2008 Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo Review
August 1, 2008 by Matt Brogan
2008 Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo Review & Road Test
Weapon of mass production
Model Tested:
- 2008 Ford FG Falcon XR6 Turbo 4.0 litre auto – $46,990 (RRP)
Options Fitted:
- Prestige Paint $400; XR Luxury Pack $5000
Power & Torque; Predictable Handling; Sweet Exhaust Note
Brake Pedal Feel; Road Noise; No Seat Heaters on Leather
CarAdvice Rating: 
- by Matt Brogan
It’s not often when road testing a car that you’re confronted with “nice car mate” at the lights. Even rarer then to have a bloke run up and kiss your car at an intersection, insist on shaking hands and call you a dead set legend – how flattering! Now sure, he may have been partially inebriated and the lurid green, sorry Dash, paintwork doesn’t exactly do anything to obscure you in a crowd, but this kind of reaction happened all week long … and who doesn’t love that.
But the XR6T isn’t all about ego stroking and big grins – ah, who am I kidding, of course it is! In fact if driving it doesn’t bring a grin to your face then you’re either unwashed, hugging trees and singing Kumbayah around the commune campfire or about to have the paddles placed on your chest, just before they shout “clear”. Yes, it’s that good. In fact, it’s better than good, it’s bloody brilliant. Easily the best value for money performance sedan on the market.
Just $45,000 will see you behind the wheel of an entry model manual XR6T and when all things are considered, you’re really getting a lot of car for the coin. Not only does the new FG series have to be one of the best looking Falcons yet, it’s also the most refined in terms of power delivery and handling that I’m yet to drive, not a bad feat for a locally built sub $50K car.
Now at first a lot of people shrugged off the FG as not different enough, a quick touch up or just plain boring, but to them I say look harder. The lines are so much cleaner, it’s more aggressive, but it’s not over the top with plastic rubbish hung all over. Simply put it has a muscular appeal that makes grown men drool or grunt like Neanderthals, and how many cars can do that these days?
Inside things are basic, but handsome and well laid out and there’s certainly enough technology to make your mates at the footy club green with envy. It’s comfortable, very generous in proportion and has enough adjustment in the driving position, steering column and pedals that even someone as vertically challenged as myself can feel secure and well supported behind the wheel.
CB,
Toyota are dependent on handouts too so don’t get carried away.
TP, Give it up. If any Toyota was driven with aggression they will have problems.
One reason I chose G6 over Aurion was the poor alignment parts of the Aurion dash had. Don’t believe me? Have a look at your local Toyota dealership.
I love my G6E Turbo,
The new FG Falcon range achieved the top score in the latest round of the Australian New Car Assessment Program.
The five-star rating matches the Falcon with top luxury cars such as the Mercedes C-Class and puts it ahead of local rivals including the Holden VE Commodore and Toyota Camry and Aurion, which all achieved a four-star rating,
Go Ford,
Fords 6 cylinder engines have been bashin all the others around for 6 because we got the technology here in OZ to make better engines than all the imported crap that other manufacturers tried in there cars and have failed. You name if 4 cylinders, v8s and other 6s have come close to this awsome falcon 6 but no match. With petrol prices on the rise holden will have to drop its v8 and try to get a 6 cylinder to compete with a ford 6. There wont be much of a match there. So will they go turbo and copy Ford like they have when ford was hammering holden with there 351cleveland. Holden wont survive if they were exported as holden cause nobody has heard of holden in USA and other countrys so lets call em pontiacs. Holden in a no win position here. Im glad to see a ford as a ford but a holden as a pontiac now thats so yank
TP you just proved to me your an ignorant little twerp.
TP says “Commended on its reliability? The industry figures highlighting that 55% have to return back to dealership within 5 month of sales is commended?”
Those go on warranty claims for ALL aspects of the car, not just the Engine. Those surveys make no mention of what warranty claims were made or whether or not they were claims during the 3000 km complimentary service or other services. Whether or not they were mechanical failures, electrical or whether or not an electric switch wasn’t connected properly during pre-delivery. It could be anything, also those “leaked user surveys” never mentioned if a claim was dissmissed or not, trust me some people will try and claim anything such as a blown light bulb.
