Sideways Into Third :: Blog http://blog.sideways-into-third.com Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:29:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en Photos of Aiden available online, videos to come soon http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/61/photos-of-aiden-available-online-videos-to-come-soon http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/61/photos-of-aiden-available-online-videos-to-come-soon#comments Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:29:57 +0000 ArthurJGuy http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/?p=61 Hello all!

I am writing this post to remind everyone that all of the photos of Aiden are posted in his scrapbook in the gallery.    I have photos up to April of 2009 uploaded and have more photos (as well as videos) to come!

In order to see Aiden’s photos you will need to be logged into my site, if you do not remember your username or password email (or call) me and I can set things up for you.

Thanks!!!

]]> http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/61/photos-of-aiden-available-online-videos-to-come-soon/feed Customizing Nexus, how to program your autometer nexus gauges! http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/57/customizing-nexus-how-to-program-your-autometer-nexus-gages http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/57/customizing-nexus-how-to-program-your-autometer-nexus-gages#comments Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:57:30 +0000 ArthurJGuy http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/?p=57 Recently I added the TVS supercharger to the car and in doing so I needed a good set of gauges to monitor what was going on in the motor.   I chose the Autometer Nexus gauges for their warning indications and playback abilities.  I have known for a while that is is possible to program the opening and closing ceremonies of these gauges, but it was very difficult to find out how.

I spoke with Autometer who could not help me, I searched high and low on the Internet, and I finally found the answer on a NASIOC forum, which I will be reposting here for anyone else searching for this information.

First, you can use this information to customize the opening, closing, and demo ceremonies.   You will need notepad (not word, word pad, lotus notes, or open office - NOTEPAD), a 2GB or smaller SD card, and some free time.

First, customizing the ceremonies

File Usage
If there is more than one file of the same valid file extension on the SD Card,
the most recent created date and time will loaded into internal memory.

Filenames may be of any length, but will be truncated within the C4 remote
to 8 characters.  Filenames with the same first 6 characters will be
truncated to the 6 characters and a tilde (~) followed by an index number.

File Type Extensions
Opening Ceremony File:  .ocf
Closing Ceremony File:  .ccf
Demo Mode File:       .dmf

FILE COMMAND TYPE ID


Parameter ID    Data        Bytes   Valid Data           Description                                   ID
PP                        UWORD       2            0-1040                    Pointer position                                       0×00
PS                        UBYTE         1            0-36                        Pointer speed                                           0×01
DC                       UBYTE        3             0-63, 0-63, 0-63    Dial Color.  Red, Green, Blue dial color    0×02
RI                        UBYTE         1             0,1 (off, on)             Record Indicator.                                     0×03
PI                        UBYTE         1             0,1 (off, on)             Peak Indicator.                                         0×04
WI                       UBYTE         1            0,1 (off, on)              Warn Set Indicator.                                   0×05
TD                      UBYTE         1            0 - 255                     Time delay.  In 10th of second                0×06
LP                       NONE          0           NONE                        Loop command to loop Demo Mode.       0×07
CM                      NONE         0           NONE                        Color Morph turns on in ceremony.          0×08

UBYTE   Unsigned 8-bit value
UWORD Unsigned 16-bit value

You can download the stock ceremonies from the Autometer website, below is a new shutdown file from NASIOC user WR^2X that is more of an “instant off”.

ps 36
dc 0, 0, 0
pp 0
td 6

A quick translation of the closing sequence above would be Pointer Speed set to MAX (PS 36), Dial set to full black (DC 0,0,0),  Pointer Position zero (PP 0) and Time Delay 6.

To load the ceremonies to your gauges you insert your SD card, hold down the demo button on the Nexus remote, and turn the key on.    You should see a short green light and the gauges should boot up right away - that is it!

Hopefully this helps some of you nexus owners out there, it took me forever to find!

