tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15965602289488313132024-03-13T01:09:06.230+00:00Beyond 6000Why this BLOG? Well, I'm so tired of so many wrong decisions in today's car industry, mostly because people don't really stop-to-think. So I decided to post my thoughts.
Why beyond 6000? An engine will be more efficient working faster. Most however don't go beyond 6000rpm, hence the BEYOND...6000.Manuel Ribeirohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898244397231724106noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1596560228948831313.post-40960915810354846352023-07-03T16:12:00.002+01:002023-07-03T16:21:37.315+01:00Group B - The best sport ever, managed by the biggest imbecile that ever walked the earth.<p><b><i>Back in the 80's there was an automotive renaissance - Rally Group B.</i></b></p><p>Till then, rally was made from standard production cars. And was amateurism from start to finish. </p><p>Back then, FISA was managed by someone I hate to my gut (and that I hold so-responsible for Senna's death) Jean Marie Balestre. Balestre was a PowerMonger with little to none engineering background and a true "chauvinist". He is responsible for some of the worse decisions ever made into the automotive racing world... but, there is proof that, at least once in his lifetime, he made a good call. </p><p>Knowing nothing about engineering, but eager to make rally " a thing ", Balestre made a laisser-fair decision, and being him the biggest of idiots, this proved an excellent decision because it fell right on the hands of the car manufacturers. Those where interested into showing off their cars and as such proposed the UNREGULATED group B. Balestre, signed off and GroupB was born. </p><p>There is some logic behind the "fear of GroupB" Somethings where good and others weren't.</p><p><b><i>The good part:</i></b></p><p>This is the best possible spec. No limits to car power, car tech on engineering evolution. It spawned stuff that, today, we take for granted in our everyday cars. However, for some reason, the majority of Hairless Monkeys (a.k.a. people) out-there, seam to understand it was a bed thing and that the ban was good! This is mental!</p><p>Group B unleashed the first chain of them all: Manufacturers could start a car from scratch that had nothing to do with the standard selling model. </p><p>This lead to light tubular frames with fiberglass bodies on top. The old Lotus recipe had reached the rally grounds. The cars where light, as a consequence fast and maneuverable.</p><p>Then Audi unchained the second chain: Add a small engine with a big turbo to a 4wd system, and you have a pocket rocket that can go around bends like a bat out of hell... and full sideways while stable and under control. Till then, Rally was mainly Rear wheel drive. Audi shattered that.</p><p>Peugeot unchained the third chain: The 205T16 was the first ever Rally Mid-engine, 4wd car. The balance was tremendous and the compactness of the car meant is was much more nimble changing direction, because the weights where in the center of the car, and the wheelbase was short (being based on a hot-hatch).</p><p>Ford unchained the fourth by creating the RS200 - a car for rally and then only building enough homologation vehicles to make the rules... unlike the previous where they would build a rally car around the stream line model they wanted to leverage sales on. Ford stated that the sport was good enough to advertise brand and not just model.</p><p>Audi replied to Ford's and unleashed the fifth chain by pushing the output of their engines way beyond the 500 BHP mark.</p><p>And the final word was Lancias. The last chain was Lancia DeltaS4 that joined the Audi4wd + Turbo idea, Peugeot's Mid engine, short wheelbase Idea and their own Volumetric compressor + turbo Idea, making it a car that was nearly unbeatable, ready for all challenges (except crashing, with the drivers sitting on top of the fuel-tank).</p><p>This was the marvel of Group B. and It made Rally, more interesting than F1!</p><p><b><i>The Bad part:</i></b></p><p>Nothing bad so far... Unleashed engineering, fast and powerfull cars, happy drivers. </p><p>The problem with driving a monster is that you get drained fast. The Rally was 500km long and that meant long stages. The drivers where being drained of their strength and concentration and that is when it gets dangerous. </p><p>Solution would be easy: shorter the stages!</p><p>Another problem was crowd. I'm a portuguese and I remember people bragging about having touched the rally cars as they basted through and thought to my self (as a kid): how stupid can that be... you've gained nothing from it and if the driver made any sort of correction you'd end up with a broken hand, arm or worse! The heroic reports just translated to Moron-ish acts to me.</p><p>Once again, a solution could have been implemented as it is today! Police forces people to specific areas where the probability of a car (or flying car parts) lands, so people stay withing a controlled area and away from obvious danger.. but DO BARE IN MIND, EVEN INSIDE A CIRCUIT, YOU CAN GET INJURED. Motorsport is dangerous, accidents do happen, and by taking place there, YOU ARE IN DANGER at least up to a point. What cant happen is having people cause accidents, as that is beyond acceptable. That, unfortunately happend in Sintra when Joaquin Santos corrected to avoid an idiot that stepped on to the tarmac and lost control of his car. He crashed into a wall of people killing 3 and injuring a lot more. </p><p>Looking at BBC4 documentary Hell On Wheels, it is clear just how stupid people can be: Out of the victims, Nuno Sadrinha, clearly understands that the crowd is to blame, while another victim, Helio Tomar, thinks that by standing on the side of the road (no sidewalk, no barrier) was safe while a rally was going on! Just how stupid can you be to claim such a thing, mister Helio? Take a lesson from your colleague Nuno. He clearly learned something that day and has a lucid picture. </p><p>Latter that year, Corsica Rally took another victim, as the roads didn't have any sort of barriers, so a car out of control would fly into trees and break apart. HOW HARD would have it been to force the local governments to implement steel rail-guards? What to host Rally? Install steel road guards!</p><p>Evidently, Pilots started demanding Crowd Control, better security measures and Shorter stages but then again they were going against the biggest idiot of them all - Balestre.</p><p><b><i>The result: BAN! </i></b>And the best automotive sport that ever existed was gone. </p><p><br /></p><p><b><i>Looking back, </i></b>I'm grateful to have lived it first hand, and I feel lucky to live right next to Sintra and also to have family up north. I can drive these beautiful roads filled with heritage. If you where physically there, you would not have believed just how fast (and loud) the cars were... TV makes it no justice.</p><p>As a human being, and an engineer, it saddens me and makes me ashamed to be classified as the same species, as people that think that repression and bans are solutions to problems. </p><p>The only Bans I see valid are reserved for politicians and leashes alike, and being Balestre a political animal, he would be the one to be banned.</p><p><br /></p><p>This sort of dementia has took over the world. We now live in a planet that thinks in it's majority that motorsports as something bad and that GroupB ban was a good decision. </p><p>We restrict engineers and manufacturers to tight regulations that make rally cars product little over 300BHP.. but then we sell road cars that have twice as that. It's mental and we, humanity, deserve the asteroid... it's actually a good 2 decades late :s</p>Manuel Ribeirohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898244397231724106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1596560228948831313.post-13729567024860818342023-05-15T17:03:00.006+01:002023-05-28T17:04:06.435+01:00When automotive press is just press under disguise and publishes really bad advice as an opinion article!<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div>Not too long ago, I got presented with an article from the so called automotive press that really gave me the goosebumps.<br />IMO if you are an AUTOMOTIVE press professional, but then you have no insight into what you are writing about, and to you, writing about roses or engines is just as different and the poor googling you've done before writing anything is research, then you are just another reporter! Better stick with TESLA reviews as no real petrol head will read'em anyway.<br /><br />But what you never ever do, is write an article advising people to 'fix' your car in a way that will make things worse.<br /><br />I've recently came across an article about a easy fix for yellowed headlights.<div dir="auto"><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.noticiasaominuto.com/auto/2302682/so-dois-ingredientes-o-truque-caseiro-para-deixar-os-farois-a-brilhar?utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_source%3Dgekko%26utm_campaign%3Dauto&source=gmail&ust=1684252674109000&usg=AOvVaw1GqrQRpc3NpfgP-r1tyl9S" href="https://www.noticiasaominuto.com/auto/2302682/so-dois-ingredientes-o-truque-caseiro-para-deixar-os-farois-a-brilhar?utm_medium=email&utm_source=gekko&utm_campaign=auto" target="_blank">https://www.noticiasaominuto.<wbr></wbr>com/auto/2302682/so-dois-<wbr></wbr>ingredientes-o-truque-caseiro-<wbr></wbr>para-deixar-os-farois-a-<wbr></wbr>brilhar?utm_medium=email&utm_<wbr></wbr>source=gekko&utm_campaign=auto</a><br /></div><div dir="auto">It's in Portuguese, but don't try to read or translate as it's mostly a bad advice.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">What makes your headlight acrylic or plastics turn from transparent to yellowish is : the sun... ot better: UV light. Yes street dust act as sand blasting and acid rain accelerates the process, but the main guilty part is U.V.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">As new, your plastic or acrylic headlights are protected by a U.V. resistant varnish layer that, as time goes by, scratches and peels away (from projection on the road, to scrubbing to clean, to you're new polish that you don't need but buy anyway).</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">Without this protection, the U.V. light hurts the plastics and create tiny fissures that will start to make things fuzzy, and also provide habitat for micro organisms and... dust. <br />As time goes by, it will be encrusted into the headlight and you'll end up with diffused beam projection and insufficient lighting from both beam refraction and dust particle obstruction.<br /><br /><br />The article tells you to 'clean' with baking soda and lemon juice.... ok STOP the clock! <br />This is NOT cleaning... it's abrasive thinning! You don't clean your skin with acid and particles... you exfoliate! This is as aggressive (if not more) as sanding.<br />Toothpaste, baking soda or fine sand are micro particles that, together with acid (lemon juice) will eat away the superficial layer of the plastic and expose an inner layer that has not been hurt enough by sunlight and dust. <br />In the end you've just made the plastic thinner and more fragile.<br />It will look fine for a few months and then go back to what it was, only worse this time.<br />The plastic has lost thickness and the U.V. fissure will crack sooner and deeper.... you can keep this going until your plastic is so thin that you'll crack-it by applying some pressure while cleaning... then you'll be replacing it!<br /><br /><br />NOW...<br />If you were to inspect the varnish coating layer and replace it with U.V. resistant clear coat, you would never need to do this in the first place. <br />If you try to extend this coating lifetime by applying a ceramic clear-coat protection, it would be even better.<br />And if the worse happens and you have to sand down your headlight, DO remember to pass a clear-coat of UV resistant varnish, the moment you finish it ... and a couple more withing the setting time for that same varnish (instructions should guide you) just to be on the safe side...and then the ceramic coating.<br /><br /><br /></div>Manuel Ribeirohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898244397231724106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1596560228948831313.post-79746210369941407522023-05-08T23:41:00.001+01:002023-05-08T23:41:05.837+01:00Test Drive - 2017 Jaguar XF 2.0d R-Sport vs the 2013 Mercedes E Class Coupe cdi AMG plastics pack.<b><i>It's been a while since I've posted.</i></b><br />
Not that I haven't tested cars, I actually continue to test cars frequently, but time to sit down and type words other than the so very urgent work emails is getting harder and harder to find.<br />
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Still, after 2 sleepless nights traveling to Tokyo, I'm not sharp enough to work, and having to wait for my US colleague to land, I find myself in a very rare moment of nothing to do.</div>
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So let's optimize time and write about 2 cars at once. </i></b>Why? Well No time to cover both with detail, not as interesting to me as most my posts and they both surprised me positively. You got it... I didn;t believe my self either, but the did.</div>
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I don't have pictures of the Mercedes as it was totaled by another colleague 3 days into the test, but I did manage to drive it a good 1300km.</div>
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Let's start with the Mercedes. (image source CarThrottle)</b></i></div><div><i><b></b></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images.cdn.circlesix.co/image/1/700/0/uploads/posts/2016/07/9fed0c340e6635f0ce307d75ab2be670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="700" height="525" src="https://images.cdn.circlesix.co/image/1/700/0/uploads/posts/2016/07/9fed0c340e6635f0ce307d75ab2be670.jpg" width="700" /></a></div><br />I must admit I was not expecting that car to be like that. 99% of all Mercedes are built as if they where supposed to replace your sofa. Comfort first, so you have a heavy vehicle packed with all sorts of gizmos, on an typically comfortable setup of wheel-Tyre-suspension and then all sorts of soft rubber filtering out feedback from the wheels all the way up the steering. </div><div>Then comes the "AMG pack"... 99.9% of those are plastic bolt-on and big rims. They improve things marginally, and look good, but there is a very valid reason why AMG's are built out of the shell of the based cars instead of just bolting plastics and placing stickers.</div>
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But this...this is a different sort of transformation.</div><div> </div>
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Immediately you feel the car tighter and less comfortable (AKA worse sofa but a better car). The rims and tires do increase the feedback trough the steering...it's not a lotus or an s2000...but it is better that the original car by a considerable margin. </div>
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Then there is the suspension... you instantly feel bumps and road imperfections and you feel very little roll and a firmer response. Either they got lucky, or an engineer back Mercedes was left out of the cage for a while and done his part.</div><div><br /></div>
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Particularly in the wet. The 3rd generation E-class was a PIG in the wet and this seams much more refined and with plenty grip-limit warning and positive feedback.</div><div><br /></div>
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So is it good? yup! is it good enough to make me rethink my "Mercedes position"? no</div>
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The competence of the chassis is clear and it's road holding abilities are noticeable, however the weight is there and you feel it moving around generating inertia all places it shouldn't. A simple "s"curve will show the chassis under work to manage all that weight. </div><div>As the road holding is good, the let-go is also a bit on the violent side, However this feels more to do with the setup trying to compromise less and still be slightly comfy. A set of EIBACH springs would certainly fix this and give it a bit more progressive feel. But then the middle age crises customer would complain of back pain... so... it's a compromise that I hate to say I understand, but given the customer base for Mercedes, I actually do. And then. there is the ever intrusive ESP that almost stops the car. On this front, Mercedes has a lot to learn form BMW. And yes I know there are more read accidents with BMW sliding out of control, but if you don't know how to drive, call a cap, take a uber, use the metro system...or get proper driving lessons on a race track.</div><div>
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So Overall, the Benz is by far one of the best Mercedes I've recently tested (I admit not to test a lot of them because I really don't like'em, so population on my sampling is small by criteria) when it comes to being able to handle the sheer mass of the car. You really need to provoke the chassis to get a glimpse of reality. </div><div>Reality however is that the car is heavy and as such, a competent road holding will depend a lot on the tires... so the grip-limit-let-go of the continentals sport contacts is violent. You should be expecting it, because the abused needed to provoke is rather considerable, but not as high as a race track experience... I mean if you need to dodge an obstacle on the road, at speed, you can induce this rather easily. Then you'll experience a brief panic as you feel it sliding violently, and then the ESP takes over and the thrill is gone.<br />
So verdict is : competent but not funny. And just too heavy to make the tires comfortable.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Imagine that you weight 150Kg and you are running the marathon. Your cardio-vascular system will be struggling to handle this but your ankles and knees will end up shot for good half way through it! That's what it feels.</div><div><br />
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Now the Jag : (image source AutoExpress) </b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://media.autoexpress.co.uk/image/private/s--fwSYPMEA--/f_auto,t_content-image-full-desktop@1/v1562242662/autoexpress/2016/04/xf_r-sport_rhodiumsilver_uk_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="800" height="451" src="https://media.autoexpress.co.uk/image/private/s--fwSYPMEA--/f_auto,t_content-image-full-desktop@1/v1562242662/autoexpress/2016/04/xf_r-sport_rhodiumsilver_uk_002.jpg" width="800" /></a></div><div>Another surprise! First time I sit on the Jag I had to lower my head to pass the a pillar while sitting. I was expecting that! it is a Jag... so sporty by default. But then I look at the massive hood, from the driving position, and if feels like I'm higher than I should and that the bonnet seems huge. It's weird.</div><div><br /></div><div>You feel like going into a sports car, and then once inside you feel like your's looking through an SUV. Definitely not the experience I was expecting to have. So first thought : Jeeez this thing feels massive. It's gonna drive like a truck!</div><div>
Then you key the car and you see the aluminium side to side bar with some parts of it slowly opening and starting to show air ducts. OK... I understand that Jag also implies luxury, but c'mon how many more of these gizmos are going to overweight the car and spoil the experience?<br />
There is an answer for that: a bit too much.<br />
I started the car and drove away and immediately it feels massive. It is not light and nimble. </div><div>I get it It's a Jag and not a Lotus, but I can't stop thinking how many kg I would save just by removing pointless luxury items, and make it more like an E-Type than a living-room Sofa-ype.<br />
</div><div><br /></div><div>So far the Jag is losing to the Benz.... they both are heavy, they both are massive, they both are more suitable for a tank driver than a true sports aficionado. But the Benz feels less bulky and more closer to the ground. It' feels more connected to both you and the ground... less sofa-like.</div><div>Don't get me wrong... the Jag has a firm ride, but the body movement is instantly more noticeable than the Benz. </div><div><br /></div><div>However, and do remember that this was a series of surprises, the first roundabout I managed to get for my own self, I started pulling it hard, trying to find the limits, and what do you know.... it started a gracious, controlled and very predictable rear slide. I would expect everything from a brute let-go as the Benz to a under-steer safe as the Audi's, but not a controlled, progressive, slide, from the massive SUV like feeling I was having. It truly puzzled me. </div><div> </div><div>In the end, the Benz has a better driving feel while in grip drive, due to being lower and stiffer, but the balance on that Jaguar chassis is very good.</div><div><br /></div><div>So these 2 cars managed to surprise me. Wouldn't buy either because:</div><div>1 - they're diesel</div><div>2 - they're massive</div><div>3 - they're comfy disguised as sporty filled with compromise that never really gets hardcore sporty, so they don't feel into any category I like. </div><div><br /></div><div>Having said that, If I was grip driving, I'd rather be in the Benz, but if i was to shred a set of tires on an afternoon, I'd take the Jag out for drift.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> '<br /></div>
Manuel Ribeirohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898244397231724106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1596560228948831313.post-17587700256337660602023-03-27T23:42:00.012+01:002023-12-31T01:52:05.884+00:00Ford Racing Puma, the way Ford should have done it.<i><b>In the late 90's,</b></i> the small coupe market was dominated by Opel with the Tigra mk1. <div>It was brilliantly based on the Opel Corsa B chassis but had better aerodynamics and styling.<div>What it didn't have was better handling. Sure it was decent, but the enormous glass over the rear, coupled with front vented disks vs rear drums, and an over powered brake bias to the rear, would grant you a spin if you slam on the brakes or had to brake hard mid turn on a slippery road.</div><div>You see, historically, Opel tunes their chassis at Lotus Engineering services. So even if the design was not original Lotus, the final handling has a very decent feeling to it. This, however, does not mean that one recipe fits all, so by adding weight to the rear of the corsa b chassis, with the Tigra, Opel kinda messed up slightly.</div><div><br></div><div>Ford, at the time had just released the brilliant ford fiesta mk4. Ugly yes but a joy to drive with a brilliant Yamaha Zetec-se engine and a flawless chassis, the fiesta was an excellent platform for Ford to copy Opel's recipe and sill take the lead as the basis was so much better.</div><div>However, and unlike Opel, Ford chassis design and tuning was made in-house, by people that has rally pedigree and the results show up till this day... with the focus chassis being the pinnacle.</div><div><br></div><div>And so, copying the recipe, but caring a bit more of engineering into it, the Ford Puma mk1 was born.</div><div><br></div><div>Unlike the Opel, Ford took much more care with the puma. Sure the chassis was Fiesta based, and the engines too, but they fine tuned it to be even better, lighter, more responsive, and even with the same vented disk front and drum rear, the breaking under cornering was far more composed and progressive.</div><div>The Puma was an instant hit and it is, till this date, the best handling small coupe you can find. That's probably why It's now gaining value. </div><div>As the industry messes up by creating Under-engined and over green, all the same, dull as is gets, cars, older cars have been gaining value. </div><div><br></div><div>The new Puma is partially to blame. I mean a SUV?!?!? seriously ford? Wouldn't it be better to build a car that would improve on the Fiesta ST, instead of fitting a 3 cylinder 900 cc engine in it!?</div></div><div>To me, Having ford Kill the Focus RS, and having a 3 potter with 900cc wear the ST badge on the Fiesta, is as bad as making the Puma a mini-kuga!</div><div>Deception to the levels of seeing Honda Type-R vtec atmospheric masterpieces turbo-charged, learning that Mitsubishi lancer will also be a SUV. I mean, the industry has gone mad! </div><div><br></div><div>Something must be done, and, for once, I've been doing that to my cars what the manufacturers, influenced by the idiots from the green party, have failed to do. </div><div><br></div><div><i><b>So back to the PUMA.</b></i></div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5GXvPsoZZYv3jRo2A_c8_8pjGsT9-IICF-Wm9Xm72ij9ed9Vmno5L8wLMPZKsjcyHtSudr3DTYVqqkv1vh7myAIhPGuR0k-Ow8aZFl-8tNvvh4tzhubA611uF8i4J00N-W9Wa6QlKbM-Rej1tq09pjQjO6WcDLvZ-29INct_2pcZH6NwQucxMQYW9w/s1280/maxresdefault.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5GXvPsoZZYv3jRo2A_c8_8pjGsT9-IICF-Wm9Xm72ij9ed9Vmno5L8wLMPZKsjcyHtSudr3DTYVqqkv1vh7myAIhPGuR0k-Ow8aZFl-8tNvvh4tzhubA611uF8i4J00N-W9Wa6QlKbM-Rej1tq09pjQjO6WcDLvZ-29INct_2pcZH6NwQucxMQYW9w/s320/maxresdefault.jpg" width="320"></a></div></div><div><div><br></div><div>Back in the glorious late 90's early 00's (before economists and marketeers driving car manufacturers, and Elon Musk and His legion of sheep pollute the world with lithium and the car world with 2ton electric cars), the car industry was putting out marvellous machines. Ford, with their chassis tunes and excellent engines where shining, but the high performance was still our of reach. </div><div>You see, they has just ditch the old models XRi fiestas and XRI and RS Cosworth escorts, but they still didn't have a new line of cars to pick that market with their brand new fiesta, puma, ka and focus line-up.</div><div><br></div><div>At the time you had Subaru and Mitsubishi carving the Rally grounds and also the market with the road legal versions of their Rally champions, that had an easy way in with the passive Ford retirement of the RS cosworth line. </div><div> </div><div>Ford was working the new sports line. It would have the ST and the RS. ST would be the Sportive option over standard, and the RS would be the Racing Specs but road legal option. </div><div><br></div><div>So with the success of the PUMA, ford presented in 1999 what was internally known as the ST160 the first ST ever. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7LV2oF9ooqS1FAi1VZsfTq6Wz32ReYFzS2f3iraNOxuvL7reNqAOqSWqh12AUeSmm1SDevTawicumL7ZHCvFSPy8Zv7HEY9gUGYT4zECPprLIQBsD9-5PS-vcZnIrKZ0uox5czhpxo-25qAfYb8Bt5eY3WujGVE6bXnCaj9D6FVpG3wXnErjFtmX5Q/s1409/2.jpg%20(1).webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1409" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7LV2oF9ooqS1FAi1VZsfTq6Wz32ReYFzS2f3iraNOxuvL7reNqAOqSWqh12AUeSmm1SDevTawicumL7ZHCvFSPy8Zv7HEY9gUGYT4zECPprLIQBsD9-5PS-vcZnIrKZ0uox5czhpxo-25qAfYb8Bt5eY3WujGVE6bXnCaj9D6FVpG3wXnErjFtmX5Q/s320/2.jpg%20(1).webp" width="320"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-fcO9yevyNkV96EtWg8MK6H_QsMQ2HwdCZDfivQA7eExSz_SnLdkhsA3aMY1Qdc1_u6Yru4CjiAx9yXzPpfieD2vnzEww1qIeZP6Iv9vRNp6ZRJBbmWl_vl66YlfvQkci89l1YX13nTUL0adRsC86Xec4ZMjmwFsAu7eopSi72yruPhwBRf6Bx3VBA/s1000/4b12056e6a310e6eec7d14a79cc77db1_150485_11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="1000" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-fcO9yevyNkV96EtWg8MK6H_QsMQ2HwdCZDfivQA7eExSz_SnLdkhsA3aMY1Qdc1_u6Yru4CjiAx9yXzPpfieD2vnzEww1qIeZP6Iv9vRNp6ZRJBbmWl_vl66YlfvQkci89l1YX13nTUL0adRsC86Xec4ZMjmwFsAu7eopSi72yruPhwBRf6Bx3VBA/s320/4b12056e6a310e6eec7d14a79cc77db1_150485_11.jpg" width="320"></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifomFjwmSYqQYtdKmJp04j7lTClgrkFG3LsDBeciXUIjtwPpplLtUuOWkJ_YNGurdh5sQlmomKG0i_gJ2PieUKIJ8kJZr9zqJ1WESxZ-fpN2pYbl7OLEP4JnylnfBU4MN-740aItagF-N48KvrELg0Z89qOEt1ogFV4VLvxO-BHC7zAEweH4gnD9Xkcg/s1000/03acf829a955760e93aa3048706aa1d7_150485_13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="1000" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifomFjwmSYqQYtdKmJp04j7lTClgrkFG3LsDBeciXUIjtwPpplLtUuOWkJ_YNGurdh5sQlmomKG0i_gJ2PieUKIJ8kJZr9zqJ1WESxZ-fpN2pYbl7OLEP4JnylnfBU4MN-740aItagF-N48KvrELg0Z89qOEt1ogFV4VLvxO-BHC7zAEweH4gnD9Xkcg/s320/03acf829a955760e93aa3048706aa1d7_150485_13.jpg" width="320"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>If was based on the Puma, but wider (with bigger suspension components, no spacers), disk brakes all round and more power. It was named the FordRacing Puma. </div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HjXpjGhPT0Jvz2GlFkWykDnJ_Mh0bCdl6AHBax7CbsKh44B7LHMcH3C9LhkmFax08MN-tlva77yB6P02DQisOaTYIJLRX_UI5Nxot88nKU1Yz3hU2ZpPNeZ7Zn6qQX4kMs9XO5ipmgfKjTj35RDKVB_ZL8misVkN3GvIbRw0SWQ7ljG8sAhsOYFwsw/s750/FRP_2-L.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="562" data-original-width="750" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HjXpjGhPT0Jvz2GlFkWykDnJ_Mh0bCdl6AHBax7CbsKh44B7LHMcH3C9LhkmFax08MN-tlva77yB6P02DQisOaTYIJLRX_UI5Nxot88nKU1Yz3hU2ZpPNeZ7Zn6qQX4kMs9XO5ipmgfKjTj35RDKVB_ZL8misVkN3GvIbRw0SWQ7ljG8sAhsOYFwsw/s320/FRP_2-L.webp" width="320"></a></div></div><div>The engine was the 1.7, but the power was tweaked by means of a new plenum design, cams and remap, to 153bhp... a bit shy of the 160 mark.</div><div>The interior was way better, with sparco Torino2 seats all trimmed in blue alcantara.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje91LwMWhlT2336NGWnNDm2ehbd37yW1Rp1pEZIcoOQWKKlBZJ78uSQB0doGEA4r-dUs95bI7asGQrmFNAFkYF2lLoBgtPW2mBACTlXS1Ua5Tic3_soa3hKS0sD26MMq7D4yjD_Y2RhHvwUrfi7_wh6vL-POn-cfai4-XZJxa_IFJ0yJHQ-iNYUvEgmA/s263/images%20(20).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="263" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje91LwMWhlT2336NGWnNDm2ehbd37yW1Rp1pEZIcoOQWKKlBZJ78uSQB0doGEA4r-dUs95bI7asGQrmFNAFkYF2lLoBgtPW2mBACTlXS1Ua5Tic3_soa3hKS0sD26MMq7D4yjD_Y2RhHvwUrfi7_wh6vL-POn-cfai4-XZJxa_IFJ0yJHQ-iNYUvEgmA/s1600/images%20(20).jpeg" width="263"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicP3ReZc0AABgvoElml5St7-d3c7bmAG0xdgVHgXoxCxQguIT_eB0CHmHHke59Gz0UIJ0yDhvqnXcp21OcVXENcKzAes76IMJkwoneyqNtaaSA69c-PyJ6RKMrJuyOWaY7BIEHx_PQHaZ0aECJkLFXVhUMxNlxki0YnyMzTkRt7C2J_zEpYY_BaWgPBg/s4256/interior.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4256" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicP3ReZc0AABgvoElml5St7-d3c7bmAG0xdgVHgXoxCxQguIT_eB0CHmHHke59Gz0UIJ0yDhvqnXcp21OcVXENcKzAes76IMJkwoneyqNtaaSA69c-PyJ6RKMrJuyOWaY7BIEHx_PQHaZ0aECJkLFXVhUMxNlxki0YnyMzTkRt7C2J_zEpYY_BaWgPBg/s320/interior.jpg" width="320"></a></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7gOmr2cpiy8Io2T6AwTXNo1K-sRF_NIT4h8nz9LIoefDZ2yM7DSYyiSx5-AFI5bAxuUSdw4POuvVYPX0NkCA3lNvroW7brYhzigfnda8wML1crcoavCjPCMY6nBLjBUegKzrXXrzE32rZly97F5z_y7f_fdbrwZyErI6UxWcY1bH2hlC61DJLW7tYg/s3000/img_1460_0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1688" data-original-width="3000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7gOmr2cpiy8Io2T6AwTXNo1K-sRF_NIT4h8nz9LIoefDZ2yM7DSYyiSx5-AFI5bAxuUSdw4POuvVYPX0NkCA3lNvroW7brYhzigfnda8wML1crcoavCjPCMY6nBLjBUegKzrXXrzE32rZly97F5z_y7f_fdbrwZyErI6UxWcY1bH2hlC61DJLW7tYg/s320/img_1460_0.jpg" width="320"></a></div><br></div><div>The FRP was a hit, but for some reason, ford produced only 500 units, at a prohibitively high cost, and only LHD. </div><div>Lack of vision? Focusing on something else? Had the ST150 fiesta on the forge and didn't want to cannibalise it? IDK... however, costing the same as a Subaru impreza GT in the UK (the only market for the FRP) it was doomed to be a collectable and not a main streamer.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div><div>Around the same time, the Puma was rallying in the s1400 and s1600 categories. It was based out of the 1.4 and 1.6 zetec-se units, but tuned to scream past the 200bhp in atmospheric form. It also had the wide-body aggressive looks and improves chassis, but underneath, a secret was hidden from the public eye.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTtce1JD-IJBR2xBhSLQlkG43Zg3FnC7qIYq4iwpLkQK1YkLa9Poz0Tl_3pDFZDrXvRVkGktJPPAtp7PjAf1bGl41Q2ga054dOWul2tuzYVMOK5g1XZ84qS37lnU1_a41jdGry3T_5hZ7BOzu5pO2WlsstFUsx1AgkWlFpzMcx_fHqft_2x1aw9jSnQ/s1742/classic-ford-cosworth-yb-3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1742" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTtce1JD-IJBR2xBhSLQlkG43Zg3FnC7qIYq4iwpLkQK1YkLa9Poz0Tl_3pDFZDrXvRVkGktJPPAtp7PjAf1bGl41Q2ga054dOWul2tuzYVMOK5g1XZ84qS37lnU1_a41jdGry3T_5hZ7BOzu5pO2WlsstFUsx1AgkWlFpzMcx_fHqft_2x1aw9jSnQ/s320/classic-ford-cosworth-yb-3.jpg" width="320"></a></div><br></div><div>The Puma handles brilliantly, the FRP handles even better, but if you take it out of the race-track tarmac and experience an uneven road say a broad with some tree-root bumps mid-turn, you'll find it rear happy...or... say... bumpy. Approach a corner while breaking and you'll find that tail happy to be a bit too scary for the majority f drivers. It's one of those aspects you need to anticipate.</div><div><br></div><div>The reason for this is the Fiesta heritage. You see independent rear suspension is expensive to produce and the Fiesta was at it's core an entry level car. So the PUMA rear axle was the exact same as the fiesta.</div><div>A rigid torsion beam design was used. In this design, The rear wheel alignment is easier to maintain during even cornering (and that is one of the reasons Renault did not change that design while upgrading the normal megane to the MRS), however while loading the outer wheel during corner, if the unloaded inner wheel suffers a bump, the entire system is twisted and the outer wheel looses alignment, generating a jumping attitude. That has actually caused some MRS owners to not understand why a car that feels glued to the tarmac 90% of times, just let go all the sudden on some b-road and... crashed'em.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHq3pMEIxvpfHdy5nh9cMh2CuCyZSi77XMPsqoE9C_OvBezbbU5hOFks4Sf-0r5sMqOHsxHVswLCceWlZ6iOq9wJVzXMrbyl68bSEXvaVt_HfSAKMMWpAdE-nHGF3I16SK8O9G97ybsMi95Bk6qXzQb84RwgAy1Lw9hW4uKb_qkY2vJ49If7cPit8bQ/s320/6qhdla3o66bwol5xvh55k3s0iabdpvi8.jpg" width="320"></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHq3pMEIxvpfHdy5nh9cMh2CuCyZSi77XMPsqoE9C_OvBezbbU5hOFks4Sf-0r5sMqOHsxHVswLCceWlZ6iOq9wJVzXMrbyl68bSEXvaVt_HfSAKMMWpAdE-nHGF3I16SK8O9G97ybsMi95Bk6qXzQb84RwgAy1Lw9hW4uKb_qkY2vJ49If7cPit8bQ/s1024/6qhdla3o66bwol5xvh55k3s0iabdpvi8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhY0rx8OxCCuAO35oJTVJDi3m45bSltlsZcbbecMG-hZ9-kTxHf_IZpMjbafdPLdyEWJMX3StClSy-XRkIInlK2cPhevvnJOSwFs3nDR63nZ5UM9YHv1IuzFaKtvmjJJrmy4kj0dNEaTCkpXM8LQ-LaJDR5sBbR4pf0hhXeTii55FptCV5caW4WwYdA/s1166/f5d22c_0e1ba4b2a8bb4f91b6508dfb63dd61de~mv2.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="781" data-original-width="1166" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhY0rx8OxCCuAO35oJTVJDi3m45bSltlsZcbbecMG-hZ9-kTxHf_IZpMjbafdPLdyEWJMX3StClSy-XRkIInlK2cPhevvnJOSwFs3nDR63nZ5UM9YHv1IuzFaKtvmjJJrmy4kj0dNEaTCkpXM8LQ-LaJDR5sBbR4pf0hhXeTii55FptCV5caW4WwYdA/s320/f5d22c_0e1ba4b2a8bb4f91b6508dfb63dd61de~mv2.webp" width="320"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>So now you're thinking of the rally PUMA, and you say: jeez rally is uneven roads with bends all over and you floor-it and break hard and late in EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM bends!. </div><br>Well the Rally puma has independent rear suspension. Like all cars should IMHO.<br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLH0lwOQnQtr6ovxDHD8zS-VoXDhzEhmqEgPmXIbXbLvjmhtxEuRa-oc0vI9xYdi7utJpb5B9vB05Yvna9MIK5heTe2zqD-4SnItE-uzd95aJGSn_ZlImHwnAnFeMBBfDMwK9DeLRyeOpNKMAPw6koXdKwNJeQfHLbeAXpbgDt2WnHtRZA_zqFpZDSg/s1022/DSC_0086-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1022" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSLH0lwOQnQtr6ovxDHD8zS-VoXDhzEhmqEgPmXIbXbLvjmhtxEuRa-oc0vI9xYdi7utJpb5B9vB05Yvna9MIK5heTe2zqD-4SnItE-uzd95aJGSn_ZlImHwnAnFeMBBfDMwK9DeLRyeOpNKMAPw6koXdKwNJeQfHLbeAXpbgDt2WnHtRZA_zqFpZDSg/s320/DSC_0086-2.jpg" width="320"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVPWjjHiFYPS4eJGjzxani1ns7dqDzKrifXY4Za9r9--psuol9POyz80c0-IS8QlbK0g8y92ILI7OiLFDL3PPJaU-8WYvl4WUymc4qNwrqPrfyJfpbQv_UGuy07szZgk28uom1VWDgCJH8FKmi6EPwICubQD2QjrrY5X7bfg0cidzSus3G_Qd-rSMVw/s600/image.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="398" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVPWjjHiFYPS4eJGjzxani1ns7dqDzKrifXY4Za9r9--psuol9POyz80c0-IS8QlbK0g8y92ILI7OiLFDL3PPJaU-8WYvl4WUymc4qNwrqPrfyJfpbQv_UGuy07szZgk28uom1VWDgCJH8FKmi6EPwICubQD2QjrrY5X7bfg0cidzSus3G_Qd-rSMVw/s320/image.jpg" width="212"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQ9KCLoQtmJdQjMmLApjkO1S0l9ZOn6yd9b62YL20ScuB8l0V5hWc106PHZgEUl8-s1mGs9434Scnfl-dZ4FS6rEFM8J20tJQXi2igqtagBC9RylmRezPLoZdY4ynhzHEEOLxFp29MCJwe99w8segg2b2b5ZY6RoT1X6ytIQAidrVRhUeSae3JADuGw/s1023/DSC_0088-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="1023" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQ9KCLoQtmJdQjMmLApjkO1S0l9ZOn6yd9b62YL20ScuB8l0V5hWc106PHZgEUl8-s1mGs9434Scnfl-dZ4FS6rEFM8J20tJQXi2igqtagBC9RylmRezPLoZdY4ynhzHEEOLxFp29MCJwe99w8segg2b2b5ZY6RoT1X6ytIQAidrVRhUeSae3JADuGw/s320/DSC_0088-2.jpg" width="320"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQ9KCLoQtmJdQjMmLApjkO1S0l9ZOn6yd9b62YL20ScuB8l0V5hWc106PHZgEUl8-s1mGs9434Scnfl-dZ4FS6rEFM8J20tJQXi2igqtagBC9RylmRezPLoZdY4ynhzHEEOLxFp29MCJwe99w8segg2b2b5ZY6RoT1X6ytIQAidrVRhUeSae3JADuGw/s1023/DSC_0088-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlj85gMCgyhw1pM66rHUjPZTcO3qH2xbkyaWdqvp-OgCy9A-juSevOAd2BVd4pGQjFjEvcGu6eQLmOra95MAG3-cVgYHt2J6wEDPCfhpMmyZgALhI_1f4bEJAeXYG4Rt17JQuSklGEqu6smp7L4Mh5_LgBNr7mtrmTdRCMT4nBDHdxzvQxMEE_E3KyQ/s1023/DSC_0087-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="1023" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlj85gMCgyhw1pM66rHUjPZTcO3qH2xbkyaWdqvp-OgCy9A-juSevOAd2BVd4pGQjFjEvcGu6eQLmOra95MAG3-cVgYHt2J6wEDPCfhpMmyZgALhI_1f4bEJAeXYG4Rt17JQuSklGEqu6smp7L4Mh5_LgBNr7mtrmTdRCMT4nBDHdxzvQxMEE_E3KyQ/s320/DSC_0087-2.jpg" width="320"></a></div></div></div><br></div>So that was the great secret that the FRP missed and I think it's unforgivable that ford overlooked this detail. <div><br></div><div><b><i>So why mess with a good car? </i></b></div><div>First because Ford neglected the non UK customers, so you do it or else Ford will not. </div><div>Second because 2 guys in the UK (that I know of) have done it and with good results.</div><div>Third because all conversions retained the gearbox and i'm about to change that, all conversions retained the puma front geometry and added spacers and i'm about to change that, and finally because unless you are a rally team, no one has an s1400/s1600 chassis to build on.</div><div>Finally because they killed a brilliant concept for the American SUV supersize trend and killed it, so no point in expecting anything good from that department.</div><div>This will then be a UNIQUE car. And that alone makes my day.