You have no idea what you are talking about TP and I applore to everyone on this website to ignore any of TP’s comments.
I agree Glen.
TP,
May I say that I am embarassed by and disagree with any racist comments directed at yourself or others. I was not aware that you are Japanese and believe that this should not make a lick of difference about who you are. I think you are a tosser because of what you say on here, not what your nationality is.
In saying that, now knowing that you are Japanese helps me understand your passion towards Toyota and your parochialism.
I just knew he was a double agent.LOL.
Gee this has become embarrassing to be an Australian. There is absolutely no excuse for rascism and Toyota Paul if you are from Japanese heritage I sincerely apologise for the majority of Australians who aren`t that way inclined. This country was built and prides itself on being multicultural and democratic, so you are entitled to your say on here even if others don`t agree, to the guys who are rascists go back to the rock you crawled out from under
thats the best point on the subject Glen.
unfortunately it wont work though. he still wont get it.
i challenged him one other time when he said that “55% return to dealers within 12 months for engine problems”
he went quiet for a bit, and now he is trying to peddle the same old line again…….
nice try to support your self “Jon”
Andrew M Says:
August 4th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
nice try to support your self “Jon”
Hey d@ckhead and obviously thats what you are, I`m not TP I`m just someone who happens to hate uneducated d@ckheads like you with your pathetic unaustralian attitude. But like my old man always says you can`t educate a f#cken idiot.
TP you idiot! Once again, your inability to read what I wrote is evident!!
I said:
“I challenge you to find proof that the I6 is a unreliable engine!!!”
and what pathetic line did you come up with??
TP says:
“Commended on its reliability? The industry figures highlighting that 55% have to return back to dealership within 5 month of sales is commended? Who is the liar!”
YOU RETARD TP!!!! First we are talking about the engine, then you quote me BS about other parts of the car?? You freaken IDIOT!!!
I said it before and I said it again, the I6 engine is next to BULLETPROOF. Want proof you little pansy?? Just as you suggest, head over to the XR6T forums and READ how many cars are running over 400kw AT THE WHEELs (over 450kW @ the engine) ON STOCK UNOPENED ENGINES!!! There a subforum laballed “400 club” – I suggest to go there, read, and weep like the little b*itch you are!!
You really are a poorly educated twit! It’s annoying that one so poorly educated and clueless about other marques of vehicles can come on here, talk utter sh*t, spread such rot and get away with it.
To everyone else, just head over to ford forums or xr6 turbo forums, to find the overwhelming proof that the I6 engine is extremely reliable!
I would post links, but then my post will be moderated and wont show up!
Oh TP… you poor baby.. the FG Falcon has just been awarded a 5 star rating by ANCAP! Shock! Horror!
What will you do now?? How will you try and twist this so that Ford didn’t really get a 5 star rating?? How will you try to twist it to that the Aurion is still safer??? LOLL hahahahhaaaa :D
TP you ARE a twit! :)
Also on the XR6T forums there is another subforum titled “300+ club” – have a look at how many stock untouched engines are putting out over 50% more than how they were released from the factory and going very hard after 80k or some even over 100k running with that massive power.
THERE ARE HEAPS OF EXAMPLES THERE FOR YOU KNOBHEAD TP.
To “Jon” 1 person has mentioned anything about TP being of Japanese descent and poking fun at him. Obviously it wasn’t that bad otherwise the post would of been deleted by now so just settle down.
Plus i don’t care if TP is japanese, chinese, vietnamese, korean, pakistinian, indian, german, irish, spanish, english, american, canadian, a kiwi or an aussie. He is only on here not to contribute to anything but here to provoke an argument and stir trouble. It seems a common thread with the Toyotaphiles on here.
Yes there will always be someone who tries to bring down the mighty, it’s called tall poppy syndrome(or in TP’s case I think they call it jelousy!)
