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Troutman

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  17. Eunos 500

    in 626 / MX-6 / Eunos 500

    Posted

    Definitely a classy alternative to a 4 cylinder German car. At the time of the 500's launch, a base model BMW 318i had unpainted bumpers, manual windows and non-alloy wheels!

     

    Bear in mind there is a tremendous performance difference (we are talking maybe 2-3 seconds 0-100 km/h) between the auto and manual models. Also the manual transmission is a more reliable thing. Would be well worth finding...

  18. Eunos 500

    in 626 / MX-6 / Eunos 500

    Posted

    In Australia it merely changed from Eunos 500 to Mazda Eunos 500. The only engine option was the 2.0 V6. Initially it was only available with the 4 speed, but a manual was later added. The only real option was leather and nothing was substantially changed in its lifetime to my knowledge.

  20. Why Hybrid Cars Will Fail

    in General Automotive

    Posted

    I am a big fan of minimalism - in Australia LPG is a popular second fuel for 'duel fuel' vehicles, but my other car is going to use straight LPG. I refuse to have 2 seperate fuel systems in the one car.

     

    Hybrids are a slightly different story, as we are talking about electricity and internal combustion. It sucks having the weight and complexity, and the resale/running cost concerns easily outweigh the fuel savings. Also, the enthusiast will appreciate the predictable and simple nature of a hon-hybrid. But that is not the whole story. I can see 2 big advantages to these cars:

     

    1) Battery and electric motor technology is being developed rapidly just like it should have 100 years ago. In turn, hybrid vehicles are pushing the boundaries in areas such as automotive LED lighting which will have a 'flow-on' effect to benefit cheaper cars. The thinking man will notice that the mass-produced high-efficiency lighting, batteries and other improving technology will team up nicely with solar panels in the home to help make zero-energy homes commonplace for future generations.

     

    2) This will offend everyone but too bad. Hybrid-electric vehicles expose the simple fact that the internal combustion engine is a joke. The only thing it is good for is convenient refuelling. The brainwashing that this so-called technology reflects what the human race is capable of is convenient for the oil companies. Let's look at the facts...

    * The internal combustion engine is a wacky means of burning something in order to create movement

    * I forget the exact figure, but over 80% of the internal combustion's energy is pure heat!

    * To further detract from its efficiency, heavy bolt-ons such as a water pump, a radiator, hoses steal power in order to control the heat - each of which has a very limited lifespan

    * Even this is not enough, so there need to be fans as well, and the design of the car has to be compromised to try and control under-bonnet temps

    * Valves, pistons, oil, oil pumps, starter motors, distributors, transmissions, diffs, crankshafts and a million billion other unreliable, complex moving parts with limited lifespans make for a laughable contrast to, say, electric suburban trains. These go for probably millions of kms without a hickup.

    * The internal combustion engine even wastes energy when it is idle!

    * It is a noisy bastard and more weight, complexity, mufflers etc try and contain that

    * It is responsible for unspoken deaths in crowded cities, particularly for vulnerable asthma sufferers etc, and nothing short of hydrogen fuel will ever truly address that

    * Every attempt at improving the internal combustion engine involves adding complexity to what is already ridiculous to start with. Be it turbos, Miller Cycle, variable valve timing or hybrid-electric technology. The bottom line is it's trying to bash around a design that, as I said, is a joke.

     

    So in short, hybrids will come and go as far superior technologies to the internal combustion engine take over, but they will certainly be a memorable point in automotive history, not a failure. This technology developing means only good things for mankind. The oil companies can go to hell.

  25. Codes From Ngs Tester

    in Technical guides

    Posted

    We are talking about the little port in the engine bay near the firewall on the LHD model's 'drivers' side. I am told it is known as NGS. I have also heard it is possible to pull codes using an LED light - in my case I'm hoping to use a multimeter. Is there a known procedure for this?

    Cheers!

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