RacerSlashRicer

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From


To


I just had to do it!!


Back in the day when I used to be a ricer, I was sporting a 2001 Honda Civic. Hell, I don’t even know why I got this helluva monster, cutting those axle rippin’ 3.1 second 60’ times verified by G-Tech and the Bradenton 1/4th mile drag strip. I remember the first time I went there, I cut 18.5 second quarter mile pass @ 75.22 mph and I was like, “Whoohoo!!! That’s really fast!!!” Plus I drove it really hard and thought it was a sports car just because it barely topped out at 100 mph on the interstate down a hill! Let me tell ya, it was an automatic, nevertheless the slowest piece of sh*t I have ever owned. It also have a wealth of problems about as rich as Bill Gates. I remember that day I blew a timing belt after 45,000 miles. Haha, at least the stingy Honda stealership replaced the whole motor since I was lucky enough to get a 60,000 mile warranty. Its also had its share of numerous times of overheating because of a bad water pump. It can’t really get any better than that! It was more than a Lemon, more like a roasting potato!! Then the cylinder head warpage made it run at its best, I think at the time, actually running on 3 cylinders. It sounded “better” because of the rough idle, making you think it had a lopey performance cam! It really sounded great with the “modded” exhaust, as we call, our coffee can, fart pipe, giving it an extra .001 hp. Mmmm… Not bad for a little 1.7L SOHC Civic! Took it back to the stealership about 3 days later and I was like, “I fix this p.o.s! Its still is under warranty with 52,000 miles. They finally did about 2 weeks later. Then after that, it was running like a champ, although still slower than a tank. I probably would be able to manually push it faster down the drag strip than its tiny 1.7L even if the little thing had a T88 turbo with a little 200 hp shot of what you call, NAWZZZ! Yippie!!

About 2 years of “dedicated ownership,” there was a day I took it to another car trade in dealership which actually took the bait and got hooked worse than a prostitute sting. I was just looking around the place until I finally saw the light and decided not to get another import. Basically I was at a draw from either getting an 02 RSX Type-S with a little over 120,000 miles and an 89 Corvette with about 10,000 miles on the new motor and tranny and about 120,000 miles on the body itself. The Type S had a CEL which kinda meant bad news. I hate all CELs even if its just a little sensor that’s off by a little. It also had a bad history, according to Carfax since it was in an accident AND theft recovery in California where its originally from. Looks like its been driven there and back a couple of times just by looking at the condition of the 17” tires. Any they still wanted $5,000.00 extra if I trade. How about a big, impolite “No thank you!” I then went on to another salesman since I have the sneaking suspicion that the one I am dealing with is probably a dedicated ricer himself with also a Honda.
Then the 89 Corvette was the one I absolutely fell in love with! It was kind of like the “Love at first site” ordeal when you think you see the mate of your dreams. It was in beautiful condition. It had 1 original owner who decided to give it up on a trade in. From what I see, he kept a wad of receipts about the size of large dictionary ever since 1989. Looks like the original owner was pretty dedicated since all documentation since day 1 was there. Everything was consistent up to every oil change, high performance parts added and work done ever since ownership. Performance parts were added in the beginning of 2001 and looks like it cost the original owner about 30 grand with the last part a transmission rebuild with Kevlar clutches in the tranny. I test drove it and I was psyched and addicted more than a coke abuser! Looks like a mid-12 second car in the quarter. It spun 1st to 2nd with a hard chirp sounding like a manual. It was actually a built automatic with more than likely a shift kit. Looks like it was shifting at 5000 rpms every time, all the way to 110 mph in just over 12 seconds (Yes, I counted). Redline is at 5500 rpms and torque seems to be from 1600 rpms on. The other salesman I chose was also very familiar with F-bodies and Y-bodies and told me how good of a deal it was. Nevertheless, I still had to control my interest since that is what you would have to do in a dealership so they don’t look at you like a jackpot. Looks like he knows me and my dad since he is the son of my eye doctor. I told him, “I saw the book value of that car and it looks like it should do an even deal trade with the 2001 Honda Civic I have.” He was like, “OK, let’s see the condition it is in and how many miles it has. I told him, “It has just under 60,000 miles and it looks pretty good from inside and out.” So then I go into some more technical babble and go on and on of how it would be better and easier to sell since gas prices are really high these days. Looks like he can sense my knowledge of Hondas just by pretending I am still a dedicated Honda/Acura fan (yes his wife owns a 2000 Integra Type-R). Looks like I’m in common ground with a streak of luck like I’m about to win some $$$ from a Vegas casino. Then we go get the 01 Civic appraised and they said they will give me $8,000.00 as a down payment on any car at the dealership or a dead even trade in for the Vette, free tax, tag transfer and title. I was like, Hmmmmm… sure, I’ll take the Vette. It really wasn’t a hard decision at all regarding I had been frustrated with the 01 Civic for quite a while. I’ve always wanted a Vette ever since the new C6 came out. I know you can get some good gas mileage, thanks to the 0.7 overdrive mated to a 3.07 rear end ratio. Averages out to about 21 mpg in the city and about 27 mph in the highway cruising at 80 mph. Really can’t go wrong with that fact!!! I got the Vette so I can look better among people, especially my age group. Corvette owners seem really close like a family and give the “wave of appreciation” each time you pass them by on the opposite side. I have finally come to realize that that Honda was not meant for me and should quit disgracing myself with it, even if I am a full bred Asian. Yes, I’m a traitor both ways if you ask me, both in my ethnicity, opinion and appreciation for the good ole’ truly American sports car since 1953.

