Greensboring.com | Greensboro, NC

Outlawing Cursing

2014-01-18T18:36:01+00:00

script

In September 2012, Brussels passed a law to punish those who use inflammatory language in public. By this act, cursing, in certain instances became out-lawed. This law is one of many in the wake of the 2008 E.U. Decision on Xenophia and Hate Speech, and attempts to create social cohesion among Europe and the growing immigrant population. The fine for such language is up to 250 Euros.

In the recent documentary: Femme de la Rue, documentarian : by Sophie Peeter places a hidden camera on herself as she leaves her Brussels apartment conservatively dressed. The result on every occasion was sexist slurs from the mouths of Northern African immigrant men. “Salope”, meaning slut and other offensive language (like clicking) were yelled at Peeters as she made her way down the streets of Scharbeek, a predominately Arabic decent suburb of Brussels.

Much like construction workers in the 1970’s America, cat-calling women on the street, this interjection of outdated gender stereotypes is called la drague, or the art of seduction. Unfortunately it’s also a part of middle-eastern culture that demeans women, and purposely attempts to shame women for their bodies or dress. It’s a part of their culture, but it’s in direct conflict with European culture and modern political correctness.

Sophie, who at the time crowd funded her documentary as a master’s film student in Brussels created a journalism frenzy over the piece. Articles in almost every major world newspaper carried the topic. As a result, Brussels has attempted to improve the situation by laws that protect women from street harassment.

Of course I suspect, Americans would be upset at their loss of liberty when abroad due to our adoration of free speech; however we've implemented laws in some cities of America that ignore the reasons for such laws, and ban vulgarities simply because some citizen(s) take offense to words like fuck being used in public. In Middleborough, Massachusetts, using the f-bomb will earn you a $20 ticket (yes, start your Demolition Man flash backs now). Bill 56 in South Carolina would make cursing a punishable offense, and Arizona has begin the process of outlawing bad-language in the classroom. The truth is, you shouldn't be able to tell a women she's a slut on the street, nor make xenophobic remarks to foreigners, but what America is outlawing, is truly the use of free-speech.

Statistics: Posted by Liv — 18 Jan 2014, 18:36 — Replies 0 — Views 235

Feeling sub-human yet?

2014-01-18T14:28:17+00:00

This message is for members of the working class.

I know that some think of me as a bit out there in my attitude about being oppressed by the upper class in America. One of my pet peeves is how companies I've worked for used to have "Personnel" departments, but that got changed to "Human resources." That seemed to be kind of demeaning, but at least it still had the word "human" in it. But over the years of this bloody Great Recession (which is still going STRONG here in the Triad, in spite of all the GOP has done to make the state a happy playground for industries), things just keep getting worse.

Just the other day, I over heard a guy in the next cube bemoaning the fact that a project he was working on would require more people to get it done on time. Only he didn't say "people." Didn't even say "team members." No, he VOLUNTARILY said, "... we'll be needing more resources to get this done on time." I wanted to strangle him. Even a lot of my fellow laborers are buying into the notion that we aren't people... we are mere "resources."

Another indignity is that now, these "HR" goons are changing the terminology again. No longer does "human resources" satisfy their perverse sense of how to deal with the biological units needed to get work done. No, NOW, they are starting to talk about handling "Human Capital." Like laborers are commodities to be bought, traded or disposed of based on the needs of the owners. I have little doubt that the final stage of this process will be to start talking about "biological capital." That would mean they could manage livestock and the workers all under one roof. Because those damn laborers should NOT be allowed to start thinking of themselves as anything other than livestock. If they were allowed to have ANY sense of dignity, they might start to demand things like higher wages, better benefits, or (gasp) RETIREMENT aid. Which, as everyone knows, is to be reserved only for REAL people.

What a bloody awful world I am starting to grow old in. I hate it... wish there was some option available...

