--------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 246 AUTOMOTIVE Ref: F1X00008 Date: 01/25/98 From: MARC GERGES Time: 11:20pm \/To: KENNY HENDERSON (Read 0 times) Subj: Forced Induction Salut Kenny! MG>> Not that I don't accept anything being better than a Porsche (I MG>> don't like those Porsches at all), but when it comes to breaking, MG>> they are terribly good. KH> '95 Edmunds Car Buying Guide KH> 60-0 MPH braking distances KH> Camaro Z28 112' KH> Pontiac Firebird Formula 115' KH> Pontiac Trans AM 116' KH> Porsche 911 Carerra 1 117' Mmmh... that's astonishing. Just to be sure: the Porsche you mentioned is a Carrera _2_, right? cu .\\arc ... Klingons--The Harley Riders of the Universe --- * Origin: sympathy for the debil (2:270/47) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 246 AUTOMOTIVE Ref: F1X00009 Date: 01/25/98 From: MARC GERGES Time: 11:23pm \/To: DEVIN DIMITRI (Read 0 times) Subj: Active Handling Salut Devin! MG>> Mmmmh... I thought such a car with a 1.1- or a 1.9-litre-engine MG>> must h been considered as a joke on 4 wheels in the US... :) DD> Most are. It depends on the car, though. Toyota had a car a few DD> years ago called the MR2 . I know the MR-2. DD> It was a mid-engined, tiny, 2 seat sports car. Very fun, though. I DD> believe it had a 1.8 liter engine. 1.6, if I remember well... but I don't insist on it. DD> It handled fairly well, for what it was, a realitively low-tech, DD> inexpensive car. I'm not sure how fast it went, but it was FUN. Hey, a mid-engined two-seater with targa top is a definition of fun :) I love these cars (also the Bertone X1/9, same concept) and would love to own one for those summer evening blasts... cu .\\arc ... I backed up my hard drive and ran into a bus. --- * Origin: sympathy for the debil (2:270/47) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 246 AUTOMOTIVE Ref: F1X00010 Date: 01/25/98 From: ALAN MORRISON Time: 05:48pm \/To: KENNY HENDERSON (Read 0 times) Subj: 1999 Cars -=> Quoting Kenny Henderson to Alan Morrison <=- AM>much rather have the newer V6 Camaro, especially a 3800, but even the 2 AM>year newer Saturn would be a much better deal. KH> Agreed. BTW, all the newer V6 Camaros are 3.8 V6s. (96+) and some KH> late model '95s. Exactly right... I looked at these the first few years and kept a brochure for 1995. It shows the base engine was the 3.4 liter 160 HP, and an optional 3.8 liter 200 HP V6 which was not available at the start of the year. It could only be ordered as an option, with AC and an Automatic transmission. The next year it became the standard engine and could be had with a 5 speed or automatic. Now that my niece has had her Civic a while she regrets getting a 5 speed. With the little 4 banger, an automatic is disappointing... Another plus for the V6 Camaro. --- Blue Wave/386 v2.20 [NR] * Origin: River Canyon Rd. BBS Chattanooga, Tn (1:362/627) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 246 AUTOMOTIVE Ref: F1X00011 Date: 01/25/98 From: ALAN MORRISON Time: 05:58pm \/To: ROY J. TELLASON (Read 0 times) Subj: buying imports -=> Quoting Roy J. Tellason to Alan Morrison <=- AM> Now, now; not nice. How 'bout just dumping the imports into a AM> harbor and call it exportation without reciprocation. RJT> A tea party? :-) Of course, another option would be to use them as 1-ton bombs, should we find ourselves in another conflict. ;-) AM> trucks used to beat the automotive import tariffs, but now they AM> seem to be priced higher than the much more work oriented Ford, AM> Chevy, and Dodge pickups. As a matter of fact, some of the AM> trucks are just rebadged Chevys (Isuzu) and Fords (Mazda). RJT> It really is getting hard to tell these days. I looked at several '98 buyers guides before deciding on one (C&D) that has a 'country of manufacture' listing. If in doubt, look under the hood at the stickers and castings. Under the Mazda hood you'll see lots of Ford stickers, while I'd recognize the 3/4 of a Chevy SB (4.3 V6) under even an Isuzu hood. AM> The $42,000 Land Cruiser is no bargain compared to the AM> real-deal $36,000 Land Rover Discovery. The British built LR AM> Discovery even gets better mileage! What really surprises me AM> is SO DOES THE $26,000 SUBURBAN! RJT> Wow. It's time to re-evaluate blind assumptions that US vehicles with V8s get poor mileage. While the huge Suburban 5.7 liter V8 gets 15/18 MPG the Toyota Land Cruiser with a much smaller engine, only gets 13/15 MPG. RJT> Let me know if you want any more of his stuff and I'll list some files RJT> to you, either here or in netmail... Cool... I post stuff I find interesting too; sometimes in edited form, others crediting the author. It sometimes starts some good debates, but helps keep everyone up on automotive info. --- Blue Wave/386 v2.20 [NR] * Origin: River Canyon Rd. BBS Chattanooga, Tn (1:362/627) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 246 AUTOMOTIVE Ref: F1X00012 Date: 01/25/98 From: ALAN MORRISON Time: 06:15pm \/To: TOM WALKER (Read 0 times) Subj: Buying imports -=> Quoting TOM WALKER to ALAN MORRISON <=- TW> Didn't see the