How to Buy a Car Battery

Article by Hosea Charles

Gas Powered RC cars offer many realistic features and come in a variety of types and styles. To help you choose what’s right for you, this article covers the main considerations you’ll face.

If you’re a fan of radio-controlled vehicles, but find standard RC to be lacking in power and running time, you might want to consider looking into gas powered RC cars. These cars, which run on a nitromethane-based fuel that is often referred to as “glow fuel” or “nitro”, offer a level of realism and performance that you just won’t find on battery powered cars. Gas powered RC cars are also often highly customizable, allowing hobbyists to utilize a variety of engines and design types… there are even different types of transmitters available depending upon how you would prefer your car to work. Below are some of the options available for gas powered RC cars, giving you an idea of the level of customization that you can achieve.

Engines Obviously, one of the more important aspects of gas powered RC cars is the engine. A variety of different engine models are available for you to choose from, but in general most cars of this type will have what are commonly referred to as “glow” engines. A “glow” engine is a 2-cycle internal combustion engine, creating the power that gas powered RC cars are known for and adding a bit of realism to the car with the exhaust that is produced. Instead of the spark plugs that a full-size automotive engine would have, these engines use a “glow plug” that is heated by what is known as a “glow starter” This heat is then held by the plug and is used to fire the engine strokes for the remainder of the running time.

Fuel As mentioned above, the “gas” used by gas powered RC cars isn’t actually gasoline… it’s a special fuel that is nitromethane-based and formulated for the cars’ engines. Special lubricants are added to the fuel mixture to protect the engine from excessive heat and wear; the lubricants work in much the same way as gas-oil mixtures in some chainsaws and other small-engine equipment. Other fuel accessories may be needed to go with your car. A pump or special bottle may be used to get the fuel into the RC car’s fuel tank, and filters in the fuel line may need to be replaced from time to time.

Radio The radio that you use to control your gas powered RC cars can be the same type that is used to control an electric model of RC car. A 2-channel radio system. It’s important to keep in mind that just because the car’s engine runs on a liquid fuel doesn’t mean that you have no need of batteries. In addition to the battery that powers the radio controller, you might find yourself in need of batteries to supply power to the radio receiver in the car itself. Of course, with some receivers it may be possible to have the power supplied by the motor of the car itself. The type of receiver that you use and the power supply that it needs are one consideration to keep in mind when comparing different parts or different cars.

Sport vs. Competition A variety of different options and body styles exist for gas powered RC cars. You can choose from trucks, sedans, buggies, popular car models, and even stock cars. Once you’ve decided upon the body style and layout that’s right for you, however, you may find yourself facing one additional choice. Many of the car models available commercially come in two distinct types; a sport version, and a competition version. Sport cars tend to cost less, and offer basic options that are popular with beginners and casual hobbyists. For those who want to race their cars against other dedicated hobbyists, though, there are the competition cars which tend to have more power and higher speeds and offer advanced options such as oil shocks and ball bearings. Competition models may not be a complete car, however, since they are designed to allow for more customization… many of these kits require you to get the engine that you want to go with it separately, as well as the car body in many cases (since the kit only provides the main chassis.)

Kits vs. RTR If you’ve decided that you want to buy gas powered RC cars, you often have to make a choice between buying a kit, so that you can build the car yourself, or buying a ready-to-race car (also known as RTR) that is ready to be fueled and go right out of the box. RTR cars are good for beginners or casual hobbyists, but aren’t highly customized. Kits, on the other hand, may require additional work but allow the builder to decide exactly how they want their car put together. Should you use a kit, it’s important to remember that you’ll need to make sure that you have the engine that you want, paint and basic tools on hand for assembly and decoration, and additional tools and parts depending upon the kit that you purchase.

Regardless of the type of car that you buy, though, you’re certain to find yourself amazed at the power and performance of these cars loved by hobbyists and racers around the world.

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Article by Jupiter Motors

A car is an important personal investment, but owning one, whether it’s a new car or a used car, takes a lot of hard work. It has to be well taken care of to ensure its reliability and prevent breakdowns. Used cars especially need extra attention as they are more difficult and more expensive to maintain than new cars.

Following a regular maintenance routine will help extend the life of your car as well as keep your car’s performance at its peak. It will also save you a lot of money in repairs. Here are 10 basic car care and maintenance tips to follow.

1. Drive with care

Do not accelerate your engine during start-up as this quickly adds to the wear of the car’s engine. Accelerate slowly when you begin your drive. Shift to neutral at red lights to give the engine some time to rest. Be car considerate and you will be rewarded with longer time between repairs.

2. Wash your car once a week

Washing your car keeps it clean, shiny and free from corrosion. Remember to clean the car interior too. Dirt particles are abrasive while spilled liquids such as sodas and juices can be corrosive. Vacuum your car interior thoroughly and wipe the lenses on the dashboard with a soft damp cloth. Take your mats out and brush or hose them down. This will remove dirt that may otherwise create wear in your mats if they build up. Dry the mats thoroughly in the sun before placing them back in the car.

