bcl

As I stated in a post the other day, if you go xforce make sure you get the mufflers that are 300mm wide, not the one that are 200-220mm wide, else you will get a lot more noise and drone. Brian

Yeah that was a revelation. It was early 2004. Both on our standard street tyres. I had 340rwkw in the manual and Julian around 260-280rwkw (from memory)in the 4-speed auto and my first time ever at the dragstrip. Probably Julians as well. I think we were around level at the first gear change, then suddenly I was 1-2 car lengths behind, then same loss of ground at the next gear change. The manual was in it's element in highway cruising and acceleration, quicker than anything around at that time, BUT not quarter mile dragging. OT, but it's an interesting change now driving the dsg equipped GTR R35 against the F6 ZF with modified torque converter and quicker shifts (far quicker than standard ZF); driving them back to back. Shift times in both are very quick. The direct drive gears of the dsg gives it that manual feeling, versus a "mushy" feel that the ZF provides. The ZF auto feels like it is winding itself up ready to get going after each gear change, then it "sling shots" forward. I'm sold on dsg... especially when it comes with electronically controlled 4000rpm clutch dump. Brian

I have no problem keeping them together. It then clearly shows the difference of 2 very different categories. I am surprised that there are not more BF runs sub 11.2, although I suspect there are a lot of BF runs between 11.2 and 11.5. Brian

Drive both back to back and you'll see why. Autos and turbos are made for each other. Faster changing and keeping the boost up between changes makes a huge difference. Brian

