Whilst I have limited experience on both motors, I can divulge what I do know. My housemate had a VS Berlina, dual fuel. It was shit because of previous owners. I unfortunately could get the gas system to 100% because I don't know enough about it, but I managed to solve an ignition issue it had had for a while. Long story short, new CAS, and all was well. This is an easy job. So, it's an easy motor to work on. I'd be confident that most basic to intermediate tasks also wouldn'tbe too difficult on an EcoTec. Re: AlloyTec, my brother's girlfriend bought one last year. I've yet to work on it, but the engine bay is very "concealed". I actually couldn't work out how many cams the damn thing had, I had to go look it up! But that is something to consider HoldenOn - EcoTec has pushrods, AlloyTec has quad cam. I'd suggest an VY EcoTec, because it's what you know, and I'm anal and afraid of change. Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

allotechs get leaks from the timing case, u gotta rip off the manifold, rocker covers and timing case 2 fit all new gaskets

Great info there guys. Thanks and keep it coming as it won't be for a month or two until I purchase one.

go the alloytec buddy. its a newer motor and if u can pick one up with bugger all Ks even better. i grabbed mine from the holden sunbury dealership with less than 43,xxx on the clock for 22k and 100,000k warrantry. im yet to service mine since they did the 45,000k serive and dont have to until it reaches 60,000. so far only ran into one problem and it was the powertrain light coming on because i was thrashin the box that hard. let it sit for a night n hasnt come on since.

if its just a daily then go for an ecotec my vs stato has just over 360,000 n still keeps going and going with no signs of feeling like it needs a rebuild! (heaps of k's due to previous owner taking it on country trips. so good k's i guess) only thing iv had rebuilt and tweeked is the tranny which was done about 40,000ks ago and since then its still going great..as long as you service every 5000ks they will keep going and going...pick one up in good shape n u'll be laughing. its also cheaper to buy one of these than an alloytec and im guessing its easier and cheaper to work on. i recommend a VX II model ecotec..best ecotec model i reckon, nice n smooth and no probs

I have a Sep 04 VZ wagon I bought in dec 07. It's very nice to drive as a daily (almost to the point of making my CT feel old!). I have found the aloytec to be very pokey down low (0-70ish), but on the freeway at 100 mashing the pedal to the floor one would expect a bit of get up and go, knowing its not an 8, I was very disapointed as it just revved out and slowly accelerated. Other readups I have read state that the VZ's aloytec lacks research and testing in refining the software running the aloytec. Although a readup from powerchip stated that their flash upgrade to the VZ computer fixes these complaints and transforms the car into what you would expect from it! But thats jusat under $1000 for that. But like you said HoldenOn, your after a daily driver and the way you described your driving style I doubt that this issue would ever bother you. As for reliability, I have only had one drama with it. I made the mistake of taking off the power steer reservoir cap with the engine running and it drew in air and makes noises! Not good, but running it with the cap back on bled the air out and fixed it. No probs with it since (that was over a year ago). The good thing about the aloytec is the oil filter. It's on top and is only a bare element that drops into the engine and thus makes it a far cleaner process to change them. As for economy, I was running up the newcastle freeway for a year in it going to work and using about 30K's of the freeway each way and was getting between 9 and 10lts per 100km. But I was pretty heavy with the right foot too.

Alloytecs aren't that bad of a motor, idle a little rougher than the ecotec, but thats no biggy. Main things to watch out for that I have seen on them are coolant leaks from the outlet on the motor the top radiator hose joins to, coolant leaks from the gasket behind the timing cover (water gallerys for the water pump... big job), Lack of servicing causing all the oil gallerys to gum up (I would recommend an oil change around every 10,000km instead of 15,000 as the book says), have seen a few stretch the timing chains (Not by much, but enough for the cam angle sensors to pick up on and log a DTC.. engine light on) and the odd coil failure, but thats not heaps common.. Replacing the thermostat on them is a fair job, its at the back of the motor on top of where the bellhousing bolts on, lack of space back there is the problem. If you get one just take it to a holden dealer and ask them to make sure all the ecu software is up to date, there has been a few updates in software for them which fixes a few things.

I think the alloy tech is high tech and high maitenance, but like the ecotec after a while you will see some high power modded ones but for now most dudes are happy with a free breathing ecotec as they are a simple power plant with plenty of zip for a stocker.

Quote: Originally Posted by paparazzi phantom t where ya goin with the alloytec bein gutless. i had a run against a vt ss which had pace maker extractors, hi flow cat 2 1/2" zorst and chomped it. i do have a vz sv6 which is the high output motor. the alloytec motor is by far way more ballsy than the ecotec and alot better on fuel. ok i have only driven an ex pursuit vz, so the normal output (not 195kw), so prob thrashed, and a wagon, lowered tho!(fe2) well maybe the vtss couldnt drive haha lol especially with those mods, lt should have kicked your arse easily, especially on take off! although my vt is pretty quick in power mode, will rev out when floored! the vt just seemed to have more grunt, and way more mid range! oh and the steering was absolute crap on the vz, had play it in! and not very responsive. my vt has 145k on the clock and drives like new, steering is smooth and responds with the slightest touch! but yes not as good in fuel economy! the only thing i have a problem with is i smell fuel sometimes and when at idle very rarely, but sometimes it loses revs but doesnt stall! engine light comes on but goes off again after a min!

