Ford possibly testing new twin-turbo V6
February 8, 2008 by Paul Maric
After a recent outing in country Victoria, one of our photographers happened to have his equipment on him when he spotted what is believed to be Ford’s new twin-turbo V6 testing in a BF Falcon mule.
Although we can’t mention the car our photographer was in – to keep their anonymity – it was a quick, V8-powered vehicle capable of getting to 100km/h from a standing start in around five seconds.
The photographer described how this mule was pulling away from them at full throttle in second gear. The photographer also described the noise as being quite loud and certainly that of a turbocharged car, they mentioned that it sounded different to the inline six currently used in the Ford range. This hints at the new twin-turbo unit being tested in time for the 2010 cut-off of Ford’s venerable 4.0-litre inline six .
The twin-turbo version of the Duratec ‘Cyclone’ engine is suspected to produce over 310kW, bringing the turbocharged monster in line with products on offer from HSV.
Print it: 
TP – you need to remove your head from your rectum and see the light of day, if you believe Ford cant build a reliable performance V8. Try venting your ignorance to the NSW Highway Patrol – for whome the XR8 is a favoured presuit vehicle ( I think they might now a little more than you! I have owned late model XR8’s since 2000, and unlike some – keep my ears and eyes well and truely open – have absolutely no experience of any reliability issues.
Try something different – and deal with reality!
AndrewM and Sean:
Yeah those turbo setups are sequential turbos. A lot of twin turbo cars have it, it reduces turbo lag.
Well I guess twin turbo cars dont have them, (duh) i meant a lot of cars with 2 turbos have them :)
TP…sorry i must had forgotten Toyota sells a V8 to line up with Ford and Holden?
I can’t recall the modle sorry.
Reliability issues with Fords 5.4V8? i had forgotten about that too…
Pliers is spot ON – “Probably just another worked up ba xr6t blowing away a Clubsport. Clubsport driver thinks the world has turned upside down as he has been beaten and assume it must be something special – a v6 tt. Dont believe any of it.”
It would be good if
it was turbocharged &
supercharged
ie: VW Golf GT.
Now that would be
something to
get excited about
Personally I used to have a thing for new Audi S5 (especially the silver/grey). Not anymore – this thing sounds waaayyyyy faster…
yes TP,
pull the other one.
what are you doing here then?
not trying to trash an Orion blog again??
What got me wondering is what ford is going to call this orion?
BG? BH? BI? BJ? (wouldnt that be nice :P) BK?
I’m guessing BG?
Because it’s called “Orion”, maybe they will go into the O’s….
….”We now present the “OK” Falcon” :)
TP it’s just that because of its simpler design [less moving parts] its easier to get more power from a Pushrod engine – be it V6 or V8 than it from one with Double or even Quad Cams.. Which could explain why Ford is looking at switching over to Pushrods.
What makes you say the V8s are unreliable Because I seem to recall an engine in a particular “performance car” {and I use the term loosely] seizing and catching fire.. but I don’t think it was an FPV….
Plus the new “F1 inspired” V6 in the Aurion produces 200Kw – thats 10Kw more than the Antique Holden V6.. Yet If the Aurion V6 is that much more superior than surely they would have been able to get more than 200Kw out of it.. Afterall Subaru manage to get approx 200Kw out of a 4cyl Boxer
Hahah Steve and they would get a discount on those XR8s either would they? And I guess they keep them for the life of the vehicle? Typical idiot.
Wheelnut I have nothing against the DOHC V8, the Ford unit is superior to the Holden pushrod… but they are still both not noted for their reliabilty or refinement. As for Aurion thats because its not just about power, as BF and his tossing about aftermarket tuning noted you can extract alot more power out of stock engines, but they lose fuel efficiency… all cars come with fuel efficiency in mind
Bear in mind though Wheelnut, that the holden engine is 3.8L compared to 3.5L
Can’t really compare the Subaru engine because it’s turbocharged, apple’s and oranges.
Still the 2GR-FE aurion engine is no match for some of BMW’s offerings… the 3.2L old m3 engine comes to mind.
RoFlmaTiC,
3.8L commodore engine?????
gee get with the times mate!!!!!
its been a 3.6L for a little while now
LOL. The Buick V6 was 3.8L and the alloytec is 3.6L
Well then it’s hardly antique :)
Great to hear that fords going to have some sting in the tale with a new motor and twin turbo. I know from good sources that Holden have had a twin set uo testing for quite a while with some new direct injection addition. Will be a good line up but ford will get there first in 08 with this type of set up.
Hopefully ford later will have a look at its v8 as it lacks some sting down low but revs good but costs a packet with twin cam heads to modify outside of the usual breathing options.
