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Several people have made various comments on Hi-Clones. Either they have them fitted, or are looking at getting them fitted.
Here are my comments, based on experience, regarding Hi-Clones.
I first came across the Hi-Clones at the Melbourne 4WD Show many years ago, back in the days of my old Hi-Lux ('83 dual cab diesel with a re-built 2.4 litre motor installed). The old girl was sluggish, to say the least, what with all the additional steel work on her. ARB bull bar, side rails and steps, rear bar and step, plus a home-made steel roll cage come canopy.
Off-road performance was not an issue. I mean, who needs to be able to do 100 kph up Billy Goat Bluff with a camper van on tow. Custom made off-road suspension and twin diff locks meant that I could go almost anywhere. (I only got her bogged 3 times in 14 years).
Highway performance was another matter. Putting a turbo on her would have been nice, but was too costly, given her age, she was 4 yo when I got her.
I saw the claims being made by Hi-Clone and thought, what have I got to lose. If it doesn't live up-to it's claims, I could get my money back, no questions asked.
I dropped into the Hi-Clone agent in Geelong one night after work and had the unit installed. It took more time to fill in the paper work than it did to fit the unit. When I started it up to head home, I noticed that the engine seemed quieter than before. I also notice that it pulled better in each gear, even with a cold engine. By the time I got home that night, I had already decided that it was staying. Several trips to Bendigo and back over the next month further convinced me. Not only did it cruise up the highway easier, but I was also getting a slight increase in range, up 50 km from the usual 1050 km per fill. (I had twin tanks - 130 litres total).
After retiring the Hi-Lux, I kept the Hi-Clone and fitted it to my company Ford Courier TD. It also showed an improvement in performance, but not to the same extent as the Hi-Lux.
Since purchasing my Prado, I have fitted two Hi-Clones, one before the turbo, and the other in the inlet manifold.
It hasn't had as much of a difference on the Prado as it did on the Hi-Lux, but it has helped a little. Power and driveability wise, it drives a little better, even with the bigger tyres. Range wise, it doesn't seems to have made much difference, maybe 20 km's extra.
Several of the people who I worked with at Geelong also fitted them to their vehicles. The results were varied, but all were happy with the results. One guy said it was worth the money just to reduce the engine noise in his Disco.
Anyway, these are my thoughts and experiences with Hi-Clones.
I will leave the rest up to yourselves, as to fitting them or not, on your vehicles.
Here are my comments, based on experience, regarding Hi-Clones.
I first came across the Hi-Clones at the Melbourne 4WD Show many years ago, back in the days of my old Hi-Lux ('83 dual cab diesel with a re-built 2.4 litre motor installed). The old girl was sluggish, to say the least, what with all the additional steel work on her. ARB bull bar, side rails and steps, rear bar and step, plus a home-made steel roll cage come canopy.
Off-road performance was not an issue. I mean, who needs to be able to do 100 kph up Billy Goat Bluff with a camper van on tow. Custom made off-road suspension and twin diff locks meant that I could go almost anywhere. (I only got her bogged 3 times in 14 years).
Highway performance was another matter. Putting a turbo on her would have been nice, but was too costly, given her age, she was 4 yo when I got her.
I saw the claims being made by Hi-Clone and thought, what have I got to lose. If it doesn't live up-to it's claims, I could get my money back, no questions asked.
I dropped into the Hi-Clone agent in Geelong one night after work and had the unit installed. It took more time to fill in the paper work than it did to fit the unit. When I started it up to head home, I noticed that the engine seemed quieter than before. I also notice that it pulled better in each gear, even with a cold engine. By the time I got home that night, I had already decided that it was staying. Several trips to Bendigo and back over the next month further convinced me. Not only did it cruise up the highway easier, but I was also getting a slight increase in range, up 50 km from the usual 1050 km per fill. (I had twin tanks - 130 litres total).
After retiring the Hi-Lux, I kept the Hi-Clone and fitted it to my company Ford Courier TD. It also showed an improvement in performance, but not to the same extent as the Hi-Lux.
Since purchasing my Prado, I have fitted two Hi-Clones, one before the turbo, and the other in the inlet manifold.
It hasn't had as much of a difference on the Prado as it did on the Hi-Lux, but it has helped a little. Power and driveability wise, it drives a little better, even with the bigger tyres. Range wise, it doesn't seems to have made much difference, maybe 20 km's extra.
Several of the people who I worked with at Geelong also fitted them to their vehicles. The results were varied, but all were happy with the results. One guy said it was worth the money just to reduce the engine noise in his Disco.
Anyway, these are my thoughts and experiences with Hi-Clones.
I will leave the rest up to yourselves, as to fitting them or not, on your vehicles.