Jafromobile
I'm a responsible 6'4'' 39 year-old random guy on the internet. I don't drink. I save my money for track fees and car parts to get my j...Technology
Video Episodes:
3 Views
01:11:21 04/29/12
Friday Night "Street" challenge.
[LESS INFO] 3 VIEWS | ADDED 01:11:21 04/29/12
Friday Night "Street" challenge.
Racing trailer queens at Richmond Dragway's so-called "street" event again. Making a few passes with the Hyundai Elantra to illustrate a point. Someone asked about timeslips recently and I wanted to show one of the types of information you can gain from examining what's on it. Information about yourself, and your car. How well you're driving it, and how well your equipment is working for you. I built it up with the current video explaining the 60' time measurement while installing compound tires. I figured that timing was appropriate since tires have everything to do with traction and acceleration. The 60' is all about maximizing acceleration over the 1st 60 feet of the track. The results of running different 60' times show up differently at the end of the track. A FWD, RWD and AWD car will exhibit different characteristics based on contact patches, weight distribution and rotating mass associated with each setup. But FWD is by far the most challenging to deal with getting up out of the hole. Mastering the launch with your car means more at the track than making all the horsepower in the world at once. Getting it down takes practice. Here's a quick guide for how to set your expectations. So if drag racing is your thing... always be convinced you could do it better, and never stop trying to get there. From: Jafromobile Views: 1670 28 ratings Time: 08:53 More in Autos & Vehicles
0 Views
17:14:46 04/28/12
Wheels, Plastidip and Mickeys
[LESS INFO] 0 VIEWS | ADDED 17:14:46 04/28/12
Wheels, Plastidip and Mickeys
What starts as an innocent venture into wheel painting ends in a sticky, sticky episode of badassery. Plastidip is spray-on rubber. This is the first time I've ever worked with it. My review: It comes in colors but my favorite is black. It's good stuff. What I did should have had me spraying it on last... because mounting tires will remove it from a wheel. Most people doing this painted their wheels while tires were mounted. This is what happens when you don't. So what? It's spray-on rubber. Spray on some more and you're good. If you want the BEST results with it (since it can be expensive in some regions), allow no less than 10 minutes between coats, and spray LIGHT COATS. That's capitalized because squeezing out a light coat of spray-on rubber is much easier said than done. It's like lightly-spraying Silly String, or setting your fire extinguisher to "low". Or trying to bathe in a waterfall with good intentions, but getting knocked on your ass by the force of falling water instead. I'm amazed at how easy a product like this is to work with in concept. It sprays differently than paint, but its application is easily mastered once you get the feel for it. I give it... d (ツ) b From: Jafromobile Views: 3309 51 ratings Time: 11:05 More in Autos & Vehicles
0 Views
02:18:09 04/25/12
Drag passes after the driveshaft rebuild...
[LESS INFO] 0 VIEWS | ADDED 02:18:09 04/25/12
Drag passes after the driveshaft rebuild...
Robert gets back to the track to see how the fresh driveshaft is working... Getting the drivetrain issues sorted out and down the track. Still chasing another gremlin, but going fast in the meantime. Congratulations Robert on your triple-digit 1/8 mph! That's something I haven't done yet! Bravo! From: Jafromobile Views: 1144 33 ratings Time: 04:41 More in Autos & Vehicles
1 Views
23:32:41 04/21/12
Driveshaft 105 - Install U-joints
[LESS INFO] 1 VIEWS | ADDED 23:32:41 04/21/12
Driveshaft 105 - Install U-joints
This is the last one in the driveshaft rebuild series. You saw how I remove these things in 102, but this is how I put them back in. The factory service manual methods are covered in the video, but I used a bench vise rather than Mitsubishi's recommended MB990840. Good luck finding one of those things. You're better off with one of the universal universal joint tools than hunting down what the service manual says to use... but I digress... This doesn't have to be complicated. What is... is well documented in the video. I use sockets and a bench vise. Easy 'nuff to work around with basic garage tools and spend nothing on the tool bill. Sure beats "feeling" it with the hammer. From: Jafromobile Views: 1073 35 ratings Time: 11:34 More in Autos & Vehicles
1 Views
19:56:02 04/14/12
Driveshaft 104 - Lobro Joint Tech
[LESS INFO] 1 VIEWS | ADDED 19:56:02 04/14/12
Driveshaft 104 - Lobro Joint Tech
Measurements and spline counts will be forthcoming... We put this thing back together and totally forgot to harvest that info. No worries, I have another one of these things in my garage in need of a refresh. I will post them here once I get it disassembled. As far as the references to this in the VW/Porsche venues... Here's one reference from a Porsche forum... forums.pelicanparts.com Prepare to flip out at the price & variety. busdepot.com Check the middle of this page for great info... www.ratwell.com HERE'S THE DOOZY: www.type2.com From: Jafromobile Views: 1128 54 ratings Time: 12:42 More in Autos & Vehicles
