HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
Organization: Central Michigan University
Date: Monday, 12 Oct 1992 22:25:23 EDT
From: John Foster <32HNBAK@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU>
Newsgroups: rec.autos.tech
Subject: Re: 4w disc brakes
Distribution: na

The high cost is attributed to how the car companies build
the new ABS braking system components.  With the ABS system
the pads, rotors, boots, etc., are all throw away parts which
all have to be replaced when anything is wrong with the brakes,
(or just replaced), or whichever of the four brakes is fouling up.

The kind of car would be helpful, but a Corvette with the ABS
system, 4 wheel disc, to replace can cost up to $2500.  That is
how expensive the new ABS brake system is to replace.  One way
to alleviate the cost of new brakes is to try and NOT engage
the ABS so it has to work very hard.  By driving hard, that is,
braking hard, the ABS system works harder and the result is more
wear on the brakes/brake-related parts.

So, the price might seem high but that's what comes with new
technology.  It certainly will come down in the years to come,
as more cars have ABS and replacing ABS brakes becomes more
common place, but until then expect to pay quite a bit more
than for non-ABS brakes.

John
From: paraska@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Pete Paraska)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.tech
Subject: Re: Datsun 280Z V8 Conversion
Date: 14 Oct 92 12:14:09 GMT
Organization: David Taylor Model Basin

In article <s=ppyn#@dixie.com> jgd@dixie.com (John De Armond) writes:

>1)	Get the book on V-8 conversions from "Jags that Run" and follow all the 
>	instructions to a tee.  Don't even consider doing it unless you are 
>	willing to do the work to set the engine back against the firewall.

The title of the book is "DATSUN Z V-8 CONVERSION MANUAL".  Definitely worth 
the $39.95 I paid.  The address is:
                        Jaguars That Run
                        P.O. Box 66
                        Livermore, CA 94550
I agree with John.  To keep the fore-aft weight distribution near stock, you 
must install the V-8 against the firewall.  The book above shows you an easy 
and cheap method of doing so, among other complete instructions for the 
conversion and the in's and out's of the component selections.  I'm doing 
this conversion myself to a 240Z.  Email me (paraska@oasys.dt.navy.mil) if 
you like.

>
>2) Join the Z-car mailing list (z-car-request@dixie.com) and ask questions
>	of others who are doing the same thing.

Do it!  Lots of great stuff here.

>
>	John
>-- 
>John De Armond, WD4OQC               |Interested in high performance mobility?  
>Performance Engineering Magazine (TM) |
>Marietta, Ga                         |Interested in high tech and computers? 
>jgd@dixie.com                        |Write me about PE Magazine
>Need Usenet public Access in Atlanta?  Write Me for info on Dixie.com.
|////////////////////////////////////////////////|
| Pete Paraska       (paraska@oasys.dt.navy.mil) |
| David Taylor Model Basin, CARDEROCKDIV         |
|\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\|
From: cf947@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Chun-Hung Wan)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Opinions on VW Golf GTI 16V
Date: 13 Oct 1992 06:27:47 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
Reply-To: cf947@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Chun-Hung Wan)
NNTP-Posting-Host: hela.ins.cwru.edu


In a previous article, ryo@oakhill.sps.mot.com (Ryo Inoue) says:

>I am considering the purchase of a 1992 Golf GTI 16V.
>I have test driven it, but wanted to know more about it.
>Any advice on this car's reliability and fair price ?
>The car would be bought brand new from a dealer.
>
>Thanks,
>Ryo Inoue
>
>
If I were you, I would wait.  The new Golfs' will be coming out early next
year.  Although the new 16v engine for the new Golf is not out yet, I have
heard that it is soon going to be completed.  If you cannot wait, I'd
recommend either the Nissan NX 2000, or the Mazda MX-3 GS.  They are newer
and more up to date as opposed to the mk 2 Golf which is already a couple
of years old.  If you can stretch your budget, the Corrado SLC is
definatley worth considering!
-- 
A motion picture major at the Brooks Institute of Photography, CA
Santa Barbara and a foreign student from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

