Car modifiers please inquire within!

[teambeechstreet]

Ok, I need to write a paper on the Car Tuner/Car Modifier community and the dialect of people who work on cars for one of my university courses. I'd really appreciate it if some of you could take the time to answer the questions I have written up. Some of the questions sound wordy but I have to make them sound like they make sense to someone outside of the Car culture.

Its not a long questionnaire and I'd love for some of you to fill it out. No requirements needed. Would love to have people from every age range (teens to elderly, I dont care!) You dont even have to have any mods done to your car or cars, just as long as you are into the car scene.

Here are the questions!

1. What appealed to you about automotive tuning/modifying?
2. Why do you tune/modify your vehicle? What is your motivation? Specific reasons? For fun? Elaborate.
3. What vehicle/s do you modify/tune and why this/these vehicle/s?
4. What modifications do you have and why these modifications?
a. If you have performance modifications, why did you choose them?
b. If you have modifications solely for appearance purposes, why did you choose them?
5. When you hear these words or phrases, what do they mean to you in relation to automotive tuning? Please include your definition of each word. (If you can think of more, please feel free to add them.)
a. Mods
b. Tune
c. Boost/Boosted
d. All Show
e. All Go
f. Dyno
g. Lip/Lip Kit
h. Body Kit
i. Catback
j. Carbon Fiber
k. Natural aspirated
l. Dubs
m. Reflash
n. Drop
o. Dumped/Slammed
p. Cammed
q. I.C.E.
r. Run
s. Drift/Drifter/Driting
t. Short Ram/SRI
u. Cold Air/CAI
v. Kitted
w. Rubbing/Scraping
x. Bog
y. Swapped
z. Frankenstein
aa. Tricking Out/Tricked Out
bb. Import/Domestic
cc. Lifted
dd. Lean
ee. Rich
ff. Tranny
gg. Stock
hh. Aftermarket
ii. Ricer/Rice
6. Do you work on your own vehicle or pay someone to? (This includes regular maintenance and installation of aftermarket parts).
a. If you do work on your own vehicle, list some major things you have done when working on a vehicle.
7. What do you think you are most knowledgeable in when it comes to modifying vehicles?
8. How old are you and how many years have you been modifying vehicles?
9. What is your definition of a Car Tuner or Car Modder?
10. Why is being a “Ricer” considered a bad thing in the Car Tuner/Car Modder world?
11. What is your opinion on the domestic versus import debate?
12. Do you prefer to modify imports or domestics?
13. Do you prefer to modify 4 cylinder, 6 cylinder, or 8 cylinder vehicles?
14. What car functions have you attended or participated in? (EX: shows, clubs, meets, etc)?
15. Are you a part of a car related group/club?
16. Where and how did you further advance your knowledge of the Car Tuner/Car Modder community?
17. What has been the best outcome of joining the Car Tuner/Car modder community?
18. Have you ever worked on cars for a living (part-time, full-time, etc)?
19. Anything else you’d like to add?

I also have it in Word format if you'd like it to be sent to you.

Please include your name, location, and age.

THANK YOU ALL IN ADVANCE!

 

[moribundman]

Quote:

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Please include your name, location, and age.

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Anything else?

 

[Julian]

Quote:

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Its not a long questionnaire

---

Think time to fill out the questionnaire, not number of questions. You have 60 open-ended questions (many with an inferred request for elaboration) and provide very little direct incentive to fill out the questionnaire. Bad combination.

I can’t possibly see why you need to ask for someone’s name with something like this. If anything, income level would seem like an important demographic characteristic here, though people are probably going to be just as likely to give that out as their names under these conditions.

Here’s my

, and this is from someone who tends to ramble occasionally, so take it for what it’s worth: you’re all over the place. What is the focus of your paper? What point(s) are you trying to make? What are you trying to find out?

 

[alreadygone]

Only major mods I ever made were at a much younger age and all five times I was under the influence of alcohol. Mods were none for the better!

Can give my sexual orientation though if that'll help?

Bob

 

[Oldmoparguy1]

I own 5 turbo cars. Last time I changed a headgasket I spent a day and a half porting and polishing the head.
Why? because I can.

I don't do essay questions.

 

[Aldaris]

Quote:

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Ok, I need to write a paper on the Car Tuner/Car Modifier community and the dialect of people who work on cars for one of my university courses. I'd really appreciate it if some of you could take the time to answer the questions I have written up. Some of the questions sound wordy but I have to make them sound like they make sense to someone outside of the Car culture.

Its not a long questionnaire and I'd love for some of you to fill it out. No requirements needed. Would love to have people from every age range (teens to elderly, I dont care!) You dont even have to have any mods done to your car or cars, just as long as you are into the car scene.

Here are the questions!

