Car Tuning,Car Finance,Auto Loans

Archive for the ‘Automotive’ Category

Camber is probably the most useful and popular alignment adjustment that can be made to a street car. The other alignment adjustments are toe and caster, which I have covered in accompanying articles. Camber is the angle of the wheel from the vertical as viewed from the front or the back of the car. Negative camber means that the top of the wheel is leaned in towards the car, and positive camber means that the top of the wheel is leaned out away from the car.

Maximum cornering force is achieved when the camber of the outside wheels relative to the ground is about -0.5 degrees. A slight negative camber in a turn maximizes the tire contact patch due to the way the tire deforms under lateral load. Hence, it is good to have some negative camber to increase cornering force.

Another reason why it is helpful to align your suspension with a slight negative camber is that camber will change with suspension travel and body roll. Most suspension systems are designed so that camber increases with more suspension travel. However, camber relative to the car’s chassis is not the same thing as camber relative to the ground. It is camber relative to the ground that affects handling. Therefore, even though camber relative to the chassis is made to increase, camber relative to the ground may actually decrease on the outside wheels if there is substantial body roll. To counter this tendency, it is important to use negative camber and to control body roll.

The only drawback to negative camber is increased wear on the inside of each tire. Since the top of the wheel is leaned in, the car is riding on the inside of the tire while it is on straightaways. In a corner, suspension travel and lateral forces on the tire’s rubber compound combine to straighten the tire relative to the ground. Therefore, the car rides evenly on the tire in turns, which improves cornering ability. However, extra time spent driving on the inside of the tire causes that part of the tire to heat up and wear. This effect is small if you avoid adding too much negative camber.

On most street cars (which use a MacPherson Strut front suspension), camber is not easily adjustable. However, if you choose to purchase aftermarket camber plates, you can set camber to improve handling. More negative camber tends to increase tire grip in corners. Therefore, if your car experiences understeer, you can decrease front camber (make it more negative) to improve front grip or increase rear camber (make it more positive) to decrease rear grip. Remember not to add too much negative or positive camber since it will decrease the life of your tires and may cause a blowout. Even pure race cars rarely use more than about 3 degrees of camber. As with any adjustments, make camber changes in small increments, and make sure to test the setup so that you can see the results from each specific change.

Visit my website for more information about camber adjustments:
http://www.240edge.com

How does one define a car in terms of popularity? Almost everyone has different standards on the matter. Some like their cars to remain with their stock color and accessories such as steering wheels, dash board covers, and floor mats and still be popular. On the other hand, cars that have been modified and have been fitted with custom seat covers, mufflers, and bright headlights also rake in a lot of popularity points.

For this year, here are the 10 most popular cars in terms of web visits and not the actual number of registered owners:

1. Chevrolet Corvette – a high-performance sports car, boasting of a 430-horsepower V8 and impressive fuel efficient mechanism. The Chevrolet Corvette consumes 16 miles per gallon in the city and 26 miles per gallon while on the highway. The interior details of the 2008 Chevy Corvette need no customization of its car seat covers, dashboard, and the likes. A total break from its predecessors’ interiors, the insides of this car is just magnificent.

2. Ford Mustang – the Mustang remains to be one of the most popular cars from the long line of Ford models, offering a diversity of performance options: 2 body-styles, 4 trims, 2 engines, 2 transmissions and a wide list of additional features. Though the stock accessories are already pristine as they are, using customized interior details such as floor mats won’t hurt.

3. Dodge Challenger – returning from 35-year absence from the road, the classic muscle car that is the 2008 Dodge Challenger is boosted by a 6.1-liter V8 engine pumping 425 horses. The Dodge Challenger also prides itself with Bluetooth connectivity, satellite navigation, and Keyless starting capability.

4. BMW M3 – running for the first time on a 414 HP/ V8 engine, this car comes in sedan, coupe, and convertible types. The car also comes in different stock colors. Speaking of colors, one can mix and match with its posh interiors, starting with the dashboard and car seat covers. The transmission is also a thing of beauty, one can choose between a 6-speed manual transmission, or a new 7-speed M Double-Clutch transmission with Drivelogic.

