New Member - VT I or II SS or VX SS?

[Linesix]

Hey Guys,

You'll have to excuse my lack of knowledge on this so if any of my terminology is wrong i apologise, i'm not the most mechanically minded person.

I am looking to get either a VT series I or II SS or even a VX Series I SS (Nothing special i know) I am wanting to spend between $8k - $13k, I thought i might come on here and get some advice before i do. I would also be keen on a VT or VX Calais (maybe) V8 & Manual.

I have noticed the VT I has the 5L but the series II (and VX) is the first with the Gen 3 which makes a fair bit more power, also the transmission changes from 5 to 6 speed manual and i'm not sure if the auto changes (would prefer manual but they seem rare).

Obviously the 5L would be pretty reliable after so many years (i might be wrong on that) but is the Gen 3 actually reliable in the VT II or VX I seeing it was the first models to use that engine? i read somewhere that the VX "II" had a stronger bottom end but i didnt want to spend quite that much, the VX II seems to be going for around $14k?? LoL What i am trying to ask is which engine would be better? i will probably get an exhaust + edit + maybe cam etc eventually but not for a while.

As for the transmission as well, as those things tend to be expensive if they go "pop". Which of the two is more reliable and can handle more "abuse" ? the 5 or 6 speed? and if there is a change in the Auto transmission which one of them is better?

When i'm looking at the car like this and test driving it are there any tell tale signs or problems that i should be looking for? for example rough starts or idles, certain areas in the engine bay leaking oil, bumps, knocks, or noises while driving etc? Anything that could be a sign of big problems ahead?

I havent had any experience with a V8 before, i've driven a HR Holden (stolen in 3 weeks), 2 x V6 commodores a VN and VS, and i now have an XR6 Turbo (But i'm Over that) hence why i'm looking for a V8.

Where would be the best place to look to buy a car like this? i know car yards are probably going to have more reliable cars, but they are always too bloody expensive for what they are.

Thanks in advance, any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Wonky]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I'm no expert on the early models but from all I've read the LS1 motor is definitely a big plus over the 5L. They go as hard in stock form as a modified 5L and exhaust and intake mods plus tune can make a further big difference.

I'm not aware of any big differences in the A4 (auto box) behind LS1s between VTII and VX, but someone else may be??? Places like Holmart and some of the bigger automatic places have brand new A4s for around (or under) $2k supply only, so cheaper than new or reco manual 6 spds plus no clutch issues as some people have with modded manuals.

[TimmyG]

IMO mate stick with the ls1 and if you can the newer the better as the first model ls1 engines had some bottom end issues but if im correct it was mainly weaned out at the time. The 5l will be better and quicker off the line but will run out of puff quicker. the 5.7 makes better power easier. As for transmissions i dont know to much about them. Hope this helps if im wrong in anyway some one will crorrect but thats the general concensess. Welcome to the forum.

[MickmeMate]

Hey mate welcome to the forum. Firstly if your thinking of later going down the road of modifying your car than why not just get something that already has had some mods done to it such as your bolt ons like exhaust,OTR,tune,.Buying a car with these things already done to it will save you a shit load of money and you with have some good power to start with.
I would prefer to get a ls1 than 5L just for that fact of power and support for this engine nowdays.
Why not get a VTII SS or VX with mods already done obviously you would have to buy private.
Good luck with it

[Wastegate]

A mate of mine has a VT2 SS about to be put up for sale.
75,000ks with logbooks, HSV headers, 100cpsi cats, twin 3" exhaust, mafless tune with OTR for $12,500.

You can get some great cars pop up every now and then!!!

[Linesix]

Thanks for the welcomes,

Yeah ive noticed the ones with mods often around the same price as without mods. So probably a good idea, but i also see it as a bad thing, probably more often than not a car with mods has been thrashed a bit more than a car without mods ready to be tuned. So the saving money initially could mean a new engine sooner.

