Doing a makeover or making a monster?

Car modification is cool. However, you may find yourself exaggerating things, making your work of art a total disaster! Better yet, you can keep everything simple yet appealing.

There are lots of auto parts that you should consider when modifying your ride. You can start with the most obvious ones… Those which you can see even from a distance – like your wheels and tires.

With the wheels and tires, the desire to fit alternative ones is the most common modification. This is because of their significant visual contribution on aesthetics. Oftentimes, these auto parts stand as foundations in making or unmaking a car.

Changes to the wheels and tires can alter your ride’s behaviour on the road, so it is advisable to fit wheels and tires that are listed on the tire placard or in your owner’s handbook. Of course, you also need to ensure the good condition of your tires and wheels.

Some experts say that modifying wheels and tires can really improve a road holding, but an incorrect tire and wheel combination can affect the track of your vehicle.

Now let’s talk about one of the most popular location of car modification – the exhaust system. The rumble of a hotted-up V8 makes a pretty loud statement. Enthusiasts extravagantly shell out to fit a larger exhaust system with the idea of improving gas flow while deriving more power from the engine.

Ideally, it will be better to reduce the restriction in the exhaust to maximize the performance but in reality, it doesn’t deliver huge gains because it goes more about the noise than anything else.

Upgraded exhaust systems are popular in the 17–25 age group This is partly personality and show-off factor. The statutory limit for exhaust noise is 90 decibels for cars made after 1983. Nonetheless, fines range from $150 to $500 depending on how far the exhaust noise exceeds the limit. What do you want, fame or fine?

Getting in the interior… Car enthusiasts transform seats for support, safety, comfort, and aesthetics. If you don’t have any reason while doing such modification, better stop it, or make a monster out of your interior. However if you are sure about your plan, you can find optional extras for your vehicle, just don’t forget to get an engineering certificate.

Once a seat is incorrectly fitted, it will dislodge in the event of a crash. Moreover, if you fit a new seat and it ends up too high or low, it could compromise the driving position of your ride. If you have side airbags, have your seats modified or use seat covers since they could interfere with the deployment of airbags..

Getting under the hood.. Engine modifications tend to be more complex as these include either modifying the existing engine or fitting a new engine. Among the common activities are adding superchargers turbochargers, or after-market fuel injection systems.

Powerchips are great. These go into the vehicle’s engine management computer and changes the mapping of fuel and ignition timing, maximizing the power. Nonetheless, this is expensive if you base on the “not so great” net gain.

Never modify your ride if it is likely to affect engine management, oxygen sensor, catalytic converter, or the mufflers in the exhaust system. You can boost the power under the hood using other techniques. You don’t have to modify your ride into a monster.

More techniques are yet to be counted. If you want to learn more about having a makeover for your vehicle, keep on researching. A lot of enthusiasts are willing to share great tips for your benefits. Next time, I’ll be posting more entries related to this…

Improve your Shocks

Have you been suffering from extensive bouncing? Never ignore this as you will never get the off-road performance that you need. Check if the shocks are still in good shape otherwise, you will continuously get annoyed by the road disturbances.

Shocks generally stand as piston inside a liquid, having an extra gas chamber that absorbs the unfavorable effects of road disturbances. This happens when gas compresses while the liquid does not compress under pressure. Because of such difficult task, your shocks are apparently made to have fairly complicated structure. Additionally, since these auto parts are exposed to extensive movements, early damage are always imminent. If this happens, your car would bounce all along. To make sure that problems with your shocks will not annoy you, make sure that you will always consider the condition of each suspension parts. These are some of the main components that you have to regularly inspect.

Bound and Rebound settings
This refers to the dampening force of the shock absorber. Bound is the rate at which shock allows compression. Rebound, on the other hand, is the rate at which the shock releases the compression. Once your suspension has a dampening control, then you can determine the optimum setting.

Camber
This is the angle of your wheel against the road. Putting all your weight on the outside of your feet will cause negative camber. On the other hand, rolling your feet inwards, so all your weight gets inside, positive camber is resulted. As the car rolls into the corner, the camber will bring changes to handling and tire life. The best camber settings for handling will lead to premature tire wear. The front wheels are set up for positive camber while the wheels deflect up. Camber setting refers to the angle of the wheel to the road and the angle of the wheel to the chassis. Maintaining the best angle of contact between the tire and the road should therefore be done properly.

Caster
The angle of the wheel hub in relation to the suspension arm is referred to as the angle of castor. Positive castor keeps the wheel straight. Stability is maintained, whereas a neutral camber leads to wheel wobbling around the axis.

Toe
Toes in or toes out? Your car has “toes out” when they seem to look like your feet, having the heels together and the toes apart. On the other hand, it has “toes in” when the heels are apart and the toes are together. Any of these conditions can affect the stability of your car. Toe can provide stability on the straight and resistance whenever turning. With toes out, there is quicker steering response.

You can provide your car with the toe that you want, just make sure that this is equally distributed to all your wheels.


Roll
Removing roll in corners will help attain cornering stability. Once you push hard, your car will lift a rear wheel and when cornering, you will surely need as much rubber in contact with the black stuff.

Roll bars are also called sway bars. These help keep the level in a car corner by taking a lift from one side and trying to move it to the other. This is impossible so the lift effectively pulls down and everything is kept in contact with the road.

Spring stiffness
If the springs become so stiff, the car will bounce over humps and potholes on the road. When this become too soft, the car will wallow along. Perfect shocks are made adjustable on the car to let you get the set up that will match your driving style.

Bushes
These suspension parts provide connection to the suspension components and chassis. The rubber ones deteriorate over time. New poluurethane bushes last longer and maintain handling much tighter. However, since these are harder, your ride has the possibility to become a little bumpy.

Experience the Honda roadster drive!

2008 Honda S2000 CR

Want a sporty yet feminine convertible coupe? Why not consider the Honda roadster – S200. This sports car was launched in April 1999 and was created to celebrate Honda’s 50th anniversary. This had the chassis designation of AP1then

Honda S2000 features a front-mid engine, rear wheel drive layout with power delivered by 1, 997 cc F20C inline 4 cylinder DOHC-VTEC engine producing 240 hp (179 kW) at 8,300 rpm and 153ft.lbf (207 Nm) at 7,500 rpm. The six speed manual transmission is matched with Torsen limited slip differential.

This roadster is constructed using a rigid x-bone monocoque frame so as to improve passenger safety and handling. You can also locate other features like double wishbone suspension, integrated roll hoops, and electrically-assisted steering. An electrical vinyl top with internal cloth lining was standard.

The AP1 was manufactured up to 2003 at Tochigi plant, alongside Honda Insight hybrid and Honda NSX. The succeeding year, the production was continued at the Suzuka plant.

In 2004, a lot of revision to the S2000 was carried out. These have later on given the chassis designation of AP2. The 2004 model got the newly designed 17 in wheels and Bridgestone RE-050 tires along with a returned suspension, which reduces the tendency to oversteer.

The 2008 model year recorded the first time the S2000 was offered in more than one trim level. Additionally, Honda offered a new race-inspired version of this coupe. This is distinguished by reduced weight, fewer amenities, and a claimed increase in performance.

S2000 CR, the latest model, was introduced at the 2007 New York International Auto Show. Some modifications, called the Type-S in Japan, have included the stiffer suspension, quicker steering rack, and new Bridgestone Potenza RE 070 tires.

