Modding my mom's new car...

Betrayer00GT

Betrayer00GT

Member
Apr 21, 2003
364
0
16
Sacramento, CA
#1
My mom has just purchased a 2004 Accent with 54000 miles. She paid $6700 from a local Hyundai dealer. The thing is, my mom has always driven like she drives a Viper, agressive does not begin to describe it. She will often drive with her anger, not her reason. This is the main reason I bought my Mustang GT with a manual. Since she cannot drive a manual, I have a builtin excuse as to why she cannot ever borrow my car ;)

After driving with her for the first time in the new car, in order to buy her dinner to celebrate her new purchase, I noticed that its handling is not the best feature of the Accent. I noticed, specifically, that the suspension did not deal well with somewhat sudden changes in direction at freeway speeds on a local on ramp (don't ask :nono: ).

I also have seen written on a couple car research sites that the Accent has the smallest tires on a car sold in the US (175/70R13 :nonono: ). I read this when looking for 2004 specific information, but I believe it relates to all the 2nd generation cars (2000-2005). I would be willing to have my mom, with her agressive driving habits, drive a car with a poor handling suspension, or one with poor traction, but I believe that both is certainly asking for trouble. I do not think that the little DOHC 16v engine gives her enough power to really get in big trouble, but after watching her show up a Viper with her 4-cyl '01 GMC Sonoma, I will never underestimate her again. :rlaugh:

I do not believe that there is anything that would significantly improve the handling characteristics of the suspension, and even if there were, it would likely cost a few thousand dollars.

As far as traction, I believed that this was improvable with out spending a fortune. I checked my favorite online retailer of tires and wheels, Tirerack.com, and bought her a wheel/tire package with 17"X7.5" wheels and 205/40R17 "high performance all-season" tires. I expect them to arrive Wednesday or Thursday, since they are shipping from Reno, NV. Reno is a straight shot down a major freeway, and only about 100 miles from here. Tire Rack lists the delivery time to my zip as 1 business day. They will be mounting and balancing all the tires and tire/wheel combos before shipping, so I expect them not to ship for a couple days or so.

After buying the set for her car, on impulse, it occurs to me that the Accent's suspension will now be responsible for the majority of the effort to soak up street irregularities, now. The 40 series tires will not help nearly as much as the 70 series tires they will be replacing.

Does anyone have any experience with their Accent beater, or with the Accent of some one they know, regarding how they ride with these size wheels/tires? Any other, constructive, thoughts on this solution, or the problem in general?
 

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#5
01' Bullitt said:
First, is your mom single? :D

Second, check out http://www.hyundaiforum.com/

They have lots of info there, I'm sure they will be able to help you.
Click to expand...

I posted a very similar thread at http://www.hyundai-forums.com/

I posted here in parallel, as I am sure that the typical 4.6l Mustang owner has a different outlook, thus something different to add, than the typical 2000-2005 Accent owner. I have asked both the Accent and Mustang drivers for their input. I expect more of the "drivers ed" type responses over there than over here. Additionally, the whole site has much less in the way of threads and posts than just the 4.6l section of Stangnet. Much less. I chose that one over yours (which google was kind enough to point me to, as well) because the one I posted on had a good bit more traffic. Maybe older? But, regardless...

Comparing and contrasting the two types of responses is part of the fun, right? :D
 
#7
OK. You need to mod a Hyundai. Where else would you start but AUTOZONE!!!

Step 1: Get in the zone! Drive to your local Autozone today. You're just a small-time tuner and if someone like Jesse James shops there, then its good enough for you. Now, its time for the store tour.

Aisle 1: So the Hyundai needs a little more oomph, you say? Grab a claybar and a good 3-step polishing kit from Mother's or Meguire's. Every tuner knows that by getting your car to a crystal-like shine, you will lower your coefficient of drag significantly. In your case, the Accent will probably gain about 3mph on the top end for a total of 101mph! While your in the first aisle, pick up some air fresheners. Aromatherapy is important when practicing manuvers such as staring into your passenger's eyes while doing triple digit speeds on the interstate. You want your mom to be safe, right? Grab her three pine trees. She'll dig them.

