Buick 3800 V6 the BEST engine ever!

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Dr Terry

There are much rougher cars out there than VT-VY V6 Commodores.

Dr Terry

VN would be one of the worst ever. Like spanners in a washing machine.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by LG17

Wasn't the V6 invented by the same bloke who invented engine cranes?

Are you meaning the Buick or any V6?, as I've got one (non Ford) that's still going well at >270,000kms

[BA-XT]

Originally Posted by Big Trev

if we are talking 'best ever' then the Nissan TD42 is right up there

Sitting right below the mighty Toyota 12-HT

[burnz]

this engine??

[coo]

Before I switched to the Territory, I had a VP, VS, VT and VY.


VP and VS were company cars replaced at 100,000 ish
VS at 170, VY at 270.



They had absolutely minimal maintenance on them. Fluids, brakes, battery. The VY had a radiator (my fault), and replacement power steering pipes due to a shudder under warranty.


Regardless of whether you're talking Aussie built Ford or Holden, I beleive both are strong and reliable cars. I've had to replace the German build Barina at 130 and about to replace the Korean Getz at 140. The getz is becoming unreliable and the Barina simply died and wasn't worth repairing.


I have no idea what to get and the only choice is really Japanese.


It's saddening that we have lost our manufacturing industry based on some dumb desicions over the $ exchange rate...... when right now, if they kept them, they would be enjoying the reversal and we'd be a cheap but high quality manufacturer again.

[smoo]

Originally Posted by coo

Before I switched to the Territory, I had a VP, VS, VT and VY.


VP and VS were company cars replaced at 100,000 ish
VS at 170, VY at 270.



They had absolutely minimal maintenance on them. Fluids, brakes, battery. The VY had a radiator (my fault), and replacement power steering pipes due to a shudder under warranty.


Regardless of whether you're talking Aussie built Ford or Holden, I beleive both are strong and reliable cars. I've had to replace the German build Barina at 130 and about to replace the Korean Getz at 140. The getz is becoming unreliable and the Barina simply died and wasn't worth repairing.


I have no idea what to get and the only choice is really Japanese.


It's saddening that we have lost our manufacturing industry based on some dumb desicions over the $ exchange rate...... when right now, if they kept them, they would be enjoying the reversal and we'd be a cheap but high quality manufacturer again.

In the future, and probably today, people who have had years of good service out of the normal Commodores and Falcons are going to look back thinking how we took for granted the longevity, ease of service, readily available cheap parts, economy, and reliability of the 4.0 and 3.8.
Especially when most people will have switched to DPF equipped diesels and high pressure direct injected turbo petrol cars that have eye watering diagnostic, repair, parts costs.

Im on a Holden buy & sell page and the bogans who try to offload their buggered VN-VY Commodores always make mention they have Buick V6 in them, as if that is some prestigious selling point

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by coo

Before I switched to the Territory, I had a VP, VS, VT and VY.


VP and VS were company cars replaced at 100,000 ish
VS at 170, VY at 270.



They had absolutely minimal maintenance on them. Fluids, brakes, battery. The VY had a radiator (my fault), and replacement power steering pipes due to a shudder under warranty.


Regardless of whether you're talking Aussie built Ford or Holden, I beleive both are strong and reliable cars. I've had to replace the German build Barina at 130 and about to replace the Korean Getz at 140. The getz is becoming unreliable and the Barina simply died and wasn't worth repairing.


I have no idea what to get and the only choice is really Japanese.


It's saddening that we have lost our manufacturing industry based on some dumb desicions over the $ exchange rate...... when right now, if they kept them, they would be enjoying the reversal and we'd be a cheap but high quality manufacturer again.

The small Euros don't hold up to our conditions, I'm a little rough on my cars but I've got a WS Fiesta I bought new 10 years ago this month, interior door cards have warped and the window switches fall out of their holes, the paint on the roof and bonnet is badly oxidised and the Ford badge has completely deteriorated and it looks like a small oval mirror.

I've also got a LV Focus I've bought new 8 years ago that the tail lights and rear 1/4 windows leak when it rains, front windscreen is losing its seal at the bottom.

Oh and I've done 40x tyres, 12x shocks and 2x turbos in 172,000km on the Focus - but I think that's my driving style not the car just quietly

Still has the pads and rotors it rolled off the production line with though - slow cars don't need brakes

[Swordie]

I have had my VY V6 wagon since new. It's done done 225,000kms and still feels like it has plenty of life. I spoke to a Holden wrecker (who knows his Holdens) and he said Ecotec is a very good motor (basically bullet proof). My VY is at home on the highway, it's economical for a big motor and cruses with ease. It is a real pleasure to drive.

I have watched a few of the Wizard's shows. He is quite a knowledgable guy. I respect his options. He will be talking about what has been sold in the U.S. Unfortunately the Barra never made it. The Barra is a very good motor too.