More and more enthusiasts desire to experience the smooth performance of this 2-door roadster, especially the ladies. If you are among these people who long for this car model, then better stop dreaming now, see it yourself..

Getting Lower... but trendier

Do you want to give your vehicle a new appeal? Why not try making it look closer to the ground? Lowering has been one of the popular trends today so it will surely be a success if you will pursue such style in your own ride.

But how are you gonna start the lowering of your vehicle then? Lots of enthusiasts have their vehicles lowered through their own skills and money. Apparently, you need to invest the same factors to make sure that your ride will stand out down the road.

Usually, lowering is started by removing the huge tractor like gap between the top of the wheel and the arches. Such lower feature is better for handling since the track becomes fairly flat and smooth.

Manufacturers need to take speed bumps, passenger comfort, uneven road surface, and road noise into consideration when setting up a car suspension. Lots of cars contain soft comfortable suspension that does a little to maximize handling and driving experience. Track cars are designed for driver preference and style for perfect setting is not just different for each model, as it is also a subjective thing.

If your car has a lowered front with a body kit, you will may not go quite as low on the suspension or you will quickly grind the front skirt of pavements, ramps, and speed bumps.

Vehicle models like Ferrari raises the nose cone electronically to avoid such issue. You could add gringing plate of rubber or metal to the bottom edge to preserve the plastic- you get to replace the grinding plate instead of the whole front apron.

Talking about the common mistakes – you should not go through the chavsandtarts car part catalogue and buy a suspension kit, which can lower your ride 50 mm, and expect the perfect set up.

Several kits are so general, as these can be fitted to all models. Different engine weights, wheel sizes, and car weights need different suspension characteristics. If you go too low, you risk grinding the tires in the wheel arch requiring a rolling of the arches, making them bigger by folding the metal underneath. You will also risk the condition of the drive shaft and gearbox if the angle from the final drive to wheel hub is wrong.

Your car can look good when slammed to the ground. You can reduce the ground clearance, causing troubles with tires rubbing in the wheelarches. Take note that roads have speed bumps and instead of slowing a lowered car down they will grab the sump and rip off the bottom of the engine, where most is of the front skirt. Several road cars can be better off going lower than 35mm for hot hatches which tend to have uprated suspension (which can even be better with just 30mm).

In case you have changed the wheel size, then these tolerances can be much lower a car fitted with standard suspension and 17” rims can be fine. Nonetheless, if you lower it as well, you may get more problems. Lowering must improve handling and appearance. Also, this must result to less air going under the car, which can enhance stability. You can notice that lower springs should be fitted top match shocks, so cutting the springs will not be that advisable.

Lowering is indeed a great idea for customizing your car. Nevertheless, this always requires complicated procedures. Of course you can do it yourself but the result will be better if a skilled auto mechanic will assist you. Also, make sure that you will get the best lowering kit in the market. Always guarantee yourself with the right choice of kit, according to the requirements of your car manufacturer.

BMW GINA Light Visionary Model

Bavarian Motor Works or BMW has been one of the most popular auto manufacturers since the onset of the 20th century.

When speaking about BMW, elegance, performance and convenience are always expected. That’s why with all the impressing high-performance and luxury vehicles that this manufacturer produces, more and more unique designs are yet to be revealed.

Lately, BMW just unveiled its latest design philosophy through a radical concept car. Publicized as the "game changer" for the "development of tomorrow's mobility,” such new BMW concept centers around the GINA principle, for Geometry and Functions in "N" Adaptions. With this concept, BMW shows its capability to think outside the box and introduce great ideas with the least amount of typical constraints on car designs.

The first translation of GINA philosophy is established in the Light Visionary Model concept. You may find something familiar out of it. And it might be the car's realistic 8-cylinder powertrain package residing in a roadster, built from an aluminum space-frame chassis with two double tailpipes. Moreover, you may find the 20-in. alloy wheels at the corners recognizable too. More important than these are the Visionary's exterior body that surely catches attention. This is skinned by four large pieces of flexible material, stretching and contracting based on a number of substructures. These will move about on the chassis through electro and electrohydraulic controls.

Four main pieces of skin make up the Visionary's body. The largest among these starts at the front and extends down to the base of the windscreen, and then across the two doors, ending at the rear edge. The next two fabric-like skins start at the front lower rocker panels. These run across the rear wheel arches to the back. The last piece of skin is making up the rear deck. The roadster's scissor-type doors are opened with its outer skin wrinkled in a very clearly defined pattern. These are however stretched back into a silky-smooth surface once the doors are shut. The fabric covering the Visionary's body is made from waterproof and temperature-resistant mesh netting on the outer layer. This is supported by a flexible metal-wire structure underneath so as to keep the skin's tension and smoothness regulated. Around the curvatures of the skin, you can find carbon struts added for higher flexibility and better shape of contours.

The GINA Light Visionary Model is attractive not only because of the fabric outer skin but also because of the utility in form following function. On the other hand, flexible skin causes the headlights to seem hiding or exposed whenever necessary. Side markers to signal lane changes are not seen on the outside until turned on. As these lights are lighted on, the beams shine through the translucent (but not transparent) cover.

The airflow around the car can be managed aggressively as the skin can be closed, opened or stretched relative to the necessity. The rocker-panel shape is made adjustable for better aerodynamics. And since the rear deck is covered by one single piece of fabric, the spoiler can be completely concealed when not in use.

With the appeal of GINA Light Visionary Model, BMW is in the forefront of creative automotive design. If you are not impressed yet, then check these out.

When was the last time you have upgraded your car?

Revolution in the automotive industry has gone so far. And fortunately, the development gets on, as modern cars seem to get more and more complicated, yet convenient. Though microprocessors make it more difficult for you to work on your vehicle, some of these will make the maintenance easier to handle.

The use of microprocessors are basically brought by the need for sophisticated engine controls to meet emissions and fuel-economy standards, simplification of car designs, new safety and convenience features, and development of wireless connections.

Some of the signs for the advancement of automotive technology are the innovations from engineers like the ABS module, Airbag module, Body Controller, Climate control module, Cruise Control Module, ECU, Instrument Panel, Power distribution box module, and transmission controller.

ABS module – controls anti-lock brakes, handle traction-control and stability-control systems.

Airbag Module – controls airbag deployment

Body controller – controls power windows, interior lights, seats etc..

Climate control module – monitors interior temperature while controlling heating and cooling systems.

Cruise Control module – regulates speed while in cruise mode

ECU – controls engine functions such as spark timing, fuel/air ratio etc..

Instrument Panel- controls gauges and indicator lights

Power distribution box module – controls relays in the power distribution box

Transmission controller – controls the automatic transmission


Among these advanced automotive designs, the sophisticated engine controls make a lot of breakthroughs. Though these were unimportant then (because it was possible to build an engine without microprocessors), the increasingly stricter emissions laws have necessitated their uses. Today, sophisticated control schemes are designed to regulate air/fuel mixture so that the catalytic converter could effectively minimize the pollution.

ECU is among the most powerful computer in vehicles, as it controls the inputs to a system, managing the emissions and fuel economy. It gathers data from different sensors, keeping it “knowledgable” with everything from the coolant temperature to the amount of oxygen in the exhaust. Just imagine how it performs millions of calculations per second. This controller is indeed one of the busiest computers. By the way, have you upgraded your ECU? Better do it soon, otherwise, troubles with miscalculations may lead to major problems.