</div><div><br></div><div>In the end, like a lot of good brands, Ford replaced reason for madness, engineers for economists and marketeers, so you should buy the good old stuff, improve it, and stick to that. Ignore the fruitcakes out there following Musk Electric trends and 'Suburban Soccer Mum' i-wanna-have-an-SUV trend.</div><div><br></div><div><b><i>So what am I about to do?</i></b><br><div>The FRP the first ST, should then have been exactly what it was, but with a 2.0, over 200 bhp, independent rear suspension, 6 speed gearbox and an LSD... and a good 5k cheaper than the sale price (but having a GLOBAL sales strategy and a mass produced model would have solved this).</div><div>The best news in this department is that I'm having a custom build rear independent axle for my ST220 Puma.. so with a 2.0 ST170 engine and 6speed gearbox, plus an s1600 chassis, well, it will be difficult to beat.</div><div>As with the Volvos and the s2000 i'll be posting along the build progress, so you can follow the quest so subscribe or make sure you drop-by often.</div><div><br></div><div><i><b>Why not AWD?</b></i> well a bloke form the UK managed to source some badly crashed escort RS cosworth and adapt the drive-train and engine to the puma. It was a beast... but this would then be the PUMA RS. </div><div>You see, as much as I love that Volvo t5 engine on the MK2 focus RS, without AWD it's just not worthy of that badge. Should be ST. </div><div>I would love that, but truth be told... I'm realistically sure i will never be able to source a cossie and let alone scrap-it for parts... my heart wouldn't survive the pain of killing a landmark of human evolution.</div><div>Don\t get me wrong, it's a blast of a project car, but way out of my reach. Still take a look at one:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UvMgx9HTy4w" width="320" youtube-src-id="UvMgx9HTy4w"></iframe></div><br> </div><div><br></div><div><b><i>My PUMA:</i></b></div><div>Last summer, tired of using the V70 T5 or the s2000 as an everyday car, I decided to buy an old MK1 puma 1.4. </div><div>Immediately decatted the car, added a racing filter, remapped the ECU and got around 100 to 105 bhp out of it. However this is really not enough for me. I was sure that pulling it the way i find satisfactory on my commutes, it will suffer catastrophic engine failure in the near future. And then the daily driver was... no more. </div><div><br></div><div><b><i>Enter the project CAR - Fixing Ford's lack of will.</i></b></div><div>OK, so O would be transforming the Puma, as a ford racing puma should be. After all those would be my one and only critics on the car. </div><div>Soooo the first step would be to find a donor car. </div><div>Little after launching the st160 as FRP, Ford finally decided to use the ST badge and launched the Focus ST170.</div><div><br></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8qEu4tHM_sEPpN8K4pt_23vv8yJa_pVS15fyEu2oZrKQqLQXVUb9KmxDKMN_3nTQvwbm40M1_PA8R_KQqbNHXcg7_UXMHvxi2zg0vcO_aCml63JeqyRxzONQl4f2GxVk0IaCEHn3LRrPozXTCAnJFTwWtLF9e2RW7UvohsWIkCpeicQddWVsqKpomQ/s1620/Ford_Focus_ST170__03_(GT6).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1620" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8qEu4tHM_sEPpN8K4pt_23vv8yJa_pVS15fyEu2oZrKQqLQXVUb9KmxDKMN_3nTQvwbm40M1_PA8R_KQqbNHXcg7_UXMHvxi2zg0vcO_aCml63JeqyRxzONQl4f2GxVk0IaCEHn3LRrPozXTCAnJFTwWtLF9e2RW7UvohsWIkCpeicQddWVsqKpomQ/s320/Ford_Focus_ST170__03_(GT6).jpg" width="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmlaRVQ5O2VOHMvp5FG7C7GUI9OInWpG4h7wIGZXEKj5GosK7Iu_EjK6IfekecaSkThzR93at-vmVxQ0rF8mtxGX5dqmOQVaoWKg3ci6X2M3mv1oW_gr1CJKgJulIzU4vbm6mtx54wb5qgNo3HAjSFBHLFwZdzYodQr-Zx7XalA0V1ZJoV0gRfv_B27A/s1200/UzLQcjNQ2u2FRRXgg9gi.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1200" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmlaRVQ5O2VOHMvp5FG7C7GUI9OInWpG4h7wIGZXEKj5GosK7Iu_EjK6IfekecaSkThzR93at-vmVxQ0rF8mtxGX5dqmOQVaoWKg3ci6X2M3mv1oW_gr1CJKgJulIzU4vbm6mtx54wb5qgNo3HAjSFBHLFwZdzYodQr-Zx7XalA0V1ZJoV0gRfv_B27A/s320/UzLQcjNQ2u2FRRXgg9gi.jpeg" width="320"></a></div>The ST170 was an evolution of the 130 BHP 2.0 ZETEC engine. Bare in mind that the Puma was ZETEC-SE (yamaha based, all aluminium block and head), while the ZETEC is an older design here the block is cast iron and only the head is aluminium... it's so different that they have different I/O layouts, the Zetec-SE intakes front and exhausts rear, while the ZETEC intakes rear and exhausts front.</div><div><br></div><div>Ford tasked their friends at Cosworth to upgrade the 130BHP unit so Cosworth changed pistons to higher compression and forging spec, forged rods (crank was forget as standard), added bigger oil squirts for the pistons and worked the head. </div><div>Head work includes better flow, but, more important, better valve springs and Variable Valve Timing and Lift. </div><div>The st170 produces a mild 170BHP, but a simple decat frees 5BHP, air filter box a further 3bhp, remaps can easily manage 18 to 20 BHP and if you remove the RAM system and go for full on ITB's you're looking at an engine that can produce 220 to 225bhp ALL engine. This is Honda territory... i mean OLD honda. Today all they accomplish if copy-catting renault and VAG recipe while they add hair-dryers to the k20a engine, only to produce as much as the k20a would in NA form at BTCC over 10 years ago!!!! ridiculous... evolution is going backwards and we deserve the asteroid to wipe us all out... please... anytime now... no asteroid? let's continue then.</div><div><br></div><div>Obviously, being an ST, I'd source the st170 engine, getrag 6speed gearbox and the focus braking system too.</div><div><br></div><div>Now doing the math, 220Bhp on 900 kg of lightened car is 244bhp/ton</div><div>A brand new MRS trophy 300 is 194bhp/ton</div><div>A Golf GTI 7 that most sheep love is just 162bhp/ton</div><div>An all mighty S2000 is around 196bhp/ton</div><div><br></div><div>Now, before the "hairdryer" fan-boy team starts puffing away that a turbo has more low end torque, or the VAG fanboys talk about the wonders of DSG think of the following:</div><div>The St170 gear box is a short ratio one. so much that the top speed of a focus is 215km/h, while the puma 5speed is 203km/h. </div><div>Add to this that a light 1000kg (125bhp/ton) puma takes 9.3 seconds to reach 100km/h, while the 1300kg (130bhp/ton) focus takes 7.9 seconds to reach 100km/h. </div><div>So an even lighter car, with an even more powerful engine and no excessive torque (like the hair dryers do) is just going to be a bullet instead of sitting still, smoking the tires for the ape crowd to go mad about.</div><div><br></div><div>This then should be a clear indicator of the thrills ahead. <br></div><div><br></div><div>Again and putting things in perspective, the Ford Racing Puma VK16 , also known as the RALLY S1600 Puma, was a 880Kg 200 Bhp machine. That's 227 Bhp/Ton</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LxjMmAzb5oA" width="320" youtube-src-id="LxjMmAzb5oA"></iframe></div><div>And it moved, as you can see.... here:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KA_pkfAzqBs" width="320" youtube-src-id="KA_pkfAzqBs"></iframe></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_zpj_yzzkcg" width="320" youtube-src-id="_zpj_yzzkcg"></iframe></div>Getting Goose-bumps just by writing about it!<br><div><br></div><div>So from the ST170:</div><div>- engine</div><div>- gearbox</div><div>- rims</div><div>- brakes</div><div>- possibly the focus front frame (under review. I need to make sure it fits).</div><div>- eventually front coils.</div><div><br></div><div><i><b>Sourcing the donor CAR:</b></i></div><div>The car i was looking for would be dismantled and sold for parts, however, I found out the hard way that the price of a ST170, in Germany was way beyond 3000 euro! Add the transportation to it and we-re looking 3500 to 4000 euro. Not doable. </div><div>Then a quick look into the Spanish territory (a territory i often visit and know very well) got me a TRACK DAY car, for sale. The ask price was 1800 and I managed transportation for 800, so this meant a good 2.2k euro less than initially predicted. </div><div>Not only the deal was PERFECT, the guy was SUPER nice. He is also a petrol-head, he loves cars and project cars and he has a mechanical fabrication company. If you need precision manufacturing, <a href="https://www.ribaforja.com/ " target="_blank">https://www.ribaforja.com/ </a>is an excellent option and run by the nicest person.</div><div>I gained a car at bargain price and a friend as this dude is super honest and trustable.</div><div><br></div><div>The car was pulling out 175BHP, full inox 3' exhaust, black diamond race disks, racing wheels with full slicks, normal wheels with rain tires, coil-over set + standard suspension set, full roll-cage, full-stripped car.... i mean... nothing to choose from. Buy and ship! now! please!?</div><div><br></div><div><b><i>The car was chosen:</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjom8o3jIvgOcIT1ZxX62wvj87SIxFAjHJ_dASphmhPIp-grPu4PxrSJJNYWfAJ_LRP9-Q1ivGbYGYbqoK057X6SzQcXIhfab0SMMqZ0MbkDFSGtNCGt5tbgviNGncvM6iPIDeCKrdKIVJ0ZO4r1FA-ShVz4v1jdgU57o28Ou2ePgyXYIN9CYJ4rtj1KQ/s2160/1636819527207646-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjom8o3jIvgOcIT1ZxX62wvj87SIxFAjHJ_dASphmhPIp-grPu4PxrSJJNYWfAJ_LRP9-Q1ivGbYGYbqoK057X6SzQcXIhfab0SMMqZ0MbkDFSGtNCGt5tbgviNGncvM6iPIDeCKrdKIVJ0ZO4r1FA-ShVz4v1jdgU57o28Ou2ePgyXYIN9CYJ4rtj1KQ/s320/1636819527207646-0.png" width="160"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkXLvSZrz75d-Ft-AFFm-2EcYHVC-wc2Xa8Ci4WvX-q5IER6K9KdNsI5OuHQAh4L4Lmr9n4mPHZXhNK3eG_Euni42cA23s6Zp5zTM0MQLU4VTsKX_nErAf14LAwKJupXTlpZVMrUQyiOEynttT1ItIsWPqLc08lJcH4slJaVbuiA4offSgUMjmNmqRA/s2160/1636819520667116-2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkXLvSZrz75d-Ft-AFFm-2EcYHVC-wc2Xa8Ci4WvX-q5IER6K9KdNsI5OuHQAh4L4Lmr9n4mPHZXhNK3eG_Euni42cA23s6Zp5zTM0MQLU4VTsKX_nErAf14LAwKJupXTlpZVMrUQyiOEynttT1ItIsWPqLc08lJcH4slJaVbuiA4offSgUMjmNmqRA/s320/1636819520667116-2.png" width="160"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFa7CtPuvLiiO4Jrbs3WuO9o76Yk2NC1k2GZjsZ2nvMEMhX5-acMWXMO6MXbda3wSlY0FNj2TqHPRVBNCI7NC8F97LCE43cCZ4I8Awwla0it6BeFVVajqAowtWOzhd5SoHFbAAzzhrYPRcW09FNw5b104sWopYAMPxNlS3sFZ0poR3iok9Z-DOKnkNmw/s2160/1636819524076203-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFa7CtPuvLiiO4Jrbs3WuO9o76Yk2NC1k2GZjsZ2nvMEMhX5-acMWXMO6MXbda3wSlY0FNj2TqHPRVBNCI7NC8F97LCE43cCZ4I8Awwla0it6BeFVVajqAowtWOzhd5SoHFbAAzzhrYPRcW09FNw5b104sWopYAMPxNlS3sFZ0poR3iok9Z-DOKnkNmw/s320/1636819524076203-1.png" width="160"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9BMYeIVNmaU" width="320" youtube-src-id="9BMYeIVNmaU"></iframe><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NFkbIxbu1Fw" width="320" youtube-src-id="NFkbIxbu1Fw"></iframe><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mscXo5Eoesk" width="320" youtube-src-id="mscXo5Eoesk"></iframe><br></div><div><br></div><div><b><i>Diet:</i></b></div><div>The st170 engine and gear box is heavier then the original 1.4 and 5speed gearbox. So we-re gaining weight here... not loosing.</div><div>A ZetecSE 1.4 weight around 90kg (full accessories)</div><div>A Zetec 2.0 without A/C is around 110kg</div><div>We're looking at shifting about 25kg out of the front-end. </div><div><br></div><div>Solutions? well plenty of weight to save on the puma:</div><div>Rear spare tire... really? out you go! the maths is easy: if you have a flat, a spray-can fixes it! If on the other hand you blew the tire, other parts are damaged and you pay road-hazard option for a reason! tow home.</div><div>Rear tire holder mechanism? nothing to hold, buddy, remember? it's gone! and so can you.</div><div>Carpet lining? really? it's not a house, it's a car, remove that stuff and just use smaller mats in the areas they make sense.</div><div>Bonnet! Ever tried to hold a PUMA mk1 hood? I mean it's massive as in it has a lot of mass. Fiberglas or carbon it and save weight.</div><div>Then comes the battery relocation. Good bye front, hello boot. </div><div>A/C !?!? what? you pay for the sauna extra in the gym, why the A/C in the car? out!</div><div>Finally, the pumaspeed fibre kit. Everything lighter and wider too.</div><div>The front fenders, bonnet and battery relocation and removal of the entire a/c system, should compensate the engine/gearbox differential... hopefully. The frame here is the key. If we fit the focus frame, we're in the green. If not and we need to space out the puma geometry, it will add weight for sure... let's wait and see.</div><div><br></div><div>But there is a cherry on top of this cake: </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>Racing door interiors:)</div><div>yeah, i've just got and excelent contact in the UK (Andrew) that manufactures race-car doors. Check <a href="https://www.ebay.com/str/atechmotorsport?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=GLgQUURIShS&sssrc=3418065&ssuid=lftu7HVjStW&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY">https://www.ebay.com/str/atechmotorsport?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=GLgQUURIShS&sssrc=3418065&ssuid=lftu7HVjStW&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY</a> </div><div><br></div><div>You chose the materials and models, he builds them for you and ships them to you.</div><div>Nice, decent guy, very easy to communicate with and, above all, trustworthy. </div><div>So yeah, Puma is getting fomex door interior.</div><div><br></div><div>The climate controller console is also out, a New part with minimalistic buttons is in.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>And the bulky 2din radio: </div><div><div class="separator">Radio, again is... useless. Wanna listen to music, use your High-fidelity Stereo at home of just rev that 4 cylinder under the hood. Inside the car? Radio serves to run Torque pro and get you a decent dashboard:</div><div class="separator"><br></div><div class="separator"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qjRt8MqrXHoYV_sBF8vwBKtAmNLqZ3foI-ZcuUSZ3OMerM_Z7nMOx7RnbCRQ-sBIbnWwGE8fs1u5CIxIBOoZ5x7amkSuwP1oF6azKkaf1D8YhH0DbmITfdHK99gjS1jWUQlapY6nW7oX4P11hwSkLgt8S0lu3iy7ajBhJ6p8WaSCh4vK8NKY2kNp3w/s4032/PXL_20220924_221856652.MP.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qjRt8MqrXHoYV_sBF8vwBKtAmNLqZ3foI-ZcuUSZ3OMerM_Z7nMOx7RnbCRQ-sBIbnWwGE8fs1u5CIxIBOoZ5x7amkSuwP1oF6azKkaf1D8YhH0DbmITfdHK99gjS1jWUQlapY6nW7oX4P11hwSkLgt8S0lu3iy7ajBhJ6p8WaSCh4vK8NKY2kNp3w/s320/PXL_20220924_221856652.MP.jpg" width="320"></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMc81VtbDakYyhTqyURlNxJnTpMgCckToydPBaAhwls85bPGsRMWDlLBRUjUFrdL2R0X9xRCXOm66U1hV0YlskF7hGPZ5AQxTnmtrJvZM1B84_SaRADVzf8YD1ksAFUqPVpqnjr6h2aDnjeLMaqky21dCKWq6DuNCFkjcqalm88YgmR13L-3doUC-4g/s4032/PXL_20220924_222027972.MP.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMc81VtbDakYyhTqyURlNxJnTpMgCckToydPBaAhwls85bPGsRMWDlLBRUjUFrdL2R0X9xRCXOm66U1hV0YlskF7hGPZ5AQxTnmtrJvZM1B84_SaRADVzf8YD1ksAFUqPVpqnjr6h2aDnjeLMaqky21dCKWq6DuNCFkjcqalm88YgmR13L-3doUC-4g/s320/PXL_20220924_222027972.MP.jpg" width="320"></a></div></div><div><br></div><i><b>The SEATS:</b></i><div>Well a car is not your living room sofa. You want comfort, buy a sofa, a car doesn't need to carry carpets, the seats don't need to be fully adjustable at a turn of another heavyweight mechanism.</div><div>So Carpets are off. The rear seats are to be re-trimed in Gray-black trim matching the front bucket choice. </div><div>The FRP had Sparco Turino2 customised with ford racing logo, but, the Turinos no longer are sold and the R100 that replace them seem less than of a bucket than the Turinos, Sooo I went for the r333's:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KvdsnVGL2-GyhrApIv6QPjS74tbzjWxF6KiZB_yYqoQLtI4RzDnbIUYNHp93d3dCcxmrkspNtsHl7t0Vr9ucmwmgUqCxAhA7Uvv7iDmrJHlg0tp3Uw5l-XTncsn4znItw0BEX8vAiiie-Heefh1Sx45nI0s_D5oorXsKmrC4ec6JWBqywdeZZo4o1Q/s3840/IMG-20220905-WA0012.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KvdsnVGL2-GyhrApIv6QPjS74tbzjWxF6KiZB_yYqoQLtI4RzDnbIUYNHp93d3dCcxmrkspNtsHl7t0Vr9ucmwmgUqCxAhA7Uvv7iDmrJHlg0tp3Uw5l-XTncsn4znItw0BEX8vAiiie-Heefh1Sx45nI0s_D5oorXsKmrC4ec6JWBqywdeZZo4o1Q/s320/IMG-20220905-WA0012.jpeg" width="320"></a></div></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBvJnMNcOlWwJb5tOUJyE89OnSSgltD2dsGd5s4bs1NZVCtkk4YnMgIqr3ugOcHwpFbU9C7nDNOyr4JGqPVeUFIrHnDmxBUJsuv6VVgBfVOB-EbqfWnuRUGo7BjJMoSh2iaE8pknrQbJevjgOIrDuavC0XNsy17r4Ux9PAKKnPM8lbweSztB3JNbZfg/s3840/IMG-20220905-WA0006.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBvJnMNcOlWwJb5tOUJyE89OnSSgltD2dsGd5s4bs1NZVCtkk4YnMgIqr3ugOcHwpFbU9C7nDNOyr4JGqPVeUFIrHnDmxBUJsuv6VVgBfVOB-EbqfWnuRUGo7BjJMoSh2iaE8pknrQbJevjgOIrDuavC0XNsy17r4Ux9PAKKnPM8lbweSztB3JNbZfg/s320/IMG-20220905-WA0006.jpeg" width="180"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaM2mngf5ayaQmTI79SLSQfipzIZVzLa1luFxwn7PhxUOh9JqWpaBwv1Tb8C4i5_SwqJVMq1BP-jLZpAG6HPLuAGrfqbzaDATwiIbx84x8yjA9mIMnQTf-GwCVSY7aj0YE6tM36CArdG80LUOIi7ti0y9ZJz6-bqTZU1JIaiPFdXtRV81TAFzdlU81dw/s3840/IMG-20220905-WA0008.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaM2mngf5ayaQmTI79SLSQfipzIZVzLa1luFxwn7PhxUOh9JqWpaBwv1Tb8C4i5_SwqJVMq1BP-jLZpAG6HPLuAGrfqbzaDATwiIbx84x8yjA9mIMnQTf-GwCVSY7aj0YE6tM36CArdG80LUOIi7ti0y9ZJz6-bqTZU1JIaiPFdXtRV81TAFzdlU81dw/s320/IMG-20220905-WA0008.jpeg" width="180"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzy4OGVm2dJ0Q8zRb5Yno9RRyNKcVaywidU3FFoPXwrJd07rghDZ6ha-YmrBwFgxETZgZPDl2JWvOxcsxn6viqEm6oD3LdH6BbdKhDK9rvokIxeHsNbc7ZZ5iGRjqhsrDmgndQDTq97rZUPf_sJKBoSpQGSRCm5ktelC1vNHUp3vwzDvmdPY-Xqjrdw/s3840/IMG-20220905-WA0010.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="2160" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzy4OGVm2dJ0Q8zRb5Yno9RRyNKcVaywidU3FFoPXwrJd07rghDZ6ha-YmrBwFgxETZgZPDl2JWvOxcsxn6viqEm6oD3LdH6BbdKhDK9rvokIxeHsNbc7ZZ5iGRjqhsrDmgndQDTq97rZUPf_sJKBoSpQGSRCm5ktelC1vNHUp3vwzDvmdPY-Xqjrdw/s320/IMG-20220905-WA0010.jpeg" width="180"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4w4KJU8yCABqGMViTkyaxKXM2W60iY1J-a6h8SVIDyoQXuyY3BRQdeJcDt2Csy1U6Wy5X3Q_eUsFpPLtlurP_BcEEmqzZ_bU-kB0Bq_SsX5r4K09AKQE1NdzHeLrVKcj-W4eE2PPrJWydT-DFD1gNdDdAWgTkSCrtSeztxTxuPdaazp7-eW-MV8UnQ/s4032/PXL_20220905_224137570.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK4w4KJU8yCABqGMViTkyaxKXM2W60iY1J-a6h8SVIDyoQXuyY3BRQdeJcDt2Csy1U6Wy5X3Q_eUsFpPLtlurP_BcEEmqzZ_bU-kB0Bq_SsX5r4K09AKQE1NdzHeLrVKcj-W4eE2PPrJWydT-DFD1gNdDdAWgTkSCrtSeztxTxuPdaazp7-eW-MV8UnQ/s320/PXL_20220905_224137570.jpg" width="320"></a><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYg7E_6OT0RsBZRIdn4addnC-YIc8cmZ2MF8YupaeyuDGUwiMACMdrHT9FgHAjF9_C1gZRK6usiiTG2rtXPBiaE3KBmbqm8F5UpwNRKVJ5KBIl0INlRKnssYSCyMY65mXJN3-X-MCSsEake5NwWtQnAwiYhFXK1lhRt2yvHF86Ys-GsJvkWEePgP0hA/s4032/PXL_20220905_224140239.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYg7E_6OT0RsBZRIdn4addnC-YIc8cmZ2MF8YupaeyuDGUwiMACMdrHT9FgHAjF9_C1gZRK6usiiTG2rtXPBiaE3KBmbqm8F5UpwNRKVJ5KBIl0INlRKnssYSCyMY65mXJN3-X-MCSsEake5NwWtQnAwiYhFXK1lhRt2yvHF86Ys-GsJvkWEePgP0hA/s320/PXL_20220905_224140239.jpg" width="320"></a></div></div><div><br>Holding you in position, will be a 6 point sparco harness:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4poLsVBlKkJ1uig_2gVT7c6a1LsrcLPyM6q9cR0HWLtfCrC308SoyjePu9z3r1lgtrN9v2orBDSvGdqpDgn7RxQS1STPW7_CTihh8tnwTXFW3vVMWQt9Mz4v3yPvdJYSnVauRJ-a77ZXeMC1SfBT_XCV7I1hXYjT31kLCNQKkcMQHb6teig7d-GV6Jw/s4032/PXL_20221012_234910844.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4poLsVBlKkJ1uig_2gVT7c6a1LsrcLPyM6q9cR0HWLtfCrC308SoyjePu9z3r1lgtrN9v2orBDSvGdqpDgn7RxQS1STPW7_CTihh8tnwTXFW3vVMWQt9Mz4v3yPvdJYSnVauRJ-a77ZXeMC1SfBT_XCV7I1hXYjT31kLCNQKkcMQHb6teig7d-GV6Jw/s320/PXL_20221012_234910844.jpg" width="320"></a><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MGP__pC_bftpmypWwf8xXpm6ObYCTi2IW5Z7oaqmYzmHaXyLaADOof1PRlIX_ah-VfoLhM8Byaptv-I6y6RAynde4e5kNHWC2cZYeqmP5dXShVkH1hokdOKDyfJOoDqdKLgm0To53tVWdgY5POqI30zCbwh6-jVHTNxzNu6tSz3F7so1CkFXnQF5Bw/s4032/PXL_20221012_234919299.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MGP__pC_bftpmypWwf8xXpm6ObYCTi2IW5Z7oaqmYzmHaXyLaADOof1PRlIX_ah-VfoLhM8Byaptv-I6y6RAynde4e5kNHWC2cZYeqmP5dXShVkH1hokdOKDyfJOoDqdKLgm0To53tVWdgY5POqI30zCbwh6-jVHTNxzNu6tSz3F7so1CkFXnQF5Bw/s320/PXL_20221012_234919299.jpg" width="320"></a><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuT4B3TuSR0BKgiIYPs2I-lCD7RIInwwI01xzKIrRoF-Tw6EXHbSN0L6QU36GHnVhIifleY7-LKIwBvVrH030u5wwZpVEriLSIatMlYwJ5gx1Xn5dR7a1vrZ58_xAtBgQW2fnmg18hTOqb9wZpDFyGs5QvD5OhhF8E9MDgDVcWaDxD2bji7bvqc4oYQ/s4032/PXL_20221012_234856093.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuT4B3TuSR0BKgiIYPs2I-lCD7RIInwwI01xzKIrRoF-Tw6EXHbSN0L6QU36GHnVhIifleY7-LKIwBvVrH030u5wwZpVEriLSIatMlYwJ5gx1Xn5dR7a1vrZ58_xAtBgQW2fnmg18hTOqb9wZpDFyGs5QvD5OhhF8E9MDgDVcWaDxD2bji7bvqc4oYQ/s320/PXL_20221012_234856093.jpg" width="320"></a><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYJX6baHA-D9Sze3DZG7d5dz6-U7z-jJAB33UP4EOJb-Pcb3AuIhfUzcY1GgOhT_cf_A8cFMah7lIlpz0xxQBpFSwhghbRPzTqICMubJUzFyUDNYmfyfcetJ0hmHnv_-zUkhZNpysJeVUPQrK0_wri-hTRW9SAxvPK74P4qEl-G79N0I04asGDnULdg/s2160/Screenshot_20220831-210542.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYJX6baHA-D9Sze3DZG7d5dz6-U7z-jJAB33UP4EOJb-Pcb3AuIhfUzcY1GgOhT_cf_A8cFMah7lIlpz0xxQBpFSwhghbRPzTqICMubJUzFyUDNYmfyfcetJ0hmHnv_-zUkhZNpysJeVUPQrK0_wri-hTRW9SAxvPK74P4qEl-G79N0I04asGDnULdg/s320/Screenshot_20220831-210542.png" width="160"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div>Steering wheel is already installed. I opted for a SimoniRacing With quick release and hub.<br><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnDLFLl53Tnlf6Y-e7xKzjyEaZ1tW4n3n-Vcf6mFNdZkmPFXwQ2SFdiz5xi9SmDtXjmjaISx9tZODXXHsEE0kXCZCjQCU3SARg5JKzi8SUPM4JMbZkOs7jYd6u8EVbC0WFErrWaapEEgq1mSR12TKcEBK5TcZtvByr7AwtLsc508GgzfLi_r1LsvUJw/s4032/PXL_20221012_234657210.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlnDLFLl53Tnlf6Y-e7xKzjyEaZ1tW4n3n-Vcf6mFNdZkmPFXwQ2SFdiz5xi9SmDtXjmjaISx9tZODXXHsEE0kXCZCjQCU3SARg5JKzi8SUPM4JMbZkOs7jYd6u8EVbC0WFErrWaapEEgq1mSR12TKcEBK5TcZtvByr7AwtLsc508GgzfLi_r1LsvUJw/s320/PXL_20221012_234657210.jpg" width="320"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgARZpL4U8OCG-b4dCZUPNlhkxQiZhYLki0wNIoY3fB-L2I8Kg8F2cQOgs4uy3V2O44d07bDO-QCEeMVyQyMluTqWNwm_JcuV4-RJEu5P_3RJ9mFlEhuMSTp2GbhXsG0iCUVTcDSCTwo0lyLz7p0cKCvWgumIIDiSvjDybRVQc-9BPwjSDpC1tyGbT_Lg/s4032/PXL_20221012_234719238.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgARZpL4U8OCG-b4dCZUPNlhkxQiZhYLki0wNIoY3fB-L2I8Kg8F2cQOgs4uy3V2O44d07bDO-QCEeMVyQyMluTqWNwm_JcuV4-RJEu5P_3RJ9mFlEhuMSTp2GbhXsG0iCUVTcDSCTwo0lyLz7p0cKCvWgumIIDiSvjDybRVQc-9BPwjSDpC1tyGbT_Lg/s320/PXL_20221012_234719238.jpg" width="320"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijn7lDhWsPsFbvqK-tlFUhxzpcr7OdhuGieBdGUpr9UBkiUqLdLKxO-dpINodCxO5jB-P2aMmINPdfjuRDKpgD30JU4oHcCTWk1uXtjILE_JEedVvBGkwlyq080sOpWceOyDDR3QPVLQy1SXSHXWHKjNwYJVqI-GY34tCHg_CbGuQ0xtwOPuyH3SoPrw/s4032/PXL_20221012_234706832.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijn7lDhWsPsFbvqK-tlFUhxzpcr7OdhuGieBdGUpr9UBkiUqLdLKxO-dpINodCxO5jB-P2aMmINPdfjuRDKpgD30JU4oHcCTWk1uXtjILE_JEedVvBGkwlyq080sOpWceOyDDR3QPVLQy1SXSHXWHKjNwYJVqI-GY34tCHg_CbGuQ0xtwOPuyH3SoPrw/s320/PXL_20221012_234706832.jpg" width="320"></a></div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTOM7rXDuD0trKBgIDjMAm9iwBzU3FWOSXOenBuQFWhoxCbSkx_zkMdcb2ivAMzFS7vJBOyHMdx1MV8vwD1eA5w3kyxN8tNAQdcPtP1nQ5rLYYPj3lLT8nngeVf0rsdbDM1HMubjPesZIN8SAeXN6lsC-hXFSOrxadYRpBMQw9mx-pAA1C63-RdLyyg/s4032/PXL_20221016_182825557.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTOM7rXDuD0trKBgIDjMAm9iwBzU3FWOSXOenBuQFWhoxCbSkx_zkMdcb2ivAMzFS7vJBOyHMdx1MV8vwD1eA5w3kyxN8tNAQdcPtP1nQ5rLYYPj3lLT8nngeVf0rsdbDM1HMubjPesZIN8SAeXN6lsC-hXFSOrxadYRpBMQw9mx-pAA1C63-RdLyyg/s320/PXL_20221016_182825557.jpg" width="240"></a></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReqOIgXoecoLR9NO5H3EP5CWmhncuto4c_lG8MJD_-k1o-wYFtwoinnNN7FsHOceeacrENNX6EZO-Z1N1Qoxi0ENaBlFn1kLLiPkB7Sbg45e1EMgCpno2TA8GESY79JDNFARuHZgSqw-wHEXRds-PDdWpSRUdGCaCkA4QI_ZkYDpRmbVlFentH1zkxQ/s4032/PXL_20221016_182830874.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReqOIgXoecoLR9NO5H3EP5CWmhncuto4c_lG8MJD_-k1o-wYFtwoinnNN7FsHOceeacrENNX6EZO-Z1N1Qoxi0ENaBlFn1kLLiPkB7Sbg45e1EMgCpno2TA8GESY79JDNFARuHZgSqw-wHEXRds-PDdWpSRUdGCaCkA4QI_ZkYDpRmbVlFentH1zkxQ/s4032/PXL_20221016_182830874.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReqOIgXoecoLR9NO5H3EP5CWmhncuto4c_lG8MJD_-k1o-wYFtwoinnNN7FsHOceeacrENNX6EZO-Z1N1Qoxi0ENaBlFn1kLLiPkB7Sbg45e1EMgCpno2TA8GESY79JDNFARuHZgSqw-wHEXRds-PDdWpSRUdGCaCkA4QI_ZkYDpRmbVlFentH1zkxQ/s320/PXL_20221016_182830874.jpg" width="240"></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFfjbY_3EzFNHGJDNSsy1BgNlmVFrcGSwHJ9GzhqsB3Xr-AuFzmTr-weut-sEdcNw-wNxCO_TnwklPOXPm95e1BulkU6vsg6Coaods6KB5a4akNiJiiD11DOuHH1gwzSHzNiqfZu4na9UnsL5sel-xxoDM2Wb7t8Wa0PcFuJaTsQcAtdc1JQ4jSxNgA/s4032/PXL_20221016_183949618.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFfjbY_3EzFNHGJDNSsy1BgNlmVFrcGSwHJ9GzhqsB3Xr-AuFzmTr-weut-sEdcNw-wNxCO_TnwklPOXPm95e1BulkU6vsg6Coaods6KB5a4akNiJiiD11DOuHH1gwzSHzNiqfZu4na9UnsL5sel-xxoDM2Wb7t8Wa0PcFuJaTsQcAtdc1JQ4jSxNgA/s320/PXL_20221016_183949618.jpg" width="240"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzihXgMTSyKY8kVLMg9-XZYKfaw0lbP8KJecPyVPs1UgbYrP7UF3vm6gQ5t0jExVWz6HbCpl1uFKN782M02o29JdYieAUAgr5C4bWayxdNAMFIW94n3pZqv5niYBYeldEdNviEZFMOUfrlQmOmOSzpocBLmvMXPWI0VBh2g7HGpPscOsCvRFploEJFkw/s4032/PXL_20221016_184309887.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzihXgMTSyKY8kVLMg9-XZYKfaw0lbP8KJecPyVPs1UgbYrP7UF3vm6gQ5t0jExVWz6HbCpl1uFKN782M02o29JdYieAUAgr5C4bWayxdNAMFIW94n3pZqv5niYBYeldEdNviEZFMOUfrlQmOmOSzpocBLmvMXPWI0VBh2g7HGpPscOsCvRFploEJFkw/s320/PXL_20221016_184309887.jpg" width="240"></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FyLxlRd_fV3qY9W1VEWJUkbThADoCnirpXq6pQnFGceT4Og_C5vvkb5KwTx6tigldn6F-MRyxHjsW15DGz7VRFq2ZzW79uzX0m19vu3v9rkyOpfVmzNKhkdY1IsZoErW4Lzq4ixohCVYZalK0NHU0dxkS4VO_cLO3KII1NONhMopfIuoUepFsRQ4Qw/s4032/PXL_20221016_185119894.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FyLxlRd_fV3qY9W1VEWJUkbThADoCnirpXq6pQnFGceT4Og_C5vvkb5KwTx6tigldn6F-MRyxHjsW15DGz7VRFq2ZzW79uzX0m19vu3v9rkyOpfVmzNKhkdY1IsZoErW4Lzq4ixohCVYZalK0NHU0dxkS4VO_cLO3KII1NONhMopfIuoUepFsRQ4Qw/s320/PXL_20221016_185119894.jpg" width="240"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi251HEkW5QYv7sC4V4VbhmjGGzRgC_LVPun-kNFsiTt9gem-J4vf1wxWhaXSIGSsfLBxCbOXA4aqBSzAHcxDBoinz0bh0pbgAnZb4w0U29YZwDyUO4R3RGTBJPJYpgLfh6VK1F-KqzcThGsE_jZ-MYq_R0v0a6gGCC3gK5QS2XNC3JGyzpQgMmvjhnlQ/s4032/PXL_20221016_185124764.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkJa9I_1EElhxBH34OBoPyy6mZmDnYcaxeBjTAu9fLe8nUmIne44aAMHCK8H20pwa9kQAJfCCZNSEFLvKB7NFJTWfTj6mHf3TtdF8JDvF-PE1YfipHZ2QvsrSZmtCEc1ae8yttRKrE9qhWufUWrxVKCr4XjjLBaEdMmoVfd54iIrE9sNqJsNOckJm2w/s320/PXL_20221016_190445819.jpg" width="240"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LOjLiYuCmjgYEIgQRikk43LZIYUMKl-35dh367dvMiUn781Ozzpdg11IcezDgPSExJwzguIMmJrP31JURQuSATGx_INI7dT-YhAvqqJZk0Tqjk_lNDHlCf3pZzlKAG0jLZsKJPyoYKZJUa-N3g7mzY7ESEksJkZkmhU8gCgi5JdoqX1wcVQygpngpw/s4032/PXL_20221016_190450307.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LOjLiYuCmjgYEIgQRikk43LZIYUMKl-35dh367dvMiUn781Ozzpdg11IcezDgPSExJwzguIMmJrP31JURQuSATGx_INI7dT-YhAvqqJZk0Tqjk_lNDHlCf3pZzlKAG0jLZsKJPyoYKZJUa-N3g7mzY7ESEksJkZkmhU8gCgi5JdoqX1wcVQygpngpw/s320/PXL_20221016_190450307.jpg" width="240"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Handbrake</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">well that serves to park the car, or go faster around bends, so:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzk41qiCBJxlNBNF3vw0AZDMw2rNgk92u2GQHdCvGD0XUnbzKRdZQu1S-Asf4zmGJn3_mZMB01KwuBsjAtXizWZbSH7-TpvqvAE6VyhBb0ok6pnCPEUDA5PSbIVP8Q4S_nnD5C5xs0GPwI_MBK7eu8VytJmqy5ke9nSXf4hlISYOqRDRrN0wApWEE3-g/s4032/PXL_20220930_205655055.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzk41qiCBJxlNBNF3vw0AZDMw2rNgk92u2GQHdCvGD0XUnbzKRdZQu1S-Asf4zmGJn3_mZMB01KwuBsjAtXizWZbSH7-TpvqvAE6VyhBb0ok6pnCPEUDA5PSbIVP8Q4S_nnD5C5xs0GPwI_MBK7eu8VytJmqy5ke9nSXf4hlISYOqRDRrN0wApWEE3-g/s320/PXL_20220930_205655055.jpg" width="240"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">yup hydraulic hand brake</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Exterior:</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Exterior goes for the Pumaspeed body kit (light glass fibre like the S1600 and S1400)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqySIhFL4Y_7Nl18muVnEk3j-EUGrGl6n6ZJ8nl4suMaMROPCAZYGy4NIBjOJOk1h0mvSEGI1U3vJ2M9sPViusJwEhIqSYH3gM5eIw3tPkQq6aL3I10wA_uMXjeyf1wyD0YkPsSA5YFAIViXNMFJGd1ujcb80OGh_x3c8gPJQYJrjircO-fymDtEV_lQ/s2160/Screenshot_20220831-211820.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqySIhFL4Y_7Nl18muVnEk3j-EUGrGl6n6ZJ8nl4suMaMROPCAZYGy4NIBjOJOk1h0mvSEGI1U3vJ2M9sPViusJwEhIqSYH3gM5eIw3tPkQq6aL3I10wA_uMXjeyf1wyD0YkPsSA5YFAIViXNMFJGd1ujcb80OGh_x3c8gPJQYJrjircO-fymDtEV_lQ/s320/Screenshot_20220831-211820.png" width="160"></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Engine Tune-ups:</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Ever heard a vtec owner saying that nothing is more.glorious that vtec? He is wrong, Vtec on CAI is better, VTEC on ITB is sublime.</div><div style="text-align: left;">This boy doesn't not have VTEC but it does have Variable Valve Timing and Lift control... and there is a trick about Zetec engines and ITB's (not yet, i'll disclose after making my shopping).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YdPTa9svbyXp_4oohfSS2lEDRCgwPCm1HhArk6AIS_Xb_fuVkI6_YGvo-JDFXQyQ84TPFUS4pPBNwevflMIJ_GvolUPTH6FHpjBzTo5JIqoNzi9q6N7uGwg_g-p1W1PRb623OQG_icsYAwROWGsv1G6PG7IJiVEhezShy6SA7qxisfEKCQofEK-E6A/s1753/1668725345201764-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1753" data-original-width="992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YdPTa9svbyXp_4oohfSS2lEDRCgwPCm1HhArk6AIS_Xb_fuVkI6_YGvo-JDFXQyQ84TPFUS4pPBNwevflMIJ_GvolUPTH6FHpjBzTo5JIqoNzi9q6N7uGwg_g-p1W1PRb623OQG_icsYAwROWGsv1G6PG7IJiVEhezShy6SA7qxisfEKCQofEK-E6A/s320/1668725345201764-0.png" width="181"></a></div><br><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Build progress:</i></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">The build is starting Next month, so expect progress reports. Stay tuned.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b>Update 1:</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Car started to be stripped down, and the new seats and harnesses where installed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The 6 point harnesses require drilling the floor and installing nuts and washers. But they are all all easy tasks. Do not forget to paint the holes to protect from rust. I've also used big washers to split the load on the metal panel and added A LOT of paint to both FILL and remove any air, but also help locking the nut in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The factory seat-belt harness can be used for the mid left and mid right harness... the rest, you drill'em to the car floor panel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>Some matching floor mats and we're done for this part:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div style="text-align: center;">More to cone. stay tuned </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><b><br></b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><b>Update 2:</b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Mechanic is now starting to dissemble the Focus, Puma to go in for surgery soon enough.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">1.4 Engine is out, and it's being worked to fit another 1.4 puma with "heart problems".</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><i><b>Update 3:</b></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Guess what I've found : https://www.plastics4performance.com/ford-puma-lexan-polycarbonate-rear-screen</div><div style="text-align: left;">Yup the rear glass heavy, High standing, weight is now 50% gone.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Plus I've managed to contact a fiber glass manufacturer that probably will be making the bonnet, and HOPEFULLY, the doors :)</div><div style="text-align: left;">Doesn't get much better than that.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm also looking into the Roof scoop, because I'm ditching the AirCon, and Portuguese summer is hot.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><br></div></div><div><i><b>Credits and Special thanks for this build:</b></i></div><div>(to be filled at the build end)</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Manuel Ribeirohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898244397231724106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1596560228948831313.post-53587662777268813332022-10-28T20:12:00.005+01:002023-06-30T12:30:15.340+01:00The Ford/Yamaha Zetec se engine a.k.a sigma engineThe sigma engine was a Ford/Yamaha venture that debuted with the mk5 fiesta, mk1 focus and the mk1 ford puma.<div><br /></div><div>It's a brilliant piece of engineering built by Yamaha.</div><div>The production technology behind these engines is as such, that they are said to be 'not serviceable' on the bottom end, side of things.<br /></div><div>In fact, ford sells entire armed blocks, and the typical part supplier has no parts for the bottom end in stock.</div><div>This, of course, is just a quality sealing way of doing things.</div><div>There is engineering to the engine that makes them very tough on the bottom end, also very technical in terms of service procedure. So being inexpensive, it's easy to opt for a armed block replacement, and being so demanding in terms of service, makes sense that Ford claims it not to be serviceable and just replaceable.</div><div>But I'm not much to stick with rules made for majorities that are not tech savvy.</div><div> </div><div>Truth is, you have SEVERAL engine builders that use normal production engines, disassemble them and rebuild them to new specs. </div><div>The fact alone that they are assembled at a point in their initial production life means that you really can assemble these yourself, as long as you know the secrets and have the gadgets needed to do so.</div><div> </div><div>These is and excellent paper by William PERRY, Malcolm MCDONALD, Peter C. CHARLTON called "Quantitative Analysis of Big End Journal Form and Bolt Installation using Ultrasonic Time of Flight Measurements" that actualy take the SIGMA engine rod assembly. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>the Why:</div><div>The Zetec SE is a very interesting design. For starters the bottom end has a ladder design (much like the Honda's High Revving engines).</div><div>The Crank is forged much like the rods, but the way the rods are built is in it's self different. Ford used a Metal Powder Pressure mold forging process. I essence, the metal is in powder state and pressed liquid into a mold that is then further pressed into shape. This results in a close to Forged strength and durability, but in a less inexpensive way to produce.</div><div>But then, the rods are forged into one piece, so they are then thermally stressed on the division point and broken by force, The face of these now 2 parts is rough so they will not be able to slide away under stress. It's like a fingerprint.</div><div>As such, each rod has only one way to slot in correctly. And this method also requires your torquing to be equal across the rod surface contact between the 2 previously separated parts.</div><div> </div><div>Taken from the referred paper: <br /></div><div> </div><div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>They are, as such, torqued, both screws at the same time, and then after the max torque is reached, the bolts have been slightly stretched for increased strength... reusing those is, not recommended... go for fresh new bolts.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So, by looking at the graph, it's easy to say that the proper torque is between 45 and 48nm.</div><div>You can torque further into the 52nm range, but you'll be fully relying on the bolt fabrication quality to be that close to the limit. I wouldn't!</div><div>Stick with 35nm + 90 Degree (should get you close to 40-42nm)... there are yamaha engines with 25nm + 75 degrees torque specs.</div><div>You can go up to:</div><div>Initial 42nm (BOTH screws at the same time)</div><div>Secondary to 47nm (again, both screws simultaneously).</div><div>If not possible to screw the 2 bolts at the same time, make a max 2nm stepping per screw till you reach the figure you want.</div><div>This is a lot trickier to do by steps, so I really recommend you to have 2 torque wrenches.</div><div><br /></div><div>So there is no real dark magic as to why these engines are considered non serviceable... but in truth, they are and have been serviced by a lot of tuners over the years. </div><div>Remember that the Fiesta and the Puma used to compete in the s1400 and s1600 classes. So these engines ARE serviceable as they are also tunable.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is, however, difficult to find the parts you need to rebuild. Most Tune-shops really only focus on big engines and forced induction, VAG or JDM engines.</div><div>However, you still have the Good old brand specialists, particularly in the UK. </div><div> </div><div>For Fords, I STRONGLY recommend BurtonPower. </div><div>These are images of the parts I've brought to rebuild the bottom end of my old 1.4 zetec-se... and as you can see, IT IS POSSIBLE AND THE PARTS DO EXIST, regardless of what people sell you.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div></div><div><br /></div><div>The factory rods handles A LOT more than what the car has standard, and the bolts are good for turbo applications, so they too can handle a lot more.<br /></div><div>Sure you can go all out and forge the thing, but unless you are force-induction"ing" the car, beyond 250 bhp, I see no reason for that.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Manuel Ribeirohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898244397231724106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1596560228948831313.post-8668317533216527162022-09-09T23:27:00.040+01:002022-09-12T12:45:20.190+01:00Old dog needs new tricks<i><b>Old cars</b></i> normally die due to overheating problems. Some times it's the fan that gets stuck or the sensor that stops sending data properly, then you stop at a red light and don't mind the needle going up till the red, and then it's too late and you've burn the head-gasket.<div>The the majority happens with overheating for lack of water.<div>Out of these a good percentage of cases is attributed water circuit purely falling apart from cracks on tubes and vaporizing or dumping the water out. Other times the car has overheated before the owner understood it had a cooling issue, and the burnt gasket allows water to combustion passage, and the car will consume water, only noticeable if it is enough to cause compression and detonation issues.</div><div><br /></div><div>All my cars are old, and with this trend of building worse cars, I'll keep having old cars.</div><div><br /></div><div>So the first thing I do is to setup an alarm system for the water lever in the expansion tank.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some cars have an embedded solution for this, others don't as making you replace the engine or buy a new car, is preferable to allowing you some quality for your money.