submitted by beta_recognize
[link] [222 comments]
Monday, August 31, 2015
[Discussion] DAE get frustrated when auto enthusiasm is associated with materialism?
This is something that’s always annoyed me, but I’ve never talked about it. Auto enthusiasts often seem to be associated with and/or accused of being materialistic.
I’ve had many friends, coworkers, and family members self-righteously explain to me how they don’t need / are not interested in “fancy” cars, suggesting that I’m wrong to be. It also seems common for people to measure someone’s modesty by their car. For example, I’ve heard: “Mark Zuckerberg doesn’t even care about money, he has billions and still drives an Acura TL!”.
On top of this, these are usually the same people who laugh and say “in that car?!” when I explain how I took my drab-looking NA Impreza to the track over the weekend. I’d argue that most car enthusiasts would rather muscle a scrappy E36 M3 around the track than roll up to a nightclub in a brand new one.
Does this bother, or even happen to anyone else?
[link] [24 comments]
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Get Spraying with your New Paint Gun, Quick and Easy!
New Paint Gun? Not Sure What To Do Next?
Here is a Quick and Easy guide so you can start spraying your project in no time, you might be surprised just how easy it is.
To start things off there are a few pieces of equipment you will need before you get to painting. These items are required and you will not be able to continue without them. In addition to your new paint gun you'll need:
- Air Compressor (Preferably one that exceeds the minimum CFM of the paint gun)
- Air Filter, can be disposable or Wall Mounted Unit (This will make or break the overall outcome of the paint. Even a little moisture or oil can ruin the paint)
- Gun Mounted Air regulator
- Lacquer Thinner (Used to clean the gun after Painting)
Air Fitting and Regulator
Now you're Ready to set up the gun. Depending on which paint gun you have, it may not have an air coupler attached to the bottom. All you need is a little teflon tape (found at any hardware store) wrapped around the threads, First screw on the regulator then screw on the air fitting and tighten using the supplied wrench. This will ensure an air tight seal to the paint gun.
!QUICK TIP!
!WHEN WRAPPING TAPE AROUND THREADS REMEMBER TO WRAP CLOCKWISE, THE SAME DIRECTION THE THREADS TIGHTEN. IF REVERSED THE AIR COUPLER WILL UNWIND THE TAPE AS IT IS SCREWED ON!
Setting Air Pressure
Next you'll need to adjust the air flow to the gun. This is where the gun mounted regulator comes into play. On the box or in the manual of your gun there will be a recommended air pressure the gun operates most efficiently.(ex. 30 PSI) Completely open the air flow adjustment on the gun and do not touch it, from now on the regulator will control the air flow through the gun. After your compressor is turned on and filled, connect the gun without the paint cup attached and pull the trigger completely open. You will need to the adjust the regulator to match the recommended pressure for your gun. (ex. so the needle reads 30 PSI) Now that you have set the regulator unhook the gun.
Fan Size and Fluid Adjustment
This part can be tricky since the material you are spraying dictates the how big the fan size should be, how far away to hold the gun, and the overlap. Look to the packaging of the material you will be spraying to find the recommended values. As a general tip, open the fluid adjustment all the way so the trigger can be fully engaged. If you are worrying about running the paint turn the fluid control in and slowly bring it back out as you get more comfortable spraying.
Mixing Paint
This also depended on the Material being sprayed but generally the mix ratios are printed on the container or packaging of the material you will be using. Attach the paint cup and pour in the paint. You're almost ready to paint!
Remember to attach the paint cup and pour the paint into gun without the air line attached to the gun. It is easy to bump the trigger and accidentally spray paint where you don't want it.
Attaching the Air Line
After the paint is in the gun and the lid is on tight you are ready to attach the air line and get to painting. Make sure you have a panel or piece of cardboard to use to test the pattern of the paint. This is when you will use the fluid control and the fan adjustment to get the desired pattern for the material.
Get to Painting!
There you go now you can start painting all of your projects with you own paint gun. At first it can be difficult to remember to do all of the steps in order but it wont take long to become second nature.
DONT FORGET!
Cleaning you gun is just as important as setting up to paint! All you need is an empty metal paint can and some lacquer thinner and its that easy.
After you are done painting detach the gun from the air line. Then Empty the paint cup into the paint can. Now using a funnel or a squeeze bottle (I'VE FOUND THAT A CONTACTS SOLUTION BOTTLE WORKS BEST) filled with thinner, hold the paint gun over the paint can with the trigger pulled and pour the thinner into the gun where the paint gun attaches. The thinner will run through the gun and out the nozzle. Continue to pour thinner until it comes out of the gun clear. Make sure you clean the gun immediately after painting so the paint does not dry in the gun.
Check out the Eastwood Blog and Tech Archive for more How-To's, Tips and Tricks to help you with all your automotive projects. If you have a recommendation for future article or have a project you want explained don't hesitate to send us an email.
jrees@eastwood.com or mmurray@eastwood.com
- James R. / EW
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
What happened to my Celica today while I was driving?
Sorry in advance if this is the wrong subreddit - if it is I'll delete and move to the appropriate location.
A little backstory: I drive a 1993 celica gts (5-speed manual). It is my second car and my first manual. I have had it for about 3 months now. The clutch was replaced by the owner before me about 35k miles ago.
Anyways, today, I was driving home from a friends house and shifted from 3rd to 4th gear and as I let off the clutch, the car just stalled - lost all power and all the warning lights came on. But the weird part is, it was totally smooth. Like I had just shut the car off in motion.
