Your most regretted mod?
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 8,376
Likes: 28
From: Chino Hills, CA
Only mod I've ever regretted (as in, wanted to undo) was getting rid of my SA high-back seats and replacing them with FB low-backs with separate headrests.
Wasn't much of a choice at the time, as my originals' foam parts were falling apart & the only good replacements I could find were the FBs, and I'm happy with how the upholstery worked out, but I missed the original seat shape.
I'll be working to rectify this next year; got some worn but decent SA seats at SevenStock, and once they are re-done to match my current interior colors, I'll be back in business.
All my other mods & upgrades are fine by me, and the vast majority are fully reversible too should I change my mind.
Wasn't much of a choice at the time, as my originals' foam parts were falling apart & the only good replacements I could find were the FBs, and I'm happy with how the upholstery worked out, but I missed the original seat shape.
I'll be working to rectify this next year; got some worn but decent SA seats at SevenStock, and once they are re-done to match my current interior colors, I'll be back in business.
All my other mods & upgrades are fine by me, and the vast majority are fully reversible too should I change my mind.
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 31,835
Likes: 3,232
From: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
Only mod I've ever regretted (as in, wanted to undo) was getting rid of my SA high-back seats and replacing them with FB low-backs with separate headrests.
Wasn't much of a choice at the time, as my originals' foam parts were falling apart & the only good replacements I could find were the FBs, and I'm happy with how the upholstery worked out, but I missed the original seat shape.
I'll be working to rectify this next year; got some worn but decent SA seats at SevenStock, and once they are re-done to match my current interior colors, I'll be back in business.
All my other mods & upgrades are fine by me, and the vast majority are fully reversible too should I change my mind.
Wasn't much of a choice at the time, as my originals' foam parts were falling apart & the only good replacements I could find were the FBs, and I'm happy with how the upholstery worked out, but I missed the original seat shape.
I'll be working to rectify this next year; got some worn but decent SA seats at SevenStock, and once they are re-done to match my current interior colors, I'll be back in business.
All my other mods & upgrades are fine by me, and the vast majority are fully reversible too should I change my mind.
Absolute Power is Awesome
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 5
From: Issaquah, WA
When I went to an S5 engine, I let my mechanic talk me into using a Weber down draft. It didn't like to start when it was too cold out and ran rich at low engine speeds. It was awesome over 6000 RPM though.
After a year I had to install the entire S5 intake, tune a Haltech, and add a catalytic converter and sold the Weber for a loss. I should have started with the FI.
After a year I had to install the entire S5 intake, tune a Haltech, and add a catalytic converter and sold the Weber for a loss. I should have started with the FI.
Taking out my heater and blower motor/ducting, I had no issue with 100°+ weather being without a/c but no heater when it's 30-40° outside...not exactly worth the 30 or so lbs I saved.
As for my most regretted mod, I would have to say since I haven't really regreted anything else yet, is buying a replacement drain plug for my oil pan. Sucker drip leaks every where. I'll be going back to the old one when I change my oil, just gotta find washers for it.
love the braaaap
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,771
Likes: 5
From: Bognor, Ontario
Well since I never posted this in this thread when I actually did it and figured out how bad it was, my biggest regret was to swap out my nicely tuned shiny new Edelbrock Performer 600 that was on the 13B 6 port in my old 82 for what was advertised as a Mikuni 44phh. Turned out the Mikuni was a 50phh2 (race only carb for large engines), and even with small chokes and the best combination of jets and emulsion tubes I could get to lean it out, it was still so pig rich it wouldn't run right. Unfortunately I sold the Edelbrock and intake at a loss, then sold the mikuni after many frustrating hours of trying to tune it, again at a loss. Ultimately, this turned out to be the final nail in the coffin that was my 82 RX-7 GSL.
Without funds to get another edelbrock and intake setup, nor the ambition to tune it again, on top of all the body work the car needed, I parted out what I could and took the rest to scrap. If I had just kept the Edelbrock setup and been happy with how much power it had, I would probably be driving that car still.
Let this be a lesson to those that just want more power, but are mostly satisfied with the way their car runs... JUST LEAVE IT ALONE!!!! The grass isn't always greener on the other side.
Without funds to get another edelbrock and intake setup, nor the ambition to tune it again, on top of all the body work the car needed, I parted out what I could and took the rest to scrap. If I had just kept the Edelbrock setup and been happy with how much power it had, I would probably be driving that car still.
Let this be a lesson to those that just want more power, but are mostly satisfied with the way their car runs... JUST LEAVE IT ALONE!!!! The grass isn't always greener on the other side.
I've got a few to add. Putting a non-RB holley on the car and spending a week trying to get it to work right, then going back to stock along with ditching the Holley Blue fuel pump that sounds like a bee buzzing nonstop. Wasted about $300 and a lot of time.
