The Jeffrey And Tracey Info Emporium

Kit Cars are cars that can be purchased in kit form and assembled at home. It is common for Kit Car enthusiasts to obtain their material from several “donor cars”. There are a lot of Kit Car enthusiasts out there and people enter the Kit Car hobby for different reasons. Working with your hands and assembling something from the beginning can be extremely relaxing and riding in a car that you have built yourself is an indescribable experience. Kit Cars are however not for everyone, and if you know that you become frustrated by having to change your wind shield wipers a Kit Car might not be a wise idea.

Assembling a Kit Car can be a way of getting a cheaper car, but you should keep in mind that you will need a place to work in as well as the necessary tools. A lot of Kit Cars are assembled not primarily because they are cheaper than ordinary cars, but because a Kit Car can be made to suit your own particular needs and fill niches where it is hard to find ordinary cars. One of the most well known Kit Cars is for instance the Dune Buggy. The Dune Buggy is also known as Beach Buggy and Sand Rail. This Kit Car is not intended for high ways; it is a recreational vehicle that can be used on beaches and sand dunes where ordinary cars experience problems. The Dune Buggy is small and low-weight and has much larger wheels and tires than a normal car. The engine is mounted on an open chassis that is perfect for hot summer days at the beach. The Dune Buggy is usually constructed from older Volkswagen Beetles.

Kit Cars are also popular due to the possibility to create a car that resembles historic or contemporary cars. One of the most frequently replicated cars is the AC Cobra. The original AC Cobras was powerful and stylish Anglo-American sports car that was creating during the 1960s. In 1968, the last Roadster platform was produced which put an end to the AC Cobra since the AC Cobra was built on this platform. The public had however taken a liking to the potent and beautiful AC Cobra and Kit Car enthusiast started to build their own AC Cobras. Today, there exist more Kit Car AC Cobra cars than original AC Cobra cars. Some of these Kit Cars are exact replicas while others are only inspired by the original AC Cobra. Some replicas can even be said to be improved versions of the original AC Cobra, since the Kit Car builders can utilise the inventions and automobile engineering advances.

The Kit car enables you to have the car of your dreams, You can for exampel use a Hummer kit to build your own hummer to cruise around the city and country in. You can also take your kit Hummer and modify it to create your own custom Hummer.

What if I told you that you can gain 5 horsepower this weekend, for less than $100? Or, what if I told you that you could gain 5 horsepower this weekend, for less than $20?

I bet you’d be interested eh?

Well, the good news is, I’m going to tell you how to gain 5 horsepower this weekend for $0-15 spent. Sound too good to be true? Well, read on!

1) Increase the H2O ratio in your coolant - if it weren’t for corrosion and freezing concerns, automotive makers would use pure water. Water cools much better than coolant any day of the week, and a cooler engine is a better performer.

Instead of half and half, try 40/60. DO NOT use pure water, As this may cause premature corrosion and that can be no fun at all to clean up. You may also try water wetter to further enhance this effect.

2) Index your spark plugs - this is an age old trick that is good for about 1 extra pony. The idea here is to “aim” the open end of the spark plug terminal (the gap) towards the intake side of the head. In order to accomplish this, simply mark on the plug a small line to indicate where this gap is, and install the plug as normal.

Try to line up the line with the intake side as best as you can. It may require buying 2 sets of spark plugs in order to do this, but hopefully you’ll be able to do this the first time. Be careful with aluminum heads not to over tighten, as that could lead to a costly repair.

3) Relocate IAT Sensor - This is a very simple modification that will work on a great deal of fuel injected vehicles. The IAT sensor (“Intake Air Temperature”) tells the computer how hot or cold the incoming air is. The computer will then adjust the amount of fuel being injected, as well as make minor adjustments to timing based on that reading.

The problem is that in many vehicles, the IAT sensor is located in the intake manifold, near the cylinder head. Therefore the air that the IAT sensor “reads” is much hotter than the air, say, in the intake arm. The idea with this mod, is to relocate the sensor to the intake arm. Use JB Weld or similar to patch up the old port for the sensor.

This will cause the computer to believe that incoming air is slightly cooler, causing it to inject more fuel and advance the timing a tad.

