Interesting comparison
Discussion
I have been priveledged to compare the GTO3R versus the power upgraded 2.5L GTO (340bhp) during the past week. This all started just before Easter when I arrived in Barwell only to be told my car was not actually ready. Lee Noble was so embarrassed that he said I could have their press car (a titanium GTO3R) for the Easter break. Talk about customer care - ususally you are given a Ford Fiesta to contend with.
Anyway, I had a good five days with the 3R and was able to compare it directly with my 340bhp GTO which was delivered to my home yesterday.
In terms of outright acceleration I really could not detect much difference. Although I preferred the gear ratios of the 3R 6 spd box, the gearchange felt less precise (and therefore slower) than the GTO. Obviously the sound effects of both cars are different but both are equally intoxicating. In terms of handling both cars seemed the same even though the 3R had the Quaife LSD - I guess the only way to spot any difference is on the track rather than on the road. Bottom line is that if I did not have the power upgrade I would opt for the 3R anyday. However with the 340bhp behind me and a few kilos less weight the GTO is a pretty even match to the 3R.
One strange thing though is that both cars have leather interiors but after driving the 3R for a while I got some pain in my mid/lower back. Maybe the GTO has more padding to cope with my generous proportions!
Anyway, I had a good five days with the 3R and was able to compare it directly with my 340bhp GTO which was delivered to my home yesterday.
In terms of outright acceleration I really could not detect much difference. Although I preferred the gear ratios of the 3R 6 spd box, the gearchange felt less precise (and therefore slower) than the GTO. Obviously the sound effects of both cars are different but both are equally intoxicating. In terms of handling both cars seemed the same even though the 3R had the Quaife LSD - I guess the only way to spot any difference is on the track rather than on the road. Bottom line is that if I did not have the power upgrade I would opt for the 3R anyday. However with the 340bhp behind me and a few kilos less weight the GTO is a pretty even match to the 3R.
One strange thing though is that both cars have leather interiors but after driving the 3R for a while I got some pain in my mid/lower back. Maybe the GTO has more padding to cope with my generous proportions!
SteveJT
Have you noticed how much easier the car is to drive with the new power upgrade and mapping? I think because i came from such an old mapping it really was a quantum leap for me.
Interestingly at Bedford last Saturday after chucking my 340bhp 2.5 around the circuit and then having some hot laps in Andy's 3L car, the differences were much more apparent. The 2.5 gives you the real shove in the back when the turbo's kick in where the 3.0L is much more progressive. However Andy's fantastic Nitron setup and superb driving meant that he made my laps feels like a Sunday drive, but i can't blame the car for that
Everyone should get a chance to experience the cornering speeds in AG's car with the Nitrons.
Have you noticed how much easier the car is to drive with the new power upgrade and mapping? I think because i came from such an old mapping it really was a quantum leap for me.
Interestingly at Bedford last Saturday after chucking my 340bhp 2.5 around the circuit and then having some hot laps in Andy's 3L car, the differences were much more apparent. The 2.5 gives you the real shove in the back when the turbo's kick in where the 3.0L is much more progressive. However Andy's fantastic Nitron setup and superb driving meant that he made my laps feels like a Sunday drive, but i can't blame the car for that
Everyone should get a chance to experience the cornering speeds in AG's car with the Nitrons.
Ashley, would you believe I did not look too closely at the invoice (in case I fell into a permanent wince) but I think the power upgrade was near a couple of grand. However I had the 'older version' ECU and wiring which needed to be replaced which cost near on double that 
Mind you the difference it has made is worth every penny spent.
Stuh I fully agree the car is far more driveable than before. I had the original 345bhp upgrade but the throttle was like an on/off switch. There was a fair amount of turbo lag up to 4000rpm then suddenly all hell was let loose. This made balancing power whilst cornering a rather tricky affair. Furthermore the car could be a handful on wet roads.
Now I find the power is progressive from 2500rpm onwards and then it is just comes in spades right up to 7000rpm WOW! I dont know what magic the programmers performed but the car has been transformed. The way the power comes in, I now have even greater feel what all four wheels are doing which has created the impression the throttle is doing the steering instead of that round thing in front of me. This is one happy bunny
Mind you the difference it has made is worth every penny spent. Stuh I fully agree the car is far more driveable than before. I had the original 345bhp upgrade but the throttle was like an on/off switch. There was a fair amount of turbo lag up to 4000rpm then suddenly all hell was let loose. This made balancing power whilst cornering a rather tricky affair. Furthermore the car could be a handful on wet roads.
Now I find the power is progressive from 2500rpm onwards and then it is just comes in spades right up to 7000rpm WOW! I dont know what magic the programmers performed but the car has been transformed. The way the power comes in, I now have even greater feel what all four wheels are doing which has created the impression the throttle is doing the steering instead of that round thing in front of me. This is one happy bunny
SteveJT said:I believe the magic was performed by the one and only 'YellowShed' Trevor.
I dont know what magic the programmers performed but the car has been transformed. The way the power comes in, I now have even greater feel what all four wheels are doing which has created the impression the throttle is doing the steering instead of that round thing in front of me. This is one happy bunny
Coming off the video as I type this 
Gave myself a heart attack though - I went down to the Marcos factory yesterday and took some video of my TS500. Unfortunatly I didn't check where the tape was, so for one little moment I thought I'd taped over it!
Fortunatly I'd put the tape into a "safe" place, so it'll be up "soon"
J
Gave myself a heart attack though - I went down to the Marcos factory yesterday and took some video of my TS500. Unfortunatly I didn't check where the tape was, so for one little moment I thought I'd taped over it!
Fortunatly I'd put the tape into a "safe" place, so it'll be up "soon"
J
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