3. Wax your car too

Waxing your car regularly protects you car’s paint job by slowing oxidation and by creating a barrier against bird droppings and pollution. It also makes the car look good by adding extra shine.

4. Park in the shade

Parking your car in the shade prevents interior damage by UV rays and protects your car’s paint job. If a shaded area is not available, use a car shade to minimise the sun’s impact. 5. Change engine oil and filter regularly

Many car owners manual today recommend increasing the interval between oil changes. But frequent oil change is still necessary especially if you are maintaining a used car. Frequent oil changes flush abrasive dirt and metal particles out of the engine, thus prolonging its life. Change the oil filters because the old filters contain build up of oil and dirt particles that will otherwise remain and mix with the new, clean oil.

6. Take care of your tyres

Check your tyre pressure at regular intervals and keep them inflated to the recommended pressure specified in your user manual. Another thing to look out for is uneven wear. If you have properly maintained the tyre’s pressure, then uneven wear might suggest that it is time for wheel realignment. Uneven wear also suggests worn-out brakes or shock absorbers, a bent wheel or internal tyre damage.

Also have your wheel alignment checked every 50,000 km. Improper wheel alignment shortens the life of your tyres as well as causes steering problems. See if your steering is stiffer than usual or if your car pulls to one side. If it does, you need to have your wheel alignment checked.

7. Clean your car engine

Wash your engine at least every year. A clean engine runs cooler than a dirty one. A clean engine also enables you to easily spot leaks and service its components. You may have your engine professionally steam cleaned or you may opt to do it yourself. In this case, make sure you protect sensitive engine components including the air intake, distributor and electrical parts with plastic bags before getting started. You may use a grease-cutting detergent and a bristle brush to scrub the engine. Make sure to rinse thoroughly once done.

8. Change spark plugsMany manufacturers recommend changing spark plugs every 50, 000 km. This ensures good fuel mileage and high engine performance.

9. Maintain your car battery

It doesn’t matter if the manufacturer claims that the battery is maintenance-free, you still have to regularly check your car battery to extend its life. Start by keeping your battery terminals clean. You may wipe it with a damp rag with some detergent if needed. Also check the battery case for any sign of damage. Cracks or bulges are signs that your car battery needs to be replaced.

10. Select a reliable car insurer

No matter how careful you are, accidents or damages are inevitable. In this case, you need to have a car insurer you can trust. Choose a car insurer who replaces damaged parts only with original parts from the manufacturer and who can give you guarantees on repairs.

Some final tips

There are also professional car-care service centres that can check your car at regular intervals. It will also help to have your car regularly inspected by a trusted mechanic. When you do your part in caring for and maintaining your car, you will be rewarded with a vehicle you can rely on for years to come.

Article by Kevin

If you have an older car,older cars need to be maintained more than new cars do and can break down quicker if not kept up with.

Your car is an investment that you used your hard earned money for and should be taken good care of,if you want your it to last for a longer time.

Below I will explain a few tips on how to keep your older car running good.

Engine oil and filter

1. The oil in your car plays a very important role in your engine.The oil protects lubricates and cools the inner engine parts.

2. In older cars that have 70,000 miles or more should use a higher mileage engine oil,this oil is a thicker oil and has better engine protective properties in it for older cars.

3. The engine oil should be changed every 3,000 miles to prevent inner engine problems and increase the life of your cars engine.

4. The oil filter should also be changed at every oil change,this filter cleans out all the carbon and dirt that is in the engine oil while your car is being used.

your cars fuel system

1. As you drive your car and you keep adding gas as needed,in time your cars fuel system will get carbon build up inside the engine where combustion ocurrs.This can have another big impact on how your car runs and has a big effect on fuel economy.

2. To remove and clean the carbon deposits and other soot from inside the engine and the fuel injectors,every 3,000 miles dump a full bottle of fuel injection cleaner in your cars gas tank when the gas tank is near empty and before you fill your car with gas.This way the fuel injection cleaner mixes in good with the gas.

Plugs and wires

1. If your car is running rough at idle,this could mean you may need to change your cars plugs and wires or bring your it somewhere to have them changed.Your cars plugs and wires are the life line of your car.

2 Your cars plugs and wires do wear out and can get carbon build up on them too,mostly the plugs,because the plugs are connected to the inside of the engine and produce spark needed for combustion and for you car to run and again keep your cars fuel ecomy at its best.

3. Your cars plugs and wires should be changed every few years to keep your car running at its best.

Air filter

1. The air filter in your car is connected on the inside of the air intake system.

2. What the air filter does is cleans the air of dirt and soot that enters the engine.

3. If your cars air filter is clogged with dirt and soot,this can slow your cars performance down and decrease fuel economy.

