About to join your ranks!
Discussion
Hello all,
After a very long-time lurking and very occasionally posting, it looks like I am finally about to join the Australian V8 goodness appreciation society
I'm about to conclude a deal to buy what I believe to be the only VT2 Commodore SS in the country, from a regular (and very knowledgeable) poster here, comm_ss_v8.
In connection with that I have a couple of questions that Steve couldn't answer, first one because he hasn't had cause to think about it yet LOL:
1. Is it possible to fit a UK standard child seat to the back on a VT2 SS? I realise none of you have precisely a car like it, but would assume that fastenings etc for child seats must be very similar on Commodores and HSV's. It won't be the only car in the household but it'd need to ferry our (yet to arrive) son or daughter around occasionally.
2. I plan to carry on modifying the car where Steve's left off, firstly by adding 18's to make room for AP's, and then adding the brakes when funds allow. Can anyone give me an idea whether these two steps are in any way a problem? From looking at justcommodores.com.au it appears that 18's are common mods on these so I assume not, but there's no mention of AP's anywhere and I'd very much appreciate any insight anyone here has on that topic.
3. Finally, other than the above, is there anything else in particular in terms of mods that you can do to a VT2 GTS that you can't for some reason or other to do a Commodore?
Sorry for the lengthy post, there may be more
. Any help and insight is really very much appreciated, and I look forward to taking part in discussions and going to meets. The dyno day being discussed on another thread would definitely be interesting!
After a very long-time lurking and very occasionally posting, it looks like I am finally about to join the Australian V8 goodness appreciation society
I'm about to conclude a deal to buy what I believe to be the only VT2 Commodore SS in the country, from a regular (and very knowledgeable) poster here, comm_ss_v8.
In connection with that I have a couple of questions that Steve couldn't answer, first one because he hasn't had cause to think about it yet LOL:
1. Is it possible to fit a UK standard child seat to the back on a VT2 SS? I realise none of you have precisely a car like it, but would assume that fastenings etc for child seats must be very similar on Commodores and HSV's. It won't be the only car in the household but it'd need to ferry our (yet to arrive) son or daughter around occasionally.
2. I plan to carry on modifying the car where Steve's left off, firstly by adding 18's to make room for AP's, and then adding the brakes when funds allow. Can anyone give me an idea whether these two steps are in any way a problem? From looking at justcommodores.com.au it appears that 18's are common mods on these so I assume not, but there's no mention of AP's anywhere and I'd very much appreciate any insight anyone here has on that topic.
3. Finally, other than the above, is there anything else in particular in terms of mods that you can do to a VT2 GTS that you can't for some reason or other to do a Commodore?
Sorry for the lengthy post, there may be more
. Any help and insight is really very much appreciated, and I look forward to taking part in discussions and going to meets. The dyno day being discussed on another thread would definitely be interesting!
Firstly, welcome! SS is essentially the same car so the majority of mods will be the same as for the HSV cars. 18's and AP's are great. I wouldn't ever go back to std brakes now (and the HSV premium ones were good compared to CV8). Plenty of scope to do lots with the car. As for child seats, my 4 month old daughter cruises around safe and sound in her child seat with no probs. Best of luck
Thanks for the welcome Woody VT, I can't wait to pick it up. Really pleased that baby seats are not a problem, I of course forgot to check it out before buying the car, and wasn't overly popular with the mother-to-be as a result.
I think I've managed to answer my other questions myself as well, Mark at LSV reckons 18's and AP's will go on with no probs at all. Now I just need to find the money!
Thanks for the reply once again, if anyone has any other comments whatsoever I'd be delighted to hear them.
I think I've managed to answer my other questions myself as well, Mark at LSV reckons 18's and AP's will go on with no probs at all. Now I just need to find the money!
Thanks for the reply once again, if anyone has any other comments whatsoever I'd be delighted to hear them.
