Monaro Performance - smooth...slow??

[asho101]

Hi Guys

Hope you enjoyed the weekend! As some of you know, I was looking at getting a CV8 Monaro - 2001-03. Now, I went for a test drive during the week of Lemon's (stocko with exhaust & 60,000kms)- loved it. I didn't let loose but just loved the feel of the car.

Now yesterday I went for a test drive in a CV8 at Melbourne's Cheapest Cars. Was a 2003 CV8 Manual with 100,000kms, SS Induction, Exhaust, Extractors and the salesmen there seemed to think it had a LS1 edit or slight head & cam work...this I doubted very much, but the other mods we could see with our own eyes. (they advertised this for $30,000 - was a misprint, really $35,000...still reasonable I thought)

Anyways, I took it for a spin with my mate, his better half and the car salesmen. I have to say, I was very very unimpressed. The car was in awesome condition, sunroof as well! It wasn't the look or anything, it was the performance. It felt really smooth and refined, but didn't have that feeling of pure power. You put down your foot and the whole rev range developed in a linear fashion, no big kick back into your seat at any stage. The gear box was smooth and nice and everything just flowed together. But no real "kick in the ball" power.

I thought something had to be going on, air conditioner was off, no "power" button to press, no turbo button...nothing to increase performance! So I pulled over and chucked my mate in. He has a VX SS and its had a little work. He did the same, planted it and hoped for the best - just a nice acceleration throughout the range and no big smack in the face. I'm sitting in the front seat slighlty upset and dissapointed.

We got back to the yard and I took out the mates VX SS for a squirt...foot to the floor & just felt the ruthleess V8 kick off - his only done extractors, exhaust and intake - same, if not less, than the CV8. Now his just felt so much quicker, powerful and like a V8 should feel.

Now my question is, whats going on? Is this the general feel of the Monaro - an old mans car? More refined & luxurious?

Anyways, the main reason for me purchasing a LS1 was performance - and the Monaro just wasn't what i was looking for. It didn't have that big kick. It was quick, but didn't feel all that quick. And for an extra $15k it really isn't worth it - look I would take the CV8 over a SS anyday, but for the money I'd rather have a nice VX SS that I spend a bit of money on, make it myn, and also buy a jet ski or something else - and still have money left over.

So yeah, what does everyone think. Did I just get a bad example?

I'm taking a VX SII SS out tomorrow - 70,000kms, manual, 1 owner (chick - cool chick too!), and stock as a rock - just what I want. all for about $20k. So I'll probs put down a deposit and collect Wednesday (not making the mistake of not putting down a deposit this time!)

Cheers Guys,
Ash

[Muzzak]

So yeah, what does everyone think. Did I just get a bad example?

Cheers Guys,
Ash


Hi Ash. You said you did drive another one and it gave you what you wanted right? This must have been a bad example. To many factors to list. PCM may have learned to be a pussy cat by previous driver and needs to relearn - (can also be reset). Bad fuel, low octabe fuel, etc. etc. Or with all those Mods, the dealer inevertantly whiped the tune and the car is running on settings not befitting the performance mods. In this case a retune may help.

I used to own an SS, and my new Monaro shatters my spine into the seat each time my big toe feels itchy - and I havn't modded anything (as yet)

Muz

[Ghosn]

I bet it was the fact u had 4 people in the car, these cars don't have a lot of torque and when u load them up with 4 people you'll notice the decrease in performance.

[asho101]

I bet it was the fact u had 4 people in the car, these cars don't have a lot of torque and when u load them up with 4 people you'll notice the decrease in performance.

Yeah, I was thinking that. And it was a hot day - but I did also have 3 people in the SS and the aircon on...and we had been driving for 2 hours in 42C heat....So on par for comparison.

[NinetySix]

try and test drive another monaro?


besides, melbourns cheapest cars are dodgy.

[OLS108]

I would be thinking the Fact of 4 people in the car , the SS inductions CAI and the weather in melb was a stinker on the w/e, But it might just be that the PCM has learnt hab habbits from a lady owner or somthing.

[mad_monaro]

To answer your question in short - NO, this is not typical of Monaro's. When I test drove mine, it blew me away. Do yourself a favour, and test another one before you put ya deposit down.

[chris_vysv8]

The same thing happened to me when I test drove my SV8... previous owner had babied it around and it wouldn't go no matter how you pushed it, and had three people in the car. I too was quite disappointed. So I came back the next day after their service dept had reset the PCM, convinced the salesman to let me take it for a spin on my own and it blew me away. Totally different car. I bought it the same day :D

[asho101]

The same thing happened to me when I test drove my SV8... previous owner had babied it around and it wouldn't go no matter how you pushed it, and had three people in the car. I too was quite disappointed. So I came back the next day after their service dept had reset the PCM, convinced the salesman to let me take it for a spin on my own and it blew me away. Totally different car. I bought it the same day :D

Sound like what you had happened.

But, in the mean time I have had a think about my fainances and no I'm going with a VX SS and have the $15k to spend on holidays, other toys and just not have to pay back such a big loan.

Obviously this car wasn't representative of all the Monaro's out there! Thank God!

