7AM: Mod #14: VDO Oil Temp Gauge
My last VDO Oil temp gauge broke so I swapped it for a new one. This technically makes it a repair but I’m counting this towards the total anyway because it's such a PITA to snake the sending unit through the firewall (it's all one piece, gauge and all. Yes, seriously. Don't buy one.).
Mod #15: Low-budget Gauge Style Clock
I need a clock in my car because I hate being late. I’ve previously looked on Summit Racing and the digital and analog gauge style clocks are ridiculously expensive. I’m not paying $90 just to know what time it is when I could spend that on something more useful to performance.
I take the dead oil temp gauge, go to the auto parts store and get a cheap digital clock. I cut the gauge and clock up and make a cover out of some aluminum sheet I already had. BOOM! - $10 gauge pod clock.
8:30AM: Mod #16: WRXtra Gauge Pod
I’ve been rocking a hacked up OEM gauge pod for a few years but I wanted to step up to something nicer yet OEM looking. The WRXTra pod fit the bill and it uses the same mounting setup as the OEM one so it was super easy.
11AM: Mods #17&18: V1 Remote Display and DIY Display Mount
I’ve had a Valentine 1 radar detector for years and if you’re going to bother buying a radar detector it’s one of the only two you should consider. I mount mine high on the windshield (like you’re supposed to) which maximizes effectiveness but also makes it hard to see. Valentine has a solution for this called their Remote Display Adaptor.
I ran the wires under the headliner and down through the front a-pillar then under the dash to the steering wheel. I really didn’t like the look of the thing just sitting there because it was too low and just looked kind of stupid to me. Then I got this idea:
First I wrapped the remote display in tape and covered it with Vaseline so I could fiberglass a mold to the unit. I also taped off/Vaseline-d’ the steering column and molded some fiberglass over that. With the basic contours ready, I built up a couple of layers of Bondo on top of the steering column piece, then started sanding
I used VHT Krinkle paint (which I HIGHLY recommend over the Duplicolor product which is complete crap). I didn’t think of this when I started but it actually matched the texture on the V1. Sweet. Plus it only took about 45 minutes of actual work time (not including drying time obviously). I think that looks a whole lot better and it lines up with my boost gauge.
2PM: Mods 19&20: Bosal Single Tip Catback and Kartboy Exhaust Hangers
I'm getting to the point HP wise where it makes sense to step up to a full 3" exhaust (I was running a 2.5" system before, terminating with a Prodrive Oval Tip which I will miss forever...). An exhaust install isn't that interesting so here are some pics of the Kartboys vs. stock, and the installed Bosal:
4PM: Mod #21: STI Pitch Stop Mount
This one felt a little cheap compared to the other stuff I've done so far since it took 10 minutes. However, I'm shooting for 32. F*** it.
Mod #22: Painted Under hood Items
My car is 6 years old at this point so the fuse cover, solenoid cover, and alternator cover were looking pretty crappy. Some sandpaper, Bulldog, and Paint cleared that right up.
6PM: Mod #23: ERZ Catch Can
I'm not paying $125 for something that traps oil vapors (which is the going rate for an HKS catch can) so I got an ERZ piece off of eBay for $50. I ran plumbed the tubing appropriately but left it long. I'll cut it down once the intercooler goes back in.
7:30PM: Dinner Break
10PM: Mod #24: DIY Grounding Kit
I made this thing about 5 (yes, FIVE) years ago - installed it - removed it for a reason I can't remember - then forgot about it. I'm running quite the array of electronics now though, so it seemed like a good idea to re-install.
I checked the lighting afterwards and was suprised to find that the headlights and gauge lights were brighter. Guess I should have re-installed this sooner.
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