New Xrt Owner - Have Some Questions.

[Rudiger]

Hi everyone.

Well after 2 weeks af stuffing around with finace I finally picked up my BF2 XRT on Wednesday night. The kids were sad to see my Mandarine NA XR6 BA2 go. I got it after I split with the ex and it meant alot to us. But they love the new baby.

I drove the normally aspirated XR6 for 3 years and jumping straight from it to the turbo has bought with it some "adjustments" and I want to get some input from some of you with more experience than I.

Firstly the BF2 seems much more refined that the BA. The one I have is the BF2 "Update" which basically means they chucked stuff on it as the model was running out, like 18" wheels the upgraded ICC.

Anyway, the DSC is much more subtle than the Traction control on the BA, the seats seem firmer and few other minor things are much better. Heres the things I need info on.

The 6 speed austo is a much better transmission than the 4 sp auto I had, however I find that slipping it into "Perf" mode makes for a much more driveable car. It is definately much more "sporty" than doing the same with the 4 sp. You can definately feel the gears being held longer. How to others find this?

Secondly, I know about turbo lag and I know my old XR6 had a bit of grunt off the line, even when accelerating gently. But the XRT seems, well "gutless" unless you put the boot into it a bit. Now before you abuse me for being stupid, please hear me out.

I know its basically the same size motor as the base XR6 but with different compression. I know about bore and stroke but does the little difference in compression make that much difference?

I guess I will get used to feeding the power on correctly. I just dont want to find myself doing "circle work" cause I put the boot in too much.

Thirdly, the compression braking, or deceleration on the XRT seems non existant compared to the stock XR6. Do others find this or is this another thing to get used to? I just find I'm catching up to cars in front when decelerating more than I did. This is a teething issue again but just want others thoughts.

Overall, pleased as punch with the car. God it has some go, and its only standard. Have opened it up a few times and it feels and sounds great.

Anyway, thanks for your time and hope to hear your thoughts.

Cheers.

Edited 15/06/08 11:49 AM by Rudiger

[senna_T]

The punch off the line will have alot to do with the gearbox to start with, it will take a little while for it to figure out how you like to drive. Also the 6spd usually starts in 2nd gear.

With the decel. try dropping it back two gears instead of one, this may give you the engine braking you are looking for

[Benny]

I think the changes you are refering to are mainly differences in gearboxs from your old car to the new one. As Pat has said the car will learn to your driving style and probably improve and change it's shift patterns etc.

By the way don't be afraid to stick the boot in.

[tab]

s

The ZF is really quite remarkable in how it adapts. Mine changes quite aggressively, evenly in full auto mode, but after someone else has been behind the wheel for a while I get back in and it feels like a slug.

This also has a bearing on the amount of engine braking that you’re experiencing. After giving it a bit of stick if you slam the brakes on in performance mode it downshifts that early and that hard you’re likely to end up through the bloody windscreen. Slight exaggeration but I’m sure you get my point!

It’s also a fair indication of how many “points” it has accumulated if you can feel it drop back to first gear when you stop. If you drive it like a granny then it’s likely you’ll never use first gear and the lowest it will go is second. This may also explain your perceived lag....as first gear off the line should be enough to jerk the neck of an unsuspecting passenger

[Doogstar]

I am in the exact same situation as you, I have gone from a highly modded BA XR6 NA with 4.11 diff gears to a BF XR6 Turbo.

My NA was so much quicker off the mark than the Turbo, but the turbo has so much more torque that when it get moving its way faster. So on the street my modded NA would beat my stock T to the speed limit most times, but after that the T would win every time.

It's just that initial response that takes some getting used to. Overtaking in the NA was instant response when I mashed the go pedal. Where as in the turbo I find I have to start my move a bit earlier to build some boost. Without boost the T is a slug.

I think that with a custom tune and a few mods the early boost will be much better. From what I have read adding an aftermarket intake plenum and drivers side air intake (thus shorting the piping length) might help make it boost earlier too. I know there is a lot of debate about this, so I will let you make up your own mind.

The ZF in performance mode will hold the gears till 6000rpm at WOT, where as the BTR used to change at about 5,200rpm at WOT. ZF sh!ts all over the BTR box IMHO.

Would never go back to NA now.

[Rudiger]

Guys, your feedback has been great. I'd heard good things about the ZF box and I guess I am experiencing them for myself. I have driven around most of the day in perf mode and its a different car. The engine braking and downshifting IS very noticeable.

I just wasnt aware that the box would learn. Mind you I have been driving itlike an old woman, like you do with a new car. But my feul economy is great. I never got over 500ks to the tank on the NA. Im up to 450 on this tank and have 90 odd to go.

One other thing I have found with the ZF v the 4 spd. In the 4 sp, if you were in auto and in top gear and you slipped it accross to perf (if you can call it that) it would change down to 3rd. The hand book said it would not auto select 4th until about 150kph. With the ZF there is no such down shifting, and it selects 6th no probs. I can tell I'm in top gear at 100 kph im on about 1600 revs. Bloody brilliant.

I am not sure if this is right and you guys may correct me, but I am sure, well I am positive that I manually selected 5th I think it was, last night. I am sure I did as it had 5 on the dash display. I booted it, forgetting I was in manual mode and it down shifted automatically. IS that right? I thought that once you were in manual mode, apart from selecting 1st when you stop (and mine only selects 2nd) it wouldn't kick back. If that's right I am impressed.

Certainly my NA had some low down grunt but I am in total agreement that the T has the legs. I honestly don't want to play too much with it at the moment cause the bloody thing scares me a bit until I get used to it. It is very, very, VERY nice though to pick a gap and BANG!!! you ARE THERE!!! Plus its also nice to know yo can blow just about any Commowhore off the road.

Look forward to more comments. Cheers.

[senna_T]

lol, that's the kinda talk we like to hear!

The ZF does actually have a feature called Emergency Down Shift, where if you are cruising in manual mode and you snap your foot down on the accelerator the gearbox will drop back a gear or two. Its just in case the driver forgets they are in manual mode and they need acceleration in a hurry.

The box also has a couple of other features like Fast Off Gear Hold, where in Perf. Mode if you are accelerating hard and jump off the gas quickly it will hold the gear in anticipation of you getting back on it. It also has Gradient Control so it will recognise if you are ascending or descending a hill. If descending the gearbox will hold lower gears and change down gears when the brakes are applied, or when ascending the box will hold off from upshifting so the engine doesn't fall out of the torque curve.

All in all the ZF gearbox is in a league of its own and is one of the best things that has happened to the Falcon in a long time!

[obi]

  senna_T said:

The punch off the line will have alot to do with the gearbox to start with, it will take a little while for it to figure out how you like to drive. Also the 6spd usually starts in 2nd gear.

With the decel. try dropping it back two gears instead of one, this may give you the engine braking you are looking for

What's the reason for starting in 2nd ?

[senna_T]

Generally fuel economy, and a smoother take off

[Rudiger]

Just one other question.

Should I run it on 98 or 95? The specs say 95 but the fuel cap says 98 only??