http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/hype-vs.-production-is-the-hypertech-max-energy-programmer-worth-it.html http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/hype-vs.-production-is-the-hypertech-max-energy-programmer-worth-it.html Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0500
This time, it’s Hypertech and the new Max Energy programmer. The expectations have been ratcheted up this time, with big and bold claims of huge gas mileage savings, 50+ horsepower for gas vehicles and 120+ for diesels, plus the alleged ability to get big gains on low-octane gas. Enthusiasts who know less about cars and performance have been sent off drooling; gearheads remain quite skeptical.

Let’s look at the horsepower gains first, starting with the claimed 50+ boost to gas vehicles. Of course, you can’t get this with every vehicle the Max Energy fits. This dyno-proven gain belongs to the Ford Shelby GT. Vehicles with less displacement and considerably less performance equipment can’t expect to get even half that much of a gain. Most of the gas trucks will be in the 20 range. Only the Hemi-powered DC cars can get up to that mid-20s range too; smaller V6s won’t even get close. Because of the massive compression, diesels can see some unruly gains from this type of programming. The Max Energy also claims to keep these diesels from suffering high EGT damage, thanks to tuning that keeps power high without over-fueling, even when towing. And, it claims to not de-fuel and kill your momentum.

The big problem with the big power gain claim is this: huge, noticeable HP boosts only happen at RPMs most drivers won’t reach—especially if they have an automatic. Peak horsepower usually happens around 4500-5500 RPM. That’s not to say the smaller gains at lower RPMs won’t be noticeable, but the impressive power only happens when you’re really gunning it.

On to the gas savings claims. This feature is one of the main reasons programmers have become so popular in the two years since $3/gallon became the societal norm. Programmers didn’t previously sell themselves on mileage, but began doing so once the big pinch at the pump began. Hypertech reports test vehicles gaining up to 6 MPG, with others settling in the 1-2 MPG gain range. In terms of real-world experience with programmers and mileage, the gains are almost always more modest than the ad claims. A boost of 1-2 MPGs—if any gain is achieved—is the most common scenario. Many drivers see no mileage gains because they simply can’t keep their foot far enough out of the gas pedal.

Some features of the Max Energy are undisputable. The ability on most vehicles to change tire size for odometer and speedometer corrections is great. Reading engine trouble codes is a mainstay of programmers; it’s present here too. Fuel octane settings are also available for some models to help save some coin at the pump. But, it’s not available for performance cars, and as you adjust the octane down, the power also goes down.

The bottom line on the Max Energy: set realistic expectations before you buy. The massive horsepower gains in the ads are probably far from what you’ll actually get, but you will get enough of a gain in power to notice it everywhere you drive. For gas mileage, don’t expect this programmer to save you from all of your petrol peril. Gaining 1-2 MPG is realistic if you’re not racing; anything more is gravy. If you can also make use of the other cool features, this new programmer is a solid buy. If you were hoping to get 50 hp more, save 6 MPG and run all on ethanol, you may want to pass until a programmer that can do all of those things exists.

The Hypertech Max Energy Programmer, the latest Hypertech programmer, comes with much hype. Do your homework first. - David S. Brooks


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David Brooks is the SEO Manager for AutoAnything an auto parts, an and accessories internet retailer based in San Diego, CA.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/flying-high-with-performance-air-intake-systems.html http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/flying-high-with-performance-air-intake-systems.html Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0500
As a kid I traveled the southwest visiting mostly blue-collar, high-desert towns, putting on daredevil stunt shows with my dad and pappy. They were known as the Notorious Jumping Neptunes of Catron County. Our show boasted a rabid fan base throughout the New Mexico area, where we’d never fail to dazzle ‘em with our aerial antics.

My dad did most of the actual stunt work; my pappy built the bikes, props and ramps and I became the de facto mechanic of the crew. I’d spend my afternoons in the back-lot of a hot, dusty state fairground, wrenching on our equipment. I learned fast, and it was imperative to my dad’s safety that the work I did was high-quality.

Our shtick was the flying motorcycle. We’d strap hang gliders, rockets, wings, parachutes—anything that flew—to the back of my dad’s motorbike. He speed off toward a big wooden ramp and just launch himself into the stratosphere. At that point he’d be air born and whatever winged contraption we strapped to the bike would take over from there.

A few years ago I lost the old man. It was a basic stunt, one we’d done a hundred times. Dad launched from the ramp a little cock-eyed and came crashing down to the horror of the crowd. Something went wrong with the ramp, I’m sure it was because we hadn’t kept up on ramp maintenance since losing Pappy.

We lost Pappy 2 years prior when he got pinned under a ramp we were taking down after a show. The old coot was 78, smoked 47 cigarettes—no more, no less—everyday, drank scotch like a fish and ate bacon and potatoes exclusively. We were sad to lose him, but the old man led a damn productive life.

