Telstar/626 Turbo Twins
As usual, you’ve got a fantastic and informative website. I just have a few
queries on the 1986 2.0 litre 626/TX5 models... I've seen a few used ones in car
yards for about AUD$3000 – 4000 and was wondering if they make a good, basic
budget turbo project car to start with.
Also, I have about AUD$2000 (max) in mind for modifications and wondering
what might be the best for this type of car. I was thinking 15 second quarter
mile times, but I guess I'd have to spend more to reach those times. If that is
the case, I was thinking of saving a little more and perhaps buying a later
model 2.2 litre turbo.
Thanks also for the article Shooting Tel-Star
– that was an excellent story.
Michael S.
Australia
The 2.0 litre turbo TX5/626 is a great
car to tinker with because of its relative simplicity and affordable purchase
price. Unfortunately, good condition second-hand engines are hard to come by.
This isn’t a problem if you have engine building experience and equipment.
However, if you’re after 15 second performance, the 2.2 litre versions (with 5
speed manual gearbox) will do that outa the box... These are nice, comfortable
cars that are commonly sold for about 6 – 7 grand. Whack on a high-flow exhaust
and air intake (keeping things mild) and you’ll have a decently quick and
reliable car. We reckon this is the best way to go.
Aero Excitement
Your article on modifying under-car airflow (Modifying Under-Car Airflow, Part 1)
had me very, very fascinated in the first instalment. The second instalment (Modifying Under-Car Airflow, Part 2)
now has confirmed my long-held belief that this area of car development provides
many of the things that major car manufactures aim for but, for budgetary
reasons and market forces, just can't afford to complete - increased fuel
economy, quieter all while maintaining on-road stability.
Congratulations on tackling this – especially on a car that is perceived as
high-tech by the general public. I encourage you to persevere with the front
wheel deflectors (easy for me to say, I know!) but maybe with more of a "point"
towards the front - less of a "brick" being seen by oncoming air and therefore
potentially minimising pressure build up. My two pence worth anyway... I'm no
aerodynamicist but I do think outside the square. When I finally get round to
building up my 5.0 litre Torana, I will be performing this very mod for the
reasons you found in your results - less fuel consumption and quieter.
Keep up these types of articles. Your approach is outstanding - thorough and
logical, and it enables us slightly clueless car enthusiasts to do mods that we
always suspect could be done and make our basic cars so much more than just
being basic.
Bryce Denboer
UK
TVR to Come?
Have you heard of the brand TVR? You know the car from the movie Swordfish?
Well, they are in talks with an importer to bring them to
Australia! I'm
waiting for the official okay from TVR in
England to
announce something, but in the meantime would you like to know more about their
range?
If you didn't know, their cars are based around a tubular chassis,
lightweight GRP body and 300kW (405hp) hand-built straight six engines. 0-100
km/h usually in around 4 seconds and 0-165 km/h in 10 seconds! Here’s a
picture...
If you wonder why I'm so excited it's because I have owned two TVRs and
NOTHING comes close. They are raw and loud - no ABS, traction control, airbags
or any girly devices...
Steven Hambleton
Australia
Yep, we know of TVR – and it’d be
great if they were ‘officially’ imported. If they go ahead we’ll see if we can
nab a road test.
Potent Patrol
I hope that Julian Edgar and John Clarke are getting royalties on the sales of
the Silicon Chip electronic kits
because, in one word, they're fantastic!
I've been costing EGTs for the last couple of months and all have been in the
range of AUD$350+. Now I can build
one for an all up cost of about AUD$140, including the thermocouple - just the
thing to go with my recently completed Audi Do-It-Yourself boost system (The Audi's DIY Boost Control - Part 1)!
The car? An aftermarket turbocharged 4.2 litre diesel Nissan Patrol. Not a
performance car, sure, but one on which easy (and cheap) gains can be made.
Grant McAuliffe
Australia
No royalties go to either, but we’re
glad you’re enjoying the kits!
