Look at the positive side of modifying engines

[chin_wan]

Look at the positive side of modifying engines

Recently there have been many complaints about youngsters modifying their cars into unrecognisable street monsters that terrorise other motorists and road users.

But don’t these complainants realise the huge amount of money these youngsters have actually invested in their cars?

A typical engine modification would probably cost about RM10,000. That’s RM10,000 worth of drugs kept off the streets.

A pack of cigarettes cost about RM9. Divide RM10,000 by that and you get 1,111 packs of cigarettes.

Multiply the result by 20 (the number of cigarettes in a pack) and you get 22,222 cigarettes kept out of the lungs of our youngsters, the hope of our country.

We do not need to totally ban car modifications. We do not need to condemn such acts. We only need to realise that this is merely a hobby.

All we need to do is to come up with regulations to keep this hobby on a leash and to promote it.

It keeps youngsters off everything else.

What is wrong if I convert my 1.3 litre engine to a 2.0 if I stick by Road Transport Department regulations?

The RTD could take cars with modified engines to Puspakom for inspection to ensure that regulations are observed.

All that the RTD has to do is to make sure such cars are safe on the roads.

K.DHILLON,
Ipoh.

Taken from The Star (http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/2/24/focus/13471097&sec=focus)

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I like this guy's idea.

[Timo]

Ah, all you drug addicts out there, finally a reason for you to quit! Think of supercharged intercooled engine you always wanted, its within your grasp! All you have to do is stop poking needles into your body! Easy peasy!

You thinking about stopping smoking, but can't? Hey hey, introducing the newest motivational tool : The dual Nickel plated exhaust system. Guaranteed to help you quit smoking : all you have to do is think about the money you could save by quitting smoking - it's just that easy! But don't take my word for it - look at all those ex smokers driving fancy modified cars out there. They were just like you once upon a time. They were addicted to Nicotine just like you. But with the dual Nickel plated exhaust system - now their just addicted to Carbon Monoxide! All this in a few easy steps.

[kress]

engine modification is harmless...yes
but with a higher cc engine comes the desire to speed.....
how many times have you seen idiots that can't drive straight let alone corners and yet speeding like nobody's business?

[shali]

When the government recently stopped the importation of sports-tuned Golf GTI - my blood boiled.

Just look at modified BMW and Mercedes:

Mercedes Brabus, Mercedes AMG, Mercedes Carrlson and few others

BMW Schnitzer, Hartge, + few others.

{i know about the manufacturers consent and all}

But it illustrates that expensive cars can be modified by third parties but not cheaper ones, not even the $230K VW GTI Turbo. Rubbish.

[Boink]

heh... come on...

To improve driving conditions, reduce accidents, reduce speeding, improve road curtesy,

WE BAN CAR MODIFICATIONS?

Ehhhh.... pardon me, but what good is that going to do?

[AllUrban]

heh... come on...

To improve driving conditions, reduce accidents, reduce speeding, improve road curtesy,

WE BAN CAR MODIFICATIONS?

Ehhhh.... pardon me, but what good is that going to do?

Well, the government gets a chance to pick on an identifiable group (including many who may be too young to vote), instead of the seriously careless and discourteous drivers everywhere (who might be more likely to vote).

Myself, I think that the lack of courteous driving comes from the lack of careful road planning, with roads designed for speed, u turns and flyovers everywhere, jams appearing out of nowhere...half the time when I drive I only see the highway I am on, not the neighbourhood...and always on the lookout for the next road sign, so I do not get lost :p

The fact is that inside their metal chariot, everyone and I mean everyone, has a little bit of a personality change. And Malaysian drivers, they seriously think they are invincible and the other guy will stop :eek:

It's amazing, with cars so expensive here, people are willing to take risks with their car :eek: if I spent 100,000 of my hard earned money on something, da*n straight I'd be very very careful with it! :D

Cheers, m

[Boink]

AllUrban,

Actually I agree with you. but the thing is there is no ONE SINGLE cause to how things are at the moment. So in trying to ptach one hole, it is only a matter of time before another springs a leak.

That said, we should be arleady practicing things like
a. Variable Insurance Premiums (High risk cars, Powerful cars, drivers age and sex)
b. Mandatory Yearly inspections.

Of course point B, I oppose at the moment, because the lovely people in charge of doing it, does not seemt o be able to handle it. But ever ready to charge you for an inspection fee.

But honestly I am all for the higher insurance premiums. :)

[usjarian]

it really depends on how you guys are looking at it..which side are you at regarding this modification? Try looking from my side : My youth neighbour (3 houses away) looked really decent with clean haircut & neat clothing, but he has 2 heavily modified motorbikes. Every evening when he reaches home and I am just about to switch on the tv over a cup of tea, he will be BROOMMM BROOMMMMMMMMMMM....for about half an hour..that's more that enough to boil my blood (and my cup of tea).