The first and second generations have now passed the torch to me—it’s my turn. I plan to reclaim the soaring glory that was the Notorious Jumping Neptunes of Catron County. I acquired a jet pack and a parachute from my friend at the army surplus who saves such items exclusively for me. For the stunt, I plan to don both pack and chute, hurtle myself straight up, ditch the pack and parachute safely to the ground.

The jet pack needed some work though. I was surely happy for all those years I spent wrenching on my dad’s contraptions, because the jet pack was tricky. You see, the pack was missing an irreplaceable air intake system. In a moment of clarity, I pulled the AEM Brute Force Intake from the guts of my ’05 Silverado. With a bit of creative fabrication I was able to install the intake on the jet pack.

Wouldn’t you know it; the darn thing runs better’n ever. I guess by letting all that fresh air into the jets, just like the engine on my truck, the thing screams. And, just like on my truck, the AEM Brute Force Intake improved fuel mileage. Now, I’ll be able to get 3 or 400 extra vertical feet before I deploy my chute.

I’ve tested and retested and I’m ready for the stunt to go off. I have some air time reserved at Brown’s Field near the Mexico/USA border south of San Diego. If you’re out in those parts sometime in mid-August, keep your eyes peeled for the last breed of the Notorious Jumping Neptunes of Catron County!

Of course, the AEM Brute force intake, and other performance air intake systems for that matter are designed to optimize the performance of your vehicle, not a surplus jet pack. Expect the same power and fuel gains that I got for the pack though, only a slightly less thrilling driving experience. - David S. Brooks


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David Brooks is the SEO Manager for AutoAnything an auto parts, an and accessories internet retailer based in San Diego, CA.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/tonneau-tragedy%3B-to-fold-or-roll-that-is-the-question.html http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/tonneau-tragedy%3B-to-fold-or-roll-that-is-the-question.html Thu, 12 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0500
In the old days, my uncle Claude would take me on a day trip to Tijuana, Mexico to get a tonneau made for his El Camino. We’d navigate our way deep into the sticky streets of industrial TJ, looking for the little upholstery shop that my uncle did business with. I don’t know how he knew them or how he found them but he did. The place, Jalisco’s, was always abuzz with craftsmen making seat covers and tonneaus while drinking from an endless supply of Tecate beer. After a beer and some broken-English bartering, my uncle would take me to lunch in downtown TJ. After we ate, he always bought me cinnamon-soaked churro, then he’d wink and warn me not to tell my aunt Gertrude. When we got back to Jalisco’s, my uncle’s El Camino would be sporting a brand new tonneau cover.

Those simple days of Tecate beer, border crossings and chorizo burritos are gone now. Mass production, maquiladoras and homeland security have poured hemlock into the ear of hand-made tonneaus from Mexico and left us with a hodge-podge of what are now called “truck bed covers.” On some level it brings a tear to my nostalgic eye—on the other hand, I realize that my uncle’s tonneau was really a clunky tarp that actually snapped to his vehicle. And, the snaps were drilled right into the side of his car, permanently!

Today, tonneau covers are simply amazing. The higher-end gear can be installed in minutes with no drilling or cutting. They come off just as fast and leave no trace of their existence on your rig. Instead of snaps and straps, modern tarps use quality Velcro or roller tracks to stay on. This also means accessing all the stuff in your bed is easier than ever. Some covers fold open, some even have spring-loaded latches and gas struts that lift them up for you. And, with the popularity of e-commerce sites, you can have one of these cool tonneau covers delivered right to your front door.

To narrow it down a bit and keep the costs within this stratosphere, it’s a good idea to opt for a roll-up or folding tonneau. The roll-up tarps are usually held fast with Velcro and have spring-activated tension adjusters to keep your tarp taught. When you need access, you simply roll the cover like a blanket. It rolls up to your cab where you can strap it open or roll it shut again.

The folding covers are usually comprised of a tarp that’s stretched over a lightweight frame. The frame is hinged in sections that allow you to lift it like a hard cover. You can lift sections separately on the nicer covers, giving you access to the different parts of your bed. This is a great choice for those who work in the field and need to access their bed frequently.

The end of this debate is no tragedy though. Even though spending a drunken day in Mexico with your uncle is a thing of the past, getting a high-quality folding or roll-up tonneau cover is something we can all do today.

