|
lazer_chicken posted:This is fantastic. When I saw the first picture I thought those were valve reliefs in the piston and my first response was "where's the failure?" I'm amazed how consistent they are and that none of them punched straight through the piston. The 300zx TT engine (bottom and top ends) can support up to around 550whp safely before you have to start making internal upgrades. I've driven a 500hp 300zx and anything higher is really out of control. You can only fit 285's in the rear before you have to do over-fenders or body mods and 285s break loose through at least third over 500hp.
|
#
?
Jul 9, 2011 04:21
|
|
|
|
| # ? Apr 25, 2024 02:49 |
|
|
dissss posted:GM has European operations too making a roughly comparable range of cars to Ford. GM tried this; the Astra flopped big time, up against relatively ho-hum competition from the other domestic compact offerings ('05-07 facelift Focus and the Caliber.) e: and it also had GMs other compact offerings (Cobalt/G5 and HHR) to compete against. Geoj fucked around with this message at 06:20 on Jul 9, 2011 |
|
#
?
Jul 9, 2011 06:18
|
|
|
Geoj posted:GM tried this; the Astra flopped big time, up against relatively ho-hum competition from the other domestic compact offerings ('05-07 facelift Focus and the Caliber.) That isn't the cars fault though, its how it was positioned and marketed.
|
|
#
?
Jul 9, 2011 07:49
|
|
|
lazer_chicken posted:This is fantastic. When I saw the first picture I thought those were valve reliefs in the piston and my first response was "where's the failure?" I'm amazed how consistent they are and that none of them punched straight through the piston. It's a mild distraction engine, not a full interference.
|
|
#
?
Jul 9, 2011 10:41
|
|
|
Vanagoon posted:If we're going to hate on Ford for reliability issues it must again be mentioned that the Taurus' Automatic Transmission sucked harder than several overlapping black holes. The terrible quality continues with the Fiesta's automatic, apparently it has a high rate of total failure along with a lot of computer glitches. My friend ended up with a Fiesta auto for a 2-month long internship, last I talked to him he was trying to get the rental agency to take it back because the transmission was having issues and he didn't want to get stranded in the middle of the desert. His parents owned a Windstar, so to him it was just another Ford fulfilling it's destiny as a piece of poo poo.
|
|
#
?
Jul 9, 2011 11:17
|
|
|
My god, what the hell did that car hit to put a huge divot in the tire and tear up the suspension that bad, yet have no apparent rim damage?Paul Boz_ posted:Mr Piston, meet Miss Valves. grover fucked around with this message at 14:18 on Jul 9, 2011 |
|
#
?
Jul 9, 2011 14:16
|
|
|
Not as bad as you would think. He uploaded new pics last night.
|
|
#
?
Jul 9, 2011 15:08
|
|
|
Holy poo poo that's impressive. Bet either they're not true anymore or the valve guides are hosed. Or that Neitczhe was right with respect to everything I've ever learned about the robustness of engines. That it was an illusion.
|
|
#
?
Jul 9, 2011 15:35
|
|
|
Geoj posted:GM tried this; the Astra flopped big time, up against relatively ho-hum competition from the other domestic compact offerings ('05-07 facelift Focus and the Caliber.) The Astra failed because it was a captive import with the terrible pricing that implies. The Astra got very good reviews. Quality-wise, it was certainly competitive, even with Honda/Toyota. The problem was that it cost two thousand dollars more than a Fit, three thousand more than a Focus, and almost six thousand dollars more than a Yaris. No one pays a $6,000 premium for the precision manufacturing and prestige of a GM product, regardless of European engineering. Economy cars as captive imports are a terrible business plan. Price points are higher in Europe, and this justifies high manufacturing costs. It's not possible to break even on economy cars imported from UK/France/Germany. It's been tried again and again, by all three domestics, and it has never worked. (Unless you count CAFE loss leaders as "working." I don't.) For the modern Focus/Fiesta, Ford is using European platforms, but they will be manufactured here. Ditto for the Buick Regal. Only the first couple model years will be imported. Notorious b.s.d. fucked around with this message at 18:20 on Jul 9, 2011 |
|
#
?
