168. The Pile Up EP41: This That and The Other
About this episode
The hosts bounce from nerdy automotive trivia to real-world wrenching talk, starting with debate about how Tesla-style software updates might enable cars to “talk” to each other. They then geek out on a 3D-printed remote-control lawnmower/car and discuss the difference between kits, clones, and true builds. A big chunk is devoted to vintage van conversions—what makes them look right after decades and why some “vanner” styles age poorly. The episode ends with a practical library haul: factory manuals, suspension/automotive books, and why having a physical reference beats relying on random videos.
Emily and Rose wanna remake Maximum Overdrive, someone prints a 3d Porsche and Rose strong mans books against the internet.
Recorded @iapdx
Recorded & mixed by Emdognightmare & Queen of the Vans
Editor: Emdognightmare
Production & research Queen of the Vans & Emdognightmare
Find us: Car Krush
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Hugs, thank you & high fives to Greg Meleney for the killer tunez!
over-the-air updates
"We will use Tesla. 'cause I know that they do all of the updates and like, everything like that. And I believe they can talk to each other."
Over-the-air updates are software updates that get sent to the car wirelessly. You don’t need a mechanic to install them—your car can update itself.
Over-the-air (OTA) updates are software downloads sent to a car wirelessly, similar to updating a phone. They can change vehicle behavior, add features, or fix bugs without visiting a dealership.
Tesla
"We will use Tesla. 'cause I know that they do all of the updates and like, everything like that. And I believe they can talk to each other."
Tesla is a car company that updates many parts of the car’s software over the internet. That’s why people talk about “code” changes and how the car can get new behavior after you buy it.
Tesla is an electric-vehicle brand known for frequent over-the-air software updates. The episode mentions the idea that Tesla updates can be “put in the code,” which relates to how modern cars receive new features and changes without a physical visit to a shop.
3D printing
"And then it says lake, who had no prior 3D printing experience is constructing the car entirely from PETG filament by digitally scanning."
3D printing in automotive contexts usually refers to producing parts by building them layer-by-layer from materials like plastic filaments. The segment discusses scanning a car digitally and then constructing parts from filament, which is a common approach for prototypes and specialty components.
digital scanning
"...constructing the car entirely from PETG filament by digitally scanning."
Digital scanning captures the shape of a real object to create a 3D model. In this context, scanning is used so the printed parts match the intended car geometry rather than being “guessed” from measurements.
PETG filament
"...constructing the car entirely from PETG filament by digitally scanning."
PETG filament is the plastic “string” used in some 3D printers. It’s a popular material because it’s fairly strong and usually prints more easily than harder plastics.
PETG is a type of plastic used in many consumer 3D printers. It’s often chosen because it’s relatively tough and easier to print than some engineering plastics, making it common for prototypes and non-structural parts.
rear bumper
"At the top of this key details, a single rear bumper, which costs nearly 19,000 Austral. Cost only 165 Australian to print material."
A rear bumper is a body component designed to protect the vehicle’s rear and manage minor impacts. The segment highlights the cost of a printed rear bumper, which underscores that even “simple” exterior parts can be expensive when made as custom components.
hot rod shops
"Uh, like I, one of the early hot rod shops I worked for, the owner had got his fiberglass experience with his dad and his grandpa making fiberglass MG bodies..."
Hot rod shops are specialty builders that modify older cars for performance, style, or custom fitment. The segment uses one as background for how fiberglass bodies and chassis swaps were historically done to make parts fit different platforms.
fiberglass
"...got his fiberglass experience with his dad and his grandpa making fiberglass MG bodies..."
Fiberglass is a strong, lightweight material used to make custom car body parts. It’s popular for custom builds because it can be molded into different shapes.
Fiberglass is a composite material commonly used for custom automotive body panels because it can be shaped into complex forms and is relatively lightweight. The segment ties fiberglass experience to making custom bodies that fit different chassis.
rear axle
"Rose EP40: ...the spare tire covers just one more fucking bit of weight past the rear axle."
The rear axle is the assembly that supports the rear wheels and transmits drive force (on driven axles) or load (on non-driven axles). The speaker mentions weight “past the rear axle,” which is a way of describing how load affects stance and handling.
van conversion
"Rose EP40: ...when they're good is when somebody takes all the fucking stripes off of them and then they like repaint their van and then you're like, oh, that's a cool, solid color painted van with a bunch of windows in it. And you're like, oh, it must be a conversion. ... Rose EP40: No conversions start in the seventies. I mean, hop cap is a good conversion."