By the way seen the new model on the monash freeway a few times and have to admit it looks very similair to a VE body.
LOL i love all this speculation…
wheelnut … Toyota’s 2GR-FE is a far superior engine then that useless alloytech. Not only is it more powerful yet frugal – it is a much, much, much smoother and quieter engine that doesn’t vibrate itself from the mounts when revved hard. I would place a bet that it would be a far, far, far more reliable and dependable then any Holden engine would ever hope to be.
The 3.5 V6 is far superior aided by much better attention from engineering then Holden displayed with that poor excuse of an engine called ‘alloytech’ which Should have been called ‘craptech’ or ‘vibetech’.
The old Camry 3.0 v6 that came out in the early 90’s is still smoother, quieter and more refined then Holden’s late alloytech. What has happened to Holden engineering – did they forget move forward past handling because that’s what seems to have happened.
Oooh yeah … that is a 4 cyl forced inducted performance tuned boxer engine you are talking about compared to a regular normally aspirated engine – right. Pretty bloody sad when people have got to stoop so low.
LadyFlo … the direct injection version of the 2GR-FE that is utilised in various versions from Lexus are more then enough for competition against BMW offerings. It is a wonderful engine.
Holden will come back with a more powerful V8 and will bring out a turbo! (I hope they do!)
Wonder when they will start calling this…………………………. ONION! :-)
Cheers
F-0
To anyone who thinks its just a worked XR6, its not have a look at the number plate. That small tag in the top left corner means it is a Ford test vehicle. It’s prolly an engine mule for FPV’s 300kw orion F6…
frugal one,
people will start calling it “onion” the instant it hits the road as it will bring tears to the eyes of many holden fans (like an onion) as they disappear in its mirror
HA HA Andrew! Onion because it’s sad for Holden. :cry:
:cry: nion!
If the new Skyline is a V6TT then it’s good enough for the XR6 Turbo. Bring it on
Duck – I believe that Holden are strongly considering the possibility of a Twin Turbo V6 for both the Commodore and the Torana.
As for a bigger V8? apart from the LS-7 in the 08 Corvette.. there are reports that GM could be looking at reducing the capacity reducing the weight yet maintaining or increasing the power by switching over to a Quad Cam V8 similar to the Northstar V8 from Cadillac.. I know that HSV want the Northstar for a new entry model.
HSV’s next engine update will be the LSIII.
holden going to a quad cam???
well that would be funny for all the guys who say the ford V8’s arent as good because they are quad cam
Yeah that’s for the Clubbie and GTS
However there looking at a New Entry Level Budget Bang for Yoru Bucks Contender.. I’d prefer to see a TT-V6 model
year of the Rat – what was it you were driving
Sorry Joel I have to agree with Wheelnut,that wasn’t low.. the 200kw 4 cylinder Subbie not normally inducted……I mean the TRD is a 6 with a hair-dryer and still only 241kws…….Your right about BMW though they are the leaders. 3.2 litres normally aspirated 250 kws…….now that’s what Im talking about.Toyota and Lexus not near it yet!
Andrew M
As to your questions with the XR6 turbo and towing, let me tell ya, its the best. I carry basic tools in the back (its a ute by the way) like levels, hammers, saws, etc. The bigger stuff i carry in the trailer like compressors and stuff. I havnt really had it on a weigh bridge, but im guessing at times it can be up to anywhere between 1200 – 1500kgs? And it does it like its having a shit… Few of the boys on site have XR8’s. They do good also, but the thing is they tend to use a few more rpm’s and chew a shit load of juice… As for heating issues, its fine. On a hot day on, with aircon and towing it’ll sit just under half.. Ive put an aftermarket tranny and oil cooler just to be on the safe side… Ive clicked over 130,000kms and its has a trailer on it since day one. During a working week, i set the flash tuner to tow mode, so its got awsome tourqe and rev it to a max of 2200-2500Rpm, i just let the tourqe pull the load. However, come weekend, trailer comes off, tools come out and the flash goes to perfomance and i try chase down as many Gen 3 and 4’s as i can.
Hey Damo……..where you been?
Who did your flash tune here in the West?
Andrew M
I also had a quick read over you comments on Twin turboing a I6
Theres 2 ways you can go about it. Firstly you could have twin of the exact same turbos i.e GT40’s. With this setup most of the bottom end will go however top end would be pant shitting stuff. This type of setup work well on a high revving motor like the RB26 on a GTR Skyline, or the 3.0 in the toyota supra. They have no bottom end but from 4500 to about 7000rpm the’ll pull the hair off your head.