Jul 9, 2011 18:15
|
|
|
Empty Threats posted:
Costing more than a Yaris isn't a problem. The Astra is a much larger car than a Yaris or Fit. The Yaris has a 1.6l 100hp engine and drum brakes, of course it's cheaper. it's the same size as a VW Golf and about the same price. Of course relatively speaking almost no one buys the VW Golf, either, that's just because Americans aren't interested in hatchbacks.
|
|
#
?
Jul 9, 2011 20:31
|
|
|
Vanagoon posted:If we're going to hate on Ford for reliability issues it must again be mentioned that the Taurus' Automatic Transmission sucked harder than several overlapping black holes. The Taurus I've got (1999, i think it has the AX4S) had to have major transmission work a few years ago (it was my mom's at the time) because it eventually decided it liked first gear too much to wanna upshift. And so it got fixed and now the car's mine. The gearbox is kinda quirky* but for the most part it runs just fine. ...But now you've made me really wanna have the transmission fluid changed. * Wikipedia posted:Failure of the "Neutral to Drive Accumulator" causes hard shifts into a drive gear (R, OD, D, 1) from "N" or "P". This can become quite violent. Reasons for this part's failure: Piston stuck, or seals or springs damaged or missing. Correction for this problem: Check these parts for damage. Replace as required (located inside the transaxle, recommended that a transmission shop do the repair, but a full rebuild of the transaxle is NOT required).
|
|
#
?
Jul 9, 2011 22:11
|
|
|
Paul Boz_ posted:Mr Piston, meet Miss Valves. My heart stopped for a second, I was worried it my be yours 
|
|
#
?
Jul 9, 2011 22:34
|
|
|
grover posted:My god, what the hell did that car hit to put a huge divot in the tire and tear up the suspension that bad, yet have no apparent rim damage?
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2011 01:46
|
|
|
Throatwarbler posted:Of course relatively speaking almost no one buys the VW Golf, either, that's just because Americans aren't interested in hatchbacks. But that Astra was available as a sedan in other markets too. It was just a positioning and pricing stuff up all around.
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2011 02:48
|
|
|
grover posted:It's not just an Italian thing, I've taken shits in trains like this in the US, too. No attempt to hide it, no flush lever, just a poop chute- you can look down and see the ties going past. Bizarre that it could still be legal. That's likely a shower. The toilets go into a tank, but in the showers you can see the tracks fly by underneath you in the "drain." I've showered at 80mph, how about you? 
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2011 03:07
|
|
|
Throatwarbler posted:Costing more than a Yaris isn't a problem. The Astra is a much larger car than a Yaris or Fit. The Yaris has a 1.6l 100hp engine and drum brakes, of course it's cheaper. it's the same size as a VW Golf and about the same price. How much money does it save a manufacturer to use drum brakes in the rear over 4 wheel disc? I've always wondered this since drum brakes are so much more of a hassle to work on than disc and seem to have 5x as many parts.
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2011 03:26
|
|
|
Hillridge posted:I've always wondered this since drum brakes are so much more of a hassle to work on than disc and seem to have 5x as many parts. They're just as easy to do as discs as long as you have the right tools (which are cheap). It's usually more stamped pieces vs. cast pieces which is cheaper, requires less machining, and they're just as reliable and powerful as discs for every day driving. If anything I would ask why modern non-performance cars even bother with disc front brakes. e: Actually I wouldn't be surprised if drums are more powerful until you get into heat fade since they usually have more swept area and are somewhat self-assiting.
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2011 03:39
|
|
|
dissss posted:But that Astra was available as a sedan in other markets too. Calling it a Saturn in NA didn't help.
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2011 03:48
|
|
|
Lowclock posted:They're just as easy to do as discs as long as you have the right tools (which are cheap). It's usually more stamped pieces vs. cast pieces which is cheaper, requires less machining, and they're just as reliable and powerful as discs for every day driving. If anything I would ask why modern non-performance cars even bother with disc front brakes. Also rear drums are easier to handle parking brake with. In addition to everything Lowclock mentioned.
