HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
Newsgroups: rec.autos


> >A major disadvantage that I see with the flywheel scheme is the amount
> >of time it would take to "charge" it up from zero energy.  If the
> >flyweel can provide a large amount of output power for a long time,
> >then it should take at least the same time to charge it back.  A
> >scheme where flywheel systems are interchanged at "fuel" stops could
> >alleviate this issue.

This scheme is in serious consideration, since conventional home outlets
cannot supply power fast enough for a quick charge (it is desirable to
charge an elecrtic car as fast as one can fill a gas tank, say 5
minutes).

> 
> If I were a terrorist, I would drool at the thought of being able to
> get such wonderful bombs so easily... All you'd have to do is arrange
> for the vacuum valve to be opened on command or the magnetic bearing
> to be turned off, etc.
> 
> BOOM!
> 
> -- 


One approach is to use low-mass rotors made out of fiber-based
materials. Since energy goes linear to mass, and square to rotational
speed, more energy can actually be stored this way, since the lower-mass
rotors can spin faster before breaking up.  During failure, fiber rotors
tend to disintegrate into a fairly benign "cotton candy" as Richard F.
Post from Lawrence Livermore National Labs describes it. This could be
contained in an appropriately designed housing.

The large energy-to-mass ratios that mechanical batteries can achieve
(5K - 10KW/kg) makes them very interesting. Present chemical batteries
can't come close to this.

For more information, see the IEEE Spectrum November '92 issue.

Tom
From: hhelanto@vipunen.hut.fi (Henri R Helanto)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Range Rovers using GM Parts
Date: 27 Dec 92 03:43:23 GMT
Organization: Helsinki University of Technology, Finland

In <hXW=va+@engin.umich.edu> pka@engin.umich.edu (Payman Khalili) writes:

>Is it true that early Range Rovers used some GM parts including a
>GM (Buick) 8 cylinder engine?  
>
>Is it still true today?  I'd appreciate any info about this.
>
>Thanks in advance!

	It is true. The Range Rover's engine is still based on the
	Buick 221cid V8. The engine block is aluminium (Buick used
	cast iron) and they have tuned it up a bit but it's basically
	the same engine except for intake manifold and carburators.
	(Rover used two Stromberg carburators, famous for their 
	sticky actions -> a stuck carb is no exception in a 'Range).
	
	There's a couple of other parts from GM, too, including
	the clutch, some suspension parts etc. So far I've installed
	Edelbrock carb and intake manifold (originally made for Buick),
	Bosch alternator (I bought it from local FORD dealer !) and
	Rancho shocks (originally for GM light 4x4 trucks).

	Rover's V8 is quite a nice little engine, it weighs 10 pounds
	more than Ford V6 (the european model, 2.0-3.0l) and with
	minor modifications it's excellent for serious off-road use.

-Henri
-- 
Henri Helanto - SysOp
hhelanto@vipunen.hut.fi m40176m@puukko.hut.fi
Call MyBBS (+358-0-485067/485068/485968/485918/488139, 24h) !
From: heiser@acs.bu.edu (William Heiser)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Mazda RX7: should I buy one?
Date: 3 Jan 93 18:27:18 GMT
Organization: Boston University, Boston, MA, USA

In article <1993Jan3.075544.7798@athena.mit.edu> boo@athena.mit.edu (Christopher J Foley) writes:
>Well, I'm looking to buy a used mazda RX7, in the 81-84 years, probably.

I would expect an old RX-7 like that to be very expensive to maintain.  I
think I've glanced at them when looking at other cars in Consumer Reports and
the like, and noticed that they were rated as being far above average in cost
to repair.

>you rec.auto types should sign your posts with what you drive, like we do
>over at rec.motorcylces

Ford Probe



Bill
From: hm002b@uhura.cc.rochester.edu (PRIMUS SUCKS!)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: CAMRY V6 performance numbers
Date: 25 Dec 92 06:33:15 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: University of Rochester (Rochester, NY)

In article <CARL.92Dec24151932@atlantis.Cayman.COM> carl@Cayman.COM (Carl Heinzl) writes:
>
>>"CAMRY V6 performs better then Lexus ES300, BMW525..." and some others
>>in acceleration, braking, handling etc.
>>The numbers were: .84g for handling, 8.6 for 0-60mph etc.
>
>How can the Camry V6 perform better than the Lexus ES300 when they're
>it's basically a clone.  Does it have different suspension components?
>I know that engine is identical so how can acceleration be different?

I am no expert I don't even know jack shit about the Camry but I would
assume that the Camry and Lexus ES300 do not weigh the same which could
alter the acceleration between the two. They could also be geared
differently who knows. The engine is just one part that makes up the car, I
am sure other things factor into acceleration specs. 