Or you could achieve the achieve the same result by separating the BF's into a separate group. FG's are already in a separate group. History has shown that BF's don't get the same 60' times as the BA, and less guys in BF's are likely to put on slicks. #/State/Vehicle Information/Track/Elapsed Time/Best M.P.H BA 8 Second BA Group VIC Blagojce & Vele Trajkovski/Gtech BA XR6 Sedan Heathcote Park 8.71 164.3 NSW Daniel Linderman/Bev/Envy Performance BA XR6 WSID 8.8 143 9 Second BA Group VIC Karman Parente/SFD079/Gtech BA XR6 Sedan Heathcote Park 9.20 153.9 NSW Mark Vardanega/AXR19P/CV Performance, E.T.M BF F6 Sedan W.S.I.D 9.398 149.83 QLD David Sheehy/775GXV/Collinsville BA XR6 Sedan Palmyra 9.433 146.38 VIC Revzone BA XT Sedan Heathcote Park 9.47 150 NSW Daniel Linderman/Bev/Envy Performance BA XR6 WSID (Manual) 9.798 149.17 VIC Adrian Abela/CLINIC/Dynomite BA F6 Sedan Heathcote Park 9.844 145.44 VIC Adam Hargrave/TBC812/HP-F BA XR6 Sedan Heathcote Park 9.981 144.05 QLD Kent Battle/1000HP/Collinsville BA XR6 Ute Palmyra 9.992 138.48 10 Second BA Group QLD Steven Leerentveld/YEL57/R.D.P BA XR6 Ute Willowbank 10.12 133.61 VIC Dion Amato/GMKILR/Dynomite BA XR6 Ute Heathcote Park 10.222 136.49 QLD Spiro Anton/021LEA/6boost,BA F6 Sedan (Manual) Willowbank 10.224 145.25 NSW Phillip Chain/CYC06T/T.R.P BA XR6 Sedan W.S.I.D 10.264 139.17 QLD Lee Dalton/240NOT/Elite BA XR6 Ute Willowbank 10.31 135.15 NSW Spiro Anton/APF81N/CV Performance BA XR6 Sedan W.S.I.D 10.449 134.75 NSW Leigh Whittaker/DUZ360/CV Performance, E.T.M BA XR6 Ute W.S.I.D 10.459 132.69 QLD Jay Potter/Collinsville, P.R.E BA XR6 Sedan Palmyra 10.46 135.3 WA Darren Boland/X.F.T BA XR6 Sedan Perth Motorplex 10.511 133.53 VIC Dave Hanna/MYXRT/HP-F BA XR6 Sedan Heathcote Park 10.587 130.43 VIC Adam Pacula/Dynomite BA XR6 Ute Calder Park 10.619 138.49 VIC Craig Geeson/GEEA33/HP-F BA XR6 Sedan Heathcote Park 10.688 128.28 NSW ASS15T/Envy Dyno BA XR6 Sedan (Manual) W.S.I.D 10.689 145.23 NSW Peter Terkikar/STD10S/CV Performance BA XR6 Sedan W.S.I.D 10.71 125 NSW John Elfes, George Reyahem/RBR40L/CV Performance BA XR6 Sedan W.S.I.D 10.7 VIC Mick/Nizpro BA XR6 Sedan Calder Park 10.80 127 QLD Joal Walters/Collinsville BA XR6 Ute Willowbank 10.81 126.7 VIC Lawrie Rowatt/HP-F BA XR6 Sedan Calder Park 10.889 126.83 NSW John Papoutsis/JP4666/Tunehouse BA XR6 Sedan W.S.I.D 10.88 125.5 VIC Justin Newbond/ZZZ747/Springy Motors BA XR6 Sedan Heathcote Park 10.896 125.66 NSW Vic Elfes, Stan/AU97HA/CV Performance BA XR6 Sedan W.S.I.D 10.8 VIC Danny Nagy/Headsex BA XR6 Sedan Heathcote Park 10.900 126.94 NSW Vic Elfes, Junior/RJS240/CV Performance BA XR6 Sedan W.S.I.D 10.90 125.56 VIC Jake Statham/WFT199/A.V.O BA XR6 Sedan Heathcote Park 10.914 126.02 NSW Geoff Booth/HAPKDO/Autotech BA XR6 Sedan W.S.I.D 10.933 123.88 QLD David Sheehy/664HQZ/Collinsville BA XR6 Sedan Palmyra 10.952 124.64 WA Ben Atwill/Monsta Torque BA XR6 Ute Perth Motorplex 10.953 128.2MPH QLD The Boges/80GES/Elite Automotives BA XR6 Sedan Willowbank 10.98 125 NSW Danny Jovcevski, Jono Colovos/FPV747/CV Performance BA XR6 Sedan W.S.I.D 10.990 125.76 #/State/Vehicle Information/Track/Elapsed Time/Best M.P.H BF ZF 6-speed or manual 10 Second BF Group VIC Mark Hamilton/F6FORD/Autotech BF F6 Sedan, stripped, Heathcote Park 10.471 137.24 QLD Roland/YUTRYN/6boost BF F6 Sedan Willowbank 10.57 135 NSW Dario/Tunehouse BF F6 Sedan W.S.I.D 10.76 134.44 QLD John/Collinsville BF XR6 Sedan Willowbank 10.83 129.9 WA Kevin Otway/X.F.T BF F6 Sedan Perth Motorplex 10.871 129 WA Ashley Markey/X.F.T BF Force 6 Sedan Perth Motorplex 10.879 128 VIC Maurizio Mion/RPIDF6/Autotech BF F6 Sedan Calder Park 10.899 132.31 WA Simon, Tom/X.F.T BF F6 Sedan Perth Motorplex 10.94 135 QLD Nathan Neilson/NCN78/Collinsville BF F6 Sedan Palmyra 10.952 127.32 WA Dean Burtoft/Monsta BF F6 Sedan Perth Motorplex 10.976 129.97 11 Second BF Group NSW Brian Lord/Tunehouse BF F6 Sedan W.S.I.D 11.01 132.80 QLD Paul Koutsoukis/Elite BF F6 Sedan Willowbank 11.109 125.80 WA Phil Watson/X.F.T BF F6 Sedan (Manual) Perth Motorplex 11.13 126 NSW Jim/Tunehouse BF F6 Sedan W.S.I.D 11.15 129

As a guide a twin 2.5” is good up to 360rwkw, after which it becomes progressively more restrictive, and I think the main restriction is where the gas flow spilts at the y joint I did run 11.0 and 128mph with the twin 2.5” xforce, so it can support decent results. As a guide for best results I’d run 60% 4” and 40% 3.5” (tapered rear half) for 360-500rwkw, and full 4” straight through above 500rwkw, as I do with my 2 F6’s. With turbo exhausts for optimum results it’s important to have larger size for when the gas is hot and expanding, and smaller diameter as the gas cools to keep good gas flow, reduce restriction and increase torque. Tapered exhaust sizes are very commonly used for good torque results on many turbo cars. Most people probably don’t know that the original BA turbo exhaust ran a smaller diameter rear section, although it was crude the way Ford did it. As Julian said do your IC first, and if you are on a budget get a hi-flow cat. If you inspect a Nizpro 4” internally you’ll see that it is poorly constructed (Chinese I think), and not something that I’d recommend, although people do seem to like shiny exhausts. X-force has its share of fitting issues, but does give good bang for buck as 2nd hand purchase if you know what you are looking for I.e get mufflers that are at least 300mm wide to avoid drone, and avoid the xforce mufflers that are 200-220 mm wide. Brian

