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Michigan Speeding Warning

Update: Yep, a hoax. I should have tried Google, as suggested. Here it is from the MSP directly.

I got this email forwarded to me, one of those friend-of-a-friend chains that goes through a hundred people and winds up in your inbox. I don't know if it is reliable, so take it for what it is worth. If anyone can comment on the truthfulness of this chain mail, please comment.

Subject: Heads Up in Michigan.

Heads Up, In February, Michigan will launch a 30-day speeding ticket
frenzy.

The state estimates that 9 million dollars will be generated in
speeding tickets. 1 million will go to pay state troopers overtime.

There will be 50 state troopers on duty 24/7 patrolling the
following highways AND MORE!

I-75 North and South
I-94 From Ann Arbor to Port Huron
Entire length of I-96 & I-696
I-275 North and South
M-10 Lodge Fwy


Now, 5 mph above the limit can justify a ticket, and every state
trooper is supposed to pull a car over and write a ticket every 10
minutes. They have issued 30 brand new unmarked Crown Victoria
cruisers and they are bringing all their part timers on full time.


* Wear your seat belt,
* have nothing hanging from the rear view mirror,
* do the speed limit - use cruise control if you have it,
* no cracks in your windshield,
* and use your turn signals!

Ford Canada Ad Misfire

This news item caught my eye in my daily auto news scan: Ford Apologizes For Ad Campaign.
What could it be? Another dead cat? Too gay? Not gay enough?

The ad in question used the phrase "Drive it like you stole it", displayed on a bumper sticker stuck to an Escape. You would think the problem was that it encourages aggressive driving (of an SUV no less, shocking!) but apparently what got the Canadians hung up was also its glorification of car theft. From CBC Canada:

“You look at that and you think, ‘what were they thinking?’” said John Douglas, Manitoba Public Insurance Inc. vice president of public relations and corporate affairs. “Auto theft is a high-profile public issue in Winnipeg and in every major city across Canada. We’ve all had issues with vehicle thieves driving recklessly and endangering people.”

Apparently, our manly lumberjack northern neighbors are rather sensitive. The Winnipeg Free Press online poll shows that the majority of online responders are in fact offended:

Poll Results

Did you find Ford's 'Drive it like you stole it' ad offensive?

Yes	56%
No	44%

Total Votes: 1666

I think the Canadians are being a bit too sensitive on this one. But someone at Ford marketing should be smacked with a wild salmon, because the whole premise is stupid. You don't drive an Escape "like you stole it", you put on flannel and hiking boots and you go run over some endangered fauna on the way to your lumberjack camp and hunting lodge. The car you might aspire to drive fast is the Mustang GT.

CAFE Foreshadowing: GM Kills DOHC V8

The Edmunds news blog InsideLine has posted that GM has decided to cancel its future DOHC V8 intended for Cadillac, apparently to concentrate on its direct injection V6.

There may have been any number of reasons for this decision, and I am guessing cost was a big factor. GM probably decided it could make more money on its high-tech V6, while getting better fuel economy numbers as well.

As the new CAFE rules ramp in, I expect we will see a move away from V8 engines in cars and light duty trucks. I predict the automakers will try to meet the early CAFE standards in approximately this order:

• By adjusting powertrain mix. This is relatively easy and can be done now. Push consumers towards smaller engines, swapping I4s for V6s and V6s for V8s. Build fewer large engines, and bundle them with expensive options, to increase sticker price (and reduce demand). The I4 will become the most common powertrain in small and mid-sized vehicles. Timeframe: now.
• Adding technology to up-market engines. A base "appliance" sedan will be sold with a naturally aspirated I4 in the 1.8-2.5L range. The sport or luxury model would get an I4 with lots more power from turbocharging, direct injection, and other currently available tricks. Timeframe: 3 years out.
• Reducing weight. This one is tricky because doing it too aggressively can cause higher crash fatalities, one one hand, or dramatically increase vehicle cost on the other. Aluminum unibodies are fine if you are building $60,000 Jaguars, but they are not currently feasible for a $25,000 family car. Low hanging fruit include going to aluminum engine blocks and more high-strength steels for bodies. I think you will also see some tricks with interiors, such as thin mesh seats. There will be a move away from large, low profile wheels towards lighter weight designs. NVH may suffer as sound insulating materials are pared down to a competitive minimum. Timeframe: 3 years out.
• Reducing size. To reduce weight, and still have decent performance from a smaller engine, the key is to build a smaller vehicle. I expect more designs like the Honda Fit, where a high roof and upright seating position is used to compensate for a reduction in length. Large vehicles will still be built, but they will be up-market and low-volume. Timeframe: 5 years out.

In summary, what I predict is a more severe stratification of cars between economy and luxury, starting in the next 5 years or so. Most people will drive smaller cars with less powerful engines than they are used to buying now. People with more money to spend will be able to flaunt V6's and V8's, and larger body styles. Old school muscle cars like the Mustang and Camaro will be low volume, high price toys for wealthy (or very determined) buyers.

