Speeds and Cameras
I've had a membership to AutoSpeed for some time now. So I thought it was time to let you know that so far I have been incredibly pleased with the large variety of content that you provide. I'm a big fan of modified cars. I plan to perform some modifications to my N15 Pulsar just because I can. Your site has been integral in my quest for knowledge on this subject.
In Issue 181, Julian Edgar wrote ["From the Editor"] about the pain that was caused in Adelaide when the government started sprouting speed cameras everywhere whilst leaving speed limits at the same low level.
Here in Perth, WA, we have a similar problem. Speed limits are too low on many stretches of road. Our freeway is 100 km/h limited on most sections except, would you believe, right near the city. During peak hour traffic, this has the effect of quickly channelling people in towards the city centre. This huge volume of traffic is then forced to slow down by at least 20 km/h to 80 km/h. Because of this, traffic cannot clear the congested areas quickly, columns of traffic catch up to the slow moving areas, and it all banks up for miles.
Such sentiments, particularly with the issue of revenue raising speed cameras, are common in many cities. Automotive magazines, including yours, regularly feature articles about these issues. People are fed up. Yet, nothing is done. The governments and their cronies are obviously members of the mutual back-scratching society.
My question to you is: What can be done about this unfair situation? Why won't the governments focus on road safety instead of hiding revenue raising behind this tired mantra? If we are all so annoyed at this, what can we all do to change the situation?
I realise that these questions are probably impossible to answer. Nevertheless, I thought I'd raise these obvious questions that many people are probably asking themselves.
Once again, great magazine. Keep up the good work. The Smart Technology section is a great addition.
Tom Cammarano
Australia
What can be done? Write letters to your local MP, write letters to newspapers - stuff like that. And if you enjoy Smart Technology, you're going to love our new TheTechJournal web magazine, launching soon.
Tuned Lengths
In your article "AutoSpeed's Myth Meltdown" and in the 21st Century Performance bible, you speak of the largest possible diameter piping after the tuned length of exhaust on a naturally aspirated vehicle [being best]. I am assuming this would mean the extractors, is that correct? Great online mag, keep it up!
David Jones
Australia
It would normally mean after the first muffler (or cat converter, if that comes first). However, there's nothing better than a bit of testing...
Durability?
Re: "RX with Extra". I am very curious about the mid to long term reliability of turboing an EJ25... I presume the block is open decked? What differences in material and size are there with the conrods to, say, a Liberty RS?
Mansfield Wong
New Zealand
The long-term reliability of pretty well any modified engine is less than a factory unit. Manufacturers usually make lots of changes to engines that they produce in turbo versions because otherwise reliability suffers. That said, most people with modified cars don't approach the level of engine durability testing undertaken by major manufacturers... we would expect that if the engine never detonates and the air/fuel ratios are correct for the new loads, the aftermarket turbo'd EJ25 will be fine for a long time in normal street use.
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