Statistics: Posted by SouthernFriedInfidel — 18 Jan 2014, 14:28 — Replies 3 — Views 297

Shower Phobia

2014-01-15T19:18:58+00:00

article-2539704-1AACBB3300000578-514_634x501.jpg

I love water. Hell, in my living room right now I have 25 cases of the stuff:

1525069_10151866947674149_7438443_n.jpg

I take two or three showers a day sometimes. If I could live in a house where it constantly rained, I would. One must wonder how such environmental factors as constant water would effect the body, but then I wake up to this: Amou Haji, a 80 year Iranian who hasn't bathed or showered in more than 60 years. The pictures are just amazing, and the transformation of his skin and pores, are very interesting. You almost wonder how a person can survive under such conditions.

article-2539704-1AACBB2D00000578-974_634x399.jpg

People have offered him showers, however he fears they will make him ill. Honestly I imagine there might be some truth to it, if he were to shock his body with soap and water at this point.

Apparently Shower Phobia is a real condition, known as Ablutophobia. It ranges from fear of water, to drowning, to claustrophobia, to being sucked down the drain.

Me, I love to fill the tub, turn on the shower, submerge my head and tune out the world except for the beautiful music of the rain in my shower.

Statistics: Posted by Liv — 15 Jan 2014, 19:18 — Replies 0 — Views 327

Best Health Care in the World.

2013-12-18T21:11:46+00:00

taxi-driver-lc3a1mpc3a1nc3a1l-bokeh.jpg

America, which self-proclaims itself (by many of its citizens) to have the best health-care in the world, tosses a cancer patient in a taxi, who was unconscious, because they (the hospital staff) became irritated by the man's lack of responsiveness. His mother claims he was dying, but the hospital believes that cancer patients should just "man-up" and deal with it. In the end, the patient arrived at his mother's door-step, cold and dead.

This of course took place in Fayetteville, about 1 hour from my home. I flew to LA out of their airport just weeks ago. This, in a state, with top universities, and medical facilities (or so I've been told). I've found little evidence that any of our health-care in NC is the best. My personal experiences is that a lot of people are dying because the medical field is seen more as a get-rich-scheme, which even when practitioners are genuinely invested, a system of laws and insurance companies dictate a sub-par health system.

The whole system is designed to diagnose you with an outcome that is cheapest for the insurance company, most profitable for the hospital, and gets you out the door (and into a taxi), whereby accounts payable can collect on you. Welcome to America, the home of the best health care in the world.

cite: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... -home.html

Statistics: Posted by Liv — 18 Dec 2013, 21:11 — Replies 1 — Views 722

The Immigrants that America Loves.

2013-12-09T03:19:56+00:00

iggy-azalea.jpg

A few years ago, the immigration debate was was the topic of conversation in the U.S. - Today, it's simmered down, and many immigrants left due to their own choice after the financial crisis of 2008. However, back then, many Americans were vehemently against immigrants. Asked to describe one, they would describe someone from Mexico. Never would they argue to deport William Shatner, or Michael J. Fox. Think Shania Twain is from the south, think again. Hell, half the cast from Walking Dead are foreigners, and if you haven't figured it out yet, House, isn't an American doctor in real life (our crappy health-care system doesn't have doctors that good). They're all immigrants: Jack Bauer, Christ, James Cameron, Trinity from the Matrix, yep, you guessed it.... all despicable fence jumpers here to raise your taxes and live off food-stamps. Who ever asked them to come here anyways? Aren't they just stealing REAL American's jobs?

However let's stop with this line of thought, and jump to another.

Take for instance a young girl named Amy born in New South Wales, who lived in the house that her father built of bricks of mud. At 14 years old, she pretended to be a rapper from the group T.L.C., and hung out with her friends, pretending to rap. No one took her serious, and people told her that, obviously, a white girl from Australia can't be a black rapper like she aimed to be. People teased her, and eventually she dropped out of high-school. Cleaning hotel rooms, she scraped together enough for a tiny holiday in the U.S. - A few weeks Stateside, and she called her mother to tell her that she wasn't coming home.

Of course, a white woman with an Australian accent is likely going to do better in American than a dark-skinned guy named Jesus who picks strawberries for a living and eats tacos, and she did. Despite every odd against her (except being a stereotype immigrant), living illegally in the U.S., and many people telling her that she had no talent, she become successful and famous around the world. This is that girl today: Iggy Azalea.

script

It's a story that's important to remember, especially the next time they tell you you're too white to do what you love. Do it anyways. If you win, you get a tiger on your bed.

