VF II SS-V Holden Commodore MY16
Discussion
Needed to give the ute a rest as the kms were piling up on it and it is a keeper, as it is a bit rare. The other sedan in the stable is a garage queen and only comes out on special occasions!
I bought its sedan relative about a year ago, reasoning was I had quite a few spares left over from the previous Black one I used to own a couple of years ago.
I also passed on the Redline and Calais version of the same car as they both have sunroofs, Something I fear I will have to get used to, as all cars seem to now include them as standard.
This is a 2016 MY16 VFII SS-V Holden Commodore, it is a 6 speed Automatic with a V8 LS3 engine (304kw) - 405hp.
On the test drive in the rain, not ideal, noticed the brakes were average so that was top of the list to fix.
When I got it home, jacked it up and gave it a mini-service and replaced the brakes with some I had removed from the similar car I used to own. They were an upgrade a few years ago on the last Australian built Commodore and were standard fitment on the Police Cars of the day including the Caprice Police Car that was sent to the USA. Surprisingly they are quite good for the price. I do have some Brembos to go on if I don't like them.
Caprice PPV
Picture from www.gmauthority.com
Oil was changed over, the service book was a bit empty since the car was originally a Holden owned car. They have a stamp in them more or less saying this was an executive owned Holden Car, therefore I don't need the free 3000km service/check-up! It also hadn't had the 15000km service that I could tell.
Also as I had loads of spare wheels, swapped over a better set with less kerb-rash on them. A few days later it had a wash and it was ready for action.
Next mod were the paddles on the steering wheel, the Redline had them and it was an option on other cars. Drove out to Ballarat, about 100km away and had Matt at LsXtreme fit them and adjust the computer for them. Brand new steering wheel and some paddles.
Next was the Air Filter, It was fitted with an aftermarket over the radiator Intake, it also may have had the computer tweaked for a bit more performance at the same time. It is not obvious, but I reckon it goes better than the ute which has the same engine and an aftermarket intake.
Anyway the air filter and intake were very dirty. Car went even better afterwards.
Suspension next , It was fitted with FE2 suspension from the factory, I do have loads of springs left over from the old car and trying to work out the best compromise for ride and height I am comfortable with. Decided to use some Redline rear springs only, as this is the only difference I can work out between a Redline and an SSV re springs. The fronts are the same.
You can slam them or lower them gradually with about 4 or 5 different sized King Springs, the handling is fantastic, but the ride becomes very stiff. Eibachs are more comfy.
Fitting them became a 3 day job! I had fitted 2 sets to my other cars in the past so I half knew what I was doing. When I was trying to put the bolt into the upright from the lower suspension arm I realised I was in trouble. I worked out that the upright was not going to move enough to allow the bolt to fit. I was convinced the upright or the Lower suspension arm was bent. Looked at it for 2 hours undoing other suspension bolts to allow the upright to move all for no result. (some people may have spotted the error) I hadn't, so gave up and slept on it. It was the right of these 2 bolts that I had difficulty with.
Had to leave its friends outside that night!
Next day undid more bolts convincing myself it was alright, it was just the car and not bent suspension. After another 3 hours, the lightbulb moment happened, frustrating when you realise what an idiot you are! This car has an electric handbrake which is contained inside the rear disc. grrrrrrrr &*^(&^&*^& idiot had forgot to release the handbrake. Then the bolt easily fitted. On a similar line I then couldn't get the caliper to go back on, that took another hour before I realised I had pressed the brakes with the caliper off the car so the piston needed pushing back in. Did the other side the next day in about 2 and half hours.
It doesn't look much lower, lowered about 15-20mm only but it looks better than it used to and I like it. A Redline from work parked next to it one night.
Next on the list....Do I Redline it some more or leave it as is? Brembos and the Black wheels.....mmm....
VFII Redline Pictures from www.carsales.com.au
Maybe give the ute a good bath instead. Gratuitous Ute shot!
I bought its sedan relative about a year ago, reasoning was I had quite a few spares left over from the previous Black one I used to own a couple of years ago.
I also passed on the Redline and Calais version of the same car as they both have sunroofs, Something I fear I will have to get used to, as all cars seem to now include them as standard.
This is a 2016 MY16 VFII SS-V Holden Commodore, it is a 6 speed Automatic with a V8 LS3 engine (304kw) - 405hp.
On the test drive in the rain, not ideal, noticed the brakes were average so that was top of the list to fix.
