gunat

Hi GTAM I used to own a series 1 (1990) Miata 1.6 when i was in the US. Have to say its one of the best cars i've had to date- not fast enough to get into trouble, but a perfect chassis and engine. Its a car that will teach the art of driving a rear wheel setup with skill and finesse. Generally, its a very entertaining car and relatively cheap to maintain. Although i'm not sure how easy it would be to do so here in SL. Good luck!

Indeed. One thing though- the GT does not have VVT-Li but VVT....it was the FIRST time toyota took a stab at variable valve timing...in this applicatoin the cam changed in degree only. The more recent models (post 2001) have VVT-Li...

Since we're talking about the newer shape RS now, i guess i can add a bit here. The guy whom i bought the GT from actually bought a RS next (1.7litre) and right from the start he said it was no match for the Carina.... Logically, 122bhp vs. 165 would definitely show. Eventually he sold off the car, wishing he had kept the GT... I drove that RS...and in the power department, its nothing much (i'm talking about stock form)- but handling wise, was streets ahead. One thing i did notice in that particular car though, was that the rear was unnaturally stiff and over-active, and on uneven surfaces (at speed) did not inspire much confidence. I could tell that ride was a bit unsettling- especially for whomever sat in the rear. This could be put down to tires/alloys (they were not OEM), and i've not heard this from others with the similar car. Does the RS have the same suspension as the standard JDM civic? The GT sits 15mm lower than the standard Carina, and also has a completely different rear suspension, owing to the rear disc brakes etc. While it does ride lower, the shocks are the same factory shocks that are in the diesel Carina (!!!!), but the springs are shorter and stiffer. As i said before, its quite a comfortable car, even with 16" low profiles. Power: 'nuff 'sed To quote isurujosh- time to make a decision! Good luck!

Hi Don Thing about rims is that, theoretically any rim will fit- but there is also the dependency of the width of the rim (so that it does not rub the inner fender). Most upsized rims come in 6.5" to 7"- the tyre bible calculator takes that to account (you must read the whole document). Tyre profiles must essentially fit the rim so that the rolling radius of the wheel does not change, thereby not messing up your speedometer/odometer. So if you have say, 14" wheels right now, you have to figure out the tyre width/profile combo for a 15" upgrade that would be consistent with the 14" rolling radius ratio. So best thing to do is to play around with the calculater to figure out whats right...

Don, Look to the sticker on the door jamb of the drivers side- there should be in some legible format, what looks like factory tire sizes for the car. Once you have that number, you can use the tyre bible calculator to figure out the upsize profile. http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible.html good luck

if it was low mileage (<60,000), i'd say 2.2-2.4 might be ok...2.5 to me sounds a bit on the high side, especially for a car closing to 100k...even if its a new plate AT212. but, we're talking about a car that was last produced in 2000....thats 6+ years to date. I suppose some can say the same for the ViRs, which follows a bodyshell that stretches back to the mid-90's...but has recreated itself a few times...

Cheers Sharkster... In which case, the thread speaks for itself... Good luck making the decision JD! (Subliminal message : GT! GT! GT!)

Just re-read the post again guys. Missed that this was an AUTO C-GT... Don't touch it! The auto box saps the 4AGE of any valuable power! I drove one a year or two back, and it was a totally different car....like an anaemic has-been racehorse...you'll waste your money. But if we're taking about dragging/performance, i really can't see the point of bringing automatics into the fray- toyota, honda or otherwise...

