Is There Any Manual Swap You Shouldn’t Do? — Carmudgeon w/ Jason Cammisa & Derek Tam-Scott — Ep 211
About this episode
Exploring the world of manual swaps, Jason Cammisa and Derek Tam-Scott dive into whether there are any manual swaps that should be avoided. They discuss the merits of manual transmissions in various cars, including the iconic Mercedes-Benz W140, and share personal stories about their experiences with manual swapped vehicles. The episode also touches on the rise of electric bicycles, highlighting a unique series hybrid bike that eliminates traditional drivetrain issues, making it a compelling topic for car enthusiasts.
tire inflator
"...a new, more powerful charge and start unit that combines a charger, jump starter, and tire inflator all in one..."
A tire inflator is a tool that helps fill up car tires with air. It's useful when your tires are low on air and need to be pumped up.
A tire inflator is a device used to inflate tires to the correct pressure. It can be powered by electricity or batteries and is often portable for convenience.
jump starter
"...a new, more powerful charge and start unit that combines a charger, jump starter, and tire inflator all in one..."
A jump starter is a small device that helps start a car when the battery is dead by giving it a quick burst of power. You connect it to the car's battery to get it running again.
A jump starter is a portable device that provides a boost of electricity to start a vehicle with a dead battery. It typically includes a battery and cables to connect to the car's battery terminals.
lithium batteries
"...I like smart lithium batteries more than..."
Lithium batteries are a kind of battery that can be recharged and are often used in cars. They are lighter and can store more energy compared to other types of batteries.
Lithium batteries are a type of rechargeable battery that use lithium ions as a key component of their electrochemistry. They are known for their high energy density, lightweight, and ability to hold a charge for a long time, making them popular in automotive applications.
battery tender
"battery tender. I had this one stored for probably 2 or 3 months and it just started and it wasn't hooked up to a tender..."
A battery tender is a tool that keeps your car battery charged when you're not using your car for a while. It helps make sure the battery doesn't run out of power.
A battery tender is a device used to maintain the charge of a battery, especially when a vehicle is not in use for an extended period. It helps prevent battery depletion and extends the life of the battery by providing a low-level charge.
Mercedes-Benz W140
"...to your tremendous surprise a W41 W140"
The W140 is a model of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, which is a line of luxury cars. It was made in the 1990s and is recognized for its high quality and many features that make driving comfortable and safe.
The Mercedes-Benz W140 is the internal designation for the S-Class model produced from 1991 to 1998. It is known for its luxury features and advanced technology for its time, including innovations in safety and comfort.
W140
"It's not functioning like all W140s. It has soft closed issues."
W140 refers to a specific generation of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class that was made in the 1990s, known for being very well-built and having many advanced features.
The W140 is the internal designation for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class produced from 1991 to 1998. It is known for its solid build quality and advanced features for its time.
Lexus LS400
"...because Lexus was to use a technical term kicking the [ __ ] out of them with the LS400. And so this car, the 140 came out in Germany and was immediately recalled..."
The Lexus LS400 is a high-end car that was first made in 1989. It's known for being very comfortable and well-made, helping Lexus become a popular luxury car brand.
The Lexus LS400 is a luxury sedan that was introduced in 1989 and is known for its smooth ride and high-quality interior. It played a significant role in establishing Lexus as a premium brand in the automotive market.
tire blowout
"...because they were blowing tires. They couldn't. There existed no tire in the world that could deal with that much mass and that much speed..."
A tire blowout is when a tire suddenly bursts and loses air, which can make it hard to control the car. This can happen if the tire is too old, damaged, or if the car is too heavy.
A tire blowout occurs when a tire suddenly loses air pressure, often leading to loss of control of the vehicle. It can be caused by various factors including overloading, high speeds, or tire defects.
Fiat 124
"...I had driven lots of 124s and owned lots of 124s..."
The Fiat 124 is a small car that Fiat made from the late 1960s to the early 1970s. It was well-liked for its straightforward design and was sold in many countries, including the U.S.
The Fiat 124 is a compact car that was produced by Fiat from 1966 to 1974. It is known for its simple design and was popular in various markets, including the United States.
Mercedes-Benz R129
"...including R129s. And I vividly remember pulling out the..."
The R129 is a model of the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, a luxury convertible sports car that was made between 1989 and 2002. It's recognized for its stylish looks and high-tech features for that era.
The Mercedes-Benz R129 is the internal designation for the SL-Class produced from 1989 to 2002. It is known for its elegant design and advanced technology for its time.
Mercedes-Benz S500
"...talked him into a 140 S500 or 500 SCL. Um would have been an S500 S500 S500."
The Mercedes-Benz S500 is a high-end luxury car that offers a smooth ride and many features. It's part of a series of cars known for being very comfortable and packed with technology.
