To bulge or not to bulge, that is the question...

[flappist]

As an extrapolation from the various "coyote" threads here and elsewhere I was wondering if the next generation XR8/GT should retain the bulge in the bonnet.

The bulge was originally introduced to allow for the larger deck on the BOSS engine which would not fit under a normal bonnet. It is unique for BA/BF/FG BOSS powered vehicles as other engine options in those models, I6, T6 & 3V all fit under the standard bonnet and so therefore were not sold with a bulge.

No other Falcon engine, 6 or V8 has required a bulge and the few examples e.g. EL GT were cosmetic and of dubious taste so the bulge is not traditional.

Those who have installed the bulged bonnet on 6 cylinder or 3V vehicles have drawn criticism as "rice" and "try hard".

So here is the question.

If the new V8 engine will fit under a normal bonnet should the bulge be retained for cosmetic purposes?

[kenz]

I think it should. Its kind of the xr8/gt trademark nowadays. Just adds a bit of extra toughness to it

[vztrt]

Technically its rice on the FG as its not required.

Ford wouldn't wanna get rid of it straight away but gradually reducing it would be the way to go.

Mind you people put shakers on their BOSS power Falcons, so I guess it could stay....Now if they put a S/C on the FPV then they could justify the bulge. lol

[barra240t]

I say bring back the cat scratches (EL) for the XR6T and only put a bulge on the 8 if it needs it.

[Coogs289]

Originally Posted by barra240t

I say bring back the cat scratches (EL) for the XR6T and only put a bulge on the 8 if it needs it.

agreed

[FPV8U]

Buldge doesn't have to stay, but some sort of difference (Look at C63 Bonnet lines) to show that you have something special under the bonnet.

[GT0132]

While the bulge looks good from outside , from a drivers perspective inside the car, when comparing my GT to my old I6 BA I'd prefer the 6 bonnet with no bulge

[TUF_302]

If its need it, of course put the big bad buldge on it!, but if its not maybe some other sort of bonnet accesory,Like some vents or something

[MITCHAY]

Originally Posted by GT0132

While the bulge looks good from outside , from a drivers perspective inside the car, when comparing my GT to my old I6 BA I'd prefer the 6 bonnet with no bulge

Is it really that much of a problem though? I have a WRX and the scoop doesn't worry me one bit, I barely notice it after driving it a while.

Of course it's a different car but surely the difference of the XR8 vs XR6 would much the same as normal Impreza vs WRX? It looks about the same to me and I have been behind all 4!

It doesn't mess with your field of vision like you have a massive big block and S/C sticking through the bonnet.

[jphanna]

Bulge for sure. i always look twice when i see a falcon bonnet with the bulge.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by jphanna

Bulge for sure. i always look twice when i see a falcon bonnet with the bulge.

Even though alot of Bulge equipped cars i see arent XR8's/GT's or even fords. I still think it should stay

[Jondalar]

Originally Posted by GT0132

While the bulge looks good from outside , from a drivers perspective inside the car, when comparing my GT to my old I6 BA I'd prefer the 6 bonnet with no bulge

I totally agree, plus if the bulge is not needed why did they make it bigger on the FG, I could not get the FG with the bulge as my wife could never have driven it, blocked her view too much.

[GUTLES]

Originally Posted by GT0132

While the bulge looks good from outside , from a drivers perspective inside the car, when comparing my GT to my old I6 BA I'd prefer the 6 bonnet with no bulge

Only time I wish I didn't have one is when the suns glaring off it, always happens on a dead straight highway.

[Elks]

Originally Posted by FPV8U

Buldge doesn't have to stay, but some sort of difference (Look at C63 Bonnet lines) to show that you have something special under the bonnet.

I like that concept

[HSE2]

Originally Posted by FPV8U

Buldge doesn't have to stay, but some sort of difference (Look at C63 Bonnet lines) to show that you have something special under the bonnet.

It's a signature and like all signatures they change or evolve with time.

This is the best way forward if clearance isn't a future concern.

[MITCHAY]

It looks pretty good so why get rid of it, even if it isn't required at least have an option. Looking at an XR6T is pretty ordinary although it would whip it.

[SM1DY]

I dont believe that the V8 supercars require the buldge to fit the engine under the hood, so why should it matter if they keep the bulge for the post-boss days.

I love the big fat buldge on the front of my Falcon and can't imagine any V8 Falcon without one, it's significant to the character of the vehicle nowadays.

[GTP owner]

It's kinda like push-up bras - false expectations. Sure it looks the biz, but when you open her up....well disappointment results.

[Dave R]

The bulge looks good, why get rid of it? It identifies the car as a V8. If the bulge is rice and 'not needed', then get rid of the XR body kits too - a standard XT bar will do the same job ;) XRs and FPVs don't need wings either, but they still come with them and nobody complains.

The body kits identify the cars as XRs, just as the bulge identifies the presence of a V8. Nothing wrong with that. That's how I see it anyway.

[geckoGT]

Originally Posted by Adrenaline

The bulge looks good, why get rid of it? It identifies the car as a V8. If the bulge is rice and 'not needed', then get rid of the XR body kits too - a standard XT bar will do the same job ;) XRs and FPVs don't need wings either, but they still come with them and nobody complains.

The body kits identify the cars as XRs, just as the bulge identifies the presence of a V8. Nothing wrong with that. That's how I see it anyway.

Well said!

[DJM83]

Keep it as IMO it has become trademark of the XR8 and GT

[NC1183]

Bulge on the XR8/GT and the "cat-scatches" on the XR6T/F6, put a bit of character on the cars.

[R0BD0G]

cat scratches???

[Trek]

Originally Posted by R0BD0G

cat scratches???

The bonnet scoops they came with...

[Rodp]

If the donk fits under a standard bonnet then the bulge has to go (and this is someone who loved his XR8 bulge) Introduce something else to distinguish between the XR's.

[Road_Warrior]

Well if Ford and FPV develop a raised plenum chamber for the motor as they have done before (for the Boss and the Windsor stroker) then they may need the bulge.

[Torquen]

+1 for "cat scratches" for the XR6T's. I hate the fact the look the same as a N/A XR6, bar the "turbo" badge :(

[anto]

Originally Posted by flappist

As an extrapolation from the various "coyote" threads here and elsewhere I was wondering if the next generation XR8/GT should retain the bulge in the bonnet.

The bulge was originally introduced to allow for the larger deck on the BOSS engine which would not fit under a normal bonnet. It is unique for BA/BF/FG BOSS powered vehicles as other engine options in those models, I6, T6 & 3V all fit under the standard bonnet and so therefore were not sold with a bulge.

No other Falcon engine, 6 or V8 has required a bulge and the few examples e.g. EL GT were cosmetic and of dubious taste so the bulge is not traditional.

Those who have installed the bulged bonnet on 6 cylinder or 3V vehicles have drawn criticism as "rice" and "try hard".

So here is the question.

If the new V8 engine will fit under a normal bonnet should the bulge be retained for cosmetic purposes?

although not a falcon, the ford family does have some tradition with the "bulge". Remember the TC-TD cortinas ?

gotta keep the bulge !!

[GT0132]

[QUOTE=anto]although not a falcon, the ford family does have some tradition with the "bulge". Remember the TC-TD cortinas ?

gotta keep the bulge !!


Those Cortinas were great cars

[GTP-814]

Originally Posted by anto

although not a falcon, the ford family does have some tradition with the "bulge". Remember the TC-TD cortinas ?

gotta keep the bulge !!

& dont forget the RS3100 capris