BTW, Good luck with your 7thgen Civics. Your opinion will gradually change as you get older and you will eventually, “See the Light” like I have. It was nice knowing all of you and I hope everything works out for ya’ll in the long run. Any questions???

QBoi

iTrader: (3)

I so don't want to read all that. Cliffnotes please.

RacerSlashRicer

iTrader: (1)

Cliffnotes: I got a free, well maintained 89 Vette for my 01 Civic at a dealership! Deal was too good for even my best friends to believe...

ciVictoria

Not feeling the rims on the vet.. ;\

h0nd4_r1c3r_X

so u traded your vic for an 89 vette? (just my 0.02$)

diskreet

iTrader: (1)

why go from a 2001 to an 89? Around here people with those vettes just look poor. Dunno bout round there

zen_master

iTrader: (6)

should've gone with 05 stang..

nindoo

iTrader: (1)

Nince car, are you gonna take it to the track?

_Viper_

iTrader: (4)

The rattles that car must have will rattle your bones ..

baggedblue02

iTrader: (10)

I've got a friend that swaped an LS6 from the Z06 into an 86 like that....


WOW

suthrninca

I've always heard that the late 80's vettes were junk(excluding your motor). I think you would have had less trouble out of your vic in the long run.

RacerSlashRicer

iTrader: (1)

Actually, there are no rattles whatsoever in this "new" old car. Its seems to grip the road on curves like no other. Its like riding rails in a roller coaster. I know the 89 Vettes come with 245 HP and about 345 TQ from the factory. Also back in the 80's GM tended to underrate their cars for insurance purposes. Honestly with all the new misc. parts and engine upgrades and the first owner did, its seems to be a lot more power than that 245 HP stock. It took about 12 seconds for it to reach 110 mph. Took it to the track and I ran a 13 flat @ 105 mph. Hell, I wasn't even trying since I was braking before the end! Kind of had the "wet your pants" torque off the line. 1.7-1.8 60' times?? That's better than I ever did with my bad to the bone built B20B turbo CRX.

Sounds like much more HP and TQ for a car that weighs in at about 3200 stock. Like I said, its been very well maintained with just about new everything. The wheels are the Collector's Edition Grand Sport wheels of a 96 Corvette. I guess the owner thought they would look better. Can't really go wrong with the "best decision ever" since it DOES get good gas mileage as mentioned above with the 0.7 overdrive and the 3.07 rear end gear. That 01 Civic had just about maxed out my patience with all the problems it had for a while. I actually "traded up" and not really "traded down." I hope this clarifies a few things. BTW, I've owned the Vette since Dec 23, 2004 and also a member of one of the online Corvette communities. They are much more of a family than this "bash your opinion" forum.

RacerSlashRicer

iTrader: (1)

Ironically, it turned out to be the exact opposite! The vic had more problems than ANY car I've owned!!

ciVictoria

hey man no need to get all defensive.. we were all just thinking why would you get a car that is a 89 rather than sticking with a 2001 car. Well if you say that the vet works better than the civic then have fun with your ride man.

PunkingCivic

iTrader: (3)

Right on
here is a company that makes stuff for corvettes.

www.callawaycars.com

RacerSlashRicer

iTrader: (1)

LOL, it looks like now I seem to attract more members of the opposite sex just because of this car swapping stuff. I can't believe a Hooters hottie asked me to take some shots of her posing on my hood.

I never got a positive compliment about my Civic. Most of them were negative, stereotypical and biased as in, "Hey riceboy, wanna race for pinks??"

Now it seems to me that the Vette gets the girls while I do the job... "Get her did, get her done!!" I still consider this a trade up. Sorry to offend anyone...

nindoo

iTrader: (1)

Nice car, but remember its not the car that makes the man.

But to get back to the point, are you gonna take it to the road race tracks?

RacerSlashRicer

iTrader: (1)

IMHO, I would think it is more practical to spend 30 grand on a Vette rather than spending it on a Civic.

