BustersGarage.com – An Automative Blog

It’s a pretty scary thought which must pop into every driver’s head from time to time. There you are driving long without a care in the world when you glance down to switch channels on the radio just at the point that the truck in front of you jumps on the brakes. Wouldn’t it be great if your car could brake automatically helping to avoid any collision?

Well, this technology and much more like it actually exists already. Manufacturers are constantly looking for ways to make vehicles safer with many of these safety features finding their ways into ordinary, everyday, moderately priced cars.
Next time you pop into riverside fiat or any other dealers looking for a change of wheels perhaps you should worry less about the make, model or color and concentrate more on the safety features which are fitted to the car.
Here are a few of the ones you should watch out for:
Adaptive Cruise Control – this innovation uses radar like cameras and sensors to keep an eye on the distance between your vehicle and the one in front. If the vehicle in front slows down your car will slow down too in order to maintain a safe driving distance. The vehicle will then speed up again along with the traffic.
Forward Collision Avoidance Systems – uses the same sort of technology and alerts drivers if the vehicle is getting a little bit too close to the one ahead.

Autonomous Braking – this kicks in if the driver fails to respond to previous warning systems. Some of these systems can brake automatically to help avoid a collision or at least lessen the impact. The most effective systems are a combination of forward collision warning with auto braking.
Backup Cameras – these were once only available on the top end luxury vehicles but are now available on many mid range cars. The camera will be displayed either in the rear view mirror or on a dash display and gives drivers a clear view when they are reversing into a parking space or down the drive.
Reversing Sensors – can be used either with or without the backup cameras. The sensors will basically beep whenever you get too close to something as you back up, and the closer you get the louder or more frequent the beeps will become.
Parking Assist – if you get a little bit anxious about trying to squeeze into tight parking spots this could be the feature for you. Many newer models of car are fitted with a feature which detects the space and size available for parking and guides you to the correct starting position to parallel park. You can then take your hands from the steering wheel and leave the tricky part to the computer as your car is backed perfectly into the space as if by magic . . how awesome is that?

Why not pop down to OC Fiat and see the great selection of new and used motors they have for sale. Many of the newer vehicles will have a selection of safety features fitted as standard whereas others may be available as an extra. Advances in technology really are helping the world . . . and the road become a safer place to be and to drive, so it makes perfect sense to take full advantage whenever possible don’t you think?
Remember to ask about any safety features on any of the vehicles which take your fancy. It’s better to be safe than to be sorry after all.

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BC Racing Builds a 700hp E90 BMW M3 Taxi Cab (w/video)

I’m sure we’ve all had that cab ride from hell, where the driver disregards speed limits, traffic signs, and common sense to achieve your destination while arguing on the phone with all the dispatcher. It’s an unpleasant experience, leaving you sweaty and shaken-but it doesn’t have to be like this. BC Racing and its 700hp 2008 BMW M3 showcased it’s carry out how a taxi driver should carry himself, as seen with the build here.

The original French Taxi movie franchise (written by Luc Besson, starring Samy Naceri-not the appalling Jimmy Fallon/Queen Latifah remake! ) illustrated which a skilled driver in the right machine could possibly get you to your appointment from the minimum time with maximum proficiency. And while most of us are nervous passengers by default, all of usis no different from ordinary people, and was in a position to possess some fun with the concept of a well-driven taxi as he was approached by one of his sponsored drivers.

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You see, Philip Grabow from road-race prep specialists Element Tuning was in a pickle. He was leading the U.S. Time Trial Championship when his regular race car caught fire and was burnt beyond quick repair. All he needed was to score points with the next race and the 2013 TTU class title will be his. So a call was placed to Pete to find out what could be lying around. Pete had his ’08 BMW M3 in the workshop by chance. Originally Frozen Silver, it had been treated to severalof any ride by using a 700hp Active Autowerke-supercharged V-8 under the hood!

This is Active’s most powerful E9X M3 blower kit, boasting a substantial 700 hp and 480 lb-ft at 9 psi through the Rotrex C38-92 supercharger. The blower is mounted by using a machined bracket and relies on a dedicated drivebelt system, as opposed to sharing the car’s accessory belt.

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The Rotrex has its own oil supply, and Active gave it a different oil cooler to keep temperatures under control in the harshest conditions. The company also fitted a front-mount intercooler to cool the charge air once it entered through the dedicated cold-air intake.which is evenly given to the eight velocity stacks. The air is mixed with extra fuel from the large Bosch Motorsport injectors, at a rate dependant upon the custom software created in-house by Active for the M3’s ECU.

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AA’s own bypass and blow-off valves create plenty of hissing and whooshing since they bleed off boost when the driver lifts his foot. And to avoid detonation on low-grade fuel or at high temps, the Level 3 system comes along with water/methanol injection as extra insurance. The performance increase was nothing short of astonishing. If it has an excessive amount of power, on first acquaintance, it’s some of those conversions that almost feel as. Naturally, that’s difficult, but it was insanely fast and very loud together with the X-blow and pipe-off valves.

