Commodore VL vs Aussie R31 Skyline

[Zahos]

maybe thats why i never bought one?????

When i was looking for cars, I'd seen too many VL's with rattling interiors, mismatched gaps between panels, even warped centre consoles....

Besides have you seen how SH!TTY the VL interior is?????

Apparently, they blew most of their budget sourcing the RB30 (including research, to find a suitable replacement for the 202), so they were restricted in what they could interior wise...

Even the Calais is shocking......

Do you need to own one to know that the build quality is shit?

[TIMMMAYYY]

most of the younger generation will know nothing about a car but will in fact say it's shit becuase they're mates did, or someone on a forum did.

gives a car quite a bad rap when they aren't half as bad as whats actually believed.

[Zahos]

yeah, i know what u mean....

like guys who grew up with a holden in the family and only ever buy holdens b/c of that, and piss on Fords when they see them...... and vice versa

doesn't change the fact that a VL is a piece of shit with good motor

[TIMMMAYYY]

yea so true. Im not saying VL's are built well.. quite frankly I dont care, because i own a R31 and its what interests me. But so many people have no idea and just say the same as what others do.

[SATO GTS]

doesn't change the fact that a VL is a piece of shit with good motor

exactually zahos ..

just think what the vl would be like with the old 202 or a vk black motor in it ..exactually the same as a vb or vk..

nissan all the way..

[88silhouette]

yeah baby. nissan tough

[predator]

exactually zahos ..

just think what the vl would be like with the old 202 or a vk black motor in it ..exactually the same as a vb or vk..

nissan all the way..

History: Holden had to develop an unleaded version of their engines to meet emissions standards that were coming up in 1986. They were developing their own engine, but had all sorts of delays and stuff ups (e.g. they couldn't even do it right!) so basically in the end they had to cave and buy the Nissan engine at the last minute.

Now what is still the most popular 6 cylinder of the 80's? both the VL RB30e powered commodore and VL RB30e turbo .. funny.

[88silhouette]

History: Holden had to develop an unleaded version of their engines to meet emissions standards that were coming up in 1986. They were developing their own engine, but had all sorts of delays and stuff ups (e.g. they couldn't even do it right!) so basically in the end they had to cave and buy the Nissan engine at the last minute.  

Now what is still the most popular 6 cylinder of the 80's? both the VL RB30e powered commodore and VL RB30e turbo .. funny.

good info there mate.

unfortunately (correct me if I'm wrong) soo many really fast commodores run at the drags using souped up rb motors. unfortunately the drag enthusiasts don't choose to use a r31 as their car to work up. but who cares.

RB all the way. VL is one of the best commodores. only commodore that didn't have pushrods at the time.

but anyway, something off the topic, go and get yourselves a copy of the 1992 Bathurst race. Godzilla all the way. Commodore and Falcon don't even get much coverage in this race hehe.

If only a Nissan Skyline could satisfy your sexual needs. Who'd need a woman after that!

Cheers, MARK

[VIPERGTSR01]

RB all the way. VL is one of the best commodores. only commodore that didn't have pushrods at the time.  

the VL still came out with a pushrod V8 dont forget

[predator]

With regards to the above... was thinking about that myself. Not sure how they managed to get the V8 through with the laws. Maybe it was just a volume thing. xx cars or % had to be shipped with tighter emissions controls. Somebody here probably knows better than me on this??

The VK 6cly engine was a bit of a dog anyhow, and lost a stack of power on the VB, and VC motors. VN wasn't too much better, but I think by about VP and onwards at least they got the power levels back up again.

Holden Australia is interestingly enough supplying the "new" generation V6 they're building to a go to number of overseas manufacturers to put in their vehicles. One of them is to go in one particular vehicle (unfortunately i forget the actual manufacturer but it wasn't too minor), and with head modifications puts out a fair bit of power in turbo form. So will we see another turbo powered holden in future?

[slip]

Saab may use a 3.2L twin turbo HF V6 in one of their cars.

I sell VL's and R31's, the VL is nowhere.

[88silhouette]

the VL still came out with a pushrod V8 dont forget

sorry dude, forgot to mention I was talking bout the sixes.

[SATO GTS]

one thing i cant stand is when a vl driver will drive past you and yell out that nissan's suck but correct me if im wrong dont they have a NISSAN RB30E motor installed in them???

why are they so pathetic in knowing about there own vehicles history and understand that the motor in there car is made by the manufacturer that they are ripping off?? go figure.

