LED Swaps?
I was just reading your Hi-Po LED Brakelight Upgrades article and I am curious if it's possible to use these LEDs in cars that already have LED cluster brake lights... like the ones mounted in rear spoilers? So just to swap my current old LEDs for these higher intensity ones? Or will I need modifications?
Dave Gould
Australia
The 10mm LEDs would need to physically fit into the space available, and then the nominated resistors would need to be used (these high intensity LEDs require more current than most LEDs). So it would really depend on what you already have.
Engine Designs
Interesting article on the Revetec engine ["Piston Broker"] ... tolerancing and bearing lubrication could be fun though... Just curious to know if you've ever come across a book by LJK Setright (of Car magazine fame, not that I've read it for about 5 years), published many moons ago, titled "Some Unusual Engines". Trust me, if you've ever had a wacky idea for an engine configuration, it's probably been done about 50 years ago and detailed in this book. I found a copy in the Uni of Melbourne's engineering library when I studied there. It's been too long since I read it to quote specifics, but it's a fascinating read.
Matthew King
Australia
No More Negative Boost
When is Julian Edgar going to release Part 6 of Negative Boost? I can't wait any longer. How can I get in contact with him to discuss some technical issues? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Glenn Palmer
USA
Er, never. He sold the car about 12 months ago...
CAN YOU HEAR ME?!
IT IS A SHAME THAT THE `XU-1' YOU FEATURED IN THE STORY ["Holden Torana GTR XU-1"] WASN'T THE REAL THING. THE CREAM COLOURED INTERIOR GAVE IT AWAY. XU-1'S AND GTR'S HAD BLACK INTERIORS, THE GTR HAD A BADGE ON BOTH DOOR TRIMS, THE XU-1 DIDN'T. OF MOST INTEREST (WHICH WASN'T MENTIONED) IS THE RAREST OF THE LJ XU-1, THE BATHURST VERSIONS WHICH FEATURED FINE SPLINE AXLES WITH BAFFLED AXLE TUBES, BAFFLED FUEL TANK, CLOSE RATIO M21 GEARBOX AND A 221bhp ENGINE. THE PAINT COLOURS AVAILABLE AT THE TIME WAS QUITE EXTENSIVE AND `LOUD' WITH NAMES SUCH AS STRIKE-ME-PINK, THE LONE ORANGER, PLUMDINGER AND LETTUCE ALONE TO NAME A FEW. THEY WERE A FUN LITTLE CAR, UNCOMFORTABLE AS HELL, BUT ITS LUMPY SIX BANGER SOUNDED SO GOOD YOU FORGOT ABOUT ITS FLAWS.
EMIL JUKIC
Australia
More Sleepers
I just read your article on sleepers ["Fast Asleep"], I thought it was quite good, especially the ideas for modified sleepers, but you also could have included in this article or a future fast asleep article, the Toyota ST165 Celica GT4. The only way to tell it from the others by the tiny 4WD badge on the front grill, you could swap it for any of the 3S-GTE engines (preferably the ST205 version) and instant power... also the E28 BMW M5. 3.5-litre DOHC 24V 213kW. Take the M5 badges of the back and grill, maybe whack a 520i badge on instead or something nobody would know what happened... just a thought. Hoping for more sleeper articles.
Adam Hocker
Australia
They Do Fold
A quick note re: the VW New Beetle Ikon review ["New Car Test - VW Beetle Ikon"].
You can make the rear seats fold flat unlike it states in the article. There's a latch on the bottom squab that pulls the rear squab up and towards the front seats on a hinge, and allows the back seat to fold very nearly flat.
I've found the New Beetle to be very stable and sure footed in heavy driving rain, even at the limits (and yes, I've overcooked it once). But then my turbo Beetle has 16-inch rims and ESP where the Ikon doesn't.
Andrew van der Stock
Australia
Fair STi Review
Just read your 02 STi review ["New Car Test - Subaru Impreza STi"] and follow-up (yes I'm a bit behind). I think your criticisms were fair, which is why I have spent $2000 on an exhaust and boost control for mine. These simple mods really transform the car, and you are welcome to take it for a run and see what a difference simple mods can make.
Paul MacLeod
Australia
Bottom line of course is that when you've just shelled out lotsa dollars you shouldn't have to modify the car to make it competent.
Ooops!
In your article at:"Injector Flows" there's the following text: "Assuming a "normal" fuel density, the mass of the fuel in pounds per hour can be worked out by multiplying the cc per minute figure by 10.2." This should read: "...by dividing the cc per minute figure by 10.2."
Marc Kelly
Australia
Thanks for that correction.
|