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2008年1月29日星期二

Drifting Mobara

Drifting Mobara

Big slip angles, big fun
By Jared Holstein
Photography by Jared Holstein

The carnage is pervasive and expensive. Tattered body kits touching more pavement than car, twisted fenders, and cratered rocker panels suggest the eastern course of the Mobara Twin Circuit is lined with sledgehammers.

Prematurely worn tires, big horsepower, and wide grins otherwise permeate the pits where an impressive collection of machinery is gathered in the cold Japanese countryside. No lap times on these cars are collected, only cheers and jeers from the onlookers and the supreme satisfaction that comes with going really sideways and not crashing.

Rather than head to the dragstrip, autocross course or road course, every weekend a healthy population of drift enthusiasts frequent the numerous tight racetracks around Japan.

All the cars at the track today have either weld-in or bolt-in cages, suspension modifications for predictable, at-the-limit handling and engine modifications geared more toward reliable, tractable power than big dyno numbers. There is also an emphasis on greater cooling capacity. Tire choice is dictated by cost and availability for the less dedicated enthusiasts, and stick for the serious.

We show up with JIC Japan to check out its S15 D1 drift car and 350Z in action, and are pleasantly surprised by the hooliganism being perpetrated by so many. Run groups are broken up so both drift and grip drivers, competing for time and ultimately in a race, are given equal track time. The grip drivers went boringly fast and avoided sideways smokies, so we didn't pay them much attention.

Several classes based on driver experience and car preparation divided the 50 or so drift cars into those who make it look easy, including several D1 cars and drivers who compete professionally, and those who try really hard. Enjoy the action.


The RWD R32 Skyline GT-S, powered by the RB25DET, is a popular choice for drifters, given their cheap market price.
The RWD R32 Skyline GT-S, powered by the RB25DET, is a popular choice for drifters, given their cheap market price.
This AE86 impressed us all day with consistently kick-ass driving, due in part to its pro driver. A later 4AGZE super-charged 1.6-liter engine was installed.
This AE86 impressed us all day with consistently kick-ass driving, due in part to its pro driver. A later 4AGZE super-charged 1.6-liter engine was installed.
Our favorite of the day is this most wicked 1JZ-powered D1 Toyota Chaser. The car is very powerful, very fast and very well-driven, beautifully demonstrating high-speed drifting.
Our favorite of the day is this most wicked 1JZ-powered D1 Toyota Chaser. The car is very powerful, very fast and very well-driven, beautifully demonstrating high-speed drifting.
The car that started the turbo Lancer legacy, holding its own well during the grip sessions.
The car that started the turbo Lancer legacy, holding its own well during the grip sessions.
Judged also in drifting competition is the car's appearance; a popular look is reversed-mirrored vinyl lettering on the driver's side.
Judged also in drifting competition is the car's appearance; a popular look is reversed-mirrored vinyl lettering on the driver's side.
Notice the passenger holding on for dear life as this S14 is flung into the sharp right-hander that terminates the front straight.
Notice the passenger holding on for dear life as this S14 is flung into the sharp right-hander that terminates the front straight.
Four-door Civics like this one are the source of many of the B16s that reside in U.S. hybrids.
Four-door Civics like this one are the source of many of the B16s that reside in U.S. hybrids.
Despite the competition, the attitude of people there was fun, nice and communal.
Despite the competition, the attitude of people there was fun, nice and communal.
Japan is rife with
Japan is rife with "mini circuits" like the East Loop at Mobara, which feature very short straights and are run mostly in second and third gear.
We found the best track slut ever. You might recognize this car as the Q45 sold in our market, but this one has a RB26DETT under the hood.
We found the best track slut ever. You might recognize this car as the Q45 sold in our market, but this one has a RB26DETT under the hood.
The apex of this turn seemed a popular and not-ideal place to park over-rotated cars.
The apex of this turn seemed a popular and not-ideal place to park over-rotated cars.
Some owners removed their rear bumpers with every expectation that at some point during the day, they'd end up backed up into a berm. Notice the license plate stanchions welded to the shell.
Some owners removed their rear bumpers with every expectation that at some point during the day, they'd end up backed up into a berm. Notice the license plate stanchions welded to the shell.
Zip ties, known the world over as the ideal method of body panel attachment.
Zip ties, known the world over as the ideal method of body panel attachment.
Although they slide with less provocation, harder compound tires also tend to chunk when much is asked of them.
Although they slide with less provocation, harder compound tires also tend to chunk when much is asked of them.
These two AE86s were performing impressive side-by-side drifting until one parked it at high speed and the other nearly hit it.
These two AE86s were performing impressive side-by-side drifting until one parked it at high speed and the other nearly hit it.
The day's costs went up dramatically for the owner of this Toyota.
The day's costs went up dramatically for the owner of this Toyota.

