Big Rizza

Next Camry is 4cyl only - that engine is going to be in the Avalon replacement

I hope he's got a spare 150,000 clams lying around to pay for a new BMW

I heard the engine is actually good for over 1300hp, but the cooling system alone saps about 300hp of the engine's power just to run it. And what's the deal with this 4 tail pipes meaning it's a V8? That's the stupidest shit I have ever heard! BMW M3 has 4 tail pipes and is a straight six. Mercedes SL65 has 4 tailpipes and is a V12. And many V8s only have a single exhaust. The Mazda 6 has twin exhausts, I could put twin tip mufflers on each and give it 4 tail pipes, and that's only a 4 cylinder! OMFG LOOK!!!! IT'S A V8 MAZDA 6!!!! So I dont think we can speculate on engine configuration based on the number of tail pipes alone.

Hahaha yeah I only really said it to stir up the 33 owners. Don't really have anything against them.

The power goes to which ever wheel is easier to turn. So in normal driving it will go to both wheels just like an LSD. In tight cornering it will allow the outside wheels to turn more than the inside wheel to prevent the back end skipping (which happens in very tight or locked diffs). But if one wheel starts to slip with an open diff, that wheel will be easier to turn and hence will get all the power. An LSD essentially doubles the traction because you need enough force to spin up both the wheels rather than just one (not quite true, but you get the idea). On an aside, Ferrari claim their new E-differential is so good that it gives their rear wheel drive F430 as much traction as a conventional all wheel drive system (for example in the Lamborghini Gallardo) in all conditions except snow. But Ferrari claim a lot of things...

I am sick of 33's. They are everywhere. It's for the person who knows nothing about cars and wants an import (flame suit activated). Get a 32. EDIT: Just like the Lancer coupe driver is for someone who wants a "sports car" and knows nothing about cars.

Anything older than about 5 years old will have the odo wound back, because before then the rules on odo tampering were a lot softer. Even log books can be faked, so buy based on condition rather than kms. I was very happy with my 130,000kms R32 as it was in better condition than a lot of the "80,000 kms" R32s on sale at the time, with only very minor wear on the steering wheel and it was generally very clean. If you want a cheap R32 turbo (ie under $10k) then be quick as the last of the 15 yo imports are coming through now, and after that you are looking at probably $2-3k more for the same vehicle due to compliance costs. My 1989 model left me with change from $10k registered and on the road (3rd party insurance helped there). If $15k is your absolute budget, I would recommend the R32 as you will hopefully have some left over cash for maintenance, tyres, insurance, rego etc.

I know this thread is old and forgotten, but I bought a scanner the other day and I need an excuse to use it. So here it is, my magnificent dyno printout from a couple of months ago.

Of those two, I would go an S15. But there are numerous cars outside the S15 and R34 GTT in that price range for circuit racing. Also consider modified earlier nissans (S13/S14, R32 GTR etc) as well as Series 6+ Mazda RX7, and even the 2JZGTE Toyota Supras (although that may be a bit heavy).

If you fill your tank completely, drive around measuring the distance, then fill your tank completely again you can calculate the fuel consumption in litres / 100km, which is actually useful in guaging fuel consumption. Saying I get so many litres to a tank tells nothing of fuel consumption because a) fuel tanks come in different sizes and B) most people dont completely drain their fuel tanks before refilling. If you are putting in $38 of fuel to completely fill it, then I'd say there is still plenty of fuel in the tank each time you refill (regardless of what the guage is telling you). I'd expect 10-12 litres/100km from an R33 would be about normal. (But I don't own one). And I highly doubt your fuel tank is only 40 litres. That is waaaay too small for a car the size of a skyline.

BP ultimate is the only 98 octane fuel available in my area, so it's ultimate all the way.

Is that 1000 bhp per tonne or 1000 kw per tonne? And is that at the wheels or at the engine? Whichever way, it's rediculous! And unnecessary! I doubt you could get that power to the ground with the Atoms skinny tyres I reckon you could tune the VTEC engine from 300hp to 500hp without too much trouble. And at 500kgs that would give the 1000hp per tonne you want! Alternatively you could go for a 1500hp GTR. Or a 2500hp Landcuiser.

They will probably release information slowly. Things like transmission options (Sequential? Manual?) and engine configuration (V6? V8? Capacity?) will be confirmed soon. And I think the power output of the engine and price will be the last things to be confirmed.

