Team3S: 3000GT & Stealth  Saturday, January 25 2003  Volume 02 : Number 063
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2003 21:31:11 -0500
From: Aamer Abbas <aamer@aamerabbas.com>
Subject: Team3S: Follow up: Buying tires
 
Thanks to everyone that responded to my post. Seems like everyone loves tirerack.com and I can see why after looking at their prices. I think I'll end up buying from them.
 
I'm thinking I may also try out the Yokohama AVS100's this time even though I really liked my Kumhos. Might be a nice change.
 
- --
Aamer Abbas
Black '94 3000GT (DOHC/Naturally Aspirated)
 
Durham, North Carolina, USA
email: aamer@aamerabbas.com
fax: (707)982-8817 [add +1 country code outside of the USA]
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2003 21:31:30 -0500
From: "anthonymelillo" <anthonymelillo@sprintmail.com>
Subject: Team3S: anyone know if there is a hight heat paint I can airbrush ?
 
I am looking to paint the raised lettering of my rocker cover, after I polish it, when the weather gets a little warmer, and I was wondering if anyone knows of a high heat kind of paint, and a clear coat, that I can use to paint it with my airbrush ?
 
Any of the high heat paints I have seen are all spray can based, and I need fine control for the detail.
 
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks
 
Anthony Melillo
1997 VR-4, Firestorm Red http://home.sprintmail.com/~anthonymelillo/3000gt.htm
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2003 18:33:51 -0800
From: "fastmax" <fastmax@cox.net>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Follow up: Buying tires
 
I saved about $20 per tire at Discount Tire Direct ---- Yoko A032's about two years ago.
 
        Jim Berry ====================================================
 
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Aamer Abbas" <aamer@aamerabbas.com>
 
> Thanks to everyone that responded to my post. Seems like everyone
> loves tirerack.com and I can see why after looking at their
> prices. I think I'll end up buying from them.
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2003 21:05:00 -0600
From: "merritt@cedar-rapids.net" <merritt@cedar-rapids.net>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Follow up: Buying tires
 
There's "onliest one becept," as my pals in Alabamee ust to say:
 
If you have a Tires Plus store in your neighborhood, take the tirerack printout to them.
 
I asked my local Tires Plus store if they could match the price on a set of Tirerack's Michelin Pilots, and showed them the printout.
 
The guy shook his head, and said, solemnly, "No, I can't match that price. Our price is lower than that."
 
So I bought my last set of Pilots at Tires Plus.
 
However, I DID buy my last Yoko 032R racing tires from tirerack.com.
 
It all depends, as my daddy used to say, "on the conditions what prevail."
 
Play all them tire suckers off against each other, and see which way the cards fall...or something like that. Don't forget to add shipping, mounting, and balancing on the tirerack tires.
 
Rich/slow old poop
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2003 23:09:24 -0500
From: "Darren Schilberg" <dschilberg@pobox.com>
Subject: RE: Team3S: Digest notes
 
Tyson - I will address the one issue in your email the references me: Digests.  I took over the "position" from Bob Forrest who has been doing it since October 1998.  I've been working on the digests since about June 2002 so I am a mere lad to him.  I am fairly savvy with computers as are others on the board.  If you can find a way to automate the removal of an included message then I will PayPal you the money right now.  In short, there *is* now way to automate this.
 
I work each Digest manually (by hand) and review the posts for their on-topic-ness as well as their included message.  I have sent out exactly 23 "reminders" about spelling, leaving in too many forwarded posts, non-approved language, etc.  You have received three of my "reminders" (10/18/2002, 12/07/2002, and 01/17/2003) and maybe that is where some of your beef is but also know that I've warned two of the Admins and several long-term members of the list so you are not alone. The latest of yours was that I sent you a private email that you then forwarded to the public list.  Pardon me for being angry about that and pointing out the rule it "violated" but I didn't make the rule - just showing you what is says.
 
The most important feature I feel I bring to the Digest is editing it down to the most essential content.  If the first post of the Digest contains a post from the day before then I leave it in and sometimes the second included message since this is a new Digest.  However, the next time that same thread occurs if it has both of these included messages then I will almost always delete the older of the two and only if the included message is important will I keep it - usually though this reply is within 2 or 3 emails from the previous question and I feel if someone can't scroll up a few lines to read the previous post then they can complain to me and I can call them lazy.  In the Search form on the page if you type in "Getrag survey" (I'll pick on myself) then you will get 80 hits in one Digest.  I don't need to read the screen and see the same post from me show up all 30 times someone else posted to the board so I remove my post from many of their emails so when I search for that word I only get 40 hits in that Digest and almost each one will be unique.
 
I also do a spellcheck so people in the future do not have to spell "Getrag survey" four different ways to find all the references to it.  I make "reminders" to those who misspell far too many times but usually this is just something I do on top of editing the Digest.
 
I did not make the rules and I do not enforce them.  Everyone read the rules when they signed up so I am merely reminding people of the rules on the list they violate or ones they may have missed (like trying to send an attachment to the list or having a one-line response to the 4 semi-long included emails in their post).  But I am usually very fair in giving people enough chances before I send a "reminder."
 
