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Turbo efficiency, insurance & other stuff

G

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Guest
Hi,
It's been a while since I posted, so here's a (long) catch-up, I
recently upgraded a whole lot of stuff on the Landcruiser:
OME 2.5" lift with 864 springs at the back (sourced from TBR,
http://www.tbruk.com/)
Front & Rear ARB diff locks (TBR)
ARB bull bar (TBR)
Air suspension helpers (Matt Savage http://www.mattsavage.com/index.html)
Mile Marker hydraulic winch (4x4 winches http://www.4x4winches.com/)
Allisport intercooler (http://www.allisport.com/)
Snorkel and raised transmission breathers supplied by Julian (got a
website yet Julian??)
All of the above installation work was done by Julian, who did an
admirable job despite a few project scheduling problems as a result of
his move. TBR were very helpful and it wasn't a problem when I changed
the order at the last minute even though all the stuff was being
shipped from Germany. Matt Savage gave a lot of help and advice
concerning the design and fitment of the air components, 4x4winches
did a great job in delivering at very short notice and Allisport were
also very flexible regarding delaying payment when I was out of the
country. So ten out of ten to all the suppliers, excellent service,
I'm very happy with it all.
In addition I already had a LRFT and Optima split battery system
previously fitted by Froggs.
Following fitting the intercooler it is very interesting to note
changes in performance and fuel economy. I have a heavy right foot,
often the vehicle is heavily loaded, and also I drive a lot either in
heavy traffic or at speed on motorways, none of which is good for
economy. I never bothered to check mpg before the mods, but I used to
get around 240 miles on a full main tank (60 litres??), which I think
equates to about 18 mpg.
After fitting the intercooler, but without much added boost and only a
small change to fueling (I think, Julian??), I got 300 miles on a tank
in similar driving conditions, which I thinks works out around 23 mpg,
but for sure is an improvement of 20%. I was well pleased with this,
however the performance was similar, and not markedly improved.
Particularly after driving Julian's 80 which has has fueling tweaks, I
wanted more performance. So then the boost was increased basically
until the little light comes on then back a bit. This improved
performance but didn't have so much of an effect as further increases
to fueling which seem to allow the engine to rev better. So now it
goes great, but the economy is back down again, I just checked it at
16 mpg. I think when the novelty of the added power wears off I will
be getting 18 - 20 mpg.
As well as accelerating much better, top speed is also noticeably
improved. I have BFG 285/75 R16 tyres fitted which are slightly over
size so the speedo reading is changed, but agrees with my TomTom
exactly, so maybe it used to over estimate speed and is now accurate.
Prior to the intercooler/fueling it would manage an indicated 100mph
flat out, now it does 105. (hence economy figures).
Because the vehicle is now modified, I need to get my insurance
changed before I use it on the road :)
Can anyone recommend a good insurance company for getting insurance on
modified Landcruisers? As well as covering the mods I need insurance
that covers me for as long as possible per year in Europe, a lot of
insurance policies only give a green card for a month. Any pointers
gratefully received.
Once again thanks to all the suppliers who contributed to making my
Landcruiser happy, especially Julian who did most of the work, often
putting in long hours to get it done on time.
Cheers, Andy.
Macclesfield UK & Den Haag Netherlands.
 
Andy
| Can anyone recommend a good insurance company for getting insurance on
| modified Landcruisers? As well as covering the mods I need insurance
| that covers me for as long as possible per year in Europe, a lot of
| insurance policies only give a green card for a month. Any pointers
| gratefully received.
Interesting write-up - thanks.
As for insurance, have you tried the NFU? I don't know if they do "modified", but their standard policy gives full comprehensive cover throughout Europe for 12 months/year as standard. I've just swapped to them and I'm paying =A3313 fully comp for a (totally unmodified) 12 year old 1HD-FT, quoted value =A37.5k.
When I asked my previous insurer (NU Direct) about fitting an inter-cooler the first response was "what's that?", and then when I found someone there with two brain cells to rub together they would have wanted another =A330/year.
Christopher Bell
Devon, UK
1996 1HD-FT
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Hi Christopher,
ied", but their standard policy gives full comprehensive cover throughout Europe for 12 months/year as standard. I've just swapped to them and I'm paying =A3313 fully comp for a (totally unmodified) 12 year old 1HD-FT, quoted value =A37.5k.
r the first response was "what's that?", and then when I found someone there with two brain cells to rub together they would have wanted another =A330/year.
Thanks, I'll definitely give them a call, the best I found for
European cover so far was 3 months.
BTW, at the moment I'm insured with Fortis via brokers Carol Nash.
Very happy with Carol Nash as brokers, the insurance itself you never
know until you need to make a claim. I didn't ask them for a quote
yet, going to shop around first.
Cheers,
 
I heartily second NFU. Good quality human personal service and good prices.
I currently insure my 80 + a Ford Galaxy, both for business use including
unlimited EU travel for =A3502 for the pair.
Pete
to
year old
 
I agree with Christopher and Peter; that you should try the NFU.
I got no sense at all from their website or the contact phone number given
for their head office. For insurance it seems you have to go through one of
their local offices.
I declared my modifications upfront (suspension lift, long range fuel tank,
bull bars, winch etc) and they we quite unfazed. Indeed my policy states -
Vehicle Modifications: Suspension changes and Misc Engine Alterations.
I got the impression that they are OK with practical mods which might [say]
be needed by a farmer or overlander, but they are not interested in
insuring boy racer types that are in to souping up their engines. Forget to
mention the intercooler maybe:)
Whilst my policy covers me for travel at home and abroad, I am not covered
for racing, nor trials or track days
--
Paul Driver
Ilkley, West Yorkshire
[Email address removed]
07718 782828
 
On 16 Jul 2008, at 09:56, Andy Haxby wrote:
Just to let you know, I'm with Fortis for my wife's Carina daily
driver. Last month, she was hit from behind at a roundabout on her
way to work.
Fortis were very good, no claim form to fill out, all done over the
'phone. Supplied a rental car within 24 hours, even though the car
would technically drive, the boot wouldn't open, so they sent a Focus.
Wife's having physio for the whack to her neck - I'll never criticise
people for a whiplash claim again, it's bloody painful and not
immediately evident. Fortis have been very good at helping with
stuff. Carina was a Cat C write off, they paid out quick and I've
kept the car and had it pulled straight. Of course, they're billing
the other driver's insurance, so I guess nothing's a problem.
For off the wall modified cars, try Nowell and Richards, my Fortis
broker. They insured my old Porsche 911 Turbo a couple of years ago
when I owned it and I've stayed with them because it's good to call
someone in the UK who understands cars. Tel: 0178 525 5514
Hope this helps,
Regards
Neill W
FJ62 in bits all over a mates workshop..
 
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