I6 vs. V8

[davro_xr6]

I'm probably gonna stir some people on this - I have a BA XT N/A 6 - Extractors - 2.5" Exhaust, CAI and quickshifter - she goes pretty well and has caused some grief for some "higher powered" cars in Central QLD... I have always been a devout fan of the ford 6 and have not really paid much attention to the V8's (apart from the supercars of course) - until yesterday!!

Took a 2nd hand 03 BA XR8 ute for a test drive - and had I have had the funds I would have been driving away that day in it... Just blew my socks off... Down low power, response in steering and acceleration and brakes - phwoah!! What a package!! : Even though I may not have the bank roll as yet to afford the car, DEFINATELY a convert.

My question being - has anyone else with a XR8 or any V8 for that matter been converted from the 6, or anyone driving a 6 prefer to have the V8??

Be interested to see people's responses...

[dansedgli]

Originally Posted by davro_xr6

My question being - has anyone else with a XR8 or any V8 for that matter been converted from the 6, or anyone driving a 6 prefer to have the V8??

Be interested to see people's responses...

Are you serious?

[Sorted]

I had a Mildly worked 302 V8 in an XB Coupe and had my doors blown off by a 265 Hemi 6 in a Charger

Got beaten by Just a 6 so I was converted.............from V8 to 6

Not an I6 though lol

[Rob]

I had an AUIII I6, G&D enhanced, producing about 130rwkw (dyno said 127rwkw, but it kept hitting the limiter, Glenn reckons it had a fair bit left in it.) Thing went well, sounded horn.

Then, one fateful day, I did a V8 supercar drive at Calder park.. oh my. I was infected, and I HAD to have a V8. So I bought one. Never looked back since.

Having said that, quick N/A sixes are cool. Very cool. I want both, but can only afford one :

[jPod]

At home we all have I6's except for mums V8 (that's right... mums...) Its not a performance car, its a '95 DF LTD with a 5.0 Windsor under the hood.

Dad's is a BAII XT Company car
Bro has a '95 EF Futura Manual
I drive a '92 EBII GLi Manual.

My car (me being the only rev-head in the family) is easily the most worked car at home, mum and dads being stockies, bro having nothing but lowered springs a nice tip and sound system in there. I have had it lowered, thermo fans put in, ridium sparkplugs powered by super-inductive core leads, a larger high-flow filter, XR6 5-speed with XR6 clutch, and my favourite, a nice set of HM headers extractors fitted by Mick Webb (the SVO guy).

Its quite obvious that I have the quickest car at home.

But every-time i get into that V8, hear it crank over and the grumble as it accelerates, it reminds me that speed isn't everything. Having said that, with a bit of work, I am quite sure that mums currently stock LTD has easily got the potential to make mine look like a stock EB in comparision.

Any-way, yes the car is slower, it doesn't handle as well (softer ride), and not as loud (but not exactly quiet). It is a V8, and it feels like a V8. The torque down low is phenomenal, and its willingness to pull the car with ease with a full boot and back seat, or empty, towing or not, is amazing. I am not surprised that people love V8's. I would be driving one too if I could afford it (insurance for a 20 year old driving a V8 is ridiculous). I'm not taking away from the I6, it is a fantastic engine and has given me some incredible times, and made me feel like a king belting up Holden V8's and even a porche with it. But i cannot wait to get my hands on a V8 and send it to Mick...

Jp

ps. sorry about the above essay...

[AdzT3-146]

I had an I6 with Extractors, Exhaust, CAI was pretty good for what it was. Then one of my best mates bought an EF XR8 5spd. Not the quickest car out there but it pulled more than my I6 and it sounded awesome, i decided that i had to have a V8. So i went out and got an EL XR8.
Plus a family friend has a replica XW GT with a 351, which has got to be one of the best sounding cars i have ever heard.

[ThoR_]

Originally Posted by DRHEMI

I had a Mildly worked 302 V8 in an XB Coupe and had my doors blown off by a 265 Hemi 6 in a Charger

Got beaten by Just a 6 so I was converted.............from V8 to 6

Not an I6 though lol

Those 265 Hemis are just awsome. They nail most 8`s and i herd E49 or whatever it was, was quicker than the XY GT

265 Hemis also nail as much fuel as a V8!

Im dieing to drive one

[poolkeeper]

Originally Posted by dansedgli

Are you serious?