4 Upon every oil change or other car maintenance check the air filter to see if it is clogged or has a lot of dirt in it.The air filter should be changed atleast once a year.To keep your car running at its best too.

All of this mentioned here are a few ways to keep yourolder car running good and get good fuel economy too.

Welcome to Everything About Cars.

Cars own been an obsession for human beings from the time of this conception in the late 19th century.

If cars had a heart, it would no doubt be the gasoline engine.

A controversy in the 21st century, the gasoline engine has nonetheless withstood the test of time and is still being employed today in most modern cars.

Many people, if their budget supplies it, becoming collectors of cars. Throughout the years, thousands of models have made their entrance, had their time of glory, and made such a exit. Collecting vintage cars is a hobby sole available to individuals who can afford it, however, as it is pricey and requires a lot of garage space. The maintenance of cars is absolutely important to any collector; it should be of utmost importance that the cars be shiny, mechanically functional, and predicted to be taken for any whimsical spin deemed necessary.

For many, however, cars are little more than a functional tool of locomotion.

It is understandable then, which the controversy surrounding the gasoline engine has now reached drastic proportions. Cars can be powered by new-age hybrid motors which rely on an electrical back-up system-only using gasoline combustion when absolutely necessary. These motors can windfall cars reduce their emissions of carbon monoxide.

There is a coming years for cars – one that remains stylish yet adapts to the modern world’s needs. There ought to be nothing more luxurious than adapting classic cars to new, hybridized technologies. This is why the future for cars, car collectors, and environment-friendly functionalists is a bright one.

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So, is the snake like free flowing BMW starting to give you a hard time? It might be the time for you to get the engine replaced. The Z4 BMW is a successor of the Z3. One of the most popular sports cars BMW Z4 has a classical look but a very advanced system that backs it up. You would not want your amazing car to be left out when it starts wearing out. Replacing the engine with a high power one is a very good option. The smart thing to do is research well on the service providers in your area that deal with automobile spare parts and particularly engines of course. For you to get the best quality engine for your Z4 BMW, it is not as hard as it might seem to some.

You can look for a service that provides some guarantee for the engine. This way you can get a high quality engine for your high quality Z4 automobile and play safe. There are some providers of spare parts of BMW that offer the Z4 engines with a three-year warranty and affordable packages. All you have to do is look and you will find.

Here is a list of Z4 engines for your beautiful car. You can choose one depending on your preferences and how you want your car to flow. You have a choice for the capacity of your engine. You can go for an engine having a capacity of as low as two and a half liters, and the same engine with a capacity of as large as 3.2 L, or simply three liters. Be it an A.T engine or M. T for example you can have these capacities in all types available. The combinations are such that you can go for your desired engine capacity with say, an M. T with or without sequential man gearbox.

M.T. 3.0L w/o SMG
M.T. 3.0L SMG (sequential man gearbox)
M.T. 2.5L w/o SMG
M.T. 2.5L SMG (sequential man gearbox)
A.T. 3.0L
A.T. 2.5L
M.T. (Rdstr, 6 spd) sDrive35i
M.T. (Rdstr, 6 spd) sDrive30i
A.T. (Rdstr) sDrive35i (7 spd)
A.T. (Rdstr) sDrive30i (6 spd)
(Rdstr) sDrive35i (3.0L, twin turbo)
(Rdstr) sDrive30i (3.0L) AT
A.T. (3.0L, 6 spd) si model (255HP)
A.T. (3.0L, 6 spd) i model (215HP)

Getting a better engine is something a number of people do and there is no risk involved. So go ahead and do it.

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Nitro engines power nitro rc cars and trucks. They can be very little piece of equipment. Every nitro engine even from the same manufacturer is going to tune differently, therefore one has to learn the uniqueness of his/her engine. Nitro rc cars come with manufacturer’s user manual which one has to get into the practice of reading and following the instructions put forth about the rc cars engine. Each builder of engines for rc vehicles does things differently which puts forth the importance of following instructions as clearly stated in each package instruction manual. Besides, trying something different from that which is set can void the warranty of manufacturer. Understanding the nitro engines used in nitro rc cars is of utmost importance.

These nitro engines come in different sizes from the smallest of 0.05 cubic inch to the bigger 0.32 cubic inch engine with a range of sizes in between.

The maximum horsepower that a .32 cubic inch produces is over 3 hp.  The engines have extreme rpms ranging from 25,000 to 35, 000 which is amazing in the way the small size of the engines produce such rpms and still stay in one piece and still produce over 3 hp.  Modification of the nitro engines makes them exceed the said numbers. Most nitro engines of nitro rc cars are 2 cycle glow plug engines whereby they make use of the glow plug to ignite the nitro fuel.