New Line of Remanufactured Automotive & Diesel Components Now Available Through Syd's Eastside & DRP

JASPER Remanufactured (Reman) Engines, Transmissions, Differentials, Marine & Electric Motors are Now Availabile at Syd's Eastside Auto and Diesel Rebuild Parts

Syd's Eastside Auto Parts is pleased to announce that we have acquired the sales rights for the nation's largest remanufacturer of gas and diesel engines, transmissions, differentials, marine products, performance products, alternate fuel engines and electric motors; JASPER Engines & Transmissions®. As JASPER covers both passenger automotive and heavy truck drivetrain applications as well as marine and electric motors, JASPER remanufactured (reman) engines, transmissions and differentials will be available through both of our websites at SydsAutoParts.com and DieselRebuildParts.com. We are currently updating the content on these two websites to reflect our new capabilities to offer the JASPER remanufactured parts line which was finalized last December, 2007.

JASPER offers remanufactured products that provide quality second to none. Their product line includes remanufactured gas engines, diesel engines, transmissions, differentials, marine components, electric motors and more. JASPER has even taken the lead in alternative fuels as an aggressive remanufactured engines converter for LP, CNG and Flex Fuel. JASPER has been an industry leader delivering superior quality remanufactured (reman) automotive products since 1942.

The following is an incomplete list of products in the JASPER Engines & Transmissions remanufactured product line:

LIGHT DUTY
• Gasoline Engines for passenger cars, light duty trucks, harsh duty trucks, industrial (non-automotive) applications, marine and high performance.
• Alternate Fuel Applications (LP, CNG & Flex Fuel) installation kits.
• Radiators
• Commercial Duty Engines such as for fire trucks, ambulance, recreational vehicles, towing, limousines and passenger cars.
• Marine Components include gas engines, stern drives, outboard motor units and velvet drives.
• Transmissions - front & rear wheel drive, domestic or asian, and automatic, standard or performance. And transfer cases, too.
• Commercial Duty Transmissions for recreational vehicles, towing and passenger cars.
• Differentials - Front & Rear in cars and trucks, Dana/Spicer, for Chrysler, Dodge, Ford and GM.

HEAVY DUTY
• Diesel Engines, both domestic and import, from midrange truck to industrial applications.
• Transmissions for transit or industrial/non-automotive applications as well as Highway Allisons.
• Differentials for trucks as well as industrial/non-automotive applications.

ELECTRIC MOTORS
• New Motors in Stock (AC & DC) fractional to 400 hp: Baldor, Marathon, Weg.
• Generators (Bus)
• Submersible Pumps

ALTERNATE FUEL
• Engines - LP, CNG and Flex Fuel.
• Parts
• Small Gas Engine Conversion Kits

PERFORMANCE ENGINES
• Through JASPER's Close Association with Penske:
• Class II Street rods, restored muscle cars & trucks, four wheel drive vehicles, recreational vehicles, towing & marine applications.
• Class III Racing

PERFORMANCE TRANSMISSIONS
• Class II Street rods, restored muscle cars & trucks, four wheel drive vehicles, recreational vehicles, towing & marine applications.
• Class III Racing

JASPER Authentic Custom Drivetrains
• Custom-built drivetrains
• Restored muscle cars and trucks
• Performance upgrades.

...and this is only a partial list.
Please call us for your individual needs.
1-800-505-5119


JASPER remanufactured products are built to industry specifications that are equal to or more exact than those used by the original equipment manufacturer. Every JASPER remanufactured product is thoroughly tested and/or inspected for quality assurance. And JASPER remanufactured products are backed by nationwide warranties - up to 3 years or 10,000 miles.

Why Reman?
The Remanufactured Difference Is...
The terms rebuilt and remanufactured are technically different:

Rebuilt

To rebuild is to recondition by cleaning, inspecting and replacing severely worn or broken parts. Serviceable parts which are found to be within the manufacturer's acceptable wear limits are reused.

Remanufactured

To remanufacture is to make as close to new as possible. The restoration of a component to the manufacturer's original performance and dimensional specifications, with updates as applicable. Most wearable parts are automatically replaced without regard to condition. All core material is closely inspected and checked against original equipment specifications for correct dimensional tolerances. Replacement parts are new and made in the same production process as the original equipment. Testing is performed to manufacturer specifications and original production standards.

Remanufactured products from JASPER provide a better value for your money, cost less and offer a substantial alternative to purchasing used vehicles of unknown performance or a new vehicle at great cost which depreciates immediately.

The bottom line is value, and JASPER remanufactured products provide more bang per buck in terms of longevity, durability and performance... what else is there? Give us a call for your best prices on JASPER remanufactured automotive products! 1-800-505-5119

Links:
Syd's Eastside Auto Parts
Diesel Rebuild Parts