I tried searching....or can I start one here?

I tried searching....or can I start one here?

This is the closest I found but I think it's been long dead.

http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/showthread.php?t=159&highlight=car

I don't see any problem with starting a new one. :tucool:

Do it here... wtf? I was looking for a ride. :blank:

tarseal..... lol I used to be a HUGE fan of the rock back when he was a wrestler....your avatar brings back good memories from middle school of rock bottoming my little brother and him people's elbowing me...btw lets get this thing going...heres my ride

2006 Hyundai Tiburon

http://photos-617.ak.facebook.com/ip005/v17/39/15/22611220/n22611220_30993617_2209.jpg

http://photos-618.ak.facebook.com/ip005/v17/39/15/22611220/n22611220_30993618_2788.jpg
http://photos-619.ak.facebook.com/ip005/v17/39/15/22611220/n22611220_30993619_3193.jpg

http://photos-620.ak.facebook.com/ip005/v17/39/15/22611220/n22611220_30993620_3573.jpg

http://photos-621.ak.facebook.com/ip005/v17/39/15/22611220/n22611220_30993621_3962.jpg

Looks cool.

I don't have a pic of my ride. Not much to look at... 1998 Jeep Cherokee. Lots of wear and tear, and a major dent.

I Love Jeeps for some reason....I used to go mudding with my high school buddies ..couple of em had mid 90's models

Here's my car

http://www.mrsentra.net/images/nick/nickspec1.jpg
http://www.mrsentra.net/images/nick/nickspec2.jpg
http://www.mrsentra.net/images/nick/nickspec3.jpg
http://www.mrsentra.net/images/nick/nickspec6.jpg
http://www.mrsentra.net/images/nick/nickspec7.jpg

And the part that makes it fun :D It's a Turbonetics Turbo Kit with a Turbonetics T04E 50 trim/Stage III .68 A/R Ceramic Ball Bearing Turbocharger. I haven't gotten it dynoed yet but at 8PSI it made 275WHP so at 11 - 12PSI I'm pretty sure I'm making 300WHP or so maybe more.

http://www.mrsentra.net/images/nick/turbopic2.jpg
http://www.mrsentra.net/images/nick/turbopic1.jpg

I'll Bite:

I have the ultimate in German engineering AND American Engineering...both are fun to drive, but you can guess which is more reliable ;)

Theres some nice rides there. :cool:

I've got a couple. The first is my '03 Ford F350 Lariat dually. Its got leather and heated seats, with a 7.3liter turbo diesel powerplant and 4" exhaust with 300 hp and 500 fl lbs torque.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a197/6stringmason/P10103451.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a197/6stringmason/P10103411.jpg

And here's the co-pilot and business mascot. His name is Duke, but I call him the Colonel.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a197/6stringmason/Dukie06.jpg


And heres my favorite ride. An '05 Harley Davidson Roadking.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a197/6stringmason/P1020171.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a197/6stringmason/P1020170.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a197/6stringmason/P1020172.jpg

The PimpCaddy (tm).
And the new car I bought today.
(as yet to be named)

I will post pics of my Harley when I get home.

The PimpCaddy (tm).
I always thought that you referred to the smart car as the PimpCaddy. :doh:

My rides:

http://www.90in9.com/uploads/bike_on_far.jpg

neither one of them are much to brag about, but they both get the job done just fine. (And they are both paid for :D )

I can't wait to see if I can fit the bike and both Kayaks on the roof next summer.

-- Jeremy

Try not to be too jealous fellas:

http://www.nycvisit.com/_uploads/images/subway_op_NEW.gif

Daily driver:

18536

18537

Not pictured: 91 GMC Syclone, 98 GTP, 79 CJ5

Try not to be too jealous fellas:

http://www.nycvisit.com/_uploads/images/subway_op_NEW.gif

Nice, hopefully you don't need one of those silly subway maps like I always have to use when I go into the city. I do love the subway though it's way cheaper than taxi's and better than walking 40 blocks.

-- Jeremy

This sounds like a job for CARGUY!

Here's my ride. 2007 Saturn Sky. Hurry up spring!

Here's my ride. 2007 Saturn Sky. Hurry up spring!
Very nice! I didn't know you had a Sky. I like it. Good color choice, too. :)

Here's my ride: A PoS 2005 Excel 396. I can't complain--it gets me from point A to... point A. I'm about to take her for a spin now. :blank:

18543

Very nice! I didn't know you had a Sky. I like it. Good color choice, too. :)

Here's my ride: A PoS 2005 Excel 396. I can't complain--it gets me from point A to... point A. I'm about to take her for a spin now. :blank:

18543

Thanks John. And thanks for not posting a pic of the Merc right after my Sky. You can't tell from the pic but it has a red and black leather interior that is really cool.

Your 396 looks pretty sharp too. Looks like it would get great gas mileage. I'm about to do the same but I have to drive into the gym. Happy Saturday everyone.:nod:

Bad ass truck, Fender.

This sounds like a job for CARGUY!

Here's my ride. 2007 Saturn Sky. Hurry up spring!

Very nice. :tu: If they would only make a coupe version of that (or the Solstice), a turbo version would likely be my next car.

Daily ride (winter ed):http://www.newflyer.com/pix/D35LF_Austin.gif

Daily Ride (Summer ed):http://images.mec.ca/media/Images/Products/Footwear/5002488_v1_m56577569830549121.jpg
and
http://www.bikes.com/bikes/2007/zoom/z-07-rc-30-red.jpg


Kid limousine transport:http://images.consumerguide.com/autoreview/150X100/2000-Chevrolet-Venture-00124991990015.jpg

Here's what I currently move the fastest in. (This is actually a stock picture - mine are red, and are US size 15.)

Here's mine. 2006 Nissan Frontier LE We've put on a tunneau cover on since these pics. Makes it much more useful and improves the mpg a tad.

We also have a manual 95 Saab 9000 Hatchback we use as a commuter car on days that we can drive together. Otherwise it's my wifes car. It gets about thirty mpg compared to the truck which is in the upper teens or maybe twenty in the warmer months.

Very nice. :tu: If they would only make a coupe version of that (or the Solstice), a turbo version would likely be my next car.
Yeah the Solstice and the Sky should be a turbo platform out of the box:nod:

On a side note A buddy of mine has a Sky with a Greddy Turbo Kit on it, last time he came down from LA we went for a little spirited drive :whistle: and I walked all over his car pretty badly, he was really pissed :lol: But they are really nice cars my car only goes fast in a straight line :doh: his car would manhandle me in the curves :nod:

In april of this year I bought a 2006 Subaru WRX STi in Crystal Grey Metallic.

Not sure if I love the colour still. It looked great on the showroom floor with the indoor lights, but in sunlight it's a completely different look. Looks a bit more boy ricer then I want but I love the car. AWD is really handy in getting up and down my mountain in the crazy snow we've had this year. The handling is amazing, the 300hp and 300 torque make for a very fun ride. Plus I can pass by several $100k sports cars (poor porsche owners) in "spirited driving"...

Only real downside is all the fast and furious civic and neon drivers want to race all the time.

I'd post a pic but my car is dirty from all the salt and sand right now. I've got to give it a bath.

Only real downside is all the fast and furious civic and neon drivers want to race all the time.
Try taking your wing off or swapping it with a regular WRX owner ;) All the STI owners around here do that to avoid all the everyone tries to race you mess :nod:

That's what I love about my car is it just looks like a four door econobox, it's nice and sleeper and doesn't attract attention. I like that my car is low key I just daily drive it to and from work with no hassle from anyone. Evo and STI owners have to deal with a lot of crap from all the "fan boi racers" I'm sure it must really suck.

The 04/05 STi only has the one rear wing. But my 06 model has a rear air diffuser that is mounted near the top of the rear window. There is a couple guys around here with the 06 and a WRX wing, but it looks even more dumb then the big wing that come stock.

Just this morning on my way into work a cavalier was pulled over for trying to get me to race him from the light. Hehe, I just ignored him cuz I know that the cop is always waiting right there every morning...

Daily driver: 06' Steel grey metallic STI
http://www.cars101.com/subaru/impreza/WRXsti06gray1.gif

Weekend warrior: 95.5 Toyota Tacoma...lots of mods :)
http://www.norcalttora.com/albums/album267/adh.sized.jpg

I have to ask... was that a good photo op or were you hung up on the rear diff? :tucool:

1.) The T/A on the infield at Daytona Int'l Speedway
2.) The Mustang (daily driver)

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e183/bluestreak363/P1010075e.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e183/bluestreak363/Mustang/after07.jpg

Not pictured is my '73 Pontiac Grandville convertible and the wife's '04 F250 FX4 super cab.

-R

1.) The T/A on the infield at Daytona Int'l Speedway

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e183/bluestreak363/P1010075e.jpg

-R
mmmmm LS1 Powa!!!! :madpimp:

mmmmm LS1 Powa!!!! :madpimp:
Try LS6. :tucool: The only thing left of the original LS1 is the block.

