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killer_735 · Jul 7, 2004, 12:26 PM

So I finally got a decent car, a 98 protoge LX 5-speed. (Before I was driving a 94 eagle summit...yech) Took me a few days to learn standard, but I absolutely love it, and am now very comfortable with it.

Of course, working more closely with the machine makes you notice exactly how much balls the vehicle has, and perhaps you even begin to wonder what it would take to get an extra couple of horsepower out of it.

Right now the car pulls about 97hp at 3000rpm. Not exactly ass-hauling material. Short of putting in a new engine or stealing a faster car, what's the best way to cause the vehicle's other testicle to drop?

Disclaimer:
Willing to spend a bit of money?
sort of...depends on the cost and benefit.
Have a garage and superior auto skills?
Nope on both counts. I'm a firm belieiver in people knowing the tools that they have to work with, but I must confess, I'm a journalist, not a mechanic. That said, I don't mind spending some time researching/practicing, and definitely will before touching ANYTHING.

I have no interest at all in playing with the vehicle's exterior, at least not for now-there's nothing dumber than a vehicle with a $2000 paint job and a weak-ass drivetrain.

Unless the driver has a mullet. Then it's awesome.

Zimphire · Jul 7, 2004, 12:29 PM

Your best bet would probably be to go on a protege board and ask them.

Each car is different.

But you'll probably want a cold air intake first.

gorickey · Jul 7, 2004, 12:30 PM

Buy a Neon.

killer_735 · Jul 7, 2004, 12:33 PM

Originally posted by gorickey:
Buy a Neon.

And feed it to this car as a sacrifice?

gorickey · Jul 7, 2004, 12:34 PM

Originally posted by killer_735:
And feed it to this car as a sacrifice?

I'm not sure on the next steps...but, Ca$h may know...

Zimphire · Jul 7, 2004, 12:34 PM

Originally posted by killer_735:
And feed it to this car as a sacrifice?

Well considering a Neon has 150hp stock..

You'd have to spend THOUSANDS to get that car to that.

cjrivera · Jul 7, 2004, 12:41 PM

Originally posted by Zimphire:
Your best bet would probably be to go on a protege board and ask them.

Agreed.

If you can find a board that specializes in your car, you can always find fanantics who have found almost every way to mod up or extract every last oz. of HP out of your car.

Jul 7, 2004, 12:47 PM

Originally posted by Zimphire:
Well considering a Neon has 150hp stock..

Yeah, and a PC can run at 3.4GHz, but that doesn't mean I'd rather "drive" that than my 1GHz PowerBook.

Zimphire · Jul 7, 2004, 12:55 PM

Originally posted by hayesk:
Yeah, and a PC can run at 3.4GHz, but that doesn't mean I'd rather "drive" that than my 1GHz PowerBook.

Goes, turns, and stops as well as cars costing thousands more

Car & Driver

Zimphire · Jul 7, 2004, 12:56 PM

Originally posted by cjrivera:
Agreed.

If you can find a board that specializes in your car, you can always find fanantics who have found almost every way to mod up or extract every last oz. of HP out of your car.

Indeed. And if the Speed Protege people start trying to make fun of you. Tell them they have a turbo car that doesn't even get out of the 15s in the quarter.

djohnson · Jul 7, 2004, 12:58 PM

Ricers are not cool. Why not get something with actual power?

macroy · Jul 7, 2004, 12:58 PM

An enthusiasts board for your car would be your best answer to mod your car... but I think the easiest way (may not be the cheapest) to make your car faster is to be a better driver...thus, driving lessons would be my #1 advice.

djohnson · Jul 7, 2004, 12:59 PM

Originally posted by macroy:
An enthusiasts board for your car would be your best answer to mod your car... but I think the easiest way (may not be the cheapest) to make your car faster is to be a better driver...thus, driving lessons would be my #1 advice.

Driving lessons and a turbo. Forget the big ugly wing... It will only attract cops.

Kenneth · Jul 7, 2004, 01:01 PM

http://forums.mazdaworld.org/

Zimphire · Jul 7, 2004, 01:01 PM

Originally posted by djohnson:
Ricers are not cool. Why not get something with actual power?

Er adding performance parts to your car that ACTUALLY give performance isn't rice. No matter WHAT the car is.

It's when you add parts to your car, like say a aluminum spoiler that does NOTHING to your performance or the like, that can be called rice.

Actually the term "riceboy" originally meant anyone with a Jap car that thought he was all that. AKA the Honda Civic thugs.

But now it has moved onto ANYONE that adds non-performance parts to their car to make it LOOK faster.

d4nth3m4n · Jul 7, 2004, 01:30 PM

and here i was thinking i was one of the few who drive stick in Ithaca. good on ya. if you can drive here, then you can conquer anything. go dabble by the creeker on lincon street. ha. anyway, ill keep an eye out for you. im the honkey driving the gold saturn (arent they all that color?) who delivers for the nines...

coolmacdude · Jul 7, 2004, 01:36 PM

How about get a real car instead of a ricer?

