funkypunnk

Thanks for all the compliments!

In California its illegal to be normal!

I have always and will always beat the EverLovin$h! outta my cars. I have found that they run better also. I even beat the crap outta my old cars. Plus, when they do break, I get to fix em and since I enjoy working on cars, it is kind of like therapy for me.

First, not legal as a Jap-spec engine does not meet our emissions requirement. Following this school of thought I could swap in a 350HP brand new V8 crate motor, with a warranty, for less than 3500.00. Now I'm up 80HP more than I needed and I haven't even started yet. Second, I'll just pick up an average fairly used 95 3.8L V6 firebird coupe for around 2500.00. Third I thought those swaps were 5-6000.00 including electronics as the ignition systems were completely different and therefore requiring custom harnesses. As the 240 is like 2700 Lbs. and the SR20DET motor is like 205HP, I will need 270HP to equal the same 1HP:13.5Lbs. power to weight ratio. I need to find only 70HP for less than 3500.00. A true dual exhaust with headers in stainless will only bust me for 800.00 and give me 25HP. A cold air intake is another 150.00 and gives up 15HP. I'll wrap 2.00 worth of fuel line inside a Maxwell house can filled with dry ice and get another 5 HP just off the colder intake charge. Add a set of larger injectors for 600.00 and give me another 30HP. Retune the PCM (250.00 for the tuner) and get anywhere between 25 and 45HP conservatively. Now throw in some underdrive pulleys for 700.00 and give me 15 more cheap HP. For free I'll shed 400 lbs. off of it by throwing out the spare tire, back seat, inner fenderwells, a/c system, radio, console, back glass, side glass, etc. Now I'm way ahead on horsepower, lighter to boot, have a fun little race car, and I didn't even take the easy route with a blower, turbo like you did, or nitrous. Heck, I couldhave added a 100 shot of NOS foronly 250.00 and smoked you right there with no other engine work. I could port, polish, and gasket match the heads for free and get at least 25HP from that. If I pull the engine completely apart I could also lighten the rotating mass, balance, and blueprint for the price of a gasket set. I could also save half of the cost of that exhaust I mentioned earlier and just go with a pair of dumps in front of some cheap mufflers and run open for the races. I hate to go into such detail, but we have to keep it apples to apples you know. If you want to race, I am willing. I have swapped engines just for the sake of one race before, so it's no big deal. There is no way that you can tell me that ricing up a car is cost-effective. It may be a personal choice, but that's about it. You know why it's so popular in California? Because there are alot of Asians in California and they prefer Asian cars. They didn't do this because it made sense, they did it out of personal preference. Nowadays, though, everyone defends it like it is some magical formula: Ricer+NOS+Stickers+DumbassSuperWing=SuperRicer Actually it equals waste of money.

Remember, I said dollar for dollar. Your "specially imported" sylvia is gonna cost some money to legalize for US. My V6 firebird is already legal, so I'll put that money into the car. I am starting with 200HP and about 500 extra lbs. so all I really need is another 100HP. A 3500.00 new blower will give me that much and more, or I could slap on a used turbo off of a junkyard t-type and get it even cheaper. I am also betting that the shipping on your sylvia will hit you for a grand or two, plus the cost of the car itself is higher than a V6 firebird. Dollar for dollar, I will walk away with your pink slip.As far as ricers swapping in Acura motors into Civics, do you get those motors for free? Last time I checked a complete motor with all accessories, manifolds, electronics, and wiring sets you back a good chunk of change. I gotta imagine the more powerful Acura 4 cyl. Vtec blah blah super-rice motor would cost you more than 3,000.00. There is my budget. We won't even talk about the stock civic clutch blowing up or the halfshafts tossing their CV joints. My point was that if an apples to apples comparison was made, dollar for dollar the ricers are a gigantic waste of time, Why start from behind?

