H I H I F i f i i i k l l 2004 IA I INTE NATIONA OAT SHO l l l IC THE ONTIAC ll E O ANCE l l l l 400 INNE l l S EE STA ES l 2004 GENE A OTO SHO ll l l ll

l l l l ll l l l l l ll 2004 NE YO INTE NATIONA A TO SHO l T Y l l l TO ENTE l l ll Y l ll l l l l l l l l п i erf rm п e 400 l AII f he rre l п er iII be G EAT GI TS O G ADS u m i II eп ered iп T he eep ke iп free puI r e h пi l l l C r C re k ll l l l OOD U !

l l l l ll ll ll ll l l l ll l l l l l l ll l l l ll ll ll l ll l l l l l l l l ll l l l ll - l l ll l ll l l l l ll ll l l l l l l ll ll l l l l l MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х E i - - i Joe Oldham Ii Bill Congdon i i Bryan Canniff i Ii Jane Wladar 0 0 E 212/649-2904 i E i Sarah Deem I Bruce A. Mitnick We want it to be easy for you to E i i Michael Kresch communicate with us.

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MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l ll l l l ll l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х Х Х F Х Х Х Х EI i i Extracting energy from fine, except for the several a former Coast Guard cap- as the generatorТs stator.

waves and tides is among hours of slack periods tain who spent 25 years The motion of flowing manТs most enduring tech- between tides. working off the unforgiv- water produces a reliable nological daydreams. And It is precisely for these ing coast of Alaska. УBeing electric current.

like most dreams, it has reasons that the power around water, you see how Williams hopes to sell lo failed to materialize. extractor created by Gulf much energy it contains,Ф cal utilities in coastal states The problem is that the Stream Energy of Palatka, he tells POPULAR MECHANICS. on the idea of using his ex sea is a far harsher environ- Fla., has captured the at- His extractor consists of tractor to capture energy ment than most designers tention of the U.S. Navy a ring of turbine blades from the steady current realize. Gearboxes in wave- and public utilities. that acts as the rotor of a of the Gulf Stream.

motion systems are eaten The company is com- generator. The blades re- E i Jim Wilson Stefano Coledan, Scott alive by corrosive seawater. mercializing an idea con- volve inside a circulator Gourley, Malcolm Lowe, John McKelvie, Tidal power systems work ceived by Herbert Williams, housing, which functions Barry Rosenberg, Andy Turnbull.

MAY 2004 0 E.COM l l l Х is frigid, the area near the vent reaches temperatures between 105 and 107F i due to a chemical reaction After a 3-decade hiatus, that takes place between the Los Alamos National seawater and the mantle Laboratory has restarted rock below. Plentiful quan work on a nuclear-pow tities of both materials ered rocket. Engineers means that these forma for the New Mexico tions, called Уsmokers,Ф can lab say one will propel remain stable for as long NASAТs Jupiter Icy as 100,000 years. The term Moon Orbiter mission derives from unusual to Europa. The ice-cov smokelike shapes that have ered Jovian moon is formed near the vents over believed to conceal a the centuries. Here, what massive sea, which may appears to be a cloud is a be brimming with life.

7-ft.-tall flange made of Design choices have snow white carbonate.

been narrowed to a Scientists from the Uni helium-, sodium- or versity of Washington in i 0 i E liquid-metal-cooled Seattle have been investi fission reactor, rated at A hydrothermal vent in the earliest life on Earth. gating the site. They plan 500 to 1000 kilowatts.

the mid-Atlantic Ocean is Known as the Lost City, to continue their studies Liftoff is set for giving scientists what they the 18-story-tall vent emits of the area in the hope of at the earliest.

believe is a glimpse of the chemically rich, heated sea- gaining further insights incubator that nurtured water. Although the ocean into how life first evolved.

i I I i I i i i I i i i Before vegetables are frozen, they undergo blanching, which, among other things, helps preserve a fresh-picked glow. The process involves dipping cut vegetables into boiling water, then quickly cooling them. The downside of hot-water blanching is that it consumes large amounts of energy and water, which later literally goes down the drain. The new Vapor-Flow system from Lyco Manufac turing of Columbus, Wis., blanches with water or steam.

Besides cutting costs, steam blanching locks in more flavor and nutrients and makes frozen vegetables crispier than Life-size 3D holograms Dallas-based Teleportec water that allow executives to says the system shows im blanch virtually teleport them- ages in sufficient detail to ing.

selves to distant business replicate nuances in facial meetings via a standard expressions interrogators ISDN line may soon be rely upon to detect decep used to bring experts into tion. The chief attraction is interrogation cells to ques- that the technique saves tion suspected terrorists. travel time when every James Stephens of second counts.

l l l iII I iI NASA will try to sail in space. After launch, the Inertial Stellar Compass mission will deploy a plas tic sail that will be pushed by the pressure of sunlight.

The Solaris sail provides a low-cost alternative to con ventional propulsions, says Charles Chafer, President i I of Team Encounter, the Houston-based solar sail With their vaulted ceilings Sean Tracy of FACE Design Уstructural bentsФ that are developer. Liftoff is in 2005.

and expansive interiors, tells POPULAR MECHANICS. bolted together on the converted barns make Instead, his Brooklyn, N.Y., ground and then lifted into luxurious homes. But old architectural firm devel- anchors in the foundation barns were built with what oped a new type of modu- walls. Horizontal I-beams are now hard-to-find lar steel building system brace the bents and pro woods. УIt didnТt seem en- that borrows heavily from vide contact points for iI I vironmentally responsible old-fashioned barn raisings. hanging the wall panels.

to utilize heavy timber in The superstructure uses The first home, above, a modern construction,Ф hollow tube sections called took five weeks to build.