Hey guys., just read this now....so yeah...i'll give my (very biased) 2 cents. I've driven the ViRS and between that and the GT, on a day to day basis, i'll give thumbs up to the GT. Its far more comfortable and useable. It is however, a bigger/heavier car...which explains why- but that also means its no spring chicken when it comes to handling...and thats where the ViRs has the upper hand. In summary: Dyno'd tests for the stock 4AGE have been read at 162 bhp (close to the factory 165) so 170bhp is either a modified or overstated statistic. Fuel Consumption: City 7.5 (at best) Outstation 10-11 (at best) 5 speed (AT210) and 6 Speed (AT212)- here's an interesting tidbit, while the 6 speed sounds 'cooler' the overdrive is STILL 5th! And the remaining gears ratio are the same as the 5speed box. Rumour has it that the 6speed just gave the ageing model 'bling' factor. Repairs. I have to (apolgetically) retract my statement that the engine needs rebuilding around 100k. Nadheera J. just finished rebuilding/P&P my engine, when it had done 135k. When he opened it up, he said it was good for another 20-30k, which says a lot more for longivity of the engine. A unmolested car could probably last well past 150k. HOWEVER, cars that have been thrashed uncomprimisingly may be different. The 4AGE block is an iron block, which does make it a lot more tolerent of abuse (Google: Formula Atlantic Toyota 4AGE)…I believe Civic blocks are aluminium? Parts- No problem. To my surprise, Toyota Lanka had all the necessary parts for the rebuild readily available- and they deliver to your doorstep! The guys there are very competent and have all that you need. So far, I find them very honest agents- which is not what I've heard of st*f*rd (someone do correct me, though) What's not-so cool is the cost! My entire rebuild, parts and labour, tipped the scale over 100k but I decided to replace some other parts while I was at it- I figured I'd make it the closest to new as possible. Dragging- I don't drag, but I've had 2 occasions to toss up with a ViRs and an RS; both times I was able to hold my own, but then again…this is unmodified vs. unmodified. I once foolishly tried to give a modified C-TR a run, who chuffed me completely, but I'm happy to say I was on his bumper for most of the run…, before the turns came! My advice: Go for the ViRs if its out&out dragging/performance you want- the available mods are far more extensive than for the 4AGE Go for the GT if you want a 50/50 deal between practicality and performance- it does make a good family car too (not that I can attest to that! But i can always load up 4 passengers w/o issue). It is also far more anonymous (looks like any other carina, save for the rear wing….which is something I prefer) Value wise, I can't say which is more worth it. It seems like the values just keep going up and up because of the rising taxes on importing cars... Add to what Pila, Max and IsuruJosh have stated (thanks guys)

Well, simple physics would definitely state that the ride should get harder, just because there's less rubber between the road and the rim. Having said that, i just upgraded from 14" to 16", and surprisingly my ride improved slightly...which i can only attest to the tires. Something to be said about spending a little extra on a well known brand. Although, there's no doubt in my mind that my suspension is working harder to keep everything in check. As most have elaborated in this thread, size and wieght of the car play an important part, but i think correct maintenence of the tire also contributes to a good ride...

Also, just have a closer look at your Disc Rotors- in some rare cases, the rotors can crack, leaving hairline undulations on the rotor...which logically creates more friction than normal. good luck

ideally, you need someone who can do mandrel bends for your header (keeps the equal length as you bend the pipes)- and as far as i know, there isn't anyone who can explicitly do this with quality in mind. http://www.se-r.net/header_exhaust/mandrel_crush_bends.htm I'd recommend sticking to your stock Header and get a really good SS exhaust system- i think most of the SL car specialists would say the same, since the techonology to do headers in SL is almost non-existent. Good luck

Yep, thats thats right- it does have a higher compression ratio. But the same (except for the pinging) applies to the other vehicles i have owned....

I'm not aware if there is a distinct difference between IOC and Ceypetco Fuel- but it would make sense that they come from the same refineries. However, given that earlier thread regarding the water-in-petrol incident which ruined a certain mazda, i only pump at Laughs or ceypetco. And there is a definite difference between 90 and 95- the few times i've had to pump 90 when 95 was unavailable- there is a definite loss of power, the engine 'pings' in low rpm, and has a rougher idle/running. As for sulphur contents in petrol- this is a high selling point for more environmentally friendly fuel; the lower the sulphur content, the better. But as far as effects on the engine, its negligible as it is burnt to become Sulphur Dioxide emissions (key ingredient in acid rain).

Don, Isuru Have to say not all agents are the same- granted, there are some agents with dubious intents...but again, the point was to specifically start conversation like this- to find the best options, given the limited choice... Having said that, i'll go out on a limb and say yes, Agents DO tend to charge higher prices- but in my case, i'm ensured of genuine parts (legally speaking too) PLUS these guys actually deliver to my doorstep!!! Maybe its because i'm spending quite a packet, but thats still quite the added bonus. Good luck for the parts hunt...

