cars

VTOL Aircraft Industry to Rise Again - Give me a Flying Car by L. WinslowThere has always been a fascination with vertical take-off and landing aircraft in history and there is good reason. One is that an aircraft which needs a runway that is very long is not much use many times in urban areas or heavy terrain. But also realize that runways are huge pieces of infrastructure and cost lots of money. An aircraft which can take off vertically is of superior value and speaking of which; Where is my flying car that I was indeed promised when I was a kid. Now I am 40, and although still a kid at heart and certainly do not look it; that makes no matter mind. I want my flying car - You promised!
Automotive Gasoline Price Gouging Laws as an Anti-Capitalist Tool for Price Controls Considered by L. WinslowPrice Gouging laws seem to break a fundamental principle of free-markets and that is the intrinsic value of anything is indeed, what someone will pay for it. If water is scarce after an Earthquake in San Francisco, which demolishes Nancy Pelosi's district then water will have to be brought in from elsewhere at an extremely high cost. This cost should be allowed to be passed onto the consumer so the business person does not have to bite the bullet or go broke trying to help people.
Save Fuel - Bio Performance Multi Level Marketing and Napthalate and Napthalene by L. WinslowHave you heard of Bio Performance? It is a multi-level marketing company that makes little pills to pop into your gasoline tank to make your gasoline burn completely and more efficiently. Thus there will be less pollution and better mileage too. Unfortunately, there seems to be a problem with its active ingredient Napthalene or Napthalate and there even seems to be some discrepancy as to which of these it contains?
How to Find an Affordable Exotic Car - No More Dreaming by Michael DanielsAre there really, affordable Exotic Cars out there? I mean come on - Don't they all cost at least $50,000 plus? Well, actually there are MANY affordable Exotic Cars available at prices from $10,000 to $30,000. You do not have to keep dreaming and paying for those high dollar Exotic Car Rentals anymore. You can actually buy an Exotic Car of your very own and alot of them are going for cheap! Take a minute or two, and read a little further, and I will explain in better detail.
Have You Seen the New Wrangler Models for 2007? by Al CarlJeep has created three new models of Wranglers. The new models still retain some of the looks of the older Wrangler, but there are some appearance changes and of course several improvements have been made.
Porsche Parts and Accessories - Upgrading for Racing Season by Billy HanWhen it comes to automobiles, there’s a Porsche®, and then there’s everything else. As each vehicle is a work of advanced engineering and inventive design, no detail is overlooked in crafting a racing vehicle that is efficient, stylish, and most importantly, fast. Performance-wise, each Porsche®, old or new, has been perfectly tuned to fuse speed, power, and driving enjoyment for the ultimate experience that other sports cars have yet to match.
Opportunities for Women in Automotive Industry - Interview With Tony Molla by Jody DeVereTony Molla is the Vice President of Communications for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) in Leesburg, VA. With over 35 years experience in the automotive service industry, Tony has held positions at all levels, including technician, service manager, parts store manager, new car sales and automotive technical editor writing service manuals for the Chilton Book Company.
Barbie Our Car Buying Role Model by Jody DeVereNow, lets take a look at Barbie and her role model to us girls in regards to what kind of vehicle is supposed to flip our buying switch. The good news is that Barbie did love to drive and over the years had several makes and models that little girls loved to own. Did these Barbie makes and models teach us what we should buy or what kind of automotive purchase fits us?
Repossessed Cars For Sale - 5 Tips You Need When Looking For Repossessed Cars For Sale by Dennis GillanLooking for cars but in a tight budget? Well then, there are plenty of great cars but at a discounted price - repossessed cars for sale. These car deals have 1 primary advantage - they are cheaper.
Buying Cars From Auto Auctions Cheap by Ashley D. BighamIf you’re in need of a car, but are on a tight budget, an auto auction may be the best possible way of obtaining car of quality. If you are watchful you can score big at auctions, getting quality vehicles for less than what you would pay for a used car.
Taking Advantage of Used Car Auctions by Ashley D. BighamUsed car auctions are a great way to find the car you’re looking for without spending too much money. There’s lots of opportunity for this if you can find listings for car auctions or bid online.
Consumer Review of This Year's Minivans by J SimkhaiIf you're in the market to buy a new minivan this year, you'll definitely want to do your homework and research which one will work best for you and your family's needs.
Maintaining New Car's Engine Compartment by Zeke GervisYour new car's engine compartment is must at all times work properly because that is the heart of your vehicle. Had it not been for a well maintained engine parts, you will not achieve your desired car performance and comfort.
Understanding Your Car's Air Intake System by Zeke GervisThe air intake system is a car part that has a very vital role and needs to be taken cared of. Understanding how it works will help the car owner maintain and keep his car longer.
