Monster Mazda 323... The first in my IA performance series.

[CSquared]

If you saw my post a few days ago about writing some articles for IA members... This is my first for DeeAOne. Had a lot of fun writing about his car.

Let me/him know what you think:

http://www.csquaredperformance.com/

[Xrated O.G.]

Very imaginative...

[CSquared]

Thanks? I'll assume that's some form of compliment.

[Xrated O.G.]

Thanks? I'll assume that's some form of compliment.

Seriously dude? Why so defensive? RELAX it wasnt meant to be a negative remark...

[Brett]

Gotta love IA!! LOL

[Elbow]

It's not bad, just sort of boring.

[CSquared]

Seriously dude? Why so defensive? RELAX it wasnt meant to be a negative remark...

I wasn't taking it as negative or being defensive. Imaginative can mean a handful of different things, so I was more-so trying to get you to elaborate.

So you "RELAX".

[CSquared]

It's not bad, just sort of boring.

Boring in what way? Tone? Car? Please try to be as constructive as possible because this is after all an effort to have fun and improve my writing.

[Elbow]

Boring in what way? Tone? Car? Please try to be as constructive as possible because this is after all an effort to have fun and improve my writing.

I like the car, I think it's just hard to really capture the reader's attention with articles like this, it may just be me. I've never been a fan of reading articles on cars that aren't driven. For example I love reading EVO or Top Gear reviews on cars but when I use to read "tuner" type magazines could never get into the articles just telling us what someone did to their car.

The writing itself is fine.

[CSquared]

I like the car, I think it's just hard to really capture the reader's attention with articles like this, it may just be me. I've never been a fan of reading articles on cars that aren't driven. For example I love reading EVO or Top Gear reviews on cars but when I use to read "tuner" type magazines could never get into the articles just telling us what someone did to their car.

The writing itself is fine.

I know what you mean. I think unfortunately no matter what you do with this "genre" it's kind of cut and paste, and unfortunately I'm not in a position were people are going to let me kick the shit out of their cars (I'd be all for it though). That's why I tried to write funny/entertaining whether or not it comes across that way. That's also why I like cars with personal history as opposed to x rich guy who just bought x car, built it with x parts and now makes x power (which seems to be the rinse and repeat formula for most tuner magazines these days).

Sorry if that was long winded, but I really do appreciate your feedback.

[CHADbee]

No disrespect to the owner but calling a 13 second car a monster is a stretch LOL

The verbiage isn't bad, it isn't great either. This is one part of my full time position that I struggle with myself and I understand it does take skill and talent to produce a properly written and interesting article on a car. Keep at it and I'm sure you will progress. Don't ask for exact critiques because I can't put my finger on it lol

[CSquared]

13.9@106 is a monster compared to 18.9@67. I'd venture to say that 99% of the cars on this forum haven't cut 4 seconds or added 36mph in the 1/4.

That was more my angle.

[CHADbee]

13.9@106 is a monster compared to 18.9@67. I'd venture to say that 99% of the cars on this forum haven't cut 4 seconds or added 36mph in the 1/4.

That was more my angle.
Vast improvement over stock for sure but it is still a high 13 second car lol while impressive for what it is and pretty quick it still would get beat by bone stock Mustang GT. I guess different people have different opinions but: monster = 10 second car or faster(at least to me)

It is all about perspective and if you think a 13 second car is so fast it is considered a monster then you are used to being around really slow cars and that not a good look if you want to run a blog based on performance cars.

Just being honest :goodjob:

[Vteckidd]

Vast improvement over stock for sure but it is still a high 13 second car lol while impressive for what it is and pretty quick it still would get beat by bone stock Mustang GT. I guess different people have different opinions but: monster = 10 second car or faster(at least to me)

It is all about perspective and if you think a 13 second car is so fast it is considered a monster then you are used to being around really slow cars and that not a good look if you want to run a blog based on performance cars.

Just being honest :goodjob:

while i agree 100% with Chad, the problem with writing about cars like this are that no one is impressed with 13 second cars, even though 13 second cars, in reality, would wax anything that hangs out at the StarBucks on Barrett Parkway.

I wouldnt use the word monster unless i was only talking to other mazda 323 owners who could put it in context.

