Aristo

Unless the Civic has the supercharger, there is no way he can launch 5.0 second from 0 to 60. I hate those brat when they want to challenge you with the chick on their side. Can't you already see it's a GS430 with V8 engine? If you really want your butt whipped, sure, be my guest. Maybe your exhaust is louder but that's pretty much it.

Ice-9

I hear that. So many people slap a loud exhaust and some vinyl tape on their car and think it'll be fast. But http://www.riceboypage.com pretty much has the monopoly on insulting these guys, so I'm not even going to bother. Besides, if there weren't rice boys, we'd have to race people who might actually have fast cars!

__________________
Porsche. There is no substitute.

Ice-9
B-Works Productions
http://www.bworksproductions.com

ArkiStan

hey talkin' about Airfilters what brand would you recommend that is decent and affordable. Ice-9 you live in Berkeley right? Know any place where I can buy them cheap around here?

I have a '93 Prelude if that matters.

__________________
Please keep sigs 25kb or smaller.

ArkiStan

OK I guess that was a pretty stupid question. Looks like K&N is pretty much the standard for the filter. I guess I'm more curious about the cold air intake. Here are some I'm looking at:

1. Tenzo
2. Iceman
3. AEM

First I don't want the car to be TOO loud(I've heard the Tenzos can get really loud). And I've heard bad things about water getting into the engine on rainy days and over puddles cause the intakes are installed at the bottom of the car.

What do you guys think?

[Edited by ucbstan on 11-27-2000 at 11:42 PM]

Aristo

"And I've heard bad things about water getting into the engine on rainy days and over puddles cause the intakes are installed at the bottom of the car."

It is true and that's why I didn't install cold air intake.

shaggymatt

I don't even know where to start with my mods. Here they are but I know I will forget plenty of things:

VW Passat 1.8T
AWE K04 Turbo Upgrade
Neuspeed exhaust/downpipe
UUC Motorwerks Short Shifter
17" BBS RK w/ Bridgestone RE730 (15" factory wheels have snow tires mounted)
Mintex pads
Hardwired V1
O-Bar rear sway bar
HKS SMF Intake
LLTek Upper Strut bar
KW Variant II Coilover suspension (height and rebound adjustable)
45% Johnson films tint
Blitz Dual Turbo Timer/Boost gauge
Blaupunkt Head unit
Cerwin Vega speakers all the way around
Portable GPS mapping

Sitting in the garage to be installed:
Front Mount Intercooler
Schroth Rallye 4 point harness belts

Next on the to order list:
PowerSlot - Slotted rotors
TV, not sure about that one yet?
HID's?

pennypinch

You hopped up a 1.8L Volkswagen?

I must be missing something...where is the part where you install like a 5L engine? I smell a riceboy!!!!

shaggymatt

Dream on! I have dyno proven, 240hp, and 270 ft/lbs of torque, and that is for just the turbo upgrade. I have more upgrades than when the dyno run was done. Sub 6 seconds 0-60, and others with the same setup have run 13.8 in the 1/4. Smell rice all you want, because all you'll see is my tail! This is an extremly clean car, no big wings, yada yada, exhaust is not even that loud. I get 2-3 compliments weekly from people at traffic lights, parking lots, etc. Faster than a stock M3 (not the new one), it has been proven.

No expense has been spared here. That is about $10k in modifcations.

Riceboys are fart ass exhaust tips (coffee can sized ones that are way loud), and big ass wings, cut springs, red headlight bulbs, and so on.

Just so that you are a bit more up with the times, the 1.8T engine for the Audi/VW has been the Ward's top engine for a couple years running. A simple $400 chip upgrade in this engine gains 47hp and 80 ft/lbs. of torque. That alone takes the car to around 6.5 seconds in the 0-60, Car and Driver did an article on this about a year and a half ago.

[Edited by shaggymatt on 11-28-2000 at 09:06 AM]

pennypinch

Well, you certainly sound pretty smug! I figure you're probably, what, maybe 18? If you're much older than that, yikes.

Let me lay it down for you: we grown-ups ridicule this type of thing because blowing $10G's on a depreciating asset is nuts. Do you have any idea what that crap is worth now? I'd guess next to nothing. On the other hand, you put that $10K to work for you, and one day, someday, you might be able to buy a car that's actually nice, one that you don't have to add tack-ons to make fast. Sorry, you may get complements on a regular basis; what you don't hear are other people giggling and laughing at stoplights. Face it: it's a Volkswagen.

Sorry if I sound flippant, but I'm just trying to illustrate to you why many of us aren't impressed with car mods. Given a choice between a POS that I have to maul to go fast and a genuinely fast car I can comfortably afford in a few years, I'd choose the second time after time.

shaggymatt

Yep much older than that, and so are most of the people with similar modifications to the car. Many of them are even in their 50's, some even in their 60's.

I prefer not to drive the cookie cutter car, that the factory stamps out xxx of everyday.

Let's think about your statement here for a second, "one day, someday, you might be able to buy a car that's actually nice, one that you don't have to add tack-ons to make fast." Well according to my math, I could have bought a $33k car for what I have into mine. Then I would be back at ground one, yes it would be fast, but every other schmuck driving down the road would have the same thing as me.

