Comments on: 2008 Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo Review

By: dan

dan — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 15:30:32 +0000

I have forgotten to add, i own a nice 2008 FG XR6 Turbo, did a full tune up, just the ECU, and now this thing makes 336fwkW and 641Nm of torque, that is 270 to 336 and 533 to 641Nm with just the firmware or in other words ECU software upgrade “install” if ya wish. Now it kicks 4.5s 0-100km/h any day 20 times a day consistently!

Sam Field

By: dan

dan — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 15:29:29 +0000

These are the cars for life.

Wait till 2011, I6 will receive DIRECT-INJECTION ” i heard! ” and GAS models might make just over 200kW and 400Nm, and petrol version will be able to run on ethanol and petrol making close to 260kW and over 440Nm from N/A stock I6 4.0Liter!!!!

so , keep ya ear out, you might hear this too, i did , as early as December 2008.

Dan

By: Dean

Dean — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:27:11 +0000

will go back to school. you cannot afford a VE you keep bagging it out and keep saying urs is best of the best. its an outdated crapy irs vz hsv with creaks and clunks . I drive a ford g6E and thats a nice car.

By: Johnno

Johnno — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 14:16:59 +0000

james, i think you need to go to back to school and learn to spell and end sentences properly.
And i can afford a VE but I am going to wait until one of the very last models are made as they will be a big improvement over the current VE.
I still like my VZ. Everyone underestimates it but are always pleasantly suprised how good it really is with those modifications.
I bet james, you drive an outdated torana with only one light working.
haha

By: James

James — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 03:46:49 +0000

Johno does not know what he is saying.At least he has admitted the VE is a better car but then says he would not buy one as it needs more work to be done to perfect it, which is true, but i would still buy a VE as it is better then the VZ model. You cannot compare ur modified suspension to VE r8 hsv standard.What he is meant to say is if the VE had the same modified suspension as the vz u have it will destroy yours. You cannot compare a standard VE against a modified VZ. With the right mods on the VE the steering will be a lot better then an outdated Vz. The reason you find your modifed VZ is better is because you cannot afford the VE. although holden worked on the model for many years does not mean it is better then VE. Holden spent so much more money designing the VE then VT-Vz mode. At the end of the day the VZ is a good car in its time, But the VE is a better car overall. Try comparing a standard VZ r8 against a standard VE r8 and you will see the ve is better, Cannoit compare a modified model against standard!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: Johnno

Johnno — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:39:27 +0000

I agree about the VZ r8 but the VE is definately a better car and is a lot more balanced due to its better weight distribution.
However I would not buy one as holden have a lot of work to do to them.
I have a VZ R8 myself with modified suspension as mentioned in one of the previous posts by peter (he doesn’t quite know what he is saying)
I have the tein coilover at the front. Now, I have driven the new VE r8 and my vz R8 will destroy it on the corners with ease but I know for a fact, do the same mods to the VE, it will be much better again. Steering is sharper in VZ R8 esepecially on turn in.
The VE will be a much better car toward the end of its life before the all new model gets released.
Ve is definately easier to control at the limits thats for sure.
Reason i find my modified VZ is better is because holden worked it for so many years and got it at its best.

By: Connor

Connor — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:17:28 +0000

Jeremy i have driven a VZ clubpsort myself and they are quite outdated. They are a great car to drive but its design and elements are from the early 90’s, which sacrifices the cars compatability to perform better then it should. The VE still needs improving but it is a better car then the current VZ in all catergories.It is more refined, steering is better and The IRS is so much better then the VZ and better over the bumps. Obviously the last VE model is going to be better then the first VE just like the VT-VZ models. Holden go forward not backwards.
Me and many people would still rather a VE then a VZ as being a newer and better car. By doing same modifcations to the VE it will better then your’s although it weighs more but it is more balanced then your car. i Think you need to wake up and take a Modified VZ and a modified VE to a track and you will see the results for yourself, Even try googling a comparison between the VZ and VE and you will see. I think you may be jealous because you have an Old 4 speed ticking auto and that your car is not new anymore or that you cannot afford one. This forum is about the Ford xr6 turbo and not hsv.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 15:18:15 +0000

connor, you don’t know what you are talking about.
With the same parts it will be better. not 10 times better.
Holden still need to do a lot of improvements to the VE.
The VZ was the best they could get it and did a great job.
When the VE platform is about to finish, it will be a big difference between the first VE. Just like the difference between the VT and VZ. same platform, huge difference.
When VE is improved to the max, then I will contemplate in purchasing one.
There is always something holden do the car to improve it where we will never know what the factory has done.