The falcons do come back for some warranty work every now and again, mostly brake shudder(fixed by a new brake pad compound) and the occassional oil leak(fixed in approximatley 2 hours) but thats what a warranty is for. I have even seen Ford warrant their light bulbs for the full 3 years of the warranty, the only things that are not warranted are things like your battery and brake pads which are only covered for the first year/20,000kms.
I have just traded my beloved xr6 ute for a new mitsubishi lancer for the wife(Major brownie points there guys if you’re after a tip!!) as I now have a bf ute for a work car.
The only warranty problems were – brake shudder, tailgate latch popped out of position and a seized rear brake caliper that was only working on one side, but still working!
Long live Ford!! now I just have to convince the boss that I need a new FG!!!
TP isn’t Japanese! It’s just a little boy crying wolf.
Hey TP bet you wish you never said anything now.
Oh by the way Toyotas has had more than a million recalls stateside in 3 years of nearly all models and years, so a few (according to the low Ford sales figures you Toyotaphles love to anounce) Falcons going in for minor checks is a drop in the ocean.
Glen Says:
August 4th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
To “Jon” 1 person has mentioned anything about TP being of Japanese descent and poking fun at him. Obviously it wasn’t that bad otherwise the post would of been deleted by now so just settle down.
Actually Glen there was 2 that mentioned it and as far as I`m concerned 2 to many.
So Jon we can never mention anyones nationality because we might offend someone??? This is the world’s biggest problem, becoming stupidly PC. Racism is outright hatred towards another race for no particular reason. You’re just as bad as these so called racists. As I mentioned before I don’t care what nationality anyone is, if they’re a d@ck I call them a d@ck. So Jon, you’re a d@ck.
Jon,
how can you one minute come out and be all politiclly correct,
and then next minute come out blazing with a post full of abuse.
and over what? nothing….
get over yourself and your desire to try and control others posts you hypocrite.
P.S.
are you new to this site?
Great value 4 money. But, having owned the world’s most reliable car – Honda (proven) – I’d be waiting to see how they are for reliability and build quality.
Car needs more differentiation from the rest of the range which don’t look much different to the BF range…
PS – This comment is from an ex motoring journalist.
I find it rather humorous that people can’t see the advantage Ford takes by using forced induction. I will happily hang a Garrett off the side of my 6.0 litre SS and absolutely destroy the XR6T.
Rosquito, The XR6 Turbo is a 4.0 litre straight 6 with a turbo, a 6.0 litre V8 with a turbo should pound an XR6 Turbo, its just common place. Its an advatage yes because the turbo offers a massive amount of torque and a flat torque curve but good on Ford for introducing a fantastic performance engine, much better than anything Holden has. Ask any journo it is the best engine in an Aussie performance car ever.
Jon,
I hope you didnt misread my post and assume I was being racist. I was highlighting my embarassment and the fact that i disagree with the racist comments. I still think TP can be a tosser though, then again, we all have our moments.
ahh well at least Tander is still chopping Fords in the V8 Supercars…Holden still make the best V8’s
Yeah they may in your opinion Rosquito, but correct me if i am wrong Tanders V8 is a Chev motor isn’t it??? and the only way holden can build a V8 Commy as quick as an F6 is to Charge you $150,000 for it and fill it with red leather to make it seem different…
Rosquito:
Holdens imported crate donks are no longer superior either;
In october NZ Autocar they test the F6 and it does 0-100 k.p.h. in 4.82 seconds and 80-120 in a remarkable 2.64 seconds !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A few issues back in a comparo between GTP and R8 (the GTP is $1k cheaper than an R8 in NZ)they also got 80-120 in 2.95s for the GTP. Heres what they had to say:
“It scored a G6ET equalling 5.28 (0-100)…the best figure we’ve achieved from a production Aussie V8 to date…..80-120 in 2.95s…anything that gets into the 2s is wickedly quick” .”Get it to 3500rpm and it explodes into action”
“[The R8 doesn’t have] the emphatic boost of bravado the Boss displays when its on cam” R8 0-100 in 5.30 & 80-120 in 3.17. …R8 felt slower”
“GTP 15.1L/100k v R8 18plusL/100k”
“LS3 is starting to show its age”
“THE VERDICT…If forced to choose, it would be the FPV for its superior powertrain, but you’d be mad not to drive the F6 before deciding”
NZ Autocar do the performance testing properly, by using a Vbox and 98RON fuel.