Chad also hangs out around a ton of UNICORNS in the car world (1000 hp GTRs and 800 hp evos and such) so his bar for "fast" is set probably really really really high LOL

[Vteckidd]

There should be a way to balance a well rounded and modded car that isnt a $150K GTR that people want to read about.

Frankly im kinda like Simon i stopped reading about other peoples cars a long time ago because it just wasnt interesting to me anymore. All the verbage in the world wont excite me.

For instance, i think chad is extremely talented and i think his pics and editing are extremely good, but even when i see a heading with 10000+whp GTR, it takes a lot for me to click on it and read it. Thats not because he sucks, its because IM NOT INTO IT .

So , criticism should come from your peers, not people like me, who are already biased. and in this case, i would say chad has established himself as being one of the upper tier of people in this field

[Brett]

I have a Monster '11 Sonata SE!! True Story :)

[CHADbee]

Chad also hangs out around a ton of UNICORNS in the car world (1000 hp GTRs and 800 hp evos and such) so his bar for "fast" is set probably really really really high LOL
This is true, I was speaking about the general public though...I drive plenty of 10 second cars and I would consider them "quick" but most would call a car that runs 10's a monster.

There should be a way to balance a well rounded and modded car that isnt a $150K GTR that people want to read about.

Frankly im kinda like Simon i stopped reading about other peoples cars a long time ago because it just wasnt interesting to me anymore. All the verbage in the world wont excite me.

For instance, i think chad is extremely talented and i think his pics and editing are extremely good, but even when i see a heading with 10000+whp GTR, it takes a lot for me to click on it and read it. Thats not because he sucks, its because IM NOT INTO IT .

So , criticism should come from your peers, not people like me, who are already biased. and in this case, i would say chad has established himself as being one of the upper tier of people in this field

ROFL!!!! I can understand that completely, thats why I don't get mad when I spend 30+ hours shooting, editing photos and doing an in-depth write up on certain cars and get no feedback here. It also is dependent on your targeted market though. Here on IA I don't get many replies but on other forums that are less....um....Honda-influenced I do tend to get a much larger response.

In the end if you are wanting to run a performance automotive based website then you need at least look like you are experienced in that field. Calling a 13 second car a monster doesn't give the author much credit in performance cars. regardless a 13 second 323 is pretty damn impressive lol I have never seen one and most likely won't ever see another one hah

[Vteckidd]

ROFL!!!! I can understand that completely, thats why I don't get mad when I spend 30+ hours shooting, editing photos and doing an in-depth write up on certain cars and get no feedback here. It also is dependent on your targeted market though. Here on IA I don't get many replies but on other forums that are less....um....Honda-influenced I do tend to get a much larger response.

In the end if you are wanting to run a performance automotive based website then you need at least look like you are experienced in that field. Calling a 13 second car a monster doesn't give the author much credit in performance cars. regardless a 13 second 323 is pretty damn impressive lol I have never seen one and most likely won't ever see another one hah

basically comes down to KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE :P

[CSquared]

Vast improvement over stock for sure but it is still a high 13 second car lol while impressive for what it is and pretty quick it still would get beat by bone stock Mustang GT. I guess different people have different opinions but: monster = 10 second car or faster(at least to me)

It is all about perspective and if you think a 13 second car is so fast it is considered a monster then you are used to being around really slow cars and that not a good look if you want to run a blog based on performance cars.

Just being honest :goodjob:

I'm at work so I can't respond in full until later, but realize the title was kind of for "flair" or to catch attention. I haven't run my supra (mk3) with the new setup but I can tell you its at least a low 13 second car, and thats on low boost until I get back on my feet financially (just moved back to ga) and put a fuel system together. So its not that I necessarily hang out with slow cars or think 13.9 is supercar status.

Anyway... I honestly respect his build more than I would a 1000hp corvette or some other real life "monster". I personally like sleepers with a story. So yes, it is all a matter of perspective.

[CHADbee]

I honestly respect his build more than I would a 1000hp corvette


So yes, it is all a matter of perspective.

We definitely have completely different perspectives when it comes to cars lol

Good luck with your blog :goodjob:

[.blank cd]

Anyway... I honestly respect his build more than I would a 1000hp corvette or some other real life "monster". I personally like sleepers with a story. So yes, it is all a matter of perspective.
I see what you mean. The guy with the 13 second Honda probably put in his own wrench time, vs. the guy with the 1000hp GTR, who just buys a car and throws money at a shop to do the work.