Sigma Turbo Info
I am writing in response to the Mitsubishi Sigma Turbo question (Response)...
Try www.sigmaturbo.com
for info on the factory Sigma Turbo.
George Kalimeris
Australia
Camber Comments
Re: Fitting Front Camber Adjusters.
It would be appropriate to mention to your readers that in some states, such
dramatic modifications like drilling and welding of critical suspension
components will require an engineer’s certificate to maintain roadworthiness.
Refer link www.whiteline.com.au
Secondly, "undersize" camber bolts are perfectly safe and recommended for
road use if replacing the upper clevis bolts which takes the minor share of the
load. (Lower bolt takes the majority). There are 3 large companies using this
method, one of which is Monroe which has their product
manufactured in
Germany and is
sold with TUEV approval. Whiteline bolts are between 1 – 3mm undersize depending
on absolute size – that is, a 12mm bolt has a smaller difference than a 17mm
bolt, etc.
Thirdly, these companies and Whiteline can offer exactly the same outcome as
discussed in your article for around AUD$150 including a complete 4 wheel
alignment with no drilling, welding or engineers certificate.
Jim Gurieff, Whiteline
Australia
Cluster Capers
I am looking at using the instrument cluster from an IS200 Lexus in an
early-model Landcruiser rebuild that I am currently doing.
Modifying/manipulating the sensor outputs from each of the sensors is no
problem, but I know little about the stepper motors that Toyota/Lexus use in
their late model instrumentation. Do you know of any resources or publications
that detail stepper motor type instruments and how to control them?
Mark Rogan
Australia
Can any readers
help?.
More on Speeding...
I have just been reading a letter from Anon (Response)
on the legalities of being caught speeding in
Victoria and have some views of my
own on the matter. My father was recently caught doing 142 km/h in a 100 km/h
zone. This gained him an instant 6 month ban. As you could expect he was unhappy
with the outcome and then looked into legal advice and this is what
occurred:
If a plea of guilty is submitted then past driving history goes out the
window. Past history does come into play (to a small degree that establishes
character of the driver), so it is worth trying to prove.
The lawyers informed him that the judge does not have the power to lower a
recorded speed, but the prosecutor does have the power to do so. So the plan of
attack was to approach the prosecutor and see if a deal could be struck to get a
reduction of the sentence. This was successful and the penalty was reduced to a
1 month ban (of which he was only in the
Australiafor 5
days).
So, in summary, the system as stuffed up as it is, sometimes does work!!!
Peter
Australia
Speedier Windsor
I have had my Ford AU2 with nitrous as a feature car in your mag (Windsor Wake-Up!).
The car ran 11.7 at the time you did the article and I was told that if the car
improves to let you know... Well, with some small changes the car ran 10.92 at
125.33 mph. Now, to me, that’s a real street machine because it’s a daily driver!
Ramsin
Australia
Half-cut Hassles
I have been looking for a Honda B16A front cut and am really at an end as to
what to do. I have contacted a multitude of "specialist wreckers" only to be
told they’re out of stock and if I want one they can take my money and visit
Japan to pick one
up... What really ticks me off is they all advertise that they stock this stuff
and have prices listed in magazines and on the net – it’s only when you talk to
them they want a higher price, are out of stock but will "pick one up" in
Japan. So I'm
meant to give these guys my hard earned money and trust to look after me when
they clearly make misrepresentations through their advertising? I can’t trust
the ones I've talked to and will only pay for a product that’s been seen and
examined. So now I'm back to square one. Is this the norm I am coming across?
Any suggestions what to do from here?
Robert Unterberger
Australia
There are always fewer half-cuts
arriving compared to bare engines and engine/loom packages. And, yes, many
import wreckers will tell you they can get stuff for you – but all too
often we see that doesn’t eventuate. All we can say is persist. You might be
able to find a locally delivered Honda Civic VTi-R that’s being wrecked, but it
might be more expensive than an imported half cut. If you haven’t already, try
www.adelaidejap.com.au
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