Archive for October, 2009
Oct
25
Are Turbo Cars Really Fast?
Written by admin under Fast Cars
Tags: Maximum Performance, Turbo Car, Turbo Lag
Turbochargers really do speed up the car. It does this by compressing the air that enters into the engine. In doing so, more air is allowed to enter and thus allowing more fuel to enter as well. By this process, the cylinders in the car will also yield more power resulting to faster acceleration. Turbochargers work in a way that is similar to recycling since it uses the waste steam to power the air compressor. However, because of this, turbochargers are also prone to high heat and may need cooling once in awhile.
Turbo cars do have the advantage over non-turbo cars in that their engine can produce more power. Turbo cars also have better efficiency since heat is being recycled as mentioned above. Turbochargers are also small that they can even fit in 4 cylinder cars. More importantly, turbo cars are fuel efficient in that it can achieve more power as if it were using a larger engine, yet only uses the normal amount of fuel for that particular engine.
Like most things, turbo cars also has its disadvantages in that if an incorrectly fitted and sized turbocharger is used, it will have little or no effect on boosting. Instead of being able to boost quickly, the car may respond poorly to acceleration. Turbocharger also has a turbo lag, which is very inconvenient when racing. Timing is very important to attain a turbo car’s maximum performance. Another disadvantage of turbo cars is that it is costly to install a turbo kit since upgrades are always available and are commonly required. Also, it is very complex to install a turbocharger and you will need to learn a lot of engineering to get it right the first time so you would rather have someone do it for you, which in turns add to the cost.
Turbo cars are indeed faster than non-turbo cars but the decision to have a turbo kit installed in your car must be well-thought of since installing one will not be an easy process. Ask yourself if it is worth your money to install a turbo kit or do you just want one for status symbol? If indeed you are confident enough that you can maintain a turbo car, then by all means get a turbo kit and have it installed. But always remember that driving a fast car does not mean you will compromise safety, so even if you have a turbo car, to drive safely must top your list of road concerns.
By: Sam Downs
About the Author:
Sam is the owner of Turborevs You can find more information on Turbo Dump Valves and Electronic Boost Controllers on Turborevs website.
Oct
12
"Routine" Car Maintenance
Written by admin under Car Maintenance
Cars tend to be on the road much longer now than they used to be. By “longer” I mean they are seeing a lot more miles. Todays vehicles are getting to 200,000 or more miles before needing extensive repairs. Technology has come quite a long way, so how do you keep your car running for that long? And if you purchase a car with high mileage, what are the risk and things you should know about it?
To keep you car running in tip top shape, it is important to ensure a few things.
1) It must be properly lubricated internally. That means get your fluids changed when you should. Oil is every 3000-5000 miles depending on driving habits. Highway miles can usually push closer to 5000, but city stop-and-go driving should be changed sooner. Always change the filter at every oil change too. Transmission fluid must be changed at the appropriate intervals along with the filter. Refer to the owners manual for this. A commonly overlooked area is the rear end of rear wheel drive vehicles. This oil must also be changed as often as the transmission fluid. If not, metal will start to wear down and you will notice a jolt or a thud when putting the car in gear. Also have the brake lines flushed. Thats right, the brake lines. Until recently, it was thought that brake fluid wouldn’t need replacing, but studies show that bad brake fluid can result in master cylinder failure. Also take note of the radiator fluid. If this is overlooked, you can get rust deposits and clogged water passages in the engine. Clogged water passages equals higher engine temps, which are an enemy of durability.
2) The engine must have the right fuel and air mixture. This is important for several reasons. The fuel mixture determines the combustion in the cylinders. This is directly related to horsepower, fuel economy, and engine life. A lean mixture (not enough gas) can cause detonation, which is very bad for the internals of the engine. Prolonged periods of detonation from a lean fuel mixture can take thousands of miles off of the life of the motor, and hamper performance and fuel economy. Running too rich (too much gas) can have a different but equally adverse effect, resulting in carbon build up and premature valve failure. Late model care are equipped with computers to control the fuel and air mixture. If a component in the system fails, the check engine light will come on. This is usually a sign of a component going bad that read or adjust the fuel air mixture. Riding with this light on, even though you may not notice it, can be detrimental to your engine. Always have the codes read and fix the problem to ensure the durability of the engine.
