I'm here! Now talk to me about V8s......
Discussion
So I finally arrived last weekend into Sydney, beautiful weekend. sadly straight to work Monday and just finding my feet, a flat etc etc....followed by torrential rain this weekend....D'oh!
I am also starting the long process of "which car...." and I know nothing about the indigenous V8s..I'd like to and I would guess there is a fair bit of knowledge here...
So ...
What ones should I be looking at? What should I go for / avoid (within a reasonable budget....so not 80k brand new motors...)...I only know that an HSV clubsport is the VXR8 in the Uk, I like that....I want something fairly quick, nice-ish cabin to be in (leather), manual...
I am still veering towards something like a 350Z, Boxster S, S2000 but am weighing up the options in case I am missing something amazing.....
I have just come from a Classic Scoob so its now got to be RWD, not sure about convertible or not yet...eg the 350Z, could possibly go coupe as I might attempt the odd track day. I don't "need" 4 doors or seats.
I am also starting the long process of "which car...." and I know nothing about the indigenous V8s..I'd like to and I would guess there is a fair bit of knowledge here...
So ...
What ones should I be looking at? What should I go for / avoid (within a reasonable budget....so not 80k brand new motors...)...I only know that an HSV clubsport is the VXR8 in the Uk, I like that....I want something fairly quick, nice-ish cabin to be in (leather), manual...
I am still veering towards something like a 350Z, Boxster S, S2000 but am weighing up the options in case I am missing something amazing.....
I have just come from a Classic Scoob so its now got to be RWD, not sure about convertible or not yet...eg the 350Z, could possibly go coupe as I might attempt the odd track day. I don't "need" 4 doors or seats.
TAS1981 said:
I am also starting the long process of "which car...."
So ... (leather)..... manual...I am still veering towards something like a 350Z,
so its now got to be RWD, not sure about convertible or not yet...eg the 350Z, could possibly go coupe as I might attempt the odd track day. I don't "need" 4 doors or seats.
,,,,weighing up the options in case I am missing something amazing.....
All that to me says Nissan 350gt, just a thought..So ... (leather)..... manual...I am still veering towards something like a 350Z,
so its now got to be RWD, not sure about convertible or not yet...eg the 350Z, could possibly go coupe as I might attempt the odd track day. I don't "need" 4 doors or seats.
,,,,weighing up the options in case I am missing something amazing.....
There is something particularly satisfying, idling down the highway, at 120Km/H, the engine just ticking over, going tick tick tick, tick, with each tick a telegraph post.
It can also be satisfying accelerating out of a slow corner, & being able to chose 2Nd, 3Rd, or even forth, & disappear into the distance very quickly, behind that big V8.
Yes there is something to be said for a big V8. The turbo straight 6 Falcon is a bit of an excitement machine too, when re chipped.
The way a modern V8 drives some of the very tasty GT40, & Cobra replicas they are now doing, is a real surprise too, & my 4.6L, 300+BHP TR8 is a lot of fun.
So, having driven both Ford & Holden V8s at Bathurst, what is my weapon of choice?
You guessed it, A Honda S2000. It suits my requirements, today, much better.
It can also be satisfying accelerating out of a slow corner, & being able to chose 2Nd, 3Rd, or even forth, & disappear into the distance very quickly, behind that big V8.
Yes there is something to be said for a big V8. The turbo straight 6 Falcon is a bit of an excitement machine too, when re chipped.
The way a modern V8 drives some of the very tasty GT40, & Cobra replicas they are now doing, is a real surprise too, & my 4.6L, 300+BHP TR8 is a lot of fun.
So, having driven both Ford & Holden V8s at Bathurst, what is my weapon of choice?
You guessed it, A Honda S2000. It suits my requirements, today, much better.
As you probably know the Holden Commodore is the basis for the VXR8 in the UK after it has been HSV'd!
The Holden versions don't have the LS3 6.2 litre engine, they have the L76/L98 6 litre engine. The newer autos also have cylinder deactivation. 06 to 08ish didn't. The deactivation ones have slightly less power than the manuals and older autos.
I actually have a VE SS V ute. The V is sort of a luxury pack. They are around $40k to $50k. There is also one now called a Redline which has the Brembo brakes from the Camaro on it.
