markxr6t

I tried that today and you are spot on. At 98kmh the engine is doing 1950 rpm and is showing around 9 L per 100k and at 105 kmh its doing 10-11 L per 100k. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Did a 300km trip on the weekend, (Bridgetown to Perth), cruise control on 115km/hr, air con on and flooring it in 3rd or 4th at every overtaking opportunity. Got 10.1 l/100km by the trip meter and confirmed with 10.2 l/100km with a refill. It was a 27 degree day - possible tail wind. I was stoked! Funnily enough, on the way there, same driving style, I got 11.2 L/100km. It was 37 degrees that day and there may have been a head wind. I'm still stoked though as my consumption around town ranges from 13.5 l/100km (normal driving, occasional fang) to 17 l/100 (fanging it, occasionally normal) I'd also like to know if piggybacks or edit (say to 8psi) improve this????? (obviously if you're not using the extra power all the time) Mark

I tried that today and you are spot on. At 98kmh the engine is doing 1950 rpm and is showing around 9 L per 100k and at 105 kmh its doing 10-11 L per 100k. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Did a 300km trip on the weekend, (Bridgetown to Perth), cruise control on 115km/hr, air con on and flooring it in 3rd or 4th at every overtaking opportunity. Got 10.1 l/100km by the trip meter and confirmed with 10.2 l/100km with a refill. It was a 27 degree day - possible tail wind Funnily enough, on the way there, same driving style, I got 11.2 L/100km. It was 37 degrees that day and there may have been a head wind. I'm still stoked though as my consumption around town ranges from 13.5 l/100km (normal driving, occasional fang) to 17 l/100 (fanging it, occasionally normal) I'd like to know if piggybacks or edit (say to 8psi) improve this to (obviously if you're not using the extra power all the time) Mark

1. Bullitt ( I love the start of the chase where the 440 R/T Dodge Charger drops a massive burnout. Sounds awesome up loud. Apparently they had to put skinnier tyres on it so the Stang could keep up) 2. Mad Max and Mad Max 2

Name: Mark Age: 34 Occupation: School Principal Location: Perth WA Married: Yep (hence I've left "sex" blank) Kids: 3 - Boy (4 yrs), Girl 2 yrs, Boy (8 Months) = No life Drive: 03 XR6T and 03 Subaru Forester X

Charles Barkley Paul Keating Germaine Greer Howard Marsden Alfred Canning Burke and Wills Adolf Hitler and - because I'm in Perth Geea JB Pretzel Macka Dynowog Jeff Peter(APS) and anyone else who can show me how wild an XR6T can be! (ie with 260rwkw+) (apologies to the many I've missed) Mark

I reckon the TE50 5.6 and AUIII XR8 are going to be absolute classics. Last Windsor V8s anywhere in the world and last Tickford badges too. Do you think your TE50 would be better with an Auto? Sorry - its off topic, but I started the thread and its basically run its course anyway. Mark

It might pay to add at this stage that Subaru is now owned by GMH and that is where Expensive Daewoo got there Cross 8 from... An Adventra is running on the same technology as a WRX..... GMH didnt invent thier AWD overnight.. They bought out a competitor..... Did you ever wonder how Expensive Daewoo could strap a 200+kw motor to a new awd vehicle and not have major issues...... Well that is why........... GMH = Subaru <{POST_SNAPBACK}> From what I've read, Holden's Cross Trac was developed in house by them for a range of platforms from performance cars (Monaro) to off roaders, no doubt taking advantage of GM's parts and manufacturing strength (eg, the electronics is a tweaked version of the Hummer 2s). Bit of a clunker from what I hear. If Subaru did it - it would have been much sharper. Mark

I think changing oil and filter every 7500 with any oil matching the specification (SJ/CF or higher and 15w40 or thereabouts - though I wouldn't exceed 40) is more important than the brand of oil you use. Granted - synthetics are great for high heat and high stress situations like jet engines - its all they use, though not necessary if you change your mineral or synthetic fortified oil every 7500km (IMHO) I just use Magnatec and a Z9 every 7500 and the dealer does whatever they do every 15000km. Mark

Turbo6man Ah yes - I see your point - I didn't think of compression - and even if he stuck some fatter gaskets in then the heads had been off. (I obviously aint no turbo expert!) "Heads not been off" were my words and were therefore probably incorrect. "Stock V6 Ecotec" were his words and "soon to be replaced with a S'charged bottom end". He gave the impression that the engine was going to be short lived, but 12 psi on a 9.3 to 1 compression would be make it very short lived indeed. Perhaps he did whatever was the quickest and easiest way to reduce compression to handle 12psi? How's your TE50? Are you happy with it. It was one of the cars on my shortlist until I got my T. Mark