3) Revs are an enemy of every engine. The higher the rpms, the greater the risk of engine failure. Driving habits have everything to do with how many rpms your engine will see. At higher rpms, there is a greater chance for bearing wear and damage, piston ring and cylinder wall scoring, among many other unwanted possibilities. Engines have a red line, which is the highest rpm the engine can safely withstand without immediate damage. Stay close to the edge too long, and you may find yourself with burnt rings, bent or burnt valves, spun engine bearings, or collapsed lifters.
The OEM and aftermarkets have a lot of options out there to help you keep your car maintained and running smoothly. You can find whatever you need to replace your sensors and get the scheduled maintenance done on time, but if you heed these warnings, then you should see every bit of 200,000 miles and beyond.
By: Matt Brooks
About the Author:
Majestic Modifications is the complete auto accessories solution, specializing in car accessories, cold air intakes and performance upgrades, body kits and exterior accessories, glow gauges and interior accessories, wheels and tires, mobile video, car audio and electronics.
Oct
10
Cars of The Fast and Furious Tokyo Drift
The smash movie “The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift” hit the big screen around the world with a serious bang. It was definitely the head turning combination of action packed drifting, attractive girls and the hot collection of cars of The Fast and Furious Tokyo Drift that made it an instant hit.
Lets take a closer look at the cars of Fast and Furious Tokyo Drift.
Modified performance cars are seen throughout, from start to finish. There are anything from full Japanese drift cars ready for competition to the highest rank of show quality modified cars.
If memory serves me well, there were a couple of American muscle cars such as a Viper and and old ____ right at the start. Then shortly, the scenery moved to Japan where we were sprayed with all types of Japanese performance drift cars.
The cool thing about the movie was that the cars of The Fast and Furious Tokyo Drift actually held as much of an important role in the movie as the real human actors. The main character car and most memorable was the orange and black Rx7 FD with Veilside body kit. This was their cruise car they used to chase and be chased. It eventually ended up in a burning pile of rubble.
There there was the villain car, a black Nissan 350Z driven by the girls by the Japanese Mafia’s nephew was out to show who was boss only to be beaten by a RB26 powered Mustang fastback.
And how could we forget the girl’s car? The sky blue and black Mazda Rx8 driven by a high school girl played by actress Nathalie Kelley. Even though this was supposed to be the girls car, we can’t say the Rx8 is ‘girly’. Mazda Rx8’s make great drift cars.
With an all-star cast of cars in The Fast and Furious Tokyo Drift movie, it’s a must see for any drift racing and Japanese modified car fans.
By: James Hendricks
About the Author:
Drifting is the most extreme motorsport this world has ever seen. Get your fill of the tire smoking, drifting action from Japan and around the world at www.DriftInJapan.com. Regularly updated with fresh drifting news, pics and articles. Look out for our free drifting tips newsletter too!
Oct
08
Car Maintenance – Will it Really Help Gas Mileage?
Written by admin under Car Maintenance
As gas prices continue to rise, the auto industry is out in full force touting the benefits of car maintenance. Many repair shops even have custom “fuel saver” services. While maintaining one’s car is indeed important, does it really save gas? Before we answer this, let’s step back and look at auto maintenance for today’s cars.
The first question we need to ask is – what does my car need (according to the manufacturer) for it to be considered “maintained.” Today’s cars no longer have distributor caps, rotors, points, and a variety of other ignition components – so these don’t need maintenance. Many vehicles now come with extended service parts such as 100,000-mile platinum spark plugs and life-time fuel filters. Oil change intervals have been extended to 5,000 miles or more. The 3,000-mile oil change is ancient history. Coolant flushes and transmission services aren’t needed until 100,000 miles if at all. Yet, even if we performed all the above services, will they increase fuel efficiency? Probably not. Unless your vehicle is misfiring (i.e., not running on all cylinders), you’re gas mileage is likely fine.
