Okay guys, I am going to start posting some of new and old stories here. I have quite a bit of them. I will also explained what I learned, and how I applied those to my day to day street operations. Along the way I will explain each of my cars that stand out in my head.
This is how I got my start into the wild streets of Mexico.
I have had three Fox Bodies. An 1988 Coupe the one in this story, 1989 Convertible (Two kit car), and a 1982 Capi. Along the way I picked up a 1993 SHO (my daily and she robbed me every chance she got). Two Thunderbird SC's (one was built and a solid 13.4 car). Then for past 8 years I have had two Twin Turbo E85 Camaro's.
I used to street race a lot all through So Cal. I know and have raced with and against some of the big hitters that you have seen on Street Outlaws when they raced the Cali guys. I have been to numerous Compton Christmas Shootouts, and have won a money race on the World Famous 135th and Main.
I purchased my 88 coupe and prompty overheated it and blew a head gasket. When I was in there, I put an X cam, shorties, and full exhaust. Put a drag radial on it and went to run the world. First race a turbo Honda beat me. I then put a wet nitrous kit on the car. NX said do not put anything over a 150 shot it with a stock fuel
pump. What do they know? LOL. Yep 100 shot was good all day. Went back and beat the turbo Honda. Pilled it to 150 and she was riding. Pilled her to 175, and boom another head gasket. Damn it. Fixed the HG, and back it down to a 125 shot.
I was holding my own against the world....until I raced a older guy in a El Camino with a "396" in it. I had taken my Mustang to the track and it went 12.80 and left pretty hard on the street. I locked in a race with this guy for a couple of hundred dollars and he beat me by about half a car. This is where the story gets good. The guy in the El Camino says, that was close and you were pulling me on the big end want to run double or nothing? I though about it, and before I opened my mouth another older gentlemen grabbed me and said no he doesn't. Little did I know the El Camino had a 496 with two kits of nitrous that made over 800hp to the tire. It was a bottom 10 second car on a small drag radial on one kit. He was just playing with me on motor.
The guy that pulled me out of the double or nothing race ended up telling me the rules to street racing and has been a good friend of mine for over 17 years now. He is the guy that I would purchase my Convertible from. Here are the rules that were passed to me. 1. Be weary about racing anyone that is 10 years older then you esp if they ask for the race. Most of the time they have been there and done that and make more money. 2. If you lose a close race and you know there isn't much room for improvement, never re-race for double or nothing. Most likely it is a trap and they are sandbagging you. 3. Never bet money you are not comfortable losing. That's it. Those rules have helped me win a lot of money over the years and saved me a bunch of money over the years.
I left a large car show here in AZ in the SHO and new ST with a loud blow off valve started messing with me. It was a car full of kids, and the driver was looking to show off. I rolled down my window at about a 20 mph roll and to told him, "no RS no care". He laughed and said come on, and I told him to just "go". I let him get out about five cars on me and reeled him quickly, and then yanked him. The next stop light, he was like WTF? I said, "it's just a Taurus, and to pull into the next parking lot". He showed me his ST, I showed him the SHO, and that I actually had a ST as my daily. He just got quiet as his friends laughed. I told him about the story with the Elco and then passed along the rules. They were pretty cool kids, and actually asked a lot of good questions.
I try to act like my friend and pass that knowledge along to the younger gearheads. Riding high and mighty in a new ST with your buddies is great, I remember those days. However, getting your s*** pushed in by my family car is something your friends will never let you forget about it. I still catch crap from my friend about the Elco 17 years later.
First up is my 1989 GT Convertible. I purchased it off the gentleman who taught me the rules of the street. The car actually won Fast Ford Street couple of years in a row. Had a 408, PT 76, and a Powerglide. Car went 9.80 at 138 ish. Motor got hurt, and the car sat in the side yard for a year. He was building a 1970 240 Z with a ZZ383 and a build 700r4. It was the perfect street car. Light, good power, and the IRS the car hooked really well. We made alot of money with the car in a 4 year period. One day I was screwing around and said, let me buy it (The Convertible Roller). He agreed.
The car had 12 point cage, weld in sub frame connectors, battle boxes, full adjustable 4 link, lakewood 50/50 drag shocks, anti roll bar, k member, full adjustable QA1 coilvers, caster and cambers plates, battery relocation kit, and flaming river manual rack. It weighed 3800lbs with me in it. After the drive train swap, I blew up the stock 5 speed, and put in a Turbo Coupe 5 speed with a Centerforce Cluth. 1st and 2nd gear were short, 3rd gear was long. Car had 3.73's in the 8.8 rear end. On the motor it made 186 hp and ran 15.00s at 86 mph all day with a 1.90 sixty. On a 275 drag radial if you didn't leave at 5k it would bog. Timing was down for the nitrous, X cam, everything controlled by an Anderson PMS. In final form the car had two kits and they were run manually controlled by me. One on the shifter, and one on the steering wheel.
On the first kit (200 direct port fogger) it made 380ish hp and usually ran a 12.70 to 12.80 at 108 mph depending on the air. I would cut a low 1.80 sixty. I would use the direct port first because it was less violent then the Shark nozzle fogger. Drop the clutch grab the direct port fogger ASAP.
Next came the Shark Nozzle. Stand alone fuel system, race fuel, ect. It was pilled at (225 most the time) and right when I would grab second, I would grab that fogger. Since I couldn't pill the direct port any bigger at the time (fuel restriction) and the fogger was too violent for first gear, my sixty foot on both kits was usually a mid 1.70 (my SHO has gone 1.77 to sixty lol). With both kits, the car made 550 ish hp and would nip into the 10.70's and 10.80's at right around 126 mph. Fastest it went was a perfect pass for me. I was early on the buttons between shifts and let the rpms hit higher in the shifts (smoked the CF clutch when the second kit was put on the car and somehow the Ram Clutch held) and it went 10.59 at 124. Then i tried to replicate it, and blew a head gasket on a missed shift... lesson learned.
