Car Inspirate: 2007

8 Reindeer Power Sledge !!!(9 if counting Rudolph)

It's christmas time!, it's an automotive blog! it's a Porsche sledge!

Found this on the Porsche site. You would be the coolest kid on your local snowy slope if you rocked up with one of these. Into Porsches? Well Veloce Publishing has a great range of books on a variety of models. Models covered: 356, 911, 914, 924, 928, 944, 993 and the Boxter. I had a proper good look at Adrian Streather 's Porsche 993 'King of Porsche' and this book is the real deal for any 993 owner or enthusiast. Imagine a book the size of the yellow pages on your favorite car. Check the detail on the page here.

Features

The ESSENTIAL companion!
640 pages, 1,300 photos and diagrams!
How to troubleshoot and repair
How to service
How to improve performance
How to authenticate a 993
What to look for when purchasing
Engine & engine management system
Transmission, running gear, wheels & tyres
Complete explanation of electrical systems
Complete historical review of the 993 on & off the race track
It's all here!

Description

The 993 version of the evergreen 911 is sometimes described as the �King of Porsche�. This book chronicles the development, racing history and all ownership issues of the 993 in tremendous detail. Containing a buyers/owners guide and well over one thousand photographs, this book features incredibly in-depth information about all aspects of the Porsche 993.

Synopsis

This book about the Porsche 993 is the third of a planned six covering a range of Porsche models. This book carries on the tradition established with the author�s first Porsche 911 book (Robert Bentley) which covered the 964 series. Contains absolutely everything a 993 owner needs to know. Every model and version is included. Engines, transmissions, suspension and how to improve the performance are covered as well as the fixes for common problems.
This book really is the essential companion for the 993 owner or would-be owner. No need to ask questions online anymore, the answers are all here.

Veloce Publishing on Facebook

I am pleased to announce that Veloce Publishing is now on Facebook pages. Swing by and become one of our fans. Click here to vist.

Little Dune Buggy, in the sand....

Into dune buggies? Well good news! I've got a game I found on miniclip.com for you to pass the time away and news of a new dune buggy book from Veloce Publishing.

Building a Dune Buggy - The Essential Manual

There has been a huge resurgence of interest in Dune Buggies (Beach Buggies), kit cars based on the chassis and running gear of fatally corroded VW Beetles. Here is the complete step by step practical guide to the equipment and building techniques needed to build a Buggy, as well as sound guidance on the choice of donor car and new components. With this manual in your workshop, you can build any VW-based Dune Buggy avoiding all the common pitfalls and money sapping mistakes, and ending up with a superb, roadworthy multi-purpose vehicle.

� 19.99 + Postage

Click here for more info on the book and how to buy.

Motor Home, Queen of the Desert

No messing about with amazing motorhome/life pod from UNICAT.
Click here or image for more amazing shots.

And in other motor home news:

NEW FROM VELOCE PUBLISHING

Volkswagen Camper � 40 years of freedom
By Richard Copping

Review from Volkswagen Camper & Commercial, November 2007

His latest bus related offering, VW Camper: Forty Years of Freedom, follows the distinctive brochure layout style of some of his previous titles whereby (wherever possible) original brochures are reproduced in the same style and layout as originally, the pictures are the same but the text has been re-written, using the same font and print layout. The new text carries all the information found in the original text plus background information and history about that conversion or model. It's a bit like having a huge brochure library of your own, except more accessible and written to be informative. Flicking through is simply a delight, as you stop and pour over period pictures and details, but the text also fully details and documents all that minutia we owners love to digest! All the key conversions are covered and, though Splits and Bays predominate, there is excellent coverage of the T3 generation and a nod in the T4 /T5 direction. Models from outside Europe are also shown. Most of us could only dream about owning an archive brochure collection like Richard's, but with this book we get a whole library to enjoy!

Car Park @ VW Facilty Rocks

Check this car park facility at VW in Wolfsburg Germany click her e.

Into VW T5 camper vans? Well it's your luck day. Check out Veloces new book release by Lindsay Porter here.
Features
1. Step-by-step manual to converting a Transporter
Van to a Camper.

2. Incredibly detailed, step-by-step instructions and over 500 colour illustrations.
3. Choosing the best van for your needs and preparing it.
4. Guide to planning the layout and choosing fittings.
5. Hot to fit a high-top, step-by-step.
6. How to fit an elevating roof, step-by-step.
7. How to cut panels and fit side windows.
8. Building and fitting-out the interior furniture.
9. Planning and fitting gas, water and electric components - with Safety notes.
10. Produced with conversion kit manufacturers and VW-approved converters.

