FTO AUSTRALIA

Good morning those who still roam this forum haha,

I have just picked up GPXXX's infamous 6a12 mivec turbo 5 speed. Has shared many regos/names (was KLABAT in victoria).

I understand she had a bit of a following back in the day, if anybody has any information of her past condition (may have had some mechanical issues a few years back) that would be great!

If anybody has any questions about her/how its in my hands feel free to reply.

Send thru some photos of the thing!

Ask and you shall receive.

PROBLEMS with the old girl:

Oldschool microtech piggy back tune has corrupted. Am waiting to hear back from microtech (if their email is still manned) to see if this is a reinstallable fix. If not I have already got the plans and budget to do a piggyback haltech 2500.

I have plans to rebuild the motor with stronger internals, as the gearbox has been rebuilt to handle more power, the only thing holding this beast back from 250kw is the internals. I have a new T28 turbo currently installed on her, but I have the original big boy garrett which was removed due to engine explode-related concerns. As of now the fuel pump is good to support up to 400hp and the injectors are 480cc. The turbo is rated for up to 450. I think I wouldnt want anything more than 350hp being a FWD lightweight car.

I

The plate and name didn't ring any bells, nor the engine bay, but as soon as I saw the front of it I remembered it

Poor thing is looking a bit worse for wear! (but aren't most of them, mine included lol). But doesn't look as much as basketcase as some I've seen recently. I'll see if I can dig up some pics of it's former glory.

Remember it well

Update, have got the microtech software (it has a Microtech LT8X-S) and have just ordered the adaptor so the software will work (200 dollars later in 1m of cables)
Currently she does not idle, will start and immediately choke due to fuel. I believe the microtech has corrupted (i believe not for the first time)
Unfortunately microtech doesn't really exist for support/tuning anymore. I have a shop in tasmania that is going to have a crack. My hopes are that I can get it to run, and then I will do a full rebuild with RPW internals and a haltech Nexus S3

Good luck with it

Update, narrowed it down to being purely ECU related for no startup. Got a shop updating the old girl to a MaxxECU SPORT in september. It wants to start so badly. Will be getting her to run on a base map & then rehoning the engine with 0/25 oversize pistons & forged rods before making serious power.

Looks like Mikey's GPXXX is getting a 6a13tt! Picked up a complete 6a13tt with perfect compression from a low km rear ended legnum, as well as about 5 crates which contain a pulled down 6a13tt that has been fully machined ready to be put back together.

Would you believe me if I said I got them both for $800AUD?

Working alongside a 30 year + experienced boilermaker/welder, pipework should be lightwork

UPDATE for anyone tracking my posts, the original 6a12T is still in the FTO, and is in the middle of receiving a new MaxxSport ECU & Nissan DBW throttle conversion. The new ecu will work with both engines, and the DBW conversion will eliminate one less issue down the track!

Looking to future proof this bad boy for whatever I throw at it in the next decade.

Keep the updates coming

Good score! And convenient on the piping hookup, that killed my wallet doing my conversion lol

I'm glad to see an old club car getting some love 20 years later.

I’m just so happy I’ve got it. Such a large history to end up in someone’s shed in Tasmania not running anymore. (And glad it’s in the hand of an FTO enthusiast with big plans)

All the parts are here for the new ecu and DBW setup except for the MaxxSport ecu which is on back order. My road plan is to get it running with the original 6a12T this year, rebuild the 6a13tt with forged internals in 2026 when I get back from travel and then go from there!

The swap should be easier than most considering the already existing documentation and essentially step by steps. My father is the welder & is a mechanical genius and I the ECU that’s going in now will also support the 6a13tt, as well as the DBW conversion just to make it that bit easier, No cable!

If anyones from Tassie I aim to get it out at Japanese Classics Tasmania 2027!

Is the ECU a MAXXECU Sport? Or is MaxxSport a Aus brand?

I ask as I've got a MAXXECU Race and build it my own loom and am also going DBW. If you are going MAXXECU I may have some documentation and pin outs etc. to help or at least a sound board.

It's a MAXXECU Sport, and thank you man but it's being done by some pros at a workshop near me, ECU wiring was a bit beyond my free time workload!!!

No worries.
Then in that case once the harness is done if you want a base map let me know. It's for a Mivec but with a GR it shouldn't be an issue to get it running. May just need to account for my 660cc injectors

Out of interest how much are they charging you for the harness?
I assume they will make it a plug and play harness so just plugs directly into the OEM ECU plug and away you go without cutting the OEM loom to sh*t

The parts list at the moment is:

GTO Engine Connectors 455.00
DT8 Connector 35.00
Bussman Fuse Box with relays 450.00
Maxx ECU Sport 1,865.15
LSU 4.2 Lambda Sensor 145.00
Fuel Pressure Sensor 95.00
Oil temp/ pressure sensor 125.00
Fast Acting IAT sensor 65.00
Coolant temp sensor 65.00
Bosch 74MM throttle Body 350.00
Nissan DBW Pedal 150.00

Totalling 3800~AUD

All the parts have arrived except for the ECU which is currently on backorder. ETA until completion is looking at around late december as the workshop is packed with jobs. In the meantime I will just be researching 6a13TT builds/forged options for next year ~March when I'm back from travel and ready to build it.

I am good mates with the people doing the harness, it's going to be a club spec plug & play. Have put aside around 2000 for labour + consumables which the lads said would be the absolute maximum it would cost.

Interesting approach in the pedal.
I actually went for the Honda accord approach, cable pedal so I can keep the FTO pedal and then that physically connect's to a potentiometer the ECU reads install might be easier but price I guess is more or less the same.


Excited to see it come together.

Update, FTO is still at the shops getting the ECU & DBW conversion. Am having a meeting with them this afternoon to discuss the work on the girl (no point in doing any mods to the current 6a12T in it when i'm swapping to the 6a13tt.

On the 6a13tt, heres some photos! Not in order but theres the complete engine on a tyre before dissasembly, then the engine pulled apart on my workbench I made just for the job!

So... there is one issue. When taking off the water pump, quite a fair bit of black/brown water and gunk came out. What was behind it though is extremely rusty and it looks to be quite deep rust. I've brushed some out and it just looks terrible in there, and considering it's in the middle of the engine & I am trying to make some pretty extreme power numbers out of the build I don't think ill be using that block.

GOOD NEWS! I previously mentioned I bought two engines, the one that was incomplete and already pulled apart, and the one I've pulled apart just now. The block from the incomplete engine is the photo of the block by itself. It looks very good & was from a motor that did a valve. The water pump on this one was dry stored and all thats left is some coolant dust. I will be using this block pending an assessment from a engine specialist.

I have an order ready with RPW (WA company, im sure you guys are familiar) for everything needed for a forged rebuild incl heads and cams. I am trying to get in contact with them beforehand to see if they would offer some sort of discount considering it will be over 10,000AUD & I would be open for advertisement.

RPW doesn't have a stellar reputation round here, dunno how they've been lately. I'd sooner be talking to TME who does work on these engines/VR4s.