Ok

Just picked up a "new" KR Verada for my son for his 18th Birthday... Country car- never bingled, no rust, pretty straight (few shopping trolley dings) about 200K klms on the clock.

Timing Belt done, stems seals done, Auto "service" done, everything else gone over and fixed if necessary (down to the cap on the coolant return bottle replaced cause it was cracked)

1900 inc transfers and 12 mnths reg - Pretty good price overall.

However now that I have driven it a bit - it is gutless down low (Of course I am comparing it to a 3.5 VRX manual :-). Runs along nicely on the highway, but if I hit hills, it just kind of chugs up them,... Better if I have the PWR switch on - but still sluggish of the start etc.

Q1) - Is this type of performance normal for one of these beasties.

Q2) - Are there any relatively simple mods that can be done to give it a bit of a boost. Obviously a DOHC conversion, or drop in a manual would do the trick, but not really looking at spending that much.....

Probably going to take it to MadMagna and have a Fuel Injector Clean done in the hope that that will make a difference, but any other tips and tricks that may help?

ANy suggestions gladly accepted :-)

KR verada was one of the heaviest 2nd gens released, so it's added weight doesnt help it.

personally the Best bang for buck mod is a manual conversion, not that hard to do and not that expensive. $400 should see you with everything you need and it will make it feel like a whole new car.

Unless the idle quality or fuel useage is whack you shouldn't need a fuel injector clean.

Yeppers. Totally gutless.

No, I have a TS 3.0L wagon, and the 3.0L is a 12 valve short stroke design, so it needs to rev a bit. Real power comes in at 3,000 rpm, but in normal driving it lopes about quite easily at 2,000 rpm or less. Just don't expect instant torque like the 3.5 or 3.8L motors when you plant your foot, it needs to drop down a gear or 2 before it really starts to move.
You could do a compression test on it - mine burnt a valve at 240,000 km and runs a lot better with that fixed. Also, the autobox hardly uses 2nd gear unless you have that POWER button down. Leave OD off until about 80 KPH and the car will feel a lot more capable.

Still a lot better than a 2.6L auto though. lol

Hmm.... Possibly I am just expecting a bit much from the old girl :-)

With the power button down, it isn't too bad.. Do have to boot it a bit to get it going, but as you noted, having the POWER button down has made a huge difference to the performance and general response on the engine. May take you advice and do a Comp test - pretty sure it will be Ok though - the mechanic who picked it up for me and did the timing belt etc is pretty on the ball re: magnas.

I agree with all replies above... I had a KS with about 300K on it, then went to a TJ auto - the difference on hills was amazing. Then going to TJ II Manual was an amazing difference again.

So, comparing a manual VRX to an auto 2nd Gen Rada is TWO "orders-of-amazing" difference.

The 2nd Gen RADA will be quiet and cruise nicely - it just won't be torque-y and will struggle on big hills - best to change it back a cog or kick it down rather than have it lug along. Be interesting to see what the injector clean does for it....... that's something I might need Mal to do next time I'm in Melb.

Seeing its for an 18 year old, I would leave it as it is, engine wise. The 18 year old will be more interested in "bling" items, like wheels and lowering. lol

<sigh>

Well.. I suppose the slower it is off the mark at the lights the less chance of writing himself off.

That's what I was thinking. :hmm:

You might want to save up some cash for when (if) the gearbox blows up, or when (if) he dents a few panels.:eek2:

I have lent 2 of my cars to people in that age group over the years, they are amazingly good at finding weak spots in the design of the car, the road rules, etc.

Good luck with the beast anyway, nice pickup for the money.

Thanks for all the advice guys.

Yes - Expecting a few dings (or car to be written off)..

Bit scary taking him for a drive in the verada.....He was trying to drive it like my VRX - Had to explain that 17" low profile tyres and sports suspension lead to a lot better handling and he REALLY shouldn't be taking the corners at that speed - ARRRGGGGHHHH.

Of course that is the joy of a $1900 car.. If it gets a few dings, who cares.. If it gets written off... well, still not a HUGE loss :-)

All you can do really is make sure the spark plugs and ignition system is in good order, if it's been regularly serviced and well looked after I would say it's about right because they're not the quickest thing going around.

However, when my brother went for a KS verada from a dealer, it was gutless and he had it checked out by the RAA and the timing was out on it. He ended up purchasing it for cheaper and then got the timing fixed and it was so much better.

Just a thought..

Well..

Gave the beast a oil flush/change with Liquimoly engine flush, new GTX2 oil and filter.... Used some of the Liquimoly MOS2 ANTI-FRICTION additive and used some Nulon Injector cleaner in a new tank of fuel.....

Not entirely sure what has made the difference, but it almost seems to be a new car.

Significantly more responsive and even seems to pull up hills better - initially thought it was the fact that I had the PWR button on, but then turned that off and still goes nicely......

Never been a big fan of additives, but obviously something has made a difference

Mines not too bad, but i suppose it could be better. I might do that after i get the Valve stem seals and Headgasket sorted

Gald to hear the ole beast has some sort of new lease of life! Just a thought - was that tank of fuel with the injector cleaner its first fresh fuel? If it had sat around for a while before you got it, fuel might've gone off a bit......... just sayin'

Yes - had been sitting around... So it is a good possibility that I have progressivly got the crap fuel out of the tank and replaced it with new....