1987 Toyota Supra
Brandon Estevez
King George, Va.
* Mods: 0.02 overbore; JE pistons; HKS metal head gasket; K&N FIPK; SS Lexus airflow meter; Hose Techniques silicon vacuum hose kit; high-flow turbo elbow; Aeromotive adjustable fuel pressure regulator; Walbro 255-lph fuel pump; NGK iridium plugs and wires; 3-inch RT downpipe; HKS Super Dragger cat-back exhaust; Fluidyne radiator and tranny cooler; custom-built A340E transmission with Art Carr performance kit; 16-inch Primax 491 chrome wheels; Pioneer stereo head unit; dual Kicker 12-inch Comp VRs in custom enclosure
* Brandon says: "Now this is Japanese muscle."
* Why we like it: Blunt and to the point.
Letter Of The Month
A reader in November's "Letters" claimed he was tired of those dirty, dirty Mustang owners acting like such jerks when sport compact owners just mind their own business. From an outsider's viewpoint, it appears to be some sort of jihad between diametrically contradicting religions. If this is a holy war, then I am a man without a religion.
It still confuses me that some people seem to think that a vehicle defines identity and members of a group with a certain identity should be treated without respect.
Recognize these people for what they are: auto enthusiasts, just like yourself. Realize that each group probably does have a few provincial-minded assholes that ruin the reputation of the entire group, but do not fall into the trap of returning fire and being an asshole yourself.
Ryan Farrell
Pensacola, Fla.
Scott's Unhappy Little Island
While I agree, for the most part, with number 50, "Environmentalist weenies who want us all to drive some electric-powered shitbox," I think the gasoline engine will eventually disappear. I love internal combustion as much as the next guy, but as at least a partial "environmentalist weenie," the idea of a pollution-free car that performs better than modern sports cars is exciting.
Christopher Seipt
Kingston, N.H.
Melted Popsicles
Can you do an article on the ST205 Celica? You know, the one that never made it here, the one with 253 hp, 225 lb-ft and all-wheel drive. I'm tired of Hondas, and I'd like to see something other than a WRX or EVO for just one issue.
King Winn
From the Internet
Hmmm
Could you fit a 2000 SVT Cobra 4.6-liter V8 in a 1996 Escort?
Adil Jensen
From the Internet
Sure. Just open the rear hatch and drop it in. Might soil the carpet, though.
-Dave
General Maybe
What is with the conspicuous absence of performance derivatives of General Motors-based hardware in the United States? GM's new six-speed manual front-drive transaxle, used in the European Opel, Vauxhall and American Saab 9-3 isn't available in the Saturn Redline ION. The European-market Opel Astra comes with a 190-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged engine-a destroked version of GM's own Ecotec.B.P. Dumas
Easton, Conn.
1995 Honda Civic
John Simpson
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
* Mods: Stock engine rebuild; Civic Si transmission swap; AEM cold-air intake, cam gear; custom exhaust w/ Ractive Fireball muffler; H&R sport springs; Eibach camber kit; Ractive cross-drilled rotors; 15-inch SIR wheels; 205/50R-15 Yokohama tires; BMW "carbonschwartz" paint; JDM side markers; clear corners; Ractive short shifter
* John says:"My buddies and I are loyal purchasers of your mag. I would subscribe, but the mags get all beat up by the mailman, so I just buy them each month."
* Why we like it: John has got big plans for his Civic, including forced induction. If he's as anal about his car as he is about his magazines, it should turn out just fine.
Grains Of Sand
I'm currently deployed in Iraq, and when I get back to the United States in six months, I'm thinking of building a 240SX with a Skyline engine, but I'm wondering whether engine parts for the RB engine are hard to come by. I owned a Toyota Mango with a 3TGTE, and the parts were hard to come by. I'm also thinking of an '81 Corolla with a 2JZ, but am unsure of fitment.
SPC Guillermo Lopez
Iraq
Skyline engine parts are getting easier to find in the United States as more are imported and used but most engine parts still have to be imported. Those of you not stuck in the desert can dig up the September '03 issue for our analisis of the four best 240SX engine swaps.
Revenge Of The Kimchi
You had a 2003 Tiburon in "The Street" portion of your December issue. You said: "Despite repeated challenges to the Hyundai community, we've seen little response in the way of modified vehicles." If you go to www.newtiburon.com you'll see there are, in fact, many Tiburons that have body kits, S/Cs, etc. Many from the Hyundai community feel Tiburons aren't taken seriously. Buck the norm; don't be a mindless sheep and buy a Honda.
Crimsin
From the Internet
Ask Jenny Craig
I drive a Prelude, and keep seeing Preludes with their engines torn out to stick in Civics and Accords. Why? Just buy a Prelude; they look a hell of a lot better than a Civic.
Lucen Fieras
From the Internet
Hmmm 2
I have an '86 Cadillac Hearse with a 502 big block in it with around 600 hp. Is it possible for this heavy of a vehicle to pull 12s in the quarter mile, or even a 10? So far it pulls 13s.
P. Wellman
H87 Infantry
Is that with or without Hoffa riding the sled?
Hyundai USA is only promoting its V6 Tiburon, so everyone has forgotten that there are other generation Tiburons out there, owned by tuners that have to work harder at finding parts and making their cars stand out.
C. Mosty
From the Internet
And I Want Jay Leno's Dirtbike
I am absolutely intrigued with Project Silvia and am wondering what you guys are intending to do with it when finished. I would like to purchase it for a decent price.Corporal Derek MacPherson
Okinawa, Japan
You can pry the keys out of Dave's spindly, cold, dead hands flipping you a rigor-mortised, one-finger salute.
Damn Rotarians
Whatever happened to the RX-7 tech articles? Why you haven't done anything with the FC3S (second-generation RX-7)? And I'm curious whether you're going to grace your project car ranks with an RX-8. You've done a very good job attacking the RX-8's horesepower rating, so why don't you show us how to boost the power and get off your Technobabble asses? The six-speed manual RX-8 costs less than the base 350Z.
C. Payer
From the Internet
Speak Up!
Speak up! Please send us your letters via e-mail to sportcompactcar@primedia.com, or if you must, snail-mail them to Letters, Sport Compact Car, 774 S. Placentia Ave., Placentia, CA 92870. Please include your name, address and a way to contact you. Letters chosen for publication may be edited for length and clarity. All submissions become the property of Primedia Publishing, and will not be returned to the sender.