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A Beginner's Guide to Street Racing. PDF Print E-mail
Written by Thomas Larson   
Saturday, 06 March 2010 23:04

Note- Blowndifferential.com does not in any way shape or form endorse street racing. It's dumb, a waste of money, and can land you in jail or in the morgue. Take it to the track, genius.

So, you've decided you want to get into street racing. The allure of money, the adrenaline rush, and the fact that you fancy yourself as the next Vin Diesel have all contributed to this decision. You've gone out and purchased a fast car, or you've spent 6 months worth of rent and food money making the one you have fast. You have your stickers applied, you've purged the NOS, and you're ready to rock. All you need now is an opponent and a place to race right? Wrong. If you're dead set on doing this, there are some things you need to consider.

Know thy enemy. This holds true in racing, the same as it does in war. You have to know what you're getting into long before you ever roll up to the line. The guy next to you doesn't look fast, right? Wrong. Here are some things to consider before you ever take the launch.

#1- Know what he's driving. Most races are won/lost before either car turns a tire. You need to know everything humanly possible about his/her vehicle before you accept the race. First, make a visual inspection of the car. What wheels is it on? What tires is it running? If you don't pay attention to this, you could run into someone who's on lightweight 5-stars rims, and running what amounts to slicks. This is bad for you, because more than likely, he's done his homework. He will be fast. Next thing you should look for is the absence of a muffler. A large fart can means nothing; he could have a cutout right after the header/down pipe. If he has one of these, you won't know it until you line up and he hits the switch. If this happens, you're in trouble. No muffler at all gives you a clue that likely your opponent is running open, which is an almost guaranteed sign of forced induction. Next thing you should be inspecting is the front end. Is there an intercooler there? The lack of a visible intercooler does not mean your opponent is NA, but it certainly lessens the likelihood that he is running a 60-trim snail. Your final stop should be the interior. Is it gutted? Does he have racing seats in there? Is there a roll cage/bar? All of these things will help you to determine .f said vehicle is fast. NHRA states that if you run faster than an 11.4 in the quarter mile, your car must be equipped with a roll cage and a racing harness of some sort. A cage in a gutted Honda means that either your opponent is fast, or a gomer. No matter what the answer is, use that cage to your advantage when negotiating.

#2- Know your car. Dyno it, run it at the track, do a ton of data logging. If you've spent the kind of money it costs to be truly fast in the quarter mile, you need to do these things. They will help you determine what your car is capable of, and as a direct result, give you your biggest advantage. You see, when negotiating a money race, you have to be able to make your opponent think you're slow. He's not going to want to give a car length, let alone 5. The trick is, give him enough to make him think he's at an advantage. If you're running an 11 second car, against a 14 second NA Neon, you have 3 seconds on your side. The more you know about your car, the more you can haggle with your adversary. This is critical to winning and or losing a race. This can also assist you if something happens to your car halfway down the track. If she starts running lean at the top end of third, or shooting some oil/coolant out of the exhaust, or starts pulling timing, it may be time to shut it down for the night. Having to have a car towed home from a dedicated drag strip is an act of heroism. Having to have a car towed home from the street race makes you an idiot, and a giant target for the law. You want to be able to get it home, and get it home in one piece.

#3- Know your "track". There are a lot of places out there that seem like it'd be the perfect area for a street race. It's abandoned, it's an industrial area, it's a new home development with fresh slab and no residents in sight. Those are not the only things you have to consider though. How easy is it to get to/get out of? Many a good racer has been cornered because what appeared to be a great place to race due to the isolation, was in fact a terrible idea because there was no place to go when the fuzz showed up. It only takes two cop cars to block a one way into a dead end, ya dig? Another thing to consider, how visible is it from the air? We're going to assume that you were smart enough to do this in a place that is not easily visible from the road. But did you consider the ghetto bird? Police are cracking down harder and with more frequency on street racing. What once were 3-4 cop cars has turned into 30+ cop cars, 10 tow trucks, 3 paddy wagons, and a pair of choppers. If you get spotted by the chopper, you're toast. Might as well shut it down and wait for you impending beat down. Finally, and this is critical, how many people are in the area? Racing in a populated residential is a great way to kill someone. Murder is bad mmmkay? Stick with the industrials, or the places where you KNOW there is no one living there. Even a bum in a dumpster can get you 20 years if you plow into him.

Now that we've got a few of the basics out of the way as far as what you need to know, let's talk about your ride. Here are some ideas that can make or break a race for you.