Since then, it seems almost as if the throttle is 'lagging' of sorts (for lack of a better word) I may also just be hypersensitive after what happened on the road earlier, lol.
Either way, I'm just wondering why my car did what it did when it seemed like I was shifting just fine.
Thanks for any help!
[link] [8 comments]
I've seen a lot of Lamborghini's around here, but never a Diablo. Spotted one today
And I almost creamed. This is... Absolutely gorgeous. Good god.
Ninja EDIT: Just noticed the license plate. XOTTIC hahaha.
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How do certain car engines achieve such high power compared to their displacement?
A Ferrari 458 gets 570hp out of a 4.5L V8. A Mustang GT gets 435hp out of a 5.0L V8. Both of these cars are naturally aspirated.
What SPECIFICALLY causes one engine to have much more power yet smaller displacement? Which specific factors determine the power output of an engine besides displacement?
[link] [29 comments]
200 km/h Crash Test (125mph)
Dont think its been posted, crash test at 125 mph, pretty brutal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47e-I1vgGaM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkiPmy9XXTM
80km/h semi load: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xa06CzSYdNg
Their youtube channel has other tests videos on it. I dont speak the language the page is in so yea. https://www.youtube.com/user/dynamictestcenter
Edit: Added 2 links
[link] [13 comments]
I am getting a sneak peek of upcoming FCA autos today
So far we have seen the new Alfa sedan and CUV. The new Town and Country which will offer a hybrid. Th new 8 passenger Chrysler crossover. The new small Jeep (replacing compass and patriot). The Wagoneer. A drag edition Challenger, the 'Cuda, and new Charger
For Fiat we saw the new Spider and 500x
After lunch we are seeing Ram and Maserati. I will update again in a few hours.
Edit:
Second session just finished. Nothing much new with ram. Got to see the new Maserati suv and Alfredi coupe
And the 2017 Wrangler
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Questions about receiving a car from my dad.
I'm a 22 year old heading down to Texas for a job (I live in Virginia). I've been using my dad's 2006 Honda Civic for transport here for my last job, and I am on the insurance. However, my dad has said he's giving the car to me as a gift.
This will apparently involve transferring the title and registering the car under my name. However, do I have to register it in Virginia or can I register it in Texas once I arrive? Do I have to register it in Virginia now and then register it again in Texas?
I'm not sure how this works, but I found that the transaction of gifting to a child is tax-exempt (I think) and there is a form for that.
I was wondering if anybody has been through something like this before and if they have, please help!
Sorry if this is the wrong subreddit, I didn't know where to post this.
[link] [7 comments]
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Did anyone else go to the MI Gumball Rally? One of the best road rallies I've ever attended. Over 130 cars and a ton of variety.
This last weekend the MI Gumball Rally drove around the whole state of MI. We started in Grand Rapids, went up the Mackinac Bridge, around the UP and all the way back down to Dearborn to end the rally at the Automotive Hall of Fame.
Out of the 3 rallies I've been in this was by far the best organized and had the most variety of cars. As a driver I was happy to see that most of the other drivers were mature and not just there to street race people. We ended up racing at a drag strip, on the MI raceway and at an air strip.
On the air strip I managed to get my S4 up to 140 according to my speedo and GPS.
Last but not least, we made it through the whole rally with only 1 car needing major repairs. Challenger threw a rod and the car had to be limped back to be trucked home last I heard.
Bonus: a pic of my S4 with a Porsche 4S and a new C7 Vett. Audi S4 hanging with some friends
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What's the deal with Jeep Liberties and their engines?
I'm about done with college and will be moving to a smaller town with lots of snow. And I want a dog. So looking at a smallish SUV like a rav-4 or crv. I've always had a special place in my heart for Jeeps. Looking on Craigslist I've found that nearly half of the liberties has blown engines. If I were to get one that was okay, am I just sitting on death row until it blows? Thanks!
[link] [69 comments]
Do brand new tires have something on them?
I was pulling out of stopping by an alignment shop to get some tires I bought off of Tirerack mounted on my rear wheels. I had barely traveled 20 feet on the new tires (and these are big grippy summer tires on dry hot pavement) and I go to step on it (not too hard) to get out into traffic and embarrassingly... spun out my rear end with a screech. What happened? I seem to have plenty of grip now. Do those colored marks they put on the new tires interfere with traction or something?
[link] [5 comments]
Really? Stupid stuff that people do to others cars
I was standing at the bus stop this morning at the local Park and Ride for my commute in to work. The line was next to two parked cars in the handicapped spots. A young guy, dressed for a typical office job, walks up and puts his backpack and coffee mug on the hood of one of the cars.
I saw this and turned and asked "is this your car?" He said it wasn't. And I said, then why do you think it is OK to put your stuff on it? Your backpack will scratch the paint. He gave me a look and said "relax bro, it's not like it is your car or anything". I then said "it isn't my car but I take a long time taking care of mine and if it was my car I would kill you for what you just did."
WTF! And people in line didn't seem to think anything was wrong with what he did either.
Edit: it was quite apparent in my tone of voice that I was saying I'd kill someone for damaging my car in the way that you don't actually mean for someone to shit themselves when you say "beat the shit out of you". Probably not a great idea just the same. It came out as figuratively not literally but that is hard to convey in text.
[link] [328 comments]
Best customer experience I have EVER had
It has taken me a little while to tell this story. But I had to share the amazing experience that I was given. It started in May when I was visiting my family in Portland. I decided that I would make a trip out to one of the malls out there because they have a Telsa store and with them being a company that fascinates me and always have my attention I wanted to go, look at the cars, and then buy a coffee mug / cup.