</div><div><br /></div><div>So on my 2 Hondas, 2 Fords and a Volvo made by Ford, I decided to add a water level warning system... the old 1997 Volvo v70t5 has this from factory... a true sign of times. It's clear to me that somewhere in 1997, engineered ruled and the economists where tied down in a closed room, without windows, down in the basement.. but then someone forgot to lock the door and they got out.. and then they over-thrown the engineers and it has been getting worse by the year. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Shopping list:</b></div><div><i><b>5v trigger 12v operation relay module like this:</b></i></div>https://amzn.eu/d/cySr42T 5V trigger is important as some relay modules are 12v operated, and the sensor does not send 12v to trigger the relay. Be careful with this.<br /><div><br /></div><div><b><i>led with buzzer alarm 12v:</i></b></div><div>https://amzn.eu/d/apxafaF<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i><b>liquid sensor (external):</b></i></div><div>https://amzn.eu/d/hlVArrI<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The schematics:</b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</b></div><b>Explaining:</b></div><div>You will need to wire the sensor and the relay module to a 12v power source. Obviously this circuit doesn't make sense without the engine running, so I recommend you look for the fuse connector that is switched by ignition. That way, your circuit will only draw power with ignition on.</div><div><br /></div><div>Next you need to ground the GND and (-) connectors for the same devices. That is Sensor, Relay and LED.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now comes the interesting part. Since you want this circuit to default to trigger mode (in case something fails), so the power to the led should be set as DEFAULT on the relay as pictured. In essence, as you power or the circuit, you should hear a short beep then the triggering of the relay and silence.. until sensor stops sending level data, or the circuit fails for some reason. </div><div><br /></div><div>Finally connect the sensor trigger to the relay trigger and test the circuit.</div><div><br /></div><div>The last part is using T-Rex to glue the sensor to the expansion tank.</div><div>Use a lower placement of the sensor and remember that water will be jumping around that reservoir, while you drive... avoid areas that could get dry on hard cornering.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>On my Puma, it looks just like this:</i></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br /></div><div>So now, If water runs too low. because of anything and old car can manage to break to do this, starting with a rotten radiator, or dried and fissured rubber hoses... maybe even a gasket starting to go... the red light, together with a buzzer will start sounding. </div><div>You can stop the car before you really burn the gasket and make a mess out of things. <br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Manuel Ribeirohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898244397231724106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1596560228948831313.post-57221703376139396022022-09-01T18:09:00.017+01:002023-12-31T01:55:27.907+00:00Project Volvo V50 t5 awd "more than" Polestar - Forged t5<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>The Why:</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Some time ago, I decided I should buy my wife a car. Why? well... I believe because it was monday! As long as I like the car, I don't need justification. If i don't like it, on the other hand, I find every possible excuse to rule the thing out... So SUV's are immediately out of the equation, 99% of diesel's too and regarding the crap the auto industry is selling out today, 90% of every other car too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wasn't going to be easy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First candidate was an Peugeot RCZ with 200bhp 1.6 THP engine... beautiful, well built, and fun. But she said: 2 kids with chairs + 1 13yo, this is not practical! And so I had to let the RCZ go.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Then a BMW 320D CC came up... it was beautiful (for a women... I'd never ride a champagne colored car), but, once again, it failed the rear seat space test.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was giving up when a Volvo V50T5 AWD popped on the market. It was wonderful. The V50 T5 is not the best T5 engine, but then again, there are no BAD t5's. It's a Low pressure turbo K04 version of the same block on the S60R, with smaller spec'd rods and pistons. The great thing is that it has VVT on both Intake and exhaust and, since volvo was transitioning from TWR and the R badge cars to the Polestar branding, this series, along with the C30, S40mk2 and C70mk2, where left with a R-design trim option but no juicy stuff as the old R's used to have. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Because of this, Volvo dealers offered a Polestar Optimization Pack for the standard RDesign T5's, that you could buy and request installation. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Guess what else I found online: The map, the specs for the dampers, the wheels and the numbered kit documentation. So, In order to have a very valid Volvo V50t5 Polestar, all I had to do was to kit the car with wheels and suspension, add the map and the 2 badges together with the manuals and certificates.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And guess what: the engine block on this one is a Polestar branded one. Care to guess why? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, Polestar was preparing and racing the s60r back then and the 2.5 t5 engine block is shared across s60r mk2, and that block fits the v50... as it apparently did :) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So why isn't it the best T5 out there? For starters the turbo is low pressure meaning that this is capped form factory. Then the rods are not near as tough as the S60R ones, also unlike the S60R, the pistons do not provide high compression.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">However, much like the S60r, it's a 2.5 with the same block as the S60R. The Volvo t5 are aluminum blocks, open sleeved design with a hard steel liner about 1 or 2 mm thick(depending on the engine). As the block stresses under boost detonation, the block and cylinder walls giveaway a bit to accommodate, but the sleeves liners, in harder steel, will eventually just crack. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The best t5 is the legendary 4T5 engine on a 2.4l configuration NOT BY BORE, but rather by stroke (long block...or longer that the other 2.4 by bore, low power options).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I knew the pistons are good for almost 500bhp, the rods shouldn't go beyond 330/350bhp and the sleeves, when they are known to crack on standard setups, so having a figure is just nonsense.<br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I didn't really like the Polestar rims...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...so I decided to go for MAK ones with a better design (particularly for portugal where you can have holes in highways and crack a rim easy.... that is exactly why, for the s2000, I chose the 5Zigens proracer gn+ and not the Typical Volk Cn28).... the MAK have a split mid arm that helps spreading the load across more radius then the Polestars. And price was equivalent, even though the polestarts where 20" and the MAK 18", tire wise it made a difference, and I'm not going go extreme on breaking, so ... 18" is enough.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The rest made into the car. And so a 250BHP T5 AWD was born. <br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also wasn't 100% happy with the remap and tweaked it a bit, while installing a 3Inch CAI, aluminum wrap turbo ducts, full decat and a cut-out installed just before the rear box.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The car jumped to 280bhp. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="444" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rgHk2ObXWuw" width="534" youtube-src-id="rgHk2ObXWuw"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The standard Haldex is a gen2 that BIAS the car towards the front-end... HOWEVER interesting this was for her to drive the car (not too much tail happy), it needed a personal touch. I then installed the Gen3 Haldex controller from the Volvo XC90 V8 and that fixes bias to 60%front 40%rear.. yes it issues errors but then again, as long as the power gets to ground, I'm cool. <br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The car was fitted with MAK wheels and Bridgestone Potenza Sport, and some polyurethane bushings, so it glued to the road and just powered towards the end of the roads all too fast. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgu_xTLBTQsaX8xOd5M66cImgwksHLpTCK6IG8sH47VuIRPe6FsuFgO3S26SzTe3X_Vfc1SPLYVt8p1C6FxCleU74_yblPInlTZR8CCTHvHzwQ6RtjRw2Fi5WInZ7Zac147KV4lP5mdqCE_IdlH8j9yKuStQREAHiymhBSq-1S-iKNpk_mVofXZIk5A/s4032/PXL_20210725_185538649.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="577" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgu_xTLBTQsaX8xOd5M66cImgwksHLpTCK6IG8sH47VuIRPe6FsuFgO3S26SzTe3X_Vfc1SPLYVt8p1C6FxCleU74_yblPInlTZR8CCTHvHzwQ6RtjRw2Fi5WInZ7Zac147KV4lP5mdqCE_IdlH8j9yKuStQREAHiymhBSq-1S-iKNpk_mVofXZIk5A/w433-h577/PXL_20210725_185538649.jpg" width="433"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Surprisingly the K04 is good for 280bhp and while one thought the car was quick after remap, the moment VVT kicked in, you would feel a tremendous pull towards the car in front of you... or the next corner. These engines are known for starvation limitations due to turbo size, but It didn't feel like this. Probably it will be perceptible from 300 bhp on, and that is maybe why you rarely see them going past 300bhp without major turbo/injector upgrades.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Was really fun, however, some months into this, we felt an occasional stuttering, as if the gearbox wasn't getting into gear, but it was... strangely! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A week into this occasional stuttering at low speed, the car seized and cylinder number 4 said it was time to go on strike. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm still to eval if this was a piston carving (the car used to have bi-fuel BS) and we all know that gas conversion presents lubrication challenges, or a stuck injector... or a MEGA crack as compression was totally lost on that cylinder. But the piston scratched the wall and that means trouble either way you put it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b>UPDATE:</b></i> piston scratched the wall because it was fully cleansed by water from the block and petrol from the injectors. The gasket gave away! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After a small talk with the mechanic, we figured that the torque specs for the that part of the head where WAY OFF... so a hypothesis can be formulated: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Former owner overheated the engine, a leak formed, he asked his grease monkey to tighten the block where it warped and sold. Typical Latin BS. I'd have brought the car if he had told me this, anyway, as some tweaking was to happen... but people are shit! We deserve the asteroid coming our way.<br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>So I had 2 options:</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>1 - buy an engine and have this fixed in a month</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span>2 - buy parts and forge this thing to 1000BHP capable, set it up to 500 bhp to be very unstressed, and allow the wife to thrash a 400-500bhp AWD Volvo to pick up the kid at school</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">... hum... decisions decisions. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b>With me,</b></i> as you can gather with other articles, there is no decision. Replace factory compromised stuff with tuner or racing uncompromising parts and stop worrying. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So a build it was and a big one it would be. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well I've just start receiving parts!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">K1 I profile Forged Rods<br></div><br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1FPBq2FnIYPtb3yJ65ZGvS2MG2fmHARZ4EsqrOCXFC2mESzefVbXEtWgUipUM7LHtmNJLI2tViJTlDiZYsB37-ZY2YIH7wM9ZVyjOO2hKpvjJz4OtU8yf9mJuK66u4f25VDaFokGCMeVrt1J6zBblcidQrKZGcossIT4c1Gnccw8pRfjVI9ROtR4ww/s320/PXL_20220524_195347026.jpg" width="320"></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzQdSnKiwynuTnbjK7FxKSCesyjJXWMHJZRChNHJKNi_EPOdR8HNbqRYjBXWUW_uUlouLcW8fypGqi-RMNAdtqOgP0lsZP3rF92IjmWamc79VYtU_UUD5n1VHrTIM4JO3AV_ZvNZECqGdRDnKFOB1nm7SO57s4ewdMD_q0kAeEPnIjw_GvctA9r0F6Q/s4032/PXL_20220524_195354300.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzQdSnKiwynuTnbjK7FxKSCesyjJXWMHJZRChNHJKNi_EPOdR8HNbqRYjBXWUW_uUlouLcW8fypGqi-RMNAdtqOgP0lsZP3rF92IjmWamc79VYtU_UUD5n1VHrTIM4JO3AV_ZvNZECqGdRDnKFOB1nm7SO57s4ewdMD_q0kAeEPnIjw_GvctA9r0F6Q/s320/PXL_20220524_195354300.jpg" width="320"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMBpchrjAYhvCT8MjhohAeys6rAJ243eIGep4D0UH0GevvRGhE6AyujoBqWfBA91ae3szu1jyuYs1z9GSAzzmT5jtjuIL9OehKMjr60eK-vQUutSdIDhDhJ4EH_JT2S58yfvTW-cNM9bvZr4AtOgGwrB5nwxLnntDkVY0vBsfv4baAOvc_iD-QIpqlhQ/s4032/PXL_20220524_195401103.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShVtaj0NAtPZx97LsHIlB26LR7GhEdOCVb4VR7959lFWEpNGDAZoUXCsa3-0DrxEtlQT4jm-P0D31_3qSUrRnyMjR9n5yzGM-idoy19XLcRFvLjqbOaoIGEfTek5WqkHf54lz9NRVpLmNj5hRd0deQso-SNwa_3mlfbTX1Qv_7fad_APYKdrOdioZoQ/s4032/PXL_20220524_195429674.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShVtaj0NAtPZx97LsHIlB26LR7GhEdOCVb4VR7959lFWEpNGDAZoUXCsa3-0DrxEtlQT4jm-P0D31_3qSUrRnyMjR9n5yzGM-idoy19XLcRFvLjqbOaoIGEfTek5WqkHf54lz9NRVpLmNj5hRd0deQso-SNwa_3mlfbTX1Qv_7fad_APYKdrOdioZoQ/s320/PXL_20220524_195429674.jpg" width="320"> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Darton MID sleeves:<br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9vmIeeCdsmQRAa3lTFcnGOLOezto8odq3puQUzlFE--B8vcf-5n29JA1xHWUVRHa0SSHM2RYOaAZg0sUBAQpyP4QRbcKQRicFNd66mWSwVQBvw_n3uejTir-Bw2DhVsNEBVM5FZlF_cxDyF3rqt06Icy4pv-CVAauHi4Vd-7Ccg_ytiPgpg4KonSgg/s4032/PXL_20220802_112819116.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9vmIeeCdsmQRAa3lTFcnGOLOezto8odq3puQUzlFE--B8vcf-5n29JA1xHWUVRHa0SSHM2RYOaAZg0sUBAQpyP4QRbcKQRicFNd66mWSwVQBvw_n3uejTir-Bw2DhVsNEBVM5FZlF_cxDyF3rqt06Icy4pv-CVAauHi4Vd-7Ccg_ytiPgpg4KonSgg/s320/PXL_20220802_112819116.jpg" width="240"> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPgVLl_WFcuKrH3kLB-FhJGTqVx6iVF1VZG6XxEuq0zn69wFUOhu6taHG6AxffbjLW9R0C8w6mgBJkbSLIHpXnjAX3BJ-HVW7eRC8kAntcN4HPtvzjWG09e4nCgrquyqGwZSP9hsR-xGEWVwT44HknLAV9PmM9fFLz0T8Xmkaxsj2piy9LvWUaW0S1A/s4032/PXL_20220802_112822051.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLPgVLl_WFcuKrH3kLB-FhJGTqVx6iVF1VZG6XxEuq0zn69wFUOhu6taHG6AxffbjLW9R0C8w6mgBJkbSLIHpXnjAX3BJ-HVW7eRC8kAntcN4HPtvzjWG09e4nCgrquyqGwZSP9hsR-xGEWVwT44HknLAV9PmM9fFLz0T8Xmkaxsj2piy9LvWUaW0S1A/s320/PXL_20220802_112822051.jpg" width="240"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVcSfR_n3Ffq8gQrcOz1OFXsocvHOZdtMBQjfWnQQ27UgBNY_crSUHpiowg7Q4ICY-ekIwKAGw7gCP8XxRx1bY9R8Jqoe3W29mzqhOeS745pnuaOy3PmzLkmOsnTSaaEFaHlTBL0fPmMMGp7GKz_KGAslBbURTow-TaRN3LJcVXXBRK6Yohv9yHizHQ/s4032/PXL_20220802_112827691.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVcSfR_n3Ffq8gQrcOz1OFXsocvHOZdtMBQjfWnQQ27UgBNY_crSUHpiowg7Q4ICY-ekIwKAGw7gCP8XxRx1bY9R8Jqoe3W29mzqhOeS745pnuaOy3PmzLkmOsnTSaaEFaHlTBL0fPmMMGp7GKz_KGAslBbURTow-TaRN3LJcVXXBRK6Yohv9yHizHQ/s320/PXL_20220802_112827691.jpg" width="240"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3pMVw59UCOBI6VJUB9esD7uelJduKd_TipYZP1E9ou46Ncu1TP5Xbqp1Y-eS1zf083snSJBaCDNNIpDM_ikSkSjNWCezWAw8B9oR0Yfrd9wwvyzuMZOdY22ApXY0J2P_dYsiioi1puV1kQRUM6GZxrhMbQO8L532wAz19SXqs74RDmDL-A4x6fOUew/s4032/PXL_20220802_194527770.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3pMVw59UCOBI6VJUB9esD7uelJduKd_TipYZP1E9ou46Ncu1TP5Xbqp1Y-eS1zf083snSJBaCDNNIpDM_ikSkSjNWCezWAw8B9oR0Yfrd9wwvyzuMZOdY22ApXY0J2P_dYsiioi1puV1kQRUM6GZxrhMbQO8L532wAz19SXqs74RDmDL-A4x6fOUew/s320/PXL_20220802_194527770.jpg" width="240"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcD7ldiSzAYNrKX-rarQfI_CCOfJiStt9vhMVM6viwa9lj71RKRnGXZz2MJX2NyBo1qTnUFGmxkwA6n50Vy8U22BDZezAoD__MeX1I9hf7RMk3ICkbJCDg0_FY5RouXvu8U0tj5FcQvbDbOmxJ1_Ag26lIRTll2UvKUDr3c6uWgBUMppel4589UVqk3Q/s4032/PXL_20220802_194533660.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcD7ldiSzAYNrKX-rarQfI_CCOfJiStt9vhMVM6viwa9lj71RKRnGXZz2MJX2NyBo1qTnUFGmxkwA6n50Vy8U22BDZezAoD__MeX1I9hf7RMk3ICkbJCDg0_FY5RouXvu8U0tj5FcQvbDbOmxJ1_Ag26lIRTll2UvKUDr3c6uWgBUMppel4589UVqk3Q/s320/PXL_20220802_194533660.jpg" width="240"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6BcvCQZ8YqjT4DtfJ3GFtw9SI49FSiQ2sYtjUY5cXER7xjW98nB3rqMwKjCaXuIUANdpavG8vuvFX766VHNIdzJjzWTESvN2MmqBPJ71b7bD5XymY4faEfKGPBmf3zLHSTy-arYRg4pqjUgqXp0wPiP8bUP8RtYJnEmIKBINr5JCJbFL_XKj33D64PQ/s4032/PXL_20220802_194536677.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6BcvCQZ8YqjT4DtfJ3GFtw9SI49FSiQ2sYtjUY5cXER7xjW98nB3rqMwKjCaXuIUANdpavG8vuvFX766VHNIdzJjzWTESvN2MmqBPJ71b7bD5XymY4faEfKGPBmf3zLHSTy-arYRg4pqjUgqXp0wPiP8bUP8RtYJnEmIKBINr5JCJbFL_XKj33D64PQ/s320/PXL_20220802_194536677.MP.jpg" width="240"></a></div><p></p><p>Wiseco, HighCompression, Forged Pistons:<br></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCRlhih-TgpkPY0_lawzpJhoe3FQgJyIkuBhRjvLBE7fQcAlIE5gXfjUgjhEEBLs21MqxDdHMNfteA9bd2xTju5iwxAg2D-TuqDurJqxxMTur9agFrOW07-YkVfB0sSNCWkEEqno6C172/s1600/1662040368566827-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCRlhih-TgpkPY0_lawzpJhoe3FQgJyIkuBhRjvLBE7fQcAlIE5gXfjUgjhEEBLs21MqxDdHMNfteA9bd2xTju5iwxAg2D-TuqDurJqxxMTur9agFrOW07-YkVfB0sSNCWkEEqno6C172/s1600/1662040368566827-0.png" width="400">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbL63_243craZ_Rp1KJb_OwkZkFy0PWPal9ffORBkxCeURhwk9JgSJHD1c0Pq0TbkzjduoRl6WZveuZrfnEJ6tyrIjGAy7mxeqcVIIsMg7QOpB1-yex9RxD2LFlvZlgZHj4vpdXyzTvhVv/s1600/1662040366047178-1.png" width="400">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2K6r5lE6y8Yzl_RbWPTLmml1k_eoWmn-MVPgfOkrgeRCs0RepPd_KEOuPFsaVMblpterc-xhBrZ-xeem7cvZZrQc0iyI2tUw0uoHzq-bNbUgmLed-0Wkiu1xtBG8Mro88gCuOp7e34k3/s1600/1662040363413072-2.png" width="400">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1u55pQnr9_65xSTGnoULBm2yv-KoGwFwJJtBa_zycOHd85XCEogsUlyryhDVslw-qnRdHABk_kO3nbOJJyluQ7SSgf7NBGKBaVD6XInlMgrisqsUwIsizNLQWH7PS497GtAK5JnZA3Niz/s1600/1662040361029572-3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1u55pQnr9_65xSTGnoULBm2yv-KoGwFwJJtBa_zycOHd85XCEogsUlyryhDVslw-qnRdHABk_kO3nbOJJyluQ7SSgf7NBGKBaVD6XInlMgrisqsUwIsizNLQWH7PS497GtAK5JnZA3Niz/s1600/1662040361029572-3.png" width="400">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxi48MTGPC_D3e7M4Z-XkZa0wWyOggEwZXwUOwdQYLJUiWC5S-Ii6v4eRWTXKDpSPNnaETwmmPdPB43ud7WptTUaNVum8zAxZSuhnTv2RMBIMIQzQci-L9I5JFY1Bmd4msNP8Blt30v8o/s1600/1662040358744515-4.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxi48MTGPC_D3e7M4Z-XkZa0wWyOggEwZXwUOwdQYLJUiWC5S-Ii6v4eRWTXKDpSPNnaETwmmPdPB43ud7WptTUaNVum8zAxZSuhnTv2RMBIMIQzQci-L9I5JFY1Bmd4msNP8Blt30v8o/s1600/1662040358744515-4.png" width="400"> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">ARP 2000 Main studs:<br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFh8Ba8CrMymWmm2NGxf1k-m46jtYUBOTocI5nQIyalPHe6F1YW5XXnzuDUNDm7CER4i6KEAAXjVUi-9JBDupcTcHDmD_OSmS0sJmeg2GvcByAkZe_pwZsgMlj0eyRwuCEOD16Q3J5S44f/s1600/1662424973141000-0.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFh8Ba8CrMymWmm2NGxf1k-m46jtYUBOTocI5nQIyalPHe6F1YW5XXnzuDUNDm7CER4i6KEAAXjVUi-9JBDupcTcHDmD_OSmS0sJmeg2GvcByAkZe_pwZsgMlj0eyRwuCEOD16Q3J5S44f/s1600/1662424973141000-0.png" width="400">
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</div><br></div><div class="separator">ACL RACE Tri-Metal Rod Bearings:<br></div><div class="separator"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOVRYOhyphenhyphennBPKBRvQKdP9mwwtiA_r2oSG4bNblvkD_4SPc02esfd06wLqlToWDNHxs2336R67nmhyphenhyphen7bWLj1Bsw7irFI7ecfJBRO14a91EVVrH51GicxRUMroZTt97a5W3VA2B0ndyBLfZF/s1600/1662424971111124-1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOVRYOhyphenhyphennBPKBRvQKdP9mwwtiA_r2oSG4bNblvkD_4SPc02esfd06wLqlToWDNHxs2336R67nmhyphenhyphen7bWLj1Bsw7irFI7ecfJBRO14a91EVVrH51GicxRUMroZTt97a5W3VA2B0ndyBLfZF/s1600/1662424971111124-1.png" width="400">
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</div><br></div><div class="separator">KING Tri-Metal crank bearings:<br></div><div class="separator"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOj03yZJ0J5OtFp4GDaj8wVF-Yn2OoYfNZfgRedKtBBKtS0dREtzztvDYjnO5-z-QxqjjFURB8IKpncuqSHApGZyJUr4OyQ1nBXZ5yGYUIXtSl4mkTXYdovbORh1zOM__8OHGsA7IyOEjD/s1600/1662424968587448-2.png" width="400">
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</div><br></div><div class="separator"><br></div><div class="separator"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Also arrived:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">ARP 2000 head bolts</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1jqtn0KxuyhkS2HWuwZID2OlNMY_PF7iyuBTTqzPHgJyNm2bwwVZmJHfCjnJOmAMrBc1nktwS97Z_iRQpe3-P5J-tbBc6xrv5w7Lbargtz-6xLVjFi8pw78EusbyLoyJZxcdDfVMhwjCEugcpwIXqq9OesYXg3AcFLeRLUKK5tJ5SHpdmQwvd8yXqw/s400/219-4301.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="400" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1jqtn0KxuyhkS2HWuwZID2OlNMY_PF7iyuBTTqzPHgJyNm2bwwVZmJHfCjnJOmAMrBc1nktwS97Z_iRQpe3-P5J-tbBc6xrv5w7Lbargtz-6xLVjFi8pw78EusbyLoyJZxcdDfVMhwjCEugcpwIXqq9OesYXg3AcFLeRLUKK5tJ5SHpdmQwvd8yXqw/s320/219-4301.jpg" width="320"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Athena 1.6mm full metal, reinforced gasket </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsbk_DGG1SPFkDc6aPQzjB0xlhVyM1fEA9MIYg5cX52hP0Pf-NSWkFFJgWvYPs9ZD_WSWBHGnrHCSLKmY5nvBnExWuGFRo8fMP-AhRy72QDBMx15ADzha2jYS8ntuipWJhb3NoLSSNECAjwYwI-NlpuPdkR3RH3gejJUvB9N7VNyaco-1Ja4LIvLM8w/s800/xlarge-f5cfe3534e06167ab2d93d36f879ae2d.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsbk_DGG1SPFkDc6aPQzjB0xlhVyM1fEA9MIYg5cX52hP0Pf-NSWkFFJgWvYPs9ZD_WSWBHGnrHCSLKmY5nvBnExWuGFRo8fMP-AhRy72QDBMx15ADzha2jYS8ntuipWJhb3NoLSSNECAjwYwI-NlpuPdkR3RH3gejJUvB9N7VNyaco-1Ja4LIvLM8w/s320/xlarge-f5cfe3534e06167ab2d93d36f879ae2d.jpg" width="320"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div>The Turbo is to be hybridized to a K24 core good for 420 to 500 bhp. As a result, I'll look at the injector charts and choose accordingly.</div><div>The Idea is to have a dual map with the minimum duty cycle the injectors handle for the minimum pressure on the turbo (IDK 180bhp maybe), and either 400 or 500 bhp for the max duty cycle on the injectors and turbo feeding.</div><div><br></div><div>I think the Wife will be pleased. </div><div>Stay tuned for more info and pictures. I'll be showing off my friend Fabio's skills during the build, in case you wanna try the same recipe. <br></div><div><br></div><div><i><b>UPDATE 1</b></i></div><div>Finally, after a long wait (first gather all the parts, then waiting for the mechanic to have time to assign to the build), I've got word that, next Thursday (in 3 days) the build will start, and the photos will start popping on the blog. Stay tunned.</div><div><br></div><div>She is now dry (engine coolant, engine oil and gearbox oil).</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>Tomorrow, engine and turbo comes out and off to the machine shop. Weeeeee ;)</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div><i><b>UPDATE 2</b></i><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>wow this was a mess... no wonder it failed. <br></div><div>Gasket blew and coolant went into the combustion chamber.</div><div>Gasket let go almost 50% of the contact patch... it was a matter of time before we had trouble. You can clearly see how clean and washed it is:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigr36bztGM-aNU7HZi2bokuyrDOtUi7eRzN78fMXd7k7raFb13GVVsEUJ1Xykz4PG3OUvBuA7zwGS6eZB3tp0uRc8IZj32NacwLevz-sjYceIVq6sL1Kzkw81ZB_JTnjfeiVieeEC3ZUinh31ij4jSkRc3KVly3vv85Cs3ISvnxYNXgfJpR8B84EsUyA" width="400"> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And a bench of parts that (about 50% of'em) will never be used in this engine again. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The rods seam thin if you look from this perspective, but turn them sideways and they look like toothpicks. The 2.5 t5 low pressure options is built cheap to it's very core. Disappointing, but a clear tell sign of economists finding their way into engineering departments. <br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div><i><b>UPDATE 3</b></i><br></div><div>Engine is now at machine shop, and turbo has been handed to the turbo specialist for hybridization... in goes a BorgWarner K04 out comes a BorgWarner K24.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div>Next step: Full destruction of existing sleeves and making the inserts for the Dartons.</div><div>Then the cold/hot resleve.</div><div>Then honing under pressure plate at full torque (simulating a head in place)... the proper way to do it.</div><div><br></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This next phase is expected to take about 1month...so update could be delayed until full sleeved block and turbo are done.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Will try to post progress IF the work shop sends images back.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Update:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.2px;">So summer came, people went on vacation, stuff delayed a bit, however:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The block is sleeved and parts are now in weight correction and dinamic balancing for assembly.</div><br></div><div>With the engine now being dynamic-balanced, its starting to get close to assembly, so the logic step is starting to work of shaft reinforcement and brakes.</div><div>As such, a set of s60R calipers front and rear...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>...those are 4 piston calipers all round, brembo made.</div><div>next is 330mm rotors, probably 2 part disks with floating mounts...still under research.</div><div><div>The calippers where the ones shown above, but since the V50 is more polestar than standard, i asked (again) for my friends Diogo Silva's help.</div><div>And boy did he deliver:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</div><br></div><div>If you are looking for a proper paintjob (with decalcs) Diogo is your man. You can reach him here: diogo2306silva@gmail.com</div><div>+351933590153</div></div><div><br></div><div><i><b>Credits and Special thanks for this build:</b></i></div><div>Diogo Silva - caliper paiting</div><div>(to be filled at the build end)</div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>Manuel Ribeirohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898244397231724106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1596560228948831313.post-67084901734946692412022-05-30T23:41:00.008+01:002022-09-14T23:29:38.984+01:00Volvo T5 ... T5R... R ... R-design? Volvo Polestar? Just Polestar? But aren't all Volvo's grandparent's cars?<p>No... ohhh no!</p><p>Volvo has a racing heritage. Particularly when they decided to market their mad T5 as R and partner with TWR to show-off all over the BTCC scene, but they've always had a touch of MAD in their saloon and vans, it's just that, people don't know that until they try it.<br /></p><p>It all starter much earlier than that. Around mid 70's, Volvo debuted a new line of cars: the 240 and 260 series. </p><p>There is a constant miss mach on Volvo mode ranges, but I'll try my best to explain this:</p><table border="1"><tbody><tr><td><b><i>Type</i></b></td><td><b><i>BMW Equivalent</i></b></td><td><b><i>Ford Equivalent</i></b></td><td><b><i>Honda Equivalent</i></b></td><td><b><i>VAG Equivalent</i></b></td><td><b><i>70's Volvo</i></b></td><td><b><i>80's Volvo</i></b></td><td><b><i>90's Volvo</i></b></td><td><b><i>00's Volvo</i></b></td><td><b><i>Today's Volvo</i></b></td></tr><tr><td><b>HatchBack</b></td><td>1 series</td><td>Focus</td><td>Civic</td><td>A3 / Golf / Leon</td><td>-</td><td>380</td><td>-</td><td>C30</td><td>C30</td></tr><tr><td><b>Sports hatchback</b></td><td>1m Series</td><td>Focus RS / Focus ST</td><td>Civic TypeR</td><td>S3 / Golf gti/ Sirrocco/LeonCupra</td><td>-</td><td>480 turbo</td><td>-</td><td>C30T5<br />C30 Polestar</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td><b>Compact Family</b></td><td>3 Series Compact</td><td>Focus Sedan<br />Focus Van</td><td>Civic Van</td><td>Jetta / Bora</td><td>140/240</td><td>240/440<br /></td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>V40Mk2</td></tr><tr><td><b>Family Coupe</b></td><td>3 Series Coupe</td><td>Focus Coupe</td><td>-</td><td>Passat CC</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>C70</td><td>-</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td><b>Family Convertible</b></td><td>3 Series Convertible</td><td>Focus<br />Convertible</td><td>-</td><td>EOS</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>C70 Coupe</td><td>C70</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td><b>Family Minivan</b></td><td>2 series</td><td>Focus CMax</td><td>-</td><td>Touran</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td><b>Compact Family SUV</b></td><td>X2</td><td>Puma Mk2</td><td>HRV</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>XC40</td></tr><tr><td><b>Family</b></td><td>3 Series</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>A4 / Passat</td><td>-</td><td>460</td><td>S40Mk1<br />V40Mk1</td><td>S40mk2<br />V50mk1</td><td>S40mk3<br />V50mk2</td></tr><tr><td><b>Family Sports</b></td><td>3M Series</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>S4</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>S40T5/AWD<br />V50T5/AWD<br />Polestar kit</td><td>-<br />-</td></tr><tr><td><b>Comfort Family</b></td><td>5 Series</td><td>Mondeo</td><td>Accord</td><td>A6 / Octavia</td><td>164/260</td><td>260</td><td>850/S70/V70mk1<br /></td><td>S60mk1<br />V70mk2</td><td>S60mk3<br />V60</td></tr><tr><td><b>Comfort Family<br />Sports</b></td><td>5M Series</td><td>-</td><td>Accord TypeR</td><td>S6 / Octavia RS</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>850T5<br />850T5R<br />850R</td><td>S60T5<br />V70T5<br />S60R<br />V70R</td><td>S60 / V60 Polestar<br /></td></tr><tr><td><b>Comfort Family SUV</b></td><td>X3</td><td>Kuga</td><td>CRV</td><td>Q5/Tiguan</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>XC70 mk1</td><td>XC70 mk2</td><td>XC60</td></tr><tr><td><b>Limo</b></td><td>7 Series</td><td>Scorpio</td><td>Legacy</td><td>A8 / Arteon</td><td>-</td><td>740/760</td><td>900</td><td>S80<br /></td><td>S80<br />V90</td></tr><tr><td><b>Limo Sports</b></td><td>7M Series</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>S8</td><td>-</td><td>740Turbo<br />760Turbo</td><td>-</td><td>S80T6</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td><b>SUV</b></td><td>X5 Series</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>Q7/Touareg</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>XC90</td><td>XC90</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><i><b>So, back to the 200's.</b></i>..the 200 series where Volvo's bet into the family car. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXvNpNZr1Gkk4bcAyfABbWBbqb5Hvi69__yqxbbeZf_Nze-QO5KL2HOjZWbweNQ3TnQ69T9E_H-JAyxS0OdaK3UHgl-ou210ALw4Lfuo5cYdxAXU5RQLsoRhQHzrWJbhXL4WEHROteQXZZU5LmOcDfCoHY43fVHhKjSFYe3DpW4wYQea9aPBgb8oGS6A/s320/6613db89db4b0e3e4b28777050879924.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXvNpNZr1Gkk4bcAyfABbWBbqb5Hvi69__yqxbbeZf_Nze-QO5KL2HOjZWbweNQ3TnQ69T9E_H-JAyxS0OdaK3UHgl-ou210ALw4Lfuo5cYdxAXU5RQLsoRhQHzrWJbhXL4WEHROteQXZZU5LmOcDfCoHY43fVHhKjSFYe3DpW4wYQea9aPBgb8oGS6A/s1600/6613db89db4b0e3e4b28777050879924.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4d3Y_oLxNA60zewKxYzK3wLsIHOiukX4Ay09I3Am9wJsiXa_Df7Q9bteQOOr1v3tkWKr2ug6Hvg7_wzfp-fGlC0rEFmvz50AWxbfkdHGQ-FLoSzV_-AO3GvyEyaF_1dWUDKuw61JV5D-1HXvTOGP4NDCxPX28qqISamdOfxF13v1H4A8A2YMA6vvDGg/s800/89141b68607d87985b32275b978cb278.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="604" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4d3Y_oLxNA60zewKxYzK3wLsIHOiukX4Ay09I3Am9wJsiXa_Df7Q9bteQOOr1v3tkWKr2ug6Hvg7_wzfp-fGlC0rEFmvz50AWxbfkdHGQ-FLoSzV_-AO3GvyEyaF_1dWUDKuw61JV5D-1HXvTOGP4NDCxPX28qqISamdOfxF13v1H4A8A2YMA6vvDGg/s320/89141b68607d87985b32275b978cb278.jpg" width="242" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6nUQ_60OxG25A8udKiSRMZblVTRzy1E2zM5F2bxdzF1FK-Ewb0vikUI4XrQ-QR5eyJoQyKm7Ta4wAgdGGj-nlQtdBus34Kq__cE3nBBE_ZJdO94YGA8p1qWn49NSok-h_ODYunZEo_XUoA9sMfzoeeD-YpZR89wunjpKwV5KC8f5iOGAW_I3tCNwPQ/s260/images.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="194" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6nUQ_60OxG25A8udKiSRMZblVTRzy1E2zM5F2bxdzF1FK-Ewb0vikUI4XrQ-QR5eyJoQyKm7Ta4wAgdGGj-nlQtdBus34Kq__cE3nBBE_ZJdO94YGA8p1qWn49NSok-h_ODYunZEo_XUoA9sMfzoeeD-YpZR89wunjpKwV5KC8f5iOGAW_I3tCNwPQ/s1600/images.jpeg" width="194" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJvYVc0GlTDFFLnlWyJvJw2eIoyWyVlpgH_Nrzwlzv7Cg1QTVIB2T8n7O-ZdqZ9eP7g5QKjgvtFjNpZ-QFFROqH0jyMEg5MSKKtSYo-4lEits0jekZsRB_p7zzpCJnHCtgkLi5J6IZv0mVxJSZ2LwuQpLT3pBUoHbsmoL5CvPm9Y-y48SvvR9L9tB-w/s925/9688832068_c7693251e0_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="925" data-original-width="677" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJvYVc0GlTDFFLnlWyJvJw2eIoyWyVlpgH_Nrzwlzv7Cg1QTVIB2T8n7O-ZdqZ9eP7g5QKjgvtFjNpZ-QFFROqH0jyMEg5MSKKtSYo-4lEits0jekZsRB_p7zzpCJnHCtgkLi5J6IZv0mVxJSZ2LwuQpLT3pBUoHbsmoL5CvPm9Y-y48SvvR9L9tB-w/s320/9688832068_c7693251e0_b.jpg" width="234" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4nGuzRQP7EMoji6-A5knMGCao0aUZyHhwyylhuf1XWCLi-f4Zoe5p6ab9ZTu_JQca8kTLhkO-wqt3fJT2XLhBYfLHED-UV--d8hahyo3c1Bn5t6gasHQKstAjHIAncewUfog82ddi0EILNAHKXXnn8YCqwM8uxzLGULX89T3fwXwPUkfYLFmPwC2kg/s650/coolest-wagon-ever-made-volvo-240-glt-gear-patrol-LEAD.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="650" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4nGuzRQP7EMoji6-A5knMGCao0aUZyHhwyylhuf1XWCLi-f4Zoe5p6ab9ZTu_JQca8kTLhkO-wqt3fJT2XLhBYfLHED-UV--d8hahyo3c1Bn5t6gasHQKstAjHIAncewUfog82ddi0EILNAHKXXnn8YCqwM8uxzLGULX89T3fwXwPUkfYLFmPwC2kg/s320/coolest-wagon-ever-made-volvo-240-glt-gear-patrol-LEAD.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p>But the chassis was a significant improvement form previous cars and the engines where over-engineered to stand abuse and engineering refinement over the years. So Volvo, aimed against the BMW and Mercedes market, and pumped up the power on the straight 6. They also added better brakes to </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhA-xq5Sg7DTpeBvBvR5Vn46GUyaz0mef7utkokXaAi--LLrB0qT5J-TpHQeKJC1m_x5h9Do4dyRYOFB6tDrON3xRP03Fd9wDoOxQpZJwdbcDsnqn9NbYTj2erYqr3XWRM2vDtX7PWUkkqRaHi01RrHQwJW_rbRtrYzdHX-VksiwQ3F2n0DRE4Sj5NVg/s261/download%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="261" data-original-width="193" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhA-xq5Sg7DTpeBvBvR5Vn46GUyaz0mef7utkokXaAi--LLrB0qT5J-TpHQeKJC1m_x5h9Do4dyRYOFB6tDrON3xRP03Fd9wDoOxQpZJwdbcDsnqn9NbYTj2erYqr3XWRM2vDtX7PWUkkqRaHi01RrHQwJW_rbRtrYzdHX-VksiwQ3F2n0DRE4Sj5NVg/w238-h322/download%20(1).jpeg" style="cursor: move;" width="238" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZme22mWS-purFzG5OMxSB9n1uUhv2Z-W_dKgAKm1bEEJYHbPDnVI3dbIKNLIbdebLxj2YhK2EWod6OwTWXzbvTmBcsu2biEPmFFHItd8CIXyVdteHiEJ39hodTibHd99d2yGAFonAKZRtKDadiw7ouDQXsPHczn9ffAyBPLk6M-9MFmSzDZwXlytWSg/s1323/Volvo-240-4-1000x1323.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1323" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZme22mWS-purFzG5OMxSB9n1uUhv2Z-W_dKgAKm1bEEJYHbPDnVI3dbIKNLIbdebLxj2YhK2EWod6OwTWXzbvTmBcsu2biEPmFFHItd8CIXyVdteHiEJ39hodTibHd99d2yGAFonAKZRtKDadiw7ouDQXsPHczn9ffAyBPLk6M-9MFmSzDZwXlytWSg/s320/Volvo-240-4-1000x1323.jpg" width="242" /></a></div><p>And then, the hairdryer squad hit Volvo and they decided to Turbo-it:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2teARvYKEh2S79IAFgL48HJJQxMwKH9940SL4jGNu-S5-W-nodX8SW-vx94fON6lPPTPcPNndDFvMJCMNd9ffusPexhXC5RyO_lgUqDxzhLwYb57LIu9iDse5SrXQYo8Il6G7O7l4gpmAFyWG6VAVL-NuP7Wtj9DBY5tSMZyIFxeYGcfSxbAu06HXUA/s475/d916719f3c1deeb9bb4d9eeb6a042ec2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="475" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2teARvYKEh2S79IAFgL48HJJQxMwKH9940SL4jGNu-S5-W-nodX8SW-vx94fON6lPPTPcPNndDFvMJCMNd9ffusPexhXC5RyO_lgUqDxzhLwYb57LIu9iDse5SrXQYo8Il6G7O7l4gpmAFyWG6VAVL-NuP7Wtj9DBY5tSMZyIFxeYGcfSxbAu06HXUA/w438-h312/d916719f3c1deeb9bb4d9eeb6a042ec2.jpg" width="438" /></a> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrFvced8FwiNhjimnFzhliGSQVN_YrfVR9LEFxU4ZR7kNV6RtU4wR4qPB-zmg4pN3Zmg6GpXT3fwBqvnQH-M8MZwcGPA2mJzMYe4KmiWlwYrYSaGBYyiARsunQCYToI5f549nTEpoF6tpsrViC3-KrIfQrqFmEpmtcjn5hOyMBO6Hsmi7wkMcmYQrUQ/s941/ab31195ad53cf22fdca4061502bc1b5c--volvo-ad-volvo-wagon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="941" data-original-width="687" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrFvced8FwiNhjimnFzhliGSQVN_YrfVR9LEFxU4ZR7kNV6RtU4wR4qPB-zmg4pN3Zmg6GpXT3fwBqvnQH-M8MZwcGPA2mJzMYe4KmiWlwYrYSaGBYyiARsunQCYToI5f549nTEpoF6tpsrViC3-KrIfQrqFmEpmtcjn5hOyMBO6Hsmi7wkMcmYQrUQ/s320/ab31195ad53cf22fdca4061502bc1b5c--volvo-ad-volvo-wagon.jpg" width="234" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJ2ffDMR1C6QDNHSBQU1Y6haaP14ZW_ZgQ-nNj690VK_Qb6vlIwu89ZO-bLd_-9ae6h7_925COKdoVeX_zMrIkbmdGR-1tyQPgcOIBDS9Yb409ew-5eeYotnqm_8HR_RUp_7yj2o0-GrAaGjfQvnZEZpZyuiWEvWuayE1QE_gbSbUXMXCytDf9pvehQ/s306/e3aa77cefea90f06531aa839ed96e798.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="306" data-original-width="236" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJ2ffDMR1C6QDNHSBQU1Y6haaP14ZW_ZgQ-nNj690VK_Qb6vlIwu89ZO-bLd_-9ae6h7_925COKdoVeX_zMrIkbmdGR-1tyQPgcOIBDS9Yb409ew-5eeYotnqm_8HR_RUp_7yj2o0-GrAaGjfQvnZEZpZyuiWEvWuayE1QE_gbSbUXMXCytDf9pvehQ/s1600/e3aa77cefea90f06531aa839ed96e798.jpg" width="236" /></a></p><p>... and later, Inter-cool-it:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrM2A1X45PZCCZhjP-lr1vF5iBeuxSsMUPu5_RHSZ9_dtxJ_orOrtrP0KFu0SFdLezF0SHYdfn6-egYnOGhrM6ei_swfeqUnsP5vAfR4fN2pSQ9c6rjnMpS7-lM_ZbOfMpWpnjtzEMl7fwYuybBPVpvP_0eJ1avgi1jZd-vVI4TZVTYWZRqDu0KoRqiw/s858/62ba6e7f73b2b7bc3d6dba182b258d85.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="620" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrM2A1X45PZCCZhjP-lr1vF5iBeuxSsMUPu5_RHSZ9_dtxJ_orOrtrP0KFu0SFdLezF0SHYdfn6-egYnOGhrM6ei_swfeqUnsP5vAfR4fN2pSQ9c6rjnMpS7-lM_ZbOfMpWpnjtzEMl7fwYuybBPVpvP_0eJ1avgi1jZd-vVI4TZVTYWZRqDu0KoRqiw/s320/62ba6e7f73b2b7bc3d6dba182b258d85.jpg" width="231" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilg7PdPPReA1XteVZQtZWKUgzEXDkXwRADFZPsU0hPsW0lWvNIaRDwN2_d1W2GNakYJIXd3d23c8sw2aPnA4S6fcsfXOH5i8A0t_WPbyxRO2Rmkj7dwFyNT7eN37_DyLCyEoUtvZkK4qZ8oUr0VgZ1XRKZWLnkjfJy84htPf4gYXnv7StQin7L6PAR2w/s557/62b87cb8fb3170445b3bca2788850ff9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilg7PdPPReA1XteVZQtZWKUgzEXDkXwRADFZPsU0hPsW0lWvNIaRDwN2_d1W2GNakYJIXd3d23c8sw2aPnA4S6fcsfXOH5i8A0t_WPbyxRO2Rmkj7dwFyNT7eN37_DyLCyEoUtvZkK4qZ8oUr0VgZ1XRKZWLnkjfJy84htPf4gYXnv7StQin7L6PAR2w/s320/62b87cb8fb3170445b3bca2788850ff9.jpg" width="230" /></a></p><p>And with that, people thought: This could be just good enough to race! Guess what...it was!