#1- No stickers. Stickers are not a good idea. You don't want to go around advertising that you've stuck a Garrett turbo on it, or that you're running a 3-inch HKS exhaust do you? That is going to make you instant prey for the guys out there that are faster than you. See my first rule up top for details.

#2- Refrain from purging the nitrous in front of everyone. You should have your bottle heated and lines ready to roll before you even negotiate. If you purge, you just lost the 3 cars you got out of that other guy 30 seconds ago.

#3- Tinted windows=good. The darker the better. You can distract your opponent long enough that he may not get a chance to look at your car, but you can bet your tax rebate that his friends have crawled all over that thing. The less they can see the better.

#4- Krylon is your friend. Much like tinted windows, Krylon spray paint (I prefer black primer myself) is a great way to hide things you don't want people to see. Got a shiny 3 inch stainless exhaust coming off the back of that beast? Hit it with some paint, and you won't be able to see it at night. Have a giant intercooler? Painting it with a light coat of black will enable you to hide it from most people. Most, not all.

#5- Anything you can do to make your car look slower, do it. Do not go with the flashy paint; leave that to the show crowd. Paint does not make you faster. In fact, it can work against you. First, it makes people want to look at your car. People looking at your car is bad. You want to be a total wallflower until it's time to line up. Second, it makes you an easy pull for the cops. A dark gray sedan tends to look like a dark gray sedan, making it easier to blend in if it's time to run. A Mango Electric Passion paintjob will make you stick out like crazy. You don't want to do that. Same goes for the epic wing. Ditch it. It's only going to make you slower anyhow, and you don't need to wave a big flag that says pull me over. That also applies to body kits and body work in general. Unless your car is capable of an 8 seconds quarter mile, dents and dings are not going to make a bit of difference in your overall time, and they will only help you, as your opponent will think that you have jack because your car looks like garbage. Primered body panels, a different colored door, a bit of rust; all of these things give the illusion of slow. Slow=good.

#6- Family trucksters are the single best weapon in street racing. Any time you can get a 4 door or a wagon in the model you are looking to build, do it. Leave a baby seat in the back. My kid is an Honor Student at Xxxxxx School is all helpful to you. People haul families in slow cars, not sleepers.

Now we've got your ride covered, you've picked your opponent, negotiations have been negotiated, and you're ready to race. What do you do?

TAKE IT TO THE TRACK DUMMY.
Last Updated on Saturday, 06 March 2010 23:04
 
Mini Cooper S VS Mazdaspeed 3……. Hoontastic! PDF Print E-mail
Written by Thomas Larson   
Saturday, 06 March 2010 23:02

Many of you will think of me as a bit of a loon for even considering a comparo like this.  The two vehicles could not be more different. Aside from sharing the same basic FWD forced-induction 4 cylinder layouts, there isn't much else that is the same.

On one side, we have the Mazdaspeed 3. Widely heralded as the savior of the front wheel drive movement, this Speed 3 offers a very wide range of standard features at a minimal price. Entry into a Speed 3 will cost you around 22k. For that price you're getting a turbocharged 2.3l 4 cylinder pocket rocket. Shod in sticky Bridgestone rubber, this thing is an animal out of the box. Supportive seats, special Mazdaspeed trim, and a solid 6-speed transmission are all packed into an attractive hatchback. Combine that with a minimal amount of exterior doodads, and you have a very livable 3 season car (4 if you spring for winter meats. Don't try and drive this thing in the snow on Potenzas. It's a bad idea.) that is as capable getting $300 in groceries as it is ripping down the quarter mile, or dancing on a road course. Simply put, the Speed 3 is an incredible machine.

On the other side, we have the Mini Cooper S. This plucky roller skate of a car is a whole different animal. It's saddled with a supercharged 4 cylinder engine. The entry price of this vehicle new is around 25k. The one in this test I picked up used for around 21k used, with 18,000 on the clock. Features include a full glass sunroof with the biggest opening this side of a targa top. You also get a set of very supportive set of bucket seats and a buttery smooth 6-speed manual transmission. Combined with the unique look of the Mini, the host of aftermarket dress up options, and the fact that it's a Mini, it leaves us with a vehicle that you want to cause trouble in every time you step behind the wheel. The other nice thing is that the factory run flats are fairly solid, enabling you to conquer most of a Minnesota winter without springing for another set of wheels and tires. (Very useful when you have a car that is hobbled at the first sight of winter.) The Mini only has two doors, which lends to chassis stiffness, and with BMW building them, you're assured a top-notch experience every time you drive.

Now that we have the two contestants, let's name the testing conditions. Really, there's only one. Me! I have both of these cars, and drive them as often as possible. Before you call me a lucky jackass, let me tell you, this game isn't cheap. There's a reason I eat ramen every day. However, like most true car guys, I'll forgo food for performance. If I run out of food, I lose weight, and than makes me go faster. Anyhow on to the tests!

TEST 1- Daily Use

This one is tough. The Mini is useful 4 seasons out of the year, on one set of tires. The Speed is crippled 4 months out of the year, unless you spring for some Blizzaks and steelies. This can be considerably expensive, considering the size of the brakes prevents anything smaller than a 16 inch wheel, and in some instances, a 17 inch wheel. So, the minute it hits December, the Speed is relegated to garage duty, and the occasional warm winter day. The other three seasons, it's a different story. The Speed 3 automatically gets a big lead due to the fact that it has 2 extra doors, and a genuine cargo area. Don't even think about 4 passengers in the Mini, unless you're a masochist. The Speed 3 has a slightly softer suspension, which makes it a better long distance ride. However, the Mini Cooper is quite a bit smaller than the Speed, enabling it to fit into places that would not be possible in the Mini. In fact, with the Mini, it's almost a contest to see how small of a space you can get it into. The mileage is a wash; both seem to return about the same. Both vehicles also run on premium, so be ready when that pump hits 40+ dollars a fill. This particular test comes down to your lifestyle. If you're me, you have you and a girlfriend, so a car that amounts to a two seater isn't a big deal. If you have a kid, and need to carry things like strollers, and groceries for more than two people, the Speed 3 is your horse.

Test 2- Going Fast

This is another test where the Speed 3 would appear to shine right out of the box. Packing 100 more horses to the crank than the Mini, the Speed 3 is a car that encourages ludicrous speeds. Going fast is almost an afterthought in the Speed. You just slot it into 4th gear on the highway, and you're gone. Boost is almost instant in this car. It'll gladly light up both 1st and 2nd on command, only checking back on the throttle when you turn the wheel. There is a torque limiting program in both 1st and 2nd gear, but it's not something you really notice. In fact, it's hard to imagine the car being controllable on full whack in the first two gears.  The Mini on the other hand, is much smoother. Sure, it's down a lot of power, but it's not that you notice for what it is. Supercharging means there is 0% lag, and power is available all the way until redline, something that cannot be said for the Speed 3. This makes the Mini a pleasure to drive in situations that the Speed 3 may be somewhat lacking. Powering out of corners is a pleasure in this car, as the power is ALWAYS there. No waiting, just the sweet whine of the supercharger, and you're ready to rock and roll. The Speed 3 definitely has the higher top speed of the two, as the Mini seems to run out of steam at about 120. For reference the Speed will do at least 140 with a full load of camping gear in the back. (Don't ask me how I know this). Again, this is totally subjective. If brutal top speed is the goal, the Mazdaspeed machine is the one for you. If you prefer instant on boost, and a penchant for accelerating out of situations where you'd have no time to build boost, the Mini is the one for you.

Test 3- Turning Corners

This is the first test where the Mini Cooper is a clear winner. The Mini feels planted in all corners, exhibiting bit of front end push at the limit, but it's very controllable. There is never a sense you're going to lose the car in any turn. The Mini almost encourages you to drive it to the limits of your ability. Never once has this car felt out of control to me, quite the contrary in fact. I found it almost impossible to kick the rear end out, even with full e-brake lock in the snow. The same cannot be said for the Speed 3. It's a confident car for sure, but it tends to get a little spooky at the limits of adhesion. It does show the typical push that you'd expect from a front wheel drive automobile, but it goes beyond that. When you step on the brakes in a corner, the rear end unloads, and it kind of wants to come around on you. Granted this isn't something you'd run into under any normal driving conditions, but this isn't normal. It's far too easy to go too fast into a corner with the Speed, and if you aren't paying attention, this could become a problem. My advice, if you do get a Mazdaspeed 3, spend some time learning to handle it. The vehicle will thank you, as will your insurance.

Test 4- Fit and Finish

Both cars are very solid for what they are. The Speed 3 comes with an attractive interior package that features red stitching on the seats and steering wheel, and if you opt for the GT package, you get leather bolsters along with the cloth centers. Hardcore driving enthusiasts may either want to opt for the full cloth interior, or step up to the 08.5, which replaces the cloth with suede like centers where the cloth used to be. Very grippy stuff. The Mini in this test features a leatherette interior throughout. The materials do feel quality for what they are, but the car as a whole would probably benefit from a full leather interior, or a full cloth. The leatherette doesn't do it for me. The interior of the Mini is very attractive aside from the seat material, with thoughtful touches throughout. Most of the switches to control things like door locks have been replaced by chromed toggle switches that are set in a little panel just below the stereo. It's a very nice touch, but can be a little disconcerting if you don't have this as your only vehicle. I find myself getting into the Speed and reaching for the window switches, only to be greeted with a blank panel just above the ash tray. The rest of the interior is where the Speed 3 begins to pull away. The switches feel very solid, all the buttons damped perfectly. The plastics are of high quality, and don't carry the cheapish shine that the Mini seems to be plagued with. The concept for the Mini interior is better, but the execution of the Speed is the clear winner in this one.

Test 5- Cache, or the "Look at Me Factor"

No contest, it's the Mini. With its electric blue exterior, and the fact that it's a freakin Mini, you're always going to get looks with this car. I've never had more comments on a vehicle in my entire life than when driving this car. I get constant questions and comments on it. It definitely turns heads when you drive by. The Speed 3 takes a more subtle approach, which in this case is to the cars' benefit. Other than a Mazdaspeed 3 badge on the hatch, and a gigantic exhaust tip, it looks like every other stock 3 out there. This is quite useful in two situations. #1, when you're just driving, you don't get a second look from anyone. No ricers trying to challenge you, no one gawking at what the car really is. The second, and far more dangerous option, is when you DO accept a challenge from a ricer. Generally speaking, you'll outgun most stuff on the highway. Quite funny to smoke something that cost 20k more, especially when they have no idea it's coming.

Overall, if you ask me, it's about even. The Speed 3 is the destroyer in this group, capable of far more than its exterior would lead you to believe. When ultimate power is the goal, the Speed is a capable weapon. It will more than likely outgun anything you run into on a regular basis, and will do so with a full cabin. The Mini is quite the little hoon-mobile, encouraging shenanigans every time you turn the key. You feel like you're in the Italian Job 2 whenever you drive it. I'll have to say, I may be broke, but it's hard to remember being hungry while behind the wheel of either machine.
Last Updated on Saturday, 06 March 2010 23:03
 
What is Blown Differential? PDF Print E-mail
Written by Administrator   
Saturday, 07 July 2007 09:54

Blown Differential is the spot for my to drop my life off. I tend to get off on a lot of pointless topics. You could find damn near anything here, from automotive, politics, and beyond. Some will be informative, some will be worthless. More than likely, they will all be useless. But I have a lot of ideas, and people seem to like reading them, so hell, I'm going to put up my rambling for the world to share?

A little about me:

I'm in Minnesota. It's cold, and I'm usually bored, especially if there's snow on the ground. I dig cars, and have a couple of them that I find keep me busy. I have several project car ideas on the fire, but those are down the road, as I have no money.

Wanna get interactive?

Hey you there! The one reading this! I want you to talk to me! Leave me a comment, tell me I suck at life, whatever. I want to hear what my readers have to say. If you have something you'd like to see me write about, let me know. I can do damn near anything, but the more ideas I have the better. Got a story to share? Put it out there! You never know what I might put up, or when. I'm all about sharing the internet, if it's something that amuses me.

If you're a hate group, go to hell. You go to hell and you die. I have no time for people that can't get with ideas that may not be popular to them. If you disagree with me, tell me. But do so in a constructive manner. Be creative. Telling me I am teh suxx0r without any supporting evidence is lame. And being lame makes Baby Jesus cry.

SHAMELESS PLUG

So, you read my stuff. You liked it. Maybe you REALLY liked it, and you send me a few bucks via Paypal. I'll tell you right now, this will go to one cause. I REALLY want a set of OZ Ultraleggeras in Flat Black, size 18x8. I want to shoe these with Yokohama Parada Spec2 tires, in matching size. These things will make me very happy. Very happy indeed. As a matter of fact, if you donate, I might do something cool for you. You just never know.

PAYPAL is the link between me, you, and some fine Ultraleggeras in Flat Black, size 18x8. You can send your donations to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Last Updated on Saturday, 06 March 2010 17:58
 
Electronic Nannies, Friend or Foe? PDF Print E-mail
Written by Administrator   
Saturday, 06 March 2010 16:50

You’ve all seen them. You’ve all heard them touted all over the radio, TV and in print ads. We’re talking about electronic safety systems, ranging from ABS, to Lane Departure systems, and beyond. These systems are designed to keep us safe, and prevent an accident, but what are they really doing?