The Mercedes-Benz S500 is a luxury sedan known for its performance and comfort. It is part of the S-Class lineup, which is renowned for its advanced technology and high-quality materials.
Honda S500
"... 10. And uh and so Mike had talked him into a 140 S500 or 500 SCL. Um would have been an S500 S500 S500."
BMW 140
"And so Mike found him a silver over gray 140, ordered him a silver over gray 140."
The BMW 1 Series is a small luxury car that offers a fun driving experience. The '140' is a specific version of this car that has more power and features than the base models.
The BMW 1 Series is a compact car known for its sporty handling and premium features. The '140' refers to a specific trim level within this model range, often associated with higher performance.
$100,000 car
"...when you've just bought a $100,000 car. For the"
A $100,000 car is a very expensive car, usually with high-end features and performance. These cars are often luxury brands or high-performance sports cars.
This refers to a car that costs $100,000, which places it in the luxury or high-performance category. Such vehicles often come with advanced features and superior performance capabilities.
Volkswagen Egolf
"I did this in my e-Golf because I knew you don't have to break the engine in an electric car."
The e-Golf is a type of car that runs on electricity instead of gasoline, making it better for the environment.
The e-Golf is an electric version of the popular Volkswagen Golf, designed for efficient urban driving with zero emissions.
limiter
"...and it hit the limiter so hard that it woke him up. [laughter] I was like this thing could do 170. It was pulling so hard."
A limiter is a safety feature in cars that stops the engine from going too fast. It helps prevent damage by making sure the engine doesn't rev too high.
The limiter, often referred to as a rev limiter, is a device in an engine management system that prevents the engine from exceeding a predetermined RPM. This helps to protect the engine from damage due to over-revving.
Lexus
"...caught off guard by Lexus by, you know, Lexus brought in a car at $50,000..."
Lexus is a luxury car brand from Toyota, famous for making high-quality and comfortable vehicles.
Lexus is the luxury vehicle division of the Japanese automaker Toyota, known for its focus on quality, comfort, and advanced technology.
Mercedes-Benz 126
"...the 126 was nearing the end of its life. Correct. So 1989 and the Lexus, the LS400 absolutely did..."
The Mercedes-Benz 126 is a model of a luxury car that was made from 1979 to 1991. It was known for being very high-end and had many advanced features for its time.
The Mercedes-Benz 126 refers to the S-Class model produced from 1979 to 1991, known for its luxury features and advanced technology for its time. It was a flagship model that set standards in the luxury sedan market.
Alpine
"No, it's Alpine. Oh, really? It was Alpine."
Alpine is a car brand from France that makes sporty cars. They are known for being light and fast, especially the A110 model.
Alpine is a French automotive manufacturer known for its lightweight sports cars, particularly the A110. The brand has a rich motorsport heritage and focuses on performance-oriented vehicles.
trunk closing plinth
"little thing. It has a trunk closing plinth that automatically extends so you don't..."
A trunk closing plinth is a part of the car that helps close the trunk lid automatically, so you don't have to touch it. This keeps the trunk clean and free of fingerprints.
A trunk closing plinth is a component that helps to close the trunk lid automatically, often enhancing convenience and ease of use. This feature is especially useful in preventing fingerprints and dirt from getting on the trunk lid.
vacuum actuated
"It's vacuum actuated so that it's always clean."
Vacuum actuated means that a part of the car works using vacuum pressure, which helps it move automatically. This makes it easier to use without having to push or pull it manually.
Vacuum actuated refers to a mechanism that operates using vacuum pressure, often used in automotive systems to control components like trunk lids or doors. This technology allows for smooth and automatic operation without manual effort.
ESP
"Um trying to I mean it was it had ESP I think standard. Um or might have been in the six-cylinder cars."
ESP is a safety feature in cars that helps keep them stable and prevent sliding or skidding, especially when the road is slippery or when making sharp turns.
ESP stands for Electronic Stability Program, a technology designed to improve a vehicle's stability by detecting and reducing loss of traction. It helps prevent skidding and loss of control during slippery conditions or abrupt maneuvers.
7 Series
"Um but who drives a six-cylinder S-Class? I mean I mean really. And the funny thing is the six-cylinder S-Class cost more than the 8-cylinder 7 series."
The 7 Series is a luxury car from BMW, similar to the S-Class from Mercedes-Benz. It's designed for comfort and has many advanced features.
The BMW 7 Series is a full-size luxury sedan that competes with models like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. It is known for its performance, technology, and luxury features, often representing the pinnacle of BMW's offerings.
salvage title
"That car also had a salvage title. Yeah, it had been wrecked a couple hundred thousand times."
A salvage title means the car was in a bad accident or had a lot of damage, and the insurance company decided it wasn't worth fixing. It can be risky to buy these cars because they might have hidden problems.
