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Response

Some of this week's Letters to AutoSpeed!

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Re Venting Boost

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In regard to the "Venting Boost" articles Venting Boost, Part 1 and Venting Boost, Part 2... I'm a little confused as to how come the turbo does not over-speed.If the turbo wastegate is set to hold, say, 7psi and we're venting boost, won't the wastegate close and the speed of the turbo increase continually? This aside, great articles - the "venting boost" articles solve a problem I was thinking about recently.

Lindsay Young
New Zealand

Very good point – yes, you can expect the turbo to spin faster with this approach.

Bring on the Falcon Mods!

Congratulations, Julian, on the purchase of your Ford EF Futura - Car Crazies, Part 2. As a Ford owner myself (a tinkered-with ED Fairmont and an ED XR8 Sprint), I'll be following the project with much interest! If you're after some ideas, head to www.fordmods.com.au. There's a very vocal and knowledgeable group of Ford enthusiasts there that will gladly help you with any problems you have - and maybe you'll get some ideas there! Looking forward to where this project car heads.

Jared Wuthrich
Australia

Philosophical Agreement #1

Re Turbocharging Philosophies - good points about sizing turbos to provide power and torque throughout the useable range (as opposed to just up top for "bragging rights"). I have a variable vane geometry Aerodyne Aerocharger on a 1.6-litre Miata (aka MX-5) and it begins boost at about 2000 rpm and hits max boost at 4300 rpm. No great shakes to run "only" 10 psi, but it comes on early and makes the car really scamper. The variable vane design also means there is no wastegate, so spool-up is quicker though top-end is perhaps a touch lower. Special oil also has to be added since it is not on engine lube. Keep up the fantastic work and applying speed in the real world - not just the numbers on paper.

Boris Kort-Packard
USA

Philosophical Agreement #2

I absolutely loved your article Turbocharging Philosophies. The article leads me to this question...Is there any chance that you may be planning to add a supercharger to one of those laggy Subarus? I have still not come to terms with the manner in which I need to drive the car – it feels lifeless until 3300 rpm. My thought was to use a swapped out Mini Cooper S supercharger or Ford/Eaton blower (like on the Thunderbird here in the States). The Thunderbird unit seems a bit large but I may as well go full supercharger and drop the turbocharger. Any advice?

Eric Stadig
USA

We don’t have any plans for to supercharge a Subie but you should read RS in Raptors. However, note that a positive displacement style supercharger will give the best bottom-end performance. With enough development it is possible to combine these with a turbocharger (for greater top-end performance). See Super Turbo Stunner for details of a factory ‘twin charger’ setup.

Diesel Help

In relation to"Wondering about Diesels" in Response. Long story short... The piston in a diesel engine experiences a 'constant pressure' throughout the downstroke, whereas the aim in a gasoline engine is to combust the fuel completely at the top of the stroke and piston pressure declines rapidly. Because of this, your goal with a gasoline engine should be to return to the next power stroke as quickly as possible (high revs), whereas your goal with a diesel engine is to maximise the length of the effective powerstroke. Hope I haven't offended any experts, but I find it easier to think of it in this fashion.

This is a great link for anyone wanting the fuller story: www.prime-mover.org

Luke Konynenburg
Australia

Diesel Error Discovered

In your article Diesel Discovery - Part Two you incorrectly gave specifications for the Volkswagen Golf Mk3 TDI as being "a non-intercooled turbo". As an owner of a Mk3 TDI... it does have a side-mount intercooler behind the passenger side lower grille.

Marko Bernyk
Australia

Thanks for that – article now fixed.

Re Diesels and Management Mods

First off, it was great of you to do those articles on turbodiesel cars - Diesel Discovery - Part One and Diesel Discovery - Part Two and it got me thinking about why I don't see any performance modified diesels driving around...

But, anyway, are you guys going to be releasing a programmable ignition adjuster any time soon (you have hinted at it in a couple of articles but gave no details)? This, along with the Digital Fuel Adjuster would allow potentially any modification to be used with factory management on anything with an airflow meter. Thanks and keep up the good work.

Ben
Australia

There are no immediate plans but, in conjunction with Silicon Chip, an ignition interceptor is something we're actively considering for future development. The biggest problem is accommodating different types of ignition systems.

Mission Failed #1

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Re Mission 200SX. That car is a S14a not an S15 as you mention many times in the article. Apart from that, keep up the great work!

Mike Joss
Australia

Mission Failed #2

"Mission 200SX" Mission 200SX has incorrect specs. The car is a S14 not a S15 as you state in the article.

Adrian Bois
Australia

Mission Failed #3

Mission 200SX - you've probably already been told this but that is an S14, not an S15.

Russell Hocken
New Zealand

Oops – well spotted everyone! Article now fixed.

Collectable Tigra?

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I have just read your article on the Holden Tigra. I had a Vauxhall Tigra a few years ago and wish I still had it now - it has become a collector’s car of the future, if you like put it along side the Ford Capri, which now is becoming a collectable. I know the Tigra was a Corsa floor panel with a new designed body stuck on it but it looks the part and given ten years, it will be an icon, like the Capri - I just wish I had one stuck in a garage somewhere. Just my opinion.

David Broadbent
UK

Important Coverage of Mitsubishi 380

I have long appreciated your thorough and detailed car reviews which generally come across as unbiased by examining each car on their own merits and avoiding the marketing stereotypes and clichés that often accompany the rather superficial reviews found in some other publications. I am wondering, however, when you might be able to review the Mitsubishi 380? Given the importance of this vehicle to Mitsubishi Australia, the obvious interest and admiration you have shown for Magnas in the past, and the awards already given by some sections of the automotive industry, I thought you would have jumped at this car as soon as it was released?

David
Australia

If you haven’t already, check out Mitsubishi 380LS New Car Test

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