Just having boatloads of cash doesn't earn my respect. If you have boatloads of cash and turned every screw on your setup, that's what gets you props.

[CHADbee]

I see what you mean. The guy with the 13 second Honda probably put in his own wrench time, vs. the guy with the 1000hp GTR, who just buys a car and throws money at a shop to do the work.

Just having boatloads of cash doesn't earn my respect. If you have boatloads of cash and turned every screw on your setup, that's what gets you props.

I agree 100% but I personally like performance cars. I would rather read about a 1000whp GT-R built by a shop with the best parts money can buy than read about a guy doing a B16 swap on his EF Civic in his garage.

That is just me though :shrug:

[CSquared]

I see what you mean. The guy with the 13 second Honda probably put in his own wrench time, vs. the guy with the 1000hp GTR, who just buys a car and throws money at a shop to do the work.

Just having boatloads of cash doesn't earn my respect. If you have boatloads of cash and turned every screw on your setup, that's what gets you props.

Exactly. That's my whole perspective with this blog. I give major props to the dude who builds out of his garage, piece by piece and over a period of time. I also give major props to anyone who builds on an inferior platform as a labor of love. My income is going to grow exponentially over the next few years and whatever I wind up buying (Planning on a new Mustang GT) will never be as special to me as the supra I put together piece by piece since 2004.


I agree 100% but I personally like performance cars. I would rather read about a 1000whp GT-R built by a shop with the best parts money can buy than read about a guy doing a B16 swap on his EF Civic in his garage.

That is just me though :shrug:

I decided not to go back and respond to your previous messages, since it's pretty clear our disagreement is just due to fundamental differences in preference when it comes to auto performance (nothing particularly wrong with either). I can respect your taste, and your taste is generally well represented in the more mainstream tuner publications, so I represent the little guy. I have a career man, so if my blog doesn't take off because I write about cars like this, it's really of little consequence to me.

Thanks for the well wishes by the way.

[.blank cd]

I agree 100% but I personally like performance cars. I would rather read about a 1000whp GT-R built by a shop with the best parts money can buy than read about a guy doing a B16 swap on his EF Civic in his garage.

That is just me though :shrug:

But in doing so, all props should be given to the shop turning the screws. 1000hp GTRs are great, but I hate hearing "(insert car owner) is a legend in the game because he bought x and y and z". Let's be really real, he didn't do anything but swipe a credit card.

I would rather hear "(insert performance shop) is a legend in the game for installing x and y and z and putting in all the work and making it run right"

[DeeAOne]

Well now that I feel like I have a geo...lol

Thanks for all the comments guys. :goodjob:

[Julio]

I see what you mean. The guy with the 13 second Honda probably put in his own wrench time, vs. the guy with the 1000hp GTR, who just buys a car and throws money at a shop to do the work.

Just having boatloads of cash doesn't earn my respect. If you have boatloads of cash and turned every screw on your setup, that's what gets you props.


Lmfao..every time i read lines like this, i totally laugh... If you had the MULA like some do, you would "probably" "maybe" do the same... I know I would.. Shit, i droped quite a few pennies on my old modding days. .. However, i rarely turned any wrenches ... But everything done was my imagination/ideas...

If i had the money to pay someone else. yeah i would.. No shame in my game.. Respect..lol

[Julio]

But in doing so, all props should be given to the shop turning the screws. 1000hp GTRs are great, but I hate hearing "(insert car owner) is a legend in the game because he bought x and y and z". Let's be really real, he didn't do anything but swipe a credit card.

I would rather hear "(insert performance shop) is a legend in the game for installing x and y and z and putting in all the work and making it run right"


Explain why the shop should get credit ? What credit are you reffering to ? If a GTR or whatever high end car paid FULL price who cares about props.. Yes, the shop will be known for doing the work.. But screw that... Lets talk business if thats the case... if a shop charges me full price and im required to put a sticker on my car talk about them everywhere i go..seriously...

[Julio]

Cool article. I read it.. I learned a couple of things.... How slow those cars were to begin with and how much i hate Mazda's. Props to the owner for not giving up on engines going kaboom a couple of times...

[CHADbee]

Lmfao..every time i read lines like this, i totally laugh... If you had the MULA like some do, you would "probably" "maybe" do the same... I know I would.. Shit, i droped quite a few pennies on my old modding days. .. However, i rarely turned any wrenches ... But everything done was my imagination/ideas...

