Build philosophy. Share your best and worst.

[Intropy]

I thought this would make a cool thread. The idea is to share the 3S-related things that have served you well, and those that have ended up being a hassle, pain in the neck, or are just generally not recommended. They can be very specific (a particular mod) or very general (an idea or philosophy). You can post more as you think of them. I'll start...

Best:

• Keeping my cars strictly "street" - on my TD05 car I kept all the important stuff. Full interior, A/C, nice stereo, etc. It took extra work, but I've thanked myself for it ever since. Life changes and sometimes all you want is a comfy car to take the girlfriend out for a cruise.
• Unsprung clutch - when I bought it, I worried it wouldn't be streetable. Totally worth it. While it can be a bit more jumpy on the street, I'm not fragging springs every time I dump it.

Worst:

• All solid mounts. Just don't do it, at least not on a street car. I'd maybe replace the front and rear, but keep the stock sides. See the first item above.
• Non-OEM body mods. While I love mixing and matching OEM parts, any aftermarket body items (everything from hoods to sunroofs to bumpers) has never fit quite right and always looked sub-par. I stay away now.

By the way, about this thread. It doesn't have to agree, and discussion is fine (you can post something the exact opposite of someone before) but try to avoid making it a debate thread. Make your point well and let others draw their own conclusions.

[keo92stealth]

lots of vibration with solid mounts?

[Intropy]

lots of vibration with solid mounts?

I wouldn't say "lots", but it's noticeable.

[wingnut]

Best...ARC2 for tuning, easy-peasy

Worst...265 DZ101 tires on a 9.5 wide rim, too stretched

[AdamVR4]

I wish I had the foresight as a teenager to impose that "street" requirement.

Things I removed: AC, Heat, windshield wipers, splash guards, all cats, CD player, speakers, antenna

Things I wish I had today: AC, Heat, windshield wipers, a cat, CD player, speakers

I'm in the process of slowly returning the car to something I can regularly drive on the street.

Things I think I'll have again some day: windshield wipers, a cat, CD player, speakers

Worst mod I ever did... Welded center differential

Best mod... Titan/DR headers (24 psi on pump gas on a piggyback with 740cc injectors, barely adjusting the stock timing map)

[j2k4]

I'll echo the "full street equipment" sentiment.

Weight-loss should be kept in mind wherever it can be practiced without sacrificing comfort, which I just stupidly ignored by leaving my rear 6x9s in place (safe storage, I guess) even though they aren't part of the new sound system.

I try to keep in mind that all of the factory stuff - especially the stuff favored for a "delete" routine - was designed by people who are smarter than I am, and removal of same should be considered/undertaken with caution.

I do not want to sacrifice streetability by installing performance mods that don't fit with that philosophy; I guess that's why/how I found myself going with a turbo-car to begin with: one can own a nice, tame MINI-MONSTER.

My aim, with this car, is to max-out it's potential given it's limitations (cast crank, stock clutch); that should gave me a reliable GT car, which is what the car was designed to be anyway, right?

[VR4Rob]

In general, my philosophy is to build and own a well rounded car that highlights what Mitsubishi did well and improve in areas that were lacking.

Mitsubishi designed and built an unbelievably good car over 20 years ago and a lot of the design doesn't need to or never will need to be changed, at least for my purpose. Yes, the car and it's design have limitations. Some of these can be improved with the technology that has developed since the car's inception and others should be accepted as a characteristic of it's design period.

What I strive to build is timeless. The design of the car is good enough to stand on it's own so it deserves modifications that do justice to that notion. It doesn't need to keep up with cars that are 20 years newer in any particular trend, be that styling, power, or technology. It doesn't have to try to be something it's not. It's a VR-4. And it's awesome.

[UTRacerX9]

LOL @ Adam's post.

I'd agree with Intropy for the most part as well, even down to the motor mounts (I only have solid front and rear, sides are stock.) If you've been on 3S boards long enough, no doubt you've seen me say my philosophy before... Less weight, keep creature comforts, and with a 1/4 mile goal of 11.7 on pump gas.

That was it. And I've never deviated from it, so I haven't wasted thousands of dollars like some other people do when they are constantly changing their minds about what direction they want to go with the car. Every time, it makes them buy a different set of turbos, or injectors, a whole new fuel controller system, new intercooler piping, etc. (Although I admit, I have been guilty of this in the past few years, I bought fixed headlights that I knew I would have to buy a different bumper to make work right, but then lost interest, bought a billet TC with 300M OS, fully intending to put them in, never did... ugh.)

But, in comparison to the long list of mods I have bought and used, I've kept on track and frugal for the most part.

[Intropy]

Some more - this time focusing on deletes:

Best:

• ABS delete - some might disagree but I love this one. Super-clean, and I never liked the ABS on these cars anyway.
• AWS delete - didn't notice anything other than a lighter car.
• Remote IAC w/ FIAV delete - makes working on the upper engine a joy.

Worst:

• Cruise delete - cruise is nice sometimes... but I love the cleaner bay. Easier to work on.
• Cat converter delete - I'm with Adam, not that great.

[Jimvr4]

In general, my philosophy is to build and own a well rounded car that highlights what Mitsubishi did well and improve in areas that were lacking.

Mitsubishi designed and built an unbelievably good car over 20 years ago and a lot of the design doesn't need to or never will need to be changed, at least for my purpose. Yes, the car and it's design have limitations. Some of these can be improved with the technology that has developed since the car's inception and others should be accepted as a characteristic of it's design period.

What I strive to build is timeless. The design of the car is good enough to stand on it's own so it deserves modifications that do justice to that notion. It doesn't need to keep up with cars that are 20 years newer in any particular trend, be that styling, power, or technology. It doesn't have to try to be something it's not. It's a VR-4. And it's awesome.

I couldn't agree more with this. I've never been a fan of deletes. I don't care if it's harder to work on the car - I don't plan to continuously change things anyway. Some of my most satisfying moments with the car have been in restoring things back to new condition.

Best

• Fully functional EGR, ABS, AWS.
• Autodimming mirror with temp and compass
• DVD navigation receiver with HD radio, iPod integration, and backup camera

Worst
Not having a built car.

Things I need to get in the future.

1. Turbo upgrade and supporting mods. I've been BPU forever.
2. Flashable ECU. Tuning without aftermarket or piggybacks
3. Black Stealth Boost Controller.