Hold(en) my beer - Monaro, Ute and Commodore content
Discussion
You guys know your stuff, Holden plate say 608R for paint and FE2 for suspension. It's the L98 as expected based on the year.
It also has an HSV Individual plate in there, the options being 'STR' and 'GAR'. From a quick google, I think this accounts for the Steering Wheel Red and presumably Gearstick Automatic Red as both have some, erm, tasteful highlights to them.
Definitely aftermarket headers, as it has aftermarket plug leads too with the flexible boot instead of the factory style ones. It's surprisingly clean under the bonnet, benefits of a predominantly Australian life I imagine.
Rather more comically, I gave the bus its first proper prod of open road, and upon cresting 100mph, the sunroof glass exited spectacularly into the air
Fortunately there weren't any vehicles around to catch it when it landed, it also managed to totally avoid the roof, and given I had time to register what happened and then look in the rear view to see it land, I suspect it shot largely straight up. That would explain the wind noise then. Looking at where the glass was, it has presumably been in a bad way for some time...
It was installed by a Holden dealer, but was an aftermarket sunroof, so I'm (perhaps foolishly) optimistic that it'll be a relatively standard size and replacement won't involve shipping the car to Australia / making it a convertible
In Ute news, replaced the seats with the VX SS ones, these feel like they sit a little lower, either way they're in much nicer shape and have slightly better side bolstering. They also include side airbags but alas Sheila has no connector for those! Surprisingly as well the power connector for the driver's seat eletrical adjustment is slightly different, I'm 50/50 whether to swap the new seat on to the old base, or have at the connector... The connector for the new seat is 3 pinned whereas the existing connector is only 2 pin. I fail to see what additional sophistication the VX seat has that requires 3 pins, it looks to still just be 12v and ground...
Also gave the interior a good hoover and a clean whilst the seats were out
It also has an HSV Individual plate in there, the options being 'STR' and 'GAR'. From a quick google, I think this accounts for the Steering Wheel Red and presumably Gearstick Automatic Red as both have some, erm, tasteful highlights to them.
Definitely aftermarket headers, as it has aftermarket plug leads too with the flexible boot instead of the factory style ones. It's surprisingly clean under the bonnet, benefits of a predominantly Australian life I imagine.
Rather more comically, I gave the bus its first proper prod of open road, and upon cresting 100mph, the sunroof glass exited spectacularly into the air
Fortunately there weren't any vehicles around to catch it when it landed, it also managed to totally avoid the roof, and given I had time to register what happened and then look in the rear view to see it land, I suspect it shot largely straight up. That would explain the wind noise then. Looking at where the glass was, it has presumably been in a bad way for some time...
It was installed by a Holden dealer, but was an aftermarket sunroof, so I'm (perhaps foolishly) optimistic that it'll be a relatively standard size and replacement won't involve shipping the car to Australia / making it a convertible
In Ute news, replaced the seats with the VX SS ones, these feel like they sit a little lower, either way they're in much nicer shape and have slightly better side bolstering. They also include side airbags but alas Sheila has no connector for those! Surprisingly as well the power connector for the driver's seat eletrical adjustment is slightly different, I'm 50/50 whether to swap the new seat on to the old base, or have at the connector... The connector for the new seat is 3 pinned whereas the existing connector is only 2 pin. I fail to see what additional sophistication the VX seat has that requires 3 pins, it looks to still just be 12v and ground...
Also gave the interior a good hoover and a clean whilst the seats were out
Edited by SturdyHSV on Monday 7th September 10:28
Jader1973 said:
I just checked Carsales and did a bit of googling 
There were so many blues over the years that all look the same but are supposedly different according to the Colour and Trim bods (I miss those meetings "This black is too red") that they only way to tell is to see what is for sale and work it out from there 
As for the sunroof, again based on some googling it might be a Webasto Hollandia 700 based off this presentation (wagon on page 12)
https://www.webasto.com/fileadmin/webasto_files/do...
And err....
https://www.productsafety.gov.au/recall/webasto-pr...
Could the 3rd connector be airbag related? Be careful if you decide to mess about with them - I saw someone drop a driver's airbag once and it went off
That sounds very likely then, and an excellent find, thank you very much! There were so many blues over the years that all look the same but are supposedly different according to the Colour and Trim bods (I miss those meetings "This black is too red") that they only way to tell is to see what is for sale and work it out from there As for the sunroof, again based on some googling it might be a Webasto Hollandia 700 based off this presentation (wagon on page 12)
https://www.webasto.com/fileadmin/webasto_files/do...
And err....
https://www.productsafety.gov.au/recall/webasto-pr...
