Automotive

When it comes to enhancing the look and performance of a luxury vehicle, few upgrades are as impactful as a…

Nissan, like any automotive manufacturer, offers a variety of models, each with its own set of gear ratios tailored to…

A bolt pattern or lug pattern is the diameter of a circle formed by the centers of the wheel lugs.…

15″ Wheel weights   Name    Manufacturing Method    Size    Weight (lbs.)    Weight (kgs.)    MRT Billet/Carbon Fiber…

When it comes to the performance and safety of your vehicle, many factors play a crucial role, and one often…

The Ford Zetec is a name used on many inline 4 cylinder automobile engines. All are multi-valve DOHC engines, but…

OBD-II cars (1996 – present) have the two O2 sensors to measure the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gas.…

Maintaining your Ford Focus in top condition is essential to enjoy a smooth and trouble-free driving experience. One often-overlooked aspect…

The procedures outlined in this article were performed on a 1999 Jetta TDI MK IV. Examine your engine, look at…

Advantages A comparison between power (top) and manual (bottom) steering racks on a Ford Escort. Weight Reduction: Manual steering racks…

After spending three years on the Miata and taking third last year, it’s time to head in a different direction.…

While there were first and second generation Dodge Caravan minivans that came with a manual transmission, the third generation never…

Due to the 5-speed option in 2nd gen Dodge Caravans, this conversion was much simpler than custom jobs such as…

Wheel fitment Plus sizing Plus sizing wheels & tire combination was designed to enhance vehicle performance and looks by allowing…

It may come as a surprise to some that Chrysler while standing behind so much of their work with the…

Interior painting Painting the interior of a vehicle is quite simple. I used a bucket, Isopropyl Alcohol (you can get…

The following conversion was performed to an Mazda MX-3 seat which was acquired from a local junkyard for $ 18.…

The role of the brake fluid within the braking system is to transfer the force from the master cylinder to…

Using higher viscosity oil myths Steel balls of equal weight dropped into test tubes filled with motor oils fall at…

Cleaning faded headlights Before & after. This is a very Simple mod. Pick up you some Plastic Polish from your…

Required tools & supplies Rags/towels. You’ll need upwards of 8-12 good-sized clean towels to do the the job. One or…

Try these non-toxic or less-toxic products as alternatives to some chemicals you might not have at hand at a moment…

Tools & materials: 9 ft of aluminum strips, 1 in wide, 1 mm thick 3M scotchbrite pads Alum polish such…

How to build your own type 2 dropped spindles. Here you can see the difference. The idea is to flip…

Aerocatch hoodpins An alternative to normal hood pins, the Aerocatch hoodpins provide a flush design, to avoid taking away fro…

Variable camber steering system A variable camber steering system allows adjusting the camber on the fly, while operating the vehicle,…

Spinner Cooler Spinner Cooler prototype mounted up to a Procharger P1SC. Geer Technologies Spinner Cooler is a new Spinning Intercooler…

An extremely simple concept, although untested, the following cylinder head design requires no camshafts, valve springs, valves, or manifolds. Most…

The Insulated Pulse Engine: A cold adiabatic engine concept by Dave Schouweiler, Minneapolis, MN USA, http://insulatedpulseengine.com This personal study presents a…

One of the many ways to recover wasted energy in a vehicle is through the use of a shock absorber…

A 1992 Suzuki Swift built under license in Canada, with a modern US federal EPA mileage rating of 43/51 mpg…

A unibody is a one-piece frame and body structure. First, to get some misconceptions out of the way: Welding to…

The primary motivation behind this study was to provide information about what oil filter brands are made by which manufacturers.…

Warning! This should only be done in your own parking lot, or a parking lot where you have received permission,…

Building these beams is very labor intensive, hence a guide was made to allow others to make them. The first…

Information is the most crucial part of working one’s own vehicle. Without information most wouldn’t know about 90% of the…

Welding & modifying struts The most common reason to modify stock struts is for better fitment of coilover sleves. Since…

When lowering springs are not an option, coilover suspension seems the only logical choice. To avoid spending extra money on…

