Hold(en) my beer - Monaro, Ute and Commodore content
Discussion
In a classic PH reader's cars crossover episode, took Samjeev (of rocket bunny LS GT86 fame) out in the Monaro as he dropped in on his way past, and had the first strong reminder of the lack of ABS when the fault light is on 
A monaro friend also popped over to swap on my old throttle body as he's been having some TB related engine lights / codes
A monaro friend also popped over to swap on my old throttle body as he's been having some TB related engine lights / codes
SturdyHSV said:
In a classic PH reader's cars crossover episode, took Samjeev (of rocket bunny LS GT86 fame) out in the Monaro as he dropped in on his way past, and had the first strong reminder of the lack of ABS when the fault light is on
Only now just seen this 
was good to meet you of course mate! hopefully won't be too long before the next time either, perhaps in my own car this time!Long time no update! Over 1500 miles on the engine and it's still going well, no oil usage.
Idling waiting for it to demist of a morning feels very conspicuous
The wagon sustained an injury when a van was caught in the wrong lane and merged into me, I'd almost managed to avoid as saw him starting to turn but the lane inside me was occupied so only so far I could pull to the side.
It's only a minor scratch, bloke was very good about it but currently I've gone no further with it, no point getting insurance involved as it'll shaft my renewal inevitably.
The engine has stayed pretty clean, I've put a bit of WD40 on the exposed aluminium bits to try and fend off oxidation, I really should have pulled my finger out and clear coated the heads before putting them on.
Replaced the headlights bulbs in the wagon as one died, that was a frankly un-Australian level of faff for the passenger side, although I have the knack of it now.
And finally, the extent of my sensible choices this morning for the commute. I am a fool.
Idling waiting for it to demist of a morning feels very conspicuous
The wagon sustained an injury when a van was caught in the wrong lane and merged into me, I'd almost managed to avoid as saw him starting to turn but the lane inside me was occupied so only so far I could pull to the side.
It's only a minor scratch, bloke was very good about it but currently I've gone no further with it, no point getting insurance involved as it'll shaft my renewal inevitably.
The engine has stayed pretty clean, I've put a bit of WD40 on the exposed aluminium bits to try and fend off oxidation, I really should have pulled my finger out and clear coated the heads before putting them on.
Replaced the headlights bulbs in the wagon as one died, that was a frankly un-Australian level of faff for the passenger side, although I have the knack of it now.
And finally, the extent of my sensible choices this morning for the commute. I am a fool.
SturdyHSV said:
The engine has stayed pretty clean, I've put a bit of WD40 on the exposed aluminium bits to try and fend off oxidation, I really should have pulled my finger out and clear coated the heads before putting them on.
That snow pic is great!I fell in to this trap already on mine, it was only way for a few weeks and all the new Ali parts were Oxidised! probably never get them looking fresh again without taking it all off which i'm not doing any time soon! but will probably wipe them down and spray something on them to keep them looking somewhat presentable. It's not a good look!
Not a great deal to add at the moment, but I thought I'd cobble together a rough idea of some sort of a 'plan' for 2023 as seems to be the done thing...
Monaro:
Not much really, it could absolutely do with some brakes though, so perhaps finally it'll get that brake upgrade it's been crying out for forever Other than that, a bit of refining some of the bits I've tinkered with seems inevitable, really must do some daily logging to get the return to idle manners cleaned up, annnnd there's the small matter of arranging that 7,500rpm dyno pull to consider.
Wagon:
Maybe that exhaust will finally get fitted, although I've been grateful of it being so quiet a couple of mornings whilst it's been freezing out. Supercharger is still off in the distance, at the moment will just focus on keeping it in fine daily form. Some sort of rust prevention feels prudent, frankly for all of them, the Monaro has been done but that was some years ago.
Ute:
Fit the manual box that I have for it. I think this will be enough of a project that I won't want to be doing anything serious on the others. I'd really like to do some track days with the gf in 2023, finding an E36 we can tinker with together seems the cheaper and more sensible option, but the Ute can carry a spare set of tyres with such ease it just seems the perfect track day vehicle
Monaro:
Not much really, it could absolutely do with some brakes though, so perhaps finally it'll get that brake upgrade it's been crying out for forever
Other than that, a bit of refining some of the bits I've tinkered with seems inevitable, really must do some daily logging to get the return to idle manners cleaned up, annnnd there's the small matter of arranging that 7,500rpm dyno pull to consider.Wagon:
Maybe that exhaust will finally get fitted, although I've been grateful of it being so quiet a couple of mornings whilst it's been freezing out. Supercharger is still off in the distance, at the moment will just focus on keeping it in fine daily form. Some sort of rust prevention feels prudent, frankly for all of them, the Monaro has been done but that was some years ago.
Ute:
Fit the manual box that I have for it. I think this will be enough of a project that I won't want to be doing anything serious on the others. I'd really like to do some track days with the gf in 2023, finding an E36 we can tinker with together seems the cheaper and more sensible option, but the Ute can carry a spare set of tyres with such ease it just seems the perfect track day vehicle
SturdyHSV said:
Steve Evil said:
Have I seen this heading into Milton Keynes via junction 14 on the odd morning?
You certainly have, 15 to 14 every morning 
Great thread title too
Niffty951 said:
I thought this looked familiar. Thank you for paying to make that commute slightly more interesting for everyone else. I did that exact junction in a 4.2 Supercharged XKR every day for three years. Felt I was adding one shiny pepple to the beige diesel brigade of commuters.
