Walkinshaw W407 unleashed

Holden may have closed its Melbourne V6 engine plant for good this week but that hasn’t slammed brakes on local engine development entirely.

Aussie V8 fans still have something to cheer about thanks to Walkinshaw Performance, which has unleashed its most potent naturally-aspirated upgrade kit to date, using the Holden Commodore’s donor engine.

Eclipsing the factory standard VFII Commodore's 6.2-litre V8 output of 304kW, the W407 kit costs $9990 and elevates power and torque by a whopping 103kW and 125Nm – all without the use of forced induction such as supercharging or turbocharging.

Available for all VFII Commodore sedan, ute and wagon vehicles and HSV Gen-F and Gen-2 LS3 cars, the kit's peak power of 407kW at 6250rpm and stomach-churning 695Nm of torque at 4950rpm turns the Commodore's V8 into a far more potent powerplant.

Looking at the raw numbers, you could tune a regular V8 Commodore to pump out almost as much as the supercharged HSV GTS, which bangs out 430kW and 740Nm.

Walkinshaw performance hasn't revealed how much quicker the car accelerates to 100km/h, but with more than 100kW and 100Nm it'll dance the traffic light tango with more gusto, make no mistake.

The circa-$10,000 W407 kit buys you an ECU retune and the addition of a new camshaft, valve springs (beehive style), cam sprocket, camshaft bolt set and crankshaft bolt.

The Chevy V8 breathes more easily and has a full-throated roar via the addition of ceramic coated four-into-one long tube headers, a full stainless steel stepped exhaust system, cold air intake over the radiator and high-flow catalytic convertors.

As well as a power boost, Walkinshaw reckons the upgrade improves fuel economy, but doesn't say by what percentage.

Walkinshaw can perform the W407 upgrade for new and used Commodores but if you've got more than 20,000km on the clock you'll have to plump another $1000 for new head gaskets, head bolts, OEM lifters and lifter guides. By doing so you'll be granted the same driveline warranty from Walkinshaw that new cars get.

The aftermarket tuner, which has also worked on vehicles such as the less successful Holden Colorado Xtreme, says its latest kit delivers "a thrilling driving experience that stands out from the crowd".

Other additions include unique rear badges, cosmetic engine bay changes and a certificate of authenticity.

We've driven several Walkinshaw-tuned Commodores and HSVs in the past and they've all been a hoot, especially the supercharged W507 with its supercar-like output of 507kW and 850Nm.