what do you think of this idea?

Arro · Post by **Arro** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 10:51 pm

This thread is full of fail, but I'm bored so I'll add my $0.02...

Welcome to 2gn.org. We have people here with legitimate show cars, people here with high horsepower beasts (not all of which are SRT-4's, just ask esteinmaier), and some handle like they're on rails. We're not strictly focused on any one approach to automotive enthusiasm.

That said...

Come on man, you're 17. Read up on some of the people that have been mentioned... show cars take a LOT of $$$$$ before they win major competitions, and there are a lot of guys/gals out there with a lot more money than you, as well as friends in a lot more shops than you, who will always do more than you can do. That's the same with power upgrades, handling machines, etc. There's always a bigger fish.

And in the end, they will be the first to tell you that they LOSE their money in that game, not win it all back. Often times they take a big hit when they try to sell the car, and get only a fraction of what they spent on it.

This is your first car. My advice to you -- without the flames -- is take the time to *learn* about it. Get to know it, read A LOT on here and use the search and GOOGLE as often as possible. Ask QUESTIONS, and never tell us what is or is not, considering you're in no position to do so, as both a new Neon guy and as someone who is new to cars in general.

And DEFINITELY do not challenge people on here (or any other car forum) to a contest of "who's is [gonna be] better", because you will lose or be flamed or both.

As far as the SRT-4 bumper thing, I'm not a fan of the visual clone choice... if you're gonna sport the bumper, sport the engine too... and even then, the SRT-4 is an OEM bumper, in the end, so it's not all that "custom". But this is just my opinion.

Anyways have fun and take the flames with a grain of salt.

GreeNeons03 · Post by **GreeNeons03** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 10:59 pm

I'm bored as well and I'm still putting off my homework.

Arro wrote:This thread is full of fail...

Arro · Post by **Arro** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 11:03 pm

We don't need to clutter up his thread with more fail, man.

GreeNeons03 · Post by **GreeNeons03** » Sun Mar 01, 2009 11:22 pm

sorry man, just like I said. I'm bored.

sxtman17 · Post by **sxtman17** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 6:30 am

shes been working on it for about 2 years now and i know i may have jumped the gun a bit in the beginning i know i wont be making money lol i was just trying to win the arguments. i plan on starting to read alot more in here and i wasnt necessarily trying to compete with people...i again was just trying to win the argument lol...oh and you might not of seen her cuz she doesnt go to many BIG ones cuz of fear of copyrights since it is a playboy theme. and she hasnt swapped the engine yet cuz of funds...she just bought a house and she cant do too much to it but she wants to at least get a turbo here soon

jetas · Post by **jetas** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:35 am

Dam i m surprised i berely saw this thread. So 2 12" kickers and a 1000 wat amp? good choice, Is your electrical system good enough to power that? You know your guna need to upgrade your alternator and battery correct? Also what kickers are you going with? Comps? CVRs? L5? L7? CVX? what amp? do you have anything actually planned out? do you have any ideas that are actually thought thru fully?

This thread IS fail. But no ones giving this kid positive input. The mirrors in the engine bay sound retarted and ive never liked them. Learn about the things that you want to do that way you have knowledge and dont get fucked over and buy unnecessary blinker fluid... research, read,read,read,read,read learn wat you can then move on to wat u want to do.

Arro · Post by **Arro** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 11:37 am

And as always with every project.... get an idea of the cost for each thing you want to do, get a rough total of what that's gonna cost, and stick to a plan that will make it happen. Otherwise it's just talk/dreaming.

excon · Post by **excon** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 2:33 pm

I REITERATE: DON'T PUT MIRRORS IN THE ENGINE BAY.

