Just bought a new (used) car!

[MrH]

Wow.  That looks ridiculous.  I bet it sounds even more ridiculous.

Enjoy

[the Teuton]

That's exactly the point.

[Raza]

It is a bit out there. The mechanics couldn't recess it any farther.

Sawzall.

[thewizard16]

It is a bit out there. The mechanics couldn't recess it any farther.

Ah. Seems like they could have modified the pipe somehow, but as I learned with my exhaust adventure, finding a place that will do real muffler/exhaust work that involves cutting and welding is more challenging than you'd think. Best of luck to your shins in the future .

[The Pirate]

Yeah, for $340, I can overlook things like that. 

[the Teuton]

Yeah, for $340, I can overlook things like that.  

It ended up costing a bit more than that. But it's pretty cool in a juvenile sort of way. I need some youth-in-rebellion in my life as I drive into the sunset of my college career toward the dawn of professional life.

I have an interview for something pretty cool coming up. I will not be dropping the hammer at 3,000 RPM in that parking lot.

It gets a little loud around 2,800 RPM and sounds positively Honda-ish (but deeper) past that.

[the Teuton]

I really do wonder what engines Saturn looked at when modeling the DOHC for the PlastiCar...

I get a strange feeling they mostly looked at Nissan's small 4 bangers of the late-1980s and early 1990s as a benchmark. From the top, the valve cover looks somewhat reminiscent of the SR20.

[The Pirate]

It ended up costing a bit more than that. But it's pretty cool in a juvenile sort of way. I need some youth-in-rebellion in my life as I drive into the sunset of my college career toward the dawn of professional life.

I have an interview for something pretty cool coming up. I will not be dropping the hammer at 3,000 RPM in that parking lot.

It gets a little loud around 2,800 RPM and sounds positively Honda-ish (but deeper) past that.

Yeah, I like to hear a little exhaust noise too.  The Mazda (while still a 4-banger) has a decent sounding motor, more throaty the Hondas and such.  Exhaust system is still intact (sans a few heat shields up front), but I'll probably upgrade a bit as things fail.

[the Teuton]

Yeah, I like to hear a little exhaust noise too.  The Mazda (while still a 4-banger) has a decent sounding motor, more throaty the Hondas and such.  Exhaust system is still intact (sans a few heat shields up front), but I'll probably upgrade a bit as things fail.

We will have to race in Connecticut. And you will likely lose. Just sayin'...

[The Pirate]

We will have to race in Connecticut. And you will likely lose. Just sayin'...

Meh, I'm not scared to abuse the shit out of my car.  And even if it's not faster in a straight line, you got no chance in the twisties.   

And who know what I'll be driving down at that point.  I like my car, but I'm getting a little bored (had her for over 3 years, longest I've kept a car).  And I know I shouldn't do it, but I'm very seriously considering that Audi that my co-worker has. 

[J86]

We will have to race in Connecticut. And you will likely lose. Just sayin'...

Racing?  In The Land of Steady Habits?!?!

[the Teuton]

Oh yeah, I'm going to have a friend help me replace the valve cover gasket so the car might not burn oil in quite the Exxon Valdez kind of way it does now. Also doing spark plugs at the same time over holiday break. Any recommendations? Does it really make a difference for what is likely now 130 hp?

[the Teuton]

Racing?  In The Land of Steady Habits?!?!

It's a little risky. When I went to Dazzleman's place, my car was definitely one of the oldest in Fairfield, and definitely the loudest. It was a bit awkward.

[J86]

It's a little risky. When I went to Dazzleman's place, my car was definitely one of the oldest in Fairfield, and definitely the loudest. It was a bit awkward.

Eh, I've bumped around Fairfield in worse (or at least equal)

[The Pirate]

Oh yeah, I'm going to have a friend help me replace the valve cover gasket so the car might not burn oil in quite the Exxon Valdez kind of way it does now. Also doing spark plugs at the same time over holiday break. Any recommendations? Does it really make a difference for what is likely now 130 hp?

I replace spark plugs and plug wires regularly.  I replace my plugs every 15K miles, which is overkill, but ensures they don't seize (steel and aluminum together is not a good match).  Plug wires, every 60K miles or so.  If your current plugs are in shitty condition, then you'll likely notice a small difference.  May idle smoother, be a bit peppier, bit lower fuel consumption.  Didn't that car have 124 hp stock?