A note about your Team3S folder - if you sort by Subject then all similar threads are grouped together.  Maybe this will alleviate the time it takes you to scroll down to read the background info on a thread.  Also, the Search provided on the list has a maximum number of pages it can search and if we let the threads run rampant then the search will only be able to go back two months.  Right now it goes clear back to October 1998 so as long as we keep thing brief then this Search feature will still be a feature.  I believe Bob Forrest can add more to the details I have missed.  I have only concentrated on the ones for which I am responsible.
 
Feel free to contact me with any questions.
 
- --Flash!
Team3S Digest Editor
 
- -----Original Message-----
From: Tyson Varosyan
Sent: Friday, January 24, 2003 21:03
 
Another suggestion while I am hanging the laundry: I (and I'm sure many
others) get yelled at for not deleting the tail end of our emails because Digest members don't like it. Sorry guys, but I personally like not having to sift through the 12,000+ emails in my "Team3S" folder to find out what questions the email in front of me is answering. I would like to scroll down and read, its much better. There is a lot of free software out there, and a number of people on here that could write a routine, script or something else to automate stripping of the "original message" for the digest members. Make life easier for everyone. But rather than that, the board admins send out threatening notifications. Can we change that please?
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2003 23:14:07 -0500
From: "Darren Schilberg" <dschilberg@pobox.com>
Subject: RE: Team3S: anyone know if there is a high heat paint I can airbrush ?
 
Anthony,
 
   I used the Porsche brake caliper paint.  It has been on there for the better part of a year and looks like it will last long-term.  This is, however, on the front spark plate cover which is an aftermarket piece of aluminum (6061 maybe).
   The plenum letters are too smooth so I need to take some light sandpaper to scratch the surface first.  The rocker cover did a little better but I left that in stock smoothness and should roughen that surface next time as well.  I painted mine with a small brush.  I don't know if this paint can be airbrushed.  Maybe contact Dave Best for powder coating options too.
   I have some pictures if you are interested in the results.
 
- --Flash!
 
- -----Original Message-----
From: anthonymelillo
Sent: Friday, January 24, 2003 21:32
 
I am looking to paint the raised lettering of my rocker cover, after I polish it, when the weather gets a little warmer, and I was wondering if anyone knows of a high heat kind of paint, and a clear coat, that I can use to paint it with my airbrush ?
 
Any of the high heat paints I have seen are all spray can based, and I need fine control for the detail.
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2003 22:43:58 -0600
From: "cody" <overclck@satx.rr.com>
Subject: RE: Team3S: Follow up: Buying tires
 
Heh, I am assistant manager at Discount Tire Co. in San Antonio...  DO the same - make us compete... www.discounttiredirect.com will give you free shipping (and I found that Tire Rack - we buy from them too sometimes even) charges A LOT for shipping... as much as $30 for a normal sized set of tires...
 
I would definitely look into the AVS ES100's... I have Kumhos on my 3000 and the Yok's on my Talon... Both are excellent tires, especially for the price, but I think the Yok's are a lil better tire overall... They seem to have better cornering stability, and they don't track the ground quite as bad as the Kumhos do...
 
- -Cody
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2003 06:50:35 +0000
From: "gareth hannah" <alcoholika_02@hotmail.com>
Subject: Team3S: boost problems!
 
just wondering if anyone here has experienced this. I have a 92 rt/tt and a greddy profec-b running 15psi. well whenever I give my car full
throttle, in any gear, its starts "sputtering" and my air/fuel gauge starts to lean out and moving VERY FAST back and forth from rich to
stoich. now I was just seeing if anyone has experienced this before. I
checked my plugs and they were white, meaning I am not getting enough fuel
for the high boost I'm running with stock fuel system. but I don't understand
why it would be doing that. I have a new denso fuel pump but that didn't even
help. I'm thinkin it might be the injectors, but am not sure. any help guys? thanx gareth
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2003 02:27:59 -0500
From: Dennis Ninneman <dninneman@comcast.net>
Subject: Re: Team3S: anti sway bar or strut bar
 
Zobel, Kurt wrote:
 
>Of course, the first thing you must address is stiffer and lower
>springs. Coilovers if there's anyway you can afford it.
>Without those, you will see little real improvement from sway bars.
>
>Kurt
 
Not true.  Sway bars .... by themselves ..... if properly matched .....
will offer significant improvements in handling.
 
Dennis -==- Philly
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2003 23:47:42 -0800
From: Admin-Team3S <bforrest@pacbell.net>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Ek2 Off Topic? (follow-up)
 
- -----continuation of previous post-----
 
As always, please feel free to reply privately, OFF the list(!), and if a post to the list is appropriate, we admins will take care of it.  And as usual, this (previous) post is quite long enough.  But for those of you looking for a bit more of an explanation of issues which are being discussed "elsewhere", please read the response below, which I sent to a concerned member, just before the holidays... It's a rant. It's an Admin apology (mine). It's an explanation which some folks may not want to hear. It's a reply to a concerned member who shared with us some of the feelings that some of you may have. We will not share his/her name, but since I wrote the reply for the Admins, I'll include it below (edited only slightly to protect the identity of the writer). Perhaps it will explain somewhat better... that we're just doing the best we can, with only the very best intentions.
 
