Car Talk Topic

[Lurch]

So went to a local Autocross yesterday (just watched and rode. Didn't really have the funds to drive this one). My friend had his NB Miata there that stands out even among other SOLO-prepped Miatas.

 

 

 

Stock Hyabusa double adjustable remote res shocks with 710 in/lbs springs. Bellcrank/cantilever/pushrod style setup. Front setup to have an effective wheel rate of the full 710, rear setup has an effective wheel rate of around 550. Also has 6061-T6 aluminum drop spindles (1.5" drop with roll center and bump steer correction) made by him. And driving on 15x7 TRM's with shaved 195/50/15 Toyo R1R's (at 2/32" of tread).

It rides better and soaks up bumps better than any Miata I've ever been in, much less anyone I've been in with that kind of spring rates. The one I race has custom Bilsteins with 700/450 springs and rides like sh*t compared to that. The Hyabusa bell crank setup might be better than AST'S, Ohlins, AFCO's, JRZ's, etc for a fraction of the price.

Edited June 23, 2014 by Lurch

[sivispacem]

Not the first time I've seen a setup like that, but the first time I've seen one incorporated into a modified road car. I know of a Time Attack space-frame Peugeot 205 that's running Penske dampers in a similar layout and a couple of older ADR-style single-seaters using Hayabusa suspension components.

[The Online Gamer]

Speaking of cars...

I saw some funny cars on the road yesterday. One was a Honda with basically NO shocks; it just bounced along the highway. If it had shocks they would have caught it. Funny just watching the driver go over bumps.

Also, this is a question for you ALL...

How do YOU GUYS change you oil?

Me, I crawl under the vehicle, unscrew the cap, gather the burnt oil, put the cap back on, put new oil and new filter on.

Oh, if you guys didn't know, try to make a habit on rubbing some oil on the seal of the filter just so the seal doesn't tear.

[Lurch]

Not the first time I've seen a setup like that, but the first time I've seen one incorporated into a modified road car. I know of a Time Attack space-frame Peugeot 205 that's running Penske dampers in a similar layout and a couple of older ADR-style single-seaters using Hayabusa suspension components.

The same guy has an open wheel Atom-copy (complete with K-pro'd K20A2) that uses the same style of suspension with the same Hayabusa shocks.

 

 

Newest pics with some superlight aluminum suspension components.

 

 

Older pics with it on mild steel parts.

 

Edited June 24, 2014 by Lurch

[kipakolonyasi]

why would start-stop system not work all the time? my father just got a new 2014 VW Golf TDI with a start-stop and it just doesn't work sometimes. it has it's little section in the touch screen where it tells you the current reason if it's not able to work at the moment for example it says start-stop can't be used at the moment because driver's seatbelt isn't plugged in... right? but sometimes when driver's door is locked and driver's seatbelt is plugged in (which are two things that it requires to work) it still doesn't work and tells you this as a reason: "engine should be running." is it normal? is it doing it because engine isn't warm enough at the time or is it too hot and needs to be cooled down or something?

[Xavierr]

i'm looking to get my first car for learning tuning, one of my co-workers is into the jdm scene, and I've liked the 350z since I was a kid but still I was wondering

 

 

 

350z or 370z?

[Lurch]

Define what you mean by "learning tuning."

[Xavierr]

Hands on experience. That aside. 350z or 370z?

[Carlover325]

If you don't know what you're doing tuning wise, I would suggest you at least start off with somebody who does. If you put in a wrong tune, you've ruined your motor.

[kipakolonyasi]

so no one knows?

[sivispacem]

so no one knows?

Might be better off actually asking on a VW forum.

[Lurch]

so no one knows?

Does anyone here even have a car that's new enough to have start/stop? That just sounds like a horrible feature in general.

[kipakolonyasi]

 

so no one knows?

Might be better off actually asking on a VW forum.

 

 

 

 

so no one knows?

Does anyone here even have a car that's new enough to have start/stop? That just sounds like a horrible feature in general.

 

 

yeah i know i should've read this thread a little more further. didn't understand this thread very well i guess.

 

but why not? it's for fuel efficiency. it's a good feature imo.

[Lurch]

You're telling me that your engine sometimes won't run because of an unknown problem associated with it and you're really going to call that a good feature?

[kipakolonyasi]

no! i know i don't speak the best english here but did i really explain that badly? i just said sometimes it doesn't go to start/stop status when it should. meaning it doesn't turn itself off. it continues running.

[Lurch]

That sounds like a plus to me.

[mr quick]

The engine stop feauture really scared the sh*t outta me the first time it happened in a 2010 golf diesel(The owner took the op. to f*ck with me and shouted "what the f*ck did you do?!"). I believe it has to have reached a certain temperature/ or have been running for e certain amount of time before this feauture kicks in

[sivispacem]

It won't go into start/stop if you hold the clutch or ride the brake AFAIK.

