VE SS feels slow - what could be wrong, or does the seat of my pants need adjusting?

[Marco]

VE SS 2/07 manual, owned from brand new, had a pretty easy life - lots of freeway running and pottering around suburban Canberra, not much in the way of being thrashed. 162,xxx on board and the seat of the pants dyno is telling me that it's starting to feel slow. I'm sure that when this thing was new it felt faster - but maybe it's all in my mind.

The only obvious symptom of ageing is that it's burning a little oil between services, but nothing catastrophic - just means that it needs to be topped up between services now to avoid a low oil level warning.

Thoughts include:
- I need to take a brand new one for a drive and see if it feels faster than mine;
- Put it on a dyno and see what it's doing compared to what it should be doing, as a stocker;
- Do these things block cats and get choked like the old 5.0 Holdens used to?
- Clutch is getting a bit shuddery in its old age - maybe it's slipping as well (but there's no smell which you'd expect).

Thoughts? Or maybe I'm just well and truly used to how it drives by now?

[feistl]

Could be O2 sensors? They do wear out, and if giving a false reading would be effecting the mixture/power.

Also, the car tends to "tune" itself to the way you drive... Give it a bit of an italian tune up (Eg push it hard for a bit) and it should feel more responsive.

Finally, when was the last time it had a long distance run? I always find that cars run much better after a long freeway drive.

[empower]

owned from brand new, 162,xxx on board

It's just you being used to it - go drive a slow car like a 6 or better yet a 4.

Also look at getting your fuel system cleaned and maybe some bolt on mods.

[GR346]

Other than something being wrong, I think you just get used to it hey. I felt the same about mine until I threw in a head and cam and it feels fast again ;)

[A PSYCHO]

I'd say you're used to it too. Go back to a barina like I did and you'll know it.

[kevin101]

It could be slower than new like all cars things do wear, I would start by getting the o2 sensors replaced if your engine isn't leaking oil than it sure is burning it, if it's using that much oil it sure isn't running optimal.

I found this guide a while back it has some useful information about oil consumption.
http://autorepair.about.com/od/enginetroubleshootin1/a/TS_oil-consumpt.htm

[Red-Devil]

I'd say you're used to it too. Go back to a barina like I did and you'll know it.

This guys is right..

Whenever I feel like I'm getting used to the power of my cammed VE SS.. I drive the wife's captiva for a week..

Damn it feels fast after that!

[whitels1ss]

I'd say you're used to it too. Go back to a barina like I did and you'll know it.

I think this is the most likely thing:yup::yup::yup:

[Big_Valven]

Pull the battery while you do your next service, put a full fresh tank of 98/100 in it, then go for a good flog... Resetting the long term learns may be refreshing for you?

I'm glad you're not alarmed about some oil use, some people carry on like you'd think the world is ending. As long as it's got enough when you go for a drive, who really cares?

[steve_t]

Check cats, O2. Consider a leakdown (or compression) test if you are chewing through a bit of oil between services. ECU reset as above

[amckiwi]

Trying it without your pants on may add some excitement

Stu

[Troutman]

I'd suggest going down to do a pass or two at your local quarter mile track.

[steve_t]

Also, this 40 degree heat probably isn't helping. I certainly notice the difference between driving during and day and at night

[Marco]

Epic multi-quote reply below....


Could be O2 sensors? They do wear out, and if giving a false reading would be effecting the mixture/power.

Also, the car tends to "tune" itself to the way you drive... Give it a bit of an italian tune up (Eg push it hard for a bit) and it should feel more responsive.

Finally, when was the last time it had a long distance run? I always find that cars run much better after a long freeway drive.

If the O2 sensors were faulty, wouldn't it be throwing codes? Long distance isn't a problem for this car, we go to Sydney in it at least once a month.


I'd say you're used to it too. Go back to a barina like I did and you'll know it.

LOL, yeah. I drive a V6 Vectra to work most of the time but it does feel like the performance gap between the two is narrowing. On the other hand I drove a CRV for a few days last month and when I got back in the SS I nearly slammed everyone into their seats applying too much throttle on takeoff...


I'm glad you're not alarmed about some oil use, some people carry on like you'd think the world is ending. As long as it's got enough when you go for a drive, who really cares?

I'm not worried about it for the moment as I don't think it's serious, but I wouldn't mind knowing why it's using oil. I'm hoping to only have to daily this car for a couple more years and then I'll garage it and look at a rebuild etc anyway.


Check cats, O2. Consider a leakdown (or compression) test if you are chewing through a bit of oil between services. ECU reset as above

How would I check the cats? Visual inspection by removing them?


I'd suggest going down to do a pass or two at your local quarter mile track.

I'd love to do that but sadly I live in Canberra and the nearest track is WSID.


Also, this 40 degree heat probably isn't helping. I certainly notice the difference between driving during and day and at night

True, but even a few months back in cooler weather I was starting to wonder about it. It certainly felt epically slow and mushy the day after I drove a Ferrari F430 but normality resumed a few days later :)

[calais190]

There's your problem right there!!!

You drove a Ferrari... A stock commodore is NEVER going to feel fast to you ever again...

[redvxr8clubby]

Sounds like you need to put it on a dyno. If not a good result maybe a compression test. Could be exhaust related or air filter, with 162,000 Km you should have replaced air cleaner around 135,000 Km and next due at 180,000 so it should be in reasonably clean, fuel filter also. With the oil consumption what grade of oil do you use, if you're using 5W/30 with 162,000 Km perhaps a thicker grade at next service.

[LuisS]

Pull the battery while you do your next service, put a full fresh tank of 98/100 in it, then go for a good flog... Resetting the long term learns may be refreshing for you?



Will also reset the fuel octane scaler.


Best advice so far....