Hey people, I am thinking of getting a Commodore. I currently have an R31 Skyline Silhouette 5spd Manual. And I was wanting to know if any of you happen to know how a 1997 VS Executive Auto performs, with the 3.8 V6. Do they go hard? Considering that A VL and an R31 have the same engine, how would a stock VL 5spd manual go against a stock VS Auto in a straight line, like 0 - 100 and stuff. I am happy with the Skyline, but I want a newer car, and a VS seems to be the way to go...any thoughts?

Yeah they're alright... i've got a '96 VS Lexcen which is the same ****. STOCK, it did a 16.1 down the quater... so that puts 0 - 100 somewhere around 8 seconds. A VL 5 Speed will get up and go quicker than a VS but really will be a close race. The VS has ALOT of low down torque. Make sure you know how to change alternators in them though, and they're plagued with cooling system issues so i'm told. They're pretty nice cars to drive.

So your Lexcen is an Auto? My mate also has an R31 5spd, and there is no way that I want him beating me once I get a VS. How do they do when you slot them into 1st rather than keeping it in drive?

Yeah the Lexcen is Auto... and slipping it into 1st and manually shifting won't do any good... the rev limiter is set up so at a certain RPM it'll shift it anyway... despite being in the 1st position. Chip it and you'll beat them... i got the Powerchip Gold 98 and she goes quite well. hit between 2500 and 3000 and its really pulling away.

How much are the chips? And where do ya get them?

Order them from Powerchip Group.... www.powechipgroup.com (http://www.powechipgroup.com) They're $490 i think and take 2 minutes for ANYONE to install.

I wouldn't say a VS has heaps of bottom end torque as compared with the previous model V6's they have been destroked and have less bottom end torque,the V6 from the VN-VR are a bit quicker off the mark (too quick for some people when they first came out) and they don't have a bad mid range to top end when allowed to breathe properly. THe reason I say that is because my parents have a VX Commodore and my brother has a VN,the VN had more go off the mark even when it was worn out and had an auto,an engine rebuild,headers and Supra 5 speed improved that again. The only things I have against the VS is they aren't a refined motor and they have a bad name when it comes to oil leaks,the VTII onwards motor was a dramatic improvement over the VS as it is a lot smoother and the VX we have has no problems with leaking oil.

He does have a very valid point... the VS is common for a couple of things... 1 - Oil leaks from the rear main 2 - Alternators burning out because of heat 3 - Water pumps corroding away and failing 4 - clogging radiators

get a VT man. my m8 just bought a VT series 2 last week. paid 12k at auction wit like 160kms. they really nice inside compared to the VR VS, then centre contol sorta comes out a bit more, and piss easy to install decent stereo into them. the stock 6's pull pretty hard considering my m8 got 9L's per 100kms. i have gotten to a point where i think i will put my moddin money aside and opt for a new car simply because of the fuel economy and comfort. just my 2c, chris.

I totally agree. I mean, I could mod my Skyline, and virtually have myself a VL Turbo, and where I live, in Ballarat, I would be able to take almost anything. But I also want the economy / features / comfort... I am actually thinking of going to the auctions in Melbourne, but my budget can't go beyond, $10k to $11k, so maybe a VT is out of it for me. I would love to get a VS or VT in the low 100,000's on the odometer. Condsidering your mate got a VT with 160,000 for $12k then I might be stuffed. I guess the next question is; is the 5.0 V8 any good? Would you get that over the 3.8 ECOTEC? I do not want to degrade in performance...compared to the Skyline / VL. Also, what exhausts do you people put on these things? I have a 2.5inch on the Skyline which sounds sweet as, how are they on the VS / VT??

my m8s is stock standard, and yes melb auctions.

i have a couple of mates with vs', ones a vs ute and another just an exec sedan... both have had no probs with them, and they drive them hard.. its the ecotec motor you want for better economy and that in the v6 which is vs onward... and my opinion is both there cars would be quicker then a vl or r31 5 spd, both of theres are auto also... reason i say this is the sedan always beats my other mates 5spd n/a vl, and the ute chopped a friend of ours 5spd r31... you never know, but thats how its been with them... my olds also own a 5spd vt, they go well too, and are nice cars to drive... also i have a vr 5.0L.. i reckon there a strong motor too, mine goes hard.. bit more fuel then then the v6 though..

How does the VN or VR SS compare with the VS ECOTEC? I can either get an older model V8 with higher k's or a newer V6 with lower k's. I am not sure what to do...

If i recall the VN to VS 5.0 Litre motor were unchanged they have around 165kw standard. The ECOTECH V6 goes pretty hard with good midrange and could keep up with the V8, but realistically the 5.0 has more get up and power on demand. Personally i think the 5.0 litre motors are a bit stronger than the VS V6's as they have stood the test of time OK. But if you were to work the VS V6 with extractors, exhaust, chip, better air flow or even supercharger, the power outputs would be similar to the V8. But having said that if you were to work the V8 with the same mods its gonna get up and boogie...

Hmm, sounds like the V8 is the way to go. But either way I think I will be getting a nice car. It is out of VS and VT for me, depending on the $$. There are so many things to consider. I am possibly gonna go to the auctions next week, with any luck I will find the perfect commodore for me. It would be nice if I managed to find a 5spd. Like I said, I think a VN / VP / VR SS (or just straight V8) would be nice, but I may swing towards a newer VS / VT with the ECOTEC... Insurance is another factor too. I dunno how much it will cost to insure these things. And I dunno if I can even drive a 5L V8. I have heard that I can. I will need to investigate it further.

yea, the ECOTEC ones are great, as i said 9L's per 100. he fills up, and the trip computer says like 630kms left. i'd go the vt coz the interior is awesome, even drivin and exec u sit in the driver seat, and everything feels so sporty, the look of the dash, etc. maybe it's just coz im used to 20yr old vl interior. melb auctions are really good too. best deals u get towards the end of the auction, thats how every1 i know buys their cars. every1 there is either got sumthin, or way out of their leage for what they want, and simply there are few bidder for car near the end. recently went wit parents friends and picked up a 2000 toyota corolla conquest, 1.8ltr, auto, a/c.....all the b/s, for 12gz. but dont forget u gotta pay stamp duty which is like 500. chris.

my parents have a vs auto, its pretty damn nice to drive, they've had a few problems with the auto in the past, just getting the bands fixed up, and now they've got an oil leak somewhere or other.. But they've had it for about 6 years or something? second hand car, runs damn well, has travelled many kms. goes hard, runs smooth, nice to drive. what more do you want. oh, and they can look awesome with a bit of lowering nice rims and tinted windows, nice paint. good exhaust.

Quote: Originally Posted by bextor84 oh, and they can look awesome with a bit of lowering nice rims and tinted windows, nice paint. good exhaust. FIRST thing you have to do is lower them....

Ok, well it seems that either a V8 or a V6 ECOTEC should be fine. I just need to go to the auctions and hope I get a good deal. I think ultimately I would like a VT, but if I found an earlier V8 or and earlier 5spd I would be very tempted. I really need to suss out insurance though.

Quote: Originally Posted by my88vl FIRST thing you have to do is lower them.... hehehe as im sure you've heard too many times