"The mind is the forerunner of all states."
From: jim@mwhhlaw (James P. Cavanaugh III)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Leaded gas and older engines
Date: 8 Oct 92 12:22:03 GMT
Organization: Martin Wade Hartley & Hollingsworth

In article <1av8omINNa1a@bigboote.WPI.EDU> walkerr@bigwpi.WPI.EDU  
(Robert A Walker) writes:
> In article <1992Oct7.164916.712@netcom.com> geoff@netcom.com  
(Geoffrey Leach) writes:
> >Here in California, leaded gas is no longer available.
> >So what does one do if the car's engine is designed for leaded  
(i.e., 
> >the old "regular")?
> >
> >Seems like there are three options:
> >
> >	Use unleaded regular
> >	Use unleaded premium
> >	Add "Lead substitue" to unleaded.
> >
> >Any opinions?  Any other options?
> 
> 	Rip off the heads and have hardened valve seats added.  I  
believe the
> purpose of the lead was to lubricate the valve seats so they wouldn't
> wear down, so with hardened valve seats they won't wear down and you  
can use
> unleaded gas.
>                                        Bob
	Up until a couple of years ago, I used a 66 Fury III as a daily  
driver, and did a lot of reading on the leaded/unleaded debate.  Here  
is what I came up with:  Lead does indeed lubricate the valves.   
However, unless you are really loading the engine, unleaded gas should  
be just fine.  If you are going to tow a trailer, drive through  
mountains or do some sustained high speed driving, add some lead  
substitute.  Otherwise, under normal driving, your valves will do fine.   
And even if they don't, the money you save by not buying enough lead  
additive to satisfy a 12 mpg car, you have paid for the valve job after  
a couple of years anyway.  If you replace valves and seats now, the  
shop just throws yours away when they're parfectly good.  You may as  
well use them up and wear them out first. (and you may not have to  
replace them at all).
	I put 40000 miles on my Plymouth (318 V8) over 2 1/2 years and  
never noticed any performance degradation from valve recession.  I  
would pour in the additive before any long highway trips because I  
usually drove it at 70-75 mph.  Otherwise, I used unleaded of the  
octane that made the car happiest (premium, in my case).

Jim Cavanaugh
From: hhd0@newshost.gte.com (Horace Dediu)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Exotic Cars
Date: 13 Oct 92 20:10:46 GMT
Organization: GTE Laboratories, Waltham, MA

In article <1992Oct13.170657.4149@scott.skidmore.edu>, wwein@scott.skidmore.edu (warren wein) writes:
|> 
|> 	How about taking a trip to South Hampton, NY.  Last time I was
|> there I saw a two Ferrari 308s.  One in blue the other in red.  A 328.
|> A Lamborghini Coutach and an Acura NSX.  Then there was the green
|> Lotus Esprit.  THat was all in the same day!
|> 
|> 
|> 
|> -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|> "In no sense.  Nonsense?" AON
|> wwein@skidmore.edu
|> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hah!

In front of a certain nightclub in Boston, the valets managed to stack bumper-
to-bumper:
1 Testarossa (a nice red one with multi-colored leather steering wheel--funky)
2 308 (red + black)
1 348ts (red, oh, so red)
1 928 (black)
1 500SL (Right-hand drive!, manual tranny)
1 500SL (left-hand drive, auto)
1 Esprit turbo (white)
1 NSX (black)
and assorted Porsches and BMW of lesser stature.  This was one night's collection.

I also saw a 500E there once.

This club happens to be frequented exclusively by undergraduate students of the 
local schools.


