VXR or Remapped CV8
Discussion
Well it's time to replace my standard pre face lift Monaro with a new car. But for my work purposes there really isn't a better car than the Monaro on the market - so guess what - I'm getting another one HOWEVER - I am experiencing some short falls with the standard car.
It's way too lethargic low down and becomes bit of a chore continually ringing it's neck out to make good progress so the answer would seem to be either go for a VXR or a remapped standard car. This is where I need the advice. I have previously driven a remapped standard car with a straight through pipe and that, from memory, was fantastic, very responsive. I've never driven a VXR. Only the 5.7 would be within the budget not the 6.0 . I imagine there are other benefits to a VXR over a standard car with respect to suspension and brakes etc.
If anyone has made the comparison I'd appreciate your findings.
It's way too lethargic low down and becomes bit of a chore continually ringing it's neck out to make good progress so the answer would seem to be either go for a VXR or a remapped standard car. This is where I need the advice. I have previously driven a remapped standard car with a straight through pipe and that, from memory, was fantastic, very responsive. I've never driven a VXR. Only the 5.7 would be within the budget not the 6.0 . I imagine there are other benefits to a VXR over a standard car with respect to suspension and brakes etc.
If anyone has made the comparison I'd appreciate your findings.
how's about a supercharger for your current standard model with a decent exhaust tune and new brakes - all for between 6-7k. Will push car to around the 500bhp mark - much more responsive and much better at stopping too 
See thread I started in last week or so asking for suggested upgrades. Its that or if interested I can point you to a silver 04 plate standard model with approx 40k miles on the clock that has been "modded" to take it to around 412bhp. Its got VXR brakes, capa exhaust, new headers, otrcai, rip shifter. Sounds great on the road, very fast and going for around £18k. Belonged to a member on here that's sadly no longer around to enjoy the car.
See thread I started in last week or so asking for suggested upgrades. Its that or if interested I can point you to a silver 04 plate standard model with approx 40k miles on the clock that has been "modded" to take it to around 412bhp. Its got VXR brakes, capa exhaust, new headers, otrcai, rip shifter. Sounds great on the road, very fast and going for around £18k. Belonged to a member on here that's sadly no longer around to enjoy the car.Driving Advs said:
Well it's time to replace my standard pre face lift Monaro with a new car. But for my work purposes there really isn't a better car than the Monaro on the market - so guess what - I'm getting another one HOWEVER - I am experiencing some short falls with the standard car.
It's way too lethargic low down and becomes bit of a chore continually ringing it's neck out to make good progress so the answer would seem to be either go for a VXR or a remapped standard car. This is where I need the advice. I have previously driven a remapped standard car with a straight through pipe and that, from memory, was fantastic, very responsive. I've never driven a VXR. Only the 5.7 would be within the budget not the 6.0 . I imagine there are other benefits to a VXR over a standard car with respect to suspension and brakes etc.
If anyone has made the comparison I'd appreciate your findings.
I owned a remapped standard car which was much better than standard I now have a 5.7 VXR (cant have the 6L as need the boot space).
My cost to change was less than £2k after selling my CV8 on ebay in October and buying the VXR in the last week.
I am finding that the VXR feels a tad quicker, but importantly it handles and stops noticeably better than the standard car. I think this probably comes with the changes that HSV make to the Holden base car CV8.
If you are anywhere near Berkshire and want a spin then IM me.
Bennno
Driving Advs said:
Well it's time to replace my standard pre face lift Monaro with a new car. But for my work purposes there really isn't a better car than the Monaro on the market - so guess what - I'm getting another one HOWEVER - I am experiencing some short falls with the standard car.
It's way too lethargic low down and becomes bit of a chore continually ringing it's neck out to make good progress so the answer would seem to be either go for a VXR or a remapped standard car. This is where I need the advice. I have previously driven a remapped standard car with a straight through pipe and that, from memory, was fantastic, very responsive. I've never driven a VXR. Only the 5.7 would be within the budget not the 6.0 . I imagine there are other benefits to a VXR over a standard car with respect to suspension and brakes etc.