5. Porsche 911 – with a horse power numbering to 480 and a sleek exterior design and metallic finish, who would not want to be behind this car’s steering wheel? A true stunner, the Porsche 911 can burst to 60 mph in a matter of 3.7 seconds. Speaking of metallic finish, one can tweak the seats and sport a set of metallic custom seat covers.

6. Mitsubishi Eclipse – the sporty coupe from Mitsubishi, the Eclipse has evolved from its predecessors in terms of style and shape. This car blitzes on a 3.8-liter V6 that creates 265 horsepower to drive the front wheels.

7. Lamborghini Gallardo – a two-seater on a V10 engine, this model is Lamborghini’s best-selling model. What makes this car so desirable? It possesses an impressive 560 horsepower.

8. Nissan 350Z – launched in 2003 but was not remodeled since then, the Z car from Nissan is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 306-horsepower. The Nissan 350Z comes in coupe or convertible.

9. Mazda MX-5 Miata – a further advancement from its 1989 forefather, the 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata boasts of quick steering, easy handling, and a sporty physique. Now available in the convertible type, no doubt this model will sell like pancakes.

10. Nissan GT-R – running on 480 horsepower, the Nissan GT-R is an all-wheel drive coupe that can perform exceptionally well on almost all types of surface. With a top speed of 200 mph, yet meeting ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) standards, this car is truly one for the environment. Another thing, the Nissan GT-R can achieve 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.

There is something undeniably appealing about cars. While news cars have an unsurpassed level of design and engineering, there is a draw that older cars have that is difficult to explain but exists all over the world. Whether it is out of sheer nostalgia, or as an investment in a vehicle that you intend resell later, the why is not important. What is evident and important is the fact that classic cars from all over the world are a staple mark in the automotive industry. There are many classifications of classic cars today; however, one particular classification that is growing in popular is Project Classic cars.

There are many benefits to purchasing Project Classic cars as opposed to other classic cars. Perhaps the most important benefit is the price of the vehicle. By referring to it as a project classic suggests that the vehicle is a work in progress, which makes it a project. This means that purchasing a classic car in this classification is going to require work. The amount of work will largely vary and this is easy to determine by the price of the vehicle. Sometimes you will be purchasing a fully running vehicle that is in an advanced state of disrepair, in other cases, the vehicle is not running or it could be that  you are simply purchasing the cars body and frame only. The bottom line is the less you pay, the more work you will need to invest in restoration.

Before you purchase a project car, it is important that you do a little homework first. Project Classic cars are commonly restored and resold for a pretty penny, however, knowing what the current resale prices are for a particular car you are interested in buying and restoring is important. You do not want to sink so much money into a classic car that you are unable to recoup the cost of the restoration. It is also important to know when a car is too far gone for restoration. With restoration techniques, this is rare, but in a few cases a vehicles condition is in such as state that any amount of money would be pointless. However, if your purpose for restoring a classic car is for your own personal enjoyment, and you have the money to do the work, then quite possibly it will not matter to you whether it will cost a fortune or not.

Regardless of what your intentions are when it comes to purchasing Project Classic cars, the fact still remains that this form of classic car buying is one of the hottest things going. Many classic cars are well outside the price range of an average car enthusiast; however, with these project cars anyone can get their hands on a classic car for a greatly reduced price. With a lot of work a project car can be the type of vehicle that could bring you a lot of money if resold or it could bring you great joy by just driving it around town.

How does one define a car in terms of popularity? Almost everyone has different standards on the matter. Some like their cars to remain with their stock color and accessories such as steering wheels, dash board covers, and floor mats and still be popular. On the other hand, cars that have been modified and have been fitted with custom seat covers, mufflers, and bright headlights also rake in a lot of popularity points.

For this year, here are the 10 most popular cars in terms of web visits and not the actual number of registered owners:

1. Chevrolet Corvette – a high-performance sports car, boasting of a 430-horsepower V8 and impressive fuel efficient mechanism. The Chevrolet Corvette consumes 16 miles per gallon in the city and 26 miles per gallon while on the highway. The interior details of the 2008 Chevy Corvette need no customization of its car seat covers, dashboard, and the likes. A total break from its predecessors’ interiors, the insides of this car is just magnificent.

