early monaro tuning + advice
Discussion
newby to Monaro - though i did road-test the HSV 6l
I would have to save from scratch so would need to be a cheap project (I am assuming being Aus / Yank all the engineering is good for 100k mls) - I understand that the early UK cars are likely to be c £10k before too long and was wondering what inexpensive power upgrdes are worth considering.
The car is huge, heavy and overgeared (not designed for UK!) so even the 400+ one I drove seemed, to be frank, slow - are there any realistic upgrades that will surpass this power level on earlier car? - Would rest of tranny be ok at 400/400+? - I would happily liberate some power with a de-cat (if insurable) sport exhaust - the rest presumably would be down to cam, head and manifold mods + mapping -
How far can you power upgrade early car without having to strengthen or replace any major parts (incl bottom-end)
I liked interior of HSV, with its dual aircon set up - also lovely ride. - However the engine was all but inaudible from inside and the long first made it feel underpowered (cant remember mileage - but it was ex-demo and run in 3k+)
So where has the sensible money gone re power upgrades on the cheaper old UK Monaros?
Anything to look out for? - I heard rust was a problem?! - Being Oz are they not galvanized like Euro cars?
I would have to save from scratch so would need to be a cheap project (I am assuming being Aus / Yank all the engineering is good for 100k mls) - I understand that the early UK cars are likely to be c £10k before too long and was wondering what inexpensive power upgrdes are worth considering.
The car is huge, heavy and overgeared (not designed for UK!) so even the 400+ one I drove seemed, to be frank, slow - are there any realistic upgrades that will surpass this power level on earlier car? - Would rest of tranny be ok at 400/400+? - I would happily liberate some power with a de-cat (if insurable) sport exhaust - the rest presumably would be down to cam, head and manifold mods + mapping -
How far can you power upgrade early car without having to strengthen or replace any major parts (incl bottom-end)
I liked interior of HSV, with its dual aircon set up - also lovely ride. - However the engine was all but inaudible from inside and the long first made it feel underpowered (cant remember mileage - but it was ex-demo and run in 3k+)
So where has the sensible money gone re power upgrades on the cheaper old UK Monaros?
Anything to look out for? - I heard rust was a problem?! - Being Oz are they not galvanized like Euro cars?
Edited by Lone Granger on Sunday 27th May 12:28
Yeah rust. No under car sealing, or very little.
As mentioned mods are well covered here.
Exhaust is a good start.
You can get a well setup NA to outpower a VXR500 so whether you go FI or NA is up to you. (different power delivery though) If you go one way and want more you can always cross over and do the other too. (ie) Heads, cam and supercharger.
Stock rods are good for 650bhp or so they say, pistons are the weakpoint but good tuning will help prevent damage, they usually bust from crown to top ringland on #7 (leanest cylinder). Gearboxes are good, but clutches will burn out. Plenty of replacement options though.
Guys in Oz run 11.4 sec 1/4's with small cams and heads and get 30mpg. (Oztrack on ls1.com.au)
As mentioned mods are well covered here.
Exhaust is a good start.
You can get a well setup NA to outpower a VXR500 so whether you go FI or NA is up to you. (different power delivery though) If you go one way and want more you can always cross over and do the other too. (ie) Heads, cam and supercharger.
Stock rods are good for 650bhp or so they say, pistons are the weakpoint but good tuning will help prevent damage, they usually bust from crown to top ringland on #7 (leanest cylinder). Gearboxes are good, but clutches will burn out. Plenty of replacement options though.
Guys in Oz run 11.4 sec 1/4's with small cams and heads and get 30mpg. (Oztrack on ls1.com.au)
gareth h said:
Think you may be waiting some time for a £10k Monaro
There is one here on Ebay for less than £10k, looks dodgy to me though! Enquired about it a few days ago but no reply from the seller.
On a side note, I've had £15k burning a hole in my pocket for a couple of months now waiting for an 04 CV8, and there doesn't seem to be that many available at that price range either - they seem to be holding around £17k+ as they were 6 months ago when I first started looking at these cars.
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