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#1 | ||
Banned
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,922
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Which car/model changed the face of performance for aussie cars?
Whilst it is no longer at the top of the tree and I hate to say it but the LS1 changed the performance benchmark for aussie cars. Mid 14s for a base model vt2 commodore executive. Prior to that we were pulling teeth to get the old windsor or holden v8 to dip into the 14s. Ford were forced to lift their game several times to be on par and had to develop the boss to match it. So responsive to mods. I think as much as we hate it, we have to acknowledge the ls1 changed the game |
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#2 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
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Further back than that...
The XU1 Torana and the E38 and E49 Chargers did it...people suddenly realised you didn't need bulk cubes to achieve performance, something that had been known overseas for decades (erm...at least in Europe and England...). As long as your car had a well set up chassis and was nicely balanced, with the right engine and the right mods, you could comprehensively wipe the floor with "the big boys" who thought engine development started and stopped at 8 cylinders in a V configuration... ![]() We're almost seeing a seed of this growing again today...Ford V8's have to have a supercharger to make a significant difference over a turbo six cylinder, at least enough to try and differentiate the two and justify the price difference. I still vividly recall two FPV's sitting at Ford in Rockhampton, one an F310 sedan and the other a GS ute...310kw out of a turbo six, and 315 out of a V8...? Why bother paying the extra price, hugely increased rego and insurance costs for the V8? |
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#3 | ||
Render unto Caesar
Join Date: Feb 2008
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XR GT started the whole thing.
Then I would have to say the VLT in the 80's with the XR6T in the 2000's.
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#4 | ||
Steve
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sth East Qld
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Depends how old you are really !! Probably the XR GT and the HK Monaro's although I have a Bathurst DVD that shows a VC Valiant running second after the first lap of the Armstrong 500 in 1966 ..... all in the eye of the beholder really..and I got my P's in one of these.
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Currently no Fords . 2005 Statesman International 5.7, Mazda 2 and a Hilux. Former Fords: 2010 Ford Escape 2007 BF11 GT, TE50 Series 1 ,AU V8 One Tonner ,EL Falcon Wagon, ED Fairmont , EB Falcon Series 1. Mk 2 Cortina Company Fords : 3 BA Falcons , EB 11 Falcon Wagon , Ford F350 351 V8. |
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#5 | |||
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My ride: 2007 Falcon Ute BF XR8 Orange, MTO. |
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#6 | |||
... Fear it!
Join Date: Apr 2007
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Would probably have to say for me, was the XR6T that changed the game. I mean Holden had the S/C V6 but it just wasn't the same! For years if you wanted a performance Aussie built car you thought V8 straight away. Now, the XR6T's are a strong contender for the performance boys who aren't so die hard V8. An XR6T left Holden for dead, and was even eating it's ford V8 counter part.
For me, the BA XR6T set the bench mark for Australian Performane!
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#7 | ||
Steve
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sth East Qld
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Yes I would agree the BA XR6T is a contender.Big power available with not too much money.
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Currently no Fords . 2005 Statesman International 5.7, Mazda 2 and a Hilux. Former Fords: 2010 Ford Escape 2007 BF11 GT, TE50 Series 1 ,AU V8 One Tonner ,EL Falcon Wagon, ED Fairmont , EB Falcon Series 1. Mk 2 Cortina Company Fords : 3 BA Falcons , EB 11 Falcon Wagon , Ford F350 351 V8. |
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#8 | ||
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2008
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Xrgt.........
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#9 | ||
Za Dom spremni
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 1,759
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1967 XR GT ! everything else performance related was a reaction to that.
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#10 | |||
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#11 | |||
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The charger is American? We are talking Valiant Charger, you know, Mad Max II, Running from the Guns, made in Australia Charger. Not Bullit, Dukes of Hazzard Dodge Charger. The four things these cars have in common, is the name, parent company, the door mirror on the different model, & the engine name & cylinder head configuration of "hemi" that's where the similarity ends. The Valiant Charger was the first Australian designed car to have an integrated boot spoiler. The E49/48 37/38's were all powered by a 265 triple webbered 6 cylinder that could outrun the P4 down the quarter. That charger.
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#12 | |||
Za Dom spremni
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#13 | |||
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#14 | ||
Tyred Mechanic
Join Date: Oct 2010
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I have to agree with alot of people, the LS1 picked up where the "supercar scare" began in the 70's. Of course we are only referring to aussie cars because some jap and euro cars have always been super quick. The BA turbo was really in response to the lack of power from Ford's V8's compared to holdens. Still now Ford always tunes the V8 for more power on paper but since the intro of XR6 the V8 has been lagging, gotta love the I6, but nothing beats the burnout power and sound of a good V8. But if holden taken take that first step we probably wouldn't even have a turbo series ford
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#15 | ||
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I'd probably discount anything with a V8 as being a "game changer" as the V8 has always been the engine to "naturally" go for in a "performance car". (he says, ducking sharply...