1. What appealed to you about automotive tuning/modifying?
When I was a wee lad, I read articles about modified cars in Car and Driver. That kind of set the framework for me to fall into the culture.
2. Why do you tune/modify your vehicle? What is your motivation? Specific reasons? For fun? Elaborate.
I wanted to make my car fast and handle well, while at the same time replacing worn components with new ones to increase reliability and safety.
3. What vehicle/s do you modify/tune and why this/these vehicle/s?
1986.5 Toyota Supra - it's the car I had, and it's an easy to modify platform that can support a lot of power.
4. What modifications do you have and why these modifications?
Turbocharger, full exhaust, polyurethane suspension bushings, larger sway bar, Koni Yellow shocks, and Intrax springs. Same reason as above.
a. If you have performance modifications, why did you choose them?
To make my car faster!
b. If you have modifications solely for appearance purposes, why did you choose them?
N/A, my car looked stock externally.
5. When you hear these words or phrases, what do they mean to you in relation to automotive tuning? Please include your definition of each word. (If you can think of more, please feel free to add them.)
a. Mods
Modifications - any work done to the car deviating from stock.
b. Tune
Work done to ensure stoichiometric or at least safe air/fuel ratios and proper ignition timing
c. Boost/Boosted
Positive intake manifold pressure brought on by use of a turbocharger or supercharger
d. All Show
Juan's Honda Civic with a body kit and a #@$%! can
e. All Go
John's primered '69 Camaro with a supercharged big block motor
f. Dyno
Chassis dynamometer such as a Dynojet 248C that measures horsepower at the wheels
g. Lip/Lip Kit
Something people put over their bumpers to make them look more aerodynamic and sporting
h. Body Kit
something people put on their cars to make them look fast or cool

i. Catback
Exhaust system that extends from the muffler to the catalytic converter
j. Carbon Fiber
bling bling
k. Natural aspirated
non-turbocharged
l. Dubs
goofy big wheels for idiots
m. Reflash
something people do to some engine computers to provide a more aggressive tune - usually at the expense of octane requirements and diminished long-term reliability
n. Drop
lowering a car
o. Dumped/Slammed
very lowered car for idiots
p. Cammed
a car that has a performance camshaft installed
q. I.C.E.
in-car-entertainment, a catch-all term used to describe any audiovisual work in the car
r. Run
?
s. Drift/Drifter/Driting
what morons do
t. Short Ram/SRI
an intake system thats good at sucking up hot engine bay heat
u. Cold Air/CAI
an intake system that's good at sucking up water and bugs
v. Kitted
see body kit
w. Rubbing/Scraping
see slammed
x. Bog
TWA flight 800
y. Swapped
a (insert car) with (insert more powerful motor) installed
z. Frankenstein
see all go
aa. Tricking Out/Tricked Out
a car with a lot of modifications done
bb. Import/Domestic
meh
cc. Lifted
what absolute morons do to trucks
dd. Lean
when the car's tune doesn't have enough fuel in the a/f mix
ee. Rich
opposite of lean
ff. Tranny
transsexual - otherwise known as a "she-he"
gg. Stock
as-factory
hh. Aftermarket
non-factory
ii. Ricer/Rice
any front wheel drive car that's been modified
6. Do you work on your own vehicle or pay someone to? (This includes regular maintenance and installation of aftermarket parts).
I work on my own car!
a. If you do work on your own vehicle, list some major things you have done when working on a vehicle.
changed head gasket, swapped auto/manual transmission, brakes, installed turbocharger, replaced suspension arms and shocks, etc
7. What do you think you are most knowledgeable in when it comes to modifying vehicles?
advising people to stay stock
8. How old are you and how many years have you been modifying vehicles?
21 and i've been modifying them for 5 years
9. What is your definition of a Car Tuner or Car Modder?
A guy who puts aftermarket parts on his car
10. Why is being a “Ricer” considered a bad thing in the Car Tuner/Car Modder world?
They're the guys going 90mph and zooming in and out of traffic
11. What is your opinion on the domestic versus import debate?
that's for a different forum
12. Do you prefer to modify imports or domestics?
same as above
13. Do you prefer to modify 4 cylinder, 6 cylinder, or 8 cylinder vehicles?
6 and 8 cylinders!
14. What car functions have you attended or participated in? (EX: shows, clubs, meets, etc)?
been to a few Supra meets, been to a few drifting meets back in 2003
15. Are you a part of a car related group/club?
yes
16. Where and how did you further advance your knowledge of the Car Tuner/Car Modder community?
the Internet
17. What has been the best outcome of joining the Car Tuner/Car modder community?
I learned to perform routine maintenance
18. Have you ever worked on cars for a living (part-time, full-time, etc)?
I've done a few jobs and gotten side cash
19. Anything else you’d like to add?
nah

I also have it in Word format if you'd like it to be sent to you.

Please include your name, location, and age.

THANK YOU ALL IN ADVANCE!

---

Chuck, San Diego CA, 21 yrs old

 

[mechtech2]

1 - forever: More power and gas mileage.

 

[Gary Allan]

Here are the questions!