The look on people's faces, one pass 15.00, next pass 10.80....lol. When the GF learned how to use the Nitrous, I had to fight her to get out of the car......
About a week ago, I found the absolute limit to my upgraded pads and rotors. I came across a really clean 03/04 Cobra while lurking the streets. I made sure that he saw my plate, and maybe that would entice him. This new plate has a knack for it. We got stuck in traffic and could not get next to each other. At a street light I was behind him, light turned green and he got on it enough for me to be able to change lanes and get next to him.
Right as I go to change lanes, and new WRX comes out of not where, jacks my lane, and starts going. This instantly got my attention, and then the mission became clear. This WRX must die. I will track him and down and punish him. As I started my pursuit he was good four cars on me. Not only did I track him down, I passed him well north of 140 mph. He got the message, because at the next light he turned left and high tailed it to where ever he was going.
After I passed him, I had to wrestle the SHO to bring her down from speeds I should have never been at. The brakes went straight into fade, the chassis had become unsettled after a little shimmy of a turn, and the next intersection was coming rapidly, however the light was green. I was safe, but I could literally see a trail of brake dust trailing the SHO and I could smell smoked brakes. I had to cruise on the freeway a good 5 miles before the brakes became acceptable again.
Lesson learned:
I let my ego get the best of me, but it also made me realize, that when the SHO gets DPs, Turbos, and Upgraded HPFP, the brakes that are on the car now will not be adequate. I am looking at some racing pads that Shodded suggested. At $300 for just the front pads, they seem worth it.
This past weekend I was accosted by another SHO. While leaving a very large car show on Saturday, he rolled up to me and start doing the blip the throttle game. We came to a light, I looked at him and said, "Let me guess, you just got that thing huh?" Younger guy probably 25, he said "Yeah and it is fast!" I said okay, run them at the light. I turned advance trac off, and threw her in sport. I watched the other light, and once they turned yellow, I got into my brake stand. Light turned green and I left at 3 psi right as soon as I saw him leave. The ole Bull just barked and got after it. I yanked him so hard....I let out at 60 mph. He came up next to me and was like, "WTF is done to that thing." I replied, "It's stock, I just have a driver mod". He looked so confused. I rolled up my windows, turned my radio up and continued on my way home. Silly people. I am sure I will see him again.
The car show I go to is very large, and has been going on for like 25 years. Everything from Lambos to Rat Rods show up to this show. I go, drive down the mustang isle, park, talk smack to the Pony boys, and walk into the Mongolian Grill, eat dinner, walk around, keep talking smack to the Pony boys, then go home. Usually leaving I catch someone, that gets checked lol.
Also the Focus ST got some action by a Fiesta ST, and sadly my ST got walked by the Fiesta ST twice yesterday. At a street light a red FiST came next to me and gave me the BOV business end. It had black limo tint windows, upgraded BOV and exhaust from what I could hear. Like and idiot I left traction on. Light turned green, I spun really bad in first gear and when I short shifted second (FiST was already two cars out on me) traction control killed the power and I got freight trained. I laughed so hard, and said to myself, "yep that just happened."
Got to the next light, and the window to the FiST was down. Very petite blonde girl with these stunning blues is staring at me. I am in utter shock, and instantly smitten. First thing out of her mouth was, "You left the traction control on huh?". With much embarrassment and ego checked I said, "Yep, like an idiot". She starts laughing, and said well turn it off and give it another go. I said okay. Couple lights down with traction control off, she proceeded to leave me AGAIN. This time, I short shifted second and it spun, and I didn't hook it until third. She was out on me by four to five cars now. I ran the top of third and only got one or two cars back, but she had me dead to rights.
Next light we exchanged car info. He has as a catback, short shifter, tune, booma BOV, drag radials, and now my heart. I asked if she goes to the PAV's on Saturday, and she said yes. I told her, I will see you Saturday, and I will bring my ST's big brother the SHO...lol. My ST is just tuned, boomba BOV, and right after this race, I got home and installed my new short shifter that had just arrived.
Looks like your world is about to get "all shook up" :D
Quote from: SHOdded on June 03, 2019, 11:54:28 AM
Looks like your world is about to get "all shook up" :D
Manu,
It was definitely a very pleasant surprise, and I had alot of fun taking the L. From what I can see, she is pretty young....maybe too young to be interested in an "older" guy like me.
Seems like there is foundation. All in the angle of approach :)
Quote from: SHOdded on June 03, 2019, 12:11:06 PM
Seems like there is foundation. All in the angle of approach :)
You never know until you fail! Lol.
It's nice that you post these stories.
I'm super green in terms of owning a SHO, let alone a turbocharged car. I'm one of those people that tries to learn as much as I can when a subject peaks my interest. It's like every day I'm discovering something new or learning something new.
Quote from: gwrabbit on June 03, 2019, 01:22:11 PM
It's nice that you post these stories.
I'm super green in terms of owning a SHO, let alone a turbocharged car. I'm one of those people that tries to learn as much as I can when a subject peaks my interest. It's like every day I'm discovering something new or learning something new.
I have twenty years of stories. Everything from racing street bikes to SUV's. The funny thing is, everyone usually has the same type of story. I will post about my 1989 Ford Thunderbird Super Couple tomorrow. That car was really fun.
Quote from: SM105K on June 03, 2019, 02:39:01 PM
Quote from: gwrabbit on June 03, 2019, 01:22:11 PM
It's nice that you post these stories.
I'm super green in terms of owning a SHO, let alone a turbocharged car. I'm one of those people that tries to learn as much as I can when a subject peaks my interest. It's like every day I'm discovering something new or learning something new.
I have twenty years of stories. Everything from racing street bikes to SUV's. The funny thing is, everyone usually has the same type of story. I will post about my 1989 Ford Thunderbird Super Couple tomorrow. That car was really fun.
