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| These painted airplanes have what you might say a lot of "character", that is cartoon characters all over them. Some airline companies have decided to brighten the sky with airplanes completely covered with animated cartoon characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Pokemon, Woody Woodpecker, Homer and Marge Simpson, I know I would love to fly in one of these. via Dark Roasted Blend | ||
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Painted Planes with Character
Mule With Crazy Car Stereo System
Porsche 356 Art Car painted with M.C Escher Reptiles
Top Five Dangerous Cars
This week's public service from your Unhumble Car Czar: A list of the most dangerous cars on the road. Please find this list not a mere variation on all those "what your car says about you" lists, but an officially-pretend-government-sanctioned one – meaning actual self-appointed experts have gathered and parsed the data ... not some guy sitting around posing in an internet cafe just making stuff up.
Without further adieu (come to think of it, there hasn't been any adieu so far, so never mind):
The Five Most Dangerous Cars on U.S. Roads
Five: Ford Escort Wagons. Last made decades ago, but time and awareness has slipped away from the drivers of these cars. Most likely to be seen plugging up any lane of the freeway trundling along "safely" at 45, sagging in the back under the weight of never-removed piles of old clothing that were supposed to go to Good Will and/or a load of those weekly junk ads that get thrown in your driveway in the dark of night.
Four: Smart Cars. Drivers thereof are so used to revving these golf carts to Kingdom Come to join the conga line to Starbucks that the habit remains in residential neighborhoods. Not unusual to see a SmartCart hauling 45 in a 25 on any residential road with a mile of roll-out strip.
Three: Full-size Pickup Trucks and SUVs. It's the whole tailgating-lemme-through-I'm-bigger-than-you thing. Shame on you five-foot-six men and five-foot-two women, and all of you bigger people with little brains, little doinks, or both. Society would like a word with you once you've removed your Kenworth-sized frontispieces.
Two: Entry-level Buzz-bombs with Stuff Hanging from the Rearview Mirror. Don't know why. There's always a tiny head poking forward just above the steering wheel as these things bomb down the left lane at 90 without any apparent game plan for not running into other traffic.
One: Tie: BMW 3-series and Minivans. Because BMW 3-series owners think they own the road, and because Minivan drivers don't know they're on the road. Woe unto the junior executive who aspires to the second-to-littlest BMW. Said exec rarely figures out that there's just no advantage to an expensive Bavarian mountain screamer in rush-hour freeway traffic, so takes to fits of motoring delusion, flooring it and zigging and zagging through The Great No Place to Go of crowded U.S. freeways making an ass out of him or her self. As to Minivan drivers: often found slowing down mid-block near The Great No Place to Turn and Nothing in the Way and Why the Heck are You Slowing Down, Anyway of crowded U.S. surface streets, perhaps looking for a missing sock in the laundry basket at home (this last behavior is due to a Roadgoing/Nesting Duality Thing -- saw it on the internet somewhere).
Please consider yourself warned, and let's be careful out there.
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P.S. Congrats to the boss for winning the Nobel Peace Prize today. I know -- some people will be mad. But those people were already mad.
Honda Clutch Line Installation - Steel Braided Bling
There are a few reasons why you might want to swap your Civic's rigid, steel hydraulic clutch line for something else: It's difficult to get the OEM line and fitting assembly to cooperate with certain engine swaps, if you're going for that shaved-bay look then an ugly steel line running across the firewall simply won't cut it, and even if you're not going for that shaved-bay look a bit of steel braided bling is enough to spice up just about any engine bay. Although going overboard with the bling is never a good thing, the most important thing to keep in mind when working with hydraulic clutch and brake systems is the pressure involved. A typical automotive hydraulic clutch or brake line exhibits upwards of 1,500 psi internally. As the clutch or brake pedal is depressed, fluid pressurizes within the system causing the line to squirm around on its own. Imagine a garden hose that flings around by itself once the water is turned on-the principle is similar.
Flexible, steel braided lines are exactly that-flexible. As such, eliminating too much of the OEM rigid line or selecting too large of a line can result in a soggy pedal and/or poor braking or clutch engagement. An ideal clutch or braking system consists entirely of rigid line but that's simply impossible because of engine vibration and suspension travel. This is where flexible rubber or steel braided lines come into play. Use them sparingly though-like Honda did. A hydraulic clutch or brake system constructed entirely of steel braided hose isn't always the best idea.
