Monaro Love and Care

[kabal999]

Hi All,
just joined up here and will be taking delivery of my brand spanking new CV8-R on Saturday :dance:. This is my first V8 so very excited and this forum is a great place for someone like me.

Being what it is, do any other owners of Monaros have any tips for this newbie in terms of keeping her safe and away from those bastard theives. The main concern i have are the rims.

Also, what suggestions do other members have of running the car in? Should i fang her and get her used to the punishment or take it easy for the first 1000Kms. Does this have any bearing on the excess oil usage problem?

Thanks in advance.
Khiem.

[Tre-Cool]

Basically it's let the engine get warm and then drive it like you stole it.

She'll love you for it later on. :lol:

When i got my ute, i went for a long trip down south of w.a before the first service was due and did mostly highway cruising with the odd foot to the floor driving. I change the oil every 10,000km's and have had no problems with the engine and now have over 53,000km's.

And I'm sure the people that know me, can tell you that the car get's flogged almost everywhere it goes, and is still strong as ever.

Also now that you have joined this forum, so GOOD-BYE to any spare cash or loved ones now as it's the last time you'll see them.

[No Pants]

Hi Khiem, ahhh yes the big V8 ! Mate you'll love it ! I'm about to do a few mods to mine, just about to reach 10000 k's.. 1 word of warning, doesn't matter how well u look after ur baby there is always morons out there, I just had my Bonnet, headlights & bumper replaced after a wanker in a ute backed straight back onto my pride & Joy ! Not even 10000 k's on the clock & already in the shop due to some toss not watching where he was going ...
So just remember - they're out there !! Be sure to get good insurance ...
AAMI were very good although I have heard reports of dodgy replacement parts, taiwaneese Bonnets & the like instead of Genuine Holden ..
Could be just rumers ..

Anyway, enough babble

enjoy !

[kabal999]

Basically it's let the engine get warm and then drive it like you stole it.

She'll love you for it later on. :lol:

Heheh thats just what i'd hope would be said. Don't need to be told twice. :D

[kabal999]

Hi Khiem, ahhh yes the big V8 ! Mate you'll love it ! I'm about to do a few mods to mine, just about to reach 10000 k's.. 1 word of warning, doesn't matter how well u look after ur baby there is always morons out there, I just had my Bonnet, headlights & bumper replaced after a wanker in a ute backed straight back onto my pride & Joy ! Not even 10000 k's on the clock & already in the shop due to some toss not watching where he was going ...
enjoy !

Thanks for the tip No Pants.

Damn that would have hurt. Agree with the insurance as no matter how careful you are there's definitely "morons" out there that just do the mind numbing things.

[Dacious]

To run in, drive normally. Don't redline or drive WFO. Don't lug it; like make it pull 100km/h in sixth uphills if a manual. Take it on some drives where you vary the revs through a national park or something. Giving it a quick blast through the gears won't hurt, but don't sustain high speeds.

It's also the brake discs and other moving bits you're wearing in, too. Once the car has gone past 1,000km it'll feel a lot freer and more willing and you can rev without fear. When it gets to about 5,000km it suddenly feels like someone pulled out a restrictor or something and starts to rev much more freely.

You don't need to baby it - driving smartly is fine. Insist Holden change oil at the 1,000km service if you don't yourself - cost you $100 for the oil or supply it yourself. Otherwise they won't change 'til 10,000. I swapped to Mobil Synth then - mine has 6,000 km up, no slap, oil doesn't move on the dipstick.

This is about the tenth new vehicle motor I've run in, car and bike, and it has been successful in giving all a long life so far!

[HERCULES]

If your rims are a concern, make sure you have a set of lock nuts. ;)

[kabal999]

Dacious,

that sounds very sensible indeed. Will keep these principles in mind this weekend when i take her for a drive down Bardwell Park way (Near Wollongong for people outside NSW.) :)

Khiem.

[kabal999]

If your rims are a concern, make sure you have a set of lock nuts. ;)

Yes, ive been reading heaps about locknuts from other threads. Lots of information about them. THink i'll go to the trouble of putting 2 sets on, just for that extra peace of mind.

Cheers.

[justin74]

hehe, my ute had only done 1200km's when the front left side was reversed into...required bonnet, front spoiler, n'lights etc replacement. I was rather annoyed to say the least. got that all fixed, then a few weeks later got some deep scratches on the rear spoiler from a shopping trolley. :bash:

[davidred]

Also now that you have joined this forum, so GOOD-BYE to any spare cash or loved ones now as it's the last time you'll see them.