-- 
Horace Dediu                                                  GTE Laboratories
(617) 466-4111                                                40 Sylvan Road
Internet: hdediu@gte.com                                      Waltham, MA 02254
Newsgroups: rec.autos,nj.misc
From: RZAA80@email.sps.mot.com (Jim Chott)
Subject: Re: calibrating speedometer
Organization: Motorola SPS
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 9 Oct 1992 17:35:02 GMT

In article <Oct.8.18.16.22.1992.16730@tastesgreat.rutgers.edu>, boubez@tastesgreat.rutgers.edu (Toufic Boubez) writes:
> 
> 
> Hi. This is regarding a speeding ticket that I'm planning to fight (check
> out the posting in nj.misc for details). I figured it might be a good idea
> to certify that my speedometer is properly calibrated, so that I won't get
> hit with the "our-speedometers-are-accurate-can-you-be-sure-of-yours"
> routine. Has anyone attempted to do that? How and where do I get it done?
> Thanks.
> 

As part of a 4WD club where members are always changing tire sizes and also
affecting speedometer/odometer accuracy, there is a rough way to check 
it.  The highways here in Arizona have mile markers on them.  

Method 1:  Time yourself between mile markers for several miles until you are
doing a mile per minute, 60mph, and see what the speedometer reads.

Method 2:  Note odometer mileage at a given mile marker.  Drive 10 miles and
see what your odometer reads.  The difference will be in percent off:

        (Odometer miles/mile marker miles)*100

If the odometer shows more mileage, your speedometer is the given percent fast.
If the odometer shows less mileage, your speedometer is the given percent slow.

This isn't perfectly accurate, but will give you a really good idea where you
are.

Jim
From: smorris@sumax.seattleu.edu (Steven A. Morris)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Paint on Chrysler's LH(Last Hope) models
Date: 8 Oct 92 22:57:41 GMT
Organization: Addiction Studies Program, Seattle University

In article <7740229@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM> bruno@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM (Bruno Melli) writes:
>>         I read that the piston problem was traced to an assembly error
>> in the new engine.  What you did not note is that it affected about
>> 1500 cars, none of which was in customer hands yet.


The first several thousand LH cars were sold to rental fleets.
Chrysler did this so that the first cars road problems would not upset
retail customers.  The rental companies are in a better position to
serve as a testing ground without damaging the reputation of
reliability of the cars.

Also, Chrysler owns several rental car companies, so it is a natural
place to send the first production models.   


-- 
Steve Morris, M.A.    : Internet: smorris@sumax.seattleu.edu
Addiction Studies Pgm : uucp    :{uw-beaver,uunet!gtenmc!dataio}!sumax!smorris
Seattle University    : Phone   : (206) 296-5350 (dept) or 296-5351 (direct)
Seattle, WA 98122_____:________________________________________________________
From: bense@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Ron Bense)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Two articles on seat belts
Date: 14 Oct 92 21:40:54 GMT
Reply-To: bense@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Ronald Bense)
Organization: Carderock Division, NSWC, Bethesda, MD

In rec.autos, walkerr@bigwpi.WPI.EDU (Robert A Walker) writes:

>Try driving a Jeep and see how long it is until the place were the seat
>belts bolt to the floor rusts through or until they break, but your right

In older Volvo 240s, the entire seat can rust out. Nice thought.

>BAN PICKUPS AND VANS,  NO way,  Your much safer in a pick up or a van than
>a little rice burning Jap car.  When I drive I like to have some serious
>metal around me just in case.  Comes in handy when the drunk guy that goes
>head on with you is driving a honda or a nissan or a Geo Metro

If both are the same, you even out. When one is much larger or heavier
than the other, the larger one generally wins out (but not always)

Oh, and a camaro that does 180? Right! Not a stock part on it except
the name plate, if it is actually safe to drive at that speed. The stock
ones are unsafe at 110. (was that a comet?)

>        I like to wear my seatbelt, but I think that if someone hits you
>weather or not your wearing your seatbelt then they should pay for it.

depends on whether your injuries were caused by lack of your seat belt
and whether they were negligent. (This is under the modified laws that
we were discussing earlier.)

