Are parts easy to come by?
Discussion
SturdyHSV said:
To continue, I believe stock is 3.5 turns lock to lock, and the quick rack is 2.5. As above, available from Pedders UK.
In the 'bumper inserts' pictures you posted earlier with bits circled red, the headlights are also different, notice the first one they have pointed corners (by the centre of the bumper) whereas on the second (more close up) picture, they have more rounded edges.
Thanks.In the 'bumper inserts' pictures you posted earlier with bits circled red, the headlights are also different, notice the first one they have pointed corners (by the centre of the bumper) whereas on the second (more close up) picture, they have more rounded edges.
Yes, the headlights are different. First pic is a VX and second is a VT. VT has more rounded lights. But the pictures were showing different things. I didn't mean them to be from the same car. They are just showing that bits in both the VT and VX front bumpers could be separated pieces.
I was wondering if both bits circulated in red are separated parts or removable.
From the first picture, if the middle is removable or a separated piece, this could be why I have seen cars which have a different style insert in the middle.
Mickeym said:
Good to know. Is it a popular upgrade?
Having experience with the car, do you think the slower rack could be the cause of the criticism?
Yes it is, especially since these cars are ageing, the original wears and develops play. It makes sense to upgrade.Having experience with the car, do you think the slower rack could be the cause of the criticism?
As for criticism, most cars will receive some form of criticism because people have different opinions. The slow-ish steering may contribute to some criticism, but its not a criticism of mine.
I don't have a problem with the standard steering, but will likely upgrade to the quick rack at some point.
The Monaro is no hot hatch, its not a pin sharp machine, it was never meant to be, but it does handle surprisingly well.
It is also a 20 year old design and needs judging as such, not comparing to a brand new M3 for example!
Lincsls1 said:
Yes it is, especially since these cars are ageing, the original wears and develops play. It makes sense to upgrade.
As for criticism, most cars will receive some form of criticism because people have different opinions. The slow-ish steering may contribute to some criticism, but its not a criticism of mine.
I don't have a problem with the standard steering, but will likely upgrade to the quick rack at some point.
The Monaro is no hot hatch, its not a pin sharp machine, it was never meant to be, but it does handle surprisingly well.
It is also a 20 year old design and needs judging as such, not comparing to a brand new M3 for example!
Yes, I agree it makes sense to upgrade. Specially if the original is worn anyway.As for criticism, most cars will receive some form of criticism because people have different opinions. The slow-ish steering may contribute to some criticism, but its not a criticism of mine.
I don't have a problem with the standard steering, but will likely upgrade to the quick rack at some point.
The Monaro is no hot hatch, its not a pin sharp machine, it was never meant to be, but it does handle surprisingly well.
It is also a 20 year old design and needs judging as such, not comparing to a brand new M3 for example!
I quite like old school type of cars. But old school doesn't have to mean bad or imprecise handling.
Comparing to a new M3 makes no sense, yes. If comparing to a M3 it needs to be the e46 M3. This was the M3 from Monaro's time.
SturdyHSV said:
To continue, I believe stock is 3.5 turns lock to lock, and the quick rack is 2.5. As above, available from Pedders UK.
My cars original rack has a bit of play in it, just enough to feel it when testing for any unwanted movement in the front suspension while the car is up on a lift. So of course I immediately ordered the quick rack from Pedders UK as preventative maintenance 
Looking forward to experience how much of a difference it really makes on the road. Following info is from Roger Keys, the legend himself. I quote:
'Quick rack is 2.5 turns lock to lock, 3.1 for standard.'
'Please note with the steering rack that if it is an 05 car, a small modification will be necessary. On the 05 cars the port positions were transposed from earlier cars. The high pressure hose still fits. The return line which is attached to the subframe will need to be removed and “adjusted”. You will also need a slightly longer flexible hose to the cooler as a result. This is all on the low pressure side, so just hose and jubilee clips.'
fred bloggs said:
I can confirm my vt2 has a pedders quick rack, as I believe all hsv cars did. Actually it was this that swayed me from an M5 as I drove one and the steering box felt horrible.
