A wealth of information is available, but the data is surrounded by noise. For every knowledgeable enthusiast, there are many more misinformed or incorrect speculators whose opinions usually spring from personal preference or a need to hear themselves talk.
Instead of reading other websites or books, he should have done a AskSlashdot:)
In my opinion (a WRX), it's best to leave any mods/upgrades to the experts. If you have the money to spend on mods, you should have the money to pay for the experts' time. Cars, in most cases, are the second most expensive asset a person's going to get (after a supercomputer), so I would rather put it in good hand, and just enjoy the outcome, not the journey of car mods.
That's how my nephew became an expert. He runs PCMforless.com [pcmforless.com] along with a friend of his. They both started programming mod chips for their own cars. As they got better, friends started asking them to mod their chips. Now they have a pretty good business and a reputation for turning out excellent mods. Now they are using their 'hobby' to pay for college!:)
I know a couple people who mod their cars. The impression I get is that, for them, the joy is in the journey, not the destination. One guy I know sells cars and boats off once he's done fixing them up.
Possibly true if you're just looking for getting the most performance out of your money.. If you like "hacks", though, you might want to try out some mods to your car, just for the sake of trying it, and seeing what results you come up with. You'll be much prouder of your fast car, when you've made it fast by yourself, than if you just gave it the standart expert treatment. At least with old engines, there is still quite a lot you can do on your own, and you can experiment without immediatly killing your en
Well-maintained older cars actually produce less pollution than a lot of newer cars. Strange but true (hint - the stuff from catalytic converters is incredibly nasty, the stuff from non-cat is less nasty but there's more of it). Plus, they're easy to work on, parts are cheap, and you can always get good used expensive bits from the scrapyard.
If you put your car into a "Kwik-fit" type place for an oil change (£15 oil change offers are pretty common in tyre and exhaust centres round here) then that i
What exactly is nastier that comes out of a catalytic converter? Methinks you know not what you speak of.
Other than easy routine maintenance (which is what you describe), modern cars are much harder for the average person to "fix nearly any problem that crops up."
Hydrogen Sulphide is incredibly poisonous. It's produced *only* by catalyst-equipped cars. That's what the "rotten egg" smell you get is - and ironically it's worse when the exhaust never gets properly hot (for example, when you're driving in town). The air in built-up areas was a lot cleaner in the UK before cars were fitted with catalytic converters.
I know modern cars are harder to work on, that's why I think people should get older cars. Just think of it - buy a car for maybe a tenth of the price of
It only happens when something is very wrong with the engine or emissions system. I've never smelled it in any of my cars, and only a handful of times from other cars on the road over the last 25 years.
The human nose is extremely sensitive to H2S, even trace amounts are detectable. What you perceive is a very insignificant amount. You make it sound like cars are discharging plumes of H2S - they are not.
Face it, no matter what you may think, new cars pollute much much less than any old car. Don't get
I've got figures to prove it. My 1988 2.2 litre Citroen CX, non-cat, carb-fed, big old cast iron tractor engine produces *less* CO and NOx than a 2001 VW Passat. Got both sets of emissions figures, tested about two months ago, right here on the workbench.
Well, probably specifically mine, since I spend an hour or so a month servicing it. Not a lot to pay for easy starting even in the pissing wet awful weather we've had this month (car sitting in 6" of water one evening when I finished work, because the car park had flooded), and 36mpg if I'm not being too badly behaved on the motorway. The Passat is a 2001, 1.8 litre. I don't know what its power output is, but the Citroen is 2.2 litres and around 115bhp book figures. In view of the car's age and mileage,
Well-maintained older cars actually produce less pollution than a lot of newer cars. Strange but true (hint - the stuff from catalytic converters is incredibly nasty, the stuff from non-cat is less nasty but there's more of it). Plus, they're easy to work on, parts are cheap, and you can always get good used expensive bits from the scrapyard.
I recently calculated the pollution caused the manufacture of a brand new fuel-efficient Japanese car, and the pollution caused by the horrible (8) mpg my 1979 V8
I'd tend to agree when it comes to novices and people who want a fast daily driver. But, personally, I'd rather become an expert myself and turn every bolt. That's why I built my own project car [trunkmonkeyracing.com] from the ground up for rally and ice racing.
But, by your logic, most computer users of high end systems should only trust installing software to the experts at Best Buy.;)
If you want something done right, often you have to do it yourself. Finding a good tuner shop is TOUGH.
And in some cases, you might have a car where you'll need to do all the research and fabrication yourself. Some cars have impressive performance potential, but for various reasons were ignored by the aftermarket.