Statistics: Posted by Liv — 09 Dec 2013, 03:19 — Replies 6 — Views 1004

What would cause you to cheat?

2013-12-03T22:35:42+00:00

Cheating-Wife-Greek-Myth.jpg

Dating websites for Married people.

If you know me, then you know I believe that the majority of people who are married probably shouldn't be.

Who knew an entire website dedicated to dating, to affairs, by married people existed.

Victoria Milan (a website), advertises in Sweden on bus stops with the tagline "Are you married? Liven up your life - have an affair". Now they've published the top reasons women cheat on men:

1. Stealing sheets in bed.
2. Narcissistic during sex.
3. Not experimental enough in bed (lack of creativity).
4. Demands for dirty talk.
5. Porn (creates low self-esteem in women).
6. Wears socks to bed.

The site which has no lack for popularity has over 3 million members and polled 4,000 women.

As far as Shannon is concerned, she does steal the sheets, and often does wear socks to bed. Yes it rather pisses me off, especially when I'm shivering, and can't sleep in the middle of the night. However I should think twice before cheating, as this same website suggests that people who cheat, generally do so, with someone less attractive. I'm very small minded and looks are very important to me. I would not want to sleep with some ugly girl, just because she was more emotionally on par with me. No I'll keep my trophy wife for the time being, and I'll be hers, because thankfully, I don't fit any of those complaints. In fact, I'm the most creative woman you'll ever find in bed.

Statistics: Posted by Liv — 03 Dec 2013, 22:35 — Replies 7 — Views 770

Sovereign citizens

2013-12-01T18:57:50+00:00

article-2516220-19BEB87F00000578-238_634x359.jpg

The phrase, sovereign citizens, doesn't sound like a negative one. In fact it sounds like something that was written into the constitution. Autonomy, sovereignty, and freedom to rule one's own life seem like American traits, but the FBI is calling this an extremest movement, the likes of which could be classified as domestic terrorism.

What is the sovereign citizens movement? Basically it's like saying I see your rules of the nation, but I'm going to exploit those rules for my own purposes. In some cases, they wish to ignore all laws all together. At one time, this concept of "refusal to play nice" was limited to religious nutters who felt they didn't have to pay taxes because they were above mankind's law. However now individuals are using it for financial gain.

One gentleman in Ohio is filing Quiet Titles on abandoned properties to obtain ownership. Sounds brilliant to me, except some aren't quite so abandoned, just temporarily abdicated. A great article on the matter is here:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... -town.html

Robert Carr, the man filing these Quiet Titles, moves in, changes the locks and removes the previous owner's possessions. In essence he evicts them.

Now short of having the FBI raid my servers again, I can't completely disagree with this man's actions. Capitalism preys on most of us, pitting the legal system to their benefit and against the average person. Here's a guy who found (or think he's found) a loop-hole and is using it to obtain fortune and glory for himself. I sort of respect that.

At the end of my street sits a home that has been vacant for 10 years. Often the grass reaches six feet high, and random homeless people have squatted in it over the years. Why should it sit vacant because some bank has not sold it? Wouldn't it be best used, to be given to a homeless person, and properly occupied? I think so. Certainly I'd never wish to tromp an individual's property rights, but when the city must mow the yard, the building is in a state of decay, and there's a record of neglect- a process of re-homing a home, might be the appropriate action.

As far as this whole sovereign citizens movement, I can't say I'm completely against that either. Yet civility requires all of us to make sacrifices, and to abide by a community effort. The problem is that, that ideal, has never existed in America. According to the Daily Mail, most Americans don't trust each other. We have no community. As long as corporations continue to work outside of the framework of the intent of the law, exploiting the citizens of this nation, then true civility can not exist, and it is they who are the true extremists.

