Gareth

Sorry to mention APS again, but if you think stage 2 is quick you should try stage 3. I've been stage 3 for about 8 months (after running stage 2 for some time) and the car is just awesome. The way a car is meant to be! I haven't driven a GT, but in my humbe opinion it can be no match for a 390KW Turbo. The performance just makes you swear out loud sometimes! Sure, you need premium brakes (or mods) and modified valve springs, and probably a modified gearbox and oil coolers, but hell, for the $15,000 extra spend it's still a very affordable car in comparison.

I haven't been on the site for months but I'm interested in this day. Are there any spots left?

I can only comment from my own experience with the XR6T, as I haven't looked at the Typhoon, and don't think I would. I've installed the APS stage 3 kit and I can't imagine a much better, quicker, more practical car than the T. For similar money once you upgrade the valve springs... and add in a few extras. So, if you are allowed to modify, and don't mind losing your warranty, then that's what I'd do. If this isn't an option then I guess I'd buy the Typhoon. I'm up to 45,000k's with no drive train issues, but I know I will need to re-build the Auto at some stage, so that probably makes the stage 3 a little more expensive, but it does have a lot more go (318 rwk). Is it really true that the Typhoon's not as quick in a straight line? This seems to make no sense!!

I've been Stage 3 for about 6 months. Cooling is OK, it never gets over 1/2 as the fans kick in, however I do lose some coolant out of the tank. I've tried ruplacing the header tank and cap, and I had a faulty heater hose, but I still lose coolant when I drive hard. Does anyone else experience this problem, or have a fix? My guess is that 390KW on a hot day is just too much for the standard cooling system and it blows off a bit of steam through the tank/cap.... Goes like a rocket though!

When I had my APS II kit fitted C&V found a problem with a return fuel line valve in the fuel tank. Prior to them finding this the car stalled constantly (sometimes 3 or 4 times a day). Had this fixed (disconnected the valve) and have not stalled since!

I haven't been on the site for a while, but I couldn't resist a comment on this thread. I've had stage 2 APS fitted to the car for a couple of months and am going stage 3 in a couple of weeks. Where else can you get a 390KW car for a tad over $50,000 (plus extras). Best car I've ever owned? Hell yes. My last one was a Honda S2000, great car, but lacked grunt. And guess what, I had lots of teething problems with it, including a nagging miss I never got to the bottom of in 60,000 k's. Those that whinge about the T must be bloody hard to please! Do us all a favour and go buy a HSV! (Every one I know that has owned one (Gen 3) has had to have the engine replaced, power steering problems, etc). All cars have their problems from time to time.

Congratulations Peter When do you expect to be marketing this through your distributors? Also, do you supply copies of the ADR approval to people who purchase the upgrades? Can I get one? The stage II is awesome, just gets better every day!

I had the APS stage 2 installed this week and it's great. Not as much of a dramatic effect as I envisioned, and it sure feels like the chasis can cope with a bit more than this! Premium brakes, so no problems there. I'm waiting for stage 3 now, that should be enough! (For a while). :lol:

I've used an armour all leather spray which also works well. I have no idea how well it protects long term as I've never used it on another car, but it is quite clear so you don't have the problems with the white stuff in your perforation. (Sounds painfull!)

How right you were! I'd had a previous (good) experience... Anyway, I've learnt my lesson now!

Hi Gareth, haven't heard from you in a long time. To the best of my recollection you were one of the first to get a power enhancement, it was quite a while ago now wasn't it! So you've not been enjoying your upgrade it would seem. Scotty Hi KTFord I have very much enjoyed my upgrade, it has made the car much more drivable, particularly when overtaking on country roads! I have just had problems getting anyone to tune the car (as the non adjustable chips are basically un-tuneable) and have had some concerns from the begining with the occasional backfire at 4000 revs, stalling at idle, loss of power under mild aceleration, etc. Sounds like a shocker, but on the whole it has been OK. Just time for more power and refinement now. As I have blown my warranty anyway, I figure I might as well "go the doctor" . Regards Gareth.