0I E i II 0 I A flying saucer-shaped aircraft propelled by a Уcontrolled tornadoФ is be ing jointly developed by RussiaТs Saratov Aviation Center and the U.S. Navy.

The propulsion system uses a concept called vor- Heart patients could soon tex oscillation, which is get healthier while waiting rumored to have been for a donor organ. The developed in the Soviet Total Artificial Heart from Union during the 1960s. CardioWest of Tucson, Ariz., An internal powerplant shown above. Depending down or in any direction. restores normal blood creates a rapidly swirling upon the angle at which A small, unmanned ver- pressure, thus relieving airflow that is aimed down- the swirling air is ejected, sion could be flying in stress that damages the ward from the craft, as the craft can move up or about three years. kidneys and liver.

l l l of the soil that thaws in the summer, has become thick er. And, in some areas, the normally solid permafrost has disappeared altogeth er. Scientists say these changes are of grave con cern because the active lay er releases large amounts of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.

An avalanche and landslide were blamed for 11 deaths in early March. An avalanche near the Iranian border killed seven members of one family in their home. Three others were swept away.

The 11th death occurred in a landslide in the eastern A dust storm October to April and is The soil in sub- province of Erzurum.

that swirled along parts of frequently accompanied arctic bogs in the Abisko U.S. Highway 84, 20 miles by heavy flooding and region has undergone a A magnitude southeast of Lubbock, is mudslides, reached its peak dramatic change over the 6.5 earthquake struck the being blamed for a 30-car on Feb. 19. Overflowing past 30 years, according to port city of Al Hoceima at pileup that killed two and streams put parts of Jakarta an international research 2:30 am on Feb. 22, killing injured 11 on Feb. 19. beneath knee-deep waters, team led by the GeoBio- 600 and injuring hundreds forcing some 10,000 of the sphere Science Centre at more. Falling debris The rainy cityТs 13 million residents Lund University. The so- trapped many in their season, which runs from from their homes. called active layer, the part beds as they slept.

i i The health risks associat ed with exposure to sol vents and other organic compounds that evapo rate at room tempera ture may be three times higher than previously estimated, according to I II i i a new study of indoor Customers who squeeze changes color to indicate to the gases changes color air by the Johns Hopkins fruit to test ripeness are an relative ripeness. from red to yellow. A color Bloomberg School of expensive problem for This idea was based on scale on the package indi- Public Health in Balti grocers who are left with the fact that certain fruits cates the condition of the more. УThe public health bins of bruised produce. release ethylene and other fruit at each stage of the implications of our find New Zealand scientists gases as they ripen. As the color change. Freshness- ings loom large,Ф says have discovered a more concentration of gases in- indicator packages are Timothy J. Buckley, the accurate and far gentler side the package increas- being tested with Anjou reportТs senior author.

approach. It is a label that es, a sticker thatТs sensitive pears in Oregon.

l l l l l l l l l l l l - ll l l l ll l l ll ll l ll l l l l l ll l l l ll l l l l l l l l ll l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l ll l ll l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l ll - l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll ll l l l l ll l MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х l ll l l l l l ll l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll ll l l l l l l l MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х l l l l l l l l l l ll l ll l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l ll ll l l l l l l l l ll l l l l ll ll l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l ll l l l l ll l l l ll l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l ll ll l l l l l l ll ll l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l ll l l ll l l l l l l l l - l l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х ll l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l ll ll l l l l l l ll l l l l l l ll ll l l ll l l l ll ll l l l MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х l l - l l l l l ll ll l l l l ll l l l ll ll l ll l ll l l l l l ll l l l l l l ll l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll ll l l l l l l ll l l l ll l l l l l l l ll l l ll l ll ll l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l ll ll l l l ll l l ll l l l l l l l l l l ll ll ll l l l ll l l l l ll l MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х l l E l ll l l l l ll l l ll l l l l ll l l l 0 E l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l ll ll l 0 E l l l l ll l l l l l l l ll l l l l ll l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l ll l E E 0 E E ll l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l ll l l l l l ll l l l l ll l l ll ll ll ll l l l l l l l l ll ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll ll l l l ll l l l l l l ll l l ll l l l l ll l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l ll 0 E l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l E E l l l l l ll l l l l l l ll l l l ll l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l 0 E 0 E l l l l l MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х ll l - - - - l ll l l l l l l l l l l ll l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l ll ll l l l l ll ll ll ll l l l l l l ll l l l l ll l ll l ll l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l ll ll l l l ll l l l l l ll l ll ll l l l ll ll ll l ll l ll l l l l ll ll ll l l l l l l ll l l ll l l ll l ll l ll l l l l l l l l l l ll l l ll l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l ll MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х For light-duty work or small jobs such as removing a single branch, itТs pretty hard to beat electric tools for fast and efficient work. ThatТs why we like the Homelite 18-volt cordless pruning kit. In it you have a 10-in. chain saw, an 18-in. hedge trimmer, and a telescoping pole pruner with a 5-in. blade that reaches up to about 5 ft. You get all three with two batteries and the recharger for $180. The kit is sold at The Home Depot. Contact Homelite Consumer Products, 1428 Pearman Dairy Rd., Ander son, SC 29625;

800-242-4672;

www.homelite.com.

