TunerWire Live
TunerWire Live is The Tuners Group's blog.
Designed as a sister publication to our periodical TunerWire email newsletter, we decided to introduce TunerWire Live as an instant, fast way to get your fix of what's going on in the world of the world's best car modifications and tuners.
Our articles in this section of our site are designed to be both informative and entertaining.
If you like what you read here, please consider subscribing to our free Tunerwire email newsletter.
On to the articles ...
The World's Most Powerful Blender - Jeremy Clarkson ups the ante
A few weeks ago we posted this article about a serious contender in the world's most powerful blender stakes.
It was made by one of the fabricators at an engineering company in Sydney who we have been talking to about doing a project for us.
One of their fabricators made this petrol powered blender (pictured above), complete with pull starter and TIG welded alloy fuel tank.
The New Champ
We don't know if it was inspired by the Australian blender which we shared with the world, but suffice to say that there is a new champ in "The World's Most Powerful Blender" contest ...
And it's been created by none other than the host of the UK's Top Gear TV show, Jeremy Clarkson.
In typical Clarkson style, he has brought an absolute sledgehammer to the party, in the form of a kitchen blender powered by a 6.2 litre V8 from a Corvette !
Click on the video below to see Clarkson's monster blender in action ...
We were in stitches seeing Clarkson's segment, and frankly we can see the opportunity to get serious with this and make it the latest in the long list of rivalries between Australia and the UK.
I can see we're going to need to enlist the help of one of our Bridge To Bridge ski boat racing friends to "out-Clarkson" Top Gear's blender and claim back Australia's rightful position as home of the world's most powerful blender.
A 1000 hp plus, twin turbocharged big block Chev ski boat racing motor will probably do the job nicely !
Stay tuned for the Australian response - this is one title we're not going to let the poms keep !
Win a FREE Works Bell Rapfix II steering wheel quick release and Works Bell Original Steering Wheel in our Works Bell giveaway !
Save on the world's finest parts in our pre-xmas "Save a truckload" sale !
Click here for more info
created on 2008-12-17 by adamr.
Australian man granted patent for "circular transportation facilitation device"
There is a huge controversy raging in various areas of engineering at the moment about a class of patents being issued ... well ... for just about anything.
John Keogh, an Australian patent lawyer, decided it was time to expose the ludicrousness of the innovation patent process, so he filed a patent application and was granted an innovation patent for an invention he describes as the "circular transportation facilitation device."
Yes, Mr Keogh has been granted a patent for a device known to the rest of the world as "the wheel".
An article on CNN's website reads ...
"John Keogh wanted to prove the innovation patent system was flawed because submissions could be prepared without professional help and did not need to be examined by the Australian patent office.
The name should be changed to "Registered Innovation" to avoid confusion with standard patents, Keogh says.
"The patent office would be required to issue a patent for anything. All they're doing is putting a rubber stamp on it," the paper quoted Keogh as saying."
This is not one of those "urban legends". You can read Mr Keogh's extremely amusing patent application in it's entirity here ... (check out the diagram on page 4 of his patent application - it had us in absolute stitches !) ...
http://www.ipmenu.com/archive/AUI_2001100012.pdf
Amusingly, CNN's article concludes ...
"he has no plan to patent fire, crop rotation or other fundamental advances in civilization"
Save on the world's finest parts in our pre-xmas "Save a truckload" sale !
Click here for more info
created on 2008-12-12 by adamr.
Toshiki Yoshioka making his own shift knob on the lathe
Many drivers know nothing about engineering, but clearly Works Bell sponsored driver Toshiki Yoshioka is an exception to that rule.
Yoshioka is known all over the world for his giant killing exploits in his Toyota AE86, in which he completely stunned the American drift fraternity by winning the Las Vegas round of Formula D in his giant slaying Toyota AE86 - in only his second event ever on American soil ! Click here to read about his amazing win
Yoshioka has collaborated with Works Bell to produce a shift knob to his exact specifications for use in his AE86 drift car.
The result is the extremely high quality Yoshioka ToshiKing Shift Knob (pictured above), which is available from us by clicking here.
