Reflections On My New Fg Turbo Mods

[rockafellqeinstien]

Ok - this is long but comprehensive. I finally bit the bullet and got some basic mods done for my FG xr6t ute M6. Done a lot of KMs and it has been great but the days of being impressed by spinning the wheels at the top of first wore off a while ago now. (the car was a huge step up at the time).

I wanted to do it a cheap as possible but also using what I had researched as the best (quality/performance) bits. I also wanted to be involved in the process and not just hand it over and get it back.

1)I started by replacing the centre muffler with a hot dog from CHE (castle hill exhaust) which gave me the sound I wanted. They did a top job and would recommend them to any one (welds were perfect and they cared about their work - and my exhaust outlets were level)

2) I got a 100cpi 5" ballistic cat from surflo as part of a group buy ($290). These seemed to flow the best and the 5" didn’t hang down to much at all. But I should have gone back to CHE for fitting as the welds are pretty ordinary and the exit pipes are not level now (just a bit). Added a fair bit of volume(noise) to the exhaust which was unexpected but OK

3)I was going to get 60lbs injectors through rapid systems but as much as Chris tried, he couldn’t get them in time but the price at $399 is excellent for 1% flow matched. So I had to get them through CV where I got the tune.

4)I got a xcal 2 from capa for $599 with a tune for the 60lbs injectors so I could install them and drive to CV for custom tune. as it turns out I didn’t need the tune as I couldn’t install injectors I didn’t have.

4) tune and injectors By CV. I went with them because of their reputation and I also got lucky with the Christmas special for members ($480 I think). Seemed like a nice bunch of guys but I can’t help but think I was there on the wrong day as they had some other things going on and were short staffed).

I got 291 rwkw and a firetruck load of torque that came on early and fast (will post graphs tonight). To be honest I was hoping for 300+ but the guys said that my actuator couldnt hold any higher boost stable so my peak is about 4800 rpm then it drops off a fair bit. I had new spark plugs which I wanted them to put in (iridium .8mm) but they said they liked the std ford ones better (I assumed they meant re-gapped).

The trip my gps took me back from tarren point was all back streets was not the place to test the results so I had to wait until after Christmas and I could get to my private road. The results - pulls like a freight train from 2000rpm - 4th gear is crazy fast up to 5000rpm. I really need to fix my brakes up now. Very happy and you can still drive like a stocker and get the same fuel economy (if you want).

There were a few issues - 1) I had flat spots/hesitations in gears 3-6 when loading it up. I checked the turbo bolts and IC piping and all was good so I thought maybe spark plugs. I pulled the old plugs out and found they were still gapped to original spec (+ they were 85,000km old – ford servicing) so I dropped the new .8mm iridium’s in and took it for a run - 100% fixed and even smoother with a small but noticeable improvement in top end. I would have expected the tuner to know this (as I said - I think it was just the wrong day)

2)Due to the std intercooler it suffers when hot. After a a long stomp on the gas (to the top of 4th) and then starting from standstill it is noticeably dull until it cools. Also on hot days it is down a bit on power (a little).

3) with the current tune maxing out just under 5000rpm I find I still use the full rpm range when I want to go fast (habit), but as it is dropping off it feels like it’s running out of puff. It's still really moving but the seat of the pants feel is just not there. to make it worse, I end up driving like this when giving a mate a ride and you can tell they are a bit disappointed, but if I keep it between 3-5000 rpm it is a totally different story.

It also seams easy to launch in 1st now, I think the extra power down low allows me to hook the clutch up earlier without the higher rpm and slipping previously required which could easily turn into a burnout.

My final verdict is its fantastic and for a road car the torque is perfect but I will now be saving my pennies for an intercooler and new actuator in 6 months time with a re tune and expect to see 320rwkw (a top end to match the mid range).

For a bit over $2000 you shouldn’t have to think about it.

[Mish]

Nice write up dude!

[silverman]

With the mods you done I thought you would have got more rwkw with it being an FG xr6t. I am sure with an I/C you will pick up some more power.

[Benny]

Great write up and excellent mods for a small out lay.

What power did the car make standard?

Benny

[rockafellqeinstien]

firstly - I have misplaced my print outs (I should get them tomorrow)

stock the car made 253 rwkw which was pretty impressive.

Last night I stuck the standard injectors back in and loaded up the stock tune to compare the power - wow - it feels like an old 4.1 cross flow torque wise compared with the new tune but feels more linear building to peak power up the top of the rev range where the new tune feels like a greyhound that's been kicked in the nuts from 2200rpm.

although peak power isnt much more than say a FG F6 it would eat it in a roll on and throtle response is in a diferent world. Off the lights (on my private road of course) all I have to do is get it into second and woosh I am gone.

If I had an auto - I dont think it would feel as nice unless you repogramed the gbox to hold a higher gear.

I have a strange feeling I will have to upgrade the IC and actuator sooner than I thought.

[Benny]

What boost are you running?

Benny

[rockafellqeinstien]

I think I have lost my print outs moving offices. I think the bost hit 15 psi then droped back down a fair bit but dont quote me as have had a few frothy chops since then.

I also really notice the heat with this set up. anything above 26 deg and it drives like the day I got it tuned - pretty damn nice, it will squrm in second on a grippy road

When the temp drops to 16 deg or below it is an animal!!! it will spin in third on a grippy road and doesnt run out of puff up top as much - bring on winter (tyres are up to temp btw)

So you can get away without a new IC but I am sure it will make a big difference in repeated runs and hot weather.

Do others have this much variance in power between hot and cold ambiant temps??

[Benny]

Ambient temps make a huge difference. Ahh those days of less than 16 deg are just awesome. Bring back winter alright. If you go for more mods then better tyres are going to be on your list. The OEM dunlops don't cut it.

Can't imagine why you need an actuator to make more power. Bigger intercooler and dump pipe like mine and it should be able to be tuned fine. I run 16psi with no dramas.

Benny