Story ideas for PHR, Input wanted.. - Lateral-g Forums

**Steve1968LS2** · #1 08-19-2006, 01:55 PM

Working on story ideas for the next 6-months for the magazine. Figure more minds are better than one so what do you guys think would be cool?

We are going to start doing more smaller install and install/test stories. You know, 4 pages or so where we install something like DSE Subframe connectors.

Thoughts? Budjet builds? Sway bar testing? dino vs synth oil comparison?

Open to all ideas

MaxHarvard · #2 08-19-2006, 02:09 PM

Budget builds are always fun... fun/affordable cruising vehicles... dyno tests are always a big hit!

I'm in the process of gathering parts for a T56 conversion, want to make that into a story so i can follow along?

Hdesign · #3 08-19-2006, 03:46 PM

How about a big fat article about designers!!!LOL

Locating a designer, hiring one, the process, have a contest and a documented build of the winner's design to auction for charity!

I really don't want to speak for the rest of the artists but maybe that would be of some interest to people....i dunno...

**Steve1968LS2** · #4 08-19-2006, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hdesign

How about a big fat article about designers!!!LOL

Locating a designer, hiring one, the process, have a contest and a documented build of the winner's design to auction for charity!

I really don't want to speak for the rest of the artists but maybe that would be of some interest to people....i dunno...

Might not be bad.. generally those storys are where we have a bunch of guys render "alternative cars" of something with a sidebar on finding a good artist.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxHarvard

Budget builds are always fun... fun/affordable cruising vehicles... dyno tests are always a big hit!

I'm in the process of gathering parts for a T56 conversion, want to make that into a story so i can follow along?

Looking for more specific ideas.. we have have a cool "440hp for $3500" story.. what sort of other ones?

Yea, what you need for a T56 conversion from say an auto tranny.. and from a muncie or something..

race-rodz · #5 08-19-2006, 04:28 PM

i realize this is more along the lines of a car craft article....but i think a story explaining why the mailman has to eat his tuna fish sandwich while reading your new copy. eventually he gets tired of slopping his lunch between the pages, and delivers it a couple weeks later....just in time for the next issue.

on a serious note, i think people occationally like to read about the dream builds, no budget, double throw down cool cars built by big names. while not being able to directly relate to the build...its good for people to see the details in every aspect of a bazillion dollar car, it gives people something to work towards with their own cars, instead of the typical hack job that looks good on the outside. a couple pages each month with updates and lots of pics, kinda like the threads on the sn65 car, and martys syborg. it makes people feel like they are part of the build team...and everytime they see the car after its finished they think back to when they saw it as a pile of parts...and how it progressed to the finished product.

oh yeah.... and more neckid women

i mean afterall....carcraft has the fashion section in the back every month

race-rodz · #6 08-19-2006, 04:33 PM

and if your looking for a nice build, i say a couple of mags need to go heads up, set a parts budget, vehicle cost budget, and put 2 cars together with nothing more than bolt ons...then take em to the track's drag race them, roadrace them, auto-x, high speed police chases on channel 4...etc

i wanna see a mustang and a camaro/trans-am built, no freebie media deals, built in garages.... no rules other than money spent...and all upgrades must be "bolt-on" items.... no custom 1 off trick stuff.

Boulder69 · #7 08-19-2006, 04:56 PM

Steve,

I would like to see:

Lateral D 3-link install - OK maybe that would be more of a feature

1st Gen solid body mount install - driveway style like some of us will need to do

DSE subframe connector install

DSE cage install

Budget front end - G-mod, solid bushings. This could be cool as a mini-feature with before/after testing so see how much gain for so little cash. I'm not going this route but I am still curious.

Battery relocation to trunk. Easy but still cool.

Proportioning valve install and adjustment tips.

Electric fan manual overide switch - 'cause the stock setting is too damn hot.

Seat bracket fabrication - "safety first" how-to for aftermarket/swap seats.

Headlight upgrade - DSE or AAW w/ relays. Metrics for before/after would be cool. Got lumens?

Lizardskin, Dynamat, etc. Quick application tips then metrics. Got decibels?

That's all I can think of right off the bat. I plan on doing most of these projects over the next couple of years, so what does it take to be a pro-bono contributor for PHR?

-----------------------

Eric

69 Camaro - LT1 w/ 700R4, DSE springs, swaybar and Konis.

DSE UCAs and body mounts, ATS spindles, & c-5 brakes waiting for wheels and time to install. Steering box upgrade is next.

black2002ls · #8 08-19-2006, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boulder69

Seat bracket fabrication - "safety first" how-to for aftermarket/swap seats.