John Cooper Clarke- Hire Car

Here is a poem by the great John Cooper Clarke about hire cars.

www.johncooperclarke.com

HIRE CAR By John Cooper Clarke

double park - don't lock the door
push the pedals through the floor
give it loads and then some more
it's a hire-car baby

with the stick - grind the gears
watch that distance disappear
never yours in a thousand years
it's a hire-car baby

hire-car, hire-car
why would anybody buy a car?
bang it, prang it, say ta ta
it's a hire-car baby

by the way, you're on the streets
save yourself a couple of sheets
collision rate will keep it sweet
it's a hire-car baby

show this motor no respect
bump it, dump it, call collect
what else do the firm expect
it's a hire-car baby

drive the motherfucker anywhere
just like you don't care
put it down to wear and tear
it's a hire-car baby

pray the person who hired it last
didn't drive it quite so fast
this dakarum dodgem doesn't last
it's a hire-car baby

try not to kill yourself
or injure anybody else
don't forget to fasten your belts
rent it, dent it, bang it, prang it
bump it, dump it, scorch it, torch it
crash 'n' burn it, don't return it
lost deposit, let 'em earn it
who cares, it's on the firm
..it's a hire-car baby

Veloce's Download Page

Check out Veloce's Download page for cool widgets and wall papers.

Veloce Publishing on Shelfari.com

I am pleased to say Veloce Publishing is now on Shelfari.

Check us out at
www.shelfari.com/velocepublishing

Flame On! Ron Patrick's Street-Legal Jet Powered VW Beetle.

Are you into Modded Beetles? Well check this corker by Ron Patrick and also James Hale's great book How To Modify Volkswagen Beetle Chassis.

Bodywork Tips Fromm Hacker Zen

Remove Car Dent With Airduster - video powered by Metacafe

Found this cool tip at Hacker Zen. If your into bodywork restoration check out Martin Thaddeus's book Classic Car Bodywork - Enthusiasts Restoration Manual published by Veloce Publishing too.

BADASS BOBBIES

The World�s Finest Police Cars

Came across this in my travels at concept-cars.org

Check it out here

Alfa Romeo Montreal cover competition

Alfa Romeo Montreal cover competition

It's competition time, with a chance for you to win a copy of this
fantastic book!

We have three potential covers for this book and we want you to decide
which is the best!

To enter, all you have to do is email
tim@veloce.co.uk with your favourite � A, B or C. Don't forget to
include your name and contact details!

Go here for more info.

New Edition of Veloce's ON THE GRID Newsletter

ON THE GRID DECEMBER NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE NOW
Click here

RX7 Vector Tutorial

With the release of the new How to Draw & Paint Cars By Tony Gardiner book in Febuary in mind. Here is a great tutorial by Donbenni about toon based vector drawing using a RX7 as source material.Check out article here.

Draw & Paint Cars By Tony Gardiner

Cool stuff with Opel

Starter for 10......

Have a go at these: Q U E S T I O N S

The future is here!

Red Red Wine....

Car Battery Charged With... - video powered by Metacafe

Pretty cool eh?! Don't blame me if your car gets drunk.

40% Discount off Veloce Books

Don�t forget our Amazon-busting 40% discount on Veloce's great range of automotive books and our gift vouchers.

Phone or order online quoting discount code "WP133". Hurry!

Offer ends at 11.59:59pm on December 20th 2007. Offer applies only to Veloce-published (non-leather bound) books and cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount or special offer).

A little project that needs doing....

www.pingmag.jp

Anniversary edition Mazda RX-8

For fans of the Wankel engine, Mazda is releasing a limited-run RX-8, on the 40th anniversary of the company's technology.

Only 400 Mazda RX-8 40th Anniversary Limited Edition models will be heading for the UK.

The sports coupe is available in two special body colours, with a unique wheel design and special 40th Anniversary badging.

The Limited Edition is based on a special concept car first presented at the Goodwood Festival of Speed earlier this year.

Enhancing the Limited Edition's look of sporty sophistication are bespoke 10-spoke, 18-inch diameter alloy wheels, an aerodynamic rear wing, new blue-light front fog lamps and a 40th Anniversary badge on each front wing.

Inside, the Mazda RX-8 40th Anniversary Limited Edition features seats trimmed in black leather with stone Alcantara centre sections.

Luxury carpet mats display the limited edition logo and bespoke stainless-steel scuff plates incorporate a 40th Anniversary Rotary Engine legend together with each cars' unique number - starting at 001/400.

The regular Mazda RX-8's handling is further enhanced by the fitting of uprated Bilstein dampers all around.

The drivetrain features the twin-rotor High Power 231ps RENESIS engine mated to a short shifting six-speed manual transmission.

The Mazda RX-8 40th Anniversary Limited Edition accelerates from standing to 62mph in just 6.4 seconds and is capable of a top speed of 146mph.

Mazda is Britain's favourite sports car brand, supplying one in every five sports cars sold in the UK, so this latest model is likely to be in high demand.

Anniversary edition Mazda RX-8

For fans of the Wankel engine, Mazda is releasing a limited-run RX-8, on the 40th anniversary of the company's technology.

Veloce Publishing- Available Titles

SMART Car Races above its Weight..............and Wins!

2008 Concept Cars

2008 Concept Cars

All I can say is sort it out Nissan!

