[ImmortalityParticipant 97 HSV Senator 185i 02 VX L67 Calais View build HERE Member since: August 31, 2015 Posts: 535]

I drive Auto’s like a manual anyway, it’s just bloody terrible with the factory shifter and something you fuck it up royally.  With something like this you can slap it up/down a gear without worry  

[ImmortalityParticipant 97 HSV Senator 185i 02 VX L67 Calais View build HERE Member since: August 31, 2015 Posts: 535]

I’m planning to go manual in my Senator but never really had a real high stalled auto, with a shifter setup like this I may just have to go the stalled auto route before the T56 goes in one day……

[ImmortalityParticipant 97 HSV Senator 185i 02 VX L67 Calais View build HERE Member since: August 31, 2015 Posts: 535]

Cause that would have been to simple……..

[ImmortalityParticipant 97 HSV Senator 185i 02 VX L67 Calais View build HERE Member since: August 31, 2015 Posts: 535]

The Commodore is technically a sound car so as long as your suspension is in good working order it will always track straight.  It’s not like we have re-invented the wheel here, rather all that has been done is fit some after market parts……..

[ImmortalityParticipant 97 HSV Senator 185i 02 VX L67 Calais View build HERE Member since: August 31, 2015 Posts: 535]

Good to hear it’s sorted.

Regardless I don’t think the older Commodores are all that bad and considering the amount of power you are putting through the chassis is a couple of times more than ever intended it’s probably holding up quiet well.

 

Maybe some clever dick could design some sort of under body bracing tying together the front and rear chassis rails……

[ImmortalityParticipant 97 HSV Senator 185i 02 VX L67 Calais View build HERE Member since: August 31, 2015 Posts: 535]

Funny you bring this up, I know of another guy on some other forum that had issues with the ball joints coming loose and he found the 2 mating surfaces weren’t 100% true which allowed things to move over time.  He ended up machining em to ensure they were flat I believe.

[ImmortalityParticipant 97 HSV Senator 185i 02 VX L67 Calais View build HERE Member since: August 31, 2015 Posts: 535]

cava454 wrote:

Immortality wrote:

What these things really need is more rigidity in the body pan/chassis but unfortunately there is no simple answer. Race cars solve the issue with a roll cage. The only option we really have is to get the body pan stitch welded in critical areas but again unless your aim is motor sports it’s probably not something most would think about. To me it looks like that front anti-roll bar is already on it’s hardest setting.

hehe. I got a few of those suggestions done. Hopefully she’s nice and tight fyi that’s the softest setting

 

Right, I shouldn’t reply to threads after a long night shift…..

At the end of the day the sway bars are really for fine tuning the suspension understeer/oversteer etc The setting of shocks and springs are the primary avenue for setting up how the car handles.

[ImmortalityParticipant 97 HSV Senator 185i 02 VX L67 Calais View build HERE Member since: August 31, 2015 Posts: 535]

What these things really need is more rigidity in the body pan/chassis but unfortunately there is no simple answer.  Race cars solve the issue with a roll cage.  The only option we really have is to get the body pan stitch welded in critical areas but again unless your aim is motor sports it’s probably not something most would think about.

To me it looks like that front anti-roll bar is already on it’s hardest setting.

[ImmortalityParticipant 97 HSV Senator 185i 02 VX L67 Calais View build HERE Member since: August 31, 2015 Posts: 535]

[TUFFVQ] wrote:

I’m surprised that with all the suspension gear you have on it, it doesn’t feel pretty good. It may be that the expectations need to be managed by keeping in mind that it is a 20yr old commodore

 

Maybe cause it’s been compared to a Porsche which arguably has the best handling characteristics of any car built………

[ImmortalityParticipant 97 HSV Senator 185i 02 VX L67 Calais View build HERE Member since: August 31, 2015 Posts: 535]

LOL, I had to do the same, find a pic to see what was done.  Figure it would be easier to copy/post in this thread so all can see what has already been done.

I’ve got to go and get a strut brace for my Senator as well…..

[ImmortalityParticipant 97 HSV Senator 185i 02 VX L67 Calais View build HERE Member since: August 31, 2015 Posts: 535]

Slow355 wrote:

Can get a change over rack for bugger all, i did one when we swapped motor out. Drove my ute first time in 4 months, wow its crap to drive lol, be straight to brake joint as has terrible brake shudder and likes to pull to the left. I dont think i can run strut brace in my ute because of manifold

A strut brace like below that goes behind the manifold should fit.

 

doz10 wrote:

You’ve already got the strut brace stiffening front end up a bit, how about a pair of adjustable strut tops/caster plates, I swear by them i still remember the first time I drove my sisters old vn s pac which had a set of these in it, felt like it was on rails. Ever since I figured out the strut tops were all it took I’ve had them in every commodore I’ve owned

Looks like he already has adjustable strut tops fitted so sway bars like you mentioned and wheel alignment might be the answer.