This one has my vote!

Hdesign · #9 08-19-2006, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve1968LS2

Might not be bad.. generally those storys are where we have a bunch of guys render "alternative cars" of something with a sidebar on finding a good artist.

Yeah, I remember the issue with the 2nd Gen Firebird. There were some great entries. And the "alternative cars you must build" Kris did was also great.

I was thinking it was more about process this time around, it's sort of a "skimmed through" chapter in the total build most of the time. Mags will usually have a feature on a particular car, with a captioned rendering or two. I mean, we're not really looking for more credit that we are already lucky enough to get, but it might be interesting to see the story unfold...kind of a "prequel" to the build. I can't speak for the other artists but I would say, most projects I spend more time listening to the builder or owner, taking notes, thinking, looking the car over in person (if I can), offering my thoughts, and skribbling down sketches. Then the final rendering is done. Most people only see the score of the game, without watching it. I find that a lot of the great people I have worked with in the past came to me not knowing what to expect or how to budget this into the build. (Maybe that stuff is more exciting to designers than everyone else....I really don't know)

Other than that, a friendly competition is always cool to follow along with! As long as 69 Camaros are off limits...Ha Ha

! Motor Trend has being doing it for years successfully so......

Colvindesign · #10 08-19-2006, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hdesign

Yeah, I remember the issue with the 2nd Gen Firebird. There were some great entries. And the "alternative cars you must build" Kris did was also great.

I was thinking it was more about process this time around, it's sort of a "skimmed through" chapter in the total build most of the time. Mags will usually have a feature on a particular car, with a captioned rendering or two. I mean, we're not really looking for more credit that we are already lucky enough to get, but it might be interesting to see the story unfold...kind of a "prequel" to the build. I can't speak for the other artists but I would say, most projects I spend more time listening to the builder or owner, taking notes, thinking, looking the car over in person (if I can), offering my thoughts, and skribbling down sketches. Then the final rendering is done. Most people only see the score of the game, without watching it. I find that a lot of the great people I have worked with in the past came to me not knowing what to expect or how to budget this into the build. (Maybe that stuff is more exciting to designers than everyone else....I really don't know)

Other than that, a friendly competition is always cool to follow along with! As long as 69 Camaros are off limits...Ha Ha

! Motor Trend has being doing it for years successfully so......

I'd love to do something like that.

For example, I am hopefully going to be designing a 200 mph car for someone and have to work in aerodynamics to a Design that is over 30 years old. All while being on a budget.

Doing an interview with an independent designer, you can have him do the same car in different steps, from mild to wild, say a mid 60's two door from either Ford or Chevy, or a nice mopar. There are a ton of cars that can be made into nice boulevard cruisers with a little work, or Silver State Classic competitors with a lot of work. Good designers are there to guide through what should be done to keep a car on track.

Then you can also show pictures of highly modified cars that were done by very gifted people, not under the influence of a designer. http://www.mike.vcn.com/tmp/ricer_civic_1.jpg
You can find just as many domestic examples. Ok, maybe not as many. But here's one, http://img178.exs.cx/img178/1455/ricer106qv.jpg

Edit, here is another idea as well. Early 80's Fox mustangs and 3rd Gen Camaros. I have been wanting to buy a low mileage 72-82 Mustang and swap in either a Stroked 351 or a 4 valve Mod motor converted to ITB's on the cheap (I'd show you how if you let me make the story, lol) plus some seats swapped in from a later model sports car re-upholstered to match the interior, an upgraded suspension, brakes, etc, it'd be a sweet ride. Especially with Air ride and 18 inch Bullets. I know a few other tricks for HP on those high HP engines that have been all the rage lately, somethings that have not been done on any street engines but are completely viable. Talk about a cheap G-machine. For the Camaro, I have been thinking of about a 82-85 Berlinetta, no molding, white paint, and 18 inch IROC replica wheels with a lowered stance, powered by a LS1 (with anough work to get 400hp) backed by a six speed . Minimal interior, with the paint showing, custom gauges and seats, and there is a light weight powerful sports car with up to date styling and reliability. Then when you are done building both, combine the total amount of money invested in them and compare them on the track to new cars. Considering these cars are up to 24 & 27 years old, are they old enough to be a project series in the mag? I think so. Plus, you guys have done the paint stuff to death, why not do a project where you start off with a 30k mile 4 banger 1980 Mustang Ghia and turn it into a real cruiser? Same for a V4 Camaro from 1983, I think it'd be a really cool series. Start off with the search, then the purchase of a rust free car with good paint and interior, and then the process of building up certain parts while keeping other parts vintage looking.