ECU gathers data through a lot of sensors. Clusters are currentlyused on smaller scales for these sensors. There are manufacturers that produce smart sensor that is integrated with all electronics, along with a microprocessor that enables it to read the voltage, calibrating it through temperature-compensation curves and digitally outputs the pressure onto the communications bus. Such design can save the carmaker from having to know the dirty details of sensor, while saving processing power in the module.

Smart sensors are favorable as the digital signal traveling over the communications bus is less susceptible to electrical noise. An analog voltage traveling through a wire can pick up extra voltage when it passes certain electrical components, or even from overhead power lines.

In addition to sensors and computers, other systems such as traction control, stability-control, ABS and air bags have become common to cars. These safety features add new module, which contains multiple microprocessors.

Each safety system requires more processing power and is usually packaged in particular electronics module. In the near future, it is expected that all kinds of new convenience features in modern cars will require more electronic modules containing multiple microprocessors.

With all these advancement in modern cars, how many have been used to upgrade you car? Better check out if your vehicle is still on the trend. Upgrading the systems may require ample money and time, but surely, it pays. Anyhow, it’s your choice to be left behind or not.

Hyundai HDC9 Talus

Talus aims to excite the inner passion of customers who have not been able to justify parking a sports car in a secret place. Unlike the traditional coupes, Talus can run over steep driveways, potholes, or two-track access roads because of its increased ground clearance.

The performance of Talus is of optional 4WD to assist in applying horsepower to the pavement or for added confidence in inclement weather. The increased ride height also improves visibility, giving the driver the ability to see and anticipate the road ahead. Talus includes interior room for four adults, plus cargo space. Such space ensures more convenient access, while giving more benefits in spite of a commanding ride height.

With the exterior, Talus got the assertive features that brings confidence to the driver. Eric Stoddard, senior creative designer of Hyundai, says that Talus can do what it wants to as it opens boundaries from a sports car perspective.

Every inch and curve of Talus comes from the same underlying inspiration, which guided all-new Santa Fe. Talus shares a similar assertive expression in its front headlamps, grille, and bodyside. The shape of the hood emphasize an extremely powerful V8 engine under it.

The roofline and tapering greenhouse accentuate the exterior profile while highlighting the broad shoulders and wide sporty stance, with its 22-inch polished aluminum deep-dish wheels.

There are pillarless aperture supported by front-hinged doors and rear-hinged jump doors for easier access into the cabin. There is also a solenoid door release that is integrated into the b-pillar, which allows sculpturally clean bodyside.

Balance is importantly considered between passion and functionality at the rear. The beltline adds up intrigue while enhancing outward visibility for all passengers. A power clamshell hatch opens to a spacious cargo area, allowing easy access from the rear and sides. The dual exhaust tips repeat the design theme of the fog lights up front.

Overall, you will notice that the finish of the exterior is on Molten Red metallic paint. This is selected as a refined evolution of bright red that is typically associated with sports cars. The finish is harmonized with Cinder black ground effects.

The interior is equally as elegant as the exterior. Talus is captivating and luxurious on the inside so as to provide ease to the passenger while attaining cargo versatility. The cascading metallic trim on the center console will make Talus a more interesting ride. You surely would want to explore the details and craftsmanship that were entirely tailored into the interior. Blue LED lighting establishes nice ambience throughout the interior day or night.Getting behind the wheel of the Talus gives you a feeling of being privileged and empowered by the luxurious appointments and higher seating position, as senior creative designer Dragan Vukadinovic said. According to him, they aim to push the expectations of the sports car interior by injecting as many luxury cues as possible. The center console was designed for more alluring visual while providing all the practical functions a driver expects.

If you will notice, the center stack looks like a jeweled pendant hanging from a necklace. Such necklace graphic describes a retractable hood that opens to show off a 10-inch LCD monitor, air vents and a clock capable of displaying time in three different time zones. There are also two control knobs that seem to be suspended from the necklace, representing the jeweled pendant. Dual zone climate controls edge the tapering center console. The secondary audio controls make the rear passengers enjoy watching individual nine-inch DVD monitors mounted in the rear of the front seats.

The interior is covered with rich hues of supple leather wherein the palette contains Sierra Brown and Black Chestnut colors. These were selected to evoke the warm affluence of a western lodge. The accented metallic finishes also maintain a fresh yet futuristic appeal.

Nissan Intima Concept

Simply elegant. This is how I want to describe the Nissan Intima.if you are like me who wants to enjoy an exciting yet elegantly looking ride, then this Nissan model is perfect for you.

Intima is equipped with many safety systems based on Nissan’s safety shield concept, including the Around view monitor and Distance Control Assist System (DCAS). It also features an efficient, environmentally friendly V6 clean diesel engine.

As it targeted consumers with sophisticated, discerning eye for beauty, Intima sees to it that it expresses the interior attractiveness of Nissan. It is in fact inspired by an imagination of a situation where a person who has accumulated many experiences and successes currently wants to spend his/her time alone or with a partner.

Looking beyond such imagination, we can find some auto parts that will justify the sophistication of Nissan Intima. For instance is the instrument panel padding that appears to float in between the wood grain panels. The center console incorporates a wave pattern and large door armrests, while assist grip combine to give passengers a feeling of comfort and peace of mind.

Another vital element in orchestrating the relaxing ambiance in the Intima is the illumination. The cabin illumination is provided by the indirect lighting incorporated in the instrument panel, door trim, center console, and ceiling. The door assist grips, featuring blue-green acrylic material that gives off a soft light. A lighted storage space is also featured, giving more convenience.

Also featured in an Intima is a four-zone air conditioning system that offers nice and cool ambiance. All passengers can independently control the temperature through the use of infrared sensors. Such advanced AC system keeps the interior clean since a natural grade seed polyphenol filter neutralizes pollen and other allergens. In addition, a cool storage compartment at the rear center console will keep beverages or snacks at a satisfying temperature.

When it comes to aesthetics, Intima will never be an outcast down the road. Its traditional expression of relaxation focuses purely on function such as in terms of seat comfort. The interior provides the sensation of relaxation to an even higher plane. The front passenger’s seat swivels approximately 80 degrees to the outside as if to welcome and escort a passenger into the car. There is legroom in both front and rear seats for more convenience. The large glass roof, that seems to flow continuously from the windshield, enables all passengers to enjoy a wide outward view so as to enhance the feeling of a comfortable and relaxing drive.

As we take a closer look in the interior, we will notice the style that combines a sharp-edged lines with organic panel sufaces. The balance of such elements creates a refined mood based on the ideas of relaxation and comfort. The elegance is more expressed through the arching side character line as the crystal- like appearance of the front and rear lamps, grille and wheels that project an image of superior quality and refinement reminiscent of jewelry. The “quiet” luster of the chrome finish contributes to the impression of refined quality imparted by all of the exterior embellishments.


With all the beauty and convenience that Intima offers, Nissan retains its reputation as one of the best car manufacturers. The Intima testifies the that art and functionality are not mutually exclusive. This therefore emphasizes the dominant role of visual attractiveness in creating a comfortable and relaxing interior.

Above all the looks and comfort, Intima features environment friendly engine. If you are an environmentalist, then the designed new-generation clean diesel that offers quiet operation will satisfy you. The V6 clean diesel engine guarantees enhanced fuel efficiency, harmonizing with the relaxing and inviting interior.

