Autobahn- what's the fastest you have driven?

[Cruddy]

Depends on the conversion process Asher - a really modern diesel (<18 months) converts a lot, lot better than the older diesels.

Plus, in theory, a more dense fuel contains more energy to be liberated.

I have to agree with you that most diesels are horrible polluters - but some of the more recent ones are pretty good.

[Frankychan]

Originally posted by Provost Harrison


Serves you right for owning such a piece of sh*t...the tiniest European cars can go faster than that without batting an eyelid...

Ahhh, but unlike the majority of SUV owners, I actually go off-road with mine. That, and I can't really afford anything else right now.

[Lawrence of Arabia]

plus, you can run many diesel engines on vegetable oil.

[aaglo]

180 km/h on a Toyota Corolla -88. It was an experience I really don't want to go through again .

[Berzerker]

did your buddy of yours end up in jail with his license revoked and his car impounded?

This was back when the laws weren't so strict, I think he got hit with like a $250 ticket. When drunk driving laws became much more punitive other laws followed suit based on the same ratianale - reckless endangerment. He did this back in the 70's when you could get a slap on the wrist for being whacko

Um... wouldn't having 1/2 a piston massively damage an engine? I'm pretty sure it had a round number of pistons. I'm also fairly sure that it had an even number of them too (although You can make odd number pistons in an engine)

Sorry, I should have made that more clear. I was talking about compression. Pistons have a certain compression rating based on how much of the combustion chamber they displace. Most cars are around 8-9 compression, when you get up to 11-12 you're talking racing compression.

For example, if the piston is at its lowest point in the cylinder you will have "X" amount of empty space. Turn the crank until the piston is at its highest point and you will have less than "X" space. The ratio of space with the piston at these two points forms a ratio - 12:1 is very high meaning the piston is taking up more of the empty space as it rises in the cylinder. You can remove a spark plug and shine a light into the combustion chamber to get an idea of the compression rating. A 12.5 piston has a big visible dome on the piston whereas typical pistons are ~flat.

The problem with high compression pistons is you can ruin the valves if the timing chain jumps cuz the domed pistons will start hitting the valves. Manufacturers try to avoid that problem by making sure the valves cant hit the pistons even if the timing of the camshaft(s) and crank is disrupted. That means lower compression pistons...

Dude......You cant be serious. The guy is talking about hemispheric endings on the pistons, not how many there were. Even so, do you know any Camaro with more than a V8?

My buddies back in the auto dept at Fullerton JC were all nuts over the Z-28 302. They loved the high RPMs and had the cams and gearing set up for hauling a$$. They'd just rebuild 302's and drop 'em into anything. One guy put a 350 into a Corvair (mid-engine) and spent hours building the frame up cuz the motor kept warping it. Twas a waste of time, the car spent more time in the garage getting more metal welded onto the frame than on the road.

I had a 70 Bel Air with a 350 (piece of junk) with maybe 400 pounds of engine and tranny parts in the trunk. We'd all pile in and go 4 wheeling in the hills around Orange County. It was 2 wheel drive but I could climb hills with the best of them. The rear end would bob up and down because of the weight and we'd go right up hills many 4 wheelers couldn't handle. Those were the days

[Dis]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse


Diesel that euros use is much cleaner than NA diesel. They have different sources for it.

At least that's what I remember reading in some Sci Am article a few years ago.

it has to do with the sulfer content of diesal I believe. We have too much of it here in the U.S.

[Dis]

Originally posted by Tuberski
About 105 MPH on I-15 from Barstow to Las Vegas. In my 1988 Mazda 323.

Also drove the Virgin River Gorge in Arizona on U-15 going around 90. You have to have driven the gorge to truly understand.


ACK!

yes I've driven it.

I don't even like going 65 mph in my pickup (but it has a high center of gravity). I still can't see doing over 80, even in a car.

[Dinner]

Originally posted by Cruddy
I have to agree with you that most diesels are horrible polluters - but some of the more recent ones are pretty good.

Even the new super clean diesels won't pass smog regulations in California. 2004 was the last year you could buy a new TDI diesel for a passenger car though trucks can still get diesels since they have easier smog regs.

[Spec]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse


Where on the 13?

Right after the bridge after Montreal I stepped on it. Crossed laval in less than 3 min.

Spec.

[Thorgal]

did your buddy of yours end up in jail with his license revoked and his car impounded?

I did it in a payment motorway (AP-4 Cadiz-Seville) Police never appears over there. So, the toll costs 6 € but at least you have permission to die.

[Lawrence of Arabia]

do cops patrol toll roads in socal?

[Dis]

what are toll roads?