Hi Scotty, Sorry to hear about your GTR. 1.The Ford will feel a lot heavier in the front end, largely due to the weight, and won’t turn in as well. The Ford, with the correct suspension set-up, will feel very stable the other side of 200kph and not float at all (as I have tested). Will feel good with Teins, but I would not describe it anywhere as “tight or direct” as a GTR, Sti or Evo. Compared with a 1500kg STi or Evo ( similar to the 1530kg R34) the Ford feels a lot heavier and bigger (which it is). However, you can get the Ford to handle pretty well, but you will not have the awd traction that you had with the GTR. 2. get it custom tuned if you modify the exhaust 3. you cannot beat the ZF, as it mates best with ZF, unless you do mostly country driving. A ZF F6 is a very quick car. The ZF can be very economical as well, especially on long trips with its very tall gearing. If you want practicality and comfort an F6 is a good choice, and if you want to stop well you can pick up cheap 6-pot brembos. Good luck. Brian

Sorry don't know, but Alf or dboss might know. Brian

Leo, Alf is referring to Pete's car, back in March 2008 that ran a 10.77 with standard motor, modified convertor, slicks & roll cage and stripped weight. I was out there at the time. Brian

Quite a few guys have done it with the 4sp BTR, usually around 124-126mph with 360-380rwkw, and mostly high 10's with MT's. Easier with slicks. 60' of around 1.6 secs is required. I don't think anyone with 19" street tyres has done it(jp300 did 11.15 with 19" maxxis and full weight). Most have built motor. Only a few with standard motor. I think all would have rebuilt BTR, and rebuilt torque convertor helps. Brian

I picked up the new GTR on Friday afternoon, and have done 1500kms driving through the alpine area of N.E Victoria over the last 3 days. This car is so much better than my F6’s and STi’s for performance driving there is no comparison. And there shouldn’t be, given the price difference. The GTR is basically a race car pretending to be a street car. The F6 is ‘soft’ by comparison, and is more like a taxi trying to be a performance car. The GTR runs very low gearing, is fast spooling and extremely flexible in every gear, even 6th hits 1 bar boost by 3000rpm. My wife’s biggest complaint was that there was no grab handle for her to hang on to, as she said she was scared at the speed through the mountains. And that was driving within my limits. The GTR is just so well balanced and stable, gear changes super quick using the a paddle shifts, the 390mm front rotors with 6-pot brakes pull it up very quickly. It has a very slippery shape ( .26 drag co-efficient) and just feels like it is slicing through the air. The front end on my F6 feels very heavy by comparison, and turn-in nowhere near as sharp as it could be. Having big power and traction makes a huge difference to the driving experience, and I found I could apply a lot more power out of corners. Whilst both my F6s would pull away from a GTR from say 100kph, it is really irrelevant, as the GTR is about the overall driving experience. GTR seats are basically Recaros, compared to the big leather lounge chairs in the F6. GTR boot was surprisingly big (deep rather) not as big as the Ford, but more than enough for 2 peoples gear. Then again it really is a 2-seater sports car (although it is a 4-seater), whereas the Ford is a genuine 4-5 seater. The GTR uses a lot more fuel than my ZF auto, as 120kph 6th in the GTR is around 2500rpm, and more like 2000rpm in the F6. The GTR needs a 7th gear, but it is obviously that it has not been built with the intention to be a highway cruiser. GTR suspension is extremely firm, even in “comfort mode”, and very hard around town. GTR instrumentation is amazing for a standard car. As well as sat nav and dvd, you have a 7’’ display where you can configure your own instrumentation, and store the settings. You can set up custom views for water temp, oil temp, trans oil temp, engine oil pressure, trans oil pressure, boost speed, front /rear torque split, cornering g-force, accel pedal %, accel/braking g force, and plenty of others. Overall, an incredible car. After my first service in a few weeks I’ll run it on the dyno and take it down wsid. Oh, and test out the launch mode (4000 rpm automatic clutch dump) for the 3.0 sec 0-100kph Brian

Hi Alf, If that's what you want an option would be to run a smaller billet compressor turbo running E85, targeting 500rwkw. There are now a lot more turbo options available if you do some research. Brian

I was just a time factor. I have a lot of business with CBA, so that should not be a problem. I'm just taking a 2 year lease, and may do a roll-over then with someone else. This is still not finalized; should know today, as the car should be ready for pickup Friday. Brian