When I was looking at wagons I had a test drive of a new BA Falcon wagon. The main difference I found in the motors is the Barra spins out better to higher revs. This is probably why Ford could get more power out of the BA than AU. it had more poke higher in the rev range. The Holden appealed to me at the time and have not regretted the decision.

[Trevor 57]

mind you, I think the Buick/Commodore V6 is shyte, but in the Formula Holden (open wheeler), they hold the track record at Winton

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by Big Trev

mind you, I think the Buick/Commodore V6 is shyte, but in the Formula Holden (open wheeler), they hold the track record at Winton

Looks to have been ousted in March by a formula 3 car (just)

https://wintonraceway.com.au/about/lap-records/

But yes formula Holden category still holds/held Lap records at numerous tracks

[Trevor 57]

Didn't know that, I was there when the FH set the record, it is quick. Supercars are 1:2****

[2.8L Hilux]

This YouTuber the "Car Wizard" also has a video on the worst engine in the world, being the Ford 5.4L 3V Triton motor (Barra 220/230).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcN_WcGr4BU
While they have their issues (cam phasers and stuck spark plugs), I'd hardly call them the world's worst.

[marty351]

We must pay homage to the VW air-cooled flat 4.

[blue sleeper]

Hmm all things considered the 1-UZ is probably the best all round engine ever made, they capable of doing 1 million kms and they are pretty much indestructable. Sound good too! Although my personal favourite is this.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT36kC2pwAc

[hayseed]

Originally Posted by 2.8L Hilux

This YouTuber the "Car Wizard" also has a video on the worst engine in the world, being the Ford 5.4L 3V Triton motor (Barra 220/230).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcN_WcGr4BU
While they have their issues (cam phasers and stuck spark plugs), I'd hardly call them the world's worst.

I.m showing my age Now...

But I reckon the V4 POS in the Ford Transit of the 70's would take the Prize...

I went (or was supposed to) to & from School for 7 yrs in One...

[pottery beige]

Originally Posted by burnz

imagethis engine??image

.



#vtlyfe

[Cav]

I dunno, what about the 4 cylinder Commodore - it was nice and smooth.

I had one as a work car and blew the engine twice before 40,000kms

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Are you meaning the Buick or any V6?, as I've got one (non Ford) that's still going well at >270,000kms

I have one to, and its a GM.... I SAID, AND ITS A GM !!

[ebv8]

I have had many, why? because they are cheap and reliable

they were best with a 5sp manual, the 4l60 was not a good match for them

I sold my Black VX V6 Acclaim wagon to buy a black VZ LX8 Adventra mainly because towing

i even got $5300 3 years ago for my VX wagon with 280,000km. i only paid $5500 4 year before that

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

I have one to, and its a GM.... I SAID, AND ITS A GM !!

But that's cheating as it's a 318 cubic inch two stroke

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

But that's cheating as it's a 318 cubic inch two stroke

Sorry I had to shout, I couldn't hear you over the screamer.

[pottery beige]

Originally Posted by ebv8

I have had many, why? because they are cheap and reliable

they were best with a 5sp manual, the 4l60 was not a good match for them

I sold my Black VX V6 Acclaim wagon to buy a black VZ LX8 Adventra mainly because towing

i even got $5300 3 years ago for my VX wagon with 280,000km. i only paid $5500 4 year before that

solid clear coat, fuel flap and non saggy roof lining will pull $$$

[CoupeKing]

VY was the best commodore.

[PooDog]

........

[Dr Terry]

Originally Posted by CoupeKing

VY was the best commodore.

I'll second that.

Dr Terry

[nstg8a]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

The small Euros don't hold up to our conditions, I'm a little rough on my cars but I've got a WS Fiesta I bought new 10 years ago this month, interior door cards have warped and the window switches fall out of their holes, the paint on the roof and bonnet is badly oxidised and the Ford badge has completely deteriorated and it looks like a small oval mirror.

I think you just described 50% of the b series still left on the road



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by nstg8a

I think you just described 50% of the b series still left on the road



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So they last 1.5 times as long..... considering the fg is over 10years old now.

[Franco Cozzo]

13 second 1/4 mile and 0-100 is just over 5 seconds in the 1980s from the factory floor - the Buick 3800 we never got in Australia

https://www.caranddriver.com/feature...l-gnx-history/

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Personally I’d nominate the RR Merlin as best internal combustion engine ever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIkSbL83Rx4

Doesn't it just sound glorious?

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

13 second 1/4 mile and 0-100 is just over 5 seconds in the 1980s from the factory floor - the Buick 3800 we never got in Australia

https://www.caranddriver.com/feature...l-gnx-history/

Hmmm we should buy all these up from the States and drop them in VY wagons