First, in the rain water gets in but stays trapped (not a lot but enough). The drum's spinning can't shed the water so when the shoes expand they hydroplane on this thin water film until they squeeze the water off. It happens quickly but they still take longer to provide that initial bite than disc brakes do. Second,…

Drums actually have more swept area and are better at stopping. The advantage discs have is that they auto adjust where drums get out of adjustment as they wear. I do agree that cars should have discs front and rear standard though since 99% of people don't or won't adjust their drums on a regular basis. They're…

That's fair, a personal preference and why they're optional equipment. My point was refuting your statement that it's "heinous" that they're not standard.

I live in DC as well and find that my Mazda2 has absolutely no problems stopping repeatedly in dc traffic or on 95/395 in northern VA. Drums work quite well if they are sized appropriately to the vehicle. My car has a curb weight of 2300lbs, rear discs are overkill.

I use it a replacement for iDevice intergration. Songza, Pandora, NPR, local SportsTalk, Google Music all from one device that I'm already carrying with me all the time anyway. I don't even answer my phone while I'm driving.

Unfortunately, the automaker lobby has a lot more cash and influence than the Skyline hoon lobby.

Thanks for the story and the warning. I have another one for the group.

You were tearing down an interstate in the middle of the night during a rainstorm at 70mph, apparently with other traffic around, and you think it's unfair that a trooper pulled you over.

Well, one car was named for something that blows, while the other had a name that pretty much means "don't give a shit." They both lived up to their monikers.

Coulda been worse.

Thank you for those! That's not what I would call purely cosmetic. There is definitely suspension damage and it's up in the air as to whether the chassis geometry could escape that unscathed. From the pictures in the post, the work done to the car is good quality but I would definitely want it on their frame rack in…

That's how it works. Now though, here's the car pre-rebuild. Decide for yourself what's cosmetic or not: http://imgur.com/a/Q4HHO

Thanks!

This guy is the epitome of simplify, add lightness.

Damnit, Torch.

The idea of numbers-matching is truly one of the stupidest things that we as carbon-based life forms have ever conceived in the history of things ever.

Depends on who does it really. There are a few that are done, and look professional. Top notch quality, no water leakage, etc etc.
However, for every reputable installer there are probably 10 assholes using a sawzall and/or dremel in their backyard to install a sunroof kit they got at a yard sale or from a junkyard.

Check your local window tint shop, they'll cut a hole in your car's roof and install a moonroof / sunroof.

Not specifically, but if it gets past the gasket to metal seal its coming into the car either directly on your head or wicking through the headliner. Older cars don't have much between the sheetmetal and headliner. New cars have sound deadening but that's it. I would imagine if you are careful in cutting precisely,…