Volkswagen EOS

concept C

VW Eos is a convertible coupe, which is considered as world’s first four-seater car with five-section CSC roof - a folding top that combines the characteristics of a coupe, sliding, and convertible roof, so three different car concepts are formed in one vehicle. Amazing it is.

Eos is generated from a greek name of the goddess of dawn and wind. From the term itself, we already know what to expect with VW Eos. But let’s assess first on the exterior details.

When closed, the CSC roof curves in an arc between the rear end and windscreen. This gives rise to an outstanding coupe roof that apprears sporty, yet elegant. The roof’s curve elongates while the rear end looks aggressive and muscular. The overall impression is of high quality. When the roof is open, the 4.41 by 1.79 m Eos reveals a body concept that has not been derived from any other model. The CSC roof enables the windscreen frame to be kept short while the rear compact lends the sensuous proportions in the classic convertible style.

The five sections CSC structure offers practical advantages. Among the most significant ones is the pure convertible feeling. Another is the optimum entry and exiting. The shorter windscreen frame makes it easier to get into the Eos when the top is down. The integrated glass/sliding/tilting roof gives benefits as well. The sun does not always shine nor is it always summer. Thus, full opening and closing becomes quick. The system completes the process with a signal tone, so as to confirm if the roof is either opened or closed. The CSC roof also offers benefits on unimpeded suitability throughout the year and minimal driving noise whenever it is closed. This is also less appealing to vandals than a soft top.

From the exterior, let us now focus on the inner details of Eos. Behind its powerful appearance are extraordinarily agile and safe handling. These character will let you enjoy pure driving even if your roof is down.

Some of the details that you will enjoy inside an Eos are the ESP, safety- optimized front headrests, safety gadgets like airbags (including the side head-thorax airbags), air conditioning system (climatic/V6: climatronic), electric window lifters, ambient lifting, gear level knob, handbrake lever, Dynaaudio sound system with ten-channel amplifier, ten loud speakers, and 600W output power, and more. Also featured is a power latching system that closes the boot lid the last few millimeters. Another is the through-loading aperture that is additionally integrated into the rear bench seat.

New look?

Having your vehicle flaunted down the road is not simple. Some styles just don’t bring contentment at all. Oftentimes, it is a matter of taste as you tend to go in with halfhearted effort buying cheap auto parts that will just make your ride look tacky. Uuhm… Don’t get offended (big grin :D).

If you really want to have an attention-grabber look for your ride, you have to give extra money, time, and effort. Styling a car is not that simple as I said. You need to have a theme in mind. Just like decorating your home, you have to carefully choose colours that blend or contrast well.

Your theme is important and you have to think about it a million times so that your car will really stand out down the road. Nonetheless, you have to set limits to avoid exaggeration. Attention to detail and maybe, sense of humor will also go a long way. You can find lots of inspiration from the worl of motrosport. Among the most popular applications that you can have are the spoilers and wheels. You can also experiment on your car’s paint. The wheels can be customized using stylish colors and finish.

One word is important on your goal to customize your vehicle: originality. Off the shelf body kits are quite easy to modify so you can create a totally unique look. There are kits from sports cars that are modified and fitted to typical hot hatches and bring them into a higher level.

Some enthusiasts have their vehicles fabricated using wide body kits, making their cars look more aggressive and powerful. Because of that, more and more people get impressed.

Remember that unleashing the best looks on your ride can be a hard task so you need a lot of patience. If you don’t have “sufficient supply” of patience, make sure that you are ready to stretch your wallet then look for an expert who can do the task perfectly for you.

Vent your vehicle’s dullness

The looks of every vehicle is dominantly affected by the way your fascia is maintained. Apparently, even from a distance, the front fascia exhibits an appeal that will make or unmake your vehicle. For this reason, more and more enthusiasts have their vehicles customized through the front details. Among the most frequently modified parts is the hood, which is usually referred to as the bonnet.

Hood is considered as another door as it gives access whenever you need to work on the engine bay. This door protects the important auto systems from foreign elements. Aside from such detrimental elements, the components under the hood also need to be protected from extreme heat. This is the reason why auto grilles are installed on vehicles.

Grilles however may not be enough to draw in sufficient air; that’s why some car owners have the bonnets modified with vents. From a distance, a vent exposes a different look. It exhibits a different attitude and style. If you want a complete motorsport look for your vehicle, then a vent in your bonnet will make your ride.

Vents can range from subtle slits to a honeycomb of vents that cover up to 50% of the bonnet area. These are very useful in keeping the under bonnet temperatures moderated while maintaining the performance of the engine.

The size of a vent is a big factor in keeping the temperature down. Nonetheless, you should not get too mad because the larger the vent, the bigger is he effect on the aerodynamics.

Before you go and take an angle grinder or jigsaw, mark out where the main support frame is and avoid cutting it as this will dramatically affect the rigidity of the bonnet. On a frosty morning, as you run the engine, the supports will generally be the last part of the bonnet to defrost. This can be a fool proof way of approximating their whereabouts. Better yet, use large sheets of paper stuck together to fabricate a patter from which you can decide where cuts shall be made.

You can find a lot of ways in designing your bonnet. You may practically cut the bonnet and fabricate the vents yourself. This will be an inexpensive option but you will need to roll the edges of the cut to make them smooth. It will be hard to get a good straight symmetrical cut in the bonnet.

Never attempt to cut the bonnet while it is still on the car though you have propped it open since it is the best way to get an off symmetrical cut and or seriously injure yourself. You may also need to check the bonnet supports before cutting so that you won’t undermine the strength of the sheet.

An expensive but great looking route of getting a bonnet vent is to buy a bonnet with pre- cut vents or moulded vent panels. You can have the bonnet applied with protective mesh underneath it. This will give an attractive finish, like the carbon fibre bonnets that really look great. Nonetheless, you can still lave the bonnet unpainted or painted with a matching or contrasting colour. This method of modifying your bonnet will provide you with a smooth professional looking finish.

On the other hand, you could have stick vents and use these to finis off your DIY cut outs. This can be a handy way of finishing off a DIY cut job. However, you need to give more effort and money so that the vent will perfectly harmonize with the rest of the bonnet.

The new vent can be finished with a quality of mesh, which is available in various designs. The mesh can be painted with your preferred color including black, polished, and paint effect finish. If you go with a polished metal finish mesh, the metal will not get corroded.

If you are not sure with your own knowledge for DIY job, then make sure that you will find a reliable personnel who can accomplish the task for you.

More articles…..

New look
Vent your vehicle’s dullness
Is your car perfectly tuned?
Upgrade your interior
Have a more powerful clutch!
Bored with your doors?
Paint your wheels

Is your car perfectly tuned?

Why not try a sports cat?

Being an environmentalist and driver, some things are just hard to deal with. Sometimes, It feels like I don’t want to push the gas pedal down because of the exhaust that will be released behind my crossover. However, I often realize how responsible I am with maintaining the condition of my auto systems especially the exhaust system.

Among the most important part of my crossover that makes me proud is the catalytic converter. Would you believe that my car is of almost zero-emissions, making it environment- friendly.

So what makes my catalytic converter that clean? If you would look a little closer on my crossover’s exhaust, you will notice a significant substance that converts harmful gases to less harmful ones. Such substance is called catalyst.

Catalysts are definitely vital elements in our environmentally conscious society. These substances work by accelerating the chemical reaction in the catalytic converter.

