Sunday, December 09, 2007

The Butterfly Effect - A look at Vertical Doors

Ever experienced the "Butterfly Effect?" Now you can with the addition of some aftermarket vertical door conversion kits for your ride!

How about something remarkable. Something never before experienced by most drivers. Something that makes waves. How about the butterfly effect?

Butterfly doors, also known as vertical door or lambo doors, originated to solve a problem. The Lamborghini had a very wide base, and a traditional door design would not allow for easy entering and exiting, especially if parked next to anything. They devised a door hinge system that lifts the doors vertically, and only slightly out war, clearing the door of the opening, and also allowing the wide body car to still fit in traditional spaces.

These doors catch a lot of attention. When door open vertically, you get the "butterfly" effect, making waves wherever you are. People stop and notice these types of modifications because they are rare, unique, and very appealing. These kits are now available for most cars, and come as a universal kit that can be fitted to almost any vehicle. Some of the kits will require a little body work, but others are a direct bolt in. The hinges, gas shocks, and hardware may not look like $750 to $1000 worth of materials, but the finished results is well worth the money for most car enthusiasts and tuners.

We suggest professional installation for these types of kits, mainly because in a lot of cases, the inner fender wells need to be rolled or modified to fit the new brackets and hinges. Most of the kits are adjustable enough to create a unique vertical opening while keeping it fairly easy to get in and out of the vehicle. Look for kits that allow for both vertical and horizontal adjustments to be made for the best possible combination of style and comfort.

Butterfly doors are becoming the craze at most tuner events and shows. Some cars look better than other with the mods done to them, and you can probably find images of your car model with them installed somewhere on the internet. I would suggest seeing a finished product before investing the money. The kits are in most cases completely reversible if you are unsatisfied for any reason, or intend to sell the car at a future date.

If you want to turn you ride into a real showstopper, these kits are the way to go. They come in manual and automatic varieties, and if you are interested in purchasing your own lambo vertical door kit, visit www.majesticmodifications.com for the latest products.

Vertical doors are a great addition to any show car. Vertical Doors, Inc. is credited with the patent on the design we are most familiar with. There have been several company create similar products marketed under the product "type" called vertical doors. They are also referred to as butterfly doors, or 90 degree doors. Either way, they give our daily drivers a nice exotic sports car look.

There are some varieties of doors out there that will fit the bill if you are looking for that extra something to add to your show car. There are the traditional "vertical" doors which open vertically. See picture below. These kits use specially made brackets and gas shocks to open the doors outward slightly, then upwards. They can be adjusted to open further our before going up to make it easier to get in and out of, as a common disadvantage to the door kits is the increased difficulty of getting in and out of the vehicle.

There are other types of door modifications that can be done, such as "suicide" doors that open exactly the opposite of traditional doors. The hinges are moved to the other side of the door opening so it swings the other way. Also a cool upgrade.

Still my personal favorite is the Dalorian style door as seen in back to the future. These doors are hinged in the center of the roof, and raise straight up allowing for easy access in and out of the vehicle. This type of modification would call for some extensive mods to the roof system, as well as some fabricated doors, but I wouldn't put it past Majestic Modifications to try it in the future.

If you are interested in trying to install your own vertical door conversion kits, be warned, it can be tricky, but here is a guide to help you in the process.

