--------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 246 AUTOMOTIVE Ref: F1P00023 Date: 01/19/98 From: ROY WITT Time: 06:07pm \/To: ROY J. TELLASON (Read 0 times) Subj: buying imports On, 19 Jan 98 at 11:36, Roy J. Tellason was overheard shouting over the engine noise, saying something to all about "buying imports",: RJT> Novelist and political essayist L. Neil Smith is the only RJT> Libertarian ever to be called a "thug" within the pages of the RJT> _LP News_. He's also been characterized by a disgruntled reader RJT> as having written the "single most repugnant ... piece of tripe ... RJT> ever seen in an American newspaper." As much as I agree with the article, Neil Smith is the "thug" he's been called. Nuke um all and let god sort um out... ... My 1st New Chevy: 1965 Chevy Malibu SS L79, in Glacier Grey. --- * Origin: Bow Tie Racers, #1, On or Off the Track! (1:202/909.13) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 246 AUTOMOTIVE Ref: F1Q00000 Date: 01/18/98 From: RONNIE THOMPSON Time: 09:00pm \/To: JOHN FAERBER (Read 0 times) Subj: O2 Sensor -=> Quoting John Faerber to All <=- JF> Replaced the O2 sensor in my 87 Deville, car runs about the same, but JF> the mileage seems to be up about 2.5 MPG so far. (will have to run it JF> a few tanks of gas to get the true improvement) JF> The old sensor appeared to have something resembling battery corrosion JF> (best way I can describe it) on it, was this caused by old age JF> (105,000 miles) or something the previous owner put in the gas (some If you got 105K out of an O2 sensor, you did good. I think most anufacturers recommend they be changed around 40K. You got your moneys worth :) Ronnie in NC ... Three dreaded words when making love: Ignore the rash. --- AreaFix Fido MILITIA * Origin: Thor's Retreat/2 BBS Fayetteville, NC 910.424.0956 (1:3634/37) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 246 AUTOMOTIVE Ref: F1Q00001 Date: 01/19/98 From: VERN FAULKNER Time: 08:03pm \/To: MARK LOGSDON (Read 0 times) Subj: Vehicle Confiscation VF> I think that the fact the guy has just come back VF> from getting the parts to repair the defective light shows sufficient VF> responsibility - writing a ticket is a superflous waste of everyone's VF> time. ML> Ah, but perhaps it's not about safety but about revenue for the ML> government spending machine. Nah, that couldn't possibly be. :( Well, this was a _warning_ ticket. For the already-functioning light, no less.... --- Maximus/2 3.01 * Origin: Warm Fire, Hearty Helpings - Fox n' Dragon Inn (1:340/44) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 246 AUTOMOTIVE Ref: F1Q00002 Date: 01/17/98 From: ALAN MORRISON Time: 02:58pm \/To: C.A. KLINGEL (Read 0 times) Subj: cool cop cars -=> Quoting C.A. Klingel to Alan Morrison <=- AM> Tell me the exact definition of SN95. CK> SN95 Platform Mustangs:1994 to date Thanks... wasn't sure of the dates. What does SN stand for? AM> which weighs 3100 to 3300 lbs. Thinking that 3300 lbs. was 400 lbs AM> lighter than the supercharged version they had, I decided to run some AM> numbers with the stock drivetrain, but hopped up internally to about AM> 445 HP. CK> Who is showing a SN95 at 3100? A real world example that comes to CK> mind is the current NHRA L/Stock record holder. 3300 pounds and It was in the C&D Buyers Guide showing from 3100 (3.8 V6) to 3300 (4.6 V8). I calculated the numbers at 3300 lbs. CK> I agree that 445 on the motor would be my preference over 445 with a CK> supercharger or using the bottle. My question is what is it going to CK> cost to get 445 out of a 4.6 DOHC on the motor? The blower may be the CK> most cost effective method of getting there. Maybe, I don't know much about the new motor. It would depend on prices for pistons, intake, and exhaust components. I could run some figures if I had more info. All I know right now is the size, and that it shows 305 HP at 5800 RPM for the 4.6 liter. I need to at least know the bore and stroke, and compression ratio to be more exact. Guesstimating these from 4.6 liter with a 10.5 compression to reach the 305 HP mark would mean you would need to increase the engine size to get 445 HP AND keep it under 7000 RPM without supercharging. However the 5.4 liter that they used, should produce that under 7,000 RPM with good breathing and 10.5 compression ratio. These are theoretical numbers with no more info than I have. If you want