An LS3 and an Eaton M122 make for one crazy Vauxhaull
I am inspired by GM-Australia. They have taken the Vauxhaull (Pontiac GTO) family car and turned into a car for the automotive enthusiast family. The latest edition of the Vauxhall is dubbed the Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S, and packs alot of bite.
The Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S starts off with a factory 6.2 liter V8 producing 431 hp and builds on that with the addition of an Eaton M122 supercharger. The charger forces 8 pounds of boost into the massive V8 giving out over 560 hp in its most basic form and 527 ft-lbs of torque!
The engine modifications on this car include:
- A large capacity intercooler
- High-flow fuel injectors
- A separate cold air intake
- Walkinshaw-developed ECU map
Also availabe as an option is a bi-model exhaust system worth another 10hp at the current boost and power level. The exhaust can be switched by the user between a tame ’street’ performance and sound level, and a more aggressive ‘optimum‘ setting.
Considering the tame nature of the LS3’s idle and the very modest boost level. A camshaft swap, an increase in boost could produce more power on this engine, however, it is very unfortunate that the Eaton M122 at it full swing can only breathe aboud 575hp worth of air leaving the current setup pretty ‘maxed out’ as is. However, there still remains the option for a ported blower (al la stiegemeier) as this blower is similar to the M122 fitted to the GT-500.
Therefore a new camshaft for the LS3, a ported M122, and a smaller charger pulley could easily push this Vauxhaull over the 630 hp mark!
Find more information here:
Car magazine’s review of the Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S
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