-R

They had one of the new Shelby Mustangs at the dealership where I got my Fusion this past weekend. They actually had gotten three (! :spaz: ! - one for their dealer allotment, one for being a Top 100 dealer, and one for being in the President's Club) but the first two were already gone. This one was black on black with silver stripes, and it was still in the prep shop so I couldn't take it out (not like they would have let me anyway) but it sure looked bad ass. Sticker price $45k. They sold the first two for $60k and they were asking $75k for the one I saw, and seemed to think they would have no problem getting it.

They had one of the new Shelby Mustangs at the dealership where I got my Fusion this past weekend. They actually had gotten three (! :spaz: ! - one for their dealer allotment, one for being a Top 100 dealer, and one for being in the President's Club) but the first two were already gone. This one was black on black with silver stripes, and it was still in the prep shop so I couldn't take it out (not like they would have let me anyway) but it sure looked bad ass. Sticker price $45k. They sold the first two for $60k and they were asking $75k for the one I saw, and seemed to think they would have no problem getting it.
I happened to be visiting the parts department at the Ford dealer near my house this past September '06 when the first 2007 Shelby rolled into the dealership on a flatbed delivery truck.

Of course, half the mechanics and salesmen rushed out to look at it, as I did. The sales manager casually sauntered up as the car was lowered onto the ground, opened the door, and put a "Market Value Adjustment sticker" on the window, and right next to it on the windshield and the door, he placed two bold, red "SOLD" signs.

The sticker on the car was $46k and change. The market value adjustment sticker added $19,995 - and the car was already sold.

$66k for a blown Mustang? I can build a hell of a lot more car for a lot less money. Plus, these Shelby's won't be rare - Ford is building 8,000 per year over the next three years.

My advice? Wait for a 2009 Shelby when they've worked all the bugs out of the platform - and you'll pick it up for sticker price by then, too. The novelty will have worn off. Trust me - I watched this phenomenon occur with the '98 - '02 WS6 Trans Ams. When I bought mine, people were paying premiums because they were new and rare. Three years later, people were picking them up for sticker, sometimes cheaper. Of course, that's not the special editions like my car is - that's the plain-jane WS6, but they were still comparable to what the Shelby is experiencing now.

Oh, and just so I'm not thread-crapping - here's the rest of the fleet.

1.) The wife's truck, my T/A and our 2006 SE Silver Kawasaki 750 Brute Force
2.) The Grandville in her heyday,
3 & 4.) As she sits today, one of the rare occasions it's been out of the garage in the past six years. It will be moved to my best friend's house in the not-to-distant future where we will begin to frame-off restore the car.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e183/bluestreak363/Misc363/012806c.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e183/bluestreak363/Misc363/grandville2.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e183/bluestreak363/Misc363/grandville3.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e183/bluestreak363/Misc363/grandville1.jpg

-R

http://www.canadiandriver.com/roadtest/images/01miata_side2.jpg

This is not mine, but the same make and model. 2001 Mazda Miata. Mine has a rollbar, headers, intake and exhaust and as soon as I can swing it, a turbo system. Zoom-zoom. :)

-L

I have to ask... was that a good photo op or were you hung up on the rear diff? :tucool:

1.) The T/A on the infield at Daytona Int'l Speedway
2.) The Mustang (daily driver)

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e183/bluestreak363/P1010075e.jpg

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e183/bluestreak363/Mustang/after07.jpg

Not pictured is my '73 Pontiac Grandville convertible and the wife's '04 F250 FX4 super cab.

-R

Good Photo op:) Was walking down a series of 3' ledges and my passenger got out to take pics.

Daily driver: 06' Steel grey metallic STI
http://www.cars101.com/subaru/impreza/WRXsti06gray1.gif

Weekend warrior: 95.5 Toyota Tacoma...lots of mods :)
http://www.norcalttora.com/albums/album267/adh.sized.jpg

NICE!!! I was waiting for someone to post an STI I have 05 Aspen white on gold!

http://students.depaul.edu/~dpark3/ect250/sti.jpg

NICE!!! I was waiting for someone to post an STI I have 05 Aspen white on gold!

http://students.depaul.edu/~dpark3/ect250/sti.jpg
Is that an Autocross event or a 1/4 mile track you are waiting in line to run your car at?

Is that an Autocross event or a 1/4 mile track you are waiting in line to run your car at?

That's at Route 66 battle of the imports its a drag strip :( I really wanted to do circuit racing but usually you have to be in a club unless I go all the way to Gingerman but that's pretty far from me. Drag racing is cheaper and more convenient since they're everywhere. Turns are more fun though.

Thought I would be the first female to post my "ride". I origianlly wanted a larger truck, but gas prices here are ridiculous.
2006 Dodge Dakota
http://images.safeform.com/stock/300/DODGE/DAKOTA/2006/4PU-l.jpg

Woot! 3 of us with STi's!

That's at Route 66 battle of the imports its a drag strip :( I really wanted to do circuit racing but usually you have to be in a club unless I go all the way to Gingerman but that's pretty far from me. Drag racing is cheaper and more convenient since they're everywhere. Turns are more fun though.
Yeah I'd like to do some Autocrossing in my car too, there is a Stadium like 15 min from my house where they do it every saturday. Only thing that sucks is my car doesn't do so well in the twisties it handles ok. I have 36 way fully adjustable coilover suspension, Front, Rear and Lower Sway bars but I would get my ass handed to me in the class I would have to be in. My car is just good at going fast in a straight line, low 13's - high 12's aren't bad for a 4cyln Nissan Sentra :lol:

Yeah I'd like to do some Autocrossing in my car too, there is a Stadium like 15 min from my house where they do it every saturday. Only thing that sucks is my car doesn't do so well in the twisties it handles ok. I have 36 way fully adjustable coilover suspension, Front, Rear and Lower Sway bars but I would get my ass handed to me in the class I would have to be in. My car is just good at going fast in a straight line, low 13's - high 12's aren't bad for a 4cyln Nissan Sentra :lol:

Well there's a lot of different classes, but wow not bad for a sentra. SR20DET swap? An AWD and FWD is a world of difference in handling too much understeer on a FWD and AWD you lose handling if you DO NOT accelerate in the turn. The only other car that didn't have a lot of understeer for a FWD was an Integra Type R those handle almost as well as my STI. As little power they have they come out of the turns very quick when I watched a circuit track event going against 300+hp vehicles. I think a good part of it is because it can rev so high and its all motor. Good thing someone posted this I was waiting to see if anyone else was really into cars in here LOL. :claphigh:

Well there's a lot of different classes, but wow not bad for a sentra. SR20DET swap? An AWD and FWD is a world of difference in handling too much understeer on a FWD and AWD you lose handling if you DO NOT accelerate in the turn. The only other car that didn't have a lot of understeer for a FWD was an Integra Type R those handle almost as well as my STI. As little power they have they come out of the turns very quick when I watched a circuit track event going against 300+hp vehicles. I think a good part of it is because it can rev so high and its all motor. Good thing someone posted this I was waiting to see if anyone else was really into cars in here LOL. :claphigh:

Autocrossing isn't really too much about power on most courses. Miatas often wipe the floor with much "faster" cars due to their light weight/neutral handling. Yeah, power matters, but tossability in a tight autocross course is just as if not more important.

My Z was a bit too powerful to be a good learning car IME. It took me awhile to not get into the gas too much, breaking rear traction or going into a bit too much of a drift. It took me awhile to get anywhere near "smooth".

Too much power+FWD makes a car that much harder to learn on I suspect.

As to other good FWD cars, Minis are pretty good.

As for accelerating in a turn, any car you need to start easing deeper into the throttle right about the apex. Turbos need a little earlier throttle input due to lag. I was driving an Audi TT once that I had to start spooling up the turbo almost as soon as my foot was off the brake (entering the turns). I was quite unimpressed with those overall for autocross.

RWDs are much more fun to steer with the right foot, though. You pretty much set the wheel, and vary the angle of the turn based on throttle position. :)

I haven't autocrossed in a couple of years :(

wow not bad for a sentra. SR20DET swap?
No it's just a QR25DE It's the Spec V model of the Sentra. My car understeers like crazy it sucks. I think it mainly has to do with the Turbo addition to the car it boosts instantly, it handled much better when it was N/A I could rail it through the turns with little oversteer and no torque steer. Now through turns if I touch the gas the car just goes straight and does not rotate really at all. My tires are like this / / and my car goes in a straight line :lol: ok so maybe I'm eggsagerating but you get the idea.

Here's the engine shot if you missed it on the first page. This kit is good for 450WHP with the Turbo and IC but I would need to build the motor before I could crank the boost up.

http://www.mrsentra.net/images/nick/turbopic2.jpg

No it's just a QR25DE It's the Spec V model of the Sentra. My car understeers like crazy it sucks. I think it mainly has to do with the Turbo addition to the car it boosts instantly, it handled much better when it was N/A I could rail it through the turns with little oversteer and no torque steer. Now through turns if I touch the gas the car just goes straight and does not rotate really at all. My tires are like this / / and my car goes in a straight line :lol: ok so maybe I'm eggsagerating but you get the idea.