Great car to drive, 6 speed auto is very nice. Interior is basic and lacking in basic features, quality control at ford is rubbish, the doors dont line up & the bonnet and bootlid are’nt square.Im on to my 2nd xr6t and I have an 04 Fairmont Giha,and they are all the same. Crap warrenty 3 years 100 000 klm and they don’t warrent interior trim. A hyundai getz you pay 14k for has unlimmited klms for 5 years, so c’mon Ford start backing your product.
Guys I own one!!!! A G6ETurbo and although not an XR6, it is still basically the same driveline.
As for comments above about overheating problems/turbo problems when the FG T6 was released, it is utter crap!!!! This would have to be one of the best bang for buck Aus built cars out there.
The turbos were released without any issues!!!!! That’s from a Ford worker who makes the $%$#@ things (inside info if you wish).
I would buy another one tomorrow (an F6) if I had the money!!!!!! 310kw and quicker than anything GMH can put a badge on from the factory!
I might also add this. Why would Ford release a new model into the market, knowing that they need it to compete in the large car market and release it with major issues?? This would be the death of the falcon as we know it.
Complete and total suicide would it not?
The FG (in particular the Turbo) underwent almost 100,000 hrs R&D, design & real world testing in the Aussy climate over approx 5 years. Plus the T6 engine has been around since (I think early) 2002.
This engine has already proved itself over the past 5 years or so, so why all of a sudden would there be Turbo issues?? Doesn\’t make sense, does it!
82% of the FG is brand new, 12% was brought over from the last model (brakes, rotors and such) and the panels, suspension and interior design are all new.
I have driven SV Commodes, R8, SS-V and although I will not put any cr*p on them, my opinion is the FG Ford (at least the Turbo engined models) is far in front.
Just read a few reviews if you need more.
This car is a beauty! I love the FG, Ford have done a great job! And paying the extra attention and research to the turbo made the XR6 turbo the pick of the litter. Which is good, because of climate change, so for big performance you don’t have to opt for the V8 anymore. Love the styling, love the performance, love the interior (well, most of it), love the car! :D
Steve
TP is ok guys….calm down. He’s just an underdeveloped young thing with an very ordinary car and too much time on his hands. He needs a girlfriend and a better job.
The comments tagged as racist were pretty mild. If you want a truly racist experience go and live in Japan for a year. It’s a bloody eye-opener!
this is an awsome car. In my opinion fords are the best cars and this car proves it.
WHO DOESN’T WANT THIS CAR!!!!!!
Agreed the FGXR6T is a Perfect CAR a true weapon on wheels with pure elegance I can say. My FG has 21,000kms and is still a huge hard-on for me when I see it & drive it…
G-forcessss galore… Police are using them also, Gotta be good & stable… THE END..
NOOOOOO some1 stole my name!!! FG XR6T great car! just can’t believe they closing down the engine factory – surely they should reconsider after the best muscle cars made by Ford Australia are running those I6 made right here in Aus…
G’day, gentlemen,I presently drive a Toyota V6 Camry, and later this year, or early next year I want to buy large rear wheel drive sports car (and no, I am not hear to cause trouble with you Ford fans). Whilst the V6 Camry has been a nice car to drive, I want something with lots of guts and is fun to drive.
I am tossing up between a VE Holden SS Commodore 6.0 V8, and the new FG XR6T,XR8 or even a Ford FPV.
I have heard many good things about these new FG Falcons, and I am beginning to really like the XR6T in particular the FPVs.
Which one is the quickest off the mark?, and the best to drive?
Regards
Seb
Sydney
NSW
Hi everyone. Firstly let me tell you all the TRUTH between the ford FG and holden VE.