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Tgmv1qXqWpgpLhegkwBMa_6CRIJIMB2u5tpiyZYiY6ZG386iIOPvrhwJvaTS3EWwSostsjK83dz3zJhKI4OBORA4a89eB2RIXzWK1XlAEJE99bKovFHx66hEv9es7CIePm9Sk09aF_nyRgqb28QNubLwrrTO-nzw3Hnjv4vvn7iJQpznv5zb-OqUVg/s1000/this-is-how-volvo-dressed-its-world-beating-242-turbo-for-battle-1476934518306-1000x507.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="1000" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Tgmv1qXqWpgpLhegkwBMa_6CRIJIMB2u5tpiyZYiY6ZG386iIOPvrhwJvaTS3EWwSostsjK83dz3zJhKI4OBORA4a89eB2RIXzWK1XlAEJE99bKovFHx66hEv9es7CIePm9Sk09aF_nyRgqb28QNubLwrrTO-nzw3Hnjv4vvn7iJQpznv5zb-OqUVg/s320/this-is-how-volvo-dressed-its-world-beating-242-turbo-for-battle-1476934518306-1000x507.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFdi-lA-yvg6rROEHlyx-5xN74Nisz0U-MOlza2WCdRi-7XBofQ-HQEjX9qkQ4wid7ul0kDrhL-hPz4KqSa6unCKjdHZkKw99b8iQi_9Wyd1Sxxk3JB7AS2Sq79yQ1aAXLkbqTvsHEDd3nogkAh1owjq4N12CCvAYlFqyX2h4OzUkWulNAmhiYt4TSw/s1099/c19d3e10981ab876bd70889f42bc0b3f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="619" data-original-width="1099" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVFdi-lA-yvg6rROEHlyx-5xN74Nisz0U-MOlza2WCdRi-7XBofQ-HQEjX9qkQ4wid7ul0kDrhL-hPz4KqSa6unCKjdHZkKw99b8iQi_9Wyd1Sxxk3JB7AS2Sq79yQ1aAXLkbqTvsHEDd3nogkAh1owjq4N12CCvAYlFqyX2h4OzUkWulNAmhiYt4TSw/s320/c19d3e10981ab876bd70889f42bc0b3f.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0R9Nx67_H4Os4AaIfJzPqVtLMiWxECI_4NqB7DU6hkQ6RZRuIthsRCcYTR4leaC6Bx1RZOtf_A-gga19x-HyOnZ7vrCIpSTCjebGK-ICx-rrm3uZUK1WYemjgxONSLw_NcCcPlZpT4iSa7g4PqltoJtkq9x_H8uCwelNn6R9IE_YtA0m6ExfQXrhehQ/s1100/beemax-box_orig.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="1100" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0R9Nx67_H4Os4AaIfJzPqVtLMiWxECI_4NqB7DU6hkQ6RZRuIthsRCcYTR4leaC6Bx1RZOtf_A-gga19x-HyOnZ7vrCIpSTCjebGK-ICx-rrm3uZUK1WYemjgxONSLw_NcCcPlZpT4iSa7g4PqltoJtkq9x_H8uCwelNn6R9IE_YtA0m6ExfQXrhehQ/s320/beemax-box_orig.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlIiC4fe6nNl4J-T9nsRd88TAeB5xxOq4DlHuQp-eF0tlZ-uz35R4V4SyTQRluAFAIdcJ6NMCME1Mk8SvQkdxC-yeg65OKmtKzYGIj58MPcZjbjS2kAEOb_1E7Z0a9WoFvRRmWeW4k5BILgsk0O5R3OApI5jAOVWxoykVJMx5RQgFFWqK6VlE8YHKJg/s1236/5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1236" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlIiC4fe6nNl4J-T9nsRd88TAeB5xxOq4DlHuQp-eF0tlZ-uz35R4V4SyTQRluAFAIdcJ6NMCME1Mk8SvQkdxC-yeg65OKmtKzYGIj58MPcZjbjS2kAEOb_1E7Z0a9WoFvRRmWeW4k5BILgsk0O5R3OApI5jAOVWxoykVJMx5RQgFFWqK6VlE8YHKJg/s320/5.jpeg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HFJ-wky1t9c9qGPJIZFK1gR3dETtuUTeVfHgdPesJWHMN7P__StY_fJ8oK244LItW12GADHGKMqxQkS-gw1ye_OEgKgt_pXouuCIoNZLvjByMOmhBDGn3_PgR_f14CoO1jCzTfcSlmWDUsON1z63wCUOXJ9UZpSYNACJ38caN34P3tt6isttRW3AGQ/s259/download.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HFJ-wky1t9c9qGPJIZFK1gR3dETtuUTeVfHgdPesJWHMN7P__StY_fJ8oK244LItW12GADHGKMqxQkS-gw1ye_OEgKgt_pXouuCIoNZLvjByMOmhBDGn3_PgR_f14CoO1jCzTfcSlmWDUsON1z63wCUOXJ9UZpSYNACJ38caN34P3tt6isttRW3AGQ/s1600/download.jpeg" width="259" /></a><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><i>The 700 series:</i></b><div>It worked, so, Why not adding another "hairdryer" to the 700 series?<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2EeJVxs1_uF30xANo5LSvHpkKO4olZ_-epovmjx4GYYQdQztFerxg1M_BmUD2-rIetGQFvtQr0hvAlTc92O6B29nr2sB_Y2BRh39KmXV9kXIpYVNkaQwY0RzGt4Qq9evzPM2T7fGjTQ9JNNFvq-uZKbfx7x8lWDIXCFbOJG5Aa1u4_-dwQY322554w/s477/ae239d51ec8b1a68795180a7862aa223.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="350" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2EeJVxs1_uF30xANo5LSvHpkKO4olZ_-epovmjx4GYYQdQztFerxg1M_BmUD2-rIetGQFvtQr0hvAlTc92O6B29nr2sB_Y2BRh39KmXV9kXIpYVNkaQwY0RzGt4Qq9evzPM2T7fGjTQ9JNNFvq-uZKbfx7x8lWDIXCFbOJG5Aa1u4_-dwQY322554w/s320/ae239d51ec8b1a68795180a7862aa223.jpg" width="235" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0XDmggPotVTfLlia49mxTkE5pbwNGmTLJeIcTiCqFCG_puhP6dvPwdIoJK3bM0BrbJMlI6dcLHaEuwSdA42LfwsDclFe0D5bDXVKZ-2r1FKJGtHW3UIbrNOR1HNBKnJ96lZJUk1LrCVbs4gccnrq6speyXepcbZFG0ZLl14IqsXFeQ2zLtGEzXViLVA/s1173/Volvoracingad_700.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1173" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0XDmggPotVTfLlia49mxTkE5pbwNGmTLJeIcTiCqFCG_puhP6dvPwdIoJK3bM0BrbJMlI6dcLHaEuwSdA42LfwsDclFe0D5bDXVKZ-2r1FKJGtHW3UIbrNOR1HNBKnJ96lZJUk1LrCVbs4gccnrq6speyXepcbZFG0ZLl14IqsXFeQ2zLtGEzXViLVA/s320/Volvoracingad_700.jpg" width="246" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1t4ZIe-WhdGPyUgXDakwKg79S3C0LaYV9q3NwdvkkXwd8CZsN6mP8Gc-CnqAeZzl1T9YHE9UGCvwStB3ZSlbR2DjUhmEWQHkHzJm9oASjtDtACTDRh6U2mCEpOCNTp1FMTnS4g-6gvKdXQw-BQW8lcxPGUUJLVFlxS8GJ7gZtkxSfB0FIfU_CCGzbRA/s1024/volvo-2%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1t4ZIe-WhdGPyUgXDakwKg79S3C0LaYV9q3NwdvkkXwd8CZsN6mP8Gc-CnqAeZzl1T9YHE9UGCvwStB3ZSlbR2DjUhmEWQHkHzJm9oASjtDtACTDRh6U2mCEpOCNTp1FMTnS4g-6gvKdXQw-BQW8lcxPGUUJLVFlxS8GJ7gZtkxSfB0FIfU_CCGzbRA/w523-h348/volvo-2%20(1).jpg" width="523" /></a></div><div>And them all the sudden, Volvo had gained the reputation to create cars that just looked normal, until you floor'em and they burn rubber and disappear like they urged an exorcism. So, cleverly, they started appealing to the "kid" inside every man that once was a petrol head, but then got a kids of his own.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMnqwoCqY1jRZ_iARONBoGhJS5CN4HYUOWimteYFcy2gwYzjzCqSR-eihiHW_aMoL91L70G8Phq8JhPUj8_DPsvCmLbWzDXMKgZGXPUrPmlKSAikCZp4slIzABwtip4lbyRLmT-HwO4BE5tdAzWpxx47vuKakNrt6Sx_2PVGSzXlozTtz73QKb-5chA/s944/6eaaced5de8121358f033417a145b143.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="944" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMnqwoCqY1jRZ_iARONBoGhJS5CN4HYUOWimteYFcy2gwYzjzCqSR-eihiHW_aMoL91L70G8Phq8JhPUj8_DPsvCmLbWzDXMKgZGXPUrPmlKSAikCZp4slIzABwtip4lbyRLmT-HwO4BE5tdAzWpxx47vuKakNrt6Sx_2PVGSzXlozTtz73QKb-5chA/s320/6eaaced5de8121358f033417a145b143.jpg" width="237" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5laJamKkyfJQoG4iY8tzujZw91lPgKCjfqNsTEG-OVF0RaqonIue6i7nLvemQks9ucyLLldgHnQT1CYumS24LTbd64I605eidxzbJPlJcbRkZeb0roYG3PpS40GgAjH8-pNPb8Y1PqLp8BczHo_9cmX-asXel07TFzAZbWxHof7a535eMFLUJ2U7vA/s1500/ad6e7650086df423b5c09c9c2c2d2687.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1113" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5laJamKkyfJQoG4iY8tzujZw91lPgKCjfqNsTEG-OVF0RaqonIue6i7nLvemQks9ucyLLldgHnQT1CYumS24LTbd64I605eidxzbJPlJcbRkZeb0roYG3PpS40GgAjH8-pNPb8Y1PqLp8BczHo_9cmX-asXel07TFzAZbWxHof7a535eMFLUJ2U7vA/s320/ad6e7650086df423b5c09c9c2c2d2687.jpg" width="237" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZ2LMgXqzoc-aFftsYwfvOxoIowcB2CvY8XvcHM2mgFO2YpuH8GSIPTHkx73fGD3z5UprLByrPXvsgskJi2isVsiEzvt9Q5yFSqM73pd12K6VQVAjPUGwUlEeZCMq-hk1M5LwaSVVVye-lyg-e8yXPhczajL2QSSg-1yi-9SLyVflYp_UDqN3PYZlfg/s262/download.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="262" data-original-width="193" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZ2LMgXqzoc-aFftsYwfvOxoIowcB2CvY8XvcHM2mgFO2YpuH8GSIPTHkx73fGD3z5UprLByrPXvsgskJi2isVsiEzvt9Q5yFSqM73pd12K6VQVAjPUGwUlEeZCMq-hk1M5LwaSVVVye-lyg-e8yXPhczajL2QSSg-1yi-9SLyVflYp_UDqN3PYZlfg/w231-h313/download.jpeg" width="231" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4f9aXSrowO1pbSu7JgMB_4RG9v-yHqq16w_QvoPEORzdAADbzEvrvCM0GJwgJNSmqY5oGSUzeZ998aTtH1BbDm7OpugCBYY3g2yj-lGxEqyRu8akw6FFbLAYYt38BtJ--U28W-3StgEWsgzOWvLFN1C5Bt4giimE_nx6ZY2x4ub038uCyS_ADu3xTAw/s600/BW0hn9OIQAEBLes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4f9aXSrowO1pbSu7JgMB_4RG9v-yHqq16w_QvoPEORzdAADbzEvrvCM0GJwgJNSmqY5oGSUzeZ998aTtH1BbDm7OpugCBYY3g2yj-lGxEqyRu8akw6FFbLAYYt38BtJ--U28W-3StgEWsgzOWvLFN1C5Bt4giimE_nx6ZY2x4ub038uCyS_ADu3xTAw/s320/BW0hn9OIQAEBLes.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><i>And then the P80 chassis</i></b></div><div>At this point, things started to get VERY interesting. </div><div>Volvo was working on a new line of chassis "p80" and a new line of engines "Volvo Modular engine", and since they where expecting some fast performer versions, and some competition usage, they really thought on chassis dynamics that where fun "within Volvo concepts" and not just safe and habitable.</div><div>The 850 was good from start and after some "test production years" mainly with 2.0 and 2.5 NA 5 cylinder engines, then started the T5, T5R, glt(t2) and then the R.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdq4Z-4QEthxvYJxlWc-0wWeAP9_TFXPCiYGOBrOblS25fRApezw0OKYPe3lZ1MK5XhHznmJkhZEZAKJYpRhDEjlOp9L9gMkBZxpOG2EG04guiLslVEiK1O8p3jnTFfn7GT_cqAAso1NR8L2xBgBvEYgS68HLE74xjM3JrZeHIFlC4iWzqM1nnnyagSA/s1000/f68ee6e70c6824b4325044883cd329b4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdq4Z-4QEthxvYJxlWc-0wWeAP9_TFXPCiYGOBrOblS25fRApezw0OKYPe3lZ1MK5XhHznmJkhZEZAKJYpRhDEjlOp9L9gMkBZxpOG2EG04guiLslVEiK1O8p3jnTFfn7GT_cqAAso1NR8L2xBgBvEYgS68HLE74xjM3JrZeHIFlC4iWzqM1nnnyagSA/s320/f68ee6e70c6824b4325044883cd329b4.jpg" width="236" /></a></div><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqm1mPvAI3iNB-czRiAo_m7NxmyP3piOF-9TAADJxdjC7oN7NkG4ldnPeGkXoh01n30vg1XIUYkLuZQhVpTU0lBvcLoNZlViq99VjtwFdECdM3uD3B33mnW8Czdg9n7NRv8bh99eeKspKgcgttNAyi9sUv3T7QAMfVa3aUUbDyVMshJ-2OyatrdZ6ibA/s960/Volvo-850-T5-R-Kombi-960x640.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqm1mPvAI3iNB-czRiAo_m7NxmyP3piOF-9TAADJxdjC7oN7NkG4ldnPeGkXoh01n30vg1XIUYkLuZQhVpTU0lBvcLoNZlViq99VjtwFdECdM3uD3B33mnW8Czdg9n7NRv8bh99eeKspKgcgttNAyi9sUv3T7QAMfVa3aUUbDyVMshJ-2OyatrdZ6ibA/s320/Volvo-850-T5-R-Kombi-960x640.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG24daOcreipFzFH87nAr8OiiDhyuz-p6cz4FigyQYxkNlPmEaFIcH1wC-dai7XmSy-PeXjJeIy8nv_T87RwT6-cwNO58wI6vmW-6svJhGmYaPUgU52JR2WVOjmm78-ymONHACQ-KEHyzbwLLeBNY66_OFat1n1KsNEDFKxkNRMRZNTUqs0pHoLkw7FA/s695/volvo-850-turbo-wagon_07.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="695" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG24daOcreipFzFH87nAr8OiiDhyuz-p6cz4FigyQYxkNlPmEaFIcH1wC-dai7XmSy-PeXjJeIy8nv_T87RwT6-cwNO58wI6vmW-6svJhGmYaPUgU52JR2WVOjmm78-ymONHACQ-KEHyzbwLLeBNY66_OFat1n1KsNEDFKxkNRMRZNTUqs0pHoLkw7FA/s320/volvo-850-turbo-wagon_07.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div>The rear Deltalink auto-steering suspension, meant that the car, though enormous, did had some agility... argumentatively a weird one: You need to go all out loading the rear suspension (typically with a lift-off, yang-in, full-throttle), to smash the rubber bushings and twist the geometry into the turn-in. If you get it right, it feels like there is a magical force holding the massive rear end and helping you corner, while the front wheels shred the tires through the bend... but it does help the massive thing turn. So not brilliant, definitely not refined as a BMW; expensive on tires; but efficient, sure.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So it comes with no surprise that this happened:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKdyTUxHYDPxvg1hdIPUMZnvV2Wxl1hs_vnKT_dqIiOWgmKdTRmzMlnST3wwnpkcpygBdTX81FBeWH6KgEXgHwYSljbokCvLHgI4Wnj_w-hDrt-QODluTZkiH1sKCzZPNSgntvIY5UXf6vDGcBseGnkq8mEljLSusNSyxrQMr54vxbsDjV31RbQtkWw/s1000/27094549163_31fde7427c_b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKdyTUxHYDPxvg1hdIPUMZnvV2Wxl1hs_vnKT_dqIiOWgmKdTRmzMlnST3wwnpkcpygBdTX81FBeWH6KgEXgHwYSljbokCvLHgI4Wnj_w-hDrt-QODluTZkiH1sKCzZPNSgntvIY5UXf6vDGcBseGnkq8mEljLSusNSyxrQMr54vxbsDjV31RbQtkWw/s320/27094549163_31fde7427c_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Volvo teamed up with TomWakinshawRacing team and then:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEY23efFZelSuUm602B0uw5AEwlbrJKD4oDbcDwjqzJYBTuM3TKB8W-PDgtIf3DidL1Lph3u5IAWuMr7Leqzm2nOdFcuLIlDXS00P8tL9QGUWGxFyvL26TJgTNP2NI1s4O9MKFvjlE1NL3Y_oknjaBoS6iveOGApQ6kClONrYaVrJglHJaeovGwuI67g/s1280/maxresdefault.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEY23efFZelSuUm602B0uw5AEwlbrJKD4oDbcDwjqzJYBTuM3TKB8W-PDgtIf3DidL1Lph3u5IAWuMr7Leqzm2nOdFcuLIlDXS00P8tL9QGUWGxFyvL26TJgTNP2NI1s4O9MKFvjlE1NL3Y_oknjaBoS6iveOGApQ6kClONrYaVrJglHJaeovGwuI67g/s320/maxresdefault.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmZhhZhwh3922pYidjHLJWrSTj0Y2YM3sfBNRPbND0b3y8bt9AV0hREox3go4Ewzw2IYYGGHipVhk0at7E0u6Zkhp3DYZ-UHrsyJv9uuhv6qmY6UzjQgjofuz8_NTGi7_sUajwb8CtxSb6qq8q8aIuc-SUi6zX5hBfh9b7gZKpN3T0e3zwDrcbC8aXw/s1000/jpg.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1000" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmZhhZhwh3922pYidjHLJWrSTj0Y2YM3sfBNRPbND0b3y8bt9AV0hREox3go4Ewzw2IYYGGHipVhk0at7E0u6Zkhp3DYZ-UHrsyJv9uuhv6qmY6UzjQgjofuz8_NTGi7_sUajwb8CtxSb6qq8q8aIuc-SUi6zX5hBfh9b7gZKpN3T0e3zwDrcbC8aXw/s320/jpg.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">yes! that is a van... on the BTCC racing track... and it was tremendous.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The 850 in the BTCC where not even close to the production T5, T5R or R... but the driving experience was not that different (causing Lamers to leave the team, as he had a 850T5 and thought the driving too similar to consider the BTCC car pro enough). And they looked the same, and since the road going versions where crazy powerful, people loved them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjoiD9rIHeYQNzsFLXb29cPOxX14N3odJ4LfGv0sxpIbgw1Xhav6gjjOJdbYA_rh3Em_xJYrQgkVtMTV4mxaJl67XZ9zZ7bLhHYF4BZVExMfmUeVDrc0t3w3Cx1VD5kng9a71lRyVPz7wo5wFCXe_5b4sF-cLrO1Sa07SdH6TRdHzqa9DFgH7MAvODw/s750/vm307b8g.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="551" data-original-width="750" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjoiD9rIHeYQNzsFLXb29cPOxX14N3odJ4LfGv0sxpIbgw1Xhav6gjjOJdbYA_rh3Em_xJYrQgkVtMTV4mxaJl67XZ9zZ7bLhHYF4BZVExMfmUeVDrc0t3w3Cx1VD5kng9a71lRyVPz7wo5wFCXe_5b4sF-cLrO1Sa07SdH6TRdHzqa9DFgH7MAvODw/w455-h334/vm307b8g.jpg" width="455" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCVc_6hxb0dgzu_WkMYMyvVX3UzcGeDMr4tNysBoII6mAe5MwzApiGOvncO7uy8H9twffCKItD5QdYfMs4KTlHNdcICtW3avzpFK3aelap3Mkhui0zLGCkJnhXYOPUjxgWYPqK5hgV44_1UVk9so3uBEAQgm0CAdM-LjVSptu7HCgcXe0lXxxFVpp0A/s1280/volvo_motormuseum_33.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCVc_6hxb0dgzu_WkMYMyvVX3UzcGeDMr4tNysBoII6mAe5MwzApiGOvncO7uy8H9twffCKItD5QdYfMs4KTlHNdcICtW3avzpFK3aelap3Mkhui0zLGCkJnhXYOPUjxgWYPqK5hgV44_1UVk9so3uBEAQgm0CAdM-LjVSptu7HCgcXe0lXxxFVpp0A/w381-h508/volvo_motormuseum_33.jpg" width="381" /></a></div></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The BTCC was a masterpiece of clever engineering around the rules from the brilliant TWR team.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">First of all the car was NA 2.0 and not Turbo 2.3, however, the 5 cylinder aspirated 2.0 rev'd to 8500 rpm and produced 325bhp (with 13.5:1 compression pistons), but it was always publicized as 280+ after catalytic converter silencer fitting, and delivered it to ground via a 6 speed gearbox.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRd4q4W51EqZBj2VJv5szw-46VAtye1Fh9ZFwEg4_dJKFGfL1HlYHDNSX4kIn-U6tsrYk1GLpDJskf1ANixCfiy2aIKgF-l1iI9_whWf2Wh9P1cKHqkmmmfSfBP9G7JOkBpci0MWpJgIo2Sugv2YXHQQQ2wCb-D2DZbyeo7-Nv8muHGxmQbANWQTveMQ/s800/png-engine-comparison1.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="289" data-original-width="800" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRd4q4W51EqZBj2VJv5szw-46VAtye1Fh9ZFwEg4_dJKFGfL1HlYHDNSX4kIn-U6tsrYk1GLpDJskf1ANixCfiy2aIKgF-l1iI9_whWf2Wh9P1cKHqkmmmfSfBP9G7JOkBpci0MWpJgIo2Sugv2YXHQQQ2wCb-D2DZbyeo7-Nv8muHGxmQbANWQTveMQ/w556-h202/png-engine-comparison1.png" width="556" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-4DnpXhZif7kdDJx0IIBPXAvfisbffAsp6gCU_TV-gh6v4Sb1QzGXA2DktfoTdl6yzStDDyPNJqoP5CRK4f5ea2ZDNGFrVp5JUugRC6axnCMpVip2x9nWOdCzha6UWp3PcsyvY55rcP8c7h16OIMeloDAEa5Fg-gYw9lcN-NQl67HVPgrIGkLBTnlA/s640/12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-4DnpXhZif7kdDJx0IIBPXAvfisbffAsp6gCU_TV-gh6v4Sb1QzGXA2DktfoTdl6yzStDDyPNJqoP5CRK4f5ea2ZDNGFrVp5JUugRC6axnCMpVip2x9nWOdCzha6UWp3PcsyvY55rcP8c7h16OIMeloDAEa5Fg-gYw9lcN-NQl67HVPgrIGkLBTnlA/w564-h424/12.jpg" width="564" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Engine was mounted lower and further back into the car.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5knBVCCEHECSMu0Vzzc4SyRTlwyQXqQveqVfTTTirDYtYpD2ShYwPo6FC1rkAmDU6DVT_WZrGWzjPVM8J8Q1cmEIIIwm8By4yxYbABTwAdecDqRDnuANaOG_VlP-UWe6I-BDUzL0nrlsXdloc4HyhfhJERxKnU_h7egeHPeFQg6aKqhQ49zOynJuRdQ/s1200/AM7I0740-1200x800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5knBVCCEHECSMu0Vzzc4SyRTlwyQXqQveqVfTTTirDYtYpD2ShYwPo6FC1rkAmDU6DVT_WZrGWzjPVM8J8Q1cmEIIIwm8By4yxYbABTwAdecDqRDnuANaOG_VlP-UWe6I-BDUzL0nrlsXdloc4HyhfhJERxKnU_h7egeHPeFQg6aKqhQ49zOynJuRdQ/w538-h358/AM7I0740-1200x800.jpg" width="538" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Driving position was also move towards the centre of the car, next to the B pillar, full racing car style.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But the best part, the cherry on top of the cake was the cylinder head. You see BTCC rules stated that the angle of the valves could not be changed from production cars... but there is 2 ways to look at this: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1- angle towards the head</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2- angle towards the block</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The standard head could not be tuned enough make a competitive Turing car engine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You see, the heads from the production 2.0 and 2.5 engines where built towards easiness in production and cost reduction, so the 58 degree intake-exhaust amplitude is less than optimal and high-range, leaves the engine struggling for air volume. The regulations allowed for bigger valves, but not the angle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So a prototype was built to study the air-flow dynamics and have a goal. <span style="text-align: center;">This design alone managed 260bhp. It was still a good 25bhp shy of the standard power output from... well everyone else.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So someone at TWR thought outside of the box and move the logic of looking at valve angles from a head geometry perspective into what I really what is valve-to-block angle. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">and regulation said nothing about shaving the head unilaterally and tilting-it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There was also nothing saying you couldn't cut the head top-off and fit a custom part to allow bigger valves and cams. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The result was sort of a Frankenstein with a small part of the original head, sandwiched between custom parts and angled so the cylinder intake and air swirl optimization managed 235bhp. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKyYX6gm-wKHhamvvpA70giarcCIT-7TnsdIbPrpof2N4aiDQIWVGOobMlr7kYurkUEqDHCPFcXYp_9vKvv2tv29IL2qduv1XBKfsRlULY--PlahV6MOzn_3Bz5hccl5IwciJ6tLXFiMVKzXavQVBHn7f1i3KvgD7DC_aqTAt0NTdJUNr92GfUg6uZw/s552/24296495_882973978545792_5576914245338506058_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="552" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyKyYX6gm-wKHhamvvpA70giarcCIT-7TnsdIbPrpof2N4aiDQIWVGOobMlr7kYurkUEqDHCPFcXYp_9vKvv2tv29IL2qduv1XBKfsRlULY--PlahV6MOzn_3Bz5hccl5IwciJ6tLXFiMVKzXavQVBHn7f1i3KvgD7DC_aqTAt0NTdJUNr92GfUg6uZw/w435-h284/24296495_882973978545792_5576914245338506058_n.jpg" width="435" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrJVh25vmXdAY_qBrg-fWwzf0OxxrFIzrAqWuyf9RpaQjM01Jb7Gi-VXLzHkwZLHT8my-ixhLTekha2VCWUFEWPDYYXtCoQoGhtO8e_kMYrAtMTZJkv2-xPwk3vlE4L7udIIblwKZ7Ogxl4QSLnjp5JCxxqbhaC0PkCg6cELpq8cQimYn5I4exQmDVA/s552/24313140_882973981879125_2762992007036025389_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="552" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrJVh25vmXdAY_qBrg-fWwzf0OxxrFIzrAqWuyf9RpaQjM01Jb7Gi-VXLzHkwZLHT8my-ixhLTekha2VCWUFEWPDYYXtCoQoGhtO8e_kMYrAtMTZJkv2-xPwk3vlE4L7udIIblwKZ7Ogxl4QSLnjp5JCxxqbhaC0PkCg6cELpq8cQimYn5I4exQmDVA/w433-h265/24313140_882973981879125_2762992007036025389_o.jpg" width="433" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">And the Deltalink was also </div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHi6h55UZwZS3WtZ7Lo88L9IGRDEv4ICUjkT2xbYVGwaCnqPcuXj7a3rBBJPo5ron62cutI1tu222dOrEtWC8PVOhZbpofS9HfIn-R_GDRIH_swDOhfQCdKvZOPWPeJJZrKTpXRyyqYTWbO2eF0tFQgFug8i_k5PiZV_0lNLopnEZMuMJMNNzexeqQg/s713/delta.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="713" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHi6h55UZwZS3WtZ7Lo88L9IGRDEv4ICUjkT2xbYVGwaCnqPcuXj7a3rBBJPo5ron62cutI1tu222dOrEtWC8PVOhZbpofS9HfIn-R_GDRIH_swDOhfQCdKvZOPWPeJJZrKTpXRyyqYTWbO2eF0tFQgFug8i_k5PiZV_0lNLopnEZMuMJMNNzexeqQg/s320/delta.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>... gone!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaFQDAVmyhW626mtDVWAN0srrYQ1McKMt9lCqBYVYborl2s-9bznNUizNu5KdQ0zExWb9fwaD7RvnBH7bQvzkAzo6qhyALnNZP9nNpHW7XrJqnyNxF292xLw2t3DFzjfBNubDFtQkJ0TDls6wd5F400_RGs6wiRiStUjUs32-ovMuw7MvBKH0ON2ieA/s640/13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaFQDAVmyhW626mtDVWAN0srrYQ1McKMt9lCqBYVYborl2s-9bznNUizNu5KdQ0zExWb9fwaD7RvnBH7bQvzkAzo6qhyALnNZP9nNpHW7XrJqnyNxF292xLw2t3DFzjfBNubDFtQkJ0TDls6wd5F400_RGs6wiRiStUjUs32-ovMuw7MvBKH0ON2ieA/s320/13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It got known for being a susprise, as no one expected a flying brick to have a decent score in BTCC, but it did... and also got known for this spectacular crash, at the hand of Kevin Burt:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RsOAZxi1S_E" width="320" youtube-src-id="RsOAZxi1S_E"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With all this marketing, the 850 got a bunch of "variations" of it's powerful form, over the years.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They all differ slightly, but in the end, they revolve around the same basic concept:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Volvo 850 T5 - 2.3l, 225bhp 300nm</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Volvo 850 T5-R - 2.3l, 240bhp 330nm</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Volvo 850 R - 2.3l, 250bhp 350nm (bigger turbo)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><i><b>Enter the V70mk1 / S60 mk1 / C70 mk1</b></i></div><div>Then, it got a revised front and dashboard, but it was still the 850</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtxgv-GM2k6xOerhaFTUfMqjB8MucheyIs9VmnSi0rrluxBiG81G84bC2ZMzK1taTfn8JzlODZlKQWy4GJeqyuJtNyNgUETEHxEsTKK2tDVWPWG5PyWEnVeEScdEsm2LtksfXwPyV905jQkIwp1TtuGUeN7EIYMG2jpAoI-0zLWbON5hn9Vd3vuC2Aw/s262/images%20(2).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="500" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4yU3JmFNry3j08mqVbakYhFdj1XM2rF6E_eI86f4jKsb5OP_8YpQ8zmDLwIjaiXW8BO92EJc6rEO6qkkBoyHkucxDmx_Ep5bzGGIxGgIwDChlC3EI98W17amo2lE7tOe5Lc3X2cTgmKzAidBMBv7eUyi7BkPSuBbTuI11XIeUwJ8FhMNxmFM4uhyJQ/w299-h184/1998_volvo_v70_wagon_r_fq_oem_1_500.jpg" width="299" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4yU3JmFNry3j08mqVbakYhFdj1XM2rF6E_eI86f4jKsb5OP_8YpQ8zmDLwIjaiXW8BO92EJc6rEO6qkkBoyHkucxDmx_Ep5bzGGIxGgIwDChlC3EI98W17amo2lE7tOe5Lc3X2cTgmKzAidBMBv7eUyi7BkPSuBbTuI11XIeUwJ8FhMNxmFM4uhyJQ/s500/1998_volvo_v70_wagon_r_fq_oem_1_500.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHXk_FK6WDyGLEVZkfnGN10WzijYLhXW9MzkmSGKSqiG0SGAEkWSWwE8Gn5mivnF-sVgnJUtLvNIiV5tuU1xkgTXI-4h0UXzABuj7kbU0-XN2xw1TxafrDhngCzsgUbt73EfXhNC7faiBjP0TBA5_fiba9Eil8HFopgTbjhoTvY4fCrbQ50H84TQhEA/s1900/v70r-14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1900" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHXk_FK6WDyGLEVZkfnGN10WzijYLhXW9MzkmSGKSqiG0SGAEkWSWwE8Gn5mivnF-sVgnJUtLvNIiV5tuU1xkgTXI-4h0UXzABuj7kbU0-XN2xw1TxafrDhngCzsgUbt73EfXhNC7faiBjP0TBA5_fiba9Eil8HFopgTbjhoTvY4fCrbQ50H84TQhEA/w337-h124/v70r-14.jpg" width="337" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4yU3JmFNry3j08mqVbakYhFdj1XM2rF6E_eI86f4jKsb5OP_8YpQ8zmDLwIjaiXW8BO92EJc6rEO6qkkBoyHkucxDmx_Ep5bzGGIxGgIwDChlC3EI98W17amo2lE7tOe5Lc3X2cTgmKzAidBMBv7eUyi7BkPSuBbTuI11XIeUwJ8FhMNxmFM4uhyJQ/s500/1998_volvo_v70_wagon_r_fq_oem_1_500.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYP0qZygmqYnp00jEZF1Hr0hYfW0NqGRJO2kM9_w8EjBdkGaQqy64iULjTmrsAbg8Raj-y7fZ79RKeRleKrkDzJxlDlZ7wGogGaLLsjIdKQCLpPBWEEHPbUbCHdS3fEXikNPrfld0f4kK_Sr9WuFUYoVyk-ZxsQFrFnNX5ElBm10yIOAz-IQ24LXuGA/s500/98v70.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYP0qZygmqYnp00jEZF1Hr0hYfW0NqGRJO2kM9_w8EjBdkGaQqy64iULjTmrsAbg8Raj-y7fZ79RKeRleKrkDzJxlDlZ7wGogGaLLsjIdKQCLpPBWEEHPbUbCHdS3fEXikNPrfld0f4kK_Sr9WuFUYoVyk-ZxsQFrFnNX5ElBm10yIOAz-IQ24LXuGA/s500/98v70.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDEVIuCKpyrSqHVaiboWNEuQVXYxxdbG531g3nMpjB2peWf-8B2rLdxeVwUh0LLmTFTxfX6yD8hv8BPvXQzq6IyC3az002rgWr8XgDllIR3DL5skolGLsXBds4UMdNWGd-wLUT5ygcxSolzxjw0jYg_RsCXDbw8jYNOvXhmbRcBnaXTd7gtJ3zeHo3w/s740/1999.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="263" data-original-width="740" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDEVIuCKpyrSqHVaiboWNEuQVXYxxdbG531g3nMpjB2peWf-8B2rLdxeVwUh0LLmTFTxfX6yD8hv8BPvXQzq6IyC3az002rgWr8XgDllIR3DL5skolGLsXBds4UMdNWGd-wLUT5ygcxSolzxjw0jYg_RsCXDbw8jYNOvXhmbRcBnaXTd7gtJ3zeHo3w/s320/1999.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><img border="0" data-original-height="207" data-original-width="500" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYP0qZygmqYnp00jEZF1Hr0hYfW0NqGRJO2kM9_w8EjBdkGaQqy64iULjTmrsAbg8Raj-y7fZ79RKeRleKrkDzJxlDlZ7wGogGaLLsjIdKQCLpPBWEEHPbUbCHdS3fEXikNPrfld0f4kK_Sr9WuFUYoVyk-ZxsQFrFnNX5ElBm10yIOAz-IQ24LXuGA/w333-h137/98v70.jpg" width="333" /><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="262" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUtxgv-GM2k6xOerhaFTUfMqjB8MucheyIs9VmnSi0rrluxBiG81G84bC2ZMzK1taTfn8JzlODZlKQWy4GJeqyuJtNyNgUETEHxEsTKK2tDVWPWG5PyWEnVeEScdEsm2LtksfXwPyV905jQkIwp1TtuGUeN7EIYMG2jpAoI-0zLWbON5hn9Vd3vuC2Aw/s1600/images%20(2).jpeg" width="262" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZUF8JgerzgJ1LNoEI4WcE-J4w-YeHIYgNxsAYh57f529KQsa1WJnnqxn44m6XNYmmRt3XnsuDVFEbq8xTcSI1IUBdwIn0P9KCg_-gjisNRCPIcOqiMknB9tmayrakf_DMTnwOfiEZC1cKQIQjSQCXJqnOo1rt0ZXjttIFPMUv7UiqpvKsW7hm-2Q2Q/s1234/199398_Volvo_C70_Coup.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1234" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZUF8JgerzgJ1LNoEI4WcE-J4w-YeHIYgNxsAYh57f529KQsa1WJnnqxn44m6XNYmmRt3XnsuDVFEbq8xTcSI1IUBdwIn0P9KCg_-gjisNRCPIcOqiMknB9tmayrakf_DMTnwOfiEZC1cKQIQjSQCXJqnOo1rt0ZXjttIFPMUv7UiqpvKsW7hm-2Q2Q/s320/199398_Volvo_C70_Coup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixq-2q02em4LCUi2MJ7S31U2CNgGRqFMnjdUew0THgeZI0FKN5M-viq5H5voGKVRlHsqxoihUXdTahlZcbaysjOIVW3_n89XN_INMvKtyU6Se8rKRTaALC4FmDrD_4dqzNPu5QPZHcw32Lg2m7juT5bArWMGL_kOPUHeXn4tbs05gzfunRSmo0WuchDQ/s768/1998-Volvo-C70-Coupe-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="768" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixq-2q02em4LCUi2MJ7S31U2CNgGRqFMnjdUew0THgeZI0FKN5M-viq5H5voGKVRlHsqxoihUXdTahlZcbaysjOIVW3_n89XN_INMvKtyU6Se8rKRTaALC4FmDrD_4dqzNPu5QPZHcw32Lg2m7juT5bArWMGL_kOPUHeXn4tbs05gzfunRSmo0WuchDQ/s320/1998-Volvo-C70-Coupe-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlatXmwzW6SkgbbKLoZhjJpquyHo0Q-TwyzxSA8xNAB39qRjqZTzM9t4QY8od4-3H6sd4a67pM8JgU-OAbhTzlLMesaXIRvSulZHZbt2reV3Q9Uy4YrwO87ZT3MEmiVtBqMUf7e8c5yKo8Z7zSRnQMbyF4VQ-fatwQ_UHsAGSDBlK5YGuGL_f_30xDA/s1600/c70-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlatXmwzW6SkgbbKLoZhjJpquyHo0Q-TwyzxSA8xNAB39qRjqZTzM9t4QY8od4-3H6sd4a67pM8JgU-OAbhTzlLMesaXIRvSulZHZbt2reV3Q9Uy4YrwO87ZT3MEmiVtBqMUf7e8c5yKo8Z7zSRnQMbyF4VQ-fatwQ_UHsAGSDBlK5YGuGL_f_30xDA/s320/c70-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEJ03enwVi5_FsoD2VHl-BtrlMv0vSkHsogXl-zMl0K8fJhHTXyfF2j0cfszWOjospCzOIO5Vcbw4Av5vTpmH7OL9MhEInen-8zBR4nBlcPOiwxZGDDOTEM3KK1O7bOijbOGx8jXJNeC2zjFW7vfq_AJzLmoKK3myEKlZHqMW8NvHHvIUMxhYDvCNBA/s328/download%20(2).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="153" data-original-width="328" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEJ03enwVi5_FsoD2VHl-BtrlMv0vSkHsogXl-zMl0K8fJhHTXyfF2j0cfszWOjospCzOIO5Vcbw4Av5vTpmH7OL9MhEInen-8zBR4nBlcPOiwxZGDDOTEM3KK1O7bOijbOGx8jXJNeC2zjFW7vfq_AJzLmoKK3myEKlZHqMW8NvHHvIUMxhYDvCNBA/s320/download%20(2).jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdgKRcJcbMBoUU6ha3g6zRgFYNlGNw03FUyLXof3r0P5L1L-_hMWCgTtClANErb3cDnkgkC08BcDbSo_-MwDJznMNU5IZ3Jx5_yaq5NiWiWSodVteWumNCtbCA24f9P85Zg14ybu3zrHxTMq6cau6sreTz1vD0dXOZ0lXgELGmL8QDzbN3wEzcRwsKQ/s735/9c80afbdc155154d6b2e08d5924dc497.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="735" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhdgKRcJcbMBoUU6ha3g6zRgFYNlGNw03FUyLXof3r0P5L1L-_hMWCgTtClANErb3cDnkgkC08BcDbSo_-MwDJznMNU5IZ3Jx5_yaq5NiWiWSodVteWumNCtbCA24f9P85Zg14ybu3zrHxTMq6cau6sreTz1vD0dXOZ0lXgELGmL8QDzbN3wEzcRwsKQ/s320/9c80afbdc155154d6b2e08d5924dc497.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But the versioning got a lot more clear:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Volvo C70/V70/S60 T5 - 2.3l, 240bhp 330nm</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Volvo V70/S60 R- 2.3l, 250bhp 350nm (bigger turbo)</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For some reason I'm yet to compute, the C70 got a convertible... good, but not the R! You can have a Family Van R, but oh no not the coupe :s maybe I'm the crazy one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b>S40Mk1 V40Mk1</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Around the same time, Volvo and Mitsubishi started spawning the results of their affair. The mk1 S40, with a chassis equal to the Mitsubishi charisma was released.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdpI5Uv2WaQf7JJkpr0zHCZtWF1gdp2D_6ejsDOczXzFMEnPmYdB0IQwI-eUEgWl3rMsOSE_I863qn8zKxOk1h9RdEHB959iR503hOajne76MeuW3ktdDG1JwfKjRB_Lu50comVKQwTNEy9oQpNgVEAMvw6o1IUB_ZR5iTvoJ2A5dhpCwa6aicisxhA/s284/download%20(4).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="178" data-original-width="284" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdpI5Uv2WaQf7JJkpr0zHCZtWF1gdp2D_6ejsDOczXzFMEnPmYdB0IQwI-eUEgWl3rMsOSE_I863qn8zKxOk1h9RdEHB959iR503hOajne76MeuW3ktdDG1JwfKjRB_Lu50comVKQwTNEy9oQpNgVEAMvw6o1IUB_ZR5iTvoJ2A5dhpCwa6aicisxhA/w320-h201/download%20(4).jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUjgvR36vw8fxW3Npxf9xRXkqfK6Ydn7-rM-sM0oO6ER59LqMQvM6Hwj7JTnjUKjCR-yR2ED6pvXv8_cjw5je12WxFlrJtoQIdghZRyUTsvV38DLy5Zs4lUg37eveXBwCuN0o7UQkowOcpEQLan4jsqZl1y_Hg9MRX1Z1Y8E8XY9t1Y7NKKUO3lt7jw/s1000/VOLVOV40-1528_4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="666" data-original-width="1000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUjgvR36vw8fxW3Npxf9xRXkqfK6Ydn7-rM-sM0oO6ER59LqMQvM6Hwj7JTnjUKjCR-yR2ED6pvXv8_cjw5je12WxFlrJtoQIdghZRyUTsvV38DLy5Zs4lUg37eveXBwCuN0o7UQkowOcpEQLan4jsqZl1y_Hg9MRX1Z1Y8E8XY9t1Y7NKKUO3lt7jw/s320/VOLVOV40-1528_4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqdGeTfYWPtRMcyF6LlEcMs0QJn_TUvBmLP2qwmB4HZhEouKoLq-IuUPn1aV7Dzyq9xyUZiJKLTVfTxHMNFx0uRaw98H8np1XdWSnyVPyr1LJOQdOB-FyfOoC0b1WbGiKiCGs-5MAVqzrHgqeNkr1xP67WRM3N8litP1dCMQXR9DDi66BmKvNI8nr-g/s750/vols40_750_500_70.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="750" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqdGeTfYWPtRMcyF6LlEcMs0QJn_TUvBmLP2qwmB4HZhEouKoLq-IuUPn1aV7Dzyq9xyUZiJKLTVfTxHMNFx0uRaw98H8np1XdWSnyVPyr1LJOQdOB-FyfOoC0b1WbGiKiCGs-5MAVqzrHgqeNkr1xP67WRM3N8litP1dCMQXR9DDi66BmKvNI8nr-g/s320/vols40_750_500_70.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbcADNgdwMmGz9H8tC-3pJ3uhssvvz5TLKu04xkbN662TARl8krKRYZkY3O-_c6kb9fISsHEaAUoSxbVLkNZlp9-cl7j1HPIo8emzebGgZhYGFSi7KMnBJIWJsOS6dFl_toqpCVh5Fnw6QBlIxqfVfdXV0P21lHktzRFpxj6r_I9vb2iFVkNcbqyHOw/s670/volvo_s40_mk1_ser1_02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="670" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbcADNgdwMmGz9H8tC-3pJ3uhssvvz5TLKu04xkbN662TARl8krKRYZkY3O-_c6kb9fISsHEaAUoSxbVLkNZlp9-cl7j1HPIo8emzebGgZhYGFSi7KMnBJIWJsOS6dFl_toqpCVh5Fnw6QBlIxqfVfdXV0P21lHktzRFpxj6r_I9vb2iFVkNcbqyHOw/s320/volvo_s40_mk1_ser1_02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And of course, with a lighter and more nimble chassis, it got straight into TWR hands and this happened:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhicoca6-2LMyZFMxZVRBgaFbS8nfOf9b3_JBqhOvMYoVfmC4TwQqHEhGoOlANOoGc4quCZFREO9lNviguk5xte2Eb0pr1_dvLZC5JmyQo_tWVpZU9JeC_TP0Jtz-IibgJiuaVhjTSMkYT4guYaBtx2rFb0q93r6VBSEeiJFzXNKynuAnN_QJHaO3uMEg/s300/download%20(2).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhicoca6-2LMyZFMxZVRBgaFbS8nfOf9b3_JBqhOvMYoVfmC4TwQqHEhGoOlANOoGc4quCZFREO9lNviguk5xte2Eb0pr1_dvLZC5JmyQo_tWVpZU9JeC_TP0Jtz-IibgJiuaVhjTSMkYT4guYaBtx2rFb0q93r6VBSEeiJFzXNKynuAnN_QJHaO3uMEg/s1600/download%20(2).jpeg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gLbJ3SeeiZ-HJyvwuM_9-c3-SEZ9JRPJMbwWiueIVur3Dmu8TSaznFs8ucOLk1w48gEuO9PO0y4GUlPA1CN4mRyuej1HLgFFsRiN6Ztwxy8VsDsmepr0Vy_h6w4_GAMvnNFLaR4iFubqY353BBR3fa-wd3aIXsgmx1WR4HQ5IEjUOPnygEMTELTdTQ/s275/download%20(4).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gLbJ3SeeiZ-HJyvwuM_9-c3-SEZ9JRPJMbwWiueIVur3Dmu8TSaznFs8ucOLk1w48gEuO9PO0y4GUlPA1CN4mRyuej1HLgFFsRiN6Ztwxy8VsDsmepr0Vy_h6w4_GAMvnNFLaR4iFubqY353BBR3fa-wd3aIXsgmx1WR4HQ5IEjUOPnygEMTELTdTQ/s1600/download%20(4).jpeg" width="275" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRn8EgrIX2kJ0HmtIY13QxRkY8ZqqoS4u0Uef-OsiVsMFH9wyt9lnqMPIvj_kmMRxYJridEU0n4NkmbjYMs8d9rTi4x0X8pW0JYuOgiYzxUGFHaLioup478mKjqH2C7qIyOaBOSBe9HD3yJJRrmTqjW1PG77nfmP3_mZ595lkdzey21edI6STN3-UNlg/s259/download%20(3).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="453" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRn8EgrIX2kJ0HmtIY13QxRkY8ZqqoS4u0Uef-OsiVsMFH9wyt9lnqMPIvj_kmMRxYJridEU0n4NkmbjYMs8d9rTi4x0X8pW0JYuOgiYzxUGFHaLioup478mKjqH2C7qIyOaBOSBe9HD3yJJRrmTqjW1PG77nfmP3_mZ595lkdzey21edI6STN3-UNlg/w605-h453/download%20(3).jpeg" width="605" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It got the same engine as it's big brothers, but now on a much more nimble chassis, results where easy to obtain. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For the street? well they used the "modular" word on the Volvo Modular Engine Design, So they lost a full cylinder off the 2.3 T5, and a 1.95ltr 200bhp T4 was added to the range.</div></div><div>It was fast, it was nimbler than the 850 or S70, but the entire car was built with comfort in mind and the steering response on the road car was just too light and filtered for my liking. The one I loved best to drive had just had a failure on the steering assistance :S a car that, broken, is more interesting to drive.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But the best from this Mitsubishi/Volvo romance is still on the forge, and will come to play at a latter time, under the most unexpected recipe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>MK2 V70/MK2 S60</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Volvo had just been brought by Ford. So, new chassis where being produced and new cars had to fit them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The P2 project spawned a lot of new Volvo models, amongst them the mk2 versions of the V70 and S60.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdHAdl78nEYD_BZcnd1aZTvF4yq53Z4Gy-nTm7svaRUEqOH-NFr6SjWY2xYYozIMBac5NWUzzwCxZkVgS5yjcELvltmRhB1fWC1rFII5f3CgAPxkQALOESyVXM_4X30fmUn37WyY5eGQPddn0YOvka3dA6RxGduuUGICllqNw5JfW5WS8RBnvrfycHw/s900/6104433146.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWdHAdl78nEYD_BZcnd1aZTvF4yq53Z4Gy-nTm7svaRUEqOH-NFr6SjWY2xYYozIMBac5NWUzzwCxZkVgS5yjcELvltmRhB1fWC1rFII5f3CgAPxkQALOESyVXM_4X30fmUn37WyY5eGQPddn0YOvka3dA6RxGduuUGICllqNw5JfW5WS8RBnvrfycHw/s320/6104433146.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-29fh7-SB3hTvlW0ssYzh10qRd18M1-ERNqi5GJeaGVW5rbKk35J1ar_hjWiZ8KRwDz7gUKn9KN0QBojYhJIdGL7PJJicJN3_9eqb-YHDxzMajCKRG0ok4W6mKKMCieuE-Fn0d6cp2eXC9JuwwzPRodV9f7w046LVedxQ9-FUtwFtxbS8gofZ5PLzEQ/s505/2001-Volvo-V70-FrontSide_VOV70T5016_505x375.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="505" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-29fh7-SB3hTvlW0ssYzh10qRd18M1-ERNqi5GJeaGVW5rbKk35J1ar_hjWiZ8KRwDz7gUKn9KN0QBojYhJIdGL7PJJicJN3_9eqb-YHDxzMajCKRG0ok4W6mKKMCieuE-Fn0d6cp2eXC9JuwwzPRodV9f7w046LVedxQ9-FUtwFtxbS8gofZ5PLzEQ/s320/2001-Volvo-V70-FrontSide_VOV70T5016_505x375.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXeK6a_mBW68YAgluGUiyXsOToxaAhiaAP20S-RpMI01ZHo7zXhiwYAqmlBsrpvMA8IhwJIL_MfRbRTbuDfS_I6-2wNLN_2-u0QbW-H9ZWJIMgHiFh1Udp7Xny0OCO5K-1FFfBQhj9WVlxpejen8QeQv6-f4w5BgwJI-N6asXN197tFqA2F9yrbc80w/s1600/2005-volvo-v70r-bat-auction-48.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="1600" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXeK6a_mBW68YAgluGUiyXsOToxaAhiaAP20S-RpMI01ZHo7zXhiwYAqmlBsrpvMA8IhwJIL_MfRbRTbuDfS_I6-2wNLN_2-u0QbW-H9ZWJIMgHiFh1Udp7Xny0OCO5K-1FFfBQhj9WVlxpejen8QeQv6-f4w5BgwJI-N6asXN197tFqA2F9yrbc80w/s320/2005-volvo-v70r-bat-auction-48.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By then, Volvo had ditched TWR and brought a company called "Flash Engineering". It renamed it as Polestar Engineering and tasked PROdrive to help them get going.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But it was not until the MK3 version of the S60 and V70 that Polestar was really "open for business". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And this is going to get a Twist for the smaller cars... later, however having them already planning at this point was very important.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The MK2 V70 and S60 had a clear definition too:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Volvo mk2 V70/S60 T5 - 2.4l, 260bhp 350nm (BorgWarner turbo) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Volvo mk2 V70/S60 R- 2.5l, 300bhp 400nm (BorgWarner turbo) AWD</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hold the press. Everyone goes after the R, but the T5, on had the Unicorn engine from Volvo. The Glorious B5244T5. Internals good for 600BHP, standard with a BorgWarner K24... And the basis that Polestar used to tune for high power applications. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Most people drool about a Toyota 2JZ, or a Nissan RB26DETT, but every one of those engines will require forjed internals beyond 600BHP, much like the Volvo 4T5. So this engine is within that class of engineering, and with one less piston.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><i>Enter the C30 / MK2 S40 / MK2 V50 and MK2 C70</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">One other Volvo-Ford product was the P1 chassis. The FordFocus CMAX chassis, on a volvo security reinforced frame and crazy Volvo turbo engines.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I don't know if you ever driven a ford since 1996, but they ALL have spectacular chassis (except the KA mk2, based on the garbage fiat 500). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Focus is and excellent driver's car and the chassis it just perfect. So The brand new C30, The Mk2 S40, the V50 and mk2 C70, all based out of these chassis are brilliant cars to drive... they are fun, engaging and very sporty. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wF8xdXoH4hGs34dExs47K-v6YwtzAaVW9-3FqW_04ysHyEWiGNDlt_WjGznPcF4c-fIcpa0ihI_KOeyOWfHeHr9qXGnlzauDPSSQ_e-6FVXj7JfCo2BOZOajbB2GHlijNDAtiBgjLOwOv0kAa4hXLEZ3XpuyiiZlE-TIlVhXH0icR_rclCMAzBzqsQ/s4490/2008_Volvo_C30_SE_Sport_D5_Automatic_2.0_Front.