Send Presents to:
Import Tuner
2400 East Katella Ave, 11th floor
Anaheim, CA 92806
or drop an email to:
postal@importtuner.com
Thanks guys. In response to our request a couple months back for you to send in pics of your girls . . . you did. A lot of them. and now, while our legal department separates the mountain of those we can legally print from those that warrant "pedobear approval", enjoy some more relevant ramblings from those of you who actually have things called "cars" on the brain. Remember those?
NX-Cess
I'm contacting you to see if you'd be interested in covering the build of my NX2000. I'm converting it from naturally aspirated/FWD to turbo/AWD, using a JDM Nissan Pulsar GTI-R SR20DET engine and drivetrain. And to my knowledge, I'm the first to do it. I think the conversion has already been done on a Sentra, but never a smaller, lighter NX2000. I have invested an estimated 200 hours by myself into this conversion, which I've been doing out of my garage at home, including all the fabrication work. I should be finished any day now, and the complete build can be seen here:
www.sr20forum.com/nx2000/245572-nx-2-stage-build-gti-r-engine-swap.html
Thanks for reading,
Nick Schmitt, Kaukauna, MI
That's exactly the type of DIY, home-garage-built project we love to hear about, and one of the sickest ones we have in a long time. We're impressed by how many facets to the build you have going on at one time-half that many, and we would've let the project rot away in our parents' garages long ago. Keep us updated when you finally get that thing up and running. We'd love to put it up against Carter's R33 GT-R!
Trans Exual: Post-OPS
I just finished reading "Trans Exual" in the June '09 issue. I laughed because I used to drive an '02 Grand Prix, and I hated the car so much that I went out and found a running '91 RX-7 for $700. It's my new daily driver while the dumb electrical-problem-ridden, over-heating Pontiac sits at home collecting pollen. With the RX-7, I'm looking forward to creating a one-of-a-kind daily driver, and 2NR is my inspiration to take it to a new level.
Phillip Sandel, St. Louis, MO
I don't think the guy who wrote "Trans Exual" in the June '09 issue really reads 2NR at all; he probably picked it up in a doctor's office while getting his prostate checked . . . for fun. Anyone who spends money on a Grand Am and can't drive well enough to avoid an old lady deserves to have it taken out. To add insult to injury, he's getting a Cavi and planning to put Gullwing freaking doors and an under-glow kit on it? Honestly? I have an SR-swapped 240 that probably cost just a little more than either of those two turds, only it isn't a turd, and will whoop up on ANY Grand/Trans Am or Cavy. And there's nothing "neon" about that.
Benson Kevins, Ft. Worth, TX
Preaching to the choir, kids. Preaching to the choir.
Imports for the Win
I just started my subscription to 2NR and I love it. My first issue is May '09 and I read that letter from the guy upset about the 427 losing to import engines in Castrol Syntec's Top Shop Challenge. It reminds me of people at school, always saying how their dad's muscle car would squash my "made-in-Japan turd-on-wheels". I drive a '92 Mazda MX-3 with a KL swap, and my friend has an SR20-powered 200SX. Sure, they're not the fastest cars in town . . . but almost. It goes to show that 2NR culture is everywhere-even our puny city of 12,000 is more than just rednecks with big, loud, gas-guzzling torque machines. Thanks 2NR. You guys are my inspiration to keep rockin' the beasts of the east and making our culture known!
Kaley Beck, Marinette, WI
Kaley, you just hit on the two greatest thing about the import automotive scene: doing more with less, and challenging the mainstream-two successful philosophies that translate to all areas of life, especially in these recessionary times. While those hot-rodders are averaging three mpg and 300-foot 0-60 braking times, we import builders are winning time-attacks, sliding around at Drift Days, and embarrassing domestics at the strip in cars we drive everyday. The only thing better than that is the look on the faces of the domestic drivers we just beat, in cars with "half an engine", as much or more power, and twice the fuel economy and longevity.
2NR Keeps it real
I love that every month, you guys bring a fresh dose of JDM glory that gives me inspiration (and not to mention, ideas) for parts and upgrades! I currently own a '94 Honda Civic that's nearly stock, but it's Troy Szwoyer's '90 Honda Civic that I feel I should talk about. It's one legit-looking EF and its power output is impressive and actually usable on the street! Sure, the kit is a replica, but it's a replica of the only one worth fitting to the car back then-Mugen. You also picked a dude that really pays close attention to detail and decal position. Some people do it all wrong, but it was nice to see Troy lay them down in a unique way. As for my EG, it probably won't look as nice as Troy's Civic but you can't always follow the crowd, right? Gotta be original. Continue the modding and keep the racing spirit alive!
Benjamin Mall, Victoria, BC Canada
All a part of keeping it real, Ben. That's just how we roll!