To help wade through the plethora of choices, take a look at Access tonneau covers. Or, my all-time favorite, the Extang trifecta tonneau cover is sure to “prove most royal.” Basically, you can’t go wrong with either. - David S. Brooks


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David Brooks is the SEO Manager for AutoAnything an auto parts, an and accessories internet retailer based in San Diego, CA.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/maintenance/the-ultimate-brake-pad-showdown.html http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/maintenance/the-ultimate-brake-pad-showdown.html Thu, 12 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0500
You can see that we brought out the big guns, so this test must be important. And, important it is! We want to finally quell any arguments that aftermarket performance brake pads are no better than factory or factory replacement pads. One would think that since the aftermarket pads cost more, they should stop better. But of course, there are some naysayers out there who protest that factory pads have just as much stopping power and control.

The argument goes something like this: factory pads are designed by engineers who are employed by some of the largest companies in the world. They may even design the brakes and pads used on a certain model specifically for that model. And, who better to know what pads to use on which vehicle than the smart little stinker who designed it from the beginning. On the other hand, the aftermarket guys claim that the big automakers are known for dumbing-down the driving experience, making their vehicles palatable for a wide variety of folks, not just performance heads.

The aftermarket shops are usually run by enthusiasts, ex-engineers from the big automakers and former racers who are clinging to the industry wherever they can. These guys often employ slick marketing campaigns and sponsor highly-visible race vehicles. Often found at the tracks themselves, the aftermarket guys are testing their own products in their own cars. The factory replacement camp considers these outfits as fly-by-night shops dedicated to making a buck. They contend that the small companies don’t have the big money that it takes to even run a proper test.

So, we took two identical 2002 Honda Accords and started our test. One car belongs to Johnny’s ex-wife, who let him borrow it in trade for a handle of Popov vodka. The other belongs to our cameraman’s mother, who was told he needed her wheels for an appointment with his probation officer. On Johnny’s, we threw on a set of aftermarket performance pads. On the probation car, we tossed in a new set of factory replacement pads that we copped from the local Honda dealer.

The challenge was an all out chicken run towards the cliff that drops into the abandoned Morrison sand quarry. We gave the drivers, Johnny and Erik, a 100’ run straight to the edge. At about 30’ feet from the edge we painted a yellow line—the brake line. Just as the drivers cross the line, they were instructed to slam the brakes hard. The Accord that comes closest to the edge would be deemed the loser.

The boys lined up, Stephanie dropped the checkered flag and the boys sped off. Now remember, Johnny and Erik are both daredevils, just like their fathers before them, and they decided to play a little trick on us. They preplanned to not hit the brakes at all, instead launching the Accords off the cliff and into the pond 22’ below—which is exactly what they did!

Though the test was ruined and we may never find an answer to our eternal question, the resulting carnage was absolutely beautiful. Watching those two Honda cars sail over the quarry—in tandem no less—and splash into the pond with such grace was simply awe inspiring. And, watching the boys triumphantly crawl from the mangled and soaked remains was a thing of beauty.

If you believe that aftermarket pads are the way to go, check out the internet to find the best deals. A couple of brands to keep an eye out for are Hawk brake pads and EBC brake pads. Both of these outfits offer pads for serious racing or commuting, and both are sure to have pads for your ride. - David S. Brooks



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David Brooks is the SEO Manager for AutoAnything an auto parts, an and accessories internet retailer based in San Diego, CA.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/ford-trucks-vs.-chevy-trucks-why-all-the-hostility.html http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/ford-trucks-vs.-chevy-trucks-why-all-the-hostility.html Thu, 05 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Among the sea of Ford, Dodge and Chevy rigs, I managed to flag-down my cousin in his GMC. See, the “professional grade” version of a regular-old Chevy truck is somewhat of a smart alternative brand here—like a Saab might be where I’m from. Feeling the full-blast relief of triple AC vents blasting my face, I began to examine the truck brand hostility by digging for my cousin’s perspective. He dropped a wad of brown spit into the empty Big Gulp in one cup holder and set his beer into the other. He had what he considered an outsider’s perspective on the biggest conflict of all: Ford versus Chevy. He was an outcast from the Ford circles, and a somewhat-acceptable outsider who could enter the Chevy clans on a temporary guest pass only. He said the two groups rarely knowingly mixed, and when they did knowingly mix, they either ignored the white elephant on the barbecue or picked fights. To get a first-hand look at the clash, we’d have to get in on a neighborhood gathering where the meat and the Marlboros were both being chain smoked. We needed to get into someone’s backyard barbecue.

Luckily, 5:00 was approaching on a Friday in Texas. BBQ was immanent; four yards were linking up for a huge one at 6. People from up to 5 or so blocks would be on the way. Since most of the all-American truck owners coming have their eyes set on 20 or so beers, they’d be leaving their trucks at home and hoofing it. Unless somebody rolled up a sleeve, Ford and Chevy owners would be mingling and either not know it, or know it and just internalize it. Perfect—a hotbed for studying the hostility between fans of the two automakers.

