Topic: What did you do to your car today?

[ChaosphereIX]

I told them I saw the rock fly out of the tires of the truck, it bounced right in front of my car, and then it went under. I guess it was too close to not being a road hazard for them to put up a stink. At least this way there is no insurance claim against their record, they are a smaller company trying to get bigger contracts with the city here...ambition is a good thing to leverage I guess.

I am getting in writing his willingness to cover my costs. Probably going to be a few grand with parts and labour etc.etc.

[Firm]

Couple car things this weekend:
-Inner mirror bracket on the Firebird ("break-away" mirrors) broke back in the winter and I quickly fixed it using some JB weld, which didn't setup properly in -15C weather and some duct tape...Yup...Duct tape. In my defense, it's completely hidden inside the mirror assembly. Anyway, that repair didn't last very long and a couple weeks ago the mirror started shaking around again. So today I started over and used some more JB weld and made some extra supports out of some sturdy sheet metal I had. Went much better this time in nice warm weather and should hold up well now.

-Glued most of the carpet back down in the Spitfire; only a few pieces left because I ran out of contact cement.

-Put 200 top down kms on the SLK. Haven't driven it any significant distance with the top down since last summer, so it felt great. Despite spending a lot of time forgotten in the garage, the car stills runs and feels great! Reminded me why I bought this car and that I still do really like it.   

[Julie]

Well, they're not on the car yet, but picked up some car parts across the border this weekend.

These will be our first "mods" (ever) but they are only minor upgrades. They are for both miatas. Zoom-zoom!

More impressions and pics after we get them installed over the next few weeks by a miata specialist in the GTA.

Researching them and then buying them with the hubby was a fun project. 

[dr_spock]

Ran the dash cam USB power cord under the dash.

[huota]

Ordered a full round of Koni FSD shocks. I was told that the delivery time could be several weeks so I'm not sure when I can get them actually installed, which is a bit of a bummer. Oh well.

I've read really good things about Koni FSDs - let us know how they work when you get them installed.  The wait will give you extra time to shop for other suspension parts you can install at the same time 

I finally got the FSDs installed a week ago and have driven 200-300km since then. My impressions so far are good and getting better as the shocks have become more supple after the first 100km or so. Bumps are dealt with less harshness and jolts through the suspension. Body movement up & down is much better controlled than before. There is also much less pitch under braking/acceleration and & body roll during hard cornering. Cornering grip is  improved as well. Tracking in highway driving is improved (not that I had any issues before), but this is probably also thanks to some wheel alignment adjustments in the front.

I've yet to take the car to my favourite backroads, so I'll save final judgement until that. So far I'm really happy by the improved comfort and better body control and traction. For a street car, the FSDs seem to deliver what they promise.

[Solstice2006]

Well, they're not on the car yet, but picked up some car parts across the border this weekend.

These will be our first "mods" (ever) but they are only minor upgrades. They are for both miatas. Zoom-zoom!

More impressions and pics after we get them installed over the next few weeks by a miata specialist in the GTA.

Researching them and then buying them with the hubby was a fun project. 

CBI is awesome. Are the mods a surprise?

[tortoise]

I finally got around to changing out the winter tires.  A record for me, but it was their last season and I've been busy so I wasn't in a rush.  Between the new rear shocks and the summer tires it's like driving a different car.  The steering is heavier, on center feel is much better and throwing it through corners doesn't have the sidewalls rolling over in despair.

Side note: When the summer tires came off they had a vibration to them, even after I had CT balance them.  Before putting them on I had them road force balanced and they are now smooth as butter.  You can now count me among the road force balancing believers.

[Julie]

Well, they're not on the car yet, but picked up some car parts across the border this weekend.

These will be our first "mods" (ever) but they are only minor upgrades. They are for both miatas. Zoom-zoom!

More impressions and pics after we get them installed over the next few weeks by a miata specialist in the GTA.

Researching them and then buying them with the hubby was a fun project. 

CBI is awesome. Are the mods a surprise?

Agreed! Everything I make a trip, I save about $300-$350 over having stuff shipped to my door. And that's net of the extra gas it takes to get there and haul stuff back.