Suspension Active Coils Coils which are free to deflect under load. Also referred to as working coils. Approx. Lowering The…

Ford 1100 ci Sherman tank engine Specs Bore 5.4 in / 137.16 mm Stroke 6 in / 152.4 mm Displacement…

Engine oil filter have one purpose in life: to filter out the particles that enter the oil so that they…

Head gasket failure A blown head gasket from a 1.6 Nissan SOHC just after the engine started to smoke. The…

This is a step by step approach to replacing the fwd axles (half shafts, CV joints) in 1st and 2nd…

EEC stands for Electronic Engine Control. Ford uses the computer to electronically control vehicle functions. Fuel injection computers are part…

The single most common problem encountered on race cars is bottoming out of the front suspension. It is suprisingly difficult…

Chrysler has been a pioneer in automotive engineering, consistently delivering reliable and innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of…

The first step in cleaning your engine is to remove the excess debris that gets trapped in your hood, grille…

The Jeep Cherokee has long been a symbol of rugged capability and refined comfort. Known for its versatility and off-road…

Fender rolling is a process in which one makes more clearance in the fender arches of a vehicle. Typically this…

Shifting technique Heal and toe refers to the right foot position as it operates both the gas and the brake…

Requirements 3/8ths cold rolled steel plate Vise Angle grinder Thin cut off discs Die grinder Carbide burr Blade Paper Clamps…

Compression test LS9 Cutaway, revealing the valves and piston. Since the essential function of an engine is pumping air, it…

CAMBER Camber alignment. A Cusco camber plate available for the Mazda MX3 on corksport.com. Camber is the angle of the…

Requirements: 18mm wrench Jacks & jack stand 10mm socket Ratchet Socket extension Flathead screwdriver Phillips screwdriver Hammer Vise grips The…

So this write-up is going to be done on a B18b1 motor, but its basically the same on all Honda…

Mopar Combustion Chamber Cleaner/Conditioner is really good for removing carbon deposits. It works very similarly to Seafoam. The following directions outline…

Following are some computer simulated images of Renault’s F1 aerodynamics and design for 2009 along with information about the aerodynamic…

Picking junkyard engines Buddhist monks need engines too! When a cheap engine replacement is needed, one can always take a…

Chassis stiffening can help improve ride quality and handling. The energy transferred from the wheels goes into the suspension of…

Do-It-Yourself Auto Repair An auto repair problem is quite an inconvenience. But after so many miles, auto parts wear out…

With all the rumbling, vibrations, beating, and banging happening it can sometimes be easy to forget that an engine is…

Here you’ll find some information on how to take a stock A413 valve body and modify it for performance applications.…

Click the icon next to each column title to sort the results. Name Manufacturing Method Size Weight (lbs.) Weight (kgs.)…

Click the icon next to each column title to sort the results. Due to the slight variation in wheel weight…

Click the icon next to each column title to sort the results. Due to the slight variation in wheel weight…

Click the icon next to each column title to sort the results. Due to the slight variation in wheel weight…

Click the icon next to each column title to sort the results. Name Manufacturing Method Size Weight (lbs.) Weight (kgs.)…

Click the icon next to each column title to sort the results. Name Manufacturing Method Size Weight (lbs.) Weight (kgs.)…

Click the icon next to each column title to sort the results. Name Manufacturing Method Size Weight (lbs.) Weight (kgs.)…

Harness belts Having a seat harness is a great driver aid. Other than being a safety improvement, being securely belted…

These specifications focus on the SVT and 6 cylinder version of the Ford Contour, comparing them both. They share some…

Extrude Hone Extrude Hone before & after. The quality of a hand PnP (port and polish) job cannot be compared…

Required tools & parts Computer with a PostScript laser printer. Laser Overhead transparency film (5-10 sheets). Available at any office…

Caster Caster angle A short dissertation on CASTER, the most misunderstood of the three front wheel alignment angles, with regard…

A scan tool is one of the most important diagnostic tools to have for working on modern vehicles. A scan…

A quick disconnect is type of fitting used in many areas of automobiles. Most commonly used on A/C fittings, although…

