The Gearhead Thread

[Luis_GT]

There's a couple of gearheads in here... Show us your ride!

First I want to introduce my new baby, her name is Rarity!






And Penelope (More often called the money pit)

[hiigaran]

My ride? Something like this:



Except blue.

Also, obligatory Top Gear:

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rT26VIe_VBQ[/video]

[shadowbolt82]

How do you like the FR-S? I considered those before I got my Mustang, but I figured they're a bit under powered for me. I keep hoping I'll meet one on the track that puts up a good fight but so far every one I've seen has been pretty slow. Or it could be that I'm the only idiot on the track willing to flog the crap out of my brand new car.


My toys,
2012 Mustang 5.0


2012 Yamah FZ-8

[Luis_GT]

I'm doing the break-in at the moment... so it is pretty slow shifting at 4k RPM... but it is fun and feels like its on rails around the twisties... and I fit in it unlike the mustang... lol

[Walfas]

Gears? Well, it doesn't have any gears, but it does have a pair of clutches...





Ye ole 2000 Arctic Cat ZRT 800. I do enjoy going fast, unfortunately this one is a little slower than my old 1996 Polaris XCR 600(bored out to 800). I hit a good 140-150 Mph if I had a flat enough lake.

[shadowbolt82]

I'm doing the break-in at the moment... so it is pretty slow shifting at 4k RPM... but it is fun and feels like its on rails around the twisties... and I fit in it unlike the mustang... lol

I believe in breaking them in the way you're going to drive them. Don't just go out and run the crap out of it though. Run it up to near redline under a full load in third or fourth gear and let it engine brake back down. I do this a couple times during the break in period. The rest of the time I drive like normal except trying to keep the WOT runs to a minimum before the first oil change, but I'm not afraid to run it hard.

I'm breaking in my bike right now. Took me a while to get used to the power so the first hundred miles or so were under 5-6k rpm and only about half throttle. Now I'm probably running it harder than I should, but it's just so much fun I can't help myself sometimes.

[Luis_GT]

Mine is at 78 miles currently lol... i will be opening the taps slowly... around 500 I will be upping the rpms... and have a few "emergency" sprints

[enginemaniac]

This is the best thread ever. My display name may or may not imply my passion <3

I've been an engine nut longer than anything else, even before I had any idea what a computer was.

Here's my pride and joy, a 1988 AE82 Toyota Corolla Hatchback.


This picture was taken on Feb 14 this year, the day before I got my Class P1 License

Given to me for practically nothing by a neighour in a sadder state, a little TLC with some hard work chucked in and she's a champ. I love this car.

- Cheap on petrol
- More reliable than [insert metaphor]
- Really easy to work on (if I actually need to)
- (relatively) quick and tons of fun to drive.
- Aussie built and Jap powered.
- 1.6L (1600cc) Toyota 4A-C 8V four cylinder engine with about 364,000 kms on it, still runs strong and ticks over like a clock at idle
- 5 speed manual, front disc / rear drum brakes, 14" Corolla Seca alloy wheels
- No electronics, manual controls for everything and no luxury features (who needs those when they're just more things that can break)

---

Bonus -
Here's a pic of me just about to hop into a V8 race car at Queensland Raceway



I've been meaning to edit the footage into a proper video, I'll post that here when I actually finish and upload that.

[hiigaran]

No electronics, manual controls for everything and no luxury features (who needs those when they're just more things that can break)

I love this mentality. A wise man once said that perfection is achieved not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away

I have a question for you (and I suppose everyone else): What tools do you have, and with them, what do you think is the heardest thing you could do with them? Given the right tools, we can do anything, after all. Hell, I never thought I knew how to change an engine, but it was surprisingly easy, as long as you have an engine jack (from work, not at home, though). Of course, whether or not it's a quick process is a completely different story.

[shadowbolt82]

No electronics, manual controls for everything and no luxury features (who needs those when they're just more things that can break)

I love this mentality. A wise man once said that perfection is achieved not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away

I have a question for you (and I suppose everyone else): What tools do you have, and with them, what do you think is the heardest thing you could do with them? Given the right tools, we can do anything, after all. Hell, I never thought I knew how to change an engine, but it was surprisingly easy, as long as you have an engine jack (from work, not at home, though). Of course, whether or not it's a quick process is a completely different story.

I used to be all about the manual everything and simpler is better, but as I get older I don't like the thought of giving up my power windows and all the little things that make life simpler... And I love my new vehicles because I don't have to mess with them all the time. Don't have to mess with the choke or worry about bad gas. Plus my new car is stock and makes almost as much power as my old fully built engine. My 6.9L engine made 530 hp, sucked fuel like crazy, and pretty much sucked to drive unless you were on a track. New 5.0L makes 412 hp(probably more now), gets 26-28mpg highway, and it's as smooth as can be. Technology ftw I say! Until those fancy electronics start going haywire in 10 years, lol.