1. What appealed to you about automotive tuning/modifying?
The insatiable desire to fix something until it breaks
2. Why do you tune/modify your vehicle? What is your motivation?
(all in fun

)

Specific reasons? For fun? Elaborate.
see above. Building better mousetraps is a distraction most males have.
3. What vehicle/s do you modify/tune and why this/these vehicle/s?
Mainly my minivan ..but jeeps too. Because they're there. The minivan mainly because no one cares what happens to it.
4. What modifications do you have and why these modifications?
cooling and filtration - it's an oil board, who cares about other stuff here

a. If you have performance modifications, why did you choose them?
The performance is in the presentation - as in entertainment
b. If you have modifications solely for appearance purposes, why did you choose them?
Yes, I carefully faded the paint on the hood section for that "distressed" look that all of the 'Vineyard crowd pays big bucks for (Mahthah's Vin-yahd). It's an acquired skill
5. When you hear these words or phrases, what do they mean to you in relation to automotive tuning? Please include your definition of each word. (If you can think of more, please feel free to add them.)
a. Mods
"More"
b. Tune
aside from anything playing on the radio - looney
c. Boost/Boosted
what someone illegally does to your property - usually limited to automobiles
d. All Show
Well, I think that we need to clearly define "show" before I could comment
e. All Go
Ah- my minivan

f. Dyno
Nature's way of saying that you make way too much money
g. Lip/Lip Kit
A cheaper alternative to collagen treatments for older (maybe younger too) women
h. Body Kit
external alternatives to plastic surgery - same deal
i. Catback
{b] mostly another one of nature's clues to your wallet thickness
j. Carbon Fiber
a material that the industry that produces it has figured out how to capitalize on nature's cues and find outlets for
k. Natural aspirated
Something I used to associate with carb intake ..but now I'm on Atkins and don't have to worry about it
l. Dubs

m. Reflash
What some do when the first attempt gets ignored = can also be applied to a leaky roof
n. Drop
What goes up ..must eventually come down - like my passenger side door
o. Dumped/Slammed
Something one can do to a spouse or SO. Slamming doesn't always result in dumping, though
p. Cammed
A record of your activities ..either in still or video format
q. I.C.E.
Internal Combustion Engine
r. Run
Neumonics
s. Drift/Drifter/Driting
Now they're called homeless
t. Short Ram/SRI
a shorter version of the head butting beast.
u. Cold Air/CAI
Something for the CARB to charge money to certify
v. Kitted
What happens when you don't spay or neuter your cats
w. Rubbing/Scraping
what I do when the wife can't get the pots/pans clean
x. Bog
For someone from NooWingland ..it's a great place to find crahnberries
y. Swapped
Errr....I can't go into it
z. Frankenstein
Was it Johnny or Edgar Winter ?
aa. Tricking Out/Tricked Out
What happens to me all the time when I don't listen to the advice "Go home, pilgrim."

bb. Import/Domestic
It's happening all over the place if you believe some. Everyone imports a domestic. We're rich here in the USA
cc. Lifted
Something that "h" can't cover up
dd. Lean
No cover up needed
ee. Rich
see import/domestic
ff. Tranny
Something that will eventually cost you money
gg. Stock
invest wisely
hh. Aftermarket
where you feel the joy or pain of your day's investment decisions
ii. Ricer/Rice
a supporter of Dr. Condoleezza Rice in future political ambitions
6. Do you work on your own vehicle or pay someone to? (This includes regular maintenance and installation of aftermarket parts).
whenever possible. I hate to part with money.
a. If you do work on your own vehicle, list some major things you have done when working on a vehicle.
too numerous to list. Oh!

do you only want the stuff that turned out right

7. What do you think you are most knowledgeable in when it comes to modifying vehicles?
Giving the advice not to do it in most cases (nature's way of saying ...)
8. How old are you and how many years have you been modifying vehicles?
51 ...I never had enough money to do anything serious ..or at least it never occurred to me to devote that much to the experience
9. What is your definition of a Car Tuner or Car Modder?
Someone who has enough people with too much money in their pockets .or too high a limit on their credit cards
10. Why is being a “Ricer” considered a bad thing in the Car Tuner/Car Modder world?
I don't know. The geezers drive the older muscle cars ..the ricers drive what's hot NOW
11. What is your opinion on the domestic versus import debate?
Which one? Boredom? Reliability? Quality? They're all pretty generic to a certain point
12. Do you prefer to modify imports or domestics?
Neither. They're all heading in directions that I don't want. I do fancy a Scion Xb. That would be fun to put a turbo on or whatnot. Driving around in a clown car would be kinda cool if you could make it a sleeper
13. Do you prefer to modify 4 cylinder, 6 cylinder, or 8 cylinder vehicles?
My tractor engined jeep? Sure
14. What car functions have you attended or participated in? (EX: shows, clubs, meets, etc)?
Several offroading events. The wife marveled at climbing rock walls ..but got turned off about no porta-potties
15. Are you a part of a car related group/club?
BITOG is the only club I would consider joining that would have someone like me as a member
16. Where and how did you further advance your knowledge of the Car Tuner/Car Modder community?
I didn't. Most of my life is experienced vicariously
17. What has been the best outcome of joining the Car Tuner/Car modder community?
You have lots of support for your spending habits ..promote them even
18. Have you ever worked on cars for a living (part-time, full-time, etc)?
Yes. Those who know and can - DO. Those who know and cannot - teach, supervise, or instruct.

