Hello peoples...

I am not a mechanic, however I would consider myself a tuner. Meaning, I like to take a vehicle and improve upon it in varying degrees. While I love working on vehicles and such, I do not have the tools or time to do much of the work myself. I don't think that makes me a poser though; I am highly knowledgeable about each thing I have done. And if I don't know I just read every scrap of info I can find until I properly understand. (So maybe I am a nerd-tuner. haha!) I just don't have the time or tools to do much of it. I still do what work I can.

Now, to show you my rather insignificant list of owned vehicles and changes.(price is what I paid to buy it originally)

* ($5,500 @ 67,000miles) 1997 VW Jetta GT 2.0 [5 speed manual]. I didn't tune this car, other than; upgrade the tires, shocks/struts, recoat the underbody, repair a rust spot by sanding and bondoing then painting a 6" swath along the bottom of the cars body with truck bed liner. (sold for $550 @ 177,000mi/owned 2years)

* ($2,000 @ unknown miles) 1968 VW Beetle/dunebuggy 1.6L [4 speed manual]. Actually its a Beetle with the body removed and a tube frame added. I rebuilt the engine, added an aluminum fuel tank, added disk brakes to the rear, upgraded rear suspension, upgraded carburetor. (sold for $1700 @ 200mi (since rebuild)/3years)

* ($3,500 @ 21,000miles) 1968 Keiser-Jeep M-35A2 2.5ton military truck, 8.0L turbo [5 speed Manual]. This basically just got cleaned up and changed it from a 24volt generator to a 24volt alternator. Loved this beast. (sold for $3,500 @ 23,000mi/2years)

* ($400 @ 205,000miles) 1988 Toyota Pickup 2.4L [4 speed Automatic]. New front brake calipers, new front disc brake rotors, new rear drums(from a newer truck; had better cooling fins and thicker iron), new brake lines, new speakers for radio, Pulled the dash apart and cleaned out the massive mouse nest that was plugging the heater fan, upgraded to wider tires and wheels, new radiator, new water pump, new fuel pump, new taillights (actually they were for a trailer which gave me a place to put the plate as well), new wires run from the underhood panel to the taillights, removed original bed and replaced with a removable flatbed that could be swapped for a roll-cage/cargo bed, newer transmission(used: 38,000 miles), new shocks, new plugs and wires, mudflaps, custom rear fenders. I know there's some other crap I did to this truck but I cant remember. (sold to a friend for $100 @ 215,000mi/7years)

* ($600 @ 181,240mi) 1993 Passat Wagon VR6 2.8L [5speed manual]. I did nothing...except to burn LOTS of rubber! haha. (sold for $300 @ 181,310mi/5days)

* ($17,500 @ 54,000mi) 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STi 2.5L Turbo. [6speed manual] Subaru: Crank, timing belt, lifters, rubber parts such as valve cover gaskets and o-rings.
Brian Crower: 272 'stage 2' Cams, valves, valve spring set, piston rods, 
Cosworth: High-flow oil pump, head gaskets, rod bearings, main bearings, 
ARP: head studs, piston rod bolts.
Mahle: +22cc Pistons, rings, circlips, wrist pins, 
SPEC: "stage 2" Kevlar clutch (450hp rated)
I also added 'rally flaps' (oversize mud flaps) to the front wheel-wells. They do an incredible job of keeping rocks, dust, dirt, mud and salt off the car. They are mounted just 1" off the ground and stick a little over 1" out the side.
I have been running Valvoline 20/50 race oil. But I was considering switching to Conklin 20/50 magnetic race oil. 
Another part added by the previous owner is a 3-hole gauge cluster in the dash. It has:
A/F gauge (not hooked up)
Exhaust temp gauge (reads in Celsius)
Fuel pressure gauge (also metric) 
I also installed Winterforce snow tires on it. I didn't have summer tires for it. (Sold for $15,000 @ 77,000mi/2years)

* ($4,500 @ 167,000mi) 1999 Chevy Express Van (conversion type) 5.7L V8 [4speed automatic] Upgraded front brakes to Brembo 12" Cross-drilled rotors and 3" single piston calipers. Removed factory 1/2 ton rear springs and installed 3/4 ton rear springs. Regeared the rear axle for better towing(lower gearing) saw no loss in gas mileage(17-18mpg). Installed 3/4 ton front shocks. tossed the stock 26" tall 8" wide tires and installed 28" tall 10.5" wide Mud terrain tires(still 17-18mpg). Added coilover shocks to rear(in addition to leaf springs). Added a Tachometer. >Just yesterday: Replaced the 28" tires with 30.8" tall 9" wide Winterforce tires. Changed to free flow exhaust(sounds like a muscle car now). Added a K&N air filter.(testing mileage result)  I still own this vehicle and love it! It is truly unique to tune a full size van! (I still have some plans for it.  air shocks in front, air compressor system for front air-springs with a 30' coil hose for airing up tires, 1-ton sway bars front and rear, , take out carpet and replace with rubber, get removable carpet mats to make it cozy again, install a smallish flat-screen HD tv in place of the old tube tv that is already there, install an XBOX 360, remove rear shades and put in remote control blinds so I can open or close them from the drivers seat(I may do this with all rear windows as they all have shades), install a compact Bose sound system for the rear, install better audio for front seats and new stereo system with built in GPS, make shades for skylights, ...) (Currently I am at 215,700mi)

 * ($5,000 @ 125,000mi) 2005 VW GTI 1.8L Turbo [5speed manual] This car already has custom front and rear bumpers and a custom hood. It has a turned up turbo that pegs 20psi at just 2200rpm!! but it starts to drop off after 5500rpm as the engione starts to outpace the turbo. And by 7000rpm the turbo is only pushing 12psi. But power is consistant and smooth. It is easy and fun to drive! And quite fast! It has 18" wheels from a VW Golf R32. Thats all. (this car is now for sale at $4,400 OBO)

* ($300 @ 64,000mi) 1986 Merkur XR4Ti (aka Ford Sierra turbo) 2.3L Turbo [5speed manual] Bone stock so far...but this is just the beginning! My plan with this is to turn it into a drift car.

