Story ideas for PHR.. input wanted

[Scott Parkhurst]

PHR ran an awesome article on E-85 and how to convert to it in the May '02 issue.

It was impeccably researched and eloquently written, and really delivered the facts on this new fuel way before anyone had really even heard of it.

Oh, wait...I wrote that.



Well, it was an okay story. But, it was way ahead of its time, and the facts are still valid. Look it up if ya can.

~SP~

[nancejd]

How about an article on how to tune a leaf spring suspension? Start with picking springs, move on to shocks, and then go on to all of the little stuff that can be done to adjust one. I bet the bulk of the guys out there would love to put a non-stock style suspension in their car, but they just can't afford it.

[Kenova]

Well, here's my 2 cents (CDN)....
E-85 - I'd also like to see some stories on this. Take an engine, any engine, that is currently running on gas. Convert it over to E-85 and compare performance and mileage. Then optimize it to take full advantage of E-85's higher octane.

Handling - I like True's idea of a series of articles on how to tune your supension for auto-x or even open track days.

Brakes - I'd like to see a story on how to cram as much brakeing power as possible in behind a 15" wheel. There are still a few people out there that would preffer to keep their smaller wheels.

Seat belts - A lot of cars out there were built without seatbelts and many more have had them removed. Any car over twenty years of age are probably ready for new belts. Where do you get them? How about upgradeing to a decent shoulder harness? What to watch out for when installing them.

That's all for now...
Ken

[StRacerDuke]

Just a quick blurb to those who are very interested in learning more on the E-85. If you do some research over at turbomustangs.com I believe Trent (one of the founders/mods) is doing real world testing on a twin turbo SN-95 that was converted to E-85. I think they just dyno'ed it at over 1,000 hp and have been running it on the street with E-85 for over 9 months now with no issues.

Just a heads up if your interested in doing some extra research yourself on it.

[DarkBuddha]

Sure. That ain’t going to happen. Maybe I’m getting pretty jaded, but most articles are not much more than multi-page advertisements anymore. I used to really look forward to Super Chevy. Now, it’s like reading a catalog – I think they are the worst offender, and I hope the new editor fixes it fast. And they are not alone in this. All the mags are doing this to some level. Maybe I’d pay more than $8 for a 2 year subscription if it were less catalog like and more car-centered.

Yep... I completely agree, but I had to put it out there. I too am tired pseudo-catalog rags (cough, Primemedia, cough, cough), even at $8-$18 for a 2 year subscription. I'm likely to let several of 'em lapse even if it will leave me jones'ing for my dose of car porn unless something chages.

[Steve1968LS2]

I am truly amazed at one thing. Nitto Tires keeps buying the back cover and ya'll do not give them squat as far as coverage about their products and vast offerings of tires performance cars. But I guess engine builds and head stories are more interesting?

http://www.popularhotrodding.com/tec...und_tire_test/

http://www.popularhotrodding.com/tec..._tire_install/


But I agree.. more tire tech would be good..

[Steve1968LS2]

II Much!!!!!!!!

[Steve1968LS2]

Alright, you asked for opinions and I simply gave mine. No reason to "Thank Me" for anything.

If I am the only person that simply does not want to pay for a mag to only get the exact info, renderings, and features that are available for free right here than I guess I am the only one being honest.

If you find an interesting car or project from the site that is great but I am sorry after a while it gets to almost be the same thing over and over. It gets even worse when you have guys writting the same articles that appear to be straight from these pages.

... I simply hate seeing the same stuff when there is so much more that can be covered. There are some killer rides and projects from here that also would fit as they are kind of in the background. The F'Bird with the turbo straight 6 is as alternative as you get and he hasn't posted a million pics of his build all over the net as far as I know.

Like I listed in my first post, Pricing and comparisons with no excuses to protect the Mfg's.

The people on PT.com (and lat-g.net) are only TINY part of our readership.. They haven't seen cars from here and most likely never would. To shun the cars here simply becuase they are here would be silly.

If we ignored the tech found on the web our pages would be blank.. or maybe filled with bikini girls.. hmmm.. not a bad idea after all ;)

We cover alternative projects as we find them.. Alcinos Mustang II and we just found a '65 Buick with a new turbo V6 grand national engine in it..

[Steve1968LS2]

PHR ran an awesome article on E-85 and how to convert to it in the May '02 issue.

It was impeccably researched and eloquently written, and really delivered the facts on this new fuel way before anyone had really even heard of it.

Oh, wait...I wrote that.

Well, it was an okay story. But, it was way ahead of its time, and the facts are still valid. Look it up if ya can.