By: Connor

Connor — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 06:15:52 +0000

I have ordered the updated model hsv coming out in september. Hsv have told me the VE is better in all categories and u cannot compare to a VZ.
If u start upgrading parts in the HSV VE will 10 times better then a VZ.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:10:57 +0000

Connor, check out this link. Do that to your car and i guarantee your car will have more power and better handling. We know yours has much better IRS!!!

http://images.google.com.au/im.....n%26um%3D1

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:06:19 +0000

connor, you are right.
just make sure you put those sway bars as discussed and then I will keep my mouth shut!!

By: Connnor

Connnor — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 14:09:42 +0000

Flux capacitator is written by Peter, Contradicting himself again.

DO same mods to a VE and that will handle better

END OF STORY

By: Johnno

Johnno — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 15:26:04 +0000

I find that above debate quite amusing. Cant really say anything pro or con as i have not driven either BUT it is more than likely that a modified VZ R8 would probably be better in the corners etc than a standard e series HSV as holden never get the car right in the first series shape.
The only VE i have driven is a VE omega and they understeer way too much I find too. Interesting to see what the VF update brings.
cheers

By: Flux capacitator

Flux capacitator — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:31:34 +0000

Everyone, I am a friend of Peter’s and I recently came back from an overseas trip and he told me about this debate.
I have driven his car with all those modifications mentioned in the previous posts he has written.
I also went myself to my local HSV dealer and I test drove the new R8 and what he says is so true.
His car does handle quite a bit better and is sharper turning in the corners. You can throw it into corners with a lot more control except the IRS is not as good as it is in the VE. I found the ride quite good but the VE is definately better over the bumps but thats because the standard suspension in the VE is soft and the car sits high front and rear. Just as in any holden, its always best to buy the last series of the platform as it will always be the best in all areas and any problems in the previous models are usually ironed out.
VZ r8 seats are definately more supportive than VE and the standard bridgestone tyres in VE are noisy as hell. The VE ute that I have been in that has modified suspension is much better than a standard VE R8 for sure.
the 4 piston brakes are not strong enough to pull up such a heavy car but the 6 pistons on the VZ r8 are so much better that you can’t compare them and pedal feel is not much better than the VZ R8. Its firmer but still lacks feel. the best holden I have been in that has excellent pedal feel is my brother’s VX commodore. He has the standard callipers with DBA4000 rotors and the police spec bendix ultimate pads. His pedal feel is fantastic.
the yokohama advan tyres on his VZ R8 are so much quiter.
Holden still need to do a lot of work to the VE and the 6 speed auto transmission needs to be more responsive and it needs more brains. Holden never get it right in that area where as the ford has.
Overall, the VE is an alright car but it needs a lot of improvements in all areas. If you want a properly engineered car always go german, they usually get it right first time engineering wise.

By: Peter

Peter — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 15:12:10 +0000

yes the SRT’s did not feel good and took a while to bed in!! Your wrong, I was begging you to remove them, not pleading
Now that they have bedded in, they stop and feel better but its main difference is high speed stopping. They bite MUCH harder than custom pads when going 100km+. Stop sitting in your office and eating those donuts you love and go and fix my oil leak!!

By: TYREFRIAR

TYREFRIAR — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 07:34:22 +0000

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!

By: Peter

Peter — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:19:40 +0000

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

By: michael

michael — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 09:04:00 +0000

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.

By: TYREFRIAR

TYREFRIAR — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 21:22:42 +0000

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.

By: dennis

dennis — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 15:57:26 +0000

The new FPV turbo is more fun to drive and handles better then peter’s VZ clubsport.