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08-12-2005, 04:25 PM | #1 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 134
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Recently got into a conversation with some BA owners and they took great time and effort in telling me the superioty of their BA suspension setup - "Control Blade IRS".
From memory, I believe the AU's had a double wishbone IRS setup, which imposed a weight penalty on the car but gives a hell of a lot of grip (based on my experience owning one). Was this such a bad setup compared to the BA Control Blade IRS? |
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08-12-2005, 04:37 PM | #2 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: North East Melbourne
Posts: 262
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My friend works for Drive in the Age and has talked of the AU having ALOT of rear grip. Its a great IRS system, however he claimed the BA's IRS is better as its lighter and has less unsprung weight, and still maintains great rear end grip. He also mentioned that the AU and the BA Rear setup s all over what Holden still uses.
When they tested the AU they actually broke a few driveshafts because of the massive rear grip it has... the same with the BA apparently. Moreso the breaks were from attempting a full grip drag start from say 3000 rpm getting an optimum launch as opposed to dropping it at 5000 and spinning the rears. So perhaps the BA is better, but hey... i got NO concerns with my AUII!
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AUII XR8 - 200kw Factory Body Kit & 17" Tickford Rims 5 spd Manual Lowered on King SL & SSL KONI "Yellows" Fully Adjustable Shocks 2.5in Stainless Herrods Cat back Black Leather Interior |
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08-12-2005, 04:46 PM | #3 | ||
Ich bin ein auslander
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Loving the Endorphine Machine
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At least neither chew out tyres like the setup from that other manufacturer. They are both good and the last AU I drove (AUII Fairmont Ghia VCT) was an absolute pleasure. In fact it was smoother than my XR8 but then again the XR corners better (different types of car, haven't driven a AU XR).
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08-12-2005, 04:58 PM | #4 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: North East Melbourne
Posts: 262
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Thats interesting you should mention that as ive heard the new BA on the 18in Factory wheels chews out tyres in as little as 20,000 km. Perhaps a result of rear grip levels from the BA IRS? Anyone had this problem with their 18's.
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AUII XR8 - 200kw Factory Body Kit & 17" Tickford Rims 5 spd Manual Lowered on King SL & SSL KONI "Yellows" Fully Adjustable Shocks 2.5in Stainless Herrods Cat back Black Leather Interior |
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08-12-2005, 05:00 PM | #5 | ||
Ich bin ein auslander
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Loving the Endorphine Machine
Posts: 7,453
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the 18's have a very soft compound and yes I only got about that out of mine (they are a performance tyre, not high mileage). The difference is it was even wear and not the inside edge like that other manufacturer.
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08-12-2005, 05:19 PM | #6 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,042
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I would say the AU IRS is definately a golden egg in terms of AU design.
Rear grip in my AU3 XR6 ST is excellent, with the 18" rohs on the back I can give it hell around corners and it doesnt even think about losing traction until I give it a little tap on the go fast pedal Nothing quite like not slowing down for 90 degree corners |
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08-12-2005, 05:32 PM | #7 | ||
Boss power
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 1,046
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This Is a little off topic but would a AUI XR6 have LSD? and if im not mistaken the IRS only came out on the II and III series..... Is that correct?
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08-12-2005, 05:34 PM | #8 | ||
windsor user
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Geelong
Posts: 13,123
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the AU setup is great. its also able to be retrofitted into XE-EL as well...which would make a great conversion...
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08-12-2005, 05:50 PM | #9 | |||
Banned
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Beaumont Hills
Posts: 2,536
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Quote:
the AU XR6 series 1's have LSD, well mine does.. but no IRS.. i think some of the lateish AU1's came out with IRS same with the VCT engine, some late series 1's had VCT's the IRS is awsome, only downfall is that its a little heavy compared to solid beam.. |
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08-12-2005, 06:02 PM | #10 | ||
Giddy up.
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Kramerica Industries.
Posts: 15,637
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The AU rear end(IRS) is a fantastic set up, but ofcourse with evoulution, the BA/F would be a better design.
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08-12-2005, 06:03 PM | #11 | |||
Boss power
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 1,046
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Quote:
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08-12-2005, 06:06 PM | #12 | ||
Formerly known as TS 50
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NEWCASTLE
Posts: 1,617
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AU IRS has issues with upper shock mounts braking regulary.
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08-12-2005, 10:04 PM | #13 | ||
Mr Polish
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Across the road from Speedway City
Posts: 1,977
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My aug 98 XR6 vct has tickford tuned IRS & Tickford LSD. Big mother of an LSD and the grip level is unreal. The bi plane spoiler creates good downforce
AU1 XR6 hp did not come from factory with IRS or LSD, was watts link IRS /LSD was a $1,000 dollar option
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08-12-2005, 10:39 PM | #14 | ||
buickman
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: eastern suburbs Melb Vic
Posts: 1,462
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[QUOTE=TS 50]AU IRS has issues with upper shock mounts braking regulary.[/QUOTE
Its the rubber mount that can cause problems. But is a easy fix. The AU IRS is a well engineered set up. It looks very simular to the 929 Mazda's of 1982- 87 a excellent handeling car but underpowered by the MA ohc 2ltr mtr. Nearly every write up gives the AU IRS the thumbs up & a much superior set up than the GMH one |
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08-12-2005, 10:43 PM | #15 | |||
Boss power
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 1,046
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Quote:
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08-12-2005, 11:13 PM | #16 | |||
Silhouette AU1 TS50.
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Radiator Springs, Victoria.