You and I could trade street racing stories for days. I used to do motorcycles too. That is until I ended up almost through the windshield of a XJ-8
Quote from: shoNoff on June 03, 2019, 04:46:46 PM
Quote from: SM105K on June 03, 2019, 02:39:01 PM
Quote from: gwrabbit on June 03, 2019, 01:22:11 PM
It's nice that you post these stories.
I'm super green in terms of owning a SHO, let alone a turbocharged car. I'm one of those people that tries to learn as much as I can when a subject peaks my interest. It's like every day I'm discovering something new or learning something new.
I have twenty years of stories. Everything from racing street bikes to SUV's. The funny thing is, everyone usually has the same type of story. I will post about my 1989 Ford Thunderbird Super Couple tomorrow. That car was really fun.
You and I could trade street racing stories for days. I used to do motorcycles too. That is until I ended up almost through the windshield of a XJ-8
Yeah that would have been really crappy. I was wrecked by a car on Ortega Highway in So Cal, and that made me rethink my life with motorcycles. Yet I have another RC51 sitting in my garage begging to be put back together. I must be stupid.
Quote from: SM105K on June 03, 2019, 05:00:54 PM
Quote from: shoNoff on June 03, 2019, 04:46:46 PM
Quote from: SM105K on June 03, 2019, 02:39:01 PM
Quote from: gwrabbit on June 03, 2019, 01:22:11 PM
It's nice that you post these stories.
I'm super green in terms of owning a SHO, let alone a turbocharged car. I'm one of those people that tries to learn as much as I can when a subject peaks my interest. It's like every day I'm discovering something new or learning something new.
I have twenty years of stories. Everything from racing street bikes to SUV's. The funny thing is, everyone usually has the same type of story. I will post about my 1989 Ford Thunderbird Super Couple tomorrow. That car was really fun.
You and I could trade street racing stories for days. I used to do motorcycles too. That is until I ended up almost through the windshield of a XJ-8
Yeah that would have been really crappy. I was wrecked by a car on Ortega Highway in So Cal, and that made me rethink my life with motorcycles. Yet I have another RC51 sitting in my garage begging to be put back together. I must be stupid.
Hahaha I love the rc51 nothing beats a vtwin jap bike. I was just riding along on my way to work 4 years ago on my bday might I add. I was about 3/4 mile from my job. The guy in the jag turned directly in front of me. I had no time to do anything but hit the fender and windshield. Thank god I wear a helmet. Best part was I landed in the parking lot of my biggest competitor lol. That was my last bike which was a 2014 cbr600rr. I'd love to get another if I do it will be a Harley or victory. Some sort of cruiser. I need to settle down here kids are on the way lol
Love the stories! This is my favorite thread for sure! I saw how long they were and didn't want to skim them, I just sat down and read them all....now I'm wanting MORE
Quote from: shoNoff on June 03, 2019, 06:47:10 PM
Quote from: SM105K on June 03, 2019, 05:00:54 PM
Quote from: shoNoff on June 03, 2019, 04:46:46 PM
Quote from: SM105K on June 03, 2019, 02:39:01 PM
Quote from: gwrabbit on June 03, 2019, 01:22:11 PM
It's nice that you post these stories.
I'm super green in terms of owning a SHO, let alone a turbocharged car. I'm one of those people that tries to learn as much as I can when a subject peaks my interest. It's like every day I'm discovering something new or learning something new.
I have twenty years of stories. Everything from racing street bikes to SUV's. The funny thing is, everyone usually has the same type of story. I will post about my 1989 Ford Thunderbird Super Couple tomorrow. That car was really fun.
You and I could trade street racing stories for days. I used to do motorcycles too. That is until I ended up almost through the windshield of a XJ-8
Yeah that would have been really crappy. I was wrecked by a car on Ortega Highway in So Cal, and that made me rethink my life with motorcycles. Yet I have another RC51 sitting in my garage begging to be put back together. I must be stupid.
Hahaha I love the rc51 nothing beats a vtwin jap bike. I was just riding along on my way to work 4 years ago on my bday might I add. I was about 3/4 mile from my job. The guy in the jag turned directly in front of me. I had no time to do anything but hit the fender and windshield. Thank god I wear a helmet. Best part was I landed in the parking lot of my biggest competitor lol. That was my last bike which was a 2014 cbr600rr. I'd love to get another if I do it will be a Harley or victory. Some sort of cruiser. I need to settle down here kids are on the way lol
There are two types of riders. Riders that have been down, and riders that are going down. Period. I have been riding for 25 years, 17 of those on the street.
I wrecked my RC51 three times, and had to completely rebuild it twice (no frame damage). My RC was special. It was the RD bike for Two Brothers Racing. The bike was an animal. HRC Race cams, full Ti system, PC3, 520 chain conversion, Scotts Dampner, Full RaceTech Suspension. So much TQ that just a twist of the wrist in gears 1-3 you would could be looking skyward.
The first wreck happened because of gravel. I went out to ride bunch of friends and ended up a local hang out. I was dating a girl at the time (the same one I couldn't get out of the Mustang) and she had a bike too (that how me met). She called and asked where I was, and I told her. She shows up on her bike not wearing any gloves. Now I will ride in shorts and a t-shirt, but I ALWAYS wear an Arai Helmet and Alpinestars MotoGP Kevlar lined gloves (unless I acting like a squid and doing low speed wheelies on my street like an idiot). Yes I know, and yes I have had gravel forcibly removed from my skin because I have had some wicked road rash. When you ride in 108 degree heat, you wear as little as possible. So, back to her, I ask where are your gloves? She said she was in a hurry and forgot them. I sternly explained that when you fall off a bike your hands are usually the first to hit the pavement, so keep them protected at all cost. She agreed. This would come to play into the story next. I offered mine to her, but my buddy always had an extra and she got the extra pair.
