Pimp'd That Ride!

[Gordgee]

I was in contact with NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology) that does the Training and Certifying of Automotive Technicians here in Edmonton.

Some of the instructors had already read or heard about the concept of hyper-grounding, as had Program Head, Denis Guenette. "I know some of the guys in the Electrical Department want to talk to you about it! We're trying to learn more about it, and believe that it might be important to what we teach in theory, and I really think it should work." A couple of the instructors and staff are interested in me doing some of their vehicles!

They were given a Chevy AVEO LS to modify in a contest against SAIT, the Calgary counterpart (also given an Aveo) and the students, staff, and visitors to the 2 institutes will be voting for the car they like the best after all the mods are done.

Since the rules are very restrictive in terms of mods (Intake, and Cat-back only, and all mods warranty safe), they felt that GroundingGear™ was an ideal performance mod. They didn't feel that the cat-back would do much in terms of performance, and was "more for looks" (one instructor's words), and felt that the GroundingGear™ might actually give them more power than anything else they were doing!

I decided to sponsor them which they gladly accepted, and did a Custom system for them. The car will be at NAIT in Edmonton in February, and at SAIT in Calgary (for you Albertans), and will also be featured at the Edmonton Auto Show Feb 3-6.

I saw the car after it was in pieces, having 'Lambo Doors' being installed, and being primed for a custom paint job with body kit. I returned this past W/E to provide them with the GroundingGear™, and most of the work had been done for the Feb 1st deadline, and much of the sound system had been installed. I haven't seen the completed car yet, but I will this W/E at the Auto Show.

I'll post a few pics that I took last W/E when I get the chance.

[Gordgee]

Here're a couple of pics of the almost finished ride.

[Gordgee]

A few more.

[Gordgee]

My handiwork (sans engine cover, also painted blue).

[Hyde]

thats not pimp

thats rice

[Gordgee]

Originally Posted by Hyde

thats not pimp

thats rice

Not my cup of tea either, but you have to realize tha most of the students in the body shop are aged 18 to 26 or so.

Also, the car has to stand-out against it's competion from SAIT, so loud is the way to go. I guess the SAIT car didn't do a paint job, but they have a bunch of big graphics done on the body.

[Msedanman]

Kudos for being involved Gordgee. That's quite a feather in your cap.
The Hyperground install looks good on the ride. I agree about pimp, but understand why.
BTW, the voting involves mainly aesthetics, but what about performance gains etc from the mods? Is there some kind of race or dyno?

Keep us in the loop and g/l.
GSM

[Gordgee]

Unfortunately, they don't have access to a dyno. It was interesting though that they were quite positive about it as a performance mod, and were interested in me doing some things with more North American vehicles. They said it was great because it also looked good, and were glad I had Blue to go with the other stuff the students already decided on. AFAIK, no race since they get raffled off after the votes are tabulated.

I'd love for them to try to do some double blind tests of some type, or similar in the future as a research project to collect data, but my relationship with them is in it's infancy. Independent data from a respected institute would go a long way in backing the empirical data gathered thus far. I only had the opportunity to speak with a few of the staff there so far including the Program Head. Usually the guy 'at the top' is the hardest to reach with something 'new', but it's turned out that he's the one that heard about hyper-grounding before, and was the first one that I spoke with! It is exciting though that they feel it has valid potential to make improvements on modern cars.

[Msedanman]

Gord,
Great to know this application is getting further 'out there'. More and more people are discovering what we have known for quite some time now.

The contest you are involved with will certainly help promote these benefits, and hopefully get you some well deserved recognition.

Kudos for your work and developement on it, Gordgee. I for one appreciate your tireless devotion to it's developement, especially in light of the fact you're doing this to promote and develope it's useage, rather than solely as a business whereby you could have made some money.

C.

[RBull]

Nice job Gord. This sounds like a an interesting project to be involved given the interest by the engineers and so on. It's also intriguing to watch and see if future manufactureres adopt this gounding principle and technology into new auto design.

[ckg35]

Good work, Gord. Hopefully if the Technical Institute gets involved, word will spread re the importance of signal conduction, rather than just the focus on traditional thinking about how grounding works. Cars aren't the same machines they were back in the old days, yet a lot of thinking is still traditionally based, despite the increased importance on computers, sensors, etc. Many limitatons of modern auto electronics I've been told by Electrical Engineer buddies, is still with the limitations of the 12 volt systems in cars. Maybe your work will actually influence the future of car design!

At least your work with the OEM dealerships, and now the Tech Institute is being recognised. One day, I'm hoping it'll pay off big for you. You deserve it! I know how much hard work and little reward you get at present, but don't give up. I know what you mean by the pointlessness of trying to argue with those that just won't listen. Usually non-sequitur arguments result when dogmatic mindsets are in play. It's certainly evidenced in the little that I've been involved with.

Post pics of the completed car. I'm assuming you've already gone or are going to the show?

[ckg35]

Whoops, I see that you said you were going this W/E. Have a good time, and take lots of pics!

[SixFive]

Nice Job Gord. That is quite a venue for some testing. Lets hear all about what happens.

[sobamas2k]

While not throwing any shadow on your product, I don't get it?! W/O forced induction no grounding or I/H/E mods will ever make up for the massive weight they are adding to that puny little car.

Maybe I'm being cynical and should applaud the technical institutes for furthering car culture but in my eyes what it seems they have done to these 2 cars is nothing more than ANY interested 16 y/o manages to do?! I'm sorry, this "contest" seems rather silly to me.

Give them $5k (for a car & mods), use your product in conjunction with whatever else they can come up with and make these kids compete with each other to see who can make a winner. Again, please don't get the impression I'm coming down on you the original poster, I'm questioning what in the world these "institutes" are doing. It just seems like one more plop in the barrell of the wonderful world where EVERYBODY'S a winner so we all go home feeling oooey about ourselves (insert cheesy music here).

Sorry, rant over......

[Gordgee]

I agree, but I seriously don't think it's about making the cars much better or faster anyway. Lambo Doors? Subliminal 'Flame' paint scheme, and Neon illuminated aluminum pedals? Come on! It's a learning experience for the students, and an opportunity for them to have a bit of fun.

It's not about winning at the track, but it's showy enough to win votes from the younger public that will vote in a friendly competition aginst a competing institute. I think GM donated the cars to see what young buyers could do with a 'starter' car. Maybe they want to take a little market share from Honda.

For me, it was about trying to develop a relationship with the Institute, and maybe a bit of public exposure. I actually was a bit apprehensive about being a sponsor, since I didn't want GroundingGear™ to be associated as a purely 'appearance' or 'ricer' mod, given the nature of this contest! It's hard enough convincing others that it's a legitimate performance mod as it is. Luckily, the skeptical conversions have happened mainly at the OEM dealerships, and it looks like this Tech Institute at least, considers it valid as well (not sure about the students there). I'm looking forward to speaking with their Electronics Dept so I don't have to shell out for several EEs anymore, or at least can have an independent organization confirm our work thus far.

I did go yesterday, and found they actually credited sponsorship to Ground In Gear Ltd rather than GroundingGear Ltd on the big sign/plaque, so the benefits I may have gained are 'iffy'!