RXE16T

After having read the posts on this thread, I am curious as to what the definition of "rice" is.

I know that there is no true definition of rice since when you do a search on google, you come up with the following results.

I'm just curious what constitutes "rice" in people's opinions?

I've posted this specifically in the Australian Forum since I want to gauge what fellow Aussies consider "rice".

I think this is going to cause a fair bit of controversy, so please keep the flaming and arguing to a minimum.

If you need to engage in a punch up or brawl, please feel free to. :p

So here goes nothing:

What constitutes "rice"?

AMG

in your face bolt ons

RXE16T

Elaborate?

AMG

It'll take me all day....but basically radical bodykits

RXE16T

I agree that some bodykits blatantly constitute rice, such as this, but what about "factory" bodykits, are they considered rice?

EZZY

i believe that "rice" is........ items added onto the car that serves no added value to its owners intent.

ie. if you are after a performance car, then adding "bolt on" fully sik stereo system wont make your car perform better on the tracks/streets, but a properly designed/fitted bolt on exierior panels may provide better air flow (ie. better engine/brakes cooling), better down force (prevent car flipping & provides rearend stability at higher speeds at the straights/corners on a track etc). not to mention "bolt on" performance parts.

the "rice" word has been overused for so long....... and i dont think anyone really know what it means (anymore)....

e

ps. if you are referring to the other "rice"..... i like my fried.... thanks :D

takahashi

Rice is when you performed a performance mod in your car but actually working in a negative way. e.g. a big heavy 17" in a small car like Lancer.

Rice becomes a loose term when you dislike a mod and it becomes a waste of money, or just to shine the car.

I tend to use the term straight for performance mods, not "aim nothing but look good mod". So when someone refer to a bodykit as rice. I would think that they may be oddly shaped to increase drag coff., heavy, easy to brake, or actually interfere with the air flow to oil cooler and radiator.

RXP33D

Then what about an exhaust on an rx8. There isn't much better airflow at all with it proven on the dyno aswell and you surely can't feel it as many have said on this forum. So is this....Rice? Cause then there'd be rice for all on this forum.

Cheers

mysql101

Rice is adding items to pretend your car is something it isn't.

Adding a huge wing on a car that couldn't ever generate enough speed to make use of the wing is one example. Another is changing the badging on the car to pretend your car is another make or model. Such as a hard top Eclipse with the SPYDER badge on the back, or TYPE R stickers.

So while people associate the big fiberglass kits on civics as rice, they are right - but only because the fiberglass kit is adding additional weight and the car doesn't benefit from it.

I don't think big speakers in a car is rice, simply because it's not something designed to change the way your car looks or functions.

mysql101

btw, you are right - the exhaust mods on the RX-8 currently are rice. So is pretty much anything you do with the RX-8 right now since nothing really helps it besides the ECU mod.

You can tell the exhaust is rice simply by the reasoning the owner added it. If it actually had performance gains, it might not be rice, but even I bought my borla for the sound. A straight pipe would also be rice - you do gain 5 hp range, but the noise it generates really doesn't justify it.

mysql101

There is a fine line between ricing out a car, and simply making it look better to the owner. Case in point - strakes. Doesn't help the car go faster, but it looks cool. Maybe part of the definition should be going "overboard" and making your car look like a 14 year old owns it.

RXP33D

So people who stick on red badges isn't to benefit the owner? it simply makes it look better in the eyes of owners and some fools who do get fooled. I mean mental HP gains are even more crucial to some people than wheel HP. "TYPO R"

takahashi

The way I see it, at least the exhaust is going forward not backward...

So strictly speaking is not rice.

What do you expect power gain of an exhaust in a NA car anyway? With the Hondas, there are only few ps gain with an exhaust. I have not seen any major gain as with the turbo cars.

So most exhaust in RX-8 gaining from 1ps-15ps is not rice. Over that is over claim, under that then I will consider it rice.

If you still feel disappointed, go away from NA cars... coz no matter what you do. There is only a few ps here and there. You should have known this before purchasing the car.....
Sorry I am being strong but, by using your term, purchasing the RX-8 thinking you will gain 60ps by changing the pipe - YOU ARE RICE!

Chodapopp

Not that I feel it is an appropriate term in any way, I understood that that the term "rice"/"riced up" refers to people of asian decent (ie. eat a diet with ample amounts of rice) who soup up their cars, usually asian (japanese) brands.

mysql101

cars don't have a nationality. Rice refers to the cars, not the people, so being Asian doesn't mean anything.

RXE16T

On the contrary, it is my understanding that the term "rice" and the associated term, "riceboy" originated due to the ethnic heritage of the car enthusiasts' who modified their (Jap) cars in a particular fashion.

mysql101

yeah, asians started the trend, hence "rice", but it refers to to the car, not the person. You can rice out an american car, or a german car, and be of any race.

RXE16T

Yeah but I'm talking right at the beginning, not recent history.

Back in the day when everyone was modding big American muscle, along comes an Asian guy tricking up his "Jap-crap" ride and he gets called a "ricer" or "riceboy" for tricking up his "rice-rocket".

Since then the term has transcended all racial backgrounds and vehicles, but the undeniable truth is that its heritage owes to a somewhat racially derogatory slur.

AMG

http://www.anti-rice.com/

mikeyr

Man you guys are young, the term "rice-burner" was used regularly in the late 70's and early 80's when Japanese cars started beating the crap out the big heavy local tanks. Both here and the US, no idea when it started.

Some of my mates who are like me in the "4th decade...just" who have their HSV Granges etc are reveling in riceboy descriptions of me my baby... like they did when i was 20 with my series 1!

Rice has evolved and in NZ it's damn near compulsory. With all the Jap Imports every second car is a hot something! If you ever come over make sure you sit in a cafe in Mission Bay on a Sunday, it's like a bloody RICE parade with the odd Maserati, at least 4-5 Ferraris, a Diablo .( Including the local Rotary guys who camp at one spot one the waterfront.) PS I'll buy the first beer, after of course we do the first lap!

Mike

EZZY

meh.... i love my 8, i have worked hard for it, so i CAN do whatever i want to it. you dont like/appreciate it, tuff ******* :D

and, no, i dont agree have an exhaust on the 8 is rice, because if a "right" material is used and not over the top diameter, it actually reduces the over all weight and provides better exhaust flow.... plus it gives you the fully sik sound :D

okay, i go now :D

e

RXE16T

Exhaust upgrades aren't rice unless you have four tips poking out the back of a 4cyl, eh Ezz? LOL

EZZY

:o

RXE16T

Don't worry mate, if you remember, I was guilty of it as well. :o

EZZY

nah mate, not worried at all...... i have never denied of being a "riceboy".... i like my fried with spring rolls pls, yum yum :D

e