Hold(en) my beer - Monaro, Ute and Commodore content
Discussion
Jader1973 said:
Wow! That is great news. I didn't think Webasto would be interested in a car that was no longer in Australia 9 years after they issued the recall.
Yeah they seem to be a pretty global brand (German based apparently) and I can't fault the service.Paint code on the build plate is 608R so I assume it is Voodoo Blue as mentioned above
The kaaz doesnt need any maintainance. If it ever did, the rest of the car will be long rusted away. The only diff that locks better is a spool or a welder. I went with it coz ive had one in another car, and was pleased with it.
Nice 11's by the way.
Nice 11's by the way.
Edited by fred bloggs on Wednesday 9th September 13:55
fred bloggs said:
The kaaz doesnt need any maintainance. If it ever did, the rest of the car will be long rusted away. The only diff that locks better is a spool or a welder. I went with it coz ive had one in another car, and was pleased with it.
Ah fair enough, I wasn't sure if it needed anything. As I say, I've never had any problems with the truetrac locking up and it's cheaper than the Kaaz, so for me is good enough 
fred bloggs said:
Nice 11's by the way.
Cheers, it's good to have a hobby right? Far more exciting way to do a 0-60 run 
A brief fleet update
Finally managed to get the wagon booked in for the sunroof replacement, will be the 21st September, here's hoping it's not raining...
Something is rattling slightly at the rear of the Ute after bumps so going to have a poke around underneath over the weekend, am also going to do some more clearancing on the exhaust bracket that scrapes on the drive, as there's quite a bit more I could take off which might then be enough to clear the hump unscathed
May start disassembling the Monaro, need to take the exhaust off to make unbolting the gearbox possible ahead of pulling the engine, but would much rather remove the exhaust outside than in the garage, which will mean I'm going to need some ear plugs to drive it into the garage
Also tempted to get on with removing the bumper / radiator / bonnet etc (mostly just for clearance / easy access and because they're easy bits to do to make progress)
Oh and clean / photograph the GTV and get the adverts up.
Finally managed to get the wagon booked in for the sunroof replacement, will be the 21st September, here's hoping it's not raining...
Something is rattling slightly at the rear of the Ute after bumps so going to have a poke around underneath over the weekend, am also going to do some more clearancing on the exhaust bracket that scrapes on the drive, as there's quite a bit more I could take off which might then be enough to clear the hump unscathed
May start disassembling the Monaro, need to take the exhaust off to make unbolting the gearbox possible ahead of pulling the engine, but would much rather remove the exhaust outside than in the garage, which will mean I'm going to need some ear plugs to drive it into the garage
Also tempted to get on with removing the bumper / radiator / bonnet etc (mostly just for clearance / easy access and because they're easy bits to do to make progress)
Oh and clean / photograph the GTV and get the adverts up.
SturdyHSV said:
Something is rattling slightly at the rear of the Ute after bumps so going to have a poke around underneath over the weekend
Check the spare wheel hanger. My spare lives in the tray because the lowering means it won’t fit under the car. If the hanger isn’t wound up tight without a wheel it rattles.The GTV is listed finally, although didn't dawn on me you couldn't edit the advert once listed so it's hardly a great sell will list it on car and classic too and do a far better job.
Anyway, can't find anything loose or rattley under Sheila's skirt, the spare wheel is present and correct, albeit rusty as hell, I certainly wouldn't want to bolt that on and drive on it, so may just remove it...
Didn't feel like doing any more 'clearancing' of the exhaust either, so moved on to ol' Bruce (the Monaro...)
So armed with just these tools:
It's now in this state:
Will probably pop the water pump and such off so that it's out of the way too, going to be doing an electric PS pump conversion whilst the engine is out (have all the pulleys and bits necessary already thanks to the Aussie Auto YouTube channel) so may pop that off too, just for space and stuff when I'm taking the engine out, and so I can make what feels like progress even though it's not in the garage...
Just removing stuff that still leaves it (briefly) driveable, obviously want it in the garage but there's a big blue skip in there currently awaiting the sunroof replacement.
Do I take the exhaust off tomorrow I wonder...
