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OTOSOT 86

OTOSOT 86

Smith and Sniff Jan 23, 2026 29 min
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About this episode

Listeners dive into a lively discussion about project cars, aftermarket modifications, and the joys of car ownership. They share personal anecdotes, including a listener's quest for a fun project car under £3,000, exploring options like the MGF and Alfa Romeo. The hosts also touch on unique automotive details in films and the intricacies of tire design, all while maintaining a humorous and engaging tone. The episode is packed with insights and recommendations for those looking to tinker with their vehicles.

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Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Mazda Mx3

"...Matt says, I was reminded of an MX-3 that lives in my parts. I believe using a variance of the same K-series V6."

The Mazda MX-3 is a small car that was made in the early '90s. It had a sporty look and some versions had a V6 engine, which is a type of engine with six cylinders.

Term

K-series V6

"...I believe using a variance of the same K-series V6. I think it is, isn't it?"

The K-series V6 is a type of engine made by Mazda. It's known for being small but powerful, and it was used in some of their cars like the MX-3.

Term

equal length headers

"I think he's got equal length headers on it. So like a Mercedes V12 given the same treatment to sound like an Elesi-era Ferrari, this little Mazda sounds the business."

Equal length headers are parts of the exhaust system that help the engine run better and sound nicer. They make sure that the exhaust from each cylinder leaves the engine at the same time, which can improve performance.

Car

Toyota Century

"And it is, perhaps unexpectedly, Toyota Century, because there's a guy, I think he's in New Zealand, who's taken a V12 Century."

The Toyota Century is a high-end car made by Toyota, mostly sold in Japan. It's very luxurious and is often used by important people like government officials.

Term

V12 engine

"...the Century V12 as it comes is incredibly quiet, and he's just perversely made it incredibly loud..."

A V12 engine is a powerful engine that has twelve cylinders. It's known for being very smooth and strong, which is why it's often used in fancy or fast cars.

Car

Ferrari F1

"...tt nailed it perfectly, sounds like an Elesi-era Ferrari F1 car, but sort of incongruous and I like it. So t..."

The Ferrari F12 Berlinetta is a super fancy sports car with a really powerful engine. It's designed for speed and luxury, and it's one of the coolest cars made by Ferrari.

Car

Lexus LS400

"...I'm just trying to think. I did see not that long ago a fairly rude boy, Lexus LS400,..."

The Lexus LS400 is a fancy car made by Lexus, which is Toyota's luxury brand. It was popular for being very comfortable and well-made when it first came out in the late 1980s.

Car

Triumph Speed Triple

"The Speed Triple is a really lovely engine."

The Triumph Speed Triple is a type of motorcycle that is designed for sporty riding. It has a unique look and a strong engine that makes it fun to ride.

Car

Triumph Rocket 3

"That's the Rocket 3. Oh, right. Okay, sorry not, yes. It's the Rocket 3."

The Triumph Rocket 3 is a very strong motorcycle with a big engine. It's famous for being one of the most powerful bikes you can buy.

Term

flat six

"Yeah, is that a flat six or a four?"

A flat six engine is a kind of engine where six cylinders are laid out flat instead of standing up. This helps the car handle better and run more smoothly.

Car

Porsche 944

"...like, remember when the Porsche 944 had a 3.0-litre four-cylinder in it?"

The Porsche 944 is a sports car that was made in the 1980s and early 1990s. It's known for being fun to drive and has a powerful engine.

Term

litre

"...it's famous for being the world's largest production motorcycle engine, and it's actually 2.5-litre. Oh, my God."

A litre is a way to describe how big an engine is. Bigger engines usually have more power because they can hold more fuel and air.

Term

PS

"...it's 2,458 CC in line three, powerhouse, with around 182 PS as standard. Because not to get too technical on main about this,"

PS is a way to measure how powerful an engine is. It's similar to horsepower, which is often used in the United States.

Term

flywheel

"a lot of road car 3s seem to have quite heavy flywheels on them to try and smooth them out, and it sort of compromises their reviveness a little bit."

A flywheel is a part of the engine that helps keep it running smoothly. If it's too heavy, the car might not speed up as quickly as you'd like.

Car

Peugeot 107

"Yes, I, but then I always feel like the little three-cylinder in the old Toyota Igo and 107 and all that, that sort of felt quite zingy, didn't it?"

The Peugeot 107 is another small car that is easy to drive in the city. Like the Aygo, it has a small engine that makes it good on gas.

Car

Toyota Aygo

"Yes, I, but then I always feel like the little three-cylinder in the old Toyota Igo and 107 and all that, that sort of felt quite zingy, didn't it?"

The Toyota Aygo is a small car that's easy to drive around the city. It has a small engine that helps it be fuel-efficient and fun to drive.

Car

Honda Fireblade

"...go straight from like a one to five learner bike to a fireblade. Yeah, GSXR 1000."