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2011 03:49
|
|
|
Breast Pussy posted:good side Is that the loving subframe?
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2011 05:04
|
|
|
Empty Threats posted:The Astra failed because it was a captive import with the terrible pricing that implies. I would point out this line from that article; quote:This arrangement is usually made to increase the competitiveness of the domestic brand by filling a perceived target market not currently served by its model lineup GM didn't exactly have a market gap that the Astra filled. If they had axed the Cobalt/G5/Ion and replaced it with an Astra-based model it may have worked. Even within the Saturn marque it still had to compete against the Ion, not to mention GM's other offerings. Their old business model that had their internal divisions competing against each other probably did the car in more than anything else.
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2011 06:18
|
|
|
Two Ton 21 posted:Is that the loving subframe? yup
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2011 06:24
|
|
|
Geoj posted:I would point out this line from that article; That body style Astra was introduced in 2004, so by the time it made it to the US in 2008 it only had 2 more model years of production left in any case, and the plant in Belgium that made them was being shuttered. The current body style Astra is confirmed to be coming to the US as a Buick. It is already sold as a Buick Excelle in China as both a sedan and hatch. Press Release(PDF)   
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2011 06:54
|
|
|
Throatwarbler posted:The current body style Astra is confirmed to be coming to the US as a Buick. It is already sold as a Buick Excelle in China as both a sedan and hatch. Isn't that pretty much already sold here as the Cruze?
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2011 08:34
|
|
|
kimbo305 posted:Isn't that pretty much already sold here as the Cruze? Sure, but Cruze is down to 138hp. The Buick will have the 177hp 2.4l engine available, so it will be at least as powerful as the old 1990s Cavalier Z24 with the Quad 4. They are even saying the range topper Buick might even bring back the 2.0l turbo. Throatwarbler fucked around with this message at 08:54 on Jul 10, 2011 |
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2011 08:52
|
|
|
Phy posted:You could almost certainly build a Bridge-Toilet-Evacuate-Holdoff system that'd work pretty well. Have a "this is a loving bridge" broadcaster ahead of each problem bridge, and a sensor in each loco that could send a "CLOSE TOILET DUMP VALVE" signal to each car with a crapper. The problem would be, would it be cheaper than just straight-up building sewage tanks into human-carrying cars? I think it would be far more economical to have a lever to close the valve that is activated by a strategically placed pole. You know basic mechanics vs complex electronics and all. Then again, I don't know how "uneconomical" it is to add a storage tank. It's like, a tub of plastic.
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2011 13:55
|
|
|
Lowclock posted:They're just as easy to do as discs as long as you have the right tools (which are cheap). It's usually more stamped pieces vs. cast pieces which is cheaper, requires less machining, and they're just as reliable and powerful as discs for every day driving. If anything I would ask why modern non-performance cars even bother with disc front brakes. You can look at the history of racing to know why cars use disc brakes. Mercedes v Jaguar back in the 50s most specifically. The SLR used huge inboard shaft-linked drums that were bigger than the 16" wheels, but Jaguar who had a less powerful motor, invented the disc brakes that were smaller, lighter, more powerful, more reliable, and encountered less wear during the endurance races like Le Mans. As a result of later, more powerful braking Jaguar started winning races and pushed the Mercedes to its limits. Then at Le Mans a Merc couldn't stop fast enough and launched an Aston-Healy into the crowd. It was the worst accident ever in racing, and Mercedes quit motorsports for like 25 years after that. So I suppose car companues probably have a decent reason to use disc brakes as the primary brake on cars.
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2011 14:10
|
|
|
Jaguar even used to have a rear badge to indicate the presence of disc brakes, just so other drivers would be advised to keep their distance. And that Merc incident led to motorsports being altogether banned in Switzerland for 55 years.
