MightyMouseTech

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Everything posted by MightyMouseTech

  1. http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_sh...ook/index.html Well, it has been officially released.... 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth Engine: Turbocharged 1.4-liter I-4 Power: 160 hp @ 5500 rpm Torque: 170 lb-ft @ 2200-4000 rpm Drive: Front-wheel Transmission: 5-speed manual Curb weight: 2533 lbs Sounds VEEEEERY interesting..... They also anouned a plug in hybrid Gucci version.
  2. James May, Nov 2007.
  3. My name is on the waiting list at the local dealer for an Abarth. I was number eight on the list 6 months ago.
  4. To be released at the LA autoshow tomorrow... http://youtu.be/_LLNuMTU6ZE HAWT!!!!
  5. Finally got around to installing the new block heater cable.The old cable had a ground fault in it that was causing the GFI plug to trip every time I plugged it in. Found corrosion on the wire on the back side of the plug at the front of the car. Plugged it in for a couple hours, and the oil pan (I have an alluminum pan) was hot enough to burn my finger.... LOL! Guess it is working fine. Was a fair bit of work. The biggest part was dropping the fuel cooler underneath the vehicle. Note: If you ever do this yourself, make sure you support the fuel tank when lowering the cooler. The rear two bolts that hold the cooler up are the same two bolts (of three) that hold the fuel tank in place. Also changed the routing of the cable a bit at the rear suspension so the cable is not blocking the intercooler scoop anymore.Also started using the Redline Winterised Diesel Catalyst, and just had my first tank over 500 km (506.6 to be exact, with 0.5 remaining) in many years. This stuff seems to work pretty well, and that included a 140 km/hr blast to work one morning.
  6. Another vote for RUN away!If they wrote off the car when it was only about 1 year old, there would have been at least $15,000 of damage. That is a hell of a lot more than just a "front bumper"
  7. Headlights don't have to say it, but any alternative light does.
  8. To use fog lights legally as DRL's in Canada they must have "DRL" on the lens. I had to have this inspected on my Suburban when I imported it from the States. It was OK to use the turn signal lenses as DRL's because GM stamped "DRL" on the lenses. It was clearly stated on the RIV inspection form that this MUST be on the lens to be used and legal. On the newer Acura MDX's that have the fogs as DRL's, they also have "DRL" on the lens. Although, I do use a set of OEM fog lights as DRL's on my smart, though, technically it is not legal.
  9. I am hoping my last tank of fuel was still summer diesel. The car ran much better when warm, but twice on this tank, the engine would not start after only one cycle of the glow plugs, and the plugs are only 1 month old. Can't wait for the Redline to get here.........
  10. Redline offers their Diesel Fuel Catalyst in a winter version. 12oz bottles are part # 70202 http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=30&pcid=11I just ordered a case from Amazon.com.
  11. No, only in 'merica. The reports get back pretty quick, say, between 1 and 2 weeks or so.
  12. Blackstone Labs.http://www.blackstone-labs.com/
  13. Well, from the sound of it, I may be the only one, but I LOVE driving my smart (450) in the snow! It may be due to my tires (studded Hakka's in the back, Blizzak WS-60's in the front) but this thing is a blast. Leaving a light I just mash the accelerator, transfer all the weight to the rear tires and take off. I often see drivers with SUV's catching up to me at the next light and having them stare at me and wonder what the hell just happened. And having the really skinny tires on the front makes highway cruising in snow no problem, it slices through ruts. My front tires still have to scrub in, so they will still get better, as it is still a little easy to lock up the front tires and get the ABS going, but is nearly completely avoidable now with modulation.I am getting tired of seeing the traction control light flashing the almost the entire time I am driving though.... With the right amount of throttle, you can manage the wheel spin so that only the light is flashing, and the car is doing very little to tame the wheel spin. Leaves large rooster tails behind the car!Had a blast driving to work this morning, just had to share! It is nice finally not being the slowest car on the road leaving a light.Although, my F.E. went to hell. With mixed hwy/city for an hour drive I got around 6.5 LPH....
  14. Wow, this is an old thread from the past!No, studded tires are NOT legal in most parts of Ontario, but I drove for two full winters with them on and never got harrassed using them. I bought them online from the states (185/55/15's), I'm sure there are places to buy them in Quebec, as they are leagal there.This year however, I am not using them, I am going to try the new Toyo GSi5 in the factory sizes.
  15. Yes, flat rate means you get paid by the job. So I get paid 2.4 hrs to machine a set of rotors on the car and replace brake pads, 6.0 hrs to change a timing belt on an MDX etc etc. Straight time means you work 8 hours, you get paid for 8 hours. A good flat rate tech should be making about 14 hours in an 8 hour period. My best shift ever was 32 hours in an 8 hour shift. Going from flat rate to straight time usually means about a 40-50% pay cut.
  16. This is the one you want to get. I am actually surprised at the price ($70) thought they were more. The bits are extra though. http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P6...amp;dir=catalog
  17. Unless you have programmed that station into memory while TP was on. If it was, TP will turn back on every time you select that station. Very Very annoying. Took me a while to figure out why I could not turn it off. Just had to put the station into memory while TP was off.
  18. Oh, I fully agree! I sometimes travel to Mtl for dinner, and I imported my GF from the West Island. I would move there in a heartbeat if the mechanics were paid flat rate instead of straight time.
  19. LOL! So, can you sleep at night now Tolsen?
  20. You are absolutely right on that one! Every time I drive my car to Mtl, I come back requiring some suspension part to be replaced. :rolleyes:That's what happens when the mob controls all the provinces paving. LOL!
  21. EXACTLY!!!! I have a Snap-On ratcheting screwdriver and it is fantastic! I have a couple at work, one at home, and have given them as gifts to several friends, and they all love it. I have the same stubby one as seen in the pic above, and my full size driver is the same style. When it comes to tools, you get exactly what you pay for.
  22. They are considerably stiffer than stock. The front have a threaded perch so you can raise or lower the front with about a 2" range. The rears are NOT adjustable, so basically just use the front adjusters to balance to the rear ride height change. They lowered the car about 1 1/2". A significant drop. Will have to see this winter how bad it is, have not tried them in snow yet. Here is a pic after the install, I may raise the front end another 1/2" or so before the winter. The car is unloaded in the pic, with two people in the car, the rear fenders rub the rear tires right where the tread and sidewall meet during acceleration.With the 16" low profile summer tires (175/50/16 f/205/45/16 r) it is pretty much unbearable driving in Montreal. I have the 15" Intermediate tires on now (175/55/15 f/195/50/15 r) and it is a much better ride. Hopefully when I switch to the skinny 15" winters it will be much better for the winter.
  23. Transport Canada has a couple Mitsubishi i cruising around, could have been one of those?
  24. 168 bulbs are brighter than 194's.
  25. Time for new rear shocks. Fairly easy and quick to do.