Tuning philosophy

[SlowPro98]

So I was reading an artical in this month's Turbo about tuning philosophy and the goals of tuning shops, and American Tuning philosphy vs Japan and so forth.

so I figured I see what everyone on here is aiming for.

My philosophy for my car is a sharp daily driver. I want more power, but within reasonable and economical limits. I don't have tons of cash to sink into it and I want good milage. I want to tighten up the suspension just a little (just a little less roll, maybe lowered). I want to add a little bling. I have Champaign taste on a beer budget.

So what about you? what's your tuning philosophy? What are your car goals?

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

Ditto, this is a daily driver not a race car. I would do drastically different things with a full time track car, depending on what kind of track. 1st being not having automatic.

 

[65racecoupe]

I want a really fast street car that handles well.

So....

I have a FULL MAM Thumper build going on and I am adding some AWR and GT Spec suspension pieces.

It will actually be one hell of a CAR when it is finished, not just one hell of a P5.

 

[cheapmiata1600]

I want to not hate any aspect of my car. I've already fixed a lot of stuff (suspension, short shift and bushings, radio). I still need motor mounts and some hosepressure.

 

[ProtoType5]

I want the car that drives by and people "think" it is a fast car...haha, but don't want to be like some 17 year old kid with a can exhaust and stickers....The best path is a clean, sharp finished look with a bit of spice under the hood, and a nice grip on the road. I just want to exemplify the "sport" in sport wagon, but keep it safe, reliable, and incognito....

 

[peepsalot]

I want to compensate for my small penis. (boom04)

 

[zinx]

my current goal is to finish my mod in my sig

 

[Rdshark1]

My tuning philosophy for the P5 is not to blow it up while I'm still making payments on it.

 

[Mick]

I am on a tight budget as well seeing as how im a poor college student, so i have nothing but long term goals as of right now. I am after mainly handling but i will certainly keep my eye open for cheap ways to make my car look better and get a horse power here and there.

For example, i am saving up for eibach springs, but in the meantime, i may do some cheap cosmetic mods to keep my busy. Like, i am thinking of painting some interior pieces, i am thinking of getting a cheapo E-bay intake as well. I was talking with my dad the other day about maintinence intervals and i told him my car just hit 40K and he (being the cautious car guy that he is) suggested we go ahead and do some maintince on the car just for the hell of it. So i think he may buy me the e-bay intake since its so cheap and he'll buy me plugs and maybe even wires if i can talk him into it.

I am lucky to have a father who understands the need to modify cars and personalize them. He actualy owns a 1978 datsun 280z that he is dropping a chevy small block into (actualy, its pretty much done, he just needs to do some tuning and other things like that). And my uncle (his brother) has a 1932 ford hot rod show car. And he is in the proccess of building a 1958 corvette.

 

[ProtoType5]

I want to compensate for my small penis. (boom04)

(rockon) Damn if a P5 compensates for it, imagine how small the Ferrari owners must be...

 

[Kansei]

I want to compensate for my small penis. (boom04)

(eek2) (eek2)

I want the car that drives by and people "think" it is a fast car...haha, but don't want to be like some 17 year old kid with a can exhaust and stickers....The best path is a clean, sharp finished look with a bit of spice under the hood, and a nice grip on the road. I just want to exemplify the "sport" in sport wagon, but keep it safe, reliable, and incognito....

That's about what I'm going for. Unless some new magic part comes out I think I'm done with power mods with intake, cat-back exhaust, header, JDM intake cam. I'll probably get a midpipe because I think my car finally has to get emissions tested and I have a CEL *crosses fingers and hopes for just a sniffer test*

My goal with my car is to make it an Audi A3 but with zoom-zoom. I want it to be more premium than economy, and it's a bit of a lofty goal. I think I'll do some sound insulation work over the summer and just try to make everything nicer. Maybe some leather seats down the road, who knows.

One of my ultimate goals is to somehow obtain and install the side airbags and ABS package that my car lacks. I really wouldn't feel like trading my P5 for another one just for that because of the engine work I'd have to redo and all the other crap I'd have to uninstall, but it would make me feel a lot safer to have those things. I basically just want to fix anything cheap feeling about the car because I just love my mazda.

Any for style mods, maybe get the MSP lip and then get the whole front end repainted to cure the pockmarked bumper.

 

[Mike R]

OBX header, VTCS removal, Eibach Springs, tokico struts, AWR rear sway bar.

Good HP increase, great handling. Not too much $$

 

[wildo]

What a fun thread!

Personally, i went form a chevy s-10 (used very much like a truck) to wanting a sedan. on the other hand, i really didn't wanna lose the capablity to haul things. That is where the P5 offered a perfect solution for me.

everything from sound system to suspension must be practical. We would all love to have a killer, screamming fast, roll caged road racer with no modern conveniance- but the fact is: that just isn't practical. i am going primarily suspension upgrades. sooooo much fun to drive a "tight" car. but, i imagine after the suspension feels rock solid- some more horses will likely be harnessed on.

anyway- that is my take- practicality meets FUN!!

 

[SlowPro98]

My goal with my car is to make it an Audi A3 but with zoom-zoom. I want it to be more premium than economy, and it's a bit of a lofty goal. I think I'll do some sound insulation work over the summer and just try to make everything nicer. Maybe some leather seats down the road, who knows.

Any for style mods, maybe get the MSP lip and then get the whole front end repainted to cure the pockmarked bumper.

yeah Chris I feel you on this. I've been researching sound deadening (Raammat vs dynamat etc) and I'm thinking about doing it this spring. We should meet up and work on this. If you're interested let me know!

 

[Protege52003]

I like to get as much out of my car without breaking the bank.......(looks and performance). My bank is empty now though for some time to come......

-R

 

[Kansei]

yeah Chris I feel you on this. I've been researching sound deadening (Raammat vs dynamat etc) and I'm thinking about doing it this spring. We should meet up and work on this. If you're interested let me know!

I'm definitely up for it, if by spring you mean May-ish. I'm stuck in Rochester until then unless I come home for a weekend for some reason.

 

[santisurf]

I want to compensate for my small penis. (boom04)

OH HELL NO HE DIDN'T! (rockon)

 

[santisurf]

(rockon) Damn if a P5 compensates for it, imagine how small the Ferrari owners must be...

AND THIS ONE TOO! omg~ (rockon) (bicker)

 

[SlowPro98]

I'm definitely up for it, if by spring you mean May-ish. I'm stuck in Rochester until then unless I come home for a weekend for some reason.

That's cool by me. I'm gathering info and materials. I'm going to be doing a lot in the spring/summer. I want to do tints, sound deadening, finish the sound system. I found some great material that I want to redo the cloth in the B car with, so I'm really going to be cranking out the projects as soon as it gets warmer out. Whenever you're back in state, hit me up and we'll work it out.


-Ryan - don't worry dude, we all understand the empty pockets, but remember, it's tax season!

bigups to everyone who responded... even the penis guy (ugh)

 

[JCell]

my car is almost done, a great daily driver that handles awsome, has a mean exhaust sound, and turns a lot of heads