Engine upgrades - anything I'm missing?

[The_Auto_Tech]

Yes essentially. I would not use those zip mounts though

I figured I can just make some brackets and mount it to the crash support.

 

[The_Auto_Tech]

Gearhead intercooler is here, waiting on the Whiteline rear sway bar. Plan is at my next oil service to install those along with the trans cooler, which I'll pick out based on what I find when it's all apart for the intercooler install.

 

[Autox4fun]

Gearhead intercooler is here, waiting on the Whiteline rear sway bar. Plan is at my next oil service to install those along with the trans cooler, which I'll pick out based on what I find when it's all apart for the intercooler install.

I mounted the trans cooler on the bottom and did not like the rubbing, so a updated it and top mounted on the top of the rebar/crash bar...
Pretty sure I used 1/2 in "T's"

like these links
You will need longer swaybar end links for the whiteline... I did a set of cheap multi fit adjustable aftermarket one designed for the e36 3 series BMW - used the short of the three in the kit. Factory ford part is not long enough and will make the bar rub on the lower spring mount control arm

 

[kryptto]

I mounted the trans cooler on the bottom and did not like the rubbing, so a updated it and top mounted on the top of the rebar/crash bar...
Pretty sure I used 1/2 in "T's"

like these links
You will need longer swaybar end links for the whiteline... I did a set of cheap multi fit adjustable aftermarket one designed for the e36 3 series BMW - used the short of the three in the kit. Factory ford part is not long enough and will make the bar rub on the lower spring mount control arm

Very true, you will need to use the more comfortable and not the more tension setting. So the hole on the end of the bar. It will rub against the suspension otherwise. I was waiting to see after the springs break in if I can move to the tighter setting.

 

[The_Auto_Tech]

I mounted the trans cooler on the bottom and did not like the rubbing, so a updated it and top mounted on the top of the rebar/crash bar...
Pretty sure I used 1/2 in "T's"

like these links
You will need longer swaybar end links for the whiteline... I did a set of cheap multi fit adjustable aftermarket one designed for the e36 3 series BMW - used the short of the three in the kit. Factory ford part is not long enough and will make the bar rub on the lower spring mount control arm

It's interesting the stock links won't fit. I assumed if they didn't then Whiteline would sell links with their kit.

I figured on the trans cooler yes, I would mount it above the crash support since there's not a lot of room on the bottom.

 

[The_Auto_Tech]

Gearhead intercooler is here and ready to go, Whiteline sway bar kit is ordered and waiting on that, and oil change is due in about 1,000 miles. Plan to give everything a good check over and see if there's anything else that needs addressed during the oil service. I'll also look at what my options are regarding space and placement for an aftermarket trans cooler during the intercooler install since the front end will be disassembled. Also during that time I'll probably get some more datalogging done to work with getting the ECU tune dialed in a bit more. Should be about it.

Also, updating this:

100,000 miles - coolant flush - good until 200,000 miles

120,000 miles - rear differential fluid, serpentine belt - good until 180,000 miles

146,000 miles - transmission service - good until 176,000 miles

146,000 miles - cabin filter and air filter cleaned - good until 186,000 miles

165,000 miles - brake fluid flush - good until 195,000 miles

165,000 miles - PTU fluid - good until 205,000 miles

165,000 miles - spark plugs, intake valve cleaning/fuel system service, alignment - good until 225,000 miles


Future mods:

XDI-35 HPFP
DW LPFP
OEM molded mudflaps (have the rears, still need to find the fronts)

 

[thenewguy]

need some dragy numbers after all is installed =)

 

[The_Auto_Tech]

Currently have the Flex torn down in the shop to install the Gearhead intercooler, Whiteline rear sway bar/bushings/brackets/hardware, Energy Supension front sway bar bushings/brackets/hardware, aftermarket transmission cooler setup, oil service, lubing the steering column boot, and getting some more logs for the ECM tune.

 

[The_Auto_Tech]

The Gearhead intercooler is no joke and is incredibly hefty. I went to slide it into the brackets on the on the bottom of the radiator and it broke them off. Thankfully I was able to just drill holes and bolt it together at the bottom instead of the slotted brackets. I also am going to try and pick up a new A/C condenser tomorrow as the current one all the paint is peeling off it and it looks terrible. I thought about just trying to strip and paint it but that's a ton of work for what they cost.

 

[Ta2dResqr]

The Gearhead intercooler is no joke and is incredibly hefty. I went to slide it into the brackets on the on the bottom of the radiator and it broke them off. Thankfully I was able to just drill holes and bolt it together at the bottom instead of the slotted brackets. I also am going to try and pick up a new A/C condenser tomorrow as the current one all the paint is peeling off it and it looks terrible. I thought about just trying to strip and paint it but that's a ton of work for what they cost.