Your not wrong, within days of becoming more active on the forum I had the car booked into Powertorque (only 3 more days to go until I get the go-fast bits installed :D)

kabal, welcome to the wonderful world of LS1 powered cars.. from the first minute the foot hits the firewall (after its first 1000kms of course :D) you will love everything about your car. As Dacious said, just drive normally.. don't WOT or Red line it all the time, new engines need time to be worn in to correct operating standards.. like a new woman really.

Cheers

[kabal999]

new engines need time to be worn in to correct operating standards.. like a new woman really.

Cheers

Davidred, i always thought if you wear a woman in hard she'll go hard keke. Hope i don't offend anyone with that comment. :p.

Khiem.

[Mongy]

Davidred, i always thought if you wear a woman in hard she'll go hard keke. Hope i don't offend anyone with that comment. :p.

Khiem.
Well slap me or bake me a cake :lol:

[OZHaggis]

Welcome to the NSW Munro club!!

I got my SIII CV8 A4 in April; 8,000Kms on the clock; baby'd it a little but plenty WOT when I get the chance(BTW, can anyone tel me what WOT stands for?? I get the drift when I read it so I have an idea but i'd appreciate an explanation). Nothing wrong with it generally (apart from a dodgy wash and detail experience) so tempted to start 'modding' but the treasury is opposed to it for now :-(

Get those rims protected (i've got 19" GTS rims on mine).

Enjoy!!!!!

Thommo

[Gto_255]

This guy told me that the first 500km's you should thrash the Sh!T out of it because it loosens up the bore or something. He drives a VX R8 and he reckons that's what he did and that he hasn't had a problem. He was probably having me on.

[BLACK 346]

Welcome to the NSW Munro club!!

I got my SIII CV8 A4 in April; 8,000Kms on the clock; baby'd it a little but plenty WOT when I get the chance(BTW, can anyone tel me what WOT stands for?? I get the drift when I read it so I have an idea but i'd appreciate an explanation). Nothing wrong with it generally (apart from a dodgy wash and detail experience) so tempted to start 'modding' but the treasury is opposed to it for now :-(

Get those rims protected (i've got 19" GTS rims on mine).

Enjoy!!!!!

Thommo

WOT=WIDE OPEN THROTTLE

[ShanghaiVZ]

What I have learnt on here, is that wait till its at op temp, then fang it!, never thrash a cold alloy engine. And Welcome to our ever expanding family :D

[kabal999]

What I have learnt on here, is that wait till its at op temp, then fang it!, never thrash a cold alloy engine. And Welcome to our ever expanding family :D

Thanks BLueVU, that seems to be the common advice. :D

Yeah im learning so much just wading through the threads. Isn't the Internet a wonderful place? keke. So much knowledge so little braincells to absorb it all.

[scat2k3]

Yeah im learning so much just wading through the threads.

Hi kabal999,

Me too. I actually had to show a holden mechanic how to recalibrate the speedo today after new diff gears were installed. :lol: Amazing what you can learn here and how much fun your going to have once the desire to modify the car takes hold.

I bet you can't wait for Saturday. When you get the thing, post up some pics for us.

Cheers,

Scott

[kabal999]

I bet you can't wait for Saturday. When you get the thing, post up some pics for us.
Scott

Thanks Scott, will do. FUnny you should say that, because my other passion is photography (damn expensive combination), i think i may wear out the paint with the amount of pics i'll be taking on Saturday.

Woohoo...nearly one day closer to getting her. :p

Khiem.

[No Pants]

1 thing I forgot to mention ... I had to have a Welsh Plug replaced at about 5000 ks ... Don't really know why .. But they fixed no probs .. Oh & then they scratched the bumper for me .. yay .. but hey - that got replaced after the moron backed into me anyway !! Just looking at the new model I wonder if they could have put the new bonnet & bumper on at the same cost ?

[kabal999]

Just looking at the new model I wonder if they could have put the new bonnet & bumper on at the same cost ?

..cmon why would you want the new bonnet anyway, its got two holes cut out of it :p

Khiem.