Here's the engine shot if you missed it on the first page. This kit is good for 450WHP with the Turbo and IC but I would need to build the motor before I could crank the boost up.


In addition to torque steer, hanging 75 lbs or so of turbo and intercooler in front of the axles doesn't help handling very much :)

In addition to torque steer, hanging 75 lbs or so of turbo and intercooler in front of the axles doesn't help handling very much :)

You might want to invest in a traction bar. Also, if you lowered your car more then 2 inches you may need a camber kit along with an alignment it really helps a lot then keeping your wheels like this / \

Nice engine shot what kinda turbo is that t3/t4? Looks like its mighty cramped in there i'm not a big fan of sentras though if i did a nissan it would have to be an RB swap in a S14. That's my next project actually. RB25DET in a S14. I really wanted to do another honda but hondas are getting stolen left and right in chicago right now.

Mannishboy try driving an STI or EVO you'll be surprised on how well the car handles for an AWD heavy car and 300+hp it literally is just point and turn. RWD cars are fun cuz u can drift but drifting is WAAAAAY overrated fun but who really does that in a race? It slows you down quite a bit as well compared to good grip driving.

Nice engine shot what kinda turbo is that t3/t4? Looks like its mighty cramped in there i'm not a big fan of sentras though if i did a nissan it would have to be an RB swap in a S14. That's my next project actually. RB25DET in a S14. I really wanted to do another honda but hondas are getting stolen left and right in chicago right now.
Yeah it's a T04E 50 trim/Stage III .68 A/R Ceramic Ball Bearing Turbo.

See I think the whole 240/180sx thing is getting a little played out now. They are nice cars and I'm a die hard nissan fan but everyone and there mother has those cars now. Here in Cali they are more popular than hondas. You can't even find an old s13 or s14 anymore all the high school wannabe drift kids bought them all up. The most popular cars on the road as far as imports go here are Evo, STI/WRX, SRT-4 and s13 - s14 oh and the little toyota AE86's. I may just have a sentra but I'm glad my car isn't the same car everyone else has around here, keeps the unwanted attention away :tucool: (I'm not bagging on your STI I like those cars)

Mannishboy try driving an STI or EVO you'll be surprised on how well the car handles for an AWD heavy car and 300+hp it literally is just point and turn. RWD cars are fun cuz u can drift but drifting is WAAAAAY overrated fun but who really does that in a race? It slows you down quite a bit as well compared to good grip driving.

There are negatives to AWD as well, but that's another debate.

I love AWD cars, don't get me wrong. My Syclone isn't exactly a handler, but throwing all the power at four wheels is fun in its own way.

I'm not talking about drifting when I'm talking right foot steering. That's definitely not the fast way around. However, it is an important input in setting a proper line. It directly affects the attitude and weight balance in a corner, and is a key skill in autocross where things are tight. Too much steering input scrubs speed much more than gently feathering throttle input.

In addition to torque steer, hanging 75 lbs or so of turbo and intercooler in front of the axles doesn't help handling very much :)
More like 100lbs + :lol: The Z Kit weighs 150lbs and the Sentra Kit isn't much different.

Even so overall 2710lb car + Turbo Kit + Me is still only 3,000 lbs so it's a pretty quick little car. It pisses the V8 muscle heads, 350Z, Evo, STI and SRT-4 owners off :lol:

Yeah I'd like to do some Autocrossing in my car too, there is a Stadium like 15 min from my house where they do it every saturday. Only thing that sucks is my car doesn't do so well in the twisties it handles ok. I have 36 way fully adjustable coilover suspension, Front, Rear and Lower Sway bars but I would get my ass handed to me in the class I would have to be in. My car is just good at going fast in a straight line, low 13's - high 12's aren't bad for a 4cyln Nissan Sentra :lol:

They also used to do 1/8 mi drag races at Qualcomm on weekends. I don't know if they still do.

I've taken my car out to Willow Springs on the street track. Too much fun! I'm not sure I want to do that again, the car is my only ride and I'd hate to wreck it.

-L

They also used to do 1/8 mi drag races at Qualcomm on weekends. I don't know if they still do.

I've taken my car out to Willow Springs on the street track. Too much fun! I'm not sure I want to do that again, the car is my only ride and I'd hate to wreck it.

-L
Yep Qualcomm is where I was talking about, I've done the 1/8 there when my car was n/a. That track sucks for traction big time so me going there boosted would just yield me worn out tires. I wish they never closed Carlsbad Raceway, now the only 1/4 mile track is like 3 + hours away :cry:

Well if you live in cali yeah that's like the mother of imports anything that hasn't been has been done there. True the SR20 swap has been done to death unless its an S15 swap but that there is super expensive. You don't really see to many RB swaps especially an RB26DETT swap (the cost of that swap is 15grand+). A K24 with ITBs in a 96 coupe sounds like fun but I doint' have a garage to protect the car from theft.

Mannishboy true there are negatives to AWD especially the stress on the drivetrain and putting the power to all 4 wheels but I prefer it over RWD and FWD ever since the Subaru. Evo MR's are fun too but it doesn't have the center diff control like the STI does. I have yet to drive a MR drivetrain car most are too expensive unless u have an MR2.

Well if you live in cali yeah that's like the mother of imports anything that hasn't been has been done there. True the SR20 swap has been done to death unless its an S15 swap but that there is super expensive. You don't really see to many RB swaps especially an RB26DETT swap (the cost of that swap is 15grand+). A K24 with ITBs in a 96 coupe sounds like fun but I doint' have a garage to protect the car from theft.
Here's the next big trend with the 240 crowd VQ35 from the 350Z swap

http://www.turboneticsownersclub.com/download.php?id=107
http://www.turboneticsownersclub.com/files/thumbs/t_sema14_764.jpg
http://www.turboneticsownersclub.com/files/thumbs/t_sema13_942.jpg

Nice I really never thought of that only because I didn't think that motor had a lot of potential. I've seen a few people swap a supra motor in a 240 LOL Hmm i believe we went a little off topic here on this thread sorry to the thread starter. I'm actually looking forward to the new Skyline comiing out in 09 if its overrated I may settle for the TT 335i or the new Evo10.

Nice I really never thought of that only because I didn't think that motor had a lot of potential.
:confused: really? The VQ has huge potential. My buddy has a 350Z with a Turbonetics Turbo Kit and stock motor putting down 390WHP at 8PSI. VRT and Speed Force Racing both have several Twin Turbo Z's and G's in the 700 - 800 WHP range being driven around daily.

:confused: really? The VQ has huge potential. My buddy has a 350Z with a Turbonetics Turbo Kit and stock motor putting down 390WHP at 8PSI. VRT and Speed Force Racing both have several Twin Turbo Z's and G's in the 700 - 800 WHP range being driven around daily.

Ahhh I see, I've seen the numbers but I haven't seen them perform. Maybe its cuz u live in cali and you see a ton more imports I've seen a few people hook up 350z's but its mostly show cars with super blue titanium exhausts. I just haven't seen any perform well at the drag strip or circuit track it could be just the location i'm in or it could be that the motor doesn't perform well in a its original body. Just like an RSX or TSX slow in the original body but when put in a EK or EG wow 12's easy stock motor. I had a vortech SI with 300whp and that was a dyno queen the numbers were there and fun factor was there but performance blew at the strip low 14's all day while a 190whp all motor Honda is hitting low 13's all day..........:confused:

Ahhh I see, I've seen the numbers but I haven't seen them perform. Maybe its cuz u live in cali and you see a ton more imports I've seen a few people hook up 350z's but its mostly show cars with super blue titanium exhausts.
Yeah I think that's most likely it is your location. 350's, G35's, Evo's, STI's, SRT-4's are the thing out here. Swapped Hondas and all that died out a couple years ago ever since the release of those cars. It still exists but most have moved onto the Turbo or AWD platform.

I've never seen the fast and the furious which is why I guess I dont get the big hype over small little import cars with turbo.:confused:

I've never seen the fast and the furious which is why I guess I dont get the big hype over small little import cars with turbo.:confused:
Fast and the Furious is an embarrassment to the Import community. Those are the most retarded movies ever. I don't like the whole body kit and stickers all over the car look with huge fart cannon exhaust maing noise all over the neighborhood. I'm more of a keeping the car looking OEM (stock) and having power under the hood.

