EARLY THOUGHTS ON THE 6.0 VXR

[VXR SIX]

If the speedometer is to be believed, then top gear (maybe all the gears?) is lower than on the 5.7.
2000 rpm in top showed 86 mph on the 5.7 but shows 80 on the 6.0, a drop of about 7% if my maths. serves me correctly. Useful for general performance, if accurate.

The engine seems smoother and the brakes appear sharper. There is a little more low-down urge, possibly helped the slightly lower gearing?

I much prefer the look over the original UK Monaro, although the new 5.7 also looks great.

The boot is plenty big enough for what I need and I noticed the (Stateside regulation?) fire extinguisher in there, too.

I have now just got to decide between spending £2000+ on a full exhaust / re-map and £???? on a Supercharger, which I believe may only be about £3000 more. I quite like the idea of 'charging this beast!

[uk hsv]

The car you now have is a HSV GTO so it comes with a lower rear dif than the Holden CV8 also the fire extinguisher is standard on HSV's

[VXR SIX]

Cheers for that.

One thing I will say. I am VERY impressed with the ride. For a car on 19" wheels, it is astonishingly compliant.

Other cars I have had with 18s (and even 17s) have been a nightmare in this department and I never expected a ride so plush, with such huge alloys.

[willisit]

I want one so badly.. but I can't justify the cost.

A useful early review though.. how does the steering feel?

[A57 HSV]

If this was my car, I would run it in nicely, get used to the handling & wait until I started to get bored with performance(for me this was about 9 months with my first HSV 340bhp). By this time the tuners will have got to grips with the LS2 & I would supercharge it. I reckon this will save you money in the long run, as if you keep the car you will eventually want it supercharged anyway as this takes these cars into a different league from moded naturally aspirated cars.
Don't know what exhaust is on your car, but you will probably need a bigger system which of course you could get prior to supercharging.
With hindsight, I basically wasted the money I spent on the mods. I did to my first car, as you never get anything like the value of these mods back when you sell.

[booster]

[quote].....as you never get anything like the value of these mods back when you sell. [/quote]

and that takes me right back to my first ever post on this forum -

Does modding affect resale value? www.hsv.org.uk/topic.asp?f=69&h=28&t=155767

I don't care now. I need the power!

[VXR SIX]

willisit said:

I want one so badly.. but I can't justify the cost. A useful early review though.. how does the steering feel?

Fine.

The gearbox is better, with the shorter lever and improved action over the 5.7, but will never be the best in the world. I can live with that.

[motomk]

[quote]If this was my car, I would run it in nicely, get used to the handling & wait until I started to get bored with performance(for me this was about 9 months with my first HSV 340bhp). By this time the tuners will have got to grips with the LS2 & I would supercharge it. I reckon this will save you money in the long run, as if you keep the car you will eventually want it supercharged anyway as this takes these cars into a different league from moded naturally aspirated cars.
Don't know what exhaust is on your car, but you will probably need a bigger system which of course you could get prior to supercharging.
With hindsight, I basically wasted the money I spent on the mods. I did to my first car, as you never get anything like the value of these mods back when you sell. [/quote]

Wise words I reckon! I had mine stock for a few months first, then had it tuned. Now a year later, time for some more fun! Not as big a step as a Supercharger though, maybe a cam will do for the moment!