The 4th gen Camaros and Firebirds actually were designed to handle very well. The S2000 which is a hairy (8300 RPM sweetspot) wound out dedicated sports car offering little or no real world utility is being compared to an everyday commuter car. The S2000 also sold for 33,000 in 02. That would have bought you a WS6 Ram Air TransAm Convt. in 02. The Trans Am had two extra seats, a glass back window, power top, bigger tires to compensate for the higher weight(Which is MAX of 800 Lbs. for the convt., only 500 Lbs. for the coupe), and much more.The TA was 1 second faster to 60mph, within .03G on the skidpad, and a full second quicker in the quarter mile. Sounds like the TA handles pretty close while smoking the Honda in acceleration. All this and you can bring the kids along. When will you ricers give it up. If you counter that this modified S2000 will smoke a stock Camaro, then I'll counter that if the same money was spent modifying the Camaro, it would win by even larger margins. Plus, most Camaro owners wouldn't wast all that money on stupidass stickers versus actual performance mods. In the end I have only one thing to say: LINE EM UP!!!!!!! S2000 Exterior Length: 162.2 in. Width: 68.9 in. Height: 50.6 in. Wheel Base: 94.5 in. Ground Clearance: 4.2 in. Curb Weight: 2809 lbs. Interior Front Head Room: 34.6 in. Front Hip Room: 50.2 in. Front Shoulder Room: 49.8 in. Front Leg Room: 44.3 in. Luggage Capacity: 5 cu. ft. Maximum Seating: 2 Performance Acceleration (0-60 mph): 6.1 sec. Braking Distance (60-0 mph): 121 ft. Base Number of Cylinders: 4 Base Engine Size: 2 liters Base Engine Type: Inline 4 Horsepower: 240 hp Max Horsepower: 8300 rpm Torque: 153 ft-lbs. Max Torque: 7500 rpm Drive Type: RWD 200 ft skidpad : 0.91 g Turning Circle: 35.4 ft. TRANS AM convertible: Exterior Length: 193.8 in. Width: 74.5 in. Height: 52.7 in. Wheel Base: 101.1 in. Curb Weight: 3623 lbs. Interior Front Head Room: 38.7 in. Front Hip Room: 52.8 in. Front Shoulder Room: 57.4 in. Rear Head Room: 39.4 in. Rear Shoulder Room: 43.5 in. Rear Hip Room: 44.4 in. Front Leg Room: 42.9 in. Rear Leg Room: 28.9 in. Luggage Capacity: 12.9 cu. ft. Maximum Seating: 4 Performance Top speed : 165 mph(estimated) 0-60 mph : 5.2 sec.(manual), 6.0 sec.(auto) 0-¼ mile : 13.4 sec @ 106.2 mph(manual) 60-0 braking distance : 120 ft 200 ft skidpad : 0.88 g Base Number of Cylinders: 8 Base Engine Size: 5.7 liters Base Engine Type: V8 Horsepower: 325 hp Max Horsepower: 5200 rpm Torque: 340 ft-lbs. Max Torque: 4000 rpm Drive Type: RWD

While I am frequently full of myself, and am always part of the muscle car crowd, I am dying to know how little I actually know about cars.I will tell you that when you start with a 115HP 1.5-2.0L 4 banger and rice it up to the point that it could be competitive with a 325HP 5.7L V8, even allowing for the lighter weight of an economy car, it is going to cost you big money. Horsepower gets progressively more expensive at inverse proportions to the horsepower level. When you start with 115, and need to get to at least 250, it will cost somuch that you have invested double the value of your entire car just into the engine mods. What really blows me away is how much the ricers actually spend on STICKERS!!! I know a guy who has 1500.00 in his stickers. That doesn't make the car any faster nor handle any better. Furthermore, I will line up any muscle car dollar for dollar against any ricer any day of the week. Modern muscle has every advantage and none of the disadvantages. Hell, I'll line up a V6 Firebird dollar for dollar against a 4 cylinder ricer any day. My Credentials: Master Certified Auto Mechanic-1986 Biomedical Electronics Technician-1995 Field Service Engineer-1999 Been working on cars including deep level engine work since 1982 (I was 14) Never pay anyone to do my work, build my own engines, port my own heads, build my own trannys, design my own mods. Finally, the proof is in the pudding. Ricers 99% of the time run Nitrous on their pieces of junk. Nitrous is the quintessential crutch of the ricer world. Only babies suck on bottles. I ran bottle free and lost only two races in three years, and most of the cars I ran against juiced. AND these were real cars like Mustangs and Camaros and Vettes, not ricer junk like Civics and Celicas.