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2011 15:29
|
|
|
Production drum brakes are almost always lighter than their disc counterparts. This is talking rears since only large machines use front drum brakes anymore. Drums do a terrible job at rejecting heat from the unit, and its a mostly unrecoverable problem. You can't have an emergency brake on a multi-piston caliper, so either put a second mechanically operated one(as massive waste of weight since there's not really anything short of a real race car or Veyron (stopping from top speed repeatedly) that would need more than a rear single piston sliding caliper. BMW M5s have the same simple calipers for the front and weigh a shitload, no AP or Brembo equipped. They're nice to look at and even Brembo units are lighter than some normal iron single piston units, but an aluminum Brembo with a second caliper and associated pads and knuckle tabs, etc versus just a single caliper? Disk brakes self-clean, reject heat very well, automatically adjust, are easier to service, and safer when compromised by water. Drums have that nasty tendency to hydroplane inside when the interior is in contact with water. DJ Commie fucked around with this message at 16:48 on Jul 10, 2011 |
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2011 16:46
|
|
|
DJ Commie posted:Disk brakes self-clean, reject heat very well, I think the word you are looking for here is 'dissipate'. If brakes rejected heat, they wouldn't work very well, since they function by converting kinetic energy into heat (said heat being mostly absorbed (not rejected) by the brake rotor or drum) via friction. After the heat is absorbed, then it needs to be dissipated into the surrounding air from the rotor.
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2011 18:10
|
|
|
The Locator posted:I think the word you are looking for here is 'dissipate'. Hooooooly poo poo pedantic much?
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2011 20:25
|
|
|
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2011 23:10
|
|
|
NOTinuyasha posted:GM: We make strong U-Joints.
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2011 23:15
|
|
EVERYWHERE 
|
NOTinuyasha posted:sweet rake on that
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2011 23:33
|
|
|
Breast Pussy posted:sweet rake on that Somewhere, someone is looking at this and going "Yeah, that'd look awesome if it wasn't damaged."
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2011 23:51
|
|
|
Lowclock posted:They're just as easy to do as discs as long as you have the right tools (which are cheap). It's usually more stamped pieces vs. cast pieces which is cheaper, requires less machining, and they're just as reliable and powerful as discs for every day driving. If anything I would ask why modern non-performance cars even bother with disc front brakes. I *HAVE* driven cars with front drum brakes, unlike almost everyone else here. And not on a freeway. Oh I do remember the brake fade, the much longer stopping distances, the maintenance issues, the increased unsprung weight, the decreased stopping power and... I'm happy to continue if you need more explaination. So yeah, I would say any car maker that puts on front drums would get the worlds biggest liability suit for making their cars deliberatly and wilfully unsafer.
|
|
#
?
Jul 10, 2011 23:52
|
|
|
New drivers should be probated to driving under powered, 4 wheel drum brake cars for a considerable amount of time. I loved my bug but god drat if that thing didn't make you think ahead in terms of acceleration and deceleration. And those brakes weren't even that bad considering the car weighed the same as a grapefruit. Hot day? Slow the gently caress down. Heavy traffic? Move over, stop tailing and slow the gently caress down. Cold day? Slow the gently caress down. Did the sun come up today? Slow the gently caress down. Did you REALLY want to go there? Just take the bus. You're too stupid to drive.
|
|
#
?
Jul 11, 2011 00:03
|
|
|
IOwnCalculus posted:Somewhere, someone is looking at this and going "Yeah, that'd look awesome if it wasn't damaged." it looks like one of the old hot wheels cars where you flipped the back wheels down and slipped some plastic drag slicks over them to look badass
|
|
#
?
Jul 11, 2011 00:09
|
|
|
Front drum brakes are fun when they get wet
|
|
#
?
Jul 11, 2011 00:16
|
|
|
|
| # ? Apr 25, 2024 02:49 |
|
|
Cat Terrist posted:I *HAVE* driven cars with front drum brakes, unlike almost everyone else here. And not on a freeway. Oh I do remember the brake fade, the much longer stopping distances, the maintenance issues, the increased unsprung weight, the decreased stopping power and... Yes, please continue explaining why drums are inferior for racing, which everyone including me has already said.
|
|
#
?
Jul 11, 2011 00:17
|
|