[ImmortalityParticipant 97 HSV Senator 185i 02 VX L67 Calais View build HERE Member since: August 31, 2015 Posts: 535]

Been there, hope to never go there again………

[ImmortalityParticipant 97 HSV Senator 185i 02 VX L67 Calais View build HERE Member since: August 31, 2015 Posts: 535]

[TUFFVQ] wrote:

Gary, I think your first port of call is a wheel alignment. Something a little more suited to your application, not just a ‘minimise tyre wear’ approach.

 

Yeah there is that, local guy tweaked my wheel alignment something different from standard for a Commodore, made it a lot more touchy almost to much but once you got used to it it was great.  I’m not 100% certain but normally they are set with a bit of toe in but he possibly set it at zero.  What ever he did didn’t effect tyre wear either.

Another consideration is spring rates and shock settings.  Are your shocks adjustable?

[ImmortalityParticipant 97 HSV Senator 185i 02 VX L67 Calais View build HERE Member since: August 31, 2015 Posts: 535]

Your keen with all the trouble that model has had…….

[ImmortalityParticipant 97 HSV Senator 185i 02 VX L67 Calais View build HERE Member since: August 31, 2015 Posts: 535]

I can’t remember but do you have a strut brace fitted?  If not and you have the room for one I would recommend it.  Fitted on my old VN and it improved chassis stiffness in the front and improved turn in.

I find you can drive down the road, give a quick but small steering input and you can feel the front flex before it actually starts to turn, with the strut brace fitted this seemed to disappear.

Just jacking the car up under the K frame the distance between the struts will open up a touch and that is only a static load, just image what happens with the type of dynamic loads a cornering vehicle has…..

Edit, just went and had a look at your pics and you do have one fitted 

Does yours have the fancy variatronic steering rack or standard rack?  We have the variatronic rack in the missus Calais and that steering has no feel to it where as with the standard PS system you have more feed back from the steering.

 

• This reply was modified 8 years, 1 month ago by  Immortality.

[ImmortalityParticipant 97 HSV Senator 185i 02 VX L67 Calais View build HERE Member since: August 31, 2015 Posts: 535]

Standard thermostat for the 308 V8 in the early Commodores was a 190° F unit but I to would recommend a 180° F thermostat.  I would also consider changing the radiator cap.  Does your bonnet have the lining underneath?  I’ve had bonnets do something similar as it really does get fairly warm under there and without the lining it would be more noticeable.

Been a long time since I drove a VH but those temps sound fairly reasonable.  When it gets hot can you hear the fan come on?   Those mechanical fans with the fluid coupling can wear out.  When they are working good you will definitely notice it as they get quiet loud when it starts pumping air.

[ImmortalityParticipant 97 HSV Senator 185i 02 VX L67 Calais View build HERE Member since: August 31, 2015 Posts: 535]

Depends on what you are doing.

I carry a mobile phone and AA card.

Obviously the regular crap that comes in the boot from the factory + high vis jacket, tow rope and jumper leads and some spare fuses in the glove compartment. A paper clip is also handy to check fault codes.

A pinhole leak in a hose can be temporarily fixed with some electrical tape and a hose clamp.  If I’m going long distance than some basic tools.

[ImmortalityParticipant 97 HSV Senator 185i 02 VX L67 Calais View build HERE Member since: August 31, 2015 Posts: 535]

I always disliked the standard brake pedal on the VS models, VT style booster/MC helps to firm it up and reduce travel.

I’m putting the same combo as above on my VS senator but using QFM pads and going to fit the VS GTS vented rear rotor with matching caliper.

[ImmortalityParticipant 97 HSV Senator 185i 02 VX L67 Calais View build HERE Member since: August 31, 2015 Posts: 535]

broken crank shaft

[ImmortalityParticipant 97 HSV Senator 185i 02 VX L67 Calais View build HERE Member since: August 31, 2015 Posts: 535]

VS 355 UTE wrote:

cava454 wrote:

396 with overbore gets you 402ci in standard block. 365-370ci is the sweet spot.

Can’t say i’ve ever come across a 402ci Holden with factory block,can be done but would require a 60 thou over bore.Not greatest starting point for a strong bottom end i would think. Agree 370ci would be the best balance of torque vs revs.Shame C.O.M.E. or Scat don’t make them.

Exactly.  With the Holden block you really don’t want to go over .020″ – .030″ over bore as they have fairly thin bores to begin with.

You could use a Scat or COME 3.48 large Chev journal crank and have the big ends offset ground to Chev small journal size to gain a few extra cubes.

 

VRSenator065 wrote:

454 ci is a pretty good capacity for power & torque  

someones bragging again……. LOL

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