4) Synthetic Oil - This is guaranteed to pick up 1-2 horsepower, as multiple dynos over the years have proved this fact. Simply by switching to a true synthetic oil this weekend you can reduce the friction in your engine, improving efficiency, and therefore going faster.

5) Insulate Fuel Lines - When your fuel lines travel through the engine bay they heat up. However, cooler fuel produces more power for more reasons than just cooling down the intake charge–although that certainly helps things! So, to improve power output, simply purchase some refrigerator/air conditioning insulation and wrap the fuel lines with the insulation. While you’re at it, you may wish to go ahead and do this to the intake arm as well for even more power.

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Want more information like this?

Check out The Definitive Guide to Low-Buck Performance: Best Kept Secrets of Top Racers

Click here: http://www.ultimateresourceguides.com/low-buck/index2.html

(C) 2004 by Nathan Morris – All rights reserved.

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* E-Zine & Site owners *

You may reprint this article in its entirety in your ezine or on your site so long as you leave all links in place, do not modify the content, and include the resource box above.

About The Author

Nathan Morris is a respected author of multiple technical automotive refrence guides and articles. He currently writes for and runs UltimateResourceGuides.com

nathan@ultimateresourceguides.com

While companies that sell used cars to the public and offer used auto extended warranty plans for their vehicles are definitely the best places to buy used autos, make sure you read the fine print on the particular extended warranty plan you are buying. Some used auto extended warranties will contain exclusions that limit the seller’s liability when a second owner purchases a used auto.

The used auto aftermarket is a huge business and it is definitely a place where the old “buyer beware” caution applies. It is important that you do your homework, that you read the fine print and that you understand the differences between warranty programs that cover cars & trucks that may or may not have been used commercially and used autos used solely by individuals.

Before you purchase your used vehicle, check out the company that stands behind the warranty. How long have they been in business? What’s their track record in paying off claims? Is it the same company that has done the evaluation of the used vehicle’s current condition?

Companies like 1SourceAutoWarranty, Warranty Direct, Warranties4Wheels, E Warranty Solutions, AA Auto Warranty and Warranty Warehouse that have been around for quite some time, have sterling reputations and deal extensively in the auto aftermarket are companies you can rely on for honesty, trustworthiness and security.

Make sure when you buy that used auto and you select the perfect extended warranty program for you that you get the plan that fits your vehicle and driving style so that you get the security that you paid for.

Matthew Henderson is editor at Auto-Fleet.com. Stop by for a huge selection of auto information. Online auto loan, auto extended warranty, vehicle history report, online traffic school, improving your credit, drivers education, auto insurance information and much more!

Praise all that is good, I’m driving a pick-up truck again!

Yep, I’ll repeat those words one more time, I’m driving a
pick-up truck again! And not just any old pick-up truck, either,
I’ve bought a black pick-up truck. And not just a plain old
black pick-up truck, either, a black old Toyota pick-up truck.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I’ve just purchased my third black
pick-up truck, and I’ve named her, “Ole Black 3,” or just
“Three” for short. Life couldn’t be better.

As I write this, I’ve already driven her a couple of places, and
I swear on every Elvis CD that I possess that I’ll never own
another car again. It’s trucks for me for here on out, and
here’s why:

1. You get to sit up high in a truck, which I personally think
is much safer. You can see the road around you much more
clearly, get a wider view through your rear view mirror, and, if
a low slung sports car with a stunning, generic blonde happens
to ride by, you can view scenery unsurpassed in nature or
anywhere else. Driving a truck is a great strengthening tool for
a man’s eyes, you could almost say it‘s like a rolling health
club for improved male vision.

2. If you buy a truck with just a standard cab, the most people
you can lug around with you is typically two. This will get you
out of hauling the whole office crowd out to lunch, or out of
taking certain relatives to the movies or whatever. A truck is
one of the few things left in the world that a man can really
have all to himself, in fact, if you get right down to it, the
only two places left for men to enjoy full uninhibited privacy
are either in their trucks or their bathrooms. And someone can
blunder in on you in the bathroom, but in a moving truck?

3. Women aren’t tempted to put dainty looking seat covers or
less than masculine looking air fresheners in a truck. Thank God.