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2294" data-original-width="4490" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wF8xdXoH4hGs34dExs47K-v6YwtzAaVW9-3FqW_04ysHyEWiGNDlt_WjGznPcF4c-fIcpa0ihI_KOeyOWfHeHr9qXGnlzauDPSSQ_e-6FVXj7JfCo2BOZOajbB2GHlijNDAtiBgjLOwOv0kAa4hXLEZ3XpuyiiZlE-TIlVhXH0icR_rclCMAzBzqsQ/s320/2008_Volvo_C30_SE_Sport_D5_Automatic_2.0_Front.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW2WXSnDMGl0Jp1DGtZn4huVLMV79WohFtAsUs_NYSmB6W1qEI3DN8QyWRWMhv_vSgoAZkD69_42AADHADU-U0b5LHwYyO0FQLy5iaKAdWkvfuovqm4jHj9u2_Nrt_RdI-6S3kDVsuEYsShFtgt--nyPJRrakEvF8FYJpOCnkCVoCUPrEZJVYHRxomAg/s259/download%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW2WXSnDMGl0Jp1DGtZn4huVLMV79WohFtAsUs_NYSmB6W1qEI3DN8QyWRWMhv_vSgoAZkD69_42AADHADU-U0b5LHwYyO0FQLy5iaKAdWkvfuovqm4jHj9u2_Nrt_RdI-6S3kDVsuEYsShFtgt--nyPJRrakEvF8FYJpOCnkCVoCUPrEZJVYHRxomAg/s1600/download%20(1).jpeg" width="259" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_53o3hc-0MgqYCoc6t3rtY5CVVHDTbZVkSuvAcKG6rU5Mu16-RLKL1Pzj39zFtg3JInnI5erz1pJXNcKzJMIvYbCtR5wWOF5y0EFtS_MJ_iZzjmnPcYYhv_uHc3jbL_R3RKpYO-tqjKqn49GplMXx0II20xmcDK1Jd3Zu6oq5S2_lJDknnmzh5OZxQ/s275/download%20(3).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_53o3hc-0MgqYCoc6t3rtY5CVVHDTbZVkSuvAcKG6rU5Mu16-RLKL1Pzj39zFtg3JInnI5erz1pJXNcKzJMIvYbCtR5wWOF5y0EFtS_MJ_iZzjmnPcYYhv_uHc3jbL_R3RKpYO-tqjKqn49GplMXx0II20xmcDK1Jd3Zu6oq5S2_lJDknnmzh5OZxQ/s1600/download%20(3).jpeg" width="275" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjeNxpbfctcp9RD2vInIcAi53l233gcnMl36Wt8d79fIEBXyMJ9H45Q9Kp-z_I_n6QVDXni2fBjzZ6EIISp64xwSdjqoH89ZaFhOLJIWC-mzpKVdtBO6gqSxFtMboYVKg33hZVlW8L3qggHq595V15eT0LAMejyTFDtirNuBQUM0yrQUjA1UqYEhBgQ/s2048/Volvo_C70.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjeNxpbfctcp9RD2vInIcAi53l233gcnMl36Wt8d79fIEBXyMJ9H45Q9Kp-z_I_n6QVDXni2fBjzZ6EIISp64xwSdjqoH89ZaFhOLJIWC-mzpKVdtBO6gqSxFtMboYVKg33hZVlW8L3qggHq595V15eT0LAMejyTFDtirNuBQUM0yrQUjA1UqYEhBgQ/w276-h207/Volvo_C70.JPG" width="276" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vrIaJJELc3e5Z8s3h7x0ZSouLzalm6dckTXgCE7qrqLt4OYZ0C-lnEK0ohTywbwDf8r4LC75klcUFcmAgTdZNJbnfVNtFs2YKKsohs_HoX2HFzQ_c2fFrueHEylk8B_Vk_8mt8E7qFaatCus7PZmOvSn6l2pKzSL3JP2dj74V6EgljLFu2OAX4xbTw/s253/images%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="199" data-original-width="253" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vrIaJJELc3e5Z8s3h7x0ZSouLzalm6dckTXgCE7qrqLt4OYZ0C-lnEK0ohTywbwDf8r4LC75klcUFcmAgTdZNJbnfVNtFs2YKKsohs_HoX2HFzQ_c2fFrueHEylk8B_Vk_8mt8E7qFaatCus7PZmOvSn6l2pKzSL3JP2dj74V6EgljLFu2OAX4xbTw/s1600/images%20(1).jpeg" width="253" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OUZCm266pK2Riyp8KhRt6RnLUEfwvjlPQsaMldzl7TX5THu0D1AHbq5oASBzvZMA2Y0dowJ-P_5tPL56J5awqYSyE-_nk03YARdbdLkFdmtDD1nrciGunuLOY46xSwJghAqYEqAXQVwJU6IxjbiunmgtkL-boF8kBJtffwUFmiOK6_vUiY-eDaanfQ/s259/download.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OUZCm266pK2Riyp8KhRt6RnLUEfwvjlPQsaMldzl7TX5THu0D1AHbq5oASBzvZMA2Y0dowJ-P_5tPL56J5awqYSyE-_nk03YARdbdLkFdmtDD1nrciGunuLOY46xSwJghAqYEqAXQVwJU6IxjbiunmgtkL-boF8kBJtffwUFmiOK6_vUiY-eDaanfQ/s1600/download.jpeg" width="259" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUx2KWzSzUNWZ10fMPAPf4Clii7Uk7Wua59fZqhWnVOWMkNtFM71xm3TPJsh5GlkfWAOKKHJrDnalEfiIshVXX4xpoQtLWUMa410NZh7UyBhXMNSo2_5hjHpDyNmBkJE7_1ATwABPMIhaPRHUDavb0_YOs1HM1Rp3QKqO31tKHS0JYD-P_c5frEs7xPQ/s2048/volvo_v50_2005_images_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUx2KWzSzUNWZ10fMPAPf4Clii7Uk7Wua59fZqhWnVOWMkNtFM71xm3TPJsh5GlkfWAOKKHJrDnalEfiIshVXX4xpoQtLWUMa410NZh7UyBhXMNSo2_5hjHpDyNmBkJE7_1ATwABPMIhaPRHUDavb0_YOs1HM1Rp3QKqO31tKHS0JYD-P_c5frEs7xPQ/s320/volvo_v50_2005_images_1.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoljpw9A4p28oSAzSs_n6qLp42bFL6zLnuHXSvgdePqAAT-2kSEk3gm-K4BJ2cOMrMuI0z0p7-rjkBXHnkNHXEQcoUHS338ri5TvsUObT9ZNb3N5gfmc8WqkT1M2jRiEKsLBdrpJizQyL2e6kqHhHI1xpY1nOhPfvwEagJe3FoUN-m8VhN48bpQZfqQ/s500/6c05aa499cab9c1188e6c5d111325c8a--volvo-v-t-volvo-estate.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="500" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoljpw9A4p28oSAzSs_n6qLp42bFL6zLnuHXSvgdePqAAT-2kSEk3gm-K4BJ2cOMrMuI0z0p7-rjkBXHnkNHXEQcoUHS338ri5TvsUObT9ZNb3N5gfmc8WqkT1M2jRiEKsLBdrpJizQyL2e6kqHhHI1xpY1nOhPfvwEagJe3FoUN-m8VhN48bpQZfqQ/s320/6c05aa499cab9c1188e6c5d111325c8a--volvo-v-t-volvo-estate.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLl3yqwpXvupLTXIlQZS6TluC85592kZ7OhfkuwO71tpmeKP6NPjMmSlavk4TZ3itsLwPp78DZxbGXo5j32Dct04OrnzSmFRt-xn2ZHU0bjJzBi_vOGIf57JyU6LPq9NKMvHEqtnSeJEyIDyjp_VsY1cXBM1qgiFNLQF_jBHkGaHHUfuZVOd4582hPsQ/s1001/2005-Volvo-V50-Wagon-Silver-Press-Image-1001x565p.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="1001" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLl3yqwpXvupLTXIlQZS6TluC85592kZ7OhfkuwO71tpmeKP6NPjMmSlavk4TZ3itsLwPp78DZxbGXo5j32Dct04OrnzSmFRt-xn2ZHU0bjJzBi_vOGIf57JyU6LPq9NKMvHEqtnSeJEyIDyjp_VsY1cXBM1qgiFNLQF_jBHkGaHHUfuZVOd4582hPsQ/s320/2005-Volvo-V50-Wagon-Silver-Press-Image-1001x565p.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And they all where very easy to understand:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Volvo C30/mk2 S40/ Mk2 c70, V50 T5 - 2.5l, 220bhp 320nm (k04 low pressure turbo) optional AWD</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What wait!? The BEST CHASSIS so far, No R, No T5R, No 4T5 and BorgWarner K24, no Prodrive, no Polestar? Has the world gone crazy!? No racing team!? what?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yeah.. R was transformed into R-Design... a body kit and interior trim option... Pfff</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The ONLY real good thing that made the P1 chassis to squeeze it to the limits, was... DSTC. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sure you don't really understand this, allow-me to explain:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span> </span>TC</b> - Traction Control (combats wheel spin on acceleration by applying brakes and dosing the engine)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span> </span>STC </b>- Stability and Traction Control ( it's the Volvo equivalent to ESP from VW, DSC from BWM) Corrects the car trajectory control by applying brakes individually and dosing the engine, depending on circumstances.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span> </span>DSTC</b> - Dynamic Stability And Traction Control - It's the STC with added Active Yaw Control - This establishes thresholds on the STC so that it only interveins on the the verge of full loss of control. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What does it mean? You arrive into a round about, full on brakes, flick the car with some opposite turn to unsettle the chassis, then turn into the drift and full power on the car... and the car allows you to get away with it! If you steer out of the movement or hit the brakes, the car understands you're in trouble and unleashes the fun-cutter STC to get you back on track and regain your dignity before crashing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And this we have to thank for... Volvo and Mitsubishi sexual affair! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">See what makes the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution perform those perfectly controlled 4WD drifts that seem to last forever? yup Active Yaw Control.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You can have it on your Rally based Mitsubishi... or your wife's Volvo to take the kids to school... and I'm the crazy one. But I'm not complaining! Far from it. I can always add the engine and the R you neglects to the car... not the chassis electronics, so I take that option over the R, sure.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Important Note - DSTC can be present in any P1 or P2 based Volvo... yes the gigantic XC90 has DSTC as an option, and yes I've drifted the monster... it's weird. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, what happened? Only the Volvo management team can say but rumours are: They invested into the S60Mk3 Polestar for racing and for public "power saloon", based out of the glorious 4T5 unit... but then I've not seen a single 4T5 based polestar.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And that Ford was not happy with the C30 cannibalising part of the Ford Focus sales.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">However, at the dealership, you could order a Polestar Optimisation pack for your T5. Composed by some literature, bigger wheels, firmer springs, engine and gearbox optimisation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKRftoeP-EYjX8XNkotRFsToRkpgSQ2gIdg2F8YlwW0P17QRHthf5E_FC4n0dzE-YlKSvbTZAUHyHJfpW7q9YO4CgpH0r2rIR_h3OXf1aWnaciWwyEMpRg9aAhbDC2L6j8PAJHC4e207KPA5fvShXK-IYhHrSn8FEKcRyKgszdG2WgpcrEnuLFRWNyg/s510/0000c8af%255C80%255C09%255C75%255C9a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="283" data-original-width="510" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKRftoeP-EYjX8XNkotRFsToRkpgSQ2gIdg2F8YlwW0P17QRHthf5E_FC4n0dzE-YlKSvbTZAUHyHJfpW7q9YO4CgpH0r2rIR_h3OXf1aWnaciWwyEMpRg9aAhbDC2L6j8PAJHC4e207KPA5fvShXK-IYhHrSn8FEKcRyKgszdG2WgpcrEnuLFRWNyg/s320/0000c8af%255C80%255C09%255C75%255C9a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qlSmm0vxZJmA5O09f8QQTEAXlO-31zRFPyUPLT6OqLsik-1BubxZLK4jY6XsrLcTZ-8DjLu6VgtuqskFTPDcAQidlIVfdU_ZGkPOomZN-A9U62cMyUneX3fb9xKDtrezrYwEJE6y3bGF31Bc_A5VQvw9_dgrTqrPSo0MpSGbrQwzF7uoaf5UmjjWeQ/s400/Volvo-V50-R-DESIGN-T5-Polestar-tuned.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7qlSmm0vxZJmA5O09f8QQTEAXlO-31zRFPyUPLT6OqLsik-1BubxZLK4jY6XsrLcTZ-8DjLu6VgtuqskFTPDcAQidlIVfdU_ZGkPOomZN-A9U62cMyUneX3fb9xKDtrezrYwEJE6y3bGF31Bc_A5VQvw9_dgrTqrPSo0MpSGbrQwzF7uoaf5UmjjWeQ/s320/Volvo-V50-R-DESIGN-T5-Polestar-tuned.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Again, easy to understand:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Volvo C30/mk2 S40/ Mk2 c70, V50 T5 Polestar optimized - 2.5l, 250bhp 380nm optional AWD</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b>MK3 S60/ V60 (and Polestar finally out of the box)</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So S60 got it's Mk3 revision. A much more dynamic chassis, so nice to drive that even the diesel 1.6 option is nice to throw into a corner.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At this point in time, Polestar was full on racing and the S60 Polestar for the road was based not on the 4T5 but on the T6. So it was a 3.0, cylinder 351bhp 500nm beast.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6Kvg1bzJ8AiwKu2eN3uROsogC9TRHGaU6ZUk2CoNW14X7Kh0mc8750pXI-KzlorKvRnmk7eOmybsCzPmQ2R9xlWa4rTL-uSPIIkS2XWGmw1cjXYrfBx1-VpBq7rDVYvN47iCDFiNFmj0_WyOlg1E-OuiCmNc-KYzK-k1nPRAqOdZIhkM7OvCjz0dDw/s300/images%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6Kvg1bzJ8AiwKu2eN3uROsogC9TRHGaU6ZUk2CoNW14X7Kh0mc8750pXI-KzlorKvRnmk7eOmybsCzPmQ2R9xlWa4rTL-uSPIIkS2XWGmw1cjXYrfBx1-VpBq7rDVYvN47iCDFiNFmj0_WyOlg1E-OuiCmNc-KYzK-k1nPRAqOdZIhkM7OvCjz0dDw/s1600/images%20(1).jpeg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8vkU40DFxYkSpdZ10zyUr1iu9DO6j_N7aEMP0Le-eZNUe7LiruFA4VFumn_iy2HN49YJmMcrNBsrPU93IF1Ll_keccxiKetRFE30nAsIyaipGgR4z92H_hnCBEpfa3pVm5SotaV5Gxw3qngOIc-8BWYyng1gCJXIXTAl9q0GE8OAwOnQTTfLKyQnkw/s275/download%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8vkU40DFxYkSpdZ10zyUr1iu9DO6j_N7aEMP0Le-eZNUe7LiruFA4VFumn_iy2HN49YJmMcrNBsrPU93IF1Ll_keccxiKetRFE30nAsIyaipGgR4z92H_hnCBEpfa3pVm5SotaV5Gxw3qngOIc-8BWYyng1gCJXIXTAl9q0GE8OAwOnQTTfLKyQnkw/s1600/download%20(1).jpeg" width="275" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and the road version:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyarW6b_TBJIqM0GPWsxHUJWGya6u4BL3zvK0mv88DRRB7hpupIFApzD_bWfCmYiqLHpdnufnQz_7LMHC040CFgLmQ_Y8nSCJLGb8Imt_ctv0TENdeutER6jNOSVdhNS1Fbe12nOUqQBL3MgxJJLVT5QhZE2vbco5U4JUpubfJSRBs-4ZuGwcn8_rbVQ/s900/volvo-v60-polestar-road-test-main002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyarW6b_TBJIqM0GPWsxHUJWGya6u4BL3zvK0mv88DRRB7hpupIFApzD_bWfCmYiqLHpdnufnQz_7LMHC040CFgLmQ_Y8nSCJLGb8Imt_ctv0TENdeutER6jNOSVdhNS1Fbe12nOUqQBL3MgxJJLVT5QhZE2vbco5U4JUpubfJSRBs-4ZuGwcn8_rbVQ/s320/volvo-v60-polestar-road-test-main002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFtrX-Pbfv5m48-bu5r4yjl7Q6wfouiHfNNVDgsiCRMrfan3aYTemIT_ie1XzAsL5KcWvL2s-_QGYMVqJgI_UHgK9cbCT0hXj0d0h03WWYotVS0X14Z30YbRNXbVSfCqACu9ljUY8kltnZLapxWp_ttBxGPSq6eB-lk40oJH_XVB8lc-w05SkBZpfww/s1920/volvo-s60-polestar-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFtrX-Pbfv5m48-bu5r4yjl7Q6wfouiHfNNVDgsiCRMrfan3aYTemIT_ie1XzAsL5KcWvL2s-_QGYMVqJgI_UHgK9cbCT0hXj0d0h03WWYotVS0X14Z30YbRNXbVSfCqACu9ljUY8kltnZLapxWp_ttBxGPSq6eB-lk40oJH_XVB8lc-w05SkBZpfww/s320/volvo-s60-polestar-2.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8BReB-PG7sY5DRvtrpq7vlty6ZGs6acAqf9B5XZUXrDD-pmLQYdSXpwaa7vV-YIM-tXbAaRtz6BsFC3mA0U_1PgfGvoVrc1XefxwGlHjrZ1vuWYbO3vqmmDbtKfMUMKeXbj-Nw3V3bi9hzabWvrtvwVV-Pa-lBWAkeXylmiEvUHwdHppwsFq2IYqVgg/s1200/2016-volvo-polestar-v60-s60-update-002-1200x726.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="1200" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8BReB-PG7sY5DRvtrpq7vlty6ZGs6acAqf9B5XZUXrDD-pmLQYdSXpwaa7vV-YIM-tXbAaRtz6BsFC3mA0U_1PgfGvoVrc1XefxwGlHjrZ1vuWYbO3vqmmDbtKfMUMKeXbj-Nw3V3bi9hzabWvrtvwVV-Pa-lBWAkeXylmiEvUHwdHppwsFq2IYqVgg/s320/2016-volvo-polestar-v60-s60-update-002-1200x726.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><b>MK2 C30 Polestar (just a concept)</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Just before Polestar lost it's mind for good and turned electrrrrrr (sorry can't pronounce that without vomiting all over), they where actually heading in the right direction. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">They used the learned success on the P1 chassis and where working on the C30 Polestar to annihilate all the other RS and GTi's and AMG's and M's the market had on the segment.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QwXy8cz_R-FWMqayGBLdbXJitMJvzmRL_PCC7JnJHDSb2Tfq8L6qHcbEoKT8VhVGTfDlM44DBmFo5M_phJeXEzf_9drTLUBzjjDrWYPHHRBXW4Hz9FOsBe266XtbAf8eswDdl-swHQg9am4TTvHJH8V8r46qYISJTR6fYbhfWoeQnh5a53xREz7m0Q/s284/images%20(2).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="177" data-original-width="284" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8QwXy8cz_R-FWMqayGBLdbXJitMJvzmRL_PCC7JnJHDSb2Tfq8L6qHcbEoKT8VhVGTfDlM44DBmFo5M_phJeXEzf_9drTLUBzjjDrWYPHHRBXW4Hz9FOsBe266XtbAf8eswDdl-swHQg9am4TTvHJH8V8r46qYISJTR6fYbhfWoeQnh5a53xREz7m0Q/s1600/images%20(2).jpeg" width="284" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JxsFANLcXIP-3SPHL-evY7TQwXTOYXXvUBOOcyXO_l1x7Hoe3NcPH2jtZVvFRCD6AhEYmj9RxDk7u1qSe4WW58W7WFkMcclQ2p-GrycqBtpoRbzw4UFEutJp1eVMaUD4QTan7ftMBljdkU273A9VqVvzLAA-zJi84dD0BjXuDhsjW9zU_v_iIlPWEw/s1600/Robert_Dahlgren_2011_WTCC_Race_of_Japan_(Qualify)_rear.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7JxsFANLcXIP-3SPHL-evY7TQwXTOYXXvUBOOcyXO_l1x7Hoe3NcPH2jtZVvFRCD6AhEYmj9RxDk7u1qSe4WW58W7WFkMcclQ2p-GrycqBtpoRbzw4UFEutJp1eVMaUD4QTan7ftMBljdkU273A9VqVvzLAA-zJi84dD0BjXuDhsjW9zU_v_iIlPWEw/w281-h187/Robert_Dahlgren_2011_WTCC_Race_of_Japan_(Qualify)_rear.jpg" width="281" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Based out of the same chassis as the Focus RS, after the focus RS ended production without a worthy replacement (another stupidity I'm yet to compute), also packing AWD and even more power, this was a brutal little car. .. that never got into production and probably never will as polestar collapsed into building toy cars with batteries and stuff.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">How pleasant would this baby be?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">2.5 T5 engine producing 451bhp and 510nm with a BorgWarner K26... i mean.... just perfect.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But a Limited 250unit production, fixed this into : another car you'll never have! Why?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHlFuN7aq8Flg-wfv1oLf28mb3prE5wApt9kKtT25-a6JrNFprRxPUMHfnK9swjK8B4ueaHyJ5HSLhWrBoO4EX-cXBZ6PYs-go_aKh8zYYBWESbnMFLWP1Kwi5rsgTgH6LF0vDRIcnmWEq-fQnXvSXqNzJm7o0jjGIl-WUcCa_cyhEeBqj4J9vYAeUA/s800/601ae063d5d73e8a81cfeac68631901c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHlFuN7aq8Flg-wfv1oLf28mb3prE5wApt9kKtT25-a6JrNFprRxPUMHfnK9swjK8B4ueaHyJ5HSLhWrBoO4EX-cXBZ6PYs-go_aKh8zYYBWESbnMFLWP1Kwi5rsgTgH6LF0vDRIcnmWEq-fQnXvSXqNzJm7o0jjGIl-WUcCa_cyhEeBqj4J9vYAeUA/s320/601ae063d5d73e8a81cfeac68631901c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZfCtzkEpJYut_0xyaCUzD0wcwT9irQYMR213VR1kRy5E_LU1phs35gTY3AXor0rtyfUBaHFKXG5HOJ28wvZqzlkXQlv3n3TZ9nstp9J1eK06WJ4WTqcFyxDffZyYpkppqLy7BgoEb548cvKSnlPH5Ch5O4zAfNvUeDp_PzJvOuRA3yadxTVU8MAm6A/s736/929351f42fb04e0acc9eacc51f14dd1d--volvo-c-cars.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZfCtzkEpJYut_0xyaCUzD0wcwT9irQYMR213VR1kRy5E_LU1phs35gTY3AXor0rtyfUBaHFKXG5HOJ28wvZqzlkXQlv3n3TZ9nstp9J1eK06WJ4WTqcFyxDffZyYpkppqLy7BgoEb548cvKSnlPH5Ch5O4zAfNvUeDp_PzJvOuRA3yadxTVU8MAm6A/s320/929351f42fb04e0acc9eacc51f14dd1d--volvo-c-cars.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Check TopGear opinion on it and you'll get the point. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="350" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pXCbYQMoYmU" width="421" youtube-src-id="pXCbYQMoYmU"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b><i>So now </i></b>that you understand what is what, lets have a table with Volvo Only and the influence on the sports side of things.</span></div><table border="1"><tbody><tr><td><b><i>Car</i></b></td><td><b><i>70's Sports</i></b></td><td><b><i>70's Production</i></b></td><td><b><i>80's Sports</i></b></td><td><b><i>80's Production</i></b></td><td><b><i>90's Sports</i></b></td><td><b><i>90's Production</i></b></td><td><b><i>00's Sports</i></b></td><td><b><i>00's Production</i></b></td><td><b><i>2010's sports</i></b></td><td><b><i>2010's Production</i></b></td></tr><tr><td><b>240 / 260</b></td><td>-</td><td>Volvo</td><td>Eggenberger Motorsport<br />/<br />Magnum Racing</td><td>Volvo</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td><b>480 Turbo</b></td><td>-</td><td>Volvo/Renault</td><td>-</td><td>Volvo</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td><b>740 Turbo</b></td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>Volvo</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td><b>850T5<br />850T5R<br />850R<br />C70T5 Mk1</b></td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td><br /></td><td>Volvo</td><td>TWR</td><td>Volvo/Porsche</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td><b>C30T5<br />S40T5<br />V50T5<br />C70T5 mk2</b></td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>TWR (s40 mk1)</td><td>Volvo/Porsche</td><td>Polestar (C30)</td><td>Volvo<br />(Polestar Engineering Kit)</td><td>-</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td><b>S60T5<br />S60R<br />V70T5<br />V70R</b></td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>Prodrive/Polestar</td><td>Volvo</td><td>Polestar</td><td>-</td></tr><tr><td><b>S60<br />Polestar</b></td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>Polestar</td><td>Volvo/Polestar</td></tr><tr><td><b>C30 Polestar <br />limited</b></td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>-</td><td>Volvo/Polestar</td></tr></tbody></table><p>So with this graph, you should now know that, at a point in time, Volvo went PRO racing with the 850 under TWR engineering, and used Porsche engineering to soup up the street versions. Then it got brought by Ford Motor Company and severed ties with TWR and started Polestar engineering (brought as "flash Engineering" and now called "cyan" as Polestar was spined-off to build... electric crap), a more "close to the chest" thing. Much like M division for BMW, AMG for Mercedes, etc., But before all that, they got an extra marital thing with Mitsubishi, and AYC came out of it, cloaked as DSTC.</p><p><i><b>By now,</b></i> You now know that:</p><p>Volvo is terrible maintaining sports teams, Volvo builds some crazy cars every now and then, and that between the jump from TWR to Prodrive & Polestar to Polestar, the C30,S40,V50 and mk2 c70 where forgotten in terms of R options, while the S60 and V70 where blessed with the R option and also a pearl of an engine on the t5 260bhp versions.</p><p>Recently, Volvo went all crazy and created a brand new Engine with 4 cylinders, 2.0 and both turbo and compressor in line, copying VW. I got nothing against this engine that can , depending on the version and couplings (electric hybrid BS), produce all sorts of BHP . But I can't forgive Volvo for killing the glorious T4, T5 and T6, and transforming the T3, T4, T5, T6, T8 into marketing labels for the same 4 pot engine and a different config. It's just not decent, and Polestar got it very right by using the true T6 for the S60Polestar and the true T5 for the C30Polestar.</p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One thing is clear:</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you see a 90's, 00's or 10's Volvo ahead of you, and there is anything resembling a T4, T5, T6, R or a blue label with a white small star in it, don't assume he is getting away from your path and allow you to blast by. It may just, floor-it and leave you in the dust, just because... and still look like Soccer mum's car.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>Manuel Ribeirohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898244397231724106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1596560228948831313.post-56656865230089812162021-03-12T12:55:00.000+00:002021-03-12T12:55:00.204+00:00Tire Review - Goodride SA05<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwKCG1be2mgDdhHcD9NZ0YtutWuZ-L3YzIK5pGyBscrHdfpATDJwY9d1MWePHut5nzOrfn5NHYMI6MUNvQWLlsnm1HkuInIUDVAn0kPaMMiYlKZb0Sko3UYs1twg2Oy7zON37ZfIgn94A/s274/index.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="184" data-original-width="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilwKCG1be2mgDdhHcD9NZ0YtutWuZ-L3YzIK5pGyBscrHdfpATDJwY9d1MWePHut5nzOrfn5NHYMI6MUNvQWLlsnm1HkuInIUDVAn0kPaMMiYlKZb0Sko3UYs1twg2Oy7zON37ZfIgn94A/s0/index.jpeg" /></a></div><p><br />
<br />
Cars tested with these tires:<br />
- Volvo V70 T5 (with higher compression, and dump valve)<br />
<br />
Tests performed:<br />
- Front wheels, with a lot of mountain and highway kms between Lisbon and Madrid (700km trips)..<br />
<br />
Dry grip:<br />
- I must say I wasn't expecting much from a Chinese tire. It was inexpensive, however not as inexpensive as some other tires. I honestly was surprised with the tires. Grip is good, but once they break grip (under turbo spool-up) they tend do struggle to regain. This is most likely to do with the design. It has a lot of large surfaces, so I would imagine they will have some difficulty "cleaning up" the patch before re-gripping. Not brilliant but soft enough to deliver
good road holding while hot.</p><p>- Lateral grip is good, but it could do better. I think the structure is not up to the task that the design and compound promise. <br />
<br />
Wet grip:<br />
- Decent. It is not brilliant. Feels a lot like older compound tires (less silica). This could also be caused by the large surfaces on the tire design, allowing for less flexibility. </p><p>- It doesn't make you feel like a Gecko as some others do. That's for sure. But not entirely bad... I'd call it honest. It will "warn you" that it slips... and it will then precede to do so.<br /><br />
<br />
Aquaplaning resistance:<br />
- Surprisingly good. The Large surfaces that would mean trouble are well channeled and that does show. If the wheel spins loose, the drainage will pump water out and, assuming you are not driving too fast of on a river, drain enough to re-gain ground. The problem then becomes the lack of silica on the compound.</p><p>- However, and being quite fair, this HPT (not really but better then average sport tyre) is rated summer. We should expect good wet grip. I think that It would fit an open diff car with a delayed response traction control system quite nicely. The free spin wheel from the open diff would pull water, and then the delayed response form the traction control would help the tire re-gain the grip.</p><p>- Good for older generation cars. Just not too heavy<br />
<br />
Progressiveness:<br />
- Decent... not brilliant. You know it's about to slip, the problem becomes the regain of grip. A few groves on the large surfaces, and a bit more silica on the compound could solve this.<br />
<br />
Integrity maintenance:<br />
- This is the caveat on this tire. There is some sidewall, but it feels weak. The Volvo t5 was a bit too heavy for them. If cornering at over 180km/h you could feel the tire warping from IN on the the pressure area, and then out on the top area of the tire. This was later confirmed with a very high sidewall temperature. This tire could perform better with a lighter car. However the lack of high silica on the compound mean it needs pressure to work. It's a nonsense and ultimately why, in my opinion, it fails the HPT classification. </p><p>- Either add silica and rate it for lighter cars, or reinforce the sidewall and add some of cuts in the larger surfaces , then rate it for heavier cars. This seams a compromise that fails at both, rather than win.<br />
<br />
Compound:<br />
- It's a soft rubber compound with little wear resistance and designed for hot operation. Could do a bit more silica and get some better wet grip.<br />
<br />
Longevity:<br />
- Not brilliant. The T5 cleaned them slick in the normal time it does to any other soft tire. They where however surprising consistent to any other sports tire... to the "Chinese stuff doesn't last" doesn't apply here.<br />
<br />
Coherence:<br />
- Lack structure and that makes it weird to use, however the compound was consistent all the way to the metal wires. Pirelli and some Falkens could take a lesson from these.<br />
<br />
Balance:<br />
- Well... weird. They are normally balanced tires (not HPT rating for sure), BUT the warping under extreme loads seam to hurt them someway. Then they get out of balance!!! So, do not use these on heavy cars... or if you are going to, then drive like an old lady on her way to the grocery shop.<br />
<br />
Load Behaviour:<br />
- If I had to fit these again on the T5, they would probably find their way in the back ad the car normally runs back-empty. </p><p>- This seams like a good tire for an old hothatch car that doesn't weight too much. A ford escort, an opel astra, Peugeot 306 that sort of stuff.<br /><br /></p>Manuel Ribeirohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898244397231724106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1596560228948831313.post-14285062635617757312021-02-27T20:18:00.015+00:002022-05-31T00:38:32.904+01:00Ayrton Senna da Silva - The death of best race car driver even seen<p> Hi all</p><p>Another big post, as per request of my former colleague Christian Lisboa.</p><p><i><b>This is a Bitter sweet one:</b></i></p><p>Bitter because for me, F1 died with Senna. I stopped watching races as I was so disgusted with the way they allowed it to happen, the way the race continued as they clearly knew he was dead... the disrespectful manner they managed the "last squeeze" out of their "golden Chicken", was just too much to forgive. Bitter because he was an extraordinary human being and even better driver, and i respect him immensely. Sweet because during this post I not only talk about the accident, but also talk about who he was and how gigantic he was... both sport and personal wise.<br /></p><p>This will be a long one, and I'll approach the explanation of how Senna died, but, more important, the physics behind his crash and the even more important guilt by some people that deserve no respect at all from the rest of human kind (although one of them "presented him self as a friend of Senna").</p><p><i><b>Before starting:</b></i></p><p>I'll just start by stating that Senna was the best I've seen... ever. There are authentic Gods of driving before and after Senna, some alive, others not... but Senna was an absolute prodigy that lived to race. His focus was absolute. </p><p>A lot of people argue if Messi or Christiano Ronaldo or Figo or Maradona where the best football player... Messi is a natural born genius, Christiano has archived by means of unprecedented focus and dedication and very very hard work, Figo was intelligent and technical and Maradona was all passion and he gave it all to the game... heart and soul. </p><p>If you where to Fuse all these together, you would come up with a football player that would still come short if compared to Senna as a Race car driver.</p><p>A lot of people misunderstand Senna and come shallow. But if you dig into the documentaries of his short life, and if you understand the culture he grew up in, you'll learn to respect him in ways that may surprise you. </p><p><b><i>Senna as a race car driver</i></b></p><p>Senna started driving karts and winning at 8years of age. He was small, light and tried to understand how the mechanics of the kart worked. He used it all to be faster and more aggressive... this physical characteristic was maintained, by means of a tough physical preparation routine, through his life. As a kid, being trained and advised to "cool down his times" he would reply: no! with me it's either first place or no place. </p><p>This attitude, however was not filled with presumptuousness like most. His friends described him as someone "big enough to be little". He wanted first place but he knew he had still limitations and he had to learn. So he followed an independent career being champion at all steps. Karting was the one championship that he didn't win, but all the formulas, he followed patiently the path and even declined a jump to 2 F1 teams in the process. He had to reach it and learn the way through... we would not take shortcuts.<br /></p><p>He knew he had to build driving skill and also mechanical knowledge... or... engineering skill. And he pursued that with passion and dedication rivalled by no one else. The one other driver that came close was Michael Schumacker. </p><p>He was also conscientious that he was small and light, so he build himself up to the task ahead. He started his physical tune-up in 1984 and he never stopped till the end of his life. He tuned himself to have better blood sugar and oxygen levels consistent under stress, and keep his BPMs as low as possible.<br /></p><p>Much like a race car from those years (it was light as possible and made "fragile" to the point of minimal needed function) It will hold together and have the strength to suffer stress... until you crash... then you have no possible protection from the chassis as the logic is: this was made to race, not made to crash, so don't!</p><p>Senna was light and his physical preparation was always towards having enough strength to race the car without driver-aids assistance and during the race... and not more. </p><p>Senna rigorously prepared himself physically for stamina and leanness. He tried a balance between having strong neck muscles, but the remaining muscle preparation was mostly cardio (with LOTS of running) in order to have lean muscles and not big muscles. <br /></p><p>Senna has several videos after his races where you can see him suffering in pain and not being able to withstand hugs and shakes due to extreme muscle fatigue and a lot of pain. Those where frequent as he was... building him self to have ONLY the necessary muscle to drive the race... not more as it would be weight and size, no less as he wouldn't be able to finish or drive properly. This sort of "Fine engineering" of your body is some samurai stuff! <br /></p><p>The first time Senna lost a race to rain, his frustration led him to get back to a kart, on slicks get to the track and drive in the rain... over and over and over... and then progress to bigger chassis and learn all over again. He would learn and study new chassis designs typically in the rain.</p><p></p><p>Senna practised what was scary to him until it was actually fun. You can see this attitude on Another genius called Keiichi Tsuchiya (the drift king).... they actually have a lot in common in terms of driving technique both steering and throttle management wise.<br /></p><p>The result was a mastery of the car dynamics that no one else came close too master. In the rain Senna managed to find grip where no one else was able to. But this knowledge is also valid in the dry... resulting in the capability of driving CONSTANTLY on the car's/track/weather grip limits.</p><p>His win rate in the rain twice as good as Michael Schumacher was (66% vs 36.5%). This was clear at Donington race in 1993 as you can see for your self:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="459" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3GOEorrE4mY" width="554" youtube-src-id="3GOEorrE4mY"></iframe></div><p>There is something you need to understand about Senna. He looks at all aspects of the race... and that includes the weather. You see, back then McLaren had chassis to race but the development of the engines (leaving the turbo engine and going back to natural aspirated) where still behind the competition's power delivery. So he had to use the conditions where all others couldn't use the power advantage... so he had to use that as an advantage.. and he did so with brilliance yet to be seen again.</p><p>He also studied the mechanics of the race cars he drove and while other
race car drivers would pit-in, state the car was "loose on the rear-end"
and drive of to the hotel, Senna would literally live in the Paddock, with the mechanical team and would tell you that the "rear toe in is to