Hi Peter It's an auto. I'm currently talking to one of your dealers as I'm so dirty with powerchip's lack of service (or care) I'm going to ditch it. I actually just wish I'd not gone that way in the first place!

Gee I'm pleased to hear there is a fix. I'm embarrased! I lent my car to my business partner yesterday and it stalled 3 times in about 45 minutes. It's quite a concern, as it is not really safe.

Premium brakes would be a cheaper option than selling the car! I had a diff clunk (auto too) and it went away. Maybe it's just a running in thing? I was worried too, as I've modified, and have no warranty! Coming up to 300,000k's now with no real problems - and the premium brakes are great!

Wow, what a great thread! I installed a powerchip not long after I bought my XR and now regret it. It has provided a fair bit more power, but there is NO after sales service and, guess what, I want more power now! So, I'm looking at stage 2, as it's really encouraging to see a company like APS who will actually discuss things and provide ongoing development. It's just a shame I didn't go that way in the first place. Anyone interested in a 2nd hand powerchip?

Just thought you guys may be interested. I had my Powerchip enhanced XR6T dyno'd this week, at long last. If I knew how to I'd copy the image to the site... Max power was about 275HP at the wheels at around 4500 revs. The biggest concern was the fuel mixture was really rich at high revs (11:1), and that the power actually decreased as a result of this. I don't seem to get much joy from them as far as after sales service is concerned!

I think the problem is that they are trying to build these cars to a price, and can not afford to fit really good brakes to an under $50K car. I do a little track driving and therefore optioning premium stoppers was a no brainer for me, and I tell you what, they are good. You have to go really hard to get any fade at all, so I reckon they are worth the spend.

Hi 56 Mainline Yes, I'd recommend the powerchip based on cost, but I think you need to be in Melbourne so they can install it properly and get rid of any bugs. They are trying to help me by sending new modules, but I think the problem goes deeper than that.... They still don't have the setup correct for my car, and I guess I'm still not convinced they will be able to sort it out "remotely".

Sounds like a scare tactic to me - but I might just quietly check it out....

Henry I've been running about 9 lb boost for some time now (about 8,000 ks) and I have experienced no problems at all. I intend to change my oil a bit more regularly than every 15,000 ks, but I recon the T's engine is very strong. I guess if it did s**t itself, then would be the time to do some mods. But why waste the $ unless, as the other guys are saying, you are going for really serious power. I can't tell you how much fun the car is to drive with an extra 50 or 60 Kw (haven't dyno'd it yet). I drove a rental V6 Late model camira last week and could not believe how incredibly gutless it was, I tried overtaking and was shocked at the lack of power, I guess it all becomes relative. The only problem is lack of warranty after modification. I was ammused to see City Ford sponsor this site, as they basically told me I can't even get my car tuned by them now that it's modified... I thought they would be more open minded. :smashedtooth:

I was supposed to have the car on the dyno 10 days ago as it was booked in for the powerchip guys to look at. I've had a couple of minor problems like stalling when coming to idle sometimes and it was missing a bit at mid revs. Unfortunately the after sales service and communication within the Powerchip group seems to be non existant and the guy that came to Sydney came with no spare parts and didn't organise the dyno time (I did offer to pay for this myself in an effort to sort out the problems). He just turned down the boost a lb and told me to drive it for a week and see what happens. Not a very scientific approach in my opinion. So, in short, I'm stoked at the extra performance from the chip, but I'm considering de-installing it and going to another supplier who has a Sydney based service facility as these Melbourne based guys don't seem to have the facilities in Sydney to look after their customers at all. I don't think I could go back to driving the car in standard spec now! The extra power is awesome. I have e-mailed Powerchip (last Friday) with no reply yet, but I will keep you posted. And I will publish the dyno info if I get that far with this chip.

The wait was certainly worth it.