[Goanna]

If anyone knows the Off road racing scene you would have heard of Les Siviour, Bit of a legend from out Griffith NSW way. (my old home). Hes the guys that Raced Nissian Patrols, anyway, His running in Procedure when he landed the brand new patrol from Nissan was Thrash the crap out of it, If it didn't smoke leaving the Dealership i think he went back and tried again. It must have worked because i can never remember him popping an engine, just had the normal trees jump in the road!!!

[Haze_V8]

Welcome to the fold Kabal!

It took me 12 months to get over leaving my car anywhere out of my sight. Luckily it's not my daily driver so I can avoid leaving it in danger zones (like the bloody shopping centre).

Take the normal care and you should be right. Couple of tips:
*The doors are wide and heavy. If you have a passanger, make sure they are careful opening the door so it doesn't swing open into anything.
*The leather is pretty flakey particularly if it is coloured. Watch out for studded belts on it etc.
* Get a car-bra if you are doing any long distance driving. I swear by them. (The one time i didn't use it I got 3 stone chips, one particularly nasty)
* Get the zorst and edit done asap to remind you that you have a V8
* Pinch yourself regularly (no, you're not dreaming - you own a Monaro!)

Cheers!

[MrCv8-r]

hey there guys...

Im new to this site and just wanted to say hello to everyone

:)

[kabal999]

* Pinch yourself regularly (no, you're not dreaming - you own a Monaro!)

Cheers!

Thanks very much Haze_V8, great tips all round. Been pinching myself ever since i walked out of the dealer hehe :doh:

Khiem.

[MNR-0]

Nice ride Kabal. Congratulations! :cool:

[plonkerchops]

If anyone knows the Off road racing scene you would have heard of Les Siviour, Bit of a legend from out Griffith NSW way. (my old home). Hes the guys that Raced Nissian Patrols, anyway, His running in Procedure when he landed the brand new patrol from Nissan was Thrash the crap out of it, If it didn't smoke leaving the Dealership i think he went back and tried again. It must have worked because i can never remember him popping an engine, just had the normal trees jump in the road!!!
I remember him, there was an article about him somewhere a few years ago
and was with the journalist when he picked up his new car
It was like ,bounce it off redline in the first three gears then voila! car run in :D

[Nolz]

dude! what's there to ask?....arent we goin for a drive this weekend?.....i'll do her right :)

didnt i tell you this place rocks!

[kabal999]

dude! what's there to ask?....arent we goin for a drive this weekend?.....i'll do her right :)

didnt i tell you this place rocks!

Yes, cruise we will! Might have to do Bardwell Park run up to Mt. White :p.

[Nolz]

and we'll detour any major rds so as to avoid constant cruising speeds :D and to keep it interesting hhahaha LOL

oh! and at night to make sure the headlights work :) that and we dont hit any bikers or cops :P

[Munro]

Well done Kabal.....welcome to the Munro Clan. My wife wanted a four door but I decided we will have only two kids instead.

Haze V8 is spot on. Had mine for a year before I started doing mod's (before I found this site though). After I did the zorst it was like buying the car all over again and I can't wipe the grin off my face.

NOTE: young dudes love to look at the car. Don't worry too much if you notice finger prints on the windows. It is most likley someone just having a harmless peek at the car (depending on the suburb maybe). I have even caught someone taking photos, I thought they were casing my wheels or something. Not the case => just a "fully sick car dude" was what I got :lol:

TIP: Traction control ON if you get the slightest spit of rain. Roundabouts especially have a habit of sending you in a spin until you get used to it.

[kabal999]

Munro,
thats reassuring to know about the "attention", always loved the car but just concerned about keeping her safe.

Yeah i will get accustomed to the power first, last car i had was an x-trail so will have to adjust to going faster than a shopping trolley being pushed down the road hehe. The mods will come, i think that is pretty much inevitable. :p

[Mongy]

Went out to Jenolan Caves once when I was down there, now THAT is a nice road to run one in on and have a whole bunch of fun on while you're at it :dance:I got so carried away my wife punched me that many times I had a bruised arm :lol:

[kabal999]

haha..mate i know what you mean..i can feel the fiance giving me a few already. :)

[Haze_V8]

TIP: Traction control ON if you get the slightest spit of rain. Roundabouts especially have a habit of sending you in a spin until you get used to it.

