| | |  | | ROADTESTS | | Toyota Hilux 2,7i 4x2 Double cab |  | Magazine | | | Tuning specialists and performance guru Steves Auto Clinic has found the solution for those Toyota drivers desperatly searching for V6 levels of performance from the 2700i four-cylinder Hilux | | V6 - engined double cabs are an important element of any manufacturer's bakkie line-up, because many motorists making the jump from a passenger car to a double cab don't want to sacrifice performance. | | As a result everyone's got one - except Toyota. | | South Africa's most popular bakkie and car manufacturer by far has to make due with a 2.7-litre four, rated at 108kW, while the opposition get the extra refinement offered by two extra pots, and kW ratings in the 125 - 140 region. | | | | | Well, there's not too much that can be done abouth the number of cylinders, but tuning company Steve's Auto Clinic has come up with a conversion which it believes will satisfies the performance needs of most existing an aspirant Toyota 2.7 owners. The conversion can be applied to any current generation Hilux - whether a double or single cab, two of four - wheel drive. | | SAC is a grouping of franchisees, currently numbering 9 nationwide and soon to expand into Namibia, and it was its Nelspruit branch - SAC Dart Mechanics - that did the development work. Traditionally, the approach to improving this engine has focused on optimising the airflow characteristics of the standard aluminium cylinder head, but in this instance a more radical approach had been taken. | | Larger inlet valves have been fitted and the camshaft 's re-profiled to suit, that a number of other elements in the engines breathing apparatus have been changed to maximise the benefits of the bigger "lungs". As part of what would normally be defined as a stage one upgrade, a wildcat tubular exhaust manifold and stainless steel free flow exhaust system have been fitted, and the air box modified with additional plumbing that feeds the cooler, pressurised air from the front of the vehicle. The locally developed Unichip engine management piggyback computer controls injection and ignition functions, with each unit mapped on a dynamometer to mate it to a specific engine. Stage Two adds the big valve head, the changes also embracing a flowed intake manifold and flowed throttle body., with the Unichip obviously tailored to suit. SAC says that these engines typically make around 78kW at the wheels and the Stage 2 conversion boost's this to approximately 105kW, with torque applied to the road climbing from 177 to 201Nm. | In the real world it feels very strong indeed, with a gruffer exhaust note that adds to this subjective aggression to speed. Put your foot down at anything over 2 000rpm and it leaps forward enthusiastically, and while the figures showed that there has been a minor loss of urge below that engine speed, you seldom notice it. mid-range punch has improved dramatically, to the extent that you can get by- if you are not in the mood to use gears and clutch any more than absolutely necessary- one gear higher than you'd usually used. Suddenly a vehicle that was a dependable but plodding performer has become a much more energetic one.
Not content to allow impressions to be made based on feelings alone, SAC commission a private company to undertake independent tests before and after the conversion, using the same Hilux 4x2 double cab rider on which all the research and development work was done. Test's were conducted at Giro tech, so results are very much of the inland variety. | | According to the results, top speed went from a modest 172km/h to 184 km/h, and a full 1,5 seconds where lopped off the 0-100 km/h sprint. Where as the standard vehicle takes 14,1 seconds between 80 and 120km/h in 4th gear, the SAC version is exactly a second quicker. And for good measure it ends the standing kilometre more than 10km/h faster than in standard trim. | SAC conversions focus on reliability and driveability, as well as retaining the levels of refinement inherent in the standard vehicles. So while the exhaust is definitely louder than before, it doesn't intrude, and there is no discernible intake roar either. And while we didn't get a chance to carry out any fuel consumption tests, SAC is adamant that it has improved when driven at the same cruising speed as what the original vehicle is capable of.
Recommended retail price of the Stage One Conversion is R4995, and the Stage Two upgrade R 7995. as part of the conversion SAC includes its 6months/20000 km's whyworrywarranty. | | For Hilux 2.7 - litre owners who are also looking for enhanced towing ability, it makes real sense as a way of putting an end to slow lane blues, and while it might not be a V6, it has got the performance potential to keep up with one. | | | | Click Here to get an SAC consultant to advise you! | | Click here for more about our conversions | | Performance / power conversions, modifications, engine upgrades available for Alfa, Audi, BMW, Chev, Chrysler, Colt, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Jeep, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes, Mini, Nissan, Opel, Toyota, VW and more... | |