Nitro fuel is used in the nitro engines and is a blend of nitro methane, oil and methanol. The blend varies from 10% to 30% nitro and 10% to 18% oil. The twist comes in the oil blend whereby it is a blend of castor oil and synthetic oil. Nitro fuel in the marketplace will normally have a suggested nitro percentage for use. One should stick close to the suggested percent. The fuel chemists and engine manufacturers have all figured out on the oil percent. They work as a group to get the best combination for each blend. The glow plug factor of the nitro engine makes it all work and is rated from cold to hot. The rule here is the higher the nitro percentage the colder the glow plug and vice versa and is an area that confuses many.

There is no industry standard for rating and numbering the glow plugs. Nitro rc cars engine manufacturers only have suggested glow plugs for use. There are several factors that affect the glow plug and they include humidity, temperature, and air. Nitro engines make use of the carburetor to get air and nitro fuel mixture into the engine and this is where tuning of the nitro engine is applicable. This will depend on the glow plug and nitro fuel being used. Many carburetors are made of the slide-valve design with a high speed needle, low-speed needle and an idle screw.  Fine tuning of the nitro engine is done using the high-speed needle whereby it used for enrichment of the fuel-air mixture that enters the nitro engine. Leaning the engine of nitro rc cars quickens acceleration and produces more top speed.

Article by Dennis James

The talk about finding new alternative energy sources for our cars is not new. In fact, scientists and car engineers had begun finding ways to either use energy sources, or to optimize existing engine solutions back in the 1970′s.

People saw that big engines were very inefficient and they started looking for new solutions. The answer to the large gasoline engines were rather small, turbo powered diesel engines.

Until then diesel engines have been used mainly on heavy-duty machinery and large trucks, but scientists began to install them on small cars for their fuel efficiency and cost savings.

Diesels are still considered by some people as noisy, unreliable and expensive to maintain, but things have evolved greatly since the early days of the diesel engine. General Motors was among the first companies to fit diesel engines to cars like Chevrolet Caprice and the Oldsmobile, but these engines were shaky and very unreliable. GM soon admitted they had been doing things wrong and re-fitted those cars with normal gasoline engines. It was a large image hit and that is why consumers are still very reluctant to buying a diesel-powered car today.

Diesel engines also cause a bit more pollutant than comparative gasoline engines and with the taxes on polluting cars growing every year, no body wants to pay more taxes for their car if they can buy a gasoline engine car and pay less from the start.

Car companies also have looked at how they can optimize power output of modern diesels and how these engines can be made greener and they have came out with modern solutions.

European carmakers have been putting diesel engines in their cars for many years now and in Europe more then half of the cars sold are diesel powered. Manufacturers like Volkswagen, Mercedes or BMW are selling their large limousines mostly with diesel engines, for their power efficiency and cost savings when it comes to mileage. However, not only large cars have been fitted with diesel engines in Europe, but also sports cars. Audi, for example, is producing a 500-horse power sports car fitted with a V12 diesel engine. In addition, they claim this engine to be more powerful, greener and more efficient than its gasoline counterpart does.

Car manufacturers, especially in Europe and Japan, have been fitting large SUVs and 4×4 with diesel engines mostly for decades now. Fitting a gasoline engine on a large 4×4 would mean that its mileage would be extremely bad and its taxes would overcome its owner.

However, modern diesel engines are very powerful and a lot more reliable than they have been 20 or 30 years ago. Car manufacturers all over the world offer the same warranty for its diesel-powered cars like they do on their gasoline cars and this proves that modern diesel engines have the same reliability as gasoline engines have.

In most countries, the cost of the diesel fuel is lower than the price for gasoline and this combined with the better mileage of diesel-powered cars means significant money savings.

American car manufacturers are looking into installing diesel engines in their cars and it is only a matter of time until you will be able to buy your favorite car with a diesel engine.

Article by Lowmileageengines

Used car engines are more convenient and less costly compared to new car engines. New car engines can be bought at a very high price even though purchasing a used car engine can give you the same quality. There are people that will not consider buying used car engines because of the fact that they are already used and suspects that the old car engines will not perform at its best. These skeptics could not be more wrong. Some car owners prefer to purchase used car engines rather than a new one because they get more for their money. There are so many kinds of used engines that are available in the market and even online. Two types of common used car engines are Hyundai engines and Infiniti engines. Used car engines are tested and proven in good quality, safety and can withstand for a long period of time even if they are already used, refurbished or second-hand.

Hyundai engine are one of the best used car engines in terms of quality and performance to talk about. Hyundai engines are well known because they are one of the best performing cars made and are known for their reliable use. Hyundai engines were categorized and more popular than any other engines because of its proven superiority in their field. The most popularly used Hyundai engines are the following: 1998 Hyundai TiburonV4, 1997 CC Used Engine, 1994 Hyundai Excel V4, 1468 CC Used Engine, 1991 Hyundai Sonata V4, 2350 CC Used Engine, 1997 Hyundai Accent V4, 1468 CC Used Engine.