[JezR31]

one thing i cant stand is when a vl driver will drive past you and yell out that nissan's suck but correct me if im wrong dont they have a NISSAN RB30E motor installed in them???

why are they so pathetic in knowing about there own vehicles history and understand that the motor in there car  is made by the manufacturer that they are ripping off?? go figure.

it says Holden on the rocker cover, i suppose they dont know any better.

[Bax]

Well if a VL driver doesn't know his own car has a Nissan engine in it he deserves to be called a tool.

I've got an 88 model 5spd VL, and I had a race with a mate in his 31 also 5 speed, I had Rims, exhaust extractors. His was stock rims and exhaust, I started pulling away towards the end of the 400.

Yeah the 31 has a nice build, The shape is alright, but there are ALOT of poor looking 31's around, just like there are many poor looking vl's around.

I think everythings been said about VL having issues with CAS, I only just replaced mine a month ago after 15 odd years of service. Cracked heads - only because of incorrect filling of coolant. Because the radiator is lower then the engine.

I prefer the vl for looks, without kits etc. Interior is a tough one, theres going to be mixed opinions due to bias etc. But I think the skylines interior is a little boxy, in the dash etc, where as the vls dash seems rounder, as for carpet, center console and seats I'd take the skyline.

Yeah, drum brakes suck, 25 spline is fine for n/a power. But all in all they are both great cars. However I'm selling my vl to get a 32. Need something a touch newer. (not because I don't want a vl)

[EJ]

im a big fan of the vl but i gotta go 4 the aussie r31 because im a nissan man

[h8t_copsr32]

how the *** can u compare both cars when they basically the same car diffirent weight and shape

nissan has be re-knowed for building good engines but you cant compare in my oppinion

i work at parry nissan performance and when it comes to it nothing will every beat pure v8 cubic inches... sorry people

[Rollin]

RB all the way. VL is one of the best commodores. only commodore that didn't have pushrods at the time.

the VL 6 cylinder is the ONLY commonwhore EVER to NOT have pushrods - every single commo that has come from the factory has had them - GenIII - pushrods. VY V6 - pushrods. they dont even have alloy heads! still all cast iron block and heads. i dont care what anyone says, the V6 is a shocker.

i work at parry nissan performance and when it comes to it nothing will every beat pure v8 cubic inches... sorry people

thats a pretty silly thing to say - if its true, then why are all the fastest pro-street cars rotories? (and dont think i like it!!! i want a turbo straight 6 to be up there!!)

BOOST: The Ultimate replacement for displacement!!

back to the topic at hand, i have not had any personal experiencs with either of the two cars, but would pick the R31 just on looks (i reckon the R31 GTS's were awesome lookers - the ones that were all white from factory....mmmmm sexy.)

but meh, i have an EB XR6 so what would i know

[predator]

r31 are still fun cars to drive in quite a few ways.. even though i have a turbo r33, the r31 that i also own is still good to drive. If anything i like the auto, nice and responsive.

The n/a R33 RB25DE only puts out a bit more power than the R31 RB30E anyhow. Both do similar 1/4 mile times (anywhere from 17's to low 15's).

[davehoos]

I was a mechanic at a nissan/holden dealer when they were new cars.and again in the mid 1990's.Ive owned both.i think the r31 is nice to look at but in 1986 the vl was sexy space age stuff..

the build quality on a R31 alters,the first ones are just ok by jap standards [good by local standards]the ser 3 had some major fixes but some shoddy end of run rushed out the door bits to cut costs.paint was years ahead of other local makes.

the first VL were bad and the second model are nearly ok.build quality finish design and factory rust ....unless you have a special order or a berlina/calias forget about body finish.electrically VL are better than VK but that nothing to rave about.The R32 dash on the holden is ok to use but in 2004 the ultraviolet is taking its toll.shame the rest of the car is holding out.cooling system.the holden was designed for a 1900 4 cyl in sub zero conditions.the cooling system has never worked in these V chasis untill the reworks of the VP/VR.THE FIRST VN HAD NISSAN INTENDED COOLING SYSTEMS.it doesnt work on a vn as it was intended to fix the RB,VG engines.

handelling the R31 is a compromise,i have an IRS model as well as the 5 link and for most australians i think the 5 link is best.other wise the R31 range is very good.

VL well they tried.they had not much to start with chasis wise and had to cut the budget as well.It's lucky that most of them go it a straight line.

I alway thought the VL was faster but the skyline was very good at suburb crawls.but this is just that the gearing on both cars are wrong.