October 21st, 2009 admin
3 Strategies To Boost Your Vehicle’s Horsepower
The muscle car is a part of America’s heritage. It is steeped in the nation’s lore and has become a symbol of the individualist’s spirit. That said, over the past 30 years, there has been less attention devoted to boosting a vehicle’s horsepower. While fuel efficiency and design have taken center stage, muscle has taken a backseat.
Fortunately, drivers who want to add power to their engines have a number of options available to them. Whether their goal is to win weekend drag races (not recommended) or gain a valuable jump on steep hills, the following three strategies can boost your car’s horsepower.
#1 – Supercharge Your Vehicle
A supercharger increases the power of your engine’s output by condensing the oxygen in the air-fuel mixture used during combustion. Because there is more oxygen present, the engine can add more fuel. The result? A significant boost in output. This same “air compression” strategy is also used by turbochargers. Together, they’re referred to as forced induction systems. The downside is the cost. These systems can cost between $1,000 and $10,000 – or more.
#2 – Install A New Chip
All modern vehicles have computer chips (called engine controller units, or ECUs) that manage certain features of the engine. When a car, truck, or SUV rolls off the factory floor, the ECU is programmed by the automaker. The settings are usually geared toward delivering higher fuel efficiency. As you might expect, that limits your horsepower.
You can purchase aftermarket ECUs that are specifically programmed to deliver more power. The increase in output normally comes at the cost of lower fuel efficiency, but automakers have yet to design an affordable engine that can deliver both simultaneously. A high-quality aftermarket ECU will typically cost under $600.
#3 – Integrate A Cold Air Intake System
This is one of the least expensive methods for boosting your vehicle’s output. Normally, air is taken into the engine and added to its combustion process. The amount of fuel added to the mixture is dependent on the amount of oxygen. A cold air intake system delivers cooler air to the combustion process. It is denser in oxygen. As a result, more fuel is added, which makes the combustion output more potent. These systems can cost between $100 and $500, depending on the quality and the manufacturer.
A couple of quick notes: First, if you modify the air compression level, you may need to switch to high-octane gasoline. Otherwise, your pistons can misfire. Second, adding more horsepower usually translates into more heat and higher temperatures. Consider using a synthetic oil that can keep the individual components well-lubricated while managing the extra heat.
There is a viable strategy for boosting your vehicle’s horsepower regardless of your budget. If you’re looking for a little extra power, consider installing a supercharger, performance ECU, or a cold air intake system.
Muscle Cars
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August 21st, 2009 admin
When To Finally Retire Your Vehicle
Your car has a certain number of years during which it will perform flawlessly. Its fuel efficiency and engine performance will remain high and the need for repairs will be all but nonexistent. Eventually, small problems with various parts and systems will emerge. For example, your alternator may fail, your fuel injectors might become clogged, and your spark plugs may go bad. They’re easy enough to fix and relatively inexpensive, even if inconvenient. However, these are signs that your vehicle may have begun its long downward spiral toward retirement.
There’s plenty you can do to keep your car in great working order for many years. Routine maintenance goes a long way toward extending its life. That said, the following factors may signal that the time has finally come to retire it.
The Onset Of Rust
Rust is the equivalent of a terminal disease for automobiles. Once it sets in, it spreads. Before long, it has crept throughout your vehicle, weakening its structural integrity. At that point, rust becomes a safety issue. Getting rid of your rust-ridden car can help prevent injury to you, your passengers, and other motorists.
Repairs Become More Costly
Replacing an OEM alternator may cost a few hundred dollars (including labor). The same is true for catalytic converters. Replacement hoses will cost under $20 while a new battery may cost $60. These are minor repairs. However, vehicles with a large number of miles eventually need major work. The engine may need to be replaced; the transmission might need a complete overhaul; the frame may need adjustments. These repairs may cost over $1,000; in succession, they can quickly empty your bank account.
While it’s possible to keep an automobile in working order for decades, major repairs often signal the beginning of the end. Compare the cost of the work to the value of your car. It may be time to upgrade to a later model.
A Stream Of Failing Parts
As costly as an engine rebuild and transmission overhaul are, a perpetual string of failing components can be just as expensive. One day, your car is in the shop to have the catalytic converter replaced. Two weeks later, you’re back for a new water pump. Next month, your EGR begins failing. Before long, your muffler, ignition switch, timing belt, and master cylinder start to develop problems. These “small” repairs can become extremely costly. If there’s no end in sight, your vehicle may be preparing for retirement.
For most people on a limited budget, keeping an older car is usually preferable to upgrading to a new model. Occasionally replacing parts is less expensive over the long run. Plus, new vehicles lose a significant portion of their value during their first four years of life due to depreciation.
Having said that, your car won’t last forever. Use the above criteria as a barometer of when it’s finally time to retire it.
Muscle Cars
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March 24th, 2009 admin
What To Do When Your Car Needs Repairs
When your vehicle breaks down or begins running roughly, it’s probably time to take a closer look under the hood. You can either do it yourself, or take it to a repair shop. If you choose the latter, you’ll need to decide whether to take your car to the dealership or to a local mechanic. Each has inherent advantages and drawbacks. Plus, there’s a lot of misinformation which confuses and misleads drivers into making the wrong decision.
In this article, we’ll discuss auto parts and repairs in the context of cost and training. We’ll look at the differences between dealership service shops and independent mechanics. I’ll also explain why some types of work may be better-suited for the dealer while others should be done in a local auto shop.
Cost Factors
It won’t come as a surprise that auto maintenance and service work is typically less expensive in an independent garage than at the dealership. Independent shops have less overhead. They don’t need to pay top salaries to their mechanics. Nor are they under as much corporate pressure to generate sales and revenue. With a loyal base of repeat customers, an independent repair garage can thrive. By contrast, dealer service shops have enormous overhead and staff costs. Their facilities are larger and they often pay their auto technicians more. These costs are reflected in the prices their customers pay for auto maintenance work.
Are Dealership Mechanics Better Trained?
There’s a common fallacy in the automotive world: auto technicians who work at the dealership are better trained than local mechanics. To their credit, the dealer’s technicians receive professional training about their specific models. However, it’s important to note that most of the mechanics who work in independent garages have a wide breadth of knowledge about all popular vehicles. While a technician who works at a Toyota dealership may have received specialized training about Corollas, the local mechanic probably knows just as much from experience.
Also, a lot of auto technicians who work at dealer service shops leave their jobs in order to work in independent garages. They take their training with them.
Repairs, Maintenance, And Warranties
When you buy a new car, the warranty will often require that certain types of repairs are performed at the dealership. For example, if your transmission needs to be overhauled, you’ll probably need to have the work done at the dealer. Taking your car to a local garage may cause your warranty to become void.
Ask your dealer to clarify which type of work needs to be done at their shop and what can be performed elsewhere. Oil changes, air and fuel filter replacements, and minor maintenance work will be less costly if you have a local repair garage handle it. And chances are, the quality will be just as high.
Find your used auto parts and used engines from the leader in parts, http://www.everdrive.com
Muscle Cars
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