More on Fitting LEDs
My Pulsar N14SSS brake light has 10 light bulbs in it. Each bulb is held by a socket. They are 12V 2W light bulbs. Can I just put a LED in each socket with the resistor? And if the design is like the N14, what resistor should I use? And if with the resistor the LED will be nearly touching the red plastic cover, will the LED be too hot and burn the plastic?
Ken
Australia
Yes, you can put a LED in each socket, along with its associated resistor. The resistors shown in our article ["Hi-Po LED Brakelight Upgrades"] are fine in this application. The resistor gets hot, but the LED does not.
Oil Monitoring
Noticed your comparisons of different oil performance. Have you heard of e-Monitor? Check out www.e-monitor.com.au. A nice independent service.
Peter Jordan
Australia
Airflow Meter Screens
I have been reading your series of articles on eliminating negative boosts and was curious about one area in particular. In one of the articles you removed the grid screens in front of the MAF. In my own S3 there is both the fine metal mesh screen and plastic grid screens at the front and rear of the MAF. I have read elsewhere that the grid in front of the MAF helps provide an even flow across the MAF. I can't imagine why there is a similar screen after the MAF, but having measured the plastic grid it probably occupies about 20% of the available free space. My questions are therefore a) Is there a potential problem with uneven airflow across the MAF by removing the front grid and b) Any idea why they would want to put a similar grid after the MAF? I should add that these plastic grids I am referring to are very coarse, not like the fine mesh one.
David Wilson
United Kingdom
The metal screens that we have seen appear to be there to protect the sensing element. Some designs of airflow meter (eg Karman vortex) run a very deep plastic honeycomb, presumably for flow straightening. Modifying an airflow meter in any way has the potential to alter mixtures; it is always wise to check the air/fuel ratios before and after any modification.
Spraying Liquid LPG
Just a quick one. In resent discussions round the table with a few beers friends and I were discussing the merits of spraying liquid LPG into the plenum chamber of a turbo engine. Technical info that we have been able to find lists the temp change from LPG state change to be approximately a -70-degree change. As LPG is cheap, readily available, and most of all legal, we thought that a vehicle such as a non-intercooled VL turbo might benefit from this reduction in intake temp and the associated extra fuelling that it would include. An application we were considering was something similar to a NOS dry nozzle. Just a thought that seems plausible.
Vincent Whitehead
Australia
My Car?
Love AutoSpeed. How do I feature my car on it?
Warren
Australia
Anyone with a late model, modified car who would like to see it featured in AutoSpeed should send us a full list of modification details and some pics - editor@autospeed.com
Help Wanted
I was referred to you by Bosch. I was told you all might know about the 1984-87 Turbo Buicks and the fuel injection. I need help in upgrading the fuel system. Any help would be appreciated.
Justin Rebrovich
USA
We can't help you specifically with the Buick but there are plenty of articles on AutoSpeed about modifying fuel injections systems and turbo cars. Do a site search.
For Sale Now
Late last year you ran an article about my S600 Honda entitled "New Sensation"! I am starting a new project and have decided to sell the little red demon to fund my new creation. If you know anyone interested in buying it, please let me know via email.
Phil Penny
Australia
fivepennys@tsn.cc
Test Request
How about a test of the current Vectra V6 5-speed (before the new model arrives). I don't think I've ever seen a test of this particular car, and I'd be interested as to how it rates against my 2.2 5-speed sedan (which you guys seemed to like in wagon form).
Matt Waite
Australia
We test literally every new car that we can get our hands on...
Oil Feed Advice
I thoroughly enjoy you publication and find the tech information very valuable. I do have a technical query in which I hope you may be able to help me with. I have an R33 GTSt with a 3 litre RB30 block and a Garrett GT30 Turbo. My question is that the original Nissan turbo has an oil restrictor in the turbo oil feed. Is this required with the GT30 ball bearing turbo I have currently? The supplier was not able to give me an answer that I was confident in, and I can't seem to find out what the actual oil requirements of these turbos are. Thanking you in advance.