Split port induction These days, four valves per cylinder engines are the norm – everything from the humble 2-litre to…

Parts list KLZE j-spec 2.5 V6 with curved neck intake manifold. Aftermarket headers UDP 2.5″ exhaust w/ high flow cat ACT…

When it comes to enhancing the aesthetics and performance of a vehicle, one of the first upgrades that come to…

This article applies to any vehicle equipped with the 2.5 I4 SOHC engine commonly found in many Chrysler, Plymouth, and…

The EEC thinks in a flow-log which can often be difficult for an average person to understand. So it has…

Engine Load Before you can start planning a fuel injection system you need to know your engines needs, and what…

Rail vs truck industry The train industry has so many drawbacks simply due to the way America was planned during…

Getting started Although a familiar concept to some independent mechanics, a lot of people still throw away lots of potential money…

Materials 5 gallon bucket (This is assuming your part will fit in it, if not find proper container that will…

Plastigaging bearing clearances Plastigage, provides a fast and accurate way to check bearing clearances. Plastigage is a special extruded plastic…

Requirements Wheel Chocks / Blocks 5/16″ Socket w 1/4″ Ratchet 1/2″ Socket w 1/4″ Ratchet 15mm Socket w 3/8″ Ratchet…

IAC elimination Common IACs found in Ford vehicles. Almost every modern fuel injected vehicle includes an IAC (idle air control)…

LED bulbs A test was performed to see if LED bulbs could provide a usable alternative to standard incandescent bulbs…

Requirements Saw Die grinder or Dremmel. Grinding bits. Sandpaper from 200 to 600 grit. T20 size Torx bit. Most Ford…

An O2 sensor determines the air fuel ratio in a combustion engine by measuring the amount of unburned oxygen remaining…

Parts 12341-p2f-a00 cylinder head gasket (1) 12342-rye-004 spark plug seals (4) 90442-p2a-000 head cover washers (4) (I recommend you buy…

Extracting bolts A collection of successful extractions. Oops! You suddenly find yourself with wrench in hand, the head of the…

The following table is sortable by clicking the icon to the right of the property. Code Description P0100 Mass or…

Eccentric bolts Eibach alignment kit. Another variation of alignment bolts. Also known as crash bolts or camber bolts. An eccentric…

General tool requirements Jack Jack stands Socket set & common tools Clutch Alignment Tool Pry Bars Breaker Bar Torque Wrench…

Tire rotation can be beneficial in several ways. When done at the recommended times, it can preserve balanced handling and…

Q: Are Platinum or Iridium spark plugs the best? A: No. Platinum and Iridium are some of the worst metal…

Gear ratio lists by manufacturer Chrysler Ford General Motors Hummer Mazda Nissan Toyota Gear ratio is a number, usually expressed…

The following procedure was written while working on a 2nd gen Ford Escort LX. However it is identical to the…

When it comes to customizing or replacing the wheels on your Chevrolet or GMC vehicle, understanding wheel bolt patterns is…

A second instance of a 3rd generation Dodge Caravan which was converted to a manual eventually started to have engine vibration issues…

Wheel weights are small, often inconspicuous, yet indispensable components attached to the rim of a vehicle’s wheel. Their primary function…

Injecting water into engines has emerged as a method to combat carbon buildup, a common issue affecting performance and efficiency.…

Car radios are a vital part of any driving experience, providing entertainment and information on the go. However, if you’ve…

A missing windshield is a rare sight in an auto salvage yard, because most people think it is too difficult…

In a combustion engine the valve seat is the surface against which intake and exhaust valves rest when they are…

The following specifications are for the Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique manufactured throughout 1995-2000. Unless otherwise noted, all unmarked measurements…

Applications: Chrysler K 2.5 I4 SOHC engine, used in many Dodge, Chrysler, and Plymouth vehicles from 1986-1995. Chrysler 2.4 DOHC…

Ford VIN numbers decoding 1st position country 1 = United States 2 = Canada 3 = South America 3 =…

There are countless ways to increase gas mileage, using all of them together can have quite a big increase on…

