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I supported Toymods
Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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croydon auto - what are they like?
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Tue, 06 May 2003 06:53
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I've just put my car in to croydon auto for a tune and to have a few things fixed.
Microtec recommended them, and I didn't know what to expect.
when I got there and found an R34 on the dyno, and my car being one of the slowest out of more than 20, I knew I was in the right place.
They seem a bit pricey, but also very, very good
Except that they broke my car within 5 minutes of being there (somehow it wouldn't start ... but that's their problem  )
has anyone hear much about these guys? (except that I'm looking at $300 - $550 for a dyno tune  )
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Location:
Inside a giant turbo (syd...
Registered:
June 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Tue, 06 May 2003 06:57
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Ive taken my car there for a tune, they are nice guys, great service, but well very exspensive, but i suppose you pay for it?
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Tue, 06 May 2003 07:03
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I got the impression that everyone else who was taking their cars there ahd a *lot* more money floating around than me
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Toymods Board Member
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Tue, 06 May 2003 07:19
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yes... money talks there
but expensive doesnt always mean quality
PM me if you want more details
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Tue, 06 May 2003 11:33
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yeah
main reason I went there was because I'd heard good things about their microtech knoledge.. and not many people are microtech experts.
I just dont enjoy signing over $1000 for a simple dyno tune and fixing a few simple problems
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Location:
Inside a giant turbo (syd...
Registered:
June 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Tue, 06 May 2003 15:57
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We are talking about the croydon in silverwater?
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Tue, 06 May 2003 19:22
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yeps
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Location:
Cabramatta, NSW
Registered:
May 2002
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 Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Tue, 06 May 2003 23:37
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My experience with them was about the worst I've ever had from mechanics (and that's saying something!).
I dropped my car in to get my turbo timer installed (I can't read Japanese so I couldn't do it myself). I was told that it'd take 2 hours so I rock back up at 12:30 and my car had been untouched.
So I had to wait around for a junior technician to install it.
And this is the clincher. While I was waiting, the guy stops the job half way and goes and eats his lunch! All the while I'm waiting.
Never going back there again.
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Toymods Board Member
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Wed, 07 May 2003 01:08
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| bloody_huge23 wrote on Tue, 06 May 2003 19:58 |
Anyway DANNY what are you getting at?
Did something happen with your GT4??
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no major dramas... just overpriced for what you get
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Location:
Parramatta
Registered:
July 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Wed, 07 May 2003 02:46
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as far as i hear croyden breake more then they fix they try to get too much out of ur motor IE dyno tune it till it blows.... when they get it right sure it goes good, but for how long!? have had some mates with bad experances.... therefore i dont like them
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Location:
NSW
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Wed, 07 May 2003 05:30
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Greg,
$300-$550 for a microtech tune?!?! You must be fuggin joking!!! Oh, thats rite, they also charge $900+ for a Motec tune!!!
The guy that did my car, had it on the dyno for a absolute max of 4 hours (+ another 2 for the cam gears), and i cant say enough about his ability or the price.......i was 110% happy with both!
But i spose what comes with a name, comes with a price.....
This no way intended as an attack on CRD, from everyone i have spoken to about their work, they do an excellent job, and it showed in the engine bay......
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Wed, 07 May 2003 06:04
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well shit
bit of a bummer it's too late to go in and change my mind hey?
you're right about them breaking stuff tho.
the guy hooked up a readout to the microtech, and as I was leaving they couldn't get the car to turn over *GGRRR*!
ah well... if they do a good tune on it I'll be happy, and not be too unfussed about the price
it's the other stuff they'll probably charge me for (coolant leak and vacuum hose setup)
if they charge me for the time it takes them to get it started through their own stupidity, I'm firebombing the place 
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Wed, 07 May 2003 06:06
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if they break something while it's there, are they liable?
or is it just assumed most businesses will want to fix it to keep up their reputation?
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Location:
North Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Wed, 07 May 2003 09:51
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$300-$400 is reasonable for a tune from base map to full tune.
With the laptop software though it should only take about 3hours to do absolutley everything, and there are ofcourse things that can't be done to full extent on the dyno.
It's why we need to all pitch in for a Wide Band O2 Sensor hey??????? Cmon guys!!