Yup fast and furious did ruin the import scene by ten folds. I think you bit the boost bug that's why you seem to think you don't see hondas anymore most people from Hondatech are from Cali. I have a lot of respect for NA cars such little WHP yet the car goes so fast (plus my team has mostly Hondas). Also, at battle of the Imports Hondas won every class except street tuner because Honda's aren't allowed in there. AMS Evos owns that class and pro turbo non FWD class. Also, the hype is that these little cars are built and not bought I mean who would think that Bizi's little SOHC motor would hit 9's in a insight body LOL. His DX motor hits 10's WTF?!?! Might I add that motor has about 90 HP stock! It was interesting to see him run 9's in that Insight live.

I think you bit the boost bug.
:lol: Actually the boost bug bit me. I got my Turbo Kit for free from Turbonetics I had no intention on boosting this car until they gave me the kit.

But out here I don't really see to many Honda's anymore. Maybe it's the part of San Diego I live/work in. They used to be out with a fierceness but all the meets I go to are all the newer Imports and maybe a couple swapped civics. I think a lot of the Honda owners don't drive there cars daily. One because we are a smog Nazi and Aftermarket Nazi state and two the fear of a nice swapped car or ITR getting stolen.

One because we are a smog Nazi and Aftermarket Nazi state and two the fear of a nice swapped car or ITR getting stolen.

I forgot about that and like here hooked up civics are cop magnets. Yeah i was like that when I first got my STI I just didn't care for NA cars especially Hondas i just overlooked them but my friend redid his whole motor with some aggressive cams WOW it pulls like a boosted car. I also started to miss it cuz you can beat on a Honda like no other and they're so easy to fix.

Yup fast and furious did ruin the import scene by ten folds.
Orlando has become a rolling version of the movie. There's nothing but bad imports with 36" tall wings poorly riveted to trunk deck lids, and these little cars couldn't use that much down force if you pushed them off a cliff.

I'd give my left nut if someone would invent a decent 4-cylinder exhaust that wasn't 50% more pipe than a turbo diesel requires and didn't sound like an annoying rendition of Flight of the Bumblebee.

I haven't autocrossed in years, but I'm getting ready to again. I started out with my old Hyundai hatchback, graduated to shifter karts, got into racing my T/A for a year (but tires got expensive for that quick!), and haven't done it since about '02.

I'm setting my Mustang up for it now. Steeda suspension, Baer claw brakes, Tokico 5-way adjustables, 8.8" rear... lots of goodies. I need better gears (I got this rear for $200, but it's got 3.27's - yuck! Needs 3.73's). I'll put some sticky tires on the stock 16x8 pony rims and before the year is out, hopefully a Novi 2000 on 9-lbs. of boost. Way, way, way more power than you really need in auto-x (I think I can get 400-420 on a conservative tune) but I like to go fast in straight lines, too. The T/A has a couple of 11.8x time slips in full road trim (no removed seats or spare tires) and I hope to take the Mustang into the 11's, too.

Now I feel like going and turning some wrenches... if it wasn't freezing cold outside.

-R

Now I feel like going and turning some wrenches... if it wasn't freezing cold outside.

-R

You're in Orlando. It ain't cold :D

I'm getting ready to order some LS1 F body brakes off of ebay for my 98 GTP to put on the front (you get about 2x the braking surface area over stock), but I'm trying to decide if that's a good idea. I'm kind of squimish about buying used calipers, but I suppose if they look OK it will be fine, and if they don't I can use them as cores. I wish I had them this weekend to do, since I've got a relatively free weekend.

My friend used to have a good joke about those cars with the enormous wings- "That probably adds about 10 lbs of downforce. Also, it's 10 lbs."

When I was a kid, we would go to Mira Mesa and watch the illegal drag races every so often. It was kind of stupid and kind of fun- at one point there were probably 70+ cars there, so there were traffic jams the entire time, which was kind of funny given that the police would come after a bit.

The whole deal with import cars is that there are lots of parts available for them and they're relatively cheap compared to a mustang or firebird or something.

-L

My friend used to have a good joke about those cars with the enormous wings- "That probably adds about 10 lbs of downforce. Also, it's 10 lbs."
Sounds about right. :lol:

When I was a kid, we would go to Mira Mesa and watch the illegal drag races every so often. It was kind of stupid and kind of fun- at one point there were probably 70+ cars there, so there were traffic jams the entire time, which was kind of funny given that the police would come after a bit.
Done a bit of that. It's not fun when it's broken up. It was less of a risk before they'd give tickets for illegal gathering. If you didn't run when the cops showed up at the illegal drags, they'd leave you alone. Now they ticket everyone in attendance for an unpermitted gathering on public property. This precludes the fact that street drags aren't the brightest idea in the first place.

The whole deal with import cars is that there are lots of parts available for them and they're relatively cheap compared to a mustang or firebird or something.
A somewhat debatable point. I'd wager that my Mustang, purchase price included, probably cost me to build roughly what your average import costs - and half the cost of the high-end AWD cars. ;) But it takes a little know-how, some DIY work, and some cash up front. Engines and paint jobs aren't cheap, but they cost a lot less than most used and any new car.

BTW, I had the privilege of co-driving a supercharged Miata at the autocross once. What a sick car that was. Your plans to go turbo are a good idea. I've also seen a 302 stuffed in a Miata at a car show. I'm sure that's interesting.

-R

Parts for my domestics are way cheaper than parts for my 350Z. With bigger performance gains to boot.

The whole deal with import cars is that there are lots of parts available for them and they're relatively cheap compared to a mustang or firebird or something.

-L

I'd have to disagree as well true there is a ton of parts for Hondas probably the most aftermarket parts, but most quality parts are coming overseas. JDM and GDM aftermarket parts are super expensive. USDM car parts are usually made here so for the most part its cheaper unless they're the sole provider for a part. I mean a Mugen gauge cluster is like 900 bucks wtf its a stock japanese cluster stamped with a logo. I guess that's the fun of it too to have something rare that no one else has kinda like having a Jordan rookie. That especially pertains to wheels LOL like these.... 3-5grand a set for 15-17 inches and usually a 1 year wait time :eek:

18665

3-5grand a set for 15-17 inches and usually a 1 year wait time :eek:
Is a wheel really worth that? Jesus H... I've been waffling over $1,200 for four new 17x9 rims with a set of 275/40/17 tires mounted/balanced for my Mustang. I won't bitch about that now. Thank the gods of domestic autos that Fox Mustangs are cheap and plentiful...

-R

They're magnesium wheels from japan and weigh a mere 8 lbs, actually those wheels are nothing compared to HRE Swiss wheels those range from 6-9grand a set and there is nothing fancy about them they don't spin around like spinnas and they're aluminum alloy or chrome for the most part. They only put those wheels on vettes, aston martins, and other super cars but still can't see why they're so expensive then again i'm not as familiar with their products as I am with Japanese ones.

They're magnesium wheels from japan and weigh a mere 8 lbs, actually those wheels are nothing compared to HRE Swiss wheels those range from 6-9grand a set and there is nothing fancy about them they don't spin around like spinnas and they're aluminum alloy or chrome for the most part. They only put those wheels on vettes, aston martins, and other super cars but still can't see why they're so expensive then again i'm not as familiar with their products as I am with Japanese ones.
I figured they were either HRE's or magnesium.

The OEM magnesium rims they had on the C5 'Vettes went for $3k aftermarket. I thought that was crazy - and that was 6+ years ago now.

Are the weight savings in the rotating mass really worth it? Or is it just a shiny item to make the other import guys jealous? I'm very familiar with HRE. I have a friend who's got a 750-HP supercharged Viper GTS with $6k in HRE rolling stock underneath it. He waited six months for his rims, and that was the price he paid for them in 2001.

If reduction in rotating mass is the goal with magnesium rims on an import, for that price, wouldn't it be better to upgrade the brakes? I'd stick to a "cheap" set of aluminum rims and put bigger brakes on the car any day and twice on an autocross Sunday. The increased stopping power of going from a two-piston to a four-piston caliper (or in my case, a six-piston) will more than make up for the "extra" weight of the rotating mass in the wheel.

You could even get a high-end set of Brembos (they make brakes for everything from Porsches to Camaros and generally run $4k just for a front caliper kit) and those brakes will put you through the windshield if you stomp on them with the stock rims/tires - so why spend $6k+ on rims/tires?

I can see why Viper owners do it. If you have a Viper, a $6k set of wheels likely isn't going to break you - that's the way my friend is. He spent $3k to have a custom set of headers produced.

But... if you're an import driver, in the majority of cases, you're probably not Rockefeller. Why, then, would magnesium rims that're up to a year out from availability be so sought after?

I'm just curious. I'm not exactly an import fan, but I always seek to understand why other types of racers do what they do with their cars so I can carry that over to mine if it makes sense. Magnesium rims aren't an option - especially since I don't think I'd ever buy rims that cost more than my engine did!

-R

Well for the most part wheels are the jewelry for cars sure you can get some replicas and that'll do the deed. I mean cmon do you really need some 26 inch spinnas?!?? Its like buying a 4 karat diamond anything its the ooooo ahhhhhh factor. Usually its show cars that have this type of ooooo ahhhh parts. Magnesium wheels isn't ideal for street use it is a much softer compound especially in chicago POS roads. Some things to shave a few lbs are understandable especially if your NA if your FI then who cares about weight. Like my STI they have a titanium exhaust that weighs 9lbs for 2 grand yeah it looks cool and its blue and its rare but will i notice a difference? Probably not.