Other kinds of used car engines are the Infiniti engine. Infiniti engines are also on the top of list in regards to the best used car engines in terms of quality and durability. Infiniti engines are known for their elegance and prestige in their vehicles that they made. This is why used parts from the Infiniti are in high demand. Reliability and excellence are the words that most describe their Infiniti engines. Used and refurbished Infiniti engines can perform excellently and can last for a long period of time. The most popular Infiniti engines are the following: 2004 Infiniti G35 Used Engine, 1996 Infiniti I30 Used Engine, 2003 Infiniti M45 Used Engine, 2002 Infiniti QX4 Used Engine, 2001 Infiniti Q45 Used Engine, 2000 Infiniti I30 Used Engine, 1992 Infiniti M30 Used Engine and 1996 Infiniti G20 Used Engine. All of them are known for their exemplary and excellent performance.

Used car engines in spite of the fact that they are already used are also in demand and rising in the current market. These used car engines are mostly taken from the salvage yards of cars that are out of commission for one reason or another. If you obtain the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) you can pull reports online to determine why they may have ended up in a salvage yard. This way you can ensure what you are getting.

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Article by Jacob Thompson

Caterham Cars is a manufacturer of specialist lightweight sports cars based in Caterham, Surrey, England and part of the British motor industry. Their only current model, the Caterham 7 (or Seven), is a direct evolution of the Series 3 Lotus Seven designed by Colin Chapman and originally launched in 1968. A track-only Car, the SP/300.R, is to be released during 2010. On 27 April 2011, Team Lotus owner Tony Fernandes announced that his team had purchased Caterham.

1957-2007 Seven 50th Anniversary logo

Lotus OriginsColin Chapman’s Lotus Cars launched the Series 1 Lotus Seven in 1957. The car was immediately embraced by enthusiasts as a low-cost, lightweight sports car and successful race car. Revised Series 2, Series 3 and Series 4 versions were subsequently launched in 1960, 1968 and 1970 respectively.Caterham Cars had been a major Lotus 7 dealer during the 1960s, and its founder, Graham Nearn, purchased the rights to continue manufacture of the Seven design from Chapman in 1973, after Lotus announced its intention to discontinue the model. Caterham initially restarted manufacture of the Lotus Seven Series 4; however, when this proved unpopular, production switched to a Series 3 model in 1974.The Lotus/Caterham 7 is widely regarded by car enthusiasts and the media as one of the iconic sports cars of the 20th century. With 2007 marking the 50th year of continuous production, the Seven still enjoys strong support and success in clubman-style racing.ConstructionAs with its Lotus Seven precursors, Caterhams are constructed of aluminium sheet attached to a tubular steel chassis. Nosecone and wings are either GRP or carbon fibre depending on specification. All Sevens are front engined with rear-wheel drive and two seats. Their extremely high performance is achieved through light weight (less than 500 kg (1,102 lb) on some versions) rather than particularly powerful engines. As well as a lightweight chassis and bodywork, Caterham Sevens achieve their very low mass through their lack of comfort and safety oriented features such as a fixed roof, doors, radio, air-conditioning, airbags, traction/stability control, ABS, satellite navigation or cruise control. As a result, the Seven is somewhat limited in its practicality for everyday usage and is instead recognised by driving enthusiasts for its focus on driving enjoyment, making it an ideal track/race car or ‘Sunday’ car.Kit formatChapman and Lotus helped to pioneer the British kit car industry. The Lotus Seven was offered in kit form to allow buyers to avoid new car tax in the UK. Subsequently Caterham continued offering cars in ‘complete knock down’ (CKD) kit form as the tradition of hand building your own Seven was well established amongst enthusiasts. Today, all Caterham Sevens are still offered in kit form in the UK except the CSR (Series 6) model. Modern Caterham kits differ from the majority of kit cars as all parts are supplied ready to assemble, not requiring a donor car, fabrication or any special skills. InternationalAlthough the Seven has always been popular with enthusiasts outside of the UK marketplace, export of the Seven to other markets has increasingly been limited by homologation, safety and emissions regulations in the modern era. As a result, the chassis/engine combinations, specifications, pricing and kit-form availability vary widely between countries.In the United States Caterhams are currently sold as kits only, lacking some modern safety features required of manufacturers, but which are not required for individually assembled vehicles. Buyers can either choose to construct the cars themselves or pay their regional dealers or local builders to assemble them. Typically the engine and transmission are sourced separately as a unit – often from Caterham – but all other components (including frame, suspension, differential, driveshaft, interior, wiring and instruments) are provided in kit form. In the UK, the vehicles can be obtained as kits or entirely assembled by Caterham and registered for the road under SVA (Single Vehicle Approval) regulations. In the ’60s, the original Lotus Seven was sold only in kit form in both the UK and the US, in order to evade the very high taxes on complete new cars that were not assessed on automobile parts.LocationUntil 1987 the offices, factory and showroom of Caterham Cars were located in the town of Caterham, Surrey, UK. In 1987, the production and administration of the company moved to a new factory in Dartford, Kent, UK. Caterham Cars still retains a showroom and servicing facility in the town of Caterham adjacent to the train station. Additionally ‘Caterham Midlands’ showroom operates outside of Leicester.