Umm.......
I second that... :

[davro_xr6]

Ah yeah - I asked the question - mainly because I have never bothered with the V8's and walking past it, curiosity got the better of me... Whats wrong with asking if people have had the same experience??

[dansedgli]

You were not expecting a car with 2 more cylinders and 70 more kw to be more powerful and torquey than your I6?

I think everyone has felt the same experience otherwise the V8's wouldnt sell.

I doubt there is anyone who got out of their underpowered I6 and jumped into a car with 70+ more kw and not been pleased. More power = More fun.

You should try and scam a ride in one of the XR6 turbos around with 300+rwkw. That will excite you!

[Psycho Chicken]

There are good sixes and eights just like there are crap sixes and eights.

[SSBUB]

iv never understood why people spend so much money on n/a 6's. the zorst, the headers, cai etc all for what? 100rwkw if your lucky? All to be beaten by a stock v8 or xr6t for example.
Maybe i miss the point, but whilst all cars will happily consume your funds, it seems turbo's and 8's are the only ones really 'worth' modifying.

To answer your q - i went from a VL commodore straight 6, no turbo, nothin. It went ok, but i never poured money into it. I then bought a VX SS and whilst it went a hell of alot better, i still wasnt happy with low down grunt, so i modded the thing.

Cars are money pits - save your $$ and dont mod your 6 anymore, and then get an xr8 or some other 8 of some kind...or as someone said an xr6t - wouldnt mind one of those myself.

[mcflux]

Originally Posted by SSBUB

iv never understood why people spend so much money on n/a 6's. the zorst, the headers, cai etc all for what? 100rwkw if your lucky? All to be beaten by a stock v8 or xr6t for example.
Maybe i miss the point, but whilst all cars will happily consume your funds, it seems turbo's and 8's are the only ones really 'worth' modifying.

100rwkw? Some members here are into the 13s with their NA sixes. Our sixes are around 100rwkw when stock.

Having said that I drive an atmo stock-ish V8 :P Coz I wanted one.

[OED666]

Originally Posted by SSBUB

iv never understood why people spend so much money on n/a 6's. the zorst, the headers, cai etc all for what? 100rwkw if your lucky?

Not sure if your talking about commos...

Take my car for instance... Standard AU XR6 motor, cam, and your usual exhaust, air intake...

162RWKW, 217 RWHP and 13.82 qtr's.... Hot N/A 6's rock!!!
Especially when asked if its a V8

[Ruger]

Originally Posted by OED666

Hot N/A 6's rock!!!

Agreed what mph you running?

[OED666]

Originally Posted by Ruger

Agreed what mph you running?

99.67MPH... I am so aiming to crack the 100MPH next year. Few more ponies to be had yet. Maybe I could launch even harder.

[70caprigt3k]

Originally Posted by Psycho Chicken

There are good sixes and eights just like there are crap sixes and eights.

Couldn't have said it any better, I will always be a V8 man but a good 6 can be a winner sometimes.

[nat_daly]

yeah ive jumped out of my xr6 into an xr8, and it just seems to pull much easier, but still not as quick as my xr6.. still id bet anyone with an stock I6 would prefer a stock v8

[SNB05T]

have been a v8 fan for as long as i can remember my first car was an xd falc 6 converted to v8 with a xa gt 351. sold that couldn't afford to run it bought an excel (yes i know) turbo'd and worked it (again i know) sold that and bought an ex cop ef six, pretty quick car. just bought an 03 xr8 manual, she is the ducks nuts it is so much quicker off the line than nearly all of the cars ive owned and driven. i know ive made the right choice and the missus loves the car two thumbs up :

[Powdered Toast Man]

You cant beat the smooth low down power of a good bent 8, and the sound!!! Wouldnt mind a drive in an I6 turbo though, might change my mind.

I've owned 3 sixes and 3 V8 falcons of differing ages over the years so I can swing both ways.

