2004 GTO handling

SnakeEyeSS · November 24, 2003

Anybody see the slalom numbers for the 04 GTO. R&T got and "impressive" 63.4. This still dosen't seem on par with it's goal though. the 1988 R&T number for a BMW identical to mine just a few punds heavier was 64.6. IT does say that better tires would improve it though. I just fugured that condsidering Holden makes this thing, and it appeas to be aimed at taking a notch out of the European offerings.......

LarryE · November 24, 2003

alot of things could be better with that car.. starting with the name

Z71GUY · November 24, 2003

alot of things could be better with that car.. starting with the name

Yep, I agree 100%.

CMNTMXR81 · November 24, 2003

Funny how you forgot to mention right after sighting the emperical evidence that they claimed the car, despite it's "average" slalom numbers is perfectly poised, perfect controlled body roll and unbelievably predictable or something along those lines. Something the last M3 which turned better numbers WASN'T!!

That was done on rather smallish 245 series BFG all season radial tires on 17" rollers. One of the first mods on mine will be 275/40/17 rubber like on the Camaro OR I may upgrade to the 18" wheels and rolling stock that is used by the Monaro's.

I'm not going to start another argument about the car. I ordered it, I like it, and I like the name of it. They could've named it S H I T and I'd have still ordered it because it comes with LS1 power, funneled through a T56 and driving the rear wheels and is light years ahead of my F-Body in just about every respect. There are gonna be many a owner of those Kraut cars (you know, the ones that slalom at 64 mph instead) that are gonna be REALLY pissed when I unleash the fury of the Goat on them!

k1500chevy97 · November 24, 2003

werd

MCourson · November 24, 2003

There are gonna be many a owner of those Kraut cars (you know, the ones that slalom at 64 mph instead) that are gonna be REALLY pissed when I unleash the fury of the Goat on them!

monaroCountry · November 29, 2003

This car actually handles pretty well. I wont argue this point because I think its just pointless but here are some quotes from people who actually know their stuff.

"Handling isn't grip or mid-corner speed. Different things. Handling is the way the car behaves, the feedback it gives, the composure it imparts. It's got nothing to do with lap times or mid-corner speeds. "

Michael Taylor

Editor

MOTOR

Drive sent a holden to Germany to test against "Germany's four-door finery, a Benz AMG E55 and a BMW M5". Two drivers were used Mark Skaif who is the Australian touring car/bathurst champion and Anders Olofsson (swedish touring car ace) who is regarded by many as the king of the ring (Nordschleife).

Here is what Anders Olofsson's thoughts on the holden product.

"That's a real car, that GTS (closer to the GTO than the normal holden cv8 monaro), and that's a surprise to me. Honestly, I was a little bit disappointed by the Germans. There are many good things and many good parts to each of them but, driving-wise, the Holden's a better car for a pure driver. If you push the Commodore, you really get a good feel to it. When you drive it, all the technology doesn't take over."

Friday 7 July 2000

DRIVE

I tend to believe professional drivers not arm chair racers. FYI the holden did lap quicker than the M5 and the Mercedes-Benz's AMG E55 on the 20.8 km track.

99Silver6.0 · November 29, 2003

Anybody think this thing is gonna have some traction problems bieng a fully independent rear? I mean like from a light. Will it roast the tires off. Or will it hook pretty well? Just curious...

CMNTMXR81 · November 29, 2003

It'll roast them with ease! If I can slaughter a set of 275's, this thing will do the same to a set of 245's regardless of the rear suspension.

99Silver6.0 · November 29, 2003

I mean traction off the line while running say like at the track.

CMNTMXR81 · November 29, 2003

Oh yea! Most times when one launches at the track, they are at an elevated state of RPM. For instance, my sweet spot is around 3,300rpm and slipping the clutch.

You can bet that if I launch at that RPM, whatever tires on the back are gonna do a little spinning!

SnakeEyeSS · November 29, 2003

Funny how you forgot to mention right after sighting the emperical evidence that they claimed the car, despite it's "average" slalom numbers is perfectly poised, perfect controlled body roll and unbelievably predictable or something along those lines. Something the last M3 which turned better numbers WASN'T!!