NASA uses mirrors to reflect heat. Unless you want it to overheat, it's not a good idea unless you're towing it to shows.

sxtman17 · Post by **sxtman17** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 3:34 pm

yeah you all made a good point about the mirrors ive changed my mind on that im just gonna put them in my trunk

GreeNeons03 · Post by **GreeNeons03** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 3:45 pm

If you are going to do that, I would suggest making them removable. That way you can put them on for shows and take them off afterwards since this is going to also be your DD. That way you won't be suprised to find broken glass all over your trunk.

DoubtedNeon · Post by **DoubtedNeon** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 3:57 pm

fact. I would do what GreeNeons is talking about IMO.

NeonOn19s · Post by **NeonOn19s** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:02 pm

You do have some good ideas, but need to think though them a bit more clearly. Take you time with the car, and you will apprechiate it more. If you are going to do mirrors, find yourself the plexiglass mirrors so it doesn't break, and Install them into your box to accent the rear of the sub if you want. If you are really intreasted in doing the mirrors go and get you some to show off the under side ( with chrome or powdercoated parts underneath)

If you are going to do the SRT 4 or SRT-D front, I would look into doing the swap for th engine, then it will follow your theme. With the wheels, I would be very careful with that Idea, due to this is going to be your DD, I would hate to hear that one of your rims snapped. Now you could get youself a chrome rim and get your name airbrushed on???? That is a though may be. Just and Idea. Other than that just ask questions and you will get answers.

Good Luck.

excon · Post by **excon** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:23 pm

do you want this to be for show? speed? both? if you want to go fast in a NGC be prepared to spend a few thousand. For a swap, turbo, nitrous, or a combination it will get expensive.

If you want to do the all show route that can get expensive as well. You probably wouldn't want to drive it everyday. If someone hits you in the back, there goes your system, your hard earned money, as well as all the time you put into it.

Be careful.

jake_tim · Post by **jake_tim** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:25 pm

I just have to say thanks; this thread has given me a good 5 minutes of laughter.

Good luck on your "show" car.

2005.Neon.SXT · Post by **2005.Neon.SXT** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 4:47 pm

jake_tim wrote:I just have to say thanks; this thread has given me a good 5 minutes of laughter.

Good luck on your "show" car.

I haven't been up to date on this thread since I only made that first comment on page one, but I also think it's funny from all the shit that this kid is getting.

At least his sister has a hot looking car... and I don't know why we didn't get a picture of the driver

Anyway, I guess I had things a bit easier as far as researching. I was in Afghanistan and I swear I spent literally 3-4 months just researching this very forum. Looked at people's progress logs, how people made their cars, how it turned out, what goes good with this, what looks stupid, etc. I could go on and on bro. As far as making a list with prices and finding out how much things are going to cost you, that's definitely a good idea. Budget your money. Find out what you want to try and knock out first before moving onto another portion of the car. For example, I wanted to knock out interior and exterior pieces of my car. I'm not worried about performance right now because I have another deployment this Fall and I don't feel comfortable leaving my car in storage with a newly tuned turbo (for example.. I don't have turbo yet lol). So I wanted to knock the "looks" out before my last deployment. Sure, people see my car (and I get it all the time) and try and race me because I got a 3 Pod Pillar with gauges, but it's whatever. I know later down the road I'm going to get that ASP Kit (hell yea, esteinmaier!) after I get out of the Marine Corps.

Anyway, just take your time thinking about everything. I'm just repeating what everyone else is saying, but research, read (logs), ask questions, etc.

But seriously... pics of the "Playboy" driver

sxtman17 · Post by **sxtman17** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 5:35 pm

lol as for pics of my sister...i am not gonna judge my sister... but i cant post pics without asking her lol but if you are in florida then go to some shows and youll see her...shes going to the spring break nationals this month... and im the same way as you with the performance, i dont have any plans currently because im more into shows...and plus its automatic so it cant really be a racer anyways lol

Mr Josh Zombie · Post by **Mr Josh Zombie** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 5:46 pm

Sisters car. Not a fan. It's just another SRT clone that needs lowered like something fierce.