Corolla on your List for Toyota's. Was that because TW> 100% of those Sold in the US are Made here in California Maybe you didn't notice the subject line was 'Buying imports'. That's why it only listed imports... Understand? You say Made, but it is really Final Assembly. This plant contains workers, designers, and management from here and abroad. After all, it is a joint operation between Toyota and GM, not a GM plant. If you claim it is 100% US made, with 100% US components, or 100% US profits, you're way off base. Perhaps your left-coast/Pro-Japanese dogma needs some reevaluation! :^O -> * Some assembled in US TW> Actually the Majority of those models you have designated with the * TW> and Sold in the US are MADE here. I suppose you mean that Some of those marked, have a majority made here. No, See above. Some of them have most Final Assembly here, and high sales, low output, or excess vehicles in Japan, causes importation. The ones imported have virtually no domestic content though. Those marked with the * are assembled in more than one location. TW> And on occasion, depending of Sales demands, Some HONDAS mad TW> in Ohio HAVE been Exported back to Japan for Sale there.. Some Hondas, (All Acuras) and some of the parts for them, are imported. If Honda management exported some they would surely make big noises about it. Do you suppose they would be so vocal when the reverse was true? Since you think you have all the answers, send me a list of the models that May come from Japan, and I'll check my info. On a related issue, can you tell me how many of the worlds ten largest banks (by assets) are US; Japanese; and Other? ... NISSAN- Nasty Imports Send Savings Accounts to Nippon --- Blue Wave/386 v2.20 [NR] * Origin: River Canyon Rd. BBS Chattanooga, Tn (1:362/627) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 246 AUTOMOTIVE Ref: F1X00013 Date: 01/25/98 From: ALAN MORRISON Time: 06:40pm \/To: TOM WALKER (Read 0 times) Subj: Cool Copcars -=> Quoting TOM WALKER to ALAN MORRISON <=- -> Also, CHP uses aircraft extensively in each patrol area. Fixed wing -> and helicopters clock motorists using timing methods, TW> Since you can't out run the Helicopter or Fixed wing plane there is TW> little need for the Pursuit type of car much. NOW all they have to do TW> is Get the Money to operate them. Right now they are running on an TW> Emergency Allocation and only use them for Special Temporary "GET your TW> Attention" enforcement drives. Perhaps the cost difference between chase cars, or dual purpose ones, and the expensive aircraft was not given sufficient weighting. -> License has a magnetic strip, allowing the officer to scan it in the -> MDT and get more expedient results. This will reduce radio traffic TW> The cars with MDT's are being issued but the terminal is only being TW> used as an On Board Lap Top right now. It has Full computer TW> capability(Pentium but don't know the CPU speed) and is loaded with TW> all the Software that was in the old Issued Lap Tops. Sounds like you must do some of the upkeep on these. I want to get the chance to see some of the equipment they use here, but haven't had the chance lately. I hesitate to detain an officer just to look at the neat, tax bought toys. TW> The San Diego Sheriffs is also buying 4WD pickups with Shell for TW> some of the "East County" Deputies to replace their Broncos. I seem to recall these being used by the Border Patrol also. The run- across-the-border at San Ysidro, sometimes is shown on national TV. --- Blue Wave/386 v2.20 [NR] * Origin: River Canyon Rd. BBS Chattanooga, Tn (1:362/627) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 246 AUTOMOTIVE Ref: F1X00014 Date: 01/25/98 From: ALAN MORRISON Time: 06:49pm \/To: JAY EMRIE (Read 0 times) Subj: Injectors -=> Quoting JAY EMRIE to ALAN MORRISON <=- GH> The Imports mostly use tensioners on their chains to eliminate GH> this, but Detroit hasn't saw any need for it. AM>Of course they do, on OHC engines that have long chains going clear to he AM>top of the cylinder head and back. But most use rubber belts nowadays, AM>with tensioners. The short OHV timing chains wouldn't really benefit rom AM>a tensioner and all the related parts. What you are describing is more AM>like guide rails, with tensioners required to control off-axis slack. JE> All tensioners can possibly do is to keep more or less proper JE> tension on the chain so it doesn't slap or jump off the gears. Yes, you are correct. I was attempting to point out that all the extra pieces required in an OHC design are needed to keep a worn chain under control, axially and otherwise. All those links multiply wear factor immensely compared to a short OHV setup. On US made OHC designs the same would be true, but most use wide belts that can reduce the parts count to just a single tensioner, as they don't move off the axial plane. --- Blue Wave/386 v2.20 [NR] * Origin: River Canyon Rd. BBS Chattanooga, Tn (1:362/627) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 246 AUTOMOTIVE Ref: F1X00015 Date: 01/25/98 From: ALAN MORRISON Time: 06:58pm \/To: DEVIN DIMITRI (Read 0 times) Subj: Vector Auto -=> Quoting Devin Dimitri to Alan Morrison <=- AM> Ford/Cosworth, Honda, and Mercedes/Ilmore (previously Chevrolet/Ilmore DD> Ahh, how could i have forgotten about Ford/Cosworth. I don't DD> really like CART/IRL, though, mostly because it's just weird. DD> Sure, they are certainly purpose built race cars, but once you DD> wreck, your day is over. With Nascar, you can get beat up a DD> little and still run just fine. Stock car racing is just much DD> more physical, and i enjoy that. Just one more reason it has become one of the fastest growing sports in the US. I like NASCAR/Winston Cup series too, and the open wheel cars are fragile and dangerous in traffic. If two tires touch from the front and rear, one gets launched due to the opposite rotation. This is what killed several people in F1 a while back; one launched over a retaining fence and killed two spectators. As for the IRL formula, I prefer it over CART or F1 because the engines are based on an engine that can be found in roadgoing vehicles (Olds- Aurora; Nissan/Infiniti). This helps improve existing or upcoming models and pays some dividend back to the manufacturer. Also they are making attempts at controlling costs so the biggest money doesn't always win. --- Blue Wave/386 v2.20 [NR] * Origin: River Canyon Rd. BBS Chattanooga, Tn (1:362/627) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 246 AUTOMOTIVE Ref: F1X00016 Date: 01/25/98 From: ALAN MORRISON Time: 08:16pm \/To: JOHN FAERBER (Read 0 times) Subj: Operating Temp -=> Quoting John Faerber to All <=- JF> What temp in Farenheit should my 87 Deville be runnig at? It is JF> showing 100 celcius which I think translates to 210? farenhite. JF> Is this within the accetpable range of operating temps? It may be under some circumstances, but this should be almost a worst case scenario. With a good system that can hold 12-15 lbs pressure, it could go to 230 or more without losing coolant, although this is hard on underhood components. If it runs 212 (100C) in a traffic jam on a 100 degree day, but runs under 200 most of the time, it's acceptable... But I would check into it further. Make sure the fan is operating correctly. With the AC on the electric fan should cycle more, which should keep it cooler. Also, thermostats sometimes need replacing. They often have wax pellets in them that eventually open less, especially if they have ever overheated. If you live in TX all year, I would replace it with a 180 degree unit. Also you can replace the temperature sensor that works the fan with a lower temperature limit. These are available aftermarket, and maybe at some GM dealers. Be careful about how low you go since it might affect the emissions. Lastly, check the radiator for obstructions, damage, and internal buildup. If it was not maintained correctly it might need recored, or at least cleaned. Usually the 10 minute flushes are preferable to the stronger types on aluminum radiators. If it needs more than that a radiator shop can fix it. --- Blue Wave/386 v2.20 [NR] * Origin: River Canyon Rd. BBS Chattanooga, Tn (1:362/627) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 246 AUTOMOTIVE Ref: F1X00017 Date: 01/27/98 From: ALAN MORRISON Time: 02:47pm \/To: ALL (Read 0 times) Subj: Chevrolet history 1 CHEVROLET HISTORY - THE EARLY YEARS 1909 William Durant, a successful buggy manufacturer from Flint, Michigan, asked Louis Chevrolet, a well known race car driver, to help design a car for introduction to the public. He had not yet formed a company to manufacture it. 1911 The Chevrolet Motor Car Company enters the turbulent automobile market on November 3. Durant envisions his new company as an inexpensive competitor to the Ford Model T. He chose to name the company after its designer, Louis Chevrolet, because he liked the sound of the name and because Chevrolet was a prominent name in motor sports. 1912 Chevrolet hits the streets of Detroit with the "Classic Six" -- a large, 5 passenger touring sedan with a long list of standard features, including four doors, electric lights and a folding top, plus a windshield and its own tool box. Its 299-cubic-inch, six cylinder engine could reach a top speed of 65 miles per hour. 1914 The Chevy "bowtie" logo appears for the first time. Legend maintains that the bowtie shape was inspired by a pattern of wallpaper in a Paris hotel room. In 1908, William Durant reportedly detached a small piece and kept it in his wallet, waiting for the day he'd put it to use. The bowtie became an advertising icon, and is still the marque of today's Chevrolet. 1915 Chevy's first challenge to the Ford Model T, the "490" is introduced ($490). 1917 Success of 490 pushes Chevy unit sales to the 100,000 mark. 1918 First Chevy truck sold. Chevy joins GM Corporation. 1924 Chevy offers first radio option. 1927 Chevrolet outsells Ford by topping 1 million units for the first time. In all but four of the next 55 years, Chevrolet is the top-selling American nameplate. --- Blue Wave/386 v2.20 [NR] * Origin: River Canyon Rd. BBS Chattanooga, Tn (1:362/627)