Talking to one of these guys was like talking to a hundred. I didn’t know this until I had talked to a hundred, though. You see, (fill in short name starting with a J here) works 12-hour days as a (fill in construction or trade job you can do without a license for cash under the table) to pay for his (Ford or Chevy), new gear for his (Ford or Chevy), and a case of (Bud, Miller or Coors), even though his (wife or girlfriend or mom) gives him crap about getting his act together. He was raised to love (Ford or Chevy) from the beginning and to hate (Ford or Chevy), because (Fords or Chevys) break down all the time and have less power. Besides (Ford or Chevy) is the real all-American brand—not (Ford or Chevy). His dad and his dad’s dad and his dad’s dad’s dad drove a (Ford or Chevy), which is the way it’s always been and it’s never changing.

A fascinating pattern developed. Within the narrow scope of acceptable brands, the Ford guys gravitated toward the same beers, the same grocery stores, the same restaurants with goofy crap on the walls. Same with the Chevy guys. While the F-Series crew swigged Coors, took a drag off a Winston and picked a little pork out of their teeth before packing a pinch of Cope, the Silverado gang chucked their Bud can in the bushes and snuffed-out their Marlboro before creating an indistinguishable mix of rib sauce and Kodiak spit on their lower lip. The guys at the Bud bucket were talking about watching the race at Hooter’s the next day; the clan around the Coors cooler was just finishing their plans for the TGI Friday’s gathering.

Have these massive bodies of truck owners been dancing around each other for years? Or, had they picked the rest of their brands around staying as segregated as possible from the loathsome morons driving the other brand of truck? What must an entire life spent making so many choices from so few options, locked into a life course based on the path of 4 generations of men before you, be like? Not a man questioned it. Not a one wondered what the inside of a Toyota was like, or how their tongues would handle a Heineken, or if a few drags of Turkish Gold would produce a level of nicotine nirvana that changes one’s view of the world. Heck, these brands aren’t even reaching very far at all, and they’d be enough to set millions of worlds on tilt.

Just as I was on the brink of a sociological breakthrough, a big bastard named BJ wandered in wearing a way-too-tight black shirt with the genius slogan “I’d Rather Be Cummin’ Than Strokin’” in bright white letters stretched across his belly. A Dodge man was in the yard now. Allegiances were about to be declared. Let the red-faced drunken yelling and fist throwing begin. Then, the answer was so clear: all of the Chevy and Ford and Dodge hostility was fueled by blind hate and fear. These goons needed something to belong to—something that couldn’t tell them they couldn’t belong to it—so they felt some sense of identity though their souls were mostly voids with cancer stick residue and macro-brew foam as a slick lining. They lacked the mental capacity to accept things that are different. Not to do different things, but just to accept them. So they stacked their trucks with Chevy accessories and Ford accessories like the silver hairs on a Gorilla, wildly screamed at each other on the highways or the local Sonic, and came to blows any time they got close enough to do so. They’d never branch out or calm down, because they’d have nothing left if they did. They’d have to get to know themselves, which is the last person they’d ever want to hang out with. And, they could never admit this brand-loyalist BS has been a wasted life path for four generations now, so they push the fifth one right into the same thing. That way, they can at least relate.

Having finally found my answer, I made my next move by harnessing the same sensibility I learned in, oh, elementary school or so: I fled for the airport as fast as I could.

Watch out for the hate-filled goons with tons of Ford truck accessories or Chevy truck accessories, because they’ll probably end up fighting you over truck brand loyalty. - David S. Brooks


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David Brooks is the SEO Manager for AutoAnything an auto parts, an and accessories internet retailer based in San Diego, CA.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/ways-to-make-regular-tail-lights-into-euro-tail-lights.html http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/ways-to-make-regular-tail-lights-into-euro-tail-lights.html Thu, 05 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0500
There’s just one catch: the cost. See, to get a set of these hot tail lights, you may spend $100 or more—especially if you want quality parts. So, we set out to find ways to make your factory tail lights Euro without dropping the Drachma it takes to buy a new set. Figuring that most drivers simply want the “Euro” name and attitude for their bland US sedan, we’ll focus on the ways your tail lights can reflect elite sophistication and de-evolution at the same time, the way so many of our cross-Atlantic friends do.

Option 1: tilt your tail lights up slightly

Nothing says Euro elite like having your nose up in the air, and with a few shims or washers from the local hardware store, your tail lights can have that air of superiority too. Just loosen the bottom screws holding in your tail light housing, jam the washer or shim into place using a mallet, tighten the screws and admire. Now your tail lights will officially look down on all of the other cars on the road, wondering just when they’re going to get some fashion sense.