2. Ford Mustang – the Mustang remains to be one of the most popular cars from the long line of Ford models, offering a diversity of performance options: 2 body-styles, 4 trims, 2 engines, 2 transmissions and a wide list of additional features. Though the stock accessories are already pristine as they are, using customized interior details such as floor mats won’t hurt.

3. Dodge Challenger – returning from 35-year absence from the road, the classic muscle car that is the 2008 Dodge Challenger is boosted by a 6.1-liter V8 engine pumping 425 horses. The Dodge Challenger also prides itself with Bluetooth connectivity, satellite navigation, and Keyless starting capability.

4. BMW M3 – running for the first time on a 414 HP/ V8 engine, this car comes in sedan, coupe, and convertible types. The car also comes in different stock colors. Speaking of colors, one can mix and match with its posh interiors, starting with the dashboard and car seat covers. The transmission is also a thing of beauty, one can choose between a 6-speed manual transmission, or a new 7-speed M Double-Clutch transmission with Drivelogic.

5. Porsche 911 – with a horse power numbering to 480 and a sleek exterior design and metallic finish, who would not want to be behind this car’s steering wheel? A true stunner, the Porsche 911 can burst to 60 mph in a matter of 3.7 seconds. Speaking of metallic finish, one can tweak the seats and sport a set of metallic custom seat covers.

6. Mitsubishi Eclipse – the sporty coupe from Mitsubishi, the Eclipse has evolved from its predecessors in terms of style and shape. This car blitzes on a 3.8-liter V6 that creates 265 horsepower to drive the front wheels.

7. Lamborghini Gallardo – a two-seater on a V10 engine, this model is Lamborghini’s best-selling model. What makes this car so desirable? It possesses an impressive 560 horsepower.

8. Nissan 350Z – launched in 2003 but was not remodeled since then, the Z car from Nissan is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 306-horsepower. The Nissan 350Z comes in coupe or convertible.

9. Mazda MX-5 Miata – a further advancement from its 1989 forefather, the 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata boasts of quick steering, easy handling, and a sporty physique. Now available in the convertible type, no doubt this model will sell like pancakes.

10. Nissan GT-R – running on 480 horsepower, the Nissan GT-R is an all-wheel drive coupe that can perform exceptionally well on almost all types of surface. With a top speed of 200 mph, yet meeting ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) standards, this car is truly one for the environment. Another thing, the Nissan GT-R can achieve 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.

Your car should get a tune-up, or major service, every 30,000 miles. And, this is probably the best preventative maintenance tip a car owner could get. The components of a good tune-up will check into and replace all the things that cause normal wear and tear on your car. If tune-ups are missed, this could lead to damage and further problems that cost a lot more than a tune-up. In addition, tune-ups can give you better gas mileage. Best of all, tune-ups can be done on your own, saving you the high cost of labor.

Here are the things you will need to do as you tune your own car, as well as an explanation why it is strongly recommended.

1. Fuel Filter- You will want to replace your fuel filter. Dirty fuel filters can lead to difficulty starting the car, can restrict the engine, and cause the car to lose power.

2. Sparkplugs and sparkplug wires- you will want to replace these, as bad plugs can rob your car of fuel efficiency and even take away from drivability. Bad spark plugs can even cause breakdowns, meaning an expensive tow. Bad wires can also cause problems. (See our article on this process)

3. Distributor cap and rotor- these two parts are usually made of plastic, therefore they deteriorate with age and use and cracks may develop, allowing moisture in. Because of this, metal contacts on both can corrode, which causes misfiring.

4. Valves- you will want to check and adjust your valves as needed. Also, you will want to replace the valve-cover gasket, especially when you see oil on the top of your engine.

5. Belts- you will want to check all of your belts to make sure that they are not worn. If they show signs of extreme wear and tear (fraying, tension) you can replace those as well.

6. Air filter- A dirty air filter blocks airflow to the engine, making it work harder. This results in a decline in horsepower and fuel economy.

7. Fluids- check all of your fluid levels underneath the hood. If any appear to be thirsty, give them what they need. (Transmission, brake, etc.)