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1019396

]]> http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/57/customizing-nexus-how-to-program-your-autometer-nexus-gages/feed Logitech Harmony 520 Advanced Universal Remote FTMFW! http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/55/logitech-harmony-520-ftmfw http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/55/logitech-harmony-520-ftmfw#comments Tue, 06 Oct 2009 07:15:08 +0000 ArthurJGuy http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/?p=55 Recently we decided that it was time that we retire our 27″ CRT television and upgrade to something more “modern”.    So after a few weeks of shopping for the best deals we now have a new 50″ Plasma, DVD player, Dolby 5.1 Surround with AM and FM, as well as the DirecTV receiver to control.

I knew right away that living with two women it would be all but impossible to teach them how to swap inputs, enable surround sound, etc.    I was also disappointed that my DirecTV remote would not control my Surround/Stereo or DVD player.  I had setup Harmony remotes for clients before and knew the macro feature was exactly what I needed.

So I began my search to determine the model that was correct for me.   Upon seeing that many of the Harmony remotes were priced between $100 and $300 I was slightly unhappy as this was out of my budget.    I got lucky and found the Harmony 520 from RadioShack (apparently they are blowing out stock because they will no longer carry logitech) for a steal of a price (under $50).

Right out of the box this is an impressive remote.   It feels like a very solid piece that fits in your hand very well.   The buttons are not cheap and depress nicely.  The entire remote has a blue back light which matches my components that all have blue lights perfectly.  It really feels like a very quality piece.

Setup for a Harmony is a breeze.  There is no entering multiple codes for each device, you simply load the supplied software onto your computer, enter the model number of each device (which can be found on the back of the device or on the manual), and then download the program to your Harmony via the supplied USB cable.   Thats It!

My favorite feature of the Harmony is the macro feature.    You can setup “activities” which are lists of commands.    For example I setup an activity called “Watch DirecTV”, and when that button is pressed the harmony sends out the following signals:    All devices off - Surround Sound on - Surround Sound Aux Input - Surround Sound Aux Input  - TV On - TV Input 2 - DirecTV receiver on.     You may notice that the surround sound is set to change inputs twice, I have a unique system that requires the AUX button to be pushed two times and the Harmony handles it with no issues.   If i wanted to I could get more advanced, I could even have the DirecTV turn on with the TV guide open on a specific channel.

Overall, I am amazed with this device - I should have picked one up years ago!  If you are looking for one or for specs here is the link to amazon with more information.   http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmony-Advanced-Universal-Remote/dp/B000BDG3HU

]]> http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/55/logitech-harmony-520-ftmfw/feed Project Lets Go Racing: NRP 3″ Offroad X Pipe and 3″ Magnaflow Catback http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/50/project-lets-go-racing-nrp-3-offroad-x-pipe-and-3-magnaflow-catback http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/50/project-lets-go-racing-nrp-3-offroad-x-pipe-and-3-magnaflow-catback#comments Sat, 25 Jul 2009 17:29:38 +0000 ArthurJGuy http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/?p=50 Last week I dropped off the project car at Nevarez Racing Products, so that they could develop a new exhaust system for me.   The new system would consist of 3″ pipe, mandrel bent, from the collectors to the exhaust tips and utalize magnaflow mufflers. 

Previously I had a Magnaflow 2.5″ exhaust system, and while I loved the sound I could tell that my performance was suffering.   The general rule for needing to make the change from 2.5″ dual to 3″ dual exhaust on a N/A car is generally 500 HP, with all the complications I have had I still managed to crank out approx 570 HP (470 RWHP), so I am very confident that this was a needed modification.  However, the number one reason that prompted me to do this was safety.  Project LGR is still a daily driver (thanks to a motorist not paying attention that took out my daily driver) and the Mangaflow exhaust fit horribly.   There were rattles, leaks, horrid fumes, it was all around bad news.   

