Thursday, May 29, 2008

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.

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

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

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.

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

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

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:




Saturday, May 24, 2008

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.

Friday, May 23, 2008

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

Thursday, May 22, 2008

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.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

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.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

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.

Monday, May 19, 2008

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.

Friday, May 16, 2008

13 tips for a healthy driving machine

Regular car maintenance and simple service can greatly reduce the cost of your car ownership. Hence, you should always consider having all your auto systems maintained. Among the basic considerations that you should think of are the maximum fuel efficiency and safe driving. To ensure these, you should keep your engine in tune while keeping the brakes, steering and suspension systems in A-1 condition.

Car maintenance does not need to be costly, as it may not require even a single cent at all. Moreover, they can save time, money and inconvenience. It is important that you always refer to your manual when performing any maintenance task on your vehicle. You can even bring your car for periodic inspection by a qualified technician. If you want to do the maintenance yourself, I have some researched basic tips to share (which include some of the things that I have done with my roadster and crossover).

First, you need to check the antifreeze/coolant level weekly. If your car has transparent reservoirs with level markings, you should fill to level marking with 50/50 solution of antifreeze and water. Remember not remove the pressure cap when engine is hot.

Second, inspect belts and hoses monthly and have the worn, glazed or frayed belts replaced at the soonest possible time. If your car has a spring loaded belt tensioners, then no adjustment is required. If there are bulging, rotten, or brittle hoses and tighten clamps, make sure to have them replaced at once otherwise, leaks will be induced on them. See if the hoses look bad, or feel too soft or too hard. If they are, have them replaced at once.

Third, check the transmission fluid monthly with engine warm and running, and parking brake on. Shift to drive, then remove dipstick, wipe dry, insert it and remove it again. You should add the appropriate type fluid whenever necessary. Remember not to overfill.
Fourth, check oil every other fill up. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean and insert it fully then remove again. If it is low, you need to add oil. Maintaining the peak performance of your vehicle requires oil change every 3,000 miles or 3 months. You also need to have the oil filter changed with every oil change.

Fifth, check the air filter monthly and have it replaced when it is dirty. You can also do it during tune-up. This is easy to reach, right under the big metal "lid" in a carbureted engine or in a rectangular box at the forward end of the air duct hose assembly.

Sixth, check brake fluid monthly. In doing so, you have to wipe the dirt from the brake master cylinder reservoir lid. Then, you need to pry off the retainer clip and remove the lid or unscrew plastic lid, depending on your vehicle type. If you need fluid, you must add the approved type. Don’t forget to check possible leaks throughout the system. Fill to mark on reservoir.
Seventh, have the windshield washer fluid reservoir filled all the time. When topping off, you can use some windshield washer fluid on a rag to clean off the wiper blades. During winter, consider the freezing point of the washer fluid.

Eight, beware of the proper handling of a battery for it can produce explosive gases. Do not smoke, create a spark or light a match near your battery and make sure that you are wearing protective glasses and gloves. Have it checked with every oil change. Cables should be securely attached, while being free from corrosion. If battery contains filler holes, you should add only clear, odorless drinking water.

Ninth, inspect the power steering fluid level monthly by simply removing the reservoir dipstick. If the level is down, you must add fluid and inspect the pump and hoses for leaks.
Tenth, inspect the windshield wiper blades whenever you clean your windshield. The rubber should not be worn or brittle. Have the wiper blades replaced at least once per year, or when smearing or chattering occurs.

Eleventh, inspect the condition of your all your lights. Make sure that they are clean and working.

Twelfth, the tires should be inflated with the necessary pressure. Check for cuts, bulges and excessive tread wire. If you discover uneven wear, make sure that you’ll do something about it. Keep a record of tire rotation, which can be initially 5,000 miles and every 7,500 miles thereafter.

Thirteenth, make sure that there are no oil seepage on shock absorbers. Check shock action by bouncing the car up and down. The bouncing should stop when you step back. Once you realize the occurrence of leaking shocks, carry out an immediate replacement.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

3-wheeler cars


3-wheeler concept for TREX



Ever heard of the 3-wheeler car concept? This car is designed by Johnathan Cote, who just tried to offer his re-design proposal for the legendary T-REX. With the uniqueness of this concept design, many consumers are surely looking forward to its production and release.

