BMW M3 Suspension Kit
Gattermeier Motorsport has developed a front suspension kit for the BMW E36 M3 and other E36 models. The kit consists of modified front struts with adjustable platforms for ride height adjustment, Bilstein sports shock absorbers, Eibach coil springs and helper springs, camber plates, strut brace and aircraft quality spherical bearings. The kit is primarily designed for track use. Rear Bilstein shock absorbers and Eibach springs are also available.
Contact Bavariacars on +61 2 9879 7557
Ford V8 ECU
Auburn Performance Equipment has released the SpeedBrain automotive computer system. It is claimed to be an all-new low-cost, highly capable, drop-in high performance computer for 89-93 mass air (airflow meter) 5.0 Mustangs. Applications for other vehicles will be available soon. The SpeedBrain replaces the stock Ford EEC computer and allows full tuning, real time tuning information feedback via the Virtual Dashboard, and data-logging The SpeedBrain plugs into the original loom and should be able to be adapted to the Australian EFI V8. It costs US$499 and is not emission certified. Go to http://www.tiac.net/users/goape/sb.htm for more details.
Better GS300
Lexus has upgraded its rear wheel drive GS300. The car now uses 235/45 17 tyres (up from 225/55 16) on new rims and has some minor interior changes. Who remembers when the thought of a car coming from a Toyota factory with standard 45-series tyres would have been the stuff of dreams?
Fuelstar
The Fuelstar petrol catalyst is claimed to eliminate pinging, prevent valve damage, improve performance and clean spark plugs. In particular, the product is claimed to enable engines designed for 96 leaded fuel to run "perfectly" on 91 unleaded. The Fuelstar is a canister that is fitted within the fuel line. It contains "slow release metal cones, the main ingredient being tin". Prices start at $25 for small engines and rise to $775 for high performance engines. Contact Fuelstar Australia on +618 7 5596 6544. At this stage AutoSpeed has not tested this product.
New Audi Look
Audi is to invest a staggering A$3.26 Billion to upgrade its global dealer network. Based on an architectural concept originating in Germany, the Audi showroom of the future will feature curves of steel and glass, and the use inside of only natural materials like stone and timber. The showroom revamps being undertaken in Australia will be finished by the end of 1999.
Unique Auto Sports
John Penlington of Unique Auto Sports has advised us that when he stated to AutoSpeed "We are getting between 5 and 15% increase in power at the wheels" from the use of Uniglide FRC oil treatment (tested last issue), he actually meant that other workshops were reporting gains of this magnitude to him, rather than this being the results of tests carried out by Unique Auto Sports themselves. Also, the replacement Nissan upper A arms (tested two issues ago) actually have a retail cost of $480, rather than $400 as stated in the feature.
Dyno Duel
The second dyno shoot-out day held at Adelaide's RPM Performance centre went off with a bang (but not literally, thank God!). On the second Saturday of this month, around 30 cars were tied down to RPM's Dyno Dynamics chassis dyno to slug it out for prizes in rotary, 4-cylinder, 6-cylinder, small-block V8 and big block categories. Ironically, the car that snatched the overall win was actually powered by the smallest engine of the entire winner's circle! Gotta love a rotary's hp per cc!
Shaun Gibbs' RX4 pumped 262kW at the wheels using its well-modified 13B rotary turbo. It achieves around three times the factory power output(!) using extend-ports, modified intake manifold, Microtech management, TO4 turbo and water-to-air intercooling.
The imported Nissan Gazelle/ Silvia of Japanese Motorsport that we've featured in AutoSpeed took out the 4-cylinder category with its newly revised engine configuration. Sporting Autronic SMC programmable management, 13B turbo injectors and a larger intercooler, the car belted out a massive 235kW at the wheels. Mike of RPM told us it might have made even more since the independent rear suspension was inducing wheel spin on the rollers! Apparently it made 358kW on an engine dyno with boost cranked up to 1.7 Bar...
One impressive car was a primer-draped Galant with a 2.6-litre Astron engine fed by a TO4 turbo and a Haltech E6A ECU. This street sleeper made an impressive 183kW at the rear wheels.
Climbing up in capacity, a VL Commodore Turbo took out the six-cylinder class with an 11psi boosted, high flow exhaust and intake-equipped RB30ET. It made 145kW at the wheels on the day.
But when the really big bangers were strapped to the rollers, it was obvious how much torque comes with big displacement; no need for sky-high revs here! An easy-peasy 253kW at the wheels was credited to a Ford XA coupe which contained a massive rebuilt 428ci V8 engine using a big cam, ported heads and a Barry Grant carburettor.
The small-block honour belonged to an XA GT that made 201kW at the wheels from its 5.8-litre capacity and traditional hot-up methods. The engine features forged alloy pistons (12.5:1), a solid cam, head work, Holley 850cfm carb, Edelbrock Torker manifold and a high flow exhaust. A Top Loader gearbox and a 4.11:1 9-inch diff put the power to the rollers.
It's a damn busy day for the crew at RPM, with a constant flow of dyno riders and an endless sea of spectators spilling out from their workshop's doors. We're told that next year will see only one dyno-shoot-out day held and that will probably be sometime in November. So note it down on the new 1999 calendar you'll inevitably receive for Christmas. Contact RPM Performance on +61 8 8277 2266.
Quickies
- The Middleton Rally Team (MRT) has heavyweight and lightweight 555 jackets out at half price! They also have a new Subaru list of products and Prodrive type WRC wings and bumper bars now available. http://www.mrtrally.com.au
- Reader Michael Tait tells us that details on Ken Warby's new attempt on the World Water Speed Record can be found at http://www.kenwarby.com
- Suzuki has won the Asia-Pacific Formula Two Rally Championship with the Baleno Wagon for the fourth year in succession, with Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima taking the driver's championship title and Suzuki clinching the manufacturer's title.
- Toyota has released a sporty special edition of the Celica. Called the SX-R, the car features alloy wheels, foglights and white-faced instruments.
- The Network Ten coverage of the FAI 1000 Classic from Bathurst won all TV ratings during the race. This, and the large number of spectators who attended, is starting to make the 2 litre Bathurst event look a little ill.
- The Honda Prelude VTi-R has gained optional leather inside and another 4kW (now up to 147kW) under the bonnet.
- Ford's sales of the Falcon jumped by 40 per cent in the month that the new AU was released but Holden Commodore sales still kept comfortably rising. Ford pushed their Bathurst win through major ads in national newspapers: "EL beats VT. (Just wait for AU)." said the ad.
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