Recent content by EMc

Hello again, More trivia: reducing the temperature of the air with an intercooler before it hits the cylinder helps eliminate predetonation, which is apparently a fair-sized problem in the performance compact sector. So, if I ran a "precooler", cooling the air before it ever hit my...

Hello again, Just reading MoparMatt's questions about horsepower versus torque, and it brought me back here. Thank you Nick, as well. You're sure the Racecraft will void my warranty? And while I'm at it, is that just a turbocharger or are there other goodies in the "kit"? How much...

Now, where was I? Thanks to NicB, and Evelrod for engine advice. I wanted to post in this forum since it's a suspension question. I got an '02 Neon, and immediately began thinking about the usual wheels-springs-exhaust-intake dance routine. A friend of mine, upon hearing the words...

Thanks, Rod. Did want to make one thing clear, since it may not have been in my original post: it DOES have the 16v engine. This is an '02 Neon, but only the base model. Maybe not a big point, but accuracy does count in here... And, yes, it does go pretty well, but only when pushed harder than...

Hello again, Traded my Miata in on a Neon about a week ago. Hey, don't laugh; they gave me a great trade, considering what the car was worth... So this leaves me with a little extra money, and two of my friends just told me that they are opening a speed shop. Gee. What's right about this...

Hello again. Hmm... So, what you're saying is that between labor and materials at the factory, the manufacturer would be taking a loss by adding anti-seize to the head bolts? Don't forget, also, that the manufacturer (and the dealer) do better at the bottom of the repair bill if you HAVE to...

Hello again, Judging from the time this post has been up without response, I would guess that there are no standard tests. I don't think NHTSA tests commerical vehicles because the private vehicle segment is bigger, and statistcally, more accident prone. Come to think of it, I drive for a...

Thanks again, Rod You're right sbout this not being my regular job! I'm an enthusiast, but anything much bigger than an MG makes me nervous. At least with those little Brit-mobiles, you stand half a chance of escaping if the jackstands collapse on your leg. So my next question is, how to...

Thanks, Rod I was afraid it was something expensive; some noises just sound costly, you know... My boss isn't too keen on me working on that hulking monster myself, but $1700 on top of the $500+ she's already spent, on top of the $20K! (no sh**!) for the original purchase, might change her...

Hello again I drive a year 2000 Chevy Express 3500 panel van during work. We bought this van mid summer, with 97000-some miles on it, and have had to sink more than 500 dollars into it to get it working somewhat correctly. The first was a partial brake failure (!) which was, fortunately, a...

Thanx Greg! I was after height, I should have specified that. A friend was telling me about a process for figuring the weight of the car at regular distances along it's length, and converting that data into a line graph, then finding the center of each basic shape inside the graph. He finally...

Physics questions Can anbody give me a formula by which to find a car's center of gravity? Also a formula to calculate lateral grip? I know this one depends in part on tires, but I would be happy with an approximate figure. A web site where I can go for all such math problems would be best...

Gentlemen, There is a public relations issue here, as well. If alternative fuels (cells, natural gas, hybrid gas/electric, whatever) could be made fashionable (Howard Stern drives a Honda Prius!) and IC made unfashionable (Britney Spears does not like gasoline engines), you would see it happen...

Sooner or later, somebody is going to ask about an electrical motor as the primer mover. Or not; maybe everybody realizes that until something better than batteries comes along, electricity is never going to beat gasoline on a HP/lbs basis, which is the bottom line for most people. Ask me? I...

Which begs the question: how do I know my Goodyear Ice tyres really are Goodyear Ice tyres. An especially important question to me, since my Miata is in need of some good all-season rubber Oh, and please don't ask why I would want ice tyres for a Miata.