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Should You Change The Exhaust On Your New Tundra?

Toyota made a fast truck when they redesigned the new Tundra. The 5.7L V8 has 381 hp, making it a good truck for hauling and towing. But a lot of people will tell you that you should modify the factory exhaust system. You should only consider it after you've learned the facts.

Fortunately, the factory exhaust system is efficient and doesn't require much modification. The new Tundra comes with a 4 into 2 into 1 exhaust manifold, which has been found to be most efficient for moving exhaust gases quickly. The exhaust manifold is also made out of stainless steel, which is light and resistant to rust. And, the exhaust manifold has equal length exhaust tubes making it as good as most products available after-market. In short, the exhaust manifolds on your new Tundra dont require any modification.

Next we have the catalytic converters. These legally required emissions control devices are often accused of restricting a vehicle's exhaust, but in the new Tundra that's not the case. They are efficient and they benefit the environment, so they're definitely off limits.

After the catalytic converters, the exhaust gases from each side of the motor cool somewhat and meet-up at the muffler. Again, the factory system is pretty good. You wont see a significant hp and torque gain by replacing the factory muffler (3-5hp, 5-10ft-lbs at the most), but you will HEAR the truck better. The rumble that you'll hear if you do this is intoxicating, but there are about a hundred different mufflers to choose from to help you get the rumble you want. TRD, Borla, Flowmaster, Gibson, Edelbrock, Magnaflow, etc all offer quality products. While brand is important, its more important to know what you want.

First of all, find out if the muffler you like is going to have any "exhaust drone". Exhaust drone refers to the sound of the engine running while your driving at constant speed, like on the highway. Many people prefer not to have any drone, but others are willing to deal with some drone if it gets them a little more power. Finding out if the muffler you like is going to drone is easy, ask the people at the local muffler shops as well as the websites www.tundraheadquarters.com and www.tundrasolutions.com.

Second, do you want something that people can slightly hear when you drive by, or do you want something so loud that the neighbors know exactly what time you leave for work every morning? I hope that its the former, but if you decide for the latter, look for words like racing or glasspack.

Another important choice when considering a new muffler is single or dual exhaust. Remember, the factory system is pretty good. The single exhaust that the truck is setup with will work just fine and give good performance, but you might want to go with a dual exhaust to get the better look and sound. That's my suggestion, just make sure that your installer works around your trailer hitch or leaves room for one in case you want it added on later.

Stainless steel or aluminized steel -- that's what you'll be asked when you're choosing your new muffler. While stainless looks cooler, that's not really a good reason to buy it. After all, how often is anyone going to be looking under your vehicle? The best reason to choose stainless is resistance to rust. If your local geography has salt water or high humidity, stainless steel is a good idea. Otherwise, save some coin and go with the less expensive galavanized or aluminized steel.

About the author: Jason Lancaster has been working in the auto industry and with the Toyota Tundra for the better part of a decade.

Get more Tundra Info at his website, http://www.tundraheadquarters.com

posted by ujzboi @ 7:08 PM 0 comments

Car Theft Prevention

Research has revealed that 3 out of 4 American vehicle owners do not have utilities to prevent car theft installed on their vehicles. And - as if this wasn't enough - only one out of four who have these tools installed are actually not activating them on a regular basis. We know that motorcar thieves are operating today as they have done as long as there has been cars. We also know that car theft protection utilities can prevent this kind of crime as well as other crimes like burglaries and vandalism.

Prevent thieves from getting into your vehicle

Vehicle alarms are one of the most common security installation in a motorcar today Many auto owners have already got them, and more and more are doing it. Most auto alarm systems are equipped with motion sensors as well as impact sensors. When sombody is trying to steal the vehicle a loud siren or series of tones in the 120-decibel range is activated. High quality auto alarms today arm themselves automatically when you leave the vehicle and include an automatic kill switch (see below). They also flash the headlights and honk the horn in addition to sounding the siren.

Another car stealing prevention facility is a Steering Wheel Lock. This is a long metal bar with a lock that fits on the steering wheel. When this is activated it prevents the steering wheel from being turned. It also discourage thieves from stealing the automobile, as it is very visual from the outside of the vehicle. This device represents an Inexpensive way to keep would-be thieves away.

Prevent thieves from moving your car

If the thieves for some reason have already broken in to the vehicle, armored collars will prevent them from breaking into the steering column to hot-wire the vehicle. It goes without saying that this device almost make it impossible for thieves to get the vehicle running, thus prevent the motorcar stealing

A more technically advanced way of preventing the engine to start are kill switches, which prevent the flow of electricity or fuel to the engine. Starter disablers serve the same function. The switch is normally hidden in the vehicle and it must be flipped on for the auto to start. These security devices are effective, inexpensive and no big deal to install.

Another car anti-theft device is an electronic key pre-installed by the vehicle manufacturer, which allow the vehicle to operate only with a correctly coded key. This system is invisible to thieves, easy to use and very reliable.

