Hi,

I recently sold my XR6T.. Nice car.. The plan was sell it, buy a FG XR6T..

But the new owner has experienced a few problems with the BA XR6T... Which has disappointed me as much as it has him.

I basically built it up and never used it. Never drag raced it, just the occassional squirt here and there, take someone for a spin, cruise it on the weekend etc etc.

Now for a road car... Im not sure if Ill be back again.. Lets be honest, in standard form the XR6T is not the most enjoyable street car..

They have Good power, good space and that's about it... The real appeal of the XR6T is its tuning potential. They can be made into rocket ships for a modest budget.. that's where the smiles are..

But the tuning shops and even here on the forum, they really overrate the potential of the components

Please post a do's n dont's of modifying a XR6T

My do and dont is as follows...

BA

Don't put more than 280rwkw through a 4 speed box, it will just tear them apart. My car at 280rwkw run all day long with no probs. But at 320rwkw torched 3 Auto boxes in under 2000km

Don't run a Bosch 044 pump as its just so noisy.

Do Run a large Transmission cooler on the 4 speed auto box regardless of your power..

Do run a Large Engine oil cooler if running any more than stock boost..

Hulk, have you driven an FG XR6T yet? They are a bloody good street car, and the ZF box is as tough as nails.

I would disagree on the 044 - they are noisey, but it depends on how it is mounted. Plus, if you want a fast car for under 50K - you have to put up with some comprimises.

I would say DO save up and do things right the first time, by buying mods that have room for expansion and aren't at their limit as soon as you install them.

What are the problems which were experienced by the new owner? were they durability type issues? driveline / engine components gave out due to too much power?

I agree that over 280-290 RWKW on a 4speed auto is pushing it, the bands and clutchpack struggle with the torque produced, and are living on borrowed time, with an annual freshen up required.

Do - definately fit a large "reputable brand" transmission cooler with good airflow, and bypass the radiator endtank cooler.

Do - regular oil change (7,500km) and maintenance (tighten manifold + turbo bolts every service). in addition the regular maintenance schedule items.

dont mod a 5 speed

Now for a road car... Im not sure if Ill be back again.. Lets be honest, in standard form the XR6T is not the most enjoyable street car..

They have Good power, good space and that's about it... The real appeal of the XR6T is its tuning potential. They can be made into rocket ships for a modest budget.. that's where the smiles are..

I'd say that may be just in your opinion.

In standard trim, as a go fast version of a large family sedan, they are a fantastic street car. What the hell else do you expect?

Because the car has a 4litre turbo, too many people expect it to be a full on race car, and try to compare it outside of it's intended use.

If you want something nimble, built with the track in mind, get an EVO, STI, GTR, etc.

If you want to modify any car accept that you may break something. If you want something from the factory with 350+ RWkW, that can do 11 sec quarters, get a Ferrari!

in standard form my XR easily showed wrx's/etc the tail lights.

the few things you have mentioned are hardly serious issues.

heres an idea

DONT GO ANYTHING OTHER THAN A 6 SPEED GEARBOX IF YOU WANT TIT TO GO FAST!!!

This thread is designed to be a do's and don'ts of XR6T.. For the unweary so they dont get caught up in making the same mistakes..

Its very questionable whether the components were designed to handle upto to 100% power increases on stock.. Id say 30% power/torque increase is probably pushing the limits of stock components..

Someone said about the 4 speed requiring an annual fresh up.. Who wants to spend $1000-1500 per year on top of rego and insurance to have their gearbox hold together?

Its starts to put these cars out of the daily driver category and into the weekend fang car.

Hulk, have you driven an FG XR6T yet? They are a bloody good street car, and the ZF box is as tough as nails.

I would disagree on the 044 - they are noisey, but it depends on how it is mounted. Plus, if you want a fast car for under 50K - you have to put up with some comprimises.

I would say DO save up and do things right the first time, by buying mods that have room for expansion and aren't at their limit as soon as you install them.

I have driven a FG Xr6T.. Awesome drive... I wanted to buy one remember but We all know it will end up with an intercooler on the front, more boost etc etc etc.. With those mods its not a bullet proof package anymore... that's why Im weary.. Do you really need to have the quickest car on your street? Im seriously thinking Golf GTi instead..

Im a little pissed as Ive never been told by after market tuners NOT to do a mod because it upsets the equilibrium of the car... No doubt it turns the car into an absolute rocket, but at the expense of drivability and reliability. that you find out AFTER!!

Oh and the 044 pump... if you like the sound of a mosquito in your ear buzzing away in the middle of the night, then get one, that's how they sound like.. Maybe worse than the mosquito..

People used to comment saying they could here my car buzzing away 2 blocks before I turned up at their house. "geez your cars nice but that buzzing sound, aweful". My Mrs refused to go anywhere with that car because the sound was so irritating to her.

I have an 044 too, but I don't think its anywhere near that bad...

Alot of workshops now basically just do what the customer wants and take the money, the customer needs to be educated too