In 1994 Caterham also produced a model called the ’21′.[3] Mechanically the 21 was very similar to the 7, using a modified 7 spaceframe chassis with a new GRP roadster-style body, including a wrap-around windscreen and fold-away fabric hood (convertible top) manufactured by Oxted Trimming .The 21 benefited from a considerably stiffer setup than a 7, due to the work on the chassis and having a full body. Comfort was introduced in the same minimalist style as the 7, adding just enough to make it a proper roadster without adding too much weight.The level of finish and comfort as well as build quality of the cars far exceeded its mid-1990s contemporaries including the Renault Sport Spyder, Lotus Elise and indeed the TVR’s of the period.[citation needed]Caterham unfortunately underestimated the effort involved in creating a completely new car and took far too long from its inception to deliver the first customer cars, seeing many people who had placed deposits defect to the Lotus Elise and other vehicles. Early ones were used as “prototypes”, leaving customers to help iron out some of the foibles of the new car.Whilst given excellent reviews by the UK automotive press,[clarification needed] the 21 never sold particularly well, with only 48 ever made. It had moderately good racing success in the Belcar 24 hour series in Europe and is credited with helping Caterham develop the widetrack setup used in SV’s (amongst other developments) and the CSR’s sweeping interior is reminiscent of the original 21 design. Caterham SP/300.R

The CSR was launched in 2005 following extensive research and development by Caterham with the objective of creating an improved Seven. The CSR is based on the larger dimensions of the SV but with a substantially revised and stiffer chassis, inboard ‘pushrod’ front suspensions, fully independent rear suspension, improved aerodynamics, potent Cosworth engines and a new ‘integrated’ dashboard layout.Model/trim variantsThe most basic version of the 7 was traditionally offered with a ‘live’ rear axle but now comes with De Dion rear suspension as per the other models in the range. This trim level strips away all non-essential equipment and comforts.Classic trim is available on S3/SV chassis. Engines: 1.4-litre K-Series (105 bhp) or 1.6-litre K-Series (120 bhp).RoadsportRoadsport is the trim level intended for general usage, different weather conditions and touring. The spec includes a full windscreen and weather equipment to increase practicality. A large range of performance options are available. The Roadsport dates back to 1996 when it was called the Superlight R, in 1998 a much softer version came out called the Seven Clubsport 1.8. The range continued to be developed in the years as a great alternative to someone who wanted a little bit more than a Classic, but a bit less than a Superlight.Classic trim is available on S3/SV chassis Engines: 1.6-litre Ford Sigma (120,125 or 150 bhp) or 2.0-litre Ford Duratec (175 bhp).The Superlight is intended for track and fast road usage. Superlight spec includes performance options such as carbon bodywork and a close ratio 6-speed gearbox. A wind deflector in place of the windscreen makes a helmet more or less mandatory. The Superlight R400 uses a 2.0 litre Ford Duratec engine tuned to 210 bhp (157 kW; 213 PS). The R400 name indicates the car’s 400 bhp-per-tonne power-to-weight ratio. The R500 has been made Top Gear car of the year 2008. In another appearance earlier in the series, it placed fifth on the Power Lap board with a 1:17.9. This time beat the ?1,100,000 (?899,000/$ 1,550,000), 1000 hp Bugatti Veyron.Superlight trim is available on S3/SV chassisEngines: 1.6-litre Ford Sigma (150 bhp) or 2.0-litre Ford Duratec (175 bhp, 210 bhp or 263 bhp).

Main article: Caterham CSRThe CSR chassis comes in two basic trims which mirror those of the S3/SV cars. The ‘basic’ CSR has a road and touring oriented spec with full windscreen and weather equipment. This is available as the CSR200 (200 bhp) or CSR260 (260 bhp). The CSR Superlight (also 260 bhp) is the current Caterham performance flagship strips away the windscreen, integrated dash and other comfort-oriented components for maximum performance, with specialist ‘Dynamic dampers’ added to improve its already phenomenal grip. The ‘basic’ CSR set an unofficial time of 1.17.4 on the BBC Top Gear test track at Dunsfold, placing it ahead of many of the world’s most expensive performance cars.Engines: 2.3-litre Ford Duratec tuned by Cosworth (200 bhp or 260 bhp) Future modelsCaterham announced a CSR175 model at the Tokyo Motorshow in November 2009. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Seven 2007 Caterham showed a concept car known as the X330 which utilised the CSR chassis but with a supercharged 330 bhp (246 kW; 335 PS) Duratec engine. Production is unconfirmed.