Could'nt comment on the monaro racks, but i guess a vxr would have the quick rack.
It doesn't. All Vauxhall Monaro have the standard rack.Could'nt comment on the monaro racks, but i guess a vxr would have the quick rack.
fred bloggs said:
I can confirm my vt2 has a pedders quick rack, as I believe all hsv cars did. Actually it was this that swayed me from an M5 as I drove one and the steering box felt horrible.
Could'nt comment on the monaro racks, but i guess a vxr would have the quick rack.
I never bonded with my M5 partly due to the steering, so I replaced it a GTS VT2, oddly enough the very same car (No 26) that Fred now owns.Could'nt comment on the monaro racks, but i guess a vxr would have the quick rack.
Hi just my opinions based on ownership, I had a 2004 monaro cv8 & now I’ve got an 2007 Vxr8 auto. Whilst I liked driving my monaro on motorways etc I found it hard work on country lanes & town centres due to slow clunky gear change & steering had too many turns lock to lock & was quite heavy to drive, the Vxr8 is a big improvement as feels nice & light to drive & big improvement on steering inc about half amount of turns lock to lock. Also I feel auto boxes suit big lazy engines much better. In short I could drive my Vxr8 all day & in most types of roads & never get bored of it. Not criticising it’s just my opinion
Lincsls1 said:
Mickeym said:
Good to know. Is it a popular upgrade?
Having experience with the car, do you think the slower rack could be the cause of the criticism?
Yes it is, especially since these cars are ageing, the original wears and develops play. It makes sense to upgrade.Having experience with the car, do you think the slower rack could be the cause of the criticism?
As for criticism, most cars will receive some form of criticism because people have different opinions. The slow-ish steering may contribute to some criticism, but its not a criticism of mine.
I don't have a problem with the standard steering, but will likely upgrade to the quick rack at some point.
The Monaro is no hot hatch, its not a pin sharp machine, it was never meant to be, but it does handle surprisingly well.
It is also a 20 year old design and needs judging as such, not comparing to a brand new M3 for example!
The standard shocks are fairly hopeless when new, ie, underdamped. They certainly dont get better with age. At this time in the cars life, this will give the single biggest improvement in the way the car feels. Stock rack as specified by vauxhall is the slower of the 2 factory options. Fit a quick rack at 2.5 turns lock to lock, which is pretty much what all modern cars are. And the road response pac, so the drag strut and antiroll bar bushes.
They are also highly sensitive to tyre choice, especially at the rear. That debates rages on, but my own car runs michelin pilot sports as nothing else comes close in terms of feel. Im not talking about grip (which they also excel at) but feel and feedback through the car.
Do the above and an AP brake kit and you will have a very capable car that goes where you point it and is still predictable. It will come as no surprise that the above is whats on my car. And ive had the pleasure of all sorts of combinations.
Other opinions are available!
20,000 a year in my 04 CV8. My work isn't a commute and involves quite a bit of motorway so that helps. I have a backup car that lives in a rented garage and I swap them either because the Monaro needs to go in there for some work or just because I feel like driving the Tigra.
Mine is standard except for the exhaust and VXR brakes. I flinch at getting stuck in traffic but I wouldn't say it's harder work in the Monaro than anything else and the fans move a lot of hot air in a short time!. With the standard slow rack and mid-range General tyres all round I really like the ride and handlng. The comically high top gear just remnds me I'm in something a bit different and I love the beefy clutch and gearchange. Mine has never let me down and has given me polite warnings when stuff is about to wear out. One of those cars you buy if you're really picky about the character of the car but can overlook stuff that would be a dealbreaker for others.