 As far as Civics go, only '92 and newer models feature hydraulic clutch systems, which makes this process somewhat useless for those with anything older. A typical '92-'95 Civic hydraulic clutch system consists of the ugly rigid steel line, dirty rubber hose, and metal brackets on the right. The steel braided setup on the left is much simpler and just looks better. |  The OEM rigid line travels from the clutch  master cylinder to the slave cylinder, located on the transmission. The line is intercepted by a short section of high-pressure rubber hose to allow for engine movement. Use a 10mm line wrench to remove the fitting from the clutch slave cylinder and then a 10mm socket to remove the two bolts holding the bracket in place. Set a drain pan underneath the vehicle to catch the residual fluid from the line and allow it to drain thoroughly before moving forward. | 92-'95 Civics feature this aluminum clutch line connector located on the firewall directly behind the throttle body. You can either thread a 12x1.0mm to -3 adapter into the connector's left side and run steel braided line from here to the slave cylinder or you can remove this connector altogether and tap directly into the master cylinder. Keep in mind that the more flexible line you add, the greater the chance the clutch pedal may exhibit a soft feel, although this is generally more common with brake systems. |
Running a line from the master cylinder to the slave cylinder requires just a few parts: approximately 60 inches of -3, Teflon-lined steel braided line, two 10x1.0mm to -3 inverted flare fittings, two appropriately sized hose clamps, and two -3 steel hose ends-a 180-degree one and a 45- or 30-degree one. Straight hose ends are cheaper and will work, but when working with steel braided plumbing it's best to achieve your bends by means of the fitting not the hose. |  Use a 10mm line wrench to remove the fitting from the clutch master cylinder's outlet port and remove the line. Carefully unclip the clutch line from the brake lines along the firewall and remove any brackets connecting it to the chassis using a 10mm socket. Brake fluid is an excellent paint remover so be sure and wrap the line's ends with a rag before pulling it out. |  Thread the adapter fitting into the clutch master cylinder's outlet port. Do not use any type of sealant here-that's what the inverted flare is for. Applying Teflon tape or sealant will cause a leak. Assemble both hose ends onto the hose before connecting it to the -3 fitting. Connect the 180-degree end to the clutch master cylinder end, turning it in such a way so as to allow clearance between the tube and the firewall. The hose should route underneath the brake booster and along the firewall. |
 Use a suitably sized hose clamp to attach the line to the firewall where the factory aluminum connector was. Don't be lazy or cheap here. The line will flex and move every time you step on the clutch if you skimp on clamps. |  This clamp is even more important because it will prevent the line from shorting out against the starter's main power wire. Find a suitable location on the transmission or framerail and clamp the line down. This B-series transmission bracket works well. |  Thread the remaining fitting and hose end onto the clutch slave cylinder. Be sure to orient the hose the way you want it before making the final turn. Again, stay away from that sealant. |
 Of course, you'll need to bleed the clutch system of air bubbles since it's been opened. Use a 8mm line wrench to crack open the bleeder fitting and purge away. |
Aero Kit for Audi
For a bargain price of 797.06 Euros, you can't go wrong with this latest body styling kit from RDX RACEDESIGN for the 8E B6 Audi A4. Naturally, the kit comes unpainted, but for those do-it-yourself types, you can save enough scratch to put towards your next caravan holiday.
The kit includes some noticeable features such as the Audi big grille conversion, hood extensions over the headlamps and integrated air vents in the side skirts which are available in three different styles.
With some pretty outlandish kits in their inventory, RDX RACEDESIGN knows the type of drivers attracted to Audi's, so it's no surprise that we see a kit that slots in the somewhat modest category, relatively speaking, of course.
Press release:
The kit includes some noticeable features such as the Audi big grille conversion, hood extensions over the headlamps and integrated air vents in the side skirts which are available in three different styles.
With some pretty outlandish kits in their inventory, RDX RACEDESIGN knows the type of drivers attracted to Audi's, so it's no surprise that we see a kit that slots in the somewhat modest category, relatively speaking, of course.
Press release:
RDX RACEDESIGN Aero Kit for Audi A4 8E B6
- Aerodynamic kit for Audi A4 8E B6
- Front spoiler bumper, single-frame grille, side sills, rear apron plus bonnet extension for B7 look
- Complete kit for EUR 797.06
- Exact fit; from high-quality, robust GRP
- Add-on parts with TÜV parts certificate/TÜV approval
RDX RACEDESIGN from Allersberg, Germany, has turned its attention to a further Audi model and is now offering a significantly sportier look for the Audi A4 8E B6 in the form of an aerodynamic kit befitting this tuning specialist’s name.
