HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: mikes@tellabs.com (Michael D. Schwartz)
Subject: Re: Gatorback tires
Organization: Tellabs, Lisle,IL
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1992 23:51:56 GMT

In article <1992Nov19.224232.10640%jim.uucp@wupost.wustl.edu> mike%jim.uucp@wupost.wustl.edu (Mike S.) writes:
>Anyone tried BFG Comp T/A VR4's?  I have heard good things about them,
>in wet, rain, and snow.  Not all that many bucks either.

Got a set of 225/60R15's on my SHO. Compared to the 215/65R15 Eagle GT+4's that were stock, they
- ride better
- provide more grip (they are wider)
- are quieter
- are excellent in the rain
- were cheaper ($130 ea. for Eagles, $102 ea. for VR4s from Tire Rack).

Haven't had a chance to try them in the snow yet. I'd recommend them. A co-worker is equally happy
with the Yokohama AVS U+4's that he put on his SHO.
-- 
-

------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Schwartz     **    
Tellabs, Inc.     **   
Lisle, IL         **  
------------------------------------------------------------------
From: aas7@po.CWRU.Edu (Andrew A. Spencer)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Fast Japanese Sports Cars
Date: 19 Nov 1992 06:17:31 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
Reply-To: aas7@po.CWRU.Edu (Andrew A. Spencer)
NNTP-Posting-Host: slc5.ins.cwru.edu


In a previous article, chmilar@Apple.COM (Michael Chmilar) says:

>In a nutshell:
>
>3000 VR-4:  Ugly, ugly, and ugly.  Did I forget to mention:  it is U-G-L-Y?
>            It gets my vote for grossest car of the '90's.  Whoever did the
>            styling on this thing should be killed.
agreed!!but better than the stealth..chrysler gets the uglier of mitsu's twins.
but neither is great styling..look like they were thrown together..
>
>RX-7:       Brutal.  Some of the light weight is acheived by flimsy
>            construction.  Check out:  Entire interior, door latches, inside
>            of the wheel wells.  This is a $34,000 car?  If you drive on
>            rough roads, make sure your health insurance covers rehabilitating
>            bruised kidneys.  Looks nice and aggressive, but the R1 has
>            that cheesy, ugly spoiler.  With the combo of stiff suspension
>            and flimsy construction, it may well shake itself to pieces in
>            a few years.  These cars are not selling well, so you can
>            probably name your price for one.

they're ok lookswise...but the olde ones werew better..shouldn't screwed
with them...
>
>300ZX:      Refined.  Elegant.  Best styling job that Japanese designers
>            have ever done.  Also, goes like stink, and handles well.  Best
>            interior too.  Control placement is nearly perfect, and quality
>            is high.
well..i wouldn't praise this one the same..but i would love to shake the
hand of the design team..one of the only restyleds i've seen lately that
acutally improved over the old one...the 300 is a work of art...beauty
defined...
IMHO..glad to see someone else agrees w/me!
DREW
-- 
??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
?????????????????????????????????-----whatever!
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: cs386122@ucs.usl.edu (Mejia Pablo J.)
Subject: Re: Slick 50 in aluminum engine?
Organization: Univ. of Southwestern La., Lafayette
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 03:29:11 GMT

>
>In a previous article, rteasdal@polyslo.csc.calpoly.edu (Rusty) says:
>
>>	Okay, auto.wizards, ponder this one:

   << detail stuff about car deleted >>

>>
>>	However, I had a conversation over the weekend which gave me
>>pause. I spoke with a man who was a former Toyota service manager,
>>now retired, who claims that Slick 50 and other such treatments are
>>largely useless in engines with aluminum block and heads (such as
>>mine), apocryphally because of surface treating applied to the metal
>>surfaces to prevent heat damage. I was skeptical, but he was quite
>>insistent, claiming to have seen a study by the SAE or some such.
>>
>>	Any comment? Sounds like bullshit to me. I mean, PTFE does
>>wet aluminum frying plans quite nicely...
>>

     Hmmmm.....