>
>When looking for a car I drove both the Camry and the Maxima SE and
>IMO it's no contest, the Maxima is FAR FAR ahead.  That added with the
>obnoxious attitude of toyota dealers around here made we run (not
>walk) away from several of the toyota (and lexus) showrooms.
>
>-Carl-
>--
From: carl@Cayman.COM (Carl Heinzl)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Anti-Lock Brakes makes stopping SAFER?
Date: 30 Dec 92 15:53:49 GMT
	<1992Dec29.174640.23508@progress.com> <242@io.trident.datasys.swri.edu>
Organization: Cayman Systems Inc., Cambridge, MA
In-reply-to: johns@trident.datasys.swri.edu's message of 29 Dec 92 21:14:18 GMT
bcc: carl


>  ABS moves keeping the wheels from locking, a skill most drivers are not
>  very good at, to the car/computer.  The computer detects when the wheels
>  are ABOUT to lock, most drivers aren't going to notice anything is wrong
>  until they are alreay starting to skid.  Think about it, why should you,
>  the driver, have to brake any differently just because the road is wet?
>  Isn't this something the car should deal with?  I think so.

Your lack of knowledge how ABS truely works is showing through here.

ABS waits until the whell *DOES* lock up and then, by detecting the
difference of rotational speeds of the wheels releases the brake fluid
pressure on the wheel that has stopped rotating.  It virtually
immediately (for this discussion) reapplies it, up to the point of
locking up, releases it again, etc.  There is no simple way that ABS
could tell that the whell is *ABOUT* to lock up (short of measuring
the coefficient of friction of the road at the exact contact point of
the tires and calculating the acceleration of the vehicle at each
wheel, etc...

Now, ABS systems pulse at different rates, some pulse 10 times per
second, some pulse at 100 (or several hundred) times per second).

This is also how many cars implement traction control.  They sense the
rotational speed of the wheels and when one (or more) wheels suddenly
accelerate (and the others don't) the brakes are applied to those
wheels to bring the rotational speed back to normal.

-Carl-
--
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: bqueiser@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Brian J Queiser)
Subject: Re: 1990 Audi 100 SUCKS !!!!!!!!!!!!e+10
Organization: The Ohio State University
Distribution: na
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1992 15:10:31 GMT

kenny@osf.org (Kenneth Crudup) writes:

>>But based on my 87 audi purchase I now have a "going away gift" for Audi.
>>It's a bill-of-sale with GMAC.

>Out of the frying pan, into the fire!

Skip the fire, he's gone straight to hell!
:^)

Regards,

Brian

bqueiser@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am the engineer, I can choose K.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Department of Engineering Mechanics
Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
From: tpickett@auspex.com (Tom Pickett)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Anti-Lock Brakes makes stopping SAFER?
Date: 29 Dec 92 15:29:20 GMT
Reply-To: tpickett@auspex.com (Tom Pickett)
Organization: Auspex Systems, Inc.  Engineering

In article <236@io.trident.datasys.swri.edu>, johns@trident.datasys.swri.edu 
(Stephen Johns) writes:
> I've driven cars with and without ABS, and I will NEVER own a car
> without ABS again.  Traffic and drivers in San Antonio are pretty bad
> and love to pull out in front of you.  Numerous times on wet roads, driving
> cars with no ABS, I've had people pull out in front of me REALLY close,
> many times when I hit the brakes, I went into quick, small skids, and I hate
> that feeling of not having control of the car.  (I normally keep a very good
> following distance which many jerks consider large enough to squeeze into.)
> Same situation with ABS is trivial, hit the brakes and you come to a quick,
> controlled stop, steering isn't even affected that much.  But don't stop and
> gloat, as the person behind you without ABS may be closing in fast!


I have ABS and I think I want to buy other cars with ABS.  Is that 
non-comittal enough?

So far ABS has helped in wet conditions, and my car monitors all four
wheels.  I had an experieince that disturbs me, however.

I was going downhill, around 35 - 40 mPH in the hills above Redwood City.
As I approached an intersection on a curve and on a steep hill, a person
decided to run the red light and made a left in front of me.  It was 
raining at the time.  I did what comes naturally to me -- I expected a
collision, and decided to put the car sideways into the other car.  To
do this, I applied heavy brakes and steered hard left.

Normally this would put the car into a skid sideways and would result in
lessened impact with the other car (spreads the impact over a larger 
area).  The ABS kicked in and I simply came to a stop in a half-completed
left turn.  No collision.  Seems like a good idea, but what if the car
could not have stopped in time using the ABS?