We end up leaving and head back to her place. I go around a corner that I have gone around at least 1000 times on a motorcycle before, but I went wider then normal because she was on my inside a couple bikes back. I lean into the corner, and wham.....I am sliding across the street on my hands and belly right in front of her. I come to a stop and get up. She asked what happened, and all I say is, "lowside". I walked back and low and behold there is a bunch of gravel that was deposited from a storm run off earlier in the day. I didn't see it and there was nothing I could do about it. My gloves held up really well, and my hands were completely fine. The bike needed a new slip on, clip on, and a new clutch cover. Goes to show you....
One time at Fontana (California Speedway) at a track day I went down at around 140 mph and went skidding through the grass infield. All I could do is laugh because I got taken out by a GSXR 1000. Somehow we both walked away from that completely fine. Fontana has a real cool infield with some pretty tight and sweeping corners, however you get a good bit of front stretch for a straight. So I would walk this GSXR through the infield part of the course, and he would go blowing by me in the straights. So on one lap I got ambiguous and late braked the crap out of him in the transition from the stretch to the infield and went by him on the stretch. Walked him in through the infield and boom hit the straight, and there he goes. However, he decided to repay the favor and in the process lost the front end and low sided right next to me...which took me out. LOL. Damn. The bike took a rough and tumble through the grass. That was first time I rebuilt it.
The second time I wrecked on Ortega. Ortega Highway is a premier destination for motorcycles, however it kills numerous riders a year. It starts in Lake Elsinore Ca, and ends in San Juan Capistrano in Orange County. The highway turns into a residential area about 2 miles before it terminates at the 5 freeway. I had just got back from another track day and my bike was in the back of my truck. I was running late for formation, and I went out to start my truck, and it was dead. So i yanked the bike out of the truck. Cold morning, wet, on my track tires, would equal doom for me. I had no turn signals, and no mirrors (track day). I jumped on the bike, and started out. I knew the tires would take time to warm up, so I wasn't riding hard at all. I start down the highway at 55 mph, and out of nowhere a car pulls out of a drive (it is 430 am) and I had two options. Hit the car, or go around. I got on the gas, changed lanes over a double yellow line. The rear tire spun up on the paint, and kicked me sideways into on coming traffic. That is when I knew bad things were going to happen. Right when the tire got off the paint, and hit the pavement....I proceed to give me the most violent high side I have ever received. Now I grew up riding motorcross and enduro riding...high sides are not new to me.
I was in the air so long, I watched my bike tumble side over side and rip itself apart. When I came down, I landed on my back, and my backpack raised my shoulders just enough to violently whiplash my head into the pavement, and shatter my wrist in 8 places. My head hit so hard, it knocked all the vents off and broke the visor on my Arai helmet, and knocked me out cold. I have never taken such a massive head impact in my life, and I have been blown up before. I have no idea how long I laid in the road, and somehow I wasn't hit by any cars. I would not be here right now, if I was not wearing that helmet. It straight saved my life. 14 weeks in a cast, and eight months of post concussion syndrome...I was finally cleared to ride again by the medical staff of the Navy.
I posted a couple of pics of my RC. The one in the wheelie was with the factory paint. The second one I had it custom painted with the World Superbike paint scheme and that Ducati 916 is sitting in my garage right now, along with a Nicky Hayden 03 RC51. The last one is me and my GF at the time, and she was wearing gloves.
I know the statement of 2 types of riders all to well. I went down twice on the street. I got really lucky both times to never really get severely injured. I lost a good buddy to a bike wreck after my 2nd accident. The 2nd was the story I told earlier. That was when I decided being here for my wife and kids was more important then riding. I figured I dodged a bullet twice no way it was gonna happen 3 times. The best part was neither accident was my fault. It was 2 people not paying attention. The 2nd guy was texting when he cut in front of me.
Now to stop being so negative. I love these stories buddy keep them coming.
Quote from: 802SHO on June 03, 2019, 09:16:56 PM
Love the stories! This is my favorite thread for sure! I saw how long they were and didn't want to skim them, I just sat down and read them all....now I'm wanting MORE
Haha, I have done alot in my life and I have been super fortunate to still be alive and in decent health. I will try to post a story every week day until I am out of stories.
Quote from: shoNoff on June 04, 2019, 10:45:07 AM
I know the statement of 2 types of riders all to well. I went down twice on the street. I got really lucky both times to never really get severely injured. I lost a good buddy to a bike wreck after my 2nd accident. The 2nd was the story I told earlier. That was when I decided being here for my wife and kids was more important then riding. I figured I dodged a bullet twice no way it was gonna happen 3 times. The best part was neither accident was my fault. It was 2 people not paying attention. The 2nd guy was texting when he cut in front of me.
Now to stop being so negative. I love these stories buddy keep them coming.
Don't look at as a negative. Priorities change. Mine certainly have as well. I have lost many friends from riding, and it is what it is. I know when I strap my helmet on I change. I also know that I am knowingly and willing putting myself into danger. Plus I live in a Metro area with millions of people in it. So, I already am at a disadvantage. I was actually going to order the fuel pump assembly for the RC and put it back together. However, that certain GF has come full circle in my life again, and we talked about it, and she talked me out it.
Those factors are why both Superbikes are still apart in my garage. I have too much going for me right now with work, and with training. I have put so much time, energy, and money into both, I cannot afford to be injured by someone else at this point. I would be really pissed if I was killed too.......lol.
Quote from: shoNoff on June 03, 2019, 06:47:10 PM
I'd love to get another if I do it will be a Harley or victory. Some sort of cruiser. I need to settle down here kids are on the way lol
Been that route. Back in the olds days unloading my H2 triple off the trailer after good runs at the strip I decided on a hole shot before putting it away. Went sideways and uprooted the neighbor's chain link fence. So I settled down on a Harley but cars kept running into me and knocking me over. It's now 4 wheels only for my own longevity.