Before I begin, I have to tell you what car I drive at the moment.
I have a VZ HSV R8 with a full difilippo exhaust system OTR intake, and a custom tune. I pulled 285rwkw which is about 370kw at the engine and mines auto. Go to G&D peformance. they are the best in australia for tuning. I have done a lot of suspension work, such as suspension bushes, castor bushes, bilstein shocks/struts, eibach springs and front and rear uprated anti-roll bars and to top it off I have the huge 6 piston brakes. (one notch up from the HSV 6 piston) they require 19″ wheels mininum to fit.they are the hardest biting brakes you will ever experience. and i changed my LSD to the latest eaton tru-track.
My car is an exceptional handler and because it has low weight up at the front as the engine weighs only 186kg (LS2) it is very nimble and because of the sway bars stiffness it made about a 50% improvement overall in the handling department. I know you want to know what it pulled down the 1/4 mile. THe auto has a shift kit from factory and was also re-callibrated at the tuners for maximum performance. On slicks, I pulled a 12.2 sec 1/4 mile which is absolutely insane for stock internals!
so it would annihiliate both a standard VE and FG for that matter! it actually scares you when driven hard. it has over 600Nm torque and weighs 1695kg plus it has a 3:46 gear ratio standard from factory.
Now that you have read that, you will understand where I am coming from.
Last week i decided to test the new ford falcon FG turbo and VE SSV both in automatic to compare them to my car.
THe VE was dissapointing in the handling department as my car handles better and feels a lot more nimble. You really feel the VE’s weight and the steering is not as sharp as my car. Mine has the VZ R8 variable ratio but still, mines a VZ!! The VE is a bit quieter inside and bump absorbption is a bit better than mine but thats because my tyres a 35 profile. my ride is so smooth it rivals the VE thanks to the fantasitc monotube bilstein shocks. brakes dont compare (obviously). brake pedal feel is actually better in the VT-VY models as the VE feel is spongy.
The VZ R8 seats are still the comfiest seats holden has ever produced and the VE’s are not that good.
THe VE is a great car and with the same mods as mine i believe it will be only a bit better because of its high weight. the rear IRS though is a big improvement over mine.
THe transmission is definately better than mine but the manual is still crap. there is too much roll on this car and the sway bars are not stiff enough.
Overall, I would not buy one yet as holden have a lot of work to do to perfect it.
Now for the ford FG.
driving to the ford dealer I was expecting better results and i wasnt dissapointed. The ford looks better engineered and more sophisticated.
I test drove the one with the ZF six speed auto.
What a car!! you immediately notice the steering and refinement of the cabin superior to the holden in every way. the transmission is so good and smooth, i cannot fault. It actually handles very similar to my car and points in with a lot more stability than the VE. The ford has much less roll and more control than the VE.
THe turbo six does not sound as tough but is quite quick. I was so stunned at how much better the ford FG is over the VE and Im more a holden fan!!
the SSV though does have a nicer interior and is more comfortable but then again the fords is still okay too.
For looks, i believe the ford screams quality where as the holden is more style.
I am going to keep my R8 as it is one of a kind and is still a fantastic car but toward the end of the year I will have to purchase one of those beasts. If holden greatly improve the VE in every way, then i might consider getting one but if not I will definately go the ford.
I have also driven the new BMW m6 a couple of months ago and its in a league of its own. Its so perfect in its dynamics. brake feel is fantastic but interior comfort is not as good as I was expecting. so smooth and so finely engineered you can only fault the inside. nothing else. just perfect.
Anyway, the answer is, the FORD is a better car and to all you holden fans, test drive and you will see for yourself.
If anyone wants to know any more info you can email me at bortous@bigpond.net.au
Hey mate, you may think urs handles well and thats it’s a better car to drive than a VE, but do the same mods to the VE and i gurantee it will be better than urs in all catergories expect maybe the seats and interior.
U cant compare a VE ss model to a VZ hsv r8.
AS hsv do a few tweaks to make then handle better and steer better.
