Big ‘Oops’
In the article on the BMW 2002 Sports Sedan (F1 Meets 2002) you quote its Eastern Creek
lap time as 1:57. The WRX Club's lap record for cars with no more than a changed
muffler is 1:54, so I suspect something is amiss! A car with such awesome specs
must be doing better than 1:57 - surely?
Andrew Gay
We made an error – it actually runs
1:37s at the Creek. A slight difference!
Misaligned R33
I have a Nissan R33 Skyline GTS25T sedan and no-one in the trade seems to be
able to find the correct wheel alignment settings. Can you supply these to me as
I am getting front tyre wear and I need to have it set up properly?
Neil Baker
UK
As a guide, Whiteline (www.whiteline.com.au) suggests zero toe with their suspension upgrades. You might want a small amount of toe-in if
you’re not particularly fussed about turn-in response and handling sharpness.
There is no front camber adjustment without fitting an aftermarket camber kit. Note that some the R33’s front-end
bushes are prone to deteriorate. You might also want to check this out.
XR6T Beef-Up
I have a modified Ford XR6 Turbo automatic and have recently had troubles
with the auto. Would you have any ideas on what sort of transmission I can fit
that can handle about 600Nm of torque? I noticed in one of your articles that
the XR8's had an imported Tremec - would this be compatible. Your assistance
would be greatly appreciated.
Spiros Pappas
Australia
Your auto trans can be modified to
handle a lot more than standard output – see XR6T - The New King
for details. The BA GT runs a Tremec TR3650 5 speed
as standard. This conversion might be possible, but there would be a lot of cost
involved. We’d start off modifying what you’ve already got.
How to Grow Longer Legs
I wonder if you could help with a conversion I am considering? I have a
Nissan Hardbody 4x4 3.2D pickup that was originally naturally aspirated. It has
now been fitted with a turbo kit. The problem I have is that the gearing in the
vehicle is way too low for the new engine power. It forces the engine to run at
high rpm at higher speeds and causes the engine to overheat in hot weather. I
want to keep the vehicle but want to drop the engine speed throughout the gear
range. Someone suggested modifying the gears in the transfer box. I would like
to know if this is the correct place to do this on a drivetrain that has both
high and low ratios? I have not considered the diffs as they are sealed units.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Gordon Pieterse
South
Africa
We imagine it could be done by
modification to the transfer box or by changing the final drive ratios. Another
easy option is to increase the rolling diameter of the tyres. You may need to
increase the ride height to accommodate the bigger rubber.
Flow Findings
I was very interested to read Part 3 of your series Undertrays, Spoilers and
Bonnet Vents and to hear of
your surprising discoveries with the test Maxima where you found that air may
have actually been flowing OUT of your intercooler vent. You might recall I
wrote after you first fitted the vent and I queried what research you had
undertaken in choosing the vent position in case this very scenario may have
arisen. (Letters 02/11/03) Your response was that "every car we have ever aero
tested has had attached air-flow over the bonnet". I guess there's always the
exception to the rule... I stand vindicated.
David Seldon
Australia
Ripper Renaults!
Get a review done on the Renaultsport Clio and the upcoming Renaultsport
Megane Turbo 4WD. Also intimidate Renault
Australia to
import the Renaultsport Clio V6 255. This car is an absolute beast - they would
sell bucket loads!
Jason Rouzaire
Australia
The go-fast Clio looks like a good
package on paper. We’ll see if we can get one for test. We wouldn’t hold our
breath for the Clio V6 coming to Australia
VR/VS Driveline Swap
What would the approximate cost be to convert a 1994/5 VR/VS Holden Commodore
from automatic to a 5 speed manual? How long would this conversion take? Would
the cost be reduced if the automatic transmission being removed to accommodate
the conversion has no mechanical problems?
Heath
Australia
You’d be best off talking to Dellow
Automotive (+618 29774 4419. Certainly, your good auto trans could be sold to
reimburse part of the overall conversion cost.
“Best Anywhere”
Congratulations AutoSpeed - again your site comes through with the best tech
information anywhere. The traction control switching (as discussed at Modifying Electronic Car Handling Systems, Part 2)
is fantastic - I can't wait to install it on my Mercedes AMG C43.
As a side note, here is a site here is a site that has some very unique
engine info. One of which is creating supersonic intake port speeds for better
cylinder filling. See www.mototuneusa.com
Jeff Short
United
States
Import Info?
Just wondering if you know anything about importing a car from England-Europe
and the cost involved? If you know someone who knows more about this matter,
please let me know.
Ed
Australia
We don’t know anyone involved in
importing cars from Europe– maybe some of readers can share some
information?
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