more exact numbers, send me B&S, and compression ratio, and I'll run it again. --- Blue Wave/386 v2.20 [NR] * Origin: River Canyon Rd. BBS Chattanooga, Tn (1:362/627) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 246 AUTOMOTIVE Ref: F1Q00003 Date: 01/17/98 From: ALAN MORRISON Time: 03:38pm \/To: MARC GERGES (Read 0 times) Subj: Active Handling -=> Quoting Marc Gerges to Alan Morrison <=- AM> Even the models we import here were a bit different. MG> You have Vauxhalls? No, not Vauxhauls. I was referring to other models. AM>> The Cadillac Catera is an Opel Omega derivative. MG>> Right. Not sold in europe as Cadillac, though. AM> No, I suppose it would be a waste to finish them here and ship them AM> back to compete against your other brand. MG> You mean the car is finished in America? MG> They are built in Russelsheim, Germany and I see them occasionally on MG> trucks heading for harbours. But they look quite finished to me, at MG> least the exterior. Haven't seen them from inside, though. I'm not sure Marc. When the interior is totally different I wouldn't be surprised if it was finished here, since our labor is cheaper than Germany. MG> Cadillac is an outsider here, but in the last years known for a couple MG> of lovely cars and engines - the Seville and the Eldorado made much MG> for that image. I believe their sales will continue to rise in the MG> next time, they make really fine cars... Glad to hear it. Someone once said What is good for GM is good for America, and vice-versa.. or something like that. The point being GM reflects the health of our economy, and having your most prestigious brand do well is a good sign. But they aren't supposed to appeal to a young audience as much as the older 'executive' types. Performance suffered so much in the late 70's and early 80's, they were becoming affixed to the retired crowd. With an influx of technology, and hopefully some quality improvements, they may regain their image. If they would lose some weight and return to rear wheel drive, I would even be impressed! --- Blue Wave/386 v2.20 [NR] * Origin: River Canyon Rd. BBS Chattanooga, Tn (1:362/627) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 246 AUTOMOTIVE Ref: F1Q00004 Date: 01/17/98 From: ALAN MORRISON Time: 04:01pm \/To: CHRIS ZYCHSKI (Read 0 times) Subj: Oil pump? -=> Quoting Chris Zychski to Alan Morrison <=- AM> Oil used to carry the full SAE specs that included the Diesel ratings. AM> The new API star-burst labeling removed the diesel ratings from AM> the non-synthetic automotive oils. If you notice, it will AM> be on the synthetic brands though, not just the Diesel oils. CZ> A recent case of Valvoline 20w50 is marked "API Service SJ, SH". CZ> Is this something new (having been familiar with "C_" rating)? The API Automotive Service Rating of SA...SJ has been there for longer than I can remember, but the ADDITIONAL Diesel ratings have been removed from the conventional oil. It has been allowed to stay on the Semi- Synthetics on up. CZ> How should this oil stack up in comparison? Who knows... They took off the info! Newer recommendations are on some but the removal of the diesel rating was surely done as a marketing ploy. Typically the thinner synthetics should give better mileage and cold- weather lubrication. They also should resist higher temperatures without breaking down. If you need to resist below zero or 250+ degree oil temps, pay the higher price. --- Blue Wave/386 v2.20 [NR] * Origin: River Canyon Rd. BBS Chattanooga, Tn (1:362/627) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 246 AUTOMOTIVE Ref: F1Q00005 Date: 01/17/98 From: ALAN MORRISON Time: 04:56pm \/To: MARC GERGES (Read 0 times) Subj: Active Handling -=> Quoting Marc Gerges to Alan Morrison <=- AM> Europe and the US have different needs from their cars. MG> do you use cars for other things than get from places to other places? I was referring more to differences in fuel costs and terrain. MG> the advantage of having many european nations and thus a big number of MG> different cars: while up to the seventies, most of your business was MG> made by the big three and some small imports - we had dozens of auto The large corporations drove the smaller ones out in the 50's. Within the remaining four or five was over a dozen choices. Then their were several imports like the VW, MG, and later many others. Still not as many as Europe, I suppose, if