Some updates on my car

[mmejia]

Haven't been here in a while. Been busy working but have finally gotten sometime to get some work done on my car. Here are some pics of the progress.

List of stuff:
Brand new adjustable coilovers all around
Strut bar
24mm sway bar for front (orig. 19mm)
20mm sway bar for rear (orig. 16mm)
New sway bar links
Energy suspension bushings (front and rear)
Inner/Outer tie rods
Ball joints (might not do them since mine look good still)















The old stuff...







Better picture of my dual exhaust system.







More to come soon! I'll try to see if I can get a video of how this thing sounds. I don't think I've mentioned before but this thing is a beast. First had it straight pipes, but it was too loud (got a ticket), then added a catalytic...still too loud (another ticket) and now have added two resonators. AND it's still pretty darn loud.

[sarsman45]

Nice!

[greeksoccerboy]

you and me need to have a talk ASAP.


that exhaust looks clean as hell. What coilovers are those and how is the ride? is that a whiteline sway bar? You did all the suspension work i been wanting.. Except i have a lil somethin somethin for my motor.. you got aim? i/m me at greeksoccerboy

[mmejia]

I have to post the final pictures sometime.

The ride is not bad. Much stiffer than my shot struts, but that's what I was going for. Yup, that's the Whiteline rear and front sway bars. I also put a cheap ebay strut bar...serves the purpose. Now, the car doesn't sway going around 30mph on a turn.

The coilovers are the Ksport Kontrol Pro's. Really well made coilovers. 36-way adjustable and you can get different spring rates for them. Mine are the standard 9k front, 7k rears.

I didn't drop my car that low, like most people. I think I went down about 2 or so inches in the front, and about 1 in the rear (yes, my car dives forward). I did that for acceleration, so that the car keeps the grip on front tires instead of bouncing back. The car sits pretty high for being on coilovers, I might drop it a little more later on.

[greeksoccerboy]

nice nice. how much did you pay for everything? What header/y-pipe is that? Custom? where at? I want that setup on mine w/ a 2.5in or 3in catback. how many miles are on ur old struts? wanna send them my way? =] we gotta hang out man!! you gotta check out my av.. its got some updates of it own =]

[mmejia]

The exhaust was pricey at 1000, but mostly because I put a magnaflow catalytic and the dual magnaflow mufflers. The exhaust is all custom. Still have the stock exhaust manifolds. I have some headers sitting in a box, but delaying since I probably have to remove some stuff to get the the rear one set in.

The coilovers i got for another 1000. The sway bars were around 150-170 each I believe.

My exhaust is only 2 or 2.25 because it'll kill my low RPM power. The car already has basically no torque at low RPM stock, worse if you get rid of back pressure.

I doubt you want my old struts...they were the originals with 120k on them. The rear ones bottomed out ALL the time. I'm pretty sure they went in the trash, though, haha.

If you want, I have tomorrow (tuesday) off and thursday as well. I get my license back tomorrow, so perfect timing! Just let me know. I'm in Addison, IL

[greeksoccerboy]

well sadly i work both those days. I'm off friday.. you're avalon definitely is coming along nicely. what brand headers?

[Fuji*]

Very nice man =]. We should talk too.

[mmejia]

Just some generic ones off ebay. I kind of regret getting them now; the welds aren't as clean as I thought (you can feel ridges inside the pipe, which I would think would mess with airflow). I'm thinking of just throwing them away and getting the new version of the OBX headers (which just are JP Racing copies).

Today, I get back around 6:30-7:00. I work til 5 out in Evanston, so it takes me a while to get back. Kind of a crappy day, so I don't know if you want to meet up somewhere. Just reply or PM me.