If you like to sleep with your toys, check out the new GearBOX LSV (Lifestyle Support Vehicle). It is a towable trailer with a fold-down ramp door that will haul your toys (ATVs, motorcycles, snowmobiles, etc.) to remote locations and give you all the comforts of a nicely equipped RV. ThereТs a full-function galley, queen-size sleeper and bathroom with a stand-up shower. A variety of sizes and floor plans are available. The trailers start at $24,000 at Fleetwood RV deal ers. Contact Fleetwood Enterprises at 909-351-3500;

www.fleetwoodrv.com.

Reducing a tent to the bare minimum, the Vela featherweight solo tent replaces the traditional entrance zipper with a slide system. The entrance opens and closes by sliding up and along VelaТs one and only pole. Setup takes 1 minute. Just slide the pole through the sleeve and secure it. The inner canopy is already attached. The Vela weighs under 3 pounds and costs $189 at outdoor and sporting goods outlets. Call Exped at 888-609-7187.

Or go to www.exped.com.

One sound you wonТt hear is Уputt puttФ with the new Briggs & Stratton outboard. ThatТs because the 3-hp motor is electric powered. Something else you wonТt find is a high price tag. At $ for the tiller version and $1898 for the remote model, the 68-pound motor delivers a maximum thrust of 150 pounds and 75 pounds in cruise mode. The 48-volt power system delivers over 2 hours of run time at cruise, up to 7 hours at trolling speeds. The motor is available at select marine dealers and Briggs & Stratton dealers. Contact Briggs & Stratton at 920-674-4213;

www.briggspowerproducts.com.

One small step for Sony, one giant step for digital warriors everywhere.

i I If you love your Memory StickЧthe Motor Assembly Grease Sony media for use in digital devices such as cellphones, digital cameras i i I i i I i I and digital audio playersЧyouТll go gaga over the new Memory Stick PRO Duo For Motor Assembly Media.

About And So Much More!

one-third the size and half the weight of a iII I regular Memory Stick, the PRO Duo i i I I i II i Media is perfect for the digital war i I i i i i i i I rior always on the run. You get all i I i i the same utility of the full-size me I 0 i dia including MagicGate copyright E II i i iI i I protection. It is available in 256MB i i I i i I I and 512MB capacities and can trans I i Ii fer data at 20MB per secondЧfast enough to support high-resolution о video recording. It retails for $ i (256MB) and $300 (512MB). Visit i I i i i i www.sony.com.

I I i I iI I MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х Spring is an ideal time to seed bare ground, but crabgrass can get a foothold before the grass even starts. Now you can prevent crabgrass while hastening seed growth with Scotts Starter Fertilizer plus Crabgrass PreventerЧa prod uct that can be used on bare ground or when seeding an existing lawn. The 18-23-4 blend (nitrogen, phosphate and potash, respectively) comes in a 22-pound bagЧenough to feed and treat 5000 sq. ft.

Formula packs lots of features into its new 34 PC Perform- Scotts says it prevents ance Cruiser. The U-shaped lounge accommodates the crabgrass, barnyard grass entire crew for intimate entertainment. A design-inte- and foxtail with its 3. grated wet bar is always within convenient reach, and percent content of a her 16 cupholders means thereТs no need to share your drink. bicide called Siduron. It The spacious cabin offers up to 6 ft. 8 in. of headroom. costs about $36 at hard YouТll also find a full galley, a 20-in. flat-screen TV and ware stores, home centers room to sleep six. The offshore cruiser is available with and garden centers. Con sterndrive I/O or V-drive inboard with power ranging tact Scotts, 14111 Scotts from 300 to 375 hp. Prices start at $238,600 with Mer- lawn Rd., Marysville, OH cruiser Twin 350 MAG MPI Bravo Three power. Contact 43041;

800-543-8873;

Formula Boats at 260-724-9111;

www.formulaboats.com. www.scottslawn.com.

CLEARER, BRIGHTER, EASY ON THE EYES NATURAL LIGHT FOR READING, WORK, AND HOBBIES ХCOLORS LOOK MORE VIVID AND TRUE TO LIFE ХSHAR VISIBILITY FOR DETAILS ХHEL S REDUCE EYESTRAIN So much like sunshine i eels like you e on vaca ion!

The Bell & Howell Sunlight Lamp could be the most important advance in lamps since the invention of the light bulb! It simulates outdoor sunlight, which is balanced across the entire spectrum of color visible to the human eye.

Eve y hin seems easie o see WAS This is the clearest, whitest, and brightest lamp we have found. Colors look more vivid and true to life.

NOW ONLY ItТs the perfect light for reading, working and all close up tasks and hobbies. There is virtually no glare, making this the perfect companion light for computer work.

EA Save on you elec ic bills!

The supplied high-tech 27-watt bulb gives as much light as an ordinary 150-watt bulb, but uses far less energy. The bulb can last up to 5000 hours - 5 times longer than other bulbsЧfor years of normal use.

We ve nicknamed ou Sunli h Lamp he I s ea o be alive lamp!

Many people say that dreary, dark days make them feel УblueФ and that bright sunny days have a cheerful and energetic effect. Now you can switch on the sunlight indoors every day of the year!