Well I find the mug I want and I couldn't find any employees to ring me out. I finally found one employee and he was with a client already so I just waited by what looked to be a register, and no employee ever came over. After 30 minutes of waiting, I decided to just leave without the mug, bummer.
That night I decided that maybe I can help this situation for the next customer so I decided to email Tesla Sales and explain the issue of not being able to find their employees and them not contacting. I wrote up my story and sent it to Tesla, not wanting anything just let them know there might be a training piece here.
I expected most likely a canned email reply thanking for the feedback, I would have never expected what happened. The next day I get a CALL from a regional sales manager, we talked about the situation, I offered as much help as I could with what it was like on the customer side of their store. He was very grateful of the feedback and asked if I could swing by the store the following day, I told him I could, he said as a thank you for the feedback he was going to give me the coffee mug, I thought that is awesome, and then he said the words "and a car for the day..." and I thought there was no way I heard that right but I figured I would go with it, so I said thank you, and he said he would text me to confirm everything, I agreed. I figured that would be a good way to confirm that is really what he said. I sat there for the next 30 minutes just staring at my phone. I got the text it said the store will be waiting for me and there is a P85D waiting for me!!!! I could have it 24 hours!!!! I could barely sleep that night, but I eventually went to bed.
I woke up and went straight back to the store, and they were waiting for me, and they handed me and my girlfriend a tote bag and told each of us to grab a shirt, hat, and mug those are ours as a gift! Amazing, they then took us down to their telsla garage / charge station. They walked us through the use of it, and then told me to bring it back by noon the next day.
This was the best experience of customer service I have ever had, and it has ruined all other cars for me, it was perfect. Now I cant see any other car as an option for me, I have to HAVE a Tesla.
TLDR Let Tesla know a of a bad experience I had and they fixed it, and then some!
Here is some shots I took of the beauty!
[link] [86 comments]
Monday, August 24, 2015
did some night photos of a 2015 Z06 last weekend
thing is such a beast, woke up the neighbors each time we had to reposition it :)
[link] [11 comments]
I live out of my van, I have a few questions about my battery usage
I live in a 2006 Honda minivan, 90k miles, not sure how old the battery is, but literally haven't had one problem with it ever (it was my mom's van). I drive across the country doing this and that. My phones always dead, though. I always have gas in it, run it everyday, etc.
Would I be able to leave the phone charger connected to my phone without draining the battery? Assume that's the only thing being used, no lights. It's a miniusb port for an LG G4
But also, I use an interior light on the ceiling as a reading light for an hour or two a night...never had a problem with battery there either.
So essentially, will a phone charger or an interior light drain the battery?
Also assume everything in the car is in good condition.
Thanks!
[link] [19 comments]
What are some recent equivalents of the Volkswagen Phaeton? That is, ridiculously over-engineered flagship gems from brands you wouldn't expect?
The VW Phateon has to be one of my favorite cars of all time. It was the brainchild of Ferdinand Piech, an executive at Volkswagen who wanted to show the world what the little shop in Wolfsburg was capable of before retiring. He had a list of ten requirements for the car to meet, including driving at 180MPH in 122F temperatures for several hours while keeping the interior cabin of the car at 72F. The car was ahead of its time with nifty features and apparently drove like a cloud. Oh yeah, and it came with a monstrous W12 engine as an option. It was actually used as the basis for the Bentley Continental.
It retailed for as much as a new Audi A8 in the states, which is likely why it did not sell very well. The average consumer wants to feel fancy when they drop that much money on a car, and the Audi logo certainly pushes that more than the humble VW logo. Nevertheless, it has gained a cult following and is now pretty damn cheap to purchase.
So /r/cars, what are some modern equivalents of the VW Phaeton? Not to say that 2004 is ancient history, but what else have we seen in recent years?
The Hyundai Equus could be a contender, given that it has a fair amount of luxury features from a brand that most Americans associate with the deep discount rental car companies. But is it as over-engineered as the Phaeton? I don't think so.
[link] [285 comments]
Let's Talk Luxury
So, one thing I've noticed here is that "enthusiasm" for cars tends to always be towards sporty, light cars that handle like a dream.
I've been a car guy my entire life, and I love fast little hatches and roadsters, but more than anything I like a big luxury barge with a big engine and a comfy suspension. I'm more LS460 than LF-A, more Volvo than Viper.
So my question is, am I alone? For all of those who hate on Toyota Avalons and every Lexus, are that any "enthusiasts" that have a passion for these rigs. Or does enthusiasm necessitate fast cars?
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My short rant about choosing a car.
I'm in the market for a convertible. And I have had so much venom spat at me for it!
They tell me "oh but they're not as rigid" or "they're not as good at the fixed tops!".
Or that convertibles are useless.
Or that " this car isn't as good as it could be get X(which is much less comfortable, more expensive, and not as nice)."
My biggest point is: Why don't car enthusiasts realize that buying a daily driver for its maximum potential performance, when in all reality you're never going to get close, is a stupid idea? I love Mustangs. If I can find one for the price I'm gonna get one, no questions asked.
But I'm told that "oh the Miata is better in every way!".
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Anyone ever trade their SRT-4 for an RSX Type-S?
Thinking of doing it myself. I love my SRT and it has tons of potential but I'm in college and want something a little more economical yet still fun.
[link] [16 comments]
Looking for pit crew, builders, drivers for 24 Hours of LeMons
If the following applies to you, Please message me. http://www.24hoursoflemons.com/
- Do you like wasting money on car projects?
