HSV Clubsport questions
Discussion
Seen a HSV Clubsport on the Classifieds. Looks wise it's more or less the same as the GTS but clearly it has a different engine.
As far as I understand, the engine is the Holden / Chevy 5.0 V8.
I'm tempted with it as it's fairly cheap.
What will be my future options for tuning? How different is the 5.0 to the Holden 5.7ltr?
And what aside from the engine is different from a GTS?
If it's merely the Drivetrain then surely I've lot loads more money to play with supercharging/tuning the engine in the future, but have a fairly cheap runaround now with HSV handling and looks, and a lovely V8 sound.
As far as I understand, the engine is the Holden / Chevy 5.0 V8.
I'm tempted with it as it's fairly cheap.
What will be my future options for tuning? How different is the 5.0 to the Holden 5.7ltr?
And what aside from the engine is different from a GTS?
If it's merely the Drivetrain then surely I've lot loads more money to play with supercharging/tuning the engine in the future, but have a fairly cheap runaround now with HSV handling and looks, and a lovely V8 sound.
Should mention this is the Red VT Clubsport.
www.pistonheads.com/sales/2320622.htm
www.pistonheads.com/sales/2320622.htm
Edited by rogerrabbit53 on Tuesday 14th December 16:40
I'm sure there are more knowledgeable out there than I, but I think the 5.0 is an LT1 derived engine, rather than the 5.7 which is an LS1 motor. Check out wikipedia and a huge number of US sites to get the full info, but they are different beasts.
There's nothing wrong with the LT1 V8 (I've had 3 and loved them) and you'll find threads arguing over the pros and cons, but the LS is the more modern motor and that shows...
Here's just one thread (albeit with a camaro flavour
) http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31924
There's nothing wrong with the LT1 V8 (I've had 3 and loved them) and you'll find threads arguing over the pros and cons, but the LS is the more modern motor and that shows...
Here's just one thread (albeit with a camaro flavour
) http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31924Edited by balls-out on Tuesday 14th December 20:20
The late Holden motors were good but not great. The 5.0 is pretty average to drive, grunty but lacking the power it should have. The best were the late VT series 1 355 (5.7) strokers.
I had one and while it wasn't quite early LS1 territory being 300bhp as opposed to 333bhp in the LS1, it's power delivery in my opinion was far better low down in the rev range. The strokers are real stump pullers at low revs.
The Holden motors can be tuned to produce nice power figures but your options in the UK are extremely limited.
If performance is your aim, forget the 5.0 clubby when there are cheap LS1 powered cars around. If you want an awesome cruiser that sounds the business then it'll do fine.
The iron blocks sound much better than the alloy chev!
I loved my stroker but the STD 5.0 just doesn't cut it in the performance stakes
I had one and while it wasn't quite early LS1 territory being 300bhp as opposed to 333bhp in the LS1, it's power delivery in my opinion was far better low down in the rev range. The strokers are real stump pullers at low revs.
The Holden motors can be tuned to produce nice power figures but your options in the UK are extremely limited.
If performance is your aim, forget the 5.0 clubby when there are cheap LS1 powered cars around. If you want an awesome cruiser that sounds the business then it'll do fine.
The iron blocks sound much better than the alloy chev!
I loved my stroker but the STD 5.0 just doesn't cut it in the performance stakes
The engine is a pure Holden design, nothing to do with the US Chev engines etc.
Totally different. Its an iron block, alloy heads. It came out in the 60's IIRC
Basically accept it as is or hold out for an LS1.
You can get plenty of parts from Oz and probably ECU tune stuff too, but you will be on your own. I think power was 185KW from memory.
The 5.7L stroker version was 215KW.
Other parts are probably the same as the VT2, though Im not sure on the gearbox. Bolt pattern likely to be std chev though.
Its not a bad buy though.
Totally different. Its an iron block, alloy heads. It came out in the 60's IIRC
Basically accept it as is or hold out for an LS1.
You can get plenty of parts from Oz and probably ECU tune stuff too, but you will be on your own. I think power was 185KW from memory.
The 5.7L stroker version was 215KW.
Other parts are probably the same as the VT2, though Im not sure on the gearbox. Bolt pattern likely to be std chev though.
Its not a bad buy though.
The VT iron block was different from the others. It featured a roller cam setup.
Sequential injection on the fuel and ignition side was another addition.
195kw on the Clubby and 220 on the GTS.
Blueprinted versions were available but very rare.
The Clubby in the ad is a 195kw, although it has 220kw engine covers. Don't know why but informed the owner when last advertised and he confirmed it's definitely a 5.0 and not been changed.
Clubbys also had the 5 speed manual (I know this is auto) where the GTS had the T56 and shared a "pull type" clutch with the LT1 and LT4 motors from the states.
The last of theHolden powered GTS cars are startingto go up in value but alas the Clubby was continue to depreciate.
Sequential injection on the fuel and ignition side was another addition.
195kw on the Clubby and 220 on the GTS.
Blueprinted versions were available but very rare.
The Clubby in the ad is a 195kw, although it has 220kw engine covers. Don't know why but informed the owner when last advertised and he confirmed it's definitely a 5.0 and not been changed.
Clubbys also had the 5 speed manual (I know this is auto) where the GTS had the T56 and shared a "pull type" clutch with the LT1 and LT4 motors from the states.
The last of theHolden powered GTS cars are startingto go up in value but alas the Clubby was continue to depreciate.
Actually Im almost 100% sure they never used the LT1 or LT4.
The 5.7 is the holden block with a harrop forged crank.