In cars, exhaust fumes are fed through a matrux of ceramic honeycomb lined with precious metals. When these metals heat up, the gases flowing through them will react and will be changed into less harmful substances.

In a two-way diesel catalyst, carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide and partially burnt fuel into carbon dioxide of water. In a three-way catalyst used in modern petrol engines, nitrogen oxide is converted into nitrogen and oxygen, carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide and hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide and water.

Catalysts typically die if there are unburnt fuel entering. The same thing may happen when a catalyst is used while it is cool. You should therefore avoid jump starting your vehicle with a catalyst. If possible, avoid short journeys as well.

You can analyze if there are power gains from a sports or high flow cat and compare these with the removal of the catalyst together. A sports catalyst or sports cat has a much greater flow rate than a standard cat. This is constructed of the same materials but the chamber size and smoothness may give way to the exhaust gases, which will be released quickly out of the pipe.

Regarding the efficiency, they will have the same effect as a standard cat on your vehicle emissions. These generate less turbulence than a standard cat, having a finer matrix and therefore a greater internal surface area.

Another important consideration is the weight. A sports cat is basically of lesser weight than a standard catalyst. Most sports cats are a drop replacement although some have wider bore capacity so would better suit a car that has had a sports exhaust upgrade.

Power gains on smaller engines can somewhat be unnoticeable. Larger engines, on the other hand, may have power gains that fall between 4 and 10 bhp. Generally, the more power the car is generating, the greater the benefit will be from a sports cat.

The de-cat pipe is one of the most popular cat choices today. This has replaced the catalyst causing the exhaust fumes to flow freely. A de-cat is a cheap option but there are some drawbacks. In some cars with oxygen sensors, you will create anomalies with the ECU. This can lead to running in a fail safe limp home mode. Engine can however decide out of the amount of unburnt oxygen, while using less fuel. This may cause the engine to run lean.

Some cars have the Lambda or oxygen sensor before the catalyst so it will run harmoniously with a de-cat pipe. Nonetheless, this is an illegal modification in some countries, where mandatory carbon dioxide reduction systems are legally required.

Catalyst designs have indeed gone far today as most modern cars take advantage on power gain and emission reduction. In case you catalyst need replacing, you can take the benefits of a sports catalyst. The prices of an original catalyst and a sports catalyst are almost the same. But I’ll tell you, sports cat would be a wise choice. It guarantees you with high performance and less expenses on maintenance.

More articles…..

New look
Vent your vehicle’s dullness
Is your car perfectly tuned?
Upgrade your interior
Have a more powerful clutch!
Bored with your doors?
Paint your wheels

Upgrade your interior

Are you getting bored with the classic colours and fabrics of your interior? Why not try looking for custom re-upholsterers to swap in your aftermarket parts?

A lot of cars today come with black and grey interiors and sometimes navy blue or a slight coloured cord finish. Some also have the slight variation in the fabric. These may look great at a closer look but when you are from a distance, you may notice that they are not that attractive at all.

Even as a car interior usually appears to a wide selection of motorists as it stands up to 20 years use, there is much that can be done to spice up the interior of your car. You can start having your seats upgraded. Many sports seats are available in the market today. However, these are somewhat difficult to track down rear seats to match as most aftermarket seats. Universal fit seats have an adapter rail that will match the car, whereas the rear seats have to be specific in size and must have precisely cut belt holes and release catches.

Using the new seats as base, you can get them without having the recovered or completely re-upholstered. Once you have swapped them in, you can earn bucks by having your old seats sold to your fellow car owner.

Re-upholstering is not an easy job. If you want to do it by yourself, it may take a week or two before you finally take advantage of the output. But if you want to have it finished at once, you should look for an experienced upholsterer.

On the other hand, you should also reckon with the materials of your new fabrics. Be careful with selecting the hard wearing fabric like leather. This material is great as it repels most stains from liquids. This is also easy to clean and is stretchable, as it fits flawlessly into your auto seats.

Aside from leather, you can also choose other fabrics such as heavy cotton, alacatra, and synthetic fibres. Make sure that these fabrics are properly stitched. They must not get a lot of abuse otherwise, you will suffer from a bad interior.

Upholstering is definitely a major activity that will result to major changes in your interior. Hence, it is always a part of a complete interior makeover that you must provide with ample time, effort, and money. This may also include the upgrade on door cards. You can remove the door furniture like the switches, handles, and catches. The door cards typically pushed on with studs and are warped as they are removed.

You can also upgrade the speakers. You can add up small colored panel that can radically transform your car’s appeal. Less is more it is.

New fabric trim can be simply stretched over the doorcard, holes from furniture that can be added and then you can affix the fabric to the door card, having a heavy duty carpet tape spread liberally over the backing surface to a keep them from stretching or a good quality fabric adhesive.

If you are using an adhesive, make sure that it won’t oose through the fabric otherwise, it will harden the fabric, making it scratchy to touch. You can pull the fabric over the edges. You can glue down the seam on the reverse of the door car then rely on the door furniture to avoid sagging.

The finishing touches, dials, dash board function, gear knob, and handbrake can be upgraded too so that they will blend in with the rest of your interior. All of these can represent your personality so get on your feet and be ready with all that these may cost.

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New look
Vent your vehicle’s dullness
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Upgrade your interior
Have a more powerful clutch!
Bored with your doors?
Paint your wheels

Big power? Have a more powerful clutch!

Your vehicle’s capability to accelerate matters a lot. Hence, big power always requires a powerful clutch that will manage more effective and efficient shifting of gears.

Clutch takes engine power and puts it down through the drive shaft to the driven wheels but it also allows you to disengage the engine whilst performing a gear change. This kind of contact often requires a lot of grip and fast response. As, the more power there is, te harder it is for the clutch to operate.

Power is potentially lost if the clutch slips. Failing to make steady contact with the contact plate when the clutch was first released. Power clutches are usually designed with high friction surfaces and sometimes 2 or 3 contact plates.

Heavy duty race clutches have less feel and are practically on or off. Because of this, it may become hard to drive smoothly in traffic or pulling away smoothly on a hill, requiring a fair bit of leg muscle.

Clutch release spring is fairly heavier on most race clutches. A fast road power clutch makes more sense for road use though the high spec multi-plate race solution would seem the best, it is not that great to domestic driving for most vehicle types.

Most clutches have power ratings. If your engine’s output is greater than the rated power of the clutch, clutch slip is more likely experienced while you are accelerating. As a result, the clutch will wear out quickly.

What is clutch slip? A sudden surge of power can cause the clutch to lose grip. This will end up with failure in transferring power to the wheels. This is evidenced by a rise in the revs but not in the road speed. So do you now understand what clutch slip is? This can be compared to pulling a table cloth off a table and all the crockery still stay in place.

As you find some knowledge about clutch slip, you may also want to know more about clutch judder. When clutch does not engage properly, the engine will experience a kangaroo start or intermittent power to the wheels. This must be solved at once by checking your clutch release mechanism and cable.

Clutch problem is always a big deal. Once it is not solved immediately, more and more engine power will be corrupted. More and more notchy clutch (especially on the first and second gear) is surely not a good at all. Having the clutch replaced is a good idea however, you can never assure that 100% of the original’s efficiency is attained. This is because of the permanent damage to the synchromesh has been done as the first remained notchy. If you are adjusting the hydraulic clutch, you must remove the mats from the car especially if they are thick (as they can reduce the pedal travel significantly, making the clutch appear to wear out).