When I got it home, jacked it up and gave it a mini-service and replaced the brakes with some I had removed from the similar car I used to own. They were an upgrade a few years ago on the last Australian built Commodore and were standard fitment on the Police Cars of the day including the Caprice Police Car that was sent to the USA. Surprisingly they are quite good for the price. I do have some Brembos to go on if I don't like them.
Caprice PPV
Picture from www.gmauthority.com
Oil was changed over, the service book was a bit empty since the car was originally a Holden owned car. They have a stamp in them more or less saying this was an executive owned Holden Car, therefore I don't need the free 3000km service/check-up! It also hadn't had the 15000km service that I could tell.
Also as I had loads of spare wheels, swapped over a better set with less kerb-rash on them. A few days later it had a wash and it was ready for action.
Next mod were the paddles on the steering wheel, the Redline had them and it was an option on other cars. Drove out to Ballarat, about 100km away and had Matt at LsXtreme fit them and adjust the computer for them. Brand new steering wheel and some paddles.
Next was the Air Filter, It was fitted with an aftermarket over the radiator Intake, it also may have had the computer tweaked for a bit more performance at the same time. It is not obvious, but I reckon it goes better than the ute which has the same engine and an aftermarket intake.
Anyway the air filter and intake were very dirty. Car went even better afterwards.
Suspension next , It was fitted with FE2 suspension from the factory, I do have loads of springs left over from the old car and trying to work out the best compromise for ride and height I am comfortable with. Decided to use some Redline rear springs only, as this is the only difference I can work out between a Redline and an SSV re springs. The fronts are the same.
You can slam them or lower them gradually with about 4 or 5 different sized King Springs, the handling is fantastic, but the ride becomes very stiff. Eibachs are more comfy.
Fitting them became a 3 day job! I had fitted 2 sets to my other cars in the past so I half knew what I was doing. When I was trying to put the bolt into the upright from the lower suspension arm I realised I was in trouble. I worked out that the upright was not going to move enough to allow the bolt to fit. I was convinced the upright or the Lower suspension arm was bent. Looked at it for 2 hours undoing other suspension bolts to allow the upright to move all for no result. (some people may have spotted the error) I hadn't, so gave up and slept on it. It was the right of these 2 bolts that I had difficulty with.
Had to leave its friends outside that night!
Next day undid more bolts convincing myself it was alright, it was just the car and not bent suspension. After another 3 hours, the lightbulb moment happened, frustrating when you realise what an idiot you are! This car has an electric handbrake which is contained inside the rear disc. grrrrrrrr &*^(&^&*^& idiot had forgot to release the handbrake. Then the bolt easily fitted. On a similar line I then couldn't get the caliper to go back on, that took another hour before I realised I had pressed the brakes with the caliper off the car so the piston needed pushing back in. Did the other side the next day in about 2 and half hours.
It doesn't look much lower, lowered about 15-20mm only but it looks better than it used to and I like it. A Redline from work parked next to it one night.
Next on the list....Do I Redline it some more or leave it as is? Brembos and the Black wheels.....mmm....
VFII Redline Pictures from www.carsales.com.au
Maybe give the ute a good bath instead. Gratuitous Ute shot!
motomk said:
Oil was changed over, the service book was a bit empty since the car was originally a Holden owned car. They have a stamp in them more or less saying this was an executive owned Holden Car, therefore I don't need the free 3000km service/check-up! It also hadn't had the 15000km service that I could tell.
“Executive owned” is code for “anyone who was prepared to pay the lease cost”
I’m trying to resist buying a VF2 Redline wagon to use as a daily when I get made redundant. It would be more expensive to buy (at least $20k more) and run (at 13 l/100km - and likely over 100km per day) than the ZB Calais Tourer I’ve got on lease at the moment but it would also be a hell of a lot more fun. I'm struggling with the man maths though...although an SS does 99% of the same thing for a few $k less to be honest.
SturdyHSV said:
So you're not a Ford guy then? 
Cool to see some Holden action, what makes the VF Ute a rare one?
It is a Magnum limited edition built as part of the final special edition run. Holden only built 240 of them, of which there were 19 AT and 13 MT in grey.Cool to see some Holden action, what makes the VF Ute a rare one?
Holden also built 1200 Motorsport Commodores (based on an SS) and 360 Directors (based on a Calais V) – so overall the Magnum is the pick of the bunch when it comes to low volume.