Option 2: declare the heritage of your tail lights

Ever seen a Euro vehicle without a coat of arms on the trunk lid or a white oval on the bumper? Me neither, and if your tail lights want to get with the Euro times, they have to get in on the act too. I suggest picking the same country of origin for each light. Mine have “IRE” on them, which I just recently learned has nothing to do with the IRA, which isn’t now adding a militant edge to ride. What a waste.

Option 3: glue coarse body hair to the lens

What’s more Euro than thick coats of hair all over the back, legs and shoulders? Nothing, except the item in option 4 (stay tuned). So, grab a beard clipper, roll up your pants, and start peeling back the tufts of curlies on your shins, calves, and behind your knee caps. Pick up the piles and put them in some Tupperware. Then, go to your local auto parts store and get some of the spray glue used to re-tack sagging headliners. Shoot a good coat onto your tail lights, toss a handful of hair into the glossy glue, let it set for a couple of hours, and your tail lights are about as Euro as a bath house.

Option 4: BO

To make your tail lights more Euro than ever, they need to stink. Skip deodorant yourself for a week, and rub the sweaty bird’s nest under your arm all over your tail lights. Then, don’t bathe them—true Euros don’t. Ever. Any time you hit the road, and the poor sap behind you has their windows down, the aroma of gay Paris will waft through their nostrils and linger in their upholstery. Then, my friend, you truly have Euro tail lights.

Of course, if you don’t want your tail lights to be quite so authentic Euro, you can always just shell out the bucks for your own set of Euro tail lights that don’t stink or cast aspersions on Americans. That’d be my recommendation.

When you want the hot euro tail lights look without spending your cash, just modify your tail lights to have a big, stinky, hairy attitude. - David S. Brooks


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David Brooks is the SEO Manager for AutoAnything an auto parts, an and accessories internet retailer based in San Diego, CA.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/dispatches-from-an-evolutionary-nightmare.html http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/dispatches-from-an-evolutionary-nightmare.html Fri, 29 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0500 It still amazes me that the human race once believed that our actions could not affect the planet on a global scale. Sure, there were a lot of eggheads and white-coats running around at the turn of the century squawking about global warming and climate change, but it was easy to ignore those Chicken Littles. We were at the height of our game, transforming and shaping our environment to suit our purposes and stroke our hubris. Unfortunately, a rude awakening was looming on the horizon, and our actions would come back to haunt us in ways no one could ever have expected. A plague on a scale not seen since the days of Moses was about to land on us out of the clear blue sky—literally.

Doctor Salinger was the first scientist to stumble across the unsettling findings. A paleornithologist by trade and avid Boggle player by night, Dr. Salinger was excavating a site in the south of Germany back in spring 2017. Though hunting for the elusive remains of an archaeopteryx, he and his team of bone hunters made a far greater and damning discovery. They observed a peculiar behavior by the local finches, crows and robins: they were eating and defecating at an alarming rate. No fewer than 103 bird bombs rained down on the heads of the hapless scientists each day, and the added costs of shampoo and detergent effectively bankrupted the endeavor. Before returning back to his lab at Cornell, Dr. Salinger captured a few of the dyspeptic birds for examination. After the autopsy, a chill ran down the spine of the usually level-headed doctor, for he had unearthed troubling news: the birds’ digestive tracks had mutated and expanded to gargantuan sizes, resulting in an unholy level of offal generation and uncontrollable bowel movements. Further chemical analyses proved that this evolutionary quirk stemmed from an incredible build-up of methane gasses inside the birds, ironically enough.

The good doctor tried to warn the world by publishing journal articles, writing a book, and making an appearance on The Tyra Banks Show. No one wanted to listen to him, though. Even after the fowl disorder began spreading beyond the boundaries of Bavaria, mankind just buried its head in the sand—literally. To avoid the soupy deluges of bird squeeze, human beings started moving underground. Elaborate city-states and replicas of major metropolises were erected inside of mountains, abandoned mine shafts, and any other earthy orifice that a Bobcat could fit into. A new New York sprung up, followed by Neo-Tokyo, and also Branson II, which came complete with a Yakov Smirnoff Theatre. Within thirty years of the initial discovery, nearly all of the world’s population that hadn’t drowned in the Great Fecal Flood of 2036 had taken up permanent residence under our white planet’s crust.


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These days, you can’t really hear anything except the splish-splash of bird gravy slapping on the skeletons of buildings that collapsed long ago. How am I able to survive out in the open? Simple—I found Covercraft Car Covers, which provides all the shielding I need to walk around without getting by the gooey precipitation. Thanks, Covercraft. - Jordan Catalano


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/trailer-towing-and-parking-lot-punch-outs.html http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/trailer-towing-and-parking-lot-punch-outs.html Fri, 29 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0500
You see, this trailer’s American made, so my chest swells with pride when I grab that stainless steel handle and step inside. She’s decked out with double insulation, diamond tuck & roll, toilet, shower, refrigerator—we’re completely self-contained! In fact, I’m tempted to just sell the condo, park this baby at the Indian Lake KOA and start my early retirement.

