Chevrolet Corvette

With the Z06's introduction last year at the Brisbane International Motorshow, Australians now have access to the very epitome of the icon of American sportscars: the Chevrolet Corvette. With a pricetag around half that of comparable European supercars, there's plenty of cash left over for Corvette parts that can improve the performance of even this automotive heavy-hitter. And even if the Z06 is too rich for your blood, companies such as Performax International also offer the C6 and C5.

Pull Ahead with a Corvette Intake

If the pricetag of a Z06 isn't quite in your budget this year, perhaps you're in the market for a C5 or a C6 - in which case, a Corvette intake, such as a cold air intake by K&N, Airaid, or AFE will help you get a few more ponies to the ground. Even the elite Z06 can reap the benefits of colder air.

It's All in the Details - Corvette Parts

Beyond what's under the hood, owning a Corvette is as much about prestige as it is about performance, so the details make all the difference. Even the littlest Corvette part can make a C5's or C6's appearance stand out like a Z06. Aftermarket manufacturers offer Z06 replica wheels that can get the Z06 look, and topreserve the value of such a car, small items such as floor mats are crucial.

The Bottom Line

This icon of American sportscars can be had at a reasonable cost, and aftermarket parts are readily available. The selection is large, and it's easy to customize the car's performance and appearance to suit your tastes from mild to wild.

Make Your Car More "Green" :New Cars hybrid review 2009

Make Your Car More "Green"
by Charles Carter

Copyright (c) 2008 Charles Carter
If you have been to the pump lately it might be your wallet that makes you want to go more "Green" with your car then before. As it relates to the environment automobiles account for 20% of all greenhouse gases emitted into the air. How ecological friendly you handle your car is one of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Still the only way to offset your carbon footprint is to plant trees. Listed below are the Top 10 things you can do to make your car more "Green."
1. Buy a Hybrid Car or Green Car
Yes, it doesn't take rocket science to understand that if you buy a more environment friendly car you have reduced your carbon footprint. Hybrids now come in sedans, SUV, and luxury vehicles. If buying a hybrid right now isn't in your budget choosing a car with excellent gas mileage is going to make a big difference.
2. How You Drive
You drastically increase the fuel you consume and the emissions your car gives off when you accelerate quickly and stop quickly. Driving the speed limit and more smooth as it relates to aggressive driving through the city will save on your gas bill. Also, the more you can take care of all your errands in one trip is better than many short trips to the store.
3. Keep Your Car in Shape
Regular tune ups of your car will keep your car producing less greenhouse gases, using less gas, and prevents future trouble. It is estimated that if every American's tires were properly inflated to the right level we would save 3 billion gallons of gas every year.
4. Offset Carbon Footprint
You can plant trees to offset the greenhouse gases you are emitting each year. Planting trees is the only way to offset your carbon footprint.
5. Carpool
If you have been on the freeway during rush hour you see all the commuters driving by themselves. Not only will you drastically lower your impact on the environment by carpooling you get to go in the carpool lane, as well.
6. You Don't Need a Car for Everything
For short trips you can take your bike or walk. With cars we don't even think about the other ways we can travel; we just hop in our cars and off we go. Many store items can easily be carried on a bike with a backpack. Also, you can get an electric scooter to get places faster.
7. Drive Half Way
For some trips walking or your bike isn't the complete answer. Driving your car and then getting on mass transit or driving your car and then parking to then go on your bike both work. Many times if you are going during rush hour, driving until the traffic gets thick and then going on your bike will get you there faster than sitting in the bumper to bumper traffic.
8. Use Less AC
Using a windshield protector can reduce how hot your car gets allowing you to use less air conditioner in the car. Turn your AC on low instead of high uses less gas. Don't forget to park in the shade to also keep your car cooler.
9. Use the Web
With the easy access to the web these days you can have video conferences, send email, and buy your products online. A video chat can be just as good as a face to face meeting without using gas and your car.
10. Go without a Car
For those that are willing to take it on it can be done. You would be surprised with a change in thinking how it is possible for some to go without a car. Using physical transportation like a bike and mass transit can get you around. Also, for those that want to it may be important to live closer to work or the stores you need or making your work day virtual so your home is your office.

Proper garage clearout

Today my mate Richard and I had a serious garage clearout. Thanks Rich. This Thursday is front suspension rebuild day. And maybe sump baffle day.

