Tiptronic Tweak
I would like to find out more info on how the Digital Pulse Adjuster (DPA)
can alter characteristics of an auto tranny - especially the Tiptronic on '99 VW
Passat (Tiptronic is 5HP19FLA).
Nenad Lutovac
Russian
Federation
The DPA can be used to vary any
pressures controlled by a PWM solenoid.
Aero Measurement Suggestion
Re: The Prius underbody aero-mod Modifying Under-Car Airflow, Part 2...
Congratulations on beating
Toyota engineers at making an
aerodynamic car! (I say this tongue in cheek because the factory engineers no
doubt had a dozen different reasons to avoid your approach, but the only one I
can think of is the need to have access to the tie-down hooks.)
My question is: Given the nifty instrumentation of the Prius, were you able
to work out how many kW of power you were saving at 100 km/h? Was this a free
kW? 5 free kW? Even those people not interested in fuel consumption may want
some free power increases.
Patrick McAuliffe
Australia
No, a power saving figure has not been
determined.
Looking for a Solenoid
Regarding the electronic blow off valve article (The $70 Electronic Blow-Off Valve)...
I am having great difficulty finding a Goyen 0.25" solenoid to control vacuum
pressure. I can not seem to find any solenoid valves in 1/4" sizes. I am looking
for some because I want to make my own boost controller. I am going to use two
Hobbs switches to read boost, and the
solenoid will be inline with the vacuum line going to the wastegate so I can
"pinch" or shut off the pressure going to the wastegate until a certain boost
pressure is reached.
If you could give me a website or somewhere where I can purchase a suitable
solenoid valve for this I would GREATLY appreciate it.
Shane Atienza
USA
Try doing a Google search using “Goyen
solenoid valves” or look up “Pneumatic Supplies” in your local directory. Note
that we’ve already covered a boost control system that blocks off pressure to
the wastegate up to an adjustable level. See The Audi's DIY Boost Control - Part 1
Electronics for Soarer
Currently I own a 1998 GZ20 Soarer. The two things I would like to change
most are the steering weight and the ability for the car to cruise above 107
km/h (it would be nice if it were a manual too...)
I assume as my car has progressive power steering that it is possible to
either use the Digital Pulse Adjuster or the Speedo Corrector to alter the
weight. Which of these two products would give the best result or be
easiest to implement?
With regard to the cruise control that will not cruise above 107 km/h, is
there a way with your current devices to allow 110 or more?
And another thing is the Smart Mixture Meter accurate enough to safely change
air/fuel ratios or does it serve only to act as a gauge?
Justin Owttrim
Australia
We have just now released an article
on using the DPA to enhance power steering – see Mapping Power Steering Weight.
We’re not sure on how to tackle the
cruise control issue – we’d need to see a wiring diagram and find out how the
system operates. The Smart Mixture Meter isn’t intended as a primary tuning tool
– a wide-band meter is best suited for this application.
VR4 – with a Difference!
I was just reading your awesome article on the '88 JDM VR4
(Australia's Best Value Performance Car)
and partly thanks to your article I now own a fully sic VR4! But get this: an
auto! Yep, there are few knocking around. One's in
Adelaide at YahooMotorsport and another is in
Japan(which I
almost bought through J-Spec) - I bought mine off e-Bay believe it or not. The
reason I went for an auto was because I liked the idea of a hotted up family car
- my wife can drive it with ease and I can have my fully sic'ness.
Josh Edwards
Australia
Colour Problem Solved
In response to the "Paint Pursuit" letter at Response,
the colour that the person is looking for is "Mercury" (silver) and the paint
code is 2J011.
You may wish to pass on this link: http://hometown.aol.com.au/Commodorenut/VH_82+colours.jpg.
It's a scan I did of the 1982 GMH colour chart.
I am better known on a number of Holden/Commodore based forums (there's that
horrible "f" word!) such as Street Commodores, Brock Commodores, Fastlane, etc
as "commodorenut" - hence the name written over the top of the pic. Fortunately,
I am a lot more intelligent than the majority of forum "contributors" (if you
could call them that) and have learnt mostly from hands-on experience.
Mick
Australia
Missing Pot
Just read Modifying Under-Car Airflow, Part 2
and wondering if you still have the LS400 with the headlight levelling
potentiometers? If they can be easily removed and fitted to the Prius you could
check for lift or downforce more accurately when modifying the undertray.
Just a thought.
Les Dombi
Australia
A good suggestion. Yes we still have the Lexus but note that a generic
slide-type potentiometer can be added to any car suspension system.
X-Trail Genius
In an article of 30 April 2002 (New Car Test - Nissan X-Trail Ti)
you concluded at the end thereof: "In fact we were so impressed by the
technology of the X-Trail - technology which gives stronger pointers to the
shape of the next decade of Nissan four-cylinder performance - that we've
decided to cover the tech aspects of the X-Trail driveline in another, more
detailed article, appearing next week."
As I am very much interested in the technical and operational aspects of the
X-Trail drivetrain, would it be possible for you to furnish me with a copy of
that article, or alternatively direct me to where I might find it, as I have
been unsuccessful with searches?
Nelis Kruger
South
Africa
The article on Nissan’s X-Trail
engineering can be found at Nissan's New Engineering.
Simple IS Solution?
Re IS Slow Response...
The 1G series is an aging one, and I was surprised to learn that the Lexuses
(Lexi?) were running that tired old series in the IS. It may be a less desirable
option due to age, but the 1G series in the Mach 3 Supras and Soarers (ended 1992 and 1990 respectively or
thereabouts) had twin turbo setups and superchargers. I'm thinking of the 1G-GTE
and the 1G-GZE. Unless something radical has changed, wouldn't getting one of the
blowers of those be a good place to start for those bottom end woes? It's a factory setup after all and you'd
be able to afford to get 3 of those engines or just the blowers for the price of
a TRD kit and it would be way easier to set up. Just a thought.
M.Machin
Republic of
Korea
You’re absolutely right re bolting on
the factory supercharger or twin-turbo set-up. If an improvement in low-to-mid
range grunt is the primary goal, either approach might be worth a look. The only
problem is their limited potential for power. In standard form, the IS200 engine
makes 114kW – the supercharged version makes only 11kW extra and the twin-turbo
makes a relatively modest 40kW extra. The twin-turbo arrangement also might not
bolt on to the IS200’s later model VVT cylinder head.
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