The ‘Caterham Levante’, built in associate with Caterham’s subsidiary, RS Performance Engine Developments Ltd. (RS=Russell Savory), is a mostly-carbon-fibre bodied Caterham, with Kevlar seats, combined with an “over 500bhp” 2.4-litre, 40-valve supercharged V8 and a reduced body weight of 520 kg (1,146 lb) boasts almost 1,000 bhp (746 kW; 1,014 PS) per tonne (initial announced specifications were 550 bhp (410 kW; 558 PS) and 530 kg (1,168 lb), but the RS website specifies “in excess of 500bhp,” and 520 kg (1,146 lb) or 530 kg (1,168 lb); the math may or may not achieve “over 1,000 bhp (746 kW; 1,014 PS) per tonne”). The eight cars, costing ?115,000, sold out. and only eight will be produced to celebrate more than 50 years in production. Two days’ of mandatory “driver training” are included in the price of the car. [4] [5]

Historically, engines have been supplied by Ford, specifically Ford Kent engines or Cosworth-derived race-prepared BDA/R units, enlarged to 1.7 litres and generating 150-170 bhp. In the early ’90s, Caterham started using powerplants from other sources, with the least expensive models using 1.4-litre K series engines from MG Rover for the base model, and Vauxhall engines including full race versions of the 16 valve 2.0XE “red top” as fitted to 1990 Vauxhall Works Touring Cars. Rover engines span a power output of 110-250 bhp in the R500 Evolution, Vauxhall engines 165 bhp (123 kW; 167 PS) to 320 bhp (239 kW; 324 PS) in some factory built versions of the car. A 250 bhp (186 kW; 253 PS) Caterham JPE (Jonathan Palmer Evolution) briefly held the world record for production car 0-60 mph times (at 3.4 seconds) until it was bettered by the $ 1M McLaren F1.

The many aftermarket tuning companies for these cars have also offered the Ford Zetec, Honda Fireblade, Honda Blackbird, Suzuki Hayabusa and even the Mazda Rotary engine. It is rumoured one owner even fitted a rotary diesel engine from a military drone.In 2001, Caterham designated MG Rover the sole engine supplier for factory-built Sevens, with Ford Zetec, Honda Fireblade, Yamaha Firebird and Suzuki Hayabusa engines still available for kit assembly. The Rover engines were based on the K series and carried the ‘Xpower’ branding. However, the partnership evidently came to an end with the buyout of Rover by China, with the 2005 model introducing a Ford Duratec engine.Typical powerplant output ranges from 140 bhp (104 kW; 142 PS) to over 300 bhp (224 kW; 304 PS), depending on specifications and modifications.The gearbox is either the classic Ford T9 five-speed or Caterham’s own six-speed box. The T9 is cheap and durable, but has gear ratios meant for a much heavier car. The six-speed gearbox is expensive and had early ‘teething’ problems, but its ratios are considered the perfect match for the Seven. Independent companies such as Quaife do offer replacement gearkits for the T9 as well as sequential boxes for those with a racing fever and the need for a more robust transmission.The most extreme engine/chassis combination available from the factory as of 2008 was the R500 with the 263 bhp (196 kW; 267 PS) Ford engine, bringing the car’s 506 kg (1,116 lb) from zero to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 2.88 seconds. The previous model also held a production car world record for zero to 100 mph (160 km/h) back to zero at 10.73 seconds (faster than many modern family saloons can reach 60), set in 27 April 2004. Motor racingBecause of its relatively high power-to-weight ratio and its exceptional, Lotus-heritage handling, the Caterham has been a favourite among club racers since the beginning of its career. In the United Kingdom and elsewhere, the Caterham is used in a variety of one-make series and sports car championships, both regional and national.However, the Caterham has proven so successful against bigger and more powerful sports cars that it has been banned from FIA competitions and most international races[citation needed], coining the phrase “too fast to race”.

