The Ohio Random Thread... aka We Should Probably Be Working

[tweiss3]

On behalf of driving aids, I know of a RX7 (FC) that has a 13B RE swap in it. He went Motec stand alone, and actually created a traction control system of sorts. It would cut spark when it sensed a level of slippage, this let him keep his foot in around rough corners, and keep boost, thus helping an already great driver get better times.

 

[fishdonotbounce]

None of my cars have had ABS, but I've driven ones with it and I absolutely hate it. For me, there's nothing more disarming than having the pedal fight me. No air bags? Come on, how many people on here have installed aftermarket steering wheels?

I didn't realize so many people were so adamant about having all of that stuff in their cars. Guess I'm the odd one out here.

It doesn't matter if you like ABS or not. You will stop quicker with them than without them. I'm happy that I have air bags. I would much rather smash my face into a hard pillow than into the steering wheel and dash. These are literally no brainers. If you want to put a steering wheel without an airbag on your car like Evan and plenty others on here, that's fine but you can not in any way deny what will happen with air bags and without. You can buy a racing harness and spend an extra 30 seconds getting in and out of your car every single time. It seems like you're talking about wanting a bare bones race car with little to no safety features. If that's what you want to do, it's your choice but you will be at a distinct disadvantage without those feature whether you like it or not. Please show me hard facts that prove me wrong.

 

[magnumP5]

None of my cars have had ABS, but I've driven ones with it and I absolutely hate it. For me, there's nothing more disarming than having the pedal fight me. No air bags? Come on, how many people on here have installed aftermarket steering wheels?

I didn't realize so many people were so adamant about having all of that stuff in their cars. Guess I'm the odd one out here.

Why do you think the pedal is fighting you? Sure some ABS systems are over-sensitive (like the 2), but there's no way you can argue you could brake better/faster/more controlled in sliding situation without ABS than with. I really don't see how aftermarket steering wheels has anything to do with the argument for/against air bags. If you have a car that has airbags and you removal them you've made the car less safe. There's no argument. I put an aftermarket steering wheel in my RX-7 but I didn't have airbags in the first place so it's no less safe, but it's certainly less safe than an RX-7 with airbags.

We're not arguing that all these items are NEEDED, we're arguing that they've made cars better (safer, better handling, faster, etc.). You're argument is that they've made cars worse and there just isn't any evidence to support that.

 

[Lewis7789]

If you want to put a steering wheel without an airbag on your car like Evan and plenty others on here, that's fine but you can not in any way deny what will happen with air bags and without.

Because racecar. Actually, that steering wheel is hanging on the wall in the garage and won't be installed.

 

[Rockin03mp5]

the focus st is probably going to be my 6 replacement when the lease runs out.

also, i dont like abs either, but i also dont hit the brakes in the snow. i use the engine to slow me down mostly.

 

[magnumP5]

I've already got a replacement lined up for the Tacoma. It's a Ford as well...

 

[ajkulish]

why would you get the focus st. same ish price for the speed3 which has a half second better 0-60.

the focus st is cool. but the mazda is a faster car.

 

[tweiss3]

Mark says the MS6 wouldn't be too terrible, but without air tools and a lift its going to be an extremely long weekend.

 

[thejeans]

why would you get the focus st. same ish price for the speed3 which has a half second better 0-60.

the focus st is cool. but the mazda is a faster car.

because the focus ST is supposed to be a hell of alot more refined than the ms3

its not always about speed...

 

[Rockin03mp5]

why would you get the focus st. same ish price for the speed3 which has a half second better 0-60.

the focus st is cool. but the mazda is a faster car.

to be honest... mpg.

the focus st should get around 32mpg on the highway.

most of my driving is highway, and i am averaging 27.5mpg with my mazda6.

the average on fuelly for a MS3 is 22-23mpg.

however, if the base model seats suck in the ST, i might as well get a MS3, since i should be able to get one for around $23k out the door.

also, if i didnt care about gas mileage... i would just get a wrx. much faster than the speed3... at least in a straight line which is what you were talking about.

 

[princess peach]

i use the engine to slow me down mostly.

I do this all the time. However, you will always run into an asshole who can't drive and will cut you off in snow or wet conditions, then you'll have to hit the brake, hard, since you won't be able to steer away in time. I know I pay more attention to the road than the average driver, but I also know I can't respond to every little thing that happens at any given moment.

It's still a preference, I like mine, and whoever tells me (and actually means it) that I'm not a good driver because I can't control the car without ABS just comes off as a douchebag IMO.

 

[wannabe]

^^^ Challenge accepted. Haha. Jon, do you have a link to a work shop manual for the MS6 or a How-To for some research I can check out?

I do not. I have the standard 6 shop manual, but of course that does not include the AWD.

Mark says the MS6 wouldn't be too terrible, but without air tools and a lift its going to be an extremely long weekend.

hmm. i have *some* air tools (impact, ratchet, drill) i do not have a lift, although i would love one .

It doesn't need done right now, but it will need it soon. i've got 70,000 on the stock, and it definetly slipping, but only sometimes. its not dust yet, so i can probably make it a few thousand more without too much concern.

 

[XCLR8TN]

All this talk about computers! This past weekend I encountered a situation that to most was pretty foreign, and to be honest I've never been put in that exact situation before. Let me show what happened before I explain.

If you haven't figured it out yet (because the trooper didn't): the very narrow skid mark is from the left front tire on the smart car (I have the fuse pulled for trac control/abs/DCS). EVO went off the right side into ditch, Camaro swerved left and hit brakes, I just hit the brakes hard. In that kind of panic situation I have no doubt that ABS would help. I did my best trying to split-second threshold brake but when you aren't expecting rapid deceleration.... I'm still trying to figure out how the front steering tire had less traction than the left rear (weight SHOULD have been transferring to right front therefore making left rear lighter?). Only thing I can think is that the front tire physically had less traction due to it being a 155 vs a 175.

Dunno. This was the best possible outcome for the cars behind the EVO. Only the EVO was involved in the accident, and we were all going about 50mph (in a 45 zone I THINK).

 

[XCLR8TN]

And to whoever mentioned the ABS on the Mazda 2, yes! It's bad BUT with my bald R1Rs in the rain, I was impressed when I tested them by stomping on them with no one around. Just wish it wouldn't kick in on dry pavement over little imperfections so easily.

 

[KZL_99ES]

yikes!!! good job controlling the Smart!


so...just applied for a job in Japan...we'll see what happens! eek!

 

[Perro del Sol]

I've already got a replacement lined up for the Tacoma. It's a Ford as well...

Jon, let me know when you are ready to buy your Ford, I have access to my fathers A plan.

 

[XCLR8TN]

yikes!!! good job controlling the Smart!


so...just applied for a job in Japan...we'll see what happens! eek!

Good luck!

 

[tweiss3]

I got some tweaking done to the 7 last night, one being fixing that pesky exhaust leak. I had completely melted a high end copper gasket at the manifold to down pipe flange.

Drove her to work today, keeping an eye on oil pressure. It didn't go as low as it had previously when I let it run in the drive last night, so maybe I don't need a new regulator.

I forgot how much I love driving her.

 

[Fiji Mazda3]

Jon, let me know when you are ready to buy your Ford, I have access to my fathers A plan.

And then come by whatever it is off of me.

 

[WillD]

This thread got real interesting since I left work yesterday...

As far as ABS goes, my Miata doesn't have it and if it did I wouldn't mind. It would definitely make the car easier to drive on the track or at an autocross. When the brakes lock up it is challenging to realize this and module the pedal enough to get the wheel spinning again yet maintain maximum braking.

I've been planning to replace my steering wheel in the Miata for several reasons none of which has anything to do with the airbag. However, the airbag has been disabled for some time, and I even removed the activation module and backup power supply. I'm not entirely convinced that having it or not having it is the safer route coupled with the harnesses and seats that I currently have. The OE safety equipment is designed to work as a system and when I replaced the stock seats/belts with what I have now I obviously modified that system.