Waking Up the Holden VE LFX: More Air, More Torque, Properly Tuned

3 days ago
2 min read

The VE Commodore with the 3.6L LFX V6 is one of those cars that has solid foundations from factory but leaves a lot on the table. Good chassis, strong engine design, and a platform that responds well when airflow and calibration are handled the right way.

This 2012 VE came to Revhigh for exactly that — not just bolt-ons, but a complete, balanced performance setup.

The Hardware: Letting the LFX Breathe

From factory, the LFX is held back by restrictive intake and exhaust flow. To unlock it, we focused on improving how efficiently the engine moves air in and out.

This car is now running:

OTR (Over-The-Radiator) intake
Revhigh downpipes
Full catback exhaust system

The OTR intake provides a straighter, less restrictive path for incoming air, helping throttle response and midrange performance. On the exhaust side, the downpipes and catback system reduce back pressure, allowing exhaust gases to exit faster and more smoothly.

Together, these changes improve engine efficiency across the rev range — especially where you feel it most on the street.

The Key Step: Custom Dyno Calibration

Parts alone don’t deliver proper results without correct calibration — especially on modern torque-modeled ECUs.

We carried out a custom dyno tune, optimizing:

Airflow modeling
Fueling
Ignition timing
Torque intervention and control strategies

The goal isn’t just peak numbers. It’s to make sure the ECU understands the new airflow, delivers power safely, and keeps drivability smooth for daily use.

The Result: Real Gains Where It Counts

After tuning, the numbers tell the story:

201.5 kW peak power404.6 Nm peak torque

But more importantly, the way the car drives has completely changed. The mid-range is noticeably stronger, throttle response is sharper, and the engine pulls harder and more consistently as revs climb. Instead of feeling restricted, the car now feels free and responsive.

It’s the kind of improvement you notice every time you merge, overtake, or get into the throttle.

Not Just Power: Control and Stance

Performance isn’t just about going faster in a straight line. We also addressed handling and safety.

This VE received:

Brake upgrades
SSL springs for improved stance and handling
A full service to ensure reliability alongside the performance gains

The result is a car that not only accelerates harder, but feels more planted and confident on the road.

The Revhigh Approach

This build is a perfect example of doing things as a complete package — airflow, exhaust, calibration, suspension, and maintenance all working together.

That’s how you turn a stock VE LFX into a sharper, stronger, more responsive street car without sacrificing drivability.

Built the Revhigh way.