A o d abou his unhea d o p ice Table Lamp This lamp features the state-of-the-art performance you expect from the well-respected Only 9. Bell & Howell name. We have a special arrangement to offer it to you at an unbelievably low price. Orders will be filled on a first come, first served basis.

Wi h o dina y lamp Ge you loo lamp home o us 7. 9!

NOT AVAILABLE IN STORES If you choose the 4-payment plan, we will ship you the floor lamp with your Call oll ee TODAY o o de you Bell Ho ell first payment of $17.49 plus shipping and handling. After that weТll bill you Sunli h Floo Lamp hile supplies las !

Floor Lamp (60.5Фhigh): $69.95 plus S&H $17.49 once a month for three additional payments.3 year warranty.

Table Lamp (26Фhigh): $49.95 plus S&H Bell Ho ell Sunli h Lamp, Dep. Fo as es se vice call oll ee.O. Bo 5555 Thousand Oaks, CA 9 888 865 77 To o de by mail please call oll ee 24 hours a day, 7 days a week / We accept checks by phone!

888 865 77 7 o de ails.

l Iп u iп h II w P 8 00X ESC RT Yes, but what kind of plane?

The УPlane SpotterФ military aircraft identifi ESC RT cation guide pro vides the answer.

The guide contains photos, descriptions, and spec lists that give each planeТs use, branch of service, manufacturer, speed, range and ceiling. A relative aircraft size chart is included. The guide costs $8. Call 520-579- or visit www.planespotter.com.

HereТs just the thing to liven up dull office meetings or family gatherings or to just scare the cat. The Vectron Ultralite flying saucer lifts off and flies without wires or tethers. Just point the infrared controller (similar to your TV remote unit) at the Vec tron, pull the trigger, and it will take off and hover. Release the trigger and it will land. The soft propeller will stop if it comes in contact with your boss or the cat. The Vectron requires no assembly and costs about $ at toy outlets. Contact Science Tech at 800-637-3455.

MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х.

If you thought you couldnТt take basketball with you be cause your hoop is firmly attached to your garage, think again. Monster Basketball is a new twist on an old gameЧ and you can pack it up and play it anywhere. The inflatable basket goal stands 96 in. tall and is 72 in. across at the base.

Included are two ballsЧ37 in. and 24 in.Чand playing in structions. Or, make up your own rules. The complete setup weighs pounds and ships in a box thatТs 41 x 25 x One way to make lawn cutting more attractive is to make 9 in. Monster the job fun. The Ariens Sport-Zoom 1232 is a 12-hp, 32-in.

Basketball costs riding mower with dual hydrostatic transmissions. The $1099 from machine looks like thereТs nothing to it, but it weighs a Virtual Sports, bit under 500 pounds. That heftiness is due to its 1-piece 503-363-0013. steel chassis and a 12-ga. steel deck with 7-ga. steel Or visit www spindle reinforcement. The mower costs about $.monsterbasket at Ariens dealers. For more information, contact Stens, ball.net. 655 W. Ryan St., Brillion, WI 54110;

www.ariens.com.

If your backup power needs are extreme, you might consider this permanently installed Kohler generator.

Powered by a 56-hp liquid-cooled Kohler engine, the setup can produce up to 30 kilowatts. Better yet, it does so while operating at 65 decibels. ThatТs about the same amount of noise produced by a vacuum cleaner. It comes with all necessary hardware and a built-in mounting pad, and it produces a smooth, consistent voltage in sufficient quantity to power anything in your home or business from your computer to your central air conditioner. The model shown costs $8000 to $12, depending on the Outboard engine shift levers are sometimes difficult specifics of the to useЧespecially when long cable runs are involved.

installation. To find Mechanical connections to the throttle also can result a dealer, contact in power fluctuations. The PowerShift PB electronically Kohler, 444 High- connects shift and throttle functions to the engine and land Dr., Kohler, WI transmission for precise and instant power control. The 53044;

800-544- PB uses pushbuttons instead of levers to easily shift 2444. Or go to the transmission. The PowerShift PB costs under $ www.kohlerpower through marine outlets. Contact TechMarine at 877-484 systems.com. BOAT;

www.techmarine.com.

w p w l l MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х l l l l l l l l l ll l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l ll l ll l l l l l - l MAY 2004 0 E.COM l l l Х i I I INTAKE HEATED AIR INTAKE EXHAUST HOT-AIR TURBINE HEAT EXCHANGER/GENERATOR RADIATION SHIELDING HAFNIUM-178 FUEL X-RAY MACHINE HEAT DUCTS MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х PILOT SEAT l l l l CREW REST POSITION l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l COPILOT/ELECTRONICS ll l l OFFICER EJECTION SEAT ROTATES 180 l TO FACE ELECTRONICS PANEL l l l l l l l OPTICAL l l SURVEILLANCE l l SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR ll ANTI-ICING HEATING DUCTS l l l l l l l l ll ll l l ll l ll l l l ll ll l l MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х y y - ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll ll l l ll l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l ll l l l ll l l l l l l ll l 0 - l l ll ll l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l ll l l l l l E 00 - E l l ll l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l ll ll l l l l l l l l ll l l l ll l l l l MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х b w p by b l l ll l ll l l l ll ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l ll i l Check the PM. Zone Web site at I i i l MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х l l NAVIGATION CAMERAS l MINI THERMAL EMISSION l SPECTROMETER (AT REAR) l l PANORAMIC LOW-GAIN ANTENNA CAMERAS l l MAGNET ARRAY HIGH-GAIN ANTENNA l (FORWARD) ll SOLAR l ARRAYS ALPHA PARTICLE X-RAY l l SPECTROMETER MICROSCOPIC IMAGER ROCK ABRASION l l l TOOL MSSBAUER SPECTROMETER l l ll l l ll l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l - - l l l l l l l MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х l w l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l ll l l l l l ll l l l ll l ll l ll l l l l l ll l l l l l l - l ll l l l l l l l - E l Base price $77,650, Price as tested $81, Engine 5.4-liter/331.9 cu.-in. SOHC 24v super charged V8, HP 469 @ 6100 rpm, Torq e l ft.-lb. @ 2650 rpm, HP/Iiter ratio 86.9, Trans 5A Powertrain front engine/rear drive, AxIe ratio/ type 2.65:1/open diff., C rb weight 3990 lb.