Go the VTII SS's ! I do have one, just fixing it up at the moment, Tune, diff gears and convertor go in this week. Mine is an Auto too. Me and Manuals don't mix!
Only difference is I am in OZ though!
There is a 4 pot AP caliper and 330mm discs that will fit behind the 17 inch wheel.
I am guessing you are after the 6 pot ones, then you probably need something bigger.
One thing to try and get hold of is a later intake manifold off for example a Monaro. They can be picked up for not a lot of dollars/pounds nowadays, In the early days they were a lot.
Aussie baby seats can fit in the SS. There is a mounting point/bracket for one under a flap on the rear parcel shelf. I believe you can also put in another 2 if required but you would have to buy another 2 anchor brackets. I think there are 2 mounting points hidden under a couple of plastic push in clips.(will have to confirm this)
The UK VT2GTS (Oz clubsport) essentially has the same engine just a different exhaust, Cold air intake and PCM tune. These might have already been sorted by comm_ss_v8, not sure. The SS also has different diff gears to the GTS, maybe try and get some 3.73's or for real entertainment some 3.9's (warning these might drive you bonkers in traffic!) I have 3.73's going in the Auto this week. Most of the Oz people put 3.73 behind the Auto and 3.9's behind the manuals.
I have just retrofitted a lot of the later stuff to my SS, like the strut tower brace off the VY/Monaro onwards cars. (cost not a lot) I have also fitted a later power steering cooler, also fairly cheap.
They do really need camber bushes in the back if you lower them. Pedders and other places make these. The later Monaros have a slightly better set up here, but that can be retrofitted, probably cost a bit though.
If you are adventurous, you can even fit the later steering wheels, gear knob and handbrake, would have to get an airbag though which is not easy.
The UK GTS (Oz clubbie/Monaro series I) wheels look good on the VT cars, even the SS.
motomk
Only difference is I am in OZ though!
There is a 4 pot AP caliper and 330mm discs that will fit behind the 17 inch wheel.
I am guessing you are after the 6 pot ones, then you probably need something bigger.
One thing to try and get hold of is a later intake manifold off for example a Monaro. They can be picked up for not a lot of dollars/pounds nowadays, In the early days they were a lot.
Aussie baby seats can fit in the SS. There is a mounting point/bracket for one under a flap on the rear parcel shelf. I believe you can also put in another 2 if required but you would have to buy another 2 anchor brackets. I think there are 2 mounting points hidden under a couple of plastic push in clips.(will have to confirm this)
The UK VT2GTS (Oz clubsport) essentially has the same engine just a different exhaust, Cold air intake and PCM tune. These might have already been sorted by comm_ss_v8, not sure. The SS also has different diff gears to the GTS, maybe try and get some 3.73's or for real entertainment some 3.9's (warning these might drive you bonkers in traffic!) I have 3.73's going in the Auto this week. Most of the Oz people put 3.73 behind the Auto and 3.9's behind the manuals.
I have just retrofitted a lot of the later stuff to my SS, like the strut tower brace off the VY/Monaro onwards cars. (cost not a lot) I have also fitted a later power steering cooler, also fairly cheap.
They do really need camber bushes in the back if you lower them. Pedders and other places make these. The later Monaros have a slightly better set up here, but that can be retrofitted, probably cost a bit though.
If you are adventurous, you can even fit the later steering wheels, gear knob and handbrake, would have to get an airbag though which is not easy.
The UK GTS (Oz clubbie/Monaro series I) wheels look good on the VT cars, even the SS.
motomk
Edited by motomk on Thursday 17th August 17:02
Steve's SS has 3.73 gears as well as a CAI and Tune.
There are a good few sets of second hand 18" Monaro and HSV rims about the place so wheels and brakes should be an easy fit for not too much cash.
Next on my list would be suspension. Though the SS already has sports shocks and springs, they could be harder. Mind you for wife and family it might be good as is.
Steve has really looked after it and its an excellent buy. Hopefully Steve gets the Monaro he was talking about..