The RDX RACEDESIGN aerodynamic kit which is now available creates a racing look at the front even when the car is stationary thanks to the new front spoiler bumper. The price of EUR 339 includes a TÜV parts certificate. RDX RACEDESIGN is offering the component for use on vehicles either with or without a headlight washer system. For a powerful appearance, the single-frame grille as seen on the latest Audi models cannot of course be omitted. RDX RACEDESIGN is offering its version for EUR 91.50 in various finishes – the latest being a full chrome finish. A further modification at the front end is the addition of RDX RACEDESIGN air intake covers integrated into the front spoiler for EUR 29.00. These are naturally equipped with adapter mountings for the factory-fitted front fog lights, so that that these can still be used. To create the look of the B7 successor model, RDX RACEDESIGN is also offering a bonnet extension (EUR 79.00). The RDX RACEDESIGN side sills are available in no fewer than three designs (EUR 129.95 incl. TÜV approval, i.e. they do not need to be registered!) with matching grilles for the integrated air vents. Fitting these lends the A4 an even more striking side profile. The muscular look of the Audi A4 is rounded off with the rear apron attachment, which is available both for the saloon and Avant versions for the price of EUR 195.00 (including TÜV approval). The sporty grilles for its air vents are included in the price.
The RDX RACEDESIGN aerodynamic kit is available for the Audi A4 8E B6 for the price of EUR 797.06. A saving of more than EUR 66 compared with the price of the parts when bought singly!
All RDX RACEDESIGN components are notable for their excellent fit, they are paint-friendly and of course TÜV tested and approved.
Suzuki1250 Goes Touring
Suzuki Bandit 1250 Grand Touring
January 16, 2008 Suzuki’s big bad bandit 1250 has been reincarnated as a sensible mile muncher. Suzuki GB has announced the final specification and pricing for the new Bandit 1250 Grand Touring which sports a roomy top-box and pannier system, additional fairing lowers and Suzuki's bespoke Garmin Zumo Sat Nav system.
Featured for the first time on the new Bandit, the Sat Nav system enables download of waypoints and routes and can be transferred for use in other vehicles.
Retailing for £6,799 (£1000 more than the base 1250S model) the Bandit 1250GT is due to hit U.K. dealers later this month.
Aprilia RSV4 Racebike Unveiled
Aprilia RSV4: road debut by the end of 2008
Image Gallery ( 3 images )February 26, 2008 Aprilia has taken the wraps off the 1000cc, V-4 engined superbike it plans to race in the World Superbike Championship in the 2009 season in front of an audience of more than 1,200 dealers attending the International Piaggio Group Convention in Milan. The race version of Aprilia's first ever 4-cylinder engine is already making a claimed 207 horsepower - with more room yet for development potential - and the new bike is due to make its road debut by the end of 2008. The unique, compact four-cylinder 65 degree V engine configuration achieves peak power at 13,500rpm and uses a computer controlled fly-by-wire system similar to that found in the recent R1 and R6 Yamahas for controlling power output and traction.
In keeping the engine's footprint small, Aprilia have found an innovative way to drive the dual overhead cams; the inner (inlet) cams are driven by a conventional chain, and the outer ones are actually driven by the inner ones, through a series of gears.
More details and video of the RSV4 running on stage over at TheBikerGene.
Car and Driver: Rocketing out of a Ditch
If anyone doubts the speed of change nowadays, I direct you to your local surviving magazine stand, where you will find issues of the newly-out-of-its-rut Car and Driver. Just weeks after every employee at that publication dropped everything to read this blog over and over after binding it in gold-gilded leather, new editor Eddie Alterman and Co. have remade the book into what it once was and should forevermore be: a car magazine that isn't afraid to sing the praises and flaws of a 200-grand Ferrari just pages over from similar treatment of the next new small Ford that you can actually afford.
A car magazine that's always about more than what the magazine is about and not afraid to imply so 10 times fast.
A car magazine that at least every few years lets an editor drive drunk on a closed circuit in the interest of science.
The latest issue of the new and better-in-every-way C/D dumps the Fruit Stripe gum road test data panels, ran-out-of-things-to-write-about-ages-ago columnists, and (so far ... we're holding our breath) sports car track tests that forget they're sports car track tests half-way through and award first place to the car with the most trunk space.
Post-CC C/D treats new-age automotive powerplants not with obscure tech-rambling, but with pictures, prose, and pragmatic pros & cons. Perfect.
Editor Alterman introduced himself a few issues back using the Standing on the Shoulders of Giants platform – then invited the giants up on stage.