Yeah - Audis feel like they're carved from a single blob of steel and qwuality plastic. I once read that permissible tolerances required from their suppliers for for their dashboard plastics and ventilation things was 0mm (!!) at about the same time that GM in the US was happy with 3-4mm. They probably still are. I'm obviously a victim of reading every car magazine I could get my hands on since the 70s! Again, I'd find it hard to justify paying for an Audi badge (well, maybe an S4). Don't forget VWs are basically rebadged Audis and $10k plus. An A3 shares the Golf Platform and a Passat is an A4 with slightly longer wheelbase. By all accounts quality is the same. However, nowadays, Honda / Mazda Subaru are of no lesser quality. My dear old mum is now quite immobile and finds the Forester the perfect medium between not having to sink down into a seat nor climb up into one. You can get a beaty for under $40k - leather and all extras. Residuals too are unbeatable. A Subie dealer offered me $23k last week for my Jan 03 Forester X with 50000km (that aint low ks) which I paid $30k for but said I'd easily get $24k on a private sale. If Subaru made a 4.0 litre Falcon Wagon Sized Turbo I would truly be in family motoring heaven. Hope the Territory Turbo comes close. Mark

Yeah - can't go wrong with a Subaru. My other car is an 03 Forester X and its been perfect - I really can't fault it, though an Xt (turbo) would be nice. Liberty is a good pick, but also have a drive of an Impreza and Forester (all Subarus are built on the same basic platform), a Mazda 6 and a Honda Accord Euro. These are amongst the best in their class regardless of price and one is sure to ignite his passion for driving. I too love BMWs, (particularly M3) but can't justify buying one (or afford it) when the Jap cars mentioned above are of the same quality and far cheaper (See current Wheels - Jan 05). And surely the XR6T is the best value muscle car on the planet??! Mark

Since when was a bog standard ecowreck fitted with a turbo. And an IC? And a 3" exhaust. And LSD. ???? I s'pose he told you his motor was unopened too??? And you also believe in Santa and the Easter Bunny??? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> My apologies for not explaining myself Turbo6man. What I meant is that all those mods to the Ecowreck were bolt on. The head had not been lifted. He was basically waiting for it to self destruct and was going to replace it with a supercharged Ecowreck bottom end. He said he was getting 300rwhp from 12psi boost. This sounds reasonable to me. It was an impressive budget build - very streetable, and convincingly hosed my car (and my driving). Oh - and I'm still scooping the Reindeer poo off the lawn from the man in red's visit!

Well, I learnt a lot from my first experience down the strip. Sort of reminds me of that saying that "90% of drivers think they're better than average". I always thought manuals were quicker than autos - and they probably are in lower capacity, lighter and slick shifting manuals - but I now have to admit that for most of us "average" drivers a stock auto is quicker down the strip than stock manual. It aint an easy launch! I felt better that a guy with a new (just superseded) $200k M5 ran the same 14.9 as me. Now that should be a 13 second car! Once again, manual shifting was the issue. Highligts were a GTR which ran a 12.2 and a bright green VS Late model camira Wagon which wasn't a V8 which ran consistent 13.4s. Speaking to the owner, it was a bog standard V6 Ecowreck 5 speed with a single turbo, intercooler, 3 inch exhaust and LSD. Impressive. Thanks for all your tips and advice - I'll go again in a month or 2 and try to get lower in the 14s. Mark

Hi All Assuming we're all car guys (and girls), I think it would be interesting to see what members' favourite cars in a variety of categories are. I'll go first: 1. Favourite Classic Oz Muscle: Charger E49 2. Favourite US Muscle: 68 Dodge Charger R/T or any 68 - 71 Mopar with a 440 or 426 Hemi 3. Favourite Euro: BMW M3 4. Favourite Jap: Nissan GT-R 5. What would I be driving if I didn't have an XR6T / Typhoon? Subaru Forester XT Looking forward to seeing your selections. Mark

I had an interesting experience with tyres last month. Got a puncture in my Dunlop SP 3000 sidewall which couldn't be repaired and this tyre place didn't stock Dunlop. Just to get by for a few days, he fitted a 2nd hand Kelly Charger (same size etc.) The first time I gave it a bit (and just a bit) I was sliding all over the shop. Either I'd picked up an extra 50rwkw or there were serious tyre issues. Apparently Kellies are a really hard compound with not much grip - and it showed. They last well, though. I went and bought another SP3000 which I now believe to be a pretty good tyre. There's no way I'd let my wife drive it or have my family on board with the other combination! It really highlighted to me the importance of grip and soft compounds on a powerful car like the T. I won't be skimping when it comes to new tyres. Traction and dry/wet grip are more important to me than durability. I really don't think you can have both. Mark