The All-New 2008 Audi R8 Similar to Porsche and Ferrari by Zeke GervisThe all new 2008 Audi R8 has the feel and looks of a supercar such as the likes of Porsche and Ferrari but still provide the comfort of an everyday transport.
BMW to Push Through With the F3 by Zeke GervisAfter almost three years of lengthy internal discussions and a change of chairmanship, finally the long-awaited BMW 3 Series-based crossover-utility vehicle has reached production approval.
Car Rental Traps For The Unaware! by Nick BurtonCar rental agreements are signed in their thousands every hour, accross the US. Many will result in an unpleasant experience for the renter. This article attempts to make you better prepared for the unexpected, when dealing with the car rental companies...
Winches of East County And the Required Toyota Truck Gear by Andrew BernhardtThere's an entire kingdom of Toyota truck accessories out there to conquer. But, there's only one that will yank your hard-running 'yota out of a thick n' sticky mess: a winch. And since there’s no way you'd stay on the pavement, it's worth the investment. Stick with us as we explore one of the most useful Toyota truck accessories ever made.
I Can Not Believe I Ever Drove A van Without Loading It With Bully Dog by Andrew BernhardtBack in the '70s, I practically lived in my Dodge Tradesman, and I was incredibly popular with the lassies around Milwaukee. These days, though, I wouldn’t be caught dead in one of those coffins-on-wheels. Now, I've converted to SUV power, and my Excursion drips with muscle and masculinity. At least, that's what I thought before I bolted on my Pacesetter air intake and popped in a Bully Dog chip. These upgrades nearly knocked my socks off.
Cargo Liners Are More Important Than You Might Think by Andrew BernhardtUnless you garage your ride for the winter, you've probably learned that a good solid cargo liner for your SUV is about as important as the floor mats. If you haven't, you're about to. Stick around while we explain the vital nature of a cargo liner.
Mustang Talk Volume IV Restoring the Punch of the Pony by Andrew BernhardtIn this edition of Mustang talk, we'll cover the age-old question facing every male who takes the wheel of a Pony: is my Mustang manly enough to be my everyday driver? If it's not, or if yours is on the borderline, we'll cover the ways to make your ride man-legal in an afternoon.
Get Ready to Camp With Truck Tents And Thule Racks by Andrew BernhardtHow Billy Bob Got His Groove Back......I never thought I'd be writing in to one of these things, but after what happened last weekend with a couple of sweet little numbers I picked up, man I gotta tell ya.
Do You Know Who Makes These "DUI Profits" by Kwanza GreenSo much money is being made during the process of a DUI case and then there are also people who can't afford the expense. This article will show the different ways that certain DUI reps are getting paid and what people with a smaller budget can do to get the same quality help.
Drive Safe by David HartResources for learner drivers and driving schools are widely available. There are two main sources, the local transport authority as well as the internet. Information can be accessed from both categories easily on safe driving.
Mercedes Parts and Accessories by Billy HanAs staples of luxury and the pinnacle of performance, you wouldn't expect that Mercedes vehicles needed any further customization. Yet as luxury enthusiasts are quick to point out, Mercedes vehicles are quite versatile, and the extent to which they can be customized may come as a surprise to many, particularly when it comes to classic models.
Video Surveillance Cameras Make Your Car Road-Worthy by Nahshon RobertsYour vehicle darts along the road, continuing to speed faster and faster. You press on the brakes, and discover you've lost control over the vehicle's breaking system! Seconds later, you hit a wall. Proving Newton's law that "for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction," your head whips back against the headrest. The airbag, which ballooned on impact, cushions your head. With your cranium buried in the inflated airbag, you feel like a dummy, and that is precisely what you are - a crash test dummy. To optimize what they could learn from you, researchers had placed a video surveillance camera on the wall. Such cameras remain useful throughout the life of an automobile.
Top Five Classic Muscle Cars by Brian EdwardsMuscle cars have always been a favorite for drivers and collectors alike. The real question is which classic muscle car was king of the hill during the 1960's.
Tips And Advice For Buying A Second Hand Car by Elisha BurberryAlthough buying a car is never going to be an investment, buying a second hand vehicle can be a much more cost-effective purchase than buying new.
VW Cabriolet Parts - From The People's Cars To Luxury Rides And Second Hand Ones by Miranda RestelleThe earliest cars that appeared on the market offered only the basics - a driver's seat, a passenger seat, an engine, a body and wheels. The rest of what we often associate with cars - the stereo, those side lightning systems, those nifty cup holders - weren't yet in existence in those days. However, as years of continued innovation persisted in the automotive industry, standard, mass-produced cars evolved and developed a variety of styles, looks and market values.
Fuel Injection - Greater Lights Of The Volkswagen Diesel Parts by Miranda RestelleA diesel engine is a type of internal combustion engine that uses compression ignition to burn fuel. Instead of merely flowing in air and fuel burn materials into a mix in the combustion chambers, the way gasoline engines do, a diesel engine uses a fuel injection system at optimizing both the air and fuel before they are injected into the combustion chambers.

Most wanted cars

Edmunds.com announced recently the winners of the sixth annual Edmunds.com Consumers' Most Wanted vehicle awards. Apparently, however, Edmund’s editors and readers differ greatly in what they think is important and desirable in terms of a new car or truck. Edmund’s readers agreed on only 8 out of 32 of Most Wanted Vehicles with the Editors.
By a considerable margin, the 2007 GMC Acadia won the flagship award, which is Edmunds.com Consumers’ Most Significant Vehicle of 2007. The next highest finisher was the 2007 Saturn Aura, and the 2007 Honda Fit took the third place. However, Toyota Tundra was the readers’ choice for the flagship award.
On the other hand, among manufacturers, Chevrolet led the pack, winning five awards, while Cadillac and Honda tied for second place, each winning four awards in this year's survey.
The 2007 cars which bagged the awards were the GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Cobalt, Honda Civic and Mazda 3 (tie), Saturn Aura, Acura TSX, Cadillac CTS, Cadillac STS, BMW 5 Series, Lexus LS 460, Honda Civic, Ford Mustang, Infiniti G35, Chevrolet Corvette, Porsche 911, Kia Rio5, Mazda 3, Audi A3, Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series (tie), BMW 5 Series, Toyota RAV4, GMC Acadia/Saturn Outlook, Chevrolet Suburban/ GMC Yukon XL/Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon, Cadillac Escalade/Cadillac Escalade ESV, Saturn Sky, Honda S2000, BMW Z4, Chevrolet Corvette, Cadillac XLR, Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Silverado/2007 GMC Sierra, 2007 Honda Odyssey, and the 2007 Bugatti Veyron 16.4.
The GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook, Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV, and Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra were considered “twin vehicles” that were listed jointly in the ballot. As described in detail in the Edmunds.com article entitled “Twinned Vehicles”, these vehicles are built on the same chassis and share most of their under-hood and interior components.
Aside from the Toyota Tundra that won in two different categories, the other vehicles which were agreed by the Edmunds readers were the Honda Civic (in two different categories), BMW 5 Series, Porsche 911, Kia Rio5, Mazda 3, Audi A4, and the Toyota Tacoma.
Edmunds.com Editor-in-Chief Karl Brauer said these awards provide a good idea of what consumers are looking for in their next vehicle, and this year, consumers voiced the opinion that the domestic markets are developing some very compelling cars and trucks.
Meanwhile, details on all award winners are listed in at the website of Edmunds.com.
Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive consumer information was launched in 1995 as the first automotive information web site. Edmunds Inc. publishes four web sites that empower, engage and educate automotive consumers, enthusiasts and insiders.
Volkswagen, maker of quality VW strut insert, was not chosen either by the editors or the readers. Automobile analysts say this is because the German car maker has still need to boost its image in the US market so that Americans will eventually like their concepts and buy its cars.
For more about your Volkswagen parts needs like VW strut insert, visit your trusted online source. Benjamin Hudson works as a supervisor at one of the top engineering firms in the business district of Louisiana. He is also a freelance journalist and has passion for anything automotive.

Concept cars

Auto shows are an American tradition, some of which have continued into 100 years of automotive existence. The 2007 automotive shows again brought in the crowd to admire the new innovations, concepts, and imagination of the leading automobile manufacturers.
Typically, the popular auto showcases are held by the International Auto Show in Detroit and the LA Auto Show, both normally occurring in January. This year LA’s show was moved to November which resulted in more participation than ever from auto makers. There were 21 world debuts and 14 American debuts.
The environmental theme this year definitely brought out the tree huggers and hippies LA is known for. I would like to highlight three of the most interesting of these eco-friendly models. Below are the three show stoppers that I feel deserve special attention.
1. Ford Escape HybridThis new electric motorized all t terrain vehicle outputs 70KW, 5,000 rmp, with a max voltage of 330V. It also has a 2.3 L Atkinson cycle using a 4-cylinder cranking 113 hp and 124 lb-ft, creating a combined 155hp.
2. Hummer 02 ConceptThe winner of the California Design challenge, this was designed by GM’s West Coast Advanced Design Studio. It treads lightly on the ground and sort of looks like a Moon rover an astronaut would drive. It transforms carbon dioxide into oxygen that is then released back into the environment by using algae-filled body panels. All the vehicle’s parts are made from 100% recycled after consumer products. GM also won last year’s competition in the same category.
3. BMW X5 This new, more luxurious descendent of last year’s model gives consumers two engine choices: 350hp 4.8 L V-8 or a 260hp 3.0L 1-6. All come equipped with All-wheel drive automatic.
Neil Lemons represents Chrome Pickup, an online retailer selling grille guards mud flaps nationwide.

Fast cars

Fast Cars, Super Cars – Paying For Horse Power
For the rich and famous it seems to be a statement of success when they own the very expensive fast and super cars. These fast, super cars will usually be found in areas such as Hollywood, Las Vegas, or New York since these are the places where the rich and famous usually work and live. In other countries you might find royalty and upper members of government sporting these cars but few members of the working class will ever have the money to buy one.
Fast Cars, Super Cars – Looking At The Models
The exotic Ferrari Modena is a popular Ferrari model which offers a six speed transmission, a V8 engine, and will get about 11 to 16 mpg. With a price tag of $152,000, this car is capable of doing 189 mph and reaching 60 mph in 4.2 seconds.
One of the top of the line super cars, which is also a fast car, is the Lamborghini. The current Sypder is considered to be one of the most popular super cars available. Voted as the most beautiful car in the world, the Spyder sports a V10 which reaches a speed of 195 mph with the roof up and 191 mph with the roof down. It comes with a price tag of $195,000. Its lightweight aluminum frame allows the car to reach faster speeds and it can do a quarter mile in 12.2 seconds, reaching a speed of 122 mph.
If you want to come down a little closer to earth you might want to take a look at the Dodge Viper. It also offers a V10 which can reach speeds of 190 mph, will do 0-60 in 3.8 seconds, and a quarter mile in 11.9 seconds. The Viper is rated for 10 to 20 mpg and comes with a price tag of $80,000. This makes the Viper a super car which is a fast car with a more affordable price tag.
A never-ending classic super car is the Corvette which is put out by none other than Chevrolet. This American icon has been around for several years and continues to improve with age. Available in a coupe or convertible, you can choose from several color combinations. You also have the choice of a 6 or 7 liter engine, and the starting price is about $66,000. These cars have withstood the test of time and continue to be one of the most popular sport cars on the market today.
Gavin Drake is a self confessed "Petrol Head" and loves fast cars. He races in a number of championships in the U.K and runs http://www.fastcarsinfo.com where fellow petrol heads can come chat, share photo's and catch up on the latest automotive news.

Tune cars

Carburetor servicing or tuning makes sure that all the parts are in working condition. There are several reasons why a carburetor may stop functioning or may not function to its full capacity, including gasoline resins or dust particles clogging the carburetor jets, gumming up of the throttles and stickiness of the choke valves. Carburetor parts are controlled by springs that may become worn out over time, which will affect the functioning of the carburetor. Tuning the carburetor from time to time will prevent its complete breakdown.
Tuning may involve replacing some of the parts that are available as carburetor kits. Tuning a carburetor ensures that the engine is in good working condition. Carburetors are affected by several conditions like unfavorable climate, different types of fuel, the terrain, and the type of riding. There is not time limit for carburetor tuning; it should be done whenever the ride was dusty or when the roads are muddy.
Carburetor tuning starts with pressure washing the bike, especially at the bottom where roost and oil is likely to accumulate. The sub-frame can be removed for better access. A look at the vent hoses would reveal any melting or clogging that might cause the engine to bog. Check the cable for any frays or kinks. Sometimes the rubber dust cover may be torn and may need replacement. Check the float bowl, jet baffle, float, airscrew, and the fuel inlet needle. Ensure that all these are in working condition, free of dust. Next, check the bell mouth of the carburetor to see that there is no clogging at the two holes at the bottom.
Flush the passage after dismantling the carburetor. This can be done by a can of brake or carburetor cleaner that is available in any automobile parts store. While spraying the cleaner, ensure that it flows out the pilot and the air passage in the bell mouth. Next, spray it through the tiny passage between the venture and the intake spigot. This will open any clogging along the passages, thus ensuring free flow of gasoline and air. Lastly, flush the slides bore and slide.
Jetting is the process of adjusting or changing the air or fuel jets. Before jetting, look for crankcase air leaks, crankcase oil leaks, coolant-system leaks, carbon-seized exhaust valves, blown silences, broken reed-valve petals, weak spark, clogged carburetor vent hoses, too low or too high carburetor float level, and worn carburetor fuel-inlet needle. There are certain things to be taken into consideration before jetting, including the air temperature, humidity, altitude, track conditions, fuel, and load. There are three types of carburetor tuning gauges including Relative-air-density (RAD) gauges, Air-fuel (AF) ratio meters and Exhaust-gas-temperature (EGT) gauges.

More links for cars

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Links for cars

Links
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2008 Ford Escape - Hitting Online Market Like A Storm
Ford's Initiatives For The Environment
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This Year For Mercedes-Benz C-Class
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Tenneco Introduces CES on Mercedes C-Class
Looking For The Right Repair Shop?

Tuning

MERCEDES


Tenneco Inc. has announced recently that its CES short for continuously Controlled Electronic Suspension system is going to be featured on the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class which will be launched in Stuttgart this year.
The remarkable thing about the electronically controlled suspension system is the fact that it continuously adjusts to various road conditions and driver actions which boost stability and improved ride comfort. The system also allows Tenneco to modify vehicles for it to become accustomed to various driving factors like for instance braking, steering, accelerating, and vehicle load thus increases the handling capability and ride comfort of the vehicle.
Daimler Chrysler said that the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class makes use of up to date high-performance technologies that helps to deliver a new level of safety, agility, and comfort. The technical innovations pertained to by the world’s fifth largest automaker and producer of high quality Mercedes performance air filter--- is the company’s Agility Control System which is based on the Tenneco Continuously Controlled Electronic Suspension system.
Tennecos’s CES system continuously fine-tunes the damping levels according to road conditions and vehicle dynamics. At the core of the system is an ECU or electronic control unit that processes driver inputs and data from sensors placed at strategic locations on the vehicle.
The sensors is comprise of three accelerometers that are mounted on the body of the vehicle together with four suspension position sensors which gives information like steering wheel angle, brake pressure, vehicle speed, as well as other chassis control factors. The ECU makes use of control software that administer the all the information that the sensors gathered in real time and then gives off signal to adjust separately the damping level of each shock absorber valve. Electronic dampers enable a large array of maximum and minimum damping levels and then regulate it continuously to provide firm vehicle control and to ensure riding comfort.
The electronic shock absorbers that Tenneco used for this system are built at the company’s facility in Ermua, Spain. Tenneco is a manufacturing company with a present market value of $4.7 billion. Its headquarters is located in Lake Forest, Illinois and has approximately 19,000 employees worldwide. It is also one of the world’s largest designer, marketer, and manufacturer of emission control and ride control products as well as systems for the automotive original equipment market including the aftermarket.
The products of Tenneco are marketed under the following brands: Walker®, Monroe®, Gillet™ and Clevite®Elastomer. Some of the products of Tenneco include Rancho shock absorbers, Sensa-Trac and Monroe Reflex® shocks and struts, Walker Quiet-Flow® mufflers, Dynomax performance exhaust products, and Clevite®Elastomer noise, vibration and harshness control components.
For more about you Mercedes parts needs like Mercedes performance air filter, visit your trusted online source.
Dwyane Thomas is a part time cook and full-time auto-enthusiast. This 31-year old Civil and Environmental graduate is a consultant at one of the engineering firms in Pennsylvania.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dwayne_Thomas

Cars

The VW and Audi TDi diesel vehicles are probably the most economical cars on the road, getting about the same or better economy than the new hybrids. They are the best way to go when looking to save money on fuel. The VW TDi’s especially are growing in popularity in the U.S.. There are some complaints though. Like not having the power needed to pass someone on the road. This has all changed in recent years. There are several upgrades that can be made to the TDi’s to improve power, and to actually improve fuel economy even more. I will touch on these subjects briefly.
The first TDi Performance mod that comes to mind is an upgraded chip or tuning box. Both of these items, the VW performance chip and the VW tuning box change how the fuel is delivered to the engine. For a VW performance chip to be installed, the TDi’s computer must be removed and sent to someone who can solder in the new chip with the new program. A VW tuning box will simply be connected under the hood where it can intercept the signals going to the engines ecu and alter them. Most people will say that the upgraded chip will do the most for you, but the tuning box is the more common upgrade just because it is so much easier to work with. Also the tuning boxes are well liked because they can be removed and have no trace of ever being there so that warranty work can be done.
The TDi Performance upgrade that comes to most peoples minds first is the cold air intake. An upgraded cold air intake in a VW TDi will add approximately and additional 5-10% increase in power and economy. It is able to accomplish this by 1) Flowing more air which helps the fuel to combust more completely, and 2) Cold air intakes are sealed away from the hot engine air. Cold air takes up less space, so in turn more air is able to occupy the same area because it is cold and not hot. That is a pretty good jump and the cost for the upgraded air intake is minimal. One of the drawbacks is that upgraded air intakes are not available for all of the TDi models or year groups. There are also performance drop-in filters for most of the TDi’s that will increase airflow slightly, and add a little power and economy.
The next thing that comes to peoples minds is an upgraded exhaust system for their TDi. The only problem with that is the lack of mods for the TDi exhaust. There are currently no major companies that manufacture full TDi exhaust systems to my knowledge. A custom system can be made, but often cost in excess of $750. So most people do either 1) A mufflerectomy where the muffler and resonator are removed and straight pipes are put in their place to reduce restrictions on exhaust air flow. This doesn’t really give a measurable power or economy increase, but does give a throatier sound that some are looking for and the reduced back pressure will add to engine longevity. Or 2) People will replace the muffler with a new muffler that is able to vacuum the exhaust out the tail pipe. These mufflers will add a little performance and economy, although still not very noticeable, but they will greatly reduce back pressure to add to the longevity of the engine and will also add a deeper tone that some are looking for.
Another common upgrade for the VW TDi is upgraded injector nozzles. Upgraded injectors or injector nozzles and an improved spray pattern than the stock injectors and when required are able to flow more fuel. They greatly add to performance and add a little economy too. They are also an inexpensive upgrade, and high on the bang for your buck scale.
There are also other things such as propane injection or water methanol injection that will add power and economy but I won’t go into detail as they are not common mods for the TDi’s. Also with any modifications, a set of gauges should be added to monitor the VW TDi’s engine parameters and to make sure that things are functioning properly.
A TDI Chip is your base TDi Performance upgrade-Nathan Young (TDI Performance Enthusiast)
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nathan_Young

About fast and tuning cars

Fast and tuning cars

Chances are you’ve seen the Saturday afternoon show geared toward squeezing every droplet of power out of a 50s or 60s classic. You know—the one hosted by two middle-aged guys, one with a toupee that may as well have “this is a toupee” painted on it. They spend the entire half-hour show with a bunch of time-lapsed shots taken of them tearing the engine apart to put in highly-specialized, insanely expensive parts. Once the project’s done, they fire-up the dyno and laud the 3hp gain they received for about 4 hours of total work. If you’re like me, that’s not exactly how you want to spend a weekend, all for 3hp that you may not even notice with your rear-o-meter.
Fortunately, you’re probably also driving a computer-controlled vehicle, like most of the ones sold for the last 25 years or so. That makes tuning much easier, because a set of programming determines the way your engine performs. Replace the programming with a set geared toward performance, and you have near-instant power gains. Don’t get me wrong—there’s a lot to be said for the virtues of a computer-free classic that you have full control over. But, when it comes to getting more power in just a few minutes time without ripping your hands to shreds or spending thousands on obscure parts, a computer-controlled vehicle has a distinct advantage.
How can you make these changes in minutes? With a power programmer or performance chip, like the ones made by Hypertech or Diablosport. These programmers are built to hold performance settings tested by experienced pros for your specific engine. All you have to do is plug it into the OBD-II port beneath your steering column. With simple yes or no commands, you can adjust how you want your engine to perform, upload the new programming, and you’re ready to rock with 25hp or more extra. The maximum time this will take to complete: just 10 minutes.
Many drivers who want the extra power are leery of this tuning method. “How can so much power be had so fast, when the TV pros spend hours to get few gains?” they ask. The answer is that automakers down-tune their cars for the masses. Engines are setup to work the same for you, the budding performance enthusiast, as they are for the elderly, who like to travel half the speed limit or through the occasional farmer’s market. You aren’t the average driver, and performance programmers aren’t average settings. It’s a perfect match for you; it’s not a perfect match for your mother.
Some drivers worry about warranty when they’re considering a performance programmer. Not only to the companies that make programmers take safety into account with their settings, they often give you ways to return to stock settings for service visits at the dealership. And, as with all performance mods, you’re protected by the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a federal law that basically states that your vehicle’s warranty can’t be voided by mods unless the mods can be proven as the source of trouble. In other words, there’s no reason to wait—the true potential is waiting to be unlocked, and you can do it without breaking a sweat.
Maximize your ride with performance chips, available from time-tested brands like a Hypertech programmer and Diablosport.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Bernhardt




Are you satisfied with your performance? Your car's performance, that is? If you are not or if you have wondered how you can crank more power out of your engine, then I have some good news for you: you can do it with an engine tuning programmer. Yes, within minutes you can turn your ordinary passenger car into a road warrior without having to pop the hood or by removing the dashboard. It is a quick, easy, and awesome way to unleash more power from your car's engine.
The aftermarket parts industry is constantly coming up with everything you need to enhance your vehicle’s look as well as its improve performance. On the performance side of things custom air filters, cold air intakes, and exhaust systems are much sought after options for car enthusiasts. In addition, performance chips are being installed by owners who desire to turn their ordinary cars into something extraordinary.
While performance chips are a great way to increase torque and bang out more horsepower, they are invasive. This means you must either pop the hood or remove the dashboard to locate your current chip, swap it out, and replace it with the new one. Fortunately, technicians have invented tuning modules that work by simply hooking it into your under dash diagnostic connector. Once you are "wired" all you will need to do is answer a series of yes/no questions and the programmer does the rest. When you are done, you can disconnect the programmer and enjoy your now potent vehicle.
Power programmers, including those developed by Hypertech, fit right into the palm of your hand. Each programmer is custom developed for your make/model, so you must specify the vehicle you own or it won't work for you. Popular vehicles that can benefit from tuning programmer include: the Dodge Ram; Jeep Wrangler, Cherokee, and Gran Cherokee; the Ford "F" series pick ups and Mustang; and several GM models including the Corvette, Firebird, Camaro, and many full size pick up trucks.
There are several benefits in using a power programmer, including:
--Increased horsepower
--Increased torque
--Increased fuel economy – yes, an efficiently tuned engine gets the best fuel mileage.
--Optimized tuning – tune for 87 octane or 91 octane fuel.
No you don't have to be mechanic or a computer programmer to work with a power tuner. Everything you need is stored right inside your little hand held device. What's more, if you decide that you want to return your car to its OEM specifications, you can do that in mere moments. Try swapping out a performance chip that quickly!
Of course, power tuners aren't for everyone. If you are satisfied with the status quo or aren’t looking to get the edge while driving, then you are likely to pass on the experience. For everyone else, a power tuner is an affordable and non invasive way to turn an ordinary passenger car into a true road rocket.
Copyright 2006 – Matt Keegan, is The Auto Writer, who writes about a variety of automotive products including Hypertech programmers and other performance parts.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Keegan



The quest for cheap horsepower has been the forefront of club motorsport for many years and, seeing as the gap between competitors season budgets seems to be growing wider all the time, ever more important. The low budget competitor needs to do most of his or her own work on the car to keep costs down, so how do you build fast cars on a budget? The class rules need to be taken into account as building an illegal car for a championship is helping no one!
The best way in my experience to build a fast car on a budget is to go for some serious lightening, I mean take out everything that is not used. I even go as far as to scrape all the sound deadening pads off the floor of the car and remove all underseal, you can also take out all unnecessary wiring, if you are building a race car chances are you are going to take out the airbags, but you will be surprised how many people leave the wiring in and just tape the ends.
I do all my own engine work, also keeping cost's to a minimum, many engines come out the factory very inefficient at producing horsepower and much can be done to improve this. If you plan to tune a used engine for your fast car then try to get one from a passenger car that has done low miles and hopefully never been driven hard, you would not want to buy a used engine off me for example! Much can be done to make a car fast without taking the engine block apart, for example many cars leave the factory with very inefficient air intakes with warm air feeds. This is great for economy but no so good when we want to build a cheap fast car.
The warm air feed and much of the breather system on most cars can be modified within the championship regulations to give a fair few extra horsepower. In many championships induction is free thus allowing the airbox to be drilled or removed entirely and replaced with a home made or after market item to help make that elusive fast car on a budget.
I have been competing in club level motorsport with an extremely low budget for years and I have had a fair amount of success, nothing will ever beat the feeling of beating a car that cost 10 times as much as mine!
Gavin Drake is a club level racing driver and a part time article writer, he also owns a website for like minded individuals where fellow "Petrol Heads" can go to talk, exchange ideas, share photo's and catch up with the goings on in the motorsport world. You can find his site at http://www.fastcarsinfo.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gavin_Drake

