FrangaFry
31-07-2012, 09:42 PM
Hi folks, please don't crucify me if I sound silly (I'm not really sure what my question is here, so stay with me while I blunder around), but I am still a bit of a novice with this car mod scene and a recent conversation I had with a very reputable shop has got me thinking............
As all members on here, I am sure, are already aware, most of us who have modded cars/bikes/4wd's etc have the ever present threat of being slapped with a non compliance sticker (especially those who have very noticeable mods, such as a FI or other bonnet bling); Now, I know we all go into this scene with eyes wide open about 'compliance' and 'defect' notices and the RISK; And I know that if you drive like a nanna your risk of being pulled over is smaller, BUT, one day the bonnet could be lifted ....... for any reason, and boom you are stuck with a big bill trying to get everything back to a compliance level (exhaust? shocks/springs? Brakes? FI? etc).
Added to the above, I have just read another post on here where the current engine/brakes/exhaust etc replacement/upgrade compliance guidelines are available (interesting reading I thought, not that I understood it all, or most of it actually...... but,). This, in conjunction with the above and a conversation I had the other day with said 'reputable shop' has got me thinking that FI may not be the way to go, especially given the over zealous nature of our law makers and enforcers in regards to modded cars and us 'hoons' (tongue in cheek........ I'm a crusty o'l enthusiast.... *grin*).
So I suppose I am looking for your thoughts on where the current 'climate' in regards to the above is taking us and how this has made you think about your current or future mods.
My current thoughts are that you seem to have more 'latitude' with N/A mods (the link: "http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roa.../vsb_ncop.aspx" seems to indicate this....) than you would with FI mods to your donk (other mods aside, just speaking about engine mods here).
Given all of the above, and the recent mods I have done with my ride (nothing over the top, but a good strong FI package), I am now rethinking what my future options are.
Here is one I will throw out there and I would love to get your opinions.
I have a relatively new HTV1900 inter cooled package (I have done about 8,000km since it was installed new) and an LS1 (with springs and upgraded fuel system) that has done about 154,000km (PD, springs and fuel went on 8,000km ago - about 5 months ago now). I have been gathering brownie point and some cash over the last few months and will soon'ish... have enough cash to consider some more work (between 5k - 8k ... I hope *grin*). I was considering what to do about my bottom end given FI as I want to get longevity out of my engine and not just max power - I have 310rwk at the moment (and have also upgrade most other areas of my ride) and this is nice, maybe a bit more kw/toque but with the emphasis on 'confidence' of no failures.
Now, I am prone to the odd 'panic' and the above thread is one I am having at the moment ............. *grin*
So, should I continue down the FI path and forge/strengthen the bottom end (will 5 - 8k get the job done for this?), or should I bite the bullet, sell the PD (what do you think the market rate is for one of these at the moment ........ be nice please....) and add the 5 - 8k to the sell price of the PD and build an LS1 stroker (with a mild, not wild, cam) - I must admit I love what it is the PD does though and it will be hard to replicate in an N/A version.... adn still be nice to drive (which my wagon currently is)
So enough rambling, I am sure you get the drift of where I am coming from and would love to hear from the 'learned' on this one.
Cheers,
As all members on here, I am sure, are already aware, most of us who have modded cars/bikes/4wd's etc have the ever present threat of being slapped with a non compliance sticker (especially those who have very noticeable mods, such as a FI or other bonnet bling); Now, I know we all go into this scene with eyes wide open about 'compliance' and 'defect' notices and the RISK; And I know that if you drive like a nanna your risk of being pulled over is smaller, BUT, one day the bonnet could be lifted ....... for any reason, and boom you are stuck with a big bill trying to get everything back to a compliance level (exhaust? shocks/springs? Brakes? FI? etc).
Added to the above, I have just read another post on here where the current engine/brakes/exhaust etc replacement/upgrade compliance guidelines are available (interesting reading I thought, not that I understood it all, or most of it actually...... but,). This, in conjunction with the above and a conversation I had the other day with said 'reputable shop' has got me thinking that FI may not be the way to go, especially given the over zealous nature of our law makers and enforcers in regards to modded cars and us 'hoons' (tongue in cheek........ I'm a crusty o'l enthusiast.... *grin*).
So I suppose I am looking for your thoughts on where the current 'climate' in regards to the above is taking us and how this has made you think about your current or future mods.
My current thoughts are that you seem to have more 'latitude' with N/A mods (the link: "http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roa.../vsb_ncop.aspx" seems to indicate this....) than you would with FI mods to your donk (other mods aside, just speaking about engine mods here).
Given all of the above, and the recent mods I have done with my ride (nothing over the top, but a good strong FI package), I am now rethinking what my future options are.
Here is one I will throw out there and I would love to get your opinions.
I have a relatively new HTV1900 inter cooled package (I have done about 8,000km since it was installed new) and an LS1 (with springs and upgraded fuel system) that has done about 154,000km (PD, springs and fuel went on 8,000km ago - about 5 months ago now). I have been gathering brownie point and some cash over the last few months and will soon'ish... have enough cash to consider some more work (between 5k - 8k ... I hope *grin*). I was considering what to do about my bottom end given FI as I want to get longevity out of my engine and not just max power - I have 310rwk at the moment (and have also upgrade most other areas of my ride) and this is nice, maybe a bit more kw/toque but with the emphasis on 'confidence' of no failures.
Now, I am prone to the odd 'panic' and the above thread is one I am having at the moment ............. *grin*
So, should I continue down the FI path and forge/strengthen the bottom end (will 5 - 8k get the job done for this?), or should I bite the bullet, sell the PD (what do you think the market rate is for one of these at the moment ........ be nice please....) and add the 5 - 8k to the sell price of the PD and build an LS1 stroker (with a mild, not wild, cam) - I must admit I love what it is the PD does though and it will be hard to replicate in an N/A version.... adn still be nice to drive (which my wagon currently is)
So enough rambling, I am sure you get the drift of where I am coming from and would love to hear from the 'learned' on this one.
Cheers,