Akron/Cleveland 8 Owners.
03-10-2009, 02:12 PM
#4676
It's Not Easy Being Green
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) and no issue with rubbing on the fronts even with it down almost an inch. I did freak out for about 1/2 a minute when I first dropped the rear end and saw there was a gap of like a foot between the tires and the body. Then I realized I needed to drop the front. 
The ride was pretty rough but that's probably got more to do with the street I was on, my alignment being off, and going from my butt being 3 feet off the ground to only being 1 foot off the ground. Stupid SUV driving habits.
Looks good too. Seems to have really closed the gap on the front.
03-10-2009, 03:15 PM
#4677
The devil made me do it
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Hm, I am almost certain I got that hanger all the way on. I had Jon quick check it for me. However, I did notice that it ran really close to the dif. but didn't think it would touch. The extension hook into the rubber grommet was the last thing we did.
In terms of fitment, I'm not quite sure how much we can do with the pipe. We played with the fit of the extension pipe for while because we bolted it up last. I guess I am confused by how the extension pipe is pushing the tips down because the mufflers were installed first, unless there is a lot of play in those hangers...
However, I'd be inclined to agree with the professionals because his diagnosis of the installers was spot on. I don't think it would be too hard to loosen all the bolts and play with the fitment to see if it gets any better.
I think your shrouds are going to be toast either way, but I agree that it is running too close to the dif.
Sorry John.
In terms of fitment, I'm not quite sure how much we can do with the pipe. We played with the fit of the extension pipe for while because we bolted it up last. I guess I am confused by how the extension pipe is pushing the tips down because the mufflers were installed first, unless there is a lot of play in those hangers...
However, I'd be inclined to agree with the professionals because his diagnosis of the installers was spot on. I don't think it would be too hard to loosen all the bolts and play with the fitment to see if it gets any better.
I think your shrouds are going to be toast either way, but I agree that it is running too close to the dif.
Sorry John.
I expect that we can get something worked out. I do solve problems for a living...I am sure I can find a solution to this one. Brian if you don't plan on coming up I will just get the shroud from Westside and throw it in the trunk. We can fiddle with it all and then once we know we are clear then I can just replace it. I can deal with a little melting, but it is starting to show on either side of the exhaust. On top of that it does stick out a little funny because of the broken clips which is why I am going to replace it. I do need to know when you plan on stopping by though so I don't go drive the car.
03-10-2009, 03:53 PM
#4678
Trust me, you're wrong
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Ryan: Glad everything is working out and the preloading thing worked. Good work Doc for telling us about that. Oh, and I have your bump stops in my trunk, I figured you didn't need them
John: You are going up to the dealer on Thursday correct? Why don't we plan on Thursday night to work on the car then (if that's cool) I can shoot straight up after work and be there around 6:30ish. let me know if that works. That way we can fudge with the exhaust and