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Inspiration The idea of the magnetic air car stems from the air car concept developed by J.M Custer of Piggott, Arkansas in 1932. The air car ran on compressed air. He used the engine that was developed by Roy J. Meyers. The air engine replaced the gasoline engine in standard cars. Four air tanks filled with compressed air powered the car 500 miles at a speed of 35 miles an hour. The engine did not require a cooling system, ignition system, carburetor, nor the hundreds of moving parts included in a standard gasoline motor. The compressed air took care of all of those features and left a vehicle that cost nearly nothing to maintain or use. The Innovation The magnetic air technology is a combination of magnet motor and compressed air motor. A battery starts a special magnetic motor to initialize the powerful air compressor, heating up the air tank in order to boost the air pressure. The air flow is then turbocharged and multiplied to where the resulting horse-pressure smoothly powers the car Pros The car is environmental friendly. The source of the power is air. The battery costs less than $ 70 and maintenance free. It is acid free, recyclable, and long lasting. Air flow will not be a problem since the patent pending cold air bearing turbocharger creates sufficient air pressure. No fossil fuels are needed as power source. Only air is used as major power source. A patented water filtration system emits cleaner air. The disengagement of burning fossil fuels produces ero pollution and promotes environmental protection. Cons The real cost of the car is undetermined. It is not tested by any credible authorities or organizations for its safety. No experimental results are provided. The magnets, repelling each other, can be a source of movement, and, if properly propelled by an air jet, could have evastating effects in terms of power. No exact specifications of their technology have been made yet. This technology needs some control so it won’t go awry if its more air energy applied to it. Some folks claim the fuel is air here. Well it actually is not. Compressed air is like a powered engine used to move the car mechanically but clearly not the fuel. Compressed air is not a naturally available resource. The actual fuel is the one used to compress the air into a cylinder which makes it powered to provide a ‘Force’. Other Comparative Green Technologies & Alternative Fuels The main purpose of alternative fuels and green technology is to reduce oil dependence and environmental impacts. Hybrid system includes one gasoline engine and one electric motor. In general, most hybrid vehicles charge the batteries while braking. Diesel or other alternative fuels engine can also use hybrid technology. A hybrid drive is fully scalable, which means the drive can be used to power everything from small commuter cars to large buses and even locomotives. Hybrids get more MPG or miles per gallon than most non-hybrids, and usually have very low tailpipe emissions. Electric cars use motors that run on electric batteries which produce zero emissions. Electric cars can be charged at any location with plug-in outlets. Electric cars are extremely efficient and run for pennies per mile, much cheaper than any other alternative fuel. Ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, is a fuel type that uses in more than 30 alternative fuel vehicle models. Most ethanol vehicles today are powered by either corn or sugar cane. It is a clear, colorless liquid with a specific odor. The raw material is sugar. The chemical reaction changes sugars into ethanol and carbon dioxide. The ethanol is used to provide power. The only emission is carbon dioxide. Hydrogen may be the cleanest fuels in car industry. The hydrogen cars use combustion engine to burn hydrogen which emits only heat and water. Hydrogen vehicles are being developed by many car manufactures. The main drawback of hydrogen technology is the high cost of production and refilling. Natural gas is the cleanest-burning fossil fuel. Usually, natural gas is stored as liquefied or compressed state. There are two types of natural gas engine used for automobiles, spark ignited natural gas engine and compression ignition natural gas engine. The spark ignited engine uses a spark plug to ignite fuel which is similar to a car engine. The engine features a compression ratio of 9.4:1 and has the ability to expand from 49 horsepower to 2600 horsepower. The compression ignition engine is usually used in heavy-duty trucks. The difference between spark ignited engine and compression ignition engine is that the compression ignition engine uses a small charge of diesel fuel to ignite cylinder charge. Benefited from its high compression ratio (15:1) and extremely long operating life, the engine is often used for heavy-duty applications. The cost is very low initially and builds up during later maintenance. Compared to conventional car engine, the natural gas engine is more eco-friendly. However, there are considerations of the air emission quality, convenience of maintenance service, and noise control. Biodiesel is a renewable fuel source made by vegetable oil or other compatible sources. It is cleaner than standard petroleum diesel. Biodiesel is easier to be produced locally, thus has great potential to reduce oil dependence. Air powered cars, also recognized as air car, use technology that is similar to the magnetic air car. The power source is compressed air, which makes the car a zero-emission-fuel-less car. The air car engine combines the mono energy engines (compressed air only) and the dual-energy engines (compressed air + energetic adjuvant). The whole system has four operating modes: mono energy compressed air, simple dual energy, autonomous dual energy, and dual energy with recompression of the tank. By using compressed air stored in tanks at high pressure, the air car can run in an eco-friendly mode. References ^ Jon Sopel (25 September 2002). “France to unveil air-powered car”. British Broadcasting Corporation. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2281011.stm. Retrieved 18 March 2009. ^ “Air car of 1932 reborn with high tech engineering”. Almanden Times. September 11, 2008. http://www.almadentimes.com/091108/vehicle.htm. Retrieved 19 March 2009. ^ “Company Flyer”. ^ “Magnetic Air Car Fuel Less Car available by 2010″. October 1, 2008. http://www.chitramala.com/news/magnetic-air-car-108637.html. Retrieved 25 June 2009. ^ “Hybrids”. ^ “Electric Cars”. ^ “Natural Gas Engine”. ^ “MDI Air Car Engine”. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to: phylloscopus Magnetic Air Car Official website of Magnetic Air Car Inc. Technology Review on the air car News on magnetic air car Prius Official website of Toyota Magnetic Air Car Ethanol chemical of the week MDI compressed air car Natural Gas Engine air compressors Categories: Alternative propulsion | Automotive technologies | Concept automobiles | Green vehiclesHidden categories: Articles needing cleanup from July 2009 | All pages needing cleanup | Articles with a promotional tone | All articles with a promotional tone

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