2004 Vauxhall Monaro 5.7
Discussion
Hello everyone! Not sure why I haven't made an account here before now but looking forward to exploring the forums here a bit more.
As the title states, I have a 2004 Vauxhall Monaro that I bought back in May 2020. I hadn't planned to buy it but the opportunity arose and sometimes you just know when you need to do something. Over two years later I do not regret it one bit.
The car has a bit of a history. It was a Cat N write off after what appeared to be a front end punt. One of the previous owners had got used replacement parts so that was sorted. Also it appears someone upgraded the brakes to VXR ones as I am told the standard brakes on the 5.7s were not good!
I also found out after blowing two power steering pumps on the track that a cooler was required. When we came to fit one, we found it already had one, just that it wasn't actually connected. We then replaced the cooler. I have also had to replace the radiator, rear springs, change an A/C pipe that blew and the driver's seat which had gone senile and kept positioning itself in gangster lean mode.
To be honest, I am not unhappy about doing these things. Coming out of a problematic 207 GTi with its constant engine issues, the Monaro never fails to put a smile on my face.
I have covered around 10k miles in it including a trip to Scotland to drive some of the NC500 and a Euro road trip to Berlin and back. The car was fantastic on both occasions! Just over 24mpg on the Germany trip wasn't too bad! I had also installed a Pioneer double din with Android Auto/Apple Car Play in it before the trip which was very useful.
Future plans including repainting the wheels and the front fog lights need fixing. I hope to make it to meet ups in the future so maybe might meet some of you then!
Thanks for reading!
As the title states, I have a 2004 Vauxhall Monaro that I bought back in May 2020. I hadn't planned to buy it but the opportunity arose and sometimes you just know when you need to do something. Over two years later I do not regret it one bit.
The car has a bit of a history. It was a Cat N write off after what appeared to be a front end punt. One of the previous owners had got used replacement parts so that was sorted. Also it appears someone upgraded the brakes to VXR ones as I am told the standard brakes on the 5.7s were not good!
I also found out after blowing two power steering pumps on the track that a cooler was required. When we came to fit one, we found it already had one, just that it wasn't actually connected. We then replaced the cooler. I have also had to replace the radiator, rear springs, change an A/C pipe that blew and the driver's seat which had gone senile and kept positioning itself in gangster lean mode.
To be honest, I am not unhappy about doing these things. Coming out of a problematic 207 GTi with its constant engine issues, the Monaro never fails to put a smile on my face.
I have covered around 10k miles in it including a trip to Scotland to drive some of the NC500 and a Euro road trip to Berlin and back. The car was fantastic on both occasions! Just over 24mpg on the Germany trip wasn't too bad! I had also installed a Pioneer double din with Android Auto/Apple Car Play in it before the trip which was very useful.
Future plans including repainting the wheels and the front fog lights need fixing. I hope to make it to meet ups in the future so maybe might meet some of you then!
Thanks for reading!
Yes, welcome! As a recent buyer of a red 2004 5.7 Monaro may I congratulate you on your excellent taste 
How was it on track, and how did the brakes fare? I've got VXR calipers too. I would love to track mine once in a while, but am a bit bothered that if you need to upgrade brakes, suspension, wheels and tyres, and likely have to do something to the infeasibly loud exhaust to meet noise limits, I could buy a pretty decent track car for less!
My drivers seat is misbehaving in a similar manner. Good to know it's not just me.
Here's mine, looking very like yours
By the way, what is it with Monaros and private plates?!
How was it on track, and how did the brakes fare? I've got VXR calipers too. I would love to track mine once in a while, but am a bit bothered that if you need to upgrade brakes, suspension, wheels and tyres, and likely have to do something to the infeasibly loud exhaust to meet noise limits, I could buy a pretty decent track car for less!
My drivers seat is misbehaving in a similar manner. Good to know it's not just me.
Here's mine, looking very like yours
By the way, what is it with Monaros and private plates?!
Previous VXR8 owner here. I took that to the 'ring, Spa and Donington in the year I owned it and ended up having to replace the front control arms (bought with 12k miles on the clock and sold with 16k on it, so they really didn't like track work)
Anyway, that combination of LS engine and manual (although quite agricultural) is a real treat in this modern day. I trust you'll enjoy every minute of it.
Anyway, that combination of LS engine and manual (although quite agricultural) is a real treat in this modern day. I trust you'll enjoy every minute of it.
Alfred Pina said:
Previous VXR8 owner here. I took that to the 'ring, Spa and Donington in the year I owned it and ended up having to replace the front control arms (bought with 12k miles on the clock and sold with 16k on it, so they really didn't like track work)
Anyway, that combination of LS engine and manual (although quite agricultural) is a real treat in this modern day. I trust you'll enjoy every minute of it.
In the nicest possible way, I'm pretty sure the Monaro is somewhat tougher than the (more sophisticated) VXR8, certainly from reading the millions of posts over the years on here.Anyway, that combination of LS engine and manual (although quite agricultural) is a real treat in this modern day. I trust you'll enjoy every minute of it.
Yours looks fantastic! If you want to track yours occasionally, I would recommend getting some better pads and discs than just standard ones. I have been using EBC Yellow Stuff and they seem alright. Obviously bigger brakes are better but are more £££. Definitely make sure your P/S cooler is working or fit one if not!
FNG said:
Yes, welcome! As a recent buyer of a red 2004 5.7 Monaro may I congratulate you on your excellent taste
How was it on track, and how did the brakes fare? I've got VXR calipers too. I would love to track mine once in a while, but am a bit bothered that if you need to upgrade brakes, suspension, wheels and tyres, and likely have to do something to the infeasibly loud exhaust to meet noise limits, I could buy a pretty decent track car for less!
My drivers seat is misbehaving in a similar manner. Good to know it's not just me.
Here's mine, looking very like yours
By the way, what is it with Monaros and private plates?!
How was it on track, and how did the brakes fare? I've got VXR calipers too. I would love to track mine once in a while, but am a bit bothered that if you need to upgrade brakes, suspension, wheels and tyres, and likely have to do something to the infeasibly loud exhaust to meet noise limits, I could buy a pretty decent track car for less!
My drivers seat is misbehaving in a similar manner. Good to know it's not just me.
Here's mine, looking very like yours
By the way, what is it with Monaros and private plates?!
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