Motorsport
Director
Jader1973 said:
It is a Magnum limited edition built as part of the final special edition run. Holden only built 240 of them, of which there were 19 AT and 13 MT in grey.
Holden also built 1200 Motorsport Commodores (based on an SS) and 360 Directors (based on a Calais V) – so overall the Magnum is the pick of the bunch when it comes to low volume.
Ah cool, being in the UK I had no idea Holden also built 1200 Motorsport Commodores (based on an SS) and 360 Directors (based on a Calais V) – so overall the Magnum is the pick of the bunch when it comes to low volume.
Any pics / reader's thread of your VY Ute?
SturdyHSV said:
Triumph Man said:
I really like the VF Commodore - I had one (although the SV6) as a hire car in Aus, and it had a certain something about it... Wish we got them here, but never mind.
They can be imported, or alternatively there's a white V8 SS one for sale on Autotrader currently 
And I did see the SS on Autotrader
Triumph Man said:
That's what I had crazy visions of doing. Maybe one day...
And I did see the SS on Autotrader
Depending on your tastes, it can be a lot more hassle free than you'd expect (other than the mild pot luck of the source vehicle...!)And I did see the SS on Autotrader
As an example, if you fancied an older Ute (early 2000s, so still with an LS1 in it for plenty of sensible power and cheap available parts) you could be as low as AUD 7,000, so currently about £3,800.
Import with ShipMyCar, let them MOT, registered it all etc. and you're talking about another £2,800 or so there, and then VAT / import duties add another £1,000 ish on there, so all in around £7,500 for a 300+bhp manual Ute
Obviously a VF Commodore is going to see the initial cost jump and the VAT / Duty too, but it can be done
Oh and of course if you wanted to sell it on, could easily put it up at £10,000 ish and take any offers, as if someone wants a Ute, there aren't many options for them!
SturdyHSV said:
Jader1973 said:
It is a Magnum limited edition built as part of the final special edition run. Holden only built 240 of them, of which there were 19 AT and 13 MT in grey.
Holden also built 1200 Motorsport Commodores (based on an SS) and 360 Directors (based on a Calais V) – so overall the Magnum is the pick of the bunch when it comes to low volume.
Ah cool, being in the UK I had no idea Holden also built 1200 Motorsport Commodores (based on an SS) and 360 Directors (based on a Calais V) – so overall the Magnum is the pick of the bunch when it comes to low volume.
Any pics / reader's thread of your VY Ute?
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Thanks for the comments, I will have to put Jader on a retainer to answer the questions! 
Just waiting for the current situation to sort itself out, then I can Redline the SSV.
Some pictures of visitors to the motomk garage, in the last few months. Ok, not the last 2 months, as it is a bit quiet on that front, Hopefully ending soon.
Fellow at works, Alfa Wagon in for some door hinge issue, to stop it cutting his legs off at the knees when he gets out of it!
Friends 1990 Corvette C4 "Red Arrow" having the slide pins on the brakes greased up and the radiator drain tightened.
And his other car, "Red Rocket" in for an oil change. Yes, its one of those Chevy Silverado pick-up trucks!
Feeble LT4 engine!
Right Hand Drive and a manual, converted by HSV down here (soon to be GMSV), who made the Monaro VXR and VXR8 GTS that ended up over there. Must admit the quality of the conversion is very good.
Just waiting for the current situation to sort itself out, then I can Redline the SSV.
Some pictures of visitors to the motomk garage, in the last few months. Ok, not the last 2 months, as it is a bit quiet on that front, Hopefully ending soon.
Fellow at works, Alfa Wagon in for some door hinge issue, to stop it cutting his legs off at the knees when he gets out of it!
Friends 1990 Corvette C4 "Red Arrow" having the slide pins on the brakes greased up and the radiator drain tightened.
And his other car, "Red Rocket" in for an oil change. Yes, its one of those Chevy Silverado pick-up trucks!
Feeble LT4 engine!
Right Hand Drive and a manual, converted by HSV down here (soon to be GMSV), who made the Monaro VXR and VXR8 GTS that ended up over there. Must admit the quality of the conversion is very good.
Into Dry Dock it goes! Every else moved outside. Decided to fit the new brakes myself. Gave it an oil change whilst I was there to.
I won't say how long it took, but I was driving the other two for a few days/weeks!
Old brakes off, pads were quite low. Looked them up for new ones and they were only $70.
