Picking her up in the morning

[NaughtyGT]

Originally Posted by rodhog

.....I wanted to ask how is the wear rate on the pedal rubber? been looking at Liberty 3.0L- B and not impressed with the wear on the pedals. I suspect wear on the car higher then the KM's

Rod, I have the STi pedals. Can't be sure when fitted so, can't give an accurate mileage sorry

[z100]

Nice buy! I always had a soft spot for these cars. Remember seeing the B4 at the motorshow and thinking how awesome they were, then reading reviews and being dissapointed at how much people complained about the twin turbo setup's drive-ability. At least that issue is fixed for you! I still wish they bought the wagon variant of the B4(GT) over, or the Blitzen, now that was a cool looking legacy.



The spoiler on the sedan looked mint, but the wagon was the one I always wanted!

[NaughtyGT]

Originally Posted by z100

....Remember seeing the B4 at the motorshow and thinking how awesome they were, then reading reviews and being dissapointed at how much people complained about the twin turbo setup's drive-ability. At least that issue is fixed for you!.....

They were a pain mainly due to a horrid lag mid the secondary T coming on tune. Not thought out enough in the tech department. Why would you bring back the twins anyway when the Rex's had the single engines This B4 has full boost a good 800 revs earlier than the twin from reading the specs. Also, the B4 has higher comp so, better down low/off boost for city driving than the Rex for sure. Been reading up on this this morning.

Originally Posted by z100

.....I still wish they bought the wagon variant of the B4(GT) over, or the Blitzen, now that was a cool looking legacy......

Rod would agree with that Yep, those wagons were nice for sure! I don't mind the sedan personally as wifey has a Commo wagon anyway on duel fuel so, we would use this if needed & especially long trips I guess.

[NaughtyGT]

Faaaaarg! Took her for a good spin with wifey last night lol.....found some dirt roads that were prepared for bitumen hehe...........

4Th gear:

@ 3200rpm 12psi
@ 3400rpm 17psi (that's the boost limit setting)

Considering the twins didn't make full bosst of 14? til' 4800rpm

Also, the comp ratio is 9:1 that's why it has sweet streetability.

Haha, can picture myself in my retirement years sayin' .....wifey! can I hot this thing up now? Come on dear, it's farked? Sorry, had a few beers & just jivin'

[NaughtyGT]

Sure new to this oversteer man. Over corrected in one roundabout but was only coasting Wide turning circle like any 4WD but little too sharp for my driving style it seems. Too used to big RWD's or lil' FWD's. So, another learning curve.....

Think this may also have had the suss done. Hard to tell as I'm not too clued up on the stock arrangment v upgrades. Shocks & springs are yellow/orange. That's all I know lol. Just feels a little too tight for the boring, comfort-crowd these were aimed at?

Doing an economy test @ present so, no punchin it @ all for few weeks Filled her up on Sat arvy & wanna see the mileage I get from daily driving to from work & up to shops etc. Won't be doing too much highway driving @ all but there are medium stretches of 80kmh speeds to my main work place. Bit a stop-starting @ the other location. Both places are less than 20clicks each way so, unless I go for joy rides will report back in a few weeks......

Has a 65L tank I think. I'm hoping to get 600clicks from a full tank.....I can dream

[NaughtyGT]

It's official lol.....I'm over this notchy #$%@ gearbox!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I grind 4th one more %^$# time haha...........

I preferred the close ratio MX5 box any day! One for Mazda

Rant over

[NaughtyGT]

Apparently, it's the type/brand of oil. Typical service centre numnut oli. Does anyone know where to get Redline & Motul gear oil from? I know Mat has put me onto someone for oils but I need to get out there where the shop is. That's the problem......

[NaughtyGT]

Will be lowering boost to 5psi. I'm over poosy footing it through the gears, trying not to let boost come on too strong. Will see if I prefer this for everyday cruising?

[NaughtyGT]

Awww, gotta laugh. Som much for the great 'boost reducing'. Stock T boost is set to 12psi haha. Can't go any lower. So this is where it stays. At least I can fang it through the gears (@ least 'til speed limit haha) & know the engines & box aren't getting thrashed.

Only disappointment I have really is the economy. Not flash, due to weight of car I guess. I'm currently seaking feedback on a site that has a few B4's with the single T conversion, to see their mileage figuires. Supposed to be better than TT set up, as boost is delayed down low. Built solid but you pay @ the bowser..........

On a side note. Suspension has been stiffenend quite a lot. Not sure on specifics but it doesn't care for any big bumps. Bang bang over anything substantial. Woulda thought the orig' suspension was adequate so, not sure why previous owner messed with it?