Your car. You'll learn.... I did the whole "show car" thing a few years bag. Biggest fucking mistake of my life. So much time, money, blood, sweat, all wasted.

But, you wont listen to a single one of us. You'll have to do it for yourself and realize that it takes more money that what you'd expect for it too. Not to mention if you get a fiberglass kit.... Oh god will it be entertaining then.

sullivan · Post by **sullivan** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 5:47 pm

sxtman17 wrote: you guys just dont even know what your talking about lol... in a few years itll outshow any of your cars...

those two statements alone wont get you any respect.

this family of 2gn'ers has everything from DD's to showcars, drag, street, auto-x, and everything in between. im not too much older than you ( 18 ). anything you do with a car to customize it costs a shitload of money, and you will never get what youve put into it when its time to sell. be prepared to get a visa, and or take out a small loan lol. and ive learned a hell of alot from this forum, there is always someone willing to help you if your willing to listen, and please listen these guys, and gal's know there shit!

LilSparkPlug · Post by **LilSparkPlug** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 6:33 pm

Well then, I kinda missed this thread even though I was mentioned in it a few times. While I'm sure you've seen "better" cars than mine originality is what wins shows. I have been avidly showing my car for the past two years, only one show did I not place because another SRT had more power than me (and that was it). My car has been in three magazines, had a full two page article in my statewide newspaper, been COTM and ROTM along with COTY multiple times on different forums. And you know what I have never won a DIME for my car, not once. Nor do I have any sponsorships it's all paid for by me.

Oh yeah....and I built it myself.

It takes ALOT of time and alot of money. The beginning of last year including my car's cost I was around $70,000 total for everything. This year I'm a bit over $80,000 and the year has just begun. The sick part is, there is still more I want to do and more I have to do. Read my progress log if you'd like to see what goes into all of this.

Oh yeah....and my car is daily driven, year round with 111k on the clock.

As for your idea of the SRT bumpers, please for the love of god put the motor in there. You will lose points at shows for pretending to be something you are not, I can guarantee you that. You want to "be" an SRT, then swap the car. If not go with a turbo kit for the 2.0L and come up with a different body kit if that's your style.

Some show advice for your sister's car:

Your sister's car could have benefitted from seat stitching that didn't look so "home made". Spend the money and buy a professional double stitched cover, or leave the seats alone. And why would you steal a theme from a nationally renowned company for a show car? You said she's scared to bring the car out for copyright reasons....well I mean seriously why would you do that in the first place? The car's overall theme looks good. It's probably the 6th black Neon/SRT that I've seen with pink stripes on it. It needs to be lowered something fierce. Those side skirts do not flow with SRT bumpers, ditch them for the real SRT ones, you could sell them on here in a flash. Pick up the door caps as well.

I could give you more advice if you wanted, from someone who's been there and done that and shown quite a bit.

My advice:
- Lower the car
- If you want your wheels to have your name on them, get a custom made center cap....with a nice font it will look much cleaner than a wheel the shape of a letter.
- Underbodies, some here hate them, I like them, but I wouldn't make that top on my list if I were just starting out.
- Mirrors in the engine bay, poor idea, the trunk is a better idea. Again make them removable so they don't smash. You made no mention of making the engine bay nicer to look at, powdercoating, polished stainless pieces, etc. are all available....do it up nicely, then worry about accenting it.
- Sound systems....not my thing I don't have one. I do know you lose points if you don't however if it's poorly put together it's just as bad.
- HIDs: they won't be on at the show so unless you are just getting them for your own benefit you won't see any points from them at a show unless they are custom made retrofits (like mine are).
- Eyelids, get the fiberglass ones from CarbonByDesign.com you'll thank me for that later.
- Silver racing stripes have been done 11ty billion times, think of something more original to make you stand out. Not that they don't look good, they do, but shows are all about originality without being tacky.

Example of a sexy ass car with silver stripes, that also runs 10s.

sullivan · Post by **sullivan** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 6:37 pm

well put lsp!!!