If the ABS had not been sufficient to stop me, I would have certainly
been prevented b\from using the skid to lessen the impact.  The skid
would have:

	1. scrubbed speed off from the drag produced thereby reducing
		impact.
	2. Spread the impact over a wider surface area, causing the car to
		take the impact instead of the human body.
	3. Might have allowed me to steer around the other car had they come
		to a stop, by converting the skid into forward motion allowing
		me to "drift" around the other car.

I don't know if ABS is always a good thing or not.



Tom Pickett 
tpickett@auspex.com or 74616.2237@compuserve.com
SHO  GOZE
From: cdodson@beast.cac.stratus.com (R. Craig Dodson)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: 1990 Audi 100 SUCKS !!!!!!!!!!!!e+10
Date: 22 Dec 1992 19:36:51 GMT
Organization: Stratus Computer Inc, Marlboro MA
Reply-To: cdodson@beast.cac.stratus.com
NNTP-Posting-Host: beast.cac.stratus.com

> 
> >I think the US gives Audi a bad press (oh by the way although I live in
> >Germany I am English) - it reminds me of the furore a few years ago when
> >one of your TV programmes 'discovered' that Audi 100s had a tendency to
> >surge backwards all of a sudden 'for no reason'. Apparently the problem
> >was traced to the fact that the foot pedals in the Audi were smaller than
> >standard US feet were used to, and people were stamping on the accelerator
> >rather than the brake. That 'publicity' did Audi a lot of harm in the US
> >when it was really a user problem (having big feet). I do not remember
> >hearing any similar stories in Europe (perhaps it's a matter of media
> >power?).
> 
> That's bull. It was the AUDI-5000 automatic hear and there was something
> very wrong with that car. I saw a few "special programs done" (yes,
> by the media) it was very convincing something was wrong with the car.
> So what, even if it was the peddles, THAT CAR KILLED people.


Bzzt. Wrong. We have some lovely parting gifts for you.

The National Highway and Traffic Safety Aministration later issued a several
hundred page paper absolving Audi of any claimed "problems" with the cars.
In their words, the cause of the problem - "pedal misapplication".  In every
case, the brakes of the wrecked Audi were found to be in perfect working order.
Now, if you've ever been in a powerful rear wheel drive car you may have
at one time or another applied the brakes and the gas at the same time.
You may have noticed that although the rear tires were turning into large
smoke generators, the locked front tires held the car in place. Now I ask,
how is a 100hp front drive Audi going to overcome the braking force
of all 4 tires and suddenly accelerate out of control. 

Answer: it isn't.

Another classic case of poor driving skills, greedy lawyers and shoddy
TV journalism.

Craig Dodson
cdodson@beast.cac.stratus.com
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: matmcinn@nuscc.nus.sg (Brett McInnes)
Subject: Re: Are you evil? {impurity test}
Organization: National University of Singapore
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL4
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1992 05:52:28 GMT

: triley@weber.ucsd.edu (Tristan Riley) writes:
: : 
: : you're not evil, you're just a craven elitist asshole.  "a rabble of
: : Los Angelinos"?  i'd love the chance to fuck up your new mazda big
: : time.
: : 
: : riley
: Aren't you looking for alt.sex.autos?		
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: sheinfel@ssd.comm.mot.com (Aviad Sheinfeld)
Subject: Laforza - What is it?
Organization: Motorola
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1992 12:58:09 GMT


On the way to work I saw a black Pathfinder/Cherokee/Blazer type
thing.  It was solid black, with only the word Laforza on the
front, rear, and all four wheels, and "5 liter" on the rear right.

No other markings.  What is this?!

Thanks,
Aviad
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: twba3@isuvax.iastate.edu
Subject: Want to buy a sporty car under $15000
Reply-To: twba3@isuvax.iastate.edu
Organization: Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
Date: Sat, 26 Dec 1992 05:42:33 GMT

I need advice for a sporty car(new) under $15000 with automatic 
transmission, A/C, Stereo. Don't consider any 2 seaters. 
Please send personal mail to me since I don't read this newsgroup very often.

Thank you for your help.

Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: GLIVINSKIDK%DFYC@pcmail.usafa.af.mil (Darren K. Glivinski)
Subject: Nerf Bars for 91 ranger XLT!
Keywords: nerf bars ranger xlt 91
Organization: United States Air Force Academy
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1992 23:14:13 GMT

Has anyone installed nerf bars for a 91 ford ranger xlt?  If so what brand, 
how much did they cost, and how did you get around the E-Brake on the 
drivers side?