Could the 3rd connector be airbag related? Be careful if you decide to mess about with them - I saw someone drop a driver's airbag once and it went off
Usefully airbag / SRS related connectors are yellow, so easy to identify. There is a yellow connector for the seatbelt pre-tensioner, and an additional yellow connector for the in seat side airbag (this is also labelled to be extra helpful
)There is then a simple translucent plastic 3 pin connector with red / black wires coming out for the power adjustment of the base, alas this connector is a 2 pin from the car. I've got the Holden Service Manual that covers VT to VZ so can find out what the extra bits are for, it is funny when looking at VZ bits, it's almost always then a link to the VY section, that then says it's the same as the VX and so on
Agree airbags are scary things if they go off and you're nearby
Also, by virtue of it now being a large uncovered container, rather like a skip, then Skippy seems a suitable name for the wagon
I've 'submitted a claim' (sadly no opportunity for compo face) through the SunroofCheck website they list, and have also just e-mailed Webasto UK directly to enquire. It looks like the product is still listed in their literature etc. so hopefully this won't be particularly complicated to get sorted out.
Edited by SturdyHSV on Monday 7th September 14:44
Quinten said:
Oh my, how did I only just find this thread?! I've been lusting after that Holden estate since I started to realise I need a V8 back in my life again. You should show me around... please?
Long time no speak Quinten, I'd be very happy to show you around, you did give me a hand with moving the fridge after all!You're welcome to pop over whenever, if you'd like a ride around probably best to wait until the sunroof is replaced as it's a bit drafty otherwise
JakeT said:
I've followed this for some time but never commented. That, however is fantastic. One of those issues where you think it will be a load of expense and hassle to fix has suddenly gone away. Great news!
You're not kidding, big relief having only just got the car As the thread title has been updated, a little fleet pic from when Skippy still had a sunroof!
Edited by SturdyHSV on Tuesday 8th September 11:52
AceOfHearts said:
Can't believe I have only just seen this thread!
I have owned a 2002 Holden SS Ute (VU) 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 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)
Sweet, sounds ideal putting it to work I have owned a 2002 Holden SS Ute (VU) 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 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)
It turned out not to be my diff clunking and just a wheel bearing that had properly shafted itself (some of the needle bearings had turned sideways!) so was randomly giving toe out and grinding etc which caused the weirdness.
The diff is still too worn out to lock up though which is a crying shame, Sheila definitely needs the TrueTrac I promised her last year!
Fortunately burnouts with the brake does at least spin both up, but any lairy launches just send the inside wheel to hell which is a poor show.EDIT:
You snuck the pic in after I'd quoted, looks awesome, love the colour too
Edited by SturdyHSV on Tuesday 8th September 14:27
AceOfHearts said:
Yes my diff gives a slight knock occasionally coming on / off the power, and ive checked the rest of the drivetrain and can't find any play anywhere else so im sure thats it
Oh yes, the patented 'Monaro clunk', I know what you mean, yeah it's just general slop in the drivetrain, people have had the most luck with Wavetrac diffs for lessening that, I have a TruTrac in my Monaro and the clunk is still present, but it's taken so much abuse I don't think it's anything serious, very much a case of 'they all do that, sir'Sourcing a diff is, erm, 'diff'icult as they're mostly US made, so it ends up costly whatever you do. Personally I've had a TruTrac in the Monaro for about 7 or 8 years and have found it flawless, so given it's half the price of the wavetrac, I'l go that route again, apparently the Wavetrac is better because it fixes the 'problem' of torque going to the unloaded wheel if you have one of the wheels in the air, I've always assumed if I get a rear wheel into the air in the Monaro then where the torque is going will be the least of my concerns
LS Performance Parts is a relatively new bunch that are on the Holden owners pages and things and are supporting the Aus cars over here, they may be able to work on the prices a bit, we could look in to combining shipping on a few units to perhaps save on those costs
The truetrac itself is pretty cheap, ~800AUD / 600USD ish, but shipping and installation is where it gets costly if you can't do it on your driveway
e.g.
https://www.tuffcarparts.com.au/vt-vx-vy-vz-holden...
Also, seeing your rear ride height with a motorbike in the back, I think perhaps my investing in some Ute specific rear lowering springs would be a good idea, as I suspect what I've got on there now is too soft (although brilliantly low
)Edited by SturdyHSV on Tuesday 8th September 15:10
motomk said:
Excellent news Sturdy! Good work Jader1973!
I was looking on ebay Oz last night and there were some original Sedan sunroofs on there, I can't remember if there was a sunroof available on the wagon from the factory on the VE wagon or not.
The VU-VZ utes never came with side airbags. I believe I am looking at the same diagrams as you and I can only see that the Caprice has a different connector. Incidentally, on a related note, if you look around you should find a "similar" thing for the VE Omega, if you know what I mean.