Regards,
 
Forrest
for the Admins
- ------------------------------
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
- ------------------------------
 
> Hi, Admins,
>
> Sorry for a late response. I am a busy professional too ;-)
> I am surprised to hear that you guys (the admins) were unaware of the
> Team3S outside image. There are lots of distorted opinions about
> Team3S out there.
>
> I do not want to make unsupported statements, but if you want to know
> some facts, I can share. I heard some of that when I was on the
> Starnet list a year ago. There were several ex-Team3S members there
> who claimed that the Team3S list is "too hardcore" (thus not for
> everyone), full of "all work no play" kind of people. But the
> special comments were about the Team3S admins. It was said that
> they are "on a power trip" and that they consider themselves "the
> 3S Gods". Part of this view was reflected in [post by "blank"].
> But he is not one of those who keep up those rumors.
>
> Funny, but after someone hears that from several people, and there are
> no opposing opinions, the consensus forms that there is something
> non-inclusive, uppity and snobbish about Team3S, and that the
> Team3S Admins look down at everyone else. So those who have heard
> all this stuff about Team3S come to the list with a suspicious
> and sometimes negative predisposition. Many are tired of all the
> BS that they have to read on other lists, but nevertheless they
> are not fully ready to embrace the new no-BS communication style
> that Team3S maintains.
>
> I must admit that I too was scared and was almost ready to quit
> when I received my first warning from Forrest about me posting
> formatted text. But he also did a good job explaining and
> reassuring me that Team3S is the nicest bunch of people I could
> find, so I am sticking around since then.  :-)
>
> So please next time, when you issue a warning, try to use
> such language that does not leave people wondering why the
> warning was issued. Explain the objective reasons for the
> warning as if you are addressing someone who has been on the
> list for one month. Restate why the Team3S list is moderated
> and why we like it this way. Your post might have to be a
> little longer then, but it would definitely save you time by
> not having to discuss those issues any further. Most of the
> old list members need only to see the subject line with the
> words "Admin message" to realize that the discussion went out
> of line. But others, and especially the ones who come and go
> and are just forming their opinions, would want to read every
> letter of the message.
>
> Keep up the good work as admins. The 3S world counts on you! :-)
> Have a happy holiday season and a new year!
>
> (Member name suppressed)
 
Hey, (member name),
 
Thanks you for your great input.  I really appreciate your kind words!  I, for one, have to say to your comments as to *my* actions as Admin..., "Guilty, guilty, and guilty"...  ;-)
 
We spent a few months drafting a "book" of a Rules Page, which says everything that people need to know beforetime, before we ever went live with the list (which started with the 7 of us Admins).  That *book* includes a few statements to the effect (in various places), "If you don't read this, don't be surprised if you get an impatient note from us".  As professionals, we don't have time to "handle things that cross our desk" more than once.  So we handled it *up front* in our Rules/Protocols.  (That includes the intricacies of our software, which requires different handling than the bandwidth-wasting web boards and uncontrolled lists, especially since we have an Archived "Digest version", for all the world to see, even if they are not members.)  Unfortunately, most people don't care to read the rules, and our impatient notes are the result.
 
I have "toned down" my "canned replies" to errors which are committed by members and non-members (submitting notes to our list before signing up) - I have about 30 of them...  I'm pissed I have to send them at all, and I hate the idea to have to be polite when someone has "slapped me in the face" by ignoring a particular paragraph that I spent an hour of my life perfecting and placing on the web to help them.  The first couple of times, it was impatience, but on some days when I've spent 4 hours working on 'list business'..., spoon-feeding people information which is in plain sight on the web, I admit to having been rude as hell.  Mea Culpa..., but if you saw things from this end, you'd think of me as saint, I'd venture... I get close to 200 bounced emails per day(!), which I could ignore (and let members flail around sending their email to the wrong address and never getting an answer) OR I could reply with a helpful note to fix their damned fonts or not send to "Owner-Team3S@..." instead of "Team3S@...", or to put in a subject line or to use punctuation, or to trim their posts, or to send only from their
*subscribed* address, or the other 30 things that I come across DAILY.
 
If I had ever seen a dime for this, I could treat it as "work", but this is supposed to be a hobby!  I don't LIKE doing this amount of work (even for money), but I'm dedicated to doing this the right way-- helping the 3S community and not just folding it up and being forced to read posturing, attitude and chat on some other list, from 100 people with more testosterone than brains, just to be able to share ideas with the other 600 people who either lurk and say nothing or have real concepts to share.  YES, I'm an elitist and I have a problem with people who you can't even BEAT an education into..., and yes, I'm afraid I have way too little patience with having to repeat myself for the 500th time. I've begged people to read the rules.  That page explains it all.  They refuse.  I get angry.  End of story...  LOL!!!
 