Yep, just checked. Correct as usual. (Well sometimes anyway )
"HSV 5.7-litre '350 Harrop Stroker' V8
* Power: 215 kW (292 PS; 288 hp) @ 4800 rpm (VR-VS), 220 kW (299 PS; 295 hp) (VT)
* Torque: 475 N·m (350 lb·ft) @ 3600 rpm This motor had its debut in the VR series of HSV sedans. It was a bored and stroked version of the Holden 304ci 5.0 litre and was originally available on the VR Senator and GTS 215i. A Tremec T-56 six-speed manual gearbox option exclusive to this engine was introduced as the then current Borg-Warner T-5 5-speed could not reliably handle the prodigious amounts of torque it produced. The HSV VS GTS-R had the blueprint option to produce more power at around 230 kW (313 PS; 308 hp). The 215i engine was also available on the Grange long wheel base model. Its last appearance was in the VT GTS(Series 1). The LS1 replaced it in the VTII series."
The 5.7 is the holden block with a harrop forged crank.
Yep, just checked. Correct as usual. (Well sometimes anyway
)"HSV 5.7-litre '350 Harrop Stroker' V8
* Power: 215 kW (292 PS; 288 hp) @ 4800 rpm (VR-VS), 220 kW (299 PS; 295 hp) (VT)
* Torque: 475 N·m (350 lb·ft) @ 3600 rpm This motor had its debut in the VR series of HSV sedans. It was a bored and stroked version of the Holden 304ci 5.0 litre and was originally available on the VR Senator and GTS 215i. A Tremec T-56 six-speed manual gearbox option exclusive to this engine was introduced as the then current Borg-Warner T-5 5-speed could not reliably handle the prodigious amounts of torque it produced. The HSV VS GTS-R had the blueprint option to produce more power at around 230 kW (313 PS; 308 hp). The 215i engine was also available on the Grange long wheel base model. Its last appearance was in the VT GTS(Series 1). The LS1 replaced it in the VTII series."
Woody VT said:
The VT iron block was different from the others. It featured a roller cam setup.
Sequential injection on the fuel and ignition side was another addition.
195kw on the Clubby and 220 on the GTS.
Blueprinted versions were available but very rare.
The Clubby in the ad is a 195kw, although it has 220kw engine covers. Don't know why but informed the owner when last advertised and he confirmed it's definitely a 5.0 and not been changed.
Clubbys also had the 5 speed manual (I know this is auto) where the GTS had the T56 and shared a "pull type" clutch with the LT1 and LT4 motors from the states.
The last of theHolden powered GTS cars are startingto go up in value but alas the Clubby was continue to depreciate.
Sequential injection on the fuel and ignition side was another addition.
195kw on the Clubby and 220 on the GTS.
Blueprinted versions were available but very rare.
The Clubby in the ad is a 195kw, although it has 220kw engine covers. Don't know why but informed the owner when last advertised and he confirmed it's definitely a 5.0 and not been changed.
Clubbys also had the 5 speed manual (I know this is auto) where the GTS had the T56 and shared a "pull type" clutch with the LT1 and LT4 motors from the states.
The last of theHolden powered GTS cars are startingto go up in value but alas the Clubby was continue to depreciate.
I thought the manuals were still the T56 box on the 5.0l VTI.... Are you sure there 5 speed?
Sorry Rich, I never suggested that it was an LT motor.
The reason the old GTS-Rs and Series 1 VT GTS' are starting to appreciate in value is the fact that they were the last of the all Aussie cars and the most powerful HOLDEN SPECIAL VEHICLES motors produced for public consumption.
They did however use the same clutch setup on the T56 as an LT engined Camaro.
And you're nearly right... Harrop gave HSV the 355, not a 350
The reason the old GTS-Rs and Series 1 VT GTS' are starting to appreciate in value is the fact that they were the last of the all Aussie cars and the most powerful HOLDEN SPECIAL VEHICLES motors produced for public consumption.
They did however use the same clutch setup on the T56 as an LT engined Camaro.
And you're nearly right... Harrop gave HSV the 355, not a 350
Edited by Woody VT on Wednesday 15th December 13:24
Edited by Woody VT on Wednesday 15th December 13:26
All Great Advise. Thanks guys, I appreciate it.
It's not a monster, but as a chunky daily driver, it sounds like a good car as it is. But not one to throw money at tuning.
Better to sell / trade up later. To be fair, it sounds like it'd be cheaper to replace the engine with an LS1 than tune that engine.
It's not a monster, but as a chunky daily driver, it sounds like a good car as it is. But not one to throw money at tuning.
Better to sell / trade up later. To be fair, it sounds like it'd be cheaper to replace the engine with an LS1 than tune that engine.
Steve - I reckon you'd just be better off buying an LS1 GTS in the first place. What happened about the silver one? If another centri-charged one came up for grabs, what have you set yourself as a budget? I might just have an opportunity I can't refuse which would mean my GTS (LS1, supercharged, Wortec headers, cat back exhaust, Wortec mapped, Pedders comfort shocks, poly bushed, de-garnished, etc) might have to move on.
as everyone else said the holden 5L isn't the most powerful motor and guessing being in the UK there isn't to many parts floating around. One thing about the iron block 5L though is that it is very strong. But the LS1 is alot better.
also alot of the VT's and early VX's had bad camber problems.
my advice go for a 2002 onwards unless you wanna spend some money on
making it run awesome
also alot of the VT's and early VX's had bad camber problems.
my advice go for a 2002 onwards unless you wanna spend some money on
making it run awesome
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