Eric Hsu facts:
- Eric Hsu can start a car by looking at it. The car knows what'll happen if it doesn't start.
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Eric Hsu invented the Vuvuzela. Got a problem with that?
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Eric Hsu shoots 275/35-18 Hankook Z214s from his thumbs like rubber bands.
- Eric Hsu shaves his beard with a plasma cutter. It takes a full day.
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Eric Hsu could come up with better Eric Hsu facts. He just doesn't.
Send questions, problems, and sob stories to:
questionit@importtuner.com
Ethanol Power
I own an '09 WRX with a turbo-back exhaust, intake, and Cobb Accessport-reflashed ECU, making 256 whp and 308 lb-ft of torque. I'm looking for advice on what my next move should be. I've read that running E85 with bigger injectors, an FMIC and turbo upgrade is the next step towards making additional power. Do you recommend investing in some internal engine upgrades to withstand the sudden power boost? I'm out of my league on this but am eager to learn. I want to make 400 whp safely.
-Code Name: Tom
US Army, Iraq
The EJ255/257B engines are known to have weak pistons from the factory, but piston damage usually occurs from detonation. Even if you changed the pistons with a set of forged pistons, proper tuning and parts selection are still required to prevent damage. HB Speed in Fountain Valley, CA, and Dyno Comp in Scottsdale, AZ, claim they have both built cars in excess of 400whp with stock pistons. I probably wouldn't do it myself, but both of these shops have good track records. Aside from proper engine tuning, running E85 with larger injectors and a front-mount intercooler (FMIC) are some of the best ways to combat detonation. Alcohol-based fuels like E85 can cool the intake air and reduce the chances of detonation. Another added benefit of E85 is it has an octane equivalent of 105 (R+M)/2. A front-mount intercooler is an absolute must in my opinion for any serious Subaru. It's a bad situation any time a heat exchanger like the Subaru intercooler sits on top of a massive heat source like its engines and turbos. One of the first things we learn in grade-school chemistry class is that heat rises. In addition, the '08 and newer GD Imprezas' hood scoops can actually cause a reverse in air flow at 130 mph, when the air pressure inside of the engine bay becomes too high-high pressure air flowing on the outside of the hood can actually draw air out of the engine bay through the hood scoop. This means that at over 130 mph, hot air from the engine is exiting through the top-mounted intercooler, turning it into an "interheater". While it is rare that you'll be going over 130mph, it sucks to know you're limited in efficient cooling and can end up with a set of melted pistons. A turbo upgrade is a must for the 400whp goal. No matter what parts you end up with, make sure you have your COBB Accessport professionally tuned for best results.
Suspension Tweaking
Can you recommend some books on the subject of chassis angle design (castor, camber, scrub radius, etc.) for real-world race and track car applications? I read the mags on a regular basis and understand that cars have evolved from early models into today's more advanced platforms, but I'm looking for more in-depth explanations of how it's done. I would especially like to learn more about proper track car setup and alignment.
-Chris
via importtuner.com
I've read dozens of books, tweaked plenty of suspensions, and worked alongside of, as well as asked, Mike Kojima of motoiq.com about 10,000 questions to learn what I know about suspensions today. I recommend Engineer to Win by Carroll Smith, which is easy and fun to read while still covering the subject in great detail; Competition Car Suspension: Design, Construction, Tuning by Allan Staniforth, which isn't quite as fun to read, but is very detailed; and Chassis Engineering, by Herb Adam, which I honestly don't remember much of, but is sitting on my bookshelf, so I must have read it years ago. Only if you read the books and then apply in real life what you learn will you be able to master the subject.