Take Commodore’s Performance to the Next Level with XForce’s V6 Exhausts

From the fabled 1969 Monaro GTS that ruled Bathurst, to the mighty 2017 HSV GTSR-W1 whose 474 kW swan song marked the end of Australian auto production, Holden was the undisputed flag-bearer of homegrown high performance for almost 70 years. 

Their legendary lineup of naturally aspirated and supercharged V6 and V8 ground-pounders helped shape the way Aussies perceive high performance. And the sheer number of high output Holdens still on the road is a testament to how well they were built, and how committed the aftermarket is to keeping them running.

Exhaust systems are among the most common aftermarket Holden parts, and with good reason. Holden “V-type” engines, especially their V6s, are capable of delivering impressive power gains on exhaust upgrades, all without sacrificing fuel economy. That makes them a hands-down favourite with Aussie exhaust manufacturers like XForce who honed their design expertise on these venerable 6-cylinder powerplants.

XForce Exhausts Take Commodore V6 Performance To the Limit

For more than 25 years, NSW’s XForce has been at the forefront of designing, developing and manufacturing high performance exhaust systems. It’s their Commodore VE and VU V6 exhaust systems, however, that they’re particularly proud of. These high flow/low backpressure systems are direct swaps for the full lineup of 6-cylinder Holden Commodores built between 1997 and 2017, including:

• 2006-2012 VE sedans and wagons, and 2008-2013 utes;
• 2013-2017 VF sedans, wagons and utes;
• 1997-2004 VT-VY sedans;
• 2000-2004 VU-VY utes; and,
• 2004-2006 VZ sedans, and 2004-2007 utes.

XForce Commodore V6 exhaust systems are also a direct swap for the Commodore’s luxury sport sibling, the Calais. These same high flow systems allow VE, VF, and VX-VY Calais owners to also their V6’s natural responsiveness and torque to the limit, but without sacrificing the Calais’s one-of-a-kind balance of comfort, handling and economy.

Balanced Flow Dynamics That Let Commodore V6s Shine

With their ability to jump from 120 kW grocery-getters to 700 kW BMW slayers on little more than stroking and a big enough turbocharger, Holden V6s are among the most solidly designed and readily modified engine families ever designed. XForce knows, however, that when it comes to building exhaust systems for engines this capable, relying strictly on larger tubes to improve exhaust flow can actually hurt engine performance than help it.

Spent exhaust gases can’t be allowed to simply surge through the system – they have to be forced through. That’s why XForce’s Commodore performance exhausts are engineered to aggressively draw spent gases through the system, creating conditions that actively encourage the following:

• A solid improvement in exhaust scavenging. Exhaust scavenging is based on the Bernoulli Effect, and uses the vacuum created by spent exhaust gases moving from a point of high pressure to low pressure to effectively draw the next mixture of fuel and fresh air into the combustion chamber.
• A marked increase in exhaust gas velocity. The quicker spent exhaust gases are evacuated from the system, the quicker the next mixture of fuel and air can be drawn into the combustion chamber. XForce VE, VU and VZ V6 sports exhaust systems excel at using the V6’s superior timing to increase exhaust velocity during scavenging.
• A noticeable reduction in backpressure. Backpressure is created by any type of resistance within the system that restricts efficient air flow. XForce VE, VU and VZ V6 exhaust systems rely heavily on mandrel bent tubing and high flow cats to eliminate the unnecessary tube bends and overly restrictive catalytic converters that lead the way in creating performance-sapping backpressure.

Balanced flow dynamics is the key to successful exhaust system design, and XForce’s Holden Commodore performance exhausts are engineered to deliver optimal scavenging by keeping exhaust gas velocities high and backpressure low. Along with extensive system balancing and dyno testing though, it takes the right combination of parts to achieve the desired performance. This is where XForce’s cutting edge tube-forming technology takes their Holden Commodore V6 exhaust systems to the next level.

Exhaust Configurations For the Full Range of Commodore V6 Powerplants 

As tempting as it is for exhaust manufacturers to over-engineer their systems, especially on forced induction engines, it’s not an issue at XForce. They understand that simplicity is essential to designing an efficient, durable exhaust, and their Holden V6 exhaust systems are engineered around straightforward, high flow configurations that don’t just look good – they perform.

• A choice of polished or non-polished 3-into-1, 1.5″ or 1.625″  inlet/2.25” outlet header pipes in 201 stainless steel;
• A choice of 2.25″ dual or twin 409 stainless steel catback arrangements, with 100 cell high-flow metallic cats;
• A choice of 2.25″ centre mufflers with internal H-pipes, or centre outlet oval straight through rear mufflers; and,
• A choice of 3.0″ twin exhaust tips, or polished Y-piece quad tips.

These configurations are capable of delivering big results with little more than O2 extension looms and an ECU tune where necessary, and are tuned especially for the following 6-cylinder powerplants.

• LN3, L27 and L36 naturally aspirated, and LG7 and L67 supercharged Fireball 3.8L V6s;
• L27, L36 and L26 naturally aspirated, and L67 and L32 supercharged Ecotec 3.8L V6s; and,
• LY7, LLT, LFX and LWR naturally aspirated Alloytec 3.6L V6s.

And with their superior flow dynamics, reduced back pressure and naturally easier breathing, XForce VU V6 exhaust systems can even generate a modest increase in fuel economy without sacrificing emission compliance. It’s the best possible combination of qualities for a road-legal Commodore V6.

The Final Word

At the end of the day, even though the Commodore has been a recipient of some of the most powerful and exotic V8s ever produced by Holden, it’s their venerable family of V6 motors that consistently proved themselves to be the most impressive. Pound-for-pound, they were arguably the most capable family of engines on Holden’s roster, and aftermarket manufacturers like XForce know how to get the best performance out of them.

From their improved throttle responsiveness, to their instantly recognisable increase in low end torque, XForce’s Commodore VE, VZ and VU exhaust systems are engineered to make a family of great engines even better. And for anyone who owns one of these classic Commodore or Calais powerplants, now is the right time to invest in their performance.