This is exactly the reason I quit the way I did. When my ex-boss asked a close friend/co-worker why I didn't have the professional courtesy to give two weeks notice, he gave him the canned reply that I had prepared in anticipation of that very question. He informed the boss that when the company lets somebody go it is policy to have security watch as he gathers a small box of his belongings and then escort him from the building and confiscate all company property. They then ship the remainder of his personal effects to him. He then told him he was looking at it all wrong. He told my old boss that I had in fact FIRED the company and escorted them from MY building, and that their remaining property, if left on my property, would be confiscated by the police tow truck and impounded. He couldn't argue this point as it makes sense, even though he didn't like the way I did it.

Got it from my Dad as well, great man!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My Mom gave me some of the strength as well, but it was more in a manipulative strong personality direction while Dad gives me the Integrity and Values strength.

In the spirit of the retro concept, I also leaned heavily on the 68-69 bird. I used a modernized interpretation of the front end that is a hybrid of the 78ish mixed with the 69GTO. I reduced the pointiness of the concept camaro front end and then added a squared off beak treatment. Took off the cowl induction and stylized the hood in a more Pontiac style. Throw in the 68 gills on the quarter and you get my direction. While I love the styling of the 98-2002 birds, it isn't what I would choose for the next generation. I personally like the retro trend and absolutely love the Camaro concept, but just tinkered with it to put a Pontiac style on it. I don't believe GM will give Pontiac another Firebird and will limit the GTO to such low production numbers that Firebird fans will be forced into the Chevy camp. This may not be horrible, but I would much rather drive an affordable Pontiac rear wheel drive muscle machine and since Pontiac is supposed to be the Sporty division I don't see why the Camaro concept even exists. Eventually, there will only be Chevy and Cadillac and I will be driving a Dodge!

I have told 4 companies and 3 bosses. The best was the last when I sent out a voicemail and copied everyone in my division calling management on the carpet for selling more service contracts than they had the physical manpower to fulfill. They had taken Reduction In Force to an extreme. I actually had prepared a spreadsheet that clearly showed they were in breach of contract. I sent the voicemail and email with spreadsheet on the Monday that I was starting training with the new company. I ended the voicemail informing the company that they had 3 days to pick up the company car from in front of my house before I call the police to have it towed. Managers were putting out fires all day, over 7 conference calls were executed all the way up to the director level telling all of the engineers that my numbers were flawed and I had old account lists. After a week, they released the newest account lists, and they were the same as the one I had used!!! They added 16 new engineers within 4 months and my ex-coworkers still love me. When I leave I don't tend to burn bridges, I nuke the entire place!!!!!!! It feels real good!!!!!!

Pontiac G6. Then put the same vehicle out and call it the Grand Am. What a concept, NAMES for cars!!!! It isn't actually a replacement.

Here is my firebird chop, again the wife has demanded I go to bed so this is what you get. I may refine it further tomorrow. Look for the little details.

I got a buddy with a 67 GTO alot like yours. His is a full tubbed chassis with one helluva BBC in it plus wheelies on back. He painted it the same color as a Salem cigarette wrapper. Love old Pontiacs

In the end, the only answers can come from within. A therapist can help with that, but only for the purpose of seeking out answers, not for fixing it because it isn't something that is necessarily broken. As you age, wisdom grants this wonderful self-awareness and introspection so hopefully someday you'll better understand what makes you who you are in every way. I know things now about myself that I had no idea of when I was 25.

