snowbird
09-27-2006, 06:04 PM
I was planning a smooth sailing for summer: doing a sturdy aluminum box to replace the generic battery holder that showed sign of fatigue and doing an aluminum box to cover and protect from water invasion the methanol controller that was triggering itself up when going to those high pressure car wash.
But keeping a modded car in top shape is not as easy as first though. Starting at the end of June 06, here is my summer’s surprises to keep my wallet thin and my smile a bit cramped:
- Methanol pressure gauge dead ==> replaced
- Methanol hoses getting out of fitting (big fire hazard to boot) : ==> replaced with machined braided lines, a month long project of research and a nightmare to fit with a kit made to be working with cheaper plastic hoses. But done successfully.
- Idler pulley bearing on the blower dead: ==> replaced
- methanol pump dead ==> replaced. Still fighting for warranty just for the sake of it. I won’t comment on how happy I was to partially redo the whole methanol kit install three times in 6 weeks, besides the aluminum box cover mini project !
- Intake air temperature gauge dead (in fact, it was the electronic box under the dash that read and interpret the probe). Replaced after a month of research since my local speedshop guy told me that Autometer had decided to stop production. We did found an unsold one and replaced it under warranty. :(
And there was that track of pressurized tubing that I wanted to change while relocating the intercooler away from the radiator heat and that surge valve that appeared in harms way under the driver fender. I did ordered some parts before leaving to Virginia beach last month.
On my way to the beach, in Maryland, I catched a beated and bented aluminum fish nest lying on the highway. It rattled the underside a few times and after a quick check, I saw a one inch hole in the rubber joiner holding the surge valve. Great. Came back home without more problem though. :rasta:
Below, a few pics of the pressurized piping: one piece to go to the IC, two pieces to go back to the throttle body while accommodating the IATS and the relocated proflo surge valve in a protected nest of rad hoses and the stock throttle body elbow sawed and rewelded to clear the oil dispstick. I also sprayed the aluminum pipes with clear paint to help protect them from road grimes and corrosion.
While doing the piping, I grossly underestimated the role of the surge valve and attempted to unplugged temporarily while doing a trip to the welder shop but the car started to act like digestive waste so I had to put it back in a hurry. I planned to find a replacement valve but it looked harder than though as nobody could suggest a suitable replacement. I’m still looking and if somebody have some suggestion, they’re welcome.
Anyway, the rush is over. Everything is now back functional. I learned a few things and I saved some weight with the aluminum in the process. The battery is protected, as the meth kit, the piping and surge valve. I also gained a few inches underside the car so I’ll be able to lower it a bit more in the front eventually. Mucho dinero though.
I’m back smiling uncramped, enjoying the beast, still happy that even if my set-up Is a bit complex with all those gauges and that methanol kit, it is as safe as can be for a commuter that have to start every morning and do his job with only 91 octane rating. So far, it always did after 20 000 N/A miles and about the same amount since 15 months, with the Procharger kit. :)
But keeping a modded car in top shape is not as easy as first though. Starting at the end of June 06, here is my summer’s surprises to keep my wallet thin and my smile a bit cramped:
- Methanol pressure gauge dead ==> replaced
- Methanol hoses getting out of fitting (big fire hazard to boot) : ==> replaced with machined braided lines, a month long project of research and a nightmare to fit with a kit made to be working with cheaper plastic hoses. But done successfully.
- Idler pulley bearing on the blower dead: ==> replaced
- methanol pump dead ==> replaced. Still fighting for warranty just for the sake of it. I won’t comment on how happy I was to partially redo the whole methanol kit install three times in 6 weeks, besides the aluminum box cover mini project !
- Intake air temperature gauge dead (in fact, it was the electronic box under the dash that read and interpret the probe). Replaced after a month of research since my local speedshop guy told me that Autometer had decided to stop production. We did found an unsold one and replaced it under warranty. :(
And there was that track of pressurized tubing that I wanted to change while relocating the intercooler away from the radiator heat and that surge valve that appeared in harms way under the driver fender. I did ordered some parts before leaving to Virginia beach last month.
On my way to the beach, in Maryland, I catched a beated and bented aluminum fish nest lying on the highway. It rattled the underside a few times and after a quick check, I saw a one inch hole in the rubber joiner holding the surge valve. Great. Came back home without more problem though. :rasta:
Below, a few pics of the pressurized piping: one piece to go to the IC, two pieces to go back to the throttle body while accommodating the IATS and the relocated proflo surge valve in a protected nest of rad hoses and the stock throttle body elbow sawed and rewelded to clear the oil dispstick. I also sprayed the aluminum pipes with clear paint to help protect them from road grimes and corrosion.
While doing the piping, I grossly underestimated the role of the surge valve and attempted to unplugged temporarily while doing a trip to the welder shop but the car started to act like digestive waste so I had to put it back in a hurry. I planned to find a replacement valve but it looked harder than though as nobody could suggest a suitable replacement. I’m still looking and if somebody have some suggestion, they’re welcome.
Anyway, the rush is over. Everything is now back functional. I learned a few things and I saved some weight with the aluminum in the process. The battery is protected, as the meth kit, the piping and surge valve. I also gained a few inches underside the car so I’ll be able to lower it a bit more in the front eventually. Mucho dinero though.
I’m back smiling uncramped, enjoying the beast, still happy that even if my set-up Is a bit complex with all those gauges and that methanol kit, it is as safe as can be for a commuter that have to start every morning and do his job with only 91 octane rating. So far, it always did after 20 000 N/A miles and about the same amount since 15 months, with the Procharger kit. :)