Great write man. Being able to just "get in and go" is an awesome feeling. It took a wreck in my VR-4 and a stock '88 CRX in order to realize that its not about power in order to enjoy a car, and if anything, it can get you in more trouble than good.
Granted, I'm building a Stealth right now, but that's a weekend toy, not a daily driver.
Great writeup Eugene. I've never really modified either of my cars past basic suspension mods, but was able to learn basically everything you wrote about here from a buddy of mine as I watched his build in horror.
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Walbro 255, 450CC injectors, S-AFC, 300M output shaft, SPEC II clutch, RPS flywheel, ATR single shot exhaust, ATR downpipe, saner sway bars, PRM 3 pt strut bar, Greddy Type-S BOV, stillen cross drilled rotors, stillen brake pads, koyo rad
This is slightly off-topic, but does have something to do with the philosophy of modifying cars.
First off, Eugene, I wanted to let you know that you inspired me to finally do something about pursuing a long-time dream. . When I saw the before/after pictures of your garage recently, I decided I was so tired of working out of my messy 12'x24' shed, with the cars in a gravel driveway. . . I am adding a 18'x24' extension, with plans to keep it an organized work area, and not a bigger cluttered storage shed.
My Stealth is sitting disabled with broken transfer case until I finish the garage. My goal is to start moving tools etc. into it before Christmas. THEN and only then, will it be time for the xfer case fix, and 120k maintenance. . . . No more working in the driveway.
I guess my point is --> create a good workspace, then work on the car. . . I have done it WAY too many years the other way around.
For all the young modders out there, here is some more advice: keep a few thousand in an interest-bearing savings account for emergnecies. Hopefully, you will continue to add to it for personal savings. But at the very least, it will guarantee that you have some available funds for unexpected repairs.
For all the young modders out there, here is some more advice: keep a few thousand in an interest-bearing savings account for emergnecies. Hopefully, you will continue to add to it for personal savings. But at the very least, it will guarantee that you have some available funds for unexpected repairs.
Ahh, yes... the "oh shit" fund.
Can come in handy for emergencies not car-related as well.
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'91 3000GT VR-4 Jackstand Racing League 2008 series champion. '03 G35 Sport Coupe Retains transmission and full warranty, even with VDC off!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenneth Ellis
In case you haven't noticed, it's an internal combustion engine; it runs on air, fuel, and a spark being delivered every couple hundredths of a second. It doesn't run on rays of sunshine being blown out your ass with ample amounts of pixie dust and hope.
Wise words. Wise words indeed. Unfortunately, I expect it to hit mostly deaf ears among the younger crowd.
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"Of all God's creatures, there is only one that cannot be made slave of the leash. That one is the cat. If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve the man, but it would deteriorate the cat." - Mark Twain
This information is nice to hear, especially for someone with a lot of experience like you. I'm actual 18 years old and a freshman in college. I've been obsessed with cars forever (didn't know anything about them until around 14-15). When my father and I were looking for my first car, I wanted a Honda or DSM so it was "cool", fast, and cheap. Luckily my Dad found my SL and I was in love when I saw it. Anyhow, now I'm in college with a stock, automatic, FWD, N/A car. It seems like it's about to fall apart (headgasket, tranny, etc.) but I just want something fast.
Every few weeks I'm like ya I'm gunna save my money, TT it, suspension, etc. Then next week I say I'm gunna get a DSM or whatever. Then the next I say I'm gunna save it. After being into cars for so long and reading on forums for many years I just want something fun to drive. It sucks being that I'll have to wait until I graduate to get anything, but it's what I have to do. Although I want some big bad car now.
Also, a few months ago my Dad bought a older Firebird cheap just to resell and I learned to drive a 4 speed on it. Honestly, when I got inside I was like WOW this thing is extremely fast. It was fun to drive and stuff, then I asked my Dad what 1/4 mile he thinks it would run and he was like probably somewhere around 14 seconds. I was like that's all? It just shows that it is a lot different in real life. Sport Compact Car also did an article about this saying they have more fun in their 350WHP car than the big bad 800 horse ones.
Hopefully by the time I graduate and can get a car (Evo or VR-4, here I come =)) I'll be reasonable enough not to just mod the hell out of it and do it right (which I think I'll be able to, I hate when things are half-assed and not perfect). I think anything over 300WHP would be an amazing car to drive at least compared to what I'm used to.
Anyhow, does anybody have a fast car they wanna give me a ride in? Or need some help working on? Haha Sorry for the long random rant.
Bought my blue 91 back in 1995. Kept it stock til I found 3si in 2001. Began to mod as oem parts began to die. Low budget style went to 13G on 450s back in 2004. gutted cats, added DP, safc around then as well.
Found stealth 18s, 96 replica wing, and then did my 120k early in 2006. While I had the car apart, I had ESP put in new rods to be safe.
Tranny failed at 110k in 2007, so I drove to Jersey to buy an 18 spline, partied at Vinnies, and thats where my fixes and mods stand in my 12th year of ownership on my 1st TT.
I no longer want to make her faster now. I need to get rid of the TEIN-s and go with coilovers asap.
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Great write up Eugene. While I'm sure a lot of the youngans may ignore it, it will hit a few, and may even land on some old heads too and that's all you can ask.
Very wise words... Unfortunately, it will go over the heads of most of the people that need to hear it... Those of us that agree with you, already know the truth.
This kind of thing has been going on as long as there has been cars... I can remember in my youth, the guys that would throw big bucks at putting huge cams and giant carbs on small block chevys, thinking they were going to be king of the street, the things weren't even drivable, much less fast.. They had no concept of torque curves, or what kind of black magic was at work when they would get spanked by a very drivable big block..
The lesson I had to learn the hard way was the one about the limits of street tires... It was pretty annoying getting beat by guys with a lot less power because I couldn't hook up what I had..
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Re: The Philosophy side of modifying cars.
went to 13G on 450s back in 2004. gutted cats, added DP, safc around then as well.
1-21-2013 Date of America's Rebirth 
