April 2006
You are currently browsing the articles from Super Car Blog written in the month of April 2006.
by: Chris AndrettiThere are three different styles of performance chips http://www.autoanything.com/performance-chips/10A50207.aspx to choose from, each with their own unique characteristics and capabilities. However, for all their differences, the one thing they have in common is the power to propel your vehicle’s performance to unbelievable heights.
3 fundamental types of performance chips
Control Modules
A control module plugs directly into your under-the-hood electrical system, standing right in between the data from your various sensors and the computer. The module intercepts the data before it has a chance to reach the onboard computer. Then, it analyses the information, determines the proper adjustments to the air/fuel ratio, ignition timing and other key functions, and then sends commands to the onboard computer. A control module delivers accurate, immediate tuning for your engine because it is always plugged in and constantly reading and interpreting data from your sensors.
Each control module is custom-programmed to maximize the output and efficiency of your vehicle’s specific year, make and model, taking into consideration engine size, transmission type and even your stock tire size. What’s more, many control modules come in different power levels, or stages. That way, you can choose the perfect amount of power for your unique driving habits.
Many of the control modules for diesel rigs have optional in-cab monitors that display up to the second readings of such critical engine information as turbo boost, engine gas temperature and RPMs. Some even display your 0-60 acceleration and quarter mile time, and give you on-the-fly control of different settings. For the best results, you will want to use a higher grade fuel with more octanes, like 91 or higher.
Installing a control module is simple and should not take more than 15 minutes. They have a built-in, heat-shielded wiring harness that plugs directly into your onboard computer, so there’s absolutely no soldering, splicing or drilling required. After all the wires are connected, you never have to worry about adjusting the module ever again, unless you would like to return to your factory settings.
Power Programmers
Like control modules, power programmers reconfigure your vehicle’s onboard computer to perform at peak levels, but they operate differently. Rather than being permanently installed into your electrical system, power programmers like Superchips http://www.autoanything.com/performance-chips/20A50218A1.aspx are plug-n-play devices.
Before hitting the road, you connect it to your OBD-II Port, which is handily located right under your dashboard. You will then answer a number of questions about your vehicle, any modifications you have made and what level of power you want. Based on how you respond to the questions, the power programmer then uploads a new set of operating instructions to your vehicle’s computer. The new operating program only has to be uploaded once, so you can pack away your power programmer or experiment with some of the other settings and modes. Best of all, the whole process only takes about 10 minutes, and the only tools you’ll need are your own two hands.
The advantage of Hypertech http://www.autoanything.com/performance-chips/20A50217A1.aspx and other power programmers is that you have greater control over the tuning of your system. For example, you will be able to recalibrate your onboard computer to any changes in tire size, speed rating or even your rear end gear ratio. These changes dramatically affect your vehicle’s performance, but your computer does know to recalculate unless you use a power programmer to communicate with it. Moreover, many of our power programmers let you tune your engine for regular octane usage instead of the usual 91 or higher fuel grade.
Engine Management Systems (EMS)
If you want total control of your vehicle’s computer system, don’t just reprogram it-replace it. An EMS is a complete substitution for your stock onboard computer, giving you virtually unlimited command over just about ever aspect of your vehicle’s control system.
Engine management systems are designed to customize your car, truck, or SUV to your exact specifications. For those of us who know about the inner workings of your entire drive train, only an EMS gives you full control of every minute detail, from your air/fuel ratio and fuel injector control, to idle speed and nitrous (wet or dry) management.
You mount the EMS inside your engine compartment. Once it is secured, you simply unplug the wires from your old computer and plug them into the new one. Those wires sync your EMS with all of your vehicle’s sensors, so it has an immediate connection to all the data from every critical part on your automobile. It uses the readings from your sensors to run your engine at its peek level. You can even plug your laptop into the EMS to view performance information and manipulate settings.
Application with your ride
Sure, a control module, power programmer or EMS unleashes huge gains in horsepower, torque and efficiency, but you are probably wondering how it actually works. For most performance parts, their purpose is obvious-more power. You can visualize and hear a hotrod exhaust system hard at work, and you can hold the pipes and headers right in your hands. A performance chip, on the other hand, exists in the invisible world of electrical pulses and binary codes.