aggressive for the wing down force" for instance. His knowledge of the car systems and tune-ups was so great that he even adjusted brake bias to solve hydraulic issues during racing, or even finished races with a blocked gearbox in 6th gear.</p><p></p><p>The level of focus he had was tremendous. He was a very religious man (as most Portuguese and Brazilian are) and the fact that he talked about "feeling closer to God" and that " he believed that God would help him out of trouble", etc was miss interpreted by a lot of people... stating with his scared shitless colleague alain prost (small caps in disrespect... yes).</p><p>You see Senna did believe in God, but what you believe in is just a figure of speech. Buddhists monks meditate and reach a state they feel elevated, devoted Catholics feel that being indoors in a church makes them feel elevated... it's just a way to picture a strong will to believe in something that makes you re-wire your brain. </p><p>There is a reason why training is often repetitive. If generates brain connections that will allow you to react without having to think about it. </p><p>If you are able to believe in something that doesn't exist, but you still strongly believe, your brain will rewire and offset part of the "thinking process into a not needed" allowing for the purely physical movements to happen. </p><p>You react using per-memorised action/reaction patterns and bypass the thinking process. This is what happened with Senna. By strongly believing in God he reduced the fear of death/injury, allowing him to enter a state of "meditation" if you please and focus his brain activity on the dynamics of the car and not the dynamics of a crash and pain and misery, etc etc etc.</p><p>He got so focused in this that during some of his races, Sid Watkins, watching the telemetries, said that he would stop breathing for up to a minute... this is tremendous, particularly in a f1 car form the 90's</p><p>Some pilots understood this,, like his team-mate at the time of death, Damon Hill. He would say that Senna would through himself into a corner faster than he ever did and believe that something inside him would pull him through..some people call it faith, some people call it belief, but if you study him,, you understand that he trained himself so he could have muscle memory solve part of the problem, and focus his brain on the physics to make it work, instead of multitasking himself into a crash due to delayed reaction.... brilliant!</p><p>Look at this lap on this RUTHLESS Monaco circuit. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="477" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/auXfAHHNSFo" width="574" youtube-src-id="auXfAHHNSFo"></iframe></div><br /><p>Senna got so serious about driving that when he made mistakes, we would stress about them and punitively re-live the circumstances (cry in frustration) and then... learn as a traumatic experience. He must had been half Japanese with this Samurai/Ronin sort of ways.</p><p>Last but not least, Senna compartmentalized friendship and rivalry. The fact that you are friends with someone, doesn't mean you are going to giveaway an easy win. Rivals are rivals and the battle to win would happen independently of friendship. There was always respect for life and the individual and the sport was the main driver for this behavior. He would battle to win each corner, each breaking approach, each racing line... the sport. Not politics and deception.</p><p>This is why I lost all respect for alain prost. He mixed being competitive with being vengeful and that ultimately strongly contributed to the path that lead to Senna's death.</p><p>But Senna the man... has the ultimate workaholic.</p><p> <br /></p><p><b><i>The disgusting politics and french protectorate </i></b></p><p>Back in that day, the president for F1 was jean marie balestre (small caps in disrespect). An authoritative, arrogant and very nationalist Frenchmen. </p><p>Evidently, being French and very political, alain prost had a excellent relationship with balestre and he was very protective of alain. </p><p>prost was a very methodical driver and also very very egoist. Efficient, but far from genius like Ayrton, we clearly understood we would be eclipsed by the your team mate and as such they started a very nervous relationship. </p><p>The problem here was that, as Senna was much better than prost as a driver prost was a good politician and Senna was everything but a politician. </p><p>The competition between the 2 got to a point where, in Susuka 1989, prost, leading the championship and having the title IF Ayrton didn't score the race, crashed against Ayrton on purpose (trying to take him out of the race). But Sennas superior driving managed to escape wth a damaged car through the safety chicane and drive to the pit, have the car's nose fixed, back on the track and won the race. </p><p>Being a politician, prost rushed to is "mummy" balestre and they both conspired to blame it all on Senna as being very aggressive.</p><p>Not happy with it, they also distorted the safety regulations and grabbed the rules book to invalidate Senna's victory. In the end the deliberation was that as Senna "followed through" the chicane, he did not complete that lap via the circuit path. As such the lap did not count.EVIDENTLY the chicane is there to permit the drivers to slow down, and the follow through is there to permit the ones that fail the breaking into the chicane APEX, have a secure alternative to avoid crashing. According the blestre's arguments, Senna should have reversed back into the chicane, going the wrong direction, and then resume the chicane. It's absurd, dangerous and plain stupid.<br /></p><p>They managed to sanction Senna with 100.000 GBP fine and a 6 month ban. Ayrton was disqualified from the Japanese Grand Prix as a result, and prost won the championship that year. They also tried to launch a civil law suit against Senna.</p><p>As McLaren manager, Ron Denis, tried to save the day, jean marie balestre threatened to ban McLaren from racing. <br /></p><p>As expected from a politician, prost pursued to badmouth Senna in public hearings claiming he was a danger to other drivers because he believed in God and drove like a mad man... how bizarre! Senna clearly speaks out claiming: "I'm a race car driver! I always try to win! I never settle! If i see an opening and do not try to take it, then I'm not a race car driver anymore" This is possibly the most professional claim I can think of, as a reply to such absurd claims from prost (and I'm an atheist).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="453" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WBForKcFWoA" width="545" youtube-src-id="WBForKcFWoA"></iframe></div><br /><p>McLaren released prost form contract and prost shifted to Ferrari, running away from Senna as a team mate.</p><p>Fate has it's ironic cycles and in 1990, on the same situation, same track, but with inverted roles, Senna did the same to prost ,and took the championship... it's one of those times where you can see Senna being vengeful and unhappy with that. He crashed both cars on the first corner in a very clear statement.</p><p>This same year, during driver briefing, the same rule that got Senna to lose the race the year before, was waved away (as it should) because of safety considerations. Senna backfired as you can see here:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="510" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/49qF32Pazwc" width="614" youtube-src-id="49qF32Pazwc"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p>Again alain was playing political games with balestre,and managed to steal the pole-position from Senna, after Senna qualified with the best lap time,(as usual)... well our boy was not gonna eat another pile of crap so... here is the what goes around comes around moment:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="475" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IbeBnn0Ufsc" width="572" youtube-src-id="IbeBnn0Ufsc"></iframe></div><p></p><p> </p><p>If you want to see how balestre was, you have a good picture here:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="468" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1jxSjt3wU3s" width="564" youtube-src-id="1jxSjt3wU3s"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p></p><p><b><i>The pressure</i></b></p><p>As time went on, McLaren/Honda was not being able to maintain technical superiority, partially because Honda was shifting it's "support" for f1 and not giving its best.</p><p>Back then, the arrogant alain badmouthed Ferrari's car and engine, and as such, was fired! You can badmouth ANYTHING but the car, if you work for Ferrari.</p><p>As he moved towards Williams, he insisted on a clause on his contract that stated that, while his contract was valid, Williams would not hire Senna.</p><p>There is a catch here. Williams had just debuted the FW15 chassis. It was nothing brilliant mechanically, BUT it had active suspension... and that made it a complete GOD on track. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="467" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7AME4v3qZkc" width="562" youtube-src-id="7AME4v3qZkc"></iframe></div><p></p><p>Senna's McLaren could not compete with a car that would setup for each curve automatically... and was loosing ground behind prost that had an easy win on the championship...and retired while he was still ahead.<br /></p><p>Senna felt unsupported (mainly from Honda) and then from the technical disadvantage McLaren had against Williams.</p><p></p><p><b><i>More Political crap</i></b><br /></p><p>As expected prost retired. Williams was then free to take on Senna and they did. </p><p>But our friend balestre was not yet done. A ban on Active-Suspension meant that now, Ayrtons fresh new Williams would not behave as it did before. In fact the car's chassis without active-suspension (FW16) was inferior to what McLaren (the one Senna had previously) had and was very unstable. </p><p>It wasn't all. Back then the cars had jumped from 660Bhp to over 800bhp between 1989 and 1991, and there was traction control and abs available to help the drivers. The gearbox had torque limiting functions to avoid low gear spin.<br /></p><p>Guess what... those where banned too (or heavily tamed down).</p><p>The consequence was that Senna had a very difficult to drive and less then perfect chassis on his hands.<br /></p><p>Frustration was setting in. </p><p>The direct consequences of the ban on driver-aids where immediate:</p><p>Pedro Lammy broke both his legs and a front collision, after locking his front wheels while breaking for the Monaco chicane.</p><p>Ruben Barrichelo crashed badly that fatal weekend, Roland Razenberger lost control of his car and hit the protection wall at over 300km/h. He died instantly. </p><p>Senna was then presiding the pilot syndicate and brought this extra pressure on to his shoulders. Something had to be done to restore some safety into the sport. But mean time, show had to go-on... and he would die on that same weekend. Senna had lost his battle against politics... professionalism and passion lost to deceiving and grease (the most disgusting thing in existence).<br /></p><p><i><b>The crash</b></i></p><p>The day of the crash, Senna is very nervous. There is a comment that some interpret as a "piece message", I personally interpret as a very intelligent and loaded with cynicism critic to both alain and balestre. Before racing, Senna says "please come back alain, we miss you". </p><p>No one will really know what he meant, but what I read is that he wants to say something like : you should return, with you here, balestre would never ban the active suspension so you could win, he would never ban other driving aids so you could win... in the end, we're dying here and having you around would be sufficient to ensure proper rules for you that we would benefit from (or at least not drop dead because of). Some people think that phrase means, I miss you, I miss the constant fight... but if you consider all the pain prost-balestre politics pulled him through, you would think twice. In the end, I believe Senna saw balestre as the chauvinistic beast he was and understood that the past, thought hard, was not as bad, because of the presence of a french champion on the sport... it's a very sad feeling and his face shows evidence of it! he was right.</p><p>The cabal moment: <br /></p><p>The moment of the crash is a well known film, and it has spawned several
theories.</p><p>I've heard about tire burst (no evidence of that, on the
contrary)... steering column catastrophically failure (another joke...
when you break the steering, your hands instantly snap free to rotate
due to the breakage on the link between your hands, torsion and the
wheels gyroscopic movement)...the list goes on, but I'm sure some ET has a part
in the plot.</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="460" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7q_uNYLThsQ" width="554" youtube-src-id="7q_uNYLThsQ"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p>Conspiracy theory nr 1 - the steering column - </p><p>The video shows an erratic movement of the steering column. It looks like as if the Weld-adjusted steering column broke at the welds and cause Senna to crash.</p><p>Take a good look at the conspiracy theory video:<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="468" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uYCuq5UTB2o" width="563" youtube-src-id="uYCuq5UTB2o"></iframe></div><br />There are several problems with this video:<p></p><p>1 - the steering column, at 3 g's will flex and allow movement... it's designed to do so.</p><p>2 - the steering column adjustment that increased the length, was done by adding pipe-IN-pipe and then welding them together. So the piece of pipe (that actually broke with the impact) was placed inside the original steering column pipe. This means that the only way the steering would break like that, would be by a fracture being able to crack TWICE the metal thickness (plus the stronger weld)... very very dubious.</p><p>3 - The telemetry! The little tell-all blackbox on board the car, measured everything from percentage of inputs to torsion forces, and in included the steering wheel. That actually shows that Senna was 101% throttle through the corner, the torque applied on the steering was quite on the linear side of things (a broken part would generate variations as the frustration of the pilot would ask more form the failing part), It then shows a decrease in torque and 1/10th of a second later, a counter steer (yes, he reacted to his last drift in 1/10th of a second.... wow)... then full brakes as the torque was still being applied by the driver. <br /></p><p>4 - the footage - If you are forcing a pipe to turn left... and apply force... and it fails, your hands will cross to the right as you "win" against the pipe fail. Several pilots told that.<br /></p><p>So what really happened?</p><p>Senna was driving the recently capped down chassis, and struggling to find balance. As a result of the chassis losing the active-suspension it had been designed for, the best way to fix it, was to just lower the car, much like you see today with "bad tuning". Lowering the car kept the center of gravity low and, crucially, would generate extreme wind velocity under the car, generating a lot of down-force that, in turn, generates grip. The problem is that there is a reason as to why cars have suspension. </p><p>The reality is that, having the car that low, would depend heavily in other factors that had to be maintained:</p><p> 1 - tire stress and temperature</p><p> 2 - track pavement quality and smoothness</p><p>Some background: Daniel Bernoulli, back in the 1730's, mathematically describes the relationship between pressure, density and flow velocity, in fluids.<br /></p><p>The physics is as follows: if you look at an airplane wing cross section, you will find that the air that goes under the wing has la shorter path to follow, while the the air going over the wing has a longer path to go... so it must flow faster. Faster fluid movement generates lower pressures and that will pull the airplane up. </p><p>Now look ad the cross section of the airplane wing and turn it upside down, you will end up with the fundamental design of an F1 car. </p><p>In the end, an F1 car is more of an inverted airplane than a car. </p><p>At full speed, an F1 car generated 4x it's weight in down-force, without generating inertial weight. The problem is that if you remove the aero dynamics form the equation, its just as you have an invisible hand from a giant pressing you car down a curve, making it grip and hold-in the the road... and then. mid corner, the hand suddenly is removed... you car will be taking too much speed and too little force to sqeeze the tires to the ground and you'll crash! Any high performance racing car will have a minimum turning speed, meaning that if you turn into a corner bellow that speed, the aerodynamics will not be helping you have grip and you will crash.<br /></p><p>Back then, Immola had been "almost" red-flagged due to poor track conditions. The track was not smooth enough. Obviously, some careful political negotiations avoided that... but then Ruben Barrichelo got hurt, Ratzenberger and Senna died... well, politics has a way of making carnage refined and inconsequential to the killers behind it.</p><p>As any major accident, it gets down to a series of "fails" that pile up and sequence to generate one cabal moment.</p><p>So what really happened based out of physics, telemetry data, footage from his car and the racers following him?</p><p>Senna's car was too low! It was such way so that, after the initial laps where the race starts picking up pace the car would be at a optimum distance from the ground, as the tires inflated with heat and the ride weight would stabilise into the optimum value to squeeze as much air as possible under the car's flat bottom and maximise grip on high speed corners.</p><p>Footage from Schumacher's car and Damon Hill show Senna's car belly hitting the ground constantly and sparking all over... there is a MASSIVE spark shower right at the point Senna lost grip as you can see here from Schumacher footage as he was pursuing Senna: </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="470" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8qYXVfY_9IE" width="565" youtube-src-id="8qYXVfY_9IE"></iframe></div><p>The car was bottoming because instead of having 7 full laps of tire warming time, the race was interrupted and the pace-car was pulled into the track to reduce the speed while the a crashed car was removed from the track and the track cleaned-up. </p><p>This made the tires less warm, and less inflated, reducing the ride weight that was just TOO TIGHT due to the chassis natural instability! As the car passed some bumps on the poorly maintained tarmac, with the tires still under-inflated, the car bottomed into the ground and blasted sparks all over the place as you can see by Schumacher's footage. </p><p>This interrupted the flow of High-speed air under the car and stopped "sucking" the car onto the ground, at that point, the rear wheels, under 101% throttle power and no downforce, started to spin as the tires gave away into the inertia of having to turn the heaviest part of the car without assistance.</p><p>In 1/10th of a second, Senna counter-steered to maintain the car stable, but the bump is now through and the car is starting to grip. As the grip on the front-end is regained the car violently pulls in the direction of the centrifugal force, throwing the car outwards in the track. Senna, again, blazing fast corrects the steering and applies 100% breaking... but the "tamburello turn" is very poorly designed and there is no space to recover.</p><p>The car skids all the way into the concrete wall and violently hits the wall.</p><p>The accident was not avoidable. </p><p>NatGeo has a good documentary that covers almost all angles. I recommend you to watch it and learn a thing or 2 about how "on the limit" the physics of an F1 car is.:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="454" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ows5AOKQhqU" width="546" youtube-src-id="Ows5AOKQhqU"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><i><b>The bad luck</b></i></p><p>If the angle that Senna's car hit the concrete wall was a bit less incisive, he would have exited the car maybe shaken but certainly alive.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/8d/3c/bf/8d3cbfbf398b7792b914a36044af35e2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="182" data-original-width="277" height="260" src="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/8d/3c/bf/8d3cbfbf398b7792b914a36044af35e2.jpg" width="396" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>However, as he right front tire hit the wall and broke, it got pinned between the car and the wall as it was dragged along with the movement. As the car rebound off the wall, the entire tire assembly with all the hub and suspension arms passed over the car towards Senna's head and hit him hard.</p><p>The crash point in Senna's helmet shows that the heavy, hard and full of inertia wheel hub, with the attached suspension arm, hit Senna's head just above the right eyebrow, fracturing the helmet and transmitting the force into his skull that fractured and ruptures the temporal artery. <br /></p><p>His fate was sealed... the hemorrhage and damage to the brain would leave him suffering and dyeing. Senna died at the track, but he was immediately reanimated several times all the way to the hospital for one simple reason: Had he died at the track, the track would have been closed and the race finished. Imagine how many million would not be won by F1 and the sponsors due to the interruption of that race... yeah the little piggies had to get their dime.</p><p>Here are some pictures from the "senna files" website (conspiracy theory website I may add):</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ayrton-senna.com/s-files/picslib/picf3_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="178" data-original-width="252" src="http://www.ayrton-senna.com/s-files/picslib/picf3_1.jpg" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ayrton-senna.com/s-files/picslib/picf3_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="166" data-original-width="252" src="http://www.ayrton-senna.com/s-files/picslib/picf3_2.jpg" /></a></div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><b><i> </i></b><p><b><i>Summing up?</i></b></p><p>1 - balestre... his pursuit to
protect alain prost and then "ignore" safety while banning driver-aids
like that, makes him my number one culprit. Has Senna had the
active-suspension like prost had, the car would be riding at normal
heights and not as unstable.<br /></p><p>2 - SanMarino race track - if the
road is bad... then it is not fit for racing. You need to loose money
by not hosting the event and then lose more fixing it... but at least
you don't kill people. Also, and that was pointed by Senna before, the
concrete wall at the end of a very slim deceleration area, on such a
fast corner, would never be a good idea now, would it?</p><p>The rest of it is consequences and bad luck,, added to a sport that was pure risk. </p><p>But the disrespectful meaner that the organisers treated him the moment he became a threat to alain prost, all the way to his death is just too disgusting to ignore. <br /></p><p>To me, it was not just the best driver of all time that died that day. It was also F1 as a sport... just sad.</p><p><br /></p><p><i><b>The one remaining conspiracy theory that makes sense </b></i></p><p>There was previous to the accident, evidence that, in the pursue for lightness, williams FW16 chassis was very fragile and some catastrophic suspension collapses had happened before. </p><p>The same theory could explain a sudden diving of the car front end and that would then be the cause for the disruption of air under the car. </p><p>This however is not sustained with evidence and the footage from Schumachers car seem to show the bottoming happening at the heaviest part of the car (the engine/transmission package).</p><p>However the same evidence that can't prove that, can't eliminate that. </p><p>The reaction from Williams is a factor that could be looked at, but the nervous reaction from the team could be as much fear from responsibility as true responsibility... so it's just speculative.</p><p>That however does not remove all the other factors and neither Lamy, not Barrichelo, not Ratzenberger where driving Williams FW16...</p><p><br /></p><p>... I'll leave it up to you to make your own conclusions.<br /></p>Manuel Ribeirohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898244397231724106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1596560228948831313.post-81705680262106627342021-02-25T21:37:00.003+00:002021-02-26T01:40:14.878+00:00Driting 101<div><p>After a long consideration period and some requests from my colleagues, I've decided to review a couple of old unpublished articles and compile them into this single small article about drifting.</p><p>I'll be using a lot of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keiichi_Tsuchiya" target="_blank">Keiichi Tsuchiya</a> videos to explain the concepts. If you want to learn, learn with the best, and there is a reason they call him "drift king".<br /></p><p><b><i>First Things First:</i></b></p><p>There are 2 types of drifting.. the show-off stuff and the go fast stuff.</p><p>I'm not really into the Show-off stuff except for training purposes... so you should try long drifts while learning so you can find the sweet-spot and keep it there easily.</p><p>My thing is the Go Fast drift.. this will land us into the good old discussion of grip-driving being better than drift-driving. </p><p><b><i>Definition</i></b></p><p>If you consider drift driving as I do, You'll define it as: the control of the car motion during cornering or in-between cornering, beyond the grip limit, while trying to make the drift pull the motion of the car into the desired trajectory. </p><p>If you stop and think about this a bit, what you are saying here is: instead of having the car under grip and use the front wheels to steer it into the corner, you'll have it BEYOND the grip limit (so... going faster) and use the drift to control the inertia of the car movement, trying to turn it into the motion that resolves the curve (this is very important). </p><p>Now I've claimed the "motion that resolves the curve" and that is the key. </p><p>This is the beauty of the well known Mitsubishi/Volvo AYC (Active Yaw Control). If you have the car pointing towards what is the exit of the curve... but still drifting in an arch path thought the curve, you can floor the car most of the time and have a faster way thought than having the grip driving with the tires countering the car's tendency to slide.</p><p>In the end, there will always be opinions about grip vs drift but, if there is a grip limit that the speed vs weight (inertia) and tire vs turn radius (drag) will determine and you are OVER it, then, if the car is the same and so are the tires, and the bend on the road, the only chance for you to be over the grip limit is by carrying more speed...so speed is higher... the only remaining argument will be the ability to maintain this speed advantage throughout the entire corner and that is where anyone that has properly driven a proper 4wd or RWD machine will claim that drift driving is faster.</p><p>Take a look:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="466" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iMtLu4zVQaY" width="560" youtube-src-id="iMtLu4zVQaY"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b><i>Back to the tech stuff</i></b></p><p>I divide Drift into 2 main categories : Inertia drift and Grip -Break drift.</p><p>They all have influences on each other, as they all are the balance into the lack of grip and the inertia of the movement... but I divide them like this as "ways to initiate the drift".</p><p><b><i>Grip -Break drift:</i></b></p><p>Starting with the Grip-breaking drift. There are 3 ways to do this and the most well known is the Hand-break drift. It's then followed by the Power-Over drift and the least well knows one (unless you've driven a RWD PURE car in the rain on snow), Shift-Down drift. </p><p>They all work by breaking the grip between the tire and the road. The physics are quite fascinating. As the rubber holds the road, there is an elastic deformation that "much like a gecko" makes the tires design deform to meet the road surface. That is why a pure slick has a much more linear response breaking out if grip then a snow tire: there is less elastic deformation to consider. After overwhelming the grip of the tires elastic deformation, the slide will drag the rubber over the pavement and the rubber will create "marbles" as small pieces of rubber break away and roll under the tire... the heat will in turn start to melt the tires, and ultimately it will start to bun the tire and produce that smoke we all know... the smoke is the liberation of gas from the burning tire compound and that reduces the grip further.This is why the loss of grip is progressive... and this is just assuming dry-grip loss... add water, snow or ice in the mix and this VERY SIMPLISTIC explanation gets a hole different level of complexity.</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Back to the methods... you pull the hand break and the car will instantly squat and generate drag! Do that on a straight line and you'll be slowing the car down in the most stupid and inefficient way you can find... if however before you do that, you yank the steering to one side and de-compensate the chassis by shifting the cars center of mass, you'll be inducing a over-steer slide as the rear will follow movement inertia, but will no longer be gripping properly to turn in. </li></ul><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="444" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UyG0mWtcp6Y" width="534" youtube-src-id="UyG0mWtcp6Y"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Power-over... Power drift... cal it whatever you want. The grip loss principle is the same but instead of using the car's stopping power, you use the engine to overwhelm the grip. On some cars all you need to do it floor-it, other will not have power delivery with the sufficient brutality and will require a Clutch-Dump. This is when you clutch the car, rev the engine gaining rotational inertia and reaching a good power band, and then dump the clutch in a brute manner.</li></ul><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">The wheels will start to spin and IF YOUR CAR IR AWD with a rear bias...
or RWD, you'll induce a drift by over-steer. If you own a FWD... you'll
just generate wheel spin and eventually (most likely) under-steer...
it's still a slide... but it will be towards the tree on the side of the
road and then the repair shop... eventually the hospital or morgue!
Under-steer is BAD and except for helping to stabilize a 4wheel drift
like the video above, you don't want under-steer near you. </div></div><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">I often hear people talking about Powerslide, and that it is the same as power drift... well... yes and no! Yes it is the same "thing happening" to the wheels and basic car motion. But there is a fundamental difference as to purpose.</p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">You Drift the car INTO the corner! that means you are using the power of the car and the motion of the car to slide the rear into the position the car will have THROUGH the corner. Power slide is when you allow the rear to slide after the corner has been "resolved". So if you are sliding BEFORE the APEX of the corner, you will be drifting the car, if it is after the APEX, you'll be power sliding the car, as exampled here: <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="455" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D7usvtZilUA" width="547" youtube-src-id="D7usvtZilUA"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Finally the shift-down of shift-lock drift. If you own a RWD car... and don't rev-mach your shift-down, you'll eventually find yourself sliding the rear under breaking and shift-down... either while driving through the rain, or on a HEAVY breaking and aggressive shift-down. It's the same effect as a handbrake, but the wheel s aren't really stopped,... they are just spinning too slow for the car's inertial movement and will generate a close to handbrake effect. So, if you own an S2000, for instance, LEARN TO heel-toe and then rev-match you downshifts. If not, then drive really slow in the rain... like an old lady.</li></ul><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">In the snow or ice, it can be as simple as just, letting you foot off the throttle. Nasty stuff! </p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">This is also why it is frequently confused with the lift-off over-steer! Lift-off over steer will be explained later because it is a different type of drift induction. However, as explained before, the inertia and grip go hand in hand...they all have a part to play, but we are dividing the categories per Induction of slide method). </p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="416" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LMT6LJ6V3Ak" width="500" youtube-src-id="LMT6LJ6V3Ak"></iframe></div><br /> <p></p><p><b><i>Inertia drift (A.K.A. weight-shifting drift):</i></b></p><p>Yes all drifts will, in the end depend on managing inertia and grip, but this sort of grip doesn't not involve using either brakes, clutch or engine to break grip... This one uses the car's chassis and the way it handles the movement of the center of weight (or mass) your car has, and the inertia the movement brings.</p><p>Does it take leverage out of managing the engine or breaks? YES! but then again, not the same way as a break drift does.</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Braking drift is done by steeping heavy on the brakes and wanking the steering into the corner as the front end gets squeezed by the weight shift resulting from the braking. </li></ul><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">In the end, your suspension will be compressing on the front and decompressing on the rear... the weight of the car will be adding grip to the front tires and loosing the rear. As you yank the steering with a firm but progressive movement, you shift the front of the car's weight into the corner, but the rear will try to maintain it's inertia and slide the rear of the car out. </div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"> </div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">You then need to have enough power form the engine and grip from the tires to pull through. This is not the drift that can be aborted easily, as you are carrying the car weight into the corner and countering it will mean you will have to counter the inertia you where provoking to happen in the first place. A full spin is sometimes the best way to recover... but not always.</div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"> </div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">The best cars for this are heavy and soft damped cars. I often use this technique on road cars due to the soft suspension setups, and you can even slide SUVs like this... I used to drift the Volvo XC90 this way... really easy to work the Volvo DSTC with this technique. In this care I just delay the breaking and then last minute, I step a but harder and yank the steering. </div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"> </div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">This method needs a properly setup front end. If your car is too toe-out or the geometry is bad (wear bushings, damaged wishbones, etc) you can fail to induce the car s front into the corner with enough force to destabilize the rear and may end up under-steering. Careful!</div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"> </div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">This is an example of a Breaking drift. </div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="415" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uRKkJYAaw4k" width="499" youtube-src-id="uRKkJYAaw4k"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The Scandinavian-flick or feint-drift is done by proposely destabilizing the car and making it slide. It is the common cause of accidents on the road while diverting from a collision. In essence, If you want to steer right, as you approach the corner, you first steer left (compressing the right side suspension) and then flick the steering right (compressing the left side suspension while the right side springs back violently). This immediately induces the car into a spin and it does so in a very DECISIVE and NOT EASY TO COUNTER way. You better know what you're doing if you plan to do this at speed.</li></ul><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Take a look at it here:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="425" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V0rKhPr4DdA" width="511" youtube-src-id="V0rKhPr4DdA"></iframe></div><p> </p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Financially the lift off over-steer. Lift-off is really easy on a FWD car... and again, a common cause of accidents on the road as people get pulled into corners, they get scared, they lift-off, the car's engine starts decelerating the front, moving the mass and loosing the rear... as the rear looses grip, people get stared and break, making it worse and crashing. This is the reason some cars are "engineered" (if you can cal it that) to UNDER-STEER on limit, as the lift-off scared driver will gently pull it back into a possible apex line.</li></ul><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">Take a look at an example here:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="432" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UNi8spFLEf4" width="520" youtube-src-id="UNi8spFLEf4"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">On a RWD it is a bit trickier as it requires a provoking of the car with acceleration and liftoff so that, much like the Scandinavian-flick (or feint) drift, the car compresses and decompresses the suspension. It is the same as a Scandinavian-flick, but instead of Side to Side, you compress rear and the front... So you accelerate hard, compressing the rear springs, then lift-off decompressing them and compressing the front and the weight shifts... you may need to do this in sequence at the rhythm of the car's suspension to gain enough inertia to make the chassis destabilization work properly.</div><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">This is an advanced for due to the difficulty of matching the cars suspension dynamics, the speed and the simple fact that if you get it wrong... you're gonna crash HARD... it's also the most efficient way to prove that drifting can be faster than grip driving. <br /></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"> You can see itin detail in the Drift Bible video that I recommend at the end of the article.</p> <p></p><p>There is A LOT MORE into drifting and learning how to do so. </p><p>My recommendation is you buy DriftKing,s Drift Bible and take it easy and off public roads. </p><p>This article has been rushed into editing (due to my lack of time) due to a special request form my colleagues at SwivelSecure team. If you like it, thank them:</p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Christian Lisboa</li><li>David Assuncao</li><li>Diogo Figueiredo</li><li>Joao Leal</li><li>Marco Rodrigues <br /></li><li>Ricardo Wong</li><li>Tiago Silva</li></ul><p> <br /></p><p> Have fun and stay safe.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Manuel Ribeirohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898244397231724106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1596560228948831313.post-88834326602537708512020-01-07T14:55:00.002+00:002020-01-07T15:33:56.514+00:00My good friend Mario asked me, if money was limitless, what would be my garage.<br />
Well, I told him that if I had infinite amount of money then a would:<br />
<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr><td><b>Buy</b></td><td><b>and use it</b></td></tr>
<tr><td>Mazda RX7 FD</td><td>ohh yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Nissan Skyline R34 VSpecII </td><td>ohh yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Nissan Skyline R34 Mines Tune</td><td>ohh yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Honda NSX Type-R (gen1)</td><td>ohh yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Toyota Supra BiTurbo 2JZ (gen2)</td><td>ohh yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Lexus LFA</td><td>ohh yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Ford RS200</td><td>ohh yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Ford Escord RS Cosworth</td><td>ohh yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Lancia Delta HF integrale</td><td>Naaaa, would be stored in vacuum</td></tr>
<tr><td>Audi Quattro</td><td>ohh yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Lotus ExigeS PrototypeRacing</td><td>ohh yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Lotus ExigeS</td><td>ohh yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Lotus Esprit V8Turbo</td><td>ohh yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Lotus Elan s2</td><td>yeah, every now and then</td></tr>
<tr><td>Lotus 340R</td><td>ohh yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Honda Integra type-r</td><td>ohh yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Ariel Atom K20</td><td>ohh yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Ariel Atom V8</td><td>ohh yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Radical XR</td><td>ohh yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Volvo C70 T5</td><td>yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>McLaren F1</td><td>ohh yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Porsche Carrera GT</td><td>ohh yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Peugeot 205GTI</td><td>yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Renault Clio Williams</td><td>ohh yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Ford fiesta 1.25i techno</td><td>yeah, every now and then</td></tr>
<tr><td>Ford Escord Xr3i</td><td>yeah, every now and then</td></tr>
<tr><td>Volvo 850R</td><td>ohh yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Volvo V70T5 (gen1)</td><td>errr my daily driver... so yeah everyday</td></tr>
<tr><td>Lexus IS200 </td><td>hell yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Honda S2000 (gen1 facelift)</td><td>I already have it, so hell yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Honda Civic Type-R EP3</td><td>ohh yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MP400</td><td>ohh yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Subaru Impreza GT STi (Gen1)</td><td>ohh yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Mazda MX5 NB</td><td>hell yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Peugeot 106 rallye</td><td>yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Peugeot 207 rallye</td><td>yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Peugeot 405 Mi16</td><td>yeah, every now and then</td></tr>
<tr><td>Mercedes GullWing... the one and only</td><td>Too scared to break it... would probably just look at it</td></tr>
<tr><td>Renault Megane RS Trophy</td><td>Naaah... just to pull another friends chains</td></tr>
<tr><td>Noble M12GT</td><td>yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Noble M400</td><td>yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>TVR Cerbera</td><td>yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>TVR (brand new one by Gordon Murray)</td><td>f$%k yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>BMW M3 E46 CSL</td><td>hell yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>BMW M1</td><td>just for the kicks</td></tr>
<tr><td>BMW 850 V12</td><td>Just to fool with the Panameras</td></tr>
<tr><td>Porsche 911 Gt3</td><td>yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Toyota AE86</td><td>hell yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Nissan Primera Gt2.0</td><td>yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Honda Accord Type-r</td><td>hell yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Volvo S60 T5 (Gen2) POLESTART</td><td>hell yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Volvo V40 T5 (Gen2)</td><td>hell yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Suzuki Capuccino</td><td>hell yeah</td></tr>
<tr><td>Mazda RX8</td><td>sure... why not</td></tr>
<tr><td>...</td><td>...