[mr quick]

It won't go into start/stop if you hold the clutch or ride the brake AFAIK.

So it's only when in neutral on a flat surface?

[sivispacem]

Usually unless your car has hill hold.

[36Chambers]

So Dodge (or should I say SRT) just announced their new Hellcat.

 

707 horsepower. 650 lb ft of torque.

 

 

 

Sweet baby Jesus...

Edited July 1, 2014 by 36Chambers

[Moth]

So it's official, the Challenger Hellcat has 707 hp and 650 pound feet of torque. Link

[El Dildo]

yeah I did a whole thread about the Hellcat.

my dad still wants to buy one.

 

http://gtaforums.com/topic/654683-challenger-srt-hellcat/

Edited July 1, 2014 by El_Diablo

[Xavierr]

How old are people at car meets usually?

 

 

wondering if should I find a new interest....I can't fathom how people around my age can afford Mazda miatas , 350z's , rx8s, and Toyota celica gts, parents tell me I should be more practical and other people telling me those cars are too expensive, it's all just getting very annoying.

 

Edited July 2, 2014 by Xavierr

[sivispacem]

Depends on the kind of meet you go to. If it's wheelspinning in the McDonald's car park in sh*t 1.1L hatchbacks with huge body kits and 200kg if speakers in the boot, then late teens and early 20s. If it's a club meet, usually mid 20s through to 40s. If it's motorsport related or involves a hoon around country roads with a nice pub as the terminus (that's the kind of car meet I tend to go to) then all ages.

 

Miatas and RX8s are dirt cheap. In fact in the UK you could get any of those card for under £6k so pretty attainable even for younger people. It must be said that my experienced of club meets in both the VW/Audi and Fast Jap community have been mixed at best. Back in the day when euro look was still fashionable the VW scene used to be awesome but these days it's all low-and-slow accountants driving Golfs with big wheels and no suspension.

[mr quick]

Infuriated with my ridicolously saggy headliner, I stapled that sh*t(heat of the moment). It now sits like it is supposed to, but the staples are an eyesore. Was it a bad idea?

[Xavierr]

Sooo I found a 350z I can barely afford, was really tempted to get it.

 

But I've also found a 300zx for a lot cheaper.

 

What's a good engine swap for it?

 

 

I want something not too pricey, but at the same time I want something will take my mind off of the 350z I almost got...

 

[Lurch]

I wouldn't even bother. I've never thought Z32's were all that great chassis to build up. S-chassis and Z33's are great starting points though if you're set on Nissans. If you're mechanically inclined enough to do an engine swap, you really can't go wrong with an S13/S14. Tons of aftermarket support and you can always find something on them to upgrade and throw money at. My friend has 20 grand just in parts in his S14. And that's basically an FD ready car with a supercharged VQ35 with 447 whp, 6 speed, FD-legal cage, billet drop spindles/65 degree knuckles, 350Z/Z32 brakes, dual rear calipers, hydro ebrake, tube front, bash bars, ridiculous wing and all kinds of neat sh*t.

I know others with nearly stock 240SX's running KA's that are still fun hoonmobiles.

You can literally have fun in an S-chassis on any budget from 2 grand to 100 grand.


Otherwise, the answer is always Miata. There's probably 10 grand in the turbo NA I race and I would consider that a well "prepped" car for its class. It's also the all-around fastest car I've ever driven. 200 whp + 2300 lbs + a set of custom, specially valved coilovers + sticky tires = apesh*t fast down the interestate, a back road, an AutoX course, or a track.

 

 

You could probably do a really nice Miata for $4-8 grand. Let's say a good portion of that would probably just in suspension, wheels, and tires. .

Edited July 3, 2014 by Lurch

[Carlover325]

Infuriated with my ridicolously saggy headliner, I stapled that sh*t(heat of the moment). It now sits like it is supposed to, but the staples are an eyesore. Was it a bad idea?

I had mine re-covered when the corner started to sag, I got it done in a dark gray to match the rest of my interior (was previously light gray). I also had an overhead console installed at the same time (factory unit from a junk yard).

 

I had a co-worker use thumb tacks on his. He meticulously patterned it out and it looked like it was button-tufted.

[hvcciookay]

Sooo I found a 350z I can barely afford, was really tempted to get it.

 

But I've also found a 300zx for a lot cheaper.

 

What's a good engine swap for it?

 

 

I want something not too pricey, but at the same time I want something will take my mind off of the 350z I almost got...

 

Is it a dealership buy or private? Link to the ad? Insurance will be your biggest thing since the 350z is RWD and sporty. A bunch of different variables come into play such as age, driving history, year of the car and etc.

 

You'll be better off getting the 300zx unless your absolute dream is the 350z. Set it as a goal and keep saving. Especially save for quips that might happen post-purchase so your not selling body on a street corner after a syncro goes bad the next week.