The non-VXRs are plain but the shape is still classy and curvy and they have more road presence than comes across in photos. Lack of HSV bodykit means a lot less financial exposure if you have a prang. I've chavved mine up a bit with white wheels and stickers and by the end of lockdown I'll have the mullet to suit the car!
Mine is standard except for the exhaust and VXR brakes. I flinch at getting stuck in traffic but I wouldn't say it's harder work in the Monaro than anything else and the fans move a lot of hot air in a short time!. With the standard slow rack and mid-range General tyres all round I really like the ride and handlng. The comically high top gear just remnds me I'm in something a bit different and I love the beefy clutch and gearchange. Mine has never let me down and has given me polite warnings when stuff is about to wear out. One of those cars you buy if you're really picky about the character of the car but can overlook stuff that would be a dealbreaker for others.
The non-VXRs are plain but the shape is still classy and curvy and they have more road presence than comes across in photos. Lack of HSV bodykit means a lot less financial exposure if you have a prang. I've chavved mine up a bit with white wheels and stickers and by the end of lockdown I'll have the mullet to suit the car!
stu vxr said:
And this is a problem given what our cars are worth going forward, not good for the future of Holden cars.
I think you are correct in that respect. You have to really want a Holden in order to stomach the cost of keeping one on the road. If you fancy a Mustang, Challenger or Camaro you can pretty much work out how much these cars cost to own, all the spare parts are very well catered for.
Holdens however equal man maths! not so good.
mfp4073 said:
I think you are correct in that respect. You have to really want a Holden in order to stomach the cost of keeping one on the road.
If you fancy a Mustang, Challenger or Camaro you can pretty much work out how much these cars cost to own, all the spare parts are very well catered for.
Holdens however equal man maths! not so good.
Thankfully the Pontiac GTO exists, there were plenty of them in the states meaning a few more 2nd hand parts to choose from.If you fancy a Mustang, Challenger or Camaro you can pretty much work out how much these cars cost to own, all the spare parts are very well catered for.
Holdens however equal man maths! not so good.
These cars are already modern classics, and it chasing down the odd part every now and then is all part of the ownership experience!
Are you getting itchy feet John? You've mentioned the Mustang plenty just recently.
Edited by Lincsls1 on Saturday 11th April 21:25
Lincsls1 said:
Thankfully the Pontiac GTO exists, there were plenty of them in the states meaning a few more 2nd hand parts to choose from.
These cars are already modern classics, and it chasing down the odd part every now and then is all part of the ownership experience!
Are you getting itchy feet John? You've mentioned the Mustang plenty just recently.
No don't panic...my brother has a Mustang and he can get pretty much any part he needs without trying ( apart from cost that is ) obviously for us it's a right pain.These cars are already modern classics, and it chasing down the odd part every now and then is all part of the ownership experience!
Are you getting itchy feet John? You've mentioned the Mustang plenty just recently.
Edited by Lincsls1 on Saturday 11th April 21:25
I have been looking at various cars, but there really isn't anything that I can honestly say interests me everything seems so dull not to mention too expensive.
Every car these days is packed with electronic equipment which for me is a real turn off. So the back to basics Monaro still has this magnetic attraction for me.
Apart from that could I live without a muscle car....drive an ordinary car every single day... .no...absolutely not.
Edited by mfp4073 on Saturday 11th April 22:32
Mickeym said:
Crazy price. I'm not sure it will sell. You can find them for even 15K Australian there. That is a very big difference regardless of condition. Seems more like the type of seller testing the waters.
Point me to a 15k VT GTS (UK GTS-R), I will buy it for spares! The last decent one I saw was relatively high mileage and AUD 80k.TerryS said:
Point me to a 15k VT GTS (UK GTS-R), I will buy it for spares! The last decent one I saw was relatively high mileage and AUD 80k.
Too many dreamers in Oz now, AUD80k for a VT GTS is crazy money... especially given the Coupe GTO are selling for less. 2 doors will be better value in the long runGassing Station | HSV & Monaro | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff