Bargain Baby ‘Zilla
Just wondering if you can help me out - I’m still trying to sell my babyzilla
seen at GTi-R Addiction
and I’m wondering if you could put a little something in Response? I’m selling
it for AUD$23,500, which is a mega bargain seeing it owes me AUD$45,000! Since
your story I have put in a brand new GT30 ball-bearing turbo, PerfectPower
computer, Bosch 550hp fuel pump and a few other things. My phone number is 0405
285202. If you could put it in so I can sell her to start my new project (which
I’m hoping will also grace the pages of AutoSpeed) that would be great.
Luke
Australia
X-Trail Outputs
In
your test of the Nissan X-Trail
New Car Test - Nissan X-Trail Ti
you talk about the QR25DE engine with 245Nm and 132kW. But, when reading
Nissan’s information about this engine, QR25DE has 230Nm and 121kW... Also in
the headline it states "X-Trail Ti" - is there another engine called QR25DE
Ti?
Rickard Sandqvist
Norway
The Nissan X-Trail delivered in Norway probably
has different engine specs to the Australian model. (The Ti badge,
incidentally, identifies trim level only.) The 121kW/230Nm
output that you mentioned is generated by the QR25DE NEO. The Australian
X-Trail enginre is not NEO spec. Stay tuned for our Engine Epic update covering
these latest-tech Nissan fours.
Ferrari Beater!
Nice piece on the 512TR - Riding the Prancing Horse.
However, can you think of an even more exclusive car that was also quicker to
100 km/h? A German car? A German ESTATE car? A few (literally!) went to
New Zealand, 180
went to UK (RHD) and 2200 total were built.
Yes, the Audi Porsche RS2. Why not track down an owner or two in NZ or
England and
compare it with, say, an early Scooby or even a current one? The best would be
to drive the RS2, the RS4 and the RS6 to see how they compare in terms of pace
and pleasure. The RS2 did much more than those Volvo T5 heaps (how much
torque-steer?) to define the new sector of bruiser estate cars - that only now
are MB and BMW (and even Jaguar!) are cottoning on to. Try one - you may be
very pleasantly surprised at the sheer character of the old quattro shining
through.
Russell
Fryett
UK
Sounds like a good idea -
except we're in
Australia!
Anyone have a RS2 available for a drive locally?
Lean Me Out
Have you ever done an article on the program called ROMeditor (for
programming Nissan ECUs)? It is freeware and I would like to know if you could
maybe do an article on whether it works and how easy it is to use, etc. I have a
GT-R that uses 20 litres of fuel per 100km and has been previously installed
with a modified EPROM. I would like to use this program to tame down the fuel
map a bit and get back some power and economy - the car is hopelessly
overfuelled.
Rob Ward
Australia
We haven't done a story on
ROM Editor. 20-litres per 100km - boy - we can understand why you want to make
some adjustments! We think you'll really like the kit interceptor module that Silicon Chip magazine has developed - it will be released about mid-year and
we'll be covering its application in AutoSpeed. This unit is also MUCH easier to
tune than any ROM editor we've ever seen.
What’s Legal?
I am doing an assignment on
editorials and am writing on the legality of car modifications. I was wondering
if you could send me an email regarding this issue - if possible, could you
point out specific issues related to the certain models or makes? Thanks in
advance.
Mitchell
Sichter
Australia
Unfortunately,
the legality of vehicle modifications is an area that's hugely muddled. What's
legal in one state is often illegal in another. We suggest contacting your
local RTA (or equivalent) for some basic guidelines.
Pile on the Praise!
I have been a member for quite some time now! I thought it was about time I
wrote a letter to you with some feedback.
Firstly, I think AutoSpeed is the best automotive publication is
Australia and
possibly the world. The content quality is excellent. To read articles that are
honest, truthful and non-biased really makes informative and entertaining
reading. Its good to see this approach applied across the board whether it be a
new, used car review or product reviews. Especially as there must be pressure on
you from certain manufacturers to give positive feedback.
Secondly, you need to be commended on your sensible approach to all car
modification stories. It's all too often you read alternative publications that
have highly recommended products that haven’t even been backed up by test results
or evidence. I also like your ‘bang for your buck’ approach. This approach
goes to show not all mods need to cost big $ to achieve awesome real world
results.
Lastly, I think some of the more popular articles should be free to access by
non-members. This allows visitors to read and appreciate the quality publication
and excellent journalism that AutoSpeed is all about and in turn possibly
gaining a larger member subscriber database. Keep up the top work guys!
Michael
Connors
Australia
Thank you very much for
your praise. Re free access articles - many of our free articles are popular
largely because they are free! But we take your point onboard and will look
further into it.
OBDII Questions
Re the Auterra scan tool (as seen at Reading Your Car's Brain - Part 2
and Reading Your Car's Brain - Part 3)...
Have you tested this scan tool on any other vehicles? Also, do you know which
vehicles have OBDII or where I can get information on which vehicle has OBDII?
Steven Sartor
Australia
We have used the Auterra scan tool on a Holden Astra turbo, Honda Accord
Euro and other cars.
All US-delivered cars
from January 1996 meet OBD11 standards. Outside of the US it's
a matter of checking the diagnostic plug - this is detailed at Reading Your Car's Brain - Part 1
Importing Skylines
I would like to know how much it would cost me if I were to import a used
Nissan Skyline R30-R32 2.5 turbo or 2.8 turbo and - if there are cars available
- could provide me with a list. I would gladly appreciate it.
Michael
Appollis
South
Africa
We're based in Australia and
we're not sure on the importing regulations and practices in South
Africa. Perhaps do a thorough web
search.
Note that the R31 Skyline was only ever released with a 2.0-litre
turbo engine (not a 2.5-litre, as available in the R33). The same goes
for the R32 Skyline, in which the 2.6-litre twin-turbo GT-R engine was also introduced.
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