Pete originally bought the M3 because his company provides a full range of suspension kits. While catering to a wide number of vehicles, they have a soft spot for BMWs, as does his test and development driver, Chelsea Denofa, a person who has run most versions of the 3 Series from theis honored on offering custom suspension setups for individual vehicles, developing each coilover kit for its intended application. Whether its street or track, the company has driven the car under those conditions and valved the dampers to match. If you require, BC Racing can also provide custom springs and will revalve the dampers.the most notable-of-the-range BC Racing ER Type coilovers. These have a twin-piston design, with larger external fluid reservoirs to control heat, as well as separate 30-way compression and rebound adjustment to allow for fine-tuning. The truth is, the reservoirs house the secondary piston that controls the compression damping. These particular coilovers in addition have a Swift Spring upgrade, an optional extra that gives customers access to an array of quality coil springs.

Using its track chassis, Pete stuck with 18-inch wheels to give himself the widest possible choice of tires-in this instance choosing semi-slick Toyo R888 rubber. The Toyos are placed on BC Forged TM14 wheels. These are from the one- and two-piece wheel range. It absolutely was originally designed by BC Racing but has become distributed by PYSpeed as BCR continues to concentrate on its suspension systems. Other designs are available, even though the two-piece wheels are produced from aircraft-grade T6061 aluminum and custom-made to individual specifications using a concave spoke design.we were surprised to learn Pete volunteered his 700hp E90 M3. The guy clearly has a feeling of humor-he chose to wrap the silver paintwork in bright yellow 3M vinyl and apply taxi checkers aside: a job he did himself over the course of 3 days with company General Manager Tim Griffith.

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The result is actually a machine that could rival the thrill factor of BMW’s own Nürburgring Taxi fleet. Actually, the team even added a taxi pricing structure for theincluded in the roof for the photos, Phil proceeded to complete second at the last race of the 2013 season at Sebring, claiming the USTT TTU championship. In fact, you will see the story unfold in the exclusive video shot for us by BCR’s marketing manager, Cody Slack. It recounts Phil’s request and Pete’s loan of his M3. The recording is online at europeancarweb.com and well worth a visit.

Cody reported that several unsuspecting people actually aimed to hail this taxi though it was being shot around the local streets, as a final thought. Apparently one guy went running over to it but changed his mind when he saw what he was about to step into-that was probably a very good option!

Looking a bit cagey

Many tracks insist that cars are fitted with roll cages and or roll bars. In motor sport competitions you will notice that most regulations also insist on a roll-cage. What is the job of a roll cage and are there any benefits of having one fitted? More and more TorqueCars members cars are being fitted with roll cages, so could this be just a new styling trend or is there something good for the car tuner?

Roll cages offer protection to the driver and tighter body control.

Many track cars are stripped of unnecessary weight. This often involves removal of crumple zones which absorb a lot of an impact. While you are in competition you are pushing the car harder and the consequences are much more dangerous.

A roll cage will help you to provide a strengthened zone inside the car to guard the driver. When the car flip over onto its roof or be struck by another fast moving competitor the cars driver will have a fighting chance. The regulations for each motor sport body vary and range from the straightforward stipulation that one be fitted to exact details of bar number and diameter of connecting points and harness points.

The actual structure of the roll cage is calculated to increase the rigidity and acquire the maximum strength from the lowest weight. A huge plus of experiencing a roll cage fitted is that the car will not experience as much flexing as it otherwise would. Just as a strut brace will help cornering a roll cage will also boost your track times and allows for much more and tighter precise setting of suspension components.

A bare metal roll cage will obviously be intrusive inside the car and will obscure at least an element of the door. It is best to get some roll cage padding around any part of the roll cage that your particular arms, head or legs can come into contact with. This can make a significant difference in a crash and minimise fractures.

To suit a roll cage you must really strip out the even, headlining and carpets remove the seats. The fitting process can make a lot of mess. You will need to locate the strongest chassis points and connect the roll cage to this. Bolts and welds are the most common methods and occasionally you may need to drill through the floor pan or into the sills to allow a good join.

Roll cage kits come with full fitting instructions and are personalized for each car. A 4 point roll cage may have 4 connections that need to be made (surprise surprise). Some may require that the door be welded shut so ask before your order if you are not planning to climb through the window. Kits could have curved door bars to enable easier access.

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Summer is great for getting outside and enjoying the beach. You can really enjoy the sand and the surf in the great weather that the summer provides, especially with these three great things.

1. A Portable Grill

Portable grills are the best when it comes to spending time on the beach because it allows you to have your favorite summertime barbeque while still enjoying the water. Whether you choose a charcoal or even a propane model, find a grill that can be taken anywhere is the best when you are looking to enjoy those long summer days on the shore.

2. A Sun Shelter

A sun shelter is a must have when you are out on the beach since it allows you to get some shade when the heat gets to be too much. You can go anywhere from a small shelter just to cover one person or a larger sun canopy with screened in sides. With recent designs, these shelters now take only minutes to put up and take down and are much sturdier when it comes to those ocean breezes.

3. A Car Made For The Beach

Don’t forget that your choice in cars means a lot if you are spending time on the beach. With the Jeep Wrangler from jeep riverside, you will have a great car for getting close to the sea and can also feel the sun and breeze with its option to remove the top and the doors. The Wrangler boasts 4WD along with other features that can take you almost anywhere. With options such as a leather interior and a premium sound system, you will enjoy your ride to the beach almost as much as you enjoy being at the beach itself. With an interior that hoses out, you never need to worry about messing up your new car. Find out more about how the Jeep Wrangler will work for you at OC Auto.