   Have you considered that the main difference PTFE additives make
 is between the bearings and the bearing surfaces??  Your crank, cam,
 connecting rods, lifter gear, timing gears & chain, etc. are all made
 of steel.  The bearings are all made of bearing metal.  This is just
 the same as in a cast iron block.  The only possible difference is if
 you do NOT have sleeved cylinders, i.e. your pistons/rings are in direct
 contact with the block.  I don't know offhand of any unsleeved alum.
 blocks, but I could be wrong.

  Also, all cast iron blocks have aluminum pistons.  PTFE seems to adhere
 to the just fine.

  Just use Occam's razor on the problem.  Are you worried about lubricating
 the sides of your block, or the metal/metal contact areas???

  Just my $2/100 worth.......


                  Allen
From: dcg@mogun.UUCP (David Gunsul)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Ethanol blended gasoline
Date: 23 Nov 92 01:21:16 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Hotrods `R' Us, Montgomery, IL

In article <1992Nov18.185812.15475@mnemosyne.cs.du.edu>, sborders@nyx.cs.du.edu (Scott Borders) writes:
> dcg@mogun.UUCP (David Gunsul) writes:
> 
> 
> >Ahh, well maintained classics huh?
> >What about a 75-81 car that has been hotrodded?
> 
> Hmmm, I hadn't considered that.  Are we talking about a car that sees
> regular street use, or one mostly driven at races/events for hotrods?

Regular street use and/or weekend, sunny day driving.



> I'll grant you this:  before any governing body forms legislation on
> this subject, it will have to think long and hard about how to word
> it so the junkers go, but the 'rods and muscle cars that owners take
> care of are given consideration.

You have just spelled out the whole problem, the govt. ISN'T wording 
these bills to protect the special interest cars at all.

This is why I'm so, how shall I put this, high strung about this subject. :-)



> What are you driving, anyway?

I'm driving a 77 Camaro (get the picture) but not for long.
These eco-policies are getting so bad that I'm going to sell my pride and joy
and get a 67, 68, or 69 Camaro.
Preferably one that's not running so I can throw in a big block. :^)



> >You seem reasonable (so far) but I will reserve my final judgement
> >until you answer my question above.
> 
> Well, it's only sorta answered (that's the best I can do given the
> information available).

Well, I have to say I apologize.
I'm just so used to hearing everyone against cars all the time
(especially here) that I don't expect to find someone with an open
mind.
         

>Besides, I'm the epitome of reason :-).

:^)


> Scott Borders
> sborders@nyx.cs.du.edu
> borders_scott@tandem.com

                      
                                          
                     
                     |                    
                     | David Gunsul       
                     | dcg@mogun.uucp      
                     |------------------------------------------------
                     |  It's amazing what $2,500 worth of big block
                     |  will do to $60,000 worth of high technology.
From: c23st@kocrsv01.delcoelect.com (Spiros Triantafyllopoulos)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Whining about buying American cars
Date: 20 Nov 92 15:18:52 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Delco Electronics Corp.

In article <1992Nov20.134043.16084@bnr.ca> dclayton@bnr.ca (Don Clayton) writes:
>|> >Let's drag it out into the sunlight.  You'd rather help feed a kid from
>|> >Detroit than a kid from Tsutsumi.  Is this not racism?
>|> 
>|> No, it's patriotism.
>
>Which is a far more dangerous problem than racism.

[Semi-cute Canadian flag rendition deleted]

And your flag display is not patriotic, right? 





-- 
Spiros Triantafyllopoulos                    c23st@kocrsv01.delcoelect.com
Software Technology, Delco Electronics       (317) 451-0815
GM Hughes Electronics, Kokomo, IN 46904      [A Different Kind of Disclaimer]
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: alanlevy@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu (Alan Levy)
Subject: What do you think about Grand AM?
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1992 01:11:26 GMT

I am looking to possibly purchase a 1993 Pont. Grand AM GT.