The saga gets better, and made Suncorp look even worse, and it is interesting just how poorly a company can act. They rang me Monday pm to say that they would give me finance. But they said they it would be a small business loan, and not a lease or chattel mortgage. They would want one of my properties as security. Wtf that’s not what I want, and you won’t get one of my properties for security just for a car purchase. Then they changed their mind and said if they gave me a lease they would want a “fixed and floating charge” over my company. After checking out what that meant I said no way, as it is an ASIC registered facility where I cannot sell assets in my company during the lease (effectively they have control) and they can sell my companies investments if required if there is a payment default. They said they really want some security such as property, shares, term deposits etc. I said that’s very easy; I’ll take out some term deposits with Suncorp at varying terms to cover the cost of the car payments. Simple, no problem. I said I want to make annual payments in advance, and over $50k upfront. Effectively after the first payment at settlement I would have the same lease debt as in 2003 with Suncorp when I had both my XR6 turbo & WRX leased with them at the same time, and no security was required. When I queried this, and why security was still required they said it is because there is now 1 car not 2 cars. They don’t understand that 1 or 2 cars has no impact on my repayment capability. They said OK to the deal, but it would still have to go to “head of credit” for signoff, because of the size of the loan (how does anything ever happen in qld … ffs this is a relatively small amount) Yesterday they rang to say OK, and I asked for the payment amounts. They came back with $80k * 2 and $105k residual. I said there is no way in the world that is anywhere near right. Her response was that it didn’t look right to her also, and she said she had already had 2 other people look at it, and it didn’t look right to them also. Wtf, so why are you quoting me a figure that is obviously not right; in fact it is using an interest rate of around 40%!!!!!! I said give me a correct figure. Typically with leases you deduct the GST from the purchase price to get the loan principal, then you pay gst on the repayments & residual. In the meantime I rang the dealer finance person who can get the finance with Nissan at a cheaper rate and give me the facility I want to meet my needs. An hour later Suncorp came back with another figure, a total of $50k less in repayments, and I said that is still $5k pa more than it should be, and that is an effective interest rate of 13.5% instead of their quoted 8.95%. I asked what was the basis for this calculation. She said she didn’t know and would get back to me. She later rang me and said they increase the principal by adding GST to the luxury car tax. I said you can’t do that, and why would you do that. Response was she didn’t know, that was what they did. She rang me back 2 hours later to say what she told me was wrong, as their basis adjusted the GST claimable amount by a certain amount. I said I thought that may be the case, quickly did the recalculation, but what she said they were adjusting it by still does not give the payment they are quoting at the interest rate. Anyway, I said I’m going elsewhere for finance, and I said I’ve had enough of the inconsistencies and time wasted by Suncorp in this saga. She said that even she “didn’t know there was a threshold for GST” based on ATO guidlelines, and I suggested they need to review their internal training and make sure they give their customers the correct advice. This will be my 10th car lease. I always double check that the payment quoted is correct for the interest rate that the company states that they are charging you. My accountant has passed my return info to Nissan finance, so we’ll see what happens. They said they should be able to turn sort it out within 48 hours.As I’m paying 35% of the vehicle cost upfront it is should be no brainer for them. We’ll see what happens. Brian

Good to see Shane's old car going strong. It had quite a write some years ago on this forum, and I'm sure Shane would be glad to see it's with a real enthusiast and further upgrades happening. And you want traction? Brian

Thanks. CBA. I'll make some calls first thing Monday. I just need a quick turnaroud without getting ripped off.