As usual, now I'm late (on my way to a holiday in NYC for a week), so I don't have time to go back up and tone down my "rant" above.  LOL!  That's what I usually do...  ;-)  but it's good to get it out of my system!  I'll try to check in from time to time through the 29th...
 
Best to ALL for the holidays...  Merry Christmas!!!
 
Forrest
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2003 23:45:15 -0800
From: Admin-Team3S <bforrest@pacbell.net>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Ek2 Off Topic?
 
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Tyson Varosyan" <tigran@tigran.com>
> I guess this would be Off-Topic as to the "technical discussions of
3000GT/Stealth"? I don't know how "technical" this post is going to be but it is certainly important to the Team3S community.
- --------------snipped--------------->
 
Before I comment, I would like to thank the MAJORITY of Team3S members who silently (and often, privately) thank us for the tech-only forum we are trying to maintain.  ALL of us agreed to that premise, but certain people seem to think it's discretionary.  It's not.  MOST of us don't want "high-school" discussions about "who did what", posturing, attitude, BS, or just plain testosterone overflow.  We are just NOT interested.  Talk about our cars, or go elsewhere.  If you're lonely and want someone to talk to, buy a dog.  If you want to discuss your car, or help another owner, this is the place.  It's not a complicated premise.
 
No, Tigran, this is *not* just off-topic.  It is also (somewhat) inappropriate.  It is *not* important to the Team3S community.  It is only important to a few people who get misinformation elsewhere (other than this list) from people with their own personal agenda. Which people?  Which agenda?  Those who don't respect our premise that this list is about our cars.  Period.  We have NO plans to change that premise, nor to allow people who DON"T respect our rules to continue as members, if they repeatedly disrupt our list.  We do appreciate that you presented this post as a gentleman, at least, which *does* respect what we do here...  Since you ask questions about which we have received multiple emails privately, some of your points deserve answers.
 
First, to the few list members who have felt comfortable in ignoring our rules lately...  Perhaps we should take the entire "book" of a rules page (which we Admins spent months in "finesse-ing") and create one BIG rule: "If your message is not about a Stealth or 3000GT, you will be removed?"  It's obvious that, to a very select few (who are now wasting the time of the rest of us who DO abide by the rules), our guidelines are unimportant.  In increasing numbers, we *members* are feeling the same way about the handful of you who waste our time with sophomoric "issues" instead of *substance*.
 
This week we've had to cope with a false accusation about an holiday greeting - the "last straw" from an habitual offender to both the rules and the 'flavor' of this list.  He was warned about one of a string of unpunctuated or "standalone comment" posts, with no technical content, of which his greeting was a part, barely mentioned.  But, hmmm..., somehow that was "adjusted?"  when he brought it up - first here on the list, then ad nauseum in another forum.  That was NOT the reason he received that warning - and did he mention the reasons for all the other warning he's received from us?  Somehow, I doubt it.  Why is NO one (including his friends) surprised?
 
We also had someone curse at us and threaten "fire the admins", followed by a profanity and a specific list violation by quoting scripture.  (Interesting combo, no?)  Why do we ask that no one post anything religious or political? Because we have members in 47 countries (we are read in 58 countries) and we do not want to offend even ONE member in some other part of the world.  Seeing as we Admins invited you into "our house"..., welcoming anyone who wanted a "no-chat" list to join us, the "fire the admins" comment is like saying in my real house, "I don't like your rule about my not eating soup with my fingers. Get out of YOUR house!"  This is a slap in the face to the Admins who have worked so hard to keep this forum free, and chat- and fluff-free.  And who try to make it enjoyable for everyone..., everywhere.  Nobody has the right to insult me publicly in "my house".  If we welcomed you, and you agreed to our protocols, please respect those protocols.  Or go away.  Or, we'll help you leave..., and we know exactly where you will go to bitch about it. Not a problem.
 
Tigran, we accept your offer to find us a script that will work with majordomo software (which we use to run this list), which will automatically trim the Digests.  Darren spends up to an half-hour daily editing the day's Digests before they go into the Archives.  I'm sure he would be as happy as the majordomo folks would be...
 
As to a "double standard" that has been suggested - we Admins don't audit this list - it is unmoderated.  We prefer just to be members and to read what is of interest to each of us.  We don't always have time to read all the posts, and we trust the majority of members to ignore "problem" posts (which they do). It's only when one of us Admins spot a problem that we may deal with it.  In many cases it's the members who alert us to a problem - often complaining about violations, which we then handle.  We don't intend favoritism - almost every Admin at one time has critiqued another Admin for a violation, just like we privately remind the members, when necessary - how much more fair could we get?  We just don't notice every problem!  And many times we trust the good sense of the vast majority of people on the list to do what they normally do - to "finalize" a thread with some wisdom, and to point out that it has gone on too long.  On a list of this caliber, we not only expect it, we depend on it! It's only occasionally that the "few" let us down.  But for the most part this is a group to be proud of - and we are!
 
