HSV Clubsport Problems

HSV had plenty to live up to when it was formed back in the late-1980s, following as it did the legacy established by Peter Brock’s HDT Special Vehicles. Brock had weaved his magic on a series of mundane Holdens and created cars deserving of the “special” tag. Brock’s cars are now very collectable and gaining in value.Despite lacking the Brock name HSV has established its own niche in the market and has a strong following among high performance car enthusiasts. Its most prominent and popular model has been the Clubsport, a name first attached to an HSV-modified VN Commodore in 1990.MODEL WATCH The HSV formula was pretty simple, and well tried by many people, like Carroll Shelby and, of course, Brock, in earlier times. It started with a solid car, like a Commodore in HSV’s case, one that had plenty of potential for modification that would yield more performance without making it undrivable on a daily basis.In fact it’s been HSV’s mantra that they build refined performance cars and the VY Clubsport was true to that concept. Words like refinement, sophistication and quality were liberally splashed around on the release for the Y Series in 2002, a clear signal of HSV’s intent.By then HSV was aiming at buyers who were also looking at brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz and the like, but who perhaps couldn’t quite muster the readies to make that big a step.HSV had its own designer, although his work had to be endorsed by Holden’s design team before it could be released for production. Typically the styling enhancements were built into the easily swapped peripheral parts, like the front panel and airdam, the side skirts, rear panel and airdam and the bootlid spoiler. The addition of the kit of body bits had a dramatic effect on the Commodore’s appearance, taking it from family-friendly four-door to sports stunner.A lower stance, courtesy of the HSV-tuned suspension, made a major contribution to the overall sports look of the Clubsport, which was further enhanced by some sharp 18-inch alloy wheels filling out the wheel arches to the maximum.The sports theme was continued inside where the Clubsport boasted sports seats, a leather-bound steering wheel, sports dials, bright colours and sports highlights to reinforce the concept while maintaining a feeling of relative sophistication.Under the distinctive skin lay sports shocks and springs, which produced a sporting bias and sharper turn-in. It also boasted the HSV Performance Braking package, which included larger ventilated front and rear discs, and larger front calipers.No HSV would be complete without a big banger badge on the back denoting the improvement in power its engineers had been able to squeeze from the big-bore V8 under the bonnet.The standard 5.7-litre LS1 V8 was boosted to 260 kW at 5600 revs and 475 Nm at 4000 revs, which made it capable of propelling the 1600 kg Clubsport from zero to 100 km/h in less than six seconds if so desired.HSV offered the choice of a four-speed auto and a six-speed manual, and drive was through the rear wheels. ABS antiskid stoppers and traction control assisted drivers to keep the Clubsport safely on the black top.For an even sportier ride there was the Clubsport R8 with added enhancements, particularly the improved braking from the Premium Braking package, which included larger front and rear discs, and more powerful calipers.A year after the Y Series was released HSV updated it with a Series 2 version, which brought more power (285 kW) and torque (510 Nm), a heavy-duty four-speed auto trans, and on the R8 the Performance suspension that was previously only on the GTS model. Inside there were new seats with four-way power adjustment and new trim materials.IN THE SHOP The Clubsport is at the end of the day a V8 Commodore with a number of sports enhancements so it’s subject to the same shortcomings as the Commodore. The LS1 V8 suffered some piston related problems early on. They consumed oil and there was often a rattle at cold start-up, which Holden fixed by rebuilding complaint engines with new pistons. Check the records for a rebuild. If it hasn’t had a rebuild, listen carefully for piston rattle. It’s best observed just off idle by blipping the throttle when it should be clearly heard if it exists.Rear tyre wear has always been a problem with the HSV cars, it’s a consequence of the type of independent rear suspension Holden used, and made worse by HSV’s retuned set-up. Look carefully around the body for bumps and scrapes, the lower ride height and bold body bits are a recipe for damage on kerbs etc.IN A CRASH The Clubsport’s chassis is one of its strongest safety weapons, with agile handling, responsive steering and powerful brakes empowering the driver with the capability of avoiding a crash. If that’s not enough there’s front and side airbags for the front seat occupants to provide a final layer of protection.AT THE PUMP It’s a V8, a tuned one at that, so expect to be on first name terms with your local servo proprietor in no time at all. This thing will chew through fuel like there’s no tomorrow, especially if you can’t control your right foot. Driven normally expect 13-15 L/100 km on average around town, 10-12 L/100 km when you hit the highway.OWNERS SAY Dean McBain’s VYII Clubsport R8 manual hasn‘t missed a beat in 72,000 km. He drives it daily to and from work and he says it not only looks the part, but is a joy to drive, comfortable with room for a family of four. The seats are brilliant, it stops exceptionally well, and it goes harder than he’s prepared to push it, and on average he gets 13.5 L/100 km around town and nine on the highway. On the downside he’s had to fix is a leaking front suspension strut and he says the original Pirelli P-Zero tyres were too soft for road use and wore out in 20,000 km.LOOK FOR • Sports styling• Room for a family• High performance• Sports handling• Gas guzzler• High tyre wearTHE BOTTOM LINE Looks good, goes hard, but it’s not for the faint hearted or inexperienced driver.RATING 70/100