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Wed, 07 May 2003 13:32
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it's not the $500 for the tune I'm worried about.. I'm perfectly happy to pay that for a good tune (which I expect considering they apparently know microtechs and 1jzs)
I'll be happy as long as
1. it's a good job
2. the other bits (coolant leak, vacuum hose probs) dont cost load
3. they dont charge me for my car mysteriously not working once they'd attached the hand controller to it.
I should (fingers crossed) be picking it up tomorrow.. so I'll give my educated opinion then
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I supported Toymods
Location:
fairfield NSW
Registered:
January 2003
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Thu, 08 May 2003 05:15
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it's ready
actually, it was ready yesterday, but they couldn't get through to me (actually, I think they couldn't read my handwriting to get my number  )
so yeah, was a 1-day service/tune, $720 (which I thought was ok).
I'll give the verdict on everything else when I actually get the car back
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Thu, 08 May 2003 07:06
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final report: $780 for:
* a full tune - $500
* radiator flush & fill using my radiator fluid - $120
* 6 new spark plugs + install - $90!!!!
* new coolant hose - $10
* radiator pressure test - $60
I'm not unhappy. the idle is really high ... I'll have to see if I can adjust the cold start idle on the microtech up a bit, and the throttle idle down a bit
Final dyno result: 183.2 RWKW
I'm pretty damn happy with that, considering it's a bone stock 1jz-gte, with a 3" exhaust
how does that power figure sound to everyone else?
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Location:
Cabramatta, NSW
Registered:
May 2002
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 Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Thu, 08 May 2003 07:11
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I've heard of some pretty "interesting" dyno readings from the CAS dyno... Just wait till Dyno Day 7 and the truth will be told.
Glad you're happy with it dude.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Location:
North Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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 Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Thu, 08 May 2003 07:29
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That's some dammn healthy POWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hahahahahaha, slap on a Microtech and away you go, shit on alot of other modded 1jz's easily! I love it!!!!
Death to the factory ECU, burn it, burn it 
CAS's dyno it quite reasonable in terms of power output. My 7mgte put out 125rwkw with only the microtech and pod filter in the early days, its quite an even dyno. I know a few ppl who go between CAS and Rigoli and it is fair.
6hours to install the microtech on a 1j, pretty healthy to me
I bet she flies now!
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Thu, 08 May 2003 08:12
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good to hear it's even.... maybe
comparison o the same dyno is always the buest way tho
many thanks paul... couldn't have done it without you!
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Thu, 08 May 2003 08:23
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Don't care what the peak power is like? Whats it like to drive? It must be like sun and moon compared to having it run in limp mode.
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Location:
NSW
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Thu, 08 May 2003 08:25
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i have it on DAMN GOOD AUTHORITY, that CAS dyno will read a bit over 50rwhp ABOVE the dyno i got mine tuned on.........
You figure it out
PS, BD4's is higher than that again!!!!
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Thu, 08 May 2003 09:03
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ah well, we can find out at the dyno day hey phil?
I've no doubt you'll trash me
it drives.... differently
much better than limp mode, and a LOT better than when the microtech wasn't tuned.
it's pretty similar to when I had the manual ecu in tho. More responsive, better power delivery, but to be honest it doesn't particularly feel much faster.
Of course, I've been driving XR6's and civics for the past week, so I wouldn't be able to tell, except that it's a lot faster than either of them
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Toymods Board Member
I supported Toymods
Location:
Turramurra, Sydney.
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Thu, 08 May 2003 09:04
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My personal experience is that they are a bunch of ripoff merchants who have no time for the budget builder.
Before I had my engine conversion engineered I took it to Croydon Rortosports to have it tuned up a bit, & at this time I had the old Microtech D5, the one with the nasty little trimpot adjustments (this was almost 3 years ago). So they mess around with it for a while, saying they can't get something with the ignition right as it's a fuel only computer (hmmm, it was running alright for a while in the old car), then investigaed a mechanical dizzy conversion until finally telling me the only fix is a new Microtech MT-8, and give it back to me worse than how I brought it in & charged me $350!
So, being young & dumb, I got them to install & tune a new MT-8, for which they charged me $1800! So it was running much better now, but I take it for an emissions test & it failed to the extreme! So I took it to a place in Hornsby, alot closer to me, & they got the emissions passable & it ran much better, smoother & noticably more power everywhere.
