Monaro VXR 6.0 - MASSIVE Brakes Problems!!!
Discussion
For what its worth, I'll chuck in my comments here
When I got my CV8 last year, I was amazed at what you got for the dough - great looker, fully loaded with options right out of the box, Vette motor, etc etc.
But, even as I drove it home, I thought these brakes aint much cop. slightly too soft, no feel really. After running in for a while, you can let rip and then you find that they do fade and pedal travel increases, with a few sharp pull-ups between roundabouts ona dual.
I would not dare take this car on a track day. However, as a road going GT coupe, it is fantastic value 4 money, and an absolute hoot to own. Top marks to Vauxhall to bring this thing over here, and stuff the tree huggers and whale-savers who would have us all on a bicycle! You get what you pay for in this life. My 1978 Vette has std 4pots all round on a car of similar weight and power, and with decent pads, Ive never had it fade on road or track. So I will be upgrading my brakes, just need to decide which way to go. Guess the AP stuff is my favourite atm. Overall, the Mon is IMHO the best deal out there, and there are all the upgrades you could ever need for those who want more.....
V8Dave
When I got my CV8 last year, I was amazed at what you got for the dough - great looker, fully loaded with options right out of the box, Vette motor, etc etc.
But, even as I drove it home, I thought these brakes aint much cop. slightly too soft, no feel really. After running in for a while, you can let rip and then you find that they do fade and pedal travel increases, with a few sharp pull-ups between roundabouts ona dual.
I would not dare take this car on a track day. However, as a road going GT coupe, it is fantastic value 4 money, and an absolute hoot to own. Top marks to Vauxhall to bring this thing over here, and stuff the tree huggers and whale-savers who would have us all on a bicycle! You get what you pay for in this life. My 1978 Vette has std 4pots all round on a car of similar weight and power, and with decent pads, Ive never had it fade on road or track. So I will be upgrading my brakes, just need to decide which way to go. Guess the AP stuff is my favourite atm. Overall, the Mon is IMHO the best deal out there, and there are all the upgrades you could ever need for those who want more.....
V8Dave
I guess the thing is as well, is that you need to ensure that the rotor doesn't get a sudden burst of heat when you first jump on them. If you do go for a track day, make sure that you warm up the rotor with a few light taps on the brake pedal. This will enable everything to get up to operating temperature first, without a sudden burst of heat.
I find with my standard brakes I have to get them machined every 40,000 km, as sometimes I'm not the kindest to them.
I find with my standard brakes I have to get them machined every 40,000 km, as sometimes I'm not the kindest to them.
Auto Express - 20 Greatest Drives 2005 - Monaro VXR 6.0
"the brakes are simply not up to the job. The discs look small and started to fade all too readily. The more laps, the longer the travel became. No other car suffered as badly and it stopped drivers enjoying an otherwise engaging performance"
"the brakes are simply not up to the job. The discs look small and started to fade all too readily. The more laps, the longer the travel became. No other car suffered as badly and it stopped drivers enjoying an otherwise engaging performance"
This is a well known problem in OZ/NZ and Holden have copped a bit of flack over this hence a slight upgrade on the 05 monaros. The min brakes these cars should have is the base units on the R8 spec 343 mm front discs and 4 pot calipers but really the Monaros and VXRs should come specced with a larger disc front and rear. Jeez some Clios, Golfs etc have brakes nearly as big and are a good 300-400 kg lighter.
The standard brakes are good for a couple of hard stops from 70mph but are then smoking.
They would be history over here on the Ards Peninsula (Northern Ireland)with some good 100 plus straights and super tight corners, anyone whos ever done the Newtonards to Portaferry road would get my drift.
I am still debating whether to bring my R8 or just sell it and get something more suitable for the local conditions ie a cayman or the likes
Cheers jay
The standard brakes are good for a couple of hard stops from 70mph but are then smoking.
They would be history over here on the Ards Peninsula (Northern Ireland)with some good 100 plus straights and super tight corners, anyone whos ever done the Newtonards to Portaferry road would get my drift.
I am still debating whether to bring my R8 or just sell it and get something more suitable for the local conditions ie a cayman or the likes
Cheers jay
MalcN,
FWIW, I agree with you. The earlier cars were on 296mm fronts the later ones now have a 325mm disc.
It's the single biggest problem with the car; but you get what you pay for; and that is a car that is in most areas, adequately engineered and built to a cost.
The only way to sort it is to tailor the car to your needs as I don't think GM will do anything, just like GM-ME (Middle East) here when I questioned and requested things lacking or missing on the ME cars.
The best up-grade is as "UKHSV" said ...to get the AP-Racing set-up that has actually been specially developed and validated ....and is now "factory fit" for the HSV cars.
It's not cheap, but you WILL get what you pay for with this and it will sort out the problem stone dead.
"Super"DOT4 is the fluid to use (better than DOT5.1). It's also known as DOT4/600 (600F dry boiling point).
And as mentioned DS2500 Ferodo pads.
FWIW, I agree with you. The earlier cars were on 296mm fronts the later ones now have a 325mm disc.
It's the single biggest problem with the car; but you get what you pay for; and that is a car that is in most areas, adequately engineered and built to a cost.
The only way to sort it is to tailor the car to your needs as I don't think GM will do anything, just like GM-ME (Middle East) here when I questioned and requested things lacking or missing on the ME cars.
The best up-grade is as "UKHSV" said ...to get the AP-Racing set-up that has actually been specially developed and validated ....and is now "factory fit" for the HSV cars.
It's not cheap, but you WILL get what you pay for with this and it will sort out the problem stone dead.
"Super"DOT4 is the fluid to use (better than DOT5.1). It's also known as DOT4/600 (600F dry boiling point).
And as mentioned DS2500 Ferodo pads.
If you are taking the car on a track, you will reach the limits of the road kit easily. We import Harrop brakes from Oz for the road cars and we use Harrops BIG brother version on our race car without a problem for 18 months. We also use and recommend EBC brake pads, we have sold several pairs to Holden/Vauxhall owners who are very happy!
Email me and we can sort you problem.
Email me and we can sort you problem.
Drove a 6.0 VXR yesterday for the first time. Have to say the brakes felt far better than the 5.7 vxr brakes. Better pedal feel and ultimately stronger stopping power. Didn't try repeated stops and would assume that it would fade, but as far as normal driving then they seemed more than adequate.
Still nothing compared to the AP set up.
Still nothing compared to the AP set up.
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