Which side are you looking at? :rolleyes:

[joker2107]

But it illustrates that expensive cars can be "extensively" modified by third parties but not cheaper ones, not even the $230K VW GTI Turbo. Rubbish.


but with a higher cc engine comes the desire to speed.....
engine mod does not necessarily transform an engine into a higher cc unit. similarly engine capacity is hardly an idicator of performance.


What is wrong if I convert my 1.3 litre engine to a 2.0 if I stick by Road Transport Department regulations?
performance is only 1 small aspect of automotive engr. more importantly, chassis design and braking capacity must b able 2 handle d trashing transmitted by d power plant. u cant have a golf gti performance in a satria gti. its like having klcc made of normal timber used in orang asli housing. n u cant hv a disco fitted into a kancil unless its 4 show only or its meant 2 b a bomb on wheels.

if u c thru dhillion's insinuations, those of u who hv mod yr cars n bikes might jolly well b regarded as junkies or smokers n that junkies n smokers r basically youngsters. its a very irresponsible equation. esp when i am lover of cars modified 4 performance (output, handling plus stopping pwr) who spend lots of off days in d workshop just 2 c c. n i m by no means young n i m definitely not a junkie n i despise smoking.

dumping good rm on modifying a car is by no means a diversion of d money from drugs or fags 2 "motor sports". in d first place if i can afford 2 get a machine n top up d cost with modification expenses, it must suggest that i m of some competent financial capacity. whats a hundred buck 4 fags if i can cough up a grand 4 souping up my wheels? assuming d other extreme where my finances r of dubious origin, what than is there 2 stop me from feeding my socially undesirable habits with funds from similarly dubious sources. incidentally just how many junkies does dhillion know who feed their craving with legally acquired financing?

honestly, i think that guys ideas r so shallow in consistency with reality that i wud find it rather amusing if d original intention is debated.

[alexhay]

Modifying Engines...hmm...i done it to my car...but from a 1.3 to 1.5. I had to do it because my my old engine gave way already.

People modifying car is a hobby. I have a friend's mom who modify her car. When she been stopped by JPJ, she will blame her son.

[chin_wan]

Notice he said, regulate the hobby. Like it or not, there will be youngters who will modify their cars for power. So having regulations for these kids to follow will make it safer. Sure, there will still be some who will still break the rules but most of them will try to comply.

It is the same as the govt. ban a movie. Remember the time when Shindler's List was banned?? Who is the one laughing all the way to the bank? The black market people who pirate the movie.

So instead of banning it totally, why not have a set of defined rules for hobbist to follow. When something like this is made illegal, you open the market to the black market where the govt. cannot regulate.

[JackRyan1975]

So instead of banning it totally, why not have a set of defined rules for hobbist to follow. When something like this is made illegal, you open the market to the black market where the govt. cannot regulate.

I'm not sure I understand you correctly. If something is made illegal, it is to be followed by enforcement. A black market exist whether or not something is banned completely or partially. Obviously the government cannot regulate the black market (why else would it called black market anyway). But to say the government should not ban such vehicles due to the threat of black market existing is akin to saying it is impotent to act on it's laws.

[chin_wan]

^^ Imagine this. Let's say tomorrow the govt. says cigarettes is banned. What will happen? The triads will grow rich! They can now sell Dunhill at RM200 and people will still buy them. Same here. If we regulate the industry, then the authorities can make frequent checks.

Also, most people will have the tendency to follow the rules written out but if there is a total ban, then people will do anything they want cause they don't have rules to follow.

[JackRyan1975]

Also, most people will have the tendency to follow the rules written out but if there is a total ban, then people will do anything they want cause they don't have rules to follow.

A ban is also a rule. I still think it is easier to enforce a ban than to adhere to a long list of cumbersome rules that nobody bothers to read and having enforcement officers bogged down with checklists.

[chin_wan]

Examples of a ban that has failed:

1. Prostitution
2. Drugs
3. Alcohol prohibition in the US (Read morehere (http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-157.html))

Why do they fail, cause it is something people want to do weather it is illegal or not. By regulating it, you now eliminate the triads/black market which is the main root of problem.

[Firefly]

Lets stick to car modifications.....It's a triving bussiness in some countries. why not have it here? :confused: As long as modifications are within the guidelines and all modified cars are inspected and proven to be roadworthy, Why not?

Why limit the modifications to the imports when this would infact start a new enterprising people/ engineers. If the interest is there, it may even be a proving grounds for local designs. :D Then we may boast of the most economical engine or most powerful car or something :eek:

[chin_wan]

^^ Yes. It is big business here. Look at the Toyota Wish Club Malaysia...it's a community of their own. http://www.wishclubmalaysia.com