Hey guys,
As there was some mention of this elsewhere when discussing Aussie V8's, I was intrigued, and so thought I would download and try it,..Especially as I at one stage owned one of the Holden GTR-XU1 'Bathurst Specials'.
Mine was supplied to a Queensland team and was used as a support Vehicle and used for Travel and Display purposes. It 'bore' AMPOL sponsorship and although Filled with lovely little Trocky Factory 'Bits' like Compound wound springs, sodium filled Vales and Titanium Valve springs, it was De-Carbed and actually was running a 161 Hi Compression engine that were available to special order.
It had the taller, Diff and Gave Amazing Mileage and performance out on the Open Road.
I was Keen to Try the Mod being an Ex Owner of one of the real cars,..and I have to say, I was Sadly disappointed!
Major issue?,..gear change and the time it takes!! It's Like the car has a HUGE Flywheel,..Plus, they Revved Hard, but also had Torque, kinda like a BMW Six of that era only Less Exotic,..lol
The Original LC cars used specially sourced OPEL gearboxes (of which Mine was one), these had specially Lapped-in gears to handle the extra Torque and HP from the Larger 6 cylinder motor, the later LJ model utilising the GM M20 unit which whilst slightly slower and heavier was far more strong and robust as it was designed for small block v8's.
The Opel' like mine were fine until they went wrong, then it was Impossible, as there were NO off the shelf replacement parts and Gearbox Hell was the Only outcome. (Many LC Owners experienced this problem).
I ended changing mine to an M20 shortly before it was stolen Grrr.
Anywa, the thing is, the Motor was a Delight and would Pull to Near 7000, I limited Myself to about 6650 or so and tried to Not let it Lug down.
Although Pokey, it was extremely Docile and a Delight to Drive.
Mine had excellent Spring rates and ran with quite Soft roll bars, slightly tail up Nose down as was the Style and was in all Honesty, one of the Most Neutral handling cars I have had the Pleasure to Drive!
Sure it Didn't have the Awesome lateral Grip of some cars in that era and later, but in the Wet it was a Sheer delight.
The gearbox was Light and Fast and trhe Motor Extremely responsive.
I used it for Field work Travelling all around Eastern Australia and spent a LOT of time on the Dirt, you could drive it By Eye and Your Bum and the Throttle.
It Responded beautifully to Weight change in cornering,..and having owned and driven Mine for Many years Miles and Club events, I CAN Understand Why the car was Such a Weapon around bathurst!
Mine ahs been there but Not driven in Anger by myself,..Quickly Yes, but Never to the cars potential.
Sadly, the GTR XU1 in the Mod, feels Like driving a Leyland Truck, let's say a leopard!!,..ROFL
It Does make me wonder about the physics modelling of Mods like this when you Look at the Standard settings and Both front and rear shocks are set at the same amount, High in Both Comp' and Rebound !!????
My Real car was Quite Soft, Relatively,..Obviously Much harsher than a Road car, but until I have played with it a bit to see if I Can get it to handle 'Proper', I'd say it's just a shame.
Perhaps the Ford and Charger are better, haven't tried them yet.
Bit like that F5000 mod, a bit disappointing.
Will post some piccies of my car when I find them!!,..lol'
Cheers,
Stewart
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Subject: Bathurst Legends 1972 
Sun 4 Apr 2010 - 8:15
(with a yellow pantera ... and I won 
)