Thanks guys

[OLS108]

Sound like what you had happened.

But, in the mean time I have had a think about my fainances and no I'm going with a VX SS and have the $15k to spend on holidays, other toys and just not have to pay back such a big loan.

Obviously this car wasn't representative of all the Monaro's out there! Thank God!

Thanks guys
yeah Look you will be More then happy with the VX SS , and like you said 15K is a lot of Toys for the Price of losing two doors. make sure you let us all know how it goes and if your getting it !

[Dickie Knee]

Someone has just screwed and heap of stuff to it and hoped for the best.

Cold air intake.
Extractors.
Catback ?? maybe??

and no edit.

I found with the caprice after I fited the extractors and catback there was little improvment ( drank fiuel like an old 202 auto :( ) once edit was done all these things come together and now I have a car that does this :D

[Demon 8]

Well, it seems you have seen the light afterall :)

Seriously, I think the monaros are great cars, but the SS is cheaper and is faster in stock form that a Monaro, and with the VX SS (which series??) you have a great affordable Aussie muscle car that pushes all the right buttons....get the exhaust/headers done first and watch it transform into something wild........

[OLS108]

Someone has just screwed and heap of stuff to it and hoped for the best.

Cold air intake.
Extractors.
Catback ?? maybe??

and no edit.

I found with the caprice after I fited the extractors and catback there was little improvment ( drank fiuel like an old 202 auto :( ) once edit was done all these things come together and now I have a car that does this :D
yeahmy exhuast made the car Sound Great and Used a lot more fuel ,and even made a shitload of extra power on the Dyno.. But on the street and Track i gained 0.1 and 1MPH...on the street it was better down low but certainly isnt worth the money unless your getting an Edit.:driving:

[asho101]

Well, it seems you have seen the light afterall :)

Seriously, I think the monaros are great cars, but the SS is cheaper and is faster in stock form that a Monaro, and with the VX SS (which series??) you have a great affordable Aussie muscle car that pushes all the right buttons....get the exhaust/headers done first and watch it transform into something wild........

Series II - Tiger Mica...always loved that colour, even since I was a kid. Going for a drive after work - she how she goes, I'll let you all know..

It won't be stock for long! Exhaust is first, then OTRCAI, Extractors and a Tune...then i'll be stoked.

I'd love a Monaro, take it over a SS anyday. But just not worth the money to me - I simply couldn't afford it and do what I wanted to.

[Demon 8]

Wasn't Tiger mica only available for VX Series 1.....

[Red CV8 R]

Wasn't Tiger mica only available for VX Series 1.....

Tiger was also available in VTII

[Wayne@GM Motorsport]

Nothing that 1/2 hour on the dyno and a few $$ couldnt fix, it really doesnt take that much to help the things breath and find that hidden power.

[asho101]

Tiger was also available in VTII

I know its available in VX SI - looks so much nicer on a VX than a VT. This car is advertised as a SII, i'll find out tomorrow night whe nI have a look.

[MNR-0]

If it was a 2003 VY model, then I woulda bought the Monaro - great price too and they aint been made anymore so u knwo resale is going ot hold. Stuff the performance. If anything, its been driven lightly so u know its not been hammered. Tune it up and its a different animal - u should know that reading from these Forums.

[technic]

Would of been the heat + 4 people doing it to the munro. I have an 03 and have been dragged off by a vn v6 when I had 4 people up and a stinking hot day. Since putting on a HSV airbox and getting an edit (stock zorst) this doesnt happen anymore.

[5 point 7]

Although my CV8 when stock was as choked and uninspiring as any other.
Are you sure that you got stung by a a VN V6???
WTF?
Im also in Perth so i know how hot it is here, but i dont remember any 50 degree days here recently, cos it would have to be that kind of heat to justify getting stung by a VN V6???
It would have had to be a special VN V6, like a Lexcen!
I got beaten by a Lexcen once, I almost beat it but it was really hot and I wasnt wearing shoes and the road started to burn my feet......what, a VN V6???
And why did you bother dragging with it in the first place?
Dont worry mate one day you will wake up and realise it was all just a bad dream.
:nyuk: :nyuk:

[Demon 8]

I had the SS for 6 months and at a set of lights this pre-AU Ford was next to me revving his engine. When the lights went green, I had a shocking start and nearly stalled by which time this guy in the crappy Ford had a car length on me, I did catch up but backed off at 70km/hr.

It wasn’t a good feeling to be beaten by such an old normal looking Ford!

You have to be careful with these Gen 3’s, they can be slow off the mark...

[Tron2004]

I bet it was the fact u had 4 people in the car, these cars don't have a lot of torque and when u load them up with 4 people you'll notice the decrease in performance.
You're kidding right???

4 people and you'll notice the decrease in perf??
We are talking 5.7 litres of V8 aren't we???

Sheesh, my almost stock SV8 with 4 adults on board absolutely blitzed as quick as lightning going up Victoria Pass (Sydney ppl will know what I'm talking about).... one steep mother of a climb!!!

[Ghosn]

You're kidding right???

4 people and you'll notice the decrease in perf??
We are talking 5.7 litres of V8 aren't we???