For the NB miata, it was time to refresh the suspension which is on its last legs, so I decided to upgrade to better quality and sportier parts - bilstein shocks, fat cat motorsport bump stops.  My 2004 came stock with a limited slip but no sports suspension. I am still debating whether I "spring" for Flying Miata springs. (pun intended)

For the NC miata, my husband is upgrading the exhaust system to a Goodwin Racing one. YouTube: http://youtu.be/rqpLepZ9h20
I consider this our first real mod because it's not really needed. Nothing was "wrong" with the stock exhaust, except that its sound was lacking and its quality disappointing.

[Julie]

Side note: When the summer tires came off they had a vibration to them, even after I had CT balance them.  Before putting them on I had them road force balanced and they are now smooth as butter.  You can now count me among the road force balancing believers.

Interesting. Thanks for letting us know.

[quadzilla]

For the NB miata, it was time to refresh the suspension which is on its last legs, so I decided to upgrade to better quality and sportier parts - bilstein shocks, fat cat motorsport bump stops.  My 2004 came stock with a limited slip but no sports suspension. I am still debating whether I "spring" for Flying Miata springs. (pun intended)

For the NC miata, my husband is upgrading the exhaust system to a Goodwin Racing one. YouTube: http://youtu.be/rqpLepZ9h20
I consider this our first real mod because it's not really needed. Nothing was "wrong" with the stock exhaust, except that its sound was lacking and its quality disappointing.

  Can't wait to hear what you think of the new installs.

[Solstice2006]

For the NB miata, it was time to refresh the suspension which is on its last legs, so I decided to upgrade to better quality and sportier parts - bilstein shocks, fat cat motorsport bump stops.  My 2004 came stock with a limited slip but no sports suspension. I am still debating whether I "spring" for Flying Miata springs. (pun intended)

For the NC miata, my husband is upgrading the exhaust system to a Goodwin Racing one. YouTube: http://youtu.be/rqpLepZ9h20
I consider this our first real mod because it's not really needed. Nothing was "wrong" with the stock exhaust, except that its sound was lacking and its quality disappointing.

  Can't wait to hear what you think of the new installs.

From the youtube video sounds pretty good.  Better than the fart can on the RX-7 I see on a job site.  And the Protégé across the street, wakes me up in the morning!  Think it has a few holes in it! 

[KD]

Put a roof rack on it and got it fitted just before it started to pour... 

[Seafoam]

Well, they're not on the car yet, but picked up some car parts across the border this weekend.

These will be our first "mods" (ever) but they are only minor upgrades. They are for both miatas. Zoom-zoom!

More impressions and pics after we get them installed over the next few weeks by a miata specialist in the GTA.

Researching them and then buying them with the hubby was a fun project. 

CBI is awesome. Are the mods a surprise?

Agreed! Everything I make a trip, I save about $300-$350 over having stuff shipped to my door. And that's net of the extra gas it takes to get there and haul stuff back.

For the NB miata, it was time to refresh the suspension which is on its last legs, so I decided to upgrade to better quality and sportier parts - bilstein shocks, fat cat motorsport bump stops.  My 2004 came stock with a limited slip but no sports suspension. I am still debating whether I "spring" for Flying Miata springs. (pun intended)

For the NC miata, my husband is upgrading the exhaust system to a Goodwin Racing one. YouTube: http://youtu.be/rqpLepZ9h20
I consider this our first real mod because it's not really needed. Nothing was "wrong" with the stock exhaust, except that its sound was lacking and its quality disappointing.

Julie are you changing the full exhaust on the NC? I went that route 6 years ago with my car. Header ,midpipe and Q muffler. You will definately notice it getting louder.
I sold the header . It was just too loud for me. Drove with the midpipe and muffler for a while . Took the midpipe off [it's now sitting in my garage.]. When I did this the car felt peppier. I guess the full exhaust moves the torque curve a bit to where I didn't really drive the car at. I am happy with the Q muffler ,gives it a nice tone without being obnoxious. Brian Goodwin sells great products and is great to deal with.

[Julie]

Julie are you changing the full exhaust on the NC? I went that route 6 years ago with my car. Header ,midpipe and Q muffler. You will definately notice it getting louder.
I sold the header . It was just too loud for me. Drove with the midpipe and muffler for a while . Took the midpipe off [it's now sitting in my garage.]. When I did this the car felt peppier. I guess the full exhaust moves the torque curve a bit to where I didn't really drive the car at. I am happy with the Q muffler ,gives it a nice tone without being obnoxious. Brian Goodwin sells great products and is great to deal with.

We purchased 2/3 of the system. The catted street header and the "Super-Q" muffler. (This is his new muffler that is like the Q but slightly improved to control the noise for those who have a header or supercharger.) No mid-pipe at this point. Brian Goodwin himself says it's not necessary to change the mid-pipe, and that there is no change in performance at low- to mid-revs. The husband may want the mid-pipe eventually, but it's not cheap ($400) so we'll start with this for now.

Thanks for letting me know your experience, and interesting that it seemed to have permanently moved the torque curve for you... That's good! My husband was interested in the header because of the increased torque through improved design: http://youtu.be/XSMPEvNrIDU 

Apparently this system was designed for Brian Goodwin's wife who said, "Don't make my car too loud!" I guess we'll see.

[tooscoops]

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/hamilton/2010-toyota-corolla-ce-sedan/597066259?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

put the rock 'n 'rolla up for sale... we'll see what happens there... got the wife to ok the willys... now it's just to see if i can make the numbers work.

[Fobroader]

Finally said to hell with it, bought the 'Stang a new coil pack, air intake temp sensor, fuel filler neck gasket and new harness for the MAF and temp sensor....$300 buh bye....

[Firm]

Checked out some more progress my dad has made on his 1948 MGTC restoration:

[aquadorhj]

Your dads garage floor looks clean enough to eat off of.  Drool

[Seafoam]

Julie are you changing the full exhaust on the NC? I went that route 6 years ago with my car. Header ,midpipe and Q muffler. You will definately notice it getting louder.
I sold the header . It was just too loud for me. Drove with the midpipe and muffler for a while . Took the midpipe off [it's now sitting in my garage.]. When I did this the car felt peppier. I guess the full exhaust moves the torque curve a bit to where I didn't really drive the car at. I am happy with the Q muffler ,gives it a nice tone without being obnoxious. Brian Goodwin sells great products and is great to deal with.

We purchased 2/3 of the system. The catted street header and the "Super-Q" muffler. (This is his new muffler that is like the Q but slightly improved to control the noise for those who have a header or supercharger.) No mid-pipe at this point. Brian Goodwin himself says it's not necessary to change the mid-pipe, and that there is no change in performance at low- to mid-revs. The husband may want the mid-pipe eventually, but it's not cheap ($400) so we'll start with this for now.

Thanks for letting me know your experience, and interesting that it seemed to have permanently moved the torque curve for you... That's good! My husband was interested in the header because of the increased torque through improved design: http://youtu.be/XSMPEvNrIDU 

Apparently this system was designed for Brian Goodwin's wife who said, "Don't make my car too loud!" I guess we'll see.

Yes , I had one of the  catless headers. It was definately loud. I've read about the street header,it will probably be much quieter and no check engine lights to deal with. . I wouldn't bother with the midpipe either .

The midpipe I installed had a cat in it so that I could still plug in my o2 sensors.The new setup sounds like it would be easier to deal with.

Interesting to find out how it sounds.

[normancw]

Ordered a full round of Koni FSD shocks. I was told that the delivery time could be several weeks so I'm not sure when I can get them actually installed, which is a bit of a bummer. Oh well.

I've read really good things about Koni FSDs - let us know how they work when you get them installed.  The wait will give you extra time to shop for other suspension parts you can install at the same time 

I finally got the FSDs installed a week ago and have driven 200-300km since then. My impressions so far are good and getting better as the shocks have become more supple after the first 100km or so. Bumps are dealt with less harshness and jolts through the suspension. Body movement up & down is much better controlled than before. There is also much less pitch under braking/acceleration and & body roll during hard cornering. Cornering grip is  improved as well. Tracking in highway driving is improved (not that I had any issues before), but this is probably also thanks to some wheel alignment adjustments in the front.

I've yet to take the car to my favourite backroads, so I'll save final judgement until that. So far I'm really happy by the improved comfort and better body control and traction. For a street car, the FSDs seem to deliver what they promise.

Wow - better ride AND handling!