Great thread title too
Haha, appreciate the sentiment, you and the rest of the M1 / Milton Keynes are most welcome as I selfishly indulge my love of silly V8s most days Great thread title too
Haven't had much else to report, have taken the Monaro in to work a few times so am up to about 1750 miles on the engine, the PS4Ss are as expected in these temperatures, wooden
Exciting news is limited to replacing the bonnet struts on the Monaro, heading to Australia Day at the Ace Café on Sunday so thought it'll probably have the bonnet up a lot...
FEBI 27610 are a direct replacement and far stronger than I can ever remember the originals being.
The leather bed cover on the Ute was off for a bit, and it seems to have shrunk in the cold (quiet at the back).
As such the back can't quite reach to clip on, and it sags a bit and created a lovely frozen ice slab that I offered to the dog.
This was licked enthusiastically until there was a noise elsewhere and it was completely forgotten about. It has since frozen itself to the drive.
Avenicus said:
Fantastic build thread James and thank you for letting me see and hear the Monaro today - it is truly a labour of love!
My son is now asking why I bought a V6 estate instead of a V8 Ute having seen the pics and video of your cars
Good to meet you Richard and your son sounds particularly astute My son is now asking why I bought a V6 estate instead of a V8 Ute having seen the pics and video of your cars
If he wants a nose around the cars or a ride out etc. just let me know!
As you're local you may have done so already but if not do bring him down to the factory and have a nose around, no need to book or anything. There's an RB7 (I think it is anyway!) on the wall in reception where all the trophies are, and over in MK7 (the marketing building) there's an RB15 (again, I think...) to have a nose around too. I think the gate still lets you in even if you've got a Hamilton cap on
Took the Ro down to Australia Day, nice to be in a convoy again as it's been a while!
Remarkable turnout considering the weather, and some lovely old Holdens that'd definitely complete the collection properly!
This Ute was just repainted in 5 layers of candy red, and the work he's done making the cowl bonnet, flaring the rear arches, smoothing in bits of trim and all sorts, it's a remarkable build and a credit to his bodywork / fab skills, really is
Honourable mention as well to this G8 that came over from Southern Germany!
Have been in to work a couple more times so getting some miles on it, the long cruise down to the Ace helped the economy but not by much, was showing 18ish average, sadly there's been no V power so have been on BP 97, unsure how much of a difference it makes, naturally it was mapped for 99 with some safety net added for lower octane, hard to tell if it's any different power wise because in these temperatures it blows the tyres off at 30% throttle
Mate came over to use the quickjacks to swap his headers, the more observant of you will spot my old intake manifold...
So shiny, all went together easily enough except the final join between cat and midpipe, but was enough to get home decently.
Naturally that also meant another open header fire up...
They're already colouring up nicely too!
This weekend a nicely modded VX popped over to clear an airbag light and generally have a chat, this has a sensible cam in along with cylinder heads etc and it is a torque monster. It has a 6L80 behind it, and looks like an unassuming silver 4 door, very much a sleeper with nearly 500lbft of torque! Needless to say it pulled the same in 2nd, 3rd and 4th, just relentless
Monaro engine is very nearly on 2,000 miles now so will likely change the oil and see how that looks.
Did a few more miles today to demonstrate just how few of the 402 cubes can be used in the cold, the salt made the road comically slippery but needless to say it puts a huge smile on your face
Also finally popped this sticker on, hopefully will have to find space for more in the future!
Remarkable turnout considering the weather, and some lovely old Holdens that'd definitely complete the collection properly!
This Ute was just repainted in 5 layers of candy red, and the work he's done making the cowl bonnet, flaring the rear arches, smoothing in bits of trim and all sorts, it's a remarkable build and a credit to his bodywork / fab skills, really is
Honourable mention as well to this G8 that came over from Southern Germany!
Have been in to work a couple more times so getting some miles on it, the long cruise down to the Ace helped the economy but not by much, was showing 18ish average, sadly there's been no V power so have been on BP 97, unsure how much of a difference it makes, naturally it was mapped for 99 with some safety net added for lower octane, hard to tell if it's any different power wise because in these temperatures it blows the tyres off at 30% throttle
Mate came over to use the quickjacks to swap his headers, the more observant of you will spot my old intake manifold...
So shiny, all went together easily enough except the final join between cat and midpipe, but was enough to get home decently.
Naturally that also meant another open header fire up...
They're already colouring up nicely too!
This weekend a nicely modded VX popped over to clear an airbag light and generally have a chat, this has a sensible cam in along with cylinder heads etc and it is a torque monster. It has a 6L80 behind it, and looks like an unassuming silver 4 door, very much a sleeper with nearly 500lbft of torque! Needless to say it pulled the same in 2nd, 3rd and 4th, just relentless
Monaro engine is very nearly on 2,000 miles now so will likely change the oil and see how that looks.
Did a few more miles today to demonstrate just how few of the 402 cubes can be used in the cold, the salt made the road comically slippery but needless to say it puts a huge smile on your face
Also finally popped this sticker on, hopefully will have to find space for more in the future!
Edited by SturdyHSV on Saturday 11th February 17:37
Krikkit said:
I already knew what that was going to be, numerous people have very sensibly sent it to me I don't have or desire a trailer / tow vehicle, so it'd be of limited use to me without number plates
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