Impaired Butterfly
Just reading through some back-issues and, as usual, they are all top-shelf.
Re the article "Butterfly Effect" (Butterfly Effect)...
The product looks very professional but are you guys going to do any testing
of one of these valves on a ‘typical’ modified 3 inch exhaust? I bought a
similar one (with an electric motor) from Japan for my
Lancer GSR and it measured 91db with it open and 90db with it almost closed
(free-revving to 4500 revs). That's only a 1db difference - not really effective
given the massive backpressure is causes. The engine runs 16 psi of boost with
the valve open but can only generate 12 psi with it closed. Keep up the
excellent work.
Paul Dietrich
Australia
Check out Pure Pipe Perfection 2 - Introducing the Secret Weapon...
and Pure Pipe Perfection 3 - Calibrating and Testing the Secret Weapon...
for our previous article on testing an older-style variable backpressure exhaust
butterfly. We also plan to fit to a car one of the latest valves. Interesting re your results with a
valve on your Lancer. It appears that the amount of noise suppression achieved
depends a lot on the location of the valve in the exhaust system and the
cat/mufflers used.
A Serious Surf
I currently have a 1993 Toyota Surf but have seen your review on the
later-model SSR-G and am considering buying this model. But I am having trouble
in finding out whether the new models have full-time 4WD and, if not, can
full-time 4WD be engaged and used on roads at speeds in excess of 80 mph (which,
of course, I cannot do in my version due to the diff)?
Ian Reaney
UK
The 1998 Surf SSR-G can be driven in
RWD, full-time 4WD, diff-lock 4WD or low-range diff-lock 4WD mode. Full-time 4WD
can be used at all road speeds.
Top Tickford?
Re your Tickford 5.6 test - New Car Test - Tickford TE50...
The bloke who wrote the article must be a brain dead fool who is in the wrong
game. He should try a career in the dress making business - d$#^head.
Mark Smart
Australia
Switch ‘Em On!
Re your article on driving skills (Everyday Driving Skills)
and especially turning on lights before it gets dark... I live west of
Melbourne and frequently drive into
the sun. Vehicles coming towards me can see me easily lighted by the sun behind
them, but I can't see them! So if you are driving with the sun behind you please
turn on your lights - even though you can clearly see cars coming towards
you.
Austin
Australia
Spec Screw-up
Regarding the article: Two-Hundred to Treasure
your author, Michael Knowling, wrote:
"The S15 GT Special Edition was the perfect indulgence. In case you aren’t
aware, the GT-spec S15 boasts a leather-lined cabin, chrome interior details,
polished wheels and a Japanese high-rise rear wing. Oh, and of course there’s
the GT badge – which everyone seems to think was pulled off a Skyline...
Robert’s GT Special Edition is based on the upmarket Spec S platform."
The Spec S was actually the cheaper of the two models. At the time the line
up was:
Spec S
Spec S GT
Spec R
Spec R GT
(nb: neglecting gearbox differences)
The Aussie spec cars have a lightened flywheel and, in some cases, a
different turbocharger to the Japanese specs – this among a myriad of other
small differences, the most obvious externally is the lack of rear bumper
reflectors.
Jon Embury (a happy Spec S
owner)
Australia
Charged Up?
RE: Mains Power for Your Car!
The article mentions that you should run the inverter only when the engine is
on to save a flat battery. However, I have heard many car sound professionals
say that this doesn't help a lot because, at idle, all alternators generate only
enough to keep the engine running.
I don't know how true this is but it seems possible, what do you guys
reckon?
Kent Slaughter
Australia
Most modern alternators should provide
sufficient charging but, of course, it depends on the electrical load. It’s certainly better to have the engine running than switched off when the inverter is powering a load.
Plugged In
Just an idea that I thought about when you had the article about “Mains Power
for Your Car!” - Mains Power for Your Car! It would be good if we could plug the
car into mains power so if you where working on the stereo, you could then do
this without having to start the engine.
Bradley Ford
Australia
The easiest approach is to connect a
large battery charger.
Chasing a Pony
I would like to import a new Ford Mustang to
Australia. Can
you recommend a company that will modify an American Mustang to Australian
standards?
Jason Walz
Australia
Try Cross-Over Sports and Luxury Cars
+61 3 9753 5799 http://www.crossover-car.com.au/mainpage.htm. We have done a number of articles on
Mustangs imported and complied by this company – do a site search under
“Mustang”.
Re CC
Re your Pug 307 CC Dynamic test...
The "0" button can be disabled by turning a switch in the rear compartment
and can then only be opened via the remote control. I doubt the "0" switch was
defunct during your test.
"Short-drop": it's not annoying, but a good feature if you have frameless
windows like on a coupe or convertible. Good cars have it, like my friend's
Mercedes CL 500. However, 307 CC drivers in
Germany report in
the local CC forum that there is a bit of confusion on how to stop windows from
dropping when in a car wash, but this is explained in the manual.
Ergonomics: I agree with you on this. They definitely gave style preference
over function.
Performance: I had all three variations for test from my dealership, and
finally ordered the 130kW Sport version. Yes, the car is heavy, acceleration
leaves a bit to be desired but handling is excellent and I daresay that the
greatest fun comes from driving with the top down at cruising speed - while
being able to go at 220km/h on the Autobahn when you're in a hurry! I'm
currently in a Mercedes E320 CDI Sedan and am eagerly waiting for Feb 2005 when my
current car will be out of its lease period and the new one hopefully arrives.
Michael Grom
Germany
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