4. No place does the CD, “The Best Of BTO (So Far),” sound
better than in a truck. In my opinion, Fred Turner’s voice is
probably responsible for thousands of guys seeking employment in
the trucking industry, because behind the wheel of a big rig
they can spend lots of time listening to “Roll On Down The
Highway,” “Let It Ride,” or “Not Fragile.” We should all
publicly thank Fred for encouraging this subtle blending of
music, art, and trucking.

5. If you’re a teenager and drive a truck you automatically have
an advantage - your parents won’t think that you can go parking
in a truck, which means that you can line up lots of dates and
privately prove them wrong…

6. Because of a truck’s suspension, it bounces around a lot more
out on the road, which keeps you awake on long drives and also
causes you to make more stops to go to the bathroom. And each
time you stop at a convenience store to use the john you
typically buy something (I always do that cause I feel guilty
about taking a wee for free). As a result, you’ve stimulated our
nation’s economy, which is always a good thing.

7. Of course, we all know you can haul stuff in a truck which
can save you lots of money on moving and shipping fees and
stuff. And, if you drop the right kind of hints, you can get out
of lots of work by making a big deal out of the fact that you
hauled over all the lumber for your neighbors new three story,
super equipped tree house in your truck, therefore, the least
that everyone else can do is build the dang thing….

Yep, I’m a happy camper again, in fact, I’m a happy camper, a
happy trucker, and once again, a happy listener of a good ole’
truck cassette player. A cassette player loaded with BTO, Elvis,
the Atlanta Rhythm Section, and Allman Brothers Band music, all
blasted out at loud volumes (…am I worried about it hurting my
ears? If it hasn’t already, it ain’t gonna, so I intend to keep
on rockin)! Basically, y’all could say that I’m again one with
myself, nature, the Brotherhood, and with life. A man that knows
himself. A man at peace with his environment. And soon, a man
with a big styrofoam cup full of boiled peanuts right there in
the cab with him, as my truck has the correct sized holder for
them, and I’ve missed that more than a milk cow misses a warm
set of hands…

It is becoming harder and harder for people to find affordable prices for new or even “pre-owned” vehicles. The cost of extras continues to rise, and even basic models can set an average person back for several years. If you are interested in buying a car, but feel as though you simply do not have the money, a government car auction might be the best opportunity for you. You can find incredible deals, and it is not uncommon for people to save thousands of dollars.

The majority of vehicles at a government car auction have been repossessed from criminals or people who have failed to make payments on government loans. There are also government car auction vehicles that are “retired” police cruisers or other government vehicles that are no longer in service. You can usually find a wide range of makes and models, and it is even possible to find classic cars that are not readily available at most dealerships.

There are government car auctions across the country, and you locate one in your area by simply contacting local government agencies or searching online. In fact, the Internet has greatly affected the government car auction. There are a number of sites that allow you to bid on vehicles from the comfort of your own home. They can also direct you to parts for salvageable cars at auction. The best sites allow you to quickly search available vehicles, so you can find exactly what you are looking for.

Whether bidding online or in person, it is essential to be well-informed before entering into an auction. The point of a government car auction is to save money. If you do not know the true condition of a vehicle, you can end up paying more money than it is actually worth.

My site provides listing of government car auctions

Do some homework before you start shopping for a used vehicle. Think about what your needs are, what your driving habits are, and what your budget is. You can learn about vehicle models, options, and prices by reading dealership ads in the newspaper as well as reading the classifieds.

There is also a host of information about used cars on the Internet. Enter the words USED CAR as keywords for searching and you will find information such as how to buy a used car, how to conduct a pre-purchase inspection, ads for cars available for sale, as well as other information.

Your local library and book stores are another source of good information. They have publications that compare car models, options, and costs; as well as offer information about frequency-of-repair records, safety tests, and mileage.

Once you’ve narrowed your car choices, research the frequency of repair and the maintenance costs on those models in auto-related consumer magazines. For information on recalls, contact The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Auto Safety Hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

When you find a vehicle you are seriously interested in, considering using one of the vehicle history services available online to find out what that vehicle’s history is. Some of the services available include an odometer check to help you make sure the mileage on the vehicle is accurate; checking the registration to find out if the vehicle was a rental, a lease, private party, or fleet vehicle; a title check; as well as finding out if the vehicle is a lemon, was in a major accident, was a salvage vehicle, or was ever reported stolen.