Scary situation!
Darren
From: Larry.Mc.Donald@ofa123.fidonet.org
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: volvo
X-Sender: newtout 0.02 Nov 17 1992
Date: 22 Dec 92  11:42:04


 > 1. the 240 series has remained essentially unchanged for over
 > 20 years, starting from the 140-series i think from the late
 > 1960's.  it is available in sedan and wagon form.  and having
 > driven a 240, I can assure you it is a tank.  The engine is the
 > classic Volvo four-cylinder:  absolutely bulletproof but
 > underpowered, and Volvo scrapped the turbo 240 series years
 > ago.  The 240 can be had for just under $20K, although with
 > used models you don't really sacrifice much quality at all, and you
 > get a reasonable price.

 Here's a good trivia point for the net. I've read, some years 
 ago, that the Checker Cab was the longest running production car 
 ever built, at 26 years in production.  The Volvo 140 came out in 
 1967 and with the 1993 model year has tied the Checker for 
 longest production. Suppose that Volvo doesn't kill the 240 this 
 year and comes out with a 1994 model? I'll then be longest run 
 car. I wonder if Volvo would want that distinction if they 
 realised it was coming? Personally, I won't buy any new Volvo but 
 the 240. In fact, we're going out today to look at a new one.




... Larry.Mc.Donald, N6ZMB, Fullerton, California!  <cough, cough>
___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.10

--- Maximus 2.01wb
Xref: sparky rec.autos:30395 rec.autos.tech:17105
From: iseman@ravel.udel.edu (Stephen Early)
Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.autos.tech
Subject: Re: Car Insurance
Date: 23 Dec 92 15:05:09 GMT
Organization: University of Delaware

>Darcy,
>	You might look into coverages provided by Erie Insurance Co.
>and USAA.  Please heed the advice of another correspondent in this
>thread and drop unneeded coverages like medical, uninsured, tow
                                                  ^^^^^^^^^^
>truck, along with raising deductables.
>

Last time I checked, uninsured coverage is required by law in all states.  
I also caution you against going overboard with "unneeded" coverages.  One
example, towing adds $4.79 to my 6 month policy.  IMHO saving 5 bucks is not
worth dropping the towing.  Unneeded coverages are only unneeded if you 
personally don't want to pay for them.

Steve
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: bhjelle@carina.unm.edu ()
Subject: Re: Before Buying Japanese.
Date: Fri, 01 Jan 93 23:21:17 GMT
Organization: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque

In article <184751@pyramid.pyramid.com> lstowell@pyrnova.pyramid.com.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell) writes:
>>
>>
>   And anyone who thinks the Japanese cars are big stuff obviously
>   hasn't driven some of the 92 and 93 American cars yet.  
>
>   Of course I seriously doubt if we would HAVE the Taurus, Seville
>   STS, or Mark VIII if it WEREN'T for the Japanese competition.  
>
So what has Detroit produced to compete with the Corolla, the Civic,
and the Integra, for those of us who happen to give a shit about
the environment and want to get better MPG? And, while we're
at it, for those of us who don't care to pay $25-50K for our
next car?

Last time I checked  -about 1 year ago-  there was only the Saturn,
a loss-leader that can't possibly continue to operate in its
present configuration (ie, losing $1000s per car manufactured).

Brian
From: tut@cairo.Eng.Sun.COM (Bill "Bill" Tuthill)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Subaru Legacy??
Date: 22 Dec 1992 22:41:32 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems Inc., Mountain View, CA
Distribution: na
NNTP-Posting-Host: cairo

paul@eye.com (Paul B. Booth) writes:
>
> I've never understood the lukewarm reception the Legacy seems to always
> get.  In the company you mention (Accord/Taurus/Camry), the Legacy IMHO,
> is clearly equal or superior to the rest...
> The AWD system on the Legacy
> is meant more to improve on-road handling in _all_ weather, ala the Audi
> Quattro or even the Porsche 911 C4...

In today's news reports about Isuzu abandoning the US passenger car market,
there is speculation that Subaru and Alfa Romeo will be next.  There were
even rumors that Volkswagon could quit the US market by the end of decade.
The cars themselves seem to bear this out.  In my view, any manufacturer
that continues delivering motorized seatbelts with no airbag in a product
costing over $12k does not take the US market seriously.

As far as AWD goes, my opinion is that it's not worth it.  The principal
handling problem on snow and ice is braking, and AWD does not help there.
AWD might provide marginal traction advantages under some conditions, but
it lowers performance and fuel economy, and is just another thing to go
wrong.  For off-road driving and snow plowing, you need high clearance
and low range, which Audi/Subaru/Porsche don't provide.  In short, either
get ABS to help stop under bad conditions, or get a serious 4WD vehicle
such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee or Ford Explorer.
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: WHAT GM to buy???  THANK YOU ALL!!!
From: oberland@vax.sonoma.edu
Date: 22 Dec 92 01:35:25 -0800
Organization: Sonoma State University

THANK YOU ALL!

