Don’t Spoil your VF
You have purchased a new VF Commodore V8 or Gen-F HSV LS3 or LSA and are thinking about what you can do to give yourself more enjoyment from some extra power and better sound. You also may not want to spoil the car from its pristine condition, quietness, etc. I have written this article if you will modify your car sensibly.
Our first suggestion for new car owners is to start with just a tune or a tune and a good over-radiator-style intake. You might consider modifications if you recently purchased a VF Commodore or Gen-F HSV and want to enhance your driving experience with more power and better sound. However, you may also want to maintain the car’s pristine condition and quietness. I’ve written this article to help you modify your vehicle sensibly.
The first suggestion for new car owners is to start with a tune or a tune along with a high-quality, over-radiator-style intake.
Custom Tune
There are significant benefits to a proper and comprehensive tune for all VF Holden Commodore VF and VF Caprice models, as well as all HSV models. Even without making other modifications, these vehicles can gain approximately 20 kW of engine power from an effective tune. The use of 98-octane fuel further enhances these gains. Additionally, Holden models equipped with E85 flex fuel sensors can achieve even greater power increases when using E85 fuel.
Custom Tune & Cold Air Intake
The performance gains from a tune are significantly enhanced by installing a cold air intake. These intakes not only provide air at higher pressure but also maintain cooler intake air temperatures, which increases air density and boosts oxygen content. For each degree that the intake air is colder than the air reaching the engine’s intake manifold, power increases by approximately one kilowatt at the rear wheels.
For the Holden Commododore VF V8 , the most effective design is the over-the-radiator (OTR) cold air intake. We often observe gains of around 40 engine kilowatts when combining an OTR cold air intake with a custom tune on factory-standard VE and VF Commodores, as well as on HSV models.
You will notice a significant improvement in driveability; the car will accelerate more quickly, even at light throttle, and it will be more responsive while delivering additional power across all RPM ranges. These enhancements apply to all Gen F HSV LS3 models.
In addition to performance gains, these OTR cold air intakes produce an impressive sound at full throttle, which satisfies the desire for a car that “sounds like a V8 should.” When cruising on the highway with light loads, the vehicle remains as quiet as it was when it was new.
Installing the OTR cold air intake and custom tune for your VF typically takes about two hours and can be done while you wait. Alternatively, we can ship the OTR intake and offer a comprehensive online remote custom tuning service.
Beware of the perils of catback exhaust upgrading.
This is a crucial step where you might inadvertently damage the car. Numerous exhaust systems are on the market, and their prices can vary significantly. While some exhausts sound great outside the car and at idle, they may produce a harsh booming noise inside the cabin, commonly called “drone.”
To minimize drone, it’s advisable to choose a twin 2.5″ exhaust rather than a twin 3″ system, although not all twin 3″ systems will have drone issues. Generally, mild steel systems tend to drone more than stainless steel systems.
To ensure you avoid a droney exhaust, we carefully select Manta DPE systems we have previously tested and know to sound good. Wagons are particularly sensitive to droney exhausts, so if you have a wagon, be extra cautious in your exhaust selection.
HSV models with bi-modal systems are designed to address this issue effectively. These bi-modal systems feature valves that close off two of the exit pipes while cruising, effectively eliminating drone, especially at highway RPMs and loads.
We can provide bi-modal exhaust systems that can be fitted with either vacuum or electronic bi-modal valve controllers tailored to suit HSV models equipped with bi-modal controllers.
We are Platinum Dealers of Manta Exhaust MPI who owns the DPE range. Contact us for great prices.
Headers for extra power and burble.
Headers and high-flow metal catalytic converters provide a more significant power gain than simply changing the cat-back exhaust system, and they often produce a pleasing burbling sound. This effect is due to the scientifically designed “extractors,” which allow exhaust pulses to combine effectively, enhancing gas extraction from the exhaust system.
Interestingly, a droning cat-back exhaust often becomes less pronounced when headers are installed. It’s fascinating how our preferences for different sounds can vary. While a constant exhaust tone may be undesirable, many car enthusiasts find a burbling or “Beattie” tone much more enjoyable. However, some people cannot understand how a car exhaust could sound good!
Going beyond exhaust, intake and tune.
There are two main options to consider: 1) a cam upgrade or 2) forced induction.
Opting for a supercharger on a standard car, when combined with a well-chosen exhaust, an OTR intake, and a proper tune, can retain the car’s overall appeal as a daily driver or for long trips, similar to how it felt when it was new. The idle remains smooth, and fuel consumption may be slightly worse, but the power boost makes the car feel significantly lighter—almost as if it’s shed a few hundred kilograms. The latest generation of top-mount superchargers tends to whine at full load but is relatively quiet during idle and cruising. Typically, you won’t notice them on the highway or outside the car while idling.
On the other hand, a cam upgrade usually results in a minimally choppy or even lumpy idle due to valve timing overlap. This overlap is a necessary compromise that maximizes power production but can make the idle rougher. Some enthusiasts find this sound appealing, while others may feel it undermines the car’s overall experience. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.
We frequently perform cam upgrades, and for the cost, it can be a great way to significantly increase power without breaking the bank. However, it may not leave the car feeling as refined as one equipped with a supercharged engine using the stock cam. Whether this matters depends on individual taste. Some people choose to go all out and opt for both upgrades.
Final Word
Please take care when making choices regarding your car. I observe this type of activity daily, and our staff are trained to provide you with the best advice so you can enjoy your vehicle. Our company policy is to help you make decisions that ensure lasting enjoyment from your car. We aim to prevent you from falling into the cycle of buying, modifying, tiring of, and then selling your vehicle. Often, people make costly modifications that they do not truly enjoy, leading them to sell the car instead of making better choices.
The Holden Commodore VF SS and SSV Redline are among the best legacy Holdens ever made.
For more information about the makes and models we tune, as well as our current pricing, please click this link.
