One-Off Hybrid?
Re Driving Emotion–"A commercially viable one-off car"
(Driving Emotion)
... It was
interesting to read this as I had recently considered this very option - although my idea was heading is a vastly different direction. I had considered the possibility of re-shelling a
third generation Prius
hybrid
- in essence doing exactly what was stated in
this editorial. Take a third gen Prius
hybrid (sadly, still
expensive at around NZ$20,000), build a
space-frame and composite
body shell to form the smallest possible lightweight two-seater hybrid car. Some possible further modifications include adding a turbo (as done in previous AutoSpeed articles) to
improve the top-end during
up hill driving, or possibly using a modified Thomas Knight Turbo ESC design.
If a 1200+ kilogram
four seater hybrid can achieve 20km/L, then what could a two seater (possibly as light as 750kg or better) hybrid do?! Would you ever need to add gas when
toddling around town? To
top all this off, it would be possible to purchase from the US a "plug-in" conversion which would
further improve the around town mileage. Or,
for those with far too much money, perhaps converting a new Lexus GS450h into a two-seater lightweight
- power of a V8, economy of a V6
and incredible performance.
Unfortunately, the latest generation Prius is still quite pricey
and the costs of the
conversion on top of that make this a very distant pipe dream for me. But perhaps someone out there reading this will become motivated to try this. I'd love to see the results. Eco racers anyone?
Lindsay Young
New Zealand
We’ve considered in detail doing this. However, it would be very hard to
improve upon the Prius aerodynamics and it would also be difficult to bring the
weight down as far as you say - the power split device (containing the electric
motors) and battery pack are both quite heavy. That said, we’d love to see
someone try it!
Reader Response to the Unhappy Nitrous Book Author
Re Unhappy Nitrous Book Author #1, #2 and #3
Response
... Whilst Mr Langfield makes a strong
case for himself in these articles, I feel he misses the point completely: If you are writing a
book that you expect people to pay for, keep it brand-free and refer
to different setups by
design, not name. Likewise, if you believe your way is the best, keep the brand out of it, and simply
explainthe various
principles - the correct resolution should be self-evident.
Any document which stresses the advantages of a given product and the disadvantages of another - which is not an impartial
journalistic commentary/editorial (with no pecuniary interest either way) – is a Sales Pamphlet.
End of story.
Keep on Keeping it Real.
Luke Konynenburg
Australia
Need Some Stuff on Electronics
Articles on automotive
electrics...I'm over 60 years of age and my friend has a 1993
Nissan Civilian motorhome which I’m helping with.There are wires going everywhere - probably from when it was converted from a bus. I want to be able to read a wiring diagram,
check/correct things and learn how to use my el-cheapo multi-meter.
The motorhome is 24V and a few things have been connected with
12V relays - no wonder the
hot-water circuit blew...Being on a pension it is hard to pay the auto-electric guys their AUD$60 per hour -
it soon mounts up. Can you help me
out?
Noel Cook
Australia
Our most relevant article for you
is
Using a Multimeter.
We suggest you obtain
all relevant wiring diagrams and maybe pick up the latest Jaycar catalogue for
ideas on what electronics (ie relays, switches, etc) are available. There might also be a
TAFE (or similar) auto electrics course that covers the topics you’re interested
in.
DFA for Supercharged Pajero
I recently bought the Performance
Electronics for Cars
(Book Review - Performance Electronics for Cars) and what a good read it is. I have built the Voltage Switch to
activate a thermofan.
Nice work. I mainly bought the book for some more info on the Digital Fuel Adjuster (DFA). On Julian’s Lexus with the
Eaton supercharger fitted,
there was no mention of engine timing mods. Was this because the factory ECU was able to cope as
extra fuel was delivered? I am undertaking a supercharger conversion along the same lines as the
Lexus featured, in my Pajero. I have been reading through my manual and going by
what has been written, the factory ECU should be okay. My supercharger should only be putting out about 9 psi - give or take.I have built and fitted stainless extractors
and free-flowing airfilter with no problems - this leads me to believe that, with a bit of fiddling of the DFA, all
should be sweet. I have a Haltech E6K ECU -
do you think I should use
it or just go with the DFA?
Darrin Douglas
Australia
The supercharged Lexus V8 seen in Performance Electronics For Cars belongs to
a Soarer which was imported from Japan as-seen. We’d certainly have a go using
the DFA on your Pajero – so long as it has a voltage output airflow meter rather
than a frequency output airflow meter. Keep an eye on mixtures and an ear out
for detonation and you should be okay.
However, the Haltech unit has far more capability than the
DFA.
Graphic Detail
I just wanted to say content wise your web
mag is unbeatable – I’ve
never come across any publication that tracks down and investigate ssuch a multitude of Japanese cars from different eras and
styles, etc. Very thorough stuff.
I do web graphics for car websites - if you ever want to spruce
up your graphics or just your logo take a look
at my work...
www.ruff-housin.net/supra
www.ruff-housin.net/pimpish
www.ruff-housin.net/dm Sam Hyde
USA
Glad you like our material – thanks for the offer, your designs look
good!
Gas Fuelled Adventra?
I have a VY Holden Adventra and am considering fitting LPG. On enquiring to Holden I was
informed by that you cannot fit LPG to a VY because it creates engine trouble.Would you please let me know if a 5.7 litre Gen 3 V8 Adventra can be fitted with gas?
Louis Castellaro
Australia
See
www.gas-injection.com/media-releases-gas-injection-technologies.html. As detailed, it is
possible to fit LPG to a Gen 3 by replacing the standard injectors. We suggest contacting
the company – Gas Injection Technologies – on 02 9720 1119
Audi Died. Looking for New Love...
I bought the Audi
S4 that Julian Edgar owned and, sadly, it was
stolen from my home and written off. I was broken hearted. It was the
best car I have owned and proud to
have had it. Since then I have been on a quest to replace it. How can you replace such a unique
car? I am currently looking buying a Nissan 350Z. I bought a Lexus GS300 but it
feels like a bus after the
Audi S4. What do you think
of the 350Z?
Eric Holtamann
Australia
Sorry to hear that – a shame for the mighty Audi to go out like
that.Our
reviews of the 350Z can be found at
New Car Test - Nissan 350Z Track
and
Nissan 350Z Roadster Test. Note that we haven’t
yet tested the updated model with the revised suspension settings. Dare we say
it, it you’re after a largish four-door to replace the Audi it might be worth
checking out second-hand HSVs and quad-cam Ford XR8s or the SOHC Fairmont V8.
There’s also the Liberty B4 TT and the current 2.5-litre turbo range. And don’t
forget second-hand BMW sports sedans, Jag S-type and Saab Aero. Julian replaced
the Audi with a VVTi Lexus LS400 – stay tuned for an upcoming buying second-hand
article...
New Detonation Detector
I was reading through your articles on building cheap detonation detection devices
- DIY Detonation Detection - Part 1
and
DIY Detonation Detector - Mk II
- and thought you might be interested
to know Dick Smith are selling another 'Personal Sound Amplifier' that looks
well fit for the
application. I'll give it a shot this weekend tuning my RX3
- so there’s bound to be plenty of detonation!
www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/44c07efb083cf828273fc0a87f9c0721/Product/View/Y1140
Simon Nieper
New Zealand
Looks ideal – let us know how it goes!
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