Done a bit of that. It's not fun when it's broken up. It was less of a risk before they'd give tickets for illegal gathering. If you didn't run when the cops showed up at the illegal drags, they'd leave you alone. Now they ticket everyone in attendance for an unpermitted gathering on public property. This precludes the fact that street drags aren't the brightest idea in the first place.


Definitely not. I didn't go too often, but there was always at least some damage to a car at some point



A somewhat debatable point. I'd wager that my Mustang, purchase price included, probably cost me to build roughly what your average import costs - and half the cost of the high-end AWD cars. ;) But it takes a little know-how, some DIY work, and some cash up front. Engines and paint jobs aren't cheap, but they cost a lot less than most used and any new car.


Absolutely. I think it's a relatively recent development that import cars were being tuned at all. After all, the idea was that imports were reliable and fuel-efficient; but fast? Not as much as your average mustang, camaro, etc.


BTW, I had the privilege of co-driving a supercharged Miata at the autocross once. What a sick car that was. Your plans to go turbo are a good idea. I've also seen a 302 stuffed in a Miata at a car show. I'm sure that's interesting.


They're great little autocross cars that handle like go-carts, which is what really makes them fast on the track and pretty fun around town. Completely useless for carrying anything, but fun :)

I have seen and heard a V8 "monster" miata. While I imagine it would be a big surprise to see a little miata running alongside a viper, I also suspect it would totally destroy whatever handling the car has. Still, give me a few million dollars and I'd take one.

-L

I have seen and heard a V8 "monster" miata. While I imagine it would be a big surprise to see a little miata running alongside a viper, I also suspect it would totally destroy whatever handling the car has. Still, give me a few million dollars and I'd take one.

-L

Actually, I seem to remember seeing some stats on the Monster Miata with 302, and the weight distribution wasn't upset more than 2% or so IIRC.

I would love to have a Mallett Sky (http://www.mallettcars.com/sky-conversion.htm) or Solstice (http://www.mallettcars.com/solstice-conversion.htm). LS2 in one of those would be amazing :) With a 2 year warranty to boot.

I figured they were either HRE's or magnesium.

-R
HRE did someone say HRE? :lol:

My buddy Chad works for them here in San Diego. He's an engineer and happened to land his dream job of being a wheel designer for HRE (lucky bastid) Anyways when he had his G35 he designed and machined at set of 20inch mesh style wheels for his G, OMG pure sex!!! I am trying to find some pics of the wheels he made but I'm not having any luck right now. When I find them I'll post them up. I wanted to have him make a wheel for my car but he said starting price for a custom wheel is about $6,000 + :eek:

Absolutely. I think it's a relatively recent development that import cars were being tuned at all. After all, the idea was that imports were reliable and fuel-efficient; but fast? Not as much as your average mustang, camaro, etc.

-L
Yeah now the imports are dominating the 1/4 strip. I mean who would have ever thought a 4 cylnder car would run 8's, 9's or faster in the 1/4 mile :jumping:

I mean even now my car most average daily driven V8's (mustang, camaro ect.) decently modded have a helluva time keeping up with my car. Imagine that, a little 4 door sentra putting buslenths on a muscle car :confused:

Yeah imports like this one...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iB_M1dqUK4

Might I remind you its NA and its a F22 Sohc motor out of an old accord. His old CRX was hitting 10.23 with a D15 from a 92-95 civic DX. How? Nobody knows how he does it but I heard he has a masters in physics or something like that. For you doubters out there no its not fake any major import drag event he leaves the car out with the hood open so you can see the motor you can clearly see its a F22 motor. I mean of course its not gonna beat no funny car but its the fact its a Honda where the motor was probably like 500 bucks and the chassis was a 1000 bucks with no forced induction or huge displacement.

I'll add to the collection- My Daily driver....:D

The horsepower vary's from 330 to 390 depending on the build date.
AS of right now bone stock... For now:evil:

This was mine prior to the vette-
2004 Mustang GT Convert. Bought this one new

I'll add to the collection- My Daily driver....:D
Gorgeous 'Vette.

I'm still hoping to stumble across a '96 GS that isn't horribly priced for the wife someday... I love those 315's they put out back with the fender flares!

-R

NICE!!! I was waiting for someone to post an STI I have 05 Aspen white on gold!

http://students.depaul.edu/~dpark3/ect250/sti.jpg

Sweet! The 05' was my favorite in regards to looks. Great car huh?

I've never seen the fast and the furious which is why I guess I dont get the big hype over small little import cars with turbo.:confused:

You have obviously never driven one then have you. BTW, FATF is just like real life.

I plan on getting a local shop to do some work on my STi... (rocketrally.com)

First thing, engine management. After I get that and a custom tune, I am going to drive it for a few thousand km's to make sure I am happy or not. If I am not happy, then I am going to get an uppipe and downpipe in it and redo the custom tune.... I already feel the car is plenty fast, but you know...

I gotta lower the STi (still doing my research), the huge wheel gap, especially upfront, just ruins the lines of the car, imo. There are also few little things I want to get the clean up the car - tein hood dampers, turbo heat shield, short shift kit, steering bushings, the engine bucks a bit too much under boost so maybe some bushing/mounts there too...

I'm also replacing the stock head unit with some sort of nav/entertainment setup. Nothing crazy, I don't plan to add a huge sub or anything (don't really care to boom) but I do want to have a wide assortment of music on board and don't like having the garmin nuvi stuck to my windshield...

Another STi goodie that looks promising is a carbon fiber driveshaft....

Of course, I told myself that I wouldn't modify anything on the car till I hit 10,000km's. I'm at 8,000km's now so starting my research.

Of course, I told myself that I wouldn't modify anything on the car till I hit 10,000km's. I'm at 8,000km's now so starting my research.
My LS1 block didn't have a chance. It was just over 1,000 miles when I cracked the block open. Warranty can go to hell! :evil: Warranties don't make power. The Mustang is next, but it's got 12k on it since the motor went in October '05.

Do they have like... all wheel drive dynoes for those little guys? I've seen all manner of standard 2WD chassis dynoes, even seen them strap down an FWD on portables at car shows. I wonder what kind of power output those WRXs have? How do you measure AWD power output? Engine dyno and assume some percentage of horsepower is lost through the drivetrain?

I was toying with a blonde driving one of those little buggers later this evening. Holy hell, she kept right up with me - disturbingly close. I ain't used to that. Mine dynoed 291/322 HP/TQ to the wheels. We weigh the same (I looked it up; CW(WRX)=2689, CW(Stang)=2775). I keep 24-lbs. in my back tires and know how to drive a 5-speed. Hers still had temp tags. She wasn't very good with it yet. :lol:

That sure as hell justifies the future plans to supercharge my car.

-R

Hey Blue,

They definitely have awd dyno's - the local shop up here has one. I believe our STi's are putting down around 215hp and 225tq or so. Of course the Subaru marketing materials say the engine makes 300hp and 300tq but that's not power to the ground...

You know, I've had this car since april last year and I still dont have 8000km on it. I just started commuting to downtown so I am putting a lot more mileage on it :(

I still need more time in my car to learn to drive it properly... I'd love to get some track time and professional training, just don't know where to do it up here. Would definitely be fun though.

I still need more time in my car to learn to drive it properly... I'd love to get some track time and professional training, just don't know where to do it up here. Would definitely be fun though.

Ever thought about doing any autocrossing? It's a cheap way to learn lower speed handling without a ton of risk to the vehicle (or driver).

I took one of the Evolution (http://www.autocross.com/evolution/) schools a few years ago, and it was a blast for the money spent and got me started with the basics.

Other than that, look for track days. I'm sure there are some Subaru sites or clubs organizing them, or at least jumping in on some other ones. Track days are higher speed and higher risk, but a lot of them have instructors to help the beginners learn the lines, brake points, etc and don't just throw you out there to wreck.

We have an auto cross club up here and I am a member of a local board that has a few avid autocrosser's on it.

But, I haven't gone yet for a few reasons - don't have the required helmet (buying a $500 helmet that I may never use again? agh!) and I wanted to break the car in gently. Of course, now I am fairly positive it's beyond broken in.

I did sign up for a track day, with 4 hour of instruction, lunch and track time, but had a last minute work emergency that prevented me from going. Now I have to wait till spring for another track day. I did get to sit and watch all the video's of the STi's who DID make it out to track day... only made me jealous :)

We have an auto cross club up here and I am a member of a local board that has a few avid autocrosser's on it.