l Weight/HP ratio 8.5, Tires Continental Sport Contact 2 MO, f 245/40ZR18, r 265/35ZR AcceIeration 0-30 mph 2.38 sec., 0-60 mph ll l l 5.06 sec., 1/4-miIe 12.89 sec. @ 115.81 mph l l ll l l l l l l ll l ll i i II l Base price $165,900, Price as tested $183, Engine 5.0-liter/303.0 cu.-in. DOHC 40v V HP 493 @ 7800 rpm, Torq e 376 ft.-lb. @ l 4500 rpm, HP/Iiter ratio 98.6, Trans 6M Powertrain midengine/all-wheel drive, FinaI drive ratio 3.08:1, C rb weight 3300 lb.

l Weight/HP ratio 6.7, Tires Pirelli P Zero Rosso, f 235/35ZR19, r 295/30ZR AcceIeration 0-30 mph 2.18 sec., 0-60 mph l 4.68 sec., 1/4-miIe 12.53 sec. @ 116.01 mph l ll l l l l ll l l ll l l l l l ll l ll l l ll l l ll l l l l I Base price $51,585, Price as tested $52, Engine 5.7-liter/354.6 cu.-in. OHV 16v V HP 405 @ 6000 rpm, Torq e 400 ft.-lb. @ rpm, HP/Iiter ratio 71.1, Trans 6M, Powertrain front engine/rear drive, AxIe ratio/type 3.42:1/ l limited-slip, C rb weight 3118 lb., Weight/HP ratio 7.7, Tires Goodyear Eagle F1, f 265/ l l 40ZR17, r 295/35ZR l AcceIeration 0-30 mph 2.09 sec., 0-60 mph 4.58 sec., 1/4-miIe 12.53 sec. @ 115.38 mph l l l ll l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l ll l l ll l l l l ll l l l l l l ll l l - l l l l l l l l l - l ll Base price $125,950, Price as tested $135, Engine 5.5-liter/336.4 cu.-in. SOHC 36v twin-turbo ll l V12, HP 493 @ 5000 rpm, Torq e 590 ft.-lb.

@ 1800 rpm, HP/Iiter ratio 89.6, Trans 5A Powertrain front engine/rear drive, AxIe ratio/ l type 2.65:1/open diff., C rb weight 4429 lb.

l l Weight/HP ratio 9.0, Tires Michelin Pilot SPORT, f 255/40ZR18, r 285/35ZR AcceIeration 0-30 mph 2.25 sec., 0-60 mph 4.62 sec., 1/4-miIe 12.48 sec. @ 117.42 mph l l l ll l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l ll l l l l l l Base price $119,165, Price as tested $139, Engine 3.6-liter/219.4 cu.-in. DOHC 24v twin-turbo l H6, HP 415 @ 6000 rpm, Torq e 415 ft.-lb. @ 2700 rpm, HP/Iiter ratio 115.3, Trans 6M Powertrain rear engine/all-wheel drive, FinaI l drive ratio 3.44:1, C rb weight 3388 lb.

l Weight/HP ratio 8.2, Tires Michelin Pilot SPORT, f 225/40ZR18, r 295/30ZR l l AcceIeration 0-30 mph 2.07 sec., 0-60 mph 4.46 sec., 1/4-miIe 12.39 sec. @ 118.43 mph l l l l ll l l l l l - l ll l ll l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l i - Base price $80,995, Price as tested $84, Engine 8.3-liter/505.0 cu.-in. OHV 20v V HP 500 @ 5600 rpm, Torq e 525 ft.-lb. @ 4200 rpm, HP/Iiter ratio 60.2, Trans 6M Powertrain front engine/rear drive, AxIe ratio/ type 3.07:1/limited-slip, C rb weight 3357 lb.