1. Lift the hood and remove left and right shield of front wheel.
2. With the door open pull out the rubber hose connecting the door and the door frame, draw out and cut the wire (wrap the two ends of every cut wires with friction tape and record the given numbers. If the wires are long enough, it 's not necessary to cut.) and then remove the rubber hose of the wires.
3. With door closed remove the factory top door hinge.
4. Test and draw the placement of the mechanism. Pay attention to the moving way of the swing arm and ensure the swing arm up to 90° not to touch the shield or fender. So the mechanism must be in a proper height, which can be tested by the shield.
5. Grind the installation placement of the chassis or hammer any extrusions that may hinder the base plates from sitting flat. You may also grind and cut the base plate and door plate as needed. B. After grinding the installation placement, test the proper distance with the shield and check and observe any places that may prevent the base plate and the swing arm from moving. In this situation you must draw a line around the base plate when it is in the proper, and then cut or hammer along the perimeter till not to hinder. C. In cars with small spaces between the chassis surface and the fender there will not be sufficient room to install. It can be solved as follows: with the position of the base plate determined, draw a line around the base plate when it is in the proper position, and then cut along the perimeter to allow the base plate to slide below the surface.
6. Determine the holding position and space. Draw the position of the safety arch on the base plate and cut it. Cut a slot in the chassis to accommodate the arch, and if the base plate is below the chassis surface for your application make additional space for adjustment with a hex key.
7. Next you should cover the base plate, door, and the rest parts of the door mechanism in welding deflection paper with the exception of the surface of the surface that will get welded for the surface protection.
8. When the door mechanism clings to the chassis, door place, and moves smoothly and is proper in both horizontal and vertical direction after testing again, weld spots around the perimeter of the base plate and the door plate. When you feel the welds are sturdy enough, remove the down door hinge. You may observe and test whether the door is in the correct motion and position by swinging it out and up manually. Now you can make adjustments at the door outward motion screws, safety set screw and door height screws etc. on the door mechanism.
9. Determine and draw on the shield or fender the position space of the swing arm's motion and cut it. Test it again and cut the inner lip to provide clearance for the swing arm.
10. Once you are satisfied with the operation and placement like opening, closing, lifting and falling of the door and door mechanism, hammer the hinge center axis of the mechanism from top to bottom and then remove the door. Make a strong weld around the entire perimeter of the base plate and door plate. (Parts must be prevented from broiling of the high temperature while welding.)
11. Grind and scuff the welds surface and mask the undercoat paint and top coating to prevent rust.
12. Lube the moving surfaces of the door mechanism with heavy waterproof grease and then close the door, align the hinge holes and interpose the center axis to the holes form top to bottom and then hammer it well and smoothly.
13. When the door is open up to the maximum angle, clear up the wires. Measure the wires and connect to the required length with other wires if it is not long enough. Remember to connect with the numbers while cutting and to mask the joints with the insulation tapes. With the wires plaited into cluster, fixed at the bottom of the swing arm with plastic and string.
14. Open the door and rotate it to the highest point, screw two ball joints into the swing arm and gas spring connecting plot respectively with gas spring screws and then determine and mark the spot where the ball joint will get mounted on the chassis.
15. Put the door down for now and disconnect the gas spring ball screw form the gas spring connecting plot and then hammer or grind the fixed position of the connecting plot and weld it well on the fixed place. Paint for dust prevention.
16. Open the door to the highest point and screw the gas spring ball points into the connecting plot and lock the ball points on the swing arm tightly at the same time. And test the doors motion. The swing arm should be parallel and not interferes with the gas spring or other parts when the door moves up and down.
17. With the door closed, test the door's horizontal motion until the door is aligned with the latch and closes perfectly. Adjust the safety arch until the door mechanism no longer interferes with the shield or fender when the door out all the way horizontally. Then set the horizontal motion screws to correspond with the angle that the safety arch rubs the inside of the lifting arm when up. The closer you make these two adjustments, the more sturdy the door will feel going up and resting in the vertical position. Set the vertical height limiter adjustment as high as you wish provided that the door does not hit the shield or other parts.
18. If the door panel and/or door metal hits the shield or comes too close to the shield on the way up it must be cut. If the door panel must be cut first mark a line that will allow clearance. Then peel back the upholstery, make the cut and wrap the upholstery over the new edge with spray adhesive.
19. Test it again until no any hinder and satisfied with everything; seal the screw adhesive to all the screw points.
20. Mount the shield, fender etc. and put down the hood. And you are done!

About the Author
Majestic Modifications is the complete car customization concept, specializing in auto parts and accessories, air intakes and performace upgrades, body kits and vertical doors, glow gauges and interior accessories, wheels and tires, mobile video and electronics.

Factors to Consider When Buying Acura body kits

Cars are beautiful objects that can take us places or we can make them look exotic. The Acura is one car where a body conversion can make an interesting difference. The various Acura body kits which are available will provide you with a host of options to try out. You can see various types of these body kits at prices which are relative to the kit. You will also find a host of places where you can buy these car body kits.