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'll be adding to this list as I remember more... but you really don't see the typical ferrari and Lambo stuff in a list I make...any list I make. It's just not my thing.Manuel Ribeirohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898244397231724106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1596560228948831313.post-71603855278250561442015-10-01T02:36:00.000+01:002015-10-01T02:36:07.449+01:00The "I told you so" posthttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/sep/22/the-rise-diesel-in-europe-impact-on-health-pollution<br />
<br />
Following VW scandal, new tests uncover that Mercedes is even worse, BMW does the same...and peugeot, toyota...well ALL OF THEM.<br />
<br />
Why? Well because like I've been saying for years, diesel is a lot worse than gasoline...is engines and obviously pollution.<br />
<br />
Of course no one listened to me because the manufacturers say it is good...than I must be true.<br />
<br />
Time now for the revenge post: I TOLD YOU! Years...decades ago.<br />
<br />
The Diesel is now on count down...finally. Next step: false hybrids.Manuel Ribeirohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898244397231724106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1596560228948831313.post-18885180052335368502015-09-23T12:37:00.003+01:002015-09-23T15:24:56.289+01:00VW... you are stupid... ballsy but stupid... and also right.<a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/business-34325005">http://www.bbc.com/news/business-34325005</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Shocked by the VW scandal, I decided to post this article.<br />
<br />
I can't believe how stupid they here, how ballsy they were and ultimately how right they are.<br />
<br />
Politicians, in their infinite stupidity think that the world will be better if the clean cars (gasoline engined) are less, and dirty cars (diesel engined) are more and more controlled by regulations that ultimately will kill the engine power making you pull it harder or buy a bigger engine.... ending in more pollution anyway.<br />
<br />
There is a why to this: tax! More tax means more money for them... of course the idea of taxing a car that pollutes like a gasoline engine car, is to plant more trees and green areas to compensate... but that money is deviated... lets just say else where.<br />
<br />
There is the other matter... by taxing gasoline cars, people flee to diesel ones, and that constitutes a bigger problem as diesel emissions include a lot of carbon particles... this is worse then gas, so the politicians add regulations and taxes to try to baffle the resulting pollution... no trees from taxes still, just more money.<br />
<br />
So the game is: Make it as bad as possible and then tax on it and make fortunes.<br />
<br />
In order to do that, every car, upon certification to a specific market will have pass a set of tests including the emissions test.<br />
<br />
So far so good. We knew that already. The problem is that VW also knows that and ultimately thinks "I don't really care for stupid policies, and if you are making money on us, than I'll fool you". <br />
<br />
So now for the news:<br />
Every car that is fitted with ESP will not allow you to properly test it on a rolling dyno. The 2 front wheels spinning while the 2 rear wheels are stopped will immediately trigger EPS into thinking you are trying to accelerate on a slippery surface and dose the engine and apply the brakes... So to solve this issue every manufacturer has input into it's car's software a "test mode" that disables ESP actions.<br />
Now if you are a manufacturer and you want to fool the emissions test, this presents an opportunity, however, if you are going to do that you must really conceal the crafts, as you will be stealing money from governments (the biggest "mafiosos" of them all) in every car you sell from that point on.<br />
<br />
VW did just that! they concealed a way to make their cars pollute 40 to 50 time less if a certain type of parameter was met.<br />
<br />
This is not the problem. The problem is that if you are going down this road than you have to make it "look like a bug" in the software.<br />
<br />
VW on the other hand coded a set of checks that produce a result...and that can be tracked.<br />
<br />
Not that if it was a bug you would be out of trouble... it just makes it easier to explain in court, and that means that, out of the total 18billion fine, you could negotiate your way down to say... half that value!?<br />
<br />
In the other words: your VW diesel that claims to produce x co gr/km actually produces 40 or 50 times as much. No worries, it still has that big power from a very small package and that is what you pay for actually.<br />
<br />
So this is a big scandal not because it pollutes more, not because they are stealing from the government (and in turn helping you do the same... so now you have that instant karma feeling) but because they where stupid enough to do that in the clumsiest possible way.<br />
<br />
Practical results form this stunt?<br />
1 - VW will be fined... hard<br />
2 - VW is stealing from govenrments everytime they sell a diesel car<br />
3 - if you own a VW you have been and are stealing form your government every year when you pay your tax.<br />
4 - VW will have to call back the cars and remap... so be careful! I have no idea how they are going to meet CO emissions while retaining the same power and consumption. <br />
5 - VW stock is history.... sell... yesterday.<br />
<br />
HONDA: you killed the brilliant K20A from the type-r and screwed-it-up with a turbo... instead you should have gone for full BTCC race tune to 300bhp NA and fit a jumbo catalytic converter that could be removed and replaced with a test pipe the minute one exits the sales stand. That would be legal, that would be efficient, that would still pollute less than any VW... and we would have loved it.<br />
<br />Manuel Ribeirohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898244397231724106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1596560228948831313.post-49495628596005103262015-09-23T09:11:00.001+01:002021-02-27T21:29:23.014+00:00Test Drive - 2004 Honda Civic 1.7cdti (EP4 chassis)This a very (very) old post that has been cooking for over 2 years.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjxoBO55F7TjSkpJYDExBg22QyYsgYPi5OBnywGP-eD4ZHKSkAuCXzRmkYbQbfZRZsh7jxjx_vS6fdDD20psufAq-_ypx3kg8JdSYgmdZHrJAN69gW9l1BpeLYTNNpuI7j7AFxiJr6VGJ/s1600/2002_civic_1.7_cdti_5dr.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSjxoBO55F7TjSkpJYDExBg22QyYsgYPi5OBnywGP-eD4ZHKSkAuCXzRmkYbQbfZRZsh7jxjx_vS6fdDD20psufAq-_ypx3kg8JdSYgmdZHrJAN69gW9l1BpeLYTNNpuI7j7AFxiJr6VGJ/s1600/2002_civic_1.7_cdti_5dr.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
There is a reason for this. Firs I tested the car using the standard Michelin energy tires... having driven the Type-r version my immediate impression was: this thing is all over the place! that high roof must really pull the chassis beyond it's limits.<br />
Then, my first recommendation was: change the tires. Go for some proper rubber engineered to grip instead of fuel saving, and then I recommended the Toyo T1-R's I also recommended to increase the 195,60,R15 to a much more sensible 205,55,R15 with reinforced sidewalls to prevent tire wall smash.<br />
<br />
The transformation was obvious... having decent road holding from the tires, the chassis actually comes to live and presents all it's magnificent design. Sure it was a bit too high but the stiffness on the tires and the grip was enough to force the chassis into full dynamics (not sure however of it's behavior if you have a transition from good tarmac into a less holding surface).<br />
<br />
This was good news but I was out of time and so I had to leave the test... unfinished.<br />
<br />
This last 2 months however presented themselves with an opportunity to clock some 10.000Kms on the same car. It was time to to through every type of pavement, road, condition... and check the car properly.<br />
<br />
What a surprise. Not a good or a bad surprise but rather a mix.<br />
Chassis wise the car is brilliant... one of the best FWD chassis, period! Grippy and very composed, the lift-off over-steer is controlled with ease and allows for some spectacular drifts...not just for show! Once you've mastered the dynamics of the car, you can keep a very fast pace on any b road. Sure you will kill the front tires fast like any FWD car, but the experience will be involving and with slim to none under-steer.<br />
Turn in is precise and very willingly (surprisingly instantaneous).<br />
<br />
Torque-steer however is bad news. I can clearly understand why Honda, having opted for a lower quality, inferior and ultimately cheaper rear suspension design for the new versions of the civic, decided into an improved front suspension design as it was would render anything beyond 150bhp and 200nm/torque problematic. Especially with the worse rear design, the front end would really need to be a charm.<br />
<br />
Allow the car to slide a bit further than 20 degrees and you'll feel that the torque for the front wheels will work against you while you steer back when the car starts recovering... unpleasant and eventually dangerous in extreme circumstances. How to sort this out in your own car? kill the rubber bushings and fit some good, hard, polyurethane ones...also buy a bump-steer kit from spoon...now that you are at it, fit a set of coilovers.<br />
That is the single most weird thing about the car. And having a heavy (really heavy) diesel engine, this is more perceptible.<br />
<br />
The Diesel engine... not bad for a 1.7 common rail with an old design. The Isuzu unit is robust and bullet proof, but is is very heavy and since it is a diesel, response is something unheard of. So that is the ONE THING that spoils the package. Had this been a RWD it would kill the chassis competence completely (much like the BMW 1 series).<br />
<br />
Appart form that it will cruise at 120km/h at 5lts/km (no AC)... and will average 6.2lt/Km in the 10.000km I've tested with mixed city and highway , with AC (with some highway stretches going beyond the 200km/h apparent limit).<br />
<br />
The weight of the engine is very perceptible on speed-bumps. The front of the car easily digs into the ground while coping to deal with the front end weight and still remain "decent" in comfort settings.<br />
<br />
It is comfortable enough for long trips (over 700km in a row)...clearly not as comfortable as my V70 T5 volvo, but if you compare chassis efficiency and joy vs ride comfort, this will eclipse the volvo anyway... it will eclipse most cars actually.<br />
<br />
So this is a good car. Pitty the engine is diesel, so a 1.8i would be better... a lot better... pitty it is so high, to the sports version is the one to go for... and of course, if you manage to source the type-r 2.0 than there is no looking back,<br />
<br />
Comparing it with the recent chassis, the EP3/EP4 (EP3 is the Civic Type-R and Civic Si or sport chassis and the EP4 is the regular car with an extra 20cm of headroom) is the last great Civic to have. So unless you are 70 years old and only drive on motorways, ignore ANY civic beyond the Type-R EP3... and that includes the new "shemale" turbo type-r.<br />
<br />
<br />Manuel Ribeirohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898244397231724106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1596560228948831313.post-36085782534367957482015-09-16T22:39:00.000+01:002015-09-16T22:40:11.272+01:00Test Drive - Mini 1.6dEngine.... engine... this chassis asks for engineeee<br />
<br />
The mini is a brilliant little car. It always had been and when BMW took over the new version project it managed to input all the good "drivers car" knowledge they've always had.<br />
<br />
It is FWD (not particularly good) but truth be spoken it is a brilliant FWD.<br />
The chassis is very composed and the rear is as live on lift-off as the front is eager to bite into corners... and being so small this means one thing: agility.<br />
<br />
This car allows you a very high pace thought a B-road jumping from bend to bend without any sort of inertia issues. It feels a lot lighter than it actually is, but that is good.<br />
<br />
Just like it's RWD brother the 1series BMW, this car ask... begs... for a proper engine. And unfortunately just like the BMW's I've tested, it was Diesel.<br />
<br />
Don't get me wrong, the car is very lively during acceleration and great for motorway cruising... but when you really need response and rev range, the diesel engine doesn't allow you to properly enjoy the chassis.<br />
<br />
My opinion?<br />
Buy the cooper works... the old one... with the compressor. I know the turbo performs better and is less of a pain to keep healthy... but if you want to enjoy the chassis, you need response and the turbos... well the turbos will always have response issues. :)Manuel Ribeirohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898244397231724106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1596560228948831313.post-25995268026027207552015-09-16T22:30:00.001+01:002015-09-16T22:41:33.256+01:00Did the treatment pills work? Is the Auto industry back on the sanity ground?As you probably know, my view on today's automotive industry is pretty dark.<br />
<br />
I'm a purist and as such, Honda going hybrid and 2wd turbo is wrong, toyota going hybrid is wrong... every manufacturer going 2wd turbo is wrong... everything is wrong out there expect maybe for some enlightened souls that mostly work for lotus... and a couple other manufacturers.<br />
<br />
The problem? First came the politicians with their stupid taxes, forcing smaller and smaller engines to be produced... then came their policemen with orders to "invoice" and the speed limit made us run highways at parking lot speeds...then came Al-Gore and his army of zombie tree-hugers that killed some of the most brilliant engines ever made...and finally came the economists and mediocre managers that turned the engineering passion into a blind pursue of profit with total disregard for design quality.<br />
<br />
These last years, we saw Toyota kill the Supra, Mazda kill the RX7, Honda kill the NSX...and the S2000... and the Civic Type-r...and the integra Type-r, BMW killed the glorious NA in-line six of the M3, Saab... well no more Saab and I could continue with the kill list on to the trash produced list starting with all and any hybrid with a battery bigger than a standard car battery.<br />
<br />
In truth, we have gone back years in engineering terms. I find my self worried, because I'm now buying cars from no later than 2006... and eventually as the years go by and I need to replace them, I might find my self out of options.<br />
<br />
Well It seems from this last week that there might be a salvation in the industry after all.<br />
Behind all that madness and stupidity that produces hybrid crap and cars that are as dull as the advertising stating it pollutes less than your farts, some engineers might actually have survived.<br />
<br />
So out of those manufacturers that where extremely hill, Honda make the top of the list. With extra needed care as the "return" they attempted was a copy of the recipe from Renault and VW... stating that such a level of desperation could mean "terminal case".... but I guess that some miracle drug treatment worked and a couple of engineers actually survived. They went to the surviving BIKE department, grabbed a proper NA stratospheric revving engine and put it into a car, then the materials and minimalist design, then the disk brakes and controls... and the result, is a brilliant drivers car.<br />
<br />
The Honda 2&4 project is an extreme vision of the same genesis I had with my S2000rr concept...and I love it.<br />
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Finally, after years stating that Honda was dead to me, I can say that there is a sign of recovery. There might be resurrection after all.<br />
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The other manufacturer is a less complicated case. I mean they did got the Turbo on FWD disease (they got that big) but at least they know what is the proper usage for a cars battery.<br />
<br />
FORD was BIG. They has the RS Cosworth... they had 2, the Sierra and the Escort... and for the enthusiast that doesn't want to go sideways, they had the FWD, non turbo XR3i... and they had the brilliant fiestas. Then some designer smoked really bad weed and they entered the "new edge design"! Horrible cars to say the least, but at least the chassis design team where working as good as ever and the ugly cars performed brilliantly... and enginewise... well they turned to Yamaha for those... I mean no argues there.<br />
<br />
But then the Escort was gone and the Focus needed to show that it was a true successor (not an easy task).<br />
We waited and Ford unveiled the Focus ST... is this the new Cosworth? let me see... no! it FWD YUCK!<br />
Then came the news that the REAL beast was underway and that the RS would have the T5 volvo engine... this was promissing... and when it came out it was... FWD!?!?!? TURBO?!?!?! Why oh why would FORD put a beast of an 5 cylinder TURBO engine on a FWD car??? And as expected the differential Quaife put there and try to solve the impossible, generated very violent torque steer. Not just bad... stupid!<br />
<br />
And Fords performance car became the much better handling and less power through the front wheels Fiesta!<br />
<br />
Then FORD knew about the rehabilitation clinic HONDA had just entered and tried some of the same medicine... and voila!<br />
The all new Ford FOCUS RS 2016 is a 2.3 turbo, BUT it is, as every turbo should, AWD!<br />
Not just that, they beefed it up with active diffs and the computer that controls them has a "drift" mode :) and just to put the cherry on top of the cake, do you know who they used to tune the "Drift mode"?<br />
Ken Block! I mean the guy doesn't drive competitively in rally, but give him a junkyard, unlimited set of tires and replacement cars and time, and he will manage to drive sideways the entire time, even indoors... between pillars... and container towers.... and inside airplanes...under a jumping bike...while in the air...and talking to James May!<br />
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Ken Block may not be king of rally but he sure is king of gymkhana ... and having set the RS drift mode, fun is assured :)<br />
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Well done Ford... and welcome back...now please continue to take the medication before you create a 500bhp 2.0 triturbo FWD Ka, ok? ok.<br />
<br />Manuel Ribeirohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898244397231724106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1596560228948831313.post-26741385268908396452015-07-05T20:14:00.004+01:002015-09-12T17:57:50.009+01:00Test Drive - Audi A4 Avant 2.0TDI 170bhp B8 chassis<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
I'm just reviewing the engine on this unit as the remaining features are exactly like the 140bhp review.<br />
<br />
<b><i>The engine: </i></b>Not so bad. Unlike the dull, lifeless 140 common rail, this feels a lot beefier.<br />
It is still round enough and able to sustain power for a good usable 2500rpm.<br />
It has a duality of character to it... don't push beyond 2500rpm and it will consume very little fuel to maintain speed... step on it, on the other hand and you will start wondering if this is diesel or gasoline... not because of the power but rather the consumption.<br />
Not brilliant (it's a diesel... not much to expect from it) but it is very decent.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Conclusions: </b></i><br />
It is fair and for motorway cursing it is economic...if in doubt between the 140 or the 170... go for the 170... no question about it...or...buy the 2,0TSFI, revo-it and you are better off.. but if you really are looking for a chassis that corners with you, instead of against you...(and don't mind the ugly looks and bad plastics...did I say ugly?) buy the megane and save a tone of money.Manuel Ribeirohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898244397231724106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1596560228948831313.post-31173751276516809502015-07-05T20:06:00.000+01:002015-09-16T14:28:34.969+01:00Test Drive - Audi A4 Avant 2.0TDI 140bhp B8 chassis<br />
With over 140.000 km on the clock, I must say that it's a brilliantly built machine. No noises, no major issues apart from the standard maintenance program... much like the gas version and this is no surprise because though it vibrates more than the gas unit, the engine is actually well balanced.<br />
<br />
And so the test begins.<br />
<br />
<b><i>The engine: </i></b>A bad surprise... this was the engine that replaced the PD130 and PD150... this is 16valves (don't really understand why 16v on an oil burner) against the 8v.. it is claimet to have 142 bhp... but it actually feels less!<br />
I must say, in it's justice that if is as round as the PD150 was, and not a brute hulk like the PD130... but the common rail, 16valves crap really killed the engine.<br />
It feel s as if the turbo is not working properly. Low down torque, however is very good... so, at traffic, all you need to do is lift off you clutch a bit and it will get you going.<br />
One good surprise was fuel economy... if you don't push-it beyond 2500rpm it will run with excellent mileage.<br />
<br />
<b><i>The Gearbox:</i></b> I must say this gearbox is very good.<br />
Perfectly matched to the engine, perfect command weight, the engagement takes the propper force to happen and it feeds back exactly the info you need without letting you feel you are touching metal. Very refined touche but clearly the win is the engine match...<br />
In this car it is a must as if you try to heel-toe, it will miss-understand you and emergency mode the engine... stupid i know.. but seem to plague the ESP units on all the VAGs.<br />
So this gear box is a joy.<br />
<br />
<b><i>The Chassis: </i></b> This is almost copy paste on the A4 2.0 TSFI review....it's an Audi... it is very composed and with good grip levels (particularly after fitting bigger rims and tires). The grips is good enough to make you think it's lighter that it actually is, but it is not as involving as...say... the megane3 break chassis.<br />
The one problem with this car... as any other AUDI is the let-go... UNDER-steer. It's like this by design as the every day banker that buys them really doesn't know how to drive and in an extreme situation, will get scared and break... so all AUDI's except the R8 are tuned to under-steer on the limit.<br />
This however is the exact opposite behavior you really want on a curve as what you need is the chassis to help resolve the curve by biting in with the front axle and letting go the rear to roll the car into the corner.<br />
Again, much like the twin 2.0TSFI test:<br />
This could obviously be solved with a handbreak strike but no... noooo! the hand break on this is electrical.... how stupid of you audi.. this was the one thing that could solve the chassis stupid fine-tuning and you manage to eliminate it!.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Conclusions: </b></i><br />
It is fair and for motorway cursing it is economic...<br />
Buy the 2,0TSFI, revo-it and you are better off.. but if you really are looking for a chassis that corners with you, instead of against you...(and don't mind the ugly looks and bad plastics) buy the megane and save a tone of money.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><i>UPDATE:</i></b><br />
This car was now fitted with a set of 18" rims running Bridgestone RE050a tires.<br />
What a transformation. This simple setup made the car's turn into the corners a LOT sharper. The grip levels increased and the on-the limits under-steer that annoys me so is now let evident and more composed on the let-go and recovery from it.<br />
A MUST. This chassis was clearly designed for big rims, low profile, wide tires and with high grip level.<br />
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Manuel Ribeirohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898244397231724106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1596560228948831313.post-21385559469396155812015-07-05T19:39:00.005+01:002015-09-16T23:14:21.243+01:00Test Drive - Audi A4 Avant 2.0TSFI s-tronic B8 chassis (on a REVO Stage 1 remap)I've now covered around 5000km on the A4 Avant 2.0TSFI s-tronic.<br />
With over 130.000 km on the clock, I must say that it's a brilliantly built machine. No noises, no major issues apart from the standard maintenance program.<br />
<br />
This unit is a very curious one... you see, the major problem with the world is the politicians... well if you think of it, it is actually people that elect them, but still, they create stupid laws to steal money from you. One of those laws exists in some countries where you pay a tax for the BHP you car has! Some other countries make you pay for the displacement your engine has... and some a bit more evolved make you pay for the impact on the environment... but then do not use the money from the tax to counter that impact... utterly ridiculous.<br />
Spain in one on those countries that think that BHP is bad for the environment... so if you have an good old oil-burner 2.0 that paints your city black with smoke but only has 60bhp, you are a good civilized citizen!<br />
Still the fact that politicians are stupid doesn't mean that the people at AUDI are...thank goodness.<br />
So they build the 2.0TSFI engine for 210bhp...as they do for every other country... and then when legalizing in Spain, they just detune the ECU to 180BHP and happy day you can buy your car cheaper.<br />
<br />
So why oh why was this soo cool? Well the owner of the car felt the drive-train was better than the engine, and as such he chose to buy a REVO stage1 remap.<br />
Now this remap gives the standard 210bhp an healthy 40bhp plus... but since the REVO code doesn't recognize the Spanish law, it thinks the ECU is actually the standard 210Bhp ECU on a different version... and it is absolutely right...and so re writes everything, unlocking the 40Bhp promissed + the constrained 30Bhp... what a blast. A 2.0 4 pot that unleashes 70bhp from a stage one, off the shelve remap.<br />
<br />
And so the test begins.<br />
<br />
<b><i>The engine: </i></b>No surprises here... it is quick! it revs happy, the factory turbo is more that up to the job and the new found power makes the standard wheels and tires scream at every standing still pull... new rims and rubber underway, no worries.<br />
It was a perfectly decent engine... sure not an efficiency benchmark but a very decent and livable engine. Now it is much more responsive, the surge of power is more round and sustained showing the FWD limitations essentially on the standing still pulls... don't get me wrong.. .it is FWD and turbo, so if you floor-it mid corner you will have under-steer (or ESP kick-in)...but the new found linear response of the engine, allows you to pull gently out of the corner IF you dose the throttle.<br />
<br />
<b><i>The Gearbox:</i></b> wow ... I hate automatic gearboxes... I find he torque-converter something as stupid as hybrid cars are... I mean it's an element that enables you to convert torque from the engine to the weeels by passing oil though a closed doughnut with some fan-blades.... clever as it is, the fact is that the fluid is not a solid mechanical link as as such drains torque.<br />
The S-tronic on the other hand is the evolution of the well known DSG. If fact you have 2 different sets of gears, the pair ones and the impair ones... each set on it's own shaft. The S-tronic has them both in sync and ready to engage as you decide to shift and then operates 2 different sets of, multi-disk clutch... one engages the pair gears and one for the impair shaft.<br />
The result? a truly quick, no fuss, mechanical link shift. There is more... the S-tronic has 7 forward gears for you to use.<br />
The manual control (in sports mode) is quick and obviously computer monitored so you don't over-rev nor under-rev the engine. Coupled with this engine it makes the car seem a lot lighter that it actually is.<br />
So I really don't like automatic transmissions, but I do consider this do be a piece of engineering.... especially after opening one and seeing how it is made.<br />
<br />
<b><i>The Chassis:</i></b> It's an Audi... it is very composed and with good grip levels (particularly after fitting bigger rims and tires). The grips is good enough to make you think it's lighter that it actually is, but it is not as involving as...say... the megane3 break chassis.<br />
The one problem with this car... as any other AUDI is the let-go... UNDER-steer. It's like this by design as the every day banker that buys them really doesn't know how to drive and in an extreme situation, will get scared and break... so all AUDI's except the R8 are tuned to under-steer on the limit.<br />
This however is the exact opposite behavior you really want on a curve as what you need is the chassis to help resolve the curve by biting in with the front axle and letting go the rear to roll the car into the corner.<br />
This could obviously be solved with a handbreak strike but no... noooo! the hand break on this is electrical.... how stupid of you audi.. this was the one thing that could solve the chassis stupid fine-tuning and you manage to eliminate it!.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Conclusions: </b></i><br />
It is good... it is built for the highway and if you revo-it it will be a lot nicer... but if you really are looking for a chassis that corners with you, instead of against you...(and don't mind the ugly looks and bad plastics) buy the megane and save a tone of money.... oh now wait.. no decent petrol meganes except for the RS. Better think about a Skoda RS then :)<br />
<br />Manuel Ribeirohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898244397231724106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1596560228948831313.post-78768533001871774932015-07-05T03:43:00.002+01:002015-07-05T03:47:26.422+01:00TorqueVsFuelVsLPSThe relationship between torque and power is poorly understood by the majority of people.<br />
<div>
I gather this as people usually say "I've got the 130bhp TDI" ... or the "I've got a 700nm turbo gasoline engine".</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<i><b>So lets start with the Fuel as this actually separates everything- </b></i><i><b>Gas vs Diesel</b></i> :</div>
<div>
So; the way fuel burns is very important for you to understand the engine you have. </div>
<div>
<i><b>Gas engines</b></i> input air and gas (the so called mixture) into the cylinder, and then compress it all (normally at a 11 to 1 ratio) to a point when the mixture is ready to blow... a small spark triggers this.</div>
<div>
The point here is that the mix is ready to blow while it is getting compression and this adds to the "explosive effect". The more RON (or octanes) the fuel has, the better it will resist compression and not detonate. When the fuel detonates prematurely you get the auto-detonation effect that can hurt the engine... it also produces a high pitch PING on the engine as ALL the mechanical parts involved into the compression are pressed against each other and actually squirt the oil between them dry.</div>
<div>
So this mix is being compressed and ready to explode... and the higher it resists the more voilent the explosion when it happens... and that is why high compression and high octane fuels will produce more power, quicker and with much more heat.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
HOWEVER... there is a limited amount of time an explosion can happen, this will vary with the violence but in the end, as the engine accelerates, the explosion will have less and less time to occur. </div>
<div>
So a Gas engine will have a variable "timing" advance on the spark... this basically means that, the faster the engine needs to spin, the faster the timing advance will be. </div>
<div>
The other part of this equation is the AFR... the Air-Fuel-Ratio will regulate the amount of air to the amount of Fuel in the mix.</div>
<div>
So Mix 101 - a Perfect mix is called stoichiometric mix. It is composed of 15 grams of air to 1 gram of fuel. This is called the perfect mix as it will take 4 to 5 milliseconds to burn. So a normal engine running at 6000 rpm, would have a full rotation in 10 milliseconds, meaning a full piston stroke at 5 milliseconds, in turn, meaning that the mix would explode fast enough. However due to the extreme heat generated by this type of burn and the simple fact that not every one runs pure race fuel, it is rarely used. </div>
<div>
Normal fuels produce a stoichiometric mix at 14.1:1 because of all the crap... sorry... "additives" in it... a pure octane fuel would run at 14.7:1 pushing it to the near ideal formula.</div>
<div>
The mix in a normal gas engine ranges from 12-13.5:1 depending on the fuel and the ability of the ECU to decide. This is called a rich mixture and will generate MORE power... it will however take a bit more time to burn and do timing advance is needed.</div>
<div>
The ECU will vary this, obviously, and the consequence is as much as 35degrees advance BTDC (before top dead center...or before the piston reaches the top of it's movement and stops before turning back).</div>
<div>
There is also something in the timing equation called inertia... sometimes the engine doesn't advance as much as it would require because the excessive pressure while it compresses the exploding gas, could turn the engine to a backspin... The rotation of all the engine parts produce a positive spin inertia that helps countering this effect, but the less speed it has, the less inertia it has. That is why it is so dangerous to advance the ignition at low revs, especially and a high efficiency engine (or a cross plane crank one).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So... it should be clear by now that the explosion of the gas-air mix is violent and quick... but it happens once. That is one of the reasons for the gas engine to have low torque and high rpms.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<i><b>Now the diesel engine</b></i> ... or so called " the fuel of the devil" to a true motorhead:</div>
<div>
The diesel engine works a lot like the gas engine... pistons, valves, motion... and that's about it! </div>
<div>
The Deisel engine does not input a MIX of air + diesel! It intakes JUST the air...no fuel. </div>
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So as a consequence, the diesel engine can compress way beyond 11:1... it typically compresses around 18 to 20:1.... it's just air so it will not explode on it's own. </div>
<div>
The explosion comes from the injection of fuel direct into the piston head... creating a controlled, phased detonation that is kept while the fuel is being injected into the piston. </div>
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That is why the diesel pistons have that half-donut like groove, with the cone like "spreader"... so that the injected fuel explosion is redirected and spread across the entire chamber. </div>
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<div>
This means that while on a Gas engine the explosion is one, once and violent... on a diesel, the explosion keeps happening ALL THE WAY down the piston course, and since the diesel is basically just oil, the explosion is much less violent...and in consequence slow as hell. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<b><i>Facts time about the fuel type on your engine:</i></b></div>
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The Gas engine has a single, violent and fast explosion... making the engine generate less torque, but also making the engine able to generate a lot more RPM.</div>
<div>
The Diesel engine has several slow, lower energy explosions all the way down the piston course...generating loads of torque but not being able to do that quickly enough to generate high RPMs.</div>
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<b><i>The first conclusions?</i></b></div>
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If you are buying a diesel car, that you really do not care about the bhp, but rather the torque curve on your engine.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
If you are buying a gas engine car, that the torque you want is the torque to handle the loads you are going to press the car against... it's weight and losses due to transmission. Because what you really want it that torque to be able to be translated into BHP by means of rpms... so yeah you want some torque... but not too much, as that will generate wheel spin...but you really want high rpm with high bhp at high rpm. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
If you are pulling a caravan, do not use the gas engine...it just doesn't have the torque without having to become MASSIVE in size.</div>
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If you are racing a car, do not use the diesel engine...it was not built for generating power on high rpms... and you don't race at 2000rpms!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<b><i>Now for the second part... engine design, torque and the so very important LPS... and a touch of valve fluctuation.</i></b></div>
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Lots of people do not understand the redline on their engine, why it exists and why does the 2.0 version of the car rev 1000rpm more than the 2.2 version of the same engine on the same car.</div>
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Engines basically turn linear motion into rotative motion. They do so by connecting a linear working part (the piston) to rotating part (the crank shaft), with a rod. </div>
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Having this clear let's go back to the physics class most weren't paying attention to: moment=f x rod</div>
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IF you try to open a door, grabbing the door 2cm from it's pivot point, and then do the exact same thing but using the handle (a good 80cm from the pivot point), you will notice that you have to effort a LOT less by moving the force away from the pivot point. </div>
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Now apply this principle to the rotation of the engine assembly you see above: IF the point of the connecting rod on the crankshaft, moves away from the pivot point (the center of the crankshaft and flywheel), then the effort needed to turn it is far less. </div>
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Since the rod pulls and pushes the piston, the bigger the distance, the bigger the rod and as a consequence the longer the travel the piston will turn.</div>
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So by now it should be clear that a piston that travels a longer run, will be able to produce a better moment, or a better rotation force... and that is torque? yup... it's the rotation force.</div>
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<div>
Now enters another part of the physics on an engine and that is the effects of acceleration and deceleration on materials... the so very important INERTIA. </div>
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Inertia is a lady you all should learn to respect as it ultimately can kill you in many more ways that it will give you pleasure.</div>
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Now inertia says that, putting something in motion requires more energy than just maintaining that motion.... just the same as countering that motion requires a lot more energy than maintaining that motion. And the heavier the thing is... the worse. </div>
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So picture you have a bank safe on a skateboard. Making the safe move will consume a lot of energy, but once it is moving it is easier to pull... then something gets in your way and you need to stop the safe from moving... now that is something to experience as you will have to press really hard agains the movement of the safe to stop it. </div>
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You see, a piston, ultimately is metal, that ultimately is a bunch of molecules of several metals and carbon mixed together. Making metal move, will generate stress on the molecules as they are "glued" together.... so if the piston has an anchorage point (where the connecting rod links to it), the remaining parts of it will only be linked to that point by the molecular bond on the metal. </div>
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If the piston moves up and down very fast, every time it stops and turns back, the majority of it's metal will try to continue the movement it already has and this generates stress. </div>
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Generate too much stress and you will crack it... continue and you will disintegrate the piston:</div>
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So there is only so much a piston can handle in terms of pressure.</div>
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You also need to understand that the pressure of the piston against the cylinder walls, generate drag that will then generate heat! The faster the travel the more heat is generated... too much heat and:</div>
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... it melts!</div>
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<i><b>So a pre-summary:</b></i></div>
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The more a piston travels, the more toque it generates.</div>
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The faster a piston travels, the more chance it has of melting.</div>
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The more it changes direction at speed, the more change it can crack.</div>
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<b><i>The engine design part:</i></b></div>
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There are 3 types of design on the engine... </div>
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<b>The SQUARE engine -</b> when the diameter of the cylinder is equal to the length the piston runs inside the cylinder.</div>
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<b>The OVER-SQUARE engine </b>- when the diameter of the cylinder is bigger than the length the piston runs inside the cylinder.</div>
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<b>The UNDER-SQUARE engine - </b>when the diameter of the cylinder is smaller than the length the piston runs inside the cylinder.</div>
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<b>Now comes in the LPS the Linear Piston Speed -</b>> this is a means to measure the speed that the piston travels distance inside the cylinder. This keeps changing from 0 to well over 30meters/second back to 0 ans the piston accelerates and decelerates back. </div>
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<b>Since this varies too much, a MPS equation is set.</b>.. MPS is the Mean Piston Speed. it is calculated as, MPS = 2 x stroke length(in meters) x rps(rotations per second.... or RPM/60).</div>
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An normal engine will run a maxmimum 22m/s MPS.</div>
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An high spec street engine will run 25m/s and be able to withstand 28m/s for seconds before starting to have structural damage at metal grain level.... A.K.A starting to micro-fissure.</div>
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An racing engine will run 28m/s to 29m/s and peak at over 32m/s (but will show fissures at the end of the race)</div>
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An very light racing engine will run 35m/s...but will have catastrophic failure within hours (if not minutes) </div>
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Since an OverSquare engine makes it's volumetric capacity by having large bores on the cylinders, but very little distance to stroke, it's pistons run less distance per rpm... allowing you to pull the RPM limit further (assuming the fuel allows you to). </div>
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On the other hand, an UnderSquare engine makes it's volumetric capacity by having a long stroke. This forces the piston to run longer distances in shorter time per rpm... so if you push-it... it will crack and/or melt the skirts.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><b>So having ALL this into account, you have to choose one out of 2 things:</b></i></div>
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either you have a OverSquare engine that produces lots of RPMs while still within the safe 25m/s range...ooooor you have a UnderSquare engine that will produce better torque but will reach the 25m/s MPS limits at a lot lower rpms.</div>
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This is why the Honda F20C engine redlines at 9000rpm, and the Honda F22C engine (equal in everything except a longer stroke that gives him an extra 200 cc) will redline at 8000rpm.</div>
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<i><b>Now is time for another pre-summary:</b></i></div>
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IF your engine redlines as 5000rpm, do not pull it beyond that mark for over 2 or 3 seconds... you will be generating micro-fissures in the pistons and over wear the pistons skirts... in time, those will become full blown cracks and will lead to catastrophic failure.</div>
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If you engine produces less torque and you want to increase it, the healthier way is by stroking the engine, BUT if you do so, then LOWER the RPM limit.</div>
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If you are boring the engine to have more displacement, then DO NOT increase the RPM limit... you can only do that if you reduce the stroke!</div>
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And the very important: if you lower the engine stroke to be able to have more RPM's, then you also need to reinforce the valve springs and eventually get lighter valves. The Valve fluctuation phenomenon will happen if they are forced to work at higher RPM's that they where engineered for... with will eventually lead to a piston touching the valve and kaboom... it can bend the valve or/and crask the piston. </div>
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<i><b>The HP vs TORQUE</b></i></div>
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A lot of people say that HP doesn't exist... but they are wrong. It does... what it is, is a byproduct of torque at engine speed. </div>
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The formula is : HorsePower = (rpm x torque)/5252</div>
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So the HorsePower, being that the 5252 is constant can be said to be the torque at speed of the engine.</div>
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And this is where the idiots that like to say that "a torque wrench has more torque than a honda engine" will have to eat their lack of knowledge for lunch.</div>
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The way an engine produces torque is limited in the way it is designed and the fuel being used. </div>
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A long stroke 1.9 diesel engine will produce torque as low as 1000rpm, peak at 1800rpm with 310nm not sustain it and slowly decrease and then die at 2500rpm..allowing to push to 3000rpm with some HP. This means 2000 usable RPM. </div>
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A long stroke 2.0 turbo gasoline engine may generate a decent toque figure at 2500rpm, peak at 3500 rpm sustain for 500rpm with 360nm, and decrease with decent figures till 5500rpm and then redline at 6000rpm. This means 3500 usable RPM</div>
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A shortstroke 2.0 non turbo engine will generate lower torque levels but a decent level at 3000rpm, then peak at 6000rpm with 202nm, sustain the torque till 8000rpm and decline to the 9000rpm redline. This means 6000RPM of usable engine.</div>
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There is also a catch here! The diesel engine produces 130 HP, the 2.0 turbo gas engine 265 hp and the 2.0 N.A. engine 240hp. </div>
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However, the longer stroke on the turbo, gas engine, means that the MIX explosion time will not happen in a perfect manner... a lot of the explosion force gets pushed into the cylinder walls instead of directly into the piston, at the most "vulnerable" time in the gas expansion... and this gets worse as the piston goes down and the explosion is already past the peak. </div>
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That long stroke does have a better effect on the sustained diesel engine explosion than it has on an one time explosion of the gas engine... and that is why the torque figures drop faster in a longer stroke engine than a short stroke one.</div>
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Is there a lesson to learn from? yup! torque should be matched to the weight the car needs to pull and the mechanical loss involved in pulling it (gearbox and traction system)... then the torque curve needs to be set in order to have the maximum possible engine for the longest possible time.. and since while racing, you lose time every time you shift, there is a considerable advantage to have more rpms...</div>
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And this is why the following video shows 2 cars of equal engine HP but different weight and torque figures... they both have 250BHP, the TURBO car has 9% plus weight to a 45% plus torque figure... but a very crucial 3000rpm LESS than the N.A.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jnu6rJCzATY/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jnu6rJCzATY?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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So is the Honda better? Engine wise... yup!</div>
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chassis and usability is another thing... that brings even more variables into the mix. They are both front wheel drive cars, DURING a corner, the N.A. engine will generate less torque and this means that it will be able to step on the gas heavier and earlier without upsetting the traction as much as the excessively high torque figures the megane has would allow... this of course is without taking into consideration the torque biasing diff on the megane that would even this by cutting the engine power and actually sending more torque to the wheel with the better grip.</div>
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So purelly mechanically speaking the excessive torque would be a problem in the megane... out of the corner, the megane would pull with better acceleration on the same gear while the honda driver would have to be either pulling the same gear and using the 3000rpm on VTEC, or shifting down to keep it within VTEC range... so this would depend on the track... if the track would have climbs out of corners, thought, the megane would clearly be in it's kingdom (and this partially explains the ring time it has for marketing).</div>
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<b><i>The Summary:</i></b></div>
<div>
Torque is a way or expressing the engine capacity to pull weight. It can be generated in the form of sheer weight (like a truck that needs to have a diesel engine) or multiplication through gears, as the standard everyday diesel car has.</div>
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Given the right conditions, you want your engine to have more RPM and high power at high RPM than a high figure torque at low RPM... This becomes more evident at speed in a high gear, as an engine built for low end torque is out of it's element as the air being pushed in front of the car gets more difficult to cut through. That is when you need the torque that was really big in the beginning but is now long gone...and then you need to shift, because you are out of engine!</div>
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This is why the best tarmac motorsports cars use very high revving engines like F1 18000 rpm (some used to have 20000rpm, DTM 9000rpm (some with 12000rpm), BTCC 8500rpm and so on. the usability on those engines is much better that with more torque and less rpm.</div>
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Rally, with their heavy 4wd systems and very difficult terrains, on the other hand, are all limited to 6000rpm and a peak of 300bhp to 340bhp at 5000rpm. This is where you really need toque as the 4wd car passing a muddy up-hill will height twice as much... at least.</div>
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Manuel Ribeirohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898244397231724106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1596560228948831313.post-53801640470966562152014-01-04T02:34:00.000+00:002014-01-04T02:34:42.957+00:00The "Honda is back" title and the "She-male picture" effect.Be careful... explicit language ahead!<br />
When I was a teenager and the internet was sloooow as an 18-wheeler truck, being the brat I've always been, I experienced the wonderful world of internet porn in the soooo very sllllooooow picture loading anxiety way. One day, while waiting for a picture of naked girl, I was taking my time to appreciate things (no other way as the link was sllloooooow), the girl (so I though) in the picture was covering her face with "her" hair, then the silicone breats came up.. and right when I was so very interested in the remaining part of the picture... well you know what happened just by the "she-male picture effect" in the article title. It was discussing (not because I have anything against she-males) because I was really expecting something else.<br />
<br />
Why oh why would I share this traumatic teenager experience (particularly in a car blog)? Well it happened again.<br />
