FTO Drivers Club, Western Australia

[guest 2]

I am after some advice from those who would know... I am probably going to be asking some very stupid questions so please bear with me..

I am wanting or rather considering buying an FTO hopefully it will be a GPX or a GP-R (very hard to find ) but what I am coming up against is that the cars are tiptronic which from what I can gather is like an auto box can this be changed out to a 5speed manual with little fuss or is it a fairly involved process like having to add a clutch and fittings or is it already there - basicly can someone explain to me about tipronic

Also is there anything in particular that I should be aware of when looking for an FTO as mechanical wear and abuse

Another newbie Q for you is at what RPM point does the mivec kick in at and how driveable is the car in low speeds say around 10klm - 30klm is it always looking to race on or can it be a cruisey car with out any lurching

What results in terms of gains can be made for modifying these cars not nessicarily in h.p figures but in torque as well

thanks in advance for any and all info that you guys can give me

[RichardH]

> the cars are tiptronic

You can certainly buy manual ones... There were one or two in the paper this week here in Perth. They aren't that difficult to find. FAR easier than buying a tiptronic and immediately converting it!

> or is it a fairly involved process

Not insanely hard, but really only something to do if your tip box explodes, and you would rather put the money towards replacing it with a manual box.

> Also is there anything in particular that I should be aware of
> when looking for an FTO as mechanical wear and abuse

Standard shocks will, by now, be dead... especially for '94 or '95 models.

Here's the "standard list" off the top of my head... Knocking rear droplinks make a sound as if something is loose in the boot, indicating replacement required. The original factory central locking motors don't last, and often need replacing. The original factory idle speed controller (stepper motor) doesn't last - but don't be surprised if it's been replaced already.

Egine is rock-solid, as long as it's been looked after.

> at what RPM point does the mivec kick in

5400rpm.

> at and how driveable is the car in low speeds

Very. It's just like a normal car, and it utterly docile cruising around town. But rev it up and it pulls right to the 8000rpm redline.

> What results in terms of gains can be made for
> modifying these cars

Nothing spectacular. They are pretty highly tuned to begin with. The most important thing to do is to service 'em well and use 98 octane fuel! That way you'll continue to wring out the performance that's inherent in the car. Given the choice of a "tired feeling" modified, loud, harsh FTO or a well-tuned and cared for stock example, I'll take the stockie any day!!

Good luck in your car shopping...

- Rich
www.ftowa.com

[guest 2]

thank you for that I have found 1 car that I am particularly interested in and have just found out that it does have a 5 speed box - so yah to that...

the mods I am looking at are race design extractors oversized T/B probably a 65mm, a cold air kit with K&N pod, a rising fuel pressure regulator and probably would have to put in a piggy back like the GReddy E manage.... I'm hoping that it will give me mid 14.5second to 14.8second but also hoping that it will not comprimise everyday driving

[RichardH]

Ah, you've been RPW'd.

- Rich

[ftoboi]

Richard, what are the tell tale signs of dead / dying shocks? with my car i can feel every single bump / pebble / ant on the road, is this a bad sign? if so, whats the $damage$ on replacing suspension bits? Thanks

[guest 2]

[RichardH]

[ftoboi]

hehe, "randomgauge" technology nah, my cars always been bumpy since the day i got it, the suspension looks stock to me, it definitely hasn't been lowered, but it is possible that the previous owner may have played around with the suspension.

can't make it to the drags on that night, but all the best with your times, maybe i'll catch you guys at the next perth meet, its probably time i met some more ppl on this forum and check out some nice fto's

[Zan]

hehe.. spot on Rich. Almost everything you've mentioned has been fixed or needs replacing on my car.
At the moment:
- Droplinks need replacing (Malcom C. said these are a bit pricey to get in)
- Central locking (replaced)
- Stepper motor (reset)
- Suspension needs replacing

And another thing pointed out to me are the brake discs. Japanese spec aren't as rugged as they should be and can tend to a bit of warping.. which is what has happened to me.
Might take it to Crockenbergs for the drop links and disc fix early next year.


-zan

[guest 2]

just another question for you what sort of fuel consumption is expected from these cars running on premium unleaded and also read something in regards to speed limiter and they are set at 180klm hour is this correct if it is can it be de-activated and how

[RichardH]

I get between 9 and 10 litres per 100km, mixed city/freeway driving.

And yes, they are speed-limited to 180km/h. You can get delimiters - I think the UK owners who convert from km/h to mph find that there's a delimiting side-effect.

- Rich

[Guest]

thanks for that... I went and had a look and a drive of the car that I am looking at but very unsure at the moment as it is a case of if it sounds too good there is something not too good about the deal

the car is a 1997 GPX it is a 5speed manual and is Mivec the thing is it was complied with in 1999 and has only done 18,000 klm and they are only after $20K now from what I have seen other cars with mods on and more klm are selling anywhere from $23,k - $29,k so I am a litle sus about it considering it is being sold in a caryard

any thoughts here would be good the car can be seen at 3 ways in Bayswater - I am not local to Perth (180klm due south ) so not sure about this dealers reputation but was not all that impressed when I walked into the place to see all of these wrecked cars

[UK NORWICH FTO]

HI all from the uk,mines been delimited and its brill,not just that,my engine is standard(no extras)but found out through a rolling road that its pushing out 206 bhp,all the others with the addon filters are only pushing 196bhp,so its worth finding out if you can get the ecu chip remapped