Sunday

Review Porsche 977 Bodyshell

A new Porsche 911 is always fascinating because it's interesting to see how after more than 40 years of development the Porsche team still manages to bring changes and improvements to this icon model.
The new 997 bodyshell combines the sleek modern looks of the 996 series with the popular retro styling cues from older 911s. The front end is completed with round lights and separate parking/fog/indicator lights. This change, combined with wider hips echoes the last of the air-cooled 911s, the 993. Other changes in the bodyshell are the new door handles, wing mirrors and the stylish cut of the rear wings into the bumper/lights.


Even if the 997 looks a lot like the previous model, the 996, the new car is actually 38mm wider which creates a more aggressive appearance. With each new model introduced, Porsche has aimed to reduce the drag co-efficient helping the 911 slide through the air more effectively, and so aiding performance. The same thing has been done with the new car, and if we compare the 993 Cd of 0.34 to the 997`s 0.28 we can see how far the aerodynamic game has moved on. The latest body shell and rear wing combine with new underbody paneling to also offer increased levels of down force for this latest evolution of Porsche's finest.
The latest Porsche model is the best handling 911 ever. Improving a car's rigidity helps ensure the suspension can work more effectively and while not making such a quantum leap as the team did with the 996. Porsche improved torsional rigidity by 8% and added as much as 40% more flexural strength.
For the new car, Porsche wanted to improve crash safety so they added two new air bags located in the side of each front seat back-rest, designed to protect the thorax. They kept the previous two front and two side airbags, which means that now there are six in total. For the same reason, crash safety, the reinforced body shell features further protection such as a more extensive use of super high strength steel.
The latest model is also 50 kg heavier than the 996. The reason is that modern crash safety regulations kind of force the new cars to come with increased weight, despite the usage of a large range of weight saving measures, including an aluminum bonnet
Aside from the crash safety improvements, much of the additional weight can be attributed to the higher standard specification of the new cars. Power to weight is similar with the latest car offering 233 bhp per tone against it's predecessors 238 and the new models improved aerodynamics must help it post Porsches claimed performance figures, which are identical to the 996.

Custom Wheels For Your SUV

People who own SUVs can choose to communicate themselves with their tires. They can install a set of loud, flashy tires that demand the attention of the people who watch them cruise by, or they can put on a set of conservative, classy rims that demand the respect of others. SUV owners who have installed a set of stylish wheels know that their rims are far more than a metal disk that supports tires. Do you?
If you are thinking about installing a set of rims on your SUV, the first thing you need to do is decide on a budget. Since wheels can be very pricey indeed it is a good idea to set a limit on your spending from the get go. Setting a price range will also limit the amount of choices available to you, which, counter intuitively, is a good thing, since the vast choices available in rims can be very daunting. And, it will keep you from feeling too guilty for having splurged on too expensive wheels.

After you have set your budget, you can start thinking about which type of metal you want. SUV wheels come in various metals, like chrome, aluminum, or stainless steel. Choosing a metal is very important because it will determine how much care you will need to dedicate to your wheels. The three metals listed above are low-maintenance. Of course, the determining factor in choosing metal should be your personal taste.
After metal, it's time for the best part, choosing which style you want. Style in wheels is a very personal thing. One person cannot tell another which one is best for them, so it will all be up to you. So, think about whether you want the tough looking thick spoked rims that will make your SUV look strong and imposing or a finer looking, refined look that will make your SUV distinctly classy. The good thing is that SUVs can take all manner of wheels and ride with them, so there are few limits to your personal style.
You are sure to have seen the hundreds and hundreds of stores that specialize in dealing with custom and personalized wheels. These would be an excellent spot to start the search for the SUV rims of your dreams. Going to the dealers will let you see wheels in real life, not just on the pages of catalogs, and get a better impression of how it will look when it is installed on your vehicle. And if the store doesn't have the wheel you were thinking of in stock, then they will almost certainly be able to send away for it for you.
If the stores local to your area are not satisfactory, then you could always try to search on the internet. Besides loads of information regarding SUV wheels, you will find images of all kinds of rims and wheels which are designed specifically for the SUVs made today. If you don't want to order the wheels yourself online, you can simply print out the information of the wheels you like and take it to a dealership that will order them for you. There is also the added bonus in that they can even mount the wheels for you!

Monday

Free Body Kits Installing Tips - Major Style Points

An auto body kit is one of the most exciting upgrades you can do to your vehicle. A good aero kit or body kit can really transform the appearance of the vehicle, and the installer will determine if this is a good or bad transformation. I would personally suggest you find a reputable shop experienced in your type of body kit work. They should know how to work with the material you selected, and how to color match, prep and paint the kit. They should also know how to, if necessary, make adjustments to ensure a proper fitting. Your finished product will be as good as the effort put into it.Having said that, it is never a bad idea to learn something new. Before you begin, make sure you designate enough time to the project to install your body kit right the first time.

This type of body work requires a lot of patience if you are inexperienced at it. Here are some instructions to help you get started on the project. The first thing to do is to prep the body kit for painting. It will be much easier to work on before it is installed. If you do not intend to paint the whole vehicle, it may be wise to color match and paint the body kit prior to installation.Start by removing the pieces that will be replaced. This may include the front and rear bumper covers. You can find the bolts for the front cover in the fender wells and underneath the cover near the frame. Remove these bolts and loosen the cover. Depending on the application, be sure to remove any of the lighting that is attached to it, such as the headlights, side markers, fog lights, etc. Now check to make sure that there isn't anything else holding it in place, such as a grille or license plate holder.

Carefully remove the front bumper cover and set to the side. Keep the hardware handy, as you will need it later. Remove the rear bumper in the same manner, as well as the trim panel located just above the bumper (if applicable). Most cars won't have side skirts at this point, but if it does, remove them by removing the bolts that hold it to the vehicle. They are located on the back of the side skirts.Take your replacement cover and carefully align it to the car and check the fitting. Some of the kits will have 3M adhesive to help hold the kit in place during this process. You may find that the foam inserts are an obstruction to the new body kit. You can either remove them or trim them to size, depending on the application.

I have found that if possible, it is better to trim them to fit because they will help sturdy the body kit so it doesn't appear as flimsy. If you have done your research and purchased a good kit, then you should line up almost perfect. Make some markings as to where you will drill your holes. You can also use the old bumper cover to line up the holes but it may not be as accurate as the fitting approach. If you find yourself in a situation where the kit doesn't line up exactly, there are some things you can do to correct the problem. First, locate the problem areas. They will be most noticeable on the sides where it matches up to the fenders or in the very front where it matches up to the hood. If you notice one side has a bigger seam in these areas than the other side, try moving the cover to the larger seam side in very small increments until there is no longer a difference.

The seam should be the same width as other seams on the car, most notably the same size as the seam from the fender to the door, or the fender to the closed hood. Using these same widths for the seams will create a "seamless" look for the finished product.If your problem area is in the front, you will have to adjust the body kit in small increments until it lines up. If you have too larges of a seam, try gently pulling the kit from the two sides to tighten up the front. it should have a little bit of play in it since it is not bolted down. If the seam is to small, try pushing the sides in towards the front of the vehicle to free up any space. Once the front is adjusted, look to see if the sides are aligned property. If you are happy with the fitment, place the bolts in the holes and tighten them down. Start in the middle, and work your way out to the sides making sure that your seams line up properly. If your kit comes with 3M adhesive on the back side, adhere the kit to the car once the proper alignment is made. This will help hold the kit in place and allow the seams to be smaller in width.