I was browsing magazines today and this came to my hand:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildA13Dy4QRJV-c0_TM6-jNPms74g9FnIi99FRGzi7CZVTogzBPnoJEQz3tIcthXW-dcRDDs96hyBTBuNGit0gOJt7hKcIbrRWN6Jr72MPyeuBXnbmuLmz9q0D8fai6vhU-bNy2SfKjPCO/s1600/carcoverrrr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEildA13Dy4QRJV-c0_TM6-jNPms74g9FnIi99FRGzi7CZVTogzBPnoJEQz3tIcthXW-dcRDDs96hyBTBuNGit0gOJt7hKcIbrRWN6Jr72MPyeuBXnbmuLmz9q0D8fai6vhU-bNy2SfKjPCO/s1600/carcoverrrr.jpg" /></a></div>
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I was immediately excited (just like a teenager waiting for a naked women porn picture). I'm an former Honda lover, but lately Honda managed to do nothing but crap. I mean there is not a single car out of Honda since they stopped the JDM Civic Type-R production.<br />
Every other manufacturer is trying their absolute best to build better cars and Honda managed to go the opposite way.<br />
This Magazine was GREAT NEWS! FINALLY, one of the best brands in the world decided to wake-up from the prolonged coma. NSX was back, rumor of the S2000 replacement and a new Civic Type-R. Groooovy.<br />
<br />Immediately I skipped all the junk pages into the article, searched for the specs and found a chart of the new vs the old Civic Type-r specs. That was wonderful... a chart.<br />
<i>First line:</i> new type-r - 300bhp, old type-r 200bhp (BRRRRIIILLLIANT!)<br />
<i>Second line :</i> new type-r - 2000cc, old type-r 2000cc (yeeeahhhhhhh finally some racing specs for the road.)<br />
<i>Third line: </i>new type-r - i-Vtec , old type-r i-Vtec (obviously... no need to mention this)<br />
<i>Than disaster on the Fourth line:</i> new type-r - TURBO, old type-r N.A. (WTF?!)<br />
I immediately dropped the magazine to the floor and almost cried in pain... and there you go-> The She-male effect.<br />
<br />
This is the second time Honda kills the Type-r!!!<br />
Mk1 was brilliant.<br />
Mk2 was the best ever.<br />
Than, for some reason, while producing Mk3, they decided that the JDM version should be better and the European version should have a cheaper (and worse) suspension and more weight!!! Weird at least.<br />
Now with the Mk4... it's turbo.. I mean -cheap engineering instead of refinement, N.A. response...purity.. naaa just another 2.0 turbo to go after the RCZ, Sirocco and MeganeRS cheap trend.<br />
<br />
If at least they had made it 4WD I would understand it... but no! Still FF. I can even say with no reserves that this car has been made to shut Renault up with their "Megan RS Trophy is the fastest FF in The Ring". According to some people from the R&D at Honda, they've done-it... but just like I hated the Megane for not being a pure driving machine... I'll also hate this one. Yes it's a record breaker...yes it's a bullet in the ring (where it was destined to perform)...but forget the refinement and driving experience...no room for those here.<br />
Type-r is now the meaning for: just another engineer's wet dream.<br />
<br />
So... Apparently the Megane RS has it's kingdom threatened (no surprise as an engine that revs to 6000 and produces little over 260bhp from 2 liters and a turbo is not a marvel of engineering)... and of course, just like Renault has F1 heritage to help build brilliant chassis, so does Honda...and they also have Indy, and BTCC and so on ... a brilliant FF chassis would come up eventually.<br />
So this new Honda revs 2k beyond the Renault's limits, with better linearity and power delivery... and produces more power... give it a good chassis and you have a winner just on the 2k extra revs in the corners and the almost 40bhp in the straights!<br />
<br />
But do I like it? No. It's FF instead of FR, It's turbo without being 4WD... and it was conceived following the EasyWay instead of the Hard-Engineering-and-true-Efficiency-seeking way.<br />
Deception... pure deception. Hope that they remember the original S2000 and NSX on their new versions... or things will really get weird from now on.<br />
<br />Manuel Ribeirohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898244397231724106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1596560228948831313.post-55520191804450371572013-05-24T01:33:00.001+01:002015-07-04T16:44:06.031+01:00Buying a used S2000? Learn about the car first (Updated version)This post comes as a repetitive request from some of my youtube followers.<br />
A lot of people ask-me for advice while buying an S2000...and they should. You see, I've checked around 10 cars on sale before I brought mine. The reason is simple: A lot of them are involved into really big accidents. You see, the car is pure and almost perfect in it's behavior...it's very race oriented.<br />
<br />
One of the reasons for that perfect behavior is 50/50 weight distribution...being front engined and rear drive, the engine is back in the engine bay (hence the front-mid-ship design), this will cause the front wheels to have little space in it's wheel bays, and as a result the car has a small steering angle.<br />
Add a small steering angle, to a LSD (trosen type... means LSD only IF all the drive wheels are on the ground...and that is a VERY important feature/flaw) rear wheel drive that jumps from non Vtec to full Vtec at around 6000rpm (5900 precise), and handles like a race car.. and you have, either the recipe for disaster, or the car of your life.<br />
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The choice is made from the skill the driver has. I've never ever driven a car this honest and balanced this side of a lotus elise, I've also never de-recommended a car so much to inexperienced drivers...and by experienced I mean race-track experienced. That is why its so hard to find an S2000 that has never had a crash because not all S2000 owners are race-car driver material.<br />
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The checkup list is divided into exclusion points, so it helps you decide.<br />
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<i><b>Having said that I'll start by the "DO NOT BUY" list:</b></i><br />
Twisted Xframe:<br />
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The S2000, just like the Type-r Engines and the NSX car, was almost entirely hand built by the "takumi" at Honda. These where highly skilled builders with over 10 years experience on building fine-engineering parts or cars at Honda factories. They where the best of the best at Honda.<br />
One of the most important parts of the S2000 is the X-frame chassis. It's built so that the car has the same rigidity topless as a normal car would have with top.<br />
To put things into perspective, the S2000 is hand built by the "Takumi", except for the XFrame that was put together in a special HOT template machine by robots. It was done that way because it was extremely difficult to weld-it together without letting it warp and twist. When twisted it would be extremely difficult to put it up to spec again and even so, it would not have the same torsional resistance without heat-treatment...to conclude: it was done that way due to technical difficulty in doing it by hand and removing twists from the welding process. So you can imagine the huge problem it is, it the car you are buying had a major crash... yup if the Xframe twisted, the car is gone! you will never ever be able to traction it to place... the X Frame is either immaculate or need replacement. No possible fix here.<br />
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It's easy to know the most important parts when you look at a strip-down of the car... these ones are prepared to race, and had some weight reduction at the non VITAL parts:<br />
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Any big impact on any of the shown (white and gray) areas is a problem!</div>
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Some impacts are simple to solve and carry no MAJOR problem to the cars chassis:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YxzIhM7uTJaZY_UKg1eP0xHmQgexuiA9UL4ZVctMinrqSFd6TfCOshymVP6xc9Wbvtb_mXKoYGpxJLGWeeh5jx5wlxNc3aEL494iNVbRtEfhlLjZoyIyNgaVcWeIIDXBBeRHkAhoKnfL/s1600/The-kids-Honda-s2000-aftre-the-accident-My-Questionalcom-in-the-background.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YxzIhM7uTJaZY_UKg1eP0xHmQgexuiA9UL4ZVctMinrqSFd6TfCOshymVP6xc9Wbvtb_mXKoYGpxJLGWeeh5jx5wlxNc3aEL494iNVbRtEfhlLjZoyIyNgaVcWeIIDXBBeRHkAhoKnfL/s320/The-kids-Honda-s2000-aftre-the-accident-My-Questionalcom-in-the-background.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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On the other hand, simple looking accidents are a doom ticket for the car:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yyXKJAwsUOvlkBm41QgallzD3-VstNzFiojH99X36hlXZ_4tYew_kBAcvRoMB1z1kZGuydDMTED2b6IAvY3GEXy4bDjtWDczHMbAwSyQ7gEKhTrddJ9sJDkA5yGQ0_mKp-7ckR8bTHZk/s1600/wreck2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yyXKJAwsUOvlkBm41QgallzD3-VstNzFiojH99X36hlXZ_4tYew_kBAcvRoMB1z1kZGuydDMTED2b6IAvY3GEXy4bDjtWDczHMbAwSyQ7gEKhTrddJ9sJDkA5yGQ0_mKp-7ckR8bTHZk/s320/wreck2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Wanna know why? ok... look at the cross section on this part of the chassis of the car (the blue car impact, managed to crumple vital external longitudinal sections, together with the transverse bulkhead section!... bad luck x2) :<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQKO2w3HZ-cXWTp1CD7-m-FA9OqnsyP1KabtvxkJBr6UoBTwlXJXDIkPPWdMq5jAg_mLxixu30ggiP0Y8IIrW5OZi76EY_yoY9_mRLhfzomTQ8LJe1j1u7-GZe06o6yeL6znGZQBiwbEO/s1600/photo4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQKO2w3HZ-cXWTp1CD7-m-FA9OqnsyP1KabtvxkJBr6UoBTwlXJXDIkPPWdMq5jAg_mLxixu30ggiP0Y8IIrW5OZi76EY_yoY9_mRLhfzomTQ8LJe1j1u7-GZe06o6yeL6znGZQBiwbEO/s320/photo4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And if the damage is to the FRONT... then look at this section:<br />
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So pulling ALL the panels to place is... near impossible (those are high tensile steel extrusions)... and separating them to re-weld... well think about the "takumis" and the robot on a HOT template to build this part of the car... that's right! Once twisted ot badly damaged, leave it be.<br />
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How to spot problematic cars?<br />
<b>Poorly repaired cars will show immediate signs of trouble on the panel gaps</b>. Uneven panel gaps (5mm on the left and 2mm on the right). Bonnet and boot may be deceiving as they are adjustable, so please center your search on the front panels and doors. If a door, after closed is gaping out and the other one in, you probably are looking at a side impacted and laterally twisted chassis.<br />
Shift knobs that don't show themselves centered in the console panel mean trouble on a side impact too.<br />
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You see, after the repair at the workshop, it may "look" ok... but than take it for a good ride where the chassis suffers punishment and it will be out of alignment in minutes (and feel odd).<br />
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<b>Good repairs will only show trouble under a deep mechanic analysis.</b> In this case, the best option is to check it against Honda manual and check the measurements on all checkpoints and underpinnings.<br />
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<b>Disguised repairs often come with a perfectly aligned</b> suspension setup, new tires and brake pads. If this is the case, then someone is disguising a twisted chassis by masking uneven tire-wear and brake-pad wear. The best solution (besides having it inspected by a mechanic against SPEC underpinnings and assuming the car really is well aligned), is to make a test drive. On a empty road with enough space to recover from any unexpected behavior, leave the car running at idle in 2 or 3rd gear and floor it, then after gaining speed and still accelerating (with the rear suspension compressed) step on the brakes. The car should not trend left on acceleration and right on braking, or right under acceleration then left under braking. If it does, it's twisted.<br />
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<b>Soft-top test :</b> Unlock the soft top. The release should move the top slightly but with the same length on both sides (that's the rubber seal forcing out). Re-lock and check the pressure against your efforts...they should be the same.<br />
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<b>Another test:</b> Open the soft top, then park the car with one of the front wheels on top of the sidewalk and the remaining 3 on the ground...then close the hardtop and notice the slack. There should be a even or very close to even slack. REPEAT this test with the other 4 wheels, one on the sidewalk, 3 on the ground.<br />
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<b>Hardtop test:</b> a standard factory hardtop MUST fit perfectly and even on all sides.<br />
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<b>The last problem to look for is rust</b>. It in not very common, but it will become one if existent on the chassis...the same problem you have with a twisted chassis is close to the one you'll have when having to cut and weld parts of the chassis... remember the "takumi" and the robot on the hot template.<br />
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<i><b>Now on to the "buy only IF covered by sales warranty" list:</b></i><br />
<b>Engine makes flapping noise -</b> Check if this is form the valve train. If so, try to manage a slack check and adjustment...every Honda has some valve train noise. Most of them are related to slack and can be fine-tuned... on this case however, excessive valve slack will manage to hit the piston and bend the valve. Most problems on F20C engines are valve train related as it is also the most fragile part of the engine.<br />
<b>Engine makes tacking noise after heat-up -</b> IF the tacking noise comes from the left side of the engine, than that's a faulty timing chain tensioner. The part costs from 100 to 250€ (depending on the country) and can be installed at home. If this is not the case, you can have a ticking engine and that's 1500 to 6000€ for a used or new one... or even more for a full blueprint and spec-up.<br />
The low-end part of the engine is really tough and handles WAY more power output than standard... if you are going to spoil the car by way of Force Induction, the internals are good to close to 350BHP... and if using HIGH rpm turbo-boost ONLY you can go safely to 400/450 bhp.<br />
Bare in mind that beyond 400BHP and the amount of torque involved in that (by ways of Forced Induction), the rear diff will go... a common replacement is the Nissan 300ZX diff.<br />
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<b>Leave the Engine warming up and let it idle (you should hear a whistle noise form the front of the car for the first 20 seconds... and then a pufff as it stops pumping... that is the air pump to kick the catalytic converter into temperature to reach the efficiency level ASAP) -</b> After it reached normal operating temperature (the gauge should be light to 40% its way) listen carefully and see if it misfires If it does it could be spark plugs ...so to track it out, rev it to 3000, step-of the gas and back-on again. If the car misfires under 2000/2500 turn off the engine, and ask to remove the spark-pugs. If one of them comes moisten then either a valve guide is letting oil in ([possibly due to being already bent), or the piston rings are history. This normally happens in cylinder nr 3 (that's the third one counting from the front of the car).<br />
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<i><b>Finally to the "buy and reduce the price as you will have to spend money on fixing this" list:</b></i><br />
<b>Rear wheel bearings - </b>Up till 2004 the rear wheel nuts where under bolted from factory. Honda issued a tech recall to service and tight the nut. Failing to do so will increase the tilt on the rear wheel bearings (more noticeable if the wheel offset is increased). My bearings failed at around 80.000km. Read about it <a href="http://life-starts-at-6000.blogspot.pt/2011/06/rear-wheel-bearing-gone-bad.html"><span id="goog_1631255312"></span>here<span id="goog_1631255313"></span></a> and <a href="http://life-starts-at-6000.blogspot.pt/2011/10/rear-wheel-bearing-replacement.html">here</a>.<br />
<b>Lowered car -</b> Lowered cars should not go over 2 to 3cm of lowering without camber correction. So if the car you are buying is lowered beyond 3cms (too much for road use anyway) check for a camber correction kit installed, otherwise consider changing all wheel bearings, suspension bushings and eventually a couple of slightly bent suspension parts.<br />
<b>Aftermarket wheels - </b>Check the aftermarket wheels offset. Excessive offset main mean early replace to wheel bearings.... BUT if the offset is on the rims and not on the "spacers" near the HUB... then that car will corner a lot better without suffering fro vibrations at speed (common to low spec spacers). I have my car setup like that and I know I'll have to change bearing earlier... but it goes around bends like nothing else... and I find it a fair price to pay.<br />
<b>Suspension bushings -</b> Check for worn bushings...consider a polyurethane replacement kit... rubber will go eventually and you should not expect it to live beyond 120k km (under factory setups).<br />
<b>Vibration on acceleration that stops on lift off -</b> CV joints are worn. You can shift them (change sides) but if you are buying new, ask for a replacement or price drop.<br />
<b>SoftTop tears - </b>You may have no tears yet, however, they tend to tear. Check the inner side of the soft-top for abrasion marks.<br />
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That's about it. Always bare in mind that if the chassis is bent, don't even fall in love with the car... it's doomed. If the salesman tell you the engine is the heart of the car, remember that you CAN swap the engine and repair it too... you can't do that with the chassis. So the good chassis is the car to look for.. the rest is negotiation around the warranty and price tag.Manuel Ribeirohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898244397231724106noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1596560228948831313.post-9853828119731289592013-04-06T02:57:00.000+01:002015-07-04T17:50:36.395+01:00Understanding Engines - Turbo vs NA... power vs response?! How does it all work.This article has been spawn due to a comment on one of my youtube videos.<br />
The video in question features a mighty modified Nissan Skyline GTR R34 VSpecII tuned to perfection by Mines. It's a true beast...probably the main reason why I don't like today's RenaultNissan GTR.<br />
You seen the Nissan Nissan GTR...and called Skyline, was beautiful in all of its essence. That is why it managed the nickname GodZilla. Today GTR is no more than an vulgar Engineer wetdream built to impress Renault and trying to avoid Renault turning Nissan into "the factory that builds cheat wannabe suvs".<br />
But this article is not about the GTR but rather the comment it self. After watching the video, the user added a comment in which he stated that a turbo car can be responsive. However he probably got so overwhelmed by the immense power of the car and it's extremely fast revving engine that he concluded that it was responsive.<br />
So after a couple of minutes thinking about that I decided to explain the physics behind the induction system of an engine and the resulting consequences to power or response.<br />
So why did the viewer got confused? You see, the car in question produces over 600bhp from 2600cc. One may say soooo, Place a big turbo in an ordinary engine and you have that same result... true..ish. The engine in question is the RB26DETT. And that stands for Racing Bred 2.6cc Dual over head camshaft Electronically manages fuel injection TwinTurbo....in plain English - The racing engine Nissan developed for the GT class cars, de-tuned for road use.<br />
As a result, the engine is very high revving (because it is supra-square 86mm of bore against a short 73.7mm stroke). Now add 600bhp and extreme profile cams and electronics to such an engine, and you'll get huge power levels delivering in an explosive way from engine midrange up. In the video it's clear that the analogue needle in the car revmeter can't cope with such a fast revving engine. <i><b> </b></i><br />
<i><b>This however is not RESPONSE</b></i>...it is power and torque(loads of it on a beautifully engineered, light engine). Torque is the work ability of an engine... for instance an engine with 1000nm of torque will pull a 3 ton car as easy as it pulls a 1 ton car. Power is the torque at high engine speed. <br />
A diesel engine, is very good on Torque and very bad on Power so a VW PD130 1.9 will deliver 310nm of torque against 130bhp. A gasoline engine with VTEC would be very good on Power nd very bad on Torque... the F20C from the honda s2000 will produce almost 200nm of torque for 240bhp.<br />
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<b><i>Analogy time:</i></b><br />
Take for example 3 man. One with small muscles, one with normally developed muscles and one big guy with big muscles but also some fat. The muscle size will allow each to pick-up a certain amount of load (and this will vary in weight as bigger muscle pulls more weight), but bigger muscle will also consume more energy and have bigger movement inertia so the bigger they are, the slower they will move and more energy they will burn.<br />
If you try a weight lifting contest, the bigger guy will win as the smaller guys will not even be able to pick up the weight. However, by breaking same the weight into 1kg packages and making the contest to move the entire volume from place 1 to place 2 10 meters apart, things will enter perspective.<br />
In this second scenario, the less muscular guy will run fast back and forth without getting tired and will do this quickly, however lack of muscle will only allow for 1 kg package at a time.<br />
The Big guy will probably pick up 4 packages at once, but will take longer to travel and will get tired in time.<br />
The normal guy will be able to transport 2 packages at once, will move at an average speed and will experience some stress but will not get as tired as the bigger muscled one.<br />
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What I've just shown here in analogy is:<br />
1 - A bike engine with very low torque and big horsepower, as the little guy with small muscles. Like a bike engine, it can't cope with big weight for lack of torque, but it will work very fast and transport the loads faster with ease (high RPM and as a consequence high horsepower).<br />
2 - A normal gasoline engine with decent torque and horsepower figures, as the normal guy.<br />
3 - A diesel engine with high torque but no horsepower, as the big guy without agility. It can pull a lot of weight with the same ease as a small weight, but the slow movement means it will take longer to work (lower RPM and as a consequence lower horsepower)<br />
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You might ask... ok, what about an analogy of a normal engine with a turbo. I would say that in that case, the normal guy injects quality steroids and testosterone, partially getting his muscles bigger, without growing bone structure and fat.<br />
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<i><b>So how does this work? </b></i><br />
A normal engine is, in very basic terms, conceived by multiplying a simple assembly: a cylinder with a piston on it and some valves, the valves open and close allowing air through or not, the piston moves up and down changing the compression or reacting to change in compression inside the cylinder. This assembly creates a translation movement.<br />
This assembly is connected to another one called the crankshaft. The connection is made from the moving part of the first assembly (the piston that travels up and down) to the periferic rotating end of the crankshaft, by something called "the connecting rod".<br />
From this point onward, it's just a matter of how many of these are placed next to each other... a 4 cylinder engine will have 4 of these, etc etc etc. <br />
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In this first assembly (the cylinder and piston), the valves will open to allow air with gasoline in, while the piston travels down (this piston travel is called the stroke). Then the valves will close and the piston will travel up, compressing the air/fuel mixture (just how much of the volume of the cylinder gets compressed into the final result is what determines the compression ratio...11:1 means that the volume of air in the cylinder will be compressed into 1/11th of the original space), A sparkplug will create a high voltage spark, igniting the fuel and air under pressure. This result into a burst of energy liberation in the form of an explosion and its expanding gases...and that's what will force the piston down and produce power. After that, the exhaust valves will open, the piston will travel back up forcing the exhaust gases out...and the cycle starts all over again.<br />
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So if you think of it, the faster an engine can renew this cycle, the better it will work. So a good line of thought would be: ok... if the pistons and connecting rods, and the crankshaft are lighter, and the amount of length of movement the piston has to travel is minimal, that it will perform this cycle faster...and would be right. Bike engines, F1 engines, the F20C engine, the RB26DETT engine, and a lot of supra-square engines out there will rev very high because they have low stroke values and as a result of revving faster more air will be coming in or out of it. However, the shorter the stroke is, the less mechanical leverage exists to produce torque.<br />
This is due to something called Linear Piston Speed. In basic terms, there are 2 things against the speed an engine works:<br />
1- The constant change of piston movement direction, creating huge internal structural stress in the piston itself. If not well engineered, it would develop cracks and disintegrate.<br />
2- Friction. The fact that a piston must generate compression and keep compression, means it will have to stress against the cylinder walls generating heat.<br />
The best engines in the world, using special coatings and the best materials, are able to run at around 25m/s stable Linear Piston Speed and normally they can't top 28m/s, and even 28m/s is sustainable for some seconds only.<br />
This Linear Piston Speed is created by the fast movement of the piston inside the cylinder...so every engine rotation, the piston will move 4x it's stroke distance.<br />
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So, for better understanding, if you increase stroke, you also increase the leverage on the crankshaft and generate more torque, BUT you will also be running higher LPS and, as a consequence, lower rotations.<br />
This is the basic math about engines. Big torque means less rotation...less rotation means less high-end power (as power is a consequence of torque with rotation). Torque is the measure of rotating force, while horsepower is a measure of work per time unit...and since time unit, on something that keeps cycling is converted to rotations per time unit, we get RotationsPerMinute, or RPM into the figure of horsepower.<br />
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Check my next article about diesel engines vs gas engines for a better insight on the TorqueVsFuelVsLPS<br />
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<b><i>Turbos compressors and stuff:</i></b><br />
It should be clear by now, how an engine produces power and how it's volumetric capacity influences it.<br />
Since an engine intakes air and fuel and then blows it into power, the more air and gas it burns, the more power it produces.<br />
There are 2 ways you can increase fuel/air burn:<br />
1 - engine speed or rotation<br />
2 - engine size<br />
This second one is the easiest one, but bigger engine means bigger everything and that includes weight and moving parts, that in turn add to inertia and frictions...not what you want in a moving parts machine, or a car. So the old comment "there is no replacement for displacement" is just as refined as pining nails to a wall with a sledge-hammer.<br />
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This is where forced induction comes to light. If a 2 liter engine displaces 2 liters of air on a rotation at normal atmospheric pressure, if you increase atmospheric pressure, than you force more air into the same 2 liters...for instance a 2 liter engine at 1 bar atmospheric pressure, will squeeze the same amount of air into it, as a 1 liter engine at 2 bar .<br />
With different techniques, forced induction actually raises the atmospheric pressure on the intake, and by doing so it multiplies the engine capacity (it doesn't do so is a linear way, as air being compressed will heat and make the hole thing loose part of the volumetric gains obtained with compression).<br />
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Turbos, will use exhaust gas against a turbine that is connected to a compressor, that will compress air.<br />
Compressors are chained to the engine crankshaft and use the engine mechanical force to compress air.<br />
The centrifugal compressor is the compressor part of a turbo, linked to either an electric engine or the crankshaft, making it a kind of hybrid turbo....and some manufacturers are working on the electric turbo (a good idea that would eliminate the turbo lag problem).<br />
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<i><b>So what is response? </b></i><br />
Well, response has to do with the time you engine takes to respond to your right foot solicitation and if it responds in the right amount of solicitation within a short time period. That has to do with a lot of stuff (including the engine design and lightness), but above all with fluid dynamics.<br />
So what are the physics behind the response part?<br />
The intake of an engine is controlled by a throttle assembly. It basic terms it is a tube with a choker that can be controlled from fully closed to fully opened. When you open the throttle, air rushes into the engine cylinders, when you close it it doesn't...simple.<br />
The shorter and more open the path of air into the engine is, the better the response (the lighter the engine is, the better it will be to respond too). That is why the independent throttle body engines have great response. The entire throttle assembly is near the cylinders and since they each control one cylinder, the air flow is stable and less turbulent.<br />
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On turbo engines however things get much more complicated. You see the air is being forced in by a rotating turbine that has inertia... if you just lift off and close the throttle, the entire intake will suffer a pressure spike that will force back on the compressor, trying to stall it, and this will degrade the compressor blades in time. That is why turbos normally use dump valves...its purpose is to remove this pressure and allow the turbine to maintain rotation (and health, for that matter)... turbos also have something called a Waste-gate that partially serves this purpose. The waste gate is used to control the rotation of the turbine (and so controlling the boost produced on the other end of the shaft), by opening or closing and controlling the amount of exhaust allowed to escape directly to the exhaust pipe and bypass the turbo... this does mean that in case of HELPING the turbine to slow down the waste-gate can fully open and facilitate the process.<br />
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On turbo engines, since there is no mechanical control of turbine rotation, your engine needs to produce exhaust gas to allow the turbine to spin (depending on the turbo type, size and construction it might have more or less inertia)...this produces a delay between your foot request and the power to become available... it will also come in an elastic way because the turbine inertia means a delayed spin-to-requested speed. Dump valves to minimize this effect by allowing the turbine to continue to spin, however this will not change the fact that on lift off, you produce less exhaust gas and as a result, there will always be a delay when you step back on the gas.<br />
It's pure physics... Even in a PERFECT turbo that spins instantly to boost... the simple fact that the engine will also need to spin up to drive the turbo the even more boost means that the response from a 2.0 turbo running 1bar and full efficiency (acting as a 4.0 engine), will never have the same response as an Naturally Aspirate 4.0 engine...and this is VERY perceptible at low engine speeds, as the 4.0 has ALL the capacity there and the 2.0 turbo has no air to drive the turbo into 1bar of boost and so acts as a 2.0 with a bad exhaust as the turbo is actually working against the flow by obstructing on purpose.<br />
And all this is, obviously, looking at things under a LAB perspective... because in real life, you have to consider that the important thing inside the engine is oxygen molecules... and that means that HOT air will have less oxygen molecules. And since air compressing warms air due to the force of compression and the fact that the turbo is very hot (due to the exhaust driving it), 1 bar of pressure is really NOT EQUAL to + 2 liters of engine.... sure you can add an inter-cooler, but this means MORE piping to fill with air until you have the right pressure, and no inter-cooler will be 100% efficient and cool the air down to the same temperature air as the outside temperature.<br />
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So turbo lovers that try to argument against this... just use the physics books you've ignored so far and admit the truth.<br />
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<b><i>Can it be cured?</i></b><br />
Sure! Are you rich?<br />
Let me explain why: Most drivers don't have enough skill to steer the car using the accelerator...however the ones that have, prefer NA supra-square engines to turbo engines because of immediate response and correct proportion of response (no elastic effect) to drivers foot.<br />
But what if you drive professionally is a championship where engines size and power are strictly controlled and capped? Like Rally for instance... the driver will steer the car with just about everything, including the throttle, but engines are small and compact, so they are turbo charged.<br />
Well, they simply keep the turbine spinning independently of the throttle being opened or closed. They do this using an anti-turbo-lag system also called "Miss-firing system".<br />
In simple terms, the system injects gas into the exhaust manifold and this will produce and explosion into the manifold.... past the already closed valves, making the turbine continue to spin..or spin even faster...that way, when you open the throttle back-on, no lag will occur as the pipes are already filled with air at the best possible boost pressure (controlled by a dump valve).<br />
You can see this happening when you watch a rally car passing by and approaching a curve, on lift-off a series of "pooping" sound, together with some exhaust fireballs.<br />
Why the "are you rich?" part? well, imagine the stress on the turbo by having explosions happen constantly all over your thing, light and gentle blades. Normally a turbo will not survive a season, being changed and serviced regularly...and unless you run on a racing budget, it will cost allot.<br />
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<b><i>OK, so let's hybrid the turbo</i></b><br />
humm not there yet.<br />
A Hybrid turbo is a turbo that has a compressor or/and a turbine of different sizes. This is actually like balancing something for a specific usage.<br />
You see, a turbo is not ONLY about pressure... it is also about flow. A 4 cylinder, 2.0 liter engine will consume 1liter of air every time it rotates (one cylinder pushes air and then compresses, one cylinder powers and exhausts, while other exhaust and pulls air, while other compresses and powers)... but at 6000RPM, the engine is actually consuming 6000 Liters per minute... and if that is supposed to be at 1 bar, than the turbo is actually having to pull 12000liters per minute of air.<br />
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If you make the compressor big enough, it will do that without problems, but this implies a bigger inertia to spin, and this will mean that the turbo will require a lot of air pulling the turbine... so this make the engine spiky, as the turbo will not produce boost until high revs and the, all the sudden will boost into it's operating speed.<br />
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To counter this, some people reduce the turbine, making it spin faster with less need of air... but this also means that the turbine will over-spin earlier and trigger the waste-gate to open to bypass the high volume... rendering the turbo unable to produce any more boost and while the rotation of the engine climbs, the pressure will drop.<br />
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So a hybrid turbo is actually a mild balance between when do you want the turbo to respond and up till what rotation vs engine volume do you want the turbo to "properly" feed the engine... they do allow you to tune the turbo to the engine to the usage, but they will not "solve the issue".<br />
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<b><i>Wouldn't an electric turbo to the job? </i></b><br />
Well sort of!<br />
See, the volumetrics that make a turbo produce big pressure, are worked around the size of the turbo and the speed it can turn VS the size of the engine it is feeding air to. A big engine at Big rpms consume a LOT of air and the turbo may not be able to feed the air at the desired pressure without "overspining"... that is the turbine spinning to a speed that causes a lot of cavitation on the air it is pulling and by so not being able to produce more flow at a specific pressure.<br />
So an electric turbo would have to actually either drive a very big turbine, or spin very fast... ultimately melting the bearings.<br />
There are however some works from VW that imply the next generation of cars will have an electric turbo always spinning to produce the low-end response and then a standard mechanical turbo will kick into gear when the engine is already producing enough exhaust!<br />
That turbo engine I would love... let's see.<br />
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<i><b>So sum up:</b></i><br />
So turbo engines produce loads of power from a small package, however by having a turbo, response is sacrificed... that doesn't mean that, when producing power, it doesn't surge in huge numbers and make the revs climb fast...the thing is, this is not response, just power... and since the high rpms of a usable racing engine would drain the turbo out of his response range fast, turbos are more suited for torque figures than RPM.<br />
Except of course the applications of bi-sequential-turbos like the Rx7, or the biturbos on inline 6 as te supra and the skyline... as an attempt to have the "best of both worlds".Manuel Ribeirohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898244397231724106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1596560228948831313.post-83645981589620646012013-03-03T19:22:00.000+00:002013-03-03T19:22:41.997+00:00The new Ford KA... Boy I miss the URGLY brilliant old KaAs with most cars on sale today, the new ford Ka is a beautiful looking thing.<br />
However unlike most cars today, this evolution means a leap back in quality.<br />
When I drove the car, I was immediately disappointed with it. At the time I really didn't understood why, but it just fell un-involving, disconnected....plain cheap.<br />
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You see, I've driven the old Ka a couple of times, but more important, I drove it's big brother the Fiesta MK4 for years...and they were practically the same.<br />
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Let's make a big X ray. of the projects supporting the Ka, first:<br />
Back in 1989, Ford unveiled the BE-13 chassis on the 3rd generation ford fiesta.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii-7SiJt_30rpGe06PEcPDBaupYt136B-fO4fuvtrb84Ac8Fz9AxDxPB3w0Rn9P0rRKv_Fqbb_aKC24e900G7YuIM1qTPciT0WRvAKM25EYmRNlfkF5tYhJTcEWZe3yDELyHfAHaqRA76d/s1600/mk320rs18002003ie8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii-7SiJt_30rpGe06PEcPDBaupYt136B-fO4fuvtrb84Ac8Fz9AxDxPB3w0Rn9P0rRKv_Fqbb_aKC24e900G7YuIM1qTPciT0WRvAKM25EYmRNlfkF5tYhJTcEWZe3yDELyHfAHaqRA76d/s400/mk320rs18002003ie8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The BE-13 was an important step in terms of chassis engineering. Most people forget the simple fact that during MK2 fiesta was comparable to a facelift of the MK1 Fiesta. In both Mk1/2, Ford had to undergo some heavy reinforcement engineering when they decided to launch the XR versions for the boy-racers. That was taken into consideration while developing the Mk3 chassis. </div>
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Not perfect, the BE-13 was competent and involving. </div>
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1995 came and the BE91 chassis with it. This is an important mark in Fords history. The BE91 was used first in the Mk4 fiesta and was essentially the Mk3 (BE-13 chassis) with revised suspension. It quickly became the best in its class, but more important, it just added to the Ford brand a distinctive signature of driving pleasure that just wasn't there as an experience to the entire brand (it used to be just a couple of model property). It just felt like Ford had unleashed their engineering team from the rally world and allowed them input into every other project...it was just wonderful.</div>
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The most important thing about this chassis, was the fact that, due to its brilliance, it was widely used. The BE91 was the basis of:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfFYDx_tMOsVN6YlCJfRzicuUivZhJKmzlAvhyf_-OZow8gQQwkB2w6w8Y07UpOrZnFTQyi7YS342GGUc5WpmB1s9ax9qWhzySuRisULC0RhdxfE-wnrvBhxzSAdqfrjDOtFr83Bbllf-/s1600/0261037-Ford-Fiesta-1.3i-16V-Techno-1995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfFYDx_tMOsVN6YlCJfRzicuUivZhJKmzlAvhyf_-OZow8gQQwkB2w6w8Y07UpOrZnFTQyi7YS342GGUc5WpmB1s9ax9qWhzySuRisULC0RhdxfE-wnrvBhxzSAdqfrjDOtFr83Bbllf-/s320/0261037-Ford-Fiesta-1.3i-16V-Techno-1995.jpg" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpAHVlk80T-c6-DuZbzA5btnxkRJ-58jc54ufhNHnINZQihptmNMt3ru4Dn8S7yNHjN9JF3hnDeZrPd1dCcQp1B_zvtnSEJtT2sNY4tk6m0cywksD8ugSmF4_mDpbJxqk6_mlGXH9_4p2/s1600/ford-fiesta-2006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpAHVlk80T-c6-DuZbzA5btnxkRJ-58jc54ufhNHnINZQihptmNMt3ru4Dn8S7yNHjN9JF3hnDeZrPd1dCcQp1B_zvtnSEJtT2sNY4tk6m0cywksD8ugSmF4_mDpbJxqk6_mlGXH9_4p2/s200/ford-fiesta-2006.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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The MK4 Fiesta and The MK5 Fiesta</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDr0agczsw3MgeyvsLoqMIt8us_e7WzyZJ_Ro1A0K-7cr4HGUHueywrCjU_2VKFIWveCtMcbWIa1BHQQEhOoY9wURaqaRLhhlshugcplAPNG_g7Ezv8bLhznx8XzSJAHMFxCoOqkNb8rE/s1600/127288.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDr0agczsw3MgeyvsLoqMIt8us_e7WzyZJ_Ro1A0K-7cr4HGUHueywrCjU_2VKFIWveCtMcbWIa1BHQQEhOoY9wURaqaRLhhlshugcplAPNG_g7Ezv8bLhznx8XzSJAHMFxCoOqkNb8rE/s320/127288.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Mk1 Ka </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyh6LLtlq85iY3l_IbH5XEHtY9l8Nq-fRyEABX_ZPV13HLI2rwYSBaraAJQe7FhtVcTDmX6zTso29ZLBCnnh70Q20n0NBQAvjOGLwNEcLcEm5EnjP6cDZnGOuieuXeKYuSKwV_fqJ2twcu/s1600/Ford-Fusion.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyh6LLtlq85iY3l_IbH5XEHtY9l8Nq-fRyEABX_ZPV13HLI2rwYSBaraAJQe7FhtVcTDmX6zTso29ZLBCnnh70Q20n0NBQAvjOGLwNEcLcEm5EnjP6cDZnGOuieuXeKYuSKwV_fqJ2twcu/s320/Ford-Fusion.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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The Mk1 Ford Fusion</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28jB6G2qI0sjngKxIrNO3p8bGR8h9F9unuGNRu1Nf_BZENm-8C3NTGa27ANUNIAhAPF_qGvu3l7Xb43ikYXIYjiQpe-6qEUFI-XdnRgKHlH3PRHOr3iZmmCjen8AH0oShh2eNb8gFxIoQ/s1600/imgFord+Puma4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28jB6G2qI0sjngKxIrNO3p8bGR8h9F9unuGNRu1Nf_BZENm-8C3NTGa27ANUNIAhAPF_qGvu3l7Xb43ikYXIYjiQpe-6qEUFI-XdnRgKHlH3PRHOr3iZmmCjen8AH0oShh2eNb8gFxIoQ/s320/imgFord+Puma4.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYX9MsmRXQQrHgR2YwHozVFnALaO_CE5aVP1XT6GFW7Un4U3p7S5ZL8Mm3HhoW6CbO_fVQRcPR2P8VPjxM4y_890HKhK79gzR5Ov7g7HuTpe46ABUUmTZ_QNWV1Ujj4K7W-HWHxk1Q0zs/s1600/ford-puma-05.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYX9MsmRXQQrHgR2YwHozVFnALaO_CE5aVP1XT6GFW7Un4U3p7S5ZL8Mm3HhoW6CbO_fVQRcPR2P8VPjxM4y_890HKhK79gzR5Ov7g7HuTpe46ABUUmTZ_QNWV1Ujj4K7W-HWHxk1Q0zs/s200/ford-puma-05.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkfXvgErvBg9w-a2E_bT3v4vsROBS5BplNSQT7OO0tFH2uErI9FpOGqGkufJHNLYesaEhBtQlfv6OHiZYz5HmP9won7Nr8vRKNpuhXFnU9h7AX-NdC6R-fUsVNupynoWFnLga_MYqMOu4/s1600/ford-puma-02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkfXvgErvBg9w-a2E_bT3v4vsROBS5BplNSQT7OO0tFH2uErI9FpOGqGkufJHNLYesaEhBtQlfv6OHiZYz5HmP9won7Nr8vRKNpuhXFnU9h7AX-NdC6R-fUsVNupynoWFnLga_MYqMOu4/s320/ford-puma-02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Mk1 Ford Puma</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVs96cfoq3QXThxa7gvE6Q8s4wcdzfSjaE9dUyaJRvWh_Wnz140qVqkSzkZjT7nsHK4Dmi-ps2WvCS1Uyki9OK9N5WsCNmAUxaomd4K3eClRiPOUQeK3q0nSWmDe_AzCXNqJbdKUVbhqiK/s1600/0905111340-Ford+Courier+1+8+Turbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVs96cfoq3QXThxa7gvE6Q8s4wcdzfSjaE9dUyaJRvWh_Wnz140qVqkSzkZjT7nsHK4Dmi-ps2WvCS1Uyki9OK9N5WsCNmAUxaomd4K3eClRiPOUQeK3q0nSWmDe_AzCXNqJbdKUVbhqiK/s320/0905111340-Ford+Courier+1+8+Turbo.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ipc7FReH0scUJS29o0uIfibsNEOKgV3J90fwsnJHregXFBin01DsIlgSBgVV_urYocens1kzWQ0Kd7rcesGPzYL710vmcROjatPpC4WtPX7YCjKbfqKJhUnMqczszTs7jkCDnlGyrzeq/s1600/200px-Courier_wikipedia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ipc7FReH0scUJS29o0uIfibsNEOKgV3J90fwsnJHregXFBin01DsIlgSBgVV_urYocens1kzWQ0Kd7rcesGPzYL710vmcROjatPpC4WtPX7YCjKbfqKJhUnMqczszTs7jkCDnlGyrzeq/s1600/200px-Courier_wikipedia.jpg" /></a></div>
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The Mk1 and Mk2 Ford Courier </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-p7rVLDLIuF1b6ESDfIAU8D1-Sh2nRKY8UwKkTwHSR7t8dl8VwTX2AQ1Vr3D6mpug5TwMUIcRRwCmMKfIFfHjMkCz-AwQAiVtQuWX0g7ZX3WMR75JDfpTpJu1_otfEiDDap05MaUO-f-/s1600/Mazda_121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-p7rVLDLIuF1b6ESDfIAU8D1-Sh2nRKY8UwKkTwHSR7t8dl8VwTX2AQ1Vr3D6mpug5TwMUIcRRwCmMKfIFfHjMkCz-AwQAiVtQuWX0g7ZX3WMR75JDfpTpJu1_otfEiDDap05MaUO-f-/s320/Mazda_121.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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and the Mazda 121!!!</div>
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This spawning of projects bases on this chassis is not only a proof of versatility. The Puma was a small-sports concept, the Fiesta Techno has a sporty appeal to it, the Mk5 Fiesta had spiced-up ST versions and they all fell involving and responsive.</div>
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I drove the Mk4 Fiesta from 1997 to 2004. The car was probably the best driving experience for money I've had so far. I even took it to the track and establish a point of matter against 2 tuned Mk4 Golf TDi, a tuned Peugeot 307 Gti and an alfa that was trying very hard not to self disassemble while not rusting from bend to bend...and of course that left no room to maintain braking ability. All the cars (tuned or non tuned) gave up and parked after 2 laps (most after some scary handling issues) mostly without brakes. This is arguably due to being badly equipped, or simply badly balanced chassis, forcing them to use the brakes more often...the mk4 Fiesta equipped with nothing more that tarox front discs and kevlar front brake pads, recorded over 12 laps and 3 of them were even video-taped and are available on youtube.</div>
So regarding the BE91 chassis, I can say that I know it like the back of my hands.<br />
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So that was the great big disappointment on the first meters I drove the MK2 Ka... I felt No BE91... or none of it's evolutions... I felt lack of what has been branding Ford since 1995.<br />
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You see, The Mk4 fiesta was Ugly. The Mk1 Ka was even worse... I mean if the fiesta looked like a soap, the Ka would only make sense in Tokyo, and even there, it would not live to be cool for more than a week. <br />
I was very critic about the Ka design... and the new one is just as beautiful as a Fiesta, with in turn is just as beautiful as a Focus. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8R6JvbkBMBgsfWRRattMVER7jb_HFeF1-2TQkVFvNj5je0aLdQYlkaLt69vkIbWsaCr6RnIxkTpD48MRP8RZFnqTcUFRQLs6M5L8Ia7JJqlV5q_Rcw5xJlSkonD6aaRdK4124ySV7LZq/s1600/new-ford-fiesta091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8R6JvbkBMBgsfWRRattMVER7jb_HFeF1-2TQkVFvNj5je0aLdQYlkaLt69vkIbWsaCr6RnIxkTpD48MRP8RZFnqTcUFRQLs6M5L8Ia7JJqlV5q_Rcw5xJlSkonD6aaRdK4124ySV7LZq/s320/new-ford-fiesta091.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN99ptXo4YVHN3gGjxh-fCiAmf1aK8_2hahp-Oyr_dcAxCnuOfG_n3qZ8MdeYY_xMknKWx2TEBjckI2XBi2RNwO0CzUYZ2qlwPhzkXFaHUuKV5PdMoJgCKmqJTcmI1rUn5BqX1ITd8E3MG/s1600/index.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN99ptXo4YVHN3gGjxh-fCiAmf1aK8_2hahp-Oyr_dcAxCnuOfG_n3qZ8MdeYY_xMknKWx2TEBjckI2XBi2RNwO0CzUYZ2qlwPhzkXFaHUuKV5PdMoJgCKmqJTcmI1rUn5BqX1ITd8E3MG/s1600/index.jpeg" /></a></div>
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These are the Mk6...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AX_lYNu4zHQD6Zxtc31uFDb-cmjU-347H0CSv6x2iMApyJmM8s1LtrFmDCafLHDLcReO_fikZBz6816i2027uL-wTSEi7jCIKE_1LVoGJTgs_c8_mYMD0alOU3Ua8eq4XRCVU9iF93Pj/s1600/ford-fiesta-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AX_lYNu4zHQD6Zxtc31uFDb-cmjU-347H0CSv6x2iMApyJmM8s1LtrFmDCafLHDLcReO_fikZBz6816i2027uL-wTSEi7jCIKE_1LVoGJTgs_c8_mYMD0alOU3Ua8eq4XRCVU9iF93Pj/s320/ford-fiesta-01.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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...and Mk7 Fiestas </div>
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And the Mk2 Ka:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSGm98OQBuy4c6DZ70TFVXVHC5WKmtQXBa1KfMn4CTmUhh4hyphenhyphenqQhXxd009_zYUn5nG4ZhBvi4JPKx_EnuLqxtUYJ9IPrr_WFK9zBrF-i__M-TWJJpmfSKfyT0JS266f6jbjMZGLntsj78b/s1600/ford-ka-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSGm98OQBuy4c6DZ70TFVXVHC5WKmtQXBa1KfMn4CTmUhh4hyphenhyphenqQhXxd009_zYUn5nG4ZhBvi4JPKx_EnuLqxtUYJ9IPrr_WFK9zBrF-i__M-TWJJpmfSKfyT0JS266f6jbjMZGLntsj78b/s320/ford-ka-02.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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Is just beautiful.</div>
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I mean compare the Mk1 with the Mk2 (on the design side alone):<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcuDmHcxnZ5_uAByYIlv7InbDmhDm5rAGX6_RbNHhEkxWI1Ub9q7jb0mbYmoFKYaW9gZ0HQnv8VJPH1GDbPoR3YI50zfs8vHD__TVXLQr8NIRr6QFMDGb0jdjbmZwMw9AxXZunc66opQqg/s1600/Ford_Ka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcuDmHcxnZ5_uAByYIlv7InbDmhDm5rAGX6_RbNHhEkxWI1Ub9q7jb0mbYmoFKYaW9gZ0HQnv8VJPH1GDbPoR3YI50zfs8vHD__TVXLQr8NIRr6QFMDGb0jdjbmZwMw9AxXZunc66opQqg/s320/Ford_Ka.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicoZH1JbgLeBvIUOU-GoYpPZGHcxOeXt_SnY3UZRbPszhu85_69JkwDQa4zTlmbwkcIK8IpyP-Bs06-XMK5SkY8eK1OEORhUhZ0CyUj0uD5NRxdF8eunSK7xveRepN_iz1V8Q_RIWXXs8s/s1600/Ford_Ka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicoZH1JbgLeBvIUOU-GoYpPZGHcxOeXt_SnY3UZRbPszhu85_69JkwDQa4zTlmbwkcIK8IpyP-Bs06-XMK5SkY8eK1OEORhUhZ0CyUj0uD5NRxdF8eunSK7xveRepN_iz1V8Q_RIWXXs8s/s320/Ford_Ka.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPgPoKjivB3PVievxbWMAjbr0N7FtnMQO3uvVy7xG5mQiymIjwz4DFAn6qMFSDsk8mLRuXow3W0Xs2rYTDy2B0rN9D1ghQbvqvubOC3jAG8_qaCYKVpKGdBOpYM6zmt_J0q7Fy-UenOIv/s1600/novo-ford-ka-2012-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPgPoKjivB3PVievxbWMAjbr0N7FtnMQO3uvVy7xG5mQiymIjwz4DFAn6qMFSDsk8mLRuXow3W0Xs2rYTDy2B0rN9D1ghQbvqvubOC3jAG8_qaCYKVpKGdBOpYM6zmt_J0q7Fy-UenOIv/s320/novo-ford-ka-2012-14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1T5Wjc9vscydjFCUZwBA2SQOaSNqv6jpe7DlSK41Mb-4ghunrLXhuy7NCobXXuPJX_PAEPeI4V12Sn696He5RZwZrpGOOMsLRCpEKNb0cD-z8YjorE-Rk_OuQCDco4YCzmwD7GwK_L54/s1600/fordka4-3593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1T5Wjc9vscydjFCUZwBA2SQOaSNqv6jpe7DlSK41Mb-4ghunrLXhuy7NCobXXuPJX_PAEPeI4V12Sn696He5RZwZrpGOOMsLRCpEKNb0cD-z8YjorE-Rk_OuQCDco4YCzmwD7GwK_L54/s320/fordka4-3593.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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There is no other way to say this... the old is UGLY and the new one is BEAUTIFUL. </div>
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The problem is that the looks, are nice when you show off, or when you approach the car. But when you drive it, they have no part in the rewarding experience...and regarding the rewarding experience the Mk2 is just BAD! Cheap! Plastic! Un-involving! It's one of the worse ford's I've driven and that included old transits!</div>
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The one to blame? Meet the Barbie Car:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LFuO1YIXGkVrBxDy7okbOknGBVpVk7uPl6CuiijJVfjm9y84LkYVxKLe2YGXkKgp0mdsoxhk5epZEvuwmQldtrH62LsnoMj9L8tXeEsuZFGsE92h_yLWsjt4CXhw1tjfWqtoaDBjXDjI/s1600/animaatjes-fiat-500-79537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LFuO1YIXGkVrBxDy7okbOknGBVpVk7uPl6CuiijJVfjm9y84LkYVxKLe2YGXkKgp0mdsoxhk5epZEvuwmQldtrH62LsnoMj9L8tXeEsuZFGsE92h_yLWsjt4CXhw1tjfWqtoaDBjXDjI/s320/animaatjes-fiat-500-79537.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
Yup.. That's it! A brand known for creating robust and involving cars, took one of the best chassis it has ever created and replaced with the barbie car, from the brand known for creating...cheap un-involving, everything but robust cars.<br />
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The minute I knew this, it all made sense. I know why I would never ever buy a Mk2 ford Ka...its because of the lack of Ford in it!Manuel Ribeirohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01898244397231724106noreply@blogger.com0