Have you considered a Forester XT (2.5 turbo)? I've got a Forester X (N/A) and XR6T. I'm so impressed with the Forester after 2 years and 50000ks - no warranty claims, original tyres, no rattles or squeaks - drives like new. Wish I could say the same for my Ford - as much as I love driving it.. A Forester XT came a very close second to my XR6T for my next car and it will again be on my shortlist in a couple years. The Forester XT doesn't quite have the rush that only 4 litres of forced induction can give, but I've driven both a manual and auto XT and they are very impressive - heaps more low down torque than a Liberty GT (2.5 litres and same turbo as STi). Very tuneable as well - Get an ECUTEK for huge gains. As far as size and room go, I've got 3 kids 7mths - 4yrs with seats, prams etc.. and on a holiday I'd have to say the Forester is a more practical and capacious load carrier. Rear seat leg room is its downfall. With fleet discount you'll pay $45k for an auto luxury pack with leather etc or under $40k for manual base XT. IMHO, the Forester XT and XR6T (and SV8 I guess) are the best value performance / family cars currently available. I do agree a Territory Turbo would be nice, though. Mark

Hi Andrew and welcome, I just had an xr8 snorkel 2nd CAI fitted by a ford dealer for $100 - so its warranty legal. (More cool air isn't going to hurt your warranty he said). So I got a receipt from a Ford dealer for fitting it and it does improve throttle response (More instantaneous grunt!), particularly noticeable in 3rd and 4th. I've bought my T for my first, premature mid-life crisis. Enjoy! Mark

Well - next time, no burnout - as I think that warmed the clutch up a bit, a gentle drop of the clutch and quicker gear changes. I'll aim to crack 100mph and mid 14s. Mark

Thanks JB - I think I know what you mean as I've never experienced slippage on the street. By "bouncing" between 3000 - 4000 revs, do you mean effectively dropping the clutch while the revs are on the way down from 4000 to 3000 (therefore drivetrain not under load) to engage it and applying full throttle at the same time? I'm paranoid of frying my clutch now and I'm wondering how the hell Wheels got a 14.3 from a stock manual (2 up with full tank) and Motor got 14.0!!!??? Mark

that's cool - I should know in a month if I've done any permanent damage to my clutch!

Sorry Peter (loaded) - just realised my profile didn't say I was in Perth. I've updated it. Mark

Yeah - very disappointed with the clutch. Its like I've got all this power I need to be gentle with. Definitely wobn't bother with any power-up mods unless a heavy duty clutch is in first. Re: going side by side - are you now in Perth or still in Sydney? It'll be hard if your'e over East, but I would like to run next to another manual or even auto T at Motorplex. Any interest? Mark

The shame, the shame. Its not as easy as it looks - especially in a manual. First pass (ever): 15.339@94.14mph 60' 2.783 and a 1.321 reaction time (green light popped up whilst I was adjusting something). Slow start and hit limiter in 2nd. Beaten by a well driven Barina Gsi. VERY EMBARASSING! Second Pass: Major slipping clutch - hit the limiter in 2nd without much acceleration. 16.778@93.75mph, 60' 2.653 and .323 reaction. 440 Valiant trounced me. Bad clutch smells - let it cool for over an hour. 3rd pass: Nursed it off the line to avoid clutch slip. TC on 15.17@97.82mph, 60' 2.759 Beat a V8 Expensive Daewoo Ute 4th Pass: Nursed off line with TC off - changed gears at 5300 rpm 14.975@97.29mph 60' 2.671 Beat a V8 Commodore The Good: I got better each time, great experience for a first timer. The camaraderie in the staging lanes. The Bad: Not an easy manual to drive down a strip (for me). I think my launches and gear changes lost me at least half a second. Only time I wished I had an auto. The Ugly: The clutch. I don't think I've ever had slippage on the street, but I think I almost fried it on my second run and I could smell it after every run. Disappointed that my car can't handle its own power or torque. Thanks for all your tips and advice - I just need more practice. Otherwise I'll go down in history as having the slowest T in Australia! Mark

Well I've had the CAI fitted for $99 by McInerney Ford. Its made the car a bit more responsive - particularly in 2nd and 3rd - with slightly louder (and better) induction noise. When they quoted me, they weren't aware that the 100mm round part of the xr8 snorkel is to big to fit in a hole cut in the xr6t airbox. This is why everyone uses pipe joiners to get an oval shaped entry to the airbox. They assumed the airbox was the same as the Typhoon's. Therefore, they used lots of sealant - I've attached a photo. Still, I've got a receipt from a Ford dealer for fitting it and it only cost $100 so I'm happy. Cold air is cold air! I don't think they'll give away s/h xr8 snorkels unless you have a mate that works there or there's something in it for them and they're not allowed to sell them second hand. Mark

Thanks everyone. Less than 24 hours away now. Just tracking down a helmet and will post my times here Thursday morning. I tend to exhibit some mechanical sympathy with any car I drive - hopefully this won't stuff up my launch too much. Stay tuned Mark