![]() The title of the thread would mean a vehicle that changed the "normal" face of performance cars, something that was different, outside the square, a vehicle that wasn't what people would expect to contain such performance, something that would make people suddenly go "Holy crap, look at that thing go! That's completely changed my idea about what a performance car is and re-evaluate my thinking!", then I'd still stand by my choice of the XU1 and the E38/E49 Chargers. Anyone can just slap a V8 into a platform and call it a "performance car"...it had been done to death by everyone from the big guys to smaller makers over the decades. Trying a different and more daring route by going for a smaller engine and yet still wiping the bum of the V8's at the time is truly "game changing". Closer to modern times, I'd go for the good old XR6...when they were released, for the first time in the modern era people honestly looked at whether they actually did need a V8 to go quickly and give sparkling performance. The common outlook was that the XR6 was as fast if not faster than the XR8, so why bother spending the extra cash on fuel, rego, and insurance on a V8? |
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#16 | |||
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The Scarlet Fairlane: 94 5.Slow Litre NC II Fairlane 488800kms & Climbing Rollin' on genuine ELGT wheels. K&N Filter /////Alpine Sound. EBGT Momo Woodgrain Steering Wheel The Scarlet Fairlane Build Thread Project "White Knight" 93 ED XR6 ROH Alloys Momo wheel Cruise Sunroof Premo Sound Manual HO Goodies PWK Build Thread 1990 Yamaha FZR 250: 59000ks & climbing. New fairing, old tank, my angry mosquito in a coffee tin! 14.977 1/4mile. ![]() |
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#17 | |||
Tickford 220kw Windsor...
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The Aus Charger was an all Aussie car. With a unique to Australia designed body and the 265 was all Aussie too, where as the XR GT was mostly American, the body was borne from an American varient adapted for us and the drivetrain was 100% American. Remember the XT advertising motto... More Mustang!!...lol But to the opening point of the topic, many have forgotten the Mini Cooper S.. Now that was quite a benchmark for its time, and a genuine Cooper S would beat a XR or XT GT upto 100MPH.. Then comes the 6 cyl Toranas and Chargers etc etc. LS anything...??? WTF...Pfffffft... Holdog just pulled a complete donk from the General Motors antique pile and slapped in the Commondogs.. Iv actually gotta say I preferred the local 308's etc that Holdog made over the Chev versions.
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#18 | |||
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#19 | |||
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#20 | |||
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The P3 was doin 14s 1/4s in 1971 So it took holden how long to get something to top the king And your put this rubbish on a ford forum Cmon Which car changed the face of performance cars Ya wanna turn the clock back over 40 years for that correct answer * The e49 6 cylinder charger of the early 70s were doin 14 1/4s as well Commondore changed the face of performance cars in australia,not ever |
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#21 | |||
Tribal Elder
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Handling,braking, etc are more in line with performance than just outright HP P3 was a pig to drive. |
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#22 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
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But my comment was in reply to the OPs LS1s and 14 sec 1/4s Yes perhaps the LS1 powered cars were fast ??? But to say how great they are because they can do a long awaited 14 sec 1/4 mile from factory!!! Ford and chrysler were doin 14 sec 1/4s 40 years ago No injection either * The HG 350 monaros were hot on their heels to Again another 40 year old dinosaur Handling and performance An LS1 commo against a cosworth sierra ??? |
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#23 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
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Double post
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#24 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
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#25 | ||
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It sort of depends in the age of the fellow forum member and era they grew up. It seems we saw some big changes in early 70s, then nothing really happened for 30 years and then the ls1 arrived.
The vt series 1 hsv owners were hoodwinked by the release of the ls1, next years executive was faster and more powerful than the vt series 1 gts. The ts50 owners were next to get railroaded by the boss series motors. |
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#26 | |||
Barra Turbo > V8
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So what your saying the LS1 was the best thing in 30 years? TS50 owners 'railroaded' right. www.ls1.com is calling you
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#27 | |||
Racing improves the breed
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#28 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
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To ask a question as you have done, i think is all good and well for a general consensus But ALL you keep saying is "LS1" blah,blah,blah "LS1" blah blah blah "LS1" blah blah blah Seriously take the blinkers of A WRX or EVO , or even a cosworth sierra would make mincemeat of an "LS1" blah blah blah There isnt really "1" specific car that has changed the face of performance cars in australia Most of the older aussie muscle cars were done as an improvement of the opposition due to the racing history and the, "Win on sunday,sell on monday" philosophy Something,that unfortunately has not been seen for a long time, and probably will never seen again Look at the stuff they race nowadays in the V8 supercar series Nothin at all like you can buy from a retailer,only similarity is a badge and some body panels As for the comment that a newer model was better faster than the previous Fancy buying a carb 308 holden and getting a touch up by granny in her then new V6 commondore !!! Its called progress |
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#29 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
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All ford did then was make hose out taxi's and knit cardigans. |
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#30 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
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Street machine done a few little tests in the 80s Punting the P3 GTHO against the best brockadores of the 80s The P3 at then 10 odd years old still held its head high The XE ESP Fairmont Ghia 351 wasnt nothin to sneeze at Certainly took it to the SS commo boys |
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