^ nice. Does that work for scratches on exterior as well...lol?
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^ nice. Does that work for scratches on exterior as well...lol?
I wish! I have two long ones (~3-4").Quote:
Originally Posted by illirep
Sure, but you'd have to sand/prep/clear, and there would be no blending/fading per se.Quote:
Originally Posted by illirep
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Project update
1/13/13: new upper shadowline door trim installed, sure looks nice when new, although very expensive at $230 per side.
1/14/13: going in for new cooling system tonight (radiator, expansion tank, water pump, hoses, and all the misc. additional parts)
Good deal. I so need to do this.....again.Quote:
Originally Posted by illirep
I need to do this. Was the install simple?Quote:
Originally Posted by illirep
Questions on your performance mods, specifically the strut bar, intake and throttle body.
Are they worth it? Is there a noticeable improvement?
I'll add my impressions if you don't mind and Bill can update his.
- strut bar: good engine bling, MAYBE I could tell it's slightly stiffer, which for a vert is never bad. It is supposed to help prevent mushrooming. Verdict - no true descernible impact, but I'd buy it again at a good price.
- Perf Intake: Slightly adds more oomph, growl, but not much. Good engine bling, esp. when combined with strut bar. Verdict - at a good price, I'd buy it again. Not a big performance increase, but it helps.
- Dinan Throttle Body: Unfortunately I installed mine at the same time I changed multiple things, VANOS, DISA, etc. so I can't tell. The engine does perform better, but it's a combo of things. Verdict: no idea. I hear people say at mid to high revs the engine seems to flow better. I'd get mine again as I'm working with the "every little thing done correctly would help some" plan.
The install was extremely simple. There are 15 clips per side. The clips are secured to the body, then you snap the trim onto them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vas
1) Pry the old trim off with a plastic trim removal tool. Be careful so as not to bend it (they do have a used value to a non-zhp owner), or scratch the car with it.
2) It is strongly recommended that you replace the clips as they dry out over time and can crack very easily during the removal or re-install processes. Remove old clips with needle nose pliers. I found that grabbing them, twisting them 45 degrees, then pulling was best.
3) Clean off area with microfiber cloth.
4) Insert new clips. You need to put the teeth in, then push pin in to secure the clip to the body.
5) Snap on new trim, starting at the first clip at the front of the car and moving to the back.
Done!
First side took me 35 minutes as I was going slow and being super careful. Second side took me 15 minutes.
Expensive at $220 per side including clips, but totally worth it if your trim is oxidized, chipped, faded, scratched, etc.
I agree with everything John said.
-No real difference noted on strut bar. Perhaps if you tracked the car before and after, you'd feel it. Definitely looks pretty. Should never depreciate, so it's not a 'sunk cost' if you will.
-Intake - I think there is a slight impact on the butt dyno. You can certainly hear it on a stand alone basis. Sounds VERY nice. I added this and the exhaust together. I think they really compliment each other nice both in modest torque appeal and audible pleasure!
-Dinan throttle body was the first mod to go in. I felt that the acceleration was noticeably improved. I would expect an even greater impact here with a tune. Dinan likes to sell this with their stage 2 tune. I'd prefer the flexibility of a non-vin locked tune (such as the conforti shark injector) so I can move it to another car or sell it if I don't like it. That is why I did not go with Dinan's tune. So I can report back if/or once I get the shark tune.
Hope that helps.
Bill