I ahve received a flood of mail and good opinions.
My all-around best choice would be a Regal with the 3800 engine, but
money is a concern, and simmilar vehicles are made by olds and chevy.
The simmilar car by olds costs 2-3 K less, and the chevy 4K.
As far as she is concerned, the same car.

120hp or so is okay by her.
I believe the 3300 GM engine is v-6 and does about that.  Good reliability, and
fantastic gas mileage, considering the weight of the car.

Thanks again.

I NOW have to leave and get this information to her, as I am going down to S.
Cal for a month.
As a result, your mail MAY get through(sys here is GONE dec 24-Jan4), but I
will be off until mid-January.

Happy Hollidays,
Joe
From: cthurrot@pearl.tufts.edu (MUST'VE TAKEN A WRONG TURN AT ALBERQUERQUE)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Saturn's Allegedly "Noisy" Engine
Date: 25 Dec 92 02:36:00 GMT
Followup-To: rec.autos
Organization: Tufts University - Medford, MA
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41

In article <1992Dec21.193304.23085@cbnewsd.cb.att.com>, hhm@cbnewsd.cb.att.com (herschel.h.mayo) writes...
> 
>From what I've gathered from owners, and my own experience and other
>sources is that the problem with Saturn's engine noise is a myth 
>created by car rag testers who were pressed to find anything bad  to
>report about it. It seems that once something like this is started,
>it is like a self perpetuating feeding frenzy. I drove one, and I
>didn't notice anything unusual about the engine noise. But I guess
>once this sort of thing gets started, everybody probably test drives
>one with ear cocked listening. Maybe I'm going deaf. Any other opinions
>from people who have shopped around?
> 
> 
>                                           Larry Mayo
My '93 SL2 is nice and quiet at speeds up to 85 (the fastest I've driven it so
far).  Engine noise only comes into play on hard accelleration or sudden down
shifts (if you are slow on the clutch, no problem).  Very happy with the car
and the company so far.  Oh, yeah, gradual acceleration from 50-80 is no
problem
-CHris
From: dtg@wvnvms.wvnet.edu
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Tempos and Loyales, Info needed
Date: 25 Dec 92 18:39:19 GMT
Organization: West Virginia Network for Educational Telecomputing

I'm in the market for a 4 WD car with a good bit of space.  I would like some
input on the Ford Tempo ('85, 24K mi).

Also, I noticed a Subaru called the Loyale??  It's like a mini-wagon type of
car.  I'd never heard of it before.  Anyone know anything about these???

I am unexpectly having to get a car in the very near future (like a week and a
half) and saw these models in a dealer's lot during my first tour.

Thanks
Dave
Send replies to:
grasso@cards.com
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: sheinfel@ssd.comm.mot.com (Aviad Sheinfeld)
Subject: Re: Laforza - What is it?
Organization: Motorola LMPS
Date: Sat, 2 Jan 1993 17:08:27 GMT
Keywords: n

Schaumburg, IL (right near Motorola World HQ), and now that it's snowing again,
that 4WD will come in handy...

Aviad

Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: sharen@iscnvx.lmsc.lockheed.com (Sharen A. Rund)
Subject: Re: Hot wheels/ Matchbox predjudiced against american cars?
Organization: Lockheed Missiles and Space Co.
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 92 21:23:38 GMT

In article <1hafgcINN8kp@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu> co940@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Nicholas E. Damato) writes:
>
>I had a lousey experience x-mas shopping,
>I tried to buy some Hot Wheels and matchbox cars for a friend
>and a nephew. I cound't find any decent american cars to save
>my life? Toyotas, miatas, BMWs, Mercedies, rangerovcers, ferrari
>lamborghini, porche, ? sure great, i did find a corvette  and a       
>Chevy Stock car, I was looking for Mustangs and related American
>Muscle...
> 
>Am I getting that old? or is there a problem here?...
>anyone have similar experience?
> 
>ned.
> 
>p.s. no VW's either...

don't know where you were looking, but I saw a number of them, at 
the local K-mart & Target stores - there were stock American cars,
hot-rods, etc

-- 
________________       __        ________________   "They that can give up
\_________      \     /_ \      /      _________/  essential liberty to 
 \_________      \_____/  \____/      _________/  obtain temporary safety
  \___________________      __________________/  deserve neither liberty 
                     /______\                   nor safety."  
ALL disclaimers apply ....                           --Benjamin Franklin