Aisle 2: By the time this little shopping spree is over, your mom is going to have one tyte ride. To help her agaist the five-o, grab one of those tinted license plate covers and a license plate frame. She can get one with flowers or one of the ones with chain links if she's into that. Also, get a windshield wiper with airfoils on it. Those will give your mom's windshield wiper mad downforce when she's racing in the rain. Notice I said "wiper" singularly. Just remove the driver's side wiper altogether and get a 24" blade on the passenger side. People say the single blade look went out in '98, don't belive the hype. It's still hot. Don't be tempted to get a windshield banner out of the tinting section. I've got you covered later.

Aisle 3/4:Every decent tuner knows that all the real speed parts only take a screwdriver, 10mm wrech, a drill or some pliers to install. Unless you are missing those, skip these two aisles.

Oil wall: I know you are dying to enter aisle 5, but you need a few things from the lubricant section. I'd grab a case of Mobil 1 20w50. It will reduce friction in that high-revving Hyundai mill. Keep the extra quarts in the trunk so youcan top off the crankcase as the oil escapes past the rings and out the tailpipe. Grab some Seafoam and Marvel Mystery Oil while you are at it.

Aisle 5: Like the light at the end of the tunnel or the oasis in the middle of the desert, aisle number five is the holy grail of tuners. In fact, you'd better just ask the guy at the counter if you can drop off all your parts you have already at the counter until you check out.

Look at all that stuff. Wow, where to start. Take a look at the aluminum wings from APC. There are usually two choices. Big and bigger. Your mom's Hyundai deserves the best. Get her the double-decker. She will be pleased with all the extra force exerted on her rear-end.

Now is time for the real speed parts. Grab an APC muffler. Make sure that it doesn't fit the contour of the rear bumper. I'd suggest a unit with dual 3.5" DTM tips. If you're going to improve the exhaust, you'd better work on the intake side too. Now they won't stock CAI's for Hyundais so grab a Spectre universal air filter. Just remove the airbox and clamp that puppy onto your MAF.

See that ever-dwindling section at the end of aisle 5 for those domestic dinosaurs? You might be wonder what the hell a Mr. Gasket is, but skip that. Just grab 6qts of B&M Trick Shift tranny fluid. With the improved lubrication and anti-foaming agents, you're mom will be burning rubber on the 2-3 upshift like a Hemi Roadrunner.

Also, grab her a 6" tach, some blue foglights, a carbon fiber auto shift knob, chrome spinner hubcaps, and vinyl graphics. No trip to aisle 5 would be complete without those items.

Aisle 6: You thought we were going to skip the truck aisle, right? WRONG!!! I'm going to let you in on a little ancient tuner secret. You want to lower the Accent? Grab two pairs of coil spring clamps. When you install them, use them like coil-overs. Just crank them down until you're happy. Nevermind the "temporary use only" warning. A real tuner can handle anything that is thrown at them including unsafe suspension components.

Aisle 7: Not much here for you. Grab a Mobil 1 filter and scoff at the paper air filters as you pass them for you are greater than they.

Checkout: You're not done yet. Spot the Red Bull cooler and grab a few cans. Who knows how late you'll be up installing this stuff. Also, grab one of those nifty key-ring spark plug gappers. In a pinch, that may make the difference of getting pwn3d and getting a rematch. If you mom gets beat off the roll on the highway, tell her to turn on the flashers, pull over, and approach her engine bay with gapper in hand. She can tell her opponent that her NOS blew her electrodes shut on her plugs. If they buy it, she might get a rematch. Last but not least, grab a Slim Jim. They are the official snack food of the League of Extrodinary Tuners who govern tuning world-wide.

Pay your bill and ask the salesperson for a Autozone punch card. This is extremely important. This is like your journeyman's card in the world of tuning.

Parking Lot: Now is time to pack all your stuff in the trunk and head home for the install of a lifetime. However, a tuner can't simply leave Autozone. You must place all your items in the trunk, and then open your hood. Do not use your prop rod!!! Stand with your arms raised in a V like Jeremy holding your hood. Stare blankly at your engine. Do this for at least 10 minutes. If you get lucky, other tuners will wonder by as they enter the 'Zone and ask you whats up. Simply nod at their existance.

If you get really lucky, a member of your local Hyundai club might happen to be there too and offer you some insight. The local club here calls themselves "Xtreme Blu Cloudz" named for the poor ring seal in most Hyundais with more than 75k miles. I believe they have a Sacremento chapter. You might look them up.