But I digress, let’s get back to my bloody Sunday. I’ve got my new trailer hitch and towing mirrors installed and ready to roll. The Airstream is hitched-up to my brand new F-250, the lights and brakes are working and everything else’s in order. With only a small amount of consternation I back out of my driveway and hit the local highway. I gotta tell you—the Airstream tows like a dream and the F-250 has no problem yanking that baby around town. I even beat some numbskull at red light who tried to drag race me in his old Coronet.

Once on the open road everything was going smoothly until I heard some yahoo honking at me. I’m not sure what I did to upset him, but he was obviously hopping mad. In my mirrors I could see this wacko darting back and forth, pumping his fists, flipping me the bird and pounding on his steering wheel. Admittedly I was a bit put off, so I thumbed my nose at him, then I thumbed my teeth—just to drive the message home. Judging by his red face and the steam coming from his ears, this only served to really upset him.

I was in my happy place at the time, out pulling my new rig around, so I decided to pay this guy no mind. I continued driving, just ignoring the idiot. I remembered that I needed to do some banking so I took the next exit. I needed some cash to take my lady out later, and the bank parking lot would provide a great proving ground to test my technical towing abilities.

I get the rig parked with no problems and start walking toward the bank. Just then, this crazy freak starts rushing me. Just when I identified him as the screaming jerk I’d encountered on the road, he sucker-punched me right in the jaw. I fell hard, nearly blacking out. Then I heard him shout, “Take that to the bank!”

Next thing I know, he’s gone and I have an achy jaw. I’m sure he ran off to tell all his friends just how bad he is—before I could get back up and beat him silly.

All in all, it wasn’t so bad—sometimes it takes a good, sharp blow to the face to clear the cobwebs. I’m supremely happy with my new Airstream and all the towing accessories I loaded my F-250 with. Only, now I know to be a little more careful when I’m out there towing my rig among the restless native population.



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If you need to find a trailer hitch or towing mirrors, the internet can’t be beat. These items are easy to install for the do-it-yourselfer and can be had at a terrific bargain. Just make sure you buy the hitch that’s rated for your trailer’s weight and don’t skimp on cheap mirrors. After all, you wanna see who’s coming up behind you. - David S. Brooks


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/maintenance/stay-cool-with-cold-air-intakes.html http://www.articletrader.com/automotive/maintenance/stay-cool-with-cold-air-intakes.html Fri, 29 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Luckily, I’ve found one way to stay cool that happens to be way off the hipster radar. I’m talking about a performance cold air intake kit for your vehicle. I mean these things make your engine cool, literally. Now, a cold air intake may not be a great fashion statement or get you across the velvet rope, but they are very cool.

By sucking in great gulps of cool, fresh air, a performance cold air intake system delivers a cool boost of power to your engine. The systems open up the passage to your throttle body which makes a cool sound when you romp on it. Plus, you’ll feel the extra power sucking you into your seat while burning rubber out of your night spot’s parking lot. The local movers and shakers will certainly take notice when you roll by, looking hip and sucking in all that cool air.

It may not be your scene, but gear heads and car guys love performance cold air intakes. In their world, popping your ride’s hood to reveal a polished or anodized intake tube is about as cool as it gets. You can roll down to your town’s Wal Mart parking lot, or wherever the local hot-rod haunt happens to be and get all kinds of accolades and thumbs up from these guys. Now, that’s not saying much as far as hipster clout goes, but motorheads are pretty cool, none the less.

The coolest thing about a performance cold air intake system is the fuel savings. Now, I know it may not be cool to talk about saving money, but it is cool, way cool—in a green sort of way—to save gas. You know, Al Gore and all those celebs yakking on and on about global warming. Since your engine will be running so much more efficiently with the cold air system, it uses less gas—simple. Now you can take that gas money you saved and drop it on some overpriced drinks for the Goth chick you’ve been eyeballing at the Danceteria.

There you are; a few cool tips from the coolest guy you know. The best way to keep your engine running top notch and looking cool is with a performance cold air intake system. As far as keeping yourself cool, log onto my My Space page and check out my entire list of “How to be Cool” tips. Stay cool, dudes.