>How about making drunk driving laws stricter, as in not letting people
>leave bars drunk, since this is a major cause of fatal accidents, much
>more so than someone just being stupid.  Also what about all the air

How about revoking your liscense for life, sort of like they do in Germany?

>bags and stuff, how about an air bag that fills the whole interior of
>the car, that way the person is engulfed in a cushion of air bags and
>really couldn't get hurt.  Now that sounds liek fun.

They are already doing that, but an air bag doesn't gaurantee you to
come out safely. (I think Volvo, Porsche, and MB are working on side
air bags.)

Ron                          Think about this one (seen on a bumper sticker):
			     The road to hell is bumper-to-bumper
			     Make a U-turn to God.
The irony is priceless.
From: darling@cellar.org (Thomas Darling)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Im going to be sick...
Date: 8 Oct 92 19:23:53 GMT
Organization: The Cellar BBS and public access system

nau@ssesco.com (William Nau) writes:

> In article <DP00RB4w164w@cellar.org>, blu@cellar.org (Dan Reed) writes:
> 
> |> In (todays) USA today (Oct, 7th) on page 3A, there is a small article, "No
> |> Foreign Cars".
> |> 
> |> Drivers of foreign-made cars in the Flint. Mich., beware.  Begeining Monda
> |> only US made cars will be allowed in the City Hall Basement garage.  Flint
> |> Mayor Woodrow Stanley said he issued the order to send a message to buy 
> |> American.
> 
> I really find this hard to believe (not calling you a liar).  If this is
> true, it can't last.  It violates some basic civic (no pun intended) rights.

Believe it; it was reported on CNN Headline News as well.  And yes, it looks
pretty damn unconstitutional -- not to mention pathetic -- doesn't it?

^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^\\\^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~
Thomas A. Darling \\\ Fact HQ Studio * record production * dance re-mixing
darling@cellar.org \\\ music for film * The Cellar BBS:215/654-9184 * FACT
v~v~v~v~v~v~v~v~v~v~\\\~v~v~v~v~v~v~v~v~v~v~v~v~v~v~v~v~v~v~v~v~v~v~v~v~v~
From: brad@buck.viewlogic.com (Bradford Kellogg)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: ingnorant question...
Date: 15 Oct 92 20:18:04 GMT
Article-I.D.: viewlogi.1992Oct15.201804.28960
Organization: Viewlogic Systems, Inc.
Originator: brad@buck


In article <1992Oct15.150308.3709@iscnvx.lmsc.lockheed.com>, sharen@iscnvx.lmsc.lockheed.com (Sharen A. Rund) writes:
|> In article <1992Oct14.201020.21727@viewlogic.com> brad@buck.viewlogic.com (Bradford Kellogg) writes:
|> >
|> >|> In article 1bgk57INNql2@agate.berkeley.edu, shyguy@ocf.berkeley.edu (David S. Shy) writes:
|> >|> >
|> >|> >Why is it that in places where it snows, that salt is spread over it?  
|> >|> >I realize that it prevents the snow from forming, but how?
|> >|> >
|> >Salt is white, so when the snowflakes see white stuff on the road, they 
|> >are fooled into thinking there is snow already there, and don't form any 
|> >more of it.
|> 
|> take an ice cube, pour some salt on it, watch what happens....
|> 
[stuff deleted]
|> 
|> BTW - the only ignorant (or dumb) question is the one you don't ask....
|> 
Okay, to be serious here, there is a chemical reaction that takes place
which, in effect, lowers the freezing point of water. It has to do with
molecular structure and the process of crystalization. Salt is effective
at keeping water liquid only to a point, however, after which it freezes 
solid anyway. 

Ciao 
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: bob@ncube.com (Bob Kehoe)
Subject: '93 318i Test
Organization: nCUBE Computers, Beaverton, Oregon, U.S.A.
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1992 22:38:59 GMT

I know some folks anxiously awaiting my report on this car.
Just picked it up today for this week's test (maybe a little
longer, depending on circumstances).