It'd really need an idle video with no exhaust wouldn't it, I mean, it has good chop even with an exhaust
will list it on car and classic too and do a far better job. Anyway, can't find anything loose or rattley under Sheila's skirt, the spare wheel is present and correct, albeit rusty as hell, I certainly wouldn't want to bolt that on and drive on it, so may just remove it...
Didn't feel like doing any more 'clearancing' of the exhaust either, so moved on to ol' Bruce (the Monaro...)
So armed with just these tools:
It's now in this state:
Will probably pop the water pump and such off so that it's out of the way too, going to be doing an electric PS pump conversion whilst the engine is out (have all the pulleys and bits necessary already thanks to the Aussie Auto YouTube channel) so may pop that off too, just for space and stuff when I'm taking the engine out, and so I can make what feels like progress even though it's not in the garage...
Just removing stuff that still leaves it (briefly) driveable, obviously want it in the garage but there's a big blue skip in there currently awaiting the sunroof replacement.
Do I take the exhaust off tomorrow I wonder...
It'd really need an idle video with no exhaust wouldn't it, I mean, it has good chop even with an exhaust
Some more stripping, may tackle the air con pump this evening and then we're accessory free!
It doesn't really make much sense to do all this on the drive, but Skippy is taking up the garage and I just want to get on with it now so am just making use of the decent weather
So I'd really like to paint the block (Chevy Orange or basically red), am I realistically better off taking the bare block to a grown up to clean / paint, or as a knuckle dragging oaf am I going to be able to do a decent job of it?
If so, good products? Would like to give most of the bits a good clean up so any suggestions for cleaning up aluminium are welcomed.
I shall also put this for posterity, the "while I'm in there" list is going to drag this whole process on way longer than expected
It doesn't really make much sense to do all this on the drive, but Skippy is taking up the garage and I just want to get on with it now so am just making use of the decent weather
So I'd really like to paint the block (Chevy Orange or basically red), am I realistically better off taking the bare block to a grown up to clean / paint, or as a knuckle dragging oaf am I going to be able to do a decent job of it?
If so, good products? Would like to give most of the bits a good clean up so any suggestions for cleaning up aluminium are welcomed.
I shall also put this for posterity, the "while I'm in there" list is going to drag this whole process on way longer than expected
AceOfHearts said:
Can't believe I have only just seen this thread!
I have owned a 2002 Holden SS Ute (VU with earlier headlight style) for the last 18 months and use it as my daily too.
Funnily enough mine also suffers from a drony aftermarket exhaust and slightly knocking non functioning LSD
Bought mainly as I love a V8, transport my motorcycles quite a lot and couldn't bring myself to drive a van every day. In the time i have had it its been great reliable transport and I can't see me getting rid any time soon (unless a newer model ends up becoming available at vaguely sensible money)
I'm sure my door glass, mirrors and door handles are from the same GM parts bin. I have owned a 2002 Holden SS Ute (VU with earlier headlight style) for the last 18 months and use it as my daily too.
Funnily enough mine also suffers from a drony aftermarket exhaust and slightly knocking non functioning LSD
Bought mainly as I love a V8, transport my motorcycles quite a lot and couldn't bring myself to drive a van every day. In the time i have had it its been great reliable transport and I can't see me getting rid any time soon (unless a newer model ends up becoming available at vaguely sensible money)
Edited by AceOfHearts on Tuesday 8th September 14:05
I'd love a Ute, or Monaro, but then I'd have to get rid of the omega. And that woukd make me sad.
Yes it's a lesser car, with only 218 bhp and a V6 but it seems to me designed by the same bunch of mavericks in GM.
I really need 4 seats occassionally so a Ute probably isn't for me.
Pit Pony said:
I'm sure my door glass, mirrors and door handles are from the same GM parts bin.
I'd love a Ute, or Monaro, but then I'd have to get rid of the omega. And that woukd make me sad.
Yes it's a lesser car, with only 218 bhp and a V6 but it seems to me designed by the same bunch of mavericks in GM.
I really need 4 seats occassionally so a Ute probably isn't for me.
Up until VE they basically just cut the Opel designs down the middle and added a couple of inches. I used to tell colleagues that if I wanted to wind them up I'd love a Ute, or Monaro, but then I'd have to get rid of the omega. And that woukd make me sad.