The VE series Commodores actually drive very nicely, way better than the 99-05 cars. The only flaw I have with it is you have to be very careful at roundabouts as the A pillar is a bit obtrusive. If you don't mind the auto, then the Calais redline or calais V whatever it is called now would be the one to get I reckon. If you want a used auto then the Calais V definately as they tend not to be messed around with, unlike a lot of the SS cars. Maybe also the Caprice which is a lot of car for the money. Manuals, you are a bit restricted as they are only available in SS SSV sedan and Ute
The older cars 1999 to 2005 including the Monaro are good fun. I found the Utes a bit cramped in that version. A lot of cars in this bracket will be modified. The Caprice and Statesman in these years would also be worth a look although the four speed auto is average! Manuals are the SS/SV8, Monaro and the Utes. If you get one of these older cars try and get a post 2003 as a lot of the engines from 1999 to 2002 (year corrected.. oops) had to be rebuilt. Post late 2001 also have the toe link in the back that sort of saves on tyres a bit!
HSV cars are nice but in my eyes $$$$$ especially spare parts (HSV exclusive stuff). If I wanted a tourer then maybe the Senator or Grange!!
Onto the opposition, I haven't driven any of the FG cars ie after 2008. I have driven a BA and a BF. The BA II XR8 was a V8 manual which I must admit was a lot nicer to drive than my similar vintaged Holden V8 manual at the time. The gearbox was a lot better to use. BA series II onwards had the 6 speed manual in them.
I have also driven a couple of BF F6 typhoons which is the Turbo 6 car. One was a stock 6 speed manual, also very nice to drive. The Auto was a modified example that was quite possible the fastest thing I have been in! The ZF 6 speed auto in that was also very good.
Out of the current cars ie FG version I reckon the G6 turbo which is a luxury car with the Turbo motor in it (maybe see Pommygranites car) The F6 is also highly regarded. I have read the newer FG GT/GS with the Supercharged (mustang)V8 engine in it are also very good.
They can all be modified, but as you can maybe deduce I am getting older and like the luxury side of things nowadays too!!!!
The Holden versions don't have the LS3 6.2 litre engine, they have the L76/L98 6 litre engine. The newer autos also have cylinder deactivation. 06 to 08ish didn't. The deactivation ones have slightly less power than the manuals and older autos.
I actually have a VE SS V ute. The V is sort of a luxury pack. They are around $40k to $50k. There is also one now called a Redline which has the Brembo brakes from the Camaro on it.
The VE series Commodores actually drive very nicely, way better than the 99-05 cars. The only flaw I have with it is you have to be very careful at roundabouts as the A pillar is a bit obtrusive. If you don't mind the auto, then the Calais redline or calais V whatever it is called now would be the one to get I reckon. If you want a used auto then the Calais V definately as they tend not to be messed around with, unlike a lot of the SS cars. Maybe also the Caprice which is a lot of car for the money. Manuals, you are a bit restricted as they are only available in SS SSV sedan and Ute
The older cars 1999 to 2005 including the Monaro are good fun. I found the Utes a bit cramped in that version. A lot of cars in this bracket will be modified. The Caprice and Statesman in these years would also be worth a look although the four speed auto is average! Manuals are the SS/SV8, Monaro and the Utes. If you get one of these older cars try and get a post 2003 as a lot of the engines from 1999 to 2002 (year corrected.. oops) had to be rebuilt. Post late 2001 also have the toe link in the back that sort of saves on tyres a bit!
HSV cars are nice but in my eyes $$$$$ especially spare parts (HSV exclusive stuff). If I wanted a tourer then maybe the Senator or Grange!!
Onto the opposition, I haven't driven any of the FG cars ie after 2008. I have driven a BA and a BF. The BA II XR8 was a V8 manual which I must admit was a lot nicer to drive than my similar vintaged Holden V8 manual at the time. The gearbox was a lot better to use. BA series II onwards had the 6 speed manual in them.
I have also driven a couple of BF F6 typhoons which is the Turbo 6 car. One was a stock 6 speed manual, also very nice to drive. The Auto was a modified example that was quite possible the fastest thing I have been in! The ZF 6 speed auto in that was also very good.
Out of the current cars ie FG version I reckon the G6 turbo which is a luxury car with the Turbo motor in it (maybe see Pommygranites car) The F6 is also highly regarded. I have read the newer FG GT/GS with the Supercharged (mustang)V8 engine in it are also very good.
They can all be modified, but as you can maybe deduce I am getting older and like the luxury side of things nowadays too!!!!
Edited by motomk on Wednesday 28th September 05:17
Exactly, I have some time to decide what I want, I have not moved into my own place yet and in that time I want to form an opinion for myself with a bit of research but unless you have grown up with these cars its a nightmare as there are plenty of variants and I know nothing about any of them!
This has given me some decent food for thought.
This has given me some decent food for thought.
es in my time... TAS1981 said:
closest I got was a 2008 M3 V8....what am I missing in this car?
If you have driven that then you will need to be looking at something like at least the current VE range from HSV, as the previous chassi in the VX would not feel anyware neer as good as the M3. at least thats my thoughts having had a blast in the M3 at palmer sports.Edited to add, probably consider the BA series Falcon onwards if you cant quite stretch to the VE range. IMHO i think they probably had the edge over the VX, and the DOHC 5.4 BOSS engine is rather nice.