There is one factor you should take into account before you charge headlong into buying Acura body kits. This factor is the make and model of your car. While there are universal Acura body parts, certain parts will need to have a custom look. This look can only be achieved with the use of correct model and make, kit parts.

Once you have checked this option out the next step is to decide where you will do your shopping for the best Acura body kits on the market. As there are a number of options you might want to list the changes you want made to your car and the maximum price you are willing to pay. While this can narrow your options initially it will give you an idea of what to look for.

Once you have made this list call or visit the nearest auto body shop and find out if they sell Acura body kits. Once you have ascertained this fact you can proceed to the next step. This is looking to see if the various parts you require to give your car a complete face lift are available. The next step is to find out if the body shop will be able to install and paint your new Acura body part.

The body kits which have been made for Acura cars can be installed onto your existing car body using a welding method. The Acura body kits also have the option of being screwed on to your car bumpers. Now that you understand the procedure that is involved you should decide exactly what you are looking for. As you want a really great looking car it is best to choose the various accessories that will provide a complete look to your new Acura car.

The various different parts that are available for Acura body kits can sometimes make your decision making difficult. To help you out with this dilemma there are body kits which will fit only certain makes and models of Acura cars. Choosing one of these Acura body kits and coupling this choice with universal body parts will absolutely give you a brand new car.

About the Author
Muna wa Wanjiru is a Web Administrator and Has Been Researching and Reporting on Car Kits for Years. For More Information on Acura Body Kits, Visit His Site at Acura Body Kits

Upgrade Your Vehicle's Suspension System For Shocking Results

Dissatisfied with your car's ride? How does increased safety and a smoother ride sound? Discover the many benefits of installing a new suspension system.
If you are looking for a performance pick me up, a new suspension may be just what the doctor ordered. A rugged lift kit can provide clearance and strength for navigating rough and rocky terrain, while a set of lowering springs can enhance cornering and handling on the road. No matter the case, your suspension should be inspected and maintained periodically for optimal safety and performance.

Volkswagen said it right. "On the road of life, there are passengers and there are drivers." Not every driver wants a sports car. There are plenty of people content with their stock parts and the performance that comes with them. My grandma's 83' Corolla for example, is more than enough car to get her to art classes and friends' houses. But then there are automotive enthusiasts; drivers who are looking for the most from their car. Guys, and occasionally girls, who get behind the wheel and push their machine's limits until every last drop of performance has been squeezed out, like a person with OCD wringing a toothpaste tube until every last molecule is expelled. Odds are, you are like me, and fall somewhere in between.

Just like everything else, suspension systems are so technologically advanced that they can be adjusted by the turn of a screw. So if you're about to take on the curves of the Pacific Coast Highway, with the quick adjustment of a knob, you will be able to handle every twist and turn thrown at you. Done with the bends? In a few moments you can loosen up your suspension for a more relaxed ride.

Have you ever grabbed breakfast on your way to work and taken a sharp turn only to find your grande-skinny-mocha-frappachino spilt all over you lap? When you turn, weight is shifted in the opposite direction by gravity trying to compensate for the force. This is known as body roll, and consequently is the coffee-spilling culprit. Lowering springs reduce your car's center of gravity, and therefore reducing resistance on the chassis through the turns. The result you might ask? Quicker steering response and feeling like your car is glued to the road. It is important to realize your expectations and desires when shopping for new springs though. Higher spring rates will give you a tighter suspension, but will stiffen up your general ride. Basically, you will turn on a dime, but feel every nook and cranny in the road. Softer springs will still increase performance, but won't nearly affect overall ride quality as much. For the most part, I don't like extremes. I would advise against installing some really stiff springs unless you have a separate track car or are willing to put up with a bumpy ride.

I would also recommend upgrading your shocks as well. They are another component of you suspension system and crucial for the smoothness of you ride. Shocks serve two purposes. They absorb any larger than average bumps so the shock isn't transferred directly to the car chassis. Secondly, they keep all of your wheels planted on the road at all times. This means your car would turn into a rolling death trap without them. The shocks dampen vertical motion your car experiences from rough surfaces. Without shocks, your car would wallow all over the road until you got sick or it fell apart...or both.