19. Anything else you’d like to add?

There were significant gaps in my enthusiast distractions. A "dark ages", if you will. When I returned to the fold, I found a radically different environment. Where NHRA used to have classes that could be approached by different angles to achieve supremacy ..we now have throttle stops and target practice with a stop watch. Where every car is fitted from a catalog and that everything appears to return to a few sources with formerly legendary names.

I also found that, for some odd reason, sound systems ..with no reasonable reason for being ..were now popular. Where even a high powered household system ..of distinctive origin, may sport 1500 watts ..a "thumper" would feel inadequate with just that amount of power on tap. Where every fastener in the car is screaming for relief from the vibrations. It obviously has nothing to do with fidelity.

Essentially, I see many markets that were created to soak up available cash. It "feels" like something less than it once was. It's more processed ..more assembly lined ..more common. The only distinction appears to be the depth of your wallet. It translates to how many catalogs you can buy stuff from.

Good luck with your survey. No offense intended with my tongue in cheek response.

 

[Mike94SE]

Quote:

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1. What appealed to you about automotive tuning/modifying?

My dad talking about his theatrics with a Maverick him and his friend "tweaked"

2. Why do you tune/modify your vehicle? What is your motivation? Specific reasons? For fun? Elaborate.

Cause Juan annoys me with his Honda Civic lawnmower.

3. What vehicle/s do you modify/tune and why this/these vehicle/s?

1994 Pontiac Grand Am (L40 now LG0)

4. What modifications do you have and why these modifications?

That flex hose at Pep Boys for an intake, a GTZ exhaust manifold with modified flange for 2.5" exhaust all back.

a. If you have performance modifications, why did you choose them?

It's a Quad 4. No explanation needed.

b. If you have modifications solely for appearance purposes, why did you choose them?

Boo!

5. When you hear these words or phrases, what do they mean to you in relation to automotive tuning? Please include your definition of each word. (If you can think of more, please feel free to add them.)
a. Mods

That long list of #@$%!.

b. Tune

Extracting more power from a modified vehicle.

c. Boost/Boosted

The thing with a snail.

d. All Show

Juan's dream.

e. All Go

What I do.

f. Dyno

Tool used with tune

g. Lip/Lip Kit

Mad JDm yo!

h. Body Kit

What Juan found in an alley

i. Catback

What people mention on a car ad that has nothing more than an eBay lawnmower imitating device attached.

j. Carbon Fiber

Me: burned cotton strands woven and glazed for a lighter piece
Juan: "Joo mean the ting on the woll at Pep Boys mang?"

k. Natural aspirated

Suck, squish, bang, blow

l. Dubs

What Michael Richards hates.

m. Reflash

A poor attempt at a tune.

n. Drop

Juan's method of making his car cool.

o. Dumped/Slammed

Juan's dream.

p. Cammed

Blap-blap-blap-blap-blap-blap-blap-vroom-blap-blap-blap-blap-blap-blap-VAROAHHHHH-chirp-WAAAAAHHHHHHH-WAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH

q. I.C.E.

Another thing Michael Richards hates.

r. Run

Don't walk

s. Drift/Drifter/Driting

Something RJ De Vera must die for.

t. Short Ram/SRI

Good throttle response at lower RPM

u. Cold Air/CAI

More power at higher PRM.

v. Kitted

Locost.

w. Rubbing/Scraping

NASCAR or Juan.

x. Bog

Excess gas

y. Swapped

Something else RJ De Vera must die for.

z. Frankenstein

Overrated Honda motor that kid on MTV broke.

aa. Tricking Out/Tricked Out

Michael also hates; Another reason to kill RJ.

bb. Import/Domestic

11-19 year old method of self-gratification

cc. Lifted

Juan's father.

dd. Lean

Fit.

ee. Rich

Sugar daddy/mommy.

ff. Tranny

Juan's method of getting money.

gg. Stock

Warranty.

hh. Aftermarket

Customization-by-mouse-clicking.

ii. Ricer/Rice

RJ De Vera. Must. Die.

6. Do you work on your own vehicle or pay someone to? (This includes regular maintenance and installation of aftermarket parts).

Maitenance; me. Friend did the LG0 swap.

a. If you do work on your own vehicle, list some major things you have done when working on a vehicle.

Already dud.

7. What do you think you are most knowledgeable in when it comes to modifying vehicles?

Quad 4.