With the first prototype released in 1994, T-REX pioneered in the rapidly expanding world of modern 3-wheeled transport that has now spawned some exotic cars like the Brudeli’s Three-Wheel Leanster, Can-Am Spyder, TriRod’s F3 Adrenaline and the upcoming ZAP Alias highway electric car. While connecting with the T-Rex’s DNA, the remodeling of Cote’s design offers refreshing new lines and added new assets. Its beauty imparts elegance and refinement worthy of the best sports cars.

Cote’s new design features several storage areas into the vehicle. The spacious cargo area harmonizes with the vehicle’s outline, adding up a small storage space and two smaller glove compartments in the front. The two windshield versions are also catered for: raised or F1 style.



3-wheeler from SIDAM



After conquering the hearts of the consumers and as the three-wheelers demand rises, More and more 3-wheelr designs are brought out to the public. We can recall that the 3-wheeler design was started by Gilero Fuoco, Piaggio MP3, and Vectrix. Today, a French scooter importer Sidam tries to enter the market by building another type of three-wheel scooter. Nonetheless, instead of putting two wheels at the front, they decided to put the two wheels at the rear of the vehicle. Can you imagine it now?

The concept can remind me of Thai Tuk Tuk, though Xnovo concept is somehow a crossover between a minivan and Thai Tuk Tuk.The design sketches seems to picture both rear wheels will be belt driven in the 500cc Piaggio-engined petrol version. Hybrid and fully electric versions are also on the cards, the latter feature twin electric motors, wherein one is in each wheel hub. The luggage angle comes to be a big part of the concept.

Later on, we will learn more as the Xnovo moves towards a launch date rumored to be this year.

imgs from these sites:

http://www.clevislauzon.qc.ca/Professeurs/Mecanique/ethierp/3-wheels/images/cl3_30a.jpg

http://hellforleathermagazine.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-search.cgi?IncludeBlogs=1&search=piaggio

Modifying HHO gas car


HHO gas based car system's has become a major breakthrough in terms of an environmentally friendly car modification. This is because of the features that allow users to increase gas mileage while trimming down the gasoline costs and drastically reducing car emissions. The system relies on HHO gas to assist combustion, leading to the revolution of fuel consumption and economy. Indeed, this breakthrough supports our claim of living in a world where industrial explosion takes over.

Nonetheless, in exchange of the comfort and convenience of highly advanced automotive industry, gasoline prices keep on soaring higher. And this is apparently a major issue for consumers worldwide. The majority of US, Canadian, British and Australian citizens are always at the top list of affected consumers since they are highly dependent on gasoline.

A lot of experts continuously discover ways on how save on gas. The HHO based technology is among the effective ones that is claimed to save the average US driver in excess of $1000 dollars a year in gasoline prices.An HHO gas based car modification can increase mileage between 30% - 50%. The efficiency of the engine will be dramatically increased, resulting to an increase in your mileage. Moreover, the engine will run smoother and quieter, while the performance and power draw closer to the maximum level. Not only these, the modification can also ensure longer engine life, which is very much favorable for cost cutting in terms of repair and replacement.

How does an HHO based gas system work anyway? The technology does not interfere or damage an engine or computer system. If you want to have this system, you have to place a quart size container filled with distilled water and small amount of baking soda under the hood of your car. The system needs electricity (12 Volts) from the engine, create a vacuum and then produce HHO Gas. This gas is pushed into the engines manifold or carburetor.

If you want to try the HHO gas car modification, then forget the water car system, which is not actually the ultimate solution to the rising gasoline prices. You can buy a hybrid car if you have the money, but it will be more practical to modify your car, knowing that a lot of ways can be used to improve its features, counting HHO gas car modification. Save money today, increase your car's mileage, and help protect the environment with the one basic system.

water in your fuel tank?

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Cheapest car


Tata Nano

Heard about the cute Tata Nano? The first time I saw this driving machine, I instantly thought about an animated film entitled cars. Tata Nano seems to speak with its smiling front fascia. Indeed, this car invites you to go and get behind its wheels. This is not impossible since you probably are capable of spending $2500 for a brand new Tata Nano. Apparently, this is one of the world's cheapest car.

Nano is an Indian-built car that is also one of the world's smallest. It measures 118.5 in. long, 59.1 in. tall and 63.0 in. wide. You can mistakenly see it as an R&T's own Cyclops. It has four seats, but there is no door for access to the trunk space.

Powered by a 623-cc 2-cylinder engine at the rear, Nano performs well with its cool rear wheel drive feature. Nonetheless, we are not sure about the 33 horsepower that falls into the definition of "power." The Nano is clearly designed as a city car, which has a top speed of 60 mph. It also gets 47 mpg.