That was done on rather smallish 245 series BFG all season radial tires on 17" rollers. One of the first mods on mine will be 275/40/17 rubber like on the Camaro OR I may upgrade to the 18" wheels and rolling stock that is used by the Monaro's.

I'm not going to start another argument about the car. I ordered it, I like it, and I like the name of it. They could've named it S H I T and I'd have still ordered it because it comes with LS1 power, funneled through a T56 and driving the rear wheels and is light years ahead of my F-Body in just about every respect. There are gonna be many a owner of those Kraut cars (you know, the ones that slalom at 64 mph instead) that are gonna be REALLY pissed when I unleash the fury of the Goat on them!

umm, that 64.6 is for my BMW. stock. 14" wheels. Tires made in 1988. Once I get the sway bars & strut bars, It's max corner speed is gonna go higher. When I get grippier tires, it's gonna go higher. If I ever lower it, it'll go higher. upgrade to better Bilstein's, it'll go higher. lighter, bigger, wider wheels, it'll go higher. Hey, I'd love to be able to get a new GTO, but I can't afford one. I just think they could have offered the buyer's a little more for the price.

Oh, and if you guys haven't seen the new "Car" magazine (British equivlent of CAr and Driver) you'll notice how England is also now getting this Holden, and I believe they will be getting the fire-breathing 400HP version before we do(NOT the LS6, a Holden tuned LS1, if you guy don't follow Holden, the Aussie GM guys tune the LS1 better than the North American GM guys, not to mention make a LOT better cars)

CMNTMXR81 · December 2, 2003

Holden in Australia also doesn't have many of the Government restrictions we do here stateside. Also GM's halo performance car is the ZO6 Corvette. It's also a little bit of politics. You can't have Pontiac's version halo car outstaging the Vette. But don't worry, the CTS-V with the LS6 and then possibly a "Judge" version of the GTO with the LS6 will be coming soon.

One thing you're failing to realize is that the LS1 and LS6 are the same motor sans some bay to bay breathing ports in the block, lighter weight pistons/rods, and revised heads and cam for the LS6. Later LS1's including the one in the GTO already benefit from the LS6 intake, so that's a moot point.

Doing a set of heads and cam is the minimum I'll be doing and the heads and cam I will chose will far exceed anything the LS6 has from the factory. I would expect some 500+ hp in that case. If I go the route I REALLY want, a nice little 427 stroker, I'll be looking at 500+ hp at the rear wheels! Both of these engines respond insanely to any form of breathing enhancements.

As to Holden's programming, Holden's are actually slightly more conservative than their stateside counterparts. Holden has also been exporting their cars all over the world (primarily the middle east for years now), so expanding into Europe isn't a surprise and all part of Holden's master plan.

Much like I am improving the power of my engine, I will be improving it's chassis and handling. So expect mine to turn in much greater numbers there also. But the fact still remains the same, that despite it's "Average" emperical data, people seem to love it's handling.

SnakeEyeSS · December 3, 2003

One thing you're failing to realize is that the LS1 and LS6 are the same motor sans some bay to bay breathing ports in the block, lighter weight pistons/rods, and revised heads and cam for the LS6. Later LS1's including the one in the GTO already benefit from the LS6 intake, so that's a moot point

.

Holden Has been making this, way before the LS6, for 5 years I believe

Much like I am improving the power of my engine, I will be improving it's chassis and handling. So expect mine to turn in much greater numbers there also. But the fact still remains the same, that despite it's "Average" emperical data, people seem to love it's handling.

of COURSE! I think it's great too! A GM Muscle car that can handling great, stock? Did a pig just fly by the window?

GO LUTZ!!!!! There had better be some contract renewing goin' on in a year or two when it expires

CMNTMXR81 · December 3, 2003

Thank you, that's all we're asking for.

The new GTO is a very high qaulity car (at least compared to anything GM produces Stateside), goes fast, handles great, brakes great, has a d**n great interior, has two useful back seats, all wrapped in a sleek contemporary (bland to some) package. It doesn't need flaring nostrils, wings, body cladding and other assorted Pontiac styling cues of the 80's to make it's presence known.