3 Views
18:30:57 04/08/12
Driveshaft 103 - Replacing carrier bearings
[LESS INFO] 3 VIEWS | ADDED 18:30:57 04/08/12
Driveshaft 103 - Replacing carrier bearings
This is the easy stage of the job. Pulling and replacing carrier bearings is actually fun, too. You get to rip them to pieces with little risk of personal injury. If they've been rattling your teeth out for a while, you're going to enjoy getting even with them. So many people are scared of the Lobro joint, but I assure you, unless you couldn't build anything out of Lego's as a child, you're not going to have any trouble with it. It's an amazingly simple part held in with 6 bolts, a clamp, and a snap ring. If it comes apart, so long as you know where everything goes, it will go back together. Don't worry. This video shows you how to replace carrier bearings whether your Lobro joint is healthy or not. From: Jafromobile Views: 1703 37 ratings Time: 07:56 More in Autos & Vehicles
0 Views
17:29:34 04/08/12
Driveshaft 102 - Remove Universal Joints
[LESS INFO] 0 VIEWS | ADDED 17:29:34 04/08/12
Driveshaft 102 - Remove Universal Joints
This is how I prefer to press out U-joints. I don't have a bearing press yet, but you don't have to have one to do this. There are many ways to do this job, and some work better than others. Each method comes with a different set of advantages and disadvantages; however, I am from the school that teaches not to beat on your driveshaft with a hammer. I've seen so many people banging and pounding on their u-joints with a hammer and to me it just doesn't make any sense. I really don't believe that's the best way to do it. Maybe they like the sound of banging on steel pipes? Maybe they hate their neighbors? Maybe they just can't shake a certain ex girlfriend from their thoughts and it brings them some relief? I say, why risk damaging the saddles and ruining the part? Why bang on a brand new universal joint with 4 sets of needle bearings in it? To save time? I refuse to beat on my driveshaft. So you're going to see a different method than the mainstream. If you can press it out, why on earth would you bang on it if you have other tools that can do a better job. Since the 2-jaw puller is needed to do other parts of this job, might as well put 'er to good use and get 'er done. From: Jafromobile Views: 1157 34 ratings Time: 07:34 More in Autos & Vehicles
0 Views
17:06:35 04/08/12
Driveshaft 101 - Parts, Tools & Tips
[LESS INFO] 0 VIEWS | ADDED 17:06:35 04/08/12
Driveshaft 101 - Parts, Tools & Tips
If you own a DSM, Expo, Space Wagon, 3000GT, Galant VR-4 or Evo I, II or III and you've got driveshaft thump, you're in the right place. Turns out Mitsubishi changed close to nothing about the driveshaft in regards to service parts on all these models. They seem to have done everything the same. In the series of videos that follows, you will find out how to service all of the components on the driveshaft. Or propeller shaft as they call it. Funny they call it that, I don't recall any of these vehicles being amphibious. :P From: Jafromobile Views: 1293 34 ratings Time: 08:55 More in Autos & Vehicles
3 Views
02:59:41 04/03/12
Jafro's Hyundai Elantra Surprise
[LESS INFO] 3 VIEWS | ADDED 02:59:41 04/03/12
Jafro's Hyundai Elantra Surprise
There are some things you can't put a price on. I'm not just talking about the Hyundai. I'm talking about Jamie. I have the best friends in the world. Look what Jamie just did for all of your entertainment. He literally donated it to me to play with on this channel. This isn't just for me. Think about it. It's the only FWD DSM in my driveway, and the only one I'm likely to have. With this combination of parts, I could not have a greater challenge making this car stick. Because right now it doesn't at all. Torque steer ends at about 5700 RPMs in third gear. Boost is instantaneous. This car could never make good use of any larger of a turbo. I'm convinced with the right combo of tricks to gain timing and tweaks to make it stick, and that it will run deep into the 12's just like it is. This car is a kick in the pants to drive. A rolling burnout. Be careful with that downshift. From: Jafromobile Views: 2146 60 ratings Time: 03:45 More in Autos & Vehicles
2 Views
01:20:47 04/03/12
Jamie's Boosted Hyundai Elantra (Oct '11)
[LESS INFO] 2 VIEWS | ADDED 01:20:47 04/03/12
Jamie's Boosted Hyundai Elantra (Oct '11)
This is an old video that I've decided to post practically un-edited. A few parts were skipped regarding off-topic babble in order to keep it under 10 minutes. You've seen this car in another video. There really is no way to determine how many different cars contributed to this build. Every last part on it (except the one featured in this video) was previously used on another vehicle. Absolutely nothing came new in a box. The owner put enough 4g63's together in a lifetime to have extra gaskets and seals laying around to exclusively use junkyard parts to build a whole car. In the last video, you saw me contribute all the turbo parts to this build. Used 150000 mile old stock DSM turbo parts including a worked 14b. I'm happy to show it to you all put together. Check the other video of this car if you want more details on the engine build. None of the internals have changed. From: Jafromobile Views: 1510 19 ratings Time: 05:45 More in Autos & Vehicles
9 Views
17:22:08 03/10/12
1g AWD Rear Subframe Bushing Replacement
[LESS INFO] 9 VIEWS | ADDED 17:22:08 03/10/12
1g AWD Rear Subframe Bushing Replacement
These are Boostx rear subframe bushings for a 1g AWD. The factory rubber bushings can be affected by heat, cold, oils, age, air, dry rotting... they were 22 years old, and might not have been bad for a stock chassis... but this car isn't stock anymore. We're attempting to replace them in this video in order to stiffen the rear sub-frame and improve this car's launch characteristics. If the bushings are weaker than the power you're putting down vs. the weight you're moving, they can give, affecting toe, camber, caster and generally reduce the traction and handling characteristics of the car. Substituting Polyurethane bushings in place of the factory rubber bushings is a great way to solve this problem. Removing the factory bushings seems complicated if you've never done it. What it really takes is just patience and fire (and a lot of it). During this video you'll see us get impatient and grab an air chisel. That's the wrong tool for the job. It makes for cool video footage, but it simply can't do what fire does for this job. The torch you use makes a difference. The nozzle on most propane torches is a little too small to do this efficiently. The bigger nozzle the better. You'll see and hear us cover this. You can burn these bushings out with a small fire, but you'll make up for that with your time. I've received lots of great comments whenever I break out the torch. Yes, I'd love to have an Oxy-acetylene rosebud that can burn through plate steel. Yes, I'd love to have had ... From: Jafromobile Views: 2471 41 ratings Time: 08:00 More in Autos & Vehicles
4 Views
15:35:00 03/10/12
Rear LCA bushing install
[LESS INFO] 4 VIEWS | ADDED 15:35:00 03/10/12
Rear LCA bushing install
A little random shop talk as we install Energy Suspension bushings in the rear lower control arms of a '90 AWD GSX. As you can see these bushings are very easy to install and don't require any special tools. These bushings are stiffer than the factory rubber bushings, and while it's a very small part of the job, I just wanted to illustrate 2 things. 1) we didn't overlook them 2) we don't always have the discipline to keep quiet and maintain a high value of production quality. This video is NOT INTENDED TO FLAME POPULAR TV SHOWS because I love all gearheads. Shop ethics are always a point of criticism, and in no way are these comments intended to insult ANYONE'S work ethics or projects. We're ribbing the production crews and personalities of the Sunday morning cable lineups that have thankfully entertained us... for days if not months of our lives. We will watch it anyway. We're gearheads. Even on jobs that seem tedious it's important to maintain your sense of humor and enjoy yourself. From: Jafromobile Views: 1107 25 ratings Time: 03:29 More in Autos & Vehicles
2 Views
04:31:36 03/09/12
Swag Joints ...& Rear Subframe Tech
[LESS INFO] 2 VIEWS | ADDED 04:31:36 03/09/12
Swag Joints ...& Rear Subframe Tech
"Swag joint" is a slang abbreviation for an assembly of parts. It's not a brand or a product. If the person you're talking to doesn't know what you're talking about, then it's contextually meaningless. In fact, it's not even the correct pronunciation. Let me break it down. It's a Swaged (pronounced like "swayjed") Steel tube of a specified length and diameter that replaces the upper or lower control arm. When a tube is swaged, that means its diameter has been expanded or contracted to a different size than the rest of the part. The ends are threaded internally in opposite directions so that rotating the tube either tightens or loosens both threaded parts in the ends equally. The "joint" moniker is there because the old bushing side is replaced with a Heim joint and a rigid spacer assembly. Heim joints are excellent for establishing a rigid slop-free hinged fit. Because it pivots on a ball, whatever part it's secured to remains true to its radial center point. To make a "swag joint", you use a standard left-hand threaded tie rods on the outsides, whatever length swaged tube you need, and a right-hand threaded heim joints on the insides. The end result leaves you 2 locknuts away from ridiculous camber adjustment capabilities. This is great news for you lowered 1g AWD guys. The weight's about the same versus the factory part, but the difference in strength and rigidity is much greater this way. "It works a lot better than a rubber bushing" is an understatement. "Swag" is ... From: Jafromobile Views: 1842 47 ratings Time: 09:55 More in Autos & Vehicles
1 Views
20:44:52 02/26/12
JayRacing 1g AWD Rear Active Toe Correction Kit Install
[LESS INFO] 1 VIEWS | ADDED 20:44:52 02/26/12
JayRacing 1g AWD Rear Active Toe Correction Kit Install
Illustrated in this video is the JayRacing Active Toe Correction Kit. They're for a 22 year old car. When these cars were delivered new, the bushings were fresh and straight, and configured for a car that made about 200 hp. People simply don't leave these cars producing stock power, so many of the suspension parts may not work like they were originally intended after 20 years of dry rotting. What these parts do is allow you to harden the rear trailing arms so they don't give or roll under load. When you load up the suspension with a hard launch or a hard corner, the factory rubber bushings in the rear trailing arm can give, changing the toe of the rear wheel. When launching, both shift toward each other, causing the rear wheels to toe in. Toe is necessary for the front wheels, but it's not beneficial for the rear. The result is a squirly launch, un-even tire wear, loss of traction capability, and track. The JayRacing Active Toe Correction Kit is the only bushing set made for Mitsubishi that fixes this condition on 1st generation AWD cars. After welding in the bushings, you have a threaded Heim joint with a lock nut which can be adjusted to correct for toe angle under load. Unlike the factory rubber bushings, this one will not give. It keeps the toe angle locked where you have it set. I just helped install it. I had some tools necessary for the job and enough curiosity about the product to make me want to get my hands dirty. After all, I just welded the same rear into my ... From: Jafromobile Views: 3218 64 ratings Time: 08:59 More in Autos & Vehicles
4 Views
14:23:20 02/13/12
Colt 5-speed Shifter Install
[LESS INFO] 4 VIEWS | ADDED 14:23:20 02/13/12
Colt 5-speed Shifter Install
This thing was an automatic. Not anymore. Now that the transmission is lined up after the crossmember install, I'm able to test fit the shifter and bolt everything down where I need it. The only difficult thing about this job is a minor bit of fabrication for a lower shifter cable bracket for the transmission. The DSM shifter bracket is a 2-piece design, and there are variations of both parts. ALL of the cable alignment capability is tied up in that shifter bracket, so getting the cable locations right is critical to having good shifter actuation. It's possible there's a combination of factory parts that resolves all cable alignment issues and prevents fabrication work, but I don't know what to use, and my solution worked every bit as good with very little effort. It was a simple job. If you've never converted an automatic car to manual, this will shed some light on how easy this is to do once you have the dashboard and heater controls out. I used a shifter and cables out of a '92 GSX for this project coupled with the forward/reverse shift linkage from a '90 FWD. The shift linkage on the transmission side didn't have to be from a '90, the '92 parts were damaged too badly to use so I had to mix & match. The parts were the same, so it didn't matter. It just makes for some weirdness in the video if someone's scrutinizing my part selection. From: Jafromobile Views: 2910 84 ratings Time: 10:26 More in Autos & Vehicles
3 Views
22:09:29 01/25/12
AWD Colt Crossmember
[LESS INFO] 3 VIEWS | ADDED 22:09:29 01/25/12
AWD Colt Crossmember
Audio by RojoDelChocolate If my car wasn't destined to be All Wheel Drive, then I wouldn't have needed to do any of this. For a FWD setup, I'd just mix and match engine mounts from different models and it's a bolt-on affair. But I can't. I've got a transfer case in the way and I had to work around it. I wanted one that closely resembled a factory part, and the factory part is roughly 1 7/8" stamped sheet metal in the shape of square tubing. Utilizing as much of the original crossmember as I could, and thanks to these chassis being sold in Japan and New Zealand, provisions are already on the chassis for an AWD crossmember, so it's not as difficult to fabricate as it could have been. I just can't get that crossmember in the United States... so I used as much of the OE crossmember as I could and then filled in the gaps. What I ended up with was the best thing I could envision. I had no idea where this project would take me and everybody does things a little differently. I haven't seen how EVERYbody does this part of the job... though I've seen a few different methods online. Some were very simple and effective, making really good use of weight. Some were difficult to install. Some other designs seemed intrusive and took up a lot of room in the engine bay. Room that I would want to use for other things; however, almost ALL of the configurations were lighter than what I just did. I think mine's the most serviceable. I found I can install and remove both pieces in any order ... From: Jafromobile Views: 3811 107 ratings Time: 17:30 More in Autos & Vehicles
12/23/11