Hyundai Aftermarket Featured Ride – 2003 Hyundai Accent GT
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Make: Hyundai
Model: Accent GT Year: 2003 |
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Engine Mods: EvoFusion Header CarSound CAT custom exhaust with Apexi N1 knockoff muffler Short Ram Intake w/ K&N filter JRM’s intake manifold phenolic spacer Ported and polished stock intake manifold TB coolant bypass mod |
Suspension Mods: drilled and slotted front rotors KVR performance brake pads Wheels/Tires: |
Interior Mods: carbon fiber LED shift knob Sport pedals Other Mods: |
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ICE Mods: Kenwood KDC-X491 head unit SIRIUS Satellite Radio Polk db door and rear deck speakers AutoPage 2-way paging alarm w/ pain generator |
Actual Wheel Horsepower: 99whp 109lb/ft 1/4 or 1/8 Times: Never run |
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Awards and/or Honors: Autocross placings 3rd place NOVAM NWR SCCA #4 3rd place NOVAM Autopilot XXXIII 2nd place NOVPM BSCC #6 |
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1. How did you get into the Hyundai scene?
My wife and I were shopping for a reliable new car for her to drive so I figured we should go check out the Hyundai Accent since at the time a base model sold for $6995 at our local dealer. I was hoping it was something we could manage to live with for a while but I was skeptical. The test drive got rid of my skepticism though and my wife fell in love with the GT package. Even though the loaded GT package raised the out the door price by 50% over a base model you know how it goes, the wife won out and we got the GT.
I always sign up on the forums for a new car I get so that I can find out what type of modifications are being done, what problems people are having, and anything else relevant to me owning the car. I was happy to find that out of all the cars I’ve owned the best internet auto enthusiasts by far are Hyundai enthusiasts. Since I liked the Accent so much as well as the people I have met through the forums I not only started modifying my Accent but I also bought a 2005 Tiburon SE.
2. What has been your best accomplishment with the car?
I have to say my biggest unique accomplishment was fitting on 18×7.5″ wheels with 215/35/18 tires. As it turns out I didn’t like having 18’s on the Accent but i think it was a pretty good accomplishment getting them to fit properly. That and it was also pretty cool to beat a Viper RT-10 at an autocross.
3. Where do you see yourself in the immediate and long term future with the car?
I want to continue autocrossing the Accent and work towards making it a better autocross car. I am carefully planning suspension and power upgrades along that path and I hope to eventually have a very competitive car. Hopefully with time I will be able to drive the car to it’s full potential.
4. Thanks and Props:
First and foremost I would like to thank my wife Stacy (TheDonsWife). Without her accepting and eventually learning to love my car hobbies I would not be happy and the car would be stock. She has always encouraged me to go ahead and take reasonable risks and spend money on the car even when it meant that she couldn’t have some of the things she wanted. She has been my constant and biggest supporter and I am lucky to have her. I would also like to thank everyone who has helped me out, with specific mention of wilburisthecoolest and busy_squirrel. Wilbur has helped me with a lot of the things done on the Accent either directly or indirectly. Working on his project Golf has allowed me to learn and try things that I had always been too nervous to do on my car but really wanted to do. A lot of my future plans for the Accent will require Wilbur’s help to accomplish successfully and I’m glad that I can always count on his help.