Aftermarket Parts

Holiday Buyers Guide - Aftermarket Parts

Forget The Sweaters, Find Something You Really Want This Year
writer: Alex Nishimoto

Stage 1 - Under $100

E3 DiamondFire Spark Plugs
With so many performance-enhancing upgrades on the market, it's hard to decide what a car really needs. Sometimes the simplest act, like changing spark plugs, can increase overall performance. E3 spark plugs with DiamondFire Technology delivers the most powerful spark available. The geometry of the E3's design provides optimized spark paths well into the plug's useful life, having long-term effects on engine performance. Horsepower gains are a claimed four to six percent, depending on engine size. Backed by a five-year, 100,000-mile warranty.
MSRP: Varies by application
www.e3sparkplugs.com

Hella Xenon Headlight Bulbs
Hella's High Performance Xenon Blue Bulbs produce a brighter, whiter light that is closer in color temperature to actual daylight than standard halogen bulbs, and provide increased visibility during night driving with less eye fatigue for the driver in all conditions. Correct filament alignment assures maximum light output. The blue glass provides a crisp white beam pattern. Features on-road, DOT-compliant bulbs in all popular base types, as well as higher-wattage off-road-use bulbs.
MSRP: Varies by application
www.hellausa.com

Faze Automotive Guages
Vehicle enthusiasts can upgrade the look of their interior while keeping a close eye on critical systems with CompetitionEL performance instruments from Faze Gauge. The meters feature a white face set against blue electroluminescent backlighting, so reading them is easy, even at night. And thanks to a proprietary pointer hub design, light leakage is virtually eliminated. CompetitionEL instruments incorporate vibration-proof air-core meter movement, ensuring the pointer responds rapidly to system changes and sweeps fluidly across the gauge face for accurate readings at all times. Encased in HIPS (high-impact) plastic.
MSRP: $49.95 to $79.95
www.fazeguage.com

K&N Oil Filters
With a one-inch easy-on/easy-off nut, K&N takes the frustration out of changing oil filters. Its heavy-duty canister construction and premium filter media ensure quality filtration at a competitive price.
MSRP: Starting at $10.99
www.knfilters.com



Impact Racing M/T Driving Shoe
This mid-top design provides comfort and support in a strapless ankle/collar design. The M/T provides the same features from Impact's high-top, including a padded tongue and ankle collar for comfort and support, plush-knit fire-resistant interior with complete footbed anatomical support, velour suede exterior for a soft comfortable fit and an aggressive sole design, giving positive pedal control and feel with grooved bypass channels that allow air to pass under the sole. A dual lacing system (speed or standard) provides a precision fit for narrow or wide feet. Sizes range from men's 7 to 13. Available in black, blue or red.
MSRP: $105
www.impactraceproducts.com

Takata Shoulder Pads
These 'shock absorbing' shoulder pads are constructed with high-density foam and a Velcro closure. The shock absorbing properties and design limit the gap between the driver and the harness for improved restraint and exceptional comfort.
MSRP: $89
www.takataracingproducts.com


Hondata Heat Shield Gasket
Hondata has developed a special high-temperature insulating gasket which replaces the stock intake gasket. Bypassing several heat sources reduces heat transfer from the head to the intake, giving up to a claimed five percent more power. Turbocharged cars benefit even more since the underhood temperatures are so great.
MSRP: From $50
www.hondata.com

Eibach Pro-Spacers
Eibach Pro-Spacers will help fine-tune a car's track width for optimum handling balance. Equipped with the correct Eibach Pro-Spacers, a car takes on a wider, more aggressive stance, with the tires filling the wheel arches perfectly. High-strength, aircraft-aluminum Pro-Spacers are available in thicknesses from 5mm to 45mm, positioning the wheels with precision.
MSRP: $89
www.eibach.com
(800) 507-2338

King High-Performance Bearings
Made from an Alecular Silicone material that has proven itself under harsh racing conditions for many years. Features include increased rod-bearing crush height to protect against bearing spin and greater eccentricity for superior oiling at high revs. Honda and Acura high-performance rod and main bearings are available for 1986 to 2005 models, along with many other sport compact applications.
MSRP: Varies by application
www.kingbearings.com
(800) 772-3670

Corbeau Retractable Harness Belts
Corbeau three-point retractable harness belts are comfortable and stylish. They use an inertia reel to allow the harness belt to function like stock belts. This allows more freedom of movement, but the belt will lock with any sudden actions. A knob function changes the belt from retractable mode to full-time harness mode.
MSRP: $99

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 8 MR - Project Car Conclusion

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 8 MR - Project Car Conclusion


Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 8 MR - Project Car Conclusion

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 8 MR - Project Car Conclusion

The End: Stupid Power
all contributors: Jay Chen

Goodyear Eagle F1 All-Season Tire

Goodyear Eagle F1 All-Season Tires

Test Bench
writer: Andy Hope

Cobb Tuning Accessport For Lancer Evo VIII/Ix

Cobb Tuning Accessport For Lancer Evo VIII/IX

writer: Jay Chen
photographer: Jay Chen

Tuning should never be taken lightly and not everyone lives within driving distance of a dyno and a reputable tuner. That's why companies like COBB Tuning offer safe mail order ECU reflashes for complex modern platforms like the Evo and WRX. The COBB AccessPORT system is basically a hand-held unit that communicates with the ECU via the car's OBDII port, allowing you to 'tune' your car in the driveway.

