Commadore VX SS V8 2001
Discussion
Currently its stock so figures will be 300bhp (225kw) at 5200 rpm and 339 ft/lb 9460nm) at 4400rpm. I'm dabbling my toes in Holdens whilst I decide what to do with my Legacy and have a very good price on this car. It needs more ooomph and sorting the breathing out is usually the first step along with an ECU program. 350 would help, 400 would be better but I assume at some point on the way to 400 you move from exchanging / bolting on and ECU work to opening up the engine for cams etc; and I'd stop there. The big step will come from a S/C.
Thanks
Obi
Thanks
Obi
If its the black SS then it might already have a good exhaust on it anyway.
Like I say exhaust and intake the best you can expect is about 330rwhp
Any more will require a cam, then heads etc.
At this point you will need to decide if you are going NA or SC as the cam will need to suit the final destination.
You can still gain a good amount with an SC cam in an NA setup, but perhaps not as much as an NA specific cam.
Something with more exhaust duration than normal for SC etc.
Cam on top might get you to 360rwhp or maybe 370rwhp at a push. The rest will come from heads and fast92 intake etc.
IMO if you are going to SC later, then get an SC cam in there now... Stock engine with no performance cam and SC = crap.
Like I say exhaust and intake the best you can expect is about 330rwhp
Any more will require a cam, then heads etc.
At this point you will need to decide if you are going NA or SC as the cam will need to suit the final destination.
You can still gain a good amount with an SC cam in an NA setup, but perhaps not as much as an NA specific cam.
Something with more exhaust duration than normal for SC etc.
Cam on top might get you to 360rwhp or maybe 370rwhp at a push. The rest will come from heads and fast92 intake etc.
IMO if you are going to SC later, then get an SC cam in there now... Stock engine with no performance cam and SC = crap.
This one's a red one. Owner seems genuinely convinced it's 410hp but I've driven it and it feels like 300. Any recommendations on the exhaust, cats, sports cats de-catted (I normally use H&S) and any concensus on the best intake. Will a re-map be a good idea to take best advantage and safe-guard any changes. I'll run it on 98/99. Any of these to avoid, The Legacy always had raised det problems with BP.
Thanks
Obi
Thanks
Obi
reidobi said:
This one's a red one. Owner seems genuinely convinced it's 410hp but I've driven it and it feels like 300. Any recommendations on the exhaust, cats, sports cats de-catted (I normally use H&S) and any concensus on the best intake. Will a re-map be a good idea to take best advantage and safe-guard any changes. I'll run it on 98/99. Any of these to avoid, The Legacy always had raised det problems with BP.
Thanks
Obi
Thanks
Obi
400 does feel like 300 on these old girls...........
Example....a VXR500 (500hp) has about the same performance to 150mph as an Audi RS4 (414hp)
The best thing, I have found, having done the ute, is to get a good set of extractors on there, makes a world of difference. Bloke up here in newcastle makes them up for £700 and he has done a brillant job on the ute, plus another £400 for the exhaust, went dual exhaust on the ute, and love it. Reminds me should take some photos of it and post them up.
Exhaust answers here http://www.superchevy.com/technical/engines_drivet...
Feedback via US forums is that 1-7/8 headers work well for all modified engines. Id go straight to this size next time. Which I did this time anyway, But Id do it for LS1 as well.
Dual 2.5 exhaust for up to 550fwhp and dual 3" for up to 750fwhp for zero loss.
Look at some Nascar and other performance header designs. Read some Oz and US forums for best results etc, you can then see what you want to go with. Oz guys will tell you Difilippo are best, but you cant get them easily here. I think Rapid do them, but they can be pricey.
Some of Wortec's headers look pretty good. Ive not seen any large diameter cat back stuff from them, but it would pay to ask.
Others have various custom setups done about the place too. Oh also Walkinshaw UK do some too.
Metal cats are better than ceramic for flow in general. I wanted performance without drone or volume. I went difilippo, but I also needed dual 3", nobody else had any here off the shelf... But Im more than happy with them so far.
As for intakes, "Donk v8" is the only other person except me running one. His has a more stock fit. Ive run 2 types. Both perform much better than the traditional intake which will result in more heat soak and higher intake temps. Plus usually more restriction at WOT. Therefore Id suggest an OTRCAI, check here www.otrcai.com. Also feedback on ls1.com.au will point you in the same direction.
As for cams and heads etc, you need to know what you want more specifically as it starts to get more specialist for the final application.
Feedback via US forums is that 1-7/8 headers work well for all modified engines. Id go straight to this size next time. Which I did this time anyway, But Id do it for LS1 as well.
Dual 2.5 exhaust for up to 550fwhp and dual 3" for up to 750fwhp for zero loss.
Look at some Nascar and other performance header designs. Read some Oz and US forums for best results etc, you can then see what you want to go with. Oz guys will tell you Difilippo are best, but you cant get them easily here. I think Rapid do them, but they can be pricey.
Some of Wortec's headers look pretty good. Ive not seen any large diameter cat back stuff from them, but it would pay to ask.
Others have various custom setups done about the place too. Oh also Walkinshaw UK do some too.
Metal cats are better than ceramic for flow in general. I wanted performance without drone or volume. I went difilippo, but I also needed dual 3", nobody else had any here off the shelf... But Im more than happy with them so far.
As for intakes, "Donk v8" is the only other person except me running one. His has a more stock fit. Ive run 2 types. Both perform much better than the traditional intake which will result in more heat soak and higher intake temps. Plus usually more restriction at WOT. Therefore Id suggest an OTRCAI, check here www.otrcai.com. Also feedback on ls1.com.au will point you in the same direction.
As for cams and heads etc, you need to know what you want more specifically as it starts to get more specialist for the final application.
Granada beat me too it by 2 minutes!
Could change diff gears too. The SS's manual had 3.46 and auto 3.07. Personally speaking I would avoid 3.9's as first gear is then gone in a flash on the manuals anyway. Good fun up to a point then driving around town you get fed up with it or I did! If it is an auto a 3000 converter and 3.73 diff gears would be good.
Could change diff gears too. The SS's manual had 3.46 and auto 3.07. Personally speaking I would avoid 3.9's as first gear is then gone in a flash on the manuals anyway. Good fun up to a point then driving around town you get fed up with it or I did! If it is an auto a 3000 converter and 3.73 diff gears would be good.
Edited by motomk on Tuesday 16th June 18:27
ringram said:
Oh I forgot you sold off your failed experiment
Au contrair mon brave.
For a daily streetable car a PD blower on a stock motor is hard to beat in both installation cost and time. It offers bags of low down torque, a linear power delivery std idle and improved economy over a NA setup.
It just couldn`t go where I want to.
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