Interior Revamp
Re your article on
Getting into Leather. Another product that is
dirt-cheap is Dubbin Saddle Soap. It cleans, nourishes and protects - but it
still requires lots of elbow grease. My Subaru Liberty Bilstein has leather and
had spent some time outside, which hardened the top of rear seat and tops of
front seats - it's now soft as a baby's bum.
It looks like your next project might be timber restoration on
your BMW 7-series. If you go ahead, consider using a clear resin like GRP, which
will give a tough and super shiny surface if it's wet-and-dryed and then
cut and polished. At least consider a two-pot clearcoat to get some durability
into surface.
Simon Brown
Australia
Dash
Attack
I don't know if you have a forum so I am emailing you. I saw a
Holden VK Calais today and I loved its dash. Just a quick question - is it
possible to fit the electronic dash into a VL Calais, and how much would it set
me back?
J
Australia
We did have an AutoSpeed forum but for a variety of reasons
we closed it.The VK Calais digital dash should go into a VL, but
you'll probably need some - perhaps all - of the VK's sender
units. Some specialist speedo and tacho calibration work and some mirror
dashboard trim work may also be needed.
Livelier Lancer
I'm after some ideas to make a 1998 Mitsubishi Lancer 1.8-litre
go faster - any kind of engine mods that will help?
Leigh Gray
Australia
A lot depends on budget. As far as cost-effective bolt-ons
go, we suggest a high-flow exhaust and air intake and maybe a custom tuned
UniChip (something you can sell later down the track if required).From there you
can look into cams, compression, head work and nitrous but things start to
become expensive. The better option would be the 1.8-litre turbo engine from the
Australian-delivered Lancer GSR AWD turbo or to turbocharge the factory motor.
You'd need to budget at least around AUD$5000 - and perhaps more - for this sort of conversion, depending
largely on the management system you chose.
Keep it Consistent
I was just reading New Car Test - Holden Adventra CX8 and
was interested by the comment, "which redirects torque to the wheels with
greater traction". In Response 01/10/02 you guys got pulled up by Daniel Simms
regarding the technicalities of the torque/power splitting system employed and
you agreed with him. Could we please have a bit more
consistency...
Chris Marston
Australia
Speedier Suzi
I own a 1998 Suzuki Cino 1.3-litre 3-door and am looking for
ways to boost its performance. I'm considering getting some kind of air filter,
fuel booster and maybe even have it turbocharged. If you can help or refer me to
someone who can, it would be much appreciated.
Peter Lane
Australia
Your best move would be to go for a Swift GTi conversion (or
to buy a factory GTi as the starting point). From there, companies like AVO
offer bolt-on turbo kits that can give as much performance as you like! Another
option is the Suzuki 1.6-litre bottom-end with the GTi DOHC head - see Head Start
Water Injection Mastery
I
read with interest your well-crafted article on the "Intelligent Intercooler
Water Spray" (
Intelligent Intercooler Water Spray - Part 1)
and noted mention of a control module for water injection. My question is
whether that system been made available?
Darius GrauUSA
They sure are available! Check out Motor Speed Control Module - Part 1, Motor Speed Control Module - Part 2 and Motor Speed Control Module - Part 3 - Water Injection
Conversion
Once again I find myself writing into your esteemed
publication. This time to ask a question... Recently you have run a few articles
regarding the Nissan VG30 engine in various guises. I was considering the
transplanting of a VG30DET into an S13 chassis (either 180sx or Silvia). This is
a transplant that has certainly been done before. I now discover that the VG30
has evolved into an all-alloy engine known as the VQ30, an engine renowned for
its lightness and smoothness. Unfortunately as far as I can see, the VQ30DET
comes only in vehicles with an automatic transmission (Gloria, Cedric, Leopard,
R35 Skyline). The closest thing with a manual seems to be the VQ35 in the Z33
300ZX. Anecdotal evidence says that the gearbox from the VG series engines will
not fit.
So, what should I do? Give up? Without buying a complete
gearbox and bell housing from a new 300ZX (AUD$3000+), how can I bolt up a 5 speed
to this box? Custom bell housing? Adapter plate? Am I missing something? If
anyone can offer any solid advice I would love to hear it.
BTW - The Skylines running in the Japanese touring cars have
been using this engine instead of the RB26 for over a year now. It seems that
they get a far better weight balance while still getting the regulation maximum
500BHP or so.
Richard Laxton
Australia
Sounds like an interesting conversion! As you said, it seems that the
VQ30DET only ever came fitted with a 4-speed auto. UPDATE - it turns out
the VQ30DET can come fitted with a 6-speed manual, but such a combo is
rare. Try contacting Japanese Motorsport or Adelaide Japanese Dismantlers for
details on the bolt patterns - they should know or, at least be able to measure
them up for you. See http://www.japanesemotorsport.com.au/ and http://www.adelaidejap.com.au. Aside from that, you are looking at an adapter.
Contact Dellow Automotive +618 29774 4419 to see if they can offer parts or
advice
Touchy-Touchy!
Just a quick note about
Response... I was intrigued to see
Stephen Ford so strongly defend the WRX against the Astra that you claimed was
keeping up with the WRX. He seemed to make the issue a personal one and just
didn't want to believe your claims. Of course, reading the rest of his response,
I soon understood the reason for this - he owns a WRX! And we all know how some
can get touchy-touchy when their pride and joy is under 'attack', I think some
people need to wake up and realise there are going to be other cars out there
that can match the performance of theirs, even if it's from a manufacturer like
Holden...
Kaveh Sharifi
Australia
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