Hey Guys, Just want to put this up as a warning, more than anything. I just made the order for an engine overhaul kit for my car, including bearings, rings, and mounts. To my surprise, with all the ancilliaries, Toyota Lanka has quoted me ~50k for everything. I was relating this to the previous owner of the car, who had also got engine mounts a year before i bought the car from him. He went thru an aftermarket parts dealer, who charged the poor bloke 40k for just the mounts! (Shipping and parts prices was his justification). Note that this was back in 2002, which means in 2006 currency, its probably the same as charging 60k for parts worth 20k! Granted, back in 2002 Toyota Lanka had not really got its act together for spare parts dealings, but i still can't see the math on charging such a rogue amount! This might be the same as kicking a dead horse, but make sure you do ALL the price research before buying spare parts for your cars-starting with the agents. They have the database to match your car right down to the bolt, so you can't go wrong. Good luck.

Great post guys- i was also looking for the recommended painters out there. Don't know a lot about paints, but without a doubt, cars finished in a booth have a infinitely better finish...the 'oven' ensures that the paint hardens before being subjected to external atmospheric hazards... Good luck..

Quick Question: Did you find these Tyres in SL? Kumho Ecsta's are pretty good- a friends s2000 has these on the rear- he's been really happy... Note: Goodyear F1's are NOT as good in the dry and they LOOK. Granted they have that cool directional tread, but traction is really not that great, as i've been told by one of our (professional) Racing fellas... Hope you found a good deal!

Hey Pila, Yes, It was an expensive decision- but hopefully a good one. I spent a longer time looking for Alloys- finally decided to get new alloys- Darwin Racing (i believe they had a stall at the recent auto show). Very light, and they have japanese type approval (JSA). It was a painful process, since the GT has a 5 stud 100 pcd set up- thus very few rims are available....one of which is the gold WRX 5 spokes, which i happen to find at a certain shop in Slave island.... Having trouble uploading the pic...

Sorry...forgot to tell you how much... I got a good deal, but i guess the going market price is 12.75K-13k...so not exactly cheap, but worth every rupee...the price was just a few hundred off from the ES100s I did look around- BG, Dunlop, Pirelli....non of which came in this size. Have to admit that if i found the Potenza's in my size before the Yokos, i would have got them straight away.... For those of you looking to go to profiles lower than 55 a word of caution- it would be worthwhile to invest in a mechanical tyre pressure gauge (more accurate), and check every other day. With our roads and conditions, the tyres must be kept in check more often than higher profiles- else you end up wrecking the radial wires by riding on low pressure!

Well, Pila...here's that review you were waiting to hear... I just upgraded from Turanza 14"s (195/60) on my Carina GT to 16" Yoko C-drives (205/45)- i was originally going for ES100s, but apart from them being phazed out of production (replacement: S-drive), i could not find the right size. (Note: I used the "Tyre Bible" website to make sure i was maintaining the correct rolling radius)....So C-drive it had to be. This is Yoko's high performance asymmetric tire (not directional)- excellent Handling complemented by low noise and comfort. So, here's the shocker.....after going from 14" to 16", i expected a rock hard ride (45 profile, at that)....but the ride actually IMPROVED! I'm still checking myself time and again, but the Yoko's have been a fantastic upgrade.... Add bulletproof wet and dry traction, i'm totally happy. I'm a convert! BG might be good, but there's no doubting that the Yokos are better... So there's my 10 cents: Yokos! Good luck....

Yeah, as Velocity said, while it was great to actually have an event organized, the amount of effort put into making it a spectator sport was minimal- a little bit of extra work to make the spectators more comfortable would have gone a long way to ensure that people will come again....but anyways.... One good thing about being at the grandstand was the action at the gooseneck was first hand...! Sajad Zuhair was literally taking his Civic by neck and shaking the cr*p out of it...! Some superb driving there... The Formula collision was pretty spectacular, with one car going partially airbone at least 4 feet high before taking out a few barrier tires.... There was also a mini spinout....just before the backstraight...that driver must have lost a few years in the moment he saw 4 other cars heading straight for him! Looking forward to the next round, where we're likely to see Dinesh J join the supercar fray in the Evo...should be fun!

Fuzzo, Did you pump 90 or 95? Its a curiousity question, because i know my old man gets 95 from there, and i've noticed that his jeep is not as smooth as it used to be.... v

Unfortunately for the spectators, DJ is out of the country for the next 2 weeks...so we'll have to wait for the next round to enjoy a spirited Supercar event!

For the Civic Boys... honda 3 door- autoexpress I'd be curious if the 1.4 would make it to SL... Oh and, rumour has it that from next month, the duty on second hand (so called "reconditioned") cars will be only 2% less than that for a new car. Plus the stamp duty to transfer car ownership will be 40k across the board- that is first owner to second, second to third, etc, etc...