Tranny:
Automatic with a B&M "Shift Plus" shift kit
Wheels:
Stock 2002 GT "Takeoffs" Wheels wrapped in 245/45/ZR17 Goodyear
Eagle Tires, slowed down by zinc-plated cross-drilled and slotted rotors
Exhaust:
MAC dual exhaust system (using stock Y-pipe)
Performance:
-Cold Air Intake
-Crank Underdrive Pulley
For the Future:
-Upgrade headlights (soon)
-3.73 gears with trac-lok
-Leather seats
-Lowering Springs
-High flow cats
-LT's
-Possibly a Saleen/Stalker bodykit
Background:
The last car I had was a Red 1995 Dodge Neon. It was a great little get-around
car that got almost 30 miles to the gallon in the city and about 38 on
the highway. I went the ricer route and put a full Wings West bodykit
on it, as well as a Terminator 2 spoiler. It was straight-piped coming
out of a single side dual-outlet exhaust tip and sounded more or less
like a dying cow now that I look back on it. It was a fun car to drive
and was a lot of fun to build, but with time comes change and it was time
for a change in January of 2004.
I was on my way to the bank when
I first saw the car. It was sitting out in an open field with the number
"$4000" written on the windshield. It was completely stock,
but in emaculate condition. I looked it over and ended up taking it for
a test drive after calling the owner. Evidentally he only bought and sold
repossesed cars (he was a certified dealer, working out of his home).
The car had terrible acceleration during the test drive; I could tell
it was bogged down, but I fell in love with it. When I got back I asked
the dealer what his bottom dollar was, and he told me $3,750. That seemed
like a lot to a guy who paid for his own insurance and gas and was working
for $6.10/hour, so I told him I'd call him back.
After thinking it over, I decided
one day that I would simply buy it and stop thinking about if everything
would work out. I went to the bank with my parents and got a cosigner
loan spread out over 3 years, making the payments $64/month. I told the
guy I'd give him $3,700 cash for it, and he took it. Easy.
The first thing I did (before even
legalizing the car!) was buy a K&N air filter for it. After fitting
it correctly, I started it up and took it for a spin around the block
(a quick spin...it wasn't street legal without plates/insurance) I could
tell an immediate power difference. The stock air filter was filthy, so
this really opened the car up. After seeing this large power increase,
I decided that I would not be making as drastic of "show" modifications
as I did to the Neon, and work more towards "go" mods.
I added wheels and tires a few
weeks after buying the car, because I couldn't stand the look of the stock
V6 wheels (especially since one of them was missing a center cap). From
there came window tint for my birthday, cold air induction, MAC dual exhaust,
underdrive pulleys, and cross-drilled and slotted rotors. I've become
addicted to mods and I'm not planning on stopping anytime soon.
What the future holds for this
car I am not sure of. I had problems with it recently (which is what made
this article delayed) so I'm not sure how much longer the engine is going
to hold out. I'm still debating on whether I'll drop another V6 in it
or go with a V8. Either way I plan on keeping the car until this engine
dies out, because the body is still in such great condition. But if not,
I might have to get a 99+ and see what kind of fun that brings...
click for larger picture
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