DYNO TUNING / HOLDEN
Holden Tuning Melbourne
From Commodore SS and HSV builds to the mighty Maloo and Astra VXR — we have deep LS V8 and turbo 4 dyno history. ECU and TCU tuned on our Mainline AWD dyno in Epping.
— Holden Dyno Results
Your Holden Dyno Tuning Specialists.
Holden VE SS L98 Turbo
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Holden VL
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Holden VZ Crewman 6.2 Harrop Supercharger
Holden Monaro CV8 Harrop HTV2300
VIEW DYNO RESULT →
Holden VE SS 6.0lt With Vortech Supercharger
— Models We Tune
Popular Holden Models We Tune.
From the LS V8 Commodore and HSV to the turbo diesel Colorado — we have hands-on dyno history with every Holden platform listed here.
GET A QUOTE →— Platform Overview
Tuning the Holden Platform.
The Holden Commodore's LS-family V8 is one of the most well-understood and actively tuned platforms in Australia. From the LS1 in the VT/VX/VY/VZ Commodore and V2 Monaro through to the LS2, LS3, and L98 in the VE and VF Commodore SS, these are American-origin pushrod V8s with a deep aftermarket and a straightforward ECU architecture. LS tuning is fundamentally different to modern turbocharged work — you're optimising ignition advance, fuel trim, cam timing (on VVT variants), and rev limits rather than boost pressure. ECU gains alone are more modest than a turbo platform, but they're a necessary foundation for any further modifications.
The standout platform is the LSA supercharged 6.2L in the VF HSV GTS, GTSR, and ClubSport R8 SV. The LSA ships with significant calibration conservatism — the factory pulley and ECU tune leave headroom on the Eaton TVS2300 positive displacement blower that a dedicated calibration, smaller pulley, and supporting modifications can exploit substantially. A modest pulley swap (2.6-inch from factory) combined with a custom ECU tune and upgraded heat exchanger is one of the highest-value tuning exercises available on any Australian car. HSV LSA Stage 2 builds with a smaller pulley and ported blower are routinely into 500kW+ at the wheels.
The A18NET 1.8L turbocharged four-cylinder in the Astra J OPC/VXR/GTC shares its ECU architecture with the Opel platform and responds well to remapping — it's a capable platform with meaningful software headroom despite its modest displacement. The Colorado RG 2.8L diesel (Duramax LWN) is also a rewarding tune for work truck owners — the factory calibration is conservative for both towing durability and emissions compliance, and a custom dyno remap improves the torque delivery substantially in the 1500–3000 RPM towing range.
— Typical At-Wheel Figures
Real Numbers. Mainline AWD.
At-wheel kW on 98 RON unless noted. Representative of results in our Epping workshop — your car may vary.
| Engine / Models | Factory | Stage 1 | Stage 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
LS1 5.7L98 RON Commodore VT/VX/VY/VZ SS, Monaro V2 | ~220 kW | ~248 kW | — |
NA V8 — cam upgrade significantly improves ECU tune returns. HP Tuners platform. | |||
LS2 6.0L98 RON Commodore VE early SS, Monaro VXR | ~255 kW | ~282 kW | — |
Well-supported HP Tuners ECU. Cam + headers + tune is the natural progression. | |||
LS3 / L98 6.0L98 RON VE/VF Commodore SS, HSV SV6 | ~270 kW | ~298 kW | — |
LS3 (VF) makes more than L98 (VE). Both respond well. VVT calibration available on LS3. | |||
LSA 6.2L SC98 RON VF HSV GTS, ClubSport R8, GTSR | ~370 kW | ~435 kW | ~500 kW |
Eaton TVS2300 supercharger. Stage 2 = smaller pulley + heat exchanger + tune. Enormous value. | |||
A18NET 1.8T98 RON Astra J OPC, GTC VXR | ~170 kW | ~215 kW | ~248 kW |
Opel-origin ECU. Well-supported calibration platform. Intercooler upgrade at Stage 2. | |||
— Parts & Accessories
Holden Tuning Parts & Accessories.
Holden-specific performance hardware, sourced and fitted in-house.
Bosch 4 Bar MAP and Air Temperature Sensor
Bosch 980cc EV14 fuel injectors
Bosch 4 Bar Map & Air Temperatue Sensor
GCG Turbo Charger GTB1752VKL Powermax Upgrade Colorado RG 2.8L 10/2013-on 55486935
Xforce Holden Colorado RC Series 2 Turbo Back System in 304 Stainless Steel
Terratuff Front Mount Intercooler Kit (suits Holden Colorado RG)
Terratuff SEPR8R Air Oil Seperator - Holden Colorado RG
LinkECU G4X Xtreme ECU + Terminated LS Engine Harness Drive-by-Wire Bundle
— Holden Tuning FAQs
Common Questions.
Is it worth tuning a Holden Commodore LS V8?
For a naturally aspirated LS Commodore, an ECU tune alone adds 20–30kW at the wheels and improves throttle response and top-end delivery noticeably. The real value of tuning an LS comes from pairing it with supporting modifications — a cam upgrade, headers, cold air intake, and exhaust — where the custom ECU calibration is what ties those mods together and maximises their combined effect. An LS1 or LS3 SS Commodore with a cam, headers, and a custom tune is a dramatically different car to stock.
What does an ECU tune do to an HSV LSA supercharged V8?
The LSA tune raises boost pressure via revised pulley size, increases the boost reference table, advances ignition timing, and removes factory torque limiters. On a stock car at Stage 1 (ECU tune only, stock pulley), we typically see 420–435kW at the wheels from a factory 370kW base. Stage 2 with a smaller pulley (2.375-inch or 2.3-inch), upgraded heat exchanger, and custom tune routinely produces 490–520kW. The LSA is one of the best-value forced induction tuning platforms available in Australia.
What's the difference between an LS1, LS2, LS3, and LSA for tuning?
All four are GM LS-family pushrod V8s sharing the same basic architecture, but with different displacements, heads, and fuelling. The LS1 (5.7L) is the most common and least powerful — it responds to cam and tune work but has the least headroom. The LS2 (6.0L) and LS3 (6.0L with better heads) make more power and respond similarly. The LSA (6.2L with an Eaton TVS2300 supercharger) is in a different class — it's the standout tuning platform of the group, with Stage 1 alone producing as much as a heavily modified LS3.
Can you tune a Holden Colorado RG diesel?
Yes — the Colorado RG 2.8L Duramax LWN diesel responds well to ECU remapping. A custom tune on our Mainline dyno raises torque delivery in the low-to-mid RPM range that matters most for towing and off-road use, removes smoke limiters, and improves throttle response. We recommend EGT monitoring for the Colorado in heavy tow applications, and a quality air intake and exhaust complement the tune well.
Does a naturally aspirated LS Commodore respond well to ECU tuning alone?
ECU tuning alone on a stock LS Commodore adds 20–30kW at the wheels — a noticeable but not dramatic change. The bigger benefit is in throttle calibration, drivability refinement, and preparing the ECU for future modifications. Where ECU tuning becomes transformative on an NA LS is when paired with a camshaft upgrade — the two together on an LS1 or LS3 produce 50–80kW more than stock with improved character throughout the rev range.