Finally, you guys/gals have gotta realize something.  "Adminning" this list is a major chore!   What happens ON the list is nothing compared to what doesn't get on the list.  We've tried to put filters in our software to keep disruptive posts to a minimum.  Those bounce back most often to me (since I'm on-line about 14 hours a day), or whichever Admin is "minding the store" at that time...  I have more than THIRTY "automated replies" for both accidental and 'intended' violations.  But understand it's not a power trip, it's "protectionist", in that we just want  the list to be enjoyable for everyone. There are lists and boards out there that are meant for chat, we have simply chosen another kind of list.  If it's not "your cup of tea", you ARE allowed to leave.  But if you prefer a list that is meant to be "for ladies and gentlemen", with the sole purpose of discussing these marvelous cars, "our house is your house".
 
As always, please feel free to reply privately, OFF the list(!), and if a post to the list is appropriate, we admins will take care of it.  And as usual, this post is quite long enough.  But for those of you looking for a bit more of an explanation of issues which are being discussed "elsewhere", please read the response in my follow-up post, which I sent to a concerned member, just before the holidays... It's a rant.  It's an Admin apology (mine).  It's an explanation which some folks may not want to hear.  It's a reply to a concerned member who shared with us some of the feelings that some of you may have.  We will not share his/her name, but since I wrote the reply for the Admins, I'll include it (edited only slightly to protect the identity of the writer).  Perhaps it will explain somewhat better... that we're just doing the best we can, with only the very best intentions.
 
Regards,
 
Forrest
for the Admins
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2003 02:52:33 -0500
From: Dennis Ninneman <dninneman@comcast.net>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Re: Bad trannies. When did Mitsu know?
 
Of course, the transmission problems are NOT a safety issue.  Poor
design either by Mitsu or Getrag.  If asked, I'm sure there would be a
lot of finger pointing and he said/she said.  What does the 'Lemon Law'
same about cases like this?
 
Dennis -==- Philly
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2003 03:27:34 -0500
From: Dennis Ninneman <dninneman@comcast.net>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Re: Survey Time - Getrag failures
 
Roger Gerl wrote:
 
>We have an almost ZERO tranny failure in Europe !
>
>This is because we don't race and we don't have lots of 1/4 mile
>tracks. On mine the output shaft was grinded down what I call a failure
>of course. Mitsu exchanged it for free and also swapped the tranny
>right away due to the metallic particles allover the thing. I think
>this is customer service .. as well as the two days I got that huge
>Mercedes 600S ;-)
>
>On my new 96'3000GT I feel that hard shifting into 2nd when it is cold.
>Of course, a good tranny oil may help here a lot. I'm only familiar
>with the 5 speed so I hope a good tranny oil may help.
>
>Roger G.
>93' & 96'3000GT TT
>www.rtec.ch
 
How many registered VR4/TT do you have in Europe?   Why, because someone
drag races, should the synchros go bad.  Although, there is no proof that
the synchro problem is from drag racing.  I would expect a Mitsu rep to
make a claim to that effect, though.
 
I have had a lot of experience with lowly, poorly designed, badly
screwed together ......... dare I say ....... high HP Detroit Iron.
 Certainly not the quality of one of those fine European or Japanese
 sports cars.  The cost was much less than half that of the 3S.  Yes,
they had their problems with build quality.  And, yes, there was an
*occasional* trans/rear end failure.  However, there wasn't a consistent
failure of a major driveline component.  Sorry, Roger, I don't buy the
'racing' argument.  The design was flawed ....... regardless of who is
responsible for the design.
 
Dennis -==-Philly
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2003 13:24:59 +0100
From: "Roger Gerl" <roger.gerl@bluewin.ch>
Subject: Re: Team3S: anyone know if there is a high heat paint I can airbrush ?
 
Actually, the high temp paint is pretty think and I would have to make it thinner alot to get it into my Badger spray gun. But of course it depends if you want to spray a large area with a large gun or detailing with a small one like I use for model cars.
 
For the fine work I always use a small standard brush. The Caliper paint Darren speaks of is a good choice. I do have the one from FoliaTec, dunno if it is available in the US too. It is a two component lacquer that doesn't dry out in seconds.
 
Roger
93' & 96'3000GT TT
www.rtec.ch
 
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Darren Schilberg" <dschilberg@pobox.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 25, 2003 5:14 AM
 
> Anthony,
>
>    I used the Porsche brake caliper paint.  It has been on there for
> the better part of a year and looks like it will last long-term.  This
> is, however, on the front spark plate cover which is an aftermarket
> piece of aluminum (6061 maybe).
>    The plenum letters are too smooth so I need to take some light
> sandpaper to scratch the surface first.  The rocker cover did a little
> better but I left that in stock smoothness and should roughen that
> surface next time as well.  I painted mine with a small brush.  I
> don't know if this paint can be airbrushed.  Maybe contact Dave Best
> for powder coating options too.
>    I have some pictures if you are interested in the results.
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2003 13:35:12 +0100
From: "Roger Gerl" <roger.gerl@bluewin.ch>
Subject: Re: Team3S: boost problems!
 