The turbo 6 in the Falcon is nicer I reckon.
I have told the story before but the bloke that tuned my last weekend toy had a BF FPV Falcon with the turbo inline 6. He put a downpipe back exhaust on it, a set of injectors, an off the shelf intake kit and reflashed the standard ECU and made over 400BHP at the wheels and somewhere in the region of 800NM torque! It might be a heavy beast but jebus that thing could move!! It even returned an average of 10L/100KM and got him a class win at Targa West on a single set of brake pads and tyres and the gearbox left in D and with the climate control set to freezing.
I have told the story before but the bloke that tuned my last weekend toy had a BF FPV Falcon with the turbo inline 6. He put a downpipe back exhaust on it, a set of injectors, an off the shelf intake kit and reflashed the standard ECU and made over 400BHP at the wheels and somewhere in the region of 800NM torque! It might be a heavy beast but jebus that thing could move!! It even returned an average of 10L/100KM and got him a class win at Targa West on a single set of brake pads and tyres and the gearbox left in D and with the climate control set to freezing.
cant comment on the turbo 6.
Did Melbourne to Airs rock and back in a long weekend driving one of the BA GTP development mules with a mate.
left thursday night after work, 2 girls and us in the car. drove to the rock, camped over night, climed the rock fist thing the next morning before it got windy/warm, quick swim in the pool out to the Ulgers and then a quick run back to Melbourne. total was 44hrs driving i think.....
Did Melbourne to Airs rock and back in a long weekend driving one of the BA GTP development mules with a mate.
left thursday night after work, 2 girls and us in the car. drove to the rock, camped over night, climed the rock fist thing the next morning before it got windy/warm, quick swim in the pool out to the Ulgers and then a quick run back to Melbourne. total was 44hrs driving i think.....
My son in law had a Turbo Falcon ute, about 3/4 years ago.
He did a mild tune, & re chip, for very little money, & made mince meat of all the similar Ford & Holden V8s.
This thing drove to work, or the theater like a nice taxi, but did 13 second down the quarter, on road tyres & wheels.
The V8 beside you at the lights may have a very fetching rumble to it's exhaust, but most will take a couple of seconds longer down that quarter mile.
If you think Falcon do some research on diffs. They didn't break, but he got 3 new ones fitted under warranty, as they howled their heads off, after a few thousand kilometers.
He did a mild tune, & re chip, for very little money, & made mince meat of all the similar Ford & Holden V8s.
This thing drove to work, or the theater like a nice taxi, but did 13 second down the quarter, on road tyres & wheels.
The V8 beside you at the lights may have a very fetching rumble to it's exhaust, but most will take a couple of seconds longer down that quarter mile.
If you think Falcon do some research on diffs. They didn't break, but he got 3 new ones fitted under warranty, as they howled their heads off, after a few thousand kilometers.
Edited by Hasbeen on Friday 30th September 07:38
The diff issue has been sorted, the drive line supplier who was delivering the diffs has been chopped.
The 335 V8 runs a local blower & is quite different from the Mustang engine.
These 8's are delivering a whole lot more than indicated power. I know of a few which have been dynoed on reliable machines producing around 320kw ATW unopened and stock.
The 270kw & 310kw turbos are real beasts, my lad has a 270 Ute which has pulled 13.13 at Willowbank T&T. His ute is factory stock; its interesting to note the Utes are 40kg heavier than the sedans.
The 335 V8 runs a local blower & is quite different from the Mustang engine.
These 8's are delivering a whole lot more than indicated power. I know of a few which have been dynoed on reliable machines producing around 320kw ATW unopened and stock.
The 270kw & 310kw turbos are real beasts, my lad has a 270 Ute which has pulled 13.13 at Willowbank T&T. His ute is factory stock; its interesting to note the Utes are 40kg heavier than the sedans.
It's late and I have had a few wines, but is it me or are the V8s all about quarter miles and power? I guess this is obvious but are any known for, say, an excellent chassis and handling? Does this rule out all utes? How do they handle and don't they have like a 70:30 weight dist? All genuine Qs, I have seen some tastey beasts since being here!
TAS1981 said:
It's late and I have had a few wines, but is it me or are the V8s all about quarter miles and power? I guess this is obvious but are any known for, say, an excellent chassis and handling? Does this rule out all utes? How do they handle and don't they have like a 70:30 weight dist? All genuine Qs, I have seen some tastey beasts since being here!
I don't get them. Later models are ok in corners but still nothing special. The utes don't handle at all especially in the wet. Not for me. Sorry.
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