It's a hobby, just like you probably sink money into computers which is a depriciating item. Why not just go use one at the library if you are concerned about losing money. The instant you buy a computer, there is already something faster and better out there.

There are a few people here that appreciate modifying vehicles, and I am sure that they will agree with my statements. It is all about having a unique automobile. I'm not out there trying to win chicks, I'm married and have a little one, like I said before, it is a hobby and I enjoy tinkering with the car.

Oh and I already have a very healthy retirement fund, thanks for your concern. I'll be retiring well before I am even close to the "standard" retirement age.

pennypinch

Hmph. I wish I needed a fast enough computer to blow cash on it that regularly. Sorry, still dawdling along with a PII 450 at home...

I guess to each his own. I'll just reaffirm that different is not better. I guess in the eye of the beholder, though, you must think it's a gorgeous car. That's your right.

But if I saw a 60 year old in a hooptie, he'd definitely blow me off the line. I'd be laughing to hard to drive straight.

ArkiStan

So did you just change the filter to the K&N? I think you said you installed an intake. What kind is it?

Aristo

I have High Flow Intake (HFI).

ArkiStan

Is that like a short ram air intake or just a different kind of filter?

Aristo

ArkiStan

very cool. Finally some pics of your car. I think a lot of people were waiting for those. So how does that intake make your engine sound?

shaggymatt

Did you fabricate that heat shield yourself, or have someone do that for you? The heat shield that my HKS Super Mega Flow came with is decent, but it could be better. I do have a scoop that is blowing cold air onto the element, but on the other side of my heat shield is my turbo, so the heat shield gets too hot to touch.

Blu

And...? What does that matter anymore? If I remember correctly, VW has become one of the premier brands in the nation. When you look at that 1.8t in a Audi TT or A4, do you say the same thing? Audi/VW uses that engine to power some of their best cars. Including the TT 225 Quattro. Now, with the 225, there are some parts differences, but all in all, it's little more than an ECU swap and bigger turbo. VW is a very different company now. People are starting to notice that, and it's becoming a fantastic brand. Oh, and Penny, what are you driving?

Blu

__________________
Up above
aliens hover
making home movies
for the folks back home,

of all these weird creatures
who lock up their spirits,
drill holes in themselves
and live for their secrets

Apex

Wow, that is a nice setup. Great shield too.

Aristo

After Torque Convertor and Intake upgrade, my car is louder than stock. However, my mom hates it and I love it. I bought the whole intake package including the heat shield.

pennypinch

Have you ever had the misfortune of flooring a 1.8T in an A4? Then you know what I mean...the A4 is not a quick car, even in 2.8 trim. So yes, I do scoff at that particular engine...

As for what I drive, I drive a Durango. Sure, it ain't the quickest thing on the road, but at least I don't have to be a contortionist to get into it. I was shocked at how small the A4 was when looking for cars.

shaggymatt

That is why you add a chip to the 1.8T engine, as I said in a previous post, a chip alone adds almost 50hp to it. And like I also said in that message, Car and Driver did a test a while back with a chip, and the 0-60 times were about 6.5 seconds, not many other cars in that class on the roads in that price range can do that. Floor a 1.8T with a chip, and you'll spin the factory tires all the way through first and into second. Top speed is up there as well, people have reported achieving ~150mph. So a dog from the factory yes, but easily fixed by a $400 upgrade. Actually the new models (2001.5's) are being released with 170hp, achieved just by turning up the boost a bit, no other modifications. And in Europe you can get the car chipped at the dealer (like in the options list), and some dealers in the US will do this as well, but it is hush hush here.

I do agree that the A4 is a bit small, which is why I opted for the Passat (actually I've got two of them '99 and '00). Much more rear seat room, and far less cramped.

And as TheBluGuy said, VW has changed its image. In a couple more years they are releasing cars to compete with the E class Benz, and BMW's. From what I have read it is going to be an incredible car. It was something around 400hp, AWD, with a far more attractive price tag. The Passat that is due to be released next year with a new body style is also very attractive. VW has finally gotten away from the boxy look.

Dave_7

shaggymatt... what kind of a deal did you get on your K04?




Dave.

shaggymatt

Actually I did get a deal, $900 w/ ECU. It had 1k miles on it, guy was trading the car in on a '01 Jetta GLX. Got rid of the Neuspeed ECU, and got the good programming! If your looking for one, I know of a few people selling.

Aristo

shaggy, do you know anyone who can program GS430? Let me know. Thanks.

Slider

You know, in some respects, I am jealous of the cars you guys have, but only for a few reasons; mainly, they can corner. But I think I can match you on the acceleration, top end, and braking. Thats what I get for driving a truck.

The Beast is a 88' Chev Extended Cab 2WD whale with all the trimmings and a seriously worked over 350, or at least it used to be.

__________________

Maybe you can only drive 55, but I can go like a bat out of hell and I've got tickets to prove it!

Ice-9

Acceleration? I've only seen a few tiny pickup trucks that can come close to a sports car or even a sport sedan in 0-60. Have you timed yours?