My second carb swap I did right, a Paul Yaw Nikki and ported manifold which I bought never having been used. Definitely one of the best mods I did, along with the SP exhaust, and aftermarket springs/shocks.
My second carb swap I did right, a Paul Yaw Nikki and ported manifold which I bought never having been used. Definitely one of the best mods I did, along with the SP exhaust, and aftermarket springs/shocks.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: parksville B.C.
my most regretted upgrade was an FC transmission looong before i had very many skills and i didnt know to swap the tail housings so i had a short driveshaft... that was measured TOO short so it ate the seal which in turn made my car a smoky old girl... untill the trans lost everygear but fifth wanna talk about underpowered try launching an FB in fifth :P
needless to say i learded alot after that
needless to say i learded alot after that
Mine was looking for more HP with a 12A motor and spending a bunch of money on an aftermarket intake and higher flow exhaust system. What I should have done in the first place was add an aftermarket turbo, fuel injection & ported 13B motor to the mix. My only regret after that was........3 credit cards maxed out and had a loan going at the time too, to pay for it all. 
Mine was looking for more HP with a 12A motor and spending a bunch of money on an aftermarket intake and higher flow exhaust system. What I should have done in the first place was add an aftermarket turbo, fuel injection & ported 13B motor to the mix. My only regret after that was........3 credit cards maxed out and had a loan going at the time too, to pay for it all.
Took my mirrors off & mounted some universal mirrors inside the car, for less frontal area.
Was JUST about to make a lane change into a lane that I thought was clear when a car blew past doing at least 100.. didn't even see him.
Put the regular mirrors right back on as soon as I got home.
Was JUST about to make a lane change into a lane that I thought was clear when a car blew past doing at least 100.. didn't even see him.
Put the regular mirrors right back on as soon as I got home.
Full Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 242
Likes: 1
From: Sacramento
Back on the Road
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: Austin
Did that when I decimated the original clutch at 6k, that cop was pissed off from me running stop signs. Even when I went to stop, the car wouldn't die, just kept idling itself home. Upgraded to HD Street Strip and RB Racing Pressure Plate, that I don't regret getting.
I'll list mine by car:
94 camaro 3.4 v6 auto, my first "sporty" car and the first in a long line of failure,
-flowmaster muffler, it was on a V6 so what do think it sounded like?
83 fb 12a, my first rx-7, I didn't really try to mod it, I just wanted to fix it and keep it running
-pace setter exhaust, loud tinny and overall crummy
-installed a puck style clutch, not needed for a car that makes 78hp at the crank.
88 s4 NA FC, my second rx-7 and my intense ricer phase, so where the hell do I begin the list of useless mods I regretted?
-swapped the open diff for a lsd unit out of a GXL, I still don't know why, a stock na fc couldn't brake traction on a marble floor.
-cheepo ebay wheels
-cheepo ebay drilled and slotted rotors, dumb since the stock brakes work just as well and weren't prone to shattering under heavy braking.
-cheepo ebay narrow band O2 meter, worthless.
-cheepo ebay boost guage, and yes my car was NA. Bought it because I was planning to turbo my NA13b. Thank god that didn't get a chance to make this list.
-cheepo ebay sealed beam head lights that were blacked out. absolutely worthless.
-cheepo ebay strut tower brace, suprise! its also craptastic!
-RB header to match the RB exhaust already on the car, no power gain what so ever and it took me a weekend of solid work to extract all 4 exhaust studs that I snapped off. All I got was a set of bloody knuckles and a noisy car.
-drilled my air filter box, once again worthless and noisy
-threw away a perfectly good K&N air filter to put in a parts store brand cone filter.
-super fat $60 spark plug wires, no point!
After I did every thing I listed above my FC was still slow, just louder and less pleasant to drive, I look at this list of failure as a learning experience and thank god that years later I finally modded a car with no regrets.
94 camaro 3.4 v6 auto, my first "sporty" car and the first in a long line of failure,
-flowmaster muffler, it was on a V6 so what do think it sounded like?
83 fb 12a, my first rx-7, I didn't really try to mod it, I just wanted to fix it and keep it running
-pace setter exhaust, loud tinny and overall crummy
-installed a puck style clutch, not needed for a car that makes 78hp at the crank.
88 s4 NA FC, my second rx-7 and my intense ricer phase, so where the hell do I begin the list of useless mods I regretted?
-swapped the open diff for a lsd unit out of a GXL, I still don't know why, a stock na fc couldn't brake traction on a marble floor.
-cheepo ebay wheels
-cheepo ebay drilled and slotted rotors, dumb since the stock brakes work just as well and weren't prone to shattering under heavy braking.
-cheepo ebay narrow band O2 meter, worthless.
-cheepo ebay boost guage, and yes my car was NA. Bought it because I was planning to turbo my NA13b. Thank god that didn't get a chance to make this list.
-cheepo ebay sealed beam head lights that were blacked out. absolutely worthless.
