2000 VX Holden Commodore SS
5.7 litre alloy GEN III LS-1 V8, fuel injection, 4 speed auto
Purchased new in October 00 from R & B
Smith Holden.
Engine Specs : 225Kw @ 5200 RPM, 460Nm @ 4400 RPM
- 17x8" wheels with Bridgestone 235/45R17
- Limited slip diff, ABS Brakes, Traction control, IRS, Cruise Control
- Dual Airbags, Side Airbags, Tinted windows
- 1600Kg towbar
- Fuel economy : around 17L/100Km for my typical home<->work route
which involves a mix of 100/80/60Km/hr driving. Straight highway driving
drops the consumption to around 10 or 11L/100Km
Problems :
- Steering wheel/column suffers has vertical jarring when going over sharpish
bumps. For example, when driving down highway and go over where two different
sections of asphalt meet, or when you go over a speed hump, the shock transfers
from the suspension, up into the steering column. The vibration is severe enough
to loudly jangle keys hanging from the ignition, and the shaking is clearly
visible on the wheel. Told the Holden service dudes about this at 1500Km
service, but after testing they said they saw nothing abnormal. They claimed
that because I have the steering column extended almost fully that this will
amplify any vibration. However since I have owned several other commodores
including trading to the VX SS from a VT SS, I know this vibration is not
normal. The problem eases if you let the tyre pressure down a bit, but if you have them inflated
at the recommended 34psi the problem is pretty noticeable. This has become less noticeable
with age, and now (post 20K service, it isn't a real problem).
- Clunking noise from diff during slowing to a halt. This problem became evident at around 8000Km. Exact same problem as experienced on my VT SS. As you slow to stop at lights or intersection, you get a loud clunk from the diff. I mentioned this to a guy who works in a
Holden workshop and he knew all about it. Apparently the problem is known as 'rollback clunk' or similar. It is a fault of the BTR diff and affects many commodores and falcons. The fix is to flush the diff's oil and reload it with a different type. If that
doesn't help, the diff needs to be replaced. I
asked for the dealer to investigate problem at 10K service and they said they
couldn't find anything wrong, and that the clunking noises were normal (Grrr!).
At 20K service I chased it again, and this time they said "Oh, your car
hasn't got the latest software flash.." Apparently there is a newer flash
available for the Auto trans that smooths operation. They did the flash and I
found the auto was now smoother and the problem occurred less often. However
it still happens and it does annoy me a fair bit.
- A reasonably loud resonance when driving at exactly 110Km/hr. This is only usually
evident when the engine is warm. It sounds like it is coming from somewhere in
the induction system .
Comparison to VT SS Series II :
- Interior trim around dash and console are much nicer - with the use of black
and silver colors rather than "all black" in the VT. The red colored dials are
good to look at, particularly at night when the backlighting of the needles
lights it up with a cool glow.
- Power and transmission are very similar - no noticeable improvements there.
- Body kit looks much better on VX from front and sides. Not so keen on VX
tail light treatment though. Didnt like the VX alloys initially (looked a
bit plain), but now think they look better than those on the VT
- Rest is pretty much the same
Well, by now my car is about two and a half years old. It still only has low
K's (25,000)
Was considering what to do :
- Trade-in on an VY SS (nah dont really like the styling)
- Trade-in for a XR6 Turbo. (look good, good motor, but a lot heavier than
commodore which blunts performance)
- Trade-in for an XR8 Boss 260 (same deal as XR6 turbo)
- Keep and do some upgrade mods.
In the end, I decided to keep my VX and do the upgrade mods :
By G&D Performance, Cranbourne :
- Di Fillipo 4-1 headers
- Hi-flow cat's
- Twin 2.5" G&D Exhaust
- HSV cold air intake
- K&N filter
- LS1Edit (fuel/spark, auto transmission, etc)
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The exhaust is now reasonably loud, particularly noticeable at low-ish RPM under
throttle. It sound like a big V8 now - not a half blocked vacuum cleaner!!
Car has much more power, from idle right through to peak
LS1Edit remapping of the automatic transmission has made a remarkable
difference. The gear changes have been sharpened up under light and full
throttle. Slur has been removed and gear changes now snap through in a fraction
of a second - its so much better!
When you do the maths it shows that my car now has around 280kW at the
flywheel
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