Plans this summer, long term goals

[Kevin81]

Jesus, ford. So, the only way to access those rear top mounts for the shocks is through the trunk, or back seats, folded down. So, you gotta get one size wrench on the nut, and another size wrench on the hex top of the shock plunger. So...two hands. Two wrenches. In a space barely big enough to stuff a banana. **** you, ford. **** you.

 

[Kevin81]

New stuff in!

 

[Kevin81]

The results! Visible difference. This is how she SHOULD have come from the factory. I, uh...don't have any before pics. I have an old phone...so I have to make memory choices.

Drive wise, transformed. Turn in is much sharper. At 50mph, doing side to side swerved to warm up the tires, it actually cuts in sharp enough that it pulls power. I'm hoping gear head can help me with that. Ride quality barely suffers. I'm sure with back to back tests, one stock, one with my setup, you'd notice over bumps, but frankly, its absolutely negligible, to me. Especially with the improvement to its handling.

 

[Kevin81]

Still waiting on the down pipes. Tomorow is catch can, and noise maker delete, and an oil change. I ran 5-20 in her first, just to put a couple thousand miles in. Now I've gotta go with 5-30, as recommended.

 

[High on Ethanol]

https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-20400-...FjALegQIARAH&usg=AOvVaw1pG643Kzer2eGupfhLqt9r

 

[Kevin81]

https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-20400-...FjALegQIARAH&usg=AOvVaw1pG643Kzer2eGupfhLqt9r

This gives me an Amazon page not found...

 

[High on Ethanol]

This gives me an Amazon page not found...

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjALegQIARAH&usg=AOvVaw1pG643Kzer2eGupfhLqt9r

 

[Kevin81]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjALegQIARAH&usg=AOvVaw1pG643Kzer2eGupfhLqt9r

Oh wow. I do see how that would make it easier.

Still, I gotta say...I've replaced shocks in a 76 corvette, a 97 civic, a 94 civic hatch, an 05 civic, and a 2002 Forrester. Never truly needed that tool...this car was worse by a country mile, lol. And all the edges of the metal in there? Super sharp. My hands look like I played patty cake with a leapord.

 

[FiveLeeter918]

Oh wow. I do see how that would make it easier.

Still, I gotta say...I've replaced shocks in a 76 corvette, a 97 civic, a 94 civic hatch, an 05 civic, and a 2002 Forrester. Never truly needed that tool...this car was worse by a country mile, lol. And all the edges of the metal in there? Super sharp. My hands look like I played patty cake with a leapord.

yep my Mustangs were the same way...

 

[GotGrip?]

So...dumb question...e30 is 30% ethanol fuel, correct? Where do I find this? Most gas in CT is 15% ethanol. I have ready access to 87, 93, and 97 octane. Its always been my understanding that ethanol is the devil, but that's the old school in me, I guess. Forced induction cars can do more with higher ethanol content fuels?

There are only a few gas stations that premix e30. From my understanding its lower octane than self mix because the e30 is mixed with 87 typically.

 

[FiveLeeter918]

There are only a few gas stations that premix e30. From my understanding its lower octane than self mix because the e30 is mixed with 87 typically.

Correct. Best to mix yourself. Then you can add chemist to your resume.

 

[GotGrip?]

Correct. Best to mix yourself. Then you can add chemist to your resume.

Gonna go add that right now!

 

[Zpak]

There are only a few gas stations that premix e30. From my understanding its lower octane than self mix because the e30 is mixed with 87 typically.

That’s what I figured. When I first saw pump e30 at a Sinclair in South Dakota I was like whoa I need that by me. Then I thought yeah I’m sure that’s to good to be true. Especially since the highest “premium” octane they had was 89.

 

[FiveLeeter918]

That’s what I figured. When I first saw pump e30 at a Sinclair in South Dakota I was like whoa I need that by me. Then I thought yeah I’m sure that’s to good to be true. Especially since the highest “premium” octane they had was 89.

Best to check the price. If it's between 87 and 89 price its prolly somewhere between there in octane.

 

[Kevin81]

My pipes FINALLY arrived. So...now I've gotta put her back on the back stands, drop the old pipes, drill and tap the PTU while I'm at it, and, just for the he'll of it...run 5 more quarts through the granny.

Also gotta swap spark plugs and t stat, then install gear head tune!


Any other "while you're at it" sort of things?

 

[FiveLeeter918]

Make sure you replace all gaskets

 

[Kevin81]

Make sure you replace all gaskets

Do these use the donut style gaskets in addition to the paper ones? It came with some gaskets and bolts, but no donuts.

 

[Kevin81]

Did my down pipes. Step 1 was ceramic coating them. Black, of course.
Getting the old stuff out was tough. At first I was all wd40 and elbow grease, but then I discover the red locktite residue on the nuts. Torche time! Torch plus a spray bottle with ice water worked like a charm.
Ggetting the old stuff out was really where all the work was. Installation of the new stuff was really quite pleasant, which is a testament to the fit and finish of the PPE downpipes. Worth the money.

The passenger side downpipe can be accessed through the wheel well, but the front sway bar is in the way. I jacked up that spindle, to compress the suspension, and with a long extension, I was able to reach those nuts. I also pulled off the oil filter to access one of the 02 sensors.

My "shop".

 

[Kevin81]

Awww...look at that little turbo! Ain't it just the cutest little thing! I think the turbo on a Buick GN eats these like escargot.

No ********, this plug was hard as he'll to get. **** you, ford.


New pipes! And my wife's chair cushion!

 

[Kevin81]

While the pipes were dropped, I drilled and tapped the PTU. Slow and steady, I used 6 different bits, one step up at another. You gotta be careful, hard anodized aluminum will "crunch" under excess stress.

Member named Iconic has a great vid on this. Trust me, YOU can do this.