27 replies to this topic

[Rampage]

I'm not really that mad, but upset at how poorly the sport/compact tuner scene has been flooded with misinformation and bad 'tuning'

This is about a show called 'Tuner Transformations' that was aired on Speed Channel, came on at 8:00pm P/T.

Well, they start off with a mostly stock 2003 Saturn Ion. One thing I like is they actually got some base numbers: 0-50 (?!) in 6.5 sec, Slalom at 58mph, skidpad at 0.68G. (Those numbers are approximates, and I can't remember if they were even those numbers)

Anyways, they get to work... The guys working on the car were total amatuers, they had to call another guy in just to cut the exhaust.... So they decide on what to do: Some suspension, wheels/tires, 4 piece bodykit and plus wing, and give the engine some power.

So after having a saturn tuner company source all the parts for them, they get to work: Install the stainless cat back only (no high flow cat, no header) exhaust (after having the 'pro' come in and cut the system) Install an AEM CAI. Have trouble with the rear wing removal, so send that off to a body shop, who take a heat gun to it and peel the 2-sided tape. Remove the side graphics. Install the four piece body kit, put on the new trunk w/ spoiler (not ricer wing, thank god) and add an APC CF hood. Then they get the big blingin 17" (or 18"?) Wheels. Finally, the part that took most of the show, was the installation of a 50-shot of NO2 NX system. The annoying part is that earlier they were talking of doing a turbo kit to go from 140hp to 250, or a fuel rail nitrous system. Instead they did a Intake injection system. I feel ripped off. They also installed higher rate lowering springs. Thats it, thats all they did.

So they take it back to the track: 0-50 in 5.6 sec. 0-50 in 5.45 w/ NO2. Skidpad @ 62 mph. Slalom at 0.88G. The only thing that saw a significant gain was the skidpad, which is all in thanks to the tires.

Now the part that really bothered me: The guy's conclusion. He basically said that the car was totally different, and it was much more responsive and handled sooo much better.

No.

Every part of the car the did, they only did 50% of, with the exception of the exterior (which, sadly, in 'tuner's' eyes, is the most important) For intake, there was no upgraded TB. For exhaust, there was no header/high flow cat. For tires they opted for 18" from 15", where 16" would probably yield the most performance, though the wider, sticky tires helped. For suspension they did springs only. No shocks, no bushings, no roll bars, no strut braces. Thats just damn sad. And look, they have so much skill they bolted a nitrous kit in... and the gain isn't even appreciable (in their test that is, it would certainly help in the 1/4, but the failed to demonstrate)

Now I know I am very performance oriented, but I leave you with this one question:

Since when did the meaning of the word 'tuner' go from 'performance/efficiency maximizer' to 'bolt-on half of a system catalog junkie'

Cheers,
Mark

[Hollowman]

Yup... Those so called "tuners" are just producing crap... This and Hi-Rev Tuners are horrible (thank god HRT was cancelled).. The shows are made to just sell the crap that the Fast and Furious made infamous like the great products from APC (the word great is not complimentary)... The shows also make the people in the scene look like idots... The guy who does the "styling" is totally a jack-off... And the "motor guy" probably doesn't know how to change his own oil, let alone know anything about performance..

Anyway, this show is there to sell parts... At least they could do it with some class instead of ass....

You can go to Speed Channel's website forum and see what others are saying about it... Speed Insider...

Edited by Hollowman, 29 June 2004 - 11:27 PM.

[pwr_crx]

This is kind of off topic, but isn't there some sort of rule about talking about saturns on this board?

[Hollowman]

Hahaha... It even came from a MOD... Shame on you Mark... You need a timeout....

[pwr_crx]

Since when did the meaning of the word 'tuner' go from 'performance/efficiency maximizer' to 'bolt-on half of a system catalog junkie'

Cheers,
Mark

Since the Fast and the Furious came out. This spawned off a bunch of ricey little shows like the one you are talking about. Even shows like horse power TV, which mainly focuses on performance, puts altezzas and bling rims on their project civic. It is what, sadly, most people want to see.

[Rampage]

Mods have special priveleges to talk about saturn... especially when using them as a prime example of sport/compact manure.

If you are a super administrator you can go as far as owning one, too...

Cheers,
Mark

[ChrisF-dude]

I saw it today. It didn't look bad for a Saturn. I still wouldn't get one. The owner also used the old phrase "I'm going to go out and eat up some Hondas now!" It never ceises to amaze me how everyone else hates Hondas now. Honda makes the best affordable cars, with a devoted following. Hondas have been number one and the choice of tuners for years for one reason....., Because I own one. Sorry guys it's true. However it must be a compliment for Honda to see everyone in their corporate rearview mirrors gunning for them. I hate to say they have lost focus with a strong market and dumbed down their cars for the North American market like Nissan did with the Zs of 1979+. The new Civic Si is outgunned and underpowered. It came to a gunfight with a switchblade. Neons, Euro Foci, GMs, are all offering blown models cheap now. Built cheaply, but for the low buck kick, can't be beat. Tuner tranformation has that guy Johnny B, who is the shop drama queen who is there just to apply stickers and opinionate. My guess he worked at Pep Boys before this gig. Some of the rides are just hideous. I loved the Mazda GTX rally car, but the trucker girl sticker on the roof screams " I have to be cool, I'm on TV. Chicks will dig my rebel without a clue attitude." Eric Cartman summed it up best when he said "FAG!"

