Forte V8 vs XR8

ebxr8_50ho · 07-09-2006, 07:37 PM

Considering buying a 1999 V8 Forte and was wondering how the mechanicals are different to the xr8. Series 1 xr8 making 185kw and the Forte making 175kw.

Smoked · 07-09-2006, 08:19 PM

Gearing, Diff, LOOKS.

LUXO_8 · 07-09-2006, 08:24 PM

yeah, gearing, diff ratio and body parts make it have different power........right

i'd have to imagine the difference is made up by the headders / exhaust. and maybe rocker ratio (dont know weather series 1 xr8's had roller rockers or not.....).

the hardware is the same - ie intake manifold, heads, cam - so it certainly isnt hard to get the forte' moving...

S3SR · 07-09-2006, 08:31 PM

whats the price difference?

xr8ute · 07-09-2006, 09:11 PM

Ahh, thats an easy question. The engine mechanicals are the same ;)

The only difference are the headers, cats, and exhaust....and possibly EEC tuning.

b2tf · 07-09-2006, 09:32 PM

If its an auto it'll have different shift points for the transmission. Apart from engine, the only mechanical differences are the diff ratio (its 3.45 in XR's, think it's 3.08 in lower spec models?) and the ECU.

T3man · 07-09-2006, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b2tf

If its an auto it'll have different shift points for the transmission. Apart from engine, the only mechanical differences are the diff ratio (its 3.45 in XR's, think it's 3.08 in lower spec models?) and the ECU.

AU Forte V8s were not available ex factory with a manual box.

Yes, the shift points for an XR8 are different because of the different diff ratio. If you put a 3.45 diff and an XR8 ECU in the Forte it is a quicker car than the XR8 (marginally).

MRJUCY · 07-09-2006, 10:31 PM

XR8s have IRS it was an option on the Fortes which doesn't make a difference to power but certainly does to the way it puts it down & handles.

ebxr8_50ho · 08-09-2006, 01:39 AM

Thanks for the info people. I too am shocked to learn that body kits enhance performance. lol. The whole reason I'm interested in the forte is because it looks a bit of a sleeper. Also I am not prepared to spend the extra $5K for a body kit and sports seat. IRS......who needs it. I wanna go fast in a straight line

Smoked · 08-09-2006, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MADNC_8

yeah, gearing, diff ratio and body parts make it have different power........right

Excuse me. I dont believe he asked what the power differences were, he asked what the mechanical differences were. Besides that, i never said they made power.

OzJavelin · 08-09-2006, 01:02 PM

V8 Forte? Personally I've never seen one .. or maybe they are that stealthy that I've never noticed?

The Monty · 08-09-2006, 02:31 PM

I think they are a fair bit lighter too, as they have not got the all the creature comforts like cruise, all electrics, velour everything etc. Thats why my Fairmont is so SLOW.

jeffb · 08-09-2006, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebxr8_50ho

Thanks for the info people. I too am shocked to learn that body kits enhance performance. lol. The whole reason I'm interested in the forte is because it looks a bit of a sleeper. Also I am not prepared to spend the extra $5K for a body kit and sports seat. IRS......who needs it. I wanna go fast in a straight line

If 5k is the price difference buy an XR

jspec_sti · 08-09-2006, 03:02 PM

As jeffb said, 5k is a small price to pay for the XR badge and Tickford wings...

LUXO_8 · 08-09-2006, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smoked

Excuse me. I dont believe he asked what the power differences were, he asked what the mechanical differences were. Besides that, i never said they made power.

i dont want to get into an argument and what i said was only lighthearted anyway, but he did ask what was the difference mechanically as the xr8 has 185 and the forte 175kw....

:

GlennBA · 08-09-2006, 04:13 PM

AU1 XR's aren't much better looking. Buy the forte and spend the extra money on engine mods

RspecAU · 08-09-2006, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smoked

Gearing, Diff, LOOKS.

Looks Looks Looks

:

ebxr8_50ho · 08-09-2006, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlennAUII

AU1 XR's aren't much better looking. Buy the forte and spend the extra money on engine mods

My thoughts exactly. Not only that but as I said before, $5000 for a body kit and a badge is a bit steep when on a tight budget :voldar02:

JC · 08-09-2006, 06:49 PM

I've had 2 AU XRs and an AU2 Forte V8, and I miss the Forte. People don't expect to be passed rapidly (while travelling at or below the speed limit, of course) by a Forte, that rumbles like an XR8. For a lot of reasons I like the Forte.

Psycho Chicken · 08-09-2006, 07:02 PM

XR8 will have 24lb injectors vs 19lb in the Forte.

xr8ute · 08-09-2006, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psycho Chicken

XR8 will have 24lb injectors vs 19lb in the Forte.

Are you sure about that?

JC · 08-09-2006, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psycho Chicken

XR8 will have 24lb injectors vs 19lb in the Forte.

Both have blue injectors = 24lb.

jonbays · 09-09-2006, 09:16 AM

The XR8 is a much nicer car all round but if its pure performance you want and you are going to mod it the forte is the pick.

Simple power to weight lightest car biggest engine what else is there to worry about IF you want an auto. manual then its XR8 only

Kryton · 09-09-2006, 09:25 AM

id go the Forte...sleeper and totally unexpected.
plus it isnt hard to change heads etc and have an XR8 spec engine and power.
also harder to find so they should hold their value a little better than the 6s.

LUXO_8 · 09-09-2006, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davway

id go the Forte...sleeper and totally unexpected.
plus it isnt hard to change heads etc and have an XR8 spec engine and power.
also harder to find so they should hold their value a little better than the 6s.

but with the au v8's you dont need to change heads....the forte's have GT40P's already......

just some porting and bigger valves if you wish and they're good for decent power.....

Psycho Chicken · 09-09-2006, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

Both have blue injectors = 24lb.

175kw engines have 19lb injectors. I can show you the orange set I have that came off a 175kw engine if you want?

Abacus · 09-09-2006, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psycho Chicken

175kw engines have 19lb injectors. I can show you the orange set I have that came off a 175kw engine if you want?

This is interesting. So on my 175KW Fairmont, what have I got? I should get to the bottom of this before the cam goes in.

Psycho Chicken · 09-09-2006, 11:38 AM

I think series 2 Ghias should have the 185 engine? What colour are the injectors?

Abacus · 09-09-2006, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlennAUII

AU1 XR's aren't much better looking. Buy the forte and spend the extra money on engine mods

AU XRs look hot IMO.

I can see two big benefits in going down the Forte route for two main reasons:

- "Sleeper"value - could have a lot of fun with this.

- Insurance.

Myself, I'd probably go the XR. just for the looks. I've even given some thought to XRifying the front and back on my car.

AU2_XR8_220 · 09-09-2006, 11:51 AM

Other benefits of buying an AU XR8 over the v8 Forte would include;
XR Suspension tweaks, better brake package (definately upgraded in the AU2/AU3 XR8), sports exhaust system, tickford air intake and throttle body.
The AU Forte doesn't look as good as the XR, and resale value would be significantly less.

If you could stretch your budget to an XR8 you would notice a significant difference in driveability, and attitude on the road.