Quote from: jims2015 on June 04, 2019, 11:15:57 AM
Quote from: shoNoff on June 03, 2019, 06:47:10 PM
I'd love to get another if I do it will be a Harley or victory. Some sort of cruiser. I need to settle down here kids are on the way lol
Been that route. Back in the olds days unloading my H2 triple off the trailer after good runs at the strip I decided on a hole shot before putting it away. Went sideways and uprooted the neighbor's chain link fence. So I settled down on a Harley but cars kept running into me and knocking me over. It's now 4 wheels only for my own longevity.
I figure I will just stay off the bikes for a bit longer. I will live longer.
Okay......Lets talk about my 1989 Thunderbird Super Coupe.
This was my second SC out of three actually. I just remembered my 1990 also. My first was a beat to death 1988 that actually really ran decent. My third was a 1990 that was beat to death as well and I only had it for a couple of months. My 1989 though was cherry. Bone stock, Auto, Red, with black leather interior, with full options when I purchased it.
I had seen it for sale in a driveway about a month before I went to boot camp. I went and talked to the owner and he wanted $2300 for it. I had zero idea where I was going to end up, so I didn't purchase it. I finished boot camp and while on leave, I went back and low and behold it was still for sale. He even knocked $300 off. I bought it. I hung out for a couple of days in So Cal with my family, and then went straight to Phoenix. During my drive through the night, I came across an older Turbo Supra. We played the cat and mouse game for about 30 miles at triple digits. It was really fun, until my Overdrive stopped working....opps. Damn it. 1st -3rd gears were good. Ended up gingerly driving into Phoenix to the trans shop my mother owned at the time (same shop that replaced my SHO trans). They yanked the Ford AOD and had it rebuilt the next day while adding a shift kit and upgrades. I had smoked the OB band in the trans. Lesson learned.
Over the next 4 months I went crazy with mods while I trained at the school of infantry. We weren't allowed to have vehicles while we were still in school. I promptly disregarded that "suggestion". There was a do-it-yourself garage on base so I started modding the SC. I installed the larger Eaton M90 hat, pullied the car down, added the double stack intercooler, shortie headers, and full Magnaflow exhaust. It was quick for what it was, but the best bang for the buck was when I had 3.73's installed in the 8.8 IRS. That really waked the car up. I took it to the track and it went 13.4 right at 100 mph. Stock they made 210hp/315tq, and I would venture to say that car make 290ish hp/400ish tq when I was done. It had traction problems lol.
We graduated SOI and got orders to our units in the Fleet Marine Force. I was assigned to Kilo Company 3/5, so I would be staying aboard Camp Pendleton. I checked in had my orders cut, and was leaving for the sandbox within 48 hours. I had to get my will and power of attorney ready. Got those and raced home which was about a 2.5 hour drive to my grandparents to say bye and that give them the documents. I stayed a couple of hours and on my way back down to base, I stopped for a couple of hours in Azusa to say goodbye to a couple more friends. Another Marine had gone with me and we were still in our cammies because we had left work. I left Azusa and took the 57 south towards the 5 south. Along the way I came across three others cars....
One was a brand new paper plate 03 Cobra, another Supra, and what looked to be 2001 Z06 Vette. We all link up and proceed to roll the 57 south at mid triple digits all the way from Anaheim to the 5 south transition through, Tustin, Irvine, Mission Viejo, and then the marine layer/fog rolled in coming into San Juan Capistrano. I was the slowest, but I was holding my own. It was getting hard to see so I broke off, and set the cruise at 55 and watched them disappear. Somehow my buddy slept through most of this. After about a minute of cruising, I see some headlights behind me. 1 set, 2 set, 3 set, then boom gum ball machine. I knew I was effed. I woke my buddy up and said, bad news, and proceeded to pull off the freeway.
Five CHP, full felony stop, guns drawn. Like over the loud speaker, roll down the windows, turn the vehicle off, take the keys out and drop them outside the vehicle, open the door from the outside with both hands, get out of the vehicle, facing away from us, walk backs towards us, then lay flat on your stomach and put your hands behind your back. We were then cuffed and talked too. One CHP was a complete jerk (he had the right to be) all the rest were awesome. Once they figured out (our cammies) we were active duty Marines they uncuffed us and treated us really well. The shift supervisor showed up, and I explained the situation. We both had our orders, and we were shipping out within 36 hours now and he was amazing.
I should have gone to jail. PERIOD. Even though there was very little traffic at 3 am, I was knowingly and willing breaking the law and endangering others. The supervisor sent the other officers away and pulled the one that was a jerk over the side with me (since he witnessed the whole thing) and we talked. The Shift Supervisor was a Gulf War Veteran and he knew if I was arrested, I could get in even more trouble (UCMJ) of missing a movement during war time. After a very stern talking too (which didn't work because I am clearly an idiot, I will explain in a later story how I was arrested and spent 3 days in county within 36 hours of buying my RC51) they let me off with 99 in the 65. I didn't have a speedo past 130 mph IIRC so I had no idea how fast I was going. The jerk officer had me on radar because he said I was the slowest at 151 mph. I was actually kinda disappointed because I thought it would have been faster.
They let us go, and we went to Iraq. After spending a month in Baghdad, we settled south in Ad Diwaniyah. I was able to call my grandmother about a month later. She said, "You have a ticket from the CHP for a 99 in 65? Care to explain young man?" I said, "Nope, how much is it?" She said, "496 dollars". I told her to pay it.
I came back from my first deployment, had more fun with the car, and then ended up selling it one of my Marine buddies. I ended up buying my 93 SHO with the money I saved deployed, and then I got all my money taken from me from the SHO. So...yeah.
Damn dude, you have been through a lot! Great stories man! Fun to take a walk down memory lane with you.
Quote from: 802SHO on June 05, 2019, 10:31:29 AM
Damn dude, you have been through a lot! Great stories man! Fun to take a walk down memory lane with you.
The older I get and the more I look back on it, I should be dead and have should have spent more time in jail. My only saving grace with not being in jail more, has been other Veterans in positions of power. The Shift Supervision for the CHP with the SC, The Assistant DA of Riverside County for my RC story.....
Oh crap if we start a jail thread I bet it would be interesting to see who shares lol
Quote from: 802SHO on June 05, 2019, 10:41:07 AM
Oh crap if we start a jail thread I bet it would be interesting to see who shares lol
I will post my two jail stories here. No shame. One was my fault. I ran from the police on my RC51 and got caught. The other was actually was part of a investigation for a massive car stealing ring that made national news and was chronicled in a Vinwiki story. My buddy (the one that taught me the street racing rules) who had the Z was car jacked at gun point, and after 4 months of our own investigating we found the guy. We blocked him in his work drive way, and got arrested for false imprisonment. That story was actually really interesting, and I will save it for another time. I will say the D.A. had some very choice words for us, because we were "effing" up their investigation....lol.
Quote from: SM105K on June 05, 2019, 10:22:30 AM
One was a brand new paper plate 03 Cobra, another Supra, and what looked to be 2001 Z06 Vette. We all link up and proceed to roll the 57 south at mid triple digits all the way from Anaheim to the 5 south transition through, Tustin, Irvine, Mission Viejo, and then the marine layer/fog rolled in coming into San Juan Capistrano. I was the slowest, but I was holding my own. It was getting hard to see so I broke off, and set the cruise at 55 and watched them disappear. Somehow my buddy slept through most of this. After about a minute of cruising, I see some headlights behind me. 1 set, 2 set, 3 set, then boom gum ball machine. I knew I was effed. I woke my buddy up and said, bad news, and proceeded to pull off the freeway.
I s*** you not, pulling over BEFORE they catch up and talking respectfully and owning up will go a super long ways towards short term relations.
I was fresh out of a really REALLY shitty divorce in my mid 30's and i had a squeeze in BC i visited on weekends. But i lived 2.5 hours away, so speeding kinda just happened ..
so at 2-am one clear 70' night, with almost zero traffic doing and easy 90+mph just south of salem I zipped right by a parked state trooper. as soon as i pass him i see his cabin light up.... <crap.. 'way to go idiot' goes my inner monologue> ..
and i just pulled over on the spot, put the keys on the roof with my wallet and waited.
So, he pulled up behind on the shoulder and for the longest time he just sat there... me in the light for a while.... i had notion that hes waiting for a second car since 2am is a rough hour .. but that wasn't it..
finally out pops the gentleman, hat in his hand .. and hes fanning his face???
?wth i think?
he walks up and in a safe secure posture leans in over the open window of my drivers car door (big ass cougar).. and now i get it.
hes giggling ...
apparently, pulling over before even him getting his car into into drive made his night, and keeping my hands on the wheel the whole time, with keys on top assured him i wasn't a dickhead.
after more than willingly admitting my speedo ended at 85 and i had no idea to my speed that i should not have been doing he still let me walk away from the deal (get a ride). i ended with a 1000$ careless driving ticket which was fair, but i was not arrested for recklessness driving, i was never cuffed and to be honest he treated me way more nice than i thought i would have been. while my ride came to get me we waited outside the car, him in front of hos cruiser and me sitting my my trunk lid talking about cougars and camaros (hi-po 67-289 4 speed) ..
dumb kid move :P ... but the best ticket i ever got, and a good memory..
Topher exactly. After I spent three days in county, anytime I pass a LEO at a unreasonable amount of speed now, I immediately pull over and do the same thing. It actually has saved me twice from large tickets, but it took three days in county for me to learn that.....
Just for memory, I will post about the time I passed a CHP in my Convertible in the middle of no where on both kits in mid triple digits and pulled right over. The look on his face....another story for another time. Geez the more I post the more I realize I was a terrorist.
Okay, here is another story of me being well....me.
We had just installed the second kit on my convertible. First kit was the fogger and the second kit was the complete stand alone fuel system with the Shark nozzle. My buddy Kevin ran Wild Street in a Camaro for PSCA events. We was sponsored by Mickey Thompson and would sell me his 4 to 5 pass take off drag radials for $100 a pop. Dirt cheap to always keep a radial on my car.
Couple things about nitrous. Direct Port systems are usually softer and more easy to tune and ramp in my opinion. Big single foggers are a bit more harsh and violent. However you can soften them up with longer lines from the solenoids to the fogger itself. The shorter the lines to violent the hit, you get the point. My direct port was soft for what is was. My single fogger was VIOLENT! It had very short lines.
We get the second kit installed, flow test the both kits, and I go out to make a street pass. I should have not even armed the first kit, just launched soft and grabbed the fogger. Well I didn't. I got a good burn out, and left on the direct port and then immediately grabbed the fogger while still in first gear. The car went left, when right, then left, onto the shoulder, and then missed a mail box. I gathered up the car, and drove back, as my friend is literally laughing himself to death because he witnessed the whole thing.
We get back and I am like WTF just happened. The car always goes straight, and I was lock to lock twice within 200 feet. I figured something broke because it was violent. The only reason I lifted was because I was going to shift into third gear but wisely aborted the pass because I just passed a mailbox on the house side of it. Yeah! I started looking and my buddy chimes in, "Hey stupid did you check the tire pressures?" I was like, "Duh" (I hadn't, I was so damn excited the second kit was on the car). Well one tire was 13 psi and one was 22 psi. How I missed this is beyond me. So I aired them both to 20 psi, and preceeded just to leave soft and grab the fogger and she went straight. Sweet.
I waited a couple of hours and drove about 30 mins into the middle of no where. I lived in the High Desert of Southern California at this time (think 30 mins from Barstow). There are stretches for miles with nothing but desert and no one. If I wreck I am going to end up in the desert and hopefully not hit a Joshua Tree. I had put the big 20 lb in the car and went out to relearn how the car would be on two kits. I also wanted to make some good clean rolling passing. Roll racing was starting to creep into the street scene of So Cal at the time.
I go out and drive about 2 mile stretch and see no one. It is pitch black with no moon. I drive back to where I had started and start my testing session. I am not a fan of digging the car from the same spot. I want the car to be able to hook with a minimal burn out in a car wash. So I after a couple of passes I am getting closer to the end of the where had recon'd. I do one burn out, back into it. I launch on the direct port, and grab and fogger right when I snatch second. It hooks, and she is riding. I keep the wick lit, third gear, and keep on it hard through 4th gear. I am watching the PRM's approach redline, and right when the shift light comes on, out of the corner of my eye I pass a single white door and at really fast clip. I instantly knew it was California Highway Patrol.
I had the top down and had 5 point harnesses. To run at the track with the top down, I had to have arm restraints which I was wearing at the time along with my helmet. If you roll the car, your hands cannot go above basically your nipples. They have rings that the anti submarine belt tab runs through and clicks into the cam buckle. I knew if I hit lost the car at a high rate of speed that was a good chance I would roll when I hit a dirt berm because they lined the road. I see the CHP and I instantly get on the brakes, and pull directly over. I turn the car off, un buckle the 5 point harness, and just put my hands on the roll cage near the wind shield. The CHP didn't even turn his gum ball machine on, just his head lights on and pulled directly behind me. I took him a minute to the approach car.
He walks up, and instantly starts laughing. I am convinced he was laughing in his car, and was trying gather himself before he approaced. Let me paint the picture this officer saw when he approached. I was sitting in convertible Mustang with a cage, a helmet, arm restraints dangling from my wrist, with a very large bright blue metallic nitrous bottle mounted to my passenger side floor board in plain sight. It is about 90 degrees out.
He asked, "Did you have fun?"
I respond, "I learned quite a bit. How much did you see sir?"
"Everything".
"Well, then....did it look fast?"
"Pretty decent actually".
"Um sir it pretty hot, can I remove my helmet?"
"Sure".
He asked me to get out of the car, and provide all of my information, which I had. He went back to his car and ran all of it. A couple mins later, I am sitting on my hood and see another pair of head lights with yellow marker lights on the roof. The closer it gets, I see that it is a tow truck and my heart drops, but it drove right past us and kept going. The CHP Officer gets out of his car, and says this.
"I know you guys will never stop street racing. I grew up on it, I get. I spent numerous years at Terminal Island. However, I am cutting you a break tonight, because you are out here in the middle of no where and if something were to happen you are only endangering yourself. Your saving grace with me was, you didn't run. I knew you didn't see me when you drove up and down the street to check things out. Also when you passed me, you instantly pulled over, and you were wearing safety gear. I couldn't believe it. So after running your info, I saw no need to ruin your night."
We end up chatting for about 20 mins, and I showed him my Mustang. He was a really cool guy, and I did end up seeing him a couple of months later at a car show. We chatted there too.
I always strive to be over professional with every contact I have with Law Enforcement Officers. It usually works out better in any situation.
Another great story buddy! Glad you didn't get in any trouble. I have been really lucky as well, hopefully its not running out. Stopped doing 90 in a 35...launched the SHO for some friends, pulled over, rolled all my windows down...apologized and said I purposely did that to show my friends what my car could do...no ticket. Another time I had a truck following me closely as I was already going 10mph over...then sped up to 15 over...truck wouldn't back off, came up on a car and the car ended up turning off the road...gunned it, saw 100mph...then blue lights coming from the truck...pulled over, rolled all my windows down...I said wow that was dumb of me...i simply admitted I was going 55 in a 40 and I thought you would back off so when I got a chance I said see ya later...didnt know you were a cop...no ticket. Got pulled over in my truck last week going 69 in a 50...I thought I was going 65...so I openly admit I was going a little fast, just wanted to get home after working 10 hours on a Saturday...but said I didn't think I was going THAT fast...my oversized wheels and tires make my odometer read low...no ticket. Hopefully my days of lucky chances aren't over! That and I have nothing from the last 9 years on my driving record.
What is a Joshua Tree?
Quote from: 802SHO on June 06, 2019, 01:02:38 PM
Another great story buddy! Glad you didn't get in any trouble. I have been really lucky as well, hopefully its not running out. Stopped doing 90 in a 35...launched the SHO for some friends, pulled over, rolled all my windows down...apologized and said I purposely did that to show my friends what my car could do...no ticket. Another time I had a truck following me closely as I was already going 10mph over...then sped up to 15 over...truck wouldn't back off, came up on a car and the car ended up turning off the road...gunned it, saw 100mph...then blue lights coming from the truck...pulled over, rolled all my windows down...I said wow that was dumb of me...i simply admitted I was going 55 in a 40 and I thought you would back off so when I got a chance I said see ya later...didnt know you were a cop...no ticket. Got pulled over in my truck last week going 69 in a 50...I thought I was going 65...so I openly admit I was going a little fast, just wanted to get home after working 10 hours on a Saturday...but said I didn't think I was going THAT fast...my oversized wheels and tires make my odometer read low...no ticket. Hopefully my days of lucky chances aren't over! That and I have nothing from the last 9 years on my driving record.
What is a Joshua Tree?
Yeah I have been lucky, my last ticket was a 70 in a 60, which I deserved so yeah...
A Joshua Tree can ruin your life.....They just grow only in that particular desert.
Tomorrow I will write about how I landed from my second deployment, bought my bike, and was in jail with 48 hours....like an idiot.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Joshua_Tree
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yucca_brevifolia
This happened a couple of weeks back, and I thought I posted it here. Guess I didnt. Here goes:
The Focus ST got some action by a Fiesta ST, and sadly my ST got walked by the Fiesta ST twice yesterday. At a street light a red FiST came next to me and gave me the BOV business end. It had black limo tint windows, upgraded BOV and exhaust from what I could hear. Like and idiot I left traction on. Light turned green, I spun really bad in first gear and when I short shifted second (FiST was already two cars out on me) traction control killed the power and I got freight trained. I laughed so hard, and said to myself, "yep that just happened."
