What is a Car?
Before I can advise you on how to repair your car, you first need to have a basic understanding of what a car is. That may sound strange and I know you must be saying, "I know what a car is", but do you really? A car is more than an engine and a body, it is a complex machine that has undergone over a century of evolution. I'm sure if Henry Ford could see a 2002 Ford Crown Victoria, he would be amazed how far it has come from his 1909 Model T.
Over the years we have seen a constant stream of innovations and improvements in engine design. We have seen the advent of 4 wheel brakes, the carburetor, fuel injection, and the automatic transmission. What I will do over the next few articles is to explain how each system works and how they interrelate with each other. Once we understand how the system works, we can get into how to repair that system when it fails.
There are many repairs that can be performed by the do-it-yourselfer, and many that are best performed by a trained professional. I'll guide you through which is which. I'll give you advice on the best techniques, terminology, the tools you will need and the replacement parts you will use. And most importantly, I'll teach you how to perform those repairs safely. After a short time, you will be doing most of your own repairs as well as a professional and save a lot of money as well.
Okay, let's start with that thing under the hood. Why did I say "that thing under the hood?" Some people call it a motor and some call it an engine. Which is it? The two terms are often used to describe the power plant under the hood, but which is correct? By definition, a motor is any device powered by electricity. According to Webster:
motor (noun)
First appeared 1925
An electric device that can be used on either an alternating or a direct current supply.
That's why we have a blower motor in our heating and A/C system, we have power window motors in the doors and a windshield wiper motor to keep our windshields clean. They all run on electricity.
What is an engine? Again, according to Webster:
en*gine (noun)
First appeared 13th Century
A machine for converting any of various forms of energy into mechanical force and motion.
What an automobile engine does is converts the energy contained in the fuel into motion that propels it. Some of the early cars were powered by an external combustion engine which means the fuel was burned outside of the engine proper. A steam locomotive is a classic example of an external combustion engine. The fuel is used to turn water into steam which supplies the motive power. All cars today have an internal combustion engine which means the fuel is burned inside the engine proper. So now that we know what it's called, next time we will discuss how an engine converts energy into motion.
Over the years we have seen a constant stream of innovations and improvements in engine design. We have seen the advent of 4 wheel brakes, the carburetor, fuel injection, and the automatic transmission. What I will do over the next few articles is to explain how each system works and how they interrelate with each other. Once we understand how the system works, we can get into how to repair that system when it fails.
There are many repairs that can be performed by the do-it-yourselfer, and many that are best performed by a trained professional. I'll guide you through which is which. I'll give you advice on the best techniques, terminology, the tools you will need and the replacement parts you will use. And most importantly, I'll teach you how to perform those repairs safely. After a short time, you will be doing most of your own repairs as well as a professional and save a lot of money as well.
Okay, let's start with that thing under the hood. Why did I say "that thing under the hood?" Some people call it a motor and some call it an engine. Which is it? The two terms are often used to describe the power plant under the hood, but which is correct? By definition, a motor is any device powered by electricity. According to Webster:
motor (noun)
First appeared 1925
An electric device that can be used on either an alternating or a direct current supply.
That's why we have a blower motor in our heating and A/C system, we have power window motors in the doors and a windshield wiper motor to keep our windshields clean. They all run on electricity.
What is an engine? Again, according to Webster:
en*gine (noun)
First appeared 13th Century
A machine for converting any of various forms of energy into mechanical force and motion.
What an automobile engine does is converts the energy contained in the fuel into motion that propels it. Some of the early cars were powered by an external combustion engine which means the fuel was burned outside of the engine proper. A steam locomotive is a classic example of an external combustion engine. The fuel is used to turn water into steam which supplies the motive power. All cars today have an internal combustion engine which means the fuel is burned inside the engine proper. So now that we know what it's called, next time we will discuss how an engine converts energy into motion.
Top Ten Fastest cars in the World
1:Bugatti Veyron Super Sport
1.Bugatti Veyron Super Sport: 267 mph, 0-60 in 2.4 secs. Aluminum, Narrow Angle 8 Liter W16 Engine with 1200 hp, base price is $2,400,000. Although the Bugatti Veyron lost the title to SSC Ultimate Aero on March 2007, Bugatti challenge the record in Germany on July 10, 2010 with the new 2010 Super Sport Version and the Veyron once again claims the title of the fastest car in the world at 267 mph. The original Bugatti Veyron has a top speed of 253 mph, priced at $1,700,000 and equipped with 1001 hp.
