The Turbo Six Just Works: This Stroked Holden Is A Street-Driven Monster


The Turbo Six Just Works: This Stroked Holden Is A Street-Driven Monster

You can remember the GSX, the GNX, the Grand National all you want. If there is one thing that Buick should be remembered for, it should be the 231 cubic inch V6 that was in production for over forty years that should be thought of first. From it’s humble beginnings as the Fireball V6 to the LD5 block (the basis for the 1980s turbocharged units and others) that has the legend aura about it to the only way to make a GM W-body appealing, the Series II L67 block with it’s blower, the Buick V6 has proven to be a very worthy underdog mill that can and will run as heavily as needed.

Holden got the V6 as well for their cars, and in this 1996 Commodore it’s a common story for this engine: some extra beef, some enlarging (it’s now a 4.2L stroker) and a Garrett turbocharger feeding in plenty of compressed air turns an ordinary ho-hum sedan into something to behold. On a hub dyno, this car has produced 1,011 horsepower and it is still road-legal in Australia. It still has the independent rear suspension, which we’re honestly stunned is surviving behind that kind of power. And we’re loving the sleeper aspect of this car…think about it for a second: this is the same platform as the ill-advised Cadillac Catera. The Catera used the Opel-designed 3.0L V6, one that has earned anything from contempt to outright ire. There are tons of 3.8s out there in the yards. Just saying…


  • Share This
  • Pinterest
  • 0