DFB
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- Aug 12, 2019
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If you like cars, chances are you like V8's too, well this video is a must watch.
Something that I find fascinating is how the current Ford CEO, Jim Farley, fully understands the importance of the V8 and its meaning to Ford customers. He spends his spare time on the racetrack racing various V8 Ford's, a true car guy.
I didn't own a V8 until 6 years into my driving career, prior to that I was more of an inline 6 kind of guy. But there is something so special about a V8 pumping away under the hood. My first V8 was 5.6-litre Windsor V8 in a 2002 T3 TS50, which Ford stripped down from a standard 5.0-litre Windsor, then rebuilt with a stroker kit, locally designed trumpet-style intake manifold with massive pod filter and locally made ceramic headers. The figures? 250 kW/335 HP and 500 Nm/369 ft-lb. But the best thing? It sounded like a good old fashioned muscle car, glorious in other words. At the time, the Chevy V8 used in the Holden's sounded flat and muffled in comparison.
I traded that car for my second V8, a 2014 FGX Falcon XR8. These used the Coyote V8 for the bare block and heads, then mixed a variety of Ford and locally designed parts to make a formidable engine package. All hand assembled at Ford. Oh, and it was also fitted with a Harrop supercharger....................as standard. Mine produces a on-paper 335 kW/449hp and 575 Nm/424 ft-lb, but on overboost, that figure was above 375 kW/500 hp. While this engine doesn't have the thank glorious blood'n'guts wail of the Windsor V8, they have this intoxicating blend of Cleveland V8 crackle mixed with a delicious supercharger whine.
My third V8 was a Gen-2 Coyote in my old Mustang. In classic 5.0-litre capacity, while this engine was heavily choked by the standard AU-spec exhaust, with an aftermarket cat-back, it was simply glorious. I love naturally aspirated engines, in particular the throttle response and crisp induction noise. Everyone focuses on the exhaust note on V8's, but the Coyote has delicious induction noise as well. The Coyote is such a rev-happy engine, one that really loves winding out to the redline.
My fourth V8 is another Mustang, another Coyote. I skipped Gen-3, so this latest Gen-4 is quite the upgrade. With the standard Active Exhaust, this engine has a harder edged exhaust and even better induction note, it's got bag of character! I've yet to fully extend this engine to its 7,500 rpm limit yet, but its certainly a vocal companion and offers seemingly more torque than before as well. It's the highlight of the car.
That might sound like a "if it's not a V8, it's not great" type of mentality. No, I like a variety of different engine layouts. I love the off-beat thrum or a 3- or 5-cylinder engine. As mentioned earlier, inline 6's have a special place in my heart, especially that manic BMW E46 M3. The VW VR6 and Alfa V6's sound amazing. That loping wail of an Aston V12 will always be a favorite. But, having grown up in Australia, the V8 has always been the holy grail, so guess I followed true to type.
Something that I find fascinating is how the current Ford CEO, Jim Farley, fully understands the importance of the V8 and its meaning to Ford customers. He spends his spare time on the racetrack racing various V8 Ford's, a true car guy.
I didn't own a V8 until 6 years into my driving career, prior to that I was more of an inline 6 kind of guy. But there is something so special about a V8 pumping away under the hood. My first V8 was 5.6-litre Windsor V8 in a 2002 T3 TS50, which Ford stripped down from a standard 5.0-litre Windsor, then rebuilt with a stroker kit, locally designed trumpet-style intake manifold with massive pod filter and locally made ceramic headers. The figures? 250 kW/335 HP and 500 Nm/369 ft-lb. But the best thing? It sounded like a good old fashioned muscle car, glorious in other words. At the time, the Chevy V8 used in the Holden's sounded flat and muffled in comparison.
I traded that car for my second V8, a 2014 FGX Falcon XR8. These used the Coyote V8 for the bare block and heads, then mixed a variety of Ford and locally designed parts to make a formidable engine package. All hand assembled at Ford. Oh, and it was also fitted with a Harrop supercharger....................as standard. Mine produces a on-paper 335 kW/449hp and 575 Nm/424 ft-lb, but on overboost, that figure was above 375 kW/500 hp. While this engine doesn't have the thank glorious blood'n'guts wail of the Windsor V8, they have this intoxicating blend of Cleveland V8 crackle mixed with a delicious supercharger whine.
My third V8 was a Gen-2 Coyote in my old Mustang. In classic 5.0-litre capacity, while this engine was heavily choked by the standard AU-spec exhaust, with an aftermarket cat-back, it was simply glorious. I love naturally aspirated engines, in particular the throttle response and crisp induction noise. Everyone focuses on the exhaust note on V8's, but the Coyote has delicious induction noise as well. The Coyote is such a rev-happy engine, one that really loves winding out to the redline.
My fourth V8 is another Mustang, another Coyote. I skipped Gen-3, so this latest Gen-4 is quite the upgrade. With the standard Active Exhaust, this engine has a harder edged exhaust and even better induction note, it's got bag of character! I've yet to fully extend this engine to its 7,500 rpm limit yet, but its certainly a vocal companion and offers seemingly more torque than before as well. It's the highlight of the car.
That might sound like a "if it's not a V8, it's not great" type of mentality. No, I like a variety of different engine layouts. I love the off-beat thrum or a 3- or 5-cylinder engine. As mentioned earlier, inline 6's have a special place in my heart, especially that manic BMW E46 M3. The VW VR6 and Alfa V6's sound amazing. That loping wail of an Aston V12 will always be a favorite. But, having grown up in Australia, the V8 has always been the holy grail, so guess I followed true to type.