I was wondering what people think about the Grand AM GT and if anyone
has had any problems with this type of car.

I am just looking for some feedback.

Thanks a lot

Alan Levy
alevy@uiuc.edu
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: tedebear@leland.Stanford.EDU (Theodore Chen)
Subject: Re: Dealer List/Cost-Max SE/XGE-Camry LE-Volvo Gl 4dr
Organization: DSG, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 92 08:17:20 GMT

In article <lgltkhINNscu@exodus.Eng.Sun.COM> tut@cairo.Eng.Sun.COM (Bill "Bill" Tuthill) writes:
>Have you looked at the Volvo 850 GLE?  I'd agree that it's not in
>the same class as the Maxima and Camry-- it's at least one class
>above.  It has a 5 cylinder DOHC engine that delivers 168 HP, but
>still gets 22/30 EPA mileage (manual).

you mean the 850 GLT?  i'm not aware of a GLE version - the GLT is
intended to be a sporty sedan (well, as sporty as volvo can get).
it bases at $24,450 which is rather higher than the maxima and the
camry.

-teddy
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: zenith89@bcarh1eb.bnr.ca (Chris VanFleet)
Subject: Re: Ford Crown Vic Police Package
Reply-To: zenith89@bcarh1eb.bnr.ca ()
Organization: Bell-Northern Research, Ltd., Ottawa, CANADA
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 92 13:08:22 GMT

In article <uznerk.722203461@mcl> uznerk@mcl.ucsb.edu (Andrew Krenz) writes:
>I just saw this in an "all Ford" magazine and found it pretty amazing.
>It showed a picture of a CHP Crown Vic, fully decked out in CHP trim, with
>a Paxton Supercharger installed on it.  The car is the Old style Crown Vic,
>not the new one, so it had a 351W engine in it.  The amazing thing is, the
>article said that before the supercharger was installed, the Crown Vic
>took 16.6 (!) seconds to hit 60mph.  What a joke!  Even after the blower
>was installed, the car still took like 9.9 seconds to go 0-60.  In my mind,

Something is wrong here pal. I have an 85 Crown Vic with a 302 & a 2 BBL
carb, and this old piggy can go 0-60 MPH in 9.5 sec. Sounds like there are
some seriously restrictive emission controls on the one you read about!
...CPV
From: smith@ctron.com (Lawrence C Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Fast Japanese Sports Cars
Date: 23 Nov 92 18:23:58 GMT
Reply-To: smith@ctron.com
Distribution: na
Organization: Cabletron Systems, Inc.

In article <1992Nov22.231222.17960@bnr.ca>, dclayton@bnr.ca (Don Clayton) writes:
>In article <By4ysJ.3zo@news.cso.uiuc.edu>, cka52397@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Slartibartfast) writes:
>|> In article <1992Nov21.220007.25756@csi.uottawa.ca> kiisaka@csi.uottawa.ca (Ken Iisaka (the mad pianist)) writes:
>|> >Oh, shut up and get a Honda NSX.  End of discussion.
>|>                        ^^^^^^^^^

>|> 	If you're gonna spend that much, wait a while and get a Viper.

>Oh, give me a break.  I'd take the NSX over that beast any time.  

Nah.  If you've got that kind of money to burn, get yourself a Corvette ZR-1.
The build quality is probably not as good, but there is a certain amount of
fun in leaving NSX's spinning in your wake...

Or, you could get an older 'vette, and get yourself a decent mechanic and
an old 454 and build yourself a "Big Doggie" ZR-2, as reported by Car and
Driver.  "When challenged, Big Doggie leaves behind the traditional calling
card of the American muscle car - two long strips of black rubber..."  You'll
even have enough money left over to buy a nice Lumina.

Actually, given a choice of almost any sports car on the market, I'd take
a standard, LT1 Corvette convertible.  For under $40K you can own an open-
topped American classic that corners like a slot car and has enough power
for virtually anyone. And it _still_ looks better than most of the competition.
Only the Testarossa has the presence and panache, at almost five times the
price, and it's _not_ a convertible!

