Hello,
My father recently bought an Evolution VI GSR (We are in Australia) and I have a few questions.

It came with a non standard audio system that consists of
- 2 Pioneer front door speakers
- 2 Pioneer front dashboard speakers (I suppose tweeters?), they are near the front pillars
- Standard rear parcel shelf speakers
- Phoenix Gold amplifier of unknown type or output under front left seat (passenger in Australia)
- Unknown 350W sub in the boot behind the rear seats
- Rockwood 300W amplifier (for sub) also in the boot
- Kenwood 10 CD changer
- Kenwood tuner & cassette player
My first question: can the standard alternator and battery can handle this ok?
I have noticed that the headlights flicker and the car stumbles a little and I was wondering if it was caused by this audio equipment drawing too much power? If this is a problem we can remove the sub and Rockwood amp from the boot but will the car be able to handle the rest of the equipment?

I have already mentioned the stumbling, it happens at low revs in 2nd gear when we try to accelerate (either quickly or slowly) and also just rolling (no throttle) in 2nd can cause it to jerk a little. I also noticed the stumbling accelerating in 3rd gear out of corners at the track today. The car is supposed to be standard except for:
- Unkown brand pod filter
- Manual boost controller with boost jumping to about 20psi and then holding at about 16psi
- Possibly a 3" downpipe but I haven't checked that.
Do you have any ideas about what might be causing the stumbling? If it is not already solved in the above question.

Like I said before my father had this car at Queensland Raceway today (Sprint track) and he let me have a drive. I only got 2 timed laps and then I came in because I couldn't stay in the seat! I need a harness I think because I was having to hold myself in with the steering wheel. I nearly spun it twice because of this, I was hanging off the steering wheel trying not to fall off the seat. Ther Recaro's seem ok but I am skinny so they don't hold me in very well during hard cornering. I think a harness would fix this. In my BMW 323i I have a racing seat and 6 point harness. Anyway on my second lap I managed a 1min 06.9 in the Evolution VI, in my 323i I did a 1min 06.2 . My father, who also did a 1min 06.2 in my 323i, did a 1min 04.2 in the Evolution VI.

My first impression is that the Evolution VI is a very fast car down the straights, under braking, and out of the corners. Both my father and I are undecided about if it is faster around a corner than my 323i, they would be close but I think the Evolution VI might have the edge. I also noticed that the back of the car has no objection to coming around when turning into a corner, it helps it turn in but I will have to get used to it before I feel confident that it won't spin.

Thanks,
Aston

EDIT: I did try a search but "stumbling" produced no relevant results and I had no idea where to look for the capabilities of the standard alternator.

 

just a note on the track day, once you or your father are use to the car, you should be able to knock at least 7-10seconds off the BMW time!!! although i know the evo 6 is quite Rolly' with the factory struts, replace them with some coilovers and you will be sorted!

the stumbling effect i'm not totally sure what will cause that, maybe the battery needs replacing? or even something to do with the fueling/plugs? of the car effecting the response.... on the track day the stereo should be turned off, thereoff should be causing no effect on the alternator charges.

 

Thanks for replying. Like I said before I am not sure that the Evolution VI out handles my 323i so it is mostly quicker down the straights and under brakes. I am sure there will be some quicker times to come but going on the times of some of the other cars out there I don't think we will get below 1min 02 (4 sec faster than my 323i). We will look into some upgrades after we get used to the car, thanks for the sugestions.

I couldn't work out how to turn the stereo off . I turned the volume right down but the button that was labeled power just made the front come off. I will look into it when I get time. I will also see if I can get the battery checked.

Thanks,
Aston

 

No other opinions? I have disconnected the Rockwood amplifier but we won't have time to check it for a while.

Aston

 

i suggest you take all the audio out, even the head unit. you never know how someone might have hooked something up. then troubleshoot the stumble.

 

Is the car running the standard blow off valve or is it running an aftermarket "vent to air" one?

 

I don't know for certain but all I can see that doesn't look standard is the manual boost controller, a pink coloured cylinder with a dial on top, and the pod air filter.

I will see about taking out the stereo stuff. It might be a bit difficult though, it seems to be a professional install and even taking out the sub and amplifier in the boot will require removing the rear seat.

Thanks,
Aston