iseekool

^ Yep. Just ask for a stock filter for a VR/VS Commodore. True story.

It's for the variable length intake manifold. Helps with providing more torque at low RPM. Once you are at high revs though, it makes no difference. Only reason why it would be blocked off is if the previous owner was trying to troubleshoot vacum leaks (osolate problems) or thought they are smarter than the Nissan engineers, thinking that blocking it off will give more power http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable-length_intake_manifold

That is true for the time being - for an "average" user. I guess as the population grows and internet content becomes more complex/files grow - It's a good thing it has started rolling out.

Politics aside. Fiber is a far better medium for heavy data traffic and more reliable than wireless. Who ever thinks differently should be shot. Fiber > Copper > Wireless I'm sure our links overseas will also get bigger pipes - but that will be for a different project and usually be left till last - from memory I think there was a project a few years ago, where a private company have already (or at least in the process) of upgrading our links to Asia something to the tune of 6 terabits per second.

Not trying to sound smug. It's an R33 sedan - The interest on them is quite low - they are the most un-desired 4 door skyline IMHO. If you want to move it fast, sell it with everything, but if you are happy to wait and have the stock parts - I'd sell the good bits separate.

@OP I'm guessing you are driving an n/a auto. Snow mode does nothing but start the car in 2nd gear. The people you spoke to are full of sh#t or don't know anything about cars.

Got myself a second hand Dell Precision T3500 for cheap and upgraded some stuff. CPU: Intel Xeon W3520. Quad core, HT, 2.66GHz turbo mode to 2.9GHz GPU: Gigabyte 2GB GTX650Ti (originally had a lower end Quadro card) RAM: 24GB Kingston HDD: 2x 500GB WD Blue OS: Win7 Pro x64

Thanks for the advice guys. I can see the value of a Pajero/Prado (especially the Pajero - lots of kit for a great price with lots of change left over) - however she still thinks they maybe a bit too big and a guzzler - considering the vehicle will be in the urban area for most of the time. I also rather like the xtrail diesel on it's capabilities, value and size - as much as I'm a nissan fan, looks wise - it doesn't do it for us - however that will be on the list to consider as it seems to meets all our requirements. Yeh - Will be staying away from American cars though eg. Jeep etc. The euro makes definitely gets her excited though, in terms of looks and obviously the badge (Though I prefer Jap for reliability/cost of parts). How are the X5 diesels for reliability and self service? Will have to read more into the Mitsu Airtrek. RAV4 seems pretty good too.

Hi SAU, Need your opinions. Shopping around for a small to medium SUV for the Mrs, she prefers to be higher up, and we also need space for future kids. Our range is around 12 to 15k, but happy to stretch the budget if the vehicle is good. I'll be doing all the general maintenance and upkeep, so highish (circa 200,000km) milage isn't really an issue, obviously the lower the milage the better. What we are looking for: - Little higher than a normal car's ride height. - Preference to a diesel, but not overly fussed if the vehicle is right. - Decent on fuel. - Must be automatic. - AWD, for boat ramps and regular snow trips. - Safe - Reliable - Not older than early 2000s - Must be capable of towing a small trailer/boat/jet ski. - Easy to use around town ie. parking I've been looking around and have come across two very polarising cars, that we seem to like - but not dead set on. Mercedes ML270 5cyl diesel and Toyota Caldina ST-246. Not in a major rush as she is still learning to drive. Planning to buy in roughly 12 to 14 months - this gives her time to learn and for us to save up and prices to come down. Open to everyone's suggestions. Cheers

Hi SAU, Need your opinions. Shopping around for a small to medium SUV for the Mrs, she prefers to be higher up, and we also need space for future kids. Our range is around 12 to 15k, but happy to stretch the budget if the vehicle is good. I'll be doing all the general maintenance and upkeep, so highish (circa 200,000km) milage isn't really an issue, obviously the lower the milage the better. What we are looking for: - Little higher than a normal car's ride height. - Preference to a diesel, but not overly fussed if the vehicle is right. - Decent on fuel. - Must be automatic. - AWD, for boat ramps and regular snow trips. - Safe - Reliable - Not older than early 2000s - Must be capable of towing a small trailer/boat/jet ski. - Easy to use around town ie. parking I've been looking around and have come across two very polarising cars, that we seem to like - but not dead set on. Mercedes ML270 5cyl diesel and Toyota Caldina ST-246. Not in a major rush as she is still learning to drive. Planning to buy in roughly 12 to 14 months - this gives her time to learn and for us to save up and prices to come down. Open to everyone's suggestions. Cheers

How much for all the brakes. Calipers?