I have to be very delicate here as it is extremely personal for you. Let's think out loud. You grew up with your two most important influences being racist and homophobic in your own words. Your generation has been incessantly programmed on acceptance, universal acceptance. This started with the cartoons you watched when you were 3 and continued on through every year of school until now. These very ideas were at conflict with the role models you cherished. As you matured, could it be that you subconsciously chose to become one of the groups that fall into the "acceptance required" category? I don't know, but this could help explain things. What if this were a psychological defense mechanism that you subconsiously put into place to ensure that you would not become racist or homophobic. What if you had a friend, teacher, coach, or scout leader who was effeminate? Maybe you had a female that you identified with more and as that doesn't fall into defined traditional roles, the seed was planted into your mind. Again, I don't know, but I do feel for your tough position. I will accept my son no matter what, even if I don't agree with his choices.

I LOVE YOU GUYS, HOW ABOUT A GROUP HUG!!!"

I walked a tightrope on purpose, as intelligent debate requires the exploration of all facets of an argument, and I didn't directly call it out as unnatural, but let my phrases speak for themselves. I WAS a fat kid (and a poor kid) and people did make fun of me. I will also try to keep my son fit as I have done with my daughter. I also have found my personal success so that my children do not have to be ridiculed for wearing goodwill or kmart clothes. My life, and especially my childhood, was far from perfect. That is why I accept your choices. I also learned, however, that being in the majority tends to make life a little easier and more enjoyable than looking in from the outside. What is funny is I knew I was jumping into a lions den, and other than the one idea that I am calling out the truly "unusual" gay behavior as mainstream, this has gone as expected. I am guilty of stereotyping as is everybody, including those who automatically assume that because a heterosexual doesn't agree with the homosexual lifestyle, he doesn't accept it. I accept your choices, just don't agree with them. As far as the unusual behaviors like leather and gay pride parades, you should have just as much a problem with those as I do since they are not a fair representation of your lifestyle and draw negative reactions instead of positive debate. See, we are on the same team!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let me add that the current generation, my daughter's generation, has come further than any before it in the area of acceptance. For that, I am very proud of her! That includes some of you are currently actively posting in this thread, so thanks for at least granting a little harmony to the world.

I have been on C&G longer than GMI if I remember correctly although I did lurk a while before signing up to either one. I correct myself, according to the profile I was on GMI as of April 05 versus August on C&G. Either way, I wouldn't consider myself an outsider on either one.

Croc, I LOVE IT!!! Seriously everybody, this is getting a little too close to the line and I fearsomeone will soon misinterpret or misunderstand. I have throughly enjoyed this so far, but don't want to hurt someone's feelings. Those words about genetic mutations were not mine, I was merely throwing that argument right back as comparing being gay to cystic fibrosis is a bit of a stretch to me. I DON'T feel that homosexuality is something that needs to be cured. I also don't feel it needs to be prevented. Of course the reason I don't feel that homosexuality needs to be prevented or cured is because I believe it is a choice, and choice cannot be prevented or cured without oppression or slavery. Enjoy your choices, I'll enjoy mine!!!!!!! LOVE THE PINK GRAND PRIX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First, my job deals with the testing of tissue at the Nucleic Acid level through the isolation, reproduction, and amplification of DNA or RNA to quickly find disease in donations. I understand genetics pretty well as it's the industry I work in. When, or if, they find the "Gay" gene in the human genome, I will concede your point gladly. They haven't found it yet, and it may not exist. It is at best a theory at this point and not a widely accepted one at that, but the human genome is exceptionally complicated and I will not say that it doesn't exist. As far as the difference between me personally not having a problem with the choice of homosexuality versus considering it an unacceptablelife model for my son: It is my job as his parent to raise him the best way that I can. He will have more opportunity and be less stigmatized as a heterosexual, so I must try to push him in that direction through the right stimuli and cultural exposure. I most definitely WILL teach him to accept others regardless of differences, but that those differences sometimes come with burdens and are therefore not the best choice for him. In the end, his choices will decide the outcome, and as his father I will love him no less regardless! If he ends up a homosexual, then I will brag about his accomplishments in the same manner at family gatherings. I will be saddened by the fact that he won't give me any grandkids, but that is a selfish concern. Hope that clarifies

