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LanceS13
03-18-2002, 03:10 PM
Read if you wish...it's probably gonna be long.
Last Friday I left the bustling town of Starkville, MS on my way to my first checkpoint...Bristol, TN/VA. Since this was a budget trip, I slept at a rest station there (don't worry, I bathed before I left). Woke up early Sat. and tried to start my car to no avail...luckily I was parked on a slope and was able to jump it. (BTW, Matt, Brian, and Mark...it was my starter; replaced it two days ago and it's running/starting fine). I then continued up the state of VA and got into D.C. early Sat. afternoon....settled in to the glorious Motel 6, got a bite, and went to bed b/c the day-and-a-half of driving had me thoroughly sapped, not to mention I didn't want to even attempt getting around D.C. and it's suburbs at night. Honestly, it was a bit overwhelming considering the largest cities I've been to are New Orleans and Memphis. Sunday I got to meet up with Matt (uuninja), Brian (crazycuban), and Mark (HippoSleek)...and got to drive Matt's KAT and Brian's SR powered S14's. (BTW, many thanks to you guys...and many thanks to Mark for helping me plan this little trip of mine.) My god, those cars were fast...it was so much fun driving them. The SR was obviously quicker running 14psi vs. the KAT's 7...but it may have been slightly closer if it weren't for the KAT's dying clutch. I guess Brian's car won the "smackdown" as Mark labeled the mini-meet; but I would like to hear about a re-match when Matt gets a new clutch and is able to crank the boost a little more. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'> After driving both cars and considering all the other numerous factors, I've decided to go the KAT route. ::waits for Irena to cheer:: Anyway, it was great to meet you guys, and hope I didn't come off as too big of a hick...lol. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>
I spent the day Monday in the The Mall and checked out the usual monuments, looked around the Smithsonian, caught a 3-d iMax film, took lots of pictures, and met up with some other friends that night and hung out. I left out early Tuesday morning and drove down a foggy Skyline Drive through the Shanendoah Nat'l Park and on down into the Blue Ridge Pkwy finally crossing over to the main interstate at the VA/NC line. Very fun and beautiful scenery...I highly suggest it, but it would take two days to fully appreciate all the lookout pts and stuff (and watch out for the deer!<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':crazy:'> ) . I stayed in Gatlinburg, TN Tues. night. Then I drove Deal's Gap Wed. morning...another very fun drive--highly, highly recommended. What was funny is that I saw a speed limit "55" sign with like 3 downhill, swooping, banked 90-degree turns all compacted into about 100ft. of road right after the sign. I drove back up the NC side of the Smokies and crossed back over on Newfound Gap road into TN and spent the rest of the day fishing for trout in the numerous mountain streams. I caught 4 little ones, which I guess is alright since I'd never really fished for trout before. I left for home that afternoon and my little road trip ended in the wee hours of Thurs. morning after almost 2700 miles of driving. What fun!!! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':cool:'>
Yep...I was right; this was a long-ass post....oh well. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/satisfied.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':satisfied:'>

sykikchimp
03-18-2002, 03:17 PM
Sounds like you had a ton of fun man. &nbsp;I might have to do a little road trip of my own. &nbsp;I'm thinking about driving to Cali and back. &nbsp;(I'm in NC..)

yenpit
03-18-2002, 04:41 PM
envy envy envy......i miss the DC area and the Shenandoah Mountains <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'> . Michigan is flat <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/lookaround.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':look:'>

HippoSleek
03-18-2002, 05:25 PM
<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'>

Hey Lance-
Glad you made it back in such a leisurely fashion! Fishing - I'd KILL for nothing to do <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'> not to mention a turn down a nice mountain road! I wish that I would have had a bit more time to hang out w/ all of you guys Sunday, but work is getting like that! (I actually took this Sat. off... and worked until 11 last night <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cry.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':cry:'> ). Anyway, it sounds like all things considered, it was a pretty cool trip.

And you mean to tell me that exhuast leaks, gas smell and all you still want the KAT? (hey Matt - I think you've got a buyer and can get that SR now! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hmmm.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hmmm:'> ). I think so far, I'm leaning the other way, having seen them together. (you gotta check out B's dyno post [still waiting for the plot] - 260+ whp even while heat soaked! ). *edit - that winky face always gets me b/c I use too many parentheticals !_) *

Either way, whenever you get the chance to head back up this way, just let us know. Actually, next time we hang out, I recommend you stay at the Innkeeper West... it's a bit of a drive from DC (Danville, VA) - but you would have a whole lot to do near by... at VIR.

Cool meeting you,
Mark
-who is starting to accept a seven day workweek @10+ hours/ day <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('>

LanceS13
03-18-2002, 05:56 PM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (HippoSleek @ Mar. 19 2002,5:25)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">And you mean to tell me that exhuast leaks, gas smell and all you still want the KAT? (hey Matt - I think you've got a buyer and can get that SR now! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hmmm.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hmmm:'> ). I think so far, I'm leaning the other way, having seen them together. (you gotta check out B's dyno post [still waiting for the plot] - 260+ whp even while heat soaked! ). *edit - that winky face always gets me b/c I use too many parentheticals !_) *</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Yeah...you could drive, get high, and poison your lungs all at the same time. &nbsp; <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>
I think the KAT would be more fun to put together (I want to tear into the engine and build it up <--the engineer coming out in me). &nbsp;Replacement parts should be much easier to come by. &nbsp;The engine itself would &nbsp;be easier/cheaper to replace if the un-thinkable were to happen. &nbsp;Lots of torque. &nbsp;Of course, some performance parts are hard to come by, but whatever. &nbsp;I figure they'll both cost about the same and require about the same amount of work getting them to work properly at the power level I'm looking for.
Brian's car is gonna be one badass SR, though...well, more badass than it is now...if he keeps modifying it.
Is Matt having second thoughts about his KAT???