Well it doesnt sound like the initial LS1 engines were that bad anyway, did they fix the bottom end issues in the series 2 VT? or wasnt it until later like VY???

I love the tone of both the engines so either i suppose i will be happy with, but a 5L only makes about 185kw or so at the engine so i think it would get beaten by a V6 now lol. 5.7L sounds like the way to go.

That VT sounds nice wastegate, few questions about it, what colour, auto or manual, and most important when is he looking to sell.

[Wonky]

There were even the occasional later model V8s eg VY2 that still had motor issues but most/all of them should will have already been fixed by now, most under warranty. You are unlikely to find many noisy ones now but or oil users (unless high mileage/worn). Bit of a pity you're over there with no trusted forum workshops to take whatever you find to for a check over by experts with them.

One other big thing against the 5L is that tuning them is a very specialised art which not even many people over here do. Specialised also typically means more $$$............ :(

[redvxr8clubby]

If your looking for a manual, you can pretty much forget a Calais, auto only from factory. SS will be the go for a manual - I would aim for a VX rather than a VT, although the basic body shape is the same, I think the VX SS is the better looking car. I would forget the 5l, the LS1 is the go, but standard they are pretty lame by way of torque at low revs, which is one reason why changing diff ratios is a popular mod, after exhaust and other bolt ons/ tune etc. Some might argue the 5l has better low down torque, but regardless forget the 5l. I don't think the 6 speed manual has any particular issue, though I recall a thread which suggested not to run low revs in 6th, as you may get transmission issues. As Wonky already mentioned, I think the auto is typically a cheaper repair than the manual, but the manual is far and way the better drive. Should you buy a standard car, I think exhaust is probably the first mod to do - extractors/ headers are pretty much a necessity. Before I bought my Clubby I was looking for a VX SS, and the performance difference between a standard car and one with extractors was very noticeable.

[Wastegate]

It's a Tiger Gold SS. Auto. I'm pretty sure it's got a LS6 manifold already too.

It's one of those things... It's for sale now or whenever but he's not actively chasing a sale because deep down he doesn't want to sell, even though he has to :lol:

[HSV_CRUZN]

Nothing wrong with the early Gen3's nowadays. I have an early gen 3 in my VT 2 R8, wicked motor and very quiet and pulls well

I still love my 5ltr HSV's though, nice cruisy motor. After owning both (at the same time) the only time the Ls1 has been worth owning is at WOT (which doesnt happen much in the real world)

[cal346]

All of the cars you listed have their pro's and con's, the LS1 will make more power easier and as far as i know will be better on fuel, but then again will also cost more to purchase than the 5L. I have a VX II Calais LS1 and love the luxury, but there are times when i wish it was manual.

[ls1harry]

go for a gen3 powered VTII or VX ... much better engine ..

[dunny15]

id go the ls1 for sure, when they were new i had a vs v8 ute then had one of the first gen 3 vt ss sedans, the difference was huge, a lot easier and cheaper to the ls1 mods too

[exwrx]

VXII has a lot more going for it


- better IRS with toe links which makes it more stable and doesnt chew the inside of the tyres as much
- engine has LS6 intake manifold which breathes better
- interior has black rather than grey plastics which looks nicer IMO.

Things to look out for:

- power steering leaks
-suspension sags especially strut tops, sway bar links
- donut dampeners in tailshaft fall apart creating driveline clunks
- LSD loses preload over time also contributing to driveline shunt
- steering racks deteriorate over time
- clutches in manuals are not up to abuse
- motor may or may not consume some oil between services
- ringlands on pistons may crack
- minor electrical issues eg indicator stalk loses contacts resulting in headlights flashing on and off involuntarily
- plastic end tanks on radiators crack and need replacement
- electric window regulator in drivers door can fail
- oil pressure switch in engine can fail.

Apart from all that they're a great car :jester:

Seriously look for something that has had a bit of money spent on it and you should get a good performing car for not a lot of money.