8. How old are you and how many years have you been modifying vehicles?

21; 3 years working

9. What is your definition of a Car Tuner or Car Modder?

The late RJ De Vera.

10. Why is being a “Ricer” considered a bad thing in the Car Tuner/Car Modder world?

Look on Streetfire.

11. What is your opinion on the domestic versus import debate?

Refer to bb.

12. Do you prefer to modify imports or domestics?

Redundant. Sounds like a bb question...

13. Do you prefer to modify 4 cylinder, 6 cylinder, or 8 cylinder vehicles?

Any are OK. You also forgot 10 and Wankel

14. What car functions have you attended or participated in? (EX: shows, clubs, meets, etc)?

Watching Juan and #@$%! scrape their kits while attempting to "race"

15. Are you a part of a car related group/club?

No.

16. Where and how did you further advance your knowledge of the Car Tuner/Car Modder community?

Quad4forums and Grassroots Motorsports.

17. What has been the best outcome of joining the Car Tuner/Car modder community?

?

18. Have you ever worked on cars for a living (part-time, full-time, etc)?

Need ASE certification around me.

19. Anything else you’d like to add?

RJ De Vera, you will pay for putting an RB26 into a classic Mustang. I am not the only one.
THANK YOU ALL IN ADVANCE!

---

Mike, 21, Elmwood Park

 

[idunno]

1. What appealed to you about automotive tuning/modifying?
Making a car faster and handle better.

2. Why do you tune/modify your vehicle? What is your motivation? Specific reasons? For fun? Elaborate.
I modified it to make it faster, and to do something to it.

3. What vehicle/s do you modify/tune and why this/these vehicle/s?
1995 Pontiac Trans Am. I chose this vehicle because it is cheap, and looks good without any external modifications. Also, all the mods have been done with my labor, and only my labor. It has never been into a mechanics shop.

4. What modifications do you have and why these modifications?
Currently, just headers, 3" exhaust, cold air intake, throttle body bypass, lower temp thermostat, reprogram of the computer (by me).

a. If you have performance modifications, why did you choose them?
One rule with my car, is no modifications visible above door sill level. You can see the headers if the hood is up, but if you see me on the street, it looks exactly like a stock car.
b. If you have modifications solely for appearance purposes, why did you choose them?
None. I believe that appearance mods are completely a waste of money and time when you could be doing work to the motor. Also most external mods make a car look really bad in my eyes. My motto is look stock, go fast.
5. When you hear these words or phrases, what do they mean to you in relation to automotive tuning? Please include your definition of each word. (If you can think of more, please feel free to add them.)
a. Mods
Mods are engine or breathing parts that modify the stock setup for the purpose of higher horsepower or torque.
b. Tune
Tuning is looking at what the computer and a wide band O2 sensor is reading and adjusting tables ON YOUR OWN of spark advance and fuel mixture to adjust for max performance and longevity.
c. Boost/Boosted
Supercharger or turbocharger.
d. All Show
Some car with all appearance mods, and no engine mods. Exhaust and intake mods do not count (yes I do realize my car falls under this, but there are no appearance mods).
e. All Go
Car that looks stock and goes really fast. This is the way I believe modded cars should be.
f. Dyno
A way to measure and tune your car while under load in a controlled environment.
g. Lip/Lip Kit
never heard of it.
h. Body Kit
Hate them most of the time.

i. Catback
Makes a car loud, but can be annoying depending on the sound the engine puts out. I have always been partial to the sound of a chevy small block at max power.
j. Carbon Fiber
Overrated lightening compound that works when applied correctly, but usually isnt.

k. Natural aspirated
Separates the good engine builders from the bad. Good ones can make an NA engine produce MAD power, bad ones rely on force induction to cover bad port jobs or mismatched cams.

l. Dubs
Ugly.

m. Reflash
What I can do to my car whenever I feel like it.

n. Drop
Useful in certain situations, but just a waste in others.

o. Dumped/Slammed
At this point, the car becomes a burden to drive on public roads, so it is useless. When a car becomes useless to drive on public roads, to me it is dead.

p. Cammed
Port job in the heads to take advantage of a radical cam to make power a little higher than stock.

q. I.C.E.
Internal combustion engine?

r. Run
Run a drag strip, run a race course, or just getting an engine to run.

s. Drift/Drifter/Driting
Something that power heavy rear wheel drive american cars should be ruling except for the fact that we hate huge spoilers and stickers, and the scores are partially based on how the car looks.

t. Short Ram/SRI
Not quite sure about this one.

u. Cold Air/CAI
Can be good at times, but not the end-all of mods. It is a beginning of a good package.

v. Kitted
No clue here.

w. Rubbing/Scraping
Your car is too low.

x. Bog
You have too big of a cam for what you need, or a bad program.

y. Swapped
Swapped engine? Can be good at times depending on the car and engine chosen.

z. Frankenstein
RX7 + LS1 = yessss.