The second way, (is my favourite way) and thats having a small and a big turbo. This setup is used in the US a fair bit on diesel performance for things like tracktor pulling competitions. What happens is the small turbo is set up to blow into the big turbo. The small turbo will spool up pretty much straight away and by the time that happens, the big on is on song. And you end up with the best of bottom and top end. This setup is used in the latest verson of the F truck..
As well as push up frames i do a fair bit on cars myself.. Ive just finnished a project with an XD running an AU 4.0, gas research and a turbo that weighs 32kgs next to it.
Bavarian Missile…
Nah mate im in Melb.
Blue Power does all my tunning for me
Oh….I just assumed this time you must be W.A……..
Not the same Damo then!
Geez babe its late there……so how many tunes did you get?
What sort of Dyno results have you got from it? Me Im no mate more a matess…….hahaha If you get my drift?
Bavarian Missile
Ha, i figured that you were thinking i was another damo.
Its almost 2 am here.
After a injector upgrade, Boss Valve springs, a custom intercooler and 14psi the end result was 320rwkw in performance mode and in normal its at 260rwkw.
Its good to see “Dudesses” getting into all of this :-)
Tony,
Oh, nothing exciting…
And you?
So my source tells me that more than likely is the V6 twin turbo……..cause Ford already have already developed a twin turbo for the V6……..so there ya go!
We still speculating TP?
If ford does bring a more powerful vehicle range with the new orion, HOLDEN will fight back, cause there not going to let them stomp on them!
That’s right Duck, it’s all about “Leap Frog” when a comapay makes a better car than their oppistion and later their oppistion comes out with an even better car, so that’s what’s happening with F0RD vs H0LDEN.
Duck,
yes mate but only when it comes to V8’s does the leap frog theory apply.
ford have been stomping on holden with their 6cyls for many years.
but as i said the V8 models are different. holden will respond to them for sure. they wont straight away but a couple of years down the track they will for sure
Damo,
thanks for your input mate.
i also lug a trailer of tools behind me every day so i guess im lugging the same weight. i havent actually weighed mine either but keep meaning to. i just havent been bored enough to take it to the local weigh bridge yet.
have you got the 6sp auto??
also what was your tune worth??
i was/am actually considering the XR6T so this is why i have a million questions. i hope you dont mind
Andrew M
All up ive spent $4800. 2000 or so of that wne on my auto to stregthen it (mines an 04 4spd auto). Ive got a mate who works in ford so i got the valve springs thru him for basically nothng, same with the cooler, again, i have a mate who is awsome with alloy welding so he made up my cooler (cost me a bottle of jimmy). Tuning all up including the flash was $1500. Injectors were 500. The Valve springs and injectors i fit myself so i saved myself a bit in labour there.
When the next model comes out, i’ll prob by the F6 version for work and ill take mine off the road, throw a C10 in it and do a full engine re-build.
Im more than happy to answer any of your questions!
would you think the 6sp auto would need strengthening?
im pretty sure ford will fit the oilcooler as part of their heavy duty tow pack is that right?
have you done anything in the way of the intercooler?
what sort of economy do you get? not that that matters in performance cras but just interesting to note.
how does the economy compare when towing and not towing?
did you tow with it long before you added the mods?
Your right about ford fitting a separate tranny cooler with the tow pack, however the aftermarket products a far more superior in ways of cooling… If you were to modify yours as much as mine then no, i think the 6sp will handle it quite well, as long as it keeps cool, it will last.. AS for the intercooler, i custom made mine so that the outlets are opposite each other. To make it easy for you, just imagaine looking at the front end of an xr6T. The left outlet sits high and the right outlet sits low, reason being, so the whole cooler gets used, rather than the lower part getting all the pressure… Some say it dosent make a difference but if you think logically it would make a difference in cooling boost pressure… Ive moved the battery to the passenger side as ive got a pipe commign straight out of the turbo and a pod filter that sits just infront of the drivers side headlight…
As for towing, as soon as i picked it up from ford with a threw a trailer on it.. it towed awsome from day one, but it wasnt until the mods (which i did after the 1500km service) that how much better it could do.. I never got to get Before and after mod Fuel averages because it never botherd me to check. however, with the flash set on tow mode(260rwkw)and driving around 2200rpm around town ill squeeze around 420 kms to a tank. If im working far and its all freeway you can add another 120-150kms on top of that and im pretty happy with it. Again a 6sp should do better as it will use all the gears as it needs. When im not towing and the tub is empty and i set the flash to performance mode, haha, lucky to get 250kms out of the tank, but who gives a flying Fcuk :-) its all fun.
YOTR – I thought you were the driver of the Ford mule?
This is the V8 Boss with a single turbo FPV have been testing for some time, may be released in a limited number if the development goes ok.
Boss Turbo, how do you know that! :?: