AutoSpeed.com Performance Car Magazine

Brake Specific Fuel Consumption

Tue Feb 7 00:00:00 2012

Brake Specific Fuel Consumption is as useful a concept as kilowatts per litre or litres/100km. But there are a few tricks to know about it - like how most graphs showing Brake Specific Fuel Consumption are completely misleading!

Not Black and White

Tue Feb 7 00:00:00 2012

It doesn't suit those people who like black and white answers, but many aspects of car modification simply aren't able to be dogmatically categorised in either the affirmative or negative. Let's take a look at some of these questions with plenty of shades of grey in the answer.

A New Home Workshop, Part 3

Tue Feb 7 00:00:00 2012

As covered in previous parts in this series, the shed pad is now levelled and the decision has been made as to the size and type of shed that will become my new home workshop. Now its time to get council approval!

Diesel Intercooling

Tue Jan 24 00:00:00 2012

The intercooling approach that works on a high performance petrol engine car does not necessarily work on a diesel turbo. Diesels are different.

Driving the '03 Porsche 911 Twin Turbo

Tue Jan 24 00:00:00 2012

One hundred and ninety nine thousand Australian dollars. 2003 model Porsche 911 Turbo. 309 kilowatts. Nought to one hundred in 4.8 seconds. Then... reach forward and take the keys...

The VCDS Tool

Tue Jan 24 00:00:00 2012

If youve got an Audi, VW, SEAT or Skoda, you may have heard of VCDS. Its is an interface that allows your laptop to communicate with the onboard control modules in your cars electronics. So what can you do with the tool, how much is it, and how well does it work?

A New Home Workshop, Part 2

Tue Jan 24 00:00:00 2012

Last issue we looked at preparing the pad for the new home workshop. But what was this home workshop going to look like?

EGR Comeback

Tue Jan 10 00:00:00 2012

E-G-R stands for Exhaust Gas Recirculation. It's been around for decades but it's now becomingly increasingly important in both diesel and spark ignition engines.

I Hate It, I Hate It, I Hate It

Tue Jan 10 00:00:00 2012

Over the years I've lost count of the number of old cars that I've bought despite public opinion being that they're going to be a stupidly huge money drain. But the mooted breakdowns and expensive repairs have never occurred. Never until this bloody car.

A New Home Workshop, Part 1

Tue Jan 10 00:00:00 2012

I needed a new shed. Yes, despite having previously built a 14 x 6 metre home workshop, the requirement was again present. Why? In short, an interstate move, a new job - and a new house. But first, I needed to know down the old sheds...

Air 150 Recumbent Trike, Part 2

Tue Dec 13 00:00:00 2011

Testing and evaluating the design

Electric Clubman!

Tue Dec 13 00:00:00 2011

Building an all-electric Clubman-style road car

Restoring the Ute, Part 1

Tue Dec 13 00:00:00 2011

Well today I did it. I hired a Landcruiser and a car trailer - and dragged home two 43-year-old cars. The grand plan is a full restoration of one. The actual outcome? Well, we'll see! But what were those cars?

One Man's Car

Tue Dec 13 00:00:00 2011

I've owned my 2008 Skoda Roomster 1.9 TDI for a year. And, frankly, I am amazed at how many modifications I have performed in that time. Lets take a look at them - and their success or otherwise...

Metal Properties

Tue Nov 29 00:00:00 2011

Before you can even start selecting the best metal for the high performance job, you need to know what characteristics metals have and how they vary.