Personally, I think they’re actually making the roads dangerous. Before you get all in my kool-aid citing examples of this that and the other thing, let me explain why. First, you have to look at what cars were 25 years ago. The Japanese were making small tin-stamped econo-boxes, and the Americans were making gigantic steel battle cruisers. The Europeans were making bahn-stormers the whole time, which fell somewhere in the middle as far as overall beef-quotient, but fast as hell, and far ahead of anyone else in the safety department. With any of these cars was one constant however, you had to pay attention. If you bought a Japanese car, you had to contend with sub-par acceleration, sketchy handling, and a car that crumpled like a beer can at a frat party. You were fortunate to get power anything, and REALLY fortunate if you got an automatic transmission. Simply put, you really had to focus on driving or else you got skragged, because the car itself was not going to save you in the event of a crash. The Americans, you had gigantic floaty suspension, steering that took 3 full turns of the wheel to change lanes, and seats that make my couch look like aluminum bleachers. You had to pay attention in these cars or else you were going to suffer a slight dent on your gigantic chrome bumper, and you’d kill 4 people. These things were stronger than a battleship, and half as fast. But once you got going, you GOT GOING…. And there was really no way to stop. The Euro cars…. Well, if you’re driving something that could see 150mph on a regular basis, handled like a race car on street rubber, and afforded the amenities that most of us only dreamed about, you should be paying attention, or you risk stuffing a car that cost more than most houses of the same time period. Simply put, we were then a nation of attentive drivers.

Fast forward to 2008. Your car is considered a dangerous automobile if it doesn’t come with at least 40 bajillionty safety options, standard. Sure the auto makers like to tell you these make life easier, but I think they’re breeding an entire population that doesn’t pay attention to the road, because their Lexus does it for them. Why watch the road, when your car can do it for you? I mean, wouldn’t you rather suck down a double half-caf soy latte? Why watch for the car in front of you, when you have 14 airbags that will cocoon you in white nylon, when you can read the paper? Too many people these days rely on safety measures to keep them from getting in an accident, and further, they rely on the car to protect them from the accident should one happen. This isn’t right. Case in point-

I was driving home from the lady’s grandparents following Easter dinner on Sunday. We’re cruising along on 52, talking about some random thing, when a cop car zips by. And then another. And then a third rolls through, which definitely gets our attention. Shortly thereafter, we are greeted by a Land Rover, upside down in the ditch. Clearly there had to be a decent explanation, right? Observation of the scene told me all I needed to know. There were no other vehicles damaged at the site, leading me to believe that this was the only one involved. There were no skid marks or other evidence of evasive driving at the scene either, indicating that there was no attempt to avoid some sort of other calamity, which left me with one option. Whoever was piloting the vehicle was being inattentive. He/she basically was too busy doing whatever, counting on the British wonder-truck to save them in the event of an accident. Maybe they were on the phone, maybe they were in a food coma, who knows. The bottom line was, this driver saw fit to not pay attention to the road, and got greeted with the ditch and the rubber facing the wrong way.

What could have been done to prevent this? Well the answer is obvious. Pay attention. Stop with the cell phone, put the crossword down, and quit changing DVD’s for your kid. That’s all there is to it. My guess is if the person owning the vehicle was driving say, a Toyota Tercel, there would be less problems, and more than likely not an accident. This seems obvious to some, but baffling to others. Why NOT have all the safety gizmos in there? Well, again, it’s that false sense of security. A Land Rover is a VERY capable off-road vehicle, with the ability to do more things stock than most vehicles on 10k in suspension could handle. This only matters in the case of an attentive driver.

What can we do about this in the future? The answer is simple. Everyone in America should be forced to drive a Geo Metro for a week. No power anything, manual transmission, ONE airbag. Make these people drive in everyday traffic, merging and making lane changes along with the rest of us. Randomly send out a crew of Tahoe’s to join the Metro on the highway, boxing them in, and generally acting like most people do on the highway. This will force the person in the little car to pay a lot more attention to the road, and give them an idea how many of us feel every day. I don’t know about you, but let me say that when you get almost merged into 50 times a day driving a Mini Cooper, you learn to perk the hell up and focus on the road.
Last Updated on Saturday, 06 March 2010 17:56
 

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