So how will you know that your clutch is still going great? As your clutch wears out, it will usually start slipping or sticking, and not fully engaging or disengaging. Shifting to the first and second gear often becomes harder.

Your car may eventually stall every time you try to put in gear from stationary. Fortunately, the third and fourth can work as you can limp to a garage. If your clutch has gone, you can engage the third and fourth easily without using the clutch if you just carefully match the engine speed to the gear that you select, while your car is moving. When the clutch cable stretches , same problems can occur.

If you are looking for immediate replacement, make sure that you will get the new clutch that will perfectly match your vehicle’s transmission system. Always check your manual for the specs before purchasing a replacement. Regarding the installation, make sure that it is serviced by a qualified personnel.

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Vent your vehicle’s dullness
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Paint your wheels

Bored with your doors?

Are you bored with the standard doors of your vehicle? Why stick with such doors when you have an option to convert them into more exciting design. Nonetheless, if you want to convert your doors, you have to consider several pros an cons of having them. Among the most popular door designs that I can share to you are the lambo/scissor door, gullwing door, suicide door conversions.

Kits are available for about every car as you can also find many universal fitting kits. Manufacturers usually offer fitting service but then, you might get problems with choosing the right conversion kit for your ride.

Most kits will require cutting of the interior wing. They may also involve the use of small amount of spraying so you will need to be reasonable confident once you decide to get a DIY fit. You must understand that you must also add a door conversion before you do other paint and bodywork as these may need touching up after the door conversion is fitted.

Since conversion kits are part of the coolest styling additions for vehicles today, why shouldn’t you try it now? Let’s talk about the types of kit one by one.

Scissor doors or lambo style or vertical doors are basically pulled out a little like ordinary doors. They are lifted up over the roof line like someone doing a butterfly stroke. You can find different kits that allow the door to go completely vertical while others give option to a fairly normal pull outwards to 60-75 degrees as well as swinging upwards to 90 degrees. The kits should match the weight of the door or else, it will fall down. These must also match the amount of width available in the door hinge area.

Lambo doors are sometimes hard to close from a seated position so thought has to be given to the handles. Drop handles can make it easier or you go for the very impressive electronic opening and closing lambo doors. These doors can be impractical on the rear doors because they will swing up and over obscuring the front door.

Apparently, lambo doors are advisable for front doors. If you own a sedan, then the back doors can be the suicide doors. So what are suicide doors?

They are not doors that will end your life. Suicide doors take the hinge of the other side of the door. And they are called such because they open behind you, so as to expose you fully to oncoming traffic.

Suicide doors are fairly simple, however they can make your vehicle look strange. Nonetheless, make sure that they are properly installed in place so your ride will not look weird at all.

If you don’t want the style of lambo and suicide doors, then you last option might be the gullwing doors. The hinge of these doors is placed at the top of the door and the door swings out and upward must like the wings of a bird in flight.

Gullwing doors look impressive as lambo doors, however, these door have not become popular at all. These doors require a slightly wider opening space so if you are parking side by side with other vehicles, you may not be able to open you car. This apparently tells you that gullwing doors are not for supermarket run car.

Should you want to adopt any style of these doors, make sure that proper installation is carried out. Remember that doors keep you from getting thrown out of your vehicle. so better assure that they will remain stuck tightly in place. Better yet, look for a specialist who can successfully do the task for you.

imgs from these sites:

http://bcdsm.labattz.com/Robin%20Ride/Lambo%20Doors%20022.jpg

http://www.215.org/NECO/shows/CCCJ03/images/Focus%20Suicide%20doors.jpg

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Vent your vehicle’s dullness
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Paint your wheels

Paint your wheels

Painted wheels are always cool, aren’t they?

Since wheels can make or unmake a vehicle, you must make sure that they remain attractive whether in a closer look or from a distance. When talking about wheels, you can name several styling options and among the most effective one is painting.
Why should you paint them? Well why not! A lot of manufacturers today start to produce wheels having colour options so why not customize your own? One of the most popular designs is the black wheel having red highlighting along the inside faces.

There are lots of alloy wheel cleaning solutions that are more than any concentrated acid. You can use these solutions in stripping the dirt and grime of your wheels in preparation for paint. More radically making the wheels clean through thorough scrubbing with a firm brush is a great help in attaining attractive appeal to a vehicle. As you do this on your own wheels, make sure that even the smallest layer of lacquer or polish must be removed, or else the paint will not adhere properly.

Your wheels are exposed to lots of several detrimental elements so there is always a big possibility of having them damaged with rust. Always grab the opportunity to repair the corrosion and impact damage on the rims otherwise, they will affect the overall appeal of your vehicle. Minor damage and abrasions can be sanded out fairly easily, but deeper damage is often repaired by specialists.

You must use a quality metal primer and have it built up in a number of thin layers that aid adhesion of the paint. When the primer has dried, mask off any areas which will have second color applied to them then switch the mask to the newly applied color so that there will be an underlap once you paint on the highlight color.

Build up the paint in multiple layers. Avoid getting the paint in the inside area of the wheel, right at the contact with the tire. Some car owners paint the entire wheel and leave it to the tire fitter to insure good fit between the tire and the rim. On the other hand, some people insist that there should be no paint on this inner side of the wheel.

The color of wheels set up attitude to your vehicle. Sometimes, it even flares up emotions, to the amaze of some. Most wheels are color-coded so that they will match or contrast the car. The powder coated alloy wheels may also be painted but it is preferable to strip the wheel back to bare metal.

You might hesitate to paint your wheels because of fear in getting damage from the kerb. Nonetheless, damage is more easily repaired through little more than a touch up pen. The layer of paint can easily kept clean as the smooth finish will repel brake dust road and grime, much easier than many alloy wheels that become corroded.

Whether you are an enthusiast or an ordinary car owner, you can always bring out the best look of your vehicle through your wheels. If you don’t want to have the hub caps or wheel covers, colorful paint will always make your day. Nevertheless, make sure that proper painting is done since it can affect the so much on the appeal of your ride.

There are manufacturers that produce rims with a detachable facing edge, which can make painting a lot easier. Furthermore, they can also lessen the difficulty in removal.

Always make sure that you will plan it out well before you strike the first stroke of paint on your wheels. If you are not confident in doing the painting job yourself, then make sure that you will look for a reliable personnel who can successfully do the task for you.

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Is wing really a spoiler?

NO. Spoiler and wing are two different aerodynamic features of a vehicle. Spoilers are generally closer to the body of a vehicle and it helps diffuse air. Wings, on the other hand, are mounted much higher up and create downforce that provides more aerodynamic effects. Wings almost work like an upside down air plane wing.

In the simplest form fast moving air creates pull if the other side of an object is exposed to slower moving air. If you want to test the theory, you can take 2 sheets of paper then hold them between your thumbs and little fingers, in such a way that there is a gap between the sheets of about an inch. Blow between the 2 sheets and you will notice that they pull together, which is not what you expect to happen. The fast moving air generates low pressure region in between the paper will cause them to pull together.

So as to create lift or down force, you will need air that will move faster on one side of the aerofoil than on the other creating a pull towards the fast moving air stream. We can use a simple 2 deck deflection in creating the down force required.

Deflection will have a bearing on the amount of downforce created and the larger the angle, the more downforce there will be. However, you will pay the price with an increased drag. Most wings contain a two-angled surface having a two stage deflection that force air over the wing, taking a shorter route than the air going under the spoiler.