Here's the garage before:













And after:

Hydrogen, hydrogen generators, hho, gas savers - The Definitive Facts

Hydrogen, hydrogen generators, hho, gas savers - The Definitive Facts
by Denys Allard
The purpose of this article is to dispel the myths, misinformation, and confusion induced largely by members of the media and others who are not too knowledgeable in this field. Part of the problem is that; the onslaught of "Run Your Car on Water" ads all over the internet is misleading. Although this is possible, these ads are referring to electrolyzers/hydrogen boosters which is a fuel saving device. "Supplemental hydrogen" would be a more accurate term. Unfortunately, there are some bogus companies out there but this device is real and it does work. There are many credible sources for information on this; The National Hydrogen Association, the EPA, and the U.S. Dept. of Energy (just to name a few). An electrolyzer/hydrogen booster generates hydrogen and oxygen (hho/Brown's gas) and should not be confused with hydrogen fuel cells which produces electricity and can be used to power an electric car.The authors of these build-your-own plans all over the internet (in many cases) are not very knowledgeable. There are many factors to consider and the efficiency of the product (and whether or not it works) is going to depend on it. Also, the tools & materials needed to build something, with some quality, can be costly. I have read several articles from supposedly authoritative, professional, intelligent people who were claiming that these devices don't work. After reviewing their test procedures, it came as no surprise to me that they got negative results. Unless you really know what you are doing, you're better off buying a pre-made product from a reputable manufacturer with a guarantee.The electrolysis (disassociation of water) process occurs when you apply about 2 volts to water but the device simply does not produce enough hydrogen to run a vehicle on it's own but can increase mileage significantly and, with gas prices nowadays, is a big plus. Adding an electrolyte to the water (such as potassium hydroxide) does increase hydrogen production but also increases amperage and generates heat as a result. Also, pulsed dc. is actually more efficient than straight dc. from your car's battery.A device called an EFIE (electronic fuel injection enhancer) should also be used as this compensates for the added oxygen in your intake. Your oxygen sensors monitors and sends a small voltage to your car's computer telling it whether your a/f ratio is too rich or too lean. The EFIE sends a floating voltage on top of this telling your car's computer that your a/f ratio is too rich and subsequently cuts back on the gas to your fuel injector.Hydrogen has a lower ignition rate than gasoline which means that it ignites at a lower temperature so it is quite easy to burn hydrogen in a combustion engine. However, hydrogen also has a lower density rate than gasoline which means that it takes a lot of it to run a vehicle. Running a vehicle without gasoline (such as what Stan Meyer did) involves changing the state of the hydrogen to a higher energy state because of its low density. This involves some physics which I will not get into here.Article Summary: Whether you call them electrolyzers or hydrogen boosters, the bottom line is that these devices do work and improving mileage is a step in the right direction. There are several benefits to burning supplemental hydrogen; it burns cleaner than gasoline alone and helps clean carbon deposits out of your engine. The result is more horsepower, fewer emissions, and obviously, spending less money on gas and LESS DEMAND = LOWER PRICES at the pump. I, personally, have had an electrolyzer in my car for the last 18 months and have been very pleased with the results.