If i had the money to pay someone else. yeah i would.. No shame in my game.. Respect..lol

The majority of our customers at Forged pay us to work on their cars for three very good reasons:

1. Time. They don't have the time to pull apart their car and build it, they are doctors, lawyers, business owners, ect...and it is either they pay us to modify their cars or it never gets done. Work and family takes priority over spending a week in the garage pulling their motor.

2. Knowledge and tools. Would you honestly trust yourself to build the motor on your brand new Evo X, GT-R, 370Z, ect? I wouldn't.

3. Because they have the disposable income to do so.

Nothing wrong with having a shop build your car for you :)

[Julio]

The majority of our customers at Forged pay us to work on their cars for three very good reasons:

1. Time. They don't have the time to pull apart their car and build it, they are doctors, lawyers, business owners, ect...and it is either they pay us to modify their cars or it never gets done. Work and family takes priority over spending a week in the garage pulling their motor.

2. Knowledge and tools. Would you honestly trust yourself to build the motor on your brand new Evo X, GT-R, 370Z, ect? I wouldn't.

3. Because they have the disposable income to do so.

Nothing wrong with having a shop build your car for you :)


My point exactly. Plus, if everyone was turning wrenches most of these shops would not exist.

[Echonova]

My point exactly. Plus, if everyone was turning wrenches most of these shops would not exist.Most of those shops don't last long anyway (not taking a shot at Forged in anyway).


How many "performance" shops were open back in "our day" as opposed to "today". Mahdavi is the only one I can think of (off the top of my head)... and even they aren't "the same"...

Mostly because (as far as I can tell) they all get a big head and start to think their shit doesn't stink. Which soon turns into shoddy work.

I have no problem with either path, I prefer to do it myself... Having said that I just took my car into to R-speed to have a timing belt/waterpump/every freaking gasket in the engine changed out because I don't have the time/tools/space/care to do it myself.

I would have called it quits after two engines though... Props Louis.


^^^ All of that being said... Onto about the article.

I wouldn't have put thoughts of GTR's, EVO's blah blah blah in the reader's head and then talked about a Mazda 323 (no offense Louis). Nor the repeated references to seppuku, or maybe if you referenced it... Maybe not explain it. I dunno, I hate when the writer acts like I'm an ignorant myrmidon, I know what it means. If the reader is truly interested they will look the word up... Maybe I'm old fashioned.

But overall, I enjoyed the article. Without background on the car it's just another car. Trials and tribulations is what made us what we are today. A car is no different. If I wanna see another "OMG Stance" car I can go to any number of forums and look at pretty pictures of cars that don't get driven. I care about the man and the story behind the machine.

So on that front, I commend you good sir. Keep it up.

[CSquared]

Most of those shops don't last long anyway (not taking a shot at Forged in anyway).


How many "performance" shops were open back in "our day" as opposed to "today". Mahdavi is the only one I can think of (off the top of my head)... and even they aren't "the same"...

Mostly because (as far as I can tell) they all get a big head and start to think their shit doesn't stink. Which soon turns into shoddy work.

I have no problem with either path, I prefer to do it myself... Having said that I just took my car into to R-speed to have a timing belt/waterpump/every freaking gasket in the engine changed out because I don't have the time/tools/space/care to do it myself.

I would have called it quits after two engines though... Props Louis.


^^^ All of that being said... Onto about the article.

I wouldn't have put thoughts of GTR's, EVO's blah blah blah in the reader's head and then talked about a Mazda 323 (no offense Louis). Nor the repeated references to seppuku, or maybe if you referenced it... Maybe not explain it. I dunno, I hate when the writer acts like I'm an ignorant myrmidon, I know what it means. If the reader is truly interested they will look the word up... Maybe I'm old fashioned.

But overall, I enjoyed the article. Without background on the car it's just another car. Trials and tribulations is what made us what we are today. A car is no different. If I wanna see another "OMG Stance" car I can go to any number of forums and look at pretty pictures of cars that don't get driven. I care about the man and the story behind the machine.

So on that front, I commend you good sir. Keep it up.

For you good sir, I got rid of the second seppuku reference. Still leaving the description in the first, because I really wouldn't expect most folks to know what the hell that is (hell I don't even know if I pronounce it right) and don't want to speak over anyone's head. Appreciate the compliment/criticism.

