my car back the past 2 days lol

 

[Chuckmeister]

small update today... been driving around on these...never knew they were so bad...

took it down to Bob Jane T-mart in Rockingham for a full set. Good bunch of guys for anyone in Rocko looking for tyres.

on the wheel alignment table

New Rears

New fronts

Next update I'm hoping to have my stroker built and installed...aiming for around 500rwhp...see how we go with that one...