A salvage title is a designation for a vehicle that has been damaged and deemed a total loss by an insurance company. This typically means the car has been in a serious accident or has suffered significant damage, making it less valuable and potentially unsafe.
18-inch wheels
"It came with these 18-inch monlock wheels and the dark wood interior. And it has the seats that the 600s later on got different seats from the rest of the cars..."
18-inch wheels are the size of the wheels on the car. Bigger wheels can make a car look sportier and can improve how it drives, but they might also make the ride feel bumpier.
18-inch wheels refer to the diameter of the wheel, which can affect the car's handling, ride quality, and appearance. Larger wheels often allow for better performance but may result in a harsher ride due to less tire sidewall.
Mercedes-Benz 500E
"I think we just all associate those wheels with like a 500E or, you know, all the C43 AM..."
The Mercedes-Benz 500E is a luxury car from the early 90s that has a powerful engine and sporty features. It was made with help from Porsche, which makes it special.
The Mercedes-Benz 500E is a high-performance luxury sedan that was produced in the early 1990s, known for its powerful V8 engine and sporty handling. It was developed in collaboration with Porsche, making it a unique offering in the Mercedes lineup.
Mercedes-Benz C43
"...associate those wheels with like a 500E or, you know, all the C43 AM..."
The Mercedes-Benz C43 is a sportier version of the C-Class car, designed for better performance and handling. It has a more powerful engine than regular C-Class models.
The Mercedes-Benz C43 is a performance-oriented version of the C-Class, featuring a more powerful engine and sportier suspension compared to standard models. It's part of the AMG line, which emphasizes performance and handling.
Mercedes-Benz W124
"I have a 264,000 mile W124, and it has much less steering play than your..."
The W124 is a model of car made by Mercedes-Benz that is known for being very reliable and lasting a long time. Many people appreciate it for its comfort and quality.
The Mercedes-Benz W124 is a model series produced from 1984 to 1997, known for its durability and engineering quality. It is part of the E-Class lineup and is often praised for its comfort and reliability.
Rivian
"I thought saying we have a Rivian and also we have a bike and that's actually not the case. The reason why is it's it embodies the Silicon Valley um idea."
Rivian is a company that makes electric trucks and SUVs. Their vehicles are designed for outdoor adventures and are environmentally friendly.
Rivian is an American electric vehicle manufacturer known for its all-electric R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV, which emphasize adventure and outdoor activities.
derailleur
"Oh, the drivetrain. It's the derailleur and the chain. Um derailleur and chains are apparently the biggest problem area."
A derailleur is a part of a bike that helps change gears by moving the chain from one gear to another. If it doesn't work well, you can't shift gears properly.
A derailleur is a mechanism on a bicycle that moves the chain between different gears. It is crucial for shifting gears smoothly and efficiently.
chain
"It's the derailleur and the chain. Um derailleur and chains are apparently the biggest problem area."
The chain on a bike is what connects the pedals to the back wheel. When you pedal, the chain moves and helps the bike go forward.
The chain is a critical component of a bicycle's drivetrain, connecting the pedals to the rear wheel. It transfers power from the rider's pedaling to the wheel, propelling the bike forward.
Mercedes-Benz SL
"144. He also wants to manual swap his SL. It was the red SL in the >> Revelations"
Subaru 360S
"will happily take every opportunity to [ __ ] on 360s and 355s and 430s. >> Therefore, all for RV8s. Ye..."
Pontiac Gtos
">> spales scutteras challengees uh GTO's uh TDFs. They're all going absolutely wacko"
Ferrari F40
"...lose to being I don't know I want to call it like F40 like uh in terms of my driving enjoyment and and"
Aston Martin Vanquish
"was a sensation. Uh I did recently drive a Vanquish Aston uh the first generation. So this is like 02..."
Mercedes-Benz CLK
"say it was not as seamlessly brilliant as the CLK for a couple of reasons. One was the the the foot..."
Ferrari F430
"that interaction. >> Uh have you ever driven an F430 swapped to a manual?"
Lancia Stratos
"...ght? And so the reason I brought the that MAT new Stratos up is because that swap was not done by MAT. So n..."
Honda Civic
"made a three-point turn like I was in a Civic was nothing and he was just how the [ __ ] did yo..."
Porsche Carrera GT
"...ething you definitely had to work around. But the Carrera GT, though I'm not personally a huge fan of"
Porsche 911
"five best bested possibly only by the 911 ST the current one which you've not driven yet, r..."
Suzuki Cappuccino
"...d it. It was I remember that and trying to keep a Suzuki cappuccino on a back road when I was basically"
Lamborghini Gallardo
"I've also driven I showed up once to buy a Gallardo. I I don't know if you remember this. Um I don't ..."
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