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Buying an AU XR6 series one VCT manual 

 

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 Post subject: Buying an AU XR6 series one VCT manual
Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 8:25 am 
Getting Side Ways
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Age: 38

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Joined: 20th Nov 2005

Ride: AU XR8 220 Manual

HI all,

I am looking at selling my hail damaged EL XR8 and buying a series one au xr6 vct, i like the big bodykits they have, it will also be a manual.

questions for you all,

- what sort of things should i look for when buying one of these?
- are the vct engines as durable as the HP and base model engines?
- do the au vct engines still have head gasket problems or were these pretty well soughted?
- do they have 3.45 in the LSD?
- what does the vct engine give ontop of the obvious VCT?
- what sort of performance could i expect with a full service (iridium plugs etc), full 2.5 exhaust with extractors, big intake scoop with K&N panel?

any insight from owners on what these are like as cars would be much appreciated

thanks
Jason
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 Post subject: Re: Buying an AU XR6 series one VCT manual
Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 8:40 am 
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Ride: AU XR8

Location: a shit suburb in sydney
NSW, Australia

the vct engine is just as good as the hp version, actually its pretty much the same except for the cam and vct function, the head gasket problems were pretty much sorted in the au, but still can happen if there are cooling issues,..
the only thing that can be a problem with the vct engine is the vct solinoid on the head is prone to leak oil.
powerwise the vct engine has 6 kw more than the std xr6 hp engine.

im pretty sure they have the 3.45 diff but i think lsd was an option as my mate had one new and it didnt have lsd diff..
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 Post subject: Re: Buying an AU XR6 series one VCT manual
Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 8:51 am 
Smokin em up
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Location: Port Augusta
SA, Australia

The XR6 HP doesnt have IRS, XR6 VCT and XR8 do. The VCT is slightly heavier and thefore slightly slower because of the IRS. Though at this stage it shouldnt make too much of a difference, the VCT should just handle a bit better.
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 Post subject: Re: Buying an AU XR6 series one VCT manual
Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 10:09 am 
Getting Side Ways
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Ride: EF Fairmont, XG Ute

VCT is nice, you can notice the extra punch at low revs. We have an auto and I love it. They are bad for rust, has slight bubbling in the RH lower Sill and a bubble on the back of the bootlid. Our EF in comparison has no rust.

Feels like a different car to drive though. Smooth, punchy, and the AU motors are much more refined. Ours has 3.45LSD and IRS, standard in VCT AFAIK. Diff is very tight, its a handful in the wet.

My only criticism is the seat shape is all wrong for the average Aussie, Im 6-3, just under 100kg and It gives me a sore back.

Definitely great cars though, and great value.
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 Post subject: Re: Buying an AU XR6 series one VCT manual
Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:07 am 
Getting Side Ways
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Ride: AU XR6

Power: 171 rwkw

Location: thornton
NSW, Australia

SLO247 wrote:

My only criticism is the seat shape is all wrong for the average Aussie, Im 6-3, just under 100kg and It gives me a sore back.



I'm 6-4 and between 105 and 110kgs and I dont have any issues, and my cars done 270000km.

 

_________________

9/98 AU1 XR6hp-about to retire from the road and be reborn on the race track.
86 ZL mint grandpa spec with premo sound and 150000km
07 TTG 60000km stock as, mods to come.
97 el futura about to be MOCKed

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 Post subject: Re: Buying an AU XR6 series one VCT manual
Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:41 pm 
Getting Side Ways
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Age: 36

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Ride: 1993 EB XR8

Location: BrisVegas
QLD, Australia

The only advice I can offer is check the diff bushes in the IRS. In a car that has copped a flogging, they will be stuffed.

 

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 Post subject: Re: Buying an AU XR6 series one VCT manual
Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 1:04 pm 
Getting Side Ways
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Ride: AU XR8 220 Manual

thanks for the advice folks, keep it comming.

i am shocked by the rust comments! why are these so much more prone than eseries? i have had two eseries now (NC V8 and an EL XR8 and not a spot on either of them despite not being garaged)

a real shame considering what a good car they otherwise are
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 Post subject: Re: Buying an AU XR6 series one VCT manual
Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 1:28 pm 
Getting Side Ways
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Ride: EF Fairmont, XG Ute

ebxr82nv wrote:
SLO247 wrote:

My only criticism is the seat shape is all wrong for the average Aussie, Im 6-3, just under 100kg and It gives me a sore back.



I'm 6-4 and between 105 and 110kgs and I dont have any issues, and my cars done 270000km.


I might have to fiddle with the seat more then.

270 is a fair amount. How is the car holding up?

Ours has needed front wheel bearings, all four discs, pads and a coolant tank cap. Up to 170K now.

It still hasn't leaked a drop of anything or played up at all. I'm very impressed by it.
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 Post subject: Re: Buying an AU XR6 series one VCT manual
Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2010 1:36 pm 
Getting Side Ways
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Age: 41

Posts: 1353

Joined: 15th Mar 2007

Gallery: 7 images

Ride: AU XR6

Power: 171 rwkw

Location: thornton
NSW, Australia

SLO247 wrote:
ebxr82nv wrote:
SLO247 wrote:

My only criticism is the seat shape is all wrong for the average Aussie, Im 6-3, just under 100kg and It gives me a sore back.



I'm 6-4 and between 105 and 110kgs and I dont have any issues, and my cars done 270000km.