ROAD TO WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP (WRC) FOR INDONESIA 2009

Proses untuk mengembalikan event WRC di Indonesia sudah mulai berjalan melalui pertemuan awal antara Bpk. James Tangkudung (Asisten Deputi Pembinaan Prestasi Olahraga) yang mewakili Menegpora RI dengan Mr. Morrie Chandler (President FIA WRC) pada tgl. 11 Juni 2007 di Singapore dengan didampingi oleh Bpk. Irawan Suchayono (Sekjen PP. IMI) ; Bpk. Harris Gondokusumo (Biro Olahraga PP. IMI) & Jeffrey JP (Rally Indonesia Organiser), dimana juga sekaligus Mr. Morrie Chandler menyampaikan undangan kepada Menegpora RI untuk menghadiri penyelenggaraan Rally New Zealand 2007 (WRC round 11) agar dapat diberikan masukan mengenai cara pelaksanaan suatu WRC dengan dampak/multiplier efek terhadap segi ekonomi dan pariwisata dari Negara itu.
Pada pertemuan tersebut President FIA WRC menyampaikan tahapan2 yang harus dilakukan oleh Indonesia adalah :
a. Penyampaian aplikasi sebagai kandidat WRC ditahun 2008 dengan progress WRC di tahun 2009, dimana aplikasi tersebut harus disampaikan oleh PP. IMI dengan mencantumkan jadwal ; lokasi serta penyelenggara dari event (kandidat WRC & WRC) dan kemudian FIA akan memberikan persetujuan sebagai Kandidat WRC yang akan diputuskan oleh World Council and General Assembly of FIA pada rapat akhir tahun.
Dimana pihak PP. IMI bersama-sama Rally Organiser harus aktif untuk menjadi anggota (representatif) dan hadir pada setiap annual meeting dari Working Group ; World Motor Sport Council dan General Assembly dari FIA
b. Melakukan pembayaran Inscription Fee (registered in the FIA calendar) untuk sebesar EURO 103.200 paling lambat tgl. 31 Januari 2008, dimana biaya akan dipergunakan untuk keperluan dari FIA Delegate saat peninjauan event kandidat WRC dan dapat diperpanjang pada tahun berikutnya bila belum memenuhi ketentuan WRC tanpa perlu melakukan pembayaran lagi. Inscription Fee ini diperlukan oleh FIA sebagai jaminan atas keseriusan suatu negara sebagai penyelenggara kandidat WRC, adapun Inscription Fee untuk menjadi WRC adalah sebesar EURO 155.050
c. Apabila Indonesia telah disetujui menjadi salah satu kandidat WRC dari kawasan Asia pada tahun 2008, maka secara terkait akan juga dialokasikan pada jadwal WRC di tahun 2009 dengan ketentuan subject to inspection on year 2008.
(Terlampir jadwal tahun 2008 & tahun 2009)

Laporan hasil kunjungan dan proses persiapan selanjutnya dalam bentuk proposal rencana kerja & anggaran biaya tahun 2008 s/d tahun 2010 telah disampaikan kepada Pemerintah melalui Menteri Pemuda & Olahraga RI dan Ikatan Motor Indonesia (PP. IMI) serta juga organisasi yang baru terbentuk yaitu Indonesia World Motorsport (IWM).

Tahapan berikutnya adalah melakukan kunjungan kerja ke Rally New Zealand 2007 pada tgl. 30 Agustus s/d 2 September mendatang sesuai undangan dari Mr. Morrie Chandler (President FIA WRC), dimana Menegpora telah menunjuk Bpk. James Bpk. James Tangkudung (Asisten Deputi Pembinaan Prestasi Olahraga) untuk mewakili guna melakukan pembahasan lebih lanjut untuk persiapan & koordinasi langkah berikutnya serta melakukan study banding sebagai persiapan dari rencana penyelenggaraan kembali WRC di Indonesia.
Rombongan yang akan berangkat mendampingi Deputy Menegpora adalah Bpk. Harris Gondokusumo (Ka. Biro Dept. Olahraga PP. IMI) dan Jeffrey JP (Rally Indonesia Organiser)

Persyaratan serta kondisi yang terjadi pada penyelenggaraan WRC adalah :
1. Negara yang menjadi kandidat WRC harus terlebih dahulu melaksanakan event yang berstatus FIA Regional Championship (di Indonesia adalah FIA APRC)
2. Jumlah negara penyelenggara untuk WRC mulai tahun 2009 akan menjadi sebanyak 12 putaran, dimana 6 negara sebagai penyelenggara tetap dan 6 negara akan dirotasi secara bergantian

Informasi selanjutnya selama kunjungan kerja delegasi WRC Indonesia dan partisipasi Indonesia Rally Team – Subhan Aksa/Hade Mboi akan kami sampaikan secara bertahap sampai dengan akhir penyelenggaraan Rally New Zealand 2007 (WRC round 11)