aa. Tricking Out/Tricked Out
Usually means some slammed truck. Not too fond of those.

bb. Import/Domestic
Domestic definitely. I'm not too fond of the stylings of the import scene. Too many cars that look fast but dont go fast, and are too expensive to make go fast.

cc. Lifted
A lifted truck...good for going off road, or rock crawling.

dd. Lean
too little fuel

ee. Rich
too much fuel

ff. Tranny
Whatever transfers the power from the engine to the differential.

gg. Stock
No modifications whatsoever. Basically the way it came from the manufacturer.

hh. Aftermarket
Other companies aside from the vehicle maker that make parts for your vehicle.

ii. Ricer/Rice
My most hated adversary. Usually have only external mods, with a #@$%! pipe and a cold air intake. Not fast at all, but can talk the talk. They usually have a friend that has a 6 second quarter mile supra, but never themselves.

6. Do you work on your own vehicle or pay someone to? (This includes regular maintenance and installation of aftermarket parts).
I never let mechanics touch my car. I consider them to be brain dead idiots. I know more about the operation and maintenance of automobiles than them. No one else touches my car aside from me.

a. If you do work on your own vehicle, list some major things you have done when working on a vehicle.
Welding, putting headers on (a real chore on a LT1 F-body), exhaust work, replacing a rearend, rebuilding an engine, replacing tires (on my motorcycle), replacing a clutch in my driveway (once again on my F-body, very hard), taking off the bed of a pickup to replace the fuel pump, pretty much everything but rebuilding an automatic trans, which will come eventually.

7. What do you think you are most knowledgeable in when it comes to modifying vehicles?
If it is a OBD I vehicle from GM, I can analyze everything about what the computer is seeing to figure out what is wrong. This goes beyond trouble codes, to seeing the block learn and integrator and vacuum signal.

8. How old are you and how many years have you been modifying vehicles?
24 and I have been working on cars since I was 15.

9. What is your definition of a Car Tuner or Car Modder?
Tuner is someone who just ***** around on a computer. Modder actually does stuff on the car. Only if he does it him/herself. Otherwise he is a tool with a lot of money.

10. Why is being a “Ricer” considered a bad thing in the Car Tuner/Car Modder world?
They pay other people to do work for them, along with the fact that they do nothing do the engine, and dont understand anything that they do to the car and how it may help it.

11. What is your opinion on the domestic versus import debate?
Imports are very fuel efficient, but domestics offer greater displacement. There is no replacement for displacement.

12. Do you prefer to modify imports or domestics?
domestics. cheaper to modify.

13. Do you prefer to modify 4 cylinder, 6 cylinder, or 8 cylinder vehicles?
6 or 8 cylinder.

14. What car functions have you attended or participated in? (EX: shows, clubs, meets, etc)?
Meets usually. Just a gathering of classic cars for me to go to.

15. Are you a part of a car related group/club?
I am part of camaroz28.com, but aside from that, no.

16. Where and how did you further advance your knowledge of the Car Tuner/Car Modder community?
Just by working on my own, and several message boards that directed me in the right direction.

17. What has been the best outcome of joining the Car Tuner/Car modder community?
Not having to rely on corrupt mechanics.

18. Have you ever worked on cars for a living (part-time, full-time, etc)?
Not really, but I started working on my own cars to conserve money, so it does "make" me money in the end.

19. Anything else you’d like to add?
Learn how to work on cars. do all your own work. Never trust mechanics. Ever.

 

[idunno]

forgot to mention, Im 24 and located in northern IL

 

[RacerE7773]

That's what I'd do if I 1. Had any $, and 2. Had a Real car like a 5.0 Mustang. This cavalier is the last GM I'm ever buying.

I may glance at the Avenger someday (37 now, so family issues in future towards 4 doors. Sheesh, never thought I'd say that.), but am leaning towards FMC.

 

[teambeechstreet]

thanks to everyone who filled it out. appreciate it a lot.

 

[teambeechstreet]

oh and the reason i need name, age, and location is because the professor asked us to get that information from each person we surveyed/interviewed. didnt realize it'd get everyone all worked up

 

[DriveHard]