Statistics: Posted by Liv — 01 Dec 2013, 18:57 — Replies 4 — Views 3784

Re-Homing

2013-11-29T14:35:45+00:00

rehoming.jpg

So I live in an area where people think they're in "just-enough-country" to safely leave their unwanted pets on the side of the road. Ah, the tranquil country, where dogs can live out their lives in the wilderness like God designed them to be. The problem is, most of them never make it. The truth is, most these animals end up splattered on the highway pavement, or they starve to death in misery. The lucky few who get picked up by animal control, and do get adopted (most don't), will end up tethered to a tree in a life of sadness, because animals in the south are disposable.

To me it's deplorable.

Now what if I told you to replace the opening paragraph, not with animals, but with children.

You'd say "nonsense".

I would have too, until I read several articles on re-homing. It goes like this. A couple adopts a foreign national, such as a child from Libya, Africa, or China. They discover parenting is much more difficult than they ever expected, and decide to quietly dispose of the child by quietly placing an ad in the underground of the internet. Sure enough, someone responds. A mediator gets involved and provide the necessary civil paperwork to name the new parents as legal guardians, after some "showmanship" of paperwork indicating the new parents are fit. No courts, no lawyers, and in 48 hours: Baby-No-Love is in the home of their loving new family: they've been re-homed.

Except in many cases, the new family are sexual predators, and lost their birth-children to social services, and the child never shows up for school.

The children become a commodity in re-homing. Not only does it appear that the government is aware of it, they're tracking statistics on it.

I mean why buy gifts at Christmas, when you can just dump the darn thing that's holding you back in life?

This is completely insane.

When will people wake up and realize animals and children are not objects, and that they're not disposable?

An even bigger question is, when will there stop being a demand for Children? Owning Children should involve the financial preparations of applying for a mortgage, but in almost every case, it resembles more like buying a used-car.

Not to sound to much like a 80's pop-star, but children are our future. You want them to grow up into mindless capitalist zombies who think a successful life revolves around I-pads and a Duck Dynasty recliner, then feed them Pop-Tarts, Cartoon Network and sell them to the neighborhood pedophiles when you get tired of them. If you want these children to grow up and solve the world's problems, like the environment, world-peace, and your safety and security in retirement, then stop acting like an OCD 10 year old, and grow up, and accept the fact some of you shouldn't be parents in the first place.

Statistics: Posted by Liv — 29 Nov 2013, 14:35 — Replies 3 — Views 738

So we're supposed to be "thankful" for...?

2013-11-26T09:08:30+00:00

My wife works retail. Every year, Thanksgiving becomes a somewhat bigger joke than the year before. Particularly since she is a department supervisor.

For this year's torment, we have a special treat: the 7 hour turn-around. That's right... her manager, in his infinite wisdom, scheduled her to work Thanksgiving night (now termed "Gray Thursday" in the most loving terms possible) at 11:45, until 9 AM Friday. Then, she's ordered to return to work at 4 PM that same day, to work until midnight. And to top off the "Turd-uck-hen" of a weekend, she has to work Saturday from noon to 8 PM, precluding a chance to visit with our son and his wife, or even to visit our church.

thanksgiving.gif

Seriously, they wonder why it is that retail people get an attitude this time of year...

Sadly, there are millions of self-centered idiot Americans that will swarm to the stores to reward these greedy bastards with mountains of cash they would have spent Friday ANYWAY. Is it really that big a problem to give retail people ONE DAY to spend with their family and chill??

Statistics: Posted by SouthernFriedInfidel — 26 Nov 2013, 09:08 — Replies 16 — Views 3940

A new STUPID teenagers' game

2013-11-23T21:57:25+00:00

It's called "Knockout" where a teenager tries to hit a complete stranger on the street and knock them out. Mostly done by teenagers because being "juveniles," they know they can't be imprisoned for very long and they won't have a permanent record.

So I guess older, less athletic folks like myself need to consider buying a construction hard hat or football helmet to wear at all times. In addition to the kevlar undershirt and boxers needed to protect from NRA-inspired gun fights in the streets, featuring patriotic folks "protecting good guys from bad guys."

Seriously, people... start PARENTING your kids, not just feeding them and expecting them to grow up OK on their own!

