15th Jun 2022, 09:46
Sorry, must disagree. If you're talking about the VL Commodore, the poor body design led to air locks forming in the cooling system due to incorrect radiator height, causing overheating and the alloy head to crack.
If it is the VN, when it came out the tired 1962 Buick design needed fuel injection to give it a kick (not saying it didn't go, but the low overall auto first gear and light body were also needed), the thermostat was annoyingly squashed at the BACK of the motor (thankfully the heads were iron) where it was an absolute pain in the neck to replace, and the thing was exceptionally sensitive to lack of oil changes by owners (such as by my non-mechanical mate). His wife 'had a rod come through the block' driving it along the freeway because of this. I didn't believe it, so went to take a look at the block in the shop, and there was a hole on each side! Second gear band also broke in it (at less than 170,000 km), and he drove it around like that till he traded it in.
Thanks, I'll take my chances with my well-maintained CL 265 Regal.
At the request of another friend I helped him fit a '500' Holley carburettor, extractors and a two-inch exhaust system to his standard 4.3-litre automatic VK Charger 'White Knight' special, which in my mind was already a powerful car. As I wore the glasses, he left the tuning to me. It was frightening to see the difference a little backyard tinkering with carburetion and timing made to such a basic engine. From a standing start it just threw itself down the road. I will forever feel guilty for my part, after he subsequently wrote this beautiful car off. The only things that went wrong with it was the ubiquitous Valiant timing chain tinkle that could be heard when idling and the windows needing wooden wedges to stop them falling down (laughs).
It is ridiculous to compare cars built 20 years after a model, just like it would be ridiculous to compare the 1980s Commodores with cars built 20 years later.
4th Aug 2016, 13:28
I have had a drag with my CM Regal 265 e34 motor with extractors and exhaust with both a CL Charger and VP Commodore. The Charger got off the line best. Close contest between the 3 of them. The CM was pulling ahead of the Charger at 110km/h as the e34 motor, as distinct to the standard e33, was better up top.
I now have a VS V6 4 speed auto Commodore wagon with extractors, exhaust and cold air intake, and it would blow a 3 speed auto Chrysler out of the water. Perhaps a 4 speed CM with extractors and exhaust would be a closer match. With a big carbie like a 625 Carter, it could be a close call. Thought I would put my 20 cents worth in.