Welcome to Gaia! ::

Okay. So, I'd like to improve the performance on my 1996 Buick Skylark limited. My friend says there are a bunch of little tiny tweaks I can do on the engine to increase performance, but I'm doubtful of how noticable a change getting better sparkplugs, air filter and stuff would make. So he told me get a new car, something I like and make a project out of it. Thing is, the kind of cars I like are harder to come by, more expensive to get, work on and maintain, and all that. Muscle cars. 60s-70s muscle cars and sports cars. I love them. Problem is, they guzzle gas, parts can be sometimes hard to find or just expensive. And I don't want a bloody rice burner because I hate the sound of their engines whining down the road. They might have great acceleration, but overall are gutless.

So heres the question. Do I upgrade what I can on my buick or get a new car? And if I am to get a new car, what sort? I like toyotas, but again, the whole rice burner thing comes into effect. If I were to really put some work and money into a toyota it would end up sounding like a ******** lawnmower. I like cars with a V6. Decent gas mileage, adaquate power and acceleration and all. So if I am to get a new car I would like something with a good V6 where the end result wouldnt be a lawnmower type sound. Anything muscle car-esque will be in projects taken on much further down the road when I have a job that can enable me to afford such beauties.

Well. An update! I've recently gotten a new car. My buick is gone. Well not physically as of yet, but I blew a head gaskett. Lovely I know.

Anyway, I just today was able to get myself a 91 toyota tercel DX. Or maybe it's DLX. I didnt pay much attention to what letters were on the trunk. The floor of the garage is like ice right now and I was in bare feet. But yes, this little car is a 5-speed manual, so it's a rather interesting adjustment for me, who has been driving automatics for nearly four years now and never been given the chance to learn to drive a manual.

So what I am planning, once I pay back all the money I owe my parents from repairs on the buick as well as getting this car, is to make this small little car zip around more than it already does. It's got great low end acceleration which seems to be common with toyotas, but also has quite nice high end acceleration, though I have yet to try that out myself. Still getting the whole clutch manipulation thing down. Did well for my first day driving it today...I think...

Anyway, I'm thinking some alterations to the exhaust. A coworker of mine recomended a few parts that I cant remember. The one bit I do remember is that he told me to go for 2-1/2 inch to 3 inch tips for the exhaust. That's supposed to produce a sound much more favorable to someone like me, who prefers the rumble of a powerful V8 with a carb on it. I am also thinking of sticking on a cold air intake, MSD ignition, and may even one day tinker with the gear ratios, though I'm so far happy with how the car shifts already. I may look into seeing if a bigger engine is possible for me to get and stick under the hood, but for now I'm good with the engine I got. 1.5L I Believe.

So if anyone has any suggestions at all, feel free to suggest away!

I'm no car expert... so I'll point out some other car guilds that'll be more help. http://www.gaiaonline.com/guilds/viewtopic.php?page=1&t=5821169#82472634

Well yes. I'm sure not many people do, but I'm certain it can be done. I don't plan on making it a monster of a speed demon, but just giving it some extra juice. Cold air intake, MSD ignition, iridium spark plugs. Nothing major really.

It's a start. I'll also change the exhaust a bit. Just so long as it doesnt sound like a ******** lawn mower, I'll be fine with it. I've considered a new engine all together, but first I need to make sure I know exactly how big an engine I can put in and what kind, if there are any available to put in. I've even been tinkering with the idea of a turbo, though I'm sure my little 1.5L wouldnt work for that. ~Shrugs~ Like I've said, I don't plan on racing this thing or making it fast enough to beat anything. I just want a bit more performance. Enough to put those punk a** honda bitches in their place when they have a ride they think is fast. I used to love smoking them with my buick. ^_^ Ahh. The fun of a 3.1 V6. I miss that engine. But, my Tercel accelerates much faster, given that it's a stick. Anyway, I'm going to shut up and go to bed now.

actually, I've worked on a trecell, helped a dude swap in a 4afte. car ran a 14.1 at 90mph

I like some of the older American muscle and sports cars (I.E. '67 Shelby GT500, '62 Corvette, Barracudas, and many more) but ultimately, I like the idea of being able to afford filling my gas tank to the full mark every time. Working retail, I can't really manage that if I have a beast of a car with a gas guzzling V8, as much as I would love to have something like that someday. So for the time being, I'll just stick with Toyotas. Fuel efficient and last a hell of a lot longer with less maintenance than most American cars.