But, I haven't gone yet for a few reasons - don't have the required helmet (buying a $500 helmet that I may never use again? agh!) and I wanted to break the car in gently. Of course, now I am fairly positive it's beyond broken in.
Break-in on most modern engines, even high performance ones, is around 500-miles. Your bearings are seated well by that time, everything has been heat-cycled several times... if you don't have problems by 500-miles, you're broken in. I've built more than enough motors to know that one by now. So once you hit 500... drive it like you stole it. :evil:

Unless the autocross club has a specific safety spec for the helmet, any $50 helmet usually works. I've raced in nationally sanctioned SCCA events with an open-faced helmet that cost me $39 at the local motorcycle shop. When I was racing shifter karts, I had to have a $350 helmet (can't remember the spec... this was 1999) but karts tend to eject the driver when they flip (and that's what you want... you don't want a 200-lb. kart coming down on you at 60+ mph). Therefore, you need the extra protection of a better quality brain-bucket.

I'd poke around and see what they require in a helmet. Unless it was a mini-prix event (where they use bigger, longer tracks with faster courses) you never really exceed about 50... even 60 mph is pushing it a bit on most any autocross course.

I strongly suggest you get out to one. Be prepared - tires wear quickly on autocross surfaces, so if tire cost is an issue, don't go. After your very first autocross, you will have chewed a good amount of rubber off the tires. I suggest getting a cheap pair of rims and mounting a good, DOT-approved sticky tire on it (this should keep you from being bumped into a prepared class, where more experienced racers will compete). If you use a full-sticky tire with no tread, that bumps you to a race-prepared class. I don't know the classifications well anymore because it's been years since I ran at the autocross.

I quit racing after I got out of karts, and then when I was racing my WS6, they re-classed my car to A-stock/A-prepared, which meant I was competing against Z06/Z51 Corvettes (and getting my ass handed to me). In a straight line, I can beat most any C5-Z06 (cause I have the same motor with more mods). But on an autocross, I simply can't compete with that kind of handling in Firebird - it's too large, with a solid-rear axle. A 'Vette will beat me every time.

So I never went back. But... my Mustang... will compete race-prepared when I get the blower installed, so I'm going to put sticky tires on my current Pony rims and go to some 245/40/17's for street use. Haven't picked a rim yet, but you can damn sure bet it won't be magnesium or HREs!

-R

1991 Camaro Iroc

We have an auto cross club up here and I am a member of a local board that has a few avid autocrosser's on it.

But, I haven't gone yet for a few reasons - don't have the required helmet (buying a $500 helmet that I may never use again? agh!) and I wanted to break the car in gently. Of course, now I am fairly positive it's beyond broken in.

I did sign up for a track day, with 4 hour of instruction, lunch and track time, but had a last minute work emergency that prevented me from going. Now I have to wait till spring for another track day. I did get to sit and watch all the video's of the STi's who DID make it out to track day... only made me jealous :)

If you were giong to do a track day, you'd need a helmet, too. And if I thought I was going to do a lot of track days, I'd buy a much nicer helmet than my open face one I got for autocross. The risk is so much higher due to the much higher speeds. I think I paid $150 for it. Plus, the autocross events I go to have all had loaner helmets to get you started or to allow for people who don't have a helmet to ride along.

They aren't as expensive as fancy motorcycle helmets.

1991 Camaro Iroc

I had an 89 IROC with the 350 motor back in college. It was a blue similar to my current Z above. It was also without the big side stickers like yours.

I plan on getting a local shop to do some work on my STi... (rocketrally.com)

First thing, engine management. After I get that and a custom tune, I am going to drive it for a few thousand km's to make sure I am happy or not. If I am not happy, then I am going to get an uppipe and downpipe in it and redo the custom tune.... I already feel the car is plenty fast, but you know...

I gotta lower the STi (still doing my research), the huge wheel gap, especially upfront, just ruins the lines of the car, imo. There are also few little things I want to get the clean up the car - tein hood dampers, turbo heat shield, short shift kit, steering bushings, the engine bucks a bit too much under boost so maybe some bushing/mounts there too...

I'm also replacing the stock head unit with some sort of nav/entertainment setup. Nothing crazy, I don't plan to add a huge sub or anything (don't really care to boom) but I do want to have a wide assortment of music on board and don't like having the garmin nuvi stuck to my windshield...

Another STi goodie that looks promising is a carbon fiber driveshaft....

Of course, I told myself that I wouldn't modify anything on the car till I hit 10,000km's. I'm at 8,000km's now so starting my research.

Yes engine management is good I'd go with Cobb cuz you can change maps on the fly. ECUtek is ok but it costs money to get the software to change realtime maps but truthfully go with whatever your tuner supports the most but if you have the choice go with Cobb. An upipe is uselss on an STI its already catless unless your going for bling. From the looks of it your going for show huh? Why no go fast parts? A DP, and exhaust alone will put you between 260-280WHP on a cobb stage 2 off the shelf map a custom tune may get you to 300 whp if your lucky.

For suspension I'd go with either Ohlins or Cusco if your aiming for coil overs, teins are ok but overrated a lot of people complain about the ride quality, Ohlins allow custom spring rates as well racecompengineering.com is where the STI guys go cuz they are very well known for their knowledge of suspension. If your not really gonna mess with height too STI pinks with Ohlin shocks are an awesome choice too people who track like this combo a lot. Our cars are high cuz remember they're originally rally cars but the balance of our cars is phenomenal due to the boxer motor.

Short shifter if you have the factory one keep it, it isn't that much different then the other ones except for the length of the shifter. Shifter bushings are good if you have an 05 STI and higher the steering bushing has already been changed to a stiffer one. For motor mounts WRX guys use the STI mounts so there's really no use in changing them. BTW if your gonna get a custom tune get the go fast parts first or else your gonna have to spend money for dyno and tune time again. Sorry if you know this stuff already I just enjoy talking about cars and parts and giving my 2 cents.

For autocrossing usually a motorcycle helmet will work some don't allow it and need to be SNELL certified and not just DOT approved. Usually you can rent helmets at the track (ewww) for a low price. You can get a decent helmet for a little under 200 bucks.

Blue was the car a WRX or an STI? WRX puts out about 180-200WHP bone stock. Our cars lack top end power cuz our turbos are targeted for the "no lag" low to mid range power which is where the fun is.

You have obviously never driven one then have you. BTW, FATF is just like real life.

Far from it I dunno what kids do these days but the import scene was NEVER like that. First off there were NEVER EVER girls like that LOL. Two most fast cars are not that showy and are usually beat up looking. The import scene was small before and had its own little world where a B series motor swap was a big thing and hitting 14's was OMG. Also, neon underglows and stickers??!?! That's not traditional JDM style where it looks close to OEM and clean. After FATF altezzas, and winsheild wiper lights, neon underglows, wild body kits, dangerous street racing, cars getting stolen, it just wasn't the same anymore.

Sure their were underground races in fact my civic was in one of the 360 DVD's cuz I rebadged my Vortech supercharged SI with an EX badge and made it look like a ricer so people pick on me LOL. I pissed off a lot of Mitsu's that night. Then some NOS turbocharged mustang cobras were trying to bet me 10 grand to race them WTF?!? Different class their buddy everyone's here just to have some fun. Even the cops race their cars them cop cars are pretty quick man they're old carpices with a LT1 motor in it or a Monte Carlo.

Blue was the car a WRX or an STI? WRX puts out about 180-200WHP bone stock. Our cars lack top end power cuz our turbos are targeted for the "no lag" low to mid range power which is where the fun is.

The top end is also hurt by the AWD (as is my Syclone). The parasitic drag of the system that is so good to get you out of the hole starts to play into it all.

The really fast Syclones generally lose their AWD for top end reasons.

The top end is also hurt by the AWD (as is my Syclone). The parasitic drag of the system that is so good to get you out of the hole starts to play into it all.

The really fast Syclones generally lose their AWD for top end reasons.


True the turbo isn't big enough to compensate the huge drive train loss. I dunno why they gave the STI such a small turbo, its so bad that I have to shift at 6 grand and my redline is at 7200. I hit worse times shifting at redline due to the peak powerband only being from 2700-5200. Then again our traction makes up for it with 1.6 60' with street tires but our cars suck at the strip its fast but very hard to drive not like a Honda where you can just rev it high dump the clutch and dump the shifter between shifts and rev it to redline. It took me 3 months to learn to drive my car at the strip otherwise I kept bogging at the line hitting 14 second time slips keeping up with lightly modified Hondas LOL.

Blue was the car a WRX or an STI? WRX puts out about 180-200WHP bone stock. Our cars lack top end power cuz our turbos are targeted for the "no lag" low to mid range power which is where the fun is.
When I turned off the main road, she passed me. It had a red (I think it was red) "STi" badge on the back of the trunk lid.

I've seen earlier versions of the STi at the drag strip running high 12's. I thought the guy was in the wrong staging lanes at first (I run in the Sportsman lanes, which are for cars under 12.99). Sure enough, he clicked off a 12.7x-something. When he came back around to staging, I talked to him briefly. He was icing his intake, it had a program, and he was running a stickier street tire.