Expect Nano will by October this year, with a production target of 350,000 cars per year. This car will be available only with its 3-cylinder gasoline engine, but a diesel version will follow later.
Want to own this Nano? It’s quite a good idea that though you cannot have the most expensive car in the world, you can grab the chance to have the cheapest one.

Pagani Zonda S Roadster



More or less, around 750,000,000 vehicles are being used in the world today. And fewer than 100 are Paganis. Millions of drivers would ask, "What the heck is a Pagani?"
Enthusiasts who are into exotic cars know it's called the Pagani Zonda, and over the past decade, these carbon-fiber wonder cars were manufactured in a small Italian town of San Cesario sul Panaro about 10 miles east of Modena. This makes the Pagani a close neighbor of Ferrari, Maserati and my very own Lamborghini. I always love roadsters that’s why I always treasure the Lamborghini that my dad has bought for me. Going back to Pagani, where does this name really come from?

Horacio Pagani (obviously where the name originated) moved to Italy from his native Argentina. He became an early expert in the art of automotive carbon-fiber, letting him decide on building his own exotic car. He has successfully made it indeed. His car is now in several forms, one is called the F, as in Juan Manuel Fangio, Pagani's home country hero. There is another one that is labeled the S. The basic design has been changed only in detail over the years, though it is now sold as GT or spider. This however has not kept Pagani from continuing success.

Central to the Pagani is a carbon-fiber tub that is covered with body panels of the same material. The shock absorbing is durable with the front and rear that are equipped with lightweight metal subframes, for the A-arm suspensions and the drivetrain. Mercedes-Benz' AMG provides the powerplant, a 7.3-liter V-12 with 555 bhp, 553 lb.-ft. of torque at 4000 rpm and a pleasantly ferocious howl that chases you around when you're at full throttle. The gearbox is a 6-speed manual and the Brembo brake discs come as steel or carbon ceramic.

Weighing in around 2700 lb. and riding on squat Michelins, Zonda S is reportedly able to squirt to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and able to keep going until it's nigh on to 215 mph. Zonda's remarkable shape may seem to age quickly, but it still looks good a decade down the line.
The interior detailing is downright fun where you can find a mix of vintage toggle switches and an instrument panel that could have been found in the 1930s, a Nardi steering wheel and fine leather. The background has the carbon-fiber bones of the Pagani's chassis.

Owning a Pagani would be fun but not if you have no half-million dollars yet. This amount is not big enough once you have the steering wheel on your hand. The cost is not high at all as you step on the gas pedal. I bet, this roadster is better than my Lamborghini, nevertheless, I still love my first roadster. But wait, I can sacrifice and give it to my dad in exhange of a Pagani Zonda S roadster.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

HCD10 Hyundai Hellion concept – from the inside out

HCD10 Hyundai Hellion concept was inspired by the tough, hard-shell backpack that is seen in the animal world. The architecture consists of three ultra-lightweight structural ribs that create the vehicle’s safety cage. The front-end styling adopts organic structural forms, giving hints at the appeal of future Hyundai trucks. Some significant attributes also include the assertive face and piercing headlights angled towards the grille. The prominent hood scoop intends to enhance the Hellion’s rally car demeanor as the clamshell hood utilizes exposed latches for easy access to the engine bay.

A canvas soft-top roof, two-piece Teflon-coated 20in wheels and dual chrome exhaust tips are also featured.The Hellion has a 3.0L V6 Common-rail Diesel engine (CRDi) with 236hp and 332 lb.-ft. of torque. Its drive is sent through a six-speed auto mated to a 4WD system. The Hyundai Design and Technical Center and Hyundai Motor America presented the world debut of the HCD10 Hyundai Hellion concept during a press conference at the Los Angeles Auto Show today. Hellion is a compact three-door sport crossover designed with attitude and independence creating its unmistakable character.

HCD10 Hyundai Hellion was particularly designed to attract a diverse individualist customer, according to Joel Piaskowski, chief designer at the Hyundai Design Center. He said that mindset and attitude are becoming the modern way to define new market segments, and the Hellion concept will do that. Hellion brings a new attitude to the Hyundai family and its the sibling who’s a bit mischievous and always outspoken.


EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR DESIGNS

The proportions of the HCD10 Hyundai Hellion basically flaunt a tough look, as described by Marc Mainville, senior designer at the Hyundai Design Center. He said that short overhangs are designed to allow for excellent attack angles for off-roading and the skid plates, and then the muscular wheel flares and tow hooks convey Hellion’s strength.


The Hellion’s front design explores how new organic structural forms could look on future Hyundai trucks. Its stance is wide and its face is assertive, with piercing headlights angled towards its dominant grille. The hood scoop enhances Hellion’s rally car demeanor and the clamshell hood utilizes exposed latches for easy access to the engine bay. The windshield’s fast rake gives a sporty character to an otherwise stout profile.


The bumpers are distinguished from the organic body shape with a darker, durable wrinkle-finish paint supported by functional aluminum skid plates that wrap underneath the vehicle.The rear of the Hellion has a bold design theme wherein the taillights emphasize the tapering of the greenhouse and the wide sculpture of the wheel flares as cantilevered off the rear quarter glass. Dual chrome exhaust tips are fitted between the bumper and skid plate to complete the integrated appearance.

The soft-top roof adds to the independent spirit of the Hyundai Hellion. It’s fabric has a subtle abstracted camouflage pattern which can be customized. The 20-inch aluminum wheels are constructed in two pieces and are Teflon®-coated to resist build-up of the elements.The interior is like a true living room. The two-box design and three-door package gives the driver and passengers a tidy, functional environment. Hellion has a consistent design theme unifying the interior and exterior resulting in a very cohesive concept car as claimed by Martin Frost, senior designer at the Hyundai Design Center.

The HCD10 Hyundai Hellion’s compact exterior appearance belies its abundant interior space with the inventive cargo and storage spaces. The seat-mounted gear packs transform into fully functional backpacks via push-button releases. Moreover, there are convenient hideaway drawers push out from the front of each seat. The storage is also found along the center console and there are two lids with translucent strips for easy access to belongings. Aside from these, more innovative and useful amenities are feaured in Hellion. These include the bucket seats, hands-free hydration system, instrument panel and more advanced devices.

img from these sites:
http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/resources/2006/11/hyundai_hellion_concept.jpg
http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring/images/hyundai-hellion-concept-2.jpg

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Green driving machine

If you are an environmentalist, you surely prefer to use “greener driving machines”. Before you buy a new car, you probably are assessing the specs affecting its production of minimal CO2 and other emissions.
You may have heard about the fact that by the end of the decade, new cars need to produce an average of at most 130g/km of CO2. However, most cars today emit rather more than this. How will this average be assessed? The 130g/km average is well-meaning rhetoric, but no one in the EU carbonocracy can set out the definition for now. Meanwhile, with the target date fast approaching, the carmakers are left behind.

Some manufacturers, nevertheless, are going ahead anyway and creating some very low-CO2-producing cars. (I may not say "low-CO2 emitting", because emissions suggest pollution and CO2, unlike nitrogen oxides, particulates and unburnt hydrocarbons, are not pollutants.)
Among the most ideal vehicles that deserve recognition when it comes to environmenta friendliness is the BMW 118d. This vehicle model is currently having an "EfficientDynamics"– package the better to eke out every litre of diesel oil.

What is EfficientDynamics all about? (it’s not typo, there is really no space in between.) All new 1-series cars, unlike the 116i and 130i (the two extremes of the petrol-fuelled range), have a stop-start system, which you might remember from aeons ago with the Fiat Regata ES and later the VW Golf Ecomatic. The concept is the same with the car stopped and the gearbox in neutral, then the engine stops until you depress the clutch upon which it restarts automatically. Nevertheless, this modern, high-tech BMW works rather more discreetly, smoothly, and reliably.

Aside from the EfficientDynamics, there is also the Intelligent Alternator Control (IAC) that is perfect for an environmentalist. Whenever the engine is turning but not under load, (meaning when decelerating or braking) the alternator engages to charge up the high-capacity battery. Otherwise the alternator is disengaged unless the battery is getting too low. Some cars have the engine that requires the alternator to be turned on all the time, even when the battery is charged. Considering the fact that turning an alternator uses energy, the IAC system can reduce fuel consumption by up to three per cent.

Yet cleverer than that, an alternator that's charging hard is a big drag on the engine. So when the alternator is engaged as you slow down or stop, while some hard charging to do in order to recover the energy taken from the battery when driving under power, then that "drag" helps with the braking. Meaning you don't have to brake so hard, so less energy is wasted. This is called regenerative braking, as used by hybrids. Whenever you are slowing down at least, the 1-series behaves a bit like a hybrid.

