Story ideas for PHR.. input wanted

[BA.]

I agree with the E85/propane/whatever engine conversion. I'd like to see that.

Also, about a possible big-brake story.....I for one would like to know the differences between some of the options out there by Baer, Wilwood, Stoptech, stock C5/C6, AP, etc. I mean, what materials or parts make a 13" kit from one different than another.
Actually TESTING them would be awesome, but, I'd settle for spec./material comparison.

[Lowend]

I'd like to see some hardcore Auto-Xer coverage...
Maybe a story on Mike Maier ( http://www.maierracing.com/ ) or RS Racing's 2nd gen Camaro ( http://www.rsracing.com/ ). A story on the American Autocross series ( http://www.americanauto-x.com/ )


The C-Prepared Auto-X guys are really the ones pioneering the suspension stuff for everyone.

[Stu Seitz]

I agree with most of the previous post in the thread, especially the E85 ideas. More apples to apples comparisons would be great, for example stopping distance between and Baer track kit, and a C4/C5 kit cobbled together from a scrap yard would be a great start. I understand you have to publish you findings is a somewhat slated way because of the companies that advertise in your magazine. But I believe you could find some way to say the one system is better then the other even if it is less expensive.

I don’t mean to offend people running a MII suspension, but just like *******s everyone has an opinion.

If I see another car featured in a magazine that is supposedly a track monster! That has a MII front sub and a drag racing four link I’m going to puke. Those systems are obviously dated and throwing C5/C6 parts at them will not fix the root problem. Why not feature cars that show real thought and innovation? No I’m not talking about how you can make an 1800 hp twin turbo SBF mustang that’s on 22’s. I’m talking about cars that have thought put into all the sub systems so the whole system works better. For example this car.

There is more info about this car over on CC.com but I think I have seen him post here on PT.com. This car is truly amazing, its street legal, more then track ready and he built it on his driveway. Again in my opinion, this car deserves to be on a cover more then anything Foose built. This car has served as a major motivation to me and I’m sure it would to others, if they only knew about it.

3rd and 4th gen tech would be awesome, as GM High Tech only has limited number of issues per year.

Real world dyno numbers; like with alternators and power steering pumps would be great too. Yes, I love being a fan boy of the LS series engine but really put an LS engine on a chassis dyno and not some slated dyno cell with a 60 degree intake temp.

Alright I’ll get off my pedestal and end my rant, I have had a couple drinks so sorry if my grammar is bad.

[Lowend]

I mean come-on tell me these guys don't set the pro-touring trends

[LowBuckX]

Im also on board with the e85 build. I think more of a retro fit article detailing the whole thing with lots of side bars with tech for some one building a e85 specific engine from the ground up.


Id stick with classic cars and not modern EFI cars because the Enviro Nazis have the classics in their sights and If people start running Green fuels it would get them off our backs for a little while. And be a darn good perf fuel

[chicane67]

How about ATS spindles vs. any after market a-arms. Gouldstrand mod vs. any after market a-arms. Perhaps doing proof positive tests of products that will work guaranteed regardless of manufacturer or PHR sponsors. Please don't take that as a negative hit. I'd like you to be the first mag to be bold when it comes to testing products. In turn, those companies that create products will be encouraged to make items that will defiantly work not just look good. No fluffy BS just hold 'em to the fire.

....And do it with real instrumentation.... no GPS related crap. Ya know, be the one to create the standard for testing so that things can be repeated and actually comparable, because of the testing standard.

If you want to keep your readers interested..... bring the tech. Go back and look at the early 90's "Circle Track and Racing Technology" magazine. They were filled with tech that presented the theories and then had articles and testing to back them up...... yup, you got it..... REAL data. Dont worry about throwing things into a 'lame-mans' explaination, dump as much information onto your reader as possible . The reason it brings people into the article is that it explains things and makes people think, it doesnt just give a stated opinion. Not to mention that this hobby has grown by leaps and bounds, but, so have the people in it. If they dont get it, they will search out the answers..... and all the "talk" will be generated from your articles.

Pick an advertiser from the back of your mag and do an article on what they do and provide. Throw them a little payback for the obsurd monies they pay just to have a little 3x3, back page blurb.

