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Thread: How far is too far when modding a DD?

  1. #1
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    How far is too far when modding a DD?

    Just wondering, what would you guys consider as going too far when modding a DD? This thought kicked in for me yesterday when I traded my oem recaros for recaro SPG buckets, it takes time to get used to and in a way the SPG is better for my back (ironically). But I've also noticed the frequency of people parting out their evos or putting it back to stock lately have increased. Sometimes I find myself modding just for the heck of modding and running out of shit to do. Thoughts?

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    Macky's Avatar
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    I would mod a DD just up to the point where you still feel comfortable driving it around and are ok with leaving it unattended. once you mod it to the point where you're looking over your shoulder, you've crossed that line.

    Sportback Evolution MR


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    ^ That's good.
    There are a couple components for me:

    If shit happens, and the car is stolen or wrecked, i want insurance to reimburse within about $1500 of what i have into the car. There's always the "agreed value" approach though i suppose.

    If the car needs to be sold (think financial crisis due to medical bill etc) i don't want to have to deal with a massive part out. Usually with a highly modded car, the part out is the best move financially but it's a long drawn out pain in the ass so you need time, the ability to do it, and patience.

    Practicality: It's my "daily". My girlfriend needs to tolerate the car, i want to be able to carry 4 adults, hear the radio or have a quiet cabin, A/C etc. A stock evo is by no means luxurious, but after having some gutted, loud, A/C-less street cars the evo is a Cadillac in my eyes. No chassis bracing jungle gym in the trunk, i want to be able to put a ton of shit back there as needed.

    Don't want to deal with any bullshit with cops or with smog. Been there, done that, and it's a giant waste of time and an exercise in futility. Right now they can't say shit if they pop my hood and i love it. The illusion of legal :)

  4. #4
    We all have different views when it comes to how far were willing to go on a daily driver. Me personally a solid suspension setup, a great set of wheels/tires, a few bolt ons such as exhaust, intake, downpipe, o2 housing and a solid pump gas tune is about as far as i went when my Evo was my daily driver.

    It was only until i picked up a daily that i went with a bigger turbo, intercooler, cams and E85. :)

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Macky View Post
    I would mod a DD just up to the point where you still feel comfortable driving it around and are ok with leaving it unattended. once you mod it to the point where you're looking over your shoulder, you've crossed that line.
    I feel like this, lol

  6. #6
    Once you get a little age on you it becomes exhausting owning a popular decently modded car. I was gonna get a fiesta st because who tha fnck wants or knows about one but us sports car enthusiasts?

    Last edited by DaRkStArVIII; 01-26-2015 at 11:51 PM.
    "Look I didn't say I wouldn't go fishing with the man. But when it comes to Mike Wallace the Story ends with me put'n' em into the wall. "

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    the fiesta ST is actually not a bad car.

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    I NEED 21 INCHES Midnightevo04's Avatar
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    The point of going too far is when you mod the car so much that you don't know what to mod next. Then you start to not enjoy the car because your so focused on what to mod next. Your chasing the high that you felt when you first bought the car. I was at this point too where I wanted to do fully wide body kit, volks, bigger turbo, cage, paint, the list went on. I forgot how I felt when i first bought my evo, the feeling of excitement of just finally having my car. I enjoyed my car more when it was stock on nt03s than i did when i had my voltex front bumper, voltex wing, and hood. (hence is why i sold that crap) The plan for me is now just a sleek simple clean evo that is well balanced and not over done. No crazy wings, body kits, and insane amount of horsepower just more of well rounded car that i can enjoy and that works.

  9. #9
    Quote Originally Posted by Macky View Post
    I would mod a DD just up to the point where you still feel comfortable driving it around and are ok with leaving it unattended. once you mod it to the point where you're looking over your shoulder, you've crossed that line.
    I looked over my shoulder when it was stock. I think it's just a car guy/girl thing to do. lol

  10. #10
    From experience, the limit is when you have to ask yourself "Do I want to drive the Evo today or should I take the other car?" Once you're at that point, the car really isn't a Daily Driver anymore, is it?

    I like Macky's saying about leaving it unattended. This is why I left the exterior mostly stock looking. Small stuff has changed but nothing to draw anymore attention than necessary.

    I always have a running list of things I want to change/upgrade etc, but I believe I would have that on any care I own because I like to make them mine and have that tinkering mindset.

    Something else to think about is if resale value means anything to you. Some of those 'going back to stock' posts are for selling purposes and that is quite the hassle too. I know I'll never get the money out of it that I put into it, but I knew that the first time I broke into the engine and started messing around in there.

    Personally I think the one thing that really breaks the DD of a car is suspension. If you've got it slammed where you can't drive on certain roads because of dips, speed bumps, driveways (RoadRace's driveway is an exception!), etc., it's no longer a daily driver. If you've got it so stiff that you need a back adjustment at the end of an hour drive, it's no longer a daily driver.
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    '10 WW X MR (Her car) "RRE Super Stock"

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    ^ I agree with you here, but it's incredible how subjective the ride quality part can be and the giant gap between the two. Some guys want it to feel like a cement truck 24/7, others are like the story of the princess and the pea. With the former, sometimes pride and masochism walk hand in hand.

  12. #12
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    yea, i started to question this once i got full buckets, it really makes me appreciate the oem recaros, even though they are heavier. I am lowered, but the ohlins are pretty good for daily driving.

  13. #13
    Canyon Racer evo_jfa's Avatar
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    I'll do just backing intake and exhaust mods. YOu can use as reference all carb approved mods as reference. If you notice how LA streets are, I'll highly recommend stock suspension. As Apex hunter said... If your girl is ok to drive it, you have a good parameter. Also almost everything stock with a decent tune... It's maybe the best that you can do. Try to fix common weak areasa of the platform, it's the another good approach.

  14. #14
    Canyon Racer Sev's Avatar
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    Some people are okay with driving racecars as DD's haha. I have FBO, tune, coils + random suspension and it gets annoying at times.

    sometimes.

    "Kneel before my minions, as they kneel before me."
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  15. #15
    Experienced BLKMBA's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by butters149 View Post
    yea, i started to question this once i got full buckets, it really makes me appreciate the oem recaros, even though they are heavier. I am lowered, but the ohlins are pretty good for daily driving.
    My stock bilstein suspension felt more forgiving. It how you wanna drive the car with the ohlins. I had em set to 8 clicks and I was sliding too much in the canyons. I put em back to three clicks and loved the turns again. But then hated the freeways. I literally bounce on the slabs on concrete lol.

  16. #16
    Tofu Specialist LakaiorDie's Avatar
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    I think its my roll bar that i dont like in a dd its to "out there"
    also when your to low, i mean im not that low and i still rub sometimes.

    funny you posted this cause i was thinking the same thing but didnt know how to word it.

  17. #17
    Evolved zeRep85RA's Avatar
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    Ah DD an EVO!

    I was like "fack no I wont mod my civic!"

    ..140 hp does sucks balls on the fwy



    zeR
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    Evo Guru Mister's Avatar
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    Can't believe mine still gets away with street driving......all 170,000 miles of it.
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    You know you've gone too far if you don't have enough money for food and booz.

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    Experienced BLKMBA's Avatar
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    Daily driver or track competitor.... what is your goal.... I went in for 90% daily and other track... It cost too much money to have crazy fun in an evo... now I'm nervous about breaking stuff when I push it cuz a six gear can only hold so much....

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