- Do you like to drive fast/think your the best driver ever?
- Know what a carburetor is?
- Do you spend more time underneath a car more than in it?
- Do you spend more time looking for tools than using then because you need more tools and need to keep them organized?
- Do you live within 45 mins of UCLA?
- Do you watch roadkill? (www.roadkill.com)
- Do you currently drive?
- Are you 18 or older? (Under 18? thats ok. We just need your parents to sign some wavers)
- If your car has an exhaust pipe over 2 1/2 wide and sounds like its farting, please do not inquire.
- Are you willing to spend late nights working on the racecar?
- You will need to be available December 3rd to December 7th 2015 to travel to Northern California?
- Do you know about cars? (If not thats ok. We can help guide you until you get it.)
- Please only inquire if you know the difference between SAE and Metric tools.
- Have any previous automotive working and/or racing experience? (Not required, but please us know if this applies to you)
- Are you ready have fun?
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Just curious: What is this sound I've heard on this guys car when shifting
Couple days ago I was sitting with friends at a cafe nearby a busy road, some guy accelerated pretty hard with his car. I could not see what type of car it was but it was pretty loud so I guess it had at least some exhaust modifications. (There are not many loud cars around here without some mods...)
Anyway, when this guy shifted up, the car made momentarily a sound like "brrrrt". It's not what people are used to from blow-off valves or anything like that. It is similar to the sound an A-10 makes when firing small bursts of ammo.
What could this be? Couple months ago I witnessed the same thing from a BMW (also seemingly modified) that made the same sound, it could even be the same car (since I haven't seen the one from couple days ago).
(Sorry for my ignorance if present, I'm not really a cars guys but genuinely curious)
pre-edit: on a second thought, could this be the sound of a rev limiter? do rev limiters sound like that nowadays?
[link] [13 comments]
Dat A$$ shots! Lets see your car's fat rear end.
I'll start. Was cleaning out the garage and just before pulling my car in I just had to stop and take a shot of that ass. So lets see your rear end! pic1 pic2
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It's Finally Here
After a year long wait the GT3 RS has arrived. Such an amazing car to see and drive. Here are a few pictures http://imgur.com/a/xtrW9
[link] [151 comments]
What would happen if you adapted an air compressor tank to the air intake of a naturally aspirated car? If you could regulate the amount of air to safely match the engine load, could you get the same effects as a turbo charger?
Obviously it would need to be a huge tank (100 gal?) and have a way to power the pump to fill the tank. Would you get more HP than the videos of people attaching leaf blowers to their intake?
Also, what if you did this to a currently turbo charged car?
*This is not a project, just curious :)
[link] [38 comments]
[ALBUM] Roadkill Takes America: Ft Worth, Texas
Album: http://imgur.com/a/HgksP
Bonus: Traffic Burnouts! https://instagram.com/p/6rPrBPpnUo/
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What is the least expensive exotic car?
What are some cool cars you guys know about that are cheap? Just curious.
[link] [157 comments]
Saw this beauty in the wild today. Porsche GT4
Overrated car features/mechanics?
What do you think is the most overrated feature of a car? I say leather is. It's terrible in the summer, it looks terrible after years if you don't take intense care of it, and it's expensive. I'll stick with my cloth.
[link] [29 comments]
1964 Chevy Impala, worth?
Hi guys, I saw for sale an old four-door Impala, and was wondering if its price tag was worth it. Let me start off by saying, I checked this car out at night, and therefore have no pictures and haven't completely seen the car. From the exterior, the car is pristine. I saw no dents, dings, scratches, or rust. It had a beautiful white paint job (with another color I believe, but I forgot). I couldn't get a clear look inside, but the interior seemed nicely upholstered. The car has 27,000 miles (I couldn't believe it when I saw the sign), so I assume everything underneath is in great condition too. The car has World's Fair plates, which I found interesting but I don't know if that means anything. All for $9,500. I'm not sure if that is a good price for that car, since I've been told that it's not that valuable of a car, but I adore it, ever since I posted that last thread about a '63 Impala rust palace that I foolishly wanted to restore. From what I saw, the car is not a convertible, it is not the SS version, and I'm not sure if the tranny is automatic or manual. Thoughts?
[link] [5 comments]
Do I need to gas when downshifting?
Just recently got my license and learning how to drive manual. I've gotten all the basics down, taking off, shifting, etc. But I read it's not always the best to just ride the brakes in neutral when slowing down so I would like to learn how to downshift. Do I need to add gas as I let off the clutch or do I just put it into the lower gear then slowly let off the clutch? Thank you for your time.
[link] [7 comments]
Coupes for off-roading
Ever since I saw the new Mad Max, I've been loving the thought of a sporty coupe that can also go off road. Does anything like this already exist, or would I need to go the custom route?
[link] [25 comments]
2003 Ford Focus: What are the "Classic" Issues I Should be Aware of?
I'm buying a 2003 Ford Focus sedan from my grandmother. She is elderly and not driving any more. The car has 35K miles, and has been kept in FL (no salt). The car has had regular service, but I'm not sure if there have been any major repairs/replacements.I'm just worried that after twelve or so years, despite the low mileage, some major components might be ready to go at a moment's notice. Anything in particular I should watch out for?
Thanks for the info
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Excellent individual witnessed a guy rear end my Z4 M roadster on main street Manayunk, Pa.
After contacting the good Samaritan they sent me pictures of the man and his car with license plate. What should I do? I can post pics in comments .