The exhaust uses Magnaflow 12619 Mufflers which should provide great flow with a decent sound.   The X pipe was made in-house with the rest of the exhaust.   I definatly need to find a good set of exhaust tips, I am not having much luck finding a 3″ ID 4″ OD tip that I like.   I picked it up today, and you can see for yourself how it looks.

All of the work was performed by Gil Nevarez of Nevarez Racing Products (http://www.nevarezracing.com)

]]> http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/50/project-lets-go-racing-nrp-3-offroad-x-pipe-and-3-magnaflow-catback/feed New Featured Video: The Lost Verse of the Psycho B*tch Anthem http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/48/new-featured-video-the-lost-verse-of-the-psycho-btch-anthem http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/48/new-featured-video-the-lost-verse-of-the-psycho-btch-anthem#comments Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:38:47 +0000 ArthurJGuy http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/?p=48 As you may or may not know, I have ZERO respect for any person (man or woman) who is gutless enough to go after a persons property.   This includes but is not limited to his vehicle.   So naturally when the Psycho B*itch Anthem (Carrie Underwood’s - Before He Cheats) came out, I was “slightly displeased”.

Lets make one thing clear - I do not care WHAT your boyfriend/husband/best friend did to you IT DOES NOT WARRANT TOUCHING HIS PROPERTY.   I really truly don’t care if you have been raped, beaten, stabbed, shot - you take it out on him, you go to the police, you handle your issues; but you do not touch his property for any reason.

This song on the other hand, teaches women that it is OK to destroy private property.  It teaches women that it is OK to participate in vandalism.    The song details a woman who has been cheated on and takes the revenge out on her boyfriends truck, however it ironically leaves out WHY he cheated (she was probably a victim of her own crime as people do not just cheat for fun) but that is not important.

Anyhow, this new verse of the song puts things into prospective as the man comes out to see his truck with the damage that is done, and how he reacts.  Lesson to be learned, don’t touch his car/truck, not only is it fixable, but the time that he had sex with the girl in your bed is forever!

Not only does this video put it all into prospective, but it made me laugh so hard I nearly pissed myself when I was in a not so good mood.  Check the new featured video out on the right of the page, or if you are lazy here is the youtube link.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oz8-kmW5QU

]]> http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/48/new-featured-video-the-lost-verse-of-the-psycho-btch-anthem/feed America as a whole IS NOT READY for a quality performance vehicle… http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/45/america-as-a-whole-is-not-ready-for-a-quality-performance-vehicle http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/45/america-as-a-whole-is-not-ready-for-a-quality-performance-vehicle#comments Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:03:18 +0000 ArthurJGuy http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/?p=45 Yep, thats right I said it.   America does not want a quality built, performance vehicle, for an affordable price.   You may say, but Mr. Webmaster having such a car for a good price would be the frosting on the cake.  Well, I would ask why you did not buy one when it was available?

So, lets see.   The number one complaint about vehicles built in the US would be reliability.    So, lets look at the history of the GM GEN-IV and GEN-V engines.  Introduced in 1997 (12 years ago), used in many Corvettes, Trucks, Hummers, and various GM performance cars.   This engine is built to haul, tow, and take abuse and STILL keep on running.  There are reports that this engine is hand assembled by god himself and that the internals are lubricated with angel sperm - it is THAT good.

Well, now that we have identified our reliable drive train as a GM product, the next obvious complaint is going to be that GM cars have a “plastic” interior with lots of squeaks and rattles.   Typically yes this is true.  However, lets look at the Pontiac G8, alternately known as the Holden Commodore.    First off, you can not deny this is the best interior EVER put into ANY GM vehicle, and if you do you are a jackass.    Second, this is not a US built car, it is a AU built car by Holden, and the build quality of Holden’s vehicles of late is comparable with BMW’s M and Mercedes AMG line.  No squeaks, No rattles, the best cockpit and seats ever put into a sedan in the US - so what is the holdup?

