Response

‘Drift Away from DIY’

Hi Julian,

I have been reading your articles since the Zoom days, and I have noticed the drift away from DIY modifications and enhancements that originally attracted me. I realise this is the new direction you have chosen to take, and wish you luck with it.

I had an idea for an article or a series for you, that I feel would be particularly relevant for your site, given the collaboration with Silicon Chip and the over-abundance of radar traps in SE Qld. How about a survey of available radar detectors and jammers (info and detectors readily available on the web) and perhaps a couple of stealth installations into your vehicles? I am sure your readers would appreciate learning how to install a detector into their car with eg. separate power and volume switches. While you probably don't want to publicly condone speeding, many enthusiasts would consider a radar detector a worthwhile investment and to get an advanced warning of a trap that would otherwise have caught you is a gratifying experience!

I hope you find this suggestion worthwhile

Greg Jones

Australia

It’s funny how memory and perception can be so different from the facts.

When I edited Zoom magazine over ten years ago, only about 10-15 per cent of the articles in each issue were about DIY modifications, or tech background stories to allow informed DIY to occur. (That translated to 2 or 3 articles per 20-article issue.)

When we started AutoSpeed, we initially kept the ratio about the same. Then over time, we started to increase it. Eighteen months ago, we largely dropped modified feature cars – and tech and DIY increased in proportion yet again. Nowadays, typically 40 - 60 per cent of the articles we do are straight DIY, or tech background to allow informed DIY. (And it’s about the same ratio for new and re-used material.) That proportion of tech and DIY is far higher than on any publication I have ever been associated with.

Re radar detectors - given their illegality, we won’t be doing the story you have suggested.

Julian Edgar

Diesel Gas

You have written a great article on diesel gas and specifically on Diesel Gas Australia (DGA).

However did you know that DGA fumigates LPG BEFORE the turbo charger (a flammible gas through a hot turbo charger)? This also means that, where fitted, the whole intercooler is filled with LPG. Not very safe in anyone's booked. D-GAS, our product, is the only system that injects LPG into the manifold (after the turbo and intercooler)

If you are interested in more info, please visit us on www.eco-gas.com.auor call me direct on 0412 304030

Robert Remedi

Australia

Solving the Problem of CO2 in One Secret Step

Re: Can you write an article about the new technology for reduction of greenhouse gas (CO2) emissions

Dear Sir,

Our company is specialized in research and development in the field of environmentally sound technologies.

We know this letter is totally unbelievable because the yesterday's physics and chemistry did not resolve the CO2 emission problem up today on the commercially viable way .

Clear Air is our solution for carbon dioxide (CO2) emission reduction produced from the combustion of fossil fuels. Now available.

Our CO2 Emission Reduction Technology called Clear Air, can be quickly implemented in the different fields of application including smoke stacks, and land-sea-air transport. CO2 emission reduction is done in-situ with an optimal reduction of 99.9%. This solution has not secondary polluting effect.

Clear Air is an effective and relatively cheap technology, mounted behind the CO2 source. For example in a car mounted on the exhaust system it is capable to reduce the CO2 emission from 40% even up to 99.9%. In the case of passenger cars or heavy goods vehicle or large off road vehicles the technology of construction and manufacturing does not need to change. The Clear Air device can be mounted onto the existing parts of the vehicle.

The Clear Air know-how together with a manufactured prototype is our property. The efficiency is measurable and can be immediately tested. Exact technology exists with computerized modelling for the CO2 reduction process and a controllable prototype equipment for use as well.

The principle behind the CO2 emission reductions solution is part of a secret know-how. The intellectual property is offered for use by Licensing (Technology Transfer).

The Environmental Unique Solutions AG. is delivering only technology and know-how for the Clear Air, in form of Customized Licenses. We do not manufacture and sell the device based on this technology. (More information at the site: http://www.eusag.ch>> Clear Air)

We are looking for partners, who are really interested (not only speak about) in the reduction of greenhouse gas emission of engines,cars, vehicles, ships, chimneys etc.

Can you write an article about this technology?

Istvan Holbok

Executive Officer of Administration

Switzerland

Glass

Re: Responses

The confusion as to whether glass is an electrical insulator or conductor is a matter of who is using the word "glass". To non-technical people glass is a transparent or translucent solid material made mostly of silicon dioxide. In technical and scientific usage it is pretty any material that has solidified without crystallising. The material in this case is a glass made of a fused mix of silicon, aluminium, titanium, sodium, potassium and calcium oxides

Gordon Drennan

Australia

Fuel Tax

RE: last week's letters, Modification Direction 2 - my understanding is that fuel is subject to both tax and excise.

Excise is a fixed amount based on the quantity sold. So, (for example) if petrol is at $1.50, there is 38 cents excise, if the price rose to $2.00, the excise component would be the same (the underlying fuel cost would have increased ~50c).

The GST is more tricky, because it is a "tax" added to the value of the transaction - so it is 10% added to the top of the base price (including excise). So if the price of petrol went to $3 or $4, the excise would be the same but GST take would increase (but not by much).

Andrew

Australia

Dump or Tip Shops

Comments: DUMP SHOP!

Reading Julian Edgars article about dump shops, I decided that it sounded like a great way to spend a day. However, I havent been able to find the lcoation of any dump shops in Melbourne. Do you know of any?

- Happy reader.

Kyel Smith

Australia

Any other readers able to help?

Throttle Filter

This is about the article "Giving the Insight a Good Driver" Issue 474.

I own a Civic VX 1992 (lean burn 1.5 sohc) In your article you suggest a damper on TPS voltage. In the VX service manual, they explain that the ECU engage lean burn mode under 3000 rpm only and under a certain vaccum value monitored by the MAP sensor. I'll try the TPS damper you suggest, but ultimatly, I know that lean burn depend on the MAP sensor and RPM sensor. I can send you picture of the civic manual if you wish.

And what about a modified cruise control module that depend on MAP value instead of the speed sensor value ? ... to keep the lean burn mode activated in an incline on free way.

Philippe De Guise

Canada

We imagine that the Insight's lean burn function is also primarily based on MAP and rpm. However, as noted in the article, the car can also drop out of lean burn with sudden throttle movements. If that applies to your car, the throttle position sensor filter will be effective at maintaining lean burn longer. Re a MAP-based cruise control – it would be completely ineffective at maintaining a constant speed. To see what would occur with such a design, just hold the accelerator in a fixed position, irrespective of grades.

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