1. What appealed to you about automotive tuning/modifying?
The stupid manu. Is trying to make a car to fit everybody, and therefore fits nobody…I’m just making it the car I want to have
2. Why do you tune/modify your vehicle? What is your motivation? Specific reasons? For fun? Elaborate.
Better performance…better fuel mileage, better handling, more power
3. What vehicle/s do you modify/tune and why this/these vehicle/s?
2001 VW Jetta TDI – its unique, it has tons of potential, and it gets FANTASTIC fuel economy. I will mod whatever I own.
4. What modifications do you have and why these modifications?
GTI springs – stiffer, more responsive ride at the same stock ride height
Bilstein Shocks – much better handling at stock ride height
EGR dialed down on computer – lower the rate of intake clogging
PP520 injection nozzles – easy +30 ft-lbs. , and better fuel mileage – why not?
a. If you have performance modifications, why did you choose them?
Improved power, handling, and improved fuel economy…why would I NOT?
b. If you have modifications solely for appearance purposes, why did you choose them?
I DON’T!!!! Only have mods that increase performance
5. When you hear these words or phrases, what do they mean to you in relation to automotive tuning? Please include your definition of each word. (If you can think of more, please feel free to add them.)
a. Mods – changes from stock vehicle condition
b. Tune – changes in air/fuel ratio either through jetting or ECM changes
c. Boost/Boosted – some form of turbo/supercharged engine
d. All Show – the engine mods do not match the work put into paint/bling, etc.
e. All Go – sleeper car…what I strive for.
f. Dyno – machine that measures wheel horsepower
g. Lip/Lip Kit – waste of money – chin spoiler
h. Body Kit – waste of money – plastic skirt around your car that gets ripped off and never painted
i. Catback – bolt on exhaust that replaces the stock piping and muffler from the Cat converter back to the tail pipe…to improve flow and performance
j. Carbon Fiber – mostly #@$%! just “bling” no use in current road going cars – freakin sweet suspension on F1 cars, Indy cars, etc.
k. Natural aspirated – car that relies on atmospheric pressure to fill the cylinders
l. Dubs – big ugly expensive chrome wheels
m. Reflash – new firmware for your ECM
n. Drop – lower your car
o. Dumped/Slammed – dropped too far
p. Cammed – guessing this is someone who is running an aftermarket camshaft
q. I.C.E. – new wax product from turtle wax?
r. Run – race in a street drag race
s. Drift/Drifter/Driting – controlled sliding of ALL FOUR WHEELS in a corner! Does NOT require four wheel drive
t. Short Ram/SRI – cone filter on the end of a short intake tube (warm air intake)
u. Cold Air/CAI – cone filter usually in wheel well to intake cold fresh air
v. Kitted – car has Nitrous
w. Rubbing/Scraping – dumb arse who put too big of wheels on his/her car
x. Bog – when someone doesn’t know how to drive a manual transmission and lets the clutch out too fast
y. Swapped – switched something from one car to another car
z. Frankenstein – car that has parts from all sorts of other cars
aa. Tricking Out/Tricked Out – wasted money on making your car look good
bb. Import/Domestic – origin of vehicle parent company
cc. Lifted – raising the ride height on your vehicle
dd. Lean – too much air for the amount of fuel your burning. More air than what is needed to burn the amount of fuel injected dictated, by stoichiometric ratio
ee. Rich - too little air for the amount of fuel your attempting to burn. Less air than what is needed to burn the amount of fuel injected, dictated by stoichiometric ratio
ff. Tranny – transmission
gg. Stock – no mods
hh. Aftermarket – parts provided by non-OEM company
ii. Ricer/Rice – oh boy…simply someone with no respect for true auto enthusiasts community. Someone who will RUIN a perfectly good car in the search for group acceptance…usually making said car totally worthless.
6. Do you work on your own vehicle or pay someone to? (This includes regular maintenance and installation of aftermarket parts). ONLY work on my own.
a. If you do work on your own vehicle, list some major things you have done when working on a vehicle. Engine removal, engine swap, engine rebuild (in and out of car), replace shocks/struts, replace exhaust, replace alternator, replace radiator, replace water pump, replace fuel pump, filter/fluid changes, brake jobs, electrical work, spark plugs, new diesel nozzles (rebuild injectors), replace half shafts, replace drive shaft bearings, replace engine ECU, program engine ECU (using aftermarket software), build CAI, build SRI, remove balance shafts, install header, fabricate simple brackets/parts
7. What do you think you are most knowledgeable in when it comes to modifying vehicles? Nothing specific…least knowledgeable in body restoration/paint
8. How old are you and how many years have you been modifying vehicles? Now 28 – since age 14
9. What is your definition of a Car Tuner or Car Modder? – someone who makes beneficial mods to their car and understands what they are doing and why
10. Why is being a “Ricer” considered a bad thing in the Car Tuner/Car Modder world? – usually someone who does not have a good attitude, and little to no knowledge of how a vehicle works. All show, no go.
11. What is your opinion on the domestic versus import debate? STUPID.
12. Do you prefer to modify imports or domestics? EITHER/OR
13. Do you prefer to modify 4 cylinder, 6 cylinder, or 8 cylinder vehicles? All of the above
14. What car functions have you attended or participated in? (EX: shows, clubs, meets, etc)? Cleveland Auto Show
15. Are you a part of a car related group/club? Just online forums
16. Where and how did you further advance your knowledge of the Car Tuner/Car Modder community? Research, research, research…and my mechanical engineering degree with emphasis on internal combustion engine design doesn’t hurt
17. What has been the best outcome of joining the Car Tuner/Car modder community? I don’t consider myself “part of the community”
18. Have you ever worked on cars for a living (part-time, full-time, etc)? Did a few jobs in college for money/beer. Continue to help friends/family for food/beer.
19. Anything else you’d like to add? NOPE…