Posts: 2,135
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Quote:
I've driven a few BA's with IRS and AU's with IRS, and my preference was the AU IRS... but not by much. The AU IRS seemed to handle the tight turn in and out of corners better than BA IRS, which seemed a little bit quick to throw the tail out.
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"People can have the Model T in any colour.. so long as it's black." HENRY FORD (30/07/1863 - 07/04/1947) PIC'S OF MY T1 TS50.
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08-12-2005, 11:16 PM | #17 | |||
T3/Sprint8
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 16,552
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[QUOTE=buickman]
Quote:
Whats the easy fix you mention ? That it's easy to do the job which yes it is. Do you know of a better version than the genuine mount ?
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08-12-2005, 11:41 PM | #18 | |||
dye hard ford supporter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: kempsey
Posts: 80
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Quote:
as far as the 6 cylinder VCT engine goes it was available from the early stages of the au release and was also standard fitment to the fairmont ghia's. i hope i have not lead anybody up the garden path with what i have said. : |
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08-12-2005, 11:45 PM | #19 | |||
Ich bin ein auslander
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Loving the Endorphine Machine
Posts: 7,453
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Quote:
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Growing old is compulsory, growing up is optional! |
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08-12-2005, 11:56 PM | #20 | |||
Guest
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Quote:
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09-12-2005, 12:03 AM | #21 | |||
dye hard ford supporter
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: kempsey
Posts: 80
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Quote:
sorry, like i said if i got my facts mixed up, but my au xr8 series 1 has IRS, LSD and i have no traction control, was not even offered as an option so i am lost.maybe the combo your talking about was offered that way in the ghia, not sure will wait to be corrected by somebody in the know. : |
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09-12-2005, 12:06 AM | #22 | |||
Silhouette AU1 TS50.
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Radiator Springs, Victoria.
Posts: 2,135
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Quote:
Comparing AU3 XR6 to BA1 XR6.. and both cars would be pretty much equal in power to weight ratio, AU lighter with slightly less power, BA heavier and slightly more power. I even liked the drive/handling of the AU V8 a little bit more than the BA1 V8 (XR8). Just my preference.
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"People can have the Model T in any colour.. so long as it's black." HENRY FORD (30/07/1863 - 07/04/1947) PIC'S OF MY T1 TS50.
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09-12-2005, 10:15 AM | #23 | |||
buickman
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: eastern suburbs Melb Vic
Posts: 1,462
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Quote:
Try Kelray on 1800 245 748 for tech support or kelray@kelray.com.au as they are the manufacturers of nolathane products which might have a product that would last longer in your car. |
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09-12-2005, 01:29 PM | #24 | |||
Guest
Posts: n/a
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Quote:
STD fitment on a AU I XR6 VCT is IRS and LSD 100% guaranteed ,I owned one for 2 years or more then got the XR8 Grip levels on the AU1 was fabulous compared to non IRS EF i had I use to hit a corner hard and wait for the slid , but it never moved . LSD Had a dark red filler plug from memory STD diff had black Suspension/rear description Independent, double wishbone, lower transverse links, coil springs and anti-roll bar. Last edited by Stampy; 09-12-2005 at 01:39 PM. |
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09-12-2005, 08:55 PM | #25 | ||
Guest
Posts: n/a
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Sorry guys, I was referring to the Ghias only ... left a key word out!
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09-12-2005, 08:58 PM | #26 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 12,083
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ok, lets set the facts straight as far as LSD/IRS on the XR6's
There are 2 XR6s as we all know, the HP and the VCT. Both were avaliable from the very first AU (appox sept 98). In tha AU 1 BOTH came standard with LSD.. it was not an option. It was a standard feature..3.45 LSD. In addition the XR6 VCT (sedan) came STANDARD with IRS AND 3.45 LSD (mine has it and is a Nov 98 car that hade NO options fitted). The XR6 VCT continued with IRS AND 3.45 LSD for the entire model life (AUI, II, III) whereas the XR6 HP lost the LSD as standard part way through the AUII model and it became an optional extra. As for the IRS.. it is amazing to say the least. I would say its only shortfall over the BA IRS is weight (so yes, the BA IRS would be "better")... but given the "plumper" bodyweight of all the BA/BF's, any benifit it may have gained was lost by the weight of the car. Now an AU with the BA IRS... that would be DAMN impressive!
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09-12-2005, 09:02 PM | #27 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 12,083
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Also, for the curious, this is a good image of the AU IRS that lets you see how it hangs together:
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Older, wiser, poorer. Now in Euro-Trash. VW Coupe V6 4motion.
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09-12-2005, 09:03 PM | #28 | |||
windsor user
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Geelong
Posts: 13,123
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Quote:
would it really make all that much difference? would it be noticeable by the average owner / enthusiest or would it really be one of those minor differences only really felt on a track?? either way it'd shoite all over a live axle lol... Last edited by LUXO_8; 09-12-2005 at 09:08 PM. |
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09-12-2005, 09:08 PM | #29 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 12,083
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Quote:
As for grip.. I've driven both.. you cant tell the difference, both are impressive although the BA is noticably smoother but that could be springs/shocks makeing the difference.
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Older, wiser, poorer. Now in Euro-Trash. VW Coupe V6 4motion.
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09-12-2005, 11:09 PM | #30 | |||
Tickford Rules!
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 137
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Quote:
Incorrect. AU1 XR6HPs came with LSD standard. Series 2 and 3 did not; it was an option. IRS was never an option on the XR6HP: if you wanted IRS on an XR6, you had to buy the VCT.
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