Today we received an amazing series of photos from Works Bell in Japan of Yoshioka actually machining the prototype of the Yoshioka ToshiKing Shift Knob himself on a lathe in one of Works Bell's research and development workshops !
We were absolutely amazed to learn that Yoshioka machined the gear knob himself.
Maybe his clear engineering knowledge goes some way to explaining his incredible performances in his AE86.
But more than anything else, it makes it abundantly clear how seriously Works Bell takes engineering and machining talent.
How many other manufacturers do you know of whose factory sponsored drivers not only win against the best in the world on the racetrack, but who also know how to make the parts on their own racecars ?!
You can view the gallery of photos of Yoshioka making his shift knob by clicking here.
The Works Bell Yoshioka ToshiKing Shift Knob is available for purchase from us by clicking here.
Save on the world's finest parts in our pre-xmas "Save a truckload" sale !
Click here for more info
created on 2008-12-12 by adamr.
Non genuine SARD Fuel Pressure Regulators with a SARD logo on them
A few days ago we posted an article about the huge problems being caused by counterfeit automotive parts being made in Taiwan & China titled "The fight against fakes and counterfeiters - an eye opening documentary".
Sadly that issue has now reared it's ugly head yet again, this time with a critical fueling component ...
One of the most respected innovative manufacturers in the world is a Japanese company called SARD Corporation. SARD stands for "Sigma Advanced Racing Development". You can see the SARD logo at the top of the windscreen in the photo above of Toyota's JGTC Supra.
SARD was founded in 1972 and is one of the most respected Japanese motorsport companies in the world. SARD was the first team to ever qualify in a Japanese car at Le Mans, and are reknowned all over the world for the SARD Fuel Pressure Regulators which they make in Japan, and which are used on racecars all over the world.
SARD Fuel Pressure Regulators
Photo from SARD USA's website of genuine SARD fuel pressure regulators
The genuine SARD Fuel Pressure Regulators are an extremely well engineered and beautifully manufactured product, and trusted by teams all over the world to ensure that their cars receive the fuel pressure they need to keep their engine's happy and working at their best.
You can see a photo of genuine SARD fuel pressure regulators in the bottom right of this page from SARD's catalog ...
http://www.sard.co.jp/product/engine/image/top_engine.jpg
The issue
Recently we were contacted by someone who said that they had been sold a non-genuine SARD fuel pressure regulator with a SARD logo on it by another parts company.
Separately, we then spoke to another contact of ours who had also been having fuelling issues on his car, so the fuel pressure regulator on his car was replaced with a brand new genuine SARD one from an authorised SARD dealer as a precautionary measure.
Word has now spread to a number of tuning forums of incidents of non-genuine SARD fuel pressure regulators being sold, with SARD logos on non-genuine products.
Obviously getting the genuine real deal product is vitally important, as the fuel pressure regulator ensures that your engine receives the correct amount of fuel.
If you get a drop in fuel pressure, you can end up with a lean mixture, which can quickly destroy any highly tuned engine.
How do I ensure I get the genuine product ?
Photo from SARD USA's website of genuine SARD fuel pressure regulators
Photo from SARD USA's website of a genuine SARD fuel pressure regulator
Photo from SARD USA's website of genuine SARD fuel pressure regulators
Above are some excellent photos of the real deal genuine SARD fuel pressure regulators from this page on SARD USA's website ...
http://sardracing.com/products/FPR.htm
SARD have also recently announced a limited edition genuine SARD Fuel pressure regulator called the "Black Limited", which is shown in the photo below ...
You can find info about the "Black Limited" model on SARD's website by clicking here
You can also find some info by reading this page on the rexnet.com.au tuning forum. The first post on that page has a photo attached at the bottom which you can click to enlarge, and text in that post which accompanies the photos.
If you are in the market for a genuine SARD Fuel Pressure regulator ...
- remember that just because a fuel pressure regulator someone is trying to sell you has a SARD sticker on it, that sticker does NOT guarantee it's the real thing
- you absolutely must learn how to tell the genuine real deal Japanese made SARD fuel pressure regulator from the non-genuine
Your fuel pressure regulator is an absolutely critical part of your fuel system. Genuine SARD fuel regulators are sold by genuine factory authorised SARD dealers.
Contact SARD to find your nearest authorised genuine SARD dealer.
created on 2008-12-08 by adamr.
Animal from "The Muppets" caught speeding
While we neither condone nor encourage speeding on public roads, and we believe that the race track is the ONLY appropriate place for driving fast, we can definitely smile at this story about something many drivers absolutely loathe - speed cameras ...
arbroath.blogspot.com is reporting ...
"German traffic police have been left looking like proper muppets by a British prankster. An Audi ... with British registration plates has been repeatedly caught speeding on roads in the Bavarian city of Bayreuth. But because continental speed cameras are set up for left-hand drive vehicles, the cameras keep missing the driver’s face.
Instead, they keep capturing clear views of a manic Muppet-like toy which the cheeky Brit has propped up on his passenger seat. But police admit they are even baffled about the identity of the muppet.
The No.1 suspect is Animal – the manic drummer from The Muppet Show’s house band The Electric Mayhem. But several residents of Sesame Street are also in the frame, including the lovable monster Grover and Bert’s rubber-ducky-loving sidekick Ernie."
created on 2008-12-01 by adamr.
Pure Motoring Nirvana - Techno Classica Show In Essen Germany
One of the most amazing events in the world of vintage racing cars is a show held in Germany called "Techno Classica".
When we saw these photos, we were absolutely blown away by the range of quality of the cars on display in Essen, particularly the incredible range of Porsche racecars and extremely rare parts.
Click here to view the photo gallery from the 2008 Essen Technica Show
According to this page at siha.de, the next Techno Classica show will be held on 1 - 5 April 2009.
See you there !
Photo Credit: Ferry Man at DDK-online.com
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created on 2008-12-01 by adamr.
2008 Tasman Revival - Eastern Creek Raceway, Sydney Australia
This weekend in Sydney Australia, the Tasman Revival was held.
It's a mindblowing event that happens every two years, and features some of the finest machinery in the world, everything from vintage formula racers right up to old Group A touring cars.
Sydney photographer Matt Mead whose website is at www.matthewmead.net has posted a number of his photos to a photo gallery which you can view by clicking here
Matthew also took the photo above, so many thanks to him for sending it to us to use as the photo for this story.
A simply amazing weekend. We can't believe we have to wait two years for the next one.
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created on 2008-12-01 by adamr.
Ken Block invents a brand new form of motorsport
In the world of extreme driving, you don't get much more hardcore than Ken Block.
In his first year of rallying, Ken was named America's Rookie of the Year, and he was immediately signed by Subaru Rally USA for the 2006 season.
In the 2006 season, he took out 2nd place in the US Rallying championship, then followed this amazing performance up with a bronze medal at X Games XII in LA, the jumped his rally car 171ft for Discovery Channel's "Stunt Junkies" TV show.
But what has really got our attention is a recently released video from Ken Block which he calls "Gymkhana Practice".
Like a hybrid between motorkhanas and drifting, it's much faster than typical autocross events, and an incredibly exciting new kind of motorsport that we'd absolutely love to participate in.
Click here to view the video and make up your own mind
Image credit: kenblockracing.com
created on 2008-12-01 by adamr.
HRE Wheels Announces Carbon Series - Carbon Fibre / Carbon Fiber Wheels With Forged Centres
As you may know, The Tuners Group is one of a very small group of companies who are authorised suppliers of the incredible wheels made by the world reknowned California based manufacturer HRE Wheels.
While some of our competitors are now offerring chinese made and taiwanese made wheels, we refuse to sacrifice on quality and engineering, so we go against the tide and stick with the true innovators - HRE Wheels are made in the USA, and are the only brand of wheels that we sell.
HRE Wheels is a perfect example of the kind of companies whose products we sell.
Like the other manufacturers we represent, like AP Racing, AEM, Works Bell, Forced Ignition, and Ecliptech Shift Lights, we respect true innovation, and we will never sacrifice our quality standards for profits.
Everything we do is driven solely by engineering and innovation.
HRE Receives TÜV Recognition
Back in July, HRE Wheels received TÜV verification status.
The TÜV is a group of German organizations that work to validate the safety of products of all kinds to protect humans and the environment against hazards.