 

[DriveHard]

oh yeah...
Kevin...28...Boone, IA

 

[NismoMax80]

1. I like the originality people come up with
2. I want it to look unique. Thought it was great stock, but when parts became available, I want to improve it.
3. 2004 Nissan Maxima SE (VQ35DE, 265hp 255tq) all black.
4. switched/upgrade to a solid RSB and better RSB endlinks to reduce body roll in turns. Makes the car more neutral and eliminated understeer. Changed the front bumper including lower fog lights. Changed the oem grille to a black mesh one. Both give it a unique look. Changed wheels to 20” chrome ones during nicer seasons. Added nismo racing red shoulder pads, rear neck rests, grille emblem, radiator cap, oil cap to give it a racing look. Painted the calipers red for added detail. Changed oem fog lights to yellow for better vision and to have a contrast between the stock HID lights. Disabled the park light bulbs so no orange lights up, only when turning. Changed reverse bulbs to super white.
a. none available that show performance gains when tested.
b. to look original.
5. When you hear these words or phrases, what do they mean to you in relation to automotive tuning? Please include your definition of each word. (If you can think of more, please feel free to add them.)
a. Mods changes from oem.
b. Tune-getting performance changes optimized
c. Boost/Boosted-turbo or supercharged
d. All Show-just for looks
e. All Go-looks bad but is fast
f. Dyno-testing performance
g. Lip/Lip Kit-addition to bumper
h. Body Kit-front/rear bumpers replace, side skirts added.
i. Catback-part of exhaust system
j. Carbon Fiber-light material. Some like look, other weight reduction, some both.
k. Natural aspirated -no boost or turbo
l. Dubs-20” wheels or larger. Only for larger cars or trucks. Has become more of a status/money thing.
m. Reflash-change oem ecu settings for more performance.
n. Drop-lower the car for looks and/or performance
o. Dumped/Slammed-simply for show, lowered extremely to the ground.
p. Cammed- has a camera?
q. I.C.E.-diamonds? lol
r. Run-a timed race
s. Drift/Drifter/Driting-sliding around turns w/o wrecking
t. Short Ram/SRI-intake replaced with open filter
u. Cold Air/CAI -intake replaced with open filter but away from engine heat (usually by wheel or grille
v. Kitted-bodt kit installed
w. Rubbing/Scraping- wheels are too large or wide. The fenders touch the tires on bumps or heavy load.
x. Bog-something bad to the engine?
y. Swapped-changed an oem part for aftermarket
z. Frankenstein-bunch of different cars’ parts on one?
aa. Tricking Out/Tricked Out-a lot of flashy visual mods
bb. Import/Domestic-foreign made/usa made
cc. Lifted-usually trucks raised higher from the ground
dd. Lean-not enough oxygen in fuel
ee. Rich-too much oxygen mixing in the fuel
ff. Tranny=transmission
gg. Stock-nothing changed
hh. Aftermarket-parts made for the car not form the factory
ii. Ricer/Rice-derisive term for imported cars, especially if done in poor taste
6. Do you work on your own vehicle or pay someone to? (This includes regular maintenance and installation of aftermarket parts).
I do most of the mainentance, any warranty work I have a dealer do it. Had a friend with body shop install bumper and paint.
a. If you do work on your own vehicle, list some major things you have done when working on a vehicle.
7. What do you think you are most knowledgeable in when it comes to modifying vehicles? Suspension.
8. How old are you and how many years have you been modifying vehicles? 26, 3 years
9. What is your definition of a Car Tuner or Car Modder? Someone that changes the performance and look of their car.
10. Why is being a “Ricer” considered a bad thing in the Car Tuner/Car Modder world?means you make your car look worse. U waste money thinking the car looks batter and is fast, but are dead wrong.
11. What is your opinion on the domestic versus import debate?both offer great cars
12. Do you prefer to modify imports or domestics?imports
13. Do you prefer to modify 4 cylinder, 6 cylinder, or 8 cylinder vehicles?6
14. What car functions have you attended or participated in? (EX: shows, clubs, meets, etc)?went to a car meet/show in Texas last summer-Maxima owners meet once a year in a different city. Participated in a show at my college after I graduated. Used to meet in Philly with online car friends occasssionally.
15. Are you a part of a car related group/club? Maxima.org
16. Where and how did you further advance your knowledge of the Car Tuner/Car Modder community? Maxima.org
17. What has been the best outcome of joining the Car Tuner/Car modder community?I maintain my car myself and get a lot of compliments on what I have done to it.
18. Have you ever worked on cars for a living (part-time, full-time, etc)?no
19. Anything else you’d like to add? It’s a great hobby, but be careful not to spend more money than you can afford.


Please include your name, location, and age.
Justin/PA/26