When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Just wanted to update this thread since its been a few weeks since I last posted.
The Tow Hook I ordered for my 2005 didn't fit and neither Vivid Racing nor their distributor wanted to accept the fact they sent me the wrong unit. They basically said I had a 2004. I sent them a picture of my manufacture date and I also sent them a video of me trying to thread it onto the car and basically had to prove it was the wrong one. They wanted me to supply part numbers but they never included one in the box, so they acted like they were doing me a favor by taking it back yet made me pay for shipping. They wasted my time, and cost me money. 2 months in total dealing w that POS tow hook and still haven't gotten my money back. Supposedly should be getting a credit on my cc this coming week. I will never again purchase anything from Vivid Racing or Autotechnic. Nor will I ever recommend them.
On a brighter note, I received word from RT Tuning last night that my tune was just about finished. They installed my Z1 headers, thermal wrap for the headers, and the Shift Tech Performance Upper and Lower plenums. They also replaced my Power Labs 3/8" spacer with a MotorDyne 5/16" spacer. And last but not least, threw some blue radiator and expansion hoses in there to dress up the engine bay a bit. I'll get the car back next Thursday night since I can't make it out til then to pick up. Once I do i'll post a nice detailed review.
Next up, I still have the Shine Auto Diffuser on order which should be done some time in Feb/March. I also have a crown meter cover in CF on order which should arrive next week. I've got plans to do the interior in CF, the waterfall, cubby, and center shift console just to hide the slightly scratched up interior. Not sure if I'll get the covers or send in the pieces for a real overlay. I like having the option of going back. Will also be ordering a new steering while in CF in the very near future. And of course, always got wheels on my mind. Thinking about some TE37s but I'm emotionally attached to my current wheels because my wife bought them for me. Once I'm done w some of the cosmetic stuff i'll likely go back and try to find more power and i'm sticking to NA for now, not interested in FI due to DMV complications.
Check out the one and only pic I have so far of my engine bay in its current form and if you want to know more about what I'm doing w the car including videos you can follow me on IG @vq33na. And no, that's not a shameless plug. LoL. I'll have more pics next week.
Before After
Last edited by ntwillie1; Nov 7, 2020 at 01:33 PM.
Got my dyno numbers back. Previous to this round of upgrades I was at 247whp and 236tq on a dyno jet. This time w 75mm tb, Z1 headers, and Shift Tech upper and lower plenums I hit 262 whp and 250tq on a dyno jet at same shop. Car was completey retuned.
I was expecting another 10whp from that setup. I feel like my numbers came in a little low. The quality of the components from both Z1 and Shift Tech are very good. Driving home the car did feel good and more responsive than before. Throttle response was nice and sound was really good. I will post up a before and after cold start on my IG soon.
Also, no more rubbing of the tb on the hood. No need for the adapter since i connect the tb directly to the modded plenum.
Last edited by ntwillie1; Nov 14, 2020 at 08:05 PM.
New intake and retune might get you a bit more, and to think that my old car dynoed at 254 with just a Stillen intake, MD spacer and Fuji CBE. Nobody was believing me at the dyno day lol. As long as it feels better that's all that matters.
New intake and retune might get you a bit more, and to think that my old car dynoed at 254 with just a Stillen intake, MD spacer and Fuji CBE. Nobody was believing me at the dyno day lol. As long as it feels better that's all that matters.
When you say new intake, are you referring to just replacing my tube or the whole intake as in dump Mishimoto setup altogether and go w something like admin tunng intake?
My shop has politely mentioned that maybe I just have a “weak” engine. . I have been under suspicion of that intake and even my catback as of late. An engine builder I spoke to thinks if replace I the berk hfc w art pipes that I would find my missing power. However I am hesitant to do that since I need to pass inspection. I am open to replacing the hfcs but not removing them altogether.
All suggestions are appreciated. W my current setup I thought I’d hit 275 whp.
Going to something like the Admin, I don't like the weak or strong engine debacle. It's a little flawed, the guys I beat that day had pop chargers, I don't like those and would never use it. I think a bigger pipe with a velocity stack and dry filter would be best.
Guess just to bump this up a bit - resolved an issue the other day. Basically, my car seemed like it had a dead battery. Except it didn't. I was able to figure out it that one of the clamps on the batter posts was loose. I tightened it as much as I could but it would always just slip off. I was going to replace the clamp but found an easier solution - Duralast Battery Post Shims. Basically, its a boot that goes over the post. Worked like a charm. Paid like $3 at Pep Boys. Maybe this will help someone someday that reads through the thread.
Bought an EVO-R engine harness cover from CZP during cyber week and had some time to put it on the other day. Here's a before and after pic. I'm hoping to paint my valve covers and timing covers some day too. I looked for a RareJDM cover but couldn't locate one. People always complained about the installation of those anyway. This one was really simple. I'll be replacing the acorn M6 nuts w Titanium nuts soon so it should look a little nicer.
I installed my Mishimoto Catch Can last Saturday morning. Was pretty simple. I installed it because when I replaced my intake manifold back in October I noticed i had a bit of oil in there. While i was in there i replaced my front crank case hose w a blue Z1 silicone hose. A couple weeks back I installed my Carbon Fiber Mirror caps. Those came out pretty nice.
Other than that, I received confirmation today that my new steering wheel shipped. And my CF interior parts are done and shipping soon as well. Getting some titanium hardware soon too, almost done getting made. By the end of winter my car should be looking a little refresher. I think my new wheels should come in around March and i'm debating between a new Motordyne Exhaust w a new Motordyne HFC they told me about, Cams, or KWv3s. I keep chasing the power but NA on a non rev-up its just not there. If my state wasn't so hard on emissions I'd be FI a long time ago but I like keeping the car driveble and legal. Figured I'd go after some looks and handling before refocusing on going for power but something keeps drawing me back
cf steering wheel - flat bottom , round top , black leather hand grips and orange stitching to match my seats/theme
the following are covers (not stickers) and not skinned:
cf waterfall
cf cubby door
cf shift console
cf crown meter cover
cf tweeter pods
i’ll be installing one at a time and not all at once. I want to let it grow on me and not just go cf overload. I’ll always have the option of removing if I don’t like.
Many years ago I did custom leather seat covers in black and orange. Kept the oem seats but just customized to my liking. So the steering wheel is designed to match. Also have a tommy kaira shift ****. And I have my sound system - pioneer HU, JL audio amp, all JL speakers and subs and a capacitor. I think thats about it.
Last edited by ntwillie1; Jan 22, 2021 at 12:32 AM.
Ok gotcha, then it's from Evo-R. Take your time the fitment on those require some finesse. Hard to get a set from him that's perfect.
oh wait. I misunderstood your question. My leather seats are from leatherseats.com. Did them back in 2013 or so. I have a full write up on the install somewhere on the forum. I am super happy w them and proud to have done it myself. They are holding up really well.
what i got from evo-r is the engine harness cover. Sorry for the confusion.
oh wait. I misunderstood your question. My leather seats are from leatherseats.com. Did them back in 2013 or so. I have a full write up on the install somewhere on the forum. I am super happy w them and proud to have done it myself. They are holding up really well.
what i got from evo-r is the engine harness cover. Sorry for the confusion.
What I was asking about was the interior carbon fiber pieces, if that was from Evo-R.
. I have been under suspicion of that intake and even my catback as of late. An engine builder I spoke to thinks if replace I the berk hfc w art pipes that I would find my missing power. However I am hesitant to do that since I need to pass inspection. I am open to replacing the hfcs but not removing them altogether.
