So after driving it around for a few weeks, I discovered the radiator cap that I was using was leaking - zero pressure.

Also each day I would take off the radiator cap and top off the fluid in the radiator. I think there was just air trapped in the system and cycling it a few times finally worked it out.

So I popped the OEM cap back on and since then no problems with coolant. Temperature has stayed level and no coolant puke, no matter how hard I push it or how quickly I shut down the car after boost.

The car is now back in the shop for some final goodies and fine tuning. I went ahead and bought the Koyo and the Nismo Tstat for good measure. Canton racing no-bypass oil filter cartridge system, oil change and analysis of old oil, NKG coppers, the GTSpec lower Engine tie brace, new oil catch can system, adjust some piping, add a couple of coatings... and that should do it.

While I had the car I installed Dynamat in the trunk and also in the front cabin footwells. Did the doors and rear seat a while back. Since the turbo exhaust runs in front of the firewall there is was more noise in the cabin. With the Dynamat in place it sounds almost normal - till I stomp on the pedal.

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Back in 2004 when I bought the sport & touring package with NO technology, I didn't miss the GPS at all. At the time, GPS wasn't really mainstream yet - many of the units out there were glitchy and slow. I didn't have the option of adding the tech package anyway, so I got what I wanted.

But now I'm ready for an electronics upgrade. I been looking for the right aftermarket unit that integrates with the OEM system and expands into the new tech available since 04. That includes GPS, Bluetooth (hands free calling), USB/MP3 connectivity, etc. I don't plan to remove the factory gear, so I want the new unit to work with or in addition to the regular functioning OEM radio & CD. Most likely I'll end up plugging the new unit into the SAT inputs of the OEM unit, so all audio from the new unit just passes through the OEM unit to the speakers.

After doing my standard research I bought the Pioneer AVIC-F500BT for a really great price. I like that it is a removable unit because that makes it thin and it will be much easier to custom install into the dash. If the AVIC fits in front of the orange screen, I might try to hinge the new screen to flip up and expose the orange screen when I want to see it.



http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...ms/AVIC-F500BT

A little custom dash work will probably be required to install the mount and hide wires, but this has all the entertainment tech I really want in the car. The AVIC has the capability of adding a rear camera as well as a microphone for voice command/control and bluetooth. Doesn't look too tough to wire up.



This AVIC has connectivity to a computer for firmware upgrades and can also pull supported file types from storage media via USB.

I now have aftermarket engine management in the Haltech computer, which is now performing some engine management as well as the turbo systems control and monitoring of aftermarket engine sensors. That Haltech interfaces via USB to the tuner laptop.

I purchased the Uprev Osiris cable, which connects directly to the OBDII port and allows tuning of the OEM ECU. The Osiris cable is an OBDII to USB cable. It also connects to the tuner laptop.

I've got a trio of PLX gauges in my sights for monitoring. One of them is the PLX iMFD, which is a universal gauge that has selectable view gauge types or it can list four sensor numbers at once. It also connects to the OBDII port. The iMFD gauge can be used to read and clear engine codes or view any other parameter available through the OBDII interface.

http://www.plxdevices.com/multigauges.html

Started a thread about integrating the PLX gauge with a couple other permanent display gauges. Think I'll probably end up doing a custom dash mount for these as well - maybe where the center speaker is currently located. This is the post where I photoshopped (or actually power-pointed) what I want the gauge cluster to look like:



Since both the Uprev and the PLX cables use the OBDII connection and we only have one port in the car, I'll be needing a splitter so I can run them both at the same time. Found this one for $16:

http://www.carplugs.com/Product_view_Cables_2.html

I'd like to make ALL this gear easily accessible through one cable. One connection. I'm going to try connecting to a powered USB hub that will be connected with all the gear. PLX iMFD, Osiris, Haltech & AVIC would all show up on the USB connections as soon as the cable is plugged into a laptop.

http://www.targus.com/us/product_det...x?sku=PAUH217U

Got a cell ranger as a gift - USB powered cell signal amplifier. Set and forget.

http://www.getcellranger.com/port

Here's my wiring diagram as it stands today:



This setup allows me to throw in any additional USB supported device in the open USB ports. Music players (or a player dock), an external hard drive, memory stick, etc. I have two extra ports on the hub, so I could run another wire to any place in the car for an easy connection.

I'm pretty psyched up about wiring it up. If anybody has suggestions or additions - post them up!

 

She's back.