So my personal opinion is that Croydon never tuned it at all & just left the factory Microtech maps in it.
$1800 to supply & fit a new microtech? And not even do a neat job of it?
Don't I feel rorted.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Thu, 08 May 2003 09:06
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I think they've improved since then
the guy I spoke to was their "microtech specialist" or some such
he obviously knew his shit, even if he did leave me with an idle of about 1000rpm
on a side note tho, it wouldn't have been possible for them to give it back to me worse tuned than it was.. paul will vouch for how far out it was
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Location:
North Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Thu, 08 May 2003 11:11
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I think the guy Greg had bought the Microtech off had played with the maps or someone at some point has done so.
Microtech base maps are usually very good just not aggressive on ignition timing and about 20% too rich to stop moron's driving the car with it pinging off its titts and blameing Mtech for a blown engine.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Thu, 08 May 2003 11:50
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just had another opinion on the croydon dyno
they agreed with phil... about 20-30 rwkw off
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I supported Toymods
Location:
I renounced punctuation
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Thu, 08 May 2003 12:12
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Don't get too excited about rwkW, Draven. It's not like it's an SI unit or anything. Many operators would have you believing a 5ME could roll 500rwkW!
The most important thing is that the fuel and ignition maps are optimal. The only number that's important after that is a quarter mile or lap time.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
June 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Thu, 08 May 2003 14:27
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Operaters can easily play with dyno figures.
I saw a stock RAV 4 make 247KW @ all 4's on Croydon's Dyno
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Location:
Lost in the K hole
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Thu, 08 May 2003 15:07
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| gianttomato wrote on Thu, 08 May 2003 22:12 |
Many operators would have you believing a 5ME could roll 500rwkW!
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OI BITCH!!
that said, i know people love seeing hp figures, but boy do you guys come across as dyno queens occasionally
how about 'how drivable is it' ??? you often hear guys talk about how they pulled 418rwhp, but they never talk about how inmpossible it is to get that power to ground. or how easy it is to fuck up... ie supragte's accident (not having a go paul, just saying how sometimes power has a practical limit - unless youre sole intention is to spin the rollers)
cheers
ed
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Fri, 09 May 2003 01:33
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| GEE120 wrote on Fri, 09 May 2003 00:27 |
Operaters can easily play with dyno figures.
I saw a stock RAV 4 make 247KW @ all 4's on Croydon's Dyno
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err..  yeah toyota forgot to mention their rav 4s run NAWS straight from the factory... or at least that is what croydon said
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Fri, 09 May 2003 05:59
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that's why I wanted to be there for the tuning... see it all happen (and more improtantly, learn how to program the mtech)
as I said though, doesn't really feel much different on the street to the manual ecu
bit of a better launch, noticably better above 5500rpm
but otherwise similar
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Location:
North Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Sun, 11 May 2003 02:30
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Draven , If the CRD dyno was 20 to 30 rwkw out then you are right on the money, you are probabbly making about 11 or 12 psi of boost anyway with a 3 inch system. With my twin 2.5 inch system i am making .76 bar as a minimum atm with no other mods.
i would expect a 1j with your mods to make about 160 odd rwkw on the toymods dyno.
get your front pipes done and turn the wick up to SETTLE on 1 barr and you should make a genuine 200rwkw.
There is very little advantage to replacing the factory computer besides ease of extreme modification (injector impedence etc).
However the unfortunate thing is that i would not assume that your computer has been mapped safely for 1 barr seeing as it was tuned at lower boost. Unlike the factory computer which has proven to be able to safely support "LOTS" of boost with no modification. It may need to be mapped for the higher boost.
Matt
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Sun, 11 May 2003 02:35
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that's ok
I'm planning on saving for a while, doing all the major mods in 1 go, then getting a re-tune
major mods being turbo, fmic, injectors, fuel pump.
at the moment I'm too busy picking through the mess of wiring in there
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Sun, 11 May 2003 10:30
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just as an additional...
my wheel diameter (and hence circumference) is slightly larger than standard. this should produce a slightly lower rwkw output shoulsn't it?
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Sun, 11 May 2003 11:23
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RWKW is just that, its the kw you put to the road, so no allowances for wheel diameter.
