Visit Steves Auto Clinic for the best performance upgrades, performance chips

It isn't often that you get good, cheap horsepower out of a modern engine, but that is exactly what SAC has managed to achieve with an aftermarket upgrade to the 4,0-litre V6 powerplant in the Nissan Navara.
The conversion is available through the network of 12 Steves Auto Clinic franchise stores nationwide. For this you get approximately 20 kW more than standard, but, importantly, there is no loss of refinement. And to prove that it is possible to have your cake and eat it, the upgrade returns improved fuel consumption in normal driving.

The conversion comprises a stainless steel SAC designed free-flow exhaust system mated to tubular manifolds from SAC partner, Wildcat. The focus of the research and development leading up to the introduction of this conversion has been to improve the exhaust gas-flow characteristics but without a significant change in noise level or tone when cruising.

A minor change is also made to the airbox which houses the air filter. A turned aluminium venturi is fitted into the front face of the airbox, which has the effect of ramming cooler air into the engine as road speed increases

But with modern engines there is little to be gained by just changing the inlet and exhaust. So that maximum benefits can be realised, a Unichip piggy-back computer module has been fitted, with a pre-programmed 'map' of optimised ignition and fuel parameters. This matrix of electronic values allows the engine to achieve its peak efficiency across the entire engine speed range, which means the idle quality is unaffected, while the maximum usable rpm is unchanged at 6 300. The true top speed, as tested independently at Gauteng altitude remains at 191 km/h – though the limiter can also be removed on a customer's insistence.

Overall driveability has been noted as one of the V6 Navara's strong points in standard form – but that doesn't mean it can't be improved on significantly. Just over a second is lopped off the 60 – 100 km/h time in fourth gear, while the modded car is a full 1,7 seconds quicker between 80 and 120 km/h in fifth gear. Those who plan on towing with their Navara should rejoice in these numbers; translating as they do into far less effort (and more safety) whether it comes to overtaking, or simply maintaining a constant speed when cruising.

While the conversion isn't intended to turn the Navara into a robot racer, there are significant gains in standing start acceleration too. According to before and after results provided by testing experts, Roadworx, the Navara will sprint to 100 km/h in a fraction under nine seconds, and cover the standing kilometre in 29.76 seconds at a terminal speed of 178.1 km/h. A sub-30 second kilometre sprint is considered good for a conventional passenger car at power-sapping Reef altitude – never mind a four-wheel-drive double cab with an open 'bak'.

The Navara has become hugely popular in a short space of time, and no doubt there will be plenty of owner's of this archetypal man's 'truck' who will appreciate the extra grunt of the SAC conversion whether they're towing with it or not. With the bolt-on nature of this kit (no internal changes are made to the engine), owners can drop their car off at an SAC outlet in the morning, and drive out that same afternoon with a vehicle which feels much more satisfying in all kinds of driving conditions. The conversion can be successfully applied to all V6 Navaras; both two and four-wheel-drive, and with automatic or manual transmission.

Performance data, SAC Navara 4.0 V6 (M) versus standard
SAC Standard
ACCELERATION:
0 – 60 km/h: 4 4.38
0 – 80 km/h: 6 6.63
0 – 100 km/h: 8.98 9.84
0 – 120 km/h: 12.1 13.42
0 — 400 M (seconds): 16.34 16.88
SPEED: 138.8 134.4
0 — 1000 M (seconds): 29.76 30.81
SPEED: 178.1 171.9
VMAX: 191 191
FLEXIBILITY:
60 – 100 KM/H (4th): 7.73 8.85
80 – 120 KM/H (5th): 10.99 12.69

Bolt on exhausts

Gone are the days that you take your half a million-rand Bakkie to a corner exhaust shop for a cheap free flow exhaust. It's fair to say that the bolt-on free flow exhausts of today at SAC have been revolutionized and are becoming more and more popular amongst the enthusiasts. It is no longer just a poorly welded and routed exhaust that rattles and knocks over every bump, it is a properly engineered, big bore, mandrill bent stainless steel-low restriction exhaust system.  It is manufactured in such a way to be a bolt-on fitment in a workshop with very little effort to ensure perfection. Seeing the exhaust system in its raw form, packed and laying on a shelf – it is clear to see that this is an export quality product that will be installed on your vehicle, and it will compliment without any doubt – the performance enhancement plug and play kit and or upgraded intercooler system in many ways – most of all the sound and power will be much improved.  The bolt-on exhaust system is routed along the exact same rout under your vehicle and hangs with similar brackets on the standard rubbers.  The heat protection that has been provided by the manufacturer under your vehicle to protect the undercarriage is still effective and useful with the fitment of these bolt-on exhaust systems. So, if you want the ultimate Bakkie performance enhancement package speak to our sales and service advisors about a bolt-on exhaust system. Contact us today for your free quotation.