I might have to fiddle with the seat more then.

270 is a fair amount. How is the car holding up?

Ours has needed front wheel bearings, all four discs, pads and a coolant tank cap. Up to 170K now.

It still hasn't leaked a drop of anything or played up at all. I'm very impressed by it.


cars not to bad little bit of cancer here and there, just had diff recod, gear box is fine appart from the miniscule extention housing drip. Its on its second motor but only cause I tried something that didnt work.

 

_________________

9/98 AU1 XR6hp-about to retire from the road and be reborn on the race track.
86 ZL mint grandpa spec with premo sound and 150000km
07 TTG 60000km stock as, mods to come.
97 el futura about to be MOCKed

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 Post subject: Re: Buying an AU XR6 series one VCT manual
Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 4:17 pm 
Getting Side Ways
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Age: 38

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Ride: AU XR8 220 Manual

im still shocked by it, any more experiences
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 Post subject: Re: Buying an AU XR6 series one VCT manual
Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 11:55 pm 
Tyre Shredder
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Age: 43

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Joined: 30th Nov 2007

Ride: AU111 XR6 VCT Supercharged

Location: Brisbane
QLD, Australia

SLO247 wrote:
ebxr82nv wrote:
SLO247 wrote:

My only criticism is the seat shape is all wrong for the average Aussie, Im 6-3, just under 100kg and It gives me a sore back.



I'm 6-4 and between 105 and 110kgs and I dont have any issues, and my cars done 270000km.


I might have to fiddle with the seat more then.

270 is a fair amount. How is the car holding up?

Ours has needed front wheel bearings, all four discs, pads and a coolant tank cap. Up to 170K now.

It still hasn't leaked a drop of anything or played up at all. I'm very impressed by it.


Mine is AUIII, so maybe a little different, but it has no rust - 146000km.

I agree with the seats, they're terrible. I'm 5'10" and 72kg. For me they just don't position you comfortably when cruising (yes i've tried every adjustment combination!), and don't have near enough bolster support to stop you swinging from side to side when cornering. Can't comment on if they're better or worse than E-series. I'm investigating aftermarket options right now!

Overall I think the VCT vehicles are a good way to go. More than any ability to vary cam timing, the main benefits are IRS and the LSD. These two items help to make a car which handles and rides quite well...period magazines suggested they handled, and particularly steered, better than than comparable HSV's.

Joe

 

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 Post subject: Re: Buying an AU XR6 series one VCT manual
Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 4:42 pm 
Getting Side Ways
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Age: 38

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Joined: 20th Nov 2005

Ride: AU XR8 220 Manual

Ok have done some more reserch and have a few more questions:

Some people have said to me the series one had 'problems' that were soughted out by series 2, what would they be refering to?

I have heard problems with pedal box pins and cracked fire walls, is this common, expensive to fix, and how can a spot it on one I might be looking to buy?

I have heard there are reasonable gains to be had by tuning the vct ecu as the factory tune is not that good, any thoughts? Will be looking to improve the factory performance

Can I easily fit the series 2 front brakes?

Thanks !
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 Post subject: Re: Buying an AU XR6 series one VCT manual
Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 4:56 pm 
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Ride: AU XR8

Location: a shit suburb in sydney
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TUF250 wrote:
Ok have done some more reserch and have a few more questions:

Some people have said to me the series one had 'problems' that were soughted out by series 2, what would they be refering to?

I have heard problems with pedal box pins and cracked fire walls, is this common, expensive to fix, and how can a spot it on one I might be looking to buy?

I have heard there are reasonable gains to be had by tuning the vct ecu as the factory tune is not that good, any thoughts? Will be looking to improve the factory performance

Can I easily fit the series 2 front brakes?

Thanks !



the pedal box/firewall cracking is an issue in manual cars from ea all the way to au3.

and the au ecu can be flash tuned and you will get some gains. the factory ecu is there to give you the best of both worlds, good power while keeping it economical..

and the series 2 brakes can be fitted, you will need the control arms, calipers, sway bar and mounts ect
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 Post subject: Re: Buying an AU XR6 series one VCT manual
Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2010 8:23 pm 
Getting Side Ways
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Age: 41

Posts: 1353

Joined: 15th Mar 2007

Gallery: 7 images

Ride: AU XR6

Power: 171 rwkw

Location: thornton
NSW, Australia

ashcook wrote:
TUF250 wrote:
Can I easily fit the series 2 front brakes?

Thanks !



You need all of this plus sway bar brackets.


I think I've seen that pic before :D I like the sway bar bracket comments.

 

_________________

9/98 AU1 XR6hp-about to retire from the road and be reborn on the race track.
86 ZL mint grandpa spec with premo sound and 150000km
07 TTG 60000km stock as, mods to come.
97 el futura about to be MOCKed

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 Post subject: Re: Buying an AU XR6 series one VCT manual
Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2010 11:36 pm 
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Joined: 13th Apr 2009

Ride: AUII XR6, EBII XR6

Location: Adelaide
SA, Australia

my pedalbox kind of started to go about 5000ks ago @ 172000, I drive it hard occasionally but nothing to drastic. Cost me $220 for a new clutch spring and re-inforcement. Some would say thats a hefty price but I don't know how to weld. Mine is an AU2 HP.

 

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AUII XR6: 5 speed, King Super Low Rears.

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