I don't get it, is GMI the straight forum and C&G the alternative lifestyle forum? I am also on a chevy avalanche forum, does that mean something? Other forums: 7 different audiophile and high end home theatre forums 3 Linux forums 2 RV forums 2 Pontiac forums 2 MythTV forums 2 Integration forums 4 engineering forums 2 medical instrument forums 1 BOOP (Lung Disease) forum 2 Electronics forums What does it all mean???????????????????????

So are you saying that being gay is an abnormality? Or is it a genetic mutation? Either implies that it is a flaw, needing to be fixed. We spend millions each year seeking out the causes of things like cystic fibrosis so that we can prevent them or cure them. Are you saying we need to prevent homosexuality or cure it?????? Your words, not mine!!!!!!!!!!!

I am saying that by design or evolution, whichever you believe in, our species has sex to reproduce. Just look at the design of the organs, it is clear. Therefore, it can easily be deduced, or even observed through behavioral observation, that for species preservation the instinctive behavior is to procreate. That can only be done when a female is involved in one way or another. Two males currently cannot procreate. Had humans been homosexual, we wouldn't be here right now. It can be deduced further that since natural selection would have eliminated our race had we been homosexual, that nature's intent was for heterosexual mating, therefore ensuring procreation. Again, this reinforces that the instinctive behavior is heterosexual mating. If this makes me presumptious, then I guess I am but it is a pretty cut and dry concept.

Yes to all of the above when appropriate. My wife and I do hold hands in public, as do my children and I. Do I make out with her in public, no. My office is my house and therefore I am surrounded with pictures of my family. As far as announcing the marriage publicly, of course. She is a hottie and she was marrying ME, I found that so unbelievable that I had to put it in the paper or no one else would believe it. Did you catch the statement about my company being based in San Francisco? Have you been there? When at corporate, I am surrounded by gay people holding hands, kissing, etc. My two favorite co-workers are gay, one recently celebrated his lifelong commitment to his partner. I have no problem with that. Had I been able to attend, I would have known what to expect and would have accepted that. I would not have brought my son, as I feel that life model not appropriate for him, but I would have attended and wished them the best. Tony is a great guy and I hope he finds happiness for life eternal, with whatever choices he makes. If I was making out with my mistress (if I had one) on the trunk of a Solstice at the NAIAS I would hope that somebody would deem that inappropriate behavior and talk to me about it just as I would deem you and your partner doing the same as something I do not wish to see. What I can never understand is why the minority always feels it is their personal burden to force open the minds of the majority. I like Pontiacs, yet I don't hold parades every year trying to get Ford lovers to buy a Pontiac. IT'S ME, IT'S A GRAND PRIX, GET USED TO IT Sometimes, it is just a CHOICE, and not a lifestyle to be thrust upon the unknowing public at large, no matter how ignored you feel. Just live your life, in happiness, without the advertisement. Wear your ring, but unless I ask you, don't approach me and tell me it is a homosexual commitment ring. Have a picture on your desk, but don't go out of your way to scream to the whole office that it is your husband. Talk about your vacation, but when I don't act stunned by your statement about "John and I", don't elaborate about being gay because you NEED to make sure I know that your travel partner is of the same sex! Hold his hand and kiss him if you would like, but don't be so dramatic about it. I don't swing my hands wildly while holding my wife's, we just walk along completely oblivious whether anyone is watching us. We would prefer they do not, yet whenever I see gay couples, they want to make sure everyone is watching and have very exaggerated movements and a rather interesting look. It's the advertising that I don't need. If only gay couples acted like heterosexual couples, things would be fine. BUT they don't, they have to rub it in our faces like it is something we HAVE to accept. No more parades, drama queens, or leather. How about just living your life and seeking happiness. That is hard enough!!!!!