Big Boot Mitsus
I would like to make a correction in your review on the Mitsubishi Verada GTV. It stated that the Ralliart Magna came with 225/50 x 16 Pirellis - this is incorrect, as it comes with 225/50 x 17 Pirellis. Another fact - the updated Magna VR-X actually had a 17 x 7-inch wheel package (Bridgestone Grid II) before the Ralliart Magna.
Clive Nell
Australia
Well spotted - correction made!
Creepy Boost
I've read your two articles regarding the Audi boost control system. I have an Opel (Holden in Australia) Calibra turbo to which I want to fit a similar boost controller. Studying the few options available there, I cannot help having some questions, which I'm sure you are the most qualified person to be asked.
So here are the questions. In your article you've said that your system is the most cost effective. I have found that the Turbosmart Gated Boost Control Valve (GBCV-BT) is cheaper than the components you've used. So, what is your opinion on the Turbosmart controller as compared to your system? Which one do you think will give better performance? Which one is best in eliminating wastegate creep? Thank you very much,
Dragos Ciubuca
Romania
At the time that two-part article was written the TurboSmart gated boost control valve had not been released.
In comparison to the Audi boost control system there are a couple of key differences. First, the Audi type boost control system allows the maximum boost pressure and rate of boost increase to be adjusted separately, while the gated valve has only one adjustment facility relating to maximum boost.
Given the separate adjustment of wastegate creep in the Audi system we'd have to say it has the potential to give the fastest rate of boost rise - but, in practice, probably not by much.
Second, note that the Audi system uses a pressure regulator while the gated valve uses a bleed to adjust wastegate line pressure - there may be some differences between the pair when factors like ambient temperature variation are thrown into the equation. Certainly, any non closed-loop type boost control system is open to peak boost pressure variations.
Which is better is extremely complicated to answer because each car has different wastegate and turbine diameters, compressor flows etc and each of these control systems will give a different performance. We'd be inclined to test the cheaper gated valve - if you're not entirely happy with its performance, you should be able to either get your money back or sell it.
Look Outside of Australia!
In the Mitsi Pajero io test you mentioned Subaru and Nissan a lot - what about all the others out there (I admit not many in Australia) like Hondas Civic Beagle 4WD 1.6-litre VTEC? That's far more advanced than Subaru, to name just one. Having come from NZ you (Australians) seem to forget how behind cars are here and should push for imports.
Nathan
Australia
The Mitsubishi Pajero io story was done a few years ago when the vehicle first appeared on the Australian market. Cars like the Beagle VTEC would be great to have here, but - dammit - we don't get them!
Not Happy With Mischief
I've just finished watching the 'Mischief' film you promote on AutoSpeed. Now that I've viewed the film I am incredibly disappointed at the attitude AutoSpeed has taken, stating that it is so "highly entertaining" and it'll "make you drool". The only responses Mischief elicited from me were disappointment and disgust. It's an absolute disgrace to any serious car enthusiast, providing justification for the harsh road rules you frequently bitch and moan about. I usually enjoy AutoSpeed because it doesn't pander to the idiot minority that makes enjoying cars difficult. Mischief is aimed directly at these idiots. Your attitude towards it is a big double standard and I strongly suggest you remove all traces of this disgrace from AutoSpeed and try to forget you were ever so stupid. Regards.
Dan
Australia
Our review of the Mischief DVD called it exactly as it is - our descriptions of the contents are surely enough for you to work out if you're going to like it or not. Comments like "Mischief is very unlike any movie we've previously reviewed - it uses fairly amateur mini-DV camera work to capture people and cars at their very finest, worst and, yes, their most stupid!" are a very accurate guide. Furthermore, with the free preview trailers on the AutoSpeed shop site you can see it before you buy!
There are many 'groups' of car enthusiasts - we've provided all the correct information on the Mischief DVD and it's up to individuals if they're interested or not.
Bump it up?!
What the hell rip off prices are you offering now? You certainly know how to bump up the price, don't you? Forget it!
Chris
Australia
The price increase in subs is really very minor. From $4.10 per month we can assure you AutoSpeed is still anything but expensive - you only need to count the number of stories we produce in that month compared to the number of stories you'll get in a print magazine, which cost around $7.50 per month.
The price of previous year's stories - effectively back issues - is also extremely cheap. Access to a full year of content for between $16 and $35 is pretty damn good when you consider the price of having a single magazine back-issue sent to you!
Swifter S2000
I'm about to buy a Honda S2000 and have friends who have them. One of them put an aftermarket exhaust and actually lost power. So I was wondering exactly what you guys did to create power. I read that you replaced the two mufflers, but did that include the cat-back? Your description wasn't very clear to me. Thanks.
Jimmy Ng
USA
What sort of quality was the aftermarket exhaust system on your friend's car? If we don't know its diameter, the quality of its bends, the flow of its cat converter (if replaced) or the flow of its muffler(s) it's difficult to pinpoint why that particular car lost power
In any case, though, we can only imagine pretty well any aftermarket exhaust will flow better than the factory arrangement and any measured loss of power on the US-spec S2000 would be linked to changes in mixtures and timing. It's unclear if the US-spec cars run a different management system to the Australian-delivered examples (as discussed in the article "S2000 Power Explosion!")
Certainly, on Australian-spec S2000s, it appears that fitting free-flowing rear mufflers alone gives good power gains - around 14 percent. Note, though, the vehicle in the aforementioned article was equipped with a full cat-back exhaust, which would probably give slightly more power again.
Scoop'd Starions?
Re: Early Days of Turbo article on Sigma/Starions etc. The JB Starion actually saw the deletion of the bonnet scoop - only the JA was fitted with the scooped bonnet.
Sam Taylor
Australia
Roomy Cordia?
Regarding the Cordia description in the "Early Turbo" series, Part 5 you mention the Cordia "cabin offered more rear seating space and there was no tailshaft tunnel gobbling up space". The Cordia does have a tunnel through to the back of the car (I've got a Cordia). There were 4WD versions of the Cordia that, presumably, make use of this tunnel. Love the series though - I hope there's more.
Aaron Mumme
Australia
Our further research reveals that.... you are both right! Corrections made. Thankyou.
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