If I could justify another toy with four wheels, that might be where I went next in pursuit of the next techno-toy daily driver to mod. 'Cept that wing would have to go. Stylish car, but those mega-wings kill me. :lol:

-R

When I turned off the main road, she passed me. It had a red (I think it was red) "STi" badge on the back of the trunk lid.

I've seen earlier versions of the STi at the drag strip running high 12's. I thought the guy was in the wrong staging lanes at first (I run in the Sportsman lanes, which are for cars under 12.99). Sure enough, he clicked off a 12.7x-something. When he came back around to staging, I talked to him briefly. He was icing his intake, it had a program, and he was running a stickier street tire.

If I could justify another toy with four wheels, that might be where I went next in pursuit of the next techno-toy daily driver to mod. 'Cept that wing would have to go. Stylish car, but those mega-wings kill me. :lol:

-R

Yeah I do that too I put ice in my intercooler spray. With the right driver a tune, dp and exhaust could yield high 12's. They have the STI limited version out which comes with heated seats, sunroof, low profile spoiler but the 07s are slightly slower due to the added weight and the "adjusted" gear ratios to aim for comfortability. I understand the spoiler issue cuz i'm not a huge fan of large spoilers either but I don't get it the car came out for the enthusiast which is why the first model came with no radio and just power windows. People complained about the ride comfort but its a performance car WTF if you wanted luxury get a Legacy or a Forrester don't get a STI. That's like buying an SUV to save gas :rolleyes: trust me people have told me this.

I understand the spoiler issue cuz i'm not a huge fan of large spoilers either but I don't get it the car came out for the enthusiast which is why the first model came with no radio and just power windows. People complained about the ride comfort but its a performance car WTF if you wanted luxury get a Legacy or a Forrester don't get a STI. That's like buying an SUV to save gas :rolleyes: trust me people have told me this.
Inevitably, something as successful as the WRX line will be "softened" to appeal to more people - such is the nature of a product in demand - widen the audience, sell more cars. That means they've got to appeal to everyone from you 'n me to Mrs. Soccer Mom.

That's the entire reason I built my own Mustang. I have nobody to bitch at for the car's configuration except... well, me. The top two complaints I get from passengers is the stiff ride and the cabin noise (whoever put mufflers under the passenger cabin of the Fox Mustang should be beaten within inches of his life). It's supposed to be a stiff ride - I have 5-way adjustables and I keep them on the second-stiffest setting. The thing corners like it's on rails. I get compliments from people all the time about how the car sounds on the outside, but they complain about how the exhaust resonates when inside the entire passenger cabin.

I have yet to find the perfect car, and I've driven quite a few including the odd exotic. No car is perfect, but we can try to get ours as close as we can.

-R

Hey Droopy, you are right, upipe is catless. Downpipe is catted, which will probably be the one to go.

I am still tossed which way to go, cobb or ecutek. My tuner up here does both and I will probably just take his recommendation - he is highly rated out here by tuners.

I don't need to go much faster though honestly. The car is plenty fast, faster then all my friends cars even though they drive mercedes and porsches :)

I'm not into showy parts actually. I may get a limited front lip and may remove the wind vane and replace the big wing with a limited rear wing - take away the boy racer image and go for the sleeker look. I got a set of undercarriage neons from a friend for my birthday and guess where they are? Still in the box in the garage. I just can't bring myself to put them on. I really want the car to look stock or if not stock then close to it.

My biggest grief with the STi (it's an 06 btw) was the understeer... but I've found that if I give it enough right foot thru the turn that the car doesn't understeer quite as much... other then that, since it's a daily driver, I'd ideally love to get my turbo to spool a bit quicker, but still doin my research on that. Along with the suspension as well.... lot's of stuff to do, not much time :)

Wow spool quicker? The VF39 already spools at full boost at 2800 RPM. The access port is much more user friendly. I'd just do the DP and exhaust and a tune then you'll be happy with that i'm different where there's fast there's always faster you can never go too fast LOL. As a matter of fact since the DP is so restrictive the aftermarket one will help it spool a little bit faster I believe mine now spools at 2600RPM at 16.5PSI. Where you from anyways? Here in chicago we have a tuner named Jorge one of the best in the midwest tuners.

Some of my toys. :tu:

Satdive! you have too many toys! :)

droopy, I'm up in vancouver, bc. I know most tuners with the STi swap out the turbo for something bigger with more top end, resulting in power coming on way past 3000 rpm's (then they talk about meth injection too), but I'm not that kinda guy... I like to get to 100km fast - I don't want to break any land speed records :)

Very nice pictures and thread here. I dont have pictures but my daily driver is a 86 S-10 pickup with an old-school 350 that I put in last summer. It's currently got a home-made TBI setup and electronic ignition that I tune with my laptop but I'm going back to a 4 barrell setup and HEI ignition for quick and easy tuning. Here in Ohio the temperatures range from -5 to 95 and I'm constantly messing with it to get it to run decent.

Very nice pictures and thread here. I dont have pictures but my daily driver is a 86 S-10 pickup with an old-school 350 that I put in last summer. It's currently got a home-made TBI setup and electronic ignition that I tune with my laptop but I'm going back to a 4 barrell setup and HEI ignition for quick and easy tuning. Here in Ohio the temperatures range from -5 to 95 and I'm constantly messing with it to get it to run decent.

Nice! When I was in high school I had an old s-10 that I bought with a 305. Blew that one and put in a fresh rebuilt 350 bored out 60 over. 4 barrel holly with edelbrock high rise.

Plus a 350 turbo tranny with a 3.96 rearend and a B&M slapstick shifter.

Wow that thing would haul some serious ass. Not real fast in the long run, but it got up there quick!!

Sweet! With 3.96 gears and the .060-over 350 I bet you were loving life. I bought my truck with a junk 2.8L and had also bought a .030-over 350 with an aggressive racing cam in it. About 2 months later I finally got the 350 in and all the radiator and exhaust swaps done. I bolted on a TBI setup and bought the Ostrich tuning equipment and sat down with my laptop and figured all the fuel and spark curves for that cam. That motor was HOT. Bikers would just stare at it at gas stations with that lopey cam :guitar: . Then.....the rear seal went out of it and started puking oil everywhere so I put in a new GM crate motor. The cam in this new motor is not real aggressive and I can't get my TBI setup tuned right for it. Now I'm planning a Superior Radiator swap and bolting on an Edelbrock 650 carb and intake with HEI ignition. Hopefully this summer I can use the A/C. My current radiator is a stock 4.3L unit that wasn't good enough in the heat of summer. This new Superior unit is KILLER!...

Nice! When I was in high school I had an old s-10 that I bought with a 305. Blew that one and put in a fresh rebuilt 350 bored out 60 over. 4 barrel holly with edelbrock high rise.

Plus a 350 turbo tranny with a 3.96 rearend and a B&M slapstick shifter.

Wow that thing would haul some serious ass. Not real fast in the long run, but it got up there quick!!

Got a 97 Gti VR6 for a daily driver and a 90 Corrado as a project car getting a fully built 2.0 16v motor w/ pauter and JEs. Running DTA standalone and either a GT3076R or GT3040R havent decided yet, was going to run an SC61 but want something smaller so it'll be more fun around town and not just a highway monster.Its still in the process of being put together

http://i15.tinypic.com/4gxhc10.jpg

looks different now as ive gotten coilovers since the pic was taken and different wheels and a euro lip spoiler

ahhhHH!!!!!! i was about to post pics of mine but photobucket was down for maintenance.

btw, the talk about rims. unsprung isn't only about stopping, it's also about starting. part of the edge the smaller import cars have is power:weight. and example is my tercel, it weighs about 2100 stock with about 90hp. i then motor swapped it for a motor slightly heavier but with 135hp. then i turned up the boost. it might be at about 145/150hp. enough so that i had no idea what i was doing and i managed to run a 16.19 at the dragstrip. so if i actually learned how to launch properly, the setup i have right should be capable of high 14's/low 15's. from there, an aftermarket manifold and downpipe along with a turbo upgrade and tuning and such should get times lower. from a tercel :D.

so from there, i could go through some weight reduction and have times lowered even more. having skinny tires wouldn't help, so i'd have to get wider tires. to get wider tires, i'd most likely have to get larger rims. and larger rims = more weight. so a 15 lbs 15" rim (for my terc, that's about optimal diameter :D) would be less desireable than 10lbs 15" rims. which i have :D. anyways, any weight reduction should benefit accel, but reducing sprung weight (like rims) has an amplified effect. so sprung weight isn't just about decel, it's also about accel.

now, with all that spouting.....does it matter for most street cars? not a bit :D. i'll post pics of my cars later on when photobuckets up again.

I have a 1986.5 Toyota Supra that I installed a turbocharger on. I also have a 1996 Lexus LS400 that I drive around every day.