Yes it's a lesser car, with only 218 bhp and a V6 but it seems to me designed by the same bunch of mavericks in GM.
I really need 4 seats occassionally so a Ute probably isn't for me.
One bloke I worked with had no idea VB to VZ was based off an Opel - he was quite shocked when I told him.
Pit Pony said:
I'm sure my door glass, mirrors and door handles are from the same GM parts bin.
I'd love a Ute, or Monaro, but then I'd have to get rid of the omega. And that woukd make me sad.
Yes it's a lesser car, with only 218 bhp and a V6 but it seems to me designed by the same bunch of mavericks in GM.
I really need 4 seats occassionally so a Ute probably isn't for me.
I'm not sure about the doors / glass but the door handles are definitely the same as the Monaro. Except yours are metal instead of painted plastic on the Monaro. Genuinely I'd love a Ute, or Monaro, but then I'd have to get rid of the omega. And that woukd make me sad.
Yes it's a lesser car, with only 218 bhp and a V6 but it seems to me designed by the same bunch of mavericks in GM.
I really need 4 seats occassionally so a Ute probably isn't for me.
I'd imagine there's definitely similar philosophies in the design, space, comfort, relaxed and friendly rwd handling. It's a real shame the Omega didn't get an LS1 in it, even if just to give us a bit more supply of LS engines this side of the pond!
Commodores are distant cousins of Senators. The VB Commodore was heavily based on the Senator, but from all accounts when they did testing in Australia with Senator bodies in the 70's they'd split at the firewall due to our rough roads/conditions The car was beefed up considerably and from that point on - both cars went their own directions.
Don't sell an Omega - They're a fancy VT Commodore with a much nicer interior. Only downside is no V8...
Don't sell an Omega - They're a fancy VT Commodore with a much nicer interior. Only downside is no V8...
Rensko said:
Commodores are distant cousins of Senators. The VB Commodore was heavily based on the Senator, but from all accounts when they did testing in Australia with Senator bodies in the 70's they'd split at the firewall due to our rough roads/conditions The car was beefed up considerably and from that point on - both cars went their own directions.
Don't sell an Omega - They're a fancy VT Commodore with a much nicer interior. Only downside is no V8...
Opel did build a V8 Omega and even showed it at the 2000 Geneva Motorshow. It got canned because they were concerned it wouldn't survive long full throttle runs on the Autobahn.Don't sell an Omega - They're a fancy VT Commodore with a much nicer interior. Only downside is no V8...
Aircon compressor / bracket removed, I'm really torn whether to refit it all when finished, I never really use it other than to clear the windscreen on a cold morning, maybe on a long journey it's a nice to have, but it's a lot of weight and a lot of engine bay clutter that I like the idea of losing...
But then I think it's not like it's a Caterham and still having AC would make it a more complete car, the Ute can be made in to the silly stripped out toy, keep the Monaro at least a bit 'normal'...
Also pointed the car at the garage (no power steering is a beast) it was only running briefly, heads were only warm to the touch, I had a check alternator message on the dash, so once parked up I looked in the conservatory and checked the alternator was OK
Have also now removed the exhaust, I could hear people out in their garden enjoying the sunny evening so I thought better of releasing the thunder of open headers, for now...
As the wagon sunroof is now booked for the 30th September (hoping they'll have parts by then and I already had the day booked off) then I'm a bit conflicted as to weather to pull it out and seal up the sunroof with some plastic / low tack tape so I can get the Monaro in the garage and get on with it, or whether to just be patient and wait...
Naturally there'll be an open headers video for you all
But then I think it's not like it's a Caterham and still having AC would make it a more complete car, the Ute can be made in to the silly stripped out toy, keep the Monaro at least a bit 'normal'...
Also pointed the car at the garage (no power steering is a beast
) it was only running briefly, heads were only warm to the touch, I had a check alternator message on the dash, so once parked up I looked in the conservatory and checked the alternator was OK Have also now removed the exhaust, I could hear people out in their garden enjoying the sunny evening so I thought better of releasing the thunder of open headers, for now...