Kami sangat menghargai atas dukungan dari rekan-rekan media melalui peliputan yang diberikan dan hal tersebut sangatlah penting untuk dapat membantu sosialisasi proses pencapaian penyelenggaraan event WRC di Indonesia, dimana segala kritikan dan saran juga sangat kami butuhkan guna percepatan proses serta demi kemajuan Olahraga Otomotif cabang Rally di Indonesia.
Akhir kata apabila terjadi kekurangan dan kesalahan baik yang disengaja maupun tidak disengaja, sebelumnya kami memohon maaf serta kami sangat mengharapkan untuk dapat bekerjasama lebih erat lagi untuk bersama-sama memberikan kontribusi kepada Negara tercinta Indonesia melalui event-event Internasional (APRC & WRC) yang akan datang. Terima kasih atas perhatian serta liputannya dan sampai jumpa di GUDANG GARAM INTERNATIONAL RALLY INDONESIA 2007 putaran 3 di Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan pada tgl. 7 s/d 9 September mendatang.

ROAD TO WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP (WRC) FOR INDONESIA 2009

Mechanic - Ball Joint Replacement

It started as a clicking noise as you backed out of the drive. Just a mild tap through the steering wheel. Sometimes it's not even there. But as the mileage builds over the next few weeks, the click gets bigger. Then it starts to morph into a thump as you go over potholes. A thump that turns into a shimmy. You jack up the front end and shake the wheels side to side--no problem. You shake them up and down. Big problem. There's a half-inch of slop on one wheel, though the other is tight. The diagnosis: You've got a bad ball joint.

NOTHING IS FOREVER

Front suspension parts eventually wear out, but this sudden onset of slop in your ball joint probably means a lubrication failure. But wait! you say. My ball joints are sealed--there's no grease fitting to pump fresh lubricant into. They're Lubed For Life, like it says right here in the owner's manual.

Exactly.

You've just discovered the true life span of a permanently lubed suspension joint. The lubrication finally dries out, water intrudes inside the boot covering the moving parts, and rust and abrasive road dirt turn a ball joint or tie rod end into a loosey-goosey accident waiting to happen. Do not delay in repairing a failing ball joint or tie rod end. When it fails, the wheel involved will try to part company with your vehicle, and not quite succeed in doing so. This will precipitate two unfortunate events: loss of control at some speed, and considerable damage to the rest of the vehicle.

Mechanic - Ball Joint Replacement

NOTHING IS FOREVER

Exactly.

Ball joint

Description: A ball joint consists of a hardened-steel, bearing stud and socket enclosed in a steel housing. The bearing stud is tapered and threaded and fits into a tapered hole in the steering knuckle. A protective boot prevents dirt from entering the joint assembly. Ball joints are used on the front end of virtually every car and light truck. Vehicles with conventional suspension systems use two ball joints per wheel: an upper and a lower ball joint. Cars with MacPherson strut suspension systems use a lower ball joint and an upper strut bearing rather than an upper ball joint.

Purpose: Ball joints serve as the pivot points between the tires and suspension. Ball joints also support weight. On some vehicles, the ball joints may be used to make wheel alignment settings.

Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: Many cars use “lubed for life” ball joints that can’t be lubricated. Replacement ball joints often come with lubrication fittings. If your car has lubrication fittings, the ball joints should be lubricated at every oil change. Ball joints, along with other suspension components, should be inspected annually along with a complete wheel alignment. The most common vehicle symptoms associated with worn ball joints are wandering, uneven tire wear, and erratic steering. Ball joint inspection methods and specifications vary, so have your vehicle inspected by a qualified service professional.

source : carcare.org

STEERING & SUSPENSION (BALL JOINT)

Purpose: Ball joints serve as the pivot points between the tires and suspension. Ball joints also support weight. On some vehicles, the ball joints may be used to make wheel alignment settings.

source : carcare.org

DAMPER DINAMICS

KONI Sport and FSD (Frequency Selective Damping)

During a typical mile of travel down the road, the damper will move in (compression) and out (rebound) millions of times. Break that mile into one second of travel, and the number of times the damper moves (stroke) defines the operating frequency (Hertz, Hz). Controlling body roll entering a corner induces relatively few strokes of the damper (low frequency), while chattering over broken pavement at highway speed results in a much higher quantity (high frequency) of very short strokes. Knowing this, damper frequency can also be used to tune handling and ride quality. Vehicle body roll control needed to aid handling occurs at a frequency of around 1Hz. Ride impact harshness is felt when damper frequency reaches approximately 10Hz.

Hit a bump without dampers, and the suspension would continue to bounce up and down uncontrollably like a bobble head doll. The damper's job is to reduce the size and/or speed of the suspension movement, preventing the never-ending bobble head scenario. We've all seen that older car going down a smooth highway with one of the rear tires visibly vibrating up and down very rapidly, which is caused by a worn-out damper that is no longer controlling the movement of the suspension. The lack of damper control allows the suspension to move uncontrolled.