[JC]

I have one of each, and enjoy driving each for their own reason. The V8 definitely has more power, better acceleration etc, even on LPG. Actually, there's nothing the 6 does better then the 8, but it's not like it only has 75% of the performance, even though it does only have 75% of the cylinders (6 vs 8) and 80% of the capacity (4.0 vs 5.0). The 6 is a nice friendly car to drive, and never really gets savage. The 8 is also a nice friendly car to drive, AND has the capacity to get savage, which is why I prefer it marginally - then there's always the the sound, and the sound, and the noise, the rumble.....

[davro_xr6]

You see - and I know it may seem like I've had a sheltered life - but that was my first REAL experience behind the wheel of a V8 - so like I said it blew my socks off... And understandably it will have significant power increase from the 6, but never realised what it actually "felt" like...

Now question being - whats the differences in fuel consumption between the 6 and 8 - just looking at overall costs... Obviously insurance will kindly bend me over and drop my pants for me, rego is about $40 extra a half year (not that concerened with that) but the main cost will be fuel - so is the difference that noticeable or significant??

And to add to that, this particular car is only showing 75,000klms and is at $25,000, which (thanks to my friends at Esanda for the info) I could quite easilly bring down close to $20,000... Decisions decisions...

[Rob]

Put simply.. Yes.


You will pay for that rumble, and the shove. Especially, if, like me, you get off on hearing it above 3000rpm, when it opens its lungs and really starts to scream. I cant help it : :sm_headba

[davro_xr6]

How much difference are we talking though?? 3, 4, 5 litres per 100klms??

[Rob]

Well, I considered my AU to be really good on fuel, I mean around town I was getting 450km if I behaved myself, and even then, If I did kick in the guts a bit, it was still quite good. I worked it out to about a combined average of roughly 10/12 L/100km, driven normally. I'd see 650km easy out of a tank on the highway. The GTS however.. my current average is 19.7L/100km according to my trip computer. Read that as being bugger all from a full tank. Worth it though :eclipsee_

EDIT: mind you, I'm comparing a 4.0 I6, with exhaust extractors etc, which help economy, to a 5.7 stroker holden V8, which drinks like a wharfy. I think the BOSS 260 might be bit better on fuel, but not by much.

[private9]

Originally Posted by davro_xr6

How much difference are we talking though?? 3, 4, 5 litres per 100klms??

My brother has a BA XR8 and around town with reasonably sedate driving he cannot better 20l per 100 kays. It does sound good and have reasonable low down torque, but for the performance on offer I can't help but think the consumption is excessive in this day and age.

My last family barge was a VX Wagon with a Gen 3 5.7 and while it went well and was fantastic on fuel (MUCH better than my current AU3 I6) it was very unresponsive, had zero low down and didn't really sound good. I much prefer driving the AU I6. Sure it doesn't have as much top end, but for normal driving it is far more effortless and relaxing to drive.

I wouldn't say I'm a convert from 8 to 6 though, I still love my 8's!

[james22]

Originally Posted by davro_xr6

My question being - has anyone else with a XR8 or any V8 for that matter been converted from the 6, or anyone driving a 6 prefer to have the V8??

Be interested to see people's responses...

Mate, i loved my I6 like nothing else, even the Mrs wouldnt stand in the way/
Then I bought the 220 XR.

Lets put it this way.......

out: out: : : :baby bott

She didn't take kindly too it hehehe

[Stav]

Davro mate..it is horses for courses.I have been in a stock baxr8 auto and can't say that it felt like it pulled any harder than my six cylinder au modified wagon.It felt like I was driving my station wagon.

However if he threw a good exhaust on and edit he would smoke my butt in big way.

I cant see me selling the wagon as I love it too much now.

[Rob]

A stock BA XR8 with a 4sp auto runs something like 14.4 IIRC.. useless, your wagon isnt far behind, good stuff! out:

[Stav]

Originally Posted by BLC

A stock BA XR8 with a 4sp auto runs something like 14.4 IIRC.. useless, your wagon isnt far behind, good stuff! out:

Thanks mate