Got to the next light, and the window to the FiST was down. Very petite blonde girl with these stunning blues is staring at me. I am in utter shock, and instantly smitten. First thing out of her mouth was, "You left the traction control on huh?". With much embarrassment and ego checked I said, "Yep, like an idiot". She starts laughing, and said well turn it off and give it another go. I said okay. Couple lights down with traction control off, she proceed to leave me AGAIN. This time, I short shifted second and it spun, and I didn't hook it until third. She was out on me by four to five cars now. I ran the top of third and only got one or two cars back, but she had me dead to rights.
Next light we exchanged car info. He has as a catback, short shifter, tune, booma BOV, drag radials, and now my heart. I asked if she goes to the PAV's on Saturday, and she said yes. I told her, I will see you Saturday, and I will bring my ST's big brother the SHO...lol.
It is has been a whirlwind last couple of weeks for me. Between a mini vacation, competition, then getting egregiously slammed at work including call offs, associate vacations, and inspections, it has been wild.
So I finally have some time to sit down and write some things in response to ST story and the blonde.
I went to the car show that Saturday. I rolled in and did what I normally do, troll down the isle of the mustangs. I back in, crack my windows, and put in my sun shade. I get out and start my walk to the mongolian grill that I eat at while I am there, and there she is about 4 cars down. She was standing in front of a S550 silver 5.0 Mustang. I smile at her and said, "Where's the party?" She laughed, and said at home. She had hitched a ride with her boyfriend.
She then asked if I brought the ST, I said, "No. I brought it's big brother the SHO." She smiled and said, "The SHO that just pulled in, with the EGOCHKR plate?" I said yes. She then asked, if she had recently changed the plate. I had the earlier last month. She then proceeded to ask me if my old plate was 5OH LOL. It was.
She then goes into a story, about how a black four door sedan completely destroyed her boyfriend's Mustang at a street light a couple of months back. I actually remember the Mustang, a younger kid that was throwing me revs for a short distance before a red light. Well long story short, he got a boosted launch, and I took him to Gapplebees. I never rolled down my window after, just to prove a point. Little did I know, she was in the car, and was laughing hard because they had no idea what my car was, but they were intrigued by plate, and then found out why.
She said after the race she googled SHO (Mine still has the Chrome SHO badges on the side) and low and behold...twin turbo, all wheel drive, TAURUS? LOL. I told her mine was different and she laughed, and I get the whole, "It's just a Taurus/Fiesta thing." Her boyfriend showed up, he was looking at another mustang down the isle. She gave him the run down, and he ended up being pretty cool. He said, if it would be cool to run me again when he got some drag radials. Of course I said yes. So kudo's to him, because I know first hand how cool it can be to be with someone that shares a passion for cars.
Yes it is. Life events and time keep us from all joys automotive, but she loves drivin and fixin cars :)
Quote from: SHOdded on June 24, 2019, 10:55:55 AM
Yes it is. Life events and time keep us from all joys automotive, but she loves drivin and fixin cars :)
Yep, it was some of the most fun times of my life.
She's a keeper for sure! I like the fact that you and the Mustang kid can still have a casual and friendly conversation. Its fun to be competitive but some ppl take it too far. Its nice when two ppl in totally different vehicles competing against each other can also sit back and have a conversation.
Quote from: 802SHO on June 24, 2019, 12:16:33 PM
She's a keeper for sure! I like the fact that you and the Mustang kid can still have a casual and friendly conversation. Its fun to be competitive but some ppl take it too far. Its nice when two ppl in totally different vehicles competing against each other can also sit back and have a conversation.
Yeah, some people are ultra douchey. They are young and seem decent and respectful. I envy them. However, I have a couple things in the pipe for my SHO, and he better get those radials sooner then later. If he doesn't I am going to take both of them shopping at the GAP.
Quote from: SM105K on June 24, 2019, 12:22:45 PM
Quote from: 802SHO on June 24, 2019, 12:16:33 PM
She's a keeper for sure! I like the fact that you and the Mustang kid can still have a casual and friendly conversation. Its fun to be competitive but some ppl take it too far. Its nice when two ppl in totally different vehicles competing against each other can also sit back and have a conversation.
Yeah, some people are ultra douchey. They are young and seem decent and respectful. I envy them. However, I have a couple things in the pipe for my SHO, and he better get those radials sooner then later. If he doesn't I am going to take both of them shopping at the GAP.
She'll like that I bet......theres something there I think.
nice stories
they still have the Saturday show at the Scottsdale Pavilions (is it still called that)? I remember going there with my Fox back in '03/'04. I used to work at that Best Buy too. oh the memories
Quote from: 92BlackGT on June 26, 2019, 12:00:02 PM
nice stories
they still have the Saturday show at the Scottsdale Pavilions (is it still called that)? I remember going there with my Fox back in '03/'04. I used to work at that Best Buy too. oh the memories
They still do. Longest going continual car show in the US. That is where I troll the Stang boys. Was YC's around in 2003/2004?
Quote from: SM105K on June 26, 2019, 12:29:53 PM
Quote from: 92BlackGT on June 26, 2019, 12:00:02 PM
nice stories
they still have the Saturday show at the Scottsdale Pavilions (is it still called that)? I remember going there with my Fox back in '03/'04. I used to work at that Best Buy too. oh the memories
They still do. Longest going continual car show in the US. That is where I troll the Stang boys. Was YC's around in 2003/2004?
i would go to YC's on my lunch break sometimes in '05/'06. is the show still centered around the mcdonalds?
Yep, it is still centered around McDonald's. The area has really changed. I worked at Fiddlesticks in 2000 and left until 2010 and everything was different upon my return. The car show still fills the parking lot, and it is still a zoo. I will walk around the next time I go and drop some pictures in here for everyone to see.