I've heard nothing but good things about they alloytec but if you're not bothered about performance etc, I can't see why you'd not just go for the ecotec. They are reliable and proven (if nothing else) and much simpler and cheaper to repair if anything does go wrong - plus definately cheaper in initial outlay, too. I'd just save the money and get the ecotec. Why spend the extra on 'benefits' you don't need or even really want? VY calais sure would be nice, I think when you're cruising around in it looking pretty fly for a white guy, what's under the hood is going to be the last thing on your mind Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

HoldenOn: i would go for the newest Calais possible! dont mess around with older cars, especially for a DD! Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

Quote: Originally Posted by HoldenOn Thanks so much for that post....with such wisdom displayed, I think I am now swaying towards getting a V8...........NOT! If you haven't got any comments which are helpful towards the thread and display a little more thought than going to the toilet, then please keep out of my thread. Thanks lol!

Thanks heaps for all the comments guys. Especially a couple of the last few comments which were really in depth and were fantastic. Well guess what.......I purchased my new daily driver a week ago. What is it you may ask?........I will tell you in a minute. If anyone wants a clean Rare 5 Speed Manual VS Series 2 'S' Pack V6 Ecotec Commodore, then please look in the WA Section for my For Sale thread. Well my new car is a 2004 VZ Calais with Alloytec 190kw and 5sp Active Select Auto. I went for this car as I wanted as much luxury as I could get (hence the Calais), but I also preferred as new as possible but not a VE as I prefer the VZ shape at this stage plus price of VE isn't what Im looking to pay. I did some research also and asked my best mate who has been an auto elec for 15 years and he hasn't seen any major concerns with Alloytecs, plus I asked the head mechanic at my holden dealership who I know pretty well as I used to work there, and I asked my Transmission Guy who builds my VL Gearboxes for my 10sec VL Berlina Turbo and has been in the game for 30+ years and all comments with regards to transmission and engines were positive and if serviced correctly, then issues are not common. Every engine has little niggling issues at times, but thats normal and no real concerns were voiced with regards to the 5sp Auto and Alloytec 190 engines. It has every conceivable luxury component that I want. It comes from factory lowered with FE1.5 suspension, 17inch rims, and it drives so smooth and fantastic. I didn't want leather as my choice is velour and always has been, and I wanted a white vehicle if possible. The perfect car came up when viewing drive.com 2 Tuesdays ago. After viewing this white calais with velour, I sent an email, got a call next morning from caryard and headed up to Perth to view after the call. I took it for a drive and told the salesman that I preferred leather (lying ofcourse so as not to look too interested) and said brakes needed machining and only nit picked as if to say that its not a perfect car, but it actually was a very nice, well maintained vehicle. It has 88,000kms on the clock and full service history and was perfect for me being white with velour and latest VZ model. This caryard acquired it from a guy who traded in on a cheap 4wd. This caryard doesn't normally keep cars higher than 5k and wanted to sell as he had it for 2 weeks and it was keeping him from buying effectively 3 cars of 5k instead of having this calais sitting there. I paid $15,000 bank cheque which is a bargain and considering that he had for sale on the website for $18,990, I did very well. Most insurance companies put down market value which is anywhere from 19k to 21k. Plus most similar vehicles for sale still are over $20,000 with similar features and specs and km's etc. I used a fantastic website (I will put the link below). This helped me to compare full specs on the VY and VZ and being that I wanted to spoil myself with my daily and I wanted as much luxury and safety as possible, then this VZ was an obvious choice. Especially the upgrades compared to the VY to all the safety features. It has everything you could want including electronic stability program, upgraded ABS, traction control, elec brakeforce distribution, elec brake assist, 4 air bags, factory sports/luxury lowered suspension etc. I work hard and I wanted an awesome daily and I believe I got it. Plus the VZ had upgrades such as the 5sp Auto and the Alloytec 190 engine. As quoted by me earlier, power wasn't a main concern I was after, but it just happens that this car comes with the works and for the price, I would have been silly to go for an earlier model. Website Link: http://www.users.on.net/~nweber/commodore/ Pics Below; Needs a wash from the drive back from perth with all the bugs. Regards Matt Some original photos have not been recovered yet.

congrats on the buy. looks tuff in white, now jus needs to be slammed on some nice wheels =p

good price, nice car a mate had a white Gen III powered VZ Calais, I always admired it

Thanks guys. Im very happy with the purchase. Getting dark tint on the car in a week or so, and maybe a small upgrade with certain parts of the sound system, but undecided on that one yet. Had the big install in the VS and it didn't get used to its potential that often. There won't be any engine performance mods done, just cheap little touches that I like to do of my own. These include upgrading headlights, but Im not a HID lover yet (its a different sort of light, doesn't seem to be as bright), so I will be getting Philips plus 80% (although I don't think they are made for H9 and H11), or Osram plus 90% globes. I have put just a strut brace on under the bonnet. I was getting some servicing gear from my holden parts technician and I asked how much for a strut brace, he said $48 including the 4 nuts (I get trade price as I used to work there). At that price, I had one on the next day, and because the bolts were already on the strut towers, it was a 90 second install for the brace Some original photos have not been recovered yet.