Plus in some cases, the challenge is to produce a sleeper car that no one expects to be fast.
http://www.turbovan.net/ and http://www.thedodgegarage.com/ are good examples of people who REALLY
I knew a guy (who died in an unfortunate motorcycle accident) who had a turbocharged Dodge Caravan that was ridiculously fast on a drag strip.
I'm also an Electrical Engineer with a mind to tinker. I only have one car, but it's also my project car, heh. I can't leave well enough alone, even if it leaves me stranded sometimes. It's been a lot of fun working on it though (AWD Turbo Plymouth Laser).
Those Nye turbine guys are great, I love their videos. Did you see
...but rather in the trip. For many people, modifying their car is a chance to show off their mechanical skills. I relate these people to those who can take a crappy computer and make it run like a scalded cat.
Then, of course, there's those people who just want a faster, more stable ride. These are the people who buy a new Alienware system for the latest games.
And then there's the ricers. These are the people with the large spoiler on a(normally Honda) front-wheel drive car. These people are kinda like
It is possible to get performance and handling from a front wheel drive car that's almost indistinguishable from a good rear wheel drive layout.
Just pop in a limited slip differential and tune and stiffen your suspension to keep weight over the front tires.
If you're starting from scratch, it's better to get a rear wheel drive car. But if you want to modify something you already own to perform better, it works nearly as well.
I've never seen a a sub 11 second FWD car at any of the tracks I go to. I know they exist but I only see them on TV. My question. Why do they have a wheelie bar on the back? I doubt it is used to prevent the car from flipping over. It appears that it COULD be used to limit the transfer of weight to the back tires on launch. IMHO, If that is what it is really used for, that is kind of cheating isnt it? It effectively turns the car into a 6 wheel vehicle and chang
I don't know what they're for, and I agree it's unfair. If you can only - boo hoo hoo - get an 11.5 second quarter mile without the extra wheels, that should be your official rating.
I've only been to the track once myself but my first time out (last weekend) I saw at Pontiac Grand Prix GTP (~2002?) run low 10's. The car looked completely stock. After the guy ran, the tech inspection guys were flipping out saying they had to have a chat with him since he didn't disclose he had something hidden in the car. He must have had NOS or something in the cabin...
no man, seriously, i'm not telling bullshit. it was fucking unbelievable and a complete shock to everyone on the track. we see this guy warming up his front tires of his GTP and we kinda chuckle - hey, it looked totally stock! then he runs pretty quick and i ask my buddy "wtf did that guy just run?!!" "mid-10's!" *WTF?!!* i would NOT make something like this up!!:D i only saw him run that one time, tho. it was a champagne coloured one.
Well maybe the/.'ers can find out who this guy is. there were people in the stands with video cameras so maybe a combined effort could get some info from one of the major car forums. The time this run went down was ~1pm on saturday Oct 23 at Cayuga raceway (Toronto International Speedway). let's get the machine rolling!:)
There are quite a few 11 sec GTP's running around on clubgp.com but not too many in the 10s. I only know of one in the low 10's and it is the INTENSE Turbo GTP (www.intense-racing.com). It's white and looks pretty stock but dyno'd 535 HP to the wheels, ~670 at the crank. I'll see if I can find out who this is...
Actually, if you (or anyone else) finds ANY footage from Cayuga on October 23, please post! I ran myself but my buddies were still figuring out how to work my digicam's video record function.:( Post 'em if ya got 'em!:D
I've seen quite a few people get kicked off of tracks. Tracks/locations/events have safety rules for cars and drivers that can obtain certain times. An example is a requirement for a full roll cage on anything under 12 seconds or a helmet under 13, a drive shaft safety loop under 11 blah blah. If the techs were scrambling, and the car really looked stock, it may have been a case of non disclosure. Running mid 10's is not a fluke, the original inspection may not have been for such a time.
It's exactly what you think it's there for -- to prevent weight transfer to the rear wheels. Think of it less as two extra wheels and more as two wheels with a suspension that won't compress.
I wouldn't call it cheating, but I would say that it shows the inherent disadvantage of FWD in a drag racing application. Fact of the matter is, FWD is not as good a platform for racing as AWD or RWD. With FWD, you must split all the driving forces (braking, acceleration, turning) with the front tires. It's very
It's not help keeping the weight on the tires, but if it flips over, it's not going to have a good 1/4 mile time. I am just saying it has this "cheat", so what is the problem with FWD using it, even if they use it differently?