[Gasoline Fumes]

I saw it today. It didn't look bad for a Saturn. I still wouldn't get one. The owner also used the old phrase "I'm going to go out and eat up some Hondas now!" It never ceises to amaze me how everyone else hates Hondas now.

I'm pretty sure the Ion has a Honda engine in it anyway.

[eastsiderider]

Since the Fast and the Furious came out. This spawned off a bunch of ricey little shows like the one you are talking about. Even shows like horse power TV, which mainly focuses on performance, puts altezzas and bling rims on their project civic. It is what, sadly, most people want to see.

I wouldn't really blame it on "The Fast and the Furious".........a lot of times (mainly with sport compacts) it's easier / cheaper to dress for the 10's and stay in the 16's

Which is sad..............

[Masta]

I saw it today. It didn't look bad for a Saturn. I still wouldn't get one. The owner also used the old phrase "I'm going to go out and eat up some Hondas now!" It never ceises to amaze me how everyone else hates Hondas now.

I'm pretty sure the Ion has a Honda engine in it anyway.

It's the VUE that has a Honda engine. Tuner Transformation is a canadian show done at a tire place about 15 mins. away from RPR head office. George the motor guy is quite capable, he's the head promotor of the biggest drag series in Canada, the NCRA, although I've never actually seen him with a car. Jonny B is such a knob it's embarrasing, and the susp. guy, well, I've never seen him do anything more than lowering springs. The budget is too low for these guys, and they really don't DO anything themselves. They need some real fabricators, like Tom and I, but I guess it's all about "who you know". There is a guy in our club that's getting his 2G done, he supposed to get it back today, should be interesting, he'll be at N10.

D.

[DarkHand]

Out of all the ricey 'tuner' shows that sprung up in the last few years, I liked Hi-Rev Tuners better than the rest... at least they built a turbo Supra motor from scratch over the course of several shows.

And I just watched 2fast2furious for the first time last night. I think I've got an argument in FAVOR of the movie... If you think of the movie like you think of Dragon Ball Z, or Thundercats, or some other fantasy action show, you can actually get through it. It's a fantasy car movie, and you've got to treat it appropriately. No one goes around saying 'I hate Dragon Ball Z, no one can actually shoot energy from their hands!'. If you realize you're watching something like that, you can suspend your disbelief of the neon lights, the 160mph speedos, the 3063 shifts per quarter mile race, etc, and watch the movie for its intended entertainment purpose.

[Ghost-One]

Sounds like this show is the reason candians own less tv versus americans

[rally25rs]

I watched that show once, and only once...

They were doing an '02 or '03 civic.

They had some specialist guy come in and talk to them about what kind of exhaust to put on. They tried to make it all complicated sounding, and recomended using stainless catback for the best results... yeah, I bet he needed a college degree to come up with that...

They did some talk about adding a fuel management system and bigger injectors, which I was actually curious to see, but they only mentioned it in passing, never once showed it or discussed what exactly they did or show any install.

This show is a total joke.

I'd rather just watch Pimp my Ride, cause at least I expect that to be a laughing matter from the start!

[dantheman]

any car show cant be good thats coming out in this time period. horsepower tv and trucks are the best on still because they have been on for god knows how many years. tuner transformation started good but that asshat they call an exterior guy is a retard who ruins every car and calls himself an artist. they have actually done some cars up proper, the mini with the cooper works package and LSD, the 200sx with the redtop SR20DET, and i have faith they can do good in the future also but they have to get a better budget and they have to get rid of johnny b.

also sportscar revolution is a great show with one exception, KAZZER! this guy makes the show almost unbearable. he is the worst part about a great show. like a show car that brings a tear to your eye because it would be perfect without the splat of birdshit on the hood/windsheild. i really enjoyed dream car garage because the hosts actually werent THAT big of idiots. and those are the same guy from SCR. i friggin love SCR but i wanna change the channel when Kazzer is on. if a car isnt black, and slammed he doesnt like it. he hated the 2g CRX that was on there with the EK front end and the Vtec motor. he appreciated how it drove and handled but he hated it because why? IT WASNT BLACK! everyone we must all email SCR and get kazzer off the show.

go here to leave feedback http://www.sportscar...om/feedback.htm

Edited by dantheman, 30 June 2004 - 10:21 AM.

[rpr]

Sounds like this show is the reason candians own less tv versus americans

Ah, but how many of the shows are Canadian versus US? These are the ones I try and watch regularly:

Canadian:
Tuner Transformation
Sport Compact Revolution
Chop, Cut, Rebuild
Dream Car Garage

US
Monster Garage
American Choppers
American Hot Rod
Horsepower TV (occasionally)
Two Guys Garage (occasionally)

Obviously the list of actual shows is bigger than that, but these are the most well known in my eyes. I think it's a pretty even split.