As far as valve cover gasket, that will help if it's leaking oil from that area, but oil burning is very likely a separate issue at a separate part of the engine, so replacing the valve cover gasket won't do a thing.  If it's not leaking, then I wouldn't touch it.

[the Teuton]

I replace spark plugs and plug wires regularly.  I replace my plugs every 15K miles, which is overkill, but ensures they don't seize (steel and aluminum together is not a good match).  Plug wires, every 60K miles or so.  If your current plugs are in shitty condition, then you'll likely notice a small difference.  May idle smoother, be a bit peppier, bit lower fuel consumption.  Didn't that car have 124 hp stock?

As far as valve cover gasket, that will help if it's leaking oil from that area, but oil burning is very likely a separate issue at a separate part of the engine, so replacing the valve cover gasket won't do a thing.  If it's not leaking, then I wouldn't touch it.

It's leaking, too.

And it's puttering a little when it's cold, likely because some oil is infiltrating the spark plugs. It's going to run like a whole new car when it's done.

If my friends deem foreign beer quantities acceptable (read: Yuengling and whatever else they may want), I might get even more shit done. A new clutch would be cool, but I'm not going to press it unless they're cool with that. That's a bit more extensive, though.

But beer motivates many a person to go to great lengths to help others. I can always try. And GorillaSquirrelKoala products.

[The Pirate]

It's leaking, too.

And it's puttering a little when it's cold, likely because some oil is infiltrating the spark plugs. It's going to run like a whole new car when it's done.

If my friends deem foreign beer quantities acceptable (read: Yuengling and whatever else they may want), I might get even more shit done. A new clutch would be cool, but I'm not going to press it unless they're cool with that. That's a bit more extensive, though.

But beer motivates many a person to go to great lengths to help others. I can always try. And GorillaSquirrelKoala products.

I don't know man, I wouldn't change a clutch for beer alone.  For food and an hour with the sister, maybe. 

And before you launch into changing the valve cover gasket (though it's not difficult, I've done it in the parking lot of a Wal-Mart before), pull the plugs and check 'em.

[the Teuton]

I don't know man, I wouldn't change a clutch for beer alone.  For food and an hour with the sister, maybe. 

And before you launch into changing the valve cover gasket (though it's not difficult, I've done it in the parking lot of a Wal-Mart before), pull the plugs and check 'em.

'Twill be done.

Should I get the lowering kit/hipo struts yet?

[The Pirate]

'Twill be done.

Should I get the lowering kit/hipo struts yet?

Definitely.  We drive slow cars, the more speed we can carry through corners, the better. 

[Vinsanity]

Just spotted the coolest PlastiCar on TV in an old rerun of Walker, Texas Ranger. It was driven by a gang of vatos, and sported a set of sweet Dayton wire wheels and whitewall tires

Unfortunately, this was not documented on imcdb

[the Teuton]

Just spotted the coolest PlastiCar on TV in an old rerun of Walker, Texas Ranger. It was driven by a gang of vatos, and sported a set of sweet Dayton wire wheels and whitewall tires

Unfortunately, this was not documented on imcdb

w00tles

[Rupert]

Scully drove an SL2 in an early S02 episode of the X Files.

[the Teuton]

Scully drove an SL2 in an early S02 episode of the X Files.

That's implausible.

Oh, but wait: The truth is out there.

[hotrodalex]

Would you happen to know what the warning lights under the "BRAKE" light are? There's two and they were flashing on and off when I started mine up today. I know the one on the left is low coolant, but can't figure out what the other is. Looked for a diagram and can't find one that's helpful.

[the Teuton]

Would you happen to know what the warning lights under the "BRAKE" light are? There's two and they were flashing on and off when I started mine up today. I know the one on the left is low coolant, but can't figure out what the other is. Looked for a diagram and can't find one that's helpful.

Not a clue. Do you know the shape of it? My car didn't come with an owner's manual.

[hotrodalex]

Some sort of box. Thinkin' maybe it's a battery?

I think I'm going to check the coolant tomorrow, but my battery is perfectly fine.

[the Teuton]

Some sort of box. Thinkin' maybe it's a battery?

I think I'm going to check the coolant tomorrow, but my battery is perfectly fine.

Sounds like the battery -- which is a box.

This weather is a whore, and it might not be giving out all 12 volts. The one in my dad's Legacy tested at just nine volts yesterday.

[the Teuton]

You've asked for it. Disregard the birds chirping, but this is what the FantasticPlastic sounds like.

http://www.mediafire.com/?36yfcb6gap810qa

[68_427]

[the Teuton]