My take on *the experts*, based on half-a-dozen reasonably completed major projects over a period of more than 40 years, is that you can rarely trust any of them. It has always ended far better when performence mods came from the Factory racing department, and when other mods were *restoration*. The only exceptions that can be regarded as entirely successful have been those involving Radio Communications/Audio or Lighting. While I've never turned a running vehicle into a basket case, I have twice found m
You've hit on a very interesting aspect of performance mods. There are many times when mixing and matching parts from the manufacturers models and years can yield BIG gains with little headache. My 1987 BMW 325e started with 121HP, a 2.73:1 diff ratio, and a 0-60 around 9 seconds. It has since recieved a 325i engine with 168HP and a 4.1:1 differential from a 325i automatic. These two mods alone are worth a nearly 3 second drop in 0-60 times.
I've seen guys that have built some amazing Porsche engines by mix
I do most of my own auto work because I've had a hard time finding someone capable of competently fixing common problems on my low-performance sedan. I can usually do better with a few hours and a Hayne's or Chilton's manual.
There are plenty of tuner shops around, but I bet Sturgeon's law is even worse than with general mechanics.
Even if you are going to pay someone else, you need enough clue to know what to ask for.
Beginner - bolt on the exhaust and make vroom vroom noises. Do you really want to pay someone $70/hr to install this?
Intermediate - replacing engine components - camshaft heads; Bolting on superchargers. Almost everything in kit form. Requires an investment in tools (Sear Craftsman - not too bad)
Advanced - Fabrication! Welding in roll cages (maybe even bending them yourself). Welding up your own exhaust because no on
the WRX is a great relatively cheap car. A good friend of mine bought one a couple years ago, and for about $3K in mods he has a VERY fast car (comparable to a stock STi) that handles better than practically everything on the road that's affordable, with exception of the Evo.
For DIY people like me, the fun part is in installing the parts. Journey, not the destination. There's a certain sense of satisfaction knowing that your car's 1.5" lower because YOU put your coilovers on.
A modded WRX is amazing car to drive. I am now pushing about 40 more Horse power over the stock vehicle. Other things Mods are not only cosmetic or performance in the means of speed it's also menas all around handling or maybe sound systems the list goes on.
These sites offer a wealth of reviews and installation practices to help people choose what they feel comfortable doing as much as what specialists to go to for what type of upgrade. Tires, yes they need to be rotated and changed, but putting some M2 or
With all the fancy scientists in the world, why can't they just once
build a nuclear balm?
Noises (Score:3, Insightful)
Instead of reading other websites or books, he should have done a AskSlashdot
In my opinion (a WRX), it's best to leave any mods/upgrades to the experts. If you have the money to spend on mods, you should have the money to pay for the experts' time. Cars, in most cases, are the second most expensive asset a person's going to get (after a supercomputer), so I would rather put it in good hand, and just enjoy the outcome, not the journey of car mods.
Re:Noises (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Noises (Score:2)
Re:Noises (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Noises (Score:1)
Re:Noises (Score:1)
If you like "hacks", though, you might want to try out some mods to your car, just for the sake of trying it, and seeing what results you come up with. You'll be much prouder of your fast car, when you've made it fast by yourself, than if you just gave it the standart expert treatment. At least with old engines, there is still quite a lot you can do on your own, and you can experiment without immediatly killing your en
DIY is good (Score:3, Interesting)
If you put your car into a "Kwik-fit" type place for an oil change (£15 oil change offers are pretty common in tyre and exhaust centres round here) then that i
Re:DIY is good (Score:2)
Other than easy routine maintenance (which is what you describe), modern cars are much harder for the average person to "fix nearly any problem that crops up."
Re:DIY is good (Score:2)
I know modern cars are harder to work on, that's why I think people should get older cars. Just think of it - buy a car for maybe a tenth of the price of
Re:DIY is good (Score:2)
Re:DIY is good (Score:2)
Re:DIY is good (Score:2)
also what other facters are involed, size of engein, power output.
Re:DIY is good (Score:2)
Re:DIY is good (Score:2)
Well-maintained older cars actually produce less pollution than a lot of newer cars. Strange but true (hint - the stuff from catalytic converters is incredibly nasty, the stuff from non-cat is less nasty but there's more of it). Plus, they're easy to work on, parts are cheap, and you can always get good used expensive bits from the scrapyard.
I recently calculated the pollution caused the manufacture of a brand new fuel-efficient Japanese car, and the pollution caused by the horrible (8) mpg my 1979 V8
Re:Noises (Score:5, Insightful)
I'd tend to agree when it comes to novices and people who want a fast daily driver. But, personally, I'd rather become an expert myself and turn every bolt. That's why I built my own project car [trunkmonkeyracing.com] from the ground up for rally and ice racing.