DoubtedNeon · Post by **DoubtedNeon** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 7:35 pm

wow that car just got me excited lol

2005.Neon.SXT · Post by **2005.Neon.SXT** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 7:35 pm

So are you saying I shouldn't have gotten a lip kit since every non-turbo Neon here has one?... and I'm not original? And it's stupid and a waste of money?

That makes me feel better about myself...

I'm just going to go pawn everything off and start over... or fuck it, I'll lower my standards and get a '99 Civic EX...

sxtman17 · Post by **sxtman17** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 7:55 pm

lilsparkplug trust me i do admire your car its one of the best ive seen if not the best just im the type of person that doesnt like losing arguments so i make up stuff..( i know its a bad habit im trying to get out of..) i do have plans for my engine to make it at least look nicer but i dont have the exact words and if i try explaining it it will make me look even stupider then i am(like for instance see through tubes and lights)(told you id sound stupider)... my sister did do her seats homemade lol and all of her stuff is on a waitresses salary btw so she cant afford too much...she started the playboy theme cuz she just liked it and it gets alot of attention from guys at shows lol she doesnt care much about winning she just likes the attention thats put into her car... and btw her pink is a custom pink that she designed and if you see any car with that shade of pink then they simply went to the same place since she didnt have the money to copyright the shade which she wanted to because she is very individual and doesnt like other people having her stuff...theres a black bmw around town thats trying to steal her ideas and it ticks her off real bad whenever she sees it lol(even though it really doesnt look half as good). ive had other ideas on paint jobs but i dont have the money to spend an arm and a leg on them like for instance plumbing pipes kind of intertwining around the car in cool designs(to go a long with my last name theme)...but im afraid of getting tired of the old "pipe" theme lol. ummm the engine mirrors i really have turned against now since people have pointed out the whole engine over heating thing lol. and again trust me i really love your car i wasnt trying to say anything against it and sorry if i came off that way... i really admire it and i love everything youve done to it...i love seeing girls that really enjoy working on their cars(not trying to hit on you or anything

)

sullivan...i allready said that i know those were stupid statements and im just the kind of person that lies in order to win arguments...im trying to get out of the habit.. i know its very immature..

and the other guy that talking about my sisters car... she is getting it lowered and she converted it cuz she likes the srt look just like me...and if thats the only thing you have against it then well youll like it soon enough

and 2005.neon.sxt. or however you spell it...please dont trade your neon in for a civic...i really cant stand all the civics out on the road today...its getting very common to see at least 20 within a 2 mile drive...

2005.Neon.SXT · Post by **2005.Neon.SXT** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 8:07 pm

sxtman17 wrote:and 2005.neon.sxt. or however you spell it...please dont trade your neon in for a civic...i really cant stand all the civics out on the road today...its getting very common to see at least 20 within a 2 mile drive...

Lol.. just call me Donkey (it's a nickname). Make fun of me and I'll fuck you up (I'm in the Marine Corps.. but I'm really not all that "ooh-rah" tough... Marine Corps is whatever to me lol). Anyway, it was a joke because I feel the same way you do. I used to love the older generation of Civics and used to always want one because it was so cool and Fast and the Furious and NOS and all that lame shit, but now (like you said) it just irritates me to see all the Hondas rollin around. Don't get me wrong, I bet they're are outstanding and reliable cars, but I personally don't want the same vehicle everyone else has. Main reason why I decided to mod my Neon because, unless it's an SRT-4, the Dodge Neons are pretty much untouched in my area.. they're all stock. Honestly, there is not one non-turbo Neon around here with a lip kit, with tails tinted the way I got 'em done, lowered, and gauge overlays. I love my car, for the originality it shows around this town. I just can't wait to throw turbo in it

sxtman17 · Post by **sxtman17** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 8:13 pm

yeah lol i cant stand them...and everyone that drives them are all the people that race and think there all fast and all with stock automatic civics... i mean yeah my cars a stock automatic but i dont race it lol im going to just be a car show person...once i start getting enough money...lol but your in the marines? thats cool i know a bunch of people that want to join but im not the type of person that really wants to go into the army...im not in the best shape...haha(not to say im fat im just not skinny). and yeah civics may be reliable but i read in a aol news thing that theyre the highest stolen car in the u.s. lol

i got a question...i wanted to look at lilsparkplugs pictures of her car again but im new to this site so idk how...how do i? lol

