Versa Tuning! CVT Tuning! 03.08.10
So we had our first run in with a Versa the other day. Martin brought his Versa by a few months ago and we started figuring out the ECU. The issue we were most worried about was the CVT transmission. Unlike a normal car on the dyno where we watch the numbers based on RPM, we had to use MPH for these calculations. We were also worried about how to tune a car that under wide open throttle conditions really just sits at one RPM.
Things turned out surprisingly easy though, and our software has the control to accomplish tuning even on a CVT transmission car as long as the dyno is able to run MPH rather than RPM. Martin ended up with almost 5hp gain at the wheel and thats not bad considering these cars are rated at 107hp from the factory.
Team Lizard UK 01.04.10
Team Lizard
Abbey Motorsports in the UK has linked up with a small race team to provide support for their 350Z. They’ve had a good time so far and we expect to see some great results from them in 2010. We’ll be blogging along with them through the season so keep your eyes open.
Team Lizard at Brands Hatch
2006 and newer M35/M45 supported 12.14.09
We have full tuning support for the 2006 and newer M35 and M45 including forced induction. Contact your nearest Pro Tuner today!
Nobushige Wakatsuki, responsible for Nissan/Datsun in America passes at 81 12.09.09
Autoblog story link
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/09/nobushige-wakatsuki-the-man-responsible-for-bringing-nissan-dat/
Here’s a bit of interesting folklore for you history-obsessed car buffs out there. Nissan (then selling Datsuns) was tricked into coming to America. Seems that Nissan never planned to sell cars here, as they felt that their diminutive, economical rides were too small and slow for the mighty U.S. market. However, one man felt different: Nobushige Wakatsuki.
The year was 1958 and Wakatsuki had a job with Marubeni Trading Corp. where he was charged with finding Japanese products to import into the U.S. Wakatsuki approached Datsun’s management and asked them if they’d be interested in bringing the brand Stateside. After all, Toyota had just began selling cars to Americans in 1957. Wakatsuki was humiliated when he heard their blunt reply, “No.”
But Cazy Nobe — as Nissan execs would later refer to the then 29-year-old — refused to let a good business opportunity go to waste. He went ahead and procured some cars from Nissan under the pretense of a marketing exercise and proceeded to put them on sale. All of this was done behind Nissan’s back. Which really pissed them off. In fact, it took another full year of pestering before Nissan took over the dealer network Crazy Nobe established here in 1960. However, the joke is on them, as Nissan/Infiniti sold nearly 1,000,000 cars in the US last year.
Nobushige Wakatsuki died on November 13, 2009 at the age of 81. Thanks for all the good memories, Mr. Wakatsuki.
End User Tuner Update 12.04.09
End User Tuning now supports live tuning. You need to download the newest software from our support page and update the Cipher Cable firmware.
Now you don’t have to save, flash, save, flash. We have a 30 second flash and thats faster than everyone else, now you don’t even need to wait 30 seconds. All your adjustments can be done live.
End User Tuning is still only recommended for people who understand the basic concepts of tuning a vehicle.
Nissan doubles warranty on CVT transmissions! 11.17.09
Nissan is doubling warranties on all Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) to 10 years or 120,000 miles.
Big jump for them and a huge win for customers. Anyone who has had to pay for repairs within this new extended period on their CVT will be reimbursed by Nissan, simply fill out the forms located here Nissan CVT and follow instructions. Nissan is also working with manfuacturers and suppliers to lower the cost of service after the warranty period.
Tomorrow night! The Highball Austin. Join us 10.14.09
Hey everyone in the Austin area. Come check out The Highball with us tomorrow Thursday Oct 15th. Bowling, Skeeball, Karaoke, Dinner, Drinks…. There isn’t much missing here.
http://www.facebook.com/highballaustin
Location:
1142 S. Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX, 78704
Phone: 512-383-8309
Mon – Sun: 4:30 pm – 2:00 am
Come hangout with us and channel your inner “Dude” with some white russians and a few rounds of bowling!
Lower Pricing! Starting today. 10.01.09
We’ve decided there is no time like right now to help everyone get a closer to their ideal performance goals.
Cipher is dropping $100
Osiris Flash is dropping $100
Osiris Standard and Tuner are dropping $200
Contact your local Pro Tuner today, get your vehicles over to them, and save money NOW.
GT Motorsports and the first 370Z twin turbo kit. 09.21.09
GT Motorsports and Uprev Tuning are announcing the availability of the first Twin Turbo kit for the 370Z.
We’ve worked hard to produce the software the GT Motorsports needs to make this kit the best and first full kit available on the market. Contact Sam @ GT Motorsports today!
Mr. K prefers the Versa to the 370Z 09.21.09
Original story on Automotive News (subscription required) As posted by Jonny Lieberman on Autoblog:
Recently one of our bloggers raised the hackles of many a commenter by announcing to the world that he preferred driving a Nissan Versa to the new 370Z. You can hear the whole exchange on Autoblog Podcast #140. To protect this poor blogger’s identity, he shall remain nameless (we’ll call him Jonny X for short. No, too obvious. Let’s go with X Lieberman). Point is, obviously this person is out of his mind because who on earth prefers driving a economy car like the Versa to a Z? Turns out Nissan’s Mr. K.
Yutaka Katayama, known to American Datsun/Nissan fans simply as Mr. K, will be remembered for two very important cars: the 240Z and the 510, both of which are now considered classics. Mr. K turned one hundred years old on September 15, but age hasn’t tempered his mind. In fact it seems sharper than ever. Talking about the new 370Z, Mr. K calls it, “So-so.” He continues, “Very different from the 240Z. First, it’s very heavy, and it’s also very expensive.”
And not only does Mr. K feel the car new Z is too expensive, but that it’s not actually living up to the Japanese sports car legacy laid down by the 240Z, “I’d like to have a sports car like the Miata. The Miata is taking the place of the 240Z.” Harsh. But check this out, “Katayama has a 350Z in his garage but prefers to drive the family’s Versa compact.” And there you have it.
Mr. K would like to see the Datsun nameplate come back, and with sportier cars. “The fun of driving cars is the same as riding a horse. We need a car that is like riding on horseback. We are making robots. Robots don’t like human control.” Even at the ripe old age of one hundred, Mr. K just might be around to see his wish come true, “I just entered the 100s. I have a long way to go.”