There is typically a fee for these services, but spending a little money to find out the exact history of the vehicle can save you serious money and headaches down the road. In order to use one of these services, you will need the VIN from the vehicle. Enter the keywords VEHICLE HISTORY in an Internet search engine such as Google or Yahoo. It will yield results for several organizations that offer these services such as http://www.carfax.com and http://www.autocheck.com

For financing you have two choices. One is to pay in full at the time of purchase. The other option is to finance over time. If you finance, the total cost of the vehicle increases because you are also paying for the cost of credit which includes interest and other loan costs. If you are going to finance, consider how much money you can put down on the car, your monthly payment, the length of the loan, and the annual percentage rate. Keep in mind that annual percentage rates are typically higher on used vehicles. The loan period is typically shorter on a used vehicle as well.

Dealers and lenders offer a variety of loan terms and payments schedules. Shop around. Compare offers. Negotiate the best deal you can. Be very careful about advertisements that offer financing to first time buyers and to people with bad credit. They typically require a big down payment and have a high annual percentage interest rate. If you agree to financing that carries a high interest rate, you might be taking a big risk. If you decide to sell the car before the loan is paid in full, the amount you receive from the sale of the vehicle may be far less than the amount you need to pay off the loan. If the car is repossessed or declared a total loss because of an accident, you could be obligated to pay a considerable amount to repay the loan even after the proceeds from the sale of the car or the insurance payment have been deducted.

If you decide to finance, make sure you understand the following aspects of the loan agreement before you sign any documents:

1) the exact price you are paying for the vehicle, not just what the monthly payments are
2) the amount of your finance charges (the exact dollar around the credit will cost you)
3) the annual percentage rate (APR)
4) the number of monthly payments and the amount of each monthly payment
5) the total cost of the vehicle (including tax, title, registration, finance costs, etc.)

Used cars are sold through numerous types of outlets: franchise dealers, independent dealers, rental car companies, leasing companies, used car superstores, private party sales and the Internet. Check with family and friends for recommendations on where to buy a vehicle. It is also a good idea to call your local Better Business Bureau and/or the State Attorney General office to find out if any unresolved complaints are on file about a particular dealer before you decide to do business with them.

There is a lot of hype in ads you will see. Some dealers are attracting customers with no-haggle prices, factory certified used cars and better warranties. Consider the dealer’s reputation when evaluating these ads.

By law, dealers are not required to give used car buyers a three day right to cancel. The right to return a car in a few days for a refund exists only if the dealer grants this privilege to buyers. Before you purchase from a dealer, ask about the return policy. Get the return policy in writing and read it carefully to be sure you understand it.

The Federal Trade Commission’s Used Car Rule requires dealers to post a Buyers Guide in every used car they offer for sale. This includes light-duty vans, light-duty trucks, demonstrators, and program cars.Demonstrator vehicles are new vehicles that have not been owned, leased, or used as rentals, but they have been driven by the dealer staff. Program cars are low-mileage, current-model-year vehicles returned from short-term leases or rentals.

Buyers Guides do not have to be posted on motorcycles and most recreational vehicles. Anyone who sells less than six cars a year does not have to post a Buyers Guide.

The Buyers Guide must tell you the following:
1) whether the vehicle is being sold “as is” or with a warranty
2) what percentage of the repair costs a dealer will pay under the warranty
3) that spoken promises are difficult to enforce
4) to get all promises in writing
5) to keep the Buyer’s Guide for reference after the sale
6) the major mechanical and electrical systems on the car, including some of the
major problems you should look out for
7) to ask to have the car inspected by an independent mechanic before you buy.

When you buy a used car from a dealer, get the original Buyers Guide that was posted in the vehicle, or a copy. The Guide has to reflect any negotiated changes in the warranty coverage. It also becomes part of your sales contract and overrides any contrary provisions. For example, if
the Buyers Guide says the car comes with a warranty and the contract says the car is sold “as is,” the dealer must give you the warranty described in the Guide. When the dealer offers a vehicle “as is,” the box next to the “As Is - No Warranty” disclosure on the Buyers Guide must be
checked. If the box is checked but the dealer promises to repair the vehicle or cancel the sale if you’re not satisfied, make sure the promise is written on the Buyers Guide.