If anyone has made the comparison I'd appreciate your findings.
Depends on budget, get what you pay for to a certain degree.
Vxr wins hands down, but, it is somewhat more expensive. If you are looking for an 05 CV8, we have a car with WORTEC remap and exhaust for you to try or buy, 06 reg at £27495. We have a couple of used 6.0 VXR's 'unfettled' if you wanted to draw a comparison. The 05 CV8 brakes are as good (or bad) as the original VXR's. The VXR does have HSV suspension which most prefer to the std car and just has a slightly different feel to it. Any more hands info will be pleased to help.
Thank you all for your comments, they're most helpful.
It really confirmed what I've been thinking that the VXR, all things considered, should be the car to aim for (and I do much prefer the look of the VXR).
Benno - good point ref the boot capacity. One of the reasons the Monaro has such an appeal factor for me is the fact I can hold 30 route packs & two way radios plus camera equipment and luggage for myself and co driver. That reason alone rules out a later model for me apart from the fact that I can't afford the £30k ish that the 6.0 versions seem to be demanding at the moment.
So I think it'll be the 5.7VXR on the shopping list.
Here's another question though. I've heard it said a number of times that a remap improves fuel efficiency. This might seem an odd concern on a 5.7 litre 'muscle car' but being as I can leave home and return a week later with 2,500 miles on the clock, a remap actually becomes a worthwhile "investment" - as I could recover the cost from savings on fuel - while enjoying the better performance of course!
So the question is - is a remap on a VXR a good move? I've often heard of the improvements to the CV8 of a remap but never the VXR.
Brian (Caspy) - I'll have a look at your current stock online and continue to do so until I'm ready to take the plunge.
Thanks again to you all for your time and knowledge.
It really confirmed what I've been thinking that the VXR, all things considered, should be the car to aim for (and I do much prefer the look of the VXR).
Benno - good point ref the boot capacity. One of the reasons the Monaro has such an appeal factor for me is the fact I can hold 30 route packs & two way radios plus camera equipment and luggage for myself and co driver. That reason alone rules out a later model for me apart from the fact that I can't afford the £30k ish that the 6.0 versions seem to be demanding at the moment.
So I think it'll be the 5.7VXR on the shopping list.
Here's another question though. I've heard it said a number of times that a remap improves fuel efficiency. This might seem an odd concern on a 5.7 litre 'muscle car' but being as I can leave home and return a week later with 2,500 miles on the clock, a remap actually becomes a worthwhile "investment" - as I could recover the cost from savings on fuel - while enjoying the better performance of course!
So the question is - is a remap on a VXR a good move? I've often heard of the improvements to the CV8 of a remap but never the VXR.
Brian (Caspy) - I'll have a look at your current stock online and continue to do so until I'm ready to take the plunge.
Thanks again to you all for your time and knowledge.
VXR has a "half" tune compared to the CV8.
Im pretty sure mechanically the engines are exactly the same.
Its exhaust/intake and tune that makes the difference. Cam, heads, thottle, intake manifold etc are the same.
You can see the tune differences at www.holdencrazy.com use efilive.com free software download to compare.
Pretty much spark timing really.
Im pretty sure mechanically the engines are exactly the same.
Its exhaust/intake and tune that makes the difference. Cam, heads, thottle, intake manifold etc are the same.
You can see the tune differences at www.holdencrazy.com use efilive.com free software download to compare.
Pretty much spark timing really.
I mean the PCM tune is different.
So the VXR is half way done (ie) You wont get the gains from the VXR you do from the CV8. (5.7)
Or are you saying the PCM calibration is the same? I must admit Im going by the HSV GTO coupe tune comprared to stock monaro. Assuming that the GTO is rebadged as VXR which I think it is.
So the VXR is half way done (ie) You wont get the gains from the VXR you do from the CV8. (5.7)
Or are you saying the PCM calibration is the same? I must admit Im going by the HSV GTO coupe tune comprared to stock monaro. Assuming that the GTO is rebadged as VXR which I think it is.
Gassing Station | HSV & Monaro | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff