Coming up to the end of 2012 we thought it was time to update this blog. We are fast approaching 250,000 posts in our busy and friendly car tuning forum.
This is fantastic news and our membership list goes from strength to strength. We have been busy tweaking things behind the scene to make the site much faster and more responsive.
We are planning a lot of growth in 2013 and plenty of new articles so keep checking back for updates. We have recently added a top 10 car mods list.
One of the most commonly asked car tuning questions is what are the best mods so we've summarized it all in one easy to read page with links to detailed explanations and tips and tricks for each mod type.
http://www.torquecars.com/tuning/car-modifications.php
Let us know what you think of this article and if you think we've missed off any essential mods. We are also keen to hear from our readers about any mods you feel we should cover in more detail or any articles you feel we should update.
Showing posts with label car tuning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label car tuning. Show all posts
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
A new look for TorqueCars
We wanted the readers of this Car tuning blog to be among the first to know that TorqueCars has an exciting new look and feel on their modified cars site.
It was long overdue a makover with the original design and graphics dating back about 6 years or so! We have tried to keep the images used exciting and fresh and reflect TorqueCars cutting edge approach to car tuning. Unlike other car tuning sites and blogs TorqueCars gets regular updates as old articles are reviewed, refined and updated with the very latest tips and tricks.
To keep pace with the developments in modding cars you should also join thier car forums where you can read and swap ideas and tips with other car tuners with experience in the same make and model of car that you own.
We hope you like the new look and we promise that there is a lot more to come in the near future. So watch this space and keep up with the latest car modification trends.
It was long overdue a makover with the original design and graphics dating back about 6 years or so! We have tried to keep the images used exciting and fresh and reflect TorqueCars cutting edge approach to car tuning. Unlike other car tuning sites and blogs TorqueCars gets regular updates as old articles are reviewed, refined and updated with the very latest tips and tricks.
To keep pace with the developments in modding cars you should also join thier car forums where you can read and swap ideas and tips with other car tuners with experience in the same make and model of car that you own.
We hope you like the new look and we promise that there is a lot more to come in the near future. So watch this space and keep up with the latest car modification trends.
Friday, August 8, 2008
TorqueCars in the press.
TorqueCars are proud to be featured as the website of the month in the September issue of Performance BMW Magazine.
We have been recognized as a very useful resource for those looking for an introduction into the often mystifying world of car tuning and car styling.
The articles on TorqueCars have been written with the intention of making complex tuning principles easily understood.
The world of car tuning certainly moves quickly with new developments that continually push the envelope further. Sadly though the number of innovations is matched by the new scams and downright over optimistic claims about car modification parts.
There are new articles appearing on the site and the latest ones cover electric water pumps, exhaust wraps and we examine cryogenic engine treatments in detail.
The forum has seen a dramatic explosion of new registrations and there are many new active topics and threads starting all the time.
We have been recognized as a very useful resource for those looking for an introduction into the often mystifying world of car tuning and car styling.
The articles on TorqueCars have been written with the intention of making complex tuning principles easily understood.
The world of car tuning certainly moves quickly with new developments that continually push the envelope further. Sadly though the number of innovations is matched by the new scams and downright over optimistic claims about car modification parts.
There are new articles appearing on the site and the latest ones cover electric water pumps, exhaust wraps and we examine cryogenic engine treatments in detail.
The forum has seen a dramatic explosion of new registrations and there are many new active topics and threads starting all the time.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Tuning the Toyota Supra
The Toyota Supra is one of the most impressive production cars in terms of its tuning capabilities. It would appear that the engineers created an engine that were suitable of handling 600 BHP. The final power output of the engine know was reduced to around 350 breach BHP due to pressure from executives who didn't want to be accused of releasing an uneconomical and dangerously powerful car.
Quite simply with a minimal outlay you can produce one of the fastest cars on the road. The first thing you should look at is a the turbo, many Supra owners opted for a larger turbo which increases the mid and high range output of the engine. Select a turbo with a ball bearing rather than a thrust appearing as the spool up quicker, and last longer.
The next step of the tuning project involves the sports computer which manages all aspects of engine timing and boost. With the simple modifications you could be looking at power gains of double your starting baseline. See torquecars for more index tuning advice on the Toyota Supra and the benefits and drawbacks of the many different types of modification on offer.
Quite simply with a minimal outlay you can produce one of the fastest cars on the road. The first thing you should look at is a the turbo, many Supra owners opted for a larger turbo which increases the mid and high range output of the engine. Select a turbo with a ball bearing rather than a thrust appearing as the spool up quicker, and last longer.
The next step of the tuning project involves the sports computer which manages all aspects of engine timing and boost. With the simple modifications you could be looking at power gains of double your starting baseline. See torquecars for more index tuning advice on the Toyota Supra and the benefits and drawbacks of the many different types of modification on offer.
Friday, March 14, 2008
The future of tuning?
The new Nissan GTR is certainly turning some heads. It would appear that the gadgets and wizardry that make the car work can perform magic.
We are talking supreme levels of traction and power throughout the rev range. Despite it gargantuan size it handles like a car half its weight. The Nissan R&D boys have turned out something special. The car at is stands is a very complete package. However there is a down side for the car tuner.
To produce such amazing power levels the car has been hardwired to resist tuning. The GTR contains one of the most anti tuning and aftermarket modification defence array we have ever seen. This step was taken to placate the Japanese authorities that the car would not become a 1000bhp monster like the previous incarnations of the Skyline in the hands of Japans premier tuners.
The main ECU is pretty damn hard to open and reprogram due to encryption. Further to this the car has accelerometers and GPS receivers and it is able to work out if the car is faster than it was designed to be. So too much acceleration, faster cornering or sharper braking all trigger the "anti mod" warning, invalidating your warranty at best and at worst the car will start to protest.
This is only the surface, try fitting larger wheels and you again hit the anti tuning defense grid. The speed is also restricted unless the GPS pinpoints your location to a Nissan Recognised track so the car will actually police your speed limit depending on where you are.
I'm sure that many tuners will find ways around all of this and I can't wait to see what extra power and performance can be extracted from this monster. I know the guys at TorqueCars are keenly watching and waiting for updates. This does show the car makers attitude to car customisation and personalisation and it is certainly a worrying trend in automotive design.
We are talking supreme levels of traction and power throughout the rev range. Despite it gargantuan size it handles like a car half its weight. The Nissan R&D boys have turned out something special. The car at is stands is a very complete package. However there is a down side for the car tuner.
To produce such amazing power levels the car has been hardwired to resist tuning. The GTR contains one of the most anti tuning and aftermarket modification defence array we have ever seen. This step was taken to placate the Japanese authorities that the car would not become a 1000bhp monster like the previous incarnations of the Skyline in the hands of Japans premier tuners.
The main ECU is pretty damn hard to open and reprogram due to encryption. Further to this the car has accelerometers and GPS receivers and it is able to work out if the car is faster than it was designed to be. So too much acceleration, faster cornering or sharper braking all trigger the "anti mod" warning, invalidating your warranty at best and at worst the car will start to protest.
This is only the surface, try fitting larger wheels and you again hit the anti tuning defense grid. The speed is also restricted unless the GPS pinpoints your location to a Nissan Recognised track so the car will actually police your speed limit depending on where you are.
I'm sure that many tuners will find ways around all of this and I can't wait to see what extra power and performance can be extracted from this monster. I know the guys at TorqueCars are keenly watching and waiting for updates. This does show the car makers attitude to car customisation and personalisation and it is certainly a worrying trend in automotive design.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
The pitfalls of car tuning.
Car tuning has become more than a popular hobby it has become a multi $1,000,000 industry. There is no shortage of parts available for every conceivable make and model of car. Sadly though many of the manufacturers' claims are far from the truth. A common ruse used by the car manufacturers is to show the performance gains of their products fitted to a high performance engine. On a 300 BHP car the parts may well deliver a power increase of 30 BHP but on a much smaller engine car producing just 76 BHP you would not be able to see a power gain in excess of a few BHP.
The problem there is more serious than this as some performance parts can actually reduce the performance of a car. At the very least the car ceases to become usable into normal everyday driving conditions. Tuning a car for the use on track is very different to tune in a car that is going to be a daily run around.
In everyday use you need a good balance of economy and reliability along with the performance gain. Four track use, reliability is not so much of an issue, as the car will typically be stripped down and rebuilt after each race, or a few times in each race season. The track car will also spend most of its life in the upper Rev band where most of the power gains are. An everyday car will spend most of its time in the low power band and will be moving slowly so heat buildup is to be avoided.
It's for these reasons that I started writing car tuning articles and posted them on TorqueCars. Having spent a lot of money tuning up a car I quickly learned that many performance parts were not performance enhancing and actually reduced my enjoyment of the car. TorqueCars take a look at the many advantages, disadvantages and benefits of each type of modification. Before buying a performance parts or modifying your car I would strongly recommend that you read some of the articles on TorqueCars and at least be a well informed purchaser.
The problem there is more serious than this as some performance parts can actually reduce the performance of a car. At the very least the car ceases to become usable into normal everyday driving conditions. Tuning a car for the use on track is very different to tune in a car that is going to be a daily run around.