Tuning cars

Tuning Cars


Performance tuning is the tuning of an engine to increase the power output, torque, and responsiveness of the engine as well as the reliability and economy. To performance tune the engine, it must be strong enough to endure the extra power, sometimes far stronger than the standard engine. Also when Performance Tuning the car you must take into account the transmission, suspension and the brakes to make sure that these match the power output and torque of the engine as this will affect the overall performance of the car and make it more reliable and competitive. Most people want to increase the power output of an engine. The main way that is used to do this is to increase the rate and efficiency of combustion in an engine. This is achieved by putting more fuel/air mixture into the engine, using a fuel with higher energy content, burning it more rapidly, and getting rid of the waste products more rapidly - this increases volumetric efficiency. The specific ways this is done include:• Increasing the engine displacement. This can be done by "boring" - increasing the diameter of the cylinders and pistons, or by "stroking" - using a crankshaft with a longer stroke (in combination with pistons of shorter compression height, to maintain the original compression ratio), or both.• Using larger or multiple carburetors, to create more fuel/air mixture to burn, and to get it into the engine more quickly. In modern engines, fuel injection is more often used, and may be modified in a similar manner.• Increasing the size of the valves in the engine, thus decreasing the restriction in the path of the fuel/air mixture entering, and the exhaust gases leaving the cylinder. Using multiple valves per cylinder results in the same thing - it is often more practical to have several small valves than have larger single valves.• Using larger bored, smoother, less contorted intake and exhaust manifolds. This helps maintain the velocity of gases. Similarly, the ports in the cylinder can be enlarged and smoothed to match. This is termed "Cylinder head porting", usually with the aid of an air flow bench for testing and verifying the efficiency of the modifications.• The larger bore may extend right through the complete exhaust system, using larger diameter piping and low back pressure mufflers, and through the intake system, with larger diameter air boxes and high-flow, high-efficiency air filters. Muffler modifications will change the sound of the car's engine, usually making it louder; for some tuners this is in itself a desirable property.• Increasing the valve opening height (lift), by changing the profiles of the camshaft or the lift (lever), ratio of the valve rockers (OHV engines), or cam followers (OHC engines).• Optimizing the valve timing to improve burning efficiency - usually this increases power at one range of operating RPM at the expense of reducing it at others. For many applications this compromise is acceptable. Again this is usually achieved by a differently profiled camshaft. See also Four-stroke cycle Valve Timing, variable valve timing.• Raising the compression ratio, which makes more efficient use of the cylinder pressure developed and leading to more rapid burning of fuel, by using larger compression height pistons or thinner head gasket, or by milling "shaving" the cylinder head.• Forced Induction; adding a turbocharger or supercharger. The fuel/air mass entering the cylinders is increased by compressing the air first, usually mechanically.• Using a fuel with higher energy content or by adding an oxidizer such as nitrous oxide.• Changing the tuning characteristics electronically, by changing the firmware of the engine management system (EMS). This chip tuning often works because modern engines are designed to give a great deal of raw power, which is then reduced by the engine management system to make the engine operate smoothly over a wider RPM range, with low emissions. By analogy with an operational amplifier, the EMS acts as a feedback loop around an engine with a great deal of open loop gain. Many modern engines are now of this type and amenable to this form of tuning. Naturally many other design parameters are sacrificed in the pursuit of power. The choice of modification depends greatly on the degree of performance enhancement desired, budget, and the characteristics of the engine to be modified. Intake, exhaust, and chip upgrades are usually amongst the first modifications made as they are the cheapest, make reasonably general improvements (whereas a different camshaft, for instance, requires trading off performance at low engine speeds for improvements at high engine speeds), can often improve fuel economy, generally don't affect engine reliability much (because no moving parts are modified), and are in any case essential to take full advantage of any further upgrades.• Manufacturer Detuned Engines - Changing the tuning characteristics electronically, by changing the firmware of the engine management system (EMS). This chip tuning also works because many manufacturers produce one engine which is used in a range of models and the power and torque characteristics are determined solely by the engine management system software. This allows the manufacturers to sell cars in various markets with different tax and emissions regulations without the huge development cost of designing different engines. Cross platform engine sharing also allows for a single engine to be used by different brands, tuned to suit their particular market.



Car audio instalation













Car audio installation is a fairly specialized job, requiring at least some knowledge about the basics of car designs and electronics. The final audio output depends to a large extent on good installation. You may buy the best equipment, but if it is not properly installed, then the result will be poor. The entire set up consisting of wires, amplifiers, alternators, and speakers would have to be perfectly set up for that great audio effect.Speaker location is perhaps the most important part of setting up your car audio. Determining where you are going to place your speakers is the first step you have to take. The designs of cars are such that the listener isn't placed perfectly in middle of the two speakers. What we mean to say is that the distance between the left speaker and the left ear is not the same as the right ear and the right speaker, which is a traditional audio setup. You can easily avoid this problem by making the distance between the left and right as little as possible. Some people try to place an extra speaker on the dashboard. The problem with this is that this speaker on the dashboard rips the sound into two, making for unpleasant hearing. You can try placing the audio in different locations around the car and arrive at the proper configuration for your speakers. Another mistake which commonly occurs is that people tend to go for looks rather than the sound, when it comes to car audio. Try to listen, rather than look. Some unlikely places inside your car may be the best for placing speakers.Choosing the location of subwoofers and amplifiers is relatively easy. You can place them where you feel they will look good. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that different equipment may interfere with each other, if improperly placed. The next step is the wiring part, which is equally important. The thing with laying cables is to buy the correct cable keeping in view the capacity of the amplifier and speakers. Next in line is the installation of the head unit and amplifiers. Once you install them, you have to select the correct type of speaker enclosure. Although the choice is yours, you can try different types of enclosures and choose one which gives the best audio output. A final fine tuning, preferably with professional help and your car audio installation is done.