About The Author
Chris Andretti researches performance products and writes copy for AutoAnything.com. Visit their site for air intakes and various brands like K&N air intakes and AEM air intakes.
Written by admin on April 27th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Articles.
by: Matthew C. KeeganThis past month I was finally able to get a first hand view of a fabulous looking concept car called the Cadillac Sixteen at the North Carolina International Automobile Show. As concepts go, the Sixteen is truly a radical looking, but thoroughly luxurious sedan that serves as a reminder of Cadillac????????s past glory while incorporating a forward-looking 21st century style. Will the car be built? That is hard to say, especially considering GM????????s current financial condition. However, let????????s take a closer look at the dream car and what a Sixteen could do for the Cadillac brand.
It is a given: Cadillac has made tremendous strides over the past decade despite the ongoing problems with parent GM. No longer solely the builder of posh luxo-cruisers for the elderly, the current Cadillac line up is exciting, invigorating, and competitive. Whereas in times past comparisons with BMW and Mercedes would not have been made, today????????s models frequently are compared to their elite German rivals. Sales are up and profits are up; still, there is room for improvement and the Sixteen could be the model behind the continued upswing in Cadillac fortunes.
So, why is the Sixteen still receiving raves three years after making its debut at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show? Well, let me paint a picture of this car for you: imagine a sedan with an extra long hood which seamlessly flows up to a rakish windshield. To the top of the car and down to its trunk, the Sixteen looks as if it is in motion while standing still. GM used no less than 30 coats of paint to bring out the deep, rich midnight silver color in the finish which gives the car an almost surreal look. Add in bountiful 24 inch tires and the car is truly commanding. Strikingly, the hood is center hinged like cars of old: while it was on display, one section of the hood was lifted up to reveal half of its sixteen cylinders. That????????s right, the car isn????????t called “Sixteen” for no reason.
The inside of the Sixteen is simply opulent. Because the car was sectioned off by roping, it was hard to get an eagle eye look. Nevertheless, I was able to see that the Sixteen incorporates advanced interior lighting, deep wood trim, and brushed leather almost everywhere.
After leaving the show I did some investigating and have learned that GM won????????t be producing the Sixteen as shown. Supposedly, the 1000 horsepower output and 1000 lbs of torque is a bit much for a production vehicle and even with displacement on demand technology in use, 16 cylinders is a bit of a stretch in this day of elevated fuel prices.
What I have learned is that is several upcoming Cadillac models will adopt some of the Sixteen????????s styling cues when they are updated over the next few years. Talk of adding a V12 engine to one model continues to persist, but most of the speculation involves styling.
Yes, Cadillac is no longer just the exclusive realm of blue haired grannies; instead, the brand is as exciting and as stimulating as just about any make today.
About The Author
Copyright 2006 ???????? Matt Keegan is a freelance writer covering new cars, the classics, automotive parts and supplies, and more. Matt invites you to purchase genuine Active Performance Filters to keep your wheels running great: http://www.activepowerfilters.com.
Written by admin on April 26th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Reviews.
My constant feeling about Hondas comes from my initial experience many years ago. That car was small, with a high-revving four-cylinder engine that reminded me of a Swiss watch in its feel. It was what one would expect from a motorcycle manufactuer who had decided to turn to car production.
So I was somewhat perplexed by this week????????s tester, the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck. It isn????????t small ???????? although it????????s classified as a compact pickup it feels like a full-size. It doesn????????t have a four-cylinder engine; it has a 3.5-liter V6 that sounds and feels like a much larger one. And it????????s a truck, Honda????????s first. So it????????s easy to understand why I was perplexed by this vehicle.
Putting all that aside, the Ridgeline is pure Honda. I appreciated the solidity of the truck in all senses. What impressed me the most about the Ridgeline was its car-like qualities. Unlike most trucks, the Ridgeline gives a car-like ride in that it is smooth and relatively noise-free. Generically, trucks are noisy and offer a ???????truck-like??????? ride (duh). In the Ridgeline, I wouldn????????t quibble about being asked to take my granddaughter????????s car-seat long for a ride without waking her. In fact, I????????ll be the Ridgeline is quieter and rides softer than many sedans, if there is a way to make that comparison.
And the Ridgeline has a rear seat, along with four doors for better access. The rear seats are full. While they????????re not overly padded and offer minimal side support, they do accommodate two to three adults, or a couple of car seats. Legroom in the rear is more than adequate for most adults as well, making it a reasonable ride for the extra adults you may want to stow back there.
