Edit: Women have like 20x the purchasing power of Losers and Gen X males btw

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5723134&forum_id=2Elisa#48919140)

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5723134&forum_id=2Elisa#48919175)

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5723134&forum_id=2Elisa#48919173)

1. Rear Gear Swap

Loser’s view View: “It just makes it faster off the line.”

Reality: Involves pulling the rear differential, resetting backlash and pinion depth with dial indicators and shims, using a case spreader, setting torque preload with an inch-pound torque wrench, and potentially dealing with crush sleeves or solid pinion spacers.

2. Ignition Timing Advance

Loser’s View: “You just twist the distributor.”

Reality: Requires a timing light, adjusting the base timing (often from 10° to 14° BTDC), disconnecting the SPOUT connector, and verifying with premium fuel to avoid detonation. Can risk engine damage if improperly done.

3. Camshaft Swap

Loser’s View: “Just drop in a new cam for lope.”

Reality: Necessitates removal of timing cover, timing chain, possibly the intake manifold, checking piston-to-valve clearance with clay, degreeing the cam using a dial indicator and degree wheel, and redoing lifter preload and pushrod length calculations.

4. Head Swap

Loser’s View: “Better airflow = more HP.”

Reality: Involves re-torquing head bolts in specific sequence, precise gasket matching, rocker arm geometry correction, valve lash setting, and adapting accessory brackets or EGR provisions.

5. Manual Transmission Swap

Loser’s View: “Just throw in a 6-speed.”

Reality: Demands crossmember modification, driveshaft shortening or lengthening, clutch fork or hydraulic conversion, bellhousing alignment (dial indicating concentricity), and ECU reprogramming or neutral safety wiring.

6. Cold Air Intake + MAF + Tune

Loser’s View: “Just a bolt-on mod.”

Reality: Changing the MAF housing without a tune risks lean conditions. Requires wideband O2 monitoring, recalibrating MAF transfer function, and often a custom dyno tune.

7. Subframe Connectors (Full-Length Weld-Ins)

Loser’s View: “Stiffen the chassis.”

Reality: Welding must be done on an unloaded chassis (car level on its suspension), requires surface prep, measuring alignment to avoid binding doors or suspension geometry misalignment.

8. Aftermarket K-Member Swap

Loser’s View: “Saves weight.”

Reality: Affects suspension geometry, control arm mounting angles (anti-dive, roll center), steering rack positioning, and often requires realignment and coilover conversion.

9. Suspension Geometry Correction

Loser’s View: “Fixes steering feel.”

Reality: Requires ride height-specific tuning, tie rod angle correction with bumpsteer gauge, caster/camber adjustment with alignment tools, and understanding of Ackermann principles.

10. Nitrous System Installation (Wet or Dry)

Loser’s View: “Just slap on a kit.”

Reality: Involves routing pressurized lines, solenoids, WOT switches, RPM windows, bottle heater relay logic, AFR monitoring, and often retarding ignition timing and increasing fuel pressure under load.

11. Fuel System Upgrade (Pump + Rails + Injectors + Return Conversion)

Loser’s View: “Gotta feed the beast.”

Reality: Requires dropping the tank, wiring high-amp relays, recalibrating fuel pressure regulators, converting returnless to return-style, and tuning injector slopes.

12. Forced Induction (Centrifugal Supercharger or Turbo)

Loser’s View: “Bolt-on 100+ HP.”

Reality: Needs custom charge piping, MAF blow-through calibration, bypass or BOV logic, intercooler fitment, oil line plumbing, heat management, and comprehensive tuning with datalogging.

13. Electric Fan Conversion

Loser’s View: “Free up HP.”

Reality: Requires temperature probe install, relay logic, thermostat adjustment, often a high-amp alternator upgrade, and failsafe overrides.

14. Standalone ECU or Chip Tuning (Moates, QuarterHorse, Holley EFI)

Loser’s View: “Get a better tune.”

Reality: Requires understanding MAF vs. Speed Density, load tables, spark maps, injector slopes, fuel trims, learning software like Binary Editor or Holley VMS, and constant datalog review.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5723134&forum_id=2Elisa#48919181)