[link] [3 comments]
Sunday, August 23, 2015
2016 STI with spoiler delete option
2016 STI limited with spoiler delete I know most will find this blasphemy, but now that I can afford one, I'm in my 30s and just can't handle the wing. Much more of a sleeper now.
[link] [115 comments]
My (26m) crush (24f) asked me to test drive cars with her and I know nothing about cars.
Probably not the right place to post thing but I would love some advice. She is well aware I am not a gear head but I would like to bring some information along that can help her make the right choice and help me not look like an idiot. She wants to look at cars like the Civic, Fiat and Yaris. This is the idea of type of car she is looking for. What do I need to know, Other cars I should suggest? Please help me look good and help me help her.
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What tools/equipment/cleaning materials should every car owner have in the back of their trunk?
I bought my first car. I want to try to maintain the look, and run of the car as much as I can. I'm listing "things" I think I would need in the long run, what else should a car owner generally have in the their car?
Car cover (I don't have a garage)
Dashcam (my uncle collided with an oncoming car, the car ran the light, and in this road rage state of CA, I think having one is a necessity)
Armor all polish (for wheel and exterior)
Copy of proof of registration/title hidden in the glove compartment with list of local tow hotlines for the area (I don't have AAA)
Steering wheel lock-up
Flares (in case of T-Rex or big time Armageddon, okay I'm sarcastic here)
Other considerations:
Jack/Tire changer
Extra tire
What other cleaning accessories or tools should I have?
[link] [8 comments]
Is there hate towards car enthusiasts in your town?
I'm from a small town of about 20,000 people in the Midwestern US. Every Friday and or Saturday night a few of the local car enthusiasts go out and meet up in front of the local tire shop that is on the main street that runs through town. I've been part of this group since highschool and the ages range from kids who just got their first car to guys in their 40s. We meet up and bullshit for a few hours. No revving, no burnouts, no obnoxious driving habits that seem to plague the meets of today and from being part of this scene I've noticed the locals who aren't into cars seem to hate us for doing it. They call us losers, no life's ect ect when discussing the area. Does this happen anywhere else or is my town just a bunch of dicks?
[link] [130 comments]
Just call me Frank Costello. My new winter beater/land barge.
I bought this on Saturday morning. It's a '94 Buick Roadmaster, with about 82k miles. It's a towing package car with the extra cooling and the G80 positrac.
I've already fixed a blower problem it had. Plans now are to change the oil, fix the AC (the service caps and about half the R134a is missing), replace the broken antenna, and get new front tires. The rears were replaced recently but the fronts are worn down and cracked. At least they're worn evenly though.
Then I'll slap on a couple of mid-90s appropriate bumper stickers and call it good.
[link] [8 comments]
Has there ever been a serious car accident where the steering wheel being on the "wrong" side (RHD in right side traffic, or LHD in left side traffic) has been considered a factor?
Some say they are dangerous and they are banned in most parts of Australia IIRC.
[link] [21 comments]
Show me your custom shift knobs!
I'm looking for ideas on my 91 bmw vert, trying to find different shops that make great looking knobs... I know plenty of you folks have been there and done that, let's see em!
There's part of me that wants to go period correct and get a 318is rubber knob but for 90ish dollars I might as well be looking at aftermarket possibilities, too.
[link] [10 comments]
Friday, August 21, 2015
How to Diagnose your Sick Plasma Cutter
What does this mean to you? That small, intense plasma beam is extremely powerful and can cut through metal with ease. This also means it can wear out consumables. We get calls from time to time about customers that have had issues with their plasma cutters. The symptoms are often that the plasma cutter won't initiate an arc on the metal, or the arc will start and stop erratically while you're cutting. I decided to put together a few causes for those sort of issues. Hopefully one of them can save you time when diagnosing an issue with your plasma cutter.
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Shaved Fender Vents on 08-10 Super Duty
Shaved Fender Vents on 08-10 Super Duty
The fastest way to make your vehicle stand out is with exterior modifications, but in order for them to look good it must be done the proper way. Adding new pieces such as wheels, tires, bumpers, etc. is one method but it can easily be over done and just look tacky. How many times have you seen a car with parts that just don't belong? I've seen way too many. The other, and sometimes more difficult method is to remove parts that were originally there. Not only does it make the vehicle look more seamless it also separates it from all the others. From the factory this 2009 Ford F-350 Super Duty came with chrome plastic fender vents that stick out more than 3/4" from the panel. Some may like this look but it ruins the body lines of the truck. Just like Hot Rod guys shave door handles you'll see step by step how to remove these vents and make it look like they were never there in the first place.
These are the vents I'm talking about, yeah they are flashy and catch your eyes but they don't do much for the over all look of the truck. With these removed the side of the truck is stream line all the way to the tail lights.
Using a plastic trim tool to pry off the vent, the recessed area underneath is revealed. Having a recessed area the exact shape of the vent provides a great starting point because it will be much easier later on when I weld the new piece in. As you can see in the above picture the fender is slightly curved so not only will the patch piece have to be the correct size it will also need the bend to be exactly the same to appear seamless.
I started by making a templet with a piece of poster board, to do this I cut a rectangular piece slightly bigger than what I needed and with masking tape attached it to the fender so the the vent area was fully covered. Then using a marker and my finger I pressed on the edges of the recessed area and drew "+", one in like with the edge and one perpendicular to the edge. I did this along the whole outer edge of the vent area and using a ruler connected all of the intersecting points. Note that I did not once use a tape measure, on most patch panel fabrication an exact measurement it pretty much necessary but for a small piece like this the method I just described takes a lot of the guess work out because you are using the actual panel to get the shape. Using a ruler and an exacto knife I cut out the shape using the marks I made earlier.