On with the new stuff. Brembos.
Backs involved trimming the dust shields as the new discs are bigger. I sanded them down and painted them afterwards.
Bled the brakes myself, had it done elsewhere afterwards although I think my effort was just as good.
Brakes with the original wheels.
With the Redline wheels for the complete transformation.
Think this one is post being clayed by my friend with the Camaro.
And in the country or semi-country in a well known place for Ford fans.
Although it might be from the opposite direction from looking it up online.
The PR department will be along soon to explain where it is, if you can't guess.
Had to drive its friends to work that week, parked next to one of those new Fiesta ST's.
Can't have too many Ute shots!
I won't say how long it took, but I was driving the other two for a few days/weeks!
Old brakes off, pads were quite low. Looked them up for new ones and they were only $70.
On with the new stuff. Brembos.
Backs involved trimming the dust shields as the new discs are bigger. I sanded them down and painted them afterwards.
Bled the brakes myself, had it done elsewhere afterwards although I think my effort was just as good.
Brakes with the original wheels.
With the Redline wheels for the complete transformation.
Think this one is post being clayed by my friend with the Camaro.
And in the country or semi-country in a well known place for Ford fans.
Although it might be from the opposite direction from looking it up online.
The PR department will be along soon to explain where it is, if you can't guess.
Had to drive its friends to work that week, parked next to one of those new Fiesta ST's.
Can't have too many Ute shots!
Edited by motomk on Saturday 29th May 06:08
motomk said:
And in the country or semi-country in a well known place for Ford fans.
Although it might be from the opposite direction from looking it up online.
The PR department will be along soon to explain where it is, if you can't guess.
It is taken from the other direction - he drives off up the hill in the background of your pics.Although it might be from the opposite direction from looking it up online.
The PR department will be along soon to explain where it is, if you can't guess.
Edited by motomk on Saturday 29th May 06:08
Car looks great.
ETA, pic I took looking down the hill in the background to the bridge / where you are parked.
Edited by Jader1973 on Saturday 29th May 08:09
You love your VF's! You might like this monthly event: https://www.facebook.com/Northern-Gal-298406013699...
Another visitor to the motomk garage. No, I'm not a mechanic.... or sponsored by Motorola either!
Owner of the "Red Arrow" and "Red Rocket" didn't want to drive either to his new work on the other side of town, so bought himself some executive transport.
He really wanted a 2018 Commodore RS (2 litre turbo Insignia) but baulked at the price.
He purchased something similar from the blue side, that was cheaper, but a bit older.
Interior...
One slight detour is how many cylinders it has.
What is it? Ford Falcon FG X Ecoboost.
4 cylinders, Rear wheel drive, 179kw (240hp) and a 6 speed ZF Auto.
Goes very well and it is economical. Hopelessly under advertised at the time so they are quite rare. Everyone wanted a 6, Turbo 6 or V8.
Obviously it has a name already, the "Bizjet"
Anyway it was visiting for an oil change....
and some DBA spark plugs!
Some new toys from work.
Lotus Exige? one of the last ones in this neck of the woods. V8 Mustang Convertible behind it.
Suzuki Jimny, owned by the "Fiesta ST" driver from the post above.
The third car in the motomk stable that is a bit of a garage queen. Makes you laugh when you drive it.
Owner of the "Red Arrow" and "Red Rocket" didn't want to drive either to his new work on the other side of town, so bought himself some executive transport.
He really wanted a 2018 Commodore RS (2 litre turbo Insignia) but baulked at the price.
He purchased something similar from the blue side, that was cheaper, but a bit older.
Interior...
One slight detour is how many cylinders it has.
What is it? Ford Falcon FG X Ecoboost.
4 cylinders, Rear wheel drive, 179kw (240hp) and a 6 speed ZF Auto.
Goes very well and it is economical. Hopelessly under advertised at the time so they are quite rare. Everyone wanted a 6, Turbo 6 or V8.
Obviously it has a name already, the "Bizjet"
Anyway it was visiting for an oil change....
and some DBA spark plugs!
Some new toys from work.
Lotus Exige? one of the last ones in this neck of the woods. V8 Mustang Convertible behind it.
Suzuki Jimny, owned by the "Fiesta ST" driver from the post above.
The third car in the motomk stable that is a bit of a garage queen. Makes you laugh when you drive it.
Edited by motomk on Monday 22 November 07:57
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