[rodhog]

yeah the problem is your down low is still not enough to cover off boost performance.

Compared to say the modern Turbo engine with VVT etc. The economy comes from always using the right amount of fuel for the given load/rev.

The engine was more efficient as turbo twin due to less effort lower revs. now you need more revs no boost but with revs still comes your fueling.

A good example is - F2t and FE DOHC both same size injectors and both make same power. in KW's or at least close too.
But how can a 2.2LTurbo and 2.0L DOHC use same injectors - same fuel requirements to make same power. But the turbo is MORE efficient of the burn and because you don't rev it as hard off boost to get it going being a truck engine.
It actually returns better economy then the FE DOHC or even a FS would ever.

Even stock on highway the turbo would go longer. Yes retuned way better.
My FE DOHC can't get the 650km's even my old Stock F2 T with unichip would get with 50lt tank.

With the big single you have more N/A engine. IT's the down side.
Add in it's boxer and needs revs to make torque. Efficient power is not it's forte. But like all motors modern VVTI type systems and direct injection has made what would look like a poor combination of engine spec in the past into real performance motors all through rev range

[NaughtyGT]

That's it in a nutshell Rod! I need to put it on a diet haha. There is one guy who stated he gets better economy from 18psi than @ 8!

Gotta live with it. Fun as hell to drive though, once you respect the gear changes that is. Touchy li'l bassad

[Clean_Cookie]

I paid $32/quart for shockproof last week.

[NaughtyGT]

Originally Posted by Clean_Cookie

I paid $32/quart for shockproof last week.

Faaaaarg! Good stuff though for the ol' synchros

Tbo, I am getting used to the a-hole gearbox Not the friendliest daily driver man I tell ya. Horn material yes but, really needs to chill

I haven't ground 4th again yet &.....450clicks from 48 litres (filled her up this arvy). I'm stoked haha. Was getting scared as the needle inched down. May not be great economy but I was looking @ a disaster. The friggin alarm is the only thing I'm over now. Wouldn't start after parking for 5 mins. Has a Mongoose alarm replacing stock gay set up........really testing ma patience ma

[Clean_Cookie]

Lol sounds like you're just waiting for something to break so you can buy another mx5 and turbo haha

[NaughtyGT]

Originally Posted by Clean_Cookie

Lol sounds like you're just waiting for something to break so you can buy another mx5 and turbo haha

Haha, there was a turbo'd NA model going not too long back but from what I read, was pretty stock internals. That's asking for trouble. Nah, the Sooby is pretty cool. You just have to get used to the notchy as hell box gates. Drive it as it wants you to. You don't get to slip up too easily. I haven't ground gears again since that **** of a day I had.

Running 12psi is a bit gay though. Come Monday, will be turning it up to 14psi then leaving it there No serious

The MX5 box was a gem though. Pretty hard to fault imo

[NaughtyGT]

hehe.......took it for a good fang on my day off yesterday, up a well-known windy Mornington Peninsula stretch. Was able to give 2nd & 3rd a good strap above 4krpm, where it shhhhhines! Was good to see it lifting the front suspension instead of crawling through traffic

Just a side note really as I enjoyed researching engine oil properties & dismissing myth after myth also yesterday mainly. SO easy to get bamboozled with which brand/type of oil you should use. There's actually a fair bit to it........

Bit of reading but, concise believe it or not. No need to read but someone @ least may find it interesting?

In-depth research on the various Synth oil additives etc & the poly compounds & molecular chain durabilitl/properties (you get the point - hrs & hrs of research) due to my engine oil becoming dirty within days of driving. Hmmmm.......well, found out that oils aint really oils after all. Not todays Synth oils anyway. Alot to understand with polymer additives, detergents etc etc. BUT, alot of BS to sift through & alot to understand in one go. I researched over a week or 2, on & off but intensely yesterday on my day off......

Cut to the chase! I since learned that the dirty oil colour that occurs pretty much straight away is quite normal in many engine types. Clean oil on the dipstick/in sump does NOT automatically = a clean engine. Period! Can be the complete opposite actually If you can bother to research, heaps of good info on performance forums & bobistheoilguy site is a good start @ least.

In my case. Since the last owner babied it round town. Stop/start driving day after day. This caused some carbon build up, not detrimental @ this stage, on the engine. Simple enough? Btw, this engine is pretty quiet considering it is quad cam & uses no oil, no matter how I drive it!

