Meet the Short Bus (no 56k)

[TheGreek]

Alright kids, put your helmets on and get in the bus









I'll take some better pictures as soon as I get a chance. I just got the plates yesterday, and had to go for a ride, regardless of the rain. The top of this parking deck is the perfect spot.

Greek = Stoked

[TriangleChoke]

Nice sportback, everytime I see them I like them more.

[BlackRaven]

= lol

I love the sportbacks, because you never see them. Got any big plans with it?

[Evo_Someday]

Kinda cool.

I get the "back" part of the name.. but where's the "sport"?

I'm only kidding -- sort of.

[TheGreek]

Originally Posted by BlackRaven

= lol

I love the sportbacks, because you never see them. Got any big plans with it?

Dude, I have a million ideas, and have already picked up a few little things.

As far as the look...
I'd love some lightweight wheels and tires. Preferably 17x8. I like the design of the stock wheels, and am considering something similar, but amazed at the number of options, and have found many designs I love.

The rest of the stuff is just little bs accessories. The car was a showroom car, and unfortunately is missing things like the rear ash tray and the exhaust tip, so I want to locate them if I can find them for a reasonable price. I'm considering the pre-cut tint kits from ebay, but doubt the quality. It would at least be nice to have privacy glass in the back, and would do the fronts too, because I think cars with tint only on the back windows look incomplete. I'd say 35% up front and 20% in the rear. Other than that, I really like the look of the car as-is. Tein adjustables would be nice when suspension is needed though.

As far as preformance...
I want to start with the small things first. I'm trying to decide if the timing control box and piggyback from RRM is worth it. The piggyback probably isn't worth the cost in my case, although I'd like to find out if it's possible to control shift points so the trans can have pre-set profiles which can be easily re-programmed. That transmission is great with its adaptive shifting, but I'd like to be in control of whether it shifts more or less aggressively. Basically, it would be nice to have in-cabin control where I could select regular (adaptive), sport, and economy. These settings could also encompass a bunch of different variables as far as engine performance is concerned. In the same vein, I have been trying to figure out if the tiptronic-style shifter from the FTO would be a direct swap.

I'm getting ahead of myself. Don't mind me. My last new car was 5 years ago, and it wasn't very interesting. I'm mostly just getting these ideas down dow so I can reference this stuff later. Small things first-lol. I'll probably do RRM's timing control box, SRI, and an UDP. I'm not sure about an UDP for every day driving though, but see many here haven't had problems with them. RRM must size them pretty conservatively.

I'm actually interested in full exhaust, but am open to suggestions as to how I could still have power gains, but not turn up the volume on the exhaust note. As silly as it might sound, to some are there "quieter" exhaust systems? I'd like it no louder than it is now. I find the sound now pretty much perfect as far as volume, but wouldn't mind if the tone changed. I see both Greddy and APEX-i claim to have system which are quieter, but haven't seen/heard them in person. I'm not 16 anymore. I want the performance, but don't need to be noticed.

It's funny what you notice when you get used to little accessories. I'm used to having fully-loaded GM cars with things like map lights, premium stereo, rain sensing wipers, sunroof, twilight sentinel, zoned climate control, etc. I lose out on a few things with this car, but gain a lot more IMO. The cabin feel and layout is functional and logical and the seats are perfect. I love all the storage bins and cubbies. I feel like a chipmunk packing things away for winter when figuring out what to put where. I'm sure I'll forget where most things went by the time I need them. I'll need a diagram-lol.

Since I'm thinking about it...is there a fix for the tight temperature control knob? I hear it's a common issue. I'm thinking of getting in there with some dielectric grease...

Also, I need touch-up paint.

[azt021]

Yo, that sportback looks great. Mine is silver, for being 4 cyl, 162 hp it has some good power. the enterior is nice, I may paint the dash panels soon not sure what color. When I do i will post pics. Enjoy!

I'm in Parma, ohio. where are you in ohio?