Can't really compare all American, SBC, stump pullin', axle twisting, performance V8 TPI low end torque and grunt to a high strung 4 banger making all of the hp and tq past my Corvette's redline.

I'd rather put it in drive, mash the pedal from idle for instant action, rather than have to drop the clutch and/or do a 40 mph roll at 5000 rpms in my CRX. I might sell that CRX soon... ya never know!

Forced induction really helps little 4 cylinder cars and helps even more with a V8 SBC. It seems to be that you'd get worse gas mileage with V8s but not really if you, drive hard when needed and not all the time and most of all, remain electronically fuel injected rather than carbed.

ciVictoria

So whats up with the shots of the hooters chick? Post'em up stop holding out ;P

RacerSlashRicer

iTrader: (1)

Possibly so when I am completely able to handle the Vette's raw power. Its all just stop light and drag races for now. I gotta get used to the oversteer in RWD sports cars. It can be a driver's worst enemy on turns when you give it too much throttle.

When I used to have a FWD car, understeer seemed to be much more of a tame animal.

Also the Vette is an automatic meant for stoplight and drag races. I love the 2600 rpms lock up stall torque converter it has.

In order to road race, I would have to upgrade it to a ZF6 6 speed manual tranny /w a high performance clutch in order to maximize the use of the powerband. Road racing in an automatic just wouldn't cut it for me.

MyK

is it just me or does that vette look like a pile next to the civic?

CivicsRdBest

Nice... well, at least you'll be tuning a sportscar... and don't go around racing 4-cylinder cars...

04RedCiVP

iTrader: (3)

Heres my .02:

I have an 04 Vic VP and would take it ANY DAY over an '89 Vette no matter how fast or well kept up the vette was. My reasoning is that the late 80's Vettes have always been known to be junk (no offense)and personally I dont like the bodystyle...nor the wheels. Although I do know the look that your going for (Im enclosing a pic below)..good luck to you with your Vette.

HorrorSkopes

i actually read the whole thing and it was a good read... btw, nice buy. 10k miles on a 89" y/o car is awesome! Take care of it man.

Civic04

iTrader: (1)

Night rider conversion YO!!

J/P Its all about taste im not a fan of vetts but i know ppl that are. do what ya like

RacerSlashRicer

iTrader: (1)

I'll only race them if they have an vastly overinflated ego and talk about horsepower to weight ratios all the time not mentioning a single word about torque. You still can't go wrong with torque and the right gearing. My buddy since highschool has a modded turbo diesel in a 7400 lb Ford F350 pickup. 325 hp @ 3400 rpms and 1100 ft-lbs tq @ a meager 1200 rpms. He runs 12's consistently at the quarter and broke an 11.9 pass once or twice already!! When I still had an all motor LS 1.8L cammed B18B Integra engine in my 1800 lb CRX with a 75 shot of nitrous, he still wasted me by a car length! I tell you I was f*ckin' embarrassed!!!

RacerSlashRicer

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, I would have to blatantly admit that some of them were junk. I slighly dislike the Vettes made in the years from 84-87. The early 80's was a bad year for GM. Notice there is no such thing as a 1983 Corvette!!!!! Although the early 80's Vettes were really light and torquey from the TPI fuel injection system, and most of all nimble around corners. The supension was really harsh and prone to breakage after hitting potholes or getting into accidents.

The improvement on 80's Vettes really came at around 88 and on, again, down again between 92 and 94 when the LT1 was introduced because of the tendency for the water pump to leak on the Opti-Spark distributer, rendering it garbage.

When the big butt look of the C5, 1997-2004 Corvettes came out, there was a craze over the new, slightly smaller displacement LS1. Doesn't 350 hp and 350 tq sound hotter from a 346 CI V8 block? It also got slightly better gas mileage. In 2002, the Z06 had factory 405 hp/405 tq and nevertheless got 19 mpg in the city and 28 in the hwy. Those Vettes are still a bit on the pricey side for now but will then again settle as soon as the C6 2005+ Corvettes settle in more GM dealerships.

aZnVoYCe

iTrader: (12)

Hey what ever floats your boat. Congrats!

hustlelikem0fo

iTrader: (10)

no secrete that the civic isnt the best car there is but why swap one piece of **** for another? i mean... i dont get what the point is in getting a really old car just for the name. its kinda like not being able to afford a newer lexus but going out an getting like a 95 lexus just so you can say you drive a lexus...

if you're happy its cool but i just dont see any logic behind this.

XxJDMCivicxX

iTrader: (1)

BTW buddy i'm calling BS on your drag times. 1.6-1.7 without slicks i highly doubt that. Nice vette though and in your whole corvette story why not mention the beast zr-1 some vette fan.