About the Author
I'm currently running a set of Eibach Lowering springs with Edelbrock shocks. Design your own suspension system to cater to your specific needs. -Mike Rosania

Suspension Lift Kits - The Only way To Avoid Problems With The Potholes

I am 21 and come from Germany. Now I have to do an internship in the U.S. for 6 months that takes place in San Diego. I love this city! Everything is so different from my home in Germany and everyone knows that different things are better things. And to be honest this saying is true in my case. I love the beaches here, the weather and of course the people. They are so friendly and open minded. We have had the best parties here during my first days after my arrival. But one thing is definitely better in Germany; the condition of the streets. We spend so much money on the improvement of the roads and highways that it is nearly ridiculous, but I didn't fully understand the advantages of this policy until I came to the USA.

In Germany, there are no damages to the car and no sudden scares due to road holes during drives. It is awesome. But here in the USA it is quite the contrast. There are road holes everywhere and you must take care to avoid all the threats of these. This is why I asked a few guys what to do with my car. I have a Cadillac Escalade and I am not willing to destroy it within the first two months. So, one of my American friends gave me some advice. He said that suspension lift kits are able to lift my car so that it can not touch the ground when driving over a pothole. Beside this great benefit, it also makes my car look great. So I found two benefits from just one piece of advice. Is this not the American dream? Maybe not yet, but you just have to imagine two hot girls sitting in the car and watching a fat flat screen and playing PlayStation during the drive; I think then your dream came true.

But I want to tell you more details about the suspension lift kit, because I think my friend is right concerning the benefits of it. There are some that include custom body spacers, steering extensions, bumper brackets and more. And that is not all, they account for relocating stock parts, such as front and rear bumpers, for a lift that looks great and functions well. Another benefit for me, since I'm not such a car freak, is the fact that you can install it by yourself in 1 day with basic tools and moderate mechanical skill. I think these attributes are enough arguments to buy this stuff. And I think I will buy it as soon as possible and possibly I take it with me to Germany. Of course I do not need it in order to avoid the difficulties with the road holes, as I mentioned, but it looks so great. And looking great is a benefit in each country!

About the Author
I found a very good selection of Suspension lift kits online. I prefer Skyjacker lift kits because they are good quality for a good price. - Tim saunier

4 steps to choosing a kit car project

So you are toying with the idea of building your own car from a kit. You have some basic mechanical skills and a standard toolkit. You even have a bundle of cash burning a hole in your pocket. But there are so many car styles to choose from, where do you even begin?
Well, you need to work through the four basic steps to choosing the right kit car for you and you can’t go wrong.

Step 1 Set A BudgetThis is by far the most important step and one that you need to spend some time working through. Kit cars come in all budget ranges, from the Locost at just a few hundred dollars right up to serious sports cars like the Ultima, where the only limit to the cost is you.
So it is vital that you set a budget and stick to it. Even within a project there are so many little things that can eat up your cash if you let your enthusiasm run away with you. Shiny bits cost money!

Step 2 Select A Kit Car StyleTo narrow down your search for the ideal car kit you will need to look at your driving style as well as the use to which you will put your completed car.
If you are looking to take your vehicle onto the racetrack then you can forget about building a classic tourer such as a Beauford.

However, if you love to blast along leafy country roads with the wind in your hair then a Cobra replica could be your ideal choice.

Step 3 Gather InformationNow you have a set budget and a specific car style in mind you now need to gather all the information you can in order to narrow your choices down to the last handful.

To do this, your first stop should be the manufacturers’ website. Here you will find all the cold, hard specifications you need to give you an idea of what the finished car will be like.
Then you need to dig a little deeper. Check out the Owners Club to see if there are any underlying problems with the manufacturer or assembly difficulties. Getting involved with the Owners Club is possibly the best investment of your time as they have already been down the path you are intending to take and can help you when things get tough.

Now you need to seek out as much information as you can from a wide variety of sources, such as forums, independent review websites and magazines. Don’t believe everything you read but let all this give you an overall view of the car and manufacturer.

Step 4 Visit The FactoryBy now you should have a shortlist of 2-3 cars. It is time to hit the road and pay the factory a visit. Most kit manufacturers are small time operations, so it is essential that you call ahead of time to book an appointment.