[TheGreek]

Originally Posted by azt021

Yo, that sportback looks great. Mine is silver, for being 4 cyl, 162 hp it has some good power. the enterior is nice, I may paint the dash panels soon not sure what color. When I do i will post pics. Enjoy!

I'm in Parma, ohio. where are you in ohio?

Thanks. Yeah, the first owner took great care of it. He is very meticulous, and the thing looks brand new. It has 40k miles on it. This is definitely the best all around car I've ever had.

I live in Canton, and work in Uniontown. I have family all over Cleveland, so I make my way up that way every other month or so. Maybe we'll cross paths. I've yet to see another ralliart, let alone another sportback. That's kind of a good thing. I like having something different.

If I could make a suggestion, please don't paint interior panels. I've done it a few times before, and it never turns out quite right, isn't very durable plus it is not reversible, and interior panels aren't cheap. I would only recommend this if you can get a good deal on interior parts from a junkyard. Trust me. Not worth it.

I always wonder how we came across our cars, since they're so rare. Did you find yours at a dealer, or private seller? Is it exactly what you were looking for, or did you stumble across it, like I did?

[gjgfrombigd]

This one ain't too shabby!





Imagine it with a EVOIX wing and black projector headlights!

[TheGreek]

OMG dude...are those 20's? That is just insane. Was that a regular lancer originally? I wonder what's under the hood. Damn, I still can't believe the size of those wheels.

I'd paint the mirrors and door handles, and though I don't usually like them, I think your car would benefit from a vortex generator. It would mirror the rear bumper trim.

[2200mhz]

It doesnt seem like a Ralliart, it has red tails and chrome headlights. I dont think thats his car either. Hes in Texas, the car in his avatar is white and its right hand drive. (not to mention the plate width)

I like the sportback though, I wouldnt mind a silver one, drop it, i/h/e, and smoke the (huge) tail lights.

[gjgfrombigd]

Originally Posted by 2200mhz

It doesnt seem like a Ralliart, it has red tails and chrome headlights. I dont think thats his car either. Hes in Texas, the car in his avatar is white and its right hand drive. (not to mention the plate width)

I like the sportback though, I wouldnt mind a silver one, drop it, i/h/e, and smoke the (huge) tail lights.

Yeah, it's not mine. Mine looks much better!
That is off of Accolade's website. I was more or less posting the pics in reference to the body kit and the fact that it is yellow to match the OP.

Question: I never noticed it before, but is the wagon's rear bumper a different dimension from the regular lancer? Longer perhaps?
I like those reflectors in the bumper!

[gjgfrombigd]

Originally Posted by TheGreek

OMG dude...are those 20's? That is just insane. Was that a regular lancer originally? I wonder what's under the hood. Damn, I still can't believe the size of those wheels.

I'd paint the mirrors and door handles, and though I don't usually like them, I think your car would benefit from a vortex generator. It would mirror the rear bumper trim.

I think I heard from somewhere that they're 19's.

[TcJayLee]

Holy crap that thing is huge.

[TheGreek]

Originally Posted by gjgfrombigd

Yeah, it's not mine. Mine looks much better!
That is off of Accolade's website. I was more or less posting the pics in reference to the body kit and the fact that it is yellow to match the OP.

Question: I never noticed it before, but is the wagon's rear bumper a different dimension from the regular lancer? Longer perhaps?
I like those reflectors in the bumper!

I didn't catch that the yellow one wasn't yours. Either way, it's interesting.

I compared a few pics. I think you're right. The sportback bumper is different, but I think it just has parking lights added on the sides, and that looks like the only difference. I don't think it's longer, but the lack of a trunk and high flat look of the rear end on the wagon kind of highlights the protrusion of the bumper. I really like a lot of the extras on the sportback missing on the sedan. The biggest is storage. I have tons of room for a compact. I've been looking for a decent roof rack too, but most look like crap, and I'm hoping not to spend much on one.

[Joe Cool]

Sweeet! I Go a Red One. I was looking for a yellow but it didn't work out.

Have fun with it. I've got some Evo guages and a rear wing waiting for me to get them on.

-Joe