lwells

Is it worthwhile upgrading the stockers on a R32 GT-R? Say a 1-way at the front, and a 1.5 at the rear, inline with SK's comments? LW.

Is anyone using these oils with a short-shifter kit? LW.

Geoff: I completely agree that servicing is a very important aspect of maintenance - if your vehicle is effeciently using all the ingredients in the combustion process and is thus spewing them out the tail-pipe, that helps no one. However, cats do serve a purpose. They are not going to save the world as car's by their very nature of burning fossil fuels are polluters, however, every little bit counts. The less carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides released, the better. If people want a very general understanding of the purpose of a cat, see: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/catalytic-converter.htm I imagine the lack of cats on trucks has much to do with poor regulation as anything else. There was a belief that desiel powered vehicles don't require cats, so many of the desiel vehichles on our roads do not have them (and trucks are largely desiel powered). As for motorcycles, I have no idea. I would imagine it has a lot to do with their small capacity/high output nature that means they are not deemed to be as "bad" as cars, and thus not subject to the same restrictions. Enricco: yes, hi-flow cats are largely a joke, but that's not because such a device is possible, but rather faulty design or just wanting to rip-off people. The catalyst parts of the cat are very expensive, and hence used sparringly. Cats -- as fitted by manufacturers -- are designed to a price point; combined with tight regulation this means they are often very restrictive on air flow. Unfortunately a number of aftermarket companies have been exploiting this fact by selling so-called "hi-flow" cats that are totally ineffective. skylinegeoff: I am not here to preach that the world is going to end tomorrow. However, I think its very hard to argue that there isn't a link between the emission of so-called "greenhouse gasses" and environmental degradation. The fact that cars are one of the biggest producers of emissions in turn means they are also one of the worst offenders. You are also quite wrong that there is no money in disproving the supposed environmental impacts of fossil fuel burning. There are a number of industry sponsored bodies that employ scientists to disprove the environmentalist cause; infact I would argue that it is easier to get industry funding to support the continuing burning of fossil fuels than it is to get research dollars to support the "greeny" position. Anyway, that's just my view and its clogging up this thread which is not suppose to be about cats, and for which I am sorry. I still strongly believe that cats serve a purpose and should be maintained and not removed; every little bit helps. LW.

LaL: the problem will be that the dealer will claim to have no knowledge of the clock being wound back. If your friend had proof that the dealer had knowing lied, that's a different story, but good luck proving it. End of the day its a nasty lesson for your friend. Get him to see a lawyer -- or, if he doesn't have the founds, visit a legal centre and perhaps call the relevant ombudsman -- but I don't think his chances are particularly good. LW.

Why on earth did he buy the car if he had doubts about it? Seems pretty stupid? That's not to say he "deserved" to be ripped off, just that he should of at least had it checked out. Personally I would have walked away at the first signs of any problems. LW.

Yeah I am serious. Go a high flow if you want, but pumping out poisonious gasses that would otherwise be caught by the cat is not helpful to anyone. Just my IMHO. Plus there is also the issue of back-pressure... LW.

Please don't remove the Cat -- think of the environment, seriously. Very interesting thread by the way -- will provide a great contrast to Merlii's turbo upgrades. LW

In a word, no. Just because there is a disclaimer, or because what was said is the truth, doesn't stop someone from bringing an action against you, and even if they don't win, the object is often to outspend you because lawyers and barristers are expensive and companies tend to have greater resources than individuals. LW.

First off, there is no freedom of speech in Australia contrary to popular opinion. We don't have a bill of rights either; another popular misconception. I also take exception to you blaming lawyers, perhaps because I have a lawyer in my immediate family. Lawyers are not responsible for designing or enacting laws (ie. legislation), they merely operate within the bounds of existing laws. If you want to whinge about the current legal system, take aim at your friendly politician, because it is they who design and enact the legislation (although technically the design part is often the responsibility of some middle-level bureaucrats). Edit: I should also note that judges do have some scope for the interpretation of legislation and for the creation of law ("common law") through the doctrine of precedence. However, increasingly the discretionary powers of judges are being legislated out of existence. LW.

Nothing makes them particularly expensive from a design point of view, at least the older Porsches -- indeed, the very early Porsches just used VW mechanicals -- but the fact that they are rare and that Porsche is a premium brand ensures that prices stay high. But labour will be the real killer. Its not like you can just wander down to the local Holden garage and have them service your Porsche. You will need a Porsche specialist, and usually that means big bucks. LW.

Muahahaha... feel the power of the dark side of the GT-R. LW. BTW: I am totally with Prank on this. I have been threatened with a writ for publishing stuff online so I am well aware of just how difficult these situations can be.

Increasing the contact patch is good though if you use equivalent quality tires... ecenshu: thanks for that. LW.

The are R34 GT-R turbos, and then there are the R34 GT-R N1 turbos -- big difference. I suggest you search as its been discussed before. LW.

Has anyone got a spare set of dial faces from a R32 GTS-t and an R32 GT-R? LW.

If its the same company that West Coast Customs used for the Civic on Pimp My Ride, you wouldn't want it anyway as the bolts broke LW.

This has been discussed in another thread I think. Basically, I concur, very disappointing and boring. LW.

http://verticaldoors.com US$1599, and you need a minimum of 10 orders as it would be a custom job. Probably some place in Japan already makes them though... LW.

I think you will find a LHD --> RHD conversion, done properly (which means by a Porsche specialist), will actually cost closer to $20,000. LW.

Personally I am waiting for the Sony Ericsson Z1010 here in Aus -- I know its probably like yesterday's technology to you guys in Japan, but its the first decent sized / fully featured 3G phone that will be available Edit: Linky -- http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/4830.html LW.

Whoops, forgot the .au: http://forums.toymods.org.au/index.php LW.

Ok, well scratch that idea. So we would need to get 20 x GT-R and 2 x GTS-t, plus perhaps some R33 dials if there is enough interest... Edit: There is also the three centre console dials to think about. Urgh. LW.

Is there any difference between the R32 GTS-t and GT-R dials besides the torque split? LW.

Well NRAuto replied. Heh, that would be a no then. Still waiting on a reply from another company about making custom dial faces... LW.

There are a lot of modified Aus delivered AE86s that have had all the nice Japanese bits transplanted already. Check out www.toymods.org Bargain really hard -- there are a lot of people on there with no money which inflate the prices LW.