Stowage is another key term for the Ridgeline. It has a 6-1/2-foot bed, which is more than adequate for most carrying jobs. It????????s also a deep bed, with unique sail panels that extend from the back of the cab to the tailgate. But what is truly unique is the lockable ???????trunk??????? in the base of the bed with, according to Honda, enough capacity (8.5 cubic feet) to store three golf bags. It????????s also waterproof, so if you want to stow fish you just caught, or a case of soda (yeah, right) you want to take to a party, you can do that, too.
You can also flip the rear seat cushions for added in-cabin storage. Pickup trucks usually suffer because of wide-open cargo areas that can be invitations to people who might want to ???????borrow??????? what you have there. With the ???????trunk??????? and adequate in-cabin storage, the ridgeline eliminates some of these problems.
Before I received the Ridgeline, I was somewhat concerned about those sail panels. In know in some cars they tend to reduce rearward vision. But in the truck, they????????re far enough away from the mirrors, and they????????re only seen through the smaller rear window, that they might as well not be there. It????????s a case of getting all the advantages without the penalties.
The 3.5-liter V6, rated at 255 horsepower, is more than adequate for the 4,494-pound truck. Our tester had the standard 5-speed automatic transmission that was fine. Our tester was the RT trim version that also offers four-wheel drive. This isn????????t hard-nosed four-wheel drive that you????????d want for serious off-roading, but it will serve you well for most normal off-roading adventures, like to a favorite fishing hole of hunting camp.
Our tester was also equipped with a Honda navigation system that was okay. It was wired for XM satellite radio among the audio options, but it didn????????t???????? have a subscription. Audio controls were mounted on the steering wheel. If you????????re planning on using the Ridgeline for towing (it has a 5,000-pound towing capacity, but with the V6 you might not want to get too close to that number), there is a pre-wired trailer connection.
While I was initially hesitant about the Honda Ridgeline, in the final analysis it proved to be a more than adequate pickup truck with enough unique features (and a great ride) to make it a good choice for compact pickup buyers. I wouldn????????t hesitate recommending it to anyone.
Written by admin on April 25th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Reviews.
by: Kimberly Meyer
The Ford Motor Company is responsible and the culprit behind the success and prestige that the Mazda Tribute has at present. Despite the fact that 2006 would be the last year that this vehicle would be manufactured, sales of this vehicle has not been greatly affected. The life story of the Mazda Tribute had started back in the year 2001. It had taken the spot and niche that the Mazda Navajo left vacant when its production was entirely halted. However, this time around, when the Mazda Tribute is not manufactured anymore, its spot would be taken by the upcoming Mazda CX 7.
The Mazda Tribute has been built and mounted on the FF CD2 platform of the Ford Motor Company. This same platform has been used by the previous front wheel drive Mazda 626 vehicle. It has been designed as a compact crossover sport utility vehicle and this vehicle holds four doors. It is related to the Ford Escape and the Mercury Mariner. It has been said that its competition in the automobile market include the Jeep Liberty, the Toyota RAV4, the Hyundai Tucson, and the Honda CR-V.
During its introduction, the Mazda Tribute was unveiled to have been equipped with either a 2.0 L Mazda engine with four cylinders or the Ford Duratec 3.0 L V6 engine. However, if you do travel to Europe, you would find out that the Mazda Tribute is currently being sold as the Ford Maverick. And this vehicle was equipped with the 2.0 L Ford Zetec engine and had a manual transmission system as part of it. However, another choice for the engine was a 3.0 L Duratec engine with an automatic transmission system.
Mazda claims that the Mazda Tribute is the right vehicle not only for on road driving but also for off road traversing. Whatever the kind of terrain that there could be, the Mazda Tribute could definitely handle them. The engine is guaranteed to be lightweight yet provides enough and good power. Aside from power, the Mazda Tribute actually has been made available with various choices. As per the interior, interested parties could choose between cloth and leather material for the seats and the color choices for these materials are Dark Flint and Medium Pebble. The exterior color choices, on the other hand, comprise of Blazing Copper, Stormfront Gray, Classic White, Dark Titanium, Mystic Black, Pebble Ash, Platinum, Redfire, and Lapis Blue.