Statistics: Posted by SouthernFriedInfidel — 23 Nov 2013, 21:57 — Replies 9 — Views 814

Asshole versus Pedestrian

2013-11-23T18:50:02+00:00

Peds.jpg

I'll admit, it took living abroad before I realized the etiquette of walking. There are many rules, and here in the U.S., we've chosen to embed many of these into law. Yet it would seem most of America missed the memo that on the whole, pedestrians have the right of way. You may be wondering if this is actually true, and for the most part, yes it is. That's right, at some point and time in the distant path, we Americans decided to give the humble human on foot, the benefit over the 4-ton SUV. Yet for most of you assholes out there, apparently you're too damn impatient to wait the five seconds for me to cross the the zebra zone. God forbid if I try to extend my right, and cross before you approach the intersection and have to slow your vehicle down.

So let's make this simple assholes.

If it's a lighted cross-walk (for example, a walk / no walk sign), then go on with your bad-self but still be prudent. We pedestrians will wait for your gas guzzling, waste of space, town-and-country, pork-mobiles before we cross.

On the other-hand, if it's a traditional zebra-crossing, or if I have the walk-light, then plant your foot on your brake and wait. You are not allowed to hurry-up, and run over my foot. You're not allowed to get mad, and make angry faces, or hand gestures, and I'm fucking certain you're not supposed to ram the side of my legs with your vehicle.

This includes crossing drive-ways, alleys, and the fucking parking-lot at Wal-Mart.

While you're ass sits in its climate controlled seats, dry, with a nice-breeze of air conditioning, and a lemon flavored spritzer in the arm-rest, my ass is lugging a book-bag, a water-proof jacket, and trying to maintain some level of decent hair-styling on the walk to school. Go on, adjust your lumbar support, or radio station while I dig the glass shard out of my foot, or fight off the bee that just flew off my nose, but don't ever give me any shit while walking across the street, you dumb SUV driving fart.

This is my cross-walk, so go fuck yourself.

Statistics: Posted by Liv — 23 Nov 2013, 18:50 — Replies 6 — Views 787

Miley Cyrus versus the world

2013-11-21T21:13:57+00:00

miley cyrus vs .jpg

Recently Miley Cyrus has been all the rage. On the night of her recent exploits, Facebook was awash in posts. Typically, those posts from North Carolina suggested she was a skank, a slut, and a whore. A very protestant and conservative conversation occurred. At the same time in France and Beligum, my friends were posting how much they loved her, and how elegant and beautiful she is.

It's rather perplexing how one group can perceive something as good, and the other as bad.

Personally, I'm quite proud of her. Finding her own style, and standing out in Hollywood is not easy. Be yourself, be sexy, and who cares about the conservative south, and their violent threats:

Facebooker wrote:
...If she was my daughter, I'd beat her tail with a belt

script

Statistics: Posted by Liv — 21 Nov 2013, 21:13 — Replies 2 — Views 1062

The Spongy Brake Fix

2013-10-31T01:02:12+00:00

T2HudMXjVcXXXXXXXX___17461311.jpg
So I learned a trick this week which is kind of cool. It's kind of cool, because it takes very little effort to achieve rock hard brakes, after bleeding, or if your brakes are spongy from previous brake work.

I came upon this trick after installing new calipers on the Geo. I didn't quite have the firm brakes that I had expected, and so I searched around online and came upon the mention of this 83 year old man who had advised an individual on the web, just to put a brick on the brake pedal overnight. Surely that can't work I thought, but I was wrong.

A lot of people do this trick on motorcycles with a zip tie, to the brake lever. Google it, and you find this measure of self-bleeding actually works (there are a few deniers). No one seems to know how it works though, though air-bubbles have been seen in the morning following the release of the brake lever. (Note this is not a replacement for traditional bleeding, but often used in addition to it, to achieve better results.)

To me it does make sense, you're compressing the air and the brake fluid. The air becomes dissolved in the fluid (like the fizz in soda). At the same time, gravity wants to separate the heavier, more dense brake fluid molecules from the lighter air molecules (buoyancy), and under the pressure of a compressed overnight brake pedal, these molecules use the brake fluid as molecular "tunnel" in their dissolved state to arrive just under the brake plunger. In the morning when the brick is removed from the pedal and as the pressure is reduced (much like a can of soda opening), the dissolved air is released (Henry's Principle) past the plunger, into the master cylinder, and subsequently into the atmosphere.

Got a better idea, I'll listen? Either way, this technique of self-bleeding overnight (not to be substituted for real, traditional bleeding prior to this trick,) works. Air is released, and the firmness doesn't subside with time. It worked perfectly in the Metro, but being the skeptic I was, I had to try it on my Taurus.

My Taurus is very special. It's a rusty Ohio car, and I've never gotten the brakes to bleed right. Likely due to a rusty proportioning valve, I've chosen to deal with spongy brakes for some time. I knew, if this truly worked, and it wasn't placebo, then this was the car to test it on:

How to fix mushy brake pedals.
Note: if doing this on a incline, be sure the master cylinder (aka the front of the vehicle) is facing uphill. The master-cylinder should be at the highest point of the brake system to ensure this works the best.

Step 1: Pin the brake pedal.
I used a metal pole, placed between the top of the pedal and the seat-back. I used the power-seats to compress the pedal.

Step 2
Un-do the brake light fuse, or the negative terminal to the battery.

Step 3:
Wait 12-24 hours. Most perform this overnight and it works fine,

(no need to remove brake cap)

...and you know what, it worked. I've never had as firm of brakes on the Taurus as I do now.

Considering the lack of information on this topic, and the fact it almost was lost for all-time by an 83 year old man, I figured it was worth a re-post here.

Got spongy brakes? Give it go, there's nothing to lose, and everything to gain.

Statistics: Posted by Liv — 31 Oct 2013, 01:02 — Replies 4 — Views 917

Geo Metro New Owner's Guide

2013-10-24T17:36:02+00:00

2znzupi.jpg

So I've been wanting to post this online for awhile. It's something I constantly get asked, and I'll probably continue to refine this post into the future as I think of things. Much of what I'm about to say is valid for many cars, but I get a lot of people wanting to know about my Geo Metro which typically gets between 40-50 MPG. I've owned my 1996 3 cylinder Geo Metro Hatchback for about two years, and have come to realize the main difference between many people who own these cars and get good gas mileage, and those who don't, come down to some minor tuning issues, that often are a result of geography (e.g. hotter air in the south, California emissions, etc.). By following the next few guidelines to minimize these difference, almost any Metro can obtain between 40-55 MPG depending on engine condition.

(ALMOST) FREE STUFF (Modifications):
1- Tire inflation. - Typically most people fill their tires to 35 PSI. Generally that's the recommendation on most vehicle door labels, including the Metro, but some databases show as low as 33 PSI (Discount Tires for one). At that inflation, the car feels like it crawls. I've experienced no negatives to inflating the tires to the maximum rated side-wall pressure of 44 PSI. This vehicle is light, and should never exert enough force to damage the tire at 44 PSI (do not do this to heavier vehicles). In addition some of my Metro peers run 50-55 PSI, though I like to leave a margin of safety. Most vehicles when transported from Japan arrive at the factory with over-inflated (60 PSI) tires to combat flat-spots from sitting up on the barges. MPG increases of anywhere from 3-5 MPG occur generally simply by inflating your tires. This is also my practice when renting sub-compact cars too. If the ride is too harsh, or you live in a pot-hole infested environment you may wish to try a compromise of 40 PSI.

RULE: Set tires at 44 PSI

2- Timing - Timing is everything, and the original Suzuki G10 (The motor inside the Metro) was designed originally to run at 10 degrees. Things change though, including national emission standards, and computerized spark curves (later versions of Metro's list 5 degrees of timing advance +-3, resulting in a possible OE-spec timing of 8). One of the easiest ways for a manufacturer to adjust emissions is by lowering the timing. While this mod is free, I recommend a cooler thermostat (180 F) and adding the CTS mod which I'll post below (a simple resistor). The perfect timing for MPG and performance, after many attempts by multiple people is 12 degrees. If you experience pinging, you may find a 10 degree setting more optimal (for instance if you live is extremely warm climate). Be sure to set it back to 5 at inspection time.