'93 BMW 318i 4-door, 5 speed.  I don't yet have a copy of
the Maroni, but my first hunch is that this is just about
the bottom of the line model.  Absolutely no frills or extras,
right down to the fact it has HUBCAPS!  I think the last time
I saw hubbies on a BMW was an early 70's 2002.  I did find a
note in the glovebox that suggested the delivered price of this
particular model was a bit above $23K.  

And no, I haven't had a 325i yet.  I'll keep you posted.

bob

Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: jwg@iedv7.acd.com ( Jim Grey )
Subject: Re: subtle question on Nissan ALTIMA
Keywords: stanza altima
Organization: Applied Computing Devices, Inc., Terre Haute IN
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1992 13:14:42 GMT

In article <1992Oct12.193208.19149@tandem.com> norcott_bill@tandem.com  (Bill Norcott) writes:
>In article <5369@sumax.seattleu.edu>, smorris@sumax.seattleu.edu (Steven A. Morris) writes:
>|> Does the new ALTIMA have a small badge on the rear that says STANZA ?
>
> [deletia]
>Nissan has taken such a beating in the market place the last couple of
>years, they want to have it both ways.  For people who never bought
>a Stanza, the Altima is advertised as an all new car.  For people who
>owned a Stanza and liked it, the name is there.  For people who bought
>a Stanza and hated it, they have already lost them as customers.
>
>-- 
>---------------------------------------------------------------------|
>Bill Norcott			GUARDIAN POSIX project
>Tandem Computers, Inc.		
>10600 N. Tantau Avenue		PHONE:  (408) 285-3253
>Cupertino, CA   95014		EMAIL: norcott_bill@tandem.com
>
>


Not according to, I think, Car and Driver, which said that the tiny, tiny
Stanza badge has something to do with the pain in the butt of introducing
a whole new model.  I don't get it; other car companies do it all the time.
But Nissan is just strange.  Anywho, the car is *officially* the
Stanza Altima, but you won't see any ads that call it that, and the
Nissan salesgeeks sure won't call it that either.  You're supposed to think
of it as just the Altima.
 
Nissan is just weird.
 
jim grey
jwg@acd4.acd.com
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: barrett@terminus.gatech.edu (James Barrett)
Subject: Maxda Protege -- 60,000 mile tuneup
Organization: Georgia Tech College of Computing
Date: Sun, 11 Oct 1992 03:07:04 GMT

I'm in need of a 60,000 mile tune-up on my 1990 Mazda Protege.
Anyone have any idea how much $ or time this should take?
I also need to replace the timing belt.  How long should that
take and cost?  I suppose I'm more interested in how much time
I should be billed for, since the hourly rate will obviously
vary by mechanic and I can check that easily.

Thanks very much!!!
(BTW - I just bought a Miata.  Thanks for all the info from
 other Miata owners.  Anyone have the phone number/address
 for the owner's club?)

------------------OS/2 v2.0 -- Why settle for anything less?--------------------
James C. Barrett (barrett@cc.gatech.edu)|"If your so damned smart, why are
Georgia Tech College of Computing       |  you doing what you're doing, and I'm
                                        |  president of the U.S.?" - G.Bush
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: rvkl60@aus18a25.sps.mot.com (Tom Mathes)
Subject: Re: Petro Jelly on terminals
Organization: Motorola Inc, Austin, Texas
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1992 20:06:43 GMT

In article <41762@gremlin.nrtc.northrop.com> jslee@nrtc.nrtc.northrop.com (John Lee) writes:
>
>Dielectric means it does not conduct electricity, else when you use
>this stuff on spark plug leads wouldn't the spark current travel down
>the greased boot to ground rather than go through the center conductor?
>I think a current-carrying grease would spoil the entire arrangement
>here as far as the ignition system is concerned.
>
>JSLee

Huh?  This makes no sense.  You WANT the grease to conduct current,
else with it there, you won't have a decent electrical contact between
the internal boot connector and the spark plug external contact.  You'll
just get arcing between the boot connection and the plug, with the
final results being a misfiring engine.