Gareth,
 
The engines bad behaviour can have many causes that you may have to eliminate step by step. As you are running 1 bar of boost (and hopefully the Profec is working correctly) check the following sources :
 
- - Plugs gapped at 0.032"
- - fuel filter not clogged
- - fuel pump relay connections corroded (below the air box)
- - any connections of the wiring to the pump bad (check voltage at the pump)
- - check O2 value on other sensor as well (maybe one is gone)
- - make sure to NOT overboost above 15 psi (check with another boost meter)
- - disconnect the battery for 30 second to get the ECU relearning
- - check fuel pressure if possible
- - get or borrow a datalogger to see if you have excessive knock and to see the duty cycles
- - run always good fuel
- - run a can of fuel system cleaner or get the injectors cleaned and flow tested
 
This may give you a help for the next step in analyzing the problem.
 
Good luck
Roger
93' & 96'3000GT TT
www.rtec.ch
 
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "gareth hannah" <alcoholika_02@hotmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 25, 2003 7:50 AM
 
> just wondering if anyone here has experienced this. I have a 92 rt/tt
> and a greddy profec-b running 15psi. well whenever I give my car full
> throttle, in any gear, its starts "sputtering" and my air/fuel gauge
> starts to lean out and moving VERY FAST back and forth from rich to
> stoich. now I was just seeing if anyone has experienced this before. I
> checked my plugs and they were white, meaning I am not getting enough
> fuel for the high boost I'm running with stock fuel system. but I don't
> understand why it would be doing that. I have a new denso fuel pump
> but that didn't even help. I'm thinkin it might be the injectors, but
> am not sure. any help guys?
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2003 13:50:45 +0100
From: "Roger Gerl" <roger.gerl@bluewin.ch>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Re: Survey Time - Getrag failures
 
We only have a couple of thousands of 3k spread over Europe, really not much.
 
The local Mitsu representative simply says that running the car on a higher load that it was expected when it was designed causes the parts to break. End of the game. If you up the boost to 15 psi and dump the clutch on the track, the stress to the tranny is much higher than with 10 psi. If the tranny brakes, synchros going south or an output shaft gets grinded down, Mitsu simply says "you runned the car out of its specs". We have no chance at all here in Europe to claim any warranty or to get any repair for free.
 
The time I had my problem, I worked two days to rebuild the car to totally stock conditions.  Otherwise Mitsu would have not paid a cent for any repair.
 
It is pretty simple, if there is an issue about the trannies in these cars then a TSB is reported on a different level. This TSB for the transfer case leaking is absolutely unknown here in Europe but I doubt that we have other trannies or parts at all. But it is known that our cars are hard to shift in cold ambient (like now) the first few minutes. Even afterwards getting into 2nd isn't always easy. When you call Mitsu and ask about that they just recommend you to change the tranny oil (at our cost of course) and that's it. Often they also try to adjust clutch and gear lever but not with success. SO the result is that you have to stick with it as there is not a solution. The tranny replacement I got was a brand new one shipped down from Germany within a day. Same shifting behaviour though.
 
Well, I'm glad that also Porsche and Audi do have similar problems and they are much more stupid than Mitsu...I'm lucky to have my Audi A8 away from my garage now !
 
Roger
93' & 96'3000GT TT
www.rtec.ch
 
> How many registered VR4/TT do you have in Europe?  Why, because someone
> drag races, should the synchros go bad.  Although, there is no proof
> that the synchro problem is from drag racing.  I would expect a Mitsu
> rep to make a claim to that effect, though.
>
> I have had a lot of experience with lowly, poorly designed, badly
> screwed together ......... dare I say ....... high HP Detroit Iron. 
> Certainly not the quality of one of those fine European or Japanese 
> sports cars.  The cost was much less than half that of the 3S.  Yes,
> they had their problems with build quality.  And, yes, there was an
> *occasional* trans/rear end failure.  However, there wasn't a
> consistent failure of a major driveline component.  Sorry, Roger, I
> don't buy the 'racing' argument.  The design was flawed .......
> regardless of who is responsible for the design.
>
> Dennis -==-Philly
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2003 08:08:05 -0800
From: "fastmax" <fastmax@cox.net>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Re: Survey Time - Getrag failures
 
> Roger Gerl wrote:
>
> We have an almost ZERO tranny failure in Europe !
 
> How many registered VR4/TT do you have in Europe?   Why, because someone
> drag races, should the synchros go bad.  Although, there is no proof
> that the synchro problem is from drag racing.  I would expect a Mitsu
> rep to make a claim to that effect, though.
 
Racing will not cause synchros to go bad --- fast shifts at high rpm will. On a road track I take an extra ½ second on each shift to allow the transmission to match speeds through frictional drag rather than putting extra load on the synchros. when down shifting I always double clutch [ both street and track ] to prevent synchro wear.
 