[Jesterarts]

Go the 5L... just find a good clean one... and then the money saved can go onto tweeking it...

Depends on what your after I guess... if you're after a solid platform to build on later... then a VX SII would be best to try and get.

If you want to get something now and play with it now... then VT... and you could put the VX SII back end in so you don't have the insane camber issues?

Good luck!

[redvxr8clubby]

Go the 5L... just find a good clean one... and then the money saved can go onto tweeking it...

Depends on what your after I guess... if you're after a solid platform to build on later... then a VX SII would be best to try and get.

If you want to get something now and play with it now... then VT... and you could put the VX SII back end in so you don't have the insane camber issues?

Good luck!

As far as I know modifying a VT or VX to a VX II (rear suspension) is not viable. If you want VX II type rear suspension, best to buy a VX II (or later).

[tigass]

Got a VTII SS, got the 2point camber kits put in just ova a year ago, have had zero chewing issues since having them fitted!! Tyres wear nice and evenly.

[dunny15]

i had a camber kit put in the vt ss when i had it and never had a prob after that, was a very good car

[spinr33]

My understanding is that if you where to get a VT series 1 you would pay quite alot of money for a tune in the region of $1000 dollars as i know afew people who have the 5 litre ones where as a VT s2 onwards is around $650-$1000 so their lies a big difference thats before you even start to modify it cost you $500 more for the earlier.
Not to mention aftermarket intakes for VT 5 litres are next to non-existent though i have seen afew sporting throttle body moved to the front of the manifold.
But if you just want a reliable run about and you know that you dont want to modify it i say go the 5 litre their been around for years and everyone who owns one loves them.

[hurricane ss]

VXII has a lot more going for it


- better IRS with toe links which makes it more stable and doesnt chew the inside of the tyres as much
- engine has LS6 intake manifold which breathes better
- interior has black rather than grey plastics which looks nicer IMO.

Things to look out for:

- power steering leaks
-suspension sags especially strut tops, sway bar links
- donut dampeners in tailshaft fall apart creating driveline clunks
- LSD loses preload over time also contributing to driveline shunt
- steering racks deteriorate over time
- clutches in manuals are not up to abuse
- motor may or may not consume some oil between services
- ringlands on pistons may crack
- minor electrical issues eg indicator stalk loses contacts resulting in headlights flashing on and off involuntarily
- plastic end tanks on radiators crack and need replacement
- electric window regulator in drivers door can fail
- oil pressure switch in engine can fail.

Apart from all that they're a great car :jester:

Seriously look for something that has had a bit of money spent on it and you should get a good performing car for not a lot of money.
Sorry mate i have a vxss series 1 and it allready has the ls6 intake manifold they were fitted to every vx onwards until the end of production cheers

---------- Post added at 12:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:07 PM ----------


VXII has a lot more going for it


- better IRS with toe links which makes it more stable and doesnt chew the inside of the tyres as much
- engine has LS6 intake manifold which breathes better
- interior has black rather than grey plastics which looks nicer IMO.

Things to look out for:

- power steering leaks
-suspension sags especially strut tops, sway bar links
- donut dampeners in tailshaft fall apart creating driveline clunks
- LSD loses preload over time also contributing to driveline shunt
- steering racks deteriorate over time
- clutches in manuals are not up to abuse
- motor may or may not consume some oil between services
- ringlands on pistons may crack
- minor electrical issues eg indicator stalk loses contacts resulting in headlights flashing on and off involuntarily
- plastic end tanks on radiators crack and need replacement
- electric window regulator in drivers door can fail
- oil pressure switch in engine can fail.

Apart from all that they're a great car :jester:

Seriously look for something that has had a bit of money spent on it and you should get a good performing car for not a lot of money.
Also mate you must be talking about a lemon of a car that many dramas PLEASE.You must have bought a car that was made on a monday