Before we were messing with Falcons, we got our Australian car tuning beginnings through the humble Ecotec 3.8L V6, in the form of a VY Wagon. This was the little wagon that could, and it would go on to become over 2 seconds faster in 0-100 with nothing but basic mods and tuning. This is how we did it.
The Car in Question
Was a 3.8L Naturally Aspirated Vy Acclaim Wagon, featuring the 4L60E automatic transmission and the factory 3.08 Open Rear End. While the drivetrain was nothing special, the engine, built on the Buick 3800 Series II platform, was notorious for its reliability. Being initially manufactured by GM out of the United States, but then being tweaked for use in Australian Holden applications. This was because, in America, the engine only ever saw use in Front Wheel Drive vehicles.
However, Performance
Left a lot to be desired... The engines factory 152kw of power felt really underwhelming, especially considering the VYs 1600+ KGs of curb weight. Engine torque was also very average at just over 300nm, which for reference is matched or exceeded by most 3L 6-cylinder designs, highlighting the engines massive air restriction. But this isn't a car review, let's get on with:
Making the Ecotec Great Again!
Started first, with bolt on modifications. While a tune was most definitely needed, I first wanted to try and give myself the best chance of success by using some bolt-on mods to enhance the engines Airflow capacity. Thankfully, the aftermarket for the 3.8L and Commodore in general is nice and plentiful, with many mods available that address the engines less than impressive power output. Here are the ones we used on the Project:
The MACE cold air intake kit proved a nice looking (and sounding) modification, which did away with the factory panel filter, replacing it with a K&N cone style unit encased with a custom plastic shroud, enabling the intake to draw cold air from behind the left headlight.
Redback Extractors provided additional exhaust flow and much enhanced scavenging over the factory log cast manifolds, scavenging especially enabled the unlocking of more torque and ignition timing, by pulling more exhaust gas from the cylinders during the exhaust stroke.
MACE plenum and manifold spacers not only increased plenum volume and runner length but also helped isolate the cast alloy plenum from the hot engine, reducing the final intake air temperature at the intake valve. The runner length especially, allowed shifting the Torque peak downward, improving off the line grunt.
A redback Catback system gave our Ecotec Wagon some much needed sound volume with a nice note, as well as reduced backpressure in the exhaust thanks to the deletion of the HUGE rear muffler in the stock design.
Finally, a diff upgrade to the 3.45 Limited Slip found in the Manual Commodores addressed the acceleration issue caused by the 4L60e's long gearing.
We then combined this, with a custom tune that had been developed on the car for almost 7 months. Featuring revised fueling targets, greatly enhanced spark advance tables and much more.
The Result
Was a sub 8 second 0-100 V6 commodore, acceleration was far improved, and the best part: The tune went on to become the foundation of the tunes we sell for commodores today.
So, what are you waiting for, if you want a part of the 8 second commodore to upgrade your Ecotec's performance, why not check out the Ecotec tunes on our store, or alternatively make a booking with us and we will go over your whole commodore tune with you!
Until then, Happy Tuning, -Rob
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