The Right Way to Buy Fuel Saving Cars : new cars 2009

The Right Way to Buy Fuel Saving Cars
by Jim Warren
You should be extremely careful in buying your new car what with sky high gasoline prices in the market. Not exercising care in this aspect would mean you ending up getting a car that will gulp down a lot of fuel, yet not get you driving anywhere.Jack Nerrad, managing editor of Kelley Blue Book, believes that there is an element of being wise by the pennies and foolish by the pounds.Getting StartedFueleconomy.gov is one of the best places you could get started. This site is operated jointly by the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. This site gives you the city and highway fuel economy for all the cars, market passenger cars and trucks, sold in the USA.A new testing system was introduced last year. This testing method has produced realistic numbers as opposed to previous years, which did give some really inflated numbers for the cars.Along with these information, you would get all the additional information that will help you in choosing a car. All you have to do is to click on a particular car, and you would be able to find all the information you wanted to find.In the page where all the details of the car are given, you would find the annual fuel costs. This is one good comparison between vehicles. In an instant, you would be able to compare a fuel-efficient vehicle with let's say a Suzuki sedan.The Chevrolet Tahoe and the Ford Expedition differ just by the 2-mpg. But did you know that in terms of fuel costs, the difference is about $435 every year. On the other hand, you also have the Toyota Corolla compact car and the Toyota Camry midsized car, both different by about 4-mpg, but differing by $270 in terms of fuel costs.You would certainly need to keep an eye on the fuel efficiency as this is one of the main determinants before you get buying a car.Fueleconomy.gov's annual fuel cost estimates are based on 15,000 miles per year of driving. This number is evenly split between the city and highway. Before looking at these numbers and trying to apply them to your case, you would do well to look into your case.Factor in All Other CostsBefore buying a car, you would need to factor in the depreciation costs. This is the difference in the cost at which you bought the car, and the price at which you can sell the car, at the time of selling.Let us take the example of The Honda Fit and Ford Focus. These cars do not differ a lot in their prices. The Ford Focus car is lesser efficient in fuel. This almost causes it to lose $3,600 more in depreciation over a period of time as compared to the Honda Fit Model. Depreciation costs thus play a deciding role in making you choose the right car.Just so you know, this depreciation cost would not be too big in difference in the case of cars that are priced similarly.Don't Get Caught Up in HypePeople often make the mistake in thinking that buying hybrid cars would get them to be more fuel-efficient. This is a myth that requires some explanation.Hybrid vehicles are not available a lot in the market. Add to this the fact that some of the non-hybrid vehicles come cheaper than the hybrid vehicles. One of the main reasons for this is the use of hybrid technology in the hybrid vehicles, which makes them a touch expensive.Compare Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the Toyota RAV4 for example. You would find that the Highlander has a fuel economy of 26 mpg. This makes for a spacious and a three-row SUV. On the other hand, you would find the Toyota RAV4 is a touch smaller than the Highlander. With that being said, you would also find that the price of the RAV4 is a touch less.You could look at the Toyota Prius if you are really preoccupied with the thought of buying a hybrid vehicle. This car surely gives good performance and other features that makes it a car to buy for the price you would pay for it.One of the best known cars for effective use of hybrid technology is the General Motors' Saturn Vue Green Line. This car uses a mild hybrid system. Use of the mini hybrid system ensures that the car just does not run on electric power alone.This enables the car to give good fuel economy. Overall, it must be said that the supplies of components for hybrid vehicles are tight.From this summer onwards, you would find a lot diesel trucks hitting showrooms as opposed to the gas trucks. Now, these trucks do have a good fuel economy but are also priced a bit higher than their gas counterparts.Gains on the fuel economy front and a higher resale price of these diesel cars surely should make them good buys over the next couple of years. Considering that these benefits will stay with you for some time to come, you would find that diesel cars are indeed popular.Don't Forget Your Real NeedsOne of the important things you would need to think of is your need. Why do you really want to buy a car? Do you really require a SUV for your driving needs? Get out of the mindset that small cars do not offer space for people to sit in.Small cars like the Nissan Versa offer good legroom and seating space for people to sit in. This could easily be compared to some of the midsized cars like Toyota Camry. One big advantage of using a Versa is its fuel economy. This car runs four miles further than some of the midsized cars thus saving you about $269 every year.One thing you need to look at carefully are the trade-offs. This could hurt you in the longer run, especially if you wish to resale this at some point of time.With most cars, you would need to take into count the advantages of an all-wheel drive. See if it impacts your fuel economy. If it does, you would be advised to stay away from it, because somewhere down the line you would realize that the resale value for such cars is low.Gas prices are an important point to think of before you get buying a new car. With that being said, this surely should not be the only thing that consumes your mind. If you look only at the gas prices and not think of other benefits the car may offer you, you could end up on a losing deal.
Posted by Land Of Smile &

Can A Truck Really Run On Water? : New hybrid water cars review

Can A Truck Really Run On Water?
by Jim Warren
Have you heard truck that runs on water? It may sound surprising to some but it is quite real. Some people just do not believe it to be true and think that someone would have played a joke on them. And it does! To be honest, this new idea does break all rules that truck has to run on some form of gasoline.
Even electrically run trucks can be thought of but to think of a truck that can run on water is outrageous. The idea is noble and in a sense, can save one a lot of money provided they take interest.
The gasoline prices are anyways high, and by using water as an alternate fuel instead of gasoline, you could convert the gas guzzlers into mean machines for sure. For you to know, how can you use water to run your trucks, you should read this article.
You would already be thinking that you should be pouring water into the engine. Do that and be prepared to be hit by a hefty repair bill. See - Water is made of Hydrogen and Oxygen. All you have to do is work a technique in separating the Hydrogen and Oxygen. Once you do that you could use Hydrogen, a highly inflammable substance as fuel.
Now they key is - How do you do it? With a process of electrolysis, you could easily break water into Hydrogen and Oxygen separately. There comes the need of an electrolysis device that could do this task, because you cannot do this manually.
A truck that runs on water uses an electrolysis device. This device is used to extract hydrogen from water. The hydrogen extracted can be used as a fuel source in the engine. There are couple of challenges with this working here - 1) Enough amounts of Hydrogen has to be generated, and 2) There has to be a mechanism by which the hydrogen can be transported to the engine. Drivers who have used this as a source have reported difference in results. Thus, you may be better off finding if you can use this as a source or not.
"There's a sucker born every minute," carnival king P.T. Barnum allegedly proclaimed in the fall of 1869. And while Barnum was never known to own an auto dealership (after all, he died in 1891 -- several years before Henry cranked out his first Ford), some might believe his words live on in the heart of every car salesman.