Not sure if you are planning to get a power upgrade or just something to run with. Not sure if your car is an auto or manual. RB25DE NEO (non-turbo) with looms/computer and trans can be had for around 1K - if you look around, swap out the old engine. *or* Get an RB25DET etc. and not worry about doing another engine transplant in the future.

Stick with the N/A computer and re-map to suit bigger injectors.

R32 - 4 speed auto (DE/DET) R33 - 4 speed auto (DE/DET), optional 5 speed auto for RB25DE R34 - 4 speed auto (DE/DET) V35 - 4 speed auto (VQ25DD), 5 speed auto (VQ30DD/VQ35DE)

Stagea power plant combo would be your best bet me thinks. AWD turbo

Hmmm. yes and no. Fleets buy them because they are cheaper overall to run. ie. cheaper insurance and servicing. Even if a commodore or falcon uses more fuel - the overall cost of running them is still lower, but if fuel prices keep rising the way they are fleet buyers will obviously re-consider. Families love them because they are cheap to buy 2nd hand, offer space and plenty of pulling power. I've driven the latest base model Commodores and Falcons. They are pretty darn good in terms of handling, performance and kit. However the fit/finish and general quality of the car feels very "cheap".

Just be careful your ABS could start playing up, the ABS sensor for the R34 is in the rear diff.

OP: I'm assuming this is on a drag strip???

Yep. Aussie cars (Aurion, Commodore, Falcon) offer excellent performance per dollar. New vs. New, in the same price bracket. No Japanese car or Euro car can match an Aussie car for engine performance and kit. The only thing missing from Holden and Ford is the perceived quality. If Toyota Australia can do it, why are Ford and Holden behind?

The last models of the Lexus IS200 6 speed manual. Comfy, smallish, piss easy to maintain (DIY), fun to drive, toyota reliability, get the lexus badge . Reasonably cheap and prices don't seem to be going south quickly. Pick one up for 9 to 10k. But it's a slug and you need to fill 95RON. Get around ~9L/100km urban. Talking from personal experience - best daily car I've ever owned. Mine has done 206,000km - no rattles or squeaks. Solid. Just keep up the basic maintenance.

It will be bad for the economy, imagine the flow on effects. Such as local component suppliers. Maybe big cars with smaller turbo petrol or diesel engines should be the solution.

^ LOL. Because "everyone" has to win a street race or drift event on public roads... Just like Paul Walker or Vin Diesel

Change all the timing belt tensioners and water pump. While you are at it, might as well change all accessory belts too.

BTW - I've been off my Ps for many years, I still own the same n/a R34 - nothing stopping me from getting an awesome GTt or something with heaps more grunt - then I realised - I'm only driving within legal limits and I've lost the itch to do traffic light GPs. The only thing i crave for now is to go legally quick around the twisty roads. A powerful car is awesome (i've driven many in my time) - just love the effortless pulling power - but one you hit that speed limit - fun ends. Trust me when I say this, a slooooooooooow car is an IS200 (my daily) - but that's a different story. lol.

^ I don't know why people are still arguing. LOL. - n/a skylines are "slow" in a straight line in comparison to higher performance cars - they are average ie. on par with a modern 4cyl camry/mazda 6 - modern aussie 6 cylinder cars ie. Aurion/falcon/commodore will eat you alive. - you have to remember an RB25DE is still a 2.5L naturally aspirated engine.... - what's with P platers wanting to go faster on public roads anyways? Urban areas are typically 40~80km/h zones and the fastest you are legally allowed to travel on majoriy of freeways/highways throughout Australia is 100~110km/h. - In the state of Victoria, it doesn't matter if you gun a crappy 1.3 Yaris or an R35 GTR at the traffic lights - You will still get caught for hooning by the police. - More power low down IS always better, ie. turbo/supercharged or a bigger capacity engine. But if you can keep up with normal traffic flow, that is good enough. - If you really want to drive your car hard regardless of what it is, save it for the track. Screw risking your own life, especially other people's lives on the public roads. - I'd rather a car that can handle and brake well when the roads get twisty - along with great driver skills - while keeping it legal. Lots of drivers with awesome cars ie. M3, RS4 etc. are sh*t drivers (too much money, not enough skills) - on the straights they will pretty much demolish anything, but once it gets twisty they struggle to keep up/pull away, even at street legal speeds. The point I'm trying to make is - laws now are so strict it almost doesn't matter what you drive, a 1000hp car will not get you to your destination any faster than a cheap econobox. We are still governed by speed limits and traffic lights.