markxr6t

Yep -1200kg is the Ford specified tow limit - and its because of the clutch which is the "fuse" for the T5. As said above, take it easy on the clutch, do 80 -90kph in 4th gear and don't go into 5th. Also, use revs and don't lug in the lower gears as the torque plus extra load puts more strain on the drivetrain and is more likely to make your clutch slip than higher revs. that's what I'd do....

I'm sure a custom tune will always provide a better result - of that there's no doubt. However, I am currently very happy with the latest CAPA 10psi tune (whatever you do, make sure you get the latest update - PM Street Tuner to find out where you can get it). No surging, heaps more grunt and at least as smooth as stock - in my car anyway. Get the latest CAPA flash and if you're in any way unhappy or want to get more out of it, go the custom tune. For me (and I'm probably a bit of a nerd driver compared to most here), I'm happy with the generic tune for now. Mark

Notch up another one for blueprint!

Hey XR06T Could you please take some pics while you're changing the pads and post them with any advice, tips, things to watch etc.. Sounds like a DIY job I wouldn't mind tackling one day. See you at the Plex on the 25th! Thanks Mark

Not before time, either! Mind you, not making any predictions - as there's still the driver skill factor which is my big downfall! Think I'm just to gentle... Almost embarassed to say I've got 50 000kms out of my original factory dunlops...

Thanks Street Tuner! Have been to Daniel and upgraded my flash tuner. Wow what a difference that 10 psi tune makes. No surging, and an awesome rush! Whilst before it was scrabbling for grip in 2nd, it now easily lights up the rears in 2nd. Very smooth tune as well - can't believe its generic. Nice work Mark

Hey Lumpy - sounds like we're fellow rememberers of useless facts! Mark

Hmmm - I'd like to put a T engine in an BA XT wagon. Put subtle 17s on and then you'd have a Q ship and family car in one!

Yep - hardcore. Think about cars almost as much as I think about sex. Have just about every Wheels and Motor since 1970 something (and I'm only 35) and happily read any other car/4wd/streetmachine/etc.. car magazine. Have an unfortunate ability to remember useless facts about all sorts of cars from the 60s onwards and rarely meet anyone with the same warped vehicular interests. I appreciate the virtues of a Peugeot 404 as much as the brute force of a 1969 Dodge Charger R/T, be it Hemi or 440 Also love reading car classifieds, buying old cars, enjoying them for a year and selling them for the same price or more and browsing around smaller used car yards. My wife regularly rolls her eyes at my car nuttiness and I'm now convincing her I need a ute for the upcoming building of a house. And all 3 of my kids, under 6, can spot and say "XR6 Turbo" from 300 yards.

Sounds like I missed anther great day. Probably fortunate though - another blue T would have been just too much!

In a T5, with just an edit, on street tyres????? I'm sold, where do I sign up? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I know - overly optimistic, but I am trying to be persuasive. What I'm saying is that Steve has a very good feel and control of his car. The boy can drive! An edit and tune would optimise the hardware he's already got (and doing any more mods would just start breaking things). I recall that turbocorty (?) did a 13.2 in his stock 'phoon and can't see why a well driven manual T with edit and tune can't do the same or better. I know Steve has a T5 not a T56, but I don't believe anyone would claim the much stronger T56 to have a "snickety snack" gearchange like an MX-5. ie the shift aint that much better. I also don't believe his T5 would necessarily break, because I think the reason he does 13.8s stock (+CAI) is because he actually drives it smoothly and "feels" the drivetrain, without dropping the clutch etc. A while back at Motorplex I did about 7 runs at 14.5 and thought I'd wrung the best out of it. Threw Steve the keys and he did a 14.1 on his first run. So if anyone I know is gonna do low 13 or less in a manual T with edit only, its him. Just my opinion - and the 12.9 is a dream. Mark

I'll be in a similar situation soon. I don't really trust Ford warranties, but if a big ticket component fails, it would be nice to know its covered. On the other hand being out of warranty will feel to me like a leash has been cut and I don't have to argue and convice someone that something needs looking at. It sounds dumb, but I feel that going somewhere other than a Ford dealer and just paying someone for quality work would be easier. Finally ring around and get quotes from as many Ford dealers as possible on your extended (factory) warranty. Ultimately, you're buying insurance and there is significant margin in it for the selling dealer.

12.9 et Sold yet?

I'd love to make it Steve, but will probably be down south with the family. There remains a slim chance...... I'd particularly like to come to persuade you to use that extra cash to get the edit! Mark

Its a no-brainer Steve - especially with your rare skills in getting the most out of the T5. Edit. If you're getting 13.85 on your factory tune, you'll probably set some kind of new record for T5 manual Ts with edit only. Now that I'd love to see.

Oh - and here's the car these bits came out of. I know its bad taste to post a pic of a H****en on here, but at least there's the satisfaction that it experienced great pain and suffering!

Hi all Thought you might be interested in the following pics of twisted and broken engine internals which I rediscovered this morning. Out of a 308. Probably why I now lean toward Fords. Happened in 1998 - I had an immaculate HJ GTS Monaro, driving between Newman and Port Hedland (very remote), got overtaken by an XR6 Ute (must have been a message in that), put my foot down to keep up and BANG! Wheels locked up, everything stopped. Got out to find a mixture of coolant, oil and bits of metal. Not good. Had to get towed 300km to nearest town - Newman. Thousands of dollars and a few months later car was all fixed and got stolen out of my Mum's garage by some goon pretending he was interested in buying it. Never to be seen again. Mechanic who stripped it and found these bits couldn't pinpoint why the piston broke other than bad luck. Look after your engines - I'd hate to see a T with rods that get bent like rubber! Mark

Thanks

Well I just went to see Daniel at Chipmaster who said that they are the latest CAPA tunes, but my wastegate actuator (huh?) is opening too early and hence not allowing boost to reach 8 or 10 psi. So is a custom tune the only solution? If so, I'll get a custom tune in early January. Now back to my original question - is 226 rwkw a bit freakish on the factory tune? Thanks for your comments Mark

The 8psi is OK though, isn't it? that's what I usually run....

Impressive stuff! Best bits are: 1. Great circle work with a T5 manual 2. Its the same colour as my car so I can show my mates the video and pretend its me. 3. I know what not to buy when it comes up for sale. Nice work! Mark

So to get the current tunes do I go back to the vendor of the box or send my box to CAPA? Mark

Purchased in September (?) off Chipmaster and their runout special.

Hi all Put the car on a dyno today to check out whats up after running consistent 14s at Motorplex regardless of which tune I was running. Fastest run that night was with Factory Tune (14.1). Green Line: 8psi CAPA Tune - 320.5 rwhp Blue Line: 10psi CAPA Tune - 310 rwhp Red Line: Factory Tune - 303 rwhp 03 Manual T. 2nd CAI and K&N, Ultimate 98. Looks like the 10 psi tune aint getting anywhere near 10 psi and you can see the surging. Wastegate actuator perhaps? I know I need a custom tune and will get one as soon as the SCT software has data logging capability, but is it possible the car could have this much power with its factory tune? Terry at MCE said its the highest run he's seen a standard boost T do. Any comments or interpretations? Thanks Mark

Sorry to hear your tragic story Dr Z - thanks for sharing it with us. It clarifies things though - and seems obvious that the next step is towards your friend. When the time is right, if you're not sure what to say, just email her the link to this thread! It shows the inner conflict and confusion you're experiencing and everyone's response describes the logical next steps. Good luck and best wishes. Mark