you imported from a wide enough base. MG> makers with cars as different as one could imagine. You had 55 mph MG> speed limit while the lowest highway speed limit here was around 75, MG> many countries without limit at all. It was 70 to 75 MPH when I was growing up. It got lowered to 55 in the 70's as I recall. Then it finally got returned to the states decision, and now is typically 65 or 70. At least one state allows you to drive at a reasonable speed, dependent on conditions and your judgment. MG> But those really powerful ones are expensive and most times not really That's what I like about the F-bodies and Mustangs. Mustangs are going up more since they went OHC, with GM staying close in price and power. MG> needed - cars for the enthusiasts. 90 percent of people want reliable MG> cheap transport, and that's were the big business is done. Sure, most everyone wants that, but inexpensive cars here seldom last as long as the middle and higher priced cars with larger engines and less emphasis on mileage. Tiny fuel efficient cars don't sell well here, and don't do well in an accident with a larger vehicle. From what I've seen in Europe, most vehicles are smaller so you generally only worry about commercial vehicles. MG> Do you happen to know what sales expectations are for germany and MG> europe? I'd love to check how it sells here... No, only that according to some GM management interviewed, that it was exceeding expectations. MG> Regulations have come very close in the last time though, a car that MG> complies with european regulations will meet all american demands MG> without much changes. From a technical point of view it's far less MG> difficult to make cars compliant to both market's laws and MG> regulations. Agreed. They are becoming closer and except for California emissions are similar. If more were exported they would eventually be made for both markets with minimal changes. AM> and the six-speed tranny, 1650 to 2050 RPM would be 80 and 100 MPH, AM> respectively. (The C5 has a .50 overdrive sixth gear) MG> Wow... I don't know of many cars that make 1000 at 200 rpm. Bigger MG> cars here are typically around 3000, smaller at 4000 or even more. MG> And some don't reach the 100 mph limit. AM> Guesstimating 25 to 30 miles per gallon at these speeds, which are AM> barely into the torque band for 6th gear. This is based on 27 MPG for AM> my Camaro turning similar RPM, even though it's not as aerodynamically AM> efficient. MG> Mmmh... considering the fact that drag rises with velocity^2, I don't MG> believe 25 or 30 is realistic. More around 20 or a bit less. Just a guess, but I get more than 25 at 80 so who knows. At that speed I turn about 2250 RPM while the Vette would be 1650. As far as 25 to 30 MPG figures, that was an estimate at a steady cruise. MG> Would you mind looking up how many hp the C5 delivers at 2050 rpm? It would be almost a guess Marc. Does 100 to 130 sound about right? --- Blue Wave/386 v2.20 [NR] * Origin: River Canyon Rd. BBS Chattanooga, Tn (1:362/627) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 246 AUTOMOTIVE Ref: F1Q00006 Date: 01/17/98 From: ALAN MORRISON Time: 05:47pm \/To: MARC GERGES (Read 0 times) Subj: Forced Induction -=> Quoting Marc Gerges to Alan Morrison <=- AM> Honda getting the same highway mileage as the much larger Caprice AM> (which had a V8 over twice the size), it was. A high winding 2 liter AM> getting similar mileage to a 5 liter V8, even though the Caprice must AM> punch a much larger hole in the air, indicates some kind of efficiency. MG> Sure. ALthough, like said in other mails, I have problems to believe. MG> Maybe in very special conditions at low highway speeds, but not in MG> daily driving. For the Highway Patrol, or salesmen on the highway, or a family on vacation it would. This is the intended market for them. Nice roomy interior and luggage space along with occupant protection. Low engine speeds at cruise and enough weight to give a good ride. It's not for me, but similar running gear comes in the smaller Camaro which seats two adults and two kids. AM> I was impressed by the Audi A4 turbo with a 1.8 liter, when I was in AM> the UK for a bit. MG> Not exactly an engine that impresses my. It goes well, right, but it's MG> using quite a lot of fuel. I think somebody at the R&D department MG> get's excited of 5-valve cars, but I don't think there's a difference MG> to 