The piston moving back and forth through the oil inside the damper creates the resistance needed to control (dampen) the suspension movement. How much resistance (force) develops for a given movement is determined by internal valves that control the flow of oil. Based on the force, the valves open or close to self adjust to each bump or any vehicle body roll. All dampers do this; but KONI's FSD units add a second valve system that responds to the damper's operating frequency, allowing ride and handling to be tuned more independently than with conventional dampers.

KONI's design theory for tuning dampers uses the compression (in) force to dictate the amount of axle movement and is directly linked to handling like steering response, road holding, etc. The rebound (out) force is used to control body movements (side-to-side body roll and/or pitch fore and aft) and is also directly linked to ride comfort.

KONI's traditional user-adjustable yellow sport dampers most applications have a fixed setting for the compression rate, but allow the user to manually adjust the amount of rebound control to tune the balance between ride comfort and handling. The FSD dampers also have a fixed compression setting, but instead of allowing the user to manually adjust the rebound, the internals of the FSD dampers automatically adjust the rate and shape of the force curve (when plotted on a graph) on the fly, responding immediately to the frequency of the damper’s movement. The unique secondary valve used inside the FSD units is engineered to provide large amounts of force to control vehicle body movement at relatively low frequencies, while generating less force at the higher frequencies that affect ride quality.

Robots Get So Small They Can Fit in Arteries

Robots Get So Small They Can Fit in Arteries
Scifi is here! I love Sci Fi!

Automotive Dynamometer Systems(dynamo meter/rolling soad) information

Once you have built your new motor, or fitted any tuning parts you will NEED to visit a good automotive Dynamometer or rolling road. If you don't you will never be able to set up your engine properly. A good dynamometer allows you to use a gas analyser while under load so you can see the real air fuel mixture at all RPM's while driving.

Car chassis Dynamometer

Rather than discuss the subject on this site it is better if you go to my Automotive Dynamometer pages, as I used to build them! (Below)

Chip tuning, or chipping your car...

Non Turbo Cars

Heard a boy racer telling his mate the other day "just fitted a chip to my xxxxx car (non turbo) yesterday, and its loads faster!". Well that is just NOT possible.

I asked him how and he didn't know, but said it was about 20mph faster flat out! Now since it takes 4x the power to go twice as fast, that equates to a simply huge power increase! So he was obviously lying...

First of all, a noticeable increase in power is simply not possible with a naturally aspirated car (no turbo) by fitting a "chip" or having it "chipped". As we said in the first few pages engines breath air. If you do not increase this flow somehow it cannot make more power than it already is doing! That chip simply tells the fuel system how much is the CORRECT amount of fuel to add! The manufacturers stock settings are usually optimum for peak power. It also controls the Ignition timing, but again the stock settings will be about perfect for full power. It is only possible to get tiny gains in "drivability" rather than more real power.

t is possible to gain a few percent here and there at different rpm's and throttle plate positions, because the manufacturers tailor the fuel map to give optimum economy, smoothness and low emissions. But these gains are pretty small. They "may" result in better drivability, but definitely not enough extra power to notice!

Turbo Cars

It is possible however to chip a turbo car for more power in many cases. The max boost level is often controlled by the engine management system. So in this case reprogramming, or rather remapping the ECU or chip can bring power increases. Be careful though because the manufacturers set these things as they are often for good reasons - usually reliability!

By allowing the turbo to make higher boost the engine gets more air and therefore can make more power, often considerably more.

Conventional Engine tuning methods

By "conventional engine tuning" we mean internal engine work. Not Turbocharging, Supercharging, Nitrous Oxide Injection, etc. No "bolt on power" modifications. but tuning the internals to give better airflow.

Getting more power from a standard car engine by conventional tuning means is at best difficult. (we will ignore standard turbocharged cars for the moment). The only way is to increase the airflow drawn through the engine. There are lots of ways to do this and it all involves a lot of work and money! For example:

Bigger side draft carbs or throttle bodies
Bigger engine bores / pistons (machined to increase capacity)
Bigger engine stroke (offset ground machined crankpins and shorter connecting rods)
better tubular exhaust manifolds and system
better port shape in the head (ported head)
Bigger inlet and exhaust valves fitted with specially shaped valve seats
Higher compression ratio
longer duration and higher lift camshaft
forged pistons (for strength)
stronger connecting rods to cope with higher RPM's
uprated oil pump/system to help engine reliability at higher RPM's
Crank / Connecting rod lightening, balancing, strengthening etc to cope with higher RPM's than standard engine

Depending on what you are trying to achieve you may need to do all of the above or just some! A fully tuned and "built" race engine is seriously expensive, loud, and unsuitable for road car use. It has bad driving characteristics, uneven idle, little low rpm power etc. And it is usually short lived as it has to be revved hard to get to any useful power. Obviously then it is best to start with the biggest engine variant of your model of car to begin with! This way you may not need to tune it at all to get the same power! If you do tune it it will not need as extensive modification to achieve the desired power so will be more user friendly.

Conventional tuning has low limits on how much power you can expect too. Its easy to get a few horsepower more, but very difficult to get any big power increases. And the cost of power goes up and up as more power is wanted...

