What did you do to your Stinger in Australia today?

[ShannonC]

Normally not allowed and the average person wouldn't bother but I'm getting to know the mechanics well. It's only a small dealership and I think I know most of the staff by now. Not that I've been there that many times though. I also know my way around a workshop. I have an Insurance background and that would be a definite no no.

 

[Ozstung]

Normally not allowed and the average person wouldn't bother but I'm getting to know the mechanics well. It's only a small dealership and I think I know most of the staff by now. Not that I've been there that many times though. I also know my way around a workshop. I have an Insurance background and that would be a definite no no.

And besides Shannon c being a very imposing guy they weren't going to say no..
Went to Gt.Western kia today they tell me to date they've sold 200 Stingers . They had a black stinger with RNL damn that looks good. Saw the new Cerato as well they've got a metallic blue/silver colour and a titanium silver not my colours but still some ones cup of tea.

 

[ShannonC]

Returned to dealer to have diff oil changed (they didn't have enough last week). Old oil was a muddy dark grey colour when it was drained. Mechanics expressed some concern but time will tell as to whether diff is ok or not. It was only making a slight "rrrrrr" noise when doing a very slow turn on full lock.

 

[AV8R]

A

Returned to dealer to have diff oil changed (they didn't have enough last week). Old oil was a muddy dark grey colour when it was drained. Mechanics expressed some concern but time will tell as to whether diff is ok or not. It was only making a slight "rrrrrr" noise when doing a very slow turn on full lock.
View attachment 22314

apparently it costs $160L. Free under warranty

 

[Ozstung]

Returned to dealer to have diff oil changed (they didn't have enough last week). Old oil was a muddy dark grey colour when it was drained. Mechanics expressed some concern but time will tell as to whether diff is ok or not. It was only making a slight "rrrrrr" noise when doing a very slow turn on full lock.
View attachment 22314

Let us know if you notice any "Diff"

 

[PxbVic]

Old oil was a muddy dark grey colour when it was drained.

Mate that is water contamination pure and simple, I would look very carefully at a sample and keep checking it, that is not normal in anyway.

 

[ShannonC]

Mate that is water contamination pure and simple, I would look very carefully at a sample and keep checking it, that is not normal in anyway.

I couldn't see any trace of bubbles etc but I've never seen any type of oil that color before. Mechanic took photos whilst it was draining so at least it's documented.

 

[PxbVic]

A

apparently it costs $160L. Free under warranty

Fair enough if they replace it under warranty, but seriously $160.00 a litre? Tell them their dreaming.
I've been working on cars for over 40 years, was in the industry directly as a vehicle restorer for a privately owned prestige dealer for 12 years, today I'm just an enthusiast with a huge circle of friends and my own man cave workshop.

This is my opinion and that of many other mechanics I know, all oils are good because they are all made to a standard. However in my opinion the best oils in the Australian Market today and for the last 40 years are Penrite. They have been around since 1926, and they are hands down the best for any and all applications. They always meet or exceed SAE and manufacturers specifications for all oils they produce. Even the STI division of Subaru only use Penrite and not Subaru oil. Come the time I will get KIA to service my car, I will be supplying the oil to KIA, to put in my car just like I have with every manufacturer who's cars I have owned for the last 35 years.

Again under warranty, no problem if they want to put an over priced KIA DIFF oil but the reality is KIA Oil will just be rebranded brand X SAE 75W85 Synthetic Diff Oil. KIA will not make oil it's as simple as that just as they don't make tyres or spark plugs. However this from Penrite is a direct replacement for the LSD oil and a whole lot cheaper at about $45.00 for 2.5 litres. PRO GEAR 75W-85 (Full Syn.) | Penrite Oil

I have personally put Penrite oils in every car I've have owned. From 1986 to 1998 when I worked directly for a prestige car dealer and restorer, we only used Penrite, the list of cars would be very long, but Penrite was used in all.

 

[PxbVic]

I couldn't see any trace of bubbles etc but I've never seen any type of oil that color before. Mechanic took photos whilst it was draining so at least it's documented.

Most likely you wont see bubbles or ever separation, because synthetic oils do contain emulsifiers, but grey oil is a big alarm bell to me. I hope all is ok for your diff.

 

[ShannonC]

For engine oil my dealer uses Castrol, as recommended by Ford!

 

[ShannonC]

Most likely you wont see bubbles or ever separation, because synthetic oils do contain emulsifiers, but grey oil is a big alarm bell to me. I hope all is ok for your diff.

Thanks, at least I still have 6 years of warranty left. When I saw it draining out the consistency looked like normal oil.

 

[Manaz]

The ram thingys are cold air intakes. Normal air filters are made of paper and restrict airflow into engine. The cold air intakes have filters made of different stuff that allows better airflow. More air in, more bang and power. Your bordering on mega enthusiast if you are prepared to spend money on them. Personally I would not go there but if I recommended a brand, Jonny Tig. There is a vid on YouTube by a guy called StingerGTandMe that shows you. All up cost vs extra power is probably not that much diff in horse power. Please correct me guys if im wrong.

It's old, but I'll comment.

For NA (normally aspirated - not turbo for those who aren't mechanically inclined), air intake changes tend to make bugger all difference - they're unlikely to be a restriction on the amount of air the engine needs to suck in to burn petrol efficiently, and efficient burning of fuel is where power comes from.

Turbos, on the other hand, are a bit different. They like to breathe - if you can let them breathe better, you'll get more power - a decent set of CAIs on a Stinger (like the Jonny Tig ones AV8R mentioned) are reported to get about 15kW of extra power.