8. Battery- give your battery a cleaning. (see our article on this process)

9. PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation)- this should be replaced because a clogged breather filter prevents the PCV from siphoning the blow-by gases and moisture created by engine combustion. This results in oil breakdown and sludge buildup.

The previous nine tips are the usual for tune-ups. When giving your car a once-over, you may also want to check your brakes, wiper blades, lights and other gauges. Also, while much of the aforementioned parts can be changed with a major service every few years, from time to time, you may need to replace one or more as a stand-alone project. But, all in all, following this guide will keep you with a smooth, reliable ride!

We are talking about two of the worlds highest quality auto interior accessory manufacturers. MOMO has been known for over 40 years as a leader in the industry, when you see a steering wheel you can tell if it’s a MOMO just by its style. On the other side we have SHUTT a relatively new company only being in the interior styling accessories game for 15 years but gaining ground rapidly.

Competition always makes businesses perform better and with that in mind you can probably expect these companies to compete for your attention in the future. MOMO has it’s name already established but after attending the 2008 SEMA show it is clear that the public is waking up to SHUTT and loving it. Comments at the SHUTT booth were very positive and many actually asked where they could buy the products for their own rides.

These two companies have similarities like high quality and unique designs but where they differ is when it comes to price, SHUTT being the more affordable of the two usually by a whopping 20%. Everyone knows that MOMO is high quality with a high price, some say It’s worth it. Well I don’t know about you but if I can get a high quality product that I like and save money while doing it….I’M THERE… especially in this economy. I am not going to stop tuning my ride just because the economy is in the crapper, I will just do a little more research into the products I am about to buy and choose the highest quality for the best price. I did a little research and found that there are not to many places to buy SHUTT in my town, I could not locate a single shop that has even heard of it…don’t these guys ever go to the SEMA show? Anyway ShuttUSA.com was one site that looked to be a reputable source since I got the card at the SHUTT booth while at the SEMA show.

They have a new car audio line coming out in 2009, and it looks great. A component set consisting of what looked to be a 6 inch mid and a 1 inch tweeter with a crossover. They also have a 12 inch subwoofer and a line of amps including some digital amps.

You may have seen the SHUTT ads recently in “import tuner”, “super street”, “full power”, and “car stereo tuning” displaying their quality products but if you don’t read the MAGS then you probably haven’t even heard the name. Trust me in the next few years they will become just as well known as MOMO, SPARCO or GRANT.

Tuning enhances the performance of the car. It is regularly needed for a car especially if it is modified one. With proper car maintenance, the tuned up car will surely give its best performance giving maximum efficiency. The main idea behind car tuning is to improve its handling and performance.

If the car is not properly maintained and regularly checked then it cannot be considered a tuned car even if had undergone tuning before. A car can get permanently damaged if it is not given proper attention and fixed right away. A tuned car will need much more attention as compared to a regular car. Tuning ensures that the car is at its best all the time consequently prolonging its life length.

It is recommended to tune-up a car after every two years or after 30,000 miles. During the tune-up, the car will get some new parts that will be helpful in keeping it out of the shop for a time. Following is needed to be done for tuning the car.

Step 1
The fuel filter has to be replaced. If there is a fuel-injection system then its not necessary to do regular cleaning the injectors are blocked.

Step 2
The spark plugs have to be changed. If they are platinum made then the car can run for 30,000 more miles. The wires of the spark plug also have to be examined and can be replaced if required. A new set consisting of high-quality wires is worth the cost. They can be permanently attached to the distributor cap so it will also have to be changed.

Step 3
The rotor and distributor cap also has to be replaced. They can be only changed if they are present in the car because some new models with distributor less ignition don’t have it.

Step 4
The condenser and points have to be changed. In case of old car roughly 1978 model or older, then it does not have feature of electronic ignition. The points would have to be preferably changed or at least they can be adjusted after every six months or so. If they are changed then the ignition timing can be also checked.

Step 5
The ignition timing has to be checked and adjusted if needed. It is rare for a car that has an electronic ignition like post 1980 models and some cars don’t have this at all.