[miatasaint]

Cramer, its great man. Keep up the good work! I enjoyed the 240 one below it as well.

[RandomGuy]

Super super dope!

[Vteckidd]

If i had the money to pay someone else. yeah i would.. No shame in my game.. Respect..lol

yeah true that. Only broke kids talk about how they wanna put the wrench time in.

Ive wrenched, and it fucking SUCKS. Id rather give someone by car , swipe a credit card and they call me when its over with.

[Elbow]

Yeah I hate working on cars personally. Somethings are fun, but if I could, I'd have a shop do everything. If I was rich I'd have a shop build and store me a race car, tow it to the track, arrive and drive.

[CHADbee]

Yeah I hate working on cars personally. Somethings are fun, but if I could, I'd have a shop do everything. If I was rich I'd have a shop build and store me a race car, tow it to the track, arrive and drive.

We have a few customers we do that for. When they want to track they call us and let us know they will be at Road Atlanta on X date, they jump on a plane, we pick them up from the airport the day before and head to the hotel, next day we go track with their car in the enclosed trailer. Seams like a sweet life.

[Elbow]

We have a few customers we do that for. When they want to track they call us and let us know they will be at Road Atlanta on X date, they jump on a plane, we pick them up from the airport the day before and head to the hotel, next day we go track with their car in the enclosed trailer. Seams like a sweet life.

Yeah the race shop I use to work for that's all they did really. What a good life it must be! lol

[.blank cd]

We have a few customers we do that for. When they want to track they call us and let us know they will be at Road Atlanta on X date, they jump on a plane, we pick them up from the airport the day before and head to the hotel, next day we go track with their car in the enclosed trailer.
FML

[silversol]

I agree 100% but I personally like performance cars. I would rather read about a 1000whp GT-R built by a shop with the best parts money can buy than read about a guy doing a B16 swap on his EF Civic in his garage.

That is just me though :shrug:


I agree to a point. I like this 323 build becase its diffrent and something you dont see everyday. I like some "low buck" muscle car builds and mags Like car craft for example cars under 10k that post impressive numbers and times. I also like high dollar stuff that I cant afford at the moment but still enjoy seeing like 1000hp gtr's and 1000 corvettes I am a car guy and like lots of cars Not just one group. I use to like hondas I still have one thats 100% stock for a gas saver but even some of the honda's I see in the mags and the storys I read about them I just think "junk" now. I would much rather have a 10 second vett that has all the power options and a/c that I can drive anywhere with out worry Then a 10 sec honda that I cant drive anywhere.

[silversol]

I agree 100% but I personally like performance cars. I would rather read about a 1000whp GT-R built by a shop with the best parts money can buy than read about a guy doing a B16 swap on his EF Civic in his garage.

That is just me though :shrug:


I agree to a point. I like this 323 build becase its diffrent and something you dont see everyday. I like some "low buck" muscle car builds and mags Like car craft for example cars under 10k that post impressive numbers and times. I also like high dollar stuff that I cant afford at the moment but still enjoy seeing like 1000hp gtr's and 1000 corvettes I am a car guy and like lots of cars Not just one group. I use to like hondas I still have one thats 100% stock for a gas saver but even some of the honda's I see in the mags and the storys I read about them I just think "junk" now. I would much rather have a 10 second vett that has all the power options and a/c that I can drive anywhere with out worry Then a 10 sec honda that I cant drive anywhere.

[Durtie]

Nice article. I see this car every week and its awesome in person. I don't know the owner though. I never knew he had that under the hood.

[Owned]

Shops need to win and be the fastest to survive(doesn't mean they own the fastest car.
They can even sponsor some cars for all I care.
The quality is in how deep is your pockets. That I agree.
But a shop being better then a home garage project?
You will never want to go their.
The Home garage build has nothing to lose but all to gain.
The shop will lose everything if they lose.
So Just because shops shouldn't race home garage builds nor be forum members doesn't mean one is better then the other.
I have lots of friends who have cars that can really push some hot laps and first:
They don't flash or show off.
They do not do it for a metal or reps.
They do it for the love of the sport.
I don't think one is better then the other.

If you ask me?
The old days?Those days are gone

[Rhys.]

i liked it alot man!!!! that kind of writing keeps me reading.... and for the car i fucking love it!!!! so different so hard like wolverines claws.... good job on the article man!!!!