 

[Manaz]

Thanks for reply AV8R, just wondered about them but doubt I'll go down that track , Iv'e watched some of StingerGTandme on you tube,
There's one episode were he puts in a " Blow off Valve ", I'm right in thinking they are illegal here ?

Only illegal in some states if they vent to atmosphere.

 

[Markjohn]

Unrelated comment....I have kept my eyes open for Stingers in the wild, can go to Sydney and back and not see one. Today around Wollongong I have seen 6 Stingers in different colours on the road, so the Stinger has gained some momentum in popularity around here. Another local got a Deep chroma blue with Red interior, he is rapt, told him about the forum so Congratulations Sal on wise choice. Put pinstripes on front vent to give the nice lines better definition. I might be old world but like restrained pinstripes. excuse bugs from night runs.

 

[Ozstung]

Last week in the Kia Gt face book group someone posted a "Spotto" of a Dcb stinger in Kiama whilst passing through chances are it was yours?

What i did to my stinger recently but not to day, tinted tail/reverse lights.

 

[Manaz]

Fair enough if they replace it under warranty, but seriously $160.00 a litre? Tell them their dreaming.
I've been working on cars for over 40 years, was in the industry directly as a vehicle restorer for a privately owned prestige dealer for 12 years, today I'm just an enthusiast with a huge circle of friends and my own man cave workshop.

This is my opinion and that of many other mechanics I know, all oils are good because they are all made to a standard. However in my opinion the best oils in the Australian Market today and for the last 40 years are Penrite. They have been around since 1926, and they are hands down the best for any and all applications. They always meet or exceed SAE and manufacturers specifications for all oils they produce. Even the STI division of Subaru only use Penrite and not Subaru oil. Come the time I will get KIA to service my car, I will be supplying the oil to KIA, to put in my car just like I have with every manufacturer who's cars I have owned for the last 35 years.

Again under warranty, no problem if they want to put an over priced KIA DIFF oil but the reality is KIA Oil will just be rebranded brand X SAE 75W85 Synthetic Diff Oil. KIA will not make oil it's as simple as that just as they don't make tyres or spark plugs. However this from Penrite is a direct replacement for the LSD (Limited Slip Differential) oil and a whole lot cheaper at about $45.00 for 2.5 litres. PRO GEAR 75W-85 (Full Syn.) | Penrite Oil

I have personally put Penrite oils in every car I've have owned. From 1986 to 1998 when I worked directly for a prestige car dealer and restorer, we only used Penrite, the list of cars would be very long, but Penrite was used in all.

I've had several mates in the game for years, and they all recommended I stick with Penrite oils for my cars - I run Penrite 10 Tenths in my Subaru Liberty (Legacy for any US lurkers) GT Spec.B as well as in our MY02 WRX STI track car. The rear diffs both run Penrite as well.

That said, we run a Redline gearbox oil in the STI to mask some wear on the 4th gear synchros, and it does a remarkable job - when we first got the car, there was noticable notchiness and grind entering fourth gear (not uncommon on STI 6-speeds), but that's completely gone with the Redline oil (I want to say it's Shockproof, but I've heard people say that Shockproof's no good for Subie gearboxes due to the centre diff using the same oil, so I'm not 100% on that).

 

[PxbVic]

I run Penrite 10 Tenths in my Subaru Liberty (Legacy for any US lurkers) GT Spec.B

A little off topic, but my beloved MY07 Liberty GT Spec.B was the car that went to god in January forcing my hand to buy the Stinger GT (Was written of by an unlicensed muppet in an unregistered Mercedes). That was one very special car that I still have a heart breaking affection for. It was a very early production run car and a bitsa, it had from factory and not special ordered, STI strut brace, STI forged alloy control arms, Brembo brakes and the STI EJ257@224KW engine/6 speed STI combination (not the EJ255@196KW), but it was a genuine GT Spec.B. IMHO the last of the really great Subaru's, Liberty's/Levorg's and WRX's have all gone soft today.

 

[Manaz]

So first of the post-facelift cars. It certainly sounds like a bitsa (in a good way) - most of the TBSTi cars were just GT Spec.Bs when shipped to Australia that then had a few bits added locally before sale, it sounds like you got way better (particularly on the engine, rare to have an EJ257 factory-fitted to a Liberty).

I agree on the Subies since. The 5Gens are affectionately referred to as boats - even the 6-speed manuals in them aren't the STI 6-speed after all, and they became bloated for the US market. The 6Gen doesn't have a turbo option any more, I'm not sure you can even buy it as a manual. Gone are the "for the driver" days - the new "do" ads are more generic to capture a wider audience - Subaru are no longer interested in a mainstream enthusiast market for the Liberty (and it may be dropped entirely for Australia).

The Levorg needs a manual option and a proper STI variant. The current WRX is basically as big as a 4Gen Liberty, but again the 6-speed isn't the STI box (the STI has it still, but it really is not a road car, there are too many compromises to accept with it as a daily driver), and Subaru have fallen behind in terms of technology (where's the adjustable dampers, seriously).

 

[Tazztattoo]

I've been contemplating new wheels for some time and seeing all the Stingers out there with great after market product is very tempting however I just couldn't bring myself to part with the factory wheels as they really do look great (and actually cost a lot more to replace than most after market wheels). I just felt they could be improved on with a subtle change from the stock silver grey colour to a (automotive OEM grade powder coated) high gloss black with the face then re-machined back to the original finish enhancing the outer to inner wheel contrast and resulting in an overall more aggressive look.

I enjoy seeing guys personalise their cars but as vehicles age I think its those than remain true to the original that retain the most appeal and value and the Stinger will definitely be a collectors car one day.

 

[Stinger GT SS]

Had these fitted on Friday.