Stupid Elections!

deriley · Post by **deriley** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 1:45 pm

Can't wait until Tuesday, I'm so sick of all these commercials! Is there anything they can tell us that is possibly change our minds at this point?
Or a recorded message via telephone! Of coarse here in Washington it's going to last for 6 more months with all the recounts that will need to be done and then of coarse the lawsuits. Arrgh!

Rick)rox · Post by **Rick)rox** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 4:19 pm

Fur reals.

spidernut · Post by **spidernut** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 6:00 pm

Pray the U.S. doesn't go the way of Japan. They just finished their elections. Every day for a month, from about 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., vehicles drove through residential areas with bullhorns on the top as they touted the benefits of voting for their candidate (at about 350 decibels). It is reaaaaaaally annoying because they passed my house about 4-5 times a day.

I must say, I don't miss the political ads in the U.S. though I still hear them on internet radio (my only real connection to the U.S. media).

It makes me wonder what would happen if they talked about the real issues instead of talking about how they're not as bad as the other candidate.

Instead:

- Maybe they can explain how, with all the pollution laws in California, that the state has recorded record level greenhouse gasses.

- Maybe they can explain why we, in the military, can't afford bond paper but we can afford to use Federal funds for various farm subsidies and for building un-needed roads to nowhere.

- Maybe they could discuss why Brazil freed themselves from dependence on foreign oil using ethanol (costing less than $1 per gallon) and the U.S. is lagging so far behind sucking down crude oil.

- And lastly, maybe they can explain why I can't remove all that pollution crap from my 79 Spider and replace it with fuel injection which decreases emissions, increases fuel economy and increases horsepower.

I thank God for our great country and the right to have freedom of speech in the political process, but I share your frustration. I think that they have to advertise so much because they have no real solutions to the problems. If they did, they wouldn't have to advertise so much.

Jim DeShon · Post by **Jim DeShon** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 6:47 pm

After 61 years of life, my view of politicians is pretty much set......
"If thier lips are moving, they're lying".

J.D.

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 9:27 pm

it certiainly is one of the most entertaining times of year, and most of the crooks are exposed. I wouldn't miss it for the world! I only wish just some of the elections weren't rigged these days

bandit · Post by **bandit** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 10:14 pm

I would think the Traffic issues in LA would be at the top of the list
but of course not this issue is some where in the mix but way way
done the list of Prop's to vote on yet with 2 to 3 hour drives for only
30 to 40 miles thats crazy . I agree with you spidernut we need to
solve the greenhouse gas problems here in Cali and you should be
able to upgrade your spider to a FI system that just stupid not to
allow people to do this .

Daniel

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 10:41 pm

we've had the discussions of Calif vehicle emission laws in the past. But what it boils down to is how many people are quailified to modify their vehicle and can they verify the emissions are lower than with the factory setup? Sure, a diyer can install an FI system, but who is going to verify that the af ratio isn't adjusted to 10:1 CO? CARB decided decades ago that they wouldn't allow home-built systems. OEM mfgs guarantee the EPA that their cars will stay within Federal guidelines for 70,000 miles (originally 50,000 miles). How many individuals can do accurate testing from cold-start through a whole drive cycle and guarantee their home-built system will maintain those levels for 70,000 miles?
You've got to admit, that nearly everyone that modifies their car does it for more power. If increased mileage results, well that's a bonus, but if the car isn't going to be faster then the mods won't happen

fiater · Post by **fiater** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 3:28 am

I care a great deal about the environment but, isn't worrying about emissions on collector cars like spitting in the ocean? They're so few on the road that some states leave the hobby alone. Here in New York, cars over 25 model yrs. old are exempt from emissions and only need a safety inspection (the fee's even lower). Sadly, not all insp. stations know that! Some are under the impression that all orig. smog equip. has to be in place. I had to persuade a local station to re check the law and to run my car thru inspection. The system's all computerized now and he was surprized the my Spider went thru. I'll have to see if I could switch to FI here if I wanted to.

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 6:14 am

California must have more older cars to contend with. I'm surprised NC has dropped emission testing on everything older than 1996. Only cars with the OBDII systems get emission testing while all others get a safety inspection unless the car is 35 years old. Then they don't even care about safety!

Fullcontact · Post by **Fullcontact** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 11:32 am

mdrburchette wrote:California must have more older cars to contend with. I'm surprised NC has dropped emission testing on everything older than 1996. Only cars with the OBDII systems get emission testing while all others get a safety inspection unless the car is 35 years old. Then they don't even care about safety!

Pack your bags honey, we're moving to NC....

spidernut · Post by **spidernut** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 7:20 am

Mark,

You asked "but who is going to verify that the af ratio isn't adjusted to 10:1 CO?" Isn't that what the emissions testing is all about?

As a professional mechanic, how do you believe we could convince Cal EPA that they need to focus on the outcome (tailpipe emissions) instead of the process (the fuel and exhaust system configuration)?

Our classic car emissions systems are getting harder and harder to keep in a state of repair. Parts are difficult to find, if not impossible. With the thermal control valves, gulp valves, archaic carburetors, etc., there will soon be a time when they cannot comply with the "stock equipment standards" and will have to be pulled from the roads.

I think we need to be proactive about this, not wait until our cars will have to be crushed. I'm looking for a solution to change Cal EPA's minds...and we all know Arnold isn't behind us on the issue at all.