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Location:
Melbourne, VIC
Registered:
May 2002
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 Stock RA60 ideas - anyone?
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Mon, 05 August 2002 10:34
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Well the header says it all. Unfortunately I can't do an engine conversion but I would like the car to have a bit more go.
It hasn't been serviced since I got it a few months ago so i'll take care of that soon. I replaced the distributer cap and leads a while ago, also the spark plugs are fine.
So can anyone suggest some good value-for-money changes?
I've looked through past posts and it sounds like extractors+exhaust might be a good idea? But then again some seem to think it's money wasted, 21rc afterall.
I welcome your honest opinions suggestions etc etc.
thanks.
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Stock RA60 ideas - anyone?
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Mon, 05 August 2002 10:48
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I believe it's money wasted - and this is coming from experience. I used to have slow old cars which I spent money on in an attempt to make them fast. The result was a slightly less slow old car. The moral of the story is you can't polish a turd. 
Consider this: you can probably spend $2-3k on that engine and still get beaten by bog-stock V6 Commodores. Worth it? You decide!
Having said that, a free-flowing exhaust in conjunction with heaps of ignition advance and high-octane fuel (eg Optimax) should be good for a few hp.
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Location:
Tasmania
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Stock RA60 ideas - anyone?
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Mon, 05 August 2002 11:31
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I would surgest get some good shocks, new urathane bushes if needed. Just keep the car good and original, whatever is needed. Save money, do resurch. Be patient, learn your car. Forget the drags, drive through the twisty roads. Learn to drive. Go for a drift, all by yourself, in the gravel, the wet whatever. Practice handbrake U-turns. Save money. Don't waste money on wheels and speakers. Repair drift damage.
Then get a 18R-GUE, or even a 3T-GTE. Whack it in and drive it till it breaks. Then pull the motor out, strip it down. Lovingly pollish every part till it glows. Reassemble with the most care, and make a car your proud off.
Then go for a good drive, drag even. But use your previously gained skills to save the car from impact.
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Stock RA60 ideas - anyone?
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Mon, 05 August 2002 11:41
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Sound advice.
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Location:
Melbourne, VIC
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Stock RA60 ideas - anyone?
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Mon, 05 August 2002 11:53
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Hey Jonny thanks for the advice. Think I might send that to a coupla mates in a similair situation, we're all still on our L's.
Sorry to say I've already gone and got the schmick wheels tho 
As far as driving goes we've headed out on quite a few twisty trips now, trying to get some good experience before we are out there on our own. Im not really fussed with speed or drags (if I was i dont think i'd have bought the RA60) but even for fun round the corners the standard engine is lacking a bit sometimes. It'd just be nice to have a bit more, because like I said I really dont think a conversion is gonna happen.
The car's in pretty nice condition and gets treated like a Queen so hopefull that'll stop me wrapping it 'round a tree.
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Location:
Montrose, VIC
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Stock RA60 ideas - anyone?
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Mon, 05 August 2002 12:46
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Good point there - all us young'uns could learn more about driving, so keep it in good order (don't let it kill you becuase you didn't replace a leaking brake hose or similiar), but don't extend the budget too much until you've had a bit of time with it. That way if you DO happen to tip it on its lid one night, so long as nobody's hurt, then really speaking who cares? The number of us young fellas (and the girls!) that couldn't drive a slice into a toaster is beyond alarming - so don't become one!
But don't forget the cheap-arse stuff like playing with the air intake, ignition, swapping stuff on the carb, etc. to try and get a BIT more zip and learn something at the same time.
If in time you get the patience (and money!) you could either try rebuilding an engine, dropping in a conversion, or maybe start with a completely different car. One thing to remember is that once you've done one, the disease often bites, and you seem to continually want to do more...
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Location:
Cabramatta, NSW
Registered:
May 2002
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 Re: Stock RA60 ideas - anyone?
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Mon, 05 August 2002 23:41
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| Dragunov_RA60 wrote on Mon, 05 August 2002 9:53 PM |
but even for fun round the corners the standard engine is lacking a bit sometimes
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A slow engine will make you a better driver much more quickly. You have to learn how to eek every small bit of speed from the car. You have to learn to keep your revs up and push your tyres to their limits.
With a powerful engine, you get lazy and don't concentrate on getting the small things right 'coz you know that you can rely on the engine to pull you out of small mistakes.
As for making your car go faster, as was said before, suspension is the key.
If you're out to save a bit of money and want to go faster, start stipping stuff off the car.... 
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Location:
Montrose, VIC
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Stock RA60 ideas - anyone?
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Mon, 05 August 2002 23:53
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Exactly! Why have more power when you can have less weight 
I discovered a stock 2tc-ta22 can go kinda hard once you rip the bonnet, guards, bumpers, widows, doors, interior, exhaust, and anything else you can find off and toss them away. Not recommended for anything other than a paddock car though!
But yeah, this is right - a ballsless lump can help your driving no end. Just ask my poor old 4k ke55 what it thinks of its continual treatment  Thing is, it just keeps coming back for more... time and time again 
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Stock RA60 ideas - anyone?
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Tue, 06 August 2002 00:38
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The best thing I've ever done for my car is the other week. We got the vacuum advance working again...thats a good thing.
They we wound the ignition timing to just over 10 (over twice factory  ) then we checked it to make sure no pinging. There is probably more room for advancing seeing as the car only gets a diet of Ultimate 98...bit then I'm just happy with it doing what its supposed to when its supposed to and just generally feeling more lively.
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Location:
Melbourne, VIC
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Stock RA60 ideas - anyone?
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Tue, 06 August 2002 05:22
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By advancing the timing and running it on high octane juice is there any downsides? Fuel Econonmy? Engine wear?
thanks
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Stock RA60 ideas - anyone?
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Tue, 06 August 2002 08:03
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No downsides as long as you don't go overboard. If the engine pings, back it off straight away! Pinging can cause major engine damage.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Stock RA60 ideas - anyone?
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Tue, 06 August 2002 08:09
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Yeah, I havent noticed any adverse effects, I think its still within a buffer zone in the case of my car too.
Norbie, do you still have ICQ?
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