Now its time to leave. Make sure you have proper driving position. The top edge of the door should be resting in your left armpit, your right hand at 12 o'clock, and your head mostly out the window. You are a tuner. Drive like a tuner. As you leave, you must get on it with a little wheelspin. In the Accent's stock tune, it might require a neutral drop. Don't worry, remember that you bought some Trick Shift fluid for later. You'll be A-OK.

Drive on young tuner. May the furiousness be with you.

hyundai7nj.jpg
 

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#9
ClevelandSteamr said:
OK. You need to mod a Hyundai. Where else would you start but AUTOZONE!!!

Step 1: Get in the zone! Drive to your local Autozone today. You're just a small-time tuner and if someone like Jesse James shops there, then its good enough for you. Now, its time for the store tour.

Aisle 1: So the Hyundai needs a little more oomph, you say? Grab a claybar and a good 3-step polishing kit from Mother's or Meguire's. Every tuner knows that by getting your car to a crystal-like shine, you will lower your coefficient of drag significantly. In your case, the Accent will probably gain about 3mph on the top end for a total of 101mph! While your in the first aisle, pick up some air fresheners. Aromatherapy is important when practicing manuvers such as staring into your passenger's eyes while doing triple digit speeds on the interstate. You want your mom to be safe, right? Grab her three pine trees. She'll dig them.

Aisle 2: By the time this little shopping spree is over, your mom is going to have one tyte ride. To help her agaist the five-o, grab one of those tinted license plate covers and a license plate frame. She can get one with flowers or one of the ones with chain links if she's into that. Also, get a windshield wiper with airfoils on it. Those will give your mom's windshield wiper mad downforce when she's racing in the rain. Notice I said "wiper" singularly. Just remove the driver's side wiper altogether and get a 24" blade on the passenger side. People say the single blade look went out in '98, don't belive the hype. It's still hot. Don't be tempted to get a windshield banner out of the tinting section. I've got you covered later.

Aisle 3/4:Every decent tuner knows that all the real speed parts only take a screwdriver, 10mm wrech, a drill or some pliers to install. Unless you are missing those, skip these two aisles.

Oil wall: I know you are dying to enter aisle 5, but you need a few things from the lubricant section. I'd grab a case of Mobil 1 20w50. It will reduce friction in that high-revving Hyundai mill. Keep the extra quarts in the trunk so youcan top off the crankcase as the oil escapes past the rings and out the tailpipe. Grab some Seafoam and Marvel Mystery Oil while you are at it.

Aisle 5: Like the light at the end of the tunnel or the oasis in the middle of the desert, aisle number five is the holy grail of tuners. In fact, you'd better just ask the guy at the counter if you can drop off all your parts you have already at the counter until you check out.

Look at all that stuff. Wow, where to start. Take a look at the aluminum wings from APC. There are usually two choices. Big and bigger. Your mom's Hyundai deserves the best. Get her the double-decker. She will be pleased with all the extra force exerted on her rear-end.

Now is time for the real speed parts. Grab an APC muffler. Make sure that it doesn't fit the contour of the rear bumper. I'd suggest a unit with dual 3.5" DTM tips. If you're going to improve the exhaust, you'd better work on the intake side too. Now they won't stock CAI's for Hyundais so grab a Spectre universal air filter. Just remove the airbox and clamp that puppy onto your MAF.

See that ever-dwindling section at the end of aisle 5 for those domestic dinosaurs? You might be wonder what the hell a Mr. Gasket is, but skip that. Just grab 6qts of B&M Trick Shift tranny fluid. With the improved lubrication and anti-foaming agents, you're mom will be burning rubber on the 2-3 upshift like a Hemi Roadrunner.

Also, grab her a 6" tach, some blue foglights, a carbon fiber auto shift knob, chrome spinner hubcaps, and vinyl graphics. No trip to aisle 5 would be complete without those items.

Aisle 6: You thought we were going to skip the truck aisle, right? WRONG!!! I'm going to let you in on a little ancient tuner secret. You want to lower the Accent? Grab two pairs of coil spring clamps. When you install them, use them like coil-overs. Just crank them down until you're happy. Nevermind the "temporary use only" warning. A real tuner can handle anything that is thrown at them including unsafe suspension components.