David E. Davis is back at Car and Driver in top form, leaving the snooty wine and cheese affectations from his Automobile days behind and recently gruffly asking the world why he didn't get the call for the Car Czar job. (Sorry, sir. Jobs like Car Czar don't go to guys waiting around for a telephone call. They go to anonymous bloggers who simply proclaim themselves to be the Car Czar and then start popping off about cars, drivers, and any subject not related to cars and drivers that amuses them).
Malcolm Bricklin gets the back page of the latest C/D to explain the failure of his SV-1 and Yugo projects, among others. Against today's backdrop of multi-billion-buck companies who can't figure the car business out either, Mr. Bricklin comes across as one of those one-man car entities that history should look kindly upon, if only for not losing billions, not trying to sell cocaine, and not barricading himself in his factory while dressed in a Big Bird costume.
John Phillips III gets a column in the front of the book. Hooray.
It's only a matter of time before this newly reconstituted motorhead magazine unwittingly tests a shockingly quick Chevy Volt that some PR guy has secretly stuffed with a motor from a Citroen GT. Then Car and Driver will be a motorhead magazine ... finally ... for real. (Those peaky, noisy, reciprocating powerplants from those quaint old Detroit car companies were engines, not motors. Ask any old coot from back before readers began loosing their train of thought on the internets and misusing words with abandon)
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Audi S5 GT Supercharged by MTM
The production Audi S5 draws its power from its 4.2L V8 FSI engine producing 349 horsepower and 440Nm of torque, but clearly this is not enough in the eyes of Audi tuner MTM. Their new tuning package bursts the power banks of this baby increasing total output to 505 horsepower (equates to 120 hp per liter) and 546Nm of Torque. This boosts the S5's performance figures up to M3 territory with a 0-100km/h time of 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 300km/h. As the name suggests, MTM has added a supercharger to the V8 unit which can lay claim to being the main reason behind the power increase and it is backed up by a flow-optimized 4-pipe stainless steel sports exhaust system. To counter the heating effect the extra power generates, you will also find an MTM intercooler housing with integrated water cooling ensures that the engine can always generate maximum performance.
To further compliment the system the MTM S5 GT Supercharged gets a new brake system with 8-piston fixed calipers which allows the car to decelerate from 100-0 km/h within about 35 meters. Other features include a tuned coilover suspension and MTM styled 21'' rims.
Mechanic - Ball Joint Replacement
It started as a clicking noise as you backed out of the drive. Just a mild tap through the steering wheel. Sometimes it's not even there. But as the mileage builds over the next few weeks, the click gets bigger. Then it starts to morph into a thump as you go over potholes. A thump that turns into a shimmy. You jack up the front end and shake the wheels side to side--no problem. You shake them up and down. Big problem. There's a half-inch of slop on one wheel, though the other is tight. The diagnosis: You've got a bad ball joint.
NOTHING IS FOREVER
Front suspension parts eventually wear out, but this sudden onset of slop in your ball joint probably means a lubrication failure. But wait! you say. My ball joints are sealed--there's no grease fitting to pump fresh lubricant into. They're Lubed For Life, like it says right here in the owner's manual.Exactly.
You've just discovered the true life span of a permanently lubed suspension joint. The lubrication finally dries out, water intrudes inside the boot covering the moving parts, and rust and abrasive road dirt turn a ball joint or tie rod end into a loosey-goosey accident waiting to happen. Do not delay in repairing a failing ball joint or tie rod end. When it fails, the wheel involved will try to part company with your vehicle, and not quite succeed in doing so. This will precipitate two unfortunate events: loss of control at some speed, and considerable damage to the rest of the vehicle.
3 Amazing Art Car Drawings by Eric Carlos Bertrand
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| Wow Bus | |
| These Art Car drawings were created by artist Eric Carlos Bertrand who was inspired by real Art Cars. He currently resides in Montreal and has taken the art car as a source of inspiration for researching the possibilities for viable version of the "ship of fools", a old imagery related to the tradition of the carnavalesque. Read his web site detailed info. Three of the art cars I found were posted on Art Car Central a while back so I wanted to show the world how good his art work is. Eric has some really impressive drawing skills and a hole lot of patience, personally I would rather glue stuff on my art car. | |
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| Duke Art Car | |
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| Mobile DJ Art Car | |
Octapus Saab Art Car Reaching Out in Rhode Island
Mobil Esemka The Creation
mobil esemka=SMKthis news is from detikoto :
Cars double Cabin Esemka the result of creative students Digdaya SMK 1 Singosari, Malang seems indeed feasible diacungi thumb.