RULE: Ignition timing at 12 degrees.

3- IAT and CTS mods - Metros work with a very strange ECU that seems almost counter-intuitive to other vehicles. The vehicle obtains its best MPG in temperatures exceeding 90 F. Fortunately this can be faked without any compromises in drivability by placing a 2.2K ohm resister in parallel with the IAT (Intake Air Temperature) sensor, and a 1K ohm resistor in parallel on the CTS (Coolant Temperature) sensor (on 1996+ models, this is the 1, and 3 wire entering the CTS sensor). Before this mod was invented, many people unhooked their air-intake hose to draw in hot-engine-air, however this method has some severe safety, and engine performance issues and for that reason is no longer recommended.

There's some confusion over installing these resistor, and certain people have suggested they don't understand what a parallel circuit means, making the modification more difficult than it is for those without minimal electronics comprehension. Parallel simply means one lead (side) of each resistor is connected to one wire (+, and -) of the leads that go to the sensor. For instance, in the case of the IAT, I simple solder on wire to each lead of the resistor then use blue in-line crimp connectors on the sensors two wires to create a parallel connection.

IAT TRICK FOR GEO METRO.jpg

The end result is the car thinks it's warmer than it is. Fuel ratio is still kept in check by the 02 sensor, but it allows us to reach alternate fuel tables for better MPG.

I should mention the CTS sensor should be installed with a 180 F thermostat. The result is cooler engine temperatures, but the ECM still reads 195 F.

The cooler temperatures create a denser fuel back, and preserves wear on seals, and the middle cylinder which tends to fail because of less than optimal cooling.

The IAT will read between low 100 F to 130 F + (dynamically), and appears to have no detrimental effects based on numerous testers who have tried this mod. Its important to point out that the Ignition retard in our cars has been disabled from the factory which makes this modification very unlike how, and why other vehicle brands utilize this mod.

RULE: 2.2 K Ohm (1/2 watt) resistor in parallel on IAT sensor
RULE: 1K ohm (1/2 watt) resistor in parallel on CTS (1996 and later)

Hat-tip to mjspiess, and Geo Glenn of Geo Metro Forum for their aid in this modification.

4- 180 F Thermostat - As mentioned previously, the middle cylinder on these vehicles tends to suffer from more heat related problems than the two outer cylinders. In addition, rubber seals, oil, and performance are all degraded by heat. More horsepower by a colder intake charge, aid in performance. However the most important reason to decrease engine temperature is because of advancing the ignition timing. The two work together to vastly improve MPG, without knock, and being able to use 87 octane fuel. Full documentation of this can be read here.

RULE: 180 F Thermostat

IMAG1036_1.jpg

5- Brake Calipers - Metros suffer from brake caliper failure (and/or sometimes the hoses). Typically you won't even notice it, but it will suck MPG very slowly from you as they begin to fail, and the calipers only partially disengage, leaving them partially pressed against the discs. Symptoms may include above-average brake-dust on the wheels, pulling to one-side while driving or braking, or un-even tire wear. In my case, I have one disc that has glazed (rippled), with severe brake dust and poor tire wear despite two alignments. If it's the hoses, they will show no physical signs of failure generally themselves. Calipers and brake hoses life-span is about 15 years, meaning most Metros are now due for these. Hoses can be purchased as little as $7.50 a piece, Calipers about $40, and ensure proper operating brakes. It's typical to still get 40+ MPG with bad brake hoses, but replacement may improve gas mileage even more, if indeed they're failing acutely or intermittently while driving. Replace both at the same time if you suspect any of the above symptoms.

RULE: Replace brake calipers,hoses (and wheel cylinders) if more than 15 years.