Quite simply, receiving German TÜV verification is the highest accolade of engineering and safety that a wheel manufacturer can receive.
As reported in HRE's press release ...
"The verification confirms that HRE Performance Wheels adheres to strict quality guidelines in the manufacture of its 3-piece and 1-piece (Monoblok) forged aluminum wheels. This achievement will allow HRE to legally sell into Germany and other countries that use the TÜV standard as a basis for allowing automotive products from foreign companies to enter their markets."
"This achievement makes a strong statement to our customers and the industry regarding our quality practices," said Evan Kinsella, president of HRE Performance Wheels. "This places HRE in very select company worldwide as TÜV is regarded as the benchmark for automotive industry quality practices."
HRE's Carbon Series Wheels
HRE has just announced a world first which is a perfect example of why we like having them as one of our manufacturers.
At the SEMA Show, HRE unveiled their new Carbon Series wheels.
HRE's Carbon Series wheels combine HRE's own US made forged 6061-T6 wheel centres, with carbon fibre wheel barrels made by Dymag, the world leader in carbon fibre wheel technology.
HRE's Carbon Series wheels are assembled using titanium fasteners, made by the company who provides the titanium fasteners for the Airbus A380.
As reported on Dymag's website ...
"Dymag use their own unique total die forming process to produce the ultimate wheel options.
During the planning phase in the early 90's it became clear that existing composite manufacturing techniques were too restrictive in terms of wheel design & performance. Dymag's aim was simple - To design the perfect composite wheel & then design the process to manufacture it!.
Process development took two years & resulted in the launch of the world's first carbon fibre one-piece road approved wheels in 1994.
Since that date Dymag has continued to develop & evolve this product range to maintain it's status as the pinnacle of wheel technology.
The Dymag Process is a closely guarded secret, But benefits of our unique methodology are:
- Precise consolidation of the fibres to a set limit.
- Dimensional stability
- Dimensional accuracy (very low tollerance variation)
- Total repeatability of the production cycle.
Every surface is a moulded surface unlike conventional composite manufacturing which results in a rough bagged side. The totally 100% moulded Dymag produces a totally uniform wheel in terms of mechanical properties & aesthetics."
How much do they weigh ?
Carbonfibergear.com interviewed HRE Wheels COO Alan Peltier about the new HRE Carbon Series wheels.
Carbonfibergear.com's interview reads ...
"The new carbon fiber wheel is in the final stages of development, and expected to hit the streets in January of 2009. You’ll be able to find them in both the 590R and 890R styles, which feature forged aluminum centers with titanium hardware. They will initially be available in both a 19″ and 20″ wheel, and can be expected to cost (US)$2,500-$4,000/wheel ($10,000-$16,000/set), although final price is yet to be determined."
"We spoke with Alan Peltier, HRE’s COO to ask him a few questions about the wheels. The main reason it’s available in only two styles is because of the way they are pre-cut to fit the wheel spoke pattern. They don’t want to start offering carbon wheels across the board due to the cost, so this is sort of considered an initial test of the market. On top of that, using the wheel styles with a lot of spokes offers a good amount of structural integrity. The 20 inch wheel is expected to weigh in at just 21lbs (9.52 kg)"
Suitability Of Carbon Fibre For Wheel Manufacturing
Soon after HRE announce their new Carbon Series wheels, so-called "experts" on various internet forums started making all kinds of wild claims about the suitability of carbon fibre for wheel manufacturing.
So rather than spend the next few months saying the same thing over and over again on internet forums, we'll say this once and set the record straight ...
If you see wild claims about carbon fibre wheels on any internet forums, feel free to direct people to this article for the real story.
Alan Peltier, the COO of HRE Wheels posted the real story in this post.
Alan's post reads ...
"It turns out that the stiffness of the carbon barrel is actually much higher than the stiffness of the aluminum barrel.
In fact, in fatigue, the (carbon) barrels are load rated MUCH higher than the aluminum center simply because you have to design the rim around impact.
Okay... so is it brittle and is it going to shatter into a million pieces under impact ? Nope.
If you hit a curb or something you'll definitely damage it, but you'll have a localized failure which is what you want and should expect."
And responding to criticism (again from various internet forums) claiming that HRE's wheels are "not light enough", HRE COO Alan Peltier replied ...