Weight/HP ratio 6.7, Tires Michelin Pilot SPORT, f 275/35ZR18, r 345/30ZR AcceIeration 0-30 mph 1.95 sec., 0-60 mph 4.30 sec., 1/4-miIe 12.07 sec. @ 120.04 mph Base price $139,995, Price as tested $145, (Est.), Engine 5.4-liter/330.0 cu.-in. DOHC 32v supercharged V8, HP 500 @ 6000 rpm, Torq e 500 ft.-lb. @ 4500 rpm, HP/Iiter ratio 92.6, Trans 6M, Powertrain midengine/rear drive, AxIe ratio/ ll l type 3.36:1/limited-slip, C rb weight 3350 lb.

l l Weight/HP ratio 6.7, Tires Goodyear Eagle F Supercar, f 235/45ZR18, r 315/40ZR AcceIeration 0-30 mph 2.01 sec., 0-60 mph 3.43 sec., 1/4-miIe 11.69 sec. @ 122.74 mph l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l - i I i Base price $82,700, Price as tested $84, On paper, AudiТs limited-edition RS 6 is Engine 4.2-liter/255.0 cu.-in. DOHC 40v twin-turbo V8, HP 450 @ 5700 rpm, Torq e 415 ft.-lb. @ a shoo-in. After all, it gets a more-than 1950 rpm, HP/Iiter ratio 107.1, Trans 5A respectable 450 hp and a healthy Powertrain front engine/all-wheel drive, FinaI ft.-lb. of torque from its twin-turbo drive ratio 3.20:1, C rb weight 4024 lb.

Weight/HP ratio 8.9, Tires Dunlop SP Sport 4.2-liter DOHC V8. Audi pairs this motor 9000 RS, 255/40ZR with its proven Quattro all-wheel-drive AcceIeration 0-30 mph 1.95 sec., 0-60 mph 4.99 sec., 1/4-miIe 13.15 sec. @ 106.37 mph system. But short of hooking up a nitrous oxide bottle to the German se dan, we could not get the RS 6 into the a couple of cracks at hustling it down start in less than 13 seconds. Make no 12-second bracket. We tried every driv- the strip. Basically, we did everything we mistake, the Audi RS 6 is one quick ma ing style any one of us could come up could think of, but we couldnТt get this chine. Just donТt challenge a guy in a with. We had everyone on the staff take sedan to cover 1320 ft. from a standing Mercedes E55 AMG to a drag race.

l l ll l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l I i i l l Base price $395,000, Price as tested $447, ll Engine 7.0-liter/427.2 cu.-in. OHV 16v V HP 550 @ 5900 rpm, Torq e 560 ft.-lb. @ l ll 4000 rpm, HP/Iiter ratio 78.6, Trans 6M l l Powertrain midengine/rear drive, AxIe ratio/ type 3.22:1/limited-slip, C rb weight 2750 lb.

l l Weight/HP ratio 5.0, Tires Pirelli P Zero Rosso, ll f 275/30ZR19, r 345/25ZR AcceIeration 0-30 mph 1.87 sec., 0-60 mph l l l 3.74 sec., 1/4-miIe 11.51 sec. @ 127.38 mph l MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х y p l l l l l ll l l l l ll l ll ll l b y l y y ll l ll l ll l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l VIDEO REFERENCE ONLY PITCH- PITCH- l TRACKING TRACKING CAMERA 1 CAMERA E 0 l l l 0 E E E l l l l ll FIELD-LEVEL FIELD-LEVEL l CAMERA CAMERA (FOR SNAPSHOT OF (FOR SNAPSHOT OF l LEFTHANDED BATTERS) RIGHTHANDED BATTERS) l ll l ll l l l ll ll l l ll ll l l ll l l l l l ll l l l ll l l ll l l l l l l l l l l ll l l ll l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l l MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х - l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l ll l l l ll l l ll l l l ll l l ll l l ll l l ll ll ll l l l l ll l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l ll l MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х l l l l l l ll l l l ll l l l l l l b p l l b b p w p l l l l ll ll l ll l l l l ll ll l ll l ll l l l l l l l l l ll l ll l l l l ll l l l l ll ll ll l l l l l ll l l l l ll l l l ll ll ll l l l ll l ll l l l l ll ll ll ll l ll l l l ll ll ll l ll l ll l ll l ll l l l l ll ll l l 0 i i II Years ago, baseball players As a longtime baseball fan generated by the interaction pitch. To throw a rising fast and fans commonly believed and a physicist specializing in of the spinning surface of the ball, the Magnus force must that it was possible to throw a the physics of sports, I was ball with the air. The ball gen- be directed upward, oppos rising fastballЧa pitch that curious to find out whether erates a low-pressure wake ing the pull of gravity, and would curve upward or hop the rising fastball was for real. behind it as it moves through this can be achieved by as it approached the batter. After all, a baseball must obey the air, but if the surface is throwing the ball with back This could be done, it was the laws of physics, and there spinning, the wake is deflect- spin. If the Magnus force is thought, by gripping the was a well-established theory ed sideways. According to greater than the weight of baseball across the seams and sufficient data available NewtonТs law of action and the ball, then the net force on and releasing the pitch with a to allow me to calculate the reaction, if the ball deflects the ball will cause it to rise.

wrist snap that would impart aerodynamic forces on a the air to one side, the air will When I ran computer simu a pronounced backspin on baseball in flight. The basic push the ball in the opposite lations of pitches, I made the ball. Although they could principles are relatively sim- direction. The Magnus force some interesting discoveries.