4-valves... As for street cars, don't go crazy on valves. The Audi I refer to was before the five valve setup. The new Mercedes engines with three valves interests me. I had a design in mind with OHC and roller rockers feeding three valves and two plugs, similar to what they have done. --- Blue Wave/386 v2.20 [NR] * Origin: River Canyon Rd. BBS Chattanooga, Tn (1:362/627) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 246 AUTOMOTIVE Ref: F1Q00007 Date: 01/17/98 From: ALAN MORRISON Time: 07:43pm \/To: ALL (Read 0 times) Subj: Ryan Falconer Spotlight: RYAN FALCONER In a career spanning 4 decades, Ryan Falconer has built up a resume that reads like a who's-who of racing. Owners Andy Granatelli, Rick Galles, Parnelli Jones, Paul Newman, and Roger Penske have all sought Falconer Power. From Indianapolis to Off Shore power boat racing where, in the '70s, Ryan pioneered the use of fuel injection on the big block Chevy powerplants run by Tom Gentry, Ryan just can't leave well enough alone. During the 1970s, his engines built for the Formula-5000 series powered Al Unser and Mario Andretti to the Winner's Circle. Behind these 302 Chevys, the Vel's Parnelli Jones team saw much success. In the 1980s, Can-Am drivers Keke Rosberg, Elliott Forbes-Robinson, and Al Unser, Jr. all won with Ryan's famous "Red Engines" in their cars. Falconer claimed a Can-Am championship in 1982 with Al Unser, Jr. driving the Galles Frissbee, and an IMSA-GTP Championship in 1984 powering the Blue Thunder Racing Team to victory with Randy Lanier and Bill Whittington at the wheel. The '80s also saw the first ever turbocharged V-6 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, built by Falconer. In IMSA, Ryan Falconer was a major contributor in the development of Chevrolet's GTP corvette program. He provided 1200 horsepower for the Hendrick Motorsports Corvette in the form of a 3-liter, single-turbocharged Chevy V-6. The engine was a force to be reckoned with, competing against and beating Europe's best factory backed efforts from BMW, Porsche and Jaguar. That was then, this is now. If there's one thing Ryan has learned in 30+ years of racing it's that "In this business, it's not what you've done, it's what you've done lately that counts." Keeping up with that challenge, Falconer continues to build race-winning engines that can be seen churning up dirt in the SODA and SCORE off-road truck series, and overseas in the FIA Rally World Cup. Ryan's most recent contribution to racing engine research and development is the Falconer V-12. This powerplant is now. This latest Falconer innovation will power trucks, cars, boats, airboats and airplanes. --- Blue Wave/386 v2.20 [NR] * Origin: River Canyon Rd. BBS Chattanooga, Tn (1:362/627) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 246 AUTOMOTIVE Ref: F1Q00008 Date: 01/18/98 From: ALAN MORRISON Time: 06:59pm \/To: RUBEN LOPEZ (Read 0 times) Subj: TCC Lockup -=> Quoting Ruben Lopez to Alan Morrison <=- RL> I have this 96 chevy truck with the vortec 350, It has a rated top RL> speed of 130mph. Would this be with or without locking my converter? RL> it's automatic and I have 3.42:1 gears. AM> I believe the TCC (Torque Converter Clutch) doesn't engage at AM> full throttle, unless it has been modified to do so. AM> To calculate a speed, I need to know tire diameter, RL> Well, my tires are 235/75. The formula to convert a tire size to a diameter is: Width x Aspect Ratio / 25.4 x 2 + Wheel Diameter This is not exact, but in the absense of the diameter could be used. AM> a .75 OD if that is the gear it gets its best speed... (Some are AM> faster in 3rd gear). I guess this is your tranny, but I still don't AM> know your tire diameter, or what RPM you are turning. RL> Well, my tires are 235/75. I can turn out 5,500/rpm at the redline. In which gear? Will it redline in third?? RL> I have the 4L80E, but, I hear that for acceleration it's faster in RL> third. 5500 RPM in third would be close to 130-135 mph depending on loss through the torque converter. Too many variables for any exact science here. Why not just drive around at full speed until some nice officer can clock you and tell you how fast it goes. Write back with the exact MPH, RPM, Gear, and confirm the tire diameter, and I'll tell you how much slippage is in the converter. ;^) --- Blue Wave/386 v2.20 [NR] * Origin: River Canyon Rd. BBS Chattanooga, Tn (1:362/627)