The NSX is an amazing tour-de-force, and I'm sure there is a market for it,
but it just isn't a real car.  To me, it seems somehow too delicate - and
certainly too expensive - to be _fun_.  Corvettes don't mind getting dirty.

Larry Smith (smith@ctron.com)  No, I don't speak for Cabletron.  Need you ask?
-
Liberty is not the freedom to do whatever we want,
it is the freedom to do whatever we are able.
From: aas7@po.CWRU.Edu (Andrew A. Spencer)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Stick VS Auto.
Date: 18 Nov 1992 06:34:26 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
Reply-To: aas7@po.CWRU.Edu (Andrew A. Spencer)
NNTP-Posting-Host: slc5.ins.cwru.edu


In a previous article, mshar@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Mike Mshar) says:

>> mjarvi@vipunen.hut.fi (Mikko I J{rvi) writes:
>
>>    If a completely normal human doesnt learn how to drive whit stick in
>> 15 min. he/she is an IDIOT. So what is the problem in US of A ??
>> 
>> P.S Am I the only one who is annoyed from the lack of engine brakeing while
>>     driveing automatic?
>
>Well, did you ever try using the D2 and D1 positions on an automatic?? It
>appears not. If you shift into low gear at 40 mph or so, believe me, you
>will get all the engine braking you need.
>
>As to learning stick, yes it is simple. I learned in a 1982 Chevy half ton
>with a COLUMN shift and mechanical clutch. Even with these incredibly

WHOA!!..i took my first column shift spin in a 68 ford....geez!..only stalled
it twice..couldn't find the damn friction point!..but..after a block, i was
shifting like a Pro(well..ok..good enuff to drive in traffic!)..i kinda regret
not buying it...had a cammed out 302, 4barrel, stick(i'dda dropped the ol'
column thing REAL quick!) nice interior..real nice truck..the man who owned
it claimed to be able to top the speedo at any time...that was 120..(though
this doesn't mean it'd do 120, the speedo claimed it'd top that)....black..
it was a sweet truck..too bad it got shit for mpg, and i needed that!..*sigh*
DREW
>unmanagable items, it still only took me about a day to learn how to drive
>the thing well. That is why it sometimes annoys me when people brag about
>how they are such good drivers because they can drive a manual. Especially
>if that manual has a nice, easy to shift five speed and a feather-touch
>hydraulic clutch. When they can manipulate a column shift three speed in
>heavy traffic, then they can brag.  :-)
>
>Mike
>-- 
>|       Michael G. Mshar        | My Life-Long Goal: To keep common sense    |
>|   mmshar@mn.ecn.purdue.edu    | alive and keep the idiots from taking over.|
>|  mshar@mentor.cc.purdue.edu   |     \\President, Nice Guys Anonymous//     |
>|____>>> United States Steel, Mechanical Engineer, Technical Services <<<____|
>
-- 
??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
?????????????????????????????????-----whatever!
From: JLW109@psuvm.psu.edu
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Handling Improvements? / Tire Recommendations?
Date: 18 Nov 92 16:21:35 GMT
Article-I.D.: psuvm.92323.112135JLW109
Organization: Penn State University

I have a '92 Integra GS-R and was wondering what kind of things I could
to it to improve the handling (without voiding the warranty).  I love
the car.  It has plenty of power and rides wonderful.  I autocrossed it
once (last race of the season and I had to try it or I would have regretted
it all winter) and for being my first time it went really well.  Does
anybody have the address or know a contact person at Mugen (Hondas
motorsport division)?  I think they are in Calif.

The next question is about tires.  The Integra came with Michelin XGT V4
195/60 V 14.  In short, they suck.  They have no traction in the snow and
on dry pavement, they lose traction at the drop of a hat.  Does anybody
have any suggestions for new all season tires that will work well?