If I remember I'll post up some pictures, I haven't been through the manuals yet, but if you like puzzles then it'd seem rude not to give you some more breadcrumbs I was looking on ebay Oz last night and there were some original Sedan sunroofs on there, I can't remember if there was a sunroof available on the wagon from the factory on the VE wagon or not.
The VU-VZ utes never came with side airbags. I believe I am looking at the same diagrams as you and I can only see that the Caprice has a different connector. Incidentally, on a related note, if you look around you should find a "similar" thing for the VE Omega, if you know what I mean.
The sunroof was a dealer fit aftermarket job, so a Webasto H740 RSE apparently (according to the Webasto support guy based on my serial number). The sunroof slides back above the roof mounted DVD player / drop down screen, surprising amount of room above the lining it seems!
fred bloggs said:
Have a look at the kaaz diff. It is the only diff that properly locks. But don't expect it not to clunk.
I've had one in two different cars now. You can set them 25/ 50 /75/100 percent lock, but only before fitting.
The Kaaz is a bit more expensive and requires some maintenance I believe? Personally I've never had one wheel spin up in the Monaro since having the TT fitted, I'm not fussed about the clunks and it's taken so much abuse I'm happy to stick with it. The Kaaz is no doubt more sophisticated but I think it's overkill for my usage I've had one in two different cars now. You can set them 25/ 50 /75/100 percent lock, but only before fitting.
Tiny shudder of tramp visible at the end there, top of 2nd as road speed had finally caught up to the wheel speed of about 70mph
Edited by SturdyHSV on Tuesday 8th September 16:56
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
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.
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
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!
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
Yeah this is definitely why I'm tempted to keep the aircon, since I did the cam last year I didn't have the AC regassed so have had a year without it, to be honest the heat wasn't an issue at any point, but one particular journey in traffic on the M4 when it was bucketing down was made far more stressful by the fogging up and needing to leave a window cracked etc.
Equally using it on commute mornings when it was really cold out was inconvenient...
Had a single "is it still available?" enquiry about the Alfa so far, why don't people want to buy 3 litre 20 year old Italian cars at the moment?!
Equally using it on commute mornings when it was really cold out was inconvenient...
Had a single "is it still available?" enquiry about the Alfa so far, why don't people want to buy 3 litre 20 year old Italian cars at the moment?!
Big powerful new engine will need those bigger 1 7/8" headers, so the 1 3/4" mid lengths are out.
I was going to put these on the Ute, but someone was interested in buying them so off they come and away they go.
Easier said than done, as access on the driver's side is... Exciting
Passenger side was simplicity itself, except getting the O2 sensor out, which required a spanner around another spanner for leverage.
Driver's side was a rabbit hole, removed all sorts to try and make enough room, chassis corner brace, steering column, coil packs, a couple of spark plugs, some cable tidies, but still it just wouldn't squeeze out.
Gave up for the night at this point and emailed Stuart up at AAS who made the headers...
The cloven hoofs there of a feckless southerner
He replied thsi morning, turns out you don't need to remove all that, just take the coil packs / bracket off, remove the rocker cover and it rotates out upwards...
I can't imagine how it would have worked myself, but I shall give it a go tonight, this time with a beer
Have secured a Kooks 3" Street Screamer exhaust as well from a friend, catless mids, apparently it's not silly loud which is a shame, but it sounds very deep and burbley on ewetoob so I'm excited to hear that in x months when it's running again!
Not too sure how much more progress I'll make with the car this weekend, it's getting nicely sparse in the engine bay though, I may remove a few more bits and then start pondering jacking it up and attacking the gearbox.
I was going to put these on the Ute, but someone was interested in buying them so off they come and away they go.
Easier said than done, as access on the driver's side is... Exciting
Passenger side was simplicity itself, except getting the O2 sensor out, which required a spanner around another spanner for leverage.
Driver's side was a rabbit hole, removed all sorts to try and make enough room, chassis corner brace, steering column, coil packs, a couple of spark plugs, some cable tidies, but still it just wouldn't squeeze out.
Gave up for the night at this point and emailed Stuart up at AAS who made the headers...
The cloven hoofs there of a feckless southerner
He replied thsi morning, turns out you don't need to remove all that, just take the coil packs / bracket off, remove the rocker cover and it rotates out upwards...
I can't imagine how it would have worked myself, but I shall give it a go tonight, this time with a beer
Have secured a Kooks 3" Street Screamer exhaust as well from a friend, catless mids, apparently it's not silly loud which is a shame, but it sounds very deep and burbley on ewetoob so I'm excited to hear that in x months when it's running again!
Not too sure how much more progress I'll make with the car this weekend, it's getting nicely sparse in the engine bay though, I may remove a few more bits and then start pondering jacking it up and attacking the gearbox.
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