153 replies to this topic

[mitchg]

So this is the Torana's replacement. Im very happy. Drives like a new car and is so different from the torana, in a good way.

Name: Mitch
Model: VX SS
Colour: Red
Bodykit: SS
Engine Type: LS1 5.7L
Engine Mods: 2.5" Redback twin cat back
Gearbox: 4L60E Standard
Diff: Standard 3.08 LSD
Brakes: Standard
Suspension: FE2 - slightly lower
Wheels/Tyres: 18" King Wheels - 235s all round
Interior: Full Leather trim, Sunroof
Stereo: Pioneer DVD Headunit, Alpine 6x9s and 6"
Build Period: Bought February 2012
Cost: $10,000
Future Mods: Oztrack tune, DUS Throttle body, OTR, Extractors, High flow cats, Detailed bay, Cam etc

[mitchg]

Lol knew that would come up. I enjoy the auto. Shame about the diff gears that come with it though. 3.07s suck big ones.
The auto seems nice and strong and makes for some awesome carefree driving.

[mitchg]

Yeah extractor prices are a bit of a joke. 2nd hand they still want $500 for them. I think I'll spend that $500 on a mafless tune. Should be able to run well into the 13s then.

I ran it last week and it was shamefully slow. 14.5 @ 98mph. Its only stock but it gives me a starting point to see how the car responds to the mods.

[MRLXSS]

It's good you hit the track first up, now you will know how much you gain from your mods!

I really enjoyed my old VU, great car and they are a great engine (With a Manual behind! HAHA) I haven't driven an auto one, so can't comment though.

The VX is an awesome shape!

[mitchg]

Yeah the VX is one of my favourite shapes. Had the option between the VX and a VY but I like the rounded edges of the VX and you dont see them as often as you do VYs.

The way I saw it when I bought it was it will be my daily for 4 years or so, and then use the motor and box in a project car when funds allow for a newer car.
Until then, mods will slowly happen and I want to be running the same time as my old man which is aiming for mid 11s so the auto is better for that and with a cam, heads, diff gears and a stall it should be pretty fun.

It is so much more car then the torana ever was. Im very happy with the upgrade!

Its a lot of car for $10k!!

[MRLXSS]

Shit yeah! I'm looking to get my bosses GTO into the same type of time bracket... It's his car, but I get to race it! You probably saw a pic of it on my facebook... It'll be a race only car... So I can go a bit more wild, but most of the mods we do, will be VERY similar! Diff Gears, Stall, Cam etc etc

[mr5000]

its so much more of a car compared to the torry because it has right amount of cylinders hahaha these are so cheap at the moment if i didnt have the need for a ute id definately be looking for one

[mitchg]

Dad recently put a set of Higgins heads onto the Monaro but everytime we have gone racing its been too bloody hot! 30 degree track temps are not good for E.Ts! Lol.
Currently sitting at a best of 11.7 @ 118mph with 3.9 gearing, smallish cam, 4000 stall, full exhaust and a tune plus full slicks. Doesnt take much to get these things moving!

Drives to and from the track as well!

Haha Ryan! I still had change from the torana so it paid for rego transfer and a cat back system. Got some money sitting for a tune and it will be a lot faster then the torana too!

[mitchg]

Unfortunately the budget didnt stretch to a 6.0L.

[dattoman]

When the 3/4 friction plates burn out in that auto.... I'll sell you some better ones... lol

[mitchg]

Swapped my mate for his 19s off his vs ute.

[mitchg]

So I have had this car for 2.5 months now and can do nothing but praise it! By now I would have been through a diff in the Torana! Haha!
I have also put 11,000kms on the car since buying it so you see the kind of kms the torana was clocking up. I dont feel as bad when the odometer clocks over another number on this.

Just returned from a couple of weeks in Coffs Harbour for uni. Every time I drove the Torana to Newcastle for T'fest, it was the LONGEST drive of my life. In this, it was so easy. It was quiet, smooth, air con, cruise control lol. Im not converted away from old cars, but you cant beat technology for these comforts. It was then it really hit me that the torana wasn't a true daily driver.

So anyways, it hasnt changed, but should be getting a mafless tune, otr and bigger throttle body in around a month. Got the parts sitting around, just need the $$ for the tune. Hoping for a mid 13..

I will be going through my torana parts I have left over to clear out the garage, shed and dads shed at his work so there will be some parts for sale including sedan glass (all except quarter windows I believe), bumpers, seats, etc etc.

Anways heres a couple of pics at Woolgoolga and Yamba

[gtrboyy]

They make for a great daily & easy to get decent power out of them for the money...only thing that annoys me with my vy 11 ss ute is the radiators,have gone through 3 radiators.Other than that it got a marranos tune,otr,di-fillipo extractors/cats & twin 3 xforcs exhaust (234rwkw) shortly after buying it...keen to do more to maske it faster even though it is reasonably quick for a daily.

Fill up with fuel,wash 'em & enjoy it!

Edited by gtrboyy, 23 April 2012 - 07:39 PM.

[mitchg]

Cheers for the comments guys.

Been around the LS1's for a while with Dad building up his Monaro. I think the best education about the mods and how these cars respond was seeing his timeslips after he got something new done. He has logged all his times on an excel document which show the mods to the car and the 1/4 times achieved with it. Hes currently got it down to an 11.7.

It was interesting seeing that with a mafless tune, OTR, full exhaust, DUS throttle body and 3.9 diff gearing he was able to slip into the 12s so thats the direction I will be hoping for in the near future. Then onto the cam etc.

LH8VD69 - Cheers for the advice. With the VY extractors, do they need the extended piece down to the cats like other HSV ones I've seen?

Lee - Yeah Iv ripped out the elbow pipes that come out of the holes on the air box. The induction noise its heaps louder and more of a growl, but the OTR will be on soon so that will all change again lol. Not entirely happy with the cat back system at the moment. I know with extractors it will change the note again but its not loud enough. Had the choice of with a rear muffler or without and I opted for with...not sure if I should have gone the other way.

gtrboyy - Just curious, how much did the marranos tune set you back? Iv rung around a few places and currently looking at my first tune from Oztrack. Hes done great work for the old man.

[orangeLJ]

My brother had his done at Sams performance (VE LS2) reasonably cheaply and I can't fault their work.

Ive heard a few bad things about OZTRACK, but that could be said for most places.

No rear muffler will be too loud I reckon, more drone than anything.

[mitchg]

Cheers for the comments. I live at Ingleburn so sureflo are real close.

Chris, oztrack have their haters but everything he has done for dad tune wise has been awesome and the figures show in the time slips. Iv spoken with steve and happy with what he offers.

[mitchg]

Gave her a wash and polish on this beautiful thursday night.