The Honda Fireblade is a fast and powerful motorcycle that's designed for sport riding. It's well-known for being lightweight and easy to handle, which makes it popular with experienced riders.

Car

Suzuki GSX-R1000

"...Yeah, GSXR 1000."

The Suzuki GSX-R1000 is a very fast motorcycle that's built for racing and sport riding. It's known for being powerful and responsive, making it a top choice for serious riders.

Car

Ferrari F40

"So I could outrun an F40 for eight grand."

The Ferrari F40 is a famous sports car made by Ferrari that was really fast when it came out. It had a strong engine and was designed to be very light, making it one of the top cars of its time.

Term

concept cars

"...I was just watching Johnny's Brussels Motor Show videos. And I noticed that a lot of the concept cars seem to have unique tires..."

Concept cars are special vehicles made to show off new ideas and designs. They are not usually for sale and are often used at car shows to get people excited about future cars.

Company

Michelin

"...let's say if you're Citroen and you have got a long-standing relationship with Michelin, and you say, well, whatever this car becomes..."

Michelin is a famous tire company that makes tires for cars, trucks, and other vehicles. They are well-known for their quality and have been around for a long time.

Brand

Citroën

"...let's say if you're Citroen and you have got a long-standing relationship with Michelin, and you say, well, whatever this car becomes..."

Citroën is a car company from France that makes different types of vehicles. They are known for their unique and creative car designs.

Term

white letter tires

"And that's why you've seen a massive renaissance of white letter tires. There's definitely been a bit. It's come back. Especially in the drift scene and the performance scene."

White letter tires are tires that have white writing on the side. They're popular for their look and are often used on sports cars and in drifting.

Company

Pirelli

"so you can immediately go as new Pirelli's. Yeah. That's so, you know, tires are perhaps more styled than we might think."

Pirelli is a brand that makes tires, especially for sports cars. They are known for their quality and performance in racing and everyday driving.

Car

Ford Puma

"I'm 19 years old currently on my second car. The first car I owned outright was a gorgeous mark on Ford Puma 1.7,"

The Ford Puma 1.7 is a small, sporty car made by Ford. It's known for being fun to drive and has a unique look that many people like.

Car

Audi S6

"... dad and tell him I'd bought a knack at Ford from S6. This is so secretive."

The Audi S6 is a fancy car that is faster and sportier than the regular Audi A6. It's designed for people who want a luxurious ride that can also go really fast.

Car

Bmw 2Series

"I eventually settled on a 2015 2-litre diesel BMW 2-series, which I love. It's fun, comfortable, sporty enough, rear-wheel drive coupe, which has received plenty of praise from similarly aged friends."

The BMW 2 Series is a small, sporty car that is fun to drive and comfortable. The 2015 version has a diesel engine that helps it save on fuel while still being enjoyable to drive.

Car

Hyundai Coupes

"...ibe I was going for, I've been looking for a few Hyundai Coupes and first gen Megans. I'd love to get your take ..."

The Hyundai Coupe, or Tiburon, is a small, sporty car that was made for a few years and is known for being affordable and stylish. It's a good choice for someone looking for a fun car without spending too much money.

Car

Nissan 350Z

"... It's been a few weeks since we've mentioned the Nissan 350Z. Oh, yeah, yeah."

The Nissan 350Z is a sporty car made in the early 2000s that is known for being fast and fun to drive. It's designed for people who enjoy a thrilling driving experience.

Car

Mazda Rx8

"I mean, I think it would cross the threshold no matter how good you are amending stuff to recommend an RX-8 because I don't think you want to be doing your rotor tips on the drive. What about one that's got a different body on it?"

The Mazda RX-8 is a sporty car that has a special kind of engine called a rotary engine, which makes it different from most cars. It's known for being really fun to drive, but you have to take good care of it to keep it running well.

Concept

salvage title

"...you can get yourself a salvage damage car that's possibly newer than you were expecting. And if you're going to want to change certain panels for lightened ones for race type purposes..."

A salvage title means the car was in a bad accident and the insurance company decided it was too damaged to fix. You can buy these cars cheap, but they might need a lot of work to be safe and legal to drive.

Car

Ford Mustang

"... To my eyes, it looks like a cross between a 60s Mustang and an early Datsun 240Z."

The Ford Mustang is a classic American sports car that first came out in the 1960s. It's famous for being fast and stylish, and many people love it for its fun driving experience.

Car

Datsun 240Z

"... cross between a 60s Mustang and an early Datsun 240Z. It does, doesn't it?"

The Datsun 240Z is an old sports car from the late 1960s that many people love for its cool looks and good performance. It's considered a classic and is often talked about by car fans.

Car

Honda S600

"...an old late break show video about Johnny's Honda S600. S600 from the 60s."

The Honda S600 is a tiny sports car from the 1960s that is known for being light and having a very fast engine. It's one of Honda's older models and is now quite rare and special.

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