Honda is on Charge : New honda 2009

Honda is on Charge
by Mark Creese
To all intents and purposes Formula One should be the most exciting sport on Earth. Just one look at the key ingredients that concoct this sport has me salivating with excitement. Firstly you have a global giant of the car world such as Honda breaking away from the hatchback market and producing nearly 1,000bhp in a car that weighs less than the original Mini. Secondly this outlandish performance is put in the trust of 20 of the most skilled drivers on the planet, who are only ever 2-3 seconds away from a high speed shunt. Thirdly, the races take place in the most exotic locations around the world, including: Bahrain, Monaco, Brazil, Australia and Singapore. Why oh why then is it so dull?
As a child I'd drag myself out of bed at 3am just to watch a Friday practice, before repeating the feat for Saturday qualifying and Sunday race day. I knew all the drivers statistics, why rear down force shouldn't be an issue around the Hockenheim circuit and the past winners of the championship for 50 years. Much like a lot of the population I've tired in recent years of no overtaking, the same winners and consistent rule changes that try and fail to re-ignite excitement. Michael Schumacher was the greatest driver in the history of the sport but his constant winning also destroyed my love for it.
Then there was the tobacco sponsorship ban of a few years ago. Such a furore was made over banning the cancer-givers that the sport's focus was lost. So what that I fancied a cigarette after watching 'Marlboro' on Schumacher's car cross the winning line again, the advertising really wasn't the root of the problem Formula One was suffering.
Not content with banning cigarettes, overtaking had to be improved (or at least occur once in a race). So cars were slowed down and made more difficult to drive. The result? The best drivers were still in the fastest cars and could cope far better than the weaker drivers already in cars to suit their abilities. The emergence of Lewis Hamilton last year has certainly gone some way to undo the monotony of the now-retired Schumacher era. Not only is he the first black driver in Formula One, but he's super-quick - if a bit erratic.
Problem is that even if we overlook the unsolved overtaking problem, the President of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) Max Mosley's sexual preferences, constant rule changes and Lewis's efforts to promote the sport, there's one massive problem that looms like an Eagle over its prey - global warming. With the Earth dying thanks to mankind's greed it seems everyone from every walk of life is being encouraged to recycle, use less energy and travel using green transport. I guess doing four miles to the gallon at 200mph every other weekend, with hundreds of articulated lorries, private jets and motor homes in tow doesn't quite reflect that Formula One is listening.
Well maybe Honda has got the hint with their 'Earth' car from the 2007 season. Sponsorship free and painted with the planet Earth on it, Honda sold every pixel on its livery with each donation helping towards climate change. This season's car has continued with promoting the dangers of climate change in a more subtle manner and once again no sponsorship - wise when you consider the car was previously run by BAT - British American Tobacco.
Ok so you like Formula One, you love Honda, support Jenson Button (although you agree he's not much cop) and therefore want to reflect this in your everyday life - whilst saving the planet. The answer is a simple three words - Honda Civic Hybrid. Yep Honda has produced an eco-friendly car that doesn't need plugging into the wall, look stupid or cost the earth. The Honda Hybrid looks like any other saloon which when you consider the stylings of most electric or hybrid cars is a major plus point. Road Tax in the United Kingdom is stupidly expensive so having to fork out a mere £15 a year for driving the Civic Hybrid is probably all the encouragement you'll need to buy one. The other justification for buying one is that other than great fuel economy thanks to the electric motor doing a fair proportion of the work, it's actually a good drive. Yes it's not a 0-60mph monster but every other aspect is as you'd expect from a car from the Civic range - it's a main contender in the green race.
So there you have it, buy a Honda Hybrid and watch Formula One guilt free. Now if Jenson could just overtake someone…