Some states, do not allow “as is” sales for many used vehicles and some states require different disclosures than those on the Buyers Guide. Check with you state Attorney General office to find out what the laws are in your state.

D Ruplinger is a featured writer for Lemon Laws Help.  To read more of her articles, and to learn more about lemon laws or to find information about a state’s lemon laws, visit our site.

Sometimes, warning lights get people all frazzled and lose control of the whole situation. Experts in the field of driving, automobiles, and driving safety say that people should not panic when this kind of thing happens to you.

If you notice that the “check engine” warning light suddenly appears and alerts you, what do you exactly do? First, do not panic and calm yourself down. It may become the very reason for you to get into further trouble or accidents. The truth is, these “check engine” warning lights could actually mean a couple of things. So there is no need to panic. Remaining calm and collected would keep you in control of the situation.

The “check engine” warning light is a part of the car’s system and onboard diagnostics. This is the computer part of the car that monitors and controls the performance of your vehicle. It also oversees the car’s engine speed, ignition timing, fuel mixture, and the like. The warning light comes on when this computer detects something that is not correct.

What would be the best defense when the “check engine” warning light comes on? It would be your owner’s manual. Be sure that you have read and understood important details of your owner’s manual. That way, you can check what the warning light is trying to tell you.

Once the warning light comes on, try to pull over first. Then try to look for signs of serious car problems that need your immediate attention. Check the gauges. Your car may be just overheating or there might be a low oil pressure.

It may be a very simple solution however it would help if you try to tighten your gas cap. For most cars, if the gas cap is not tightened enough, the “check engine” warning light goes on.

Try reducing your speed and the load of your vehicle. The loss of power could actually trigger the “check engine” warning light to go on. Or you can also try slowing down, or remove any accessories that need the power of your engine.

If, however, despite your efforts at trying to check what could be the problem and still you cannot find the source or the problem itself, go to the nearest professional mechanic or technician. By doing such, you are entrusting your vehicle to people who have been trained and have the knowledge on such situations.

Auto Parts Discount holds quality Scion parts like Scion wheel covers, oxygen sensors and corner lights among many others.

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Joe Thompson is the owner of a successful auto body shop in Ferndale, California. This 38 year old is also a prolific writer, contributing automotive related articles to various publications.

Purchasing new car is hard enough without having to deal with the sales pressure from a car salesman. It’s no big secret that almost every car dealer can be talked down on the initial price thay want for a car.

So if you decide to buy new car, we’ll help you determine what kind of cars is right for you and how best to negotiate a car purchase. Before you head out to the car showrooms with your checkbook in hand, evaluate your reasons for buying a new car. Find out the base price of each car you are interested in. The more you know about the actual cost of, the less you will have pay for it.

It’s not a picnic to buy new car, so for that purpose we’ll give you a lot of great advices for dealing with this extremely stressful situation. First of all you have to stay relaxed, positive, and patient, not paranoid and aggressive, but that is just the beginning. After reading this car buying guide many of our visitors told me it helped them in getting an awesome deals on their latest car purchase. Read the entire guide before you buy new car ! Bying a car is like a poker game, you can’t have a fair game unless you get to know all the rules and all the card dealer’s scams!

How to achieve the best new car purchase price?

Don’t buy the first thing you see, or in this case don’t believe them when they say that they are the ones with the lowest new car prices, they have to say that, it’s their tactics! Be smart and don’t enter the dealership without visiting some of these sites Cars.com, InvoiceDealers, Autoweb, Car.com, CarsDirect, Ford Direct and AutoUSA. Find out how much you can buy new car for and then go to your car dealer and let the games begin, of course on your terms! Don’t be a dumb buyer as you are expected to be, do your homework if you want to buy new car at the lowest price possible! And one more thing, don’t hesitate to buy new car online if your new car purchase quote from CarsDirect is lower than the car dealer. Click buy and they will let you know what is the next step, and in a few days your new car will arrive, and you saved your money and precious time!

