26 replies to this topic

[Evan]

There was a big write up in AMC a few months ago on them.
From what i can remember they seemed pretty good , but also had bad points about them too.
Im sure someone here can tell u what issue number it was , i would but im not at home atm .

Evan.

[mr5000]

havent driven a coupe 4 but have driven an adventra x8 and i thought it was grouse tons of grip plenty of power and the monaro looks cooler

[MRLXSS]

Being an LS1, they have a heap of un-tapped potential mate!

Exhaust, OTR, Tune, Cam etc etc and the motor would be an absolute weapon! I always liked them since they came out... But i have only ever seen 2 in person

[A9X]

I've driven one.

Looked to buy one but got put off by the cost at the time.

I wasn't overly impressed by the performance but i figure the low numbers will make it an eventual collector.
Lack of motorsport heritage will let it down.

If you are after one, now is definately the time.

[ls2lxhatch]

This review is pretty damming.
HSV Coupe 4 "Less than the sum of its parts"

[Heath]

I've been a passenger in one and I didn't really get a chance to see what the handling was like - it was being pushed a bit but just in a suburban area, so I can't comment on the feel of the weight distribution, the quality of the all wheel drive system etc.

What I can say is that it was the most boring LS1 ride I've ever had. It doesn't have enough power to need four wheel drive in a straight line obviously. The only reason you would want an AWD Monaro is for spirited driving, and that needs more power. This thing has less power than a CV8 (I didn't know that until I read it but it doesn't suprise me) - and a CV8 doesn't really have traction problems anyway. This thing (to me) is a glorified shopping trolley that seems to have inferior fuel efficiency and performance than a normal, perfectly good manual V8 Monaro.

Don't get me wrong though; the idea of a four wheel drive Commodore was cool. I've just never been in any that impressed me

[orangeLJ]

I know that the adverturas are meant to have drivetrain problems (and im sure the coupe 4 was the same) when you up the power.

Hence the reason why they limited the LS1 power in the coupe 4 and even in the adventura V8s.

[ls2lxhatch]

I know that the adverturas are meant to have drivetrain problems (and im sure the coupe 4 was the same) when you up the power.

Hence the reason why they limited the LS1 power in the coupe 4 and even in the adventura V8s.

According to the drive article the power was restricted by the header design.

While two-wheel-drive HSV cars of that era could be fitted with effective exhaust headers to squeeze out 285 kilowatts, the Coupe 4 was stuck with a rather less efficient set of manifolds, so at 270 kW peak power was down on the rest of the HSV pack.

Edited by ls2lxhatch, 09 September 2009 - 03:00 PM.

[dattoman]

My old datto used to beat one up the hillclimb at Barbagello

[Evan]

hey bundy.

Im home now and the issue was "44", the one with the red GT-HO on the cover.

It has a 7 page write up on the coupe 4

Evan.

[yel327]

My Cross8 has the same basic drivetrain as the Coupe4, and runs about 180awkW (or just over as the after run backed off early and it was still climbing), which would be equivalent to about 220-230rwkW in a rear drive auto. It's an LS6 bottom end with LS1 top end, bog stock with 3.5" single complete system (high flow cats) and tuned for 95 or E10. Dyno sheet showing before and after attached. I imagine the coupe4 with a 270kW flywheel rating would be similar. Yes i'd like more power, but the AWD knocks it back a bit. Compared to my bog stock V2 CV8 auto (which feels like a go-kart), the Cross8 feels like a barge, but it does have some serious mumbo once moving. Traction is never an issue and even though it wallows through corners it exits under power like a scalded cat. The coupe4 would be heaps nicer to drive, handling like my CV8 but grip like the Cross8.
4L65E is a weakness but there is a Cross8 getting around with 409rwkW (twin turbo) and it seems to handle it. I'd recommend a Cross8 as a tourer anyday, a Coupe4 would be icing on the cake in my opinion. I've been thinking of buyng one for the mrs and parking the CV8 in the shed for good.

Heath, a V2 CV8 doesn't have tractions problems? - excuse the French but bu!!sh!t! The only reason mine doesn't is it has traction control to boot your foot off the pedal. Turn it off and stomp it on a normal road and you get instant smoke screen. This is a stock V2 auto with 230kW, a VZ with 260kW would be worse.

Attached Files

•  Dyno_Cross8_after_original1_for_web.jpg   237.15K   6 downloads

[Heath]

Just my opinion mate. Anything will go sideways if you boot it hard enough, I think the LS1 Commodores with that series of IRS picked up pretty bloody well considering the power they had. Each to their own

[yel327]

Just my opinion mate. Anything will go sideways if you boot it hard enough, I think the LS1 Commodores with that series of IRS picked up pretty bloody well considering the power they had. Each to their own

Compared to live axle stuff you are probably right, but in all honesty I reckon the biggest flaw/drawback with my CV8 is it's lack of traction. In a softer suspension and taller profile tyres like an SS or Calais it might be better, but with the stiff CV8 suspension and ultra low profile tyres (from memory they are 35 or 40) it just doesn't grip well on takeoff with even moderate throttle application. Once driving it's fine. I'm not sure what's different in a V2 Monaro suspension but they are heaps stiffer than any Commodore or Statesman (or Holden if you count an SS ute) that I have driven.

[Dr Terry]

Just my opinion mate. Anything will go sideways if you boot it hard enough, I think the LS1 Commodores with that series of IRS picked up pretty bloody well considering the power they had. Each to their own

Compared to live axle stuff you are probably right, but in all honesty I reckon the biggest flaw/drawback with my CV8 is it's lack of traction. In a softer suspension and taller profile tyres like an SS or Calais it might be better, but with the stiff CV8 suspension and ultra low profile tyres (from memory they are 35 or 40) it just doesn't grip well on takeoff with even moderate throttle application. Once driving it's fine. I'm not sure what's different in a V2 Monaro suspension but they are heaps stiffer than any Commodore or Statesman (or Holden if you count an SS ute) that I have driven.

Isn't it just the combination of FE2 type suspension & silly 'no profile' tyres. I do know that the steering ratio is more direct on Monaros only, but that shouldn't affect the ride quality.

Dr Terry

[MRLXSS]

This one hooks up fine....

It just runs the FE2 Springs, standard read shocks, 90/10 front shocks.

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Oh, but that is running full slicks there hahaha.

My Tune SS ute, with about 230-240rwkw, M6, 3.46 ratio and standard 17" wheels and tyres, manages to get the power down to the ground pretty wheel... I dont just stamp on it though, I will get it rolling first, let the clutch fully out then stamp on it, and it just goes... When i tried straight launching it at the drags, it did just spin the wheels. I see where Heath is coming from, but Heath, have you driven an LS1? Or just going on passenger seat observations? You may have just been in the car with someone who knows how to take off without smoking it up!

[myss427]

I have a 2003 CV8 as well, it has 230 RWKW and if you accelerate hard it will pull your foot off with the traction control. Sometimes with a hard 3rd gear change you can break traction. I have VE SS wheels with Mitchelen Pilots and can fry them if I want.