Suncorp Debacle : Motor Vehicle Lease GTR I decided to use Suncorp again for a motor vehicle lease (GTR R35) as I have had 4 car leases with them since 1999, the last (an STi) ending January last year. In May 2003 I bought a Ford BA turbo and WRX at the same time, and had 2 concurrent leases. A payment has never been missed. So I decided I’d use them again, as I was a customer, had a good record and they had my company details. All they wanted was the most recent tax returns, which was reasonable. The lease application made over a month ago: quoted 7.95% which was a reasonable rate, although I could have got something marginally cheaper through the dealer. I decided to stick with Suncorp, as I thought it should be easier. With the application a Contract for Sale was supplied so the car being purchased and purchase amount was clearly identified. It took 3 weeks for accountant to complete 2010 returns company and personal. I thought that would be OK, should be no problem as the company has no debt and enough cash to buy a few GTR’s, but I chose to finance it for the tax benefits. The company (my personal company) has been operating since 1980. Then, this from Monday this week: Suncorp wanted various bank statements, company, mortgage, 2 personal bank, credit card, not previously requested then Wanted another companies returns (I have a related company) then wanted its bank statements then wanted originals statement, not Netbank shots of the statements then told they will have to charge me 11% not 7.95% (wtf), as amount is over $150k then after my protest will reduce it to 8.95% then we will not give you a lease on this vehicle as it is a GTR then we will consider giving you a lease if you transfer all your accounts; companies, personal, mortgages over to Suncorp (wtf) …. Response was a quick no way. Unbelievable. Every day this week they have requested something new, and wasted a significant amount of my time. When I requested to talk to a senior manager in loans I was told I could not, and that she would discuss with her “team leader”. I even said I will be pre-paying lease payments, paying 12 months of payments in June, which is to their benefit. I get a tax benefit from this, so both parties win. I’m beginning to doubt that they understand that they are running a business. This is clearly an amateur organization, disorganized, inconsistent, lacking integrity to honour an agreement. At this stage my car will be ready for pickup in a weeks time. If there is anyone here from senior management in Suncorp, I’d like to hear from them. I’m now looking into alternative financing quickly, and on the basis of this experience would not recommend Suncorp to anyone. Brian

Over 2 years now. Doesn't time fly. Probably need more patience than money, as you always seem to be waiting on something. Also, the bar has been lifted since 2 years ago, with the 700rwkw+ territory. I wish you well. Brian

Great vid. I'm going to a Nissan organised GTR drive day at Phillip Island this Friday to drive the new model, so this raises the anticipation level somewhat. My new GTR should arrive in a few weeks ... just left Japan a few days before the Tsunami hit. 0-100 3.0secs; quarter mile 11.0 @124mph stock standard. Brian

I looked into a Territory awd transplant 6 years ago into my BA, but it wouldn't fit, plus I'd have to change to an auto, which I didn't want to do. FG may be different. From a post of mine in December 2005 "They actually did all the 4WD R&D with 2 BA sedans, in outback testing & in Norway(or Sweden, can't remember).... so it can be done." Like many things it's a matter of how much money and patience you have. Far more sensible just to buy a Territory if you want awd, or buy something like a Nissan gtr. Maybe you could refer to someone in Ford engineering. Like a lot of projects you can throw a lot of money at it, but it may never be the result to the standard you really want. Brian

Don't you love it when they won't talk to you because you won't give them enough personal details for them to identify you, when you are trying to sort out a matter to prove your innocence. I had issues with a debt recovery company a few years ago, after a dodgy company called Simplus took money from my credit card several months after I cancelled a phone account with them, and I stopped the debit, them Simplus called in the debt recovery company to try to collect money I did not owe. Even though I sent details to prove my case I still copped letters from the debt recovery company. I then asked the debt recovery to claim back from Simplus the money that they took from my account that they had no right to take, and I had the evidence to prove the case. Never heard from the debt recovery company after that. Brian

No problems, I've shared a lot of expertise since I joined here in 2002. I didn't say they were wrong. I gave a personal opinion based on my own testing with numerous exhausts that started in 2003 varying power levels from 180 to 600 rwkw. It is that tuners choice as to what power level he would recommend a 3.5" dump up. That's OK but you need to look at crossover points. A part may be able to be used up to a given level of power x (being pushed), but a different (or larger part) may start to work better a lower power level than x. It's like guys who used to say that a stock IC can be used for 300rwk on a BA/BF, which may appear OK until you find out how much boost they were pushing. You are best upgrading to a larger part well below that power level. In this case if someone is coming (and of course not necessarily stopping) in at a level of say 360+ rwkw I'd advise the larger dump rather than the smaller dump. Brian

How many systems have to tried and tested to state that “arguably it is the best”. Yes, very arguable. That’s a confident assertion for someone who joined the forum last month. I wouldn’t be using a 3.5’ dump with 450fwk. System is pricey for what you’ve got. Brian

Agree with a lot of comments above. It probably doesn't matter how much power you have, but if you are going to use 5 to 7 lb load while stationary, just don't hold it too long. If you break the tailshaft, as I have, it was either too much boost, too long, or both. That's the problem with trying a bit too hard. I wouldn't advise going over 7lb as a guide. Brian

I'll put this on my list of cars to buy .....................when I turn 70! At least you've come back to the right side. Enjoy. Brian