John Harvey took a huge risk when he decided in 1990, in the absence of his boss, John Crennan, to back his judgement and order a batch of cars from Holden for the first run of ClubSports HSV built. Thankfully for Harvey, whose position as HSV’s Marketing and Public Affairs Manager was on the line, his audacious move proved to be a master stroke and the ClubSport has gone on to become HSV’s top selling model.Harvey, rightly as it transpired, believed that there was a place in the HSV line-up for a more affordable car that delivered plenty of performance, but didn’t necessarily have the luxury that HSV models of the time had.The Bathurst champ knew from his time with Peter Brock’s HDT Special Vehicles outfit that there were plenty of buyers who wanted a V8-powered, Aussie-built sports sedan and didn’t want all the comforts of home when they took to the open road.With the HSV boss overseas on business Harvey took it upon himself to draw up the car’s specifications from the HSV parts bin, chose the ClubSport name, and placed an order for 80 cars.When he informed Crennan of what he’d done he was told in no uncertain terms that he’d better be right. Fortunately he was and all 80 cars were sold by the time Crennan arrived back in the country.“I had the authority to order cars from Holden, but ordering 80 cars at that time, when HSV was still a relatively small operation was sticking my neck out,” Harvey admits. “When I told John he indicated that it would be a good idea if I sold them before he got back.“Thankfully the HSV dealers were supportive and all 80 cars were sold before John arrived home.”So popular was the ClubSport that more than 400 VN ClubSports were eventually built. The ClubSport is now HSV’s most popular model, making up more than 50 per cent of HSV’s current annual production.MODEL WATCHHarvey knew there was an unsatisfied demand for a sports sedan that was high on performance but without the luxury and price tag of the models HSV was then building. It wasn’t rocket science, he was close to the HSV club movement and the dealer network and had been getting feedback telling him there was a demand for a less expensive car.He began with the VN Commodore Executive, which could be optioned with Holden’s 5.0-litre V8, and then turned to the existing HSV parts bin for the special bits and pieces.There he found the special intake and exhaust systems, which were already used on other HSV models. Then with some tinkering on the engine electronics the power jumped to 180 kW from the 165 kW of the standard VN V8.There was a choice of five-speed manual gearbox or four-speed auto transmission, the sports suspension was lifted from the HSV SV model, and the 16 x 7-inch alloy wheels had been seen on the ‘Batmobile’ TWR VL Group A Commodore.Inside, there were few frills. There was a Momo sports steering wheel, but the seats were standard Holden, the trim was standard Holden cloth, the windows were manual, as were the mirrors.Outside, the VN ClubSport had a single slot grille, a body coloured body kit made up of front spoiler, side skirts and rear wing, and ‘ClubSport’ badges to clearly identify it.It might seen a little basic, but that was Harvey’s intention. He wanted a sports sedan that could burn rubber without being burdened by too many performance sapping extras.IN THE SHOPThe ClubSport is one of those vehicles that falls within the enthusiast category of cars that tend to get better treated than the regular run-of-the-mill models. They usually get driven with greater care and maintained with more dedication, which means they’re usually in quite good shape when they come up for sale.The VN was a make-or-break model for Holden, the car that had to bring the company back from the brink of extinction. Thankfully it did, but it was built in a time of great austerity at Fishermans Bend, which meant it was built down to a budget.Build quality was ordinary which means that VNs today are generally pretty loose in the body, the trim is often falling apart, and the paint is fast fading.Mechanically the news is better. The Holden V8 is pretty solid and reliable, but have a good look for oil leaks, from the rear main seal, front cover, rocker covers, and oil pan. Also check the power steering carefully for oil leaks, from the pump and rack.The five-speed manual gearbox gives little trouble, but the auto needs regular servicing and often needs a rebuild around 150,000 km.It’s a good idea to check with the HSV Owners Club as you’re sure to find someone who knows the car you’re considering buying, and can give you the ‘real’ story.LOOK FOR• Sports motoring with family car comfort• Rumble of Holden V8• Solid proven engine and gearbox• Check for oil leaks from engine and power steering• Average build quality• Early Holden paint is prone to fading