Let's say the thives have been able to get the engine going, can you still have some facilities installed that prevent them from stealing it? Yes, install tire locks. These make the motorcar nearly impossible to move. These locks are similar to the circular steel "boots" used by many larger city police departments. This device significantly hampers thieves who are looking to make a quick getaway and are also visable from the outside of the vehicle, and very effective in discouraging would-be thieves.

Prevent the thieves from getting far

Now, let's say that the thives for some mysterious reason have been able to steal your vehicle. You can say goodbye to your beloved vehicle forever, you may think. Rethink that! With electronic tracking devices installed in your automobile, the police are already on the alert. I am speaking about an electronic transmitter hidden in the car and emits a signal that is picked up by the police or a monitoring station. So don't panic - help is on the way.

The thieves must be deterred

The best anti-theft effort however, is to discourage the thieves from even touching your vehicle. Etching the auto's identification number into the base of the windshield as well as other parts of the vehicle discourages the bandits from stealing it and also aids in recovering the automobile if it is stolen. This make your vehicle not so attractive to thieves.

The most inexpensive way to prevent your auto from being stolen is to apply decals identifying that the vehicle is protected by either an auto alarm system or a vehcile theft prevention company. I will not recommend that you base your car anti-theft system on this bluff only, but rather steer you towards more technically advanced auto security devices which can ultimately prevent the theft of your car.

Terje Brooks Ellingsen is a writer and internet publisher. He runs the website cheap-used-cars.w-eland.com Terje gives advice and helps people with automotive issues like finding auto accessories online as well as vehicle insurance

posted by ujzboi @ 3:11 PM 0 comments

Problems With Boat Parts

I purchased a boat and also bought a 1970 85 hp outboard evinrude motor from a different place. The motor has been working fine but when we bought it he said he usually replaces the impeller every year and had not gotten around to it yet this year. My husband and I have never owned a boat before and are just starting to learn all the fun things and decided to wait to do the impeller until we actually used the boat motor and knew it worked good and everything.

Well we took it out the other night and the motor acted like it was missing and kind of revving up a bit. We changed the spark plugs and then took it back out. We think that actually sounds better now but while my husband was at the back watching the motor he noticed that no water was coming out of the holes. We have ordered a new impeller.

Any marine dealer can get you those parts. Check the wear plate and cup for any grooves near the driveshaft, if so replace the parts, if not just the impeller. You may not have water coming out of the exhaust relief. Your best bet would be to take it to a good service shop and have them go over the motor, install a tell tale or water pressure gage. Have them do a complete check of the motor. Since you guys are new to boating and the motor is almost 40 years old it is best to have an expert tell you what you have. While some things are possible for a DIYer with some good tools, many things aren't.

I have a 1990 Bay liner Cobra with a 1986 115 Mariner inline 6. I have had the boat for about a month now, and have honestly not had a day where I didn't have a problem. So far I have had the carbs rebuilt, the fuel filter pump rebuilt, the impeller replaced took it out ran fine for about an hour then stalled out and had to get towed back in.

Took it home called around and was told that my problem was the power pack because 1,3,5 was firing but others wasn't and when I swapped the two power packs the 2,4,6 started working. Well I bought a used one at the boat yard and got the spark back. Took it on the lake today and ran GREAT for about a quarter of a mile.

Then started cutting out and made the motor started jerking and wouldn't go over like 3000 RPMs (sometimes speeding up like it wanted to take off but would then start restricting itself again), but would run fine if I kept it under 2000 or 1500 RPMs shuddering at times. Made it back to the dock where we pulled the caps to the plugs off one at a time checking for spark. The plugs would spark fine fewer than 2000 RPMs, but would start missing on all of them if we got it over 2000. I have spent more time fixing this stupid thing than I have actually using it.

That motor is one of the best ever made. Essentially it is the same as the 150 of 1978 with updated ignition. First of all I would never recommend buying used ignition parts, you don't know how long they will last, have no warranty and may be on their last legs. Most of the switchbox's have updated components. I only recommend either Mercury's or CDI. As for your problem it would appear you have a bad stator. Mercury has put out numerous service bulletins on it. What is happening is you have two sets of charge coils and one set of alternator coils on your stator.

The stator is the series of coils under your flywheel. One set is the low speed, and the other the high speed. In your case the high speed coils have gone out. You will need to replace the entire stator. Here again I recommend you find a stator by CDI Electronics, have your local shop order you one. They have beefed up the coils and added another regulator. You will need special tools to remove the flywheel. Don't try to play with a normal wheel or pulley puller, you will damage the flywheel and will just have to go out and buy another one.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant at http://www.SellUsedBoatParts.com/. Sell Used Boat Parts is a community of various independent used boat parts sellers from around the world. Each used boat parts seller represents a unique style of products all their own. If you have used boat parts to sell, click here to create a Boat Parts Account.

posted by ujzboi @ 3:06 PM 0 comments