There are a good few sets of second hand 18" Monaro and HSV rims about the place so wheels and brakes should be an easy fit for not too much cash.
Next on my list would be suspension. Though the SS already has sports shocks and springs, they could be harder. Mind you for wife and family it might be good as is.
Steve has really looked after it and its an excellent buy. Hopefully Steve gets the Monaro he was talking about..
ringram said:
Steve's SS has 3.73 gears
That's standard isn't it?
ringram said:
There are a good few sets of second hand 18" Monaro and HSV rims about the place so wheels and brakes should be an easy fit for not too much cash.
I know of the set at LSV, have already discussed it with Mark, where else are the some for sale though? PM me if you don't want to say here, I'd genuinely like to know.
ringram said:
Next on my list would be suspension. Though the SS already has sports shocks and springs, they could be harder. Mind you for wife and family it might be good as is.
I'd love to do suspension as it really transformed my Saab, BUT the cost seems considerable, varying between £1700 and £2700 where I've seen it offered. Surely there must be cheaper options than that?
ringram said:
Steve has really looked after it and its an excellent buy. Hopefully Steve gets the Monaro he was talking about..
I was very impressed as well with how Steve has looked after the car, I plan to carry that on - can't wait!
o.versteer said:
ringram said:
Steve's SS has 3.73 gears
That's standard isn't it?
Not on an SS, no. SS Auto had 3.07, SS manual 3.46. 3.73 was standard on the manual uk GTS sedans (OZ clubsport R8), GTS-R (Oz GTS) would have had 3.9's.
If they have been changed to 3.73's already, then you don't need to worry about them, they will do fine.
Ok, Im going by the tune Steve had in his car, the gear section had 3.73 listed. Maybe they were fitted ages ago?
As for wheels they come up here and on ebay now and again. I think rob78 had a set. His post should be near the top as it wasnt long ago.. just found it here www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?t=295936&f=69&h=0
You can get a whiteline.com.au suspension setup for around $1500 Oz, however fitting it all takes time, basically have to remove front and rear suspension to fit everything. So if you fancy doing it yourself you will save a bit, otherwise be prepared for a couple of days of scrapped knuckles and swearing.
As for wheels they come up here and on ebay now and again. I think rob78 had a set. His post should be near the top as it wasnt long ago.. just found it here www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?t=295936&f=69&h=0
You can get a whiteline.com.au suspension setup for around $1500 Oz, however fitting it all takes time, basically have to remove front and rear suspension to fit everything. So if you fancy doing it yourself you will save a bit, otherwise be prepared for a couple of days of scrapped knuckles and swearing.
ringram said:
Ok, Im going by the tune Steve had in his car, the gear section had 3.73 listed. Maybe they were fitted ages ago?
Sorry, ringram, That should have read that, that is the standard for the VTII SS car over here so it might not be the case in this instance.
This particular car, as it appears to be one of very few over there, might have been a special build and had 3.73's put in before it left these shores, so it was similar to the HSV GTS's over there or Steve might have put them in.
There should be a code on the diff housing which should reveal all.
motomk
motomk said:
ringram said:
Ok, Im going by the tune Steve had in his car, the gear section had 3.73 listed. Maybe they were fitted ages ago?
Sorry, ringram, That should have read that, that is the standard for the VTII SS car over here so it might not be the case in this instance.
This particular car, as it appears to be one of very few over there, might have been a special build and had 3.73's put in before it left these shores, so it was similar to the HSV GTS's over there or Steve might have put them in.
There should be a code on the diff housing which should reveal all.
motomk
I don't think Steve had them put in but I'll check. Lots to learn here! At any rate, this diff ratio seems well suited to the car anyway, good compromise between acceleration and economy (what economy
) in 6th, so not much reason to mess with it at the moment I think, but I'm prepared to be educated! Edited by o.versteer on Friday 18th August 08:39
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