Buy new car at autobytel, get customer testemonials, insurance quotes, extended warranty prices, delivery information, trade-in values and online car appraisals. One of the leading online automotive resources, edmunds, allways upgrading its services. Edmunds includes loan and lease calculations, car financing advice, recalls, crash-test results, lemon checks and maintenance tips. Buy new car at Carsdirect, channel that connects you directly with a dealer of your choosing or finds loacal dealers for you. This is the only site where you can compare an unlimited number of new or used cars side by side. If you want to buy new car visit this great resource.

Auto Purchase Tips - Auto purchase guide covers new and used vehicles, financing and negotiating with car dealers.

Many people who reserve a rental car show up to the counter with little thought given to the “what if’s” that could result from them driving a car that is not their own. You wouldn’t think of driving your own car without coverage, so take a few moments to consider how you will make sure that your rental car is covered. Here are 3 steps to take to ensure you have adequate coverage.

1. When you’re calling the rental car company for a quote, find out how much the coverage costs and what it covers. Their rates for insurance/coverage may be higher but they also offer the least hassle, since you may not have to file a claim on your own insurance. Many car rental companies have a couple of options, including buying down the deductible to a hundred dollars (or so, depending on where you live) or even to zero.

2. Contact your car insurance company. They may already cover you for rental cars in certain situations. For example, if your car is in the shop, they may automatically transfer your coverage and deductible to a rental car. This is a replacement-only type of coverage because they are covering you on a different car. For an additional cost, you may be able to purchase either a temporary or ongoing rider (depending on the insurance company) to cover your rental car even if your car is not in the shop. This is considered a non-replacement-type of coverage since you will need coverage on both cars because they potentially could both be driven.

3. Contact your credit card company or check out the Cardholder’s Agreement. Your credit card may cover you for rental car insurance. Check to see that they cover you in your specific situation. For example, there are certain cars they cover (some don’t cover trucks or SUVs) or they may not cover you depending on where you drive or how long you have the car.

Armed with this knowledge, you can make an educated estimate of what the costs are to ensure that you are fully covered on your rental car. After all, you want to have peace-of-mind when you’re on your next trip.

Jeff Lakie is the founder of Insurance Information a website providing information on Insurance

Before we talk about the different auto pinstriping methods we need to cover a couple of basic points :

1) Pinstripes are usually done in two colors: one that compliments the body color, and another, thin line, which contrasts to make the stripe stand out. There are no rules: color choice is a matter of personal preference …. and
imagination !!!

2) Make sure the surface to pinstripe is absolutely clean. Get rid of all residue with a good pre-surface preparation product
 

OK, now to the different auto pinstriping techniques :

Mechanical Pinstriping

A mechanical auto pinstriping is the best for striping long areas like trucks, vans, or station wagons. The main advantage is that it puts down stripes of consistent width, letting you concentrate more on keeping the contour of the stripe aligned along your work surface. The Buegler pinstriper and accessories are one of the preferred by body shops and pinstripers for their high quality construction and consistent operation. The easiest way to use a Buegler striper is to set up your stripe line using a magnetic auto pinstriping strip. It adheres firmly to steel surfaces, forms mild curves, and has a center groove designed with the Buegler’s guide arm in mind. The strip can also act as a guide for your hand.

Striping with Stencil Tape

There are several different stencil tapes that are suitable for almost any auto pinstriping application. Stencil tapes let you lay down stripes of different colors without waiting for the other stripes to dry.

Stencil tape striping requires brushes: the pinstriping brush is the most important element for an excellent final result.

Freehand Striping

This auto pinstriping method is the most advanced one and requires the most practice to master, but offers unlimited flexibility. The easiest method for the freehand striping novice is to lay down a strip of masking tape about ¼ inch from where you would like the line to be. Use the tape as a visual guide for your stripes. Do not use standard masking tape for edging pinstripes. the pinstriping paint will seep and bleed under the edge of standard masking tape. The pinstriping can be as plain or as fancy as your patience and level of skill allows.

Regardless of the design, pinstriping is one of the best ways to make your vehicle very unique. Like anything worth doing right, practice will make worthwhile results …. and having the best possible supplies is critical too.

Marc Deschamps is the editor of CarAccessoriesMagazine, a free online publication dedicated to automotive accessories, car care and related topics. Other articles full of information, tips and advice can be found at
http://www.car-accessories-magazine.com.