In a DYno comp anyway, otherwise gearing and stuff has more effect wheel diamter makes much less difference.
Matt
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Sun, 11 May 2003 11:26
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How can that be the case? Wheel circumference has an effect on the overall gearing of a car, this is the reason it is used in every gearing calculator I've used.
Therefore it must make a difference.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Sun, 11 May 2003 11:49
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that's what I was thinking frank.
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Sun, 11 May 2003 12:13
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I never said it makes no difference, only that in a dyno comp there is no allowance for it. And that a gearing diffeeerence between cars is going to have a far greater effect. Seeing as 4th gear (usually used for a dyno test in a manual, 3rd for the auto) is supposed to be the "closest" to 1:1, and not usually exactly.
It would depend on the profile of the tyres as well as a higher profile tyre will "balloon" a lot more than a low profile tyre.
perhapps at 170 km/h, the rolling diameter of you wheel combo is not that much different.
I am not trying to start an argument here, or belittle your output Draven, you are making good numbers, only atmo celica drivers need to stuff around thinking about tyre diameters etc. to make that extra 5% (4hp - hehe)and besides you drive a 1j Supra and therefore automatically a legend with a fast car.
Matt
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Toymods Social Secretary
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
July 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Sun, 11 May 2003 14:36
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ohh POO to you and your comments yojimbo!
i agree - rolling diameter isnt something that would really make a huge % difference in the RWKW of a 1J
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Sun, 11 May 2003 19:34
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no no, that's cool matt
I'm not trying to boost my figures
just considering how unlikely it is that effectively my car is making *over* 183rwkw
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I supported Toymods
Location:
I renounced punctuation
Registered:
May 2002
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Mon, 12 May 2003 13:01
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I realise this GT
but they are (or should be) reasonably close to each other.
and yes, at a dyno day they provide hours of entertainment and comparing of dick sizes
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I supported Toymods
Banned User
Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Mon, 12 May 2003 13:25
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| draven wrote on Mon, 12 May 2003 23:01 |
and yes, at a dyno day they provide hours of entertainment and comparing of dick sizes
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3 inches is all you need 
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
July 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Tue, 13 May 2003 04:58
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| draven wrote on Mon, 12 May 2003 23:01 |
and yes, at a dyno day they provide hours of entertainment and comparing of dick sizes
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I was asked last dyno day by girlfriend and mother "Why do you need to do this dyno thing?"
"Its a dick thing, you wouldn't understand"
Don't forget, its also a good day to meet everyone and see if they really were just talking shit!
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Toymods Social Secretary
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
July 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Tue, 13 May 2003 05:04
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or to prove that there are in fact toyotas out there who can produce LESS THAN 30rwKW!!!
yes i totally agree. rwKW is a figure that should only be used for tuning purposes or for comparison only on dyno days where we are playing on a *more* level playing field.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Tue, 13 May 2003 05:20
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you're right pete, it is a dick thing.
well, I know one or 2 girls who understand.
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
July 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Tue, 13 May 2003 05:26
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Same as the answer to "Why do you need all that power for anyway??"
"Its a dick thing"
One thing that I LOVE about the toymods crowd is that its not so much a dick thing, more of a "car tinkering" thing. The people that win don't have big heads, and the people with less power never get laughed at. They get encouraged.
Group hug!!
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Tue, 13 May 2003 05:29
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(all teary eyed)
I love you man!
my reason is half half half
half I want something really fast for the fun value
half I want to be able to spank most other things out there
half ... I just want to keep improving it till it cant get any better (or I run out of money)
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Sydney
Registered:
June 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Tue, 13 May 2003 07:09
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| HKSPete wrote on Tue, 13 May 2003 15:26 |
They get encouraged.
Group hug!!
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No hugs for you Pete, i dont trust you. Youll go for my a$$
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Location:
Sydney
Registered:
July 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Tue, 13 May 2003 07:15
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You were giggling like a girl so much, for a seccond I thought you WERE a girl. Then I saw the beard ...
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Epping, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: croydon auto - what are they like?
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Tue, 13 May 2003 07:28
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lucky I shaved mine
now you'll never know.
I like a multi-cultural man
russian hands and roman fingers *grins*
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