Once at the factory you can get the chance to actually get behind the wheel! Not all factories have a test car sat around for you to inspect and they may call on the services of a previous car builder to offer their car for inspection.

If the factory is holding an Open Day sometime in the near future then make this a priority trip as you will generally see a variety of vehicles from a number of enthusiastic builders. This is where you can see the full potential of the kit car you are intending to build.

The only step you now need to take is to make your final decision and place your order with the factory.

About the Author
Mark Heywood is a kit car enthusiast and runs the Kit Cars and Replicas website where you will find a number of kit car reviews and videos.

Accessorise your car and let it scintillate

If you don't mind shelling out hefty amount of money to buy a swanky car then why not you spend some more pennies to give it a customized look so that it does not vanish in the multitude of cars zinging down the road! But you may wonder─ how you can give your car a personalized look! Well, the answer lies in car accessories. Whether to beautify a car or to make it comfy, auto accessories can render you with valuable help.

To stylise your car from inside and outside, you will have plenty of accessories available in the market. What more, some car accessories are made by keeping the security factor in mind? Adding them to your car means not only maximising the comfort level but also minimising the risk factor. Thus, there are alloy wheels to make the car scintillating. On the contrary, there are security alarms to keep you warranted on any unwanted danger.

In similar fashion, if exterior body styling is there then interior car styling is also available. Roof boxes are one of the most handy car accessories. It increases the luggage bearing capacity of the car. Smooth, shiny, yet handy, this is how roof boxes are described. And truly, they beef up the beauty of the car substantially. Some other car accessories are there available in lovely designs and great colours. They include kid-friendly gizmos to help you make the car full of entertaining elements for kids.

The Internet is probably the best place to buy car accessories. It provides you with an unlimited access to products and goods that you needs to customise your car. Taking a trip to the virtual world of online market, you can have a look at the plethora of options available in car accessories. So, you can make your pick without facing the hassles of making any physical movement.

About the Author
The author is a automobile writer specializing in automobile and car accessories products and has written authoritative articles on the car accessories industry. He has done his Master in Business Administration and is currently assisting directcaraccessories as a car accessories specialist.

Monday, December 03, 2007

High quality Nissan Altima Parts

The Japanese automaker, Nissan has been producing high quality cars since 1934. They have shown their success as one of the top three Asian rivals of the "big three" in the U.S. In fact, they are presently the third largest Japanese car manufacturer. The success could not have been possible if not for Nissan vehicles such as the Altima. Top-of-the line Nissan Altima parts make sure that the vehicle performs efficiently. The Nissan Altima is a mid-size car often attributed as the next generational model of the Nissan Bluebird in 1957. The name Altima was initially a trim line of the Nissan Laurel mid-size car sold in the Caribbean before 1992. By 1993, the Altima was introduced as entirely a new Nissan model. Nissan Altima parts are continuously being developed evident in the four designs in the generational models of 1993-1997, 1998-2001, 2002-2006 and 2007-present.

The current model of the Altima had a few modifications implements on a number of its Nissan Altima parts. Some of these include the new and upgraded front as well as rear suspension. The 3.5 liter V6 engine under the hood, capable of producing 270 horsepower, is also part of the package. It also has various great Nissan Altima parts accessories and houses, most probably influenced by latest technological trends: the push-button start, bluetooth capability for cell phones and parking camera. An Altima coupe was also introduced later on. It was said to be Nissan's first two-door Altima ever. It featured newer Nissan Altima parts like a shorter wheelbase, shorter overall length and lower height than the Altima Sedan. The coupe version was offered in two engines. One is a a 270-horsepower 3.5-liter 24-valve V6 engine. The other is a a 175-horsepower 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve inline 4-cylinder engine.

The Altima model was also used as the base model for Nissan's first hybrid car. Nissan had an agreement with a rival company by using its hybrid technology. The hybrid version of Nissan Altima has a 2.5 liter engine, CVT and an electric motor. It also boasts fuel efficiency of 42 mpg in city driving and 36 on the highway.

About the Author
Glady Reign is a 32 year old is a consultant for an automotive firm based in Detroit, Mi. she is a native of the Motor City and grew up around cars hence her expertise in the automotive field.