As the wagon sunroof is now booked for the 30th September (hoping they'll have parts by then and I already had the day booked off) then I'm a bit conflicted as to weather to pull it out and seal up the sunroof with some plastic / low tack tape so I can get the Monaro in the garage and get on with it, or whether to just be patient and wait...
Naturally there'll be an open headers video for you all
Bruce is in the garage and Skippy has a new plastic roof
Found some plastic that'd cover it
Trim and some low tack tape (save that paint)
Skippy started up like a champ despite being abandoned in the garage for a while, perhaps not a huge surprise but nice anyway, sat warming up and giving the battery some love, obviously once parked the only medicine was to verify burnouts work...
Comically poor driveway section getting some abuse...
Either way, yes, burnout action confirmed
Anyway, ol' Brucey is in the garage, getting the engine crane in front will mean pushing it back out of the garage but now that it's in there I can work on getting the gearbox off (I don't fancy manipulating all of it out in one swing...)
Oh and obviously as promised, open headers video
As so much of the engine is missing and obviously it didn't warm up much then no nice low settled idle chop but it still sounds pretty rowdy considering this is the baby cam compared to what's coming
https://youtu.be/0TzPvmrwFuk
Found some plastic that'd cover it
Trim and some low tack tape (save that paint
) Skippy started up like a champ despite being abandoned in the garage for a while, perhaps not a huge surprise but nice anyway, sat warming up and giving the battery some love, obviously once parked the only medicine was to verify burnouts work...
Comically poor driveway section getting some abuse...
Either way, yes, burnout action confirmed
Anyway, ol' Brucey is in the garage, getting the engine crane in front will mean pushing it back out of the garage but now that it's in there I can work on getting the gearbox off (I don't fancy manipulating all of it out in one swing...)
Oh and obviously as promised, open headers video
As so much of the engine is missing and obviously it didn't warm up much then no nice low settled idle chop but it still sounds pretty rowdy considering this is the baby cam compared to what's coming
https://youtu.be/0TzPvmrwFuk
SturdyHSV said:
Aircon compressor / bracket removed, I'm really torn whether to refit it all when finished, I never really use it other than to clear the windscreen on a cold morning, maybe on a long journey it's a nice to have, but it's a lot of weight and a lot of engine bay clutter that I like the idea of losing...
But then I think it's not like it's a Caterham and still having AC would make it a more complete car, the Ute can be made in to the silly stripped out toy, keep the Monaro at least a bit 'normal'...
Also pointed the car at the garage (no power steering is a beast) it was only running briefly, heads were only warm to the touch, I had a check alternator message on the dash, so once parked up I looked in the conservatory and checked the alternator was OK
Have also now removed the exhaust, I could hear people out in their garden enjoying the sunny evening so I thought better of releasing the thunder of open headers, for now...
As the wagon sunroof is now booked for the 30th September (hoping they'll have parts by then and I already had the day booked off) then I'm a bit conflicted as to weather to pull it out and seal up the sunroof with some plastic / low tack tape so I can get the Monaro in the garage and get on with it, or whether to just be patient and wait...
Naturally there'll be an open headers video for you all
I would keep the aircon But then I think it's not like it's a Caterham and still having AC would make it a more complete car, the Ute can be made in to the silly stripped out toy, keep the Monaro at least a bit 'normal'...
Also pointed the car at the garage (no power steering is a beast
) it was only running briefly, heads were only warm to the touch, I had a check alternator message on the dash, so once parked up I looked in the conservatory and checked the alternator was OK Have also now removed the exhaust, I could hear people out in their garden enjoying the sunny evening so I thought better of releasing the thunder of open headers, for now...
As the wagon sunroof is now booked for the 30th September (hoping they'll have parts by then and I already had the day booked off) then I'm a bit conflicted as to weather to pull it out and seal up the sunroof with some plastic / low tack tape so I can get the Monaro in the garage and get on with it, or whether to just be patient and wait...
Naturally there'll be an open headers video for you all
I have a new dryer / condenser / seal kit in the garage for my ute, so once the OTR intake is ditched I will tackle getting it working again. It gets seriously hot in summer without it in my car!
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