The template was was a perfect fit, I want the panel to sit as close to flush as I can, this will reduce the amount of filler and body work later on.
Next using a piece of 18 GA steel I carefully traced the shape on to the metal. For the first side I wanted to use my Versa 40 Plasma Cutter to cut out the shape.
The plasma gives me the ability to cut the curves of the piece near exactly but for extra assurance I used two pieces of 1/4" Bar as a guide to make the the cuts perfectly straight.
Using a 60 grit flap disc attached to a 4.5" Grinder I removed the burrs, beveled the edges, and removed the surface rust. when making patch panels like this its very important to bevel the edges, this gives the allows for a cleaner weld that will lay much more flush with the panel.
Next to get the patch piece to match the slight curve of the factory panel I used my Bench Top English Wheel to gently curve the panel. Be very careful to only apply forward and backward pressure on the panel in line with the wheel. Putting too much side pressure on the panel will give it a dome and not match the contour of the fender. One way to eliminate giving the panel a domed effect is to put a rubber band over the upper wheel. This reduces the side to side stretching of the metal because the band stretches instead of the metal.
You can see the difference in the two panels with the one on the right being the one that I ran through the wheel and the one on the left has not been touched. Even though the curvature in the fender is very little, the extra time rolling it through the english wheel will save a lot of time later on when it comes time to apply filler.
Before prepping the fender for welding I used a magnet to hold the patch piece in place and look at the fitment and gaps from multiple angles to make sure no corners were too high or out of place. After taking it off to grind a few areas down I was satisfied with the fitment and sprayed the back with Self Etching Weld Thru Primer to prevent rusting from the inside.
To prep the panel for welding I used a flap disc on a 4.5 ANGLE GRINDER and removed the paint down to metal all the way around the areas where I would be welding.
Starting with the top edge I used my MIG 175 on a very low setting to tack weld the panel in to place, making sure the panel was seated in the right place before tacking in.
If you find that after your first tacks the panel is no longer sitting flush with the opening there is a way to save the welds without having to cut the piece out. To do this use a wide flat blade screw driver putting half of the blade on the new piece and half on the original. Press the panel so it sits just below flush with the opening then place a tack weld right above the blade. In the event that the panel sits too low in the opening you can use a very fine flat blade screw driver to pry the panel up to the desired depth.
The first step in the filling process I started by using Contour Short Strand Fiberglass Filler. This filler is infused with fiberglass which makes it much much stronger than ordinary filler allowing it to be applied much heavier to fill larger gaps and depressions. Before application I wiped down the fender with PRE Painting Prep to remove and contaminants that would affect the adhesion of filler. I applied the Short strand on all of the weld seams as well as the top section of the patch which were the lowest areas that needed the most support.
While some say this material is hard to work with because it gets too hard too quick making it more difficult to sand. I've found that the ideal time to sand is about 10-15 min after application using 40-60 Grit to knock down the high spots then 80 grit PSA to level the rest. Be aware that this is a very tough material and will harden very quickly so make sure you get all of the sanding
After the Short strand is leveled I applied and block sanded Contour Glazing Putty to finish off the panel. I would have only needed one pass of Putty but I went too light with the short strand in the lower corner. To knock down the high spots I use 80 grit PSA on a 11" x 1 3/8" Durablock, this block is great for smaller areas like this because it is easy to hold and is long enough to be able to slightly bend so all areas of the block are in contact with the panel at all times.
Now that the filler is blocked down flush it is time to apply primer to seal the area. First I again wiped down the with PRE then used 2K Urethane Primer Surfacer using the Evolution Paint gun with a 2.0 tip. This primer will not only seal the panel but also build up enough that I can come back with 320-400 Grit on a block and do a final blocking in case there are still any imperfections. The best way to apply this primer is to start from the outside and work your way in, as you can see in the picture I taped off the area about 5 inches off the filler edge this will prevent primer overspray from getting on other parts of the panel that do not need it. I am not using the tape to create a hard edge and will never have to primer in direct contact with the tape edge.
The final step before paint is to block the whole fender with 400 grit to remove and sanding scratches and scuff the existing paint so the base coat will stick. Additionally I scuffed the whole fender with a red scuff pad to create a uniform painting surface. Wipe off the panel with PRE and then with a tack rag to remove any dirt or lint from the painting surface. You MUST use a blow gun and move as much dust and dirt away from the area surrounding the panels. Even dust on the floor nearby can get kicked up by the paint gun and get trapped in the paint.
I sprayed the base with the Concours Pro HVLP Gun with a 1.3 tip. The color I used is a Ford color code UD which was mixed at a local automotive commercial supply store. Although these stores supply to collision shops most will mix as little as a quart of color matched paint at a reasonable price. I was lucky enough that this Ford UD Ebony color was a very common mix and a quart was just under $25. Depending on the color code and the additives that go in prices can go as high as $200 just for a quart. After three coats of base with about 15 min flash time and a wipe down with a tack rag between each its time for clear.
I applied 3 wet coats of 2:1 European Urethane Clear also using the Concours Pro HVLP Gun with a 1.3 Tip. I mixed the clear 2:1:1/2, the 1/2 being urethane reducer. This helps the clear flow a lot better and lay on the panel much nicer. I applied 2 coats allowing about 15 min flash time between coats, because it was about 85 degrees the flash time was greatly reduced.