Late to the party but here's my 2002 Xterra SE/SC

http://www.foolserrand.com/xterra/x_front01.jpg

And VTX 1300S

http://www.foolserrand.com/VTX1300S/VTX1300S_Potomac.jpg

I like silver. :)

I like silver. :)

Does the Canadian law student know this?

Does the Canadian law student know this?

I think so. :o

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/138/384611526_b9b88bc46a_m.jpg

:(

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/138/384611526_b9b88bc46a_m.jpg

:(

:lol: :tucool:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/138/384611526_b9b88bc46a_m.jpg

:(

Looks like Chicago the past weekend when it sleet, rained, snowed, rained, then snowed again all in two days LOL.

Looks like Chicago the past weekend when it sleet, rained, snowed, rained, then snowed again all in two days LOL.

Yeah.. what a strange weekend.. although, Saturday Nights Snowfall was freaking awesome with the huge snowflakes. !!

Yeah.. what a strange weekend.. although, Saturday Nights Snowfall was freaking awesome with the huge snowflakes. !!

Yeah also felt like shards of glass hitting your face with the 20mph winds LOL It was cool though after it rained my car looked shiny but it was because all the rain that poured on it froze.

Back on topic mr h2onabe bigger rims definently does not mean more weight if you saw my post earlier those volk mags were 8lbs each. I believe in its 17 inch size they weigh 9lbs. Also, the forged aluminum TE37 volks are also 8-10 lbs each for 15's. Last but not least wow I haven't seen someone hook up a tercel in a long time.

New ride I picked up last year, with a few minor mods.
Slightly used.

New ride I picked up last year, with a few minor mods.
Slightly used.

Sooooooo Hot. :nod: :tucool:

Here is a pic of my BMW, with the headlights modded. I bought Xenon Angel eyes, clear corners lenses and have new fogs, sidemarker and tail lights on the way. Just added a PowerAkoustic 12in. sub in the back as well. The recent pics are not great and are from my Palm Camera, but at least give an idea of the bright clear light of the angel eyes. (Many more pics to come once the mods are complete and the weather is decent enough to give it a good wash) I am replacing the orange corners with the clears that just got here which will really begin to pull the front end together:

Check out THIS guy's ride!!! :D

Yves Rossy (http://www.jet-man.com/actuel_eng.html)

a car thread? ooooh.

um... I get to drive.... a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am... if anybody is familiar with gm motors, some might recall the quad 4. I have one of the last incarnations where they upped displacement from 2.3L to 2.4L and renamed it the "twin cam". I lovingly call her grandma, she has a rebuilt motor, GT30R turbo, dynoed last May at 362hp and 365tq at 12lbs of the good boost. Runs the 1/4 mile at 12.4@112mph on race slicks.
If anybody is "JDM", yes it's a domestic w/ VOLK TE37's.... I'm a ricer.
The car originally was white, now it's some dark BMW colour, the name currently escapes my feeble thought process, along w/ a splash of carbon fiber for that sport compact look.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/154/401130061_f907918604.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/163/401130079_073bc1ccce.jpg?v=0

and just for giggles here's a vid of me at LVMS before the car was painted.
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/60867569-c218-48e9-9033-98740061d46d.htm

:claphigh:

and my daily is a 1999 Jeep Cherokee Sport. 4wheel drive, 3inch lift, 31inch tires, let's me play in the mountains and gets me to school. :)

a car thread? ooooh.

um... I get to drive.... a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am... if anybody is familiar with gm motors, some might recall the quad 4. I have one of the last incarnations where they upped displacement from 2.3L to 2.4L and renamed it the "twin cam". I lovingly call her grandma, she has a rebuilt motor, GT30R turbo, dynoed last May at 362hp and 365tq at 12lbs of the good boost. Runs the 1/4 mile at 12.4@112mph on race slicks.
If anybody is "JDM", yes it's a domestic w/ VOLK TE37's.... I'm a ricer.
The car originally was white, now it's some dark BMW colour, the name currently escapes my feeble thought process, along w/ a splash of carbon fiber for that sport compact look.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/154/401130061_f907918604.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/163/401130079_073bc1ccce.jpg?v=0

and just for giggles here's a vid of me at LVMS before the car was painted.
http://videos.streetfire.net/video/60867569-c218-48e9-9033-98740061d46d.htm

:claphigh:

and my daily is a 1999 Jeep Cherokee Sport. 4wheel drive, 3inch lift, 31inch tires, let's me play in the mountains and gets me to school. :)

I was just about to say that those look like Volks nothing ricer about Volk TE37s they're super light and yes JDM gotta admit though never seen them on a domestic before. Ricer is them guys who think their Motegis and American racing rims are JDM or them guys that put DOHC VTEC, Type R stickers on every car except for a honda. Ever seen a Saturn with a DOHC VTEC, Type R, and an upside down Acura emblem on it? Now that's RICE. Damn you fast and furious. :lol:

I was just about to say that those look like Volks nothing ricer about Volk TE37s they're super light and yes JDM gotta admit though never seen them on a domestic before. Ricer is them guys who think their Motegis and American racing rims are JDM or them guys that put DOHC VTEC, Type R stickers on every car except for a honda. Ever seen a Saturn with a DOHC VTEC, Type R, and an upside down Acura emblem on it? Now that's RICE. Damn you fast and furious. :lol:


Best I've seen so far was a mustang GTR. A late 90's model, v6 model for 100% sure. Dual muffler of the pepboys APC kind, and the huge red R racing decal accross the front windshield. Okay yeah I have a huge decal across my friend windshield, but I'm asociated with a performance shop. I'm the slowest car :( Go figure. However, great ricer goodness you can find here in town, definitely makes you feel better about your ride when you're feeling down about it.

Sup people,

Here is my DD. Its also my 4x4. '95.5 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 3.4L v6.

Its just about stock, except in the second pic I have glass fendors on it. My neighbor hit the truck over the holiday's and I couldn't justify asking her to spend $1000 on a new fendor when I knew I was going to get the glass anyways. Saved here $750.00 and i got free glass and the warm and fuzzy feeling that here kids didn't have lumps of for christmass (well, at least thats what I say to myself)

I know that I didn't make it very high up the steps in the first pic, but it was my first time out and once again completely stock truck.

If anyone in So California wheels, let me know and we'll set up a trip.

Stock truck climbing steps
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r70/john0087/PICT0012.jpg (http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r70/john0087/PICT0012.jpg)

With Glass fenders
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r70/john0087/IMG_0140.jpg

Sup people,

Here is my DD. Its also my 4x4. '95.5 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 3.4L v6.

Its just about stock, except in the second pic I have glass fendors on it. My neighbor hit the truck over the holiday's and I couldn't justify asking her to spend $1000 on a new fendor when I knew I was going to get the glass anyways. Saved here $750.00 and i got free glass and the warm and fuzzy feeling that here kids didn't have lumps of for christmass (well, at least thats what I say to myself)

I know that I didn't make it very high up the steps in the first pic, but it was my first time out and once again completely stock truck.

If anyone in So California wheels, let me know and we'll set up a trip.

Stock truck climbing steps
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r70/john0087/PICT0012.jpg (http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r70/john0087/PICT0012.jpg)

With Glass fenders
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r70/john0087/IMG_0140.jpg

Nice, one of the rare ones. You in TTORA?

Nice, one of the rare ones. You in TTORA?

Hey,

Yeah, I am in TTORA, same screen name. I don't post often cause I am a newb and don't have the $$$$$$$$$ to work on the truck. and I am still new to wheel'n so there is a lot for me to learn before I start dropping bills.

I haven't gone out with them either, but i plan on getting out this year.

I've noticed that there aren't too many of the early taco's out there, the ones with the small head lights. It that what you are refering to about it being "rare".

DO you wheel?

John

Hey,

Yeah, I am in TTORA, same screen name. I don't post often cause I am a newb and don't have the $$$$$$$$$ to work on the truck. and I am still new to wheel'n so there is a lot for me to learn before I start dropping bills.

I haven't gone out with them either, but i plan on getting out this year.

I've noticed that there aren't too many of the early taco's out there, the ones with the small head lights. It that what you are refering to about it being "rare".

DO you wheel?

John

Rare as in standard cab v6:) Yes, I am in TTORA. NorCalTTORA to be exact. I am one of the old school original members.I posted my rides earlier in this thread. I have the same truck:tu:

:cry: I don't have a ride :cry:

a car thread? ooooh.

I'm a ricer.

Nothing ricer about that GA. I'm not a 4-cylinder turbo fan, but that thing kicks butt, and looks pretty good doing it. :tucool:

My who-ride: 2007 Ford Focus ZX3
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t26/fyrbyrd80/Cars/DCP03408.jpg

Wifey's car: 2006 Scion tC
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t26/fyrbyrd80/Cars/DCP03039.jpg

My baby: 1980 Firebird Esprit (Pontiac 400, TH350...)
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t26/fyrbyrd80/Cars/80fb03.jpg