Try testing a VE R8 against urs, it will be better and if u do the same mods it be even more better than a VZ Which is a an old school platform and outdated.
then let ur know.
Peter,
IT seems you are quite bia’s about your car.
G&D do have a name for playing with dyno numbers.
Wake up!!!!!!!!
Did you know the individual/s or wrote the comments under the name of gill gordon and martin are gay?
IN MY COMMENT IN THE THIRD PARAGRAPH IT WAS MEANT TO READ:
WHEN YOU LOOK AT VE’SS THEY ARE PUTTING OUT AROUND 255-265 RWKWS WITH THE SAME MODS (MANUAL).
NOT 155-165 RWKWS
OOPS…
Its a Ford…what a heap of junk Give me a HSV any day.
I would rather GET A VE HSV AND DO SAME MODS AND IT WILL BE EVEN BETTER THEN AN OUTDATED VZ PLATFORM
Checked out the VE SV6 and XR6 today at the yards. Have to tell ya that the XR6 is the bomb. It looks a better finish and the reviews on the XR6T highlight what is in essence a brilliant large passenger cross performance sedan (best of both worlds). Has moved straight to the top of my list..
love reading this forum except got to peters and decided to wait for the movie.
The new FPV turbo is more fun to drive and handles better then peter’s VZ clubsport.
Peter,
It must of been a relief you got to drive the auto model falcon, as I have seen your style trying to muscle around a nice VE with 3 pedals. 8-)
Your segway from talking about your own vehicle with its “dynamic” set of KW figures, when this is about a falcon could of been less obvious though, better luck with that next time.
Looking forward to the dyno run, and the next chance we get at a track day to show you how well the VE with less mods, making more power, and handling better, goes against the old VZ. You will probably need to swap out those Bendix SRT pads, back to the better working units you had first, though, just to keep it fair.
Dont worry though, the old VZ was an ok car in its day, and the Falcons are improving all the time, while we still have them.
To Peter
First up there is no truth about the the VE and FG ford. There are no lies abouth these cars. There are facts. SO unless you think the public has been told lies with car reviews etc.,then you are a whacko.
The VE is a far more superior model than a VZ. The VZ has an out of date garden-variety platform and IRS which goes from VT-VZ. It is fair to say that the VZ was the best model before the VE. To say the manual is crap sounds to me that you dont know how to drive a manual because the clutch is a lot lighter to pump in and out than the VZ, and particularly for something that has to manage a truly colossal 550Nm flow of torque it is much better. The only aspect of the VE is the gear shift. I found that it wasnt quite so suited to commuting with everyday travel duties beacuse it is quite stiff and sometimes needs to be forcibly mashed into gear. Still, its an improvement over the VZ.
You go on to say that your car has 285 rwkw with a di fillipo exhaust OTR intake and tune. I do not believe this power figure (and your car being automatic) is accurate and would suggest that it is of a lesser nature. When you look at VE SS’s they re putting out around 255-265 rwks with same mods (manual). Yours may be a little higher.
G&D Performace have a name for upping the power figures. A lot of performance shops cut and paste other peoples tune and sell them to you. (Anything that is going to sell). You would be surprised how many people go from such “peformance shops” to actual engine management specialists to correct their tune and power output.
You are comparing a modified VZ to a standard VE. Just imagaine a VE R8 with the same mods you have got. Yet you go on to say that you have less weight weight front end when the VE has got much better weight distribution. Weight distribution of the VE Commodore is almost 50:50 thanks to strategies such as mounting the engine low and rearward in the engine bay, a saddle-type fuel tank and a boot-mounted battery.
As for your quarter mile time 12.2 sec, I would’nt believe this result unless i saw the slip in front of me. (no offence). The VE doesn’t feel wildly faster than the old VZ model that’s not to say it’s sluggish – far from it. The VZ’s traction control system bogs down and cuts engine power at the hint of wheelspin whereas the VE HSV one is designed to maximise acceleration, allowing only a bit of spin.