Another great piece of advice. I find the stock tyres don't stick great in the wet. Get used the the slippery diff and how it behaves. It's plenty of fun when you learn not to fight against it :)

[kabal999]

Another great piece of advice. I find the stock tyres don't stick great in the wet. Get used the the slippery diff and how it behaves. It's plenty of fun when you learn not to fight against it :)


:shock: AArrgghhhh...2 more days..im dying of anticipation here...you guys aren't helping either :p I guess it will just make the LONG drive home mroe satisfying. I feel like a kid getting his first bike, only this goes slightly faster...keke.

[MrCv8-r]

haha just wondering if anyone else is having the same problem as me and burning up there $800 rubber every 2 months.... i think its addiction hehe oh well u only life once... true guys? :D :D :D :D :D

[scat2k3]

Hi All,
just joined up here and will be taking delivery of my brand spanking new CV8-R on Saturday :dance:. This is my first V8 so very excited and this forum is a great place for someone like me.

Being what it is, do any other owners of Monaros have any tips for this newbie in terms of keeping her safe and away from those bastard theives. The main concern i have are the rims.

Also, what suggestions do other members have of running the car in? Should i fang her and get her used to the punishment or take it easy for the first 1000Kms. Does this have any bearing on the excess oil usage problem?

Thanks in advance.
Khiem.

So Khiem,

Did you pick it up? If so, tell us what you think.

Cheers,

Scott

[kabal999]

Scott,
sorry for the tardiness keke, as you can imagine ive been driving her like crazy. 700Kms in 3 days, making sure she's well and truly "worn" in.

Being my first LS1, just getting used to the characteristics, and enjoying the power on tap :p. The car's best attribute (besides the oodles of power) is the handling, it is amazing, ive only ever owned small-medium cars and thought that being a 1600+ Kg car that handling would suffer, but no. The big rubber and firm suspension equate to perfect balance and poise when pushed around corners. Will post more details as i get some time away from her. :D .

Anyway here are just a few pictures i snapped up on the weekend.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v458/kluu/LeftFront.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v458/kluu/Side.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v458/kluu/Profile.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v458/kluu/RearLeft.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v458/kluu/Dash.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v458/kluu/BigNgn.jpg

Cheers.
Khiem.

[Roddy]

A large tortoise appears to have crawled into your engine bay. I suggest releasing it back into the ocean. :D

[kabal999]

:lol: Hehe...yes i was consulting the enclopeadia to find out what speicies it was before releasing it back to the wild.

[davidred]

Damn.. I remember seeing my engine bay that clean once, now you've made me feel guilty.

Looks beautiful mate, congratulations on your new baby :)

[kabal999]

And here are some arty farty shots Nolz took.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v458/kluu/Badge1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v458/kluu/Badge2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v458/kluu/SteeringWheel.jpg

Kudos to Nolz.

[kabal999]

Damn.. I remember seeing my engine bay that clean once, now you've made me feel guilty.

Looks beautiful mate, congratulations on your new baby :)


Thanks davidred, she wont be that clean for long, Human nature will prevail and i will inevitably "need" more power, THEN the fun begins.

Just try to keep her on the road in the wet with TC off is still a struggle, but that half the fun, learning to tame her.

[scat2k3]

Very nice mate.

The wheels really suit the car.

Don't be sorry for not posting earlier. I half expected a report on best seating position for a comfy nights sleep. Didn't expect you out of it for a week at least :lol:

The beauty of these beasts is that you still get a thrill everytime you get behind the wheel, no matter how many k's you rack up.

Cheers,

Scott

[Speedy Gonzales]

Nice ride, let the mods begin :wave:

[TriShield]

Awesome choice.

I wish our Pulse Red GTOs came with the same instrument cluster, wheels, and smoked tails. Enjoy that car! :D

[dugite57]

Mate, I've had my M6 Monaro sine Feb 02 and every time I get in it I wear the same silly grin that I did the first day I drove it on dealer plates. Enjoy.

[No Pants]

Congrats mate - how many times did you check the garage to make sure it was still there on the first night ?? I know I did once or twice !
I get my edit, pipes etc done tomorrow - yippeeeeee !!!!

Will let u know how it goes ..

If u don't hear from me tomorrow it's cause I'm out Driving !! :D

Once again congratulations !

Ben

:cool:

[kabal999]

Mate, I've had my M6 Monaro sine Feb 02 and every time I get in it I wear the same silly grin that I did the first day I drove it on dealer plates. Enjoy.