Cool, cold air intake systems are made for most vehicles on the road, especially later model vehicles. The list of intake brands is a long one, but a good place to start is with K&N, Volant and the coolest brand of ‘em all, the Airaid intake system. - David S. Brooks



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David Brooks is the SEO Manager for AutoAnything an auto parts, an and accessories internet retailer based in San Diego, CA.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/spirituality/divine-union-the-sacred-art-of-relationship-according-to-estara.html http://www.articletrader.com/self-improvement/spirituality/divine-union-the-sacred-art-of-relationship-according-to-estara.html Fri, 22 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0500 A new awakening is taking place, a resurfacing of ancient truths, most poignantly embodied by the sacred union of Jesus and Mary Magdalene—a merging of divine feminine and divine masculine that religious dogma has enshrouded for centuries. They are the role models of a divine union relationship—a co-creative partnership of equality. The union of masculine and feminine polarities is fundamental in the quantum physics of creation. The Vesica Piscis is a sacred geometrical pattern that represents divine union. Its two identical, interlocking circles signify two polarities, the magnetic and electric, coming together to form a trinity. This geometry occurs when a planet is being born and when the first 2 cells of a human being form in the womb. The Vesica Piscis affirms that we need both the feminine and masculine in equal proportions for creation to occur and to keep all life in balance.

Mary Magdalene represents the divine feminine and Jesus represents the divine masculine. The lack of acknowledgment of Mary Magdalene and of the divinity of the feminine has created a state of imbalance that permeates all life. Feelings of inequality have set up boundaries between women and men. In order for sacred union to occur—individually and globally—the illusion of separation has to be healed. We must dissolve duality and clear our energy channels of judgments that create disconnection from the feminine principles—from the body and emotions—reclaim the sacredness of sexual and spiritual union and embrace a relationship of co-creation.

One of the foundations of my work as a sound and movement educator is balancing the feminine and masculine energy. Through breath, movement and sound techniques, I guide women and men to open and clear the physical, emotional and energetic bodies to re-connect with their bodies and with currents of creative energy. In my classes on Embodying the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine, we explore the core energetic qualities of the feminine and masculine. Accessing and fusing these energies together can create the potential for a sensational experience in the body of an alchemical process of creation.

Reclaiming the Feminine and Embodying the Qualities of Venus
One of the key qualities of feminine energy is receptivity. When we think of receptivity, it seems to imply that we are receiving something from outside of us. However, the feminine quality of receptivity is actually about deeply receiving our self. Venus energy represents total receptivity of one’s sensuality—sensing our self on a deep emotional and physical level and actually merging our emotional energy field with our physical body’s energy field. Both of these are feminine in nature: body being the element of earth and form, and the emotional energy current running through the body being the element of water.

Women are receptive by nature and can easily relate to the energies of Venus. Men can improve the quality of their intimate relationships—and amplify the bliss they feel—by connecting with the Venusian side of their own nature. By opening their energy field through surrender and embodying the feminine principle of receptivity, they open their floodgates of ecstasy. Regardless of gender, increased sensuality comes from surrendering to our emotional senses while maintaining our connection with our bodies. When we can deeply receive our self, we experience our own subtle energies flowing through our body. This deep receptive state requires surrender, trust and total self-acceptance.

One key thing that makes the dance of union sacred is the love and acceptance of Self. We must have total acceptance of Self in order to surrender deeply and allow full freedom of expression to occur. Through loving and accepting our Self we open the door to ecstatic experience of our Self. This means total acceptance of the body, emotions, every aspect of our-self, and beyond that—acceptance of our divinity.

E-motional Body
The emotional body needs to be fully embraced. Since the second chakra deals with our e-motions and sexuality, these two are intimately linked together. Sexual energy is emotional and creative, adding juice to help manifest our desires. The feminine energy brings mastery of our emotions—a receptivity that allows us to feel the subtleties of our creative power. The emotional body, which has been suppressed and belittled, is the very thing we need for full mastery as conscious creators. Both men and women need to regain full connection with the emotional body in order for the ecstatic bliss of sacred union to be fully experienced and expressed through the whole body.

The achievement of full body orgasm, the ecstatic pulsation of spirit in human form, requires the release of all judgments about the physical body and its experiences. Soaring to the heights of sacred sexual union requires that we delve deeply into the sensory experience of our body and the emotional energy that moves inside of us. By being so connected with our physical body and the tangible experience of it while simultaneously surrendering to the e-motional body, we can allow the fluid energy of our e-motions to flow freely through us. Having unconditional acceptance of our emotions, the raw energy-in-motion, allows it to flow into the place of balance in the heart—where transformation occurs and we can access our pure creative potential.

Surrender & Presence
In order to experience a sacred unified field with a partner, one must first experience an inner alchemy, connecting with the internal qualities of feminine and masculine energy. Two important factors for bringing this experience into the body are Surrender and Presence—core energetics that must be experienced equally. Surrender being feminine energy and Presence being masculine energy, the equilibrium between them creates the place of pure potentiality—non-duality, void, a unified quantum field. The state of being truly present brings us into full sensory experience, and surrender prepares us to receive divine impulse. When these essential elements of an ecstatic and powerful Tantric union are in balance, a portal opens and we can really feel our energy flowing. There is a lightness of being and we feel as if we are being held – like we are receiving energy instead of expending it. We feel connected to our heart and our truth as we are suspended in effortless union.

