EL/CCFL Car Mod

RubrChicken

I wanted to make my extremely fast, extremely powerful, extremely sexy 1984 Toyota Tercel extra special; as if it isn't special enough with its 4 cylinder inline producing more than 69hp at 5600 RPM. Anyhow, after adding a cardboard hood scoop and spray-painting the wheels the shiniest color Home Depot sold, I wanted more. So, a few days later, a few feet of blue EL wire, a driver, 4 red-green CCFL tubes, and a driver for the CCFL tubes arrived. The CCFL tubes are mounted next to the shifter (6 speed on the floor, baby! 7 speed including reverse!!!!) and the EL wire is wrapped around the pedals. They have holes drilled through them and then little tie-wraps to keep the wire on the pedals. It is wired to the ACC position on the key and then though a switch below the shifter.

Comments? :-)

scurrier

Some nice mods there. Nice to see that you are in on the joke.

In the spirit of the thread, please let me ask: What's your estimate of the added rear wheel horsepower due to these mods? I've heard the scoop can do at least +3 rwhp. Did you notice a difference?

RubrChicken

Oh yes--at a stop light, some guy in a Lexus with dual muffler twins larger than grapefruits (oh yeah! to quote Greased Lightening) stopped to take a picture of my extreme car. I, of course, proceeded to beat him off the line. (it wasn't because he missed the light turning green while taking pictures, thought that might have helped a little tiny bit)

I can tell there is a vast increase in the power at the back, especially considering the only thing connected to the rear wheels are some stock OEM drum brakes--and, actually a locking differential for 4WD, this is a top of the line Tercel, comparable with Porches that have 4WD for more traction. I'll paint the drum brakes red, so it looks like I do have a Porsche. Or parts of a Porsche. Or some red paint.