GAS

Guitar Acquisition Syndrome (GAS) has hit me again.  I think I have owned too many guitars over the years for how crappy I am at playing them.  Anyways, it is on order, so we will see when it gets in stock!!

Current
- Gibson Les Paul DC Studio
- Epiphone Hummingbird Limited Artist Edition
- Ibanez S470 QXDM

Past
- Fender Stratocaster Standard
- Fender Telecaster Traditional
- Fender Jag-Stang
- Epiphone DOT 335
- Epiphone Les Paul LP-100
- Gibson Les Paul Standard
- Ovation Applause
- Alvarez Acoustic Dreadnought
- Washburn Acoustic Dreadnought
- Classical Guitar
- Suzuki Les Paul copy

BBS GONE =(

So sold the 18in BBS wheels.  They sold pretty fast (within a week).  I had lots of trade offers and shipping offers, but wanted to get rid of them locally with minimal hassle.

I would have preferred to keep them but living in a 1 bedroom condo, there is not much space.  I already have a pile of parts and tools in my living room and a stack of wheels and tires so I pretty much needed to get rid of them.

So far the new all season kumho tires are performing well for colder weather.  They are definitely quieter than the OEM dunlop sport 600 tires and ride smoother due to the larger sidewall (45 vs 40 series).

Winter Wheels

I went over to my parents to put on my winter wheels for the STI and do a quick car wash and wax.

new tires!

i need some all seasons or winters since my summer dunlops are not very good in the cold, rain, or snow.

I just ordered some cheap 17s with all seasons.  I really wanted some 17x9 but I figure the 17x8 are a good compromise between a narrow winter setup and a wide summer setup.

pics to come once I get them in the mail.

emissions

passed!! i renewed registration for 2 years. big commitment! lol

misc STI maintenance

No pictures, as they are boring anyways for this.

Got my first oil change of ownership done in the STI.  I switched to Synthetic Rotella T6, as recommended by many NASIOC members and a friend that owns the same car as me.  So far it seems pretty good.  Car idles a little smoother and slight MPG increase in traffic.  The old oil was really dark looking despite the car being right over the windshield sticker oil change mark.

I also put in a fumoto oil drain valve, removed the masking tape that was holding down my boost gauge, and screwed it down securely.

Next up will be trying to swap my rear suspension (again) but with the aid of power tools and deciding on some new tires.

quick wheel clean

after wipping off a thick layer of dirt and brake dust, i was reminded that my wheels are closer to silver rather than brown

Leaky Boot

My MINI has sprung a leak in the boot.  I think it may be the infamous third brake light gasket.  It was pretty bad during the hurricane weather a few weeks ago.  This morning I had some water in there too!

STI is BACKKKK

YESSSS (fist pumps!!)

STI is back...maybe

3 damaged bumpers later (on the 4th), I should have my STI back tomorrow! (crosses fingers)

installed new prosport boost guage

so the VDO that I had was tired (dropped like 3 times on pavement) and was reading off.  Decided it had come to an end of it's useful life.  It had been in Guin's WRX, my WRX, and my MINI.

I replaced it with a cheap Prosport mechanical boost guage.  All the connections swapped over.  I wired it up for amber lighting.

Guage when "off"

Guage when "on"

Gauge at night

It reads "0" when off unlike the VDO which still read 1-2 PSI from being dropped.  After changing the SC/serpentine belt, the car hits target boost, idles smoother, and pulls a lot harder all the way to redline.  So far I am happy.  

changed the SC/serpentine belt on the MINI.  so far car feels much more smooth and boost hits a lot quicker.

boost leak - pending

So I've had a boost leak in the MINI for almost a year now.  It occurred after I installed my intake.  I checked the hoses for leaks, checked my intake connections, and then later changed out my old BPV with a Detroit Tuned one because the OEM one was leaking.  Still short a few PSI.

I was googling the past few days and people were mentioning how their SC belt could slip without making squeeling sounds and that the best and cheapest first place to check other than for boost leaks is to check the tension on the belt and the belt.  I still have a new replacement belt for my alta pulley, so I am going to change it out this weekend.  Luckily I bought the tensioner tool a year ago so it should make the belt swap easy.

I will post follow-up once done if it solves the issue!!! (crosses fingers!)

idiot hit my PARKED subaru

so annoyed

Commuting Update

so far, driving in stop and go commuting to work, the short shifter defintely was worth the hastle of installing it.  The SPT exhaust also makes the car sound like it has some guts!! it is still a little bellowy but I am happy with the rumble.  Hopefully it doesn't start leaking at the gaskets.

Here is a random picture of my car lol 

Rust Bolts!

I hate rusted bolts.  They make installs/repairs take FOREVER.

I got my front RCE yellows on oem STI struts on but the rear control arm bolts were stuck.  I was thinking of getting Mach V to do it, but then I figured I will be a cheap skate and do it myself.  I just need to order some bolts so when I destroy the ones on there I can still put it back together!  I will probably order the bolts and nuts in the next week or so.  Riding around on the front yellows and OEM rears is a little unbalanced feeling but still better than stock (at least IMO).

Got the SPT catback on.  It is pretty loud but not as loud as Shaun's (his has a major exhaust gasket leak).  It is a little "bellowy" but I might get used to it.

Also got the Agency Power Short shifter and knob on! shifts way nicer than OEM, but not as short as the Karyboy one.  I did not get new bushings, but it feels fine.  I've felt one with Kartboy bushings and the shifting action was almost too stiff for my tastes.


Put the stock exhaust in my closet (it ACTUALLY FITS unlike the OEM MINI one I had that was a once piece design and fits nowhere!)

misc pics at work

still suck at photography, but here are some pictures.

more at:

https://picasaweb.google.com/110585795819501977874/WorkGarage082911?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJLC2oOqhfbJnAE&feat=directlink

pics

Here are a few misc pictures messing around with my lens.  Still learning how to take pictures.

more at:
https://picasaweb.google.com/110585795819501977874/082811?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNjLsq2v_MeWLg&feat=directlink

some car pictures with new lens

Mike's STI and my MINI

 old school M3

 SL

V8 R8

First Enzo that I have seen in person

old school FIAT

There were a couple Grand Nationals there

A Noble

how to get a nose print on your camera lens

and...

NOSE PRINT!