In addition to reprogramming the ECU with pre-existing high-performance tunes (downloadable from COBB's website), the system comes with multiple functions like DTC code scanning and real-time logging of engine operating parameters. Unlike a generic code reader, the AccessPORT allows much faster communication with the ECU at rates far exceeding the OBDII standard 2Hz refresh rate.

The temperature was 110 degrees F on our test day, which no turbo car likes, but our test car baselined at a corrected 254 wheel-hp and 243lb-ft of torque on the all-wheel drive Dynojet of Tuning Technologies (a southern California Evo shop). This falls right within the ballpark we anticipated for a stock car on this dyno. It takes under 10 minutes to copy a car's original map onto an AccessPORT and sync it with the car. Each AccessPORT 'marries' itself with the ECU and can only be used with one car. Once the factory calibration is stored in memory, the new tune can be flashed onto the ECU's permanent memory. You can easily revert to the original ECU program for trips to the dealership.

The AccessPORT programming also requires re-plumbing of the vacuum lines between the stock electronic boost solenoid and wastegate actuator. To better control boost, some pressure restriction orifices have to be bypassed, which allows for less boost oscillations with proper tuning. With just the California version of the Stage 1 software, we measured a peak of 270 wheel-hp, while torque remained almost the same, since most of the increase was well past 5252rpm. From what we could gather from the logs, most gains came from increasing boost by 1psi, while retaining the same profile and just slightly leaning out the mixture by a meager two-tenths of a point throughout the powerband. Since this was a conservative beta version of the final map, we think there will be more power to be made with more aggressive ignition timing and leaner mixtures.

To get a clearer picture, we had Tuning Technologies install the COBB air intake and turboback exhaust, and put the boost control plumbing and software back to stock, to see what gains hardware alone could make. The intake is a simple open-element cone filter with integrated venturi that adapts to the stock airflow meter. The three-inch COBB exhaust is quiet enough to pass on the street, but will get noticed at WOT. The increase in flow alone was good enough for a peak of 277 wheel-hp with the same torque and a mild gain in boost with a leaner mixture. Overall, the power and torque curve showed consistent and noticeable gains from as low as 5000rpm.

With boost control plumbing returned to COBB's configuration and Stage 2 software uploaded via the AccessPORT, we made a final pull to the tune of 302 wheel-hp and 265lb-ft of torque. Most of this power came from the healthy-but-safe 12:1 air/fuel ratio (that stretched all the way to redline) and roughly 21psi of boost. There was also a boost spike at 3500rpm that helped skyrocket power, right as the turbo got huffing, which trickled down to 15.5psi at redline to keep the engine safe.

While we see more room for power with this beta version of COBB's California 91-octane calibration, the end result of the Stage 2 package is still a healthy 300 wheel-hp made throughout the powerband. More than adequate for most street and track applications.

As the ECU maps are updated online, we're sure the Stage 1 and 2 re-flashes will find still more power.

If that's not enough, you can always flash the 100-octane maps onto your ECU's temporary memory, top off the tank with some race gas and go satisfy your ya-yas. Just make sure you switch back to the stock map when you put the pump swill back in.

MSRP
AccessPORT: $695 (estimated)
Turbo-back exhaust (w/high-flow cat): $1095
Turbo-back exhaust (w/test pipe): $985
SF air intake: $115
Heat shield: $135
WEIGHT
Downpipe: 6.25lbs
Test pipe: 3lbs
B-pipe: 12lbs
Muffler section: 16.25lbs
Hardware/gaskets: 1lb
Total turbo-back exhaust: 38.5lbs

2008年1月13日星期日

日立EX400型液压挖掘机散热器的改装

Retrofit of Radiator on Hitachi Model EX400 Hydraulic Excavator

<<工程机械 >>2005年06期
黎建良 , Li Jianliang

通 过对EX400型液压挖掘机散热器工作状况的调查和跟踪测量,获得了一批有用的数据,经过细致的计算和分析,证实了发动机水温过高原因在于该机的散热系统 没有足够的裕度.提出了将液压油散热器与发动机冷却水散热器分开安装的解决方案,并详细介绍了改装的布置方案和达到的效果.