Ba/bf Manual T Drivers Who Now Have An Fg

[mickq]

Hey all,

I have had one of the first XR6T's, then a Mk2, now an SS-V, and am considering going back to a T as the SS-V has no balls until 4500rpm, and, well, is a Holden. The T's have spoilt me!

My question is this: would anyone who has owned a (preferably manual) BA or BF XR6T who now has an FG XR6T (pref manual) write some comments on their thoughts and oberservations? I am mostly interested in whether the power/engine seems better, is an improvement etc.

I was getting sick of 240kw whihc stayed effectively the same over the 4 years I drove both my T's.....so is the 270kw version with the new turbo better? If so, where in the rev range and how? The more info the better!

If it is too close to the BA's or BF's, I may consider putting twin turbos on my SS-V, but I am hoping - praying - its a decent improvement over the BA/BF. Im just too used to the BA and BF power levels and need a bit more. Sadly modding isnt something I can do due to the deal I get with these cars through work. (Endless fuel, tyres, servicing etc...which all vanishes if I want to mod it).

[Full Monty]

but twin turboing an Bogan special is ok? lolz

[senna_T]

Mate, just go and drive one, it will blow your mind! They are in a different league to the BA/BF 240/245 Motors, plus the gearbox has a much better throw and shift feel.

[XRsixtee]

I had an early 2003 BA XR6T auto and have had the new one about two weeks (auto) - there is no comparison, I could not believe the difference. If you flattened the BA it just squatted and went - wet or dry road, this one flatten it at 20kms an hour and it will break into wheel spin especially on a damp road. So much more grunt down low. Worth a drive.

[dave-]

  mickq said:

Sadly modding isnt something I can do due to the deal I get with these cars through work. (Endless fuel, tyres, servicing etc...which all vanishes if I want to mod it).

Sounds like my deal, fully maintained fleet is great

3rd manual turbo here, the FG is a significantly better car in every way. The gearbox is better than the last one. It has a short throw and good feel. Power wise the extra 30kw don't tell the true story, the car is an animal!

The only thing I can complain about is the driveline noise/shunts, you know the typical tailshaft/clutch backslap that they all seem to have. I'm used it and don't really give a sh*t but a lot of passengers are surprised that a $45k car in 2008 does it.

Edited 25/07/08 05:44 AM by dave-

[rotodavid]

  XRsixtee said:

I had an early 2003 BA XR6T auto and have had the new one about two weeks (auto) - there is no comparison, I could not believe the difference. If you flattened the BA it just squatted and went - wet or dry road, this one flatten it at 20kms an hour and it will break into wheel spin especially on a damp road. So much more grunt down low. Worth a drive.

Mate - I agree. After my old BA mk 2 T with 4 speed auto, my new T with ZF is awesome. Only had it 4 days but can't get the grin off my face. Torque is amazing from low revs. Might only be 30kw extra but I think the extra 100nm and 2 more gears is the difference.

[mickq]

  Full Monty said:

but twin turboing an Bogan special is ok? lolz

Yes....because if the new FG doesnt prove to be a decent improvement over the BA, then I will buy out my SS (which I will get for a good price and with only ~20-25k on it and then add twin turbos.

Doing that I would have to pay for fuel, tyres etc, but to me it would be better than swapping it for a car with BA/BF power levels....I went the SS to move on from that and am not interested in going back, even if it does cost me a bootload in fuel etc.

Besides, while the SS has zero balls down low, it does well up high. Add a couple of turbos to help down low, and I think it would be an absolute beast.

(If I had an XR6T now and the replacement FG T was not exciting, I would buy the T out and mod it instead...but I have an SS-V at the moment so no other choice than mod it or return it at end of lease and move on to an FG XR6T standard).

Thanks to all those guys who responded (and any who havent yet, feel free to!). Sounds like its quite an improvement over the BA/BF!

Will have to organise a test drive when it closer to my car going back. A few months to wait before I bother doing that.