Archive for August, 2008
damn…I got h@x0r’d by MicroSoft.
Thursday, August 14th, 2008 | personal vendettas, teh internets | No Comments
So I’m screwing around on my pc, specifically about to look at my apache logs and thinking about blogging ‘How Google is Evil’ and instead of clicking Program Files, I click Documents & Settings. I ask myself, “why did I just click this?”. And then I see it…..User MCX1.
WHAT THE !@$%^&!!!!!!
..so I freak out. User MCX1 has been on my computer since May. How can I miss this? I run virus scans daily. I look inside the folder, frantically clicking around for traces of trojans….and then I see it. Recent Documents/WINBOM.Ink.
OMG!
I take a look at these shortcuts. They go nowhere. I see an Ink to a folder called sysprep. At this point I decide to unplug the cable modem right after I google WINBOM.
“This article describes the path order that the Microsoft System Preparation (Sysprep) tool uses to locate a Winbom.ini Answer file”……..so its an official file from Microsoft. Still shady. I google MCX1 user. “If you have any problem with your current MCE-to-XBOX360 configuration and you have to set up a new connection (with new XBOX password)”. I start reading the page…
!@#$!!@#!#!$!@#@!
..so what the !#@$ is that supposed to mean?
I’m a dumb-ass. I set up my XBOX/MCE crap back in May and haven’t used it since.
Any Given WORKday
Wednesday, August 6th, 2008 | personal vendettas | No Comments
So…while I restyle and retool this blog, I’ve been watching tv. Nothing really on, so I decide to watch the edited for TV version of Any Given Sunday. I’ve seen it before. Pretty good movie. Nothing special, right?
Well, I get to the part where Al Pacino’s character has Jamie Foxx’s character over for diner and I actually listen to their heated dialog. “Team, Leadership & Tradition vs Self, Determination & Taking Chances” is the theme and , if you haven’t seen the movie, the discussion ends as a stalemate. By the end of the movie, Jamie Foxx’s character learns about teamwork & leadership and is able to attain his goals by trusting and leading the team and Al Pacino’s character learns to take chances. Its a great learning movie.
…so what the !@#$ is that supposed to mean?
This movie is great because it can teach managers how to lead by example and not by orders or you’ll hear someone say in a meeting (hopefully in an Al Pacino-like voice): “He’s tearing this team apart!!!”
URLs
Wednesday, August 6th, 2008 | Land Rover Tips | No Comments
http://www.acdelco.com/html/catalog/
http://www.smpcorp.com/web_app/catalog/publicweb_bg.asp
http://www.borgwarnerbrand.com/#
LR Part Numbers I like to keep up with
Wednesday, August 6th, 2008 | Land Rover Tips | No Comments
These are just some part numbers I want to keep up with. Prices are “dealer” prices.
STC8369 -> Lucas Distributor Cap -> $44.43
STC1857 -> Ignition Rotor -> $41.77
NRC9770 -> Union Nut (fuel pump assembly) -> $8.23
NRC9771 -> Loose olive (fuel pump assembly) -> $2.64
BAU5311l -> Clock bulb -> $12.48
ESR500 -> Fuel pipe -> $65.40
NTC5859 -> Fuel tank grommet ->
WFE500740K -> Fuel tank
YBE100540 -> Speed Sensor -> $121
the great GAS debate
Wednesday, August 6th, 2008 | Land Rover Tips | No Comments
Gas is a funny subject…especially when its so expensive now. I’ve used cheap and expensive. Here are my findings:
93 octane vs 87 octane
No difference. Runs the same no matter what the level is
Additives
I have noticed a difference in power when using 87 octane and an octane booster….the STP brand in the orange bottle. The truck was more responsive and ran smoother…
I still believe 93 is a waste of money and i think any additive will really give you a performance boost.
Engine temperature vs 87 octane
I have noticed a significant difference when running 87 octane and using a 190 degree (or more) thermostat. I read somewhere that lower octane needs higher temperatures to burn, in case you need some background before you decide to go to the local auto parts store and buy a high temp therm.
The only downside: the engine will be pretty hot…especially in the summer months, so you may want to run a super-coolant additive and/or use a failsafe thermostat.
Thermostat
Wednesday, August 6th, 2008 | Land Rover Alt Parts | No Comments
No one seems to carry the exotic LR thermostat….but apparently everyone carries the one that fits…..
AC DELCO
->12T1F -> OEM 192 degree
->12T1E -> 195
->12T1B -> 180
2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee L6 4.0
-> Stant Superstat 195 degree -> 45359 ->partsamerica($7)
Since the temp fluctuates so much, using a fail safe thermostat (autozone, actually listed under LR D1) is useless…It will last about 3 months before it “detects” an overheat and locks open.
I suggest paying some money for a HD or high performance therm.
Temp Switch
Wednesday, August 6th, 2008 | Land Rover Alt Parts | No Comments
Another crucial emmissions piece. They say you need to drain your radiator to install, but thats really unnecessary. Just unscrew/screw quickly.
1989 Saab 900 L4 2.0 -> GP Sorensen 385029 -> partsamerica($18)
partsamerica actually has a temperature sensor listed for the Disco, but the local Advance Auto isnt able to order it.
standard TX107 ($20)
Stepper Motor-IACV-Throttle Body
Wednesday, August 6th, 2008 | Land Rover Alt Parts | No Comments
The stepper motor is quite delicate and often gets screwy @20k to 30k miles. Its also called the throttle body and idle air control valve. I personally like the echlin brand, but the price went from $30 to $60…midas well get the DELCO since it seems to last 3 times as long.
1995 Chevy Tahoe
mileage plus -> MPF31738 ->napa ($32)
Echlin -> CRB21738 -> napa ($59)
GP Sorensen -> 77910003 -> partsamerica ($28)
Niehoff -> 21738 -> partsamerica ($40)
AC/DELCO -> 217437 -> GM dealer ($74)
Rotor, Distributor Cap & Spark Wires
Wednesday, August 6th, 2008 | Land Rover Tips | No Comments
Unfortunately, only lucas parts will work. If you use anything else, you’re gonna misfire or not pass inspection. There seems to be an issue of craftsmanship that either the US part makers or Lucas screws up.
I bought the Beck/Arnley version from partsamerica and unlike the Lucas, it had a dull, rough finish and fit loosely. The Lucas part was shiny and fit like a glove.
If you plan on splashing around in the water, you may want to just buy the Lucas…Its blue, btw.
Atlantic British has the best deal for them.
As far as wires, rumor has it that the Lucas “leads” are the only wires that will work. That’s a myth. However, you cant just buy any type of wires. I’ve had success with Autolite Pro wires i bought from partsamerica.
Rover connection sells the high dollar Magnacor wires and atlantic british has the “updated” rover wires.
Napa also has a set (1756008 -> $42)
Speed Sensor
Wednesday, August 6th, 2008 | Land Rover Tips | No Comments
If your rover starts to misfire at mid range speeds, this sensor might be trashed. Its designed to misfire at high speeds to slow your truck down.
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