So, feeling smugly green, 118d is indeed a good choice of ride. Immediately it feels unique among today's compact hatchbacks for blending that compactness with the very BMW sensation of rear-wheel drive. The demeanor feels pure with the new electric power steering that is good enough not to have the stodgy, artificial feel that is too often found in such systems. The electric power steering feels more natural when the motor is in the rack rather than in the column, and that of the 1-series is so designed.

The numerical credentials of this BMW 118d engine would have been so impossible and unreal. Forget about the 118d designation: like the more powerful 120d engine, this is a 2.0-litre unit but here producing 143bhp (21bhp up from the previous 118d) instead of 177. This is backed up by 221lb ft of torque for having effortless pulling ability typical of the best modern diesels, propelling the 118d from a standstill to that arbitrary 62mph figure in 8.9 seconds.

With all the flawless specs of 118d, you can also point out the officially-measured average CO2 output of just 123g/km, the lowest of any BMW-badged car. Imagine that all cars deliver all this dynamism and slip comfortably under the CO2 quota, then what a green environment we have in the future.



BMW received 2008 World Green Car Award for the 118d model

Friday, May 9, 2008

High-performance tires

Tires keep you rolling. Their quality matters especially when you frequently engage to off-road driving. If you are a performance driver, you surely want the best tires for your ride. So what are the best options that you can have?

Goodyear Eagle, Continental Constisportcontact 3 , and Bridgestone Potenzas are perhaps first on the list when it comes to giving out the best service for your travels. Let’s take a look on each of them.

Goodyear Eagle tires have changed dramatically since the Gatorback (1983). Experts from Eagle have designed the high-performance touring tire aimed at satisfying the driving enthusiast who wants additional grip but not at the expense of a harsh ride.

New Eagle tires have asymmetric dual-compound tread. ON the inboard side is the all season zone, where the open pattern facilitates water dispersion and a high-silica rubber compound improves wet grip, aided by fine grooves with special tread locks that reduce squirm. The outside tread is the high performance zone, with large tread blocks and circumferential rung made of a grippier compound.

The dual- purpose theme carries inside the tire. The Eagle’s outer sidewalls are reinforced with carbon fibers, the resulting firmness reducing tire roll and keeping more tread on the pavement. The inner sidewalls, on the other hand, are conventional, tuned for ride comfort and aided by a layer of Kevlar beneath the tread.

Continental Contisportcontact 3 are often great for sports cars. These tires let them go faster. As original equipments on Porshes, Mercedes AMG models, and BMW M series, Continental has evolved its venerable Contisportcontact tire to its third iteration. It’s an improvement that raises the level of performances for everything but noise. And the CSC2 wasn’t theat noisy no begin with.

Like an engine that has both better fuel efficiency and performance, the CSC3 has improved rolling and resistance and grio according to their engineers. To prevent aquaplaning, a revised tread pattern helps to expel water but doesn’t sacrifice the contact patch. An asymmetrical rubbed trad pattern is optimized for high loads, specifically those from high speeds, braking and cornering. Combined with a refined rubber compound, the CSC3 really shines at the track.

Bridgestone Potenzas tires offer enthusiasts, who want to maximize dry weather traction on the street or at the occasional track event. The unidirectional tread pattern starts out with a semi slick shoulder block, brandishing “racing slits” claimed to promote uniform pressure of the contact patch by increasing flexibility. A thick center rib provides for favorable initial responsiveness and straight-line stability while cooling slits throughout the tread ensure the tire’s survival to its V and W speed rated limits. Because this tire is not a competition radial, Bridgeston’s Hydro Evacuation Surface tread technology has been employed to avoid aquaplaning on wet pavement.

Bridgestone’s second addition to its performance lineup, phasing out the S-03 model, is the newly reengineered “Ultra High Performance” Potenza RE050A Pole position. Although there are no discernible changes to the tread patter, the significance lies in the tire’s compound and construction, The main focus of the changes is to improve handling response over the standard RE050A and prolong traction throughout the life of the tires, while an increase in silica content enhances wet-traction capability.

Plans for OE applications result in W and Y speed rated sizes.
These three quality tires should always be considered as your top three options whenever looking for replacement tires. Always make sure that whenenver you are replacing your tires, you have checked the specifications. Also, ensure that a qualified personnel will assist you in installing the new tires. If they are not properly installed, they will probably experience early wearing.