I love the idea of old cars with modern engines though. Would love to build something like an old Datsun 510 with a S2000 engine or something. I really like the first gen Celicas, E30 BMW's, even been looking at 80's Volvo's... Would die to get a Mk I Escort over here... If only I had money...


As for tools, I've built three engines with basic hand tools. Only specialty stuff was a torque wrench, dial indicator, cam degreeing kit, and a micrometer. Most of the work I've done on my old car was done with a simple Stanley ratchet set and Stanley wrench set. Had four engines and three transmissions in my old car, rebuilt one transmission myself after I killed it, then rebuilt it again after grenading fourth gear on track. Currently working on rebuilding my brothers WRX engine after it dropped a valve, just need funds for new parts now.

I also am starting to get together a nice collection of metal working tools. Drill press, bench grinder, welder, 14" cut off saw, etc. My last project was a home made brake duct kit. Doesn't look great, but it works!

[Luis_GT]

HP isn't everything though...

[shadowbolt82]

No it's not, but it sure is fun lol. I actually prefer a good handling car over one with massive hp... Says the guy driving a Mustang

[Luis_GT]

I was driving this for the past month






the FR-S is far more nimble... and a whole lot more comfortable... and the mustang is still the worst car I've ever owned... I would have given the 5.0 a chance... but my knees still hit the dash... and the cheap ass interior pisses me off... no offense

[hiigaran]

I used to be all about the manual everything and simpler is better, but as I get older I don't like the thought of giving up my power windows and all the little things that make life simpler... And I love my new vehicles because I don't have to mess with them all the time. Don't have to mess with the choke or worry about bad gas. Plus my new car is stock and makes almost as much power as my old fully built engine. My 6.9L engine made 530 hp, sucked fuel like crazy, and pretty much sucked to drive unless you were on a track. New 5.0L makes 412 hp(probably more now), gets 26-28mpg highway, and it's as smooth as can be. Technology ftw I say! Until those fancy electronics start going haywire in 10 years, lol.

I suppose there is a limit as to how simple things should be. Generally speaking, the fewer, the better, since less parts means less things will go wrong or require maintenance/replacement. That's why I like diesel engines. Not only do they have fewer parts, but they are built to last. They have to be, to be able to combust in the way that they do.

I suppose I would like some sort of convenience features. Personally, I don't mind a lack of an air conditioner. Just open some bloody windows. Which means I would definitely want power windows. They don't really add much weight or complexity to a car, anyway.

Of course, if you live in a place like Dubai, where temperatures reach 50 and over, you'd probably want air con.

If I did have a car, I would mod the crap out of it. Weight reduction wherever possible, and if I could make it look good, and street legal, I would totally add a tailcone. I've always been astounded at how un-aerodynamic the asses of many cars are. Station wagons are probably the worst offenders. And those fugly midget Chrysler cars. Ugh, who drives those horrid things?

I love the idea of old cars with modern engines though. Would love to build something like an old Datsun 510 with a S2000 engine or something. I really like the first gen Celicas, E30 BMW's, even been looking at 80's Volvo's... Would die to get a Mk I Escort over here... If only I had money...

You mustn't be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling!





That, my dear gearheads, is the jet engine from a helicopter. And yes, the intake is inside the car. It has a mesh guard on it, to stop anything overly large from getting sucked in, though...Like your head.

I also am starting to get together a nice collection of metal working tools. Drill press, bench grinder, welder, 14" cut off saw, etc. My last project was a home made brake duct kit. Doesn't look great, but it works!

What kind of welder? I've always wanted a MIG, but the fact that it needs gas is an absolute bitch. Gasless MIG looks enticing, though, but I've heard mixed things about the quality of the weld. Regardless, the damn things are wayyyy too expensive for me to get even from eBay. The shipping costs kill the great savings I could have had.

You know what's the great thing about tools? They can be made into other tools! I have an old drill that's in pieces (but still works, if I put it back together again), so I could quite easily re-purpose it into a drill press, if need be. I used my drill as a lathe once, to make a perfectly cut cone. In hindsight, I should have held the drill with something other than my hand, since after I was done, my hand swelled horrendously, with all the vibrations.

And with that, I shall leave you with our lord and master of tools...

[video=youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7H3hMQl2Rs[/video]

[shadowbolt82]

I was driving this for the past month


the FR-S is far more nimble... and a whole lot more comfortable... and the mustang is still the worst car I've ever owned... I would have given the 5.0 a chance... but my knees still hit the dash... and the cheap ass interior pisses me off... no offense

M3, nice! Of course the FR-S is more nimble, it's like 600 pounds lighter lol.

I've been a Mustang fanboy my whole life and I would not own a 05-10 Mustang. Only reason I got mine is because of the 5.0 and the much improved handling over the older mustangs. I hated the interior in the 05-09 cars, but they've improved it a lot since then. Still not great, but I can live with it now.