GMLXSS

I have a 260+ rwkw r33 Skyline as my daliy driver (don't skof my brother Grant (1badss) is very impressed with this vehicle, after a drive in it & even offered to buy it from me at one stage). I have been offered a swap with a VU SS Commodore ute. I am keen (don't get me wrong) but, I was hoping that I might get some feedback from some of you that know more about this model Commodore than I, in regards to any inherant issues with this model? The other problem I have is a phsycoligical - the big 5.7lt V8 has way less up and go than my Skyline (hard to grasp I know!) What to do?

JA5ONS

grant needs a slapping me thinks


na but seriously, im a V8 kid, and love my utes, you would never see me in a toyota or nissan
but you've got the hot hot hot LX torry, and a 260rwkw skyline, it's the best of both worlds.
my theory is, why swap for a less powerful VU SS, that every man and his dog has, from a car that you dont see every 5 mins.

the VTII/VX/VU/WH LS1's were well known for their "piston slap"
see this thread Second hand Gen 3's what to look out for

how many klm has the ute got?
if its under 100, i would be conserned, because the issues may not have yet come up, if its over 170ish, and the engine feels strong, it should be right.

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76lxhatch

I drove a VXII SS (2002) for some time and never had any issues with the engine, although heard a lot of stories. The conclusion seems to be that if it makes the first 20,000 to 30,000 kms with no hassles then its good, the majority of the problems I heard about didn't last 10,000km.

The other main hassle with this model is the exhaust - quietest and worst note of the lot, which gets frustrating with a V8. Mine was an auto with standard tall diff so didn't have a lot of get up and go under 100km/h but not bad on the open road. Rear tyres lasted 20,000km at most, front tyres 25,000 to 30,000km.

This could be an unpopular call, but I would say they are a 'modern' vehicle - nice enough to drive, but not at all exciting.

HOTN355

Don't listen to Jason.

Get one over 170,000kms...Don't.

For one thats too high km's for something of that era.

Something under 100,000 is great,95% of the time you won't have a problem,wicked performing motor for a decent fuel consumption.

Is it a manual or an auto?

Oh,a dyno maffless tune,Full exhaust and Otr,you'll run low 13's high 12's easily if you get your shifts and launch right.

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AKA. HNST304.

Look out for the project thread appearing soon.

JA5ONS

i dissagree scotty, donno if its the people around me, but i know of more effed VT/VX gen3's than good ones.. all showed faults between 70 and 170ish.

maybe im just over cautious because of our bad experiance... meh

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AGGRO

jason i dunno bout down there but up in brissy every man and his dog has a skyline as well...

I say swap for the VU SS, and do a few things. One of my friends has a VU SS and its got a real nice note and quite loud was done by fat pipes on the northside. and its got a couple of little mods and 330odd rwhp and its a daily still. LS motors have great potential

Smitty2

...and there is the reason
for a swapover

Smitty2

yep... I had 3 motors (inc the original), 2x replacement diffs, 1 x rear cross member, 2 gearboxs, 3 clutches , 2 pwr steer racks (and don't talk to me about exploding brake discs )
in the first 20-25000kms with mine


been fine since

stick a VZ cat back system (off an SS) onto the VX
its a 1 hr bolt on...the note is 'noice'



hth

Smitty

GMLXSS

Thanks guys for your advive and opinions.
I have decided not to do the swap. I may have been a bit more keen if the ss ute was a manual but I just cant see the value in that model ute. I mean, unlike the ford counterpart (2001 XR8) the commodore doesn't even have a space behind the seats to store shit.
Thanks again lads.

Crunchy_NuT

tisk tisk tisk

should've gone the ls1

this will enhance my opinion

YouTube - FAALAP 1/8th mile Drag

ok and this one

YouTube - Just a bit of fun with FAALAP

thats all jury - more available if more evidence is needed

CK_318

the piston slap referred too earlier was fixed in the series 2 VX/VU to my knowledge. and if you're going to get a ute get a manual one but in a VY/VZ and go the one tonner, holds value more than the IRS counter parts. and don't go a mafless tune on a regularly street driven car, sure go for it if you want every tiny bit of horsepower, but its not necessary. and i know over here you can get defected for having a mafless tune or even a modified air intake

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GMLXSS

CrunchyNut I am not interested in spending money on 235 tyers by frying them from a standing start, on my daily driver. If I was keen to fry tyers at any point, my Skyline starts loosing traction at around 7000RPM in 2nd gear with 265 treds, but the Torana is the only vehicle I want for fun these days. I was interested in the ss ute more for the "SS factor" & V8 rumble with the practicality of a useable ute for everyday driving.

And CK318 your exactly right. I test drove a couple of XR8s during the week and I have realised that I can not own an auto. Boring as bat shit!

I have even gone to the extent of selling the 2spd powerglide I had in the Torana and purchasing a T5 from a HSV Manta for it. Thought I could do an auto for a daily driver, but alas, no can't do it!