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Best "Beginner Car" for Modifying/Tuning

58 messages,  Last post on Dec 10, 2012 at 8:44 AM

You are in the Speed Shop Tuning and Modification Forum.

What is this discussion about? Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen, Performance Mods

Messages Page 3 of 6

#20 of 58 the twisty twins by Mr_Shiftright HOST

May 11, 2005 (3:43 pm)

AWESOME cars...unheard of performance at this price range, say 20 years ago.

#21 of 58 Car you may not have thought of by purrnak

May 19, 2005 (8:00 pm)

I think for a beginner a crap car of any kind is a good start. I started with an '83 volvo that I got for pretty much free. It ran like a rock and after tuning and some scrounging for parts in a wreck yard I was able to get it up to 150mph... that might not be much for most, but this was an OLD volvo on it's last legs. It went for another 3 years after me and ended up with the person that owned it before me.
 
The mods I did this this car were mostly sound oriented and just changing parts to newer ones but it was a great way to get my feet wet.
 
I'm currently working on a Hyunday pony and I've added elwire, stearing wheel, stereo system, got the best spark plugs and points I could find, wired in a second battery and a buddy put in a system to detect when 1 battery is fully charged and switch the alternator to the other battery to charge (don't ask how it works, I have no idea)
 
So the best car to work on for your first car, is the cheepest one you can get to get an idea of what can be done. I think anyway.
 
My question: What can I do to my car to give it a bit more power? No fuel injections and it's a 4 cylindar. I have it tuned high so I can get off the line faster then most stock cars on the road.
 
Thanks
PurrNaK

#22 of 58 Volvo? by ateixeira

May 20, 2005 (7:16 am)

That's wild. And you were able to find spare parts without a problem? I'd be afraid of parts availability, lack of help from forums like this one, and the price of imported new-old-stock parts.
 
You're brave.
 
Hyundai Pony - are you in Canada? I've seen those cars in other markets but not in the US.
 
-juice

#23 of 58 Re: Car you may not have thought of [purrnak] by hondafriek

May 21, 2005 (10:55 am)

Replying to: purrnak (May 19, 2005 8:00 pm)
A Hyundai Pony!!! where did you even find one of those? I thought they had all gone to car heaven. Geez those things rusted out even quicker than a Chevy Vega and that's saying something.
 
  Cheers Pat.

#24 of 58 Re: Best "Beginner Car" for Modifying/Tuning [kirstie_h] by woods1

Sep 02, 2005 (12:18 am)

Replying to: kirstie_h (Mar 23, 2005 12:54 pm)
I need some help i have a toyota corona i have just replaced the points and need to know how far i am spose to set the it tis a 1980 toyota corona cs XT130e starfire engine

#25 of 58 Specific Indo by ateixeira

Sep 02, 2005 (6:24 am)

I doubt you'll find anyone with information quite so specific. Do you have a Haynes or Chiltons manual for that model? That should have the specs.
 
Also try a Google search for "Corona Specifications" or something like that.
 
-juice

#26 of 58 Re: Best "Beginner Car" for Modifying/Tuning [woods1] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Sep 02, 2005 (8:53 am)

Replying to: woods1 (Sep 02, 2005 12:18 am)
The www.autozone.com site might have these specs.

#28 of 58 Re: Best "Beginner Car" for Modifying/Tuning [kirstie_h] by jerdmenger

Feb 03, 2006 (11:33 am)

Replying to: kirstie_h (Mar 23, 2005 12:54 pm)
HI I AM NOT TRACKING OR RESPONDING TO THE PREVIOUS DISCUSSION BUT AM WONDERING IF SOMEON COULD HELP ME OUT.
 
WELL THE THING IS LAST YEAR MY PARENTS GAVE ME A CAR FOR GRADUATION, IT WAS A 2.0 GOLF, THEY DIDN'T REALLY WANT A CAR THAT WAS FAST, IT'S NOT LIKE I CAN BUILD A HOTROD WITH A GOLF BUT I WOULD LIKE TO TWEEK IT UP BECAUSE IT IS, HONESTLY STUPIDLY SLOW.
 
WHAT CAN I DO, ANY IDEAS?

#29 of 58 2.slow by ateixeira

Feb 03, 2006 (11:43 am)

That's what that engine was nick-named. To be honest I'm not sure there's all that much you can do to it, so I'd focus on the suspension, make it go fast around turns.
 
-juice

Messages Page 3 of 6

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