Thanks,
Jason Williams

e-mail: will22@eetsg22.bd.psu.edu
phone: (814) 898-6499
From: jtchew@csa3.lbl.gov (Ad absurdum per aspera)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Safety inspections (was Re: Raising the limit)
Date: 19 Nov 1992 09:33 PST
Organization: Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory - Berkeley, CA, USA
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: 128.3.254.198
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    

>Are you saying that the US doesn't have such a system?

Safety inspections are mandated, if at all, by the individual States.
I don't have a tally but my feeling is that a majority of states do
not have them.  The American highway features a lot of marginal cars
and a few that look like studio props for "Mad Max IV."  You might
pick up this month's Car and Driver for some horrifying anecdotes
about American *police* cars and then extrapolate to what the private
citizen might be driving.  This is reinforced by walking through any
big parking lot and looking for deceased taillights, tires with the
steel fibers sticking out, cracked windshields that are one stone-hit
away from disaster, etc.  

Any attempts to rectify this situation meet with great public outcry
on the basis that our society is so car-dependent and so devoid of 
public transportation that shoveling the junk off the road or compelling
expensive repairs would leave poor people stranded.  The mindset is that
anything which can be jump-started in the morning and coaxed into a 
forward gear may be driven down the expressway as fast as it can go.

Large commercial vehicles, especially passenger-carrying ones, are
usually subject to more-stringent requirements, but the inspectors are
overwhelmed and the operators, pinched by an ever-more-competitive
business atmosphere, are inclined to cut corners on maintenance.

Emissions checks are more prevalent, but again are done on a state-by-
state basis.  Tighter regional standards are on their way as well. A
number of states have no emissions checks whatsoever.

Happy motoring,
--Joe
"Just another personal opinion from the People's Republic of Berkeley"
Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.autos.driving
From: cka52397@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Slartibartfast)
Subject: Re: CONSUMER REPORTS
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1992 08:43:04 GMT

[Stuff about underdog not liking US-built Japanese cars accidently deleted]

>>of vehicles suck.  American-assembled Japanese cars have creaks, squeaks,
>>and rattles, but Japanese-assembled Japanese cars are as solid as a,
>>well, an Integra.  (Yes, I drive an American-assembled "Japanese"
>>car.  I wanted to give an American a job, so sue me.  Yeah.  I hate

	If Mr Chen is hypocritical by doing what he is doing, then, you by
by your own standards are doubly so...  I mean, If he likes US cars so much
why doesn't he have one, right, well If you dislike US built cars of any
"origin" then, why the hell do you own one?  You don't have the right to,
according to your own logic.  GET OFF YOUR HIGH HORSE.
-- 
"The Clergy Dazzle us with Heaven or they Damn us into Hell"  Billy Bragg!!!!!
IIIII  L    L    IIIII NNNNN IIIII   Chintan Amin c-amin1@uiuc.edu DEPT of E.E.
  I    L    L      I   N   N   I   RUSH	YES FLOYD METALLICA PEARLJAM REM PG
IIIII  LLLL LLLL IIIII N   N IIIII   GO TARHEELS  GO CAPITALS GO COWBOYS
From: aas7@po.CWRU.Edu (Andrew A. Spencer)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Experiences with Pickups
Date: 19 Nov 1992 06:34:02 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
Reply-To: aas7@po.CWRU.Edu (Andrew A. Spencer)
NNTP-Posting-Host: slc5.ins.cwru.edu


In a previous article, serafin@epcot.spdc.ti.com (Mike Serafin) says:

>>>I had a 1983 full size Blazer diesel.  Not quite a pick-up but close.  I was
>>>satisfied with the Detroit Diesel that GM is using in their trucks.
>>
>>I think that you're stretching a bit to call the GM 6.2L diesel a "Detroit
>>Diesel", but I may be wrong.  It doesn't have much in common with any
>>Detroit I've ever seen.
>
>I'll agree they didn't have much in common with the big Detroits, but this was
>GM's big selling point back in those days.  Had to distinguish it from the
>REALLY crappy converted Olds engines.
>
heard about an interesting twist on the really crappy olds converts..seems a
chap converted anolds diesel to run on gas...was very reliable, thanx to the
extra beef given for the diesel(that still didn't help..)..but they make a 
helluva conversion to gasoline!(so i've heard..)
DREW
-- 
??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
?????????????????????????????????-----whatever!
From: uznerk@mcl.ucsb.edu (Andrew Krenz)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Intrepid and Ozone A/C (was Re: Whining about buying American cars)
Date: 16 Nov 92 21:41:02 GMT
Article-I.D.: mcl.uznerk.721950062

Heres an interesting one.  A friend back at home has an '89 s15 Jimmy.  He
had to take it in to have the freon recharged because the A/C wasn't getting
cold enough.  He says that the dealer filled it with the "new ozone safe"
stuff.  His A/C quite frankly sucks now, doesn't get very cold at all.
My question is, can you really put the "new" freon in an older type a/c
system and still get the same cooling effect?

|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Andrew Krenz       | Visit          | Chevy Caprice 9C1 Police Pkg |
| uznerk@mcl.ucsb.edu| Beautiful      | Bad Boys Bad Boys...         |
| UC Santa Barbara   | Isla Vista, CA | What ya gonna do...?         |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------|
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: issa@cwis.unomaha.edu (Issa El-Hazin)
Subject: Re: Japanese Full Size Trucks
Organization: University of Nebraska at Omaha
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 20:32:48 GMT

alan@lancaster.nsc.com (The Hepburn) writes:

>In article <issa.722401405@cwis>, issa@cwis.unomaha.edu (Issa El-Hazin) writes:
>|> 
>|> The four-wheel drive half-ton with five-speed transmission has 1,550 pounds 
>|> standard payload capacity. The two-wheel drive one-ton can handle up to 2,550 
>|> pounds.  Towing capacity is 5,000 pounds for the two-wheel drive half-ton, and 
>|> 4,500 pounds for the four-wheel drive.
>|> 
>If those figures are supposed to impress truck owners, then they leave a lot
>to be desired.  A 1 ton rated truck that can only handle 2550 lb is next to
>useless.  A 1 ton should have a GVWR of at least 10,000 lb or it has no right
>calling itself a 1 ton. 

I wasn't talking about the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The 2550-pounds
is the standard payload capacity. 6,000lbs is the GVWR for the 1 ton T100.
Nobody is claiming that the T100 can't use more power. Hence, Toyota is already
thinking of upgrading the engine.  The T100 is not competing with the F350
full-size pickup.  It was said, 60% of truck owners want something like the 
T100 (mid-size, full-bed, and a good ride and quality for daily use).

>|> The base price of the T100 is $13,998.
>|> The base price for the T100 SR5 is $15,718, the price for the top of the line
>|> SR5 is ~$19,639 (equipped with options of cruise control, aluminum wheels,
>|> air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, tachometer, power windows and door 
>|> locks, interval wipers, chrome front and rear bumpers and an incredible AM/FM
>|> stereo with compact disc player that turns the cabin into rolling head phones.
>|> 
>|> 

>In 1990 I paid about $19K for an F350 Crew Cab with dual wheels, diesel engine,
>E4OD auto transmission, and most of the options you list.  I have a GVWR of 
>10,000 lb and am rated to tow a fifth wheel up to 12,500 lb.  I can have up to
>6 adults sit in comfort in the cab for long trips, and get over 12mpg while
>pulling my 11,000 lb fifth wheel.  Mileage around town with no load is over 18
>mpg.  Tell me which is the better truck...


If I want a car ride and Camry/Lexus quality in a smaller truck, I would
go for the T100. 


>-- 
>Alan Hepburn           "An ignorant person is one who doesn't know
>National Semiconductor       what you have just found out."
>Santa Clara, Ca              
>alan@berlioz.nsc.com                              Will Rogers


Issa