not explain why it happened, ple. After the ball leaves the always acts perpendicular to I learned that over the stand pitchers, batters and catchers pitcherТs hand, it is subject to the path of the ball, deflect- ard pitching distance of were convinced that if the just three forces: gravity ing it sideways according to 60 ft. 6 in., a ball loses about pitch were thrown at high (equal to the weight of the the direction of spin. It is this 9 percent of its initial speed speedЧover 90 mphЧit ball) pulling it vertically force that allows pitchers to due to aerodynamic dragЧ would rise as it crossed the downward;

aerodynamic throw a repertoire of break- thus a pitch launched at plate, causing the batter to drag, created by the collision ing ballsЧcurveballs, sliders, 90 mph will have slowed to misjudge the trajectory and of the ball with the surround- sinkers, etc.Чby adjusting 81 mph when it reaches the swing under the ball. They ing air, which reduces its for- the rate and direction of the batter. The pitch takes only were certain the ball rose be- ward speed;

and what is spin on the ball along with about 0.44 second to cover cause they could see it rise. known as the Magnus force, the speed and location of the the distance. During this l l l MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х ll ll ll l l l l ll l l l ll l ll ll l ll ll l ll l l l ll l l l ll l l ll ll ll l ll ll l ll l ll ll l l l ll ll ll interval the ball falls about I concluded that the rising 3 ft. due to the pull of gravity. fastball is an optical illusion.

l A batter has less than half a The ball appears to rise only second to judge the trajec- because it doesnТt fall as tory of the ball, decide much as the batter expects it l ll whether to swing, and then toЧin other words, the ball l l l bring his bat around to the rises only in relation to the projected point of contact. batterТs expectations.

l l ll Hitting a baseball at the ma- Over time, a number of l jor league level, I discovered, other scientists have verified l is a truly remarkable feat. my results. The most convinc l Most significantly, I discov- ing confirmation has come ered that in order for the ball from real-time tracking of to truly rise in flightЧfor the baseball pitches using multi- l Magnus force to exceed the ple video cameras and rapid l weight of the ballЧthe pitch computerized reconstruction would have to be launched of the trajectories. To the best with a backspin of more than of my knowledge, no one has ll 3600 rpm. This is far beyond ever recorded a fastball rising the capacity of any major as it crosses the plate. A ll l league pitcher. High-speed Google search on the term ll photography shows that Уrising fastballФ reveals doz l spin rates of about 1800 rpm ens of articles all attesting to ll ll are the best that can be the fact that the rising fast ll l ll achieved. Thus, it is not hu- ball is an optical illusion. To manly possible to throw a the exquisitely trained eyes l ll true rising fastball. With the of a top-flight batter or ball spinning at 1800 rpm catcher, the ball appears to and traveling at 90 mph, rise because it does not fall l ll l ll the Magnus force retards as much as it would without l ll ll the vertical drop by a little the backspin.

more than a foot. Instead of dropping 3 ft. vertically on its way to the plate, the ball Check the PM. Zone Web site at drops slightly less than 2 ft.

I i MAY 2004 0 E.COM l l l l Х p w p w l ll l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l ll ll l 0 E E 0 ll l l l l l l ll ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l ll ll l l l l l l l l ll l ll l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l E E 0 E E E E 0 E E E E I 0 E 0 i i E E E E $290 45.4 83/106 No 10.4 1 0.4 NoSide $290 45 85.5/107 No 10.4 1.06 0.53 YesSide 0 E E 0 $370 45 85.5/107 No 10.8 1.06 0.53YesSide 0 0 - $280 44.3 83/107 Yes 9.9 1.05 0.81YesFront E 0 - $330 45 78.5/105 No 10.5 0.95 0.57NoFront 0 E E E $170 45 83/109 Yes 11.7 1.1 0.7NoFront 0 0 $230 45 80/101 No 12.8 0.86 0.61NoSide MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х E 0 - 0 E E E 0 l l l l ll ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll ll l ll l l l ll l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l - l l l ll ll l l l l ll ll l l ll l l l - l MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х l l l ll l l l l l l l ll - l l l ll l l l l l l l l - - l - l l ll l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l - MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х l l ll l l l ll ll - l l l ll l l ll - l l l ll l ll ll l l l l l l ll l ll l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l ll l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l ll l l ll l l l l l Check the PM.Zone Web site at l l ll I i MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х H II I l ll ll ll l l l l l l l ll l ll l l l l l l ll l l l l l ll l l l l l l ll ll - - - - l ll l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l ll l l l l i i i l l l Horsepower ll Transmission Gears l Fuel Diesel l l Drive 4wd Weight 2033 lb.

l l Height 83 in.

ll Width 58 in.

l Length 112 in.

l ll Ground Clearance 12 in.

l l ll ll 3-Point Hitch Standard l l l ll H I H l l l l l ll l l l l ll l l ll l l l l l l l ll l l l l l ll ll ll l ll l l l l ll ll ll l l MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х n IIIn I In b y b l l l l l ll l ll l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l ll l ll ll l l ll l l l l ll l l ll l l ll MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х l l l l l l l l ll l ll l l - ll l l l l ll ll - l l l l l l l l l l ll l ll l l l l ll l l l l l l ll l ll l l l ll l ll ll - MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х l l l l l l l l ll l l l l ll l l l ll l l l l ll ll l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l ll l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l ll - MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х l l l ll l l l l ll l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll ll l l l ll l l ll l l l l l l l ll l l l l l ll l l l l ll l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l ll ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х l l E E Bleed water rises to the top of a l l concrete slab after it is poured. l Some water will always rise to the surface, even if just enough to give the concrete an attractive sheen. Stand- ing water, however, is a sign of trouble, and it must be removed before concrete finishing proceeds. There are several causes for excess water.