Unless you have a good reason to use "conventional tuning" rather than fitting a bigger engine, or a turbocharger or Nitrous injection then these are probably better options for road use.

Fuels, and fuel additives

There are hundreds of different fuel additives with all kinds of different claims! We are only really interested in the ones that CAN work to help power.

First we need to understand the differences between the two common road fuels we all use, and a few "race" fuels.

1st we have all those "additives" that claim to improve power, and torque, improve "smoothness" emissions, and mileage! Sometimes by 25 percent! But they cannot, or will not tell you how! Well get real! They are a CON!

2nd we have "octane boosters" SOME of these work well. Look for tests and recommendations, or just use proper high octane fuels in the first place!

3rd we have "upper cylinder lubricants" such as Redex etc. Well in a road car they may not hurt. In a highly stressed race engine running on the borderline of detonation, it might just be enough to kill it! You see oils radically lower the total cylinders Octane So be careful!

4th Methanol. This can if added in small amounts increase octane. But it may make the total fuel mixture weaker so again be careful!

Then there are the lead replacement additives. These may or may not work, some definitely don't. They are designed to replace the lead that some engines like to stop valve/head seating problems in pre unleaded fuel days! Don't confuse lead and Octane. Lead is for lubrication. Octane is a measure of the fuels ant knock properties. Although lead happens to increase octane a little too!

A little known fact...

In the UK leaded pump fuel if you can get it when mixed with super unleaded gives a higher octane than either alone! Because both use different additives to increase octane that work less effectively the higher the concentration

Lightening engine parts

If you want more acceleration, especially in lower gears, lightening crankshafts and flywheels is a good idea.

It may also result in a slightly lumpier idle, but will give faster throttle response when you blip the pedal! Much like a motorcycle, because they have no flywheels.

The gains are quite small and expensive but like all engine tuning you have to decide what you are trying to achieve. And everything should be a good balance of modifications that matches.

A lightened Suzuki 1300 GSXR Crankshaft and it has no flywheel at all! >>>

Cams, or camshaft, and effect on performance

Wild or "race" cams are just not suitable for a road car. They do not allow you to drive smoothly in say 4th gear in town because they make your engine run "lumpy" at low revs! And you will have an uneven idle like a bike engine.

They "CAN" give some performance benefit at higher revs though, but only if the rest of your engine and induction system and exhaust are also modified to take advantage! If not, the extra valve o "overlap" makes them sensitive to exhaust back pressure and your car may well be slower! Valve overlap happens when your engines inlet valve opens whilst the exhaust valve is still open. This aids airflow at high engine rpms.

On the other hand, if you have just spent a fortune building a "big valve" race engine with lightened and balanced internals etc it would be stupid to fit a standard camshaft, as most of your hard work would be wasted! Like everything in life it has to be a balance. So its best to know what you are looking for and plan for that! Its no use just putting a few go faster bits on your car and hoping! That does not just apply to camshafts but to the complete engine. All the bits need to be matched and work together! You must have a plan before you start.

Cams types can be described (very general guide) :

a) Stock - smooth, long lasting, good emissions, good economy, good low down power for smooth easy driving in traffic. The main manufacturers are not stupid! Think carefully before you decide on a "race" cam. Power falls away at higher RPM's.

b) Towing, mild, or whatever - these will give good economy and will work much like the manufacturers stock cams. Standard lift and duration Usually expected top give more torque than stock ones at low RPMs Smooth tick over.

c) Fast road camshaft - Usually works OK with stock head/valves and a good free flow exhaust system, and bigger better multi carbs. These will give a higher RPM peak power than stock and usually at the expense of some low down power. Remember that low down power is where you spend the most time in a road car. Usually a touch more lift and duration (about 260 / 270 degrees) Slightly lumpy idle in some cases. Gas flowed head and bigger valves helps if you can afford to do it, but generally not essential.

d) Sport Cam / Very fast road - Not a sensible choice for road use, unless the car is also a race car and you can suffer a bit! Very lumpy idle on some engines, not smooth or powerful at lower 25 percent of RPM range. Peak power typically 1000 RPM higher than stock camshaft, big valves, ported head, free flow exhaust, multi carb or big throttle body, needed really to take advantage. Probably 20 percent more peak power than stock cam would give if the engine is as described. Lots of overlap, so high emissions likely. free flowing exhaust essential. 280 to 290 degrees, usually more than stock lift.

c) Race... Speaks for itself. in a road car far too much! To work, you need to have a totally "built" motor, with strong bits to stand much higher RPM than stock. And good head, big valves, open big bore exhaust (loud) and good free flowing induction system. High compression ratio needed as there is less time to "trap" the gasses. Much power! At high rpm only. Think "Bike engine"!

d) Turbo or Nitrous Cams - These have stock (ish) intake timing, but less overlap, and high lift long duration exhaust timing, to get rid of all the extra gasses.