Cryogenic, REM, isotropic, hardcoat, flamespray, JetHot, ceramic, anodizing...... any and all of the above. That would be an easy, informational based series of articles that really havent been specifically explained. To include the actual process and what each of them can and should be used for... etc.

How about some aerodynamic stuff ??

Wiring stuff is a great idea as previously stated......

Autocross, like the event in Topeka......

[Damn True]

Pair up a couple of feature cars with a couple of very good suspension/alignment tuners.

Maybe Alcino with some super-stud auto-x guy, and someone else with a handling engineer from some race team and send them out.

Show baseline lap-times and g-box data. Then detail where the deficiencies in the system are and go through the correct flowchart for correcting them.

Loose in? more/less of X
Loose middle? more/less Y
Loose off? more/less Z

etc and show, with the same average guy driving how much improvement can be gained by adjustments to ride height, tire pressures, shock adjustments, swaybar adjustments etc. and show the correct way to do them.



I think auto-x is a fantastic sport. It is really accesible to every reader regardless of how stock or modified their car is......and there are a damn sight more auto-x venues available to your readers than open-track opportunities.

Hell, you could do a year-long series on just that.

Other than that, I'd like to see installs done driveway style. I think that Joe-average isn't well served by seeing how it's done in a fully equiped shop with a lift and every special tool there is. That guy needs to know how to do it with his basic Craftsman tools, jackstands and a little help from a couple bro's.

I'd also like to see a bunch of safety related stuff. Geez, how many feature cars are in Primedia mags every year that have tons of performance potential but lack basic safety equipment or have the equipment installed incorrectly?

Cage design specific to a handling car vs a drag car.
Explaination of what seats are apporpriate to what activities and what the ratings mean.
Correct harness installation.
Fire system install.
battery/fuel cutoff switches.

Coverage of Bonneville, El Mirage, Auto-x, The SCCA runoffs, NASA American Iron and CMC etc.

[vintageracer]

Hey, if you guys would stop buying the stuff they would stop advertising it..

I guess "performance" really does sell in this market segment!

[Steve1968LS2]

Lots of good ideas and many of them are one's I've pushed for in the past (fire system, cage design, proper harness, coating tech).. a few are ones I never thought of so thanks.

Like the E85 deal, only issue around here is that only ONE E85 station exists in all of CA.. just one. How pathetic is that? Still, I will run it up the flagpole.

[hdesign]

The E85 story could actually be a great opportunity from every point of view the more I think of it. As long as it doesn't sound like a preachy "save the whales" article(s), it's a win/ win situation I think.

1. Short term goal: It introduces and familiarizes readers with the technology (compare a similar budget conventional fuel set up) Real world Pros/Cons to both.

2. Long term goal: The more car guys that get on board and demand more E85 stations, the more supply will come to meet demand....especially in CA. (What a total shock there aren't more E85 stations in the politically "greenest" state in the country)

3. Bonus: If people start seeing that our performance cars are actually "greener" vehicles than the average commuter vehicle...the political stigma of hotrodding may change. (Less legislators trying to destroy our hobby.)

Possible Results:
Possible performance gains
New aftermarket segments
Better public image (not that most of us really care)
Increased infrastructure to meet demand
GM kisses our butts for promoting a concept they are pioneering
PHR takes credit for performance fuel revolution (????)
Annoying politicians leave us alone

[formula]

you know what I wanna see? Firestone developed some air springs back in like 2002 that had an external valving thingy that allowed spring rate to rise as ride height dropped. I wanna know how those worked, if they're still around, and why they aren't all over the air spring market right now.

I also think a real world comparison between, say, the DSE quadralink and LD 3-link would be sick.

[shep]

E85 conversion artical would be nice. Driveway builds would be nice as well.

[BA.]

Pair up a couple of feature cars with a couple of very good suspension/alignment tuners.

Maybe Alcino with some super-stud auto-x guy, and someone else with a handling engineer from some race team and send them out.

Show baseline lap-times and g-box data. Then detail where the deficiencies in the system are and go through the correct flowchart for correcting them.

Loose in? more/less of X
Loose middle? more/less Y
Loose off? more/less Z

etc and show, with the same average guy driving how much improvement can be gained by adjustments to ride height, tire pressures, shock adjustments, swaybar adjustments etc. and show the correct way to do them.

