Sonic

The XR6T is pretty advanced with the cool-down period and yes fluid checks are something that should be done on all cars. However, Yanks are particularly bad for not doing it. I think they figure that checking oil levels are for British people. Remember, we're talking about a country who okayed the bombing of Afghanistan even though 98% of the general populous didn't know where it was. They also failed to correctly locate Britain, Japan, Korea, France, South Africa, Egypt, Australia, New Zealand and just about every other country.

I'd say Bambi, especially if it had NOS. Although it's cheaper to mod a 'line as Bambi's too deer!!!! But Bambi vs HSV/Holden/Ford/Hillman Imp would be the one i'd like to see...

I gotta say Zdenko, i've ridden in most new HSVs from VT I-on and the interior fit and finish is sh!tfull. We had a test car (yellow VY II GTS Coupe) that had 2000km on the clock and the trans-tunnel trim was falling off, the power steering was vibrating so badly the dashboard squeaked and rattled, and there were nasty suspension thumps and bangs going over minor bumps. On the other hand, the XR6T, XR8 and GT Falcons I've spent time in were beaut. they: Handled better (than even the 100k GTS) Braked better (XR6T with performance brakes was better than ClubSport R8 with premium brakes) Had better interior fit and finish (NO squeaks/rattles/noises/thumping/banging/) Was more comfortable Had better quality leather (grain/pattern and feel)

Subaru apparently couldn't build the GC8 WRX in LHD, couldn't meet California's CARB emissions, and couldn't pass the US crash-testing, that's why. The GT-R V8 is purely a maintenance thing. American's who could afford the top-of-the-tree Nissan, in general, wouldn't know how to check fluid levels or treat turbo cars (cooling down, etc). In most cases, they're supremely ignorant. As for hotted up Hondas, only one for me: the NSX. Check out some American NSXs at www.nsxprime.com

That's kinda like saying Japanese hate V8s or that Americans never do anything advanced with their cars. I know quite a few Yanks and they've told me about some of the bonehead things their fellow countrymen do. It's mostly down to the idiots that give the others a bad name. They've come from a NASCAR/drag racing background where torque is important which is why superchargers became so revered. Australia's been more circuit-oriented so that's why we've had a different focus. Mind you, there's sh!tloads of turbo imports over there now, even Hondas are getting hairdryers...

But they were the first people to put a turbo on a production car: 1962 Chev Corvair Spyder 1963 Oldsmobile JetFire (what a great name!) Coupe 1988 Buick Grand National GNX (quickest 6 over the 1/4mile for a few years) It was American engineers who pioneered aeronautical uses for turbos and superchargers back in 1919. They also have heaps of turbo and twin-turbo V8 drag cars over there for over 15 years. So, who's stoopid?

CAPA have a Vortech blower/intercooler kit on an otherwise-stock BA XR8 that's making 330kW @ wheels. Dyno tested as well!

N-1 distributions in Melb. are the official C-West distributors as well as a host of other parts. www.n-1.com.au

That's what they do, although it's more to do with fuel/ignition/timing programming. There are different tunes programmed into the ECU that they unlock. EG: say there are 5 written by Holden and HSV just activate the one they want. Kinda like a U-Tec

Erm, yes i do have a clue about that. Why don't you drive a ZO6 C5 Vette against a 300kW GTS Coupe over a rough road. The Vette will be left scuttle-shaking all over the tarmac. Holden got the tune right cause the Americans adopted the specs for their engines in 2001. You obviously have no idea about the factory Delco engine management. As for Trans-Am/Z28/SS Camaro/GS/Mustang good luck. The Cobra R is the only one that could be the locals but have you driven one? The build quality is non-existent and a blind demented kid could've designed a better looking car

This is funny. People are listening to so much BS about HSVs... The Ford BOSS V8 is Quad-cam (DOHC per bank). The Falcon V8 doesn't put out more power, but does have shite-loads more torque (40Nm). It's an iron-block, truck bottom end with Aussie designed Mustang 4.6Litre V8 heads. Holden HAVE been able to get the tuning right (more than the Americans) but have restricted (retarded) the tune of the Gen III for local conditions, emissions, and economy. Oh, and the fact that most Aussies can't drive for sh!t. The reason the C4B (300kW) V8 is made by Callaway is for cost. they use crate motors for the 400hp GTS' while the 255/260/285kW cars are ordinary SS engines with: New exhaust (not headers) with cat and muffler and tip New tune on ECU. (They go through a computer terminal that allows them to choose how much power the ECU tells the engine to make. Ie: they open up different "hidden" maps in the ECU like 290kW, 330kW, etc) Some more cosmetic bits. Horses for courses. Skyline's a different car doing different job. I'm not suggesting we join hands and sing songs of praise but respect your fellow petrol heads' rides and they'll respect yours. If you don't like that, catch a bus.

