Thread: Interactive flash web app for 3800 cars

Here's an idea I had while daydreaming the other day. I'm thinking of a flash or java app on a website made for the 3800 community. Centering around mods n such.
It would be all graphical, you start by chosing your car, '98 GP GT 2door, '02 Regal GS, etc. It would show a picture on the screen of the specific model and color you've selected. Then, you can select your current setup. Stock, or specifically what mods have been done. This would also show, like you could see thru the shell and every option would be 'visible'.
Then, you could mess around adding different intakes, pulleys, exhaust, intercooler, turbo, etc. for the internals. Your current estimated WHP, 1/4 mile, etc. would show as well as estimated added cost of all the mod options. Even selecting between vendors like cheap ebay headers or SLP. And you could even have it show warnings/recommendations if you try to put on a 3.25" pulley with no supporting mods or any other "dont's".
You could even try different "bling" options like painted/chrome engine parts, hood scoops, exhaust tips, whacked out paint job, whatever, and you could see it on the screen, graphically.
I think this could be a useful tool in helping the 3800 community do it right the first time, avoid common pitfalls, and see what they're getting into before they start. Besides being fun to play with and dream "what if". And do it in a really cool way like video game style.
I have a little bit of experience in programming, I think I could do it in my spare time...eventually. I'm already collecting data from what I can find on the web. If anyone else out there has some expertise or input I think we can get this done faster collectively. Especially with the limited time us busy fathers have.
So, What do y'all think? Could it work? Would it be cool? Useful? I'm open to everyones opinion.

TIA

Its a good daydream indeed. This would take SO MUCH info just to get it started. But once it was up and running it would be SWEET. I would feel bad for the guy who writes the computer program. Photoshop is a good start for you though.

thats the supra program from fast n the furious lol cool as hell but a **** ton of reaserch and programming

Originally Posted by TorqueAutoMotiv

thats the supra program from fast n the furious lol cool as hell but a **** ton of reaserch and programming

LOL, can't remember the last time I saw those two phrases in the same sentence.

Sounds like a pretty cool idea though OP.

I have a feeling this is moving towards a web based version of Forza...

Id give you mad props of you made a program like that. Id help get prices on everything for you.

Allright, so I made up some mock screenshots to get a better idea of where I'm headed. I know one could spend alot of time reading, searching, reading, searching, and so on but thats boring. Why not have a "big picture" kind of thing thats not about the details, just direction. For the in-depth details and how-to, thats when they can read up. I'm not thinking of some big project here, just having fun seeing what I can come up with. Who knows, maybe someone will take it from here and make something bigger out of it. Besides, I know it would be cool and...why not?

All figures for HP and whatnot would be ballpark of course. Ballpark makes research easy


I was thinking all 3D at first, but thats definitely waaay too much for now.

I like the idea, whp is almost impossible to do tho, unless you want to spend thousands in dyno time. I think a better idea would just be kinda a guage for how well everything would work together ie stock car, 3.2 pulley=red bad, headers=green start kinda like a yellow area for a stock car.

Also that is an impala engine bay. lol just giving you a hard time good work.

good idea, just seems like it's a whole lot of work and time....

that would be amazing.

teehee the car in the pic happens to have a parking ticket... anyway, the hardest part believe it or not would be the graphics. The best I have ever done programming-wise has been a playable 3d driving simulator. Now that was work! So far with the research I have found a trend with certain mods and 1/4 mile times but WHP claims are all over the map. Not knowing how to drive can take a second off your 1/4 mile so it's not an exact science, and I'm keeping that in mind. Looks like the only time I'm gonna have is on the weekends. I'll plug away at this and maybe have a real screenshot next time.