So now maybe you get my 'problem'. I LOVE tuning and fixing up vehicles, owning vehicles and most of all I love DRIVING!

-R

Okay, I will add some links to more information related to this. Just some overview info to begin with.

Everything here is, in some way, Neo-Historical.

And is therefore, 'Speculative Fiction'. With that in mind...

There are some words you may want to become familiar with.

Neo-Victorian 

Steampunk

Steampulp

Clockwork-punk

Clockwork-pulp

Dieselpunk

Dieselpulp

Now the terms used are simple at first glance but have deeper aspects. However I am only concerned with the basic ideas of each. (and thus I have included only basic definitions)

It should be noted what the suffix "punk" can be added to a whole range of alternate culture concepts and has become a simple add-on word for that. (Steampunk, Dieselpunk, Cyberpunk, clockwork-punk, woodpunk and many more.) The suffix "pulp" is an alternative that basically carries less extreme ideas.

Now for the basic meanings:

Steampunk - An alternative look at the Victorian or "steam" era. Generally involving some interweaving of modern technology and concepts wrapped in a Victorian era science fiction. Also usually including some eccentric and/or fantasy elements. Common things are steam powered vehicles of various types as well as personal accessories with treatments of brass, glass, tubes/pipes and gauges.

Steampulp - Similar to Steampunk only characterized by being more mild and less eccentric and having little to no fantasy or science fiction elements.

Neo-Victorian can be used to blanket the above as a whole, however it can be used to define a sub-genre still more mild and yet based on the idea of "what-if" alternate history.

Clockwork-punk - A subset of Steampunk but using clockwork as the primary feature rather than steam. Utilizing gears and springs more than pipes and gauges.

Clockwork-pulp - Again as above but less eccentric and having little or no science fiction element.

Dieselpunk - Following the idea of Steampunk but moving the historical time frame up to the 1920's through early 1950's, known as the "Diesel era" Though as other 'punk' concepts, it has a certain retro-modern and retro-future eccentricity. Art and personal accessories tend towards having some 'heavy machinery' elements to them. The persona is swing music, jitterbugging, trench coats, diesel fuel, odd machines, and a focus on industry. All wrapped in a "what-if" alternate history involving science fiction and/or fantasy. (A small side note: while it wasn't names "Dieselpunk" until the 1980s, the concept of Dieselpunk/Dieselpulp is most likely the first to pioneer the idea of alternate history in our modern world. And can be seen in such works as Dick Tracy or 'The Shape Of Things To Come' (1933) by H. G. Wells)

Dieselpulp - A less eccentric version of Dieselpunk.

Ultimately, each part of Neo-Historical storytelling is up to the individual's own interpretations, definitions and ideas. And that, is why it is so much fun.

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 There are three basic schools of thought when it comes to Speculative Historical Fiction, regardless of genre. And I like to classify them as "Bright", "Dark" and "Dust". As Speculative Historical Fiction is a personal retelling of history and what might have been; it is easy to set a scene which lays the ground work for a given style.

"Bright" would set a scene of a world where things are going well, freedom is broad and people are generally happy. Thus the clothing would carry brighter colors, more elaborate trimmings and would give off the feeling of success and peace. Surrounded by incredible machines and art usually made of brass, fine woods, clean canvass and slicked(sometimes colored) leather. This stylistic form is popular in Japan and Eastern Europe.

"Dark" usually carries the idea of some form of oppression by government and/or mega-corporation(s) It tells of an underground movement and often a somewhat militant rebellion. The world in this 'scene' or story is dark and cloudy and often raining. Overshadowed by marvelous machines of piece and war, usually made of iron, wood, black leather and dark canvass. And is most popular in America and England.

"Dust" is a scene where the world is somewhat desolate, at least in part, and wars are commonplace. A sort of post-apocalyptic feel.  A dusty and dirty world of wide open skies and Where a stories protagonist would be something of a social low class or outcast. The machinery is exotic and varied, brass, iron, woods and notably rawhide leather are substances most used. This has a western feel with a dab of sci-fi and some post-apocalyptic thrown in for good measure.

[for me personally this is my favorite style]

 I suspect that Bright and Dust would be more popular with this group than Dark.

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[[[I know what you might be thinking, "Okay, so...whats the point? What does this have to do with me?"]]]

WHAT this is, is an attempt to have some fun by participating in one or more costume parties/themed events. And to offer that opportunity to friends who may be interested in this as well.

Now that we've covered the basics of WHAT this is, lets get on to WHY and WHEN, shall we?

As for WHY...because speculative historical fiction is fun, costume parties are fun and having friends to share with is best of all.

"Okay so now I'm curious, WHEN is an event?"

Wellllllllllll....we don't know yet. But input to that affect would be GREATLY appreciated! So the WHEN is still undecided.