A van conversion is when someone turns a regular van into something like a camper or special-purpose vehicle. It usually includes custom interior work and sometimes a different roof or windows.
A van conversion is when a cargo van is modified into a camper, work vehicle, or specialized lifestyle vehicle (often with windows, insulation, and interior build-outs). The segment discusses different “conversion” styles and how they affect appearance and identity.
outside air temperature sensor
"Rose EP40: ...Like what it think it's the wrong outside air temperature? Is it, is the O2 sensor stuck?"
This sensor tells the car how hot the air is outside. If it’s wrong, the car may adjust its settings incorrectly and run poorly.
The outside air temperature (OAT) sensor provides ambient temperature data used by the engine control system for calculations like fuel strategy and diagnostics. The speaker lists it as a possible cause when the car “thinks” the wrong conditions are present.
OBD1
"Rose EP40: ...eventually it starts if you have an OB one car So, you know, is it, is it adding, is it pulling? Like what it think it's the wrong outside air temperature? Is it, the O2 sensor stuck?"
OBD1 is an older computer system in some cars that can help you diagnose problems. People use guides to figure out what the car is telling them.
OBD1 (On-Board Diagnostics, version 1) refers to early vehicle diagnostic systems used on older cars. The speaker mentions using OBD1 books/tables to interpret symptoms like “pull,” and to check sensor behavior.
O2 sensor
"Rose EP40: ...Like what it think it's the wrong outside air temperature? Is it, is the O2 sensor stuck? And like they, you know, they should oscillate between a high and low reading."
An O2 (oxygen) sensor measures exhaust oxygen content so the engine control system can adjust fuel mixture. The speaker notes that it should “oscillate” between high and low readings, which is a key diagnostic behavior for proper closed-loop operation.
control arms
"Rose EP40: uh, go to the library in Woodstock or on Woodstock, and I said, I want to get a card. ... Rose EP40: We were gonna build the control arms and I have meant to look in a suspension book."
Control arms are parts in the suspension that hold the wheel in the right position. They help the car steer and handle bumps without the wheel moving around too much.
Control arms are suspension links that connect the chassis to the wheel hub. They help control wheel alignment and movement, which directly affects ride comfort and handling.
Chevrolet Corvette
"Emily EP40: yeah, factory manual. I got my Corvette one for $19, but my TransAm one was like $135."
They’re talking about a repair manual for a Chevrolet Corvette. That’s a popular Chevy sports car, and the factory manual is the detailed guide for fixing and maintaining it.
Emily mentions buying a factory manual for a Chevrolet Corvette. The Corvette is Chevrolet’s long-running performance sports car, and its factory service literature is commonly used by owners and DIY mechanics.
factory manual
"Emily EP40: yeah, factory manual. I got my Corvette one for $19, but my TransAm one was like $135. ... Rose EP40: also the factory manuals sometimes can be like inside baseball. They’re not, like you said, like the Chiltons and the Hanes, and those, I think tell you a little bit more of what you have to do physically to do something."
A factory manual is the “official” repair guide from the car maker. It usually has very detailed steps and specs, but it can be written for people who already know how to work on cars.
A factory manual is the official service information published by the automaker. It typically includes detailed procedures, specifications, and diagrams, and it often assumes the reader already knows basic mechanical work.
Chilton's
"Rose EP40: ... I wanted to say climber, but that’s one of the books, you know, Chilton’s Climber Hanes. ... Rose EP40: also the factory manuals sometimes can be like inside baseball. They’re not, like you said, like the Chiltons and the Hanes, and those, I think tell you a little bit more of what you have to do physically to do something."
Chilton’s makes do-it-yourself car repair books. In this conversation, they’re being compared to factory manuals, with Chilton’s framed as more beginner-friendly about the physical steps.
Chilton’s is an aftermarket publisher of vehicle repair manuals. In the episode, they’re contrasted with factory manuals—Chilton’s is described as more focused on what you physically do, while factory manuals assume a more experienced mechanic.
Hanes manuals
"Rose EP40: ... I will say that I don’t like Hanes manuals. ... Rose EP40: also the factory manuals sometimes can be like inside baseball. They’re not, like you said, like the Chiltons and the Hanes, and those, I think tell you a little bit more of what you have to do physically to do something."
