Photography by Terence Patrick
Here's where we act like we know something technical about cars. Feel free to ask us about your technical troubles by writing to us at tech@superstreetonline.com or Super Street c/o Tech Support, 831 S. Douglas St. El Segundo, CA 90245. You can also include a picture of your project or tech problem if it will help describe anything really complicated.
Q I own two 1G DSM cars and I'm looking for an answer I can't find in the forums. I have the typical bolt-ons for a DSM (16g turbo, 3'' exhaust, fuel, Supra side-mount, etc). Anyways, I have an aftermarket lightweight crank pulley I'm thinking about putting on. Is it a no-no because my car comes with a weighted crank pulley? Some people run lightweight crank pulleys without having their motors balanced and have never spun a rod and these are daily drivers. Should I put it on or not? Is it worth the risk of a spun rod bearing for 5hp?
Sam Solis
Via email
AIt's not that your factory crank pulley is weighted. The great thing about your factory crank pulley is that it has an insulation ring for dampening. When the crank rotates, the imbalances cause vibrations, which is absorbed by the insulation. This prevents the rotating assembly and bearings from taking all that stress. 'Crankwalk' is already a problem with many DSMs and we wouldn't recommend it. The only aftermarket crank pulleys that do have some sort of protection are the ATI Super Damper and Fluidampr. Those are the only two brands we would suggest. Unfortunately, they both don't have a listing for your application. You might want to call them and see if they have something for you that they just don't have listed yet. The risk of blowing up your engine on that solid aluminum pulley for a 5hp gain doesn't really seem worth it. There are plenty of other modifications that you can do for 5hp and not risk your engine.
Q I've got a 1997 Mitsubishi 3000GT and I'm almost done with my upgrades. The only thing left is rims. While your latest issue did help me a lot, I'm still left in almost the same position I was before. I can't decide on a style. I've checked tons of sites and found plenty that could potentially look good, but I wouldn't know for sure unless I put them on. I've seen a site or two with a feature that lets you put the rims on a rendering of your car, but it looks so crappy it's hard to tell. Basically, I'd like to know if you have any suggestions on a rim type that'd look good, or know a way I could see the rims without blowing tons of cash buying them and not liking them.
Jerry Spraggins
Via email
A There are so many factors to take into account, like ride height, tire size, not to mention rim design and size, that you cannot get a really good feel for a wheel until you see them in person. The best option would be to surf the Internet for other 3S cars with wheels. Popular sizing would be 18x9'' with a +40 offset for your car. If you want a more flush look, you could do something lower like a +35 or an even lower offset. Of course, depending on what tire sizing you want to go with. Wheels like the Work Meister and Volk TE37 are both played out but that's because they look good on just about anything RWD. You can't go wrong with those wheels, and they hold their value come time to sell them.
Q I have my 1995 240SX SE that I love, but on the other hand I have the tire wear that I hate. I dropped the 240SX on the NISMO shocks and springs combo and the car drives wonderfully! Now, I need to find out which of all the camber plates out there will work on this combo front and rear. Is there really anything for the rear? I only find plates for the fronts.
Kong Ly
Minnesota