Looking at the typical shape of a car, you will notice that air will travel further and faster over the top of the car, than it dows underneath. This will create lift then. If you open the sunroof at speed, problem with aerodynamics will be induced.

Imagine you car as a see-saw. When you press down on the rear, the front will be lifted slightly. As you fit the spoiler to the rear, the front of the car will be lifted even higher at high speeds. This will be undesirable in a front wheel drive car. And in a rear wheel drive vehicle, you will need the front wheels to steer even if traction is enhanced a degree of lift at the front is adverse.

To counter the front lift, splitters can be used. Also, front and rear skirts can be fitted to create downforce at the front of the car so that the amount of air rushing under the car is controlled. As you start redirecting the air rushing over the car, an amount of drag will be generated to rob your speed and fuel economy. There will therefore be a line between an efficient spoiler and wing design and inefficient ones.

The best wings are usually adjustable so that the driver can set his preferences to track conditions. You can find such advanced features on most sports cars today such as the Ferrari models.

Indeed, spoilers and wings are great for enhancing the aerodynamics of your car. If you want to enjoy a really smooth and seamless downforce and air redirection, then you need to have your spoilers and wings properly installed on your car. This may seem simple but if you try to figure it out, it is such a complicated task. Better yet, if you are not confident of your own skills, look for a qualified technician who can have your spoiler and wings installed successfully.

Even so, make sure that you will choose the right spoiler and wing for your ride. A lot of non-standard spoilers and wings are available in the market, so beware. If you happen to get such non-standard parts, your vehicle’s aerodynamics will be affected significantly. Remember that these aerodynamic parts must not reduce fuel economy. Be wise in selecting your new spoilers and wings then.

imgs from here and here

More articles…..

New look
Vent your vehicle’s dullness
Is your car perfectly tuned?
Upgrade your interior
Have a more powerful clutch!
Bored with your doors?
Paint your wheels
Is wing really a spoiler?
Is your engine balanced?
Blow that…
Lose weight

Is you engine balanced?

Balance matters a lot when speaking about vehicles. This is especially true with your engine, which is subjected to extreme pressure and heat during combustion. Moreover, with all the rotational speeds that induce vibrations to parts, a balanced engine is surely needed to maintain efficiency and reliability.

No engine can however be perfectly balanced because of the amount of subtle factors, though we can improve upon the balance of a mss produced engine. You can do something to maximize the power delivery of the engine, by carrying out some modifications. Nonetheless, you must not overlook the benefits of balancing the engine to sustain higher engine speeds.

If you want to attain balance in your engine, you must focus on 2 main areas. First are the components inside the engine whose weight and features needs to be assessed properly. Second are the forces created within the combustion.

Balancing engine components involves a lot of processes. One is blueprinting, which refers to the matching and machining of components as a set with a unique engine. Like a tyre installer has a special machine to balance your wheels a machine shop have a dedicated engine balancing machine onto which the components fit and rotate.

The main engine components in an engine to be considered for balance are the bearings, flywheel, piston roads, piston and rings, crank, and pins. Weight is removed from the heavier side of each component so that balance is achieved. This factor incrementally increase the imbalance so lighter components are used to get more stability in the engine, though we still have to consider that some light components are weak.

Pistons and rods are usually machined as a matching pair so the weight and dimensions of each is closely matched, making it well on the way to having balanced engine. On the other hand, the crank usually has a metal cut away and sometime weld to adjust the weight.

The crank at the bottom of your engine has a hard task, which includes conversion of the vertical motion of pistons into rotational forces. Crankshafts are forged from steel thorugh they can also be cast from iron. A machined crank from steel can be a lot stronger as the metal has not been subjected to heating and cooling cycles of casting.

After balancing the engine components, you will need to balance the dynamics. If the compression ratio is out between cylinders, there will be imbalance and vibration since the engine turns over. Such ratio can be affected by a large number of factors, hence, the cylinder wall can get damaged later on. Furthermore, weaker gaskets, poor valve seating, and bad spark plug will also come out. It is surely favorable to take compression readings from each cylinder at regular intervals and check that everything is open within an acceptable tolerance. Also check the camshaft since uneven wearing can lead to stuck open valves and imbalanced cylinders.

If each cylinder compression matches, you will need to balance the fueling. The injectors should be matched and must deliver the same amount of fuel to the cylinders. The fuel/air ratio also need to match.

Once the engine is balanced, you will hear a purr as it ticks over. You should get used of the sound of the engine exhaust note on tick over. Once you lose the regular throbbing purr, you must be alarmed about the possibility of imbalance in the engine.

The engine is indeed the most important system in your vehicle. Once perfect balance is lost, other auto systems will soon fail too. To tone down expensive repairs and replacements, make sure that you will sustain the balance in your engine system. You can do it yourself by following simple procedures that are rampantly available in the internet. If you are not so confident in doing so, you can always look for a reliable auto technician.

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New look
Vent your vehicle’s dullness
Is your car perfectly tuned?
Upgrade your interior
Have a more powerful clutch!
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Paint your wheels
Is wing really a spoiler?
Is your engine balanced?
Blow that…
Lose weight

Blow that....

The exhaust is not just about how good your vehicle sounds. It is also about the overall performance of your ride. Furthermore, exhausts importantly deal with the management of fumes and poisonous gases. Well then, how much time would you allot for maintaining and repairing bad exhaust parts? Better think about it right now.

Getting rid of the exhaust fumes while reducing pressure is what you surely need to attain higher BHP. One way of working on this is by polishing the inside of the exhaust, which can allow fast exit of gases.

Cars with 1.6l engine, according to Torquecars.com, should be provided with a maximum of 1.5 to 2 inch pipe .While 2.5l engines should go with 2-2.5 inches then over this go with a 3 inch exhaust. The bore size applies all over the length of the exhaust up to the back box.

The back box and exit pipe can be a little wider however, it won’t give more power, instead, it will just give deeper sound. Gases will flow better from a large pipe to a small pipe. Steps will cause turbulence and this can interfere with the airflow. Later on, this will contribute on the quality of performance.

The shape of exhaust manifold can also be critical. If you think that your exhaust parts are simple auto parts, then consider the complicated calculations made by experts so that all features are proportioned and perfect for handling pressure and gases. Consider aftermarket performance exhaust headers when replacing the original.

If you still want to improve your exhaust, smoothing out the inside using grinding wheel on a drill can help. You can also get a purpose built stainless steel unit that will perfectly fit into your car.

Some of the best systems are called 4-2-1 (means that they go from 4 pipes into 2 pipes and then into 1 within 3-step process). Other standard exhausts are 4-1, where the pipes are merfed at one point lower down the manifold. A larger diameter of exhaust signifies that as the pressure needed to expel air is lower, the whole process will get quicker with a lower push needed. Cats suck power by slowing up the airflow. Nonetheless, the catalysts (which is made standard for all exhausts) can reduce efficiency.

You might have heard about the catback. High flow sports cat can give improvement on most applications. This benefit however will be minimal on smaller engined vehicles.

Most standard exhausts are cast and are composed of many imperfections on internal suface. Ridges on joints are often seen on these parts. When there is grinding inside the exhaust. Smooth airflow and more improved performance are possibly attained.

Hood temperature is one of the biggest jinxes found in your vehicle. Wrapping the exhaust manifold with a heat resistant wrap can result to a dramatic temperature reduction. It will help the cat reach operating temperature quicker. This can also ensure longer life and efficiency.