Drag racing, by it's very nature, is more likely to cause problems --- if you're there to win then you're doing fast, high rpm shifting. Synchros are a wear item just like your clutch and if abused they will fail faster than under normal operation. They should be designed to last longer than 20K miles but unlimited life is not a practical goal for a high performance car. Now if you had a 45 hp car that weighed in at 1500 pounds you could probably make it last a lifetime.
 
       Jim Berry
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2003 10:59:24 -0600
From: "Patrick Purviance" <purdaddy@associatedsys.com>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Re: Survey Time - Getrag failures
 
But aren't talking about a situation that occurs on completely stock cars with absolutely no drag racing time? If a survey indicated that there is definitely a link between more power, type of driving and synchro failure, then I'd have to agree, but I know that my car was doing it when I bought it (bad 2nd gear synchro crunching/grinding with "fast" shifts @ any rpm over 2k).  It was completely stock and had been driven by middle-aged woman. I am not saying that she didn't drive it hard or wrong. I don't know that.  There is no implication in that statement other than typically older women are easier on their cars.  So I tend to agree that any tranny that fails like this without extremely hard racing/driving, is a serious design flaw.  There are plenty of other cars I've driven that produced "decent" power without destroying synchros with fast shifting.
 
Also, it's hard to believe that the cars in Europe are any different that those here, but that's not my expertise.
 
    -Patrick
 
Patrick Purviance
'94 Stealth R/T TT, 57k miles, Open Air Filter, Blitz DSBC, Blitz TT.....2nd gear crunch.....
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2003 14:47:07 -0600
From: "Michael Neill" <dblxx@bellsouth.net>
Subject: Team3S: Coolant Leak Follow Up
 
I have received a ton of great advice about the coolant light coming on and having to constantly fill the reservoir with coolant. I went for the basic first, the radiator cap. With a new one in place, I have not had to fill the reservoir for two weeks. Good news. Now for a tech question, do any of you use the new "silicate free" coolant?? Are there any advantages/disadvantages, or should I just stick with the good old Prestone? Thanks, Mike '97 VR4
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2003 13:50:32 -0800
From: Andrew Woll <awoll1@pacbell.net>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Coolant Leak Follow Up
 
Hi Mike: I use silicate free coolant in all my cars with aluminum engines or radiators. BMW highly recommends it but I don't know about Dodge or Mitsu. Since my Stealth engine is Aluminum (I think), I am using silicate free fluid. I think I use Prestone, but I am not sure. It costs about 9 per gallon.
 
Andy
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2003 17:40:53 -0500
From: "Darren Schilberg" <dschilberg@pobox.com>
Subject: RE: Team3S: anyone know if there is a high heat paint I can airbrush ?
 
Thanks, Roger.  It is the Folia Tec brand paint (I bought it from a Tweeks catalog which specializes in many Porsche items).  Three parts to the kit: spray cleaner, paint, and a hardening agent.  Mix one part of paint to two parts hardening agent and don't let it sit longer than about 20 minutes or it will set up like concrete.
 
I mixed it in a small glass beaker from college Chemistry lab and the 50 ml of paint was enough for the words on the plenum, the spark plate cover, four Mitsu diamonds on the plastic center caps on the wheels, and left me with about 15 ml so a little goes a long way (package reads that there is enough paint to cover four calipers).  I even did two coats on the words on the engine.   Good stuff.
 
This link shows where to purchase the Folia Tec paint (link from an NSX site) and even says to mention "Andie Lin" who has been around this board for a little bit and spoke of his very sweet NSX a few times too.  http://www.nsxprime.com/FAQ/DIY/paintingcalipers.htm
 
- --Flash!
 
- -----Original Message-----
From: Roger Gerl
Sent: Saturday, January 25, 2003 07:25
 
Actually, the high temp paint is pretty think and I would have to make it thinner alot to get it into my Badger spray gun. But of course it depends if you want to spray a large area with a large gun or detailing with a small one like I use for model cars.
 
For the fine work I always use a small standard brush. The Caliper paint Darren speaks of is a good choice. I do have the one from FoliaTec, dunno if it is available in the US too. It is a two component lacquer that doesn't dry out in seconds.
 
Roger
93' & 96'3000GT TT
www.rtec.ch
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2003 16:12:35 -0800 (PST)
From: gary rohrbach <g2write@yahoo.com>
Subject: Team3S: RE: survey time- getrag failures
 
I own a stock '92 Dodge Stealth TT.  When I bought the car it had 33,000 miles on it.  Two months later the 2nd gear synchros went out.  They put in a remanufactured transmission and three months later they went out again.  I got on it once in a while to see what it could do but I never dropped the clutch or abused it.  In my opinion, these transmissions will last a long time if they are babied but this isn't a Geo Metro it's a sports car and as such it should be able to hold up to a little high speed driving as long as it's not abused.
 