Interested parties, Mazda aficionados, and Mazda owners can come across super durable replacement parts on Mazda Parts and Mazda Auto Parts. http://www.centerautoparts.com is one of the largest dealers of Mazda parts and accessories including Mazda Tribute parts. These parts have been crafted from quality materials so as to guarantee durability and to assist in maintaining the performance and delivery of Mazda vehicles. These Mazda parts from Mazda Parts and Mazda Auto Parts are also guaranteed to fit. The online collection of Mazda parts and accessories include in its list a/c condensers, alternators, radiator fans, spoilers, starters, trunk lids, and wheels among many others.
About The Author
Kimberly Meyer is an expert when it comes to automotive issues. She is the manager of her own car parts manufacturing company. This 33 year-old maiden is also a talented writer.
Mazda Parts and Mazda Auto Parts http://www.centerautoparts.com/auto-body-parts/mazda-tribute-parts.html
Kimberly@centerautoparts.com
Written by admin on April 25th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Reviews.
by: Matthew C. Keegan
You just paid a cool $73,000 for your fashionably new BMW and are cruising down the boulevard enjoying the ride. You zig and zag your way around the slow movers, marveling over the responsive steering and handling engineered into your 750i. As you pull into your driveway, park your sedan, and exit your vehicle, you turn around and your eyes feast upon its stunning Kalahari beige metallic finish. Quite frankly it is the most attractive looking vehicle you have ever owned. Unfortunately, many new BMW owners fail to provide the one level of protection that can keep your car????????s expensive finish from permanently losing its luster. What is that? Read on and I will tell you about a product that simply must be part of every luxury car owner????????s inventory.
If you haven????????t guessed it yet, what I am talking about is a custom fitted car cover for your bimmer. Yes, even if you garage your 750i or other fine vehicle, time and the elements will certainly attack your car????????s finish. Sure, you can do regular washes and waxes, but the inevitable will happen: something, somewhere will damage the finish. Besides, do you want to spend every weekend polishing your car? I doubt that!
No, you can????????t drive with a car cover on, but you can certainly have a car cover on hand to keep your parked car safe. Yes, there are enough things out there that can harm an expensive finish, even damaging it to the point where only an expensive repair can remedy the insult. The following are some of the hazards just waiting to happen:
1. Bird excrement ???????? You don????????t need to be parked under a tree for your car to get hit; a single drive-by bombing by a winged creature can do your finish in.
2. Weather ???????? Rain, snow, ice, and especially hail can damage a car in mere moments.
3. Trees ???????? A small branch can scratch any finish.
4. Sun ???????? Harmful solar rays are bad for your skin and your car????????s skin too.
5. Pollution ???????? There is no place on earth that is pollution free. Acid rain and airborne driven particles just love a new car????????s finish.
6. Kids ???????? Try keeping your neighbor????????s kids away from the car. You may succeed, but hit balls can make a beeline for your wheels. Some car covers even offer protection against minor impacts.
All right, so you are cleverly thinking that your garaged vehicle is immune to such petty insults, right? Well, in one word you are incorrect. Indoor air pollution and dust can take its toll on your car????????s finish as can small impacts from anything that falls off of a wall and onto your car.
The solution? Select a car cover that is right for your vehicle. Even if you keep your car garaged most of the time, the best car cover on the market can protect your bimmer from moisture, the sun, dirt, pollution, and small impacts. Choose one that is custom made for your car with side mirror pockets built in and four layers of quick drying polypropylene material to provide the ultimate level of protection. You don????????t want something so thin that it doesn????????t provide all around protection ???????? you just never know when you will have to have your car outside for an extended period of time ???????? and you don????????t want a car cover that entombs your BMW either. Instead, select one that works with your bimmer, not against it.
Best of all, premium car covers can be had for under $200, a worthy investment for any car luxury or not. So, enjoy your new 750i, but give yourself some peace of mind by selecting a car cover that can protect its finish and keep it looking great for many years.
About The Author
Copyright 2006 — Matt Keegan is a freelance writer covering automotive topics from car care to new models. You can protect your BMW????????s exterior with a premium car cover and keep it running great for many years by only choosing genuine BMW OEM Parts and accessories: http://www.alloembmwparts.com
Written by admin on April 24th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Articles.