Hanes/Haynes is a company that makes repair manuals you can buy for many cars. They’re being discussed as a different style of guide than the factory service books.
Hanes (often written as Haynes) is another well-known aftermarket repair manual publisher. The speakers discuss how these manuals include useful guidance, but they may differ from factory manuals in depth and the assumptions they make about the reader.
hydraulic
"Emily EP40: ... there’s valve lash info for things that aren’t hydraulic and there’s, there’s all kinds of info."
Here, “hydraulic” means the engine uses parts that automatically take up the valve clearance. If the engine isn’t hydraulic, you may need to measure and set the gap manually.
In this context, “hydraulic” refers to hydraulic valve lifters (or similar components) that automatically manage valve clearance. That’s why the speaker says valve lash info is especially relevant for non-hydraulic valve-train designs.
bore sizes
"Emily EP40: ... there’s all kinds of info. Um, and there’s bore sizes and there’s oil gap, uh, numbers and tables, you know, to see what your crank should be."
Bore size is how wide each engine cylinder is. It matters when rebuilding an engine because it affects piston fit and how the engine will run.
Bore size is the diameter of an engine cylinder. It’s important for understanding compression, piston fit, and rebuild specs, and repair manuals often provide bore measurements and allowable tolerances.
crank
"Emily EP40: ... oil gap, uh, numbers and tables, you know, to see what your crank should be."
The crankshaft is the main rotating part inside the engine. Repair manuals use it as a reference for measurements—especially during rebuilds.
The crank (crankshaft) is the rotating shaft that converts piston motion into rotational power. Manuals may include measurements and tolerances for crank condition, such as allowable wear and whether it needs grinding or replacement.
valve lash
"Emily EP40: Yeah. ... Um, but there’s valve lash info for things that aren’t hydraulic and there’s, there’s all kinds of info."
Valve lash is a small gap in the engine’s valve system. If it’s not set correctly, the engine can run rough or make noise, and parts can wear faster.
Valve lash is the specified clearance between a valve and its actuation mechanism (like a rocker arm or cam follower). It matters because incorrect lash can cause poor performance, noise, and accelerated wear—especially on non-hydraulic valve-train setups.
GM distributor
"Rose EP40: I guess my go-to is I like knowing that I have a book on the topic. ... Rose EP40: They, they had a, they had a GM distributor, like the big caps that I like. They had a poster of servicing those, but they wouldn’t come off it."
A distributor is an ignition component that sends spark to the right spark plug at the right time. They’re talking about a GM version and how the cap/rotor style looks.
A GM distributor is part of older GM ignition systems that routes high voltage from the coil to the correct spark plug via a rotor and cap. The “big caps” mentioned are a visual clue for a specific distributor/cap style used on certain GM engines.
air suspension handbook
"Rose EP40: ... If we need to like, bounce some ideas and be like, let’s take a look at the air suspension, uh, handbook or whatever. Yeah. That book is phenomenal."
An air suspension system uses air bags instead of traditional springs. It can change how high the car sits, but it has extra parts that you need the right manual to service.
An air suspension handbook would cover how air springs and an air management system replace conventional coil springs. Air suspension changes ride height and can improve comfort, but it also introduces components like compressors, valves, and sensors that require specific troubleshooting.
Hershey
"I've got some factory Ford manuals for the mid Ford that I'm like missing some of the collection and that pisses me off. And I bought some of those at Hershey and some of it I think I left behind because I could only carry so"
Hershey is a big car enthusiast event where people trade parts and car-related stuff. If you’re hunting for old manuals or rare parts, it’s one of the go-to places.
Hershey refers to the Hershey swap meet/car show in Pennsylvania, a major event where enthusiasts buy and sell parts, manuals, and project-car items. It’s especially known for finding older OEM documentation and discontinued components.
ultimate tensile strength
"Rose EP40: Um, yeah. I mean, I think these generalizations that I do numbers. Spider silk has an ultimate tensile strength of approximately 1500 MPA compared to about 500 MPA for typical carbon steel, making it significantly stronger per unit of weight. Whoa."
Ultimate tensile strength is basically “how much pulling force a material can take before it snaps.” Higher numbers mean the material can handle more stress.
Ultimate tensile strength (UTS) is the maximum stress a material can handle while being stretched before it breaks. The transcript compares spider silk’s UTS to carbon steel, illustrating why some fibers can be strong for their weight.
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