BEFORE
AFTER
The fenders still need to be buffed to remove some small dirt specs but other than that there is no reason a job like this cant be done at home as long as all the preparation is done properly. Post a comment about what you think, or any questions about the project!
- James R. / EW
Anti-smog technology?
I always hear about the huge changes in engine design and EPA requirements that went into effect in the 70s that caused huge drops in engine performance, but never understood what actual changes manufacturers did.
Anyone familiar with what are some of the major changes that were made to cut emissions, particularly the older engines transitioning from late 60s to 70s, and then into the 80s?
Beyond general interest, I'm curious about how realistic it'd be to buy an 80s camaro or something of the like and rework the engine by pulling the smog tech or uprating with modern bits.
(I'm in a state that does not do emission testing)
[link] [10 comments]
Anybody need a RockAuto coupon?
Hey I have a rebate coupon from Rock Auto. It's a percentage coupon (I think like 10% or something, it's not a lot). But I really don't need anything and it expires August 30th.
If you need one, tell me what part your buying and what car you're buying it for and I'll pick the most interesting or unusual post and send you the code.
[link] [1 comment]
Any updates on the 2JZ-V12?
I remember seeing a post about someone building a custom quad turbocharged V12 from Supra engines. Any updates on it?
[link] [16 comments]
ELI5: Compression and "running rich"
Is high compression the same as "running rich"? What exactly is compression and what does it effect? Do cars like the F-Type or Porsche GTS cars pop and crackle because of high compression?
[link] [8 comments]
Hey redditeers, what are some advantages of a heavier but more powerful car? And which would you prefer?
Let's assume theres 2 cars:
A) 250 hp, 2500 lb B) 350 hp, 3500 lb
Assume identical weight distribution, transmission ratios, size, suspension is equally good, etc. What are some benefits of having a higher horsepower car at the cost of more weight?
More top speed, faster acceleration at higher speeds (speeds at which weight stop mattering as much), more powerful engines likely will sound better, dick measuring contest, anything else?
[link] [14 comments]
What have you guys with your blank interior dash buttons/plates?
It seems no matter how many bells and whistles a car has, there are always blank buttons and plates meant for options that were in development and never materialized.
Also, most base model cars these days come with line in, USB, fog lights, heated seats, etc, so there aren't as many needs to modify.
So what I to you /r/cars, is how can I make use of my blank dash spaces?
[link] [18 comments]
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Spotted posts, drives, and car shows. Pics and videos. Post in this thread.
Share your own content or those you've found online!
Other threads will be deleted.
[link] [25 comments]
My dad just sent me a message that said "the cat has arrived", followed by a pic of this motor.
I had no idea he was even thinking of buying a hellcat. He traded in his 2008 challenger srt.
Going to go drive it today. I'm bringing an extra pair of pants.
[link] [419 comments]
Stop Rewarding Bad Dealerships (x-post Askcarsales)
Stop rewarding the bad guys! All it does is reinforce bad behavior and perpetuate the cycle.
Here is what I mean:
You send an email to 6 different dealers for your new car. Of those 6, 4 give you a price. 3 of the prices (including from your most local dealer) are within a couple hundred dollars of each other. The other one is $500 better than the best price. So you take your day off of work and drive 3 hours to the dealer that gave you the best price. You have your own financing, no trade in, you are prepared.
But when you get there you find out that they were using a $1000 Military born on the 4th of July rebate you don’t qualify for. Here is where they gotcha. They are now priced $1000 worse than the best price you got. But they know you drove 3 hours to see the car and brought your blank check/cashiers check/preapproval letter/ whatever with you.
So you kick and scream and argue for a while and they “graciously” knock $500 off the price and throw in some floor matts so now they are at essentially the same price as your local dealer.
You’re tired, you’re hungry, you have to work tomorrow, and you told all your friends you were driving home with a new car. So you say yes. But here is another problem that could prop up. Your cashiers check is $1000 short so you need to pay that out of pocket or finance with the dealer.
DON’T REWARD THESE KINDS OF PLACES!
Have you heard of negative reinforcement? Places will continue to do their shitty business practices and good dealers will suffer because people don’t know a more efficient way to shop for cars so they end up buying from the “bad guys”.
Use our FAQ’s/wiki,find out what a fair price is before you contact a dealership. Call the dealer that has the car you want, set an appointment, go in, make an educated offer, and drive home.
Help drive the car buying revolution by using the resources available to you.
[link] [15 comments]
What are your favorite rims, and what car do you think they look best on?
I was shopping around and I was curious as to what you guys like. It should give me nd some others a few ideas.
Edit: OEM or Aftermarket, I don't care and neither does anyone else unless they're a whiny bitch. let's see those wheels!
[link] [53 comments]
My classic turbo sentra.
It's ugly, its loud, and no one expects it.
It's a 1994 se-r that I put an avenir sr20det into. I sent the ecu off to a guy named calum and he put a usb plug on it for programming. I wired in a 300zx mass air flow sensor, 370cc injectors running at 4bar fuel pressure, and an avenir motor with a t25 turbo on it. It has 3 inch side exit exhaust with a huge magnaflow resonator.
It has a 5 speed limited slip transmission and is gear limited to around 150mph.
This car is raw, no airbags, no abs, I installed a non power steering rack, no air conditioning, solid motor mounts, and nothing holding the motor back. It's an oh shit ride.