There are LOTS of aftermarket Camshaft manufacturers to choose from. Companies such as:

Kent, Piper, Crower, Holbay, MTS, ISKY, MAHLE, Comp Cams, Crane, Edelbrock, Erson, H.O., Indian Adventures, Iskandarian, Lunati, Speed-Pro, Summit, Ultradyne, Systrand , Schrick Camshafts, Wolverine, Lazer Cams to name just a few!

Tuning and LPG or Propane alternative fuel vehicles

The short answer here is that LPG or Propane fuel has a higher detonation limit so makes a better fuel for tuning than pump petroleum does.

It allows either more turbo boost, or higher compression ratios, or more nitrous to be used before detonation of fuel stops play!

In short, if you want power its a great idea!

Superchargers and Supercharging your car...

Supercharging your car makes more power by forcing more air into your engine just like an Exhaust driven Turbocharger does.

This allows you to burn more fuel.

The difference is that the compressor is driven directly by the engine rather than the exhaust gasses. The one shown is a VW VR6 Motor with an aftermarket low boost "supercharger" fitted.

In this case it is actually a centrifugal compressor just like a Turbocharger uses, but driven by an auxiliary drive belt.

Most superchargers are "screw" types, and positive displacement like the one on the left.

The VR6 one at the top of the page is unusual in that it uses a turbocharger type centrifugal compressor instead.

The Supercharger has a few disadvantages over a turbocharger, in that it takes power to drive the compressor directly from the engine. This is then lost or wasted. A turbocharger on the other hand uses waste exhaust gasses to drive the compressor so is more efficient.

But the supercharger has advantages too! There is no lag! Boost is always available, no matter what. With a turbocharger you have to wait until the engine starts to produce enough exhaust gas to spin up the turbo to give you some boost.

For ultimate BHP, like a top fuel dragster with 5000bhp supercharging is the only option! They accelerate from zero to 300 MPH in 4 seconds. A turbo would still be winding up!

gpw-20051129-US-DVIC-DFSD0317847-Space-Shuttle-Endeavour-STS-108-F-15C-Eagle-fighter-jet-Florida-20011129-large.jpg (JPEG Image, 2000x1312 pixels) - S

Space-Shuttle-Endeavour-STS-108-F-15C-Eagle-fighter-jet-Florida

Cool shot!

2008 Porsche GT2 Test Drive: L.A. Auto Show Preview

You�re looking at the first Porsche 911 that will top 200 mph right off the showroom floor. It goes 204 mph to be exact. That�s faster than the regular Turbo and much quicker than the GT3 version homologated for racing. And it bristles with some of Porsche�s best technology. It will go from 0 to 62 mph in 3.6 seconds and hit 100 mph in less than 7.5 seconds. We kept the hammer down on this bad boy all the way to 170 mph on a track. Yeah, this is one massively fun ride.

The third generation GT2 ups the power of the Turbo�s twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter engine from 480 to 530 hp, with 505 ft.-lb. of torque from 2200 to 4500 rpm. The engine uses two variable-geometry turbochargers and Porsche�s VarioCam variable valve timing and lift hardware and software, plus a free-flowing exhaust system that�s made of expensive titanium alloys from one end to the other. That not only enables the engine to make more power but also lightens the rear end of the car by quite a few pounds.

Although it�s a twin-turbo engine, the 3.6-liter mill is not just a juiced version of the existing engine. The entire intake system between the two turbos and the intake valves has been changed to take advantage of the sinusoidal waves that bounce back and forth in the intake tract, a system that Porsche Motorsports engineers call an �expansion� intake system. By enlarging the castings, passages and ports to capitalize onthese waves, says Karsten Schebsdat, the GT2 project engineer, the engine can operate at lower temperatures, use more spark advance and less fuel, and offer more all-around drivability. And because it�s a Porsche, it helps make more power too.

Lightweighting is one of the keys to this car�s high speed and pinpoint-accurate handling. The GT2 does not use all-wheel drive like the 911 Turbo, saving considerable weight on the nose of the car. Porsche uses special Alcantara-clad carbon-fiber sport bucket seats that are 40 pounds lighter than the standard power units. Unlike most 911s, there�s no room for the kiddies in back�just two carpeted panels, with provisions for roll-bar installation. A unique sound insulation package removes some weight too, along with the lighter suspension components front and rear. In the end, the GT2 comes in 320 pounds lighter than the Turbo. The Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes, or PCCB system, normally an $8000 option on other 911 models, is standard on the GT2. They�re not only hugely powerful but also over an inch larger than the 13.8-in. brakes on the Turbo and GT3. And those PCCBs are a full 40 pounds lighter than the conventional steel brakes.

The GT2�s outer skin is a combination of the existing Carrera 4 and Turbo bodies, some 8 percent stiffer in torsion and 40 percent stiffer in bending than the previous GT2 body. It carries not one, not two, but three large radiators in the nose, with massive openings to flow as much cooling air as possible through them. And, because it uses the four-wheel-drive bodywork without the drive system itself, there�s room up front for a hefty 23.8-gal. fuel tank.