Step 6
The valves have to be adjusted as needed. It is not required in case the car has hydraulic valves. It must be made sure that the valve-cover gasket is also replaced as well, especially if oil is seen on top of the engine.

Step 7
The fan belt also has to be checked. They would have to be replaced if they are worn out.

Step 8
The fluids under the hood have to be checked and they must be refilled as necessary. The engine oil and oil filter would have to be changed if the car has crossed over 3,000 miles since the last oil change.

Step 9
The air filter has to be replaced; it should be changed between major car services or after every 15,000 miles also.

Step 10
The clutch has to be adjusted if there is a manual transmission. Even though some cars are now sporting self-adjusting clutches.

Step 11
The battery has to be serviced; distilled water can also be added if required. The cable ends and terminals are also needed to be cleaned.

Step 12
The PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) valve has to be replaced. This can make the car run roughly or also get stalled if it gets blocked. It is not expensive and it’s easy to replace.

Even a used car can make a severe dent in your bank balance, which is why many people opt to apply for a car loan to pay for their purchase. But quite apart from the fact that car finance enables you to keep your savings where they belong – namely in your pocket – it also has several other advantages over a cash transaction.

Firstly, it enables you to buy a better car than you could otherwise afford. Trying to save money by buying an older model can result in more costly repairs being needed, which all amounts to a false economy in the long run. Taking out a car loan also means you can spread the cost over a longer period of time, which in turn makes your car much easier to pay for – and you will always know where you stand with your monthly payments. You’ll also know exactly how long you’ll be paying the loan for until it’s completed.

If the car credit you get is either unsecured or secured on the car itself, it’s a very low risk option – much more attractive than a secured loan, which could put your home at risk should you default on payments.

Car finance is often also easier to successfully apply for than a standard bank loan. Many people who have bad credit problems are still able to get a car loan and if you are unable to buy a car in any other way then yes car credit could change your life. Becoming more mobile could enable you to apply for better jobs further afield, for example.

Another key benefit of opting for car credit to buy your new motor is that whatever APR you get, it will often be fixed for the length of the loan term. This takes away the worry of wondering how high your repayments could go if interest rates go up, as you will be unaffected. It means you can have more confidence in taking out this kind of loan than another loan which doesn’t have a fixed repayment amount each month.

Car credit is also better than a standard loan as it often comes with added perks. For example, if you buy your car from the same company that provides you with the loan, they may add in six month’s free road tax or a full vehicle inspection before you drive the car home. These give the loan added value that you wouldn’t be able to get elsewhere.

So if you are considering buying a new car, opting for car credit to make it possible could well be your best choice. Not only can it bring added benefits, but you’ll always know exactly where you stand.

When it comes to your attention that you want to measure your horsepower for your car. You will want to consolidate with a tuner because almost every tuner or tuning company has dyno. Dyno is a machine that simply measure the horsepower of your car and also used for tuning up the car. The two types of dynos are engine dynamometer and chassis dynamometer.

Engine Dynamometer: The engine dyno is basically done while the engine is remove out of the car. The engine dynos can depict an accurate horsepower reading because they measure the power at the flywheel. So what this means is that the power from the engine is consistent and no interruption from the transmission or the driveline. This dyno is not the suited for the regular customer because it is expensive. It is usually used by the car manufacturer and oem tuners. Car manufacturer use them to test the engines longevity and also performance wise. A racing team would used it for their engines durability and power. So this is not for the aftermarket tuner whose looking to get his car check up for horsepower readings.

Chassis Dynamometer: The chassis dyno is the one that you normally see on the tuners shop. This is the ideal dyno for the car since you don’t have to remove the engine from the car. When measuring the horsepower of your car for the chassis dyno. Its as simple as driving your car to the rollers and then strapped it down so it wont fly when the tuner puts it pedal to the metal. This dyno also has it disadvantages because unlike the engine dyno that measure at the flywheel. This dyno measures it in the wheels, so the driveline, transmission, and tires are affecting the horsepower reading of the car.

So next time your talking about how your car has a lot of horsepower, put it in a dynamometer to see if your claim can be justified. Its good to know the real horsepower of your car so you wont have to pretend to your friends that you claim 400hp when clearly you had less.

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.