Sometimes the concrete is delivered with too much water, or the home- owner requests that water be added to the mix to increase its workability.

Poor-quality materials used in the concrete also can promote excess water rising to the surface. If you finish con- crete with the water present, the sur- face will be weak and prone to damage from wear and weather. To remove the a water, two people can drag a garden hose over it, or one person can use a rubber squeegee. With either method, be careful not to remove cement along with the water. After the excess water is removed, finishing can proceed as nor- mal. Cover the concrete with a plastic sheet to help it dry slowly.

l l l l l l l MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х U H I H U I I I H H U I l l l l l l H - II- Ii - i I. II I II.

I.

I I II ill l i il i i i i. I I..

i l l i il i i i i l i Ii I I Just ask Norman about it. Send your questions to Homeowners Clinic, Popular Mechanics, i Seventh Ave., New York, NY 10019. While letters i I cannot be answered individually, problems of i iI general interest will be discussed in the column.

MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х l r u CIInI l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l ll l l l l l l l ll ll l l l l l l l l l MAY 2004 0 E.COM l l Х rr ibI r I It finally was time to replace the aging battery in her car. I was careful to reset the clock afterward, too. YouТd think IТd get a nice thank-you, but the response after a test ride was a catalog of things gone wrong. The radio station presets were gone. The engine ran poorly. The compass in the overhead console pointed to some alternate dimension. Complaints trickled in for days. The rearview mirrorТs auto matic positions were wrong. The power seat memory was frazzled. At least the engine started to run better after a shop ping trip. For the next battery swap, I got smart. I used a 9-volt transistor radio bat tery to maintain the engine management computerТs learned defaults. You can plug a battery into the lighter provided the socket stays on even when the key is Off. Otherwise, youТll need to use alligator clips to bridge into unswitched 12 volts somewhere. Be sure the doors are shut or the dome light is switched off.

l l Do you get a buzzing noise under the hood of your 2000-02 Honda Odyssey, especially with a hot engine and the a/c on? According to Techni cal Service Bulletin (TSB) 03-052, itТs probably the serpentine belt am- plifying the normal buzzing of the alternator. Replace the belt with a revised type.

Electrical problems on your late model (211) Mercedes E-Class may be the result of water entering the fuse box. This is caused by a blocked cowl drain. TSB P-B-62.003b shows how to trim the replacement valve to prevent it from becoming blocked.

Does the a/c on your 2002- Subaru Impreza gradually get warmer as you drive? Ice may be forming in the evaporator core, thus reducing Just ask Mike about it. Mail your questions to airflow. TSB 10-72-02R suggests re Auto Clinic, Popular Mechanics, 810 Seventh placing the original surface-mounted Ave., New York, NY 10019. While letters, faxes, phone calls or e-mail cannot be answered thermosensor probe with a fin individually, problems of general interest will mounted style to remedy this.

be discussed in the column.

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TM Cargo Liner applications to fit over 900 vehicle models! 800 6 acNe l Au m e Prduc s L m ed Х 2435 W scns n S ree Х D ners Gr e, L 60515 Х 630 769 1500 Х fax 630 769 0 0 l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l ll l l l ll l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l ll l l l ll ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l l l l l l ll l l l MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х VOIDS OIL TRANSMISSION ENGINE DOG BONE MOUNT - l l l l l l l l ll l ll l l l l l ll l l l l l ll l l ll l ll l l l l l ll l l l l ll l l l l l l DOG BONE MOUNT l l l l l l l l ACTIVE l l l MOUNT l l l l l l l l l l LOWER MOUNT l l ll SHOCK ABSORBING MOUNT LOWER MOUNT l l l l l ENGINE Honda was first to introduce a system that enlists the power of the engine manage the engine management computer to reduce vibration at idle. ment system.

The mounts are hydraulic with two fluid chambers. But these But thatТs passive. A are connected by orifices controlled by a vacuum-operated more sophisticated, rotary valve. When the computer sees idle speed or that the active approach, such VACUUM PORT a/c has been switched on (the load of the compressor can as originally used on roughen things), it commands a solenoid valve to allow engine certain Lexus models, vacuum to reach a diaphragm that, in turn, opens the rotary incorporates hydrau valve. This makes the mount softer, hence more able to absorb lic mounts with an in FLUID unwanted vibrations. If youТve suddenly noticed that idle is ternal diaphragm that CHAMBER not as smooth as it once was, the first thing to check is the pulsates at a frequen FRAME DIAPHRAGM vacuum line that runs down to the mount. If itТs intact, pull cy calibrated to pro the hose off the solenoid and find out if vacuum is present at duce a vibration counter to that of the engine at idle, thus the solenoidТs nipple during idle with the a/c on. No? Then canceling out that last little hint of roughness. Beyond check youТll have to refer to factory troubleshooting information for ing the wiring, diagnosis of this system is strictly high-tech.

l l ll l l l l ll l l l l l l l ll l ll l ll l ll ll l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l l 2 x l l l l l l l l l l l l ll l l ll l ll l l l l l l ENGINE MOUNT l l l l l ll l ll ll l l l MAY 2004 0 E.COM Х To reach over 9 million prospects, or for additional advertising information, call John Chaykin toll-free at: 1-800-394-5157, ext. Fax: 1-215-321-9636, or e-mail: jchaykin@mcneill-group.com. Thank you for choosing Popular Mechanics>

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