What would you like to see in the mag?

[fha772]

I was thinking today while thumbing through a copy of Motorsport magazine.
It'd be nice to read some interviews with some motoring icons in PPC from time to time.
I mean it'd be interesting to hear people's budget tuning/motoring stories, and their opinions on different things.
I'm sure after hearing Chris Evans saying he reads PPC, that it might be possible to blag an interview.
I'm sure there are plenty out there who have things to plug in return for an interview, but it'd be nice to keep the chat off of their book, DVD, seminar tour, etc... Like what Parkinson's used to do, just chat about general car stuff, and then mention their product at the end of the write up.

[jnoiles]

Driving column please. Tips and tricks on how to improve your skill. A practical performance car is only as good as the driver.

[OilyFingers]

I dunno if I'm alone hear but the 'Engine of the month 600hp now!' section seems to revolve around what bits to bolt on rather than actual tuning. They give you a shopping list for all the bits you need for a cracking engine but this is PPC, we need to know what can be raided, begged, borrowed and adapted to make a decent fun car.



Practical Performance Car - Polishing turds and sows ear alchemy since 2004.

[XKRacer]

The problem with tuning is it ALWAYS costs money, it's the doing it on a budget is the key, a bit of both would not hurt, bolt on parts in essence are simple and hopefully proven not to blow your engine up.

But the recent things with the bike carbs, making your own throttle body from a holley (?), fitting a Eaton from a Mini onto anything you can make it fit is brilliant.

The problem this gives is the majority of people dont have a machine shop or the engineering skills to pull something like that off, this is where the bolt on goodies come into play.

I do like the idea of an interchangeable parts across manufacturers directory, I use to do that with my Manta GTE, Cavalier parts were much cheaper.

Some really good ideas are coming up I hope someone takes notice

[jonc]

The problem with tuning is it ALWAYS costs money, it's the doing it on a budget is the key, a bit of both would not hurt, bolt on parts in essence are simple and hopefully proven not to blow your engine up.

But the recent things with the bike carbs, making your own throttle body from a holley (?), fitting a Eaton from a Mini onto anything you can make it fit is brilliant.

The problem this gives is the majority of people dont have a machine shop or the engineering skills to pull something like that off, this is where the bolt on goodies come into play.

I do like the idea of an interchangeable parts across manufacturers directory, I use to do that with my Manta GTE, Cavalier parts were much cheaper.

Some really good ideas are coming up I hope someone takes notice

What about an article or series about improvised tools' to rival manufacturers special tools, and basic but 'unknown' skills (that metalwork series as example)?

[Rippthrough]

You'd be amazed what you can do with an angle grinder and a welder!

[MrT]

How about an interview, or 20 questions to, the dreaded DVLA ?

Letters/questions about the IVA seem to crop up and it would be good to get the official line rather than advice to just 'put it down as an engine change'

[andrewg1323]

Dare i say it - more projects! In most mags the first section i usually read is the staff cars section, why not do the same but with readers car, just a quick page or 1/2 page per car following 7-8 cars over a period of months

[XKRacer]

Dare i say it - more projects! In most mags the first section i usually read is the staff cars section, why not do the same but with readers car, just a quick page or 1/2 page per car following 7-8 cars over a period of months

I should think continuity might be a problem, a good idea but not a lot of people work consistantly on there projects, I know I have not touched mine for probably a year

[Rippthrough]

I don't have a choice, it needs racing once per month and there's always something broken

[Renrut]

The problem this gives is the majority of people dont have a machine shop or the engineering skills to pull something like that off, this is where the bolt on goodies come into play.

Nail -> Head.

A lot of stuff mentioned requires either decent mates rates at a machine shop or some serious kit at home to do cheaper than bolt on kits. I noticed in this months that they suggest just getting manifold flanges laser cut as its easier than doing it yourself. I'd say its actually cheaper to 'outsource' a lot of stuff. A good example is the company I work at has recently discovered a local laser cutting company who actually can produce and deliver laser cut steel plates to our drawings cheaper than we can even buy the steel!

I'd be interested in a 'ways to remove a stubborn wishbone bush and bolt without cutting off the chassis leg' article

[Mr Bounce]

I would like to see more details about the £999 cars. The last challenge report showed a few pics, the times the cars posted, and the model of vehicle. NOTHING else. So there may have been a Fiat Panda in 20th place or whatever, but we'd LOVE to know what was in it! These sort of things give us inspiration.

I also like the idea of a "Top Tips" section similar to what Renrut's said, with a couple of different things each week.

And a guide on how to repair/use fibreglass.

[Rippthrough]

The problem this gives is the majority of people dont have a machine shop or the engineering skills to pull something like that off, this is where the bolt on goodies come into play.

Nail -> Head.

A lot of stuff mentioned requires either decent mates rates at a machine shop or some serious kit at home to do cheaper than bolt on kits.

I made most of my stuff with an angle grinder and a clonky 40-year old welder, you really don't need much more than that for most stuff!

[Renrut]

The problem this gives is the majority of people dont have a machine shop or the engineering skills to pull something like that off, this is where the bolt on goodies come into play.

Nail -> Head.

A lot of stuff mentioned requires either decent mates rates at a machine shop or some serious kit at home to do cheaper than bolt on kits.

I made most of my stuff with an angle grinder and a clonky 40-year old welder, you really don't need much more than that for most stuff!

But XKR was talking about good 'ol fashioned engine tuning, its difficult (but not impossible) to lighten a flywheel,create your own camshaft or make alloy brake bellhousing and caliper mounts without a lathe or milling machine or other fancy equipment.

However there must be a nice middle ground, perhaps an article on how to go about stroking / boring an engine. Not necessarily the finer details of what boring tool to use but the things you need to know when talking to the people who do have the kit, the things you can/can't make yourself and the bits you can buy cheaply or borrow from another model. For example could I rob a long stroke crank out of X variant engine and use it to create a big torquey lump using Y block? Is it worth doing? Whats the point of knife-edging my crank or forged pistons? Will I get away with my cast ones? Where should I go to find said items? What about bearings? Is there any point with a 3 bearing crank?

These things seem to be vaguely hinted at in the engine tuning articles but perhaps a more overview article for the playstation generation who normally just press up-down-left-right-up-down-left-right-o-o-x-x

[Rippthrough]

But it is very easy to make inlet and exhaust manifolds, lighter/stiffer engine mountings, mods the valves or ports, making DIY vernier pullies, etc...

Hell, I'd have a go at a cam with an angle grinder if I had a blank to hand