In my own words, older dyno oils used in the old days, stayed clean yet, engines got coaked with carbon & sludge. Nowadays, modern oils have such efficient detergent properties & clean so well that, for example, many Sooby owners steer clear of high-end full synth oils such as Mobil 1. Others, swear by it! Some use a diesel oil each change. You need to know your engine! Don't go off another recommending you to buy this or that. Some engines drink certain oils like some folk drink beer (not me ) yet, they'll find an oil that goes the distance & seems quiet etc for them.

Forgetting "lube properties" from the metallic additives such as moly & zinc (cat ****as) either, only necessary when a severe metal -to-metal contact occurs, as a last line of defence. It is the harsh detergent additives that entrigued me most. Especially due to my dirty engine. NOTE: I have been running Penrite HPR5 Fully Synth 5W40 for the record. A good oil imho!!!

So, focusing on detergent properties only. In a nutshell. Oils today aint the oils they were in the past aka, when you drove your old HQ for 10k & the oil was clean. These modern Synth oils dramatically clean an engine so well. They can clean it too well & cause oil leaks in old/high-mileage engines & even knocking from heavy carbon deposits being dislodged around bores/rings, valves etc (no need to go on). Another danger is that these heavy carbon deposits, once dislodged can end up in tiny crevices inc, oil galleries & seals.

Conclusion. If your engine oil is still squeeky clean after it's been in for a good few k, you better hope it's due to an ultra-maintained engine & not an inefficient oil your using. One way to test would be put a mid/high-end fully synth oil with new filter in for 1-2k! On a serious note. Don't if your engine maintenance record is unknown or it is a high-mileage eng, unless you want it clean. Plenty nightmare stories of engines stuffed doing so without common sense.

For the record. I just dropped the oil after only 1k. Dirty as hell again. Now, I've put Penrite HPR Diesel 5 in, as I couldn't find the Mobil Delvac I wanted. Why? Diesel oil has higher quantity of detergents added & I'm still not happy knowing the engine is so dirty even though I always run 98RON (have to in this). I plan to leave it in for 3-4k. Drop it & expect to see the nastiest crap ever! Then I may use a 10W40 & leave it for 8k. Regular oil changes under this is not warranted with fully Synth oil. There are those who change oil out every k. Rediculous! Race oils are not better btw. They have different properties, mostly unfit for everyday road use. They contain more anti-wear additives (zinc/moly) for the high heat/stresses encountered with racing BUT, fewer detergents! Why? They get changed often so, the detergents needed for long-drain intervals for street use & marketing isn't important for racing. Lub is!

Having siad this. If dino's your thing. Cool. Just change oil regularly. I choose to use a good quality dino oil in my wife's VY 6 Comydoor & just change it regularly. 8k. No point in an expensive Synth oil if your not driving it hard/towing long trips & expecting it to last for 14k mileage etc. These synth oils have very flexible molecular chains that endure heat stress for way longer than the dino oils, which also helps them achieve the flexible 5w/10w40-50 properties, without the need for much more "polymer additives" as is needed with the dino oils. Their molecules are able to stretch more allowing them to achieve these greater viscosity ranges with little poly additive.

[Mad Mat]

Hav u runacan of that subaru carbon cleaner thru it too??? That helps heaps.. Supose to do it every 10k

[Mad Mat]

Btw that was my 4500 post haha

[NaughtyGT]

Originally Posted by Mad Mat

Hav u runacan of that subaru carbon cleaner thru it too??? That helps heaps.. Supose to do it every 10k

Ha Mat. Read into that yesterday. Just need the time to pull the TMIC off to get to the TB. Or I can spray it through a sensor plug hole on manifold? It's pretty harsh stuff I heard. Need to see first if it was done last service. I know where it was serviced so, will contact them first

Need to do it just before you drop the oil too. I want this diesel oil in for a bit of a haul this time. Getting expensive lol....

[NaughtyGT]

Originally Posted by Mad Mat

Btw that was my 4500 post haha

4501 now, didn't last long haha. Editied the long post too. It seems to be Mobil 1 some of the Sooby guyz hate. Some luv it. Due to the high detergent properties......I only mention it as it's so expensive & you need to know what to expect to save a shock soon after

I remember pulling into a tyre service department in Wagga NSW to check oils/fluids in wifeys Commodore on the way back from picking it up from Sydney. Guy wondered why oil was so dirty? Well, I knew for a fact the car had had so many service intervals it was rediculous. That engine is clean as. Runs great. Burns no oil.Hows this for a laugh. The guy, I know he was only trying to help but, he also told me that the engine oil capacity should be 3.8L. Was amazed how it had nearly 2litres more?.....hahahahaha.....the friggin ecotec V6 commies hold 5.5L. He worried the crap outta me @ the time. I can laugh now. He was talking about the CC 3800 hehe..........