The Tigerroad Performance Story
‘The Tiger Road; Where it All Began’
High in Mountains of China, there exist Monasteries inhabited by Shaolin Monks who possess incredible Skill, Dexterity, and Discipline.
They are capable of extraordinary things; possessing ancient wisdom, and even keeping Tigers as Temple Pets.
In 1987 Capcom made an Arcade Game entitled “Tiger Road”, in which a Shaolin Monk embarks on a relentless battle to save a group of kidnapped orphans. And This was the inspiration for the name “Tigerroad”.
Much like the Monk fighting to save those children, my goal was fighting to teach the world that there are Better Ways forward; with an infusion of Disipline and Automotive Studies. Much like the Literal Translating of “Kung Fu” to “Patience and Time”, I have dedicated my Art and Skill to the Improvement of Automobiles.
1987 “Tiger Road” Capcom Arcade
Graduating in 2000 from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, my aim was to become a Video Game designer. But there were no specialized Fields of Study, so I obtained a Associate’s Degree in the closet thing; Computer Animation, learning to use 3D studio Max and Maya to model complex Animations.
And though my ideas of Cause and Effect for creating well balanced Video games were never realized, I did manage to obtain jobs in the field of art. Doing graphic design for Stacy Adam’s and teaching art to students part time.
‘Where Tiger Meets road’
My introduction to cars came in the form of my first car in 2007, a 2000 Honda S2000.
And my second car not long after, a 1995 Nissan 240sx SE, with which I learned to Drift. Even going so far as geting to drift at Hot Import Nights Columbus in 2009.
Learning to work on cars came with its own challenges. And through pure ignorance, l managed to shatter rod bearing #2 in my s2000’s engine. Taking out a loan to pay off the car and order a Spoon Engine from japan; It was a baptism by fire and Ice, as I purchased a Honda Factory Service Manual and followed every step meticulously over the winter 2010 to replace the F20c with a brand new F22c from Japan.
and from that day, i was HOOKED; i loved learning everything about Engines, wiring, and building Cars!
After that, In 2011, I worked even harder to swap a GMC 6.0Liter LQ4 Vortec V8 into my 95 Nissan 240sx, learning to solder wires and custom fabricate some parts myself!
I would eventually Sell my beloved 240sx; fed up with the rust and cramped engine bay with the V8… and I replaced it with a 2000 Honda insight in 2013; Becoming thoroughly obsessed with Hybrid technology and seeing it as the future.
‘Hybridization to Save the World’
I also wanted the insight because it was one of the Few Affordable fully Aluminum Cars at the time; that, and I had saw an early video of a Kswapped one keeping up with a corvette.
Eventually I did K20 swap my first insight in 2015, and then another with a K24 later.
‘Earning New Stripes’
Tigerroad Performance at Motorcars fixing a Bodyline smash in a Accord Driver Quarter. $200 Dent work
In 2017 I decided to turn my automotive hobby into a career by learning Paintless Dent Repair; studying under Chris Dilliard, at his shop in Chambersburg Pennsylvania
Then I got my first PDR job working for Motorcars Toyota Honda in Cleveland heights, and being sent out for advanced PDR Training with Brian Jump of Superior Auto Institute in California.
By now I had Finally taught myself How to TIG Weld, and I decided to build my 3rd and cleanest Kswapped Honda Insight; which received an article in Jalopnik and was personally driven by Brian Gillespie at Insight Fest 2019.
In 2019 I also Moved and began working for Carvana in Delanco New Jersey. Initially, I very much enjoyed the culture and ideals.
Later I saw openings for new Carvana Inspection centers in Ohio and Florida; and with a divorce, decided not to return to Ohio, but push further to Florida and work in the New Haines City inspection center, being the very first Carvana PDR tech in.
‘When it Rains; It Roars’
Ive always loved the practicality of Wagons; stemming back the most ancient design of vehicles starting with the original “shooting brake” designs of old. And some of the most practical and Affordable Wagons were the Volvo Wagons. So I had finally found one years ago, around 2016.
My Volvo was always fairly reliable, but after some point, it had developed issues starting. It could crank for days but would never catch; unless a bit of starting fluid was sprayed into the intake prior, then it would start Right Up. But my Volvo pulled cars for me, moved mattresses when moving, and drove hours to other states; sometimes while towing cars 8hours with its 200k BF230 stock redblock…. but it ate fuel, lacked horsepower, and never started itself; so the idea came to k-swap it.
And in 2025 i finally did, completing the wiring myself. And when I purchased my first home, I moved all of my belongings with that one wagon in multiple trips.
And after working for 7yrs with Carvana in Haines city Inspection center, surviving their near bankruptcy (in which they closed down many inspection centers), switching from day to night shift twice, and switching back twice, after being the first PDR tech there, barely having time to close on a home of my own, training other employees only to watch them advance further and faster than myself, and putting up with a hostile and Toxic management; they fired me after I missed a week due to Painful Sciatica with a Doctor’s Note. And I still had pain from a month after that week of missed work..
But that’s when “Tigerroad Auto” went from Dream to reality, Freeing the possibilities to finally share my many Automotive Adventures, Advances, and Knowledge with the world.
And for that im Grateful, and Thankful for my Journey Here.
raj