For even if only given time only 3 weeks, 50 students involved in the project of making the car able to do the best with everything very neatly.
Students this is not to have to lose one's head with a short time that, because they even thought it is all part of the challenge.
"They all tertantang completing this project," said Principal SMK Malang 1 Singosari Good Gunawan when talking with detikOto, some time ago.
Therefore, these students also begin to explore various sources of inspiration and design a car terciptalah Cabin is double-knit but elegant.
Challenges also continue, because after holding students this design should be able to mewujudkannya.
This is not an easy matter, because only they are given a stock injection engine with a former East 1500 cc.
Therefore, to start the project then this is the students start choosing components that are fit for the car they dream double Cabin.
For the framework, they choose the framework of the Isuzu Panther Suspensi from Mitsubishi L300.
"We chose them because they are already evident kehandalannya," clearly good.
After that they create a new body is double Cabin. Pembuatannya is not without obstacles, as all part of the body they do this is hand made.
"So if there is little that is not suitable to be made again," he said.
Once everything is completed according to Good next challenge is to make the holder to fit the machines they have.
But before that, they have machines that do not have any transmission and final gear. Therefore, these students play the brain to search for machine parts that fit.
"For the transmission and final gear we use belonging Suzuki Escudo energy in order to generate more robust and does not ngedrop," said Good.
Work hard for 3 months this was terbayar already, because this car has been recognized quality.
"Yesterday the car was new Pak Bupati Malang," he said.
According to the plan if there is no obstacle in the way, cars will be Esemka to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Ed Peper to ZR1 detractors
GM thinks that the Corvette ZR1 is pretty much the baddest machine on four wheels, period. This was driven home today in a post on the Fastlane Blog by Chevy general manager Ed Peper. Seeing him advocate his brand's (and GM's) flagship is far from surprising, and as he rattles off the car's positives, it seems like pretty standard-issue public relations fare. It's only as he wraps up that he seems to get a little exercised over some folks' habit of turning all Corvette-related conversations into pushroad vs. overhead-cam arguments. In response, he namechecks some very heavy hitters -- the Porsche 911 GT2, the Ferrari 599 GTB, and the Lambo LP640 -- as he casually pulls the gloves off, matter-of-factly stating that the ZR1 has a better power-to-weight ratio than all of them. Then, in his parting shot, he dons the brass knuckles and calls out any and all comers who would challenge the Corvette ZR1's abilities with two simple words: "Bring it."
You know what it is when this kind of smack talk starts flying around? It's fun. And we haven't even heard from Lutz yet.
You know what it is when this kind of smack talk starts flying around? It's fun. And we haven't even heard from Lutz yet.
New KITT Attack
NBC is unveiling the new Attack Mode for KITT today at the very large Comic Con convention in San Diego. ShadowyFlight.com is covering the reveal of the car live in its forums, but this image has already made its way on the web and confirms that KITT has had his wings sheared. Gone are the various spoilers that cluttered the first version and what remains is a cleaner car with dual side exhausts, a deep chin spoiler that looks pretty heavy duty, an equally strong looking mesh grille, what appears to be rocket launchers where a shaker scoop would go, a still-very-big rear wing, rear air diffuser and new spokeless wheels that were stolen right off of a Bonneville Salt Flats racer. The rear tires are extremely oversized and still manage to poke out from the newly flared fenders. Is it better than the first Attack Mode version of KITT? Yes. That doesn't mean we necessarily like it, though. The Knight Rider fan community seems split as well. Make up your mind in the comments after visiting ShadowyFlight.com for over 20 more additional high-res pics of the new Attack Mode KITT.
2010 Chevy Camaro
- Three models - LS, LT, SS
- LS and LT come with 3.6L direct-inject V6 (300 hp/273 lb-ft)
- SS six-speed manual comes with 6.2L LS3 V8 (422 hp/408 lb-ft)
- SS six-speed automatic comes with new 6.2L L99 V8 (400 hp/395 ft-lb) and Active Fuel Management
- 3.6L DI V6 gets 26 mpg highway
- 6.2L V8 with automatic gets 23 mpg highway
- RS appearance package available on LT and SS (includes HID headlamps with integrated halo rings, spoiler, specific taillamps and 20-inch wheels)
- Front and rear independent suspension
- FE2 suspension for LS and LT, sportier FE3 for SS
- Four-wheel disc ABS standard, SS gets four-piston Brembo calipers
- SS model gets adjustable Competitive/Sport mode for stability control and Launch Control on manual models
- Available 18-,19- and 20-inch wheels
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