VE SSV handling over standard SS and older Ls1 models

[charlie15]

Hi guys

Selling my Monaro this weekend and I'm looking to possibly buy a ve (I'd like a car with a bit of go but that can take a corner as well). I've driven a mates ve ss, however, it's quite modified and it felt like it handled corners quite well (for a sedan).

Can anyone let me know if there is a huge improvement over Pre 2006 models in the handling department and if the ve SSV would handle better than a standard ss (as I believe they may be slightly different in setup).

Any help would be much appreciated.

[Hos]

The SS and SSV have very similar setups, right from 06 until now. I am not aware of any significant changes as the model has gone through its various updates.

The Redline edition SSV's have FE2.5 and Brembo front brakes, but from what I've heard of that there is negligible difference between FE2 and FE2.5.

I'd be more inclined to keep the Monaro as they are more unique than the now common as dogs balls VE.

Hope this is of some help, I am sure others will chip in and possibly correct me if I am wrong. To see the changes through MYxx updates, Wikipedia has a fairly good overview on there.

Regards,


Hos

[Wonky]

Absolutely no difference between VE SS and SSV except possibly for the Redline as Hos mentioned but still SFA difference. In most people's eyes the VE chassis is better than pre VE and having had 2 VEs, 2 VZs and a VY (all V8s) I would definitely agree.

[charlie15]

Thanks wonky.

Thanks for the breakdown Hos, ill check wiki - the reason for selling my cv8 is simply because its been babied since purchase and its always been my second car. I need something that I won't care about and can enjoy. I'm not looking to upgrade, in my eyes it's more of a downgrade as ill be selling both current vehicles and buying a cheaper one.

I would have liked to keep the Monaro as a weekender but paying insurance/reg on 2 cars or even driving it everyday and seeing it depreciate once if hits the 100k mark wouldn't be a smart choice considering I should be putting my money towards a house or something of greater significance!

Plus, I know it's going to a good home, that makes it a little easier to let go of.

[whitels1ss]

I think standard the SS had slightly smaller wheels being 18 inch x 8 inch and the SSV had 19 inch x 8 inch

but apart from that nothing other than the fact the SSV was a slightly heavier car than the SS.

[shaneooo]

Yep above is spot on, SFA difference between SS and SSV...only 19 inch wheels vs 18 inch....really not going to notice that except when you replace the rubber...having said that the I would say go the SSV if you like leather and better spec interior etc.

The difference you may notice is the VE feels much more bigger, wider and less nimble when compared to a VZ, VY, VX, VT Commodore and especially a Monaro. My inlaws still have and love their VZ SS ute which I occasionally take for a spin, going from my VE into the VZ, straight away I notice the VZ feels narrower and smaller, which is a good thing when doing some spirited driving...lol

[whitels1ss]

Yep above is spot on, SFA difference between SS and SSV...only 19 inch wheels vs 18 inch....really not going to notice that except when you replace the rubber.

Buddy sorry but I do not agree with you there,
I think most car enthusiasts should be able to notice the difference in ride, steering and handling
between the different sizes of wheels.

[shaneooo]

Buddy sorry but I do not agree with you there,
I think most car enthusiasts should be able to notice the difference in ride, steering and handling
between the different sizes of wheels.

Personal preference, however done a few track days in my SSV and my GT, much preferred placing 18 inch rims on both cars than having the factory 19's...to increase a rim 1 inch and maintain the same width, there is not that much to be gained....yes tyre compound, weight of rim etc all more so play a bigger part plus less sidewall flex etc etc etc...but some people also prefer some flex which allows the ability to compress a bit and provide a slightly better contact patch, but again personal preference...

But comparing the heavy, high sitting SS and a SSV, not much noticeable difference except a little more bumpy in the SSV on our pothole ridden roads.

[whitels1ss]

Personal preference, however done a few track days in my SSV and my GT, much preferred placing 18 inch rims on both cars than having the factory 19's...to increase a rim 1 inch and maintain the same width, there is not that much to be gained....yes tyre compound, weight of rim etc all more so play a bigger part plus less sidewall flex etc etc etc...but some people also prefer some flex which allows the ability to compress a bit and provide a slightly better contact patch, but again personal preference...

But comparing the heavy, high sitting SS and a SSV, not much noticeable difference except a little more bumpy in the SSV on our pothole ridden roads.

Buddy I was not talking about "preference" I was talking about "feel". (yeah...re "preference"... I prefer the ride and traction of the smaller wheels as well for most driving.)
My comment was in reply to your comment that people would not be able to notice the difference in driving as you inferred in your post number 6,
you commented "not going to notice that except when you replace the rubber"

[Angeldust]

ive asked this before as well...what would be quicker around a track, a ls2 VZ or a ls2 VE hsv? provided
the brakes/tyres are the same etc

ps. i wouldn't sell the munro over a VE

[whitels1ss]

ive asked this before as well...what would be quicker around a track, a ls2 VZ or a ls2 VE hsv? provided
the brakes/tyres are the same etc

The VZ weighs around 200kgs less than a VE HSV, the much lighter car would have to be faster IMHO.

[VNV8]

As above, plus I believe the diff ratios may be shorter in the VZ HSV.

[Angeldust]

i would love to see some numbers. The VE chassis handles very very well, BUT its a huge car, so could it be just an 'illusion' that
its 'fast' around a track as a smaller nimbler car (VT-VZ) will still lap faster?

[tyrhantc]

It really comes down to what you want. Yes the VT-VZ may be faster around a track but the VE definitely handles better and has a more poised feel going through those corners.

[Plenty]

The VZ weighs around 200kgs less than a VE HSV, the much lighter car would have to be faster IMHO.

VE would destroy the equivalent VZ around the track, lighter or not!