6- Transmission Fluid - It's important to realize that regular maintenance issues such as changing the oil, and filters can have a huge effect on the longevity and performance of your vehicle, but often people forget about their transmission fluid, especially in a manual transmission. Metros tend to suffer from bad synchos in second gear, and failure in fifth. Both can be improved upon, even in a semi-failed state (if they have completely failed, it's unlikely to improve it). A factory bulletin changed the original transmission fluid to a thinner type despite most databases still today indicating the opposite. This new thinner combination of fluid and additive improves performance, fuel mileage, and longevity of those weak links within the transmission. I recommend Tufoil engine additive, and Penzoil Syncromesh in the transmission case (yes the engine additive, it works amazing). It is a night and day difference between the factory recommended oil and this combination.

RULE: In Manual Transmission: Tufoil Engine Additive
RULE: In Manual Transmission: Syncromesh by Penzoil fluid.

7- Oil - As mentioned prior, this is free, because, you're going to have to change your oil at some point (let's hope). Factory recommendation is 5W-30 via TSB, but that was before the existence of the super-oils of today. My recommendation is 0w-20 synthetic. Considering this car only takes 3.5 quarts, it's not expensive and can makes a huge effect on mileage. Best part of it all, is you can just drive to the oil change place and ask for it. Be sure not to place a Fram oil filter on the vehicle. Why? See here.

RULE: Oil 0W-20

8- GAS - Use only Top Tier gasoline, as outlined here. Create a new habit of using only BP, Shell, or Chevron gasoline. In addition I highly recommend using Techron Chevron Plus fuel additive at every oil change, as these engines are known for their carbon, and this cleaner is absolutely fantastic at dealing with it. For a few cents more on every fill up, it's worth it to have my engine performing at its best.

RULE: Fill up only at BP, Chevron, or Shell
RULE: Use Techron Chevron Concentrate Plus every oil change.

--------------

Not Free, but Highly Recommended:

7- Lowering Springs - People ask what the single greatest (best) modification you can make to a Metro is, and hands down this is it. My MPG increased almost 3 MPG (which pays for the suspension), the car looks great, and it changes the suspension geometry in such away that will really blow your mind. It reduces surface area drag on tires, control arms and under-body. It handles unlike any vehicle I've ever known, and considering it does this on 155 mm wide tires, I'd say that's a safety measure in itself.

Some have a hard time believing that vehicle height has an effect on mileage, but here's a couple things to keep in mind:

When Eibach (a company who produces lowering springs) modified the two most popular vehicles in production, they both increased their MPG drastically (note this modification is more relevant to those who drive at high-way speeds):

Eibach has two vehicles they did testing on and gained up to 13% more MPG:

Civic 7.5%:
http://a.cdnbrm.com/images/info/eibach/ ... g_test.pdf

Mustang 4.8% / Camaro 13%
http://performance-suspension.eibach.co ... ce_testing

And when Ford & GM attempted to improve mileage on their vehicles, in the past and current models, many times it included lowering vehicles. The best example was the Lincoln Mark VIII with its active suspension that lowered at highway speed to achieve better gas mileage.

script

--------------

Also not free, but recommended if you have money and time.

8- Underdrive Pulley and Timing Gear Pulley - Underdrive pulley is available from Suzukird for $99, and Timing Gear pulley available is available from 3-Tech performance. Both serve to improve drivability and performance.

Statistics: Posted by Liv — 24 Oct 2013, 17:36 — Replies 0 — Views 806

The News and Record have gotten my last words

2013-10-23T09:00:00+00:00

At the start of this month, I submitted a letter to the editor regarding the government shutdown. I thought it was a good letter, and had a fresh opinion on the subject about partisan control of the elections process. SOMEONE there agreed that it should get published, because I got a call from them asking if they could publish it. I agreed, and I was told it would be listed "soon."

It's now THREE WEEKS after that call, and as you can see... no letter from me.

This is the second time this has happened to my letters to the editor. I don't mind it when I submit something and they decide to ignore it... that's their decision. But when you ask me if you can use my stuff and tell me it'll be on the page, IMO you BETTER follow up on it.

Just bloody sad to see... or NOT see, as the case may be.

Statistics: Posted by SouthernFriedInfidel — 23 Oct 2013, 09:00 — Replies 17 — Views 1409