But here is the kicker, the next remanufactured transmission that I had installed had something wrong inside.  It acted like the clutch was slipping but it wasn't.  There were metal shavings inside.  I hadn't even driven the car.  The third reman tranny they put in shifted great but had a leak on the side.  According to Mopar warranty they couldn't fix the gasket because it was shipped as a whole part. (The leak came from a small plate on the side held on with two bolts but they had to replace the whole transmission--how dumb is that!) A fourth remanufactured transmission was installed and the 2nd gear synchros were bad before I drove it off the lot. 
 
The car only has 40,000 miles on it now.  I've hardly driven it because it's been in the shop so much.  The last three remanufactured transmissions had something wrong with them when they were installed before I drove the car.  I think that says something about the quality but don't get me wrong, I love my car and intend to keep it no matter what.
 
Ok, enough about that.  Here is the good news, I called Chrysler customer service and they agreed to send this transmission to a specialist to be rebuilt, only they don't know where to send it.  Any suggestions?
 
Also, for those of you that have had leaky transfer cases, According to Chrysler customer service (1800 992 1997) if you paid to have one fixed and still have your receipt you can get it refunded.
 
Gary
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Sun, 26 Jan 2003 00:24:42 -0000
From: "Jeff Lucius" <jlucius@stealth316.com>
Subject: RE: Team3S: anyone know if there is a high heat paint I can airbrush ?
 
I also used the Foliatec paint on my brake calipers and spark plug cover.
There is maybe enough paint for 8 calipers or more. The caliper paint shows
no damage after 1.5 years of use (maybe 6000 miles). This is good stuff. I
ended up chipping out the paint on my custom spark plug cover (with a hammer
and screwdriver) so Dave Best could polish and powder coat it. This 2- component paint sticks pretty good. I bought mine from http://www.strictly- foreign.com . Pictures of the kit can be seen on my web page below. I don't know about airbrushing with this stuff (it's pretty thick), but a plain old brush worked fine because the surface smoothed up quickly.
 
http://www.stealth316.com/2-caliperpaint.htm
 
Jeff Lucius, http://www.stealth316.com/
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Sun, 26 Jan 2003 01:13:51 -0000
From: "Jeff Lucius" <jlucius@stealth316.com>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Coolant Leak Follow Up
 
>> Since my Stealth engine is Aluminum ....
 
Block is alloy steel (according to the STIM; I think most would just say cast
iron). Heads are aluminum. Hmmm, radiator is not aluminum - copper/brass core
in ours right? Red Line Water Wetter inhibits corrosion of aluminum, cast- iron, steel, copper, brass, and lead, as well as reducing cavitation and
improving heat transfer (so the literature claims).
 
Jeff Lucius, http://www.stealth316.com/
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2003 19:23:40 -0600
From: "Michael Neill" <dblxx@bellsouth.net>
Subject: Team3S: New to modifications...
 
Thank you to all in the past who have helped me with questions on this magnificent machine. I now have over 60,000 miles on the VR4 and soon as I perform the 60k service, plan on doing some mods. It seems overwhelming to me where to start. I am curious where YOU began and what increases in HP to expect. The more I read your posts, the more I learn! The one thing I've discovered on my own which many other forum members agree is that the Borla Exhaust system is the way to go....that's as far as I have gotten. Thank
You, Mike  '97 VR4
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2003 19:13:10 -0600
From: "Michael Neill" <dblxx@bellsouth.net>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Coolant Leak Follow Up
 
Thanks, Andy. I had often heard when I owned an American tank (a.k.a. linc. T-car) that the silicate free was bad for pump seals and gaskets. Was curious if it lived up to it's expectations prolonging engine components by not being so "abrasive" to components.
 
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Andrew Woll" <awoll1@pacbell.net>
Sent: Saturday, January 25, 2003 3:50 PM
 
> Hi Mike: I use silicate free coolant in all my cars with aluminum
> engines or radiators. BMW highly recommends it but I don't know about
> Dodge or Mitsu. Since my Stealth engine is Aluminum (I think), I am
> using silicate free fluid. I think I use Prestone, but I am not sure.
> It costs about 9 per gallon.
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2003 23:29:12 -0500
From: Vinny <vinman3@comcast.net>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Follow up: Buying tires
 
Why buy from tire rack when Usually all the local tire stores EVEN Sears will match there prices and you can get it done right there and then.
 
Also I have bought two sets of tires from them that were dry rotted and I had to pay to ship them back, That's bullshit!  So I don't buy from them anymore! YMMV Vinny
 
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Aamer Abbas" <aamer@aamerabbas.com>
Sent: Friday, January 24, 2003 9:31 PM
 
> Thanks to everyone that responded to my post. Seems like everyone
> loves tirerack.com and I can see why after looking at their
> prices. I think I'll end up buying from them.
>
> I'm thinking I may also try out the Yokohama AVS100's this time even
> though I really liked my Kumhos. Might be a nice change.
> --
> Aamer Abbas
> Black '94 3000GT (DOHC/Naturally Aspirated)
>
> Durham, North Carolina, USA
> email: aamer@aamerabbas.com
> fax: (707)982-8817 [add +1 country code outside of the USA]
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
End of Team3S: 3000GT & Stealth V2 #63
**************************************