Peter Tsakiris
Australia
When you have a question, it's always best to go to the manufacturer. Garret is very helpful - give their Australian head office in Sydney a call. They'll know the answer much better than anyone else - including us!
A Hunger...
Firstly let me say this online magazine of your is the best thing I have seen in a long time...I have a real hunger for technical information on cars and "any" technology that can be utilised to suit cars and make them go faster or better or just have fun building one of your many projects. I hope your online magazine goes on for a long, long time and I eagerly await "the Tech Journal"... Now for the question... Do you have any info on the technical aspects and more specifically the technology used in the McLaren F1 Road car or on F1 Racing Cars.....something similar to the "Dissecting the Lancer Evo 7" article.
I eagerly await any technical info you may have on the McLaren F1 Road Car.
Ahmad Eldib
Australia
Legal?
I read with interest the article in the latest issue "Face of the Devil" as I own a quick (13.01 sec with clutch/gearbox saving launch) RS Liberty. I was impressed with some of the attention to mechanical detail but would like to see an engineers and/or Vic Roads certificate stating that it is "road legal"!! Would not the fitment of the Microtech, Momo pedals, harnesses, etc have an adverse affect on the vehicle's legality?(with respect to the current laws and regulations). Don't get me wrong, I like what has been done to this WRX (and others), but I know from experience what it is like trying to get an engineer's certificate saying that the car is safe. My situation required that my mods were signed of on for my insurance but if my car was to go over the pits of my local transport/roads department, it would last all of 10 secs!!! My advice to friends is to gain appropriate certification for any major modifications if they want the vehicle to be fully insured. It has cost me more this way but at least I live with the security that my 360hp Liberty is certificated and FULLY insured. Road legal however,....well.....!!
Jon
Australia
Switching Off Superchargers
A quick question regarding the supercharging article "Pumping" in this week's issue. You mention that supercharged engines have poor fuel economy compared to an NA engine, which is pretty obvious, as they are being driven whenever the engine is running. But you also mention that many OEM superchargers (eg. as used on Toyota 1G-GZE or 4A-GZE) have an electromagnetic clutch, "as used in automotive airconditioning". Perhaps it would be possible to have an intermittently operating supercharger, which only kicked in when required. Granted, this would contribute some "lag" to the motor, but turbos have this problem too. Modern electronic management could easily take care of dual ignition/fuel maps, and the actuation could be as simple as a big switch on the dash marked "POWER" which activated the relay driving the supercharger clutch. This would allow docile, economical driving until grunt was required at the lights.
There would also be the problem of getting air to the engine when the supercharger is disengaged, however I know that the old-style tractor-type superchargers certainly allowed enough air around their rotors even if they were stationary to let the engine run as an NA donk. Or a simple valve could be plumbed in to the induction system to suck intake air thru a big cold-air snorkel.
I'm sure you are asking "why bother, why not just use a turbo" but the supercharger option would have a few advantages, especially in the aftermarket. To start with, the exhaust could be left near-stock (although improved flow is always nice) without having to plumb in a turbo. Bottom end torque could also be better than a turbo system, at least when the supercharger was engaged! Additionally, there would be no need for a turbo timer, just switch off and leave. As an afterthought, I think the same concept was suggested in one of the "Mad Max" movies in Max's V8 Interceptor, with a monster blower engaged by a big handle in the cabin. Has anybody tried an installation like this in real life?
Thanks again for your time.
Nick West
Australia
At light loads, all modern cars fitted with original equipment superchargers already either switch off the supercharger by means of an electronically-controlled clutch, or bypass the supercharger. It's the aftermarket which is behind the times in this area.
Not the Most Powerful...
In regard to the story on the BA Falcon engines, I disagree that the new XR6 turbo will be the most powerful turbo sedan ever marketed in Australia, what about the 247kW Maserati Quattroporte. But still the XR6 looks mighty impressive, I hope the insurance premiums don't rise in proportion to the power increase.
Jack Rosagro
Australia
Guidelines
Requesting editorial guidelines - could you please send me a copy.
Simon Leitch
Australia
Guidelines for potential contributors are at www.autospeed.com/jobs.html
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