As for petro jelly on battery contacts, I've used it for over 15 years
on 3 different cars with wonderful results.  I used it on cars that were
older and newer, and in conditions that were freezing to blistering hot
with no ill effects.  I've also found that white lithium grease, used
for general purpose lubing, also works well.

Tom
From: dougger@ERC.MsState.Edu (Douglas Meyer)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Grand Cherokee and Explorer info wanted
Date: 8 Oct 92 17:14:22 GMT
Article-I.D.: corazon.DOUGGER.92Oct8111422
Distribution: usa
Organization: /home3/dougger/.organization


Hi everyone!

I'm in the process of deciding on a new vehicle, specifically an SUV.
I have narrowed my choices down to the Jeep Grand Cherokee (inline 6,
probably the Lorado package with a few additions, like the towing
package, dark tinted glass, skid plates, etc.) or the Ford Explorer
(V6, probably the XLT package with similar additions).

Unlike some that perceive SUV's as up-end yuppie trucks for commuting,
I will be doing some moderate off-roading from time to time, although
it will primarily be used as a city/highway vehicle, and for the
typical carting of lumber or furniture or whatever.

I've read several posts on the split versus solid axle issues, and
heard a lot about Ford's twin I-beam and traction beam suspensions.  I
also have all the standard brochures, the Road&Track report, and have
read a few other reviews on both.  (Next month, Consumer Reports comes
out with a comparison of 4 or 5 SUVs including Jeep and Ford.)

Is there any information that you folks can offer to help me come to a
final conclusion on these two vehicles?  Information that I would be
specifically interested in are things like:

What are the invoice prices for the two, and their options? (Does
somebody have this data (and would they please be willing to share it)
so I don't have to shell out the $20+ for consumer reports?)

What _major_ components on each are purchased or manufactured in
foreign lands (eg. Is the Jeep running Mitsubishi electonics and
engine?) 

Where would the torque/hp peaks be preferrable?  For the Jeep they are
4000/4750 rpm respectively, on the Ford 4500/2200 rpm.

How much of a plus is it to have an open differential between front
and rear axles?  (Or conversely, how limiting is it to NOT have the
open differential?)


Thanks for any and all information!!! I really appreciate it!!

--
Douglas Brent Meyer
Research Assistant
Engineering Research Center for Computational Field Simulation
Box 6176
Mississippi State, MS  39759
                                    "In short, there are three things
Office: (601)-325-2477               that last:  faith, hope and love; 
FAX:    (601)-325-7692               and the greatest of these is love."

E-Mail Address:  dougger@erc.msstate.edu
From: hhtra@usho21.hou281.chevron.com (T.M.Haddock)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Im going to be sick...
Date: 7 Oct 92 23:32:57 GMT
Organization: Chevron

In article <DP00RB4w164w@cellar.org>, blu@cellar.org (Dan Reed) writes:
|> In (todays) USA today (Oct, 7th) on page 3A, there is a small article, "No 
|> Foreign Cars".
|> 
|> Drivers of foreign-made cars in the Flint. Mich., beware.  Begeining Monday 
|> only US made cars will be allowed in the City Hall Basement garage.  Flint 
|> Mayor Woodrow Stanley said he issued the order to send a message to buy 
|> American.  And he says he might designate other city lots for US only cars.  
|> General Motors is the city's largest employer with 50,000 local workers, 
|> whose taxes, Satnley says, help pay city workers' salaries.
|> 
|> (reprinted without perm.  All typos-gram errors be mine.)

  Didn't the labor unions themselves try this about 5 or 6 years ago?

  The GM plant in Arlington, Texas has lots of foreign makes in it.