-cheepo ebay strut tower brace, suprise! its also craptastic!
-RB header to match the RB exhaust already on the car, no power gain what so ever and it took me a weekend of solid work to extract all 4 exhaust studs that I snapped off. All I got was a set of bloody knuckles and a noisy car.
-drilled my air filter box, once again worthless and noisy
-threw away a perfectly good K&N air filter to put in a parts store brand cone filter.
-super fat $60 spark plug wires, no point!
After I did every thing I listed above my FC was still slow, just louder and less pleasant to drive, I look at this list of failure as a learning experience and thank god that years later I finally modded a car with no regrets.
I'll list mine by car:
94 camaro 3.4 v6 auto, my first "sporty" car and the first in a long line of failure,
-flowmaster muffler, it was on a V6 so what do think it sounded like?
83 fb 12a, my first rx-7, I didn't really try to mod it, I just wanted to fix it and keep it running
-pace setter exhaust, loud tinny and overall crummy
-installed a puck style clutch, not needed for a car that makes 78hp at the crank.
88 s4 NA FC, my second rx-7 and my intense ricer phase, so where the hell do I begin the list of useless mods I regretted?
-swapped the open diff for a lsd unit out of a GXL, I still don't know why, a stock na fc couldn't brake traction on a marble floor.
-cheepo ebay wheels
-cheepo ebay drilled and slotted rotors, dumb since the stock brakes work just as well and weren't prone to shattering under heavy braking.
-cheepo ebay narrow band O2 meter, worthless.
-cheepo ebay boost guage, and yes my car was NA. Bought it because I was planning to turbo my NA13b. Thank god that didn't get a chance to make this list.
-cheepo ebay sealed beam head lights that were blacked out. absolutely worthless.
-cheepo ebay strut tower brace, suprise! its also craptastic!
-RB header to match the RB exhaust already on the car, no power gain what so ever and it took me a weekend of solid work to extract all 4 exhaust studs that I snapped off. All I got was a set of bloody knuckles and a noisy car.
-drilled my air filter box, once again worthless and noisy
-threw away a perfectly good K&N air filter to put in a parts store brand cone filter.
-super fat $60 spark plug wires, no point!
After I did every thing I listed above my FC was still slow, just louder and less pleasant to drive, I look at this list of failure as a learning experience and thank god that years later I finally modded a car with no regrets.
94 camaro 3.4 v6 auto, my first "sporty" car and the first in a long line of failure,
-flowmaster muffler, it was on a V6 so what do think it sounded like?
83 fb 12a, my first rx-7, I didn't really try to mod it, I just wanted to fix it and keep it running
-pace setter exhaust, loud tinny and overall crummy
-installed a puck style clutch, not needed for a car that makes 78hp at the crank.
88 s4 NA FC, my second rx-7 and my intense ricer phase, so where the hell do I begin the list of useless mods I regretted?
-swapped the open diff for a lsd unit out of a GXL, I still don't know why, a stock na fc couldn't brake traction on a marble floor.
-cheepo ebay wheels
-cheepo ebay drilled and slotted rotors, dumb since the stock brakes work just as well and weren't prone to shattering under heavy braking.
-cheepo ebay narrow band O2 meter, worthless.
-cheepo ebay boost guage, and yes my car was NA. Bought it because I was planning to turbo my NA13b. Thank god that didn't get a chance to make this list.
-cheepo ebay sealed beam head lights that were blacked out. absolutely worthless.
-cheepo ebay strut tower brace, suprise! its also craptastic!
-RB header to match the RB exhaust already on the car, no power gain what so ever and it took me a weekend of solid work to extract all 4 exhaust studs that I snapped off. All I got was a set of bloody knuckles and a noisy car.
-drilled my air filter box, once again worthless and noisy
-threw away a perfectly good K&N air filter to put in a parts store brand cone filter.
-super fat $60 spark plug wires, no point!
After I did every thing I listed above my FC was still slow, just louder and less pleasant to drive, I look at this list of failure as a learning experience and thank god that years later I finally modded a car with no regrets.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 446
Likes: 0
From: troy
must be something wrong with your pullies!!! a few buddies have the gilmer set as do i and they sound they same at any rpm. we love them! nobody will race us now due to the sound
Pure Awesomeness!
love the braaaap
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,771
Likes: 5
From: Bognor, Ontario
This is hilarious! Can't fix stupid I guess, but most people see SC or hear that "sound" under the hood and tend to just stay away, unless their car is already built as well... As with the gilmer drive, timing gears installed in place of the chain setup on cam in block V8's makes a similar sound. Someone I know with an 80 Camaro (gutless pig of a car) installed timing gears just for the sound. I could walk all over that car in my mostly stock 82 RX-7, when it still had the original high mile 12A, but most people wouldn't really mess with it at first since it sounded like it was mildly supercharged.