~SP~

That was a good story.. and most likely why we have at least one E85 station in the state.. one?? here in Hippy land.. go figure.. lol

Love the E85 deal.. just gotta figure out how to package it.. hmmm

[JoshStratton]

Love the E85 deal.. just gotta figure out how to package it.. hmmm

Make your own.

http://running_on_alcohol.tripod.com/

[jaybee]

New guy here, but I'll second the suggestion to look at tuning a stock-style suspension for maximum performance. It should be obvious that you can get a lot out of a well-tuned, custom-built multilink suspension, but there's a lot left in a stock chassis compared to how they came out of the factories 30-40 years ago.

One thing about it though, it should be indepth enough to say "we made this change, it did this to the performance, here's why." If you gloss it over with "we spent a day at the track, spun a lot of wrenches, and picked up 'X' performance" it does nothing to teach the average enthusiast how to get better results out of his own ride.

[BonzoHansen]

Brakes - I'd like to see a story on how to cram as much brakeing power as possible in behind a 15" wheel. There are still a few people out there that would preffer to keep their smaller wheels.

Seat belts - A lot of cars out there were built without seatbelts and many more have had them removed. Any car over twenty years of age are probably ready for new belts. Where do you get them? How about upgradeing to a decent shoulder harness? What to watch out for when installing them.

That's all for now...
Ken

Amen. Especially rear seatbelts!

[JoshStratton]

Seat belts - A lot of cars out there were built without seatbelts and many more have had them removed. Any car over twenty years of age are probably ready for new belts. Where do you get them? How about upgradeing to a decent shoulder harness? What to watch out for when installing them.

I will 3rd that one! Great idea.

[Big $$$]

How about how to swap a Ford into a Chevy

[Steve1968LS2]

How about how to swap a Ford into a Chevy

Are you trying to put us out of business????

[Steve1968LS2]

And I just want to say thanks for all the ideas. I just turned in a pretty large list of story ideas and many of the ones here were on that list.

No guarantee that they will be greenlighted, but it's there.

Thanks again!

[novanutcase]

New guy here, but I'll second the suggestion to look at tuning a stock-style suspension for maximum performance. It should be obvious that you can get a lot out of a well-tuned, custom-built multilink suspension, but there's a lot left in a stock chassis compared to how they came out of the factories 30-40 years ago.

One thing about it though, it should be indepth enough to say "we made this change, it did this to the performance, here's why." If you gloss it over with "we spent a day at the track, spun a lot of wrenches, and picked up 'X' performance" it does nothing to teach the average enthusiast how to get better results out of his own ride.

Good One!

[element180]

1.In depth aftermarket ECU comparrison such as BigStuff3 vs Autronic vs Accel DFI vs AEM EMS vs Electromotive.Stuff like ease of tuning,in depth feature comparrison,pros & cons of each (other than just price)
2.Sway bar shootout testing adjustable bars such as the HPR adjuatable unit vs say...the JBL Motorsports electronically adjustable
3.A how-to on making your own adjuatible bars
4.Maybe an in depth look at the different types of rear suspension (4-link,tri 4-link,satchell link,3-link).I'm think of a how it works and why approach rather than the typical overview and what's in the box look at each one
5.Maybe what size brakes fit what size wheels.You could gather a bunch of different 17,18 & 19" wheels and see who's brake kits fit each size such as 13/14/15" rotors,dif brands of 4 & 6 piston calipers

The 60's Trans Am Camaros,Firebirds and Mustangs are just begging to be written about in detail for the original modifications that were done for racing.I mean detail,too.Not just a cursory glance but a series of articles that explore the cars in depth

I'd love to see that as well

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

What he said

[JMarsa]

How about a coil-over comparison. Or a good article about good shocks, not the ones you buy at the corner parts store.

I also like these:

- coatings,
- CBB
- seats/proper mounting/restraints
- weight distribution
- 10, 20, 50, 100 (you pick) Tips on things not to waste you money on

And my pet peeve, how about no 1st gen (anything) in 2007. Given the prices these cars (Camaros, Mustangs, Nova's Corvettes) have appreciated to, they are out of reach for the average enthusiast. Try some more affordable late 70's-90's cars.

--JMarsa

[michael6372]

how about a how to series for the first time car builder. how to decide what to build and how to build it for form and function. when i started to build my first car i didn't have any experience with cars and got most of my info and ideas from the mags. it's hard to try to build a car on a tight budget and not lose interest after a few years.
what to look for in a project vehicle so you don't get ripped off. some basic things like wiring. maybe a tire test between nitto, goodyear etc. for all around performance from drags to a road course. how about a test to see the performance difference between wheel sizes(17,18,19,20 inch wheels). test different products for example: test air ride techs air over leaf system for performance and handling and compare it to some of their other systems. i like the idea of a coil-over test. just my two cents( if it's worth that much). maybe feature my car? can't blame me for trying!!