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Having problems with your fuel pump?



The fuel pump is the heart of your fuel injection system. When it stops working, the whole system will not run at all. This pump, usually found inside or near the fuel tank, is considered that important in fuel injection since it pushes fuel from the tank to the injectors and create sufficient pressure for accurate fuel delivery. The pressure from the pump and the volume of flow must both meet your vehicle manufacturer’s requirements or else, engine performance, emissions, and economy will get affected.

Flow and Pressure are so important in the fuel injection system. If your pump does not meet the OE minimum fuel flow or pressure requirements, then you will possibly experience drivability and emissions problems. The weak pump that you have will not be able to generate enough pressure, leading to troubles on the calibration of the fuel system. This can also let the engine run lean or starved for fuel under load. Symptoms will then show such as hard starting, poor idle quality, stumbling or hesitation when accelerating, and loss of high-speed power.

Low fuel pressure can also be a cause of lean misfire at idle under the load. This can lead to a dramatic increase in HC emissions. If this happens in your car, then you may not pass the emission tests. Hence, when your fuel pump becomes weak or has failed, it is important to have it replaced with a quality one (the one which meets all OE fuel performance specifications.)

Perhaps you wonder how fuel pumps get damaged? Just realize how active they are. Since fuel pumps run constantly over the years, they will experience wear in the brushes, armature bushings, and commutator. Pump vanes and gears can also wear down, causing gradual loss or pressure and flow.

The accumulation of rust and sediments can also cause pump problems. Fuel starvation can also be another factor in accelerated wearing, which can even damage the pump and other fuel injection system parts.

Never let your damaged fuel pump unsolved for a long time. Have the pump’s voltage supply and electrical connections checked at once. An open relay, loose wire, and blown fuse may have caused the pump to stop working. Or if not, low battery voltage may have reduced the pump’s ability to generate pressure.

Once the static pressure or volime of fuel is delivered less that the specifications of your car manufacturer, then have the fuel pump replaced immediately. Replacement will be required if the pump the pump’s check valve has failed.

If you are replacing your fuel pump today, make sure that you know what you are looking for. Selecting the right replacement involves more than looking up the year, make, model, and engine size. It also involves intelligent selection of OE performance specifications. Be sure that your replacement pump fits the same as your original pump. Nonetheless, your car might not require this. So check out the requirements carefully.

Since there are lots of performance requirements and pump designs used in our modern cars, lots of performance and fit problems are encountered. So again, be careful with choosing are replacement pump.

Regarding the installation, fuel pump is one of the most difficult ones to work on. Upon installation , whether mounted inside the tank or not, make sure that you will have the tank inspected and cleaned if contaminants are found in the pump or filter. Having the pump replaced without cleaning a dirty tank will doom the new pump to premature failure.

When replacing the in-tank fuel pump, disconnect the battery to avoid unwanted sparks. Upon doing so, drain the tank and remove the tank straps. As you do the installation, replace the filter screen and use a new O-ring or gasket for the sealing collar. Never test a new pump before it having been installed by jumping it. It you run the pump under a dry condition with no fuel (to lubricate it) will just end up to damage.

These are just some of the pointers that I can share. Just always keep in mind that the fuel injection carries the lifeblood of your vehicle. So better ensure the perfect condition of its components especially the heart.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

BMW supercar




BMW claims that the striking concept shown at the recent Villa d'Este concours in Italy is not destined for production. Huwaat?? However, when Adrian van Hooydonk, the head of design for BMW automobiles, said that BMW M1 Homage manifests the creativity and potential of the BMW Design team and that, a project like this is a valuable source of inspiration for their day-to-day work, then maybe, there is still a hope to see BMW supercars on the years to come.
M1 Homage is simple though it is one of the most lust-worthy sports cars ever created. The original M1 by Giorgetto Giugiaro was based on the BMW Turbo concept penned by Paul Bracq while the new M1 Homage comes straight from the BMW Group Design team.



An M1 Homage does not have an interior and is not a"runner" at all. But do not frown. It looks stunning at Villa d'Este, positioned alongside the M1 and the BMW Turbo, painted in Liquid Orange in honor of the hallmark M1 colors of black and orange. The twin BMW logos on the rear are also in honor of those on the M1 production car. The air vents in the hood and the classic louvers on the back window are of the same purpose. According to BMW, the M1 Homage's exterior dimensions "are in keeping with those of the M1; only the extended wheelbase indicates a larger passenger cell.