Carsguide.com agrees with what was said there, including the bit on likely engine specs. "Just what is under the bonnet or in the cabin remains a closely guarded secret but the smart money is on a 3.7-litre bi-turbo V6 punching out something in the range of 350kW, driving all four wheels through a seven-speed sequential gearbox." Not sure how good a 7 speed sequential box will go down with long time GTR fans though. I know the BMW M5 fans went nuts when it was revealed the 7 speed sequential box (SMGIII) was the only choice for the E60 M5. But I guess some will hate it, some will love it. I just hope it comes with a 6 speed manual as an option.

I know in Western Australia your log book from the 25 hours on your L's acts as your identification when going for your P's. If you have handed your log book in previously, you need identification.

I'm sure that Hyperdrive Motorsport in Malaga can point you in the right direction if they can't help you themselves.

I could never ride a litre-bike. I could never ride a bike over about 250cc. Unfortunately I lack the testicular fortitude required to pilot such a machine. I will stick to my stock RB20DET. 15 second flat across the quater is quick enough for me.

faulty coilpacks or sparkplugs?

"French Cars Should All Burn" Bugatti Veyron? (Built in France) Peugeot 205 GTi? Renaultsport Clio V6? Renaultsport Spider? Nissan 350Z? (Owned by Renault) You would burn all these insanely brilliant cars? EVEN CITROEN have had some important cars in their history. Citroen DS anyone? When it came out way back in 1955, it was a symbol of French technology. It had power steering, four wheel disk brakes (inboard at the front), headlamps that turn with the car (like Mercedes have JUST brought in), fully independent hydro-pneumatic self levelling suspension with adjustable ride height, sleek aerodynamic body (for the time), front wheel drive (once upon a time thought to be a good thing), hydraullic semi-automatic clutchless gearbox, and in the big engined models it could hit 120mph. So not all French cars should be burnt. Just the senior citizens that drive them. Fin.

I'm sure you've all seen the Top Gear power board, but here it is again. Note that it is missing a few cars. There was a Maserati that ran quicker than the Enzo (1:18.9?) and a few other race cars for the road that are competitors to the Arial in the UK (Hayabusa engined Westfield ran quicker than the Zonda in the low 1:20s I think, and Hayabusa engined Radical ran about 1:19ish). Can't remember the times exactly, but looking at that list you can appreciate what a marvel the Arial is!

Wow, two threads on the Atom created in a matter of days. It must have left an impression! The other thread has the link to the 5th Gear video review as well if people want it. Anyone happen to capture the Beyond Tomorrow video? i wouldn't mind having a look. I don't normally watch the show coz it pisses me off for some reason. I seem to remember the Atom being closer to Lotus Elise money (for the s-charged model) in the UK, so I very much doubt that you could get one on road for less than $80k in Aust. Remember that similar vehicles like the Caterham Super 7 start at about $70k for the NA 1.6 litre engine. $100k on road would not suprise me. EDIT: Just looked at the NZ Openwheelers site. They reckon about NZ$70k for the NA model. With our harsher importing laws, I'd say you're looking at AUD$70k here in Aust. I would not be suprised to see a AUD$30k price difference between the NA and supercharged model, so my $100k estimate remains.

I've seen a Porsche Cayenne Turbo and Mercedes CL600 (that's the V12 coupe) on P plates before. Plus every Japanese import under the sun. Ferrari 360s and 550s were much more than $300k when new. I think the 550 was closing in on double that amount! Although you could get them for $300k second hand though I guess. Although what kind of rich kid drives around in a second hand car? hahaha Ummm... so, what do you propose the alternative is then? How would one go about getting ones license?

Top Gear test track is definitely inferior to the 5th Gear test track, but aside from that Top Gear is superior. I want to see the Stig vs the 5th Gear crew in a race!

Do a burnout. If both wheels spin up you most likely have an LSD. If it's a one legger it's an open diff. EDIT: oh you said without doing a burnout, my bad - You could also try driving around in circles with too much throttle to see if you can spin up the inside wheel.

I've got the first 2 Getaway in Stockholms on DVD and they don't really do it for me. Ghost Rider is more entertaining - he is an absolute nutter. 300+km/h wheelies, 300+km/h in traffic, and numerous other attempts to kill himself at 300+km/h. I've always been a Gumball man myself!