The steering in the VE is more urgent and responsive than whats in your car. The new steering system provides a more linear, logical feel. Sure, you can still feel the bumps and lumps, but the E-Series is not nearly as jiggly as the VZ range it replaces (you shouldve known this). Why would holden go backwards in their steering systems?
At civil speeds, the VE HSV Clubsport R8 is a very easy car to pilot. It inherits the VE Commodore’s placid attitude – upon which the car is based. The steering is very light and makes manoeuvering the car’s long 4.94 metre body through traffic effortless unlike with the VZ.
The brake pedal has more feel than the VZ and that’s because the brakes pack more serious hardware in the form of large (and sexier) cross-drilled discs and APS brake callipers even though you say you have changed your brakes. Brake feel in the VE HSV, is more consistent and stronger than the HSV VZ through application (having driven one myself).
Dont forget that your car is not a pure-bred sports car. HSV have modifed it so it performs like one. Its based on a VZ berlina. If it wasnt for this car, your car wouldnt exist. Yes you have put a top diff in your car as well as the 6 pot brakes but to say that the VZ R8 seats are the most comfortable is purely YOUR personal opinion and preference.
I do believe that you are more happy with the FG and BMW u test drove than your own car. You also seem insecure about your car and are taking out these insecurties on the VE. I dont think holden spent a BILLION dollars on research and development to make a car that “holden has a lot of work to do to perfect it” as you say.
Remember that your car is an all rounder. With looks, comfort, power and most of all is a LARGE FAMILY CAR.
WOW. Its amazing at how much attention my article attracted.
tyrefriar, you are banned from dounts for life. I know who you are. and as for me driving your VE gettting used to a transmission especially how it works takes a bit of practise, especially a crappy clunky and outdated slow shifting 6 speed manual. haha.
Anyway, the bendix SRT do stop better and have even stronger stopping power the faster you go so stop dreaming again. cant wait for the dyno.
I appreciate all the feedback about my crappy VZ.
Dyno figures are debatable but on a mainline dyno it pulled 270rwkw with a lower octane fuel so I would say its on the money given mine got tuned on a dyno dynamics. BUT im getting another one done soon to see what it pulls again. the LS2 makes more power than an L98 with a tune but for some reason L98 have better flow in the heads. I dont understand why the LS2 is over 1000 more expensive to purchase brand new in the crate compared to the L98. It must have something better than the L98.
Michael, of course I know all that info about my car etc.
Braking in my VZ with my current setup is extremely efficient but I have never been happy with pedal feel especially with light applications. I have braided lines (all 6 hoses) and this has greatly improved feel but there is nothing I can do to improve it further.
Its also quite amusing that you think I have all these insecurities about the VE. To be honest, I have never been a big fan of the looks but the thing that attracted me to them was the interior of the SSV. they still look nice enough on the exterior.
May I ask which VZ you drove?
My steering is quite light (not quite as light as VE) and very responsive due to the HSV linear steering rack and plus I have upgraded steering bushes and castor bushes which improve turn in further.
You are right about the manual having to be shifted real hard. thats why i did not get mine manual.
holden need to do a lot of work on their transmissions.
I also said that the VE has better bump absorption in my previous post.
I know my car is based on the VZ berlina and I did not like the standard rear tail-lights so i changed them and put VYII calais tail lights and they really suit the car.
YOu are also right to say that my car is not a purebred sports car but the modifications done have improved it even further than factory by about 50%. You would be pleasantly suprised how good it is.
My car does not have a jiggly ride. Once in a while it may be a bit bumpy but not harsh but the car has its day once in a while. My tyres are on 40PSI and 35 profile and over bumps they are very good and has an excellent ride.
The performance place I got my suspension done at knows what he is doing. His very crafty!!!!
I have never been in a VE with uprated sway bars but if someone got that mod done, would be great wont it?
If anyone has anything else to correct me on or tell me something you can email me.
cheers
Peter
The SRT’s were so good, as you say, you were back in 3 days pleading with us to remove them.
I guess thats enough to cover your whole posts in doubt now…..
Now stop Thinking your Jeremy Clarkson, and get back to work!