The 180SX at the top has Ferrari 330GTC front on it (The 330GTC was It's a 1960s Grand Tourer) and F40-style Hella tail lights. Autech built some Alfa Gulietta replicas from a batch of S15 Spec-Rs. They said they wanted to make an ugly car that was a joy to drive, and it looks like the Alfa right down to the overhang, tail lights and badges... It had a highly tuned NA SR20DE and was apparently beaut to drive, very fast, very retro... I'll search for some pics to post...

I find it funny that so many people believe that the Gen IIIs are crap. It's mostly cause idiots don't warm their cars up before they go driving, often hitting redline on a stone-cold engine. D'oh! This is one cool thread. I actually had a Lexus V8-powered UC Torana that was hooked up to a Supra 5spd and independant rear end. And no, I'm not a bogan. I like Skylines but it was a chance to do something different, the only problems were: The old guy who sold me his Torana rang me and told me what a prick i was for "bastardising his lovely car and turning it into a hotrod" The car was still a Torana and still ugly as sin.

I've driven the STi and didn't like it. I will say this though, the interior doesn't have the woeful plastics that the Evo does. Much nicer place to be, if a lot tinnier (Subes tend to sound lightweigt/tinny)

Lozza, PM me with details and i'll show up. The Skyline died a nasty, tree induced death about 2 months ago so it's now just the Mazda until i can save enough money to get either: Astra Turbo BMW M635i Aah, f&*k it. I'll just spend the money on booze and hookers, LOL

I'll admit it up front, i don't like Subarus. Especially compared to Evos or GT-Rs. I've driven a VII GSR and know a bloke who's driven the VIII. Same guy reckons the Evo is the ultimate drivers car, much faster than GT-R in tight, twisty cornering. He should know as he's had a few 300+rwkW GT-Rs as well. For my money, I'd go a VII or wait for the VIII to lob here next year. Each evolution gets better and better...

After recently driving a $100,000 VY2 GTS Coupe i found the quality very poor. Bang for bucks it's great but there's no way you can compare it to a GT-R (that's a sports car) or an M5 (that's almost double the price). Look at it like this: HSVs are large (heavy), comfortable cars that do the whole GT thing better than almost anything else available under $120,000. Ford GT and HSVs both handle really well compared to other Jap and Euro cars i've driven and then there's the prodigious torque on offer... If you're after a (relativley cheap) continent-swallowing car that eats highway miles with ease, buy an HSV or GT.

You know WHY he did it? There was 300m of film left over from another project plus an innovative new way to mount a camera. Excess film + new, untrialled bonnet mounting method + 1976 Ferrari = 9mins of terror...

Because the laws say it's up to the officers' interpretation, all they have to do is present the facts: 2 cars take off hard from the lights and proceed to speed. That's racing. Sorry your car got impounded, but think about it like this: What if they find you guilty of lying under oath? You're f((ked. Gaol time bubba. Cop it on the chin, you've been caught like many others.

HSV will have piss-poor quality. Every one i've seen has. Mind you i'd prefer the HSV for an interstate trip...

Also, cross-ply tyres weren't fitted to Ferraris after the early 60s. It was only Fords that took until the late 70s to get radials...

Claude leLouch drove the Ferrari, he admitted so a coupla years back. get the DVD as there's some really cool extras on it... For my money, it ranks alongside: Climb Dance (Ari Vatenan in Peugeot 405 T16 vs Pikes Peak) In-car 956 (Derek Bell in LeMans winning Porsche 956 round the old Nurburgring, LeMans, Kyalami, and more) RUF CTR Porsche on Nurburgring

You mean Aston Martin? Toyota's last Supra cost them millions and the inside word is that they're not keen to do a new one. At the moment all the work's going into the 4500GT/supercar thing. A Toyota exec out here said, "The Supra is dead as far as Toyota Worldwide is concerned. That was a phase in our history that's finished. We're moving on, and so should performance car drivers"

After long and extensive research, I've concluded that those meters they're playing with isn't for fares: They're ordering kebabs

BOOSTMEISTER, nice Aston Martin AMV8 in your sig. Looks almost like a 350Z, eh?