What other features that make M1 Homage cool are the "invisible headlamps" and a squat version of the trademark BMW grille, which also serves as a way to route cool air to the compartment under the hood. The headlamps are almost invisible, recessed into the design of the car's nose before they are turned on.



Though BMW M1 Homage remains a concept, it has a design that becomes the source of inspiration. If BMW can do such kind of concept, then we can expect for more or better cars from them. So if you want a BMW supercar, wait for the best one has yet to come.

Frequent Oil change

Among the most serious auto problems that you may encounter is overheating of the engine. This may be caused by a bad cooling system or failure to change oil. When engine overheats, other auto parts will become prone to troubles too. So always try to work on the maintenance of your engine to further avoid higher cost of repair or replacement. What shall you do then?
Engine cannot generate motion without sparks and friction. And where you find sparks and friction, you will also find one of your engine’s worst enemies- heat. Extreme temperatures can damage motor oil, decreasing its ability to deliver full protection. Fortunately, there are lots of high-quality motor oil that can take the heat. Just always make sure that you will get the right one.

High-quality motor oils cqan resist heat with adaptive molecules. When such molecules encounter scorching heat, they break apart, yet continue to provide excellent protection. When the temperature decreases, the molecules return to normal.

Heat is not the only enemy adaptive molecules resist. They also resist pressure and shearing. When adaptive molecules face intense pressure, they cluster together, helping to absorb the impact like a cushion. And when adaptive molecules enter areas of high shearing, they split up, reforming as soon as they have slipped through.

Amazingly, adaptive molecules can go from separation to avoid shearing , to clumping together against pressure, right back to separating to evade heat, over and over, This helps your motor oil to maintain viscosity, which helps keep engines running stronger, longer. So help your engine fight the enemies within. Give it adaptive molecules in motor oil.

Changing oil may seem unimportant. But when the engine fails and overheats, you will surely realize its necessity. Ask for the recommendations of your friends, families, and other experts regarding the perfect motor oil that you should get for your vehicle.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Audi R8 cars

Audi has engineered exquisite cars that have been warmly distinguished by enthusiasts. These cars were acclaimed with attractiveness, sophistication and technical perfection. Such great characteristics make Audi a very competitive car maker over the years. Now, the company’s creativity, commitment and enthusiasm have resulted to the production of more car models like the future most wanted cars- Audi R8 cars.

If you are an avid Audi fan, your wishes and emotions would probably be some of the guiding principles behind Audi’s approach. If you want to testify this fact, why not take a look at the Audi R8 car models this year. Among the ones that you should not ignore is the 2008 Audi R8 quattro sports coupe.

The 2008 Audi R8 quattro sports car, which has an MSRP of $109,000 - $118,000, is Audi’s first super car. This is designed to compete in the high-end, high-performance luxury collectors car market. This sexy sports car competes with the Chevrolet Corvette Coupe Z06, Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR, BMW Z4 M Coupe, Porsche 911 GT2, and Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe. It comes with 420-horsepower, 4.2-liter V8 engine, quattro all-wheel drive system. Further, it houses two transmissions: the manual, six-speed gearbox or Audi R tronic sequential-shift gearbox.

Audi R8 quattro coupe is a sports car introduced in 2006, based on the Audi Le Mans quattro concept car. You may have noticed the similar features of this coupe with a certain Lamborghibi model. Perhaps it will be Lamborghini Gallardo, which share similar transmissions, chassis and layout. Nevertheless Audi R8 was made noticeably different through its interior and exterior styling, choice of engines and price range.

Aside from the Quattro sports coupe, you must expect for more Audi models this year. One of these is the Audi R8 model that is similar to the open-top Porsche Carrera GT. It is due to be released any time this year. This model is reportedly featured with more powerful, turbocharged engine that is set to be included in the future Audi RS6 and may also be adapted for the R8.

Audi R8 can be customized using various accessories and optional features. Some of these are the power driver, leather-upholstered seats, driver's seat lumbar support, passenger seats, sport steering wheel, heated front seats, speed-sensing steering, adaptive, suspension front and rear anti-roll bars, and sports and four-wheel-independent.

Audi R8 expediency are basically found on the speed control, power windows, tilt-steering and telescoping steering wheel, auto-dimming rear view mirrors, driver vanity mirror, auto-dimming rear view mirror, and HomeLink garage door transmitter. Also included on the list is the GPS feature, which is optional.