Tuning Cars

Tuning cars
Performance tuning is the tuning of an engine to increase the power output, torque, and responsiveness of the engine as well as the reliability and economy. To performance tune the engine, it must be strong enough to endure the extra power, sometimes far stronger than the standard engine. Also when Performance Tuning the car you must take into account the transmission, suspension and the brakes to make sure that these match the power output and torque of the engine as this will affect the overall performance of the car and make it more reliable and competitive. Most people want to increase the power output of an engine. The main way that is used to do this is to increase the rate and efficiency of combustion in an engine. This is achieved by putting more fuel/air mixture into the engine, using a fuel with higher energy content, burning it more rapidly, and getting rid of the waste products more rapidly - this increases volumetric efficiency. The specific ways this is done include:
• Increasing the engine displacement. This can be done by "boring" - increasing the diameter of the cylinders and pistons, or by "stroking" - using a crankshaft with a longer stroke (in combination with pistons of shorter compression height, to maintain the original compression ratio), or both.
• Using larger or multiple carburetors, to create more fuel/air mixture to burn, and to get it into the engine more quickly. In modern engines, fuel injection is more often used, and may be modified in a similar manner.
• Increasing the size of the valves in the engine, thus decreasing the restriction in the path of the fuel/air mixture entering, and the exhaust gases leaving the cylinder. Using multiple valves per cylinder results in the same thing - it is often more practical to have several small valves than have larger single valves.
• Using larger bored, smoother, less contorted intake and exhaust manifolds. This helps maintain the velocity of gases. Similarly, the ports in the cylinder can be enlarged and smoothed to match. This is termed "Cylinder head porting", usually with the aid of an air flow bench for testing and verifying the efficiency of the modifications.
• The larger bore may extend right through the complete exhaust system, using larger diameter piping and low back pressure mufflers, and through the intake system, with larger diameter air boxes and high-flow, high-efficiency air filters. Muffler modifications will change the sound of the car's engine, usually making it louder; for some tuners this is in itself a desirable property.
• Increasing the valve opening height (lift), by changing the profiles of the camshaft or the lift (lever), ratio of the valve rockers (OHV engines), or cam followers (OHC engines).
• Optimizing the valve timing to improve burning efficiency - usually this increases power at one range of operating RPM at the expense of reducing it at others. For many applications this compromise is acceptable. Again this is usually achieved by a differently profiled camshaft. See also Four-stroke cycle Valve Timing, variable valve timing.
• Raising the compression ratio, which makes more efficient use of the cylinder pressure developed and leading to more rapid burning of fuel, by using larger compression height pistons or thinner head gasket, or by milling "shaving" the cylinder head.
• Forced Induction; adding a turbocharger or supercharger. The fuel/air mass entering the cylinders is increased by compressing the air first, usually mechanically.
• Using a fuel with higher energy content or by adding an oxidizer such as nitrous oxide.
• Changing the tuning characteristics electronically, by changing the firmware of the engine management system (EMS). This chip tuning often works because modern engines are designed to give a great deal of raw power, which is then reduced by the engine management system to make the engine operate smoothly over a wider RPM range, with low emissions. By analogy with an operational amplifier, the EMS acts as a feedback loop around an engine with a great deal of open loop gain. Many modern engines are now of this type and amenable to this form of tuning. Naturally many other design parameters are sacrificed in the pursuit of power. The choice of modification depends greatly on the degree of performance enhancement desired, budget, and the characteristics of the engine to be modified. Intake, exhaust, and chip upgrades are usually amongst the first modifications made as they are the cheapest, make reasonably general improvements (whereas a different camshaft, for instance, requires trading off performance at low engine speeds for improvements at high engine speeds), can often improve fuel economy, generally don't affect engine reliability much (because no moving parts are modified), and are in any case essential to take full advantage of any further upgrades.
• Manufacturer Detuned Engines - Changing the tuning characteristics electronically, by changing the firmware of the engine management system (EMS). This chip tuning also works because many manufacturers produce one engine which is used in a range of models and the power and torque characteristics are determined solely by the engine management system software. This allows the manufacturers to sell cars in various markets with different tax and emissions regulations without the huge development cost of designing different engines. Cross platform engine sharing also allows for a single engine to be used by different brands, tuned to suit their particular market.

Car audio instalation
Car audio installation is a fairly specialized job, requiring at least some knowledge about the basics of car designs and electronics. The final audio output depends to a large extent on good installation. You may buy the best equipment, but if it is not properly installed, then the result will be poor. The entire set up consisting of wires, amplifiers, alternators, and speakers would have to be perfectly set up for that great audio effect.
Speaker location is perhaps the most important part of setting up your car audio. Determining where you are going to place your speakers is the first step you have to take. The designs of cars are such that the listener isn't placed perfectly in middle of the two speakers. What we mean to say is that the distance between the left speaker and the left ear is not the same as the right ear and the right speaker, which is a traditional audio setup. You can easily avoid this problem by making the distance between the left and right as little as possible. Some people try to place an extra speaker on the dashboard. The problem with this is that this speaker on the dashboard rips the sound into two, making for unpleasant hearing. You can try placing the audio in different locations around the car and arrive at the proper configuration for your speakers. Another mistake which commonly occurs is that people tend to go for looks rather than the sound, when it comes to car audio. Try to listen, rather than look. Some unlikely places inside your car may be the best for placing speakers.
Choosing the location of subwoofers and amplifiers is relatively easy. You can place them where you feel they will look good. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that different equipment may interfere with each other, if improperly placed. The next step is the wiring part, which is equally important. The thing with laying cables is to buy the correct cable keeping in view the capacity of the amplifier and speakers. Next in line is the installation of the head unit and amplifiers. Once you install them, you have to select the correct type of speaker enclosure. Although the choice is yours, you can try different types of enclosures and choose one which gives the best audio output. A final fine tuning, preferably with professional help and your car audio installation is done.