Preparing for Sacred Union
By awakening the subtle flows within the body, the alchemical transformation and union begins. The combination of breath, movement, and harmonic frequencies tone up the inner energy channels. Connecting our breath with our body is vitally important. Shallow breathing and periods of unconsciously holding our breath scatters mental focus and allows emotional chaos to arise—suppressing emotional release. Shallow breathing is a pattern that reflects unprocessed emotional energy. And shallow breathing equals shallow orgasms.

The sensory experience of breath entering our body becomes an anchor that drops us out of our mind’s chatter and gets us into the body. Breath, movement and sound open the energy centers so there is more space for spirit to merge with our form. While breathing, moving, and sounding, we have the opportunity to be deeply receptive to our emotions. By using breath, sound and movement we can open and cleanse the energy centers and release emotions that block the potential for full creativity and sexual ecstasy.

Movement can be used to open up our vibrational field and release old energies. Movement creates space to allow more breath to come into our body. Movement can also be used consciously to stimulate sensory experience in the body. In my classes people are always amazed when they feel breath in places that they never felt before. Suddenly they feel a connection with their body, more energy flow and a deep sense of body spirit union.

Sound is a beautiful way to become grounded in the present while preparing for divine union. Sacred Sex is a vibrational connection. Like musical instruments, we are vibrating matter, and before we can even consider unifying with another—our two notes creating harmonic resonance together—we must first attune ourselves to our own vibration. As our energy channels open up, and we develop a sense of our unique tonal frequency, we awaken a deeper experience of creative—and sensual—potential.

I use special sound healing instruments in my classes and interactive ritual performances to bring listeners into harmonic resonance. Similar to sacred bells and chimes, these instruments deliver pure tonal frequencies. One of the frequency combinations is the Sacred Geometry of the Vesica Piscis—the musical ratio of divine union. By vocalizing with these frequencies, we can come into harmonic resonance with the divine union relationship. The voice can be a powerful tool, connecting us with our body and emotions. The sound of our voice and specific sound frequencies can stimulate the release of blocked energy and open the portals of the senses—helping to prepare us for vibrational union with our partner.

Relationship – The Alchemy of Divine Union
Once we have connected with our body, opened up the subtle energy flow and brought the internal energies of the feminine and masculine into equilibrium, we are ready to connect with another. When we are both in our essence, in union with ourselves, we can become conscious of the alchemy of the relationship that is being created between us. Within the sacred relationship, we are two beings enjoined and vibrating in harmony. Breathing in sync, heartbeats in rhythm, we create a third field of energy, the trinity of the Vesica Piscis. This is the alchemy called relationship.

The sacred relationship is a place where our frequencies merge and all aspects of separation are lost. The thing we have in common is the new relationship that has arisen. So we sit in this unified field together—two empty vessels—and allow the subtle energy flows of this union to surround, engulf, and flow through us. We watch it unfold, its uniqueness the flowering of a subtle alchemy between two people without expectation. When you don’t need the experience to be anything predetermined, you allow the highest force of the universe to flow through. There is no separation, no ego that needs identity—just pure cosmic flow.

This presents a pathway to enlightenment—a vibrational experience that opens the energy field to divine love, divine light, divine oneness and creation. Mary Magdalene and Jesus were models of divine union, the expression of spirit in human form. Reintegrating the Divine Feminine completes the circuit of energy essential for divine union. This is why Mary Magdalene is such a crucial aspect – because of the divine feminine role she played with Jesus. The two energies were needed to access higher dimensional realms.

Our body is the sacred doorway to ecstatic union with the Divine. Through a union based on purpose and intention, aligned in our hearts, we open ourselves to a higher directive. The feminine principle is our connection to embody spirit in form. Once the temple of the body has been fully reclaimed—through self-acceptance, total surrender and full presence—the Divine Union of the feminine and masculine opens a channel for pure bliss.

Estara is a visionary, author, speaker, sound and movement educator, sacred dance and recording artist. She gives presentations and facilitates workshops on the power of sound and utilizes the newest in cutting-edge scientific sound technologies in her programs. She is the director of Earth Consciousness Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to higher evolutionary education, research and practical applications of new technologies to assist humanity in manifesting it’s highest potential.


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Estara facilitates personal and group retreats and leads tours to sacred sites worldwide. Her next tour is September 18 – 27, 2007 to the sacred sites of Stonehenge, Glastonbury and Ireland during the Autumnal equinox. For tour information, please visit Edge of World Retreats or call 619.461.0187. - David S. Brooks



Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>