I think this is an excellent idea. It's interesting. It involves a big name or two and also it involves the regular guy! Bonus: we all learn from it.
Same idea could be applied to someone's motor.

[Turbo T]

This may not seem like such a great idea to the veterans of PT, but I will begin building up my first PT car in the near future, and I think I represent a lot of the younger/inexperienced crowd getting to this hobby that only know what we've been able to research on the internet or by drooling over high-dollar magazine features.

The problem is that a lot of that stuff doesn't translate into real-world performance. For instance... if you believe the advertising slogans, the key to having a great handling car is to put the stiffest possible sway bars, springs, shocks, bushings, control arms, head rests, carpet, and air fresheners on it, when that isn't always the case. As a result, lots of people at my age or experience level go out and buy a "Stage 12 Hardcore XXL Type-R" polyurethane bushing kit or 4" drop spindles and a massive sway bar, throw it on their POS car, and end up with something that's unpredictable and unsafe to drive at any rate of speed.

Honestly, that's what's kept me away from the PT concept for the last 5 years or so... I have no idea where to begin, and the right way to build a good foundation for a PT car. I'm not looking for dumbed-down "tires are for grip, and brakes are for stopping" tech, but maybe a broad overview of the theory behind performance suspension and handling, and what are the important first mods to make before dumping $1200 on a coil-over set-up... and that Stage 12 Hardcore XXL Type-R bushing kit.

BTW, I think it's pretty kickass that PHR is actually asking it's readers what they want. Keep it up!

[phonedude_mln]

I agree: E85 stories would be great. or any alternative fuel conversion (hydrogen, biodiesel)

for example, here is a Ford cobra 427 converted to run on hydrogen:

http://www.clean-air.org/Hydrogen%20...en%20Cobra.htm

in the mid 70s, everyone thought performance was dead b/c of low octane, unleaded fuel.
look where we are now.

instead of spending big $ on a new engine, what if on the next rebuild of your existing
engine, you could small $ and convert to another fuel? and would going to the 1 lcoal
station that carries it be any different than going to the airport for 110 AV gas?

find an alternative fuel convention/rally/expo/whatever and enter a primedia
or just PHR 69 camaro. great exposure for the magazine, hobby, and it would prove
you don't have to look like a dork to cruise "green"....

e.g:

http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...tml?page=1&c=y

[Steve Chryssos]

II Much!!!!!!!!

[USAZR1]

Lots of excellent idea being floated around. Another suggestion would be a how-to article on correctly fitting bigger rolling stock with detailed info on deciphering backspacing and offset numbers.

[69rs]

More 69 Camaros!

[69rs]

II Much!!!!!!!!

page 56, October issue.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

This may not seem like such a great idea to the veterans of PT, but I will begin building up my first PT car in the near future, and I think I represent a lot of the younger/inexperienced crowd getting to this hobby that only know what we've been able to research on the internet or by drooling over high-dollar magazine features.

The problem is that a lot of that stuff doesn't translate into real-world performance. For instance... if you believe the advertising slogans, the key to having a great handling car is to put the stiffest possible sway bars, springs, shocks, bushings, control arms, head rests, carpet, and air fresheners on it, when that isn't always the case. As a result, lots of people at my age or experience level go out and buy a "Stage 12 Hardcore XXL Type-R" polyurethane bushing kit or 4" drop spindles and a massive sway bar, throw it on their POS car, and end up with something that's unpredictable and unsafe to drive at any rate of speed.

Honestly, that's what's kept me away from the PT concept for the last 5 years or so... I have no idea where to begin, and the right way to build a good foundation for a PT car. I'm not looking for dumbed-down "tires are for grip, and brakes are for stopping" tech, but maybe a broad overview of the theory behind performance suspension and handling, and what are the important first mods to make before dumping $1200 on a coil-over set-up... and that Stage 12 Hardcore XXL Type-R bushing kit.

BTW, I think it's pretty kickass that PHR is actually asking it's readers what they want. Keep it up!

This book, written by one of our moderators [Tony Huntimer] is exactly what you're looking for:



http://www.racehome.com/books.htm