Aisle 7: Not much here for you. Grab a Mobil 1 filter and scoff at the paper air filters as you pass them for you are greater than they.

Checkout: You're not done yet. Spot the Red Bull cooler and grab a few cans. Who knows how late you'll be up installing this stuff. Also, grab one of those nifty key-ring spark plug gappers. In a pinch, that may make the difference of getting pwn3d and getting a rematch. If you mom gets beat off the roll on the highway, tell her to turn on the flashers, pull over, and approach her engine bay with gapper in hand. She can tell her opponent that her NOS blew her electrodes shut on her plugs. If they buy it, she might get a rematch. Last but not least, grab a Slim Jim. They are the official snack food of the League of Extrodinary Tuners who govern tuning world-wide.

Pay your bill and ask the salesperson for a Autozone punch card. This is extremely important. This is like your journeyman's card in the world of tuning.

Parking Lot: Now is time to pack all your stuff in the trunk and head home for the install of a lifetime. However, a tuner can't simply leave Autozone. You must place all your items in the trunk, and then open your hood. Do not use your prop rod!!! Stand with your arms raised in a V like Jeremy holding your hood. Stare blankly at your engine. Do this for at least 10 minutes. If you get lucky, other tuners will wonder by as they enter the 'Zone and ask you whats up. Simply nod at their existance.

If you get really lucky, a member of your local Hyundai club might happen to be there too and offer you some insight. The local club here calls themselves "Xtreme Blu Cloudz" named for the poor ring seal in most Hyundais with more than 75k miles. I believe they have a Sacremento chapter. You might look them up.

Now its time to leave. Make sure you have proper driving position. The top edge of the door should be resting in your left armpit, your right hand at 12 o'clock, and your head mostly out the window. You are a tuner. Drive like a tuner. As you leave, you must get on it with a little wheelspin. In the Accent's stock tune, it might require a neutral drop. Don't worry, remember that you bought some Trick Shift fluid for later. You'll be A-OK.

Drive on young tuner. May the furiousness be with you.

hyundai7nj.jpg
Click to expand...

Actually, my mom is into chains...

:rlaugh:
 

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  • hyundai7nj.jpg
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    7 KB · Views: 85
#17
Wow those Hyundai guys crack me up

"Go the supercharger route. You get boost from idle and it will feel like you have a 3 litre under the bonnet. "


Wow, 3 grand on a supercharger kit to have my engine feel like a 3.0L???
 
#19
You know, her mechanic performed an inspection of the car and found that the rear struts are both leaking, so it is certainly possible that part of the handling issue I experienced with her was due to a problem with the struts. The dealer says this is covered by the remaining factory warranty, so I will see if the two new ones they are putting in help at all. The only other thing her mechanic found was a leak from the transmission (not at the pan) that he wanted <$80 to correct. However, that will obviously be taken care of by the dealer under warranty, while they have it tonight/tomorrow.

She gets her car back from the dealer's service dept this (Tuesday) evening, if the advisor's estimate is correct. Tire Rack shipped my order yesterday (Monday), and one of the 4 packages they sent me went out for delivery at 5:26AM this morning. The other three arrived at the local sort facility just before 2AM this morning, and should be out for delivery before 9:30AM, if past experience is any judge. All of those 48lb packages cost me a total of $67 in shipping charges, and I should be getting all 192lbs of them, overnight. Not bad at all. Once she gets the car from the dealer, she should be able to take it straight to my place to swap the wheels with the jack and lug-nut tool in her trunk.

After spending the $633 (that # includes the above shipping charge) for the full wheel/tire package (consisting of 4 "Sport Edition" branded "F2" 17s, Bridgestone Potenza G009 "high performance all-season" category tires which they have mounted/balanced for free, an extra $24 worth of hazard warranties for the 4 tires that Tire Rack will sell when all 4 tires are purchased from them at the same time, and all the accessories needed for installation - including some shiny new lug-nuts as well as other items), I should be able to get permission for the pre and post "assesment" drives I want. I plan to report back with brief impressions on the before and after drives, once I have made them.



DropTopPony said:
pics of mom?
Click to expand...

Sorry, no pics will be forthcomming on this thread. :nono:
 
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