I know exactly what you mean, i think that Commodore SV6 ad with synchronised grinning and acceleration is VERY accurate hehe. :D

[kabal999]

Congrats mate - how many times did you check the garage to make sure it was still there on the first night ?? I know I did once or twice !
I get my edit, pipes etc done tomorrow - yippeeeeee !!!!

Will let u know how it goes ..

If u don't hear from me tomorrow it's cause I'm out Driving !! :D

Once again congratulations !
:cool:

Ben,
thanks mate, yeah i found it very hard to leave it in public also, hopefully that passes... :p.

Definitely interested in how the edit/mods go.

Cheers.
Khiem.

[Mongy]

Ahh, nothing like a hot car in dogkock red. Makes me want a red one.

[CREWIE]

I would be interested in your opinions on this method of running in.
www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
I ran my Crewman in as per the standard method you have all mentioned and its perfect. They really start to boogie over 10,000 k's. I wonder how they run in the supercar race engines? Does anyone know anyone in the industry?

Did anyone see the drift racing on Foxtel last night ,28/9? The Monaro was awesome!!! I havent seen drifting before.I got an adreniline rush just watching it. Last week i saw a left hand drive GTO,what a tough looking car.The exhaust note was sweet as. Annoying as they are, Yanks know how to tweek a car.

[IIV8II]

lol... a rebadged Monaro, was it? :rolleyes: no they don't...

[kabal999]

I would be interested in your opinions on this method of running in.
www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

I would tend to agree with this method hehe ;). I guess only time will tell, hitting 1000kms at the moment and still "varying" my speeds and stetching the car once in a while.

[CREWIE]

Our Monaro's dont sound anywhere near as good as the one I heard. They obviously took time to get it right.Unlike the squashed,no sound, no perfomance exhaust on my SS crewman. Dont the 300kw motors come from Callaway in the states?

[Dacious]

If you want your exhaust to sound like theirs, just pull your resonators off. That's the only difference. They have much more liberal noise laws there, and it's likely - exttremely - that this would break ADR's here. Then again, so does virtually every aftermarket system.

The 300Kw is a Callaway head, port, polish, cam in a LS1.

[SSFreak]

If you want your exhaust to sound like theirs, just pull your resonators off. That's the only difference. They have much more liberal noise laws there, and it's likely - exttremely - that this would break ADR's here. Then again, so does virtually every aftermarket system.

The 300Kw is a Callaway head, port, polish, cam in a LS1.

What worries me is, with the tighter noise laws coming in over the next couple of years, all V8s are going to sound like crap. IMHO, the required noise levels are already too low. Once my neighbour on one side starts up his circular saw, and the neighbour on the other side gets stuck in with his angle grinder building god knows what, you can't even hear my exhaust system.

[davidred]

What worries me is, with the tighter noise laws coming in over the next couple of years, all V8s are going to sound like crap. IMHO, the required noise levels are already too low. Once my neighbour on one side starts up his circular saw, and the neighbour on the other side gets stuck in with his angle grinder building god knows what, you can't even hear my exhaust system.

A few years ago when I had a VR SS I got pulled over in the morning for having a noisy exhaust. Fortuantely at the same time a city bus drove past and a dump truck pulled up and started collection rubbish.

Once the cop and I started yelling at each other to hear over the noise, he just gave up and said the exhaust is well within guidelines if those other noises are allowed on council vehicles.

[CREWIE]

A reasonable cop!! :eek:

[Roddy]

Years ago as a teenager was driving around in a little 4 banger and the rear half of the exhaust fell right off. Sounded bloody fantastic from then on, sorta like a Fiat on roids. Cops weren't as impressed as I though (our next door neighbour dobbed me in because I kept waking him up coming home in the wee hours.)

[No Pants]

Ben,
thanks mate, yeah i found it very hard to leave it in public also, hopefully that passes... :p.

Definitely interested in how the edit/mods go.

Cheers.
Khiem.

Hi Guys - picked up the car from Powertorque after getting the pipes, mafless edit & extra hole in the cai, what can I say - 2 words, HOLY SHIT !!

The car not only sounds awesome but it was like picking up a new car !

Drove away with 225 RKW - or 300kw at the flywheel ..

Anyway just thought I'd let you all know that Paul & the boys did an awesome job & will be doing my servicing from now on ! Thanks again Paul ..

See you on the streets - you'll be the one in my mirrors ...



Ben
:D :D