2005.Neon.SXT · Post by **2005.Neon.SXT** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 8:17 pm

you mentioned army and marines in the same sentence

never again lol.

well, just do what we all do here and keep a log of things you do. like i said, i spent nearly 4 months in Afghanistan last summer researching this very forum for things I could do. I got back to the U.S. in October (october 19th, to be exact

) and since then (complete stock except for a CAI), to now (my recent pictures) it's changed dramatically. I love my car and feel accomplished for some of the things I did myself.

sxtman17 · Post by **sxtman17** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 8:19 pm

yeah ill keep a log but it wont start for a while im on the search for a job while going into debt with my parents cuz of insurance...

LilSparkPlug · Post by **LilSparkPlug** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 8:32 pm

Donkey: LOL Nooooooooo silly!!

If you want to go with the pipe theme, think of the colors of plumbing. A copper/bronze color with black and stainless accents. Or gold with black and stainless accents. Rather than painting pipes and such, stick with a cleaner theme that still ties everything together.

Check out my myspace page for more pictures: www.myspace.com/lspsrt4

Or my progress log in the progress log section of this forum.

Arro · Post by **Arro** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 9:02 pm

LilSparkPlug wrote: Example of a sexy ass car with silver stripes, that also runs 10s.

That's a clean car, but I don't see anything particularly unusual about it visually, other than some photoshop love. That's my one beef with SRT-4's, is they all tend to look the same. Granted, they also tend to spend more time on power mods, so I suppose I can understand. But I just don't think that most of them look all that special anymore... it's getting hard to tell one from the other.

I'm not a show judge tho, so who knows.

2005.Neon.SXT wrote:So are you saying I shouldn't have gotten a lip kit since every non-turbo Neon here has one?... and I'm not original? And it's stupid and a waste of money? That makes me feel better about myself...

I'm just going to go pawn everything off and start over... or fuck it, I'll lower my standards and get a '99 Civic EX...

Not every non-turbo Neon has a lip kit... I don't. And if I did get one, it wouldn't be what everyone else has.

Besides, nobody says you have to run the entire kit... you can always combine one lip style with another style sideskirts.

Lip kits look nice. Do they make you look "custom"? No, I don't think so. A lot of cars are offered from the factory with optional OEM lips/sideskirts, so to me the Mopar lip just looks like a factory option.... sorta like Toyota's S-trim ground f/x on Corollas and Camrys.

If you want something "custom" looking, you should be thinking full bodykit -- new front and rear fascias, unusual side skirts, maybe some kind of spoiler, or even some molded-in fender flares for a custom wide-body look.

NeonOn19s wrote:If you are going to do the SRT 4 or SRT-D front, I would look into doing the swap for th engine, then it will follow your theme.

Why would he need to swap if he went with the SRT-D bumper? SRT-D is a HO 2.0, not an SRT-4 engine. As long as he makes them aware of that, and sets it up with the Magnum parts, he'd be correct to form.

sxtman17 · Post by **sxtman17** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 9:08 pm

yeah i was thinking the bronze color with black accents cuz if you keep the car clean then i think itll look real nice and unique since no one else will have it lol

and im just thinking this right now but im actually doubting the whole srt hood and bumpers...maybe i should just get a whole custom hood with custom bumpers? but like i said before im relatively new so how would a browse different style hoods? would certain shops have it? or do i have to do it online?