nice writeup chris

YAY...

everything that NEWBIES NEED to hear...and nothing they want to...haha

Originally posted by Airpoppoff
nice writeup chris

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Hopefully that will answer 97% of the daily newbie questions.

PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I stickied this!
Luda, dam good writeup bro.


I hope people read and dont still ask all that information without reading that thread.

Chris -

Those are great, but they are biased towards power mods. As someone more interested in handling, I'd add:

Lowering Springs: rarely do these really help aid handling, mostly because the rates are too low for the amount of lowering. Also, lower cars need shorter shocks (but people don't shell out for Konis, which are the shortest OTS shocks), while high-rate springs need more rebound damping and not more compression damping (which is why Tokikos and AGXs don't work well). Finally, lower does not automatically mean better handling, because you might now be hitting the bumpstops and you also might now have lateral control arms that angle upwards.

Camber vs Toe: 99% of tire-wear problems come from the toe-out that you get when you lower the car. The problem is not the extra negative camber. Yes, lots of negative camber hurts traction on a straight-ahead launch, but it helps in cornering. After lowering a car, you might need to remove some rear camber (or the understeer will be awful), but you don't need to take out any front camber unless it's a dedicated drag-racer or slammed to the ground (but see above).

- Jtoby

Originally posted by jtmcinder
Chris -

Those are great, but they are biased towards power mods. As someone more interested in handling, I'd add:

Lowering Springs: rarely do these really help aid handling, mostly because the rates are too low for the amount of lowering. Also, lower cars need shorter shocks (but people don't shell out for Konis, which are the shortest OTS shocks), while high-rate springs need more rebound damping and not more compression damping (which is why Tokikos and AGXs don't work well). Finally, lower does not automatically mean better handling, because you might now be hitting the bumpstops and you also might now have lateral control arms that angle upwards.

Camber vs Toe: 99% of tire-wear problems come from the toe-out that you get when you lower the car. The problem is not the extra negative camber. Yes, lots of negative camber hurts traction on a straight-ahead launch, but it helps in cornering. After lowering a car, you might need to remove some rear camber (or the understeer will be awful), but you don't need to take out any front camber unless it's a dedicated drag-racer or slammed to the ground (but see above).

- Jtoby

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Nice additions. I'll add them.

Great idea!!! It is informative and a great place for a newbie to start, it should be required at time of registering

Good thread, even for those that already have a little experience in the DSM arena. Thx.

Don't forget:
Maintanance comes first - Even the newest DSM is almost 5 years old. Rubber hoses dry out, timing belts need religious replacement, oil, gear lube, coolant, and brake fluid have limited lifespans. If you don't know when they were changed last, change them.
etc.

Steve

Originally posted by steve
Don't forget:
Maintanance comes first - Even the newest DSM is almost 5 years old. Rubber hoses dry out, timing belts need religious replacement, oil, gear lube, coolant, and brake fluid have limited lifespans. If you don't know when they were changed last, change them.
etc.

Steve

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I think that should be very close to the top of the list. Alot of people take maintanance for granted even though it should be the first thing done. Ive seen far too many people who are new to cars shell out tons of cash on go fast parts w/o the car running in tip top shape.

Great post man, very good points in there. Especially about tuning, I had no idea what I had gotten myself into when I had to buy all the tuning gear .

Very nice, i learned a few things from that as i am a newb(for now! Thanks!

very well put opening.... and yes Im new to the world of cars with computers and EFI..... Im old school but Im learning... I do have a few nice toys a 2000 Hayabusa, Bandit 1200S (Wife's) and a big block 1970 Stang 475cid runs 11.80s (no spray just motor) and yes it took a bunch of cash to get it there (not easy) at New York Int. which is 1/4 mile strip... I have been reading and learning a ton of new things about my 91 Laser this is a great board for info..

With a little work and some fresh paint in the spring I should have a few good pictures of the Laser to post in here.

Hey im also a Newbie....

I'm a newb to DSM's, but not to modding cars. This thread did answer a couple of my questions and I didn't realize the BOV emptied into the intake. Good stuff to know I'm doing research before I buy a GSX, so that I know a little about what I'm getting into.

I just bought my 99 gst a month ago and with the help of this board, I feel confident that my car will run as fast as I want it to.......without any major problems.

Nice write up. Answered alot of questions for me.

chris

I have been thinking about buying a DSM for a while and i dont' know if i should yet. Ive always driven domestic cars but i am very close to buying a 97 eclipse RS. It needs a new timing belt because its at 63,000 miles. THe only thing i dont' want is for it to break down and not be able to fix it.

newbalance336 said:

I have been thinking about buying a DSM for a while and i dont' know if i should yet. Ive always driven domestic cars but i am very close to buying a 97 eclipse RS.

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Good news, if you get a DSM you won't be leaving your past trail of domestics.

A RS could be comparable to a better looking cavi or something if you're coming from domestics. Also like a cavi in thats its slow as hell though. The RS is the nonturbo "neon: motor so it is a domestic motor if thats what you mean by hard to fix? ,, though paying 1 or 2 grand for bent valves is fixable but not fun in regards to changing a timing belt regulary.

This is the car that i am buying, http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/member.php?&do=vehicledetails&userid=8359 to bad somebody had to steal the nitrous and the cd player but I still love it im buying it one thursday

yeah i think that write up helped alot it awnsered all most all my questions.... almost...