Zimphire · Jul 7, 2004, 01:38 PM

Originally posted by coolmacdude:
How about get a real car instead of a ricer?

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...17#post2070234

killer_735 · Jul 7, 2004, 02:30 PM

Originally posted by d4nth3m4n:
and here i was thinking i was one of the few who drive stick in Ithaca. good on ya. if you can drive here, then you can conquer anything. go dabble by the creeker on lincon street. ha. anyway, ill keep an eye out for you. im the honkey driving the gold saturn (arent they all that color?) who delivers for the nines...

Yeah, Ithaca's been fun to cut my teeth on. How 'bout Elm St. up on west hill...getting to know the turns pretty well, but always with the deer and the old people getting mail.

Alternate forums are a good idea, just wanted to see what the response was 'round here.

As for those who suggested getting a different car- big fat

Not are you not learning a damn thing about your vehicle or how to work with it, you're resorting to the 'throw more money at it and let consumer society take care of you' solution. I'll see you bourgeoisie swine on the other side of the wall.

That said, thanks for the comments. Driving lessons are a possibility, think there's a place in Watkins glen. Cold air intake is also starting to look like a good option if I can find one.

djohnson · Jul 7, 2004, 02:31 PM

Originally posted by Zimphire:
Er adding performance parts to your car that ACTUALLY give performance isn't rice. No matter WHAT the car is.

It's when you add parts to your car, like say a aluminum spoiler that does NOTHING to your performance or the like, that can be called rice.

Actually the term "riceboy" originally meant anyone with a Jap car that thought he was all that. AKA the Honda Civic thugs.

But now it has moved onto ANYONE that adds non-performance parts to their car to make it LOOK faster.

Notice the second post?

Zimphire · Jul 7, 2004, 02:57 PM

Originally posted by killer_735:
As for those who suggested getting a different car- big fat Not are you not learning a damn thing about your vehicle or how to work with it, you're resorting to the 'throw more money at it and let consumer society take care of you' solution. I'll see you bourgeoisie swine on the other side of the wall.

Fyre4ce · Jul 7, 2004, 03:15 PM

I really doubt that motor makes 97 horsepower at 3000 RPM.

killer_735 · Jul 7, 2004, 03:36 PM

Originally posted by Fyre4ce:
I really doubt that motor makes 97 horsepower at 3000 RPM.

You're right actually, was looking at torque before. It's 92 at 5500.

"You took thirty seconds of my life and I want them back..... eh, I would've just wasted them anyway."

Sherwin · Jul 7, 2004, 04:40 PM

Originally posted by killer_735:
You're right actually, was looking at torque before. It's 92 at 5500.

Hang on. It makes 97 Lb/ft at 3,000?

coolmacdude · Jul 7, 2004, 04:57 PM

Originally posted by killer_735:
As for those who suggested getting a different car- big fat Not are you not learning a damn thing about your vehicle or how to work with it, you're resorting to the 'throw more money at it and let consumer society take care of you' solution.

Not at all.

But if you want a car to mod up, there are a lot better ones to choose from than one that starts at 97 hp.

george68 · Jul 7, 2004, 07:07 PM

Don't bother. It's so pathetically underpowered to start with you're going to have to spend like a grand just to get it as fast as an automatic 1st generation neon, which is anything but impressive.

- Rob

OH-N'omac · Jul 7, 2004, 09:40 PM

Driving lessons....

Learn to drive it well and you'll be able to get where you're going faster than someone unskilled in a car that costs twice as much. For regular street/highway driving, the person behind the wheel matters more than what's under the hood. Save your money and learn how to make the most of what your car is capable of.

killer_735 · Jul 8, 2004, 08:35 AM

Originally posted by Sherwin:
Hang on. It makes 97 Lb/ft at 3,000?

I'm not playing with the numbers anymore...do a google search.

CD Hanks · Jul 8, 2004, 08:56 AM

1) K&N Air Filter - Cheap, and worth every penny - ~$30
2) Synthetic Oil (Amsoil or Mobil 1, take your pick. I use Amsoil) - ~$ depends
3) Find out how much air your tires can take, and fill them up a few pounds shy of the max

You'll get a few extra HP from the filter, better gas milage (from filter, tires, oil), and better steering ability from the added air in the tires.

Sherwin · Jul 8, 2004, 06:31 PM

Originally posted by killer_735:
I'm not playing with the numbers anymore...do a google search.

Narh. Just dump the thing off a cliff if it ain't pulling 250 minimum.

sideus · Jul 8, 2004, 10:48 PM