"It is unfortunate that in one breath HRE is criticized for making wheels that are "too heavy" while our "competition" is applauded for making wheels that are irresponsibly light weight.
And now we introduce a material that can get us to a lower weight safely and we're being criticized.
If you notice, the weights of our 1pc forged aluminum wheels are in-line with our quality competitors, namely BBS and Champion.
Why is this? It's because the same physics that apply to them apply to me.
I can make a 17lb wheel any day of the week, but that doesn't mean it is safe to go on a 997TT. Oh... but they've tested it. Not enough.
It turns out that it helps if you test to the correct load rating for the application and the use the right spec.
We actually multiply the designated TUV load rating by a factor of safety before designing the wheel to that spec.
Why? We've found that simply going off of max axle load isn't enough. Not even close. If it were that easy to make them lightweight, wouldn't Porsche do it themselves? Do any of us have more resources than Porsche? I don't think so.
This shows the difference between good marketing and good engineering. We'll stick to the good engineering.
We want to be in business for the long haul. We're not going to sell a bunch of wheels and then going running off with all the money once the fatigure failures begin... and they will begin. It just takes time."
It is abundantly clear that the combined knowledge, experience and engineering skills of HRE and Dymag allow them to truly understand the engineering required to make a durable carbon fibre wheel.
For anyone to suggest otherwise, is laughable.
When will the new HRE Carbon Series wheels be available ?
So once again, HRE has proved it's status as the highest quality wheel manufacturer in the world.
We're incredibly excited about the new HRE Carbon Series wheels, and frankly we can't to test a set when they go into production.
They are expected to be available from January 2009.
If you are interested in ordering a set, contact us and we'll let you know as soon as HRE starts shipping the new HRE Carbon Series Wheels. We are a fully factory authorised HRE Wheels supplier, and can supply the full range of HRE Wheels to both retail customers and trade / dealer customers.
More info
For more photos of the HRE Wheels Carbon Series Wheels, please see our HRE Wheels Carbon Series Wheels Photo Gallery
For information about the full range of HRE Wheels, see our main HRE Wheels page by clicking here
Image credit: carbonfibergear.com
Win a FREE Works Bell Rapfix II Quick Release & Works Bell Original Steering Wheel in our Works Bell giveaway !
To celebrate the appointment of The Tuners Group as an authorised distributor for the world reknowned steering quick release manufacturer Works Bell, Works Bell and The Tuners Group are giving away a Works Bell Rapfix II Steering Quick Release and a Works Bell Original Steering Wheel.
This is the same steering wheel and quick release as fitted to JUN Automotive's mindblowing Evo X project car.
Click here for more info and to enter
created on 2008-12-01 by adamr.
And the award for the most creative use of gaffer tape on a racecar for 2008 goes to ...
Anyone who has spent any time at a racetrack knows the true usefulness of gaffer tape for making emergency repairs to flapping loose bodywork, and how it can be a quick solution to a black flag.
The Team Orange cars are normally absolutely beautifully turned out, looking something like this ...
During practice at the recent D1 event at Fuji Speedway though, Team Orange driver Naoto Suenaga had a bit of a "disagreement" with the concrete wall.
As you can see from this photo the result was not pretty.
Faced with a broken car and an event to compete in the next day though, Team Orange set to work on getting the car repaired.
With a broken mirror though, and presumably no spare in the trailer, Team Orange performed what is undoubtedly the finest example of "creative use of gaffer tape" we have ever seen ...
So without a shadow of a doubt, the 2008 award for "most creative use of gaffer tape on a racecar" goes to Team Orange.
Now we just need to find a suitable trophy to send over to the guys at Team Orange - anyone got the gaffer tape handy ?
Team Orange Products
We are authorised suppliers of the full range of Works Bell Team Orange Collaboration products, and we ship worldwide.
The Works Bell Team Orange Collaboration products include ...
The Works Bell Team Orange Steering Wheel ...
The Team Orange Collaboration Version of the Works Bell Rapfix II Quick Release ...
And the Works Bell Team Orange Tee Shirts ...
All these products can be purchased in our online store. Click here for more info
created on 2008-11-28 by adamr.