In everyday use you need a good balance of economy and reliability along with the performance gain. Four track use, reliability is not so much of an issue, as the car will typically be stripped down and rebuilt after each race, or a few times in each race season. The track car will also spend most of its life in the upper Rev band where most of the power gains are. An everyday car will spend most of its time in the low power band and will be moving slowly so heat buildup is to be avoided.
It's for these reasons that I started writing car tuning articles and posted them on TorqueCars. Having spent a lot of money tuning up a car I quickly learned that many performance parts were not performance enhancing and actually reduced my enjoyment of the car. TorqueCars take a look at the many advantages, disadvantages and benefits of each type of modification. Before buying a performance parts or modifying your car I would strongly recommend that you read some of the articles on TorqueCars and at least be a well informed purchaser.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
What is car tuning?
We often talk about car tuning without really defining what we mean. A few years ago it was little used apart to describe what a garage would do to ensure peak engine efficiency. Usually the car is put on a diagnosis computer which reads engine codes and helps the mechanic set the optimum timing for the engine.
Today car tuning involves much more than just setting the car up to its peak operating efficiency. Tuning will have the aim of maximising the power delivery of the engine far and above what the original manufacturer designed it to be.
This is acheived through the addition of aftermarket parts. Induction kits, performance exhausts, uprated suspension and even modifications like adding on a turbo or supercharger or doing an engine swap can be considered tuning in the purest sense.
Have a look at the tuning articles in the car tuning section of this site to get a deeper understanding of what car tuning involves. The best candidates for power gains are usually turbo charged vehicles which through a new computer timing map will offer power gains to the order of 30% or even more in some cases.
The general rule of thumb remains that the more you start with the bigger your return on ivestment will be. So tuning a small engined car will cost as much as the same modifications to a larger engined car but the power gain will hardly be noticed.
You will also need to keep in mind that performance tuning has hidden costs and shows up weaknesses elsewhere in a car. At the least you will be decreasing your servicing schedule intervals and at the worst you may break down more often.
Today car tuning involves much more than just setting the car up to its peak operating efficiency. Tuning will have the aim of maximising the power delivery of the engine far and above what the original manufacturer designed it to be.
This is acheived through the addition of aftermarket parts. Induction kits, performance exhausts, uprated suspension and even modifications like adding on a turbo or supercharger or doing an engine swap can be considered tuning in the purest sense.
Have a look at the tuning articles in the car tuning section of this site to get a deeper understanding of what car tuning involves. The best candidates for power gains are usually turbo charged vehicles which through a new computer timing map will offer power gains to the order of 30% or even more in some cases.
The general rule of thumb remains that the more you start with the bigger your return on ivestment will be. So tuning a small engined car will cost as much as the same modifications to a larger engined car but the power gain will hardly be noticed.
You will also need to keep in mind that performance tuning has hidden costs and shows up weaknesses elsewhere in a car. At the least you will be decreasing your servicing schedule intervals and at the worst you may break down more often.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Car tuning and car styling
Regular readers may have noticed that this blog is no longer called Waynne's world. This seemed a little too vague for a blog which features on the cutting edge of car tuning and car styling trends. This blog is intented to support our main site TorqueCars - car tuning and styling
The title will allow a better and narrower focus for all future posts which will revolve around car tuning and car styling. I have a particular interest in driving from a pure fun point of view and will offer commentry as usual on the following areas of car ownership.
Legislation. Both passed legislation and proposed legislation with a look at the impact this will have on the driver.
Ownership of cars. This will include aspects of car maintainance and car care with tips and observations from my long history of car ownership.
Environmental. The green revolution is very much here and the motorist gets blamed for so many things. We will take a driver friendly view and report on trends and developments in the auto world which affect the environmental impact of cars.
While based in good old Blighty we will cover topics of interest to American, Canadian, Asian and Pan Europeans but will stick to the english language.
The title will allow a better and narrower focus for all future posts which will revolve around car tuning and car styling. I have a particular interest in driving from a pure fun point of view and will offer commentry as usual on the following areas of car ownership.
Legislation. Both passed legislation and proposed legislation with a look at the impact this will have on the driver.
Ownership of cars. This will include aspects of car maintainance and car care with tips and observations from my long history of car ownership.
Environmental. The green revolution is very much here and the motorist gets blamed for so many things. We will take a driver friendly view and report on trends and developments in the auto world which affect the environmental impact of cars.
While based in good old Blighty we will cover topics of interest to American, Canadian, Asian and Pan Europeans but will stick to the english language.
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