So what part of car maintenance adversely effects gas mileage for the average driver of a late model vehicle? Three things: tire pressure, air filters, and excess carbon.
Tire Pressure: Setting your tire pressure is free, and is the best maintenance service you can perform to maintain maximum fuel efficiency. It’s that simple.
Air Filters: Air filters can indeed get plugged after a considerable amount of driving and can then restrict air flow, which will not allow your fuel to burn efficiently. This can also cause excess carbon build-up, which can reduce miles per gallon. The good news: air filters are cheap ($15 to $30), are easy to install, and usually only need replacement every 30,000 miles.
Excess Carbon: There is another auto maintenance service that “can” help gas mileage. It’s called a fuel system cleaning service. Some repair centers call it fuel injector auto maintenance, or a fuel injection service. Simply, chemicals are added to your fuel system through a variety of orifices to clean out excess carbon deposits on your valves, pistons and intake manifold. This naturally forming carbon (in excess) is not good for gas mileage. Excess carbon absorbs gasoline, which would otherwise be used to power your vehicle. However, before you run out and spend the $150 + to have this service performed, there is one important consideration – the service will only work for vehicles that need it. In other words, yes the stuff works, but you’re vehicle may not have any excess carbon build-up. You wouldn’t wash clean clothes – right?
When you see those “fuel saver” services for $100 to $300, they’ll likely include an air filter, tire pressure check, and a fuel system cleaning service. If you’re wondering whether or not your vehicle needs it, ask yourself the following:
1) Do I use quality gasoline consistently? 2) Have I replaced my air filter at least every 30,000 miles? 3) Have I checked my tire pressure recently?
If you can answer these questions affirmatively, you’re probably ok. Buying cheap, no-name gas once-in-awhile is ok. Replacing the air filter and setting your tire pressure is common sense. Also, if you drive like grandma, get out on the highway and press the vertical pedal at your right foot “all the way to the floor” until your vehicle accelerates to speeds at which you’re not all too entirely comfortable. Then repeat a few more times. This will help clean out excess carbon – FREE – less the cost of fuel. Be careful. Watch out for cops.
In summary, follow your manufacturer guidelines for your car’s maintenance – not ones designed by those who stand to benefit most. Use name-brand fuel, set your tire pressure now and again, pop in an air filter, according to your car’s recommended interval, and don’t be afraid to drop the hammer now and again.
By: Theodore Olson
About the Author:
Oct
02
Car Audio Systems
It is hard to imagine an automobile without an audio system. Car audio systems are important to all car owners and a mind boggling range is available to choose from. A car audio system is a combination of components such as head units, amplifiers, speakers, and auxiliary input devices. All of these work to complement each other and have no meaning on a stand-alone basis.
The head unit of a system is like the brain and central processing unit. Control and tuning of the volume, bass, equalizer, etc., is done through this unit. There are different kinds of head units. Some allow you to play only tapes, CDs or the radio, while others allow all of these choices. Advanced devices can also hold many CDs at a time and allow shuttling between them. Speakers are obviously important if we want to hear anything. However, different kinds are available, like cone or ribbon type. All have their own advantages. The placement of speakers also makes a difference. Then there are amplifiers, which amplify or increase signals to make them audible. They too are available in different configurations, like mono, stereo or multi-channel.
Car audio systems can range from basic to very high end and funky models. A basic system costs less and can have good sound quality if components are of a standard make. Some decisions also depend on intended use. If you feel that you do not require a tape player but a CD player, then invest in a good-quality CD player rather than a cheap combination. For a basic system, you can go for only front speakers and avoid rear ones. Advanced models are available in compact sizes, with or without remote control and all other features one can imagine.
Depending on your budget and personal preferences, you can self-assemble a unit or buy an all-in-one system. Branded ones may be costlier but come with a guarantee and are easy to service. For some things like speakers, it is advisable to buy from standard, reliable and tested manufactures. If sound quality is low or harsh, then money saved is also wasted.
By: Peter Emerson
About the Author:
Car Audio provides detailed information on Car Audio, Discount Car Audio, Wholesale Car Audio, Car Audio Systems and more. Car Audio is affiliated with Car Stereo Installations.