There would be added benefit to the new one of not having anything in the fins. I try to soak mine with condenser cleaner every year and keep it as clean as possible for better air flow/cooling. I think Frost King is the brand I use. It is marketed more for home A/C units but is designed to eat/flush any foreign material out.

 

[kryptto]

It is marketed more for home A/C units but is designed to eat/flush any foreign material out.

Home Depot / Lowes - AC Aisle - condenser cleaner - and our cars with that high density of "radiators" definitely need a good cleaning.

 

[The_Auto_Tech]

Ended up not being able to source a condenser easily, so I decided to just scuff and clean it up and re-shoot it with some satin black paint. I'm surprised that nobody had one in stock locally, and didn't wanna wait another day. Just hit it with a Scotch Brite pad to clean it up, blew it out, and a couple light coats of satin black, good as new.

I also got the auxiliary transmission cooler added. The kit came with fittings, hose clamps, and hose which was nice. Was pretty easy, just spliced into the stock cooler lines and added some barbed brass T fittings. Fit excellent with no issues there. Everything is all back together and looks perfect. Will be curious to see what the temps look like during the hot summer.

While I had it on the hoist still for the oil service I decided it was a good time to get the Whiteline rear sway bar install. Super easy install, just pulled the rear wheels, dropped the old sway bar out, and installed the new setup. Also replaced the front sway bar bushings as well, and also installed some new Sylvania D3S low beam bulbs since the vehicle still had the original ones in it and they were getting a bit dim. Last thing to take care of is flash the new ECU tune on and do some datalogging!

 

[kryptto]

Ended up not being able to source a condenser easily, so I decided to just scuff and clean it up and re-shoot it with some satin black paint. I'm surprised that nobody had one in stock locally, and didn't wanna wait another day. Just hit it with a Scotch Brite pad to clean it up, blew it out, and a couple light coats of satin black, good as new.

I also got the auxiliary transmission cooler added. The kit came with fittings, hose clamps, and hose which was nice. Was pretty easy, just spliced into the stock cooler lines and added some barbed brass T fittings. Fit excellent with no issues there. Everything is all back together and looks perfect. Will be curious to see what the temps look like during the hot summer.

While I had it on the hoist still for the oil service I decided it was a good time to get the Whiteline rear sway bar install. Super easy install, just pulled the rear wheels, dropped the old sway bar out, and installed the new setup. Also replaced the front sway bar bushings as well, and also installed some new Sylvania D3S low beam bulbs since the vehicle still had the original ones in it and they were getting a bit dim. Last thing to take care of is flash the new ECU tune on and do some datalogging!

Thanks for sharing - and looks great!

 

[The_Auto_Tech]

Thanks for sharing - and looks great!

Thanks! She's not perfect, but it has 170,000 miles on it, and has been through 10+ years of winter and salt, plus tons of road trips. Doing the job we bought it for!

 

[BradM]

Ended up not being able to source a condenser easily, so I decided to just scuff and clean it up and re-shoot it with some satin black paint. I'm surprised that nobody had one in stock locally, and didn't wanna wait another day. Just hit it with a Scotch Brite pad to clean it up, blew it out, and a couple light coats of satin black, good as new.

I also got the auxiliary transmission cooler added. The kit came with fittings, hose clamps, and hose which was nice. Was pretty easy, just spliced into the stock cooler lines and added some barbed brass T fittings. Fit excellent with no issues there. Everything is all back together and looks perfect. Will be curious to see what the temps look like during the hot summer.

While I had it on the hoist still for the oil service I decided it was a good time to get the Whiteline rear sway bar install. Super easy install, just pulled the rear wheels, dropped the old sway bar out, and installed the new setup. Also replaced the front sway bar bushings as well, and also installed some new Sylvania D3S low beam bulbs since the vehicle still had the original ones in it and they were getting a bit dim. Last thing to take care of is flash the new ECU tune on and do some datalogging!

Looks great. For anyone else who wants to do this, you don't need to disconnect your AC condenser, it just swings out of the way while still connected.

 

[kryptto]

Looks great. For anyone else who wants to do this, you don't need to disconnect your AC condenser, it just swings out of the way while still connected.

All documented here:

 

[The_Auto_Tech]

Looks great. For anyone else who wants to do this, you don't need to disconnect your AC condenser, it just swings out of the way while still connected.

Yes, you can do it without disconnecting the condenser, but I pulled mine off so I could paint and refresh it, plus I have an A/C machine so there wasn't any reason not to. lol

 

[thenewguy]

Who you getting tuned by?

 

[The_Auto_Tech]

Who you getting tuned by?

AJP. Had Gearhead before but needed a tune to code out the rear O2's.

 

[luigisho]

The above account get hacked?