As an enthusiast, you are surely meticulous when it comes to interior parts. Your standards definitely reckon with the best entertainment features. Don’t worry for an Audi R8 is designed with six-disc CD player with MP3 capability, AM/FM/Satellite radio, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, seven Bang & Olufsen speakers, and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.

The exterior, on the other hand, features some lighting and safety features like trip computer, high-intensity discharge headlights, rear window defroster, tachometer, low tire-pressure warning, variably intermittent and rain-sensing wipers, outside temperature display, compass, reverse-sensing system (front and rear, with rear camera), panic alarm, airbags (driver and passenger front, side, and knee), adjustable head restraints and traction control. There is also the Hill Hold feature, which is optional.

If you want to know more about Audi R8 cars, you can visit their site at http://www.audi.com/. On their site, you can see the latest Audi news and features about their models. Aside from R8 cars, you can also see there the Q5, A3 Cabriolet, A4, A5, TT Lounge, and Q7 Globe. Have a quick tour in their show room and find yourself like you want to get behind those wheels.

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Younger and greener GMs


Hummer HX concept


Saab 9-4X Biopower concept

Get younger and greener – This is where the message of General Motors in Detroit focused. Indeed, their newly launched vehicles are bound to attract younger and environment-concerned enthusiasts. These cars include the Hummer HX concept that is definitely appealing to the younger buyers. Also included in the show was the Saab 9-4X Biopower concept.

Three young designers, who were new to GM, designed the HX Concept as a smaller and more youthful Hummer. The 304-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine is matched to a 6-speed automatic transmission and is E85 capable.

With the unique Hummer design characteristics, the two-door vehicle is engineered with convertible body that can be adapted to off-road conditions. Also, two removable roof panels are included in the design for an open-air driving experience, while having the modular rear roof assembly removed.

The rear roof assemblies allow the HX Concept to be distinguished as a sport-utility truck (SUT) with the roof assembly removed. It also has a slant-back or a traditional SUV design with a larger covered cargo area. This design also features the removable fender flares and doors that can be quickly removed by pulling pins in the exposed hinges. The composite fenders are attached with quarter-turn quick-release fasteners for easy removal of narrow trails or rock climbing.

Rick Wagoner, General Motors CEO, announced a partnership with Coskata to produce ethanol through a new process that is not dependent on corn and requires much less water than other processes. A pilot program is also expected to be in place by 2009 with the cost of production at less than $1 per gallon.

The Saab 9-4X BioPower Concept confirms Saab’s plan to enter the crossover market. This testifies running on bioethanol (E85) fuel, as powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine that combines the advantages of direct injection, turbocharging, and variable valve timing with high-octane E85 fuel.

Younger and greener indeed.




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Secrets of a secured ride

Whenever you have your vehicle well-maintained vehicle, you will most probably be free from serious problems. Furthermore, it will not give your trouble about passing the standards of the government. The state makes it illegal to drive a car or truck in dangerous condition and you should abide by their requirements since these are just for your own good.

There is nothing wrong if you provide ample time, effort, and money for the maintenance of your vehicle. These will not just give you a ride that will be from tough fines of the government but also with expensive repairs and replacements. Keeping your car/ truck in good shape will even let you save on fuel while protecting the environment.

Your well-maintained vehicle will generally start in all weather conditions. Here are some tips on doing the regular maintenance that will help you keep a vehicle that is fit and safe: First, check tire pressures and check tires for damage or wear. Have the tires replaced when you found some bulges, bumps, exposed cords and deep cuts. Second, check that all lights are working then have any broken or burned out bulbs replaced at the soonest possible time. Third, check if the windshield wipers and blades are working properly. Once the wiper blades streak the window, you must have them replaced before the windshield gets damaged. Fourth, check the fluid levels and conditions. Oil and filter, water in the radiator, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid, and battery fluid are some of the fluids that you have to regularly check and change. Fifth, check all hoses for cracks or leaks and also check fan belts for wear or slackness. Sixth, have the exhaust system checked especially when it rattles or sounds noisy. Seventh, maintain cleanliness in the interior and exterior. Eighth, make the seat belts clean all the time to prevent dirt and moisture from damaging the mechanism.

Remember that any time and anywhere, your car will be inspected. Once your car/ truck is found to be unsafe, your licence plates will be taken off the road until the problem is fixed. You can be fined as you refuse to allow your vehicle to be inspected. But what shall you fear about if you have maintained the safety of your car?