HippoSleek
03-19-2002, 07:43 AM
I definately see those benefits of the KAT. &nbsp;If I had it to do over again, I really don't know which I would have chosen, but I bought a car that is ripe for swapping. &nbsp;Besides, I am one of those Honda converts... I don't know what to do w/ the tq I've already got... imagine if I had that much more, that low?!

Yeah - I actually don't know if I could actually handle B's car on a track right now, but hopefully, one day I'll find out in my own. &nbsp;God that thing needs more brakes! &nbsp;As for Matt - that guy's got an s13 sitting at home for another (SR) project. &nbsp; Although I'm going to get him to turn it into a track whore instead of a swap.

LanceS13
03-19-2002, 09:17 AM
Oh yeah...almost forgot about the little black coupe.

burgy240
03-19-2002, 09:57 AM
Lance---the little smily guy^ is me green with envy!! &nbsp;Sounds like you had a great little trip. &nbsp;I still haven't ridden in either an SR or KAT. &nbsp;It's cool the guys in DC help you out too. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'>

Sykikchimp--If your headen to Cali let me know, I'll be driving to Yuma Az prolly next month!! &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/lookaround.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':look:'>

uuninja
03-19-2002, 10:09 AM
Lance! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'> It was great to meet you! I am glad that your trip was worth the drive. Don't get me wrong I love my KA-T, I was just in Awe of Brian's car. The KA-T has been frustrating me a little just cause of a few nagging issues and a lack of time and parts to properly address them. But the clutch and exhaust will be done soon( :smile: as I get off my lazy ass). Once that is out of the way the car will be a whole lot more drive able.

Hippo, As for the rumors of the SR swap in to the s13 coupe. I have a few better <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'> uses for that $$$ in the next few months. I can't justify 2 fast cars in the budget at this point. So that will have to wait. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/butbut.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':but:'> On the other hand the idea of a little track whore (sans fast motor) is very tempting <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'> .

gregshin
03-19-2002, 12:10 PM
driving that nice mountain would be better if you got your sound system &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sigh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':rolleyes:'> did ya ever get the sub and amp for you ride?

LanceS13
03-19-2002, 12:46 PM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (gregshin @ Mar. 20 2002,12:10)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">driving that nice mountain would be better if you got your sound system <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sigh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':rolleyes:'> did ya ever get the sub and amp for you ride?</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Yeah...I got it. &nbsp;It did make all that driving much more bearable, especially on the long straight stretches of interstate. &nbsp;Now I just have to replace the factory components to balance it and figure out how to keep the sub box from shifting all over the hatch when I drive on the twisties.

twofortysx
03-19-2002, 03:10 PM
For you guys in D.C, I might be there in early June for a conference. &nbsp;If I come by maybe we could meet up and hang out.

<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/eh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':eh:'>

sykikchimp
03-19-2002, 03:56 PM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (burgy240 @ Mar. 19 2002,11:57)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Lance---the little smily guy^ is me green with envy!! Sounds like you had a great little trip. I still haven't ridden in either an SR or KAT. It's cool the guys in DC help you out too. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'>

Sykikchimp--If your headen to Cali let me know, I'll be driving to Yuma Az prolly next month!! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/lookaround.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':look:'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Actually I was talking to my friends last night and we decided to do an Amsterdam trip this summer. &nbsp;HEHEHE &nbsp;(Devilish Grin)

Looks like the Trek across the country will have to wait a while. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('> &nbsp;Good luck though man. Have fun.

LanceS13
03-22-2002, 01:40 AM
I got pix!!!
<a href="http://www.eframes.com/default.asp?guestalbum=26836.1137" target='_blank'>http://www.eframes.com/default.asp?guestalbum=26836.1137</a>

camppain
03-22-2002, 10:52 PM
those are some great pics lance nice scenes for your car and just plain nice pics of other scenes and monuments. good work <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'>

LanceS13
03-25-2002, 12:05 AM
thanks! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

uuninja
03-25-2002, 07:13 AM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (twofortysx @ Mar. 18 2002,5:10)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">For you guys in D.C, I might be there in early June for a conference. If I come by maybe we could meet up and hang out.

<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/eh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':eh:'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Yeah mang, I think we can work some thing out <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> Just email me, hippo or cuban up when you know that you will be out this way.

2xsess
03-25-2002, 04:17 PM
Rather Ironic but, I work with a guy from Starkville, MS.

Sounds like a great trip. I might be blasting down to Ft Lauderdale, FL this weekend to drop my stepdaughter off, won't be nearly as leisurely as your trip though. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('>