So whenever you want to blow clean exhaust, while improving the performance of your car, then start upgrading your exhaust now. Make sure that the next time you drive down the road. Your exhaust will not bring you into troubles. Also ensure that proper care and replacement are provided upon discovering exhaust problems. You can check your manufacturer’s manual if you want to know the basics in maintaining your exhaust. If not, you can surf the internet for countless options in enhancing your vehicle exhaust. When looking for high-quality replacement, demand for the best-quality one since the exhaust system always need to be precise. You can also ask for the opinions of your dad, brothers, family relatives, or experienced friends.

Loose weight!

A lighter car runs faster. It also ensures better handling, performance, and gas mileage. Hence, it is advisable to take things out of your car to achieve the ideal weight.

Apparently, you can eliminate the seats, seat belts, carpet, radio, air conditioning, and headlining to take away a significant figure of weight. But this is too impractical isn’t it? Nonetheless, there are still lots of ways to reduce weight.

Spare wheels add weight so it will be necessary to remove them. Removing these wheels will be a fairly easy weight reduction modification with lots of modern run flat tyres that you can limp home without air in the tyres, so that the spare will become obsolete. Speaking of wheels, the alloy ones can help further reduce weight. The rotational forces of lighter wheels can provide better handling especially when changing direction. The alloy magnesium wheels can improve airflow to the brakes, so better try such kind of wheels.

Serious weight removal of glass windows and replacement with perspect can also help you save a fair chunk of weight. On the other hand, the addition of a light weight racing seat can further reduce weight.

Some companies offer replacement body panels in aluminum and GRP fiberglass so that maximum weight reduction and best strength are obtained. You can know how heavy panels are when you lift up the bonnet. The weight of such panels is lost once they are stripped out from your vehicle.

Carbon fiber bonnets/hoods look great however, you should make sure that when you buy one, you will get the good quality fit since some panels are not perfectly built. Always try the hood/bonnet for the size before drilling and adding fasteners.

A roll cage can add a little weight that you have saved. Nonetheless, it can provide safety while improving handling and rigidity of your vehicle. Roll cage can let you strip out a lot more metal from your ride, including side impact beams and cut away inner arches and panels , while not removing any parts of your car.

Other metal parts can be stripped off or lightened by drilling holes. That is, if you will know the proper procedures in doing so. You start with the small metal parts like the door hinges and locks. These are small but they often contribute on the weight of your car. They can be removed if the doors are welded shut. Such welding will also help add more strength to the body shell. And so, whenever you are fitting new parts, you should weigh them and choose the lighter ones. The same must be applied with other metal parts like brake discs.

On the other hand, huge and heavy components like alternators, fly wheels, water pumps, and pistons should be considered too. Look for these lighter engine components.

These are just some pointers on how to reduce weight on your vehicle. So if you think you have spare time to do some of these, never hesitate to do so. These will be favorable on your pursuit to attain better performance, handling, and gas mileage.

More articles…..

New look
Vent your vehicle’s dullness
Is your car perfectly tuned?
Upgrade your interior
Have a more powerful clutch!
Bored with your doors?
Paint your wheels
Is wing really a spoiler?
Is your engine balanced?
Blow that…
Lose weight

Ferrari California

Are you sports minded car enthusiast? If so, Ferrari is probably not new for you. And the legendary Ferrari California return is such a big deal to you.

The Ferrari California is more beautiful than before. One look at the 2-seat convertible would be enough to tell you that this thing is destined to be a classic, just like the Ferrari California of yore. This ride features a folding hard top, making it look prettier with the top up. Nonetheless, the same elegance shows even with the top down. In the interior, you will get surrounded by high-grade leather and a dashboard layout this is undoubtedly Ferrari.

A 4.3-liter V-8, located just at the front axle, powers the soon-to-be-released Prancing Horse. This comes with the 7-speed double-clutch transaxle, allowing you to choose gears manually or cruise in full automatic mode. The 460 bhp on tap moves you to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds, according to Ferrari.

The new multilink suspension system at the rear so the car's handling and ride quality should be extraordinary. Not only that, you can also locate the company's F-1 Trac traction-control system, also on the 599 GTB Fiorano, which tickle your sport-mindedness. Managing speed is not a problem at all as Brembo brakes at all four corners will ensure excellent stopping power.
In terms of sporty design, innovation, and versatility, Ferrari makes such a big name. Ferrari California will make its official debut at the Paris Auto Show in the fall. The price is not yet set but you got to watch out.

Modify your brakes

Brakes can be modified. Since they are part of going fast, you must always ensure that they are able to stop as fast. Your brakes work with a friction pad that press agains a disc. Such friction converts the momentum of the car into heat which is then dissipated over the brake disc, resulting to slowing down of your car. Heat is one of the big factors for heavy braking especially on race cars, which must be prepped to cope with the high heat demands on the braking system.

As you step down the brake pedal, engine power is used to amplify the pressure of your foot, which decreases the effort needed. Such pressure is transferred to the friction pads through a brake fluid inside the tube. The brake pad end is subjected to high temperatures that’s why the fluid itself can get very hot. Such fluid cannot be simply pressurized, meaning, the effect of braking just passes along the tube almost instantly. A cable stretches a little and needs constant adjusting, as most handbrakes use a cable system that are more susceptible to the effects of stretching and heat.

The problem with brake fluids is about reducing the effectiveness of the transference process that is also at high temperatures. Under such condition, they can boil and so bubbles are produced in the brake fluid, creating spongy effect at least or at worst can completely prevent the brake from having any effect. The dissipated heat from the brake pad makes the disc vented. This disc has a ventral channel that increases the surface to air ratio of the disc. This create better and faster cooling then. The drilled discs can also increase the air ratio and along with grooves, help to prevent a gas build up between the pad and the disc, keeping the pads clean and sharp. Bigger discs can provide better cooling but they may require a different design of alloy wheel.

When selecting a brake pad, you should be wise and careful of certain factors. The higher the friction, the better. Most racing pads have special construction, which involves high firction compound that works at much higher temperatures. A true racing pad can effectively work when it gets hot, since it renders race spec pads useless for the road where braking most often happens on cold pads. Fast road pads are great compromise as some performance pads have the added benefit of producing nearly zero brake dust, which can even last longer than the standard pads.

If you are into upgrading your brakes, you need to do a lot of preparation. Key areas for attention include fitting of bigger discs. Larger disc will provide bigger friction area and will therefore dissipate more heat. You will notice more feel that is easier to detect the point of lock up with a large disc conversion kit. Brake calipers and pistons must be given much attention. More pistons equal a greater clamping force and allow the use of larger pads.

Before getting into the road, you must also prepare your brakes into particular conditions like driving along flood.. Under such situation, applying brakes is surely hard. You should apply brakes to dissipate the water and grease that get on them, which will dramatically improve the chances of stopping during emergency.

The brake fluid must also be checked more frequently. It must be changed bi-annually or annually, depending on your driving style and the recommended service interval. Such fluid must be properly checked by an expert for its boiling point. This will give an idea of degradation. Synthetic brake fluids are not hygroscopic, as they have high boiling points.

Keep on improving your brakes otherwise, you will suffer from inconvenience. Nonetheless, make sure that you will observe proper procedures when doing so. If you are not confident enough on doing it, make sure that you will have the task done by a qualified auto mechanic.