2:Hennessey Venom GT and Koenigsegg Agera R
a. Hennessey Venom GT: 260 mph, 0-60 in 2.5 seconds, has a 6.2-liter LS9 Turbocharged V8 Twin Turbo V8 Engine producing 1200 hp, has a price tag of $950,000. The Venom GT has yet to be tested and proven, but could possibly hit a top speed of 275 mph. This might just be the Veyron Super Sport's closest competitor!
b.Koenigsegg Agera R: 260 mph, 0-60 in 2.9 secs. 5.0-liter V8 Engine with twin turbo’s, housing 1099 hp. Base price is $1,600,000. If you're into snow sports, the Agera R can be fitted with a Ski Box as well as winter tires, not that I would take one on a ski trip or anything like that. While the Agera R has a massive theoretical top speed, the current tested top speed is 260 mph. Expect this snow car to be the Bugatti's arch enemy for the next 5 years.
4:SSC Ultimate Aero
3.SSC Ultimate Aero: 257 mph, 0-60 in 2.7 secs. Twin-Turbo V8 Engine with 1183 hp, base price is $654,400. Tested in March 2007 by Guinness World Records, The SSC Ultimate Aero was the fastest car in the world from March 2007 to July 2010. On March 2011, the Koenigsegg Agera R also surpassed it, forcing this American made car to the #3 spot. Shelby SuperCars will continue their quest to reclaim the fastest car title, and their new SSC Tuatura might do the job (we'll just have to wait).
4:Saleen S7 Twin-Turbo
4.Saleen S7 Twin-Turbo: 248 mph, 0-60 in 2.8 secs. Twin Turbo All Aluminum V8 Engine with 750 hp, base price is $555,000. Smooth and bad-ass. It will make you want to show it off non-stop.
5: Koenigsegg CCX
5.Koenigsegg CCX: 245 mph, 0-60 in 3.2 secs. 90 Degree V8 Engine 806 hp, base price is $545,568. Made in Sweden, it is the older brother of the Agera R, only losing to 4 other supercars in the world.
6:McLaren F1
6.McLaren F1: 240 mph, 0-60 in 3.2 secs. BMW S70/2 60 Degree V12 Engine with 627 hp, base price is $970,000. The fastest car in the 20th century with doors that looks like bat wings. Maybe Batman needs to order one and paint it black
7:Gumpert Apollo
7.Gumpert Apollo: 224 mph, 0-60 in 3.0 secs, 4.2 liter V8 Engine that houses 650 hp. Base price: $450,000. Gumpert claims that the Apollo was designed such that it could drive upside-down in a tunnel with speeds at 190 mph or above. Of course, no one has tested this yet.
8:Noble M600
8.Noble M600: 223 mph, 0-60 in 3.7 secs. Twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 Engine with 650 hp. Base price is $330,000. The Noble M600 also happens to be a very cool car. Its inconspicuous design sports a slender and contoured body which does not scream out for attention at every second of the day.
9:Lamborghini Aventador, Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster, Ferrari Enzo and Jaguar XJ220
a.Lamborghini Aventador: 217 mph, 0-60 in 2.9 secs. V12 Engine with 700 hp, base price is $379,700. According to Lamborghini, Aventador is the name of a Bull that entered into battle at the Saragossa Arena on October 1993. This is the fastest bull in the world!
b.Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster: 217 mph, 0-60 in 3.4 secs. Twin turbocharged AMG V12 engine that produces 678 hp. Base price is $1,850,000. The Pagani Zonda Cinque Roadster is a limited-edition, with five ever produced. It is the quintessential exotic and exclusive supercar.
c.Ferrari Enzo: 217 mph, 0-60 in 3.4 secs. F140 Aluminum V12 Engine with 660 hp, base price is $670,000. Only 399 were ever produced; the price goes up every time someone crashes.
d.Jaguar XJ220: 217 mph, 0-60 in 3.8 secs. Twin Turbo V6 Engine with 542 hp, base price was $650,000. Made in 1992, this car still has what it takes to make the list.
10:Ascari A10 and Pagani Zonda F
a.Ascari A10: 215 mph, 0-60 in 2.8 secs. 5.0 litre BMW V8 S62 Engine with 625 hp. Base price: $650,000. The company planned to produce 50 of these supercars at its factory in Banbury, England.
b. Pagani Zonda F: 215 mph, 0-60 in 3.5 secs. Mercedes Benz M180 V12 Engine with 650 hp, base price is $667,321. With a V12 motor, this baby can do much better.