But, by your logic, most computer users of high end systems should only trust installing software to the experts at Best Buy. ;)
Re:Noises (Score:3, Insightful)
Rephrase: novices getting in over their heads and people with no interest in mechanics who want a fast daily driver.
Yup (Score:2)
And in some cases, you might have a car where you'll need to do all the research and fabrication yourself. Some cars have impressive performance potential, but for various reasons were ignored by the aftermarket.
Plus in some cases, the challenge is to produce a sleeper car that no one expects to be fast.
http://www.turbovan.net/ and http://www.thedodgegarage.com/ are good examples of people who REALLY
Re:Yup (Score:2)
I knew a guy (who died in an unfortunate motorcycle accident) who had a turbocharged Dodge Caravan that was ridiculously fast on a drag strip.
I'm also an Electrical Engineer with a mind to tinker. I only have one car, but it's also my project car, heh. I can't leave well enough alone, even if it leaves me stranded sometimes. It's been a lot of fun working on it though (AWD Turbo Plymouth Laser).
Those Nye turbine guys are great, I love their videos. Did you see
Re:Noises (Score:1)
um...Back when I was studying, they called that physics.
donour
Re:Noises (Score:1)
Re:Noises (Score:4, Funny)
Most people would say house, but we are on slashdot so I am glad you have your priority straight.
The adventure lies not in the destination... (Score:1)
Re:The adventure lies not in the destination... (Score:2)
Just pop in a limited slip differential and tune and stiffen your suspension to keep weight over the front tires.
If you're starting from scratch, it's better to get a rear wheel drive car. But if you want to modify something you already own to perform better, it works nearly as well.
Re:The adventure lies not in the destination... (Score:2)
I've never seen a a sub 11 second FWD car at any of the tracks I go to. I know they exist but I only see them on TV. My question. Why do they have a wheelie bar on the back? I doubt it is used to prevent the car from flipping over. It appears that it COULD be used to limit the transfer of weight to the back tires on launch. IMHO, If that is what it is really used for, that is kind of cheating isnt it? It effectively turns the car into a 6 wheel vehicle and chang
Re:The adventure lies not in the destination... (Score:2)
Re: 10s Grand Prix GTP (Score:1)
Re: 10s Grand Prix GTP (Score:1)
There we go, now we can all get along again, your eliteness...
Re: 10s Grand Prix GTP (Score:1)
Re: 10s Grand Prix GTP (Score:1)
Re: 10s Grand Prix GTP (Score:1)
Re: Please post if anything from that day is found (Score:1)
Re: 10s Grand Prix GTP (Score:1)
That specific c
Re:The adventure lies not in the destination... (Score:2)
I wouldn't call it cheating, but I would say that it shows the inherent disadvantage of FWD in a drag racing application. Fact of the matter is, FWD is not as good a platform for racing as AWD or RWD. With FWD, you must split all the driving forces (braking, acceleration, turning) with the front tires. It's very
Re:The adventure lies not in the destination... (Score:2)
Re:The adventure lies not in the destination... (Score:2)
Re:Noises (Score:1)
Re:Noises (Score:1)
I've seen guys that have built some amazing Porsche engines by mix
Re:Noises (Score:2)
There are plenty of tuner shops around, but I bet Sturgeon's law is even worse than with general mechanics.
Even if you are going to pay someone else, you need enough clue to know what to ask for.
Re:Noises (Score:2, Interesting)
That's it, you are out of the hacker club! :)
There are different levels of mods.
Beginner - bolt on the exhaust and make vroom vroom noises. Do you really want to pay someone $70/hr to install this?
Intermediate - replacing engine components - camshaft heads; Bolting on superchargers. Almost everything in kit form. Requires an investment in tools (Sear Craftsman - not too bad)
Advanced - Fabrication! Welding in roll cages (maybe even bending them yourself). Welding up your own exhaust because no on
Expensive asset (Score:1)
I'm guessing you're not married.
Re:Noises (Score:2)
For DIY people like me, the fun part is in installing the parts. Journey, not the destination. There's a certain sense of satisfaction knowing that your car's 1.5" lower because YOU put your coilovers on.
But, as always YMMV. And hones
Owner Speaking with mods (Score:1)
These sites offer a wealth of reviews and installation practices to help people choose what they feel comfortable doing as much as what specialists to go to for what type of upgrade. Tires, yes they need to be rotated and changed, but putting some M2 or