Monaro on track ?
Discussion
V8 or VXR.
If its the V8 then the brakes need upgrading . If its the VXR you're ok depending on i) how smooth you are ii) how late you brake iii)give it a decent cool down lap.
If you're into see sawing at the wheel then fit a power steering fluid cooler (like an oil cooler but....)
We're kitting 2 cars for track events and have been recommended by HSV to upgrade to 6 pot fronts as a precautionary measure. Its also giving me an excuse to fit a set of Ohlins to uprate the suspension.....and some interesting 'track only ' exhausts....
I'm sure someone on here has had a price for 6 pots
Stu
If its the V8 then the brakes need upgrading . If its the VXR you're ok depending on i) how smooth you are ii) how late you brake iii)give it a decent cool down lap.
If you're into see sawing at the wheel then fit a power steering fluid cooler (like an oil cooler but....)
We're kitting 2 cars for track events and have been recommended by HSV to upgrade to 6 pot fronts as a precautionary measure. Its also giving me an excuse to fit a set of Ohlins to uprate the suspension.....and some interesting 'track only ' exhausts....
I'm sure someone on here has had a price for 6 pots
Stu
Did a trackday in mine at Bedford, back in October. It was huge fun, although the fuel consumption and tyre wear were somewhat alarming!
Yes the car does roll a bit, but it didn't seem excessive to me. Bear in mind that it's a relatively heavy car, with the suspension set up biased towards comfort, rather than outright handling. No doubt a set of shorter springs and stiffer dampers would sharpen things up.
I had a Boxster before, but I'm still quite impressed with the handling of the Monaro, so thats saying something. The steering is accurate, but it feels a bit light, it could do with a bit more weight to it.
As for brakes.... The standard CV8 system is barely adequate for road use, if you ask me. 2 or 3 hard stops from motorway speeds, and they will fade .... badly! I've binned the lot, and fitted the AP 6 pot front / 4 pot rear system that is an option on some HSVs, wouldn't have done the track day without them. AP (UK) wouldn't sell them to me direct (something to do with the contract they have with HSV in Australia) so I had to get them from JHP in Australia. I fitted them myself, but the total cost still came to nearly £3.5k (!).... Oh well, they are superb!
The series 1 VXR's have a better system, with bigger 'PBR' discs and callipers, although they are still a floating calliper design, rather than opposing pistons, as is the AP system (better pedal feel)
I believe that the series 2 CV8's have had their brakes upgraded and now use the 'PBR' system from the series 1 VXR.
>> Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 23 February 20:14
Yes the car does roll a bit, but it didn't seem excessive to me. Bear in mind that it's a relatively heavy car, with the suspension set up biased towards comfort, rather than outright handling. No doubt a set of shorter springs and stiffer dampers would sharpen things up.
I had a Boxster before, but I'm still quite impressed with the handling of the Monaro, so thats saying something. The steering is accurate, but it feels a bit light, it could do with a bit more weight to it.
As for brakes.... The standard CV8 system is barely adequate for road use, if you ask me. 2 or 3 hard stops from motorway speeds, and they will fade .... badly! I've binned the lot, and fitted the AP 6 pot front / 4 pot rear system that is an option on some HSVs, wouldn't have done the track day without them. AP (UK) wouldn't sell them to me direct (something to do with the contract they have with HSV in Australia) so I had to get them from JHP in Australia. I fitted them myself, but the total cost still came to nearly £3.5k (!).... Oh well, they are superb!
The series 1 VXR's have a better system, with bigger 'PBR' discs and callipers, although they are still a floating calliper design, rather than opposing pistons, as is the AP system (better pedal feel)
I believe that the series 2 CV8's have had their brakes upgraded and now use the 'PBR' system from the series 1 VXR.
>> Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 23 February 20:14
Had a great time with my Supercharged GTS (VX series) on the track.
Biggest problem is the weight of the car, which if driven hard means massive wear on the brakes & tyres.
As well as the already mentioned mods.to brakes & suspension etc. If I was going to do regular trackdays, I would look into getting a spare set of wheels with some good track tyres.
Mark at LSV, has over the years prepared lots of race/track cars so I would have chat with him.
I don't know if the Monaro is fitted with a strut brace as standard. If not, fit one as this made a huge difference to my car. Got mine from LSV, for the same price as getting one from Aus.
Hope you get a Monaro, I'm sure you will enjoy it.
Biggest problem is the weight of the car, which if driven hard means massive wear on the brakes & tyres.
As well as the already mentioned mods.to brakes & suspension etc. If I was going to do regular trackdays, I would look into getting a spare set of wheels with some good track tyres.
Mark at LSV, has over the years prepared lots of race/track cars so I would have chat with him.
I don't know if the Monaro is fitted with a strut brace as standard. If not, fit one as this made a huge difference to my car. Got mine from LSV, for the same price as getting one from Aus.
Hope you get a Monaro, I'm sure you will enjoy it.
If you can track down a copy of last October's EVO, they tested the Alfa GT vs BMW 330Ci vs 350Z vs Crossfire vs Monaro (non-VXR)vs RX8 and the Monaro was second slowest round the track (after the Crossfire)- which surprised me. I seem to recall they criticised the slow gearchange, a bit of roll and possibly the brakes although ultimately they said it was a very entertaining drive and it just needed more power to overcome it's weight penalty around the track.
That's not to say the rest came out of it unscathed. The errant Alfa torque-steered for Italy, the "soulless" RX8 was gutless, despite it's track time, the Crossfire was dire and the two they praised were the BMW and the 350Z (which only has 2 seats so...buy a Corvette). So the entertainment choice would be common Beemer or unusual Monaro.
That's not to say the rest came out of it unscathed. The errant Alfa torque-steered for Italy, the "soulless" RX8 was gutless, despite it's track time, the Crossfire was dire and the two they praised were the BMW and the 350Z (which only has 2 seats so...buy a Corvette). So the entertainment choice would be common Beemer or unusual Monaro.
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