Price, it must be the price.   I mean the GT is roughly $28,000 and the GXP is roughly $36,000?   You are basically paying half price for a BMW 5 Series.   You lazy asses love cheap stuff so here is your Champaign with a beer price tag.

Maybe its the horsepower numbers that you don’t like, 361HP isn’t enough for you?   Well as usual don’t always believe what you hear because that number is underrated with real horsepower measurements putting it closer to 380 HP and able to get to 420 HP with VERY few tweaks.

So I guess all in all America did not want a good quality built, high performing, decently priced family sedan - they just wanted to bitch about not having one.   The G8 is no longer being produced, meanwhile the US built 2010 Camaro which underneath all the sheet metal is the same car as a G8, with its addition of the squeaky interior and an additional $10,000 on the price tag is outselling every performance car in the country!  WTF?

]]> http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/45/america-as-a-whole-is-not-ready-for-a-quality-performance-vehicle/feed Do people who turn sentences into questions annoy me, yes? http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/44/do-people-who-turn-sentences-into-questions-annoy-me-yes http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/44/do-people-who-turn-sentences-into-questions-annoy-me-yes#comments Wed, 10 Jun 2009 20:52:23 +0000 ArthurJGuy http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/?p=44 I just don’t understand this phenomenon?

Do you feel smarter because you use more words?

Do you feel like you are quizzing yourself and you allready know the answers?

Does it help you get your point across?

Or are you just trying to read the other persons mind?

How about you make your point, without answering your own questions, and then if the other people in the discussion have another question - LET THEM ASK!

]]> http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/44/do-people-who-turn-sentences-into-questions-annoy-me-yes/feed If you are a relative or good friend you need to sign up! http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/40/if-you-are-a-relative-or-good-friend-you-need-to-sign-up http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/40/if-you-are-a-relative-or-good-friend-you-need-to-sign-up#comments Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:39:51 +0000 ArthurJGuy http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/?p=40 There are several “family only” galleries (i.e. gatherings, my son, etc) in the scrapbook that you can not see without a login.   Once you have created an account, I can give you the proper permissions to use this website.

How to sign Up:

Do it!, Now.

]]> http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/40/if-you-are-a-relative-or-good-friend-you-need-to-sign-up/feed Finally getting this thing up and running http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/38/finally-getting-this-thing-up-and-running http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/38/finally-getting-this-thing-up-and-running#comments Sat, 06 Jun 2009 18:49:51 +0000 ArthurJGuy http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/?p=38 It seems like this website has taken me forever to get functioning the way I like, I have had some free time recently and have been able to get it up and running for the most part.

The videos section still needs a new solution, I am not positive how I am going to handle that.   YouTube is an option, as well as a handful of other hosting sites.    I need a way to have certian private videos for family though, and that is causing a hangup right now.

Most everything else should work, but as always if you notice any issues let me know so that I can take care of them.

EDIT:   It turns out that Youtube has an API so that I can at browse, and I beleive also play, private videos while logged in as a user.    I may explore this option for a Video host, so that I can use YouTube’s bandwidth to my advantage, for free!

]]> http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/38/finally-getting-this-thing-up-and-running/feed Lets Go Racing, 2010 Gameplan http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/34/lets-go-racing-2010-gameplan http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/34/lets-go-racing-2010-gameplan#comments Sat, 06 Jun 2009 05:42:36 +0000 ArthurJGuy http://blog.sideways-into-third.com/?p=34 The goal of this project is to build a 6 Speed, IRS, 8″ Street Tire, Single Power Adder, 10 second car; as if those aren’t enough challenges to overcome.

So I am breaking this down into two steps.   #1 Make the power and #2 Put the power to the ground, this entry will outline Step #1.

Class rules prohibit a big motor, sick heads, and a huge blower/turbo/or shot of nitrous, so this is about as un-radical as it can get.   

That is the plan in a nutshell, of course there is alot more that goes into it than that but this covers the important parts.    This project will be underway shortly with updates to follow.

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