[link] [7 comments]
Visited Porsche dealership today Part 2
So I mentioned in my previous post that I had a sneak peak at a special car while at my local dealer. Obviously, as some people suspected, it was a 918. However, this is a 1 of 1 918. This is the only 918 in the world with Gulf Racing livery! I thought it looked absolutely amazing and I wish I could have taken more photos, but as you can see in one of the pictures, staff quickly covered the car while I was taking pictures. Apologies if the picture quality isn't spectacular, I took them with my phone.
Also, bonus Carrera GT.
[link] [14 comments]
My first performance car!
After making it a goal that the first thing I would do after I got a job was get a nice car, and here it is! After months of research and dozens of test drives I finally pulled the trigger and bought this used Cayman.
I looked at and tried nearly every car in this price range and went back and forth nearly every day about which to get. Some of the other cars I was looking at were the Challenger Scat Pack, Charger Scat Pack, Mustang GT, C400, CLA 45, 435i, S3 and CTS Vsport. In fact I went in to buy a Charger Scat Pack, and would currently have one if it werent for the fact that they were completely out of stock and back ordered for 5-6 months.
Anyway, its a fantastic car, there's really no describing how it feels to drive compared to others I tried. It was abit pricey, but it really is a smile machine and worth every cent.
[link] [52 comments]
My pride and joy was stolen at the Woodward Dream Cruise please help me get the word out
Saturday August 15th between the times of 7:30pm and 9:30pm at 50 West Big Beaver my truck was stolen out of the parking lot. I was there for the dream cruise. The truck is a 2002 2500HD Silverado Duramax Black with the towing mirrors and a bent bumper. It also has a farming plate and a no farms no food sticker on the back aswell as a MCR suspension and yamaha.
8/17/2015 7:00PM: No new calls or reports of my truck being seen. Still in full swing of finding my truck. Please keep eyes peeled and tell everyone you know. Thank you. If truck is seen call the local police or Birmingham police at (205) 254-1765 here is an updated album with more pictures
[link] [12 comments]
Got my first car!
http://m.imgur.com/aIca4Xj 2007 GTI Fahrenheit # 1151 out of 1200.
[link] [34 comments]
Does anybody know how this Astra is in the U.S.?
A kid that goes to my school has one in the family (this one), yet I don't know how it's here. The steering wheel is on the left side so it couldn't be from England. The family that drives it is not very car enthusiast either, so they didn't import it.
[link] [13 comments]
Dealer sold me wrong trim level.
A bit over a week ago I was at a dealership and signed for a 2015 Hyundai Elantra Limited. This is the vehicle that I was told I was looking at, and the one that their computers say they sold me. However, this is not the actual vehicle I have. I have a 2015 Hyundai Elantra SE. Although I can't find anything in paper work specifying it as an SE, and there's no badge with SE or Limited like you usually see, I'm 100% sure it's an SE. The vehicle I have has literally none of what the Limited should have.
Along with that, they did an abysmal job detailing the vehicle, if they did it at all. The headboard is scuffed next to the ignition, and there's broken safety glass the passenger air vent and door handle, implying it was in an accident, something that was never mentioned.
I plan on going to the dealer tomorrow and talking to them. I was looking for some input on what to say and ask for. Whether they made a clerical error or not is none of my concern. For me, it's unacceptable to be expected to pay $4,450 more for extras I don't have.
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Can I drive on this tire? Sidewall Damage
I was driving and scraped a curb that had a metal edge. The curb sliced into the rubber, leaving a flap of rubber handing off the sidewall. Heres a picture : http://imgur.com/J6ObvyH
There's no noticeable air loss or bulge in the tire. What do you guys think I should do? Glue the rubber back on, replace the tire?
It's a Porsche cayenne so the tires are a bit pricey. Thanks
[link] [7 comments]
2006 Charger R/T exhaust question
I am looking into changing up the exhaust on my charger. The three main ideas are either a muffler delete, a resonator delete, or a straight pipe from the cat back. I'm not really looking for a branded exhaust modification. There is a guy in town who bends his own pipe and does exhaust for incredibly cheap with nothing but stellar reviews and I am just wondering what the best option would be. I want it to sound deep and mean, but I don't want to piss off the neighbors at 5 a.m. when I leave for work. Any and all suggestions/ comments are welcome! thanks guys,
[link] [1 comment]
Just got a stick shift, can someone explain what just happened?
I got a stick shift a few days ago, and by no means consider myself a "car guy" so this might sound really dumb. But I was sitting at a light waiting for it to turn green. Once it did I pushed the clutch in and put the car in what I thought was 1st. I accidentally put the car in 3rd. I didn't realize my mistake and gave the car gas and took my foot off the clutch. My car didn't stall out, it just started slowed and picked up speed as if it were an automatic. My car is a Ford Fusion 2006. Can someone explain what the hell happened? Does this damage the car? Does this let you drive the car somewhat like an automatic?
[link] [5 comments]
Monday, August 17, 2015
What's your worst automotive Confession Bear?
One time I almost ran over someone on a crosswalk because they were in my blind spot... Caused by a triple bank of A-pillar gauges.
I once did a 360 at highway speeds in a pickup truck (on an empty road, mind you) by activating a 150hp shot of nitrous at near freezing temperatures.
[link] [36 comments]
I want to get a speed limit changed in my town. Where do I start?
Some googling hasn't yielded much, so hopefully you guys don't mind me asking here. Who would I need to contact about changing it? This is in Ames, IA, USA. This road goes from 45 to 25 because there used to be a school. I'm just not sure who handles these things. Thanks!
[link] [42 comments]
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