Sheesh, my almost stock SV8 with 4 adults on board absolutely blitzed as quick as lightning going up Victoria Pass (Sydney ppl will know what I'm talking about).... one steep mother of a climb!!!

No, Im not kidding.

[HRT Stroker]

You're kidding right???

4 people and you'll notice the decrease in perf??
We are talking 5.7 litres of V8 aren't we???

Sheesh, my almost stock SV8 with 4 adults on board absolutely blitzed as quick as lightning going up Victoria Pass (Sydney ppl will know what I'm talking about).... one steep mother of a climb!!!


Dont know too many stock family cars that WON'T notice the weight difference of four adults makes.:eek:

[SSBarney]

You're kidding right???

4 people and you'll notice the decrease in perf??
We are talking 5.7 litres of V8 aren't we???

Sheesh, my almost stock SV8 with 4 adults on board absolutely blitzed as quick as lightning going up Victoria Pass (Sydney ppl will know what I'm talking about).... one steep mother of a climb!!!


Depending on your passengers size, you think a possible 300kg's wont make a difference to performance:rolleyes:
300 kgs would have to be worth over a second on the strip.

[ls18my$s]

You're kidding right???

4 people and you'll notice the decrease in perf??
We are talking 5.7 litres of V8 aren't we???

Sheesh, my almost stock SV8 with 4 adults on board absolutely blitzed as quick as lightning going up Victoria Pass (Sydney ppl will know what I'm talking about).... one steep mother of a climb!!!

With extra weight on board you cannot help but drop performance.

Quick calculation:

1650kg SV8 with 245kW => 0.1495 kW/kg

With 300kg of extra bodies

1950kg SV8 for same power-to-weight ratio, now requires ~290kw! (0.1495*1950).

For this same reason, the mooted 230kg of extra weight to be carried by the VE commodore is a worry.

[technic]

Yeah sorry it was last summer that this happened and it was a really hot day. I had been giving it shit and had a crapload of heatsoak, these guys pulled up to the lights next to me in there white rusty v6 and asked me to show them how a Monaro went. I hung my head in shame afterwards.

[Demon 8]

I notice my SS goes much faster off the line when the tank is nearly empty...even having just 50-60Lt less in the car makes a big difference in a straight line...

[Tron2004]

I notice my SS goes much faster off the line when the tank is nearly empty...even having just 50-60Lt less in the car makes a big difference in a straight line...
Gee, I don't know.
I just put my foot down, my myself or fully loaded. Full tank or almost empty and it just GOES!!!!! :burnout:

The only thing I do notice is a very slight drop off in performance when the air con is on, which is not helped by the hot air outside. The car definitely goes quicker on a cool day, as expected.

[5 point 7]

Of course weight to the car does makes a big difference, but a VN V6???
Who was in the car?
Fat Albert, Fat Cat and my mother in law?
Mine still chirps 1-2 shift when fully loaded.
Get a full exhaust, a mafless tune, and change your diff gears, or simply go see Chipmaster.
Bye bye VN V6... bye bye M3, Boxster, WRX and 99.5% of all other cars on the road. :astavista:
Hello good times!

[technic]

Already went to chipmaster and VN's were history after that along with allot of other cars. Car was stolen new years though so all my money for the zorst now goes on insurance and other stuff. :(

[5 point 7]

Dude Im sorry to hear that.
Where and how did it get nicked?
Have u got it back?
My last car was nicked, found and written off, it was a f@#king nightmare with the insurance, Western QBE you suck!.
If you need some advice let me know ill be glad to help.
Hopefully you been paid and shopping with the cheque.

[technic]

They broke into the house and stole the keys as I was out at the time at a mates party. Police reckon it was someone in the street but thats as far as it has gone. The car was found but pretty badly damaged and is in the process of been fixed so I just hope it all turns out ok.

I was really mad at the time but have since let it go as there is no way I can change the situation. Thanks for your concern anyway and make sure you sleep with your keys under your pillow :)

[NinetySix]

VN V6's can be pretty quick off the line.. a bad driver in a manual LS1 could quite easily see the tail lights of an auto VN who just stamps on the gas pedal... upto 60-70 any way :lol:

[technic]

VN's are very fast to 60 and the base models dont weigh much at all. My car is an auto however and I stomped the pedal when the lights changed.

[Vulture]

You're kidding right???

4 people and you'll notice the decrease in perf??
We are talking 5.7 litres of V8 aren't we???

Sheesh, my almost stock SV8 with 4 adults on board absolutely blitzed as quick as lightning going up Victoria Pass (Sydney ppl will know what I'm talking about).... one steep mother of a climb!!!

Tron2004, you must have one insensitive set of arse cheeks if you can't feel the performance difference with all that weight! The drop off in performance is as plain as a Bulgarian pinup...

[Tron2004]

Tron2004, you must have one insensitive set of arse cheeks if you can't feel the performance difference with all that weight! The drop off in performance is as plain as a Bulgarian pinup...
LMACOH !!! :lmao:
If you ever plan to visit down Sydney way, drop a line and I'll take ya for a spin. Loaded up and not... oh and hopefully a cool day too. :D