Like the GT3, the GT2 has a small grille of sorts above the bumper in the nose. That grille is designed to simultaneously exhaust hot air from the front radiator and provide downforce. At the rear, the GT2 carries a fixed biplane spoiler that, for the first time, incorporates a pair of engine air intakes. The slots in the fenders exhaust hot air from the engine�s intercoolers, which also provides some additional aerodynamics. Those body mods, plus the racing-style undertray, help the GT2 produce more aerodynamic downforce than any 911 in the model�s 44-year history. And yet the GT2 slices through the air with a drag coefficient of only 0.32.

Because the GT2 is like a turbocharged version of the naturally aspirated GT3, it�s fully homologated for racing in many countries around the world. And that includes club events and track days here in the States. The GT2 comes with a slightly different initial setup than the more-aggressive-handling GT3. It has a lower roll center at the front and a higher roll center at the rear for smoother left-right transitions versus the racier GT3. But it�s all adjustable.

The GT2 uses a very sophisticated suspension system that features a wide range of adjustments for ride height, spring rate, caster, camber and toe-in that can be done using simple tools and adjusting cams and shims. The GT2 uses a strut front suspension and a multilink rear suspension with adjustable coil springs and stabilizer bars on both ends. The ride height can be raised or lowered over a range of just over 2-inches. The GT2 comes with only P325/30ZR-19 Michelin Sport Cup high-performance tires mounted on lightweight alloy wheels. These tires are completely performance biased, so don�t expect them to last past 10,000 miles.

This new-generation GT2 is the first to use Porsche�s Active Suspension Management (PASM) and PSM traction and stability control, with separate shutoff buttons for each system for track work. The previous model had no electronic intervention. The GT2 even comes with a new Launch Assist feature. The launch system comes into play when all other systems are engaged; the engine is making at least .9 bar (13.2 pounds per square inch) of boost; and the revs are high enough. It allows for a completely clean getaway from a stoplight or out of the pit lane on a racetrack. The GT2 also packs automatic brake differential, automatic slip control, engine drag control, and a limited-slip differential borrowed from the Carrera GT, all operated by the traction control computer.

Although it has no back seat, the GT2 is hardly a stripper, with options like navigation, the Sport Chrono onboard timing system, a six-disc CD changer, and a 325-watt Bose sound system with 13 speakers and a seven-channel digital amplifier.

The 911 GT2 qualifies as environmentally friendly, sort of. It meets the LEV II emissions rating so there�s no gas-guzzler tax. Porsche will build only 1500 911 GT2s for the entire world over the next six months or so. Only 200 examples of this $191,700 supercar will come to North America. We�ll take a black one. �Jim McCraw

2008 Porsche GT2 Test Drive: L.A. Auto Show Preview

2008 Dodge Viper SRT-10 ACR: L.A. Auto Show Preview

Track-day junkies can finally get their hands on a street-legal racing version of the Viper to drive to the course�because railering is just so unccool. The Viper SRT10 ACR�s prodigiously powerful 600-hp engine remains unchanged from the standard, but the suspension is hardened up to improve the Viper�s already impeccable racetrack manners.

StopTech provides lightweight, two-piece vented rotors for sustained racetrack braking performance. The exterior package includes hinged front splitters, an adjustable rear wing and a sporty hood stripe. New wheels, featuring track-ready Michelin Sport Pilot tires, trim a good 40 pounds from the Viper. The Hard Core package replaces most of the upholstery in the interior with carbon fiber and substitutes a lap timer for the radio, saving 40 more pounds. Dodge says the ACR will be available late next spring for under $100,000�but not very far under, we�re guessing. �Mike Allen

2008 Dodge Viper SRT-10 ACR: L.A. Auto Show Preview

2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid: L.A. Auto Show Preview

LOS ANGELES � When it hits the market in late 2008, Chevy�s new Silverado Hybrid is expected to be the most fuel-efficient full-size pickup yet�an impressive distinction for the domestic workhorse. Working in conjunction with 300-volt nickel metal hydride batteries that sit beneath the rear seats, the 6.0-liter V8 powerplant is capable of operating on four cylinders for economy, or shutting off completely at speeds of up to 30 mph.

The two-mode hybrid system uses regenerative braking for fuel economy, and will be capable of operation while towing up to 6100 pounds. An electrically variable transmission (EVT) rounds out the powertrain setup, enhancing seamless delivery of power for either 2WD or 4WD crew cab models.

The Silverado Hybrid should also ride quietly, thanks to low-rolling resistance tires, electrically powered HVAC and steering systems, and internal fans designed to cool the NiMH batteries. Its Z85 suspension is specially tuned for hybrid duty, and a new hydraulic body mount smooths out road surface irregularities. Long-haul drivers might benefit less from the hybrid system, but should appreciate the 26-gallon fuel tank, which enables a theoretical cruising range of more than 500 miles. Underneath its imposing exterior proportions, the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid promises to offer a unique combination of fuel economy, rugged utility and cruising comfort. �Basem Wasef

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