A few things I want to ramble on about here are new bakkies and so on. Isuzu had a KB 280 turbo Diesel before the introduction of the KB 320. This was a innovation in pickups and from that time Delta really ruled the pops. Weaknesses aside one thing I observed was the Differences in power outputs from the factory as you can see from the later graphs. Now they introduced the KB 320-wow. Breathe on it WOW! The Corsa 1.6I is also quite a little toy, and Tunable (7kw just from a branch freeflow). The KB 320 is ruling the Pickup world right now.

Toyota always seemed to be slow or rather conservative in introducing new Models. The land cruiser 4500 with carburetor, is a bit weak on the chest considering its displacement and thirstier than an Irishman on a hot day. With Efi it is a totally different and sweet motor which responds extremely well to conventional Tuning. With the 2.7I being on the market now the Hilux has stepped forward, but is still lacking to Isuzu and Nissan in the Power department. Since the 2.7 L motors were only available for a short time in other countries before the introduction of the V6, there is hope. With Branch freeflow we get 7Kw more. The less said the better on the 3L Diesel- Alpine is doing something about it!

The Ford 3.4L needs a K&N and branch freeflow fitted before the purchase is done. When is MMI going to come out with a 20’Th Century Motor?

Colt has a more modern V6 in its lineup, but I don’t want a double cab since I have no family and Dogs only a Girlfriend and a Pussy.

Nissan, nothing new on the Western front, except that the front suspension system seems to be beefed up on the Hardbody.

MMI brings out a small pickup with a 160i motor, and this can really be made to fly (K&N + Exhaust = 8Kw), stock it is no slouch either. But what bothers me is how are we supposed to keep such a pocket rocket on the road at the 200 plus speeds it can do modified?

The B 2500 Turbodiesel can really be improved upon by fitting a bigger Intercooler.

Please note I am only listing vehicles here that I have already Modified. I see a lot of utility Pickups but few Station wagons (no GRN vehicles here). So if I have left out a particular vehicle please excuse me and let me know so I can mend my ways.

What I have also noticed is that most modern Vehicles have good Fuel economy with a healthy power output. And with slight tweaking such as fitting a K&N Airfilter a header and Exhaust system the power is upped significantly with a corresponding drop in thirst. Also I have noticed that some of these vehicles can really be made to fly with doing the Heads and Cams as well- though often unable in have their on board computer cope (Opel Corsa). Recent experiments with chips, Reprogramming of the ECU and piggyback computers have shown this to be the wave of the future. I tried fitting a K&N OE replacement filter plus a Header and Freeflow to an XR 6. I then cleaned up the Head and went for a slightly “hotter” cam. This was already too much for the stock ECU. But look at the performance with an adapted chip (175 Hp)!

All the given Power and Torque figures are at the rear wheels on the vehicles as received and after our very basic modifications such as Intercooler, Freeflow etc.

	KB 280 1	KB 280 2	KB 320	Falcon	Corsa 1.3	Astina 1.8	Hilux 2.4
HP	51	47	88	113	40	47	48
After	57	66	100	122	42	53	53
NM	166	148	184	276	74		119
After	185	204	197	294	77		126

What is disturbing though, is that a lot of these “Utility” vehicles have more valves than I can count, more coils than your average Power station and a Computer that makes the Space shuttle look redundant. Adjusted Valves on your Land cruiser 4500 lately? Yep, feeler gauge between cam lobe and bucket lifter, then if your value is out you may remove the cam (or both) remove the bucket and then the shim. Measure the shim thickness and calculate what shim you now need. Order shim from dealer and since the dealer probably will not have the shim, you might have to assemble all and wait for the dealer to procure same. Once you receive same remove cam/s and buckets again, replace shims, assemble and recheck with the feeler gauge if you were right- not a pretty picture!

With all these Electronic Gizmos? They are like a freckle faced child- when they are good they really are good but when they go bad … What happens if One of these vehicles break down in the field? Need a 3-Ton Helicopter to take it out again, because I doubt whether a Service technician can fix an electronic problem in the Huab. Speak to most Farmers and they will tell you they want a cheap, reliable pick up with no frills. They are still around, a Hilux column shift will set you back just under 70 000 and then of course there is the URI.

What about these new Chevy’s you may ask? Well I have only sold some K&N’s so far, but after test-driving one of these Stationwagons and comparing them to my Dad’s GXL Cruiser, all I can say wow. The Chevy seems roomier due to the low center tunnel, is quieter at speed and you definitely feel the extra 1.2 litters in capacity. Simplicity at its best. Now I just wonder when are the 4*4 bakkies available with Aircon etc? If they last on our grondpaaie remains to be seen. Getting them be tested by the mass people transporters (sorry Police) is not that fair.

Recently I had the Fortune in dealing with an Individual in Gauteng that sells a lot of Camry’s. I have done some work on the 3 & 5SFE family of Engines and we decided on doing 2 kits; 1 that is K&N + Exhaust system the 2’nd being Head, Cam etc. I then tried my Hand at supercharging it and was amazed at getting close to 300 Hp on the 2.2 Motor! The reason I am telling you this- ever had a look at what Motor the RAV 4 has? Secondly this kit was developed with driveability in mind, since Camry owners transport family’s in the norm instead of Crashing gears.

I also see a lot of people purchasing small cars such as the Matiz and then coming to us for Modifications. There is a definite market for these vehicles, but I would suggest to do your sommetjies before concluding such purchase as it is normally wiser to buy a correctly powered vehicle in the first place- of course 2’nd hand vehicles are a different kettle of fish.