This is what you will be looking at with the car jacked up, wheels removed, shocks disconnected, and axles disconnected.…

In the intricate world of automotive engineering, even the smallest components play a crucial role in ensuring smooth and safe…

The following is a brief list of steps required for the replacement or swapping of the cylinder heads on a…

Seafoam is a 100% petroleum product that can be purchased in any auto parts store. It is used as a…

To prevent the replacement of good components, be aware that the following non-EEC areas may be at fault: Fuel (quality)…

The Barometric Pressure (BP) sensor operates as a piezoelectric (pressure-sensing) disc. However, rather than generating a voltage, its output is…

Both the ACT and ECT sensors are very similar. Before replacing either one, make sure the rest of the coolant…

A sensor is a device that checks a mechanical value and converts it into an electrical signal. It should not…

Engine stand An older made in U.S.A. engine stand holding 3.8 Essex engine. An engine stand holds a mounted engine…

An Interference engine is a type of internal combustion engine where in the event of a serious valve train failure,…

One of the most frequent causes of A/C failure is a malfucntioning clutch on the A/C compressor. When this happens,…

Relays are meant to control electrical current flow. An electromagnet operates the relay with minimal draw through the switch. Relays…

Ford MAF cleaning To have the best performance and efficiency, the MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor should be cleaned periodically,…

The 5.4 3-valve engine found in Ford pickup trucks such as the F-150 has an irregular spark plug design which…

These have been given many names, but all identify the same item on the engine: Oxygen Sensor (O2) or (O2S)…

To prevent the replacement of good components, be aware that the following non-EEC areas may be at fault: Unusually high/low…

Ford Rear Wheel Drive Automatic Transmissions 6 Speed Automatic Transmissions Trans Model 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th Torqshift 3.114…

This device is referred to by many names, such as: Idle Air Bypass, Idle Air Control, Idle Speed Control, Throttle…

The following numbers represent stock vehicles without any modifications to the body. Frontal Area formula = Height * Width *…

The throttle position sensor is mounted on the end of the throttle body and tells the computer how far open…

Supplies: Carbon fiber cloth (Ebay- $30 an up) Fiber glass resin ($21 an up -Autozone) Super glue( $1- Dollar store)…

Ford EFI actuators overview Actuators are the components of the Fuel Injection that make everything happen based on commands from…

This article contains plans to build a device to interface RS-232 (a laptop computer) to the ISO9141-2 / ISO14230 /…

The EGR Vacuum Regulator (EVR) controls the opening and closing of the EGR valve. The EVR is an electromagnetic solenoid…

Back pressure being an essential part of a good exhaust system is a myth. It is more correct to say…

The Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) is a small signal generator that is turned by a gear inside the transmission assembly.…

When it comes to performance and reliability in compact cars, few names stand out like the Ford Focus SVT. One…

Although the stock SVT rod (left) is well made, the Eagle rod (right) is much stronger and lighter, due to…

Ford fuel injectors Injector Lb/Hr Max V8 HP HP supported by 1 injector Ford Color* 14 Lb/Hr 228 28.56 Gray…

Against a friend’s recommendation, a cheap set of coilovers from eBay were purchased and tested out on a Mazda MX-3.…

Many people make false claims that a device they’re selling will increase your gas mileage. Following is a list of…

Ford mass air flow sensor This sensor uses a heated wire to actually measure the weight of incoming air. The…

This sensor tells the computer engine rotation. But it’s a lot more than just a tachometer, it is solely responsible…

The Fuel Pressure Regulator is attached to the fuel supply rail downstream of the fuel injectors. It regulates the fuel…

This page contains some modifications that were done to a Ford Windstar with a 3.8 Ford Essex engine for amusement.…

The Ford MTX-75 (Manual TransaXle), is a 5-speed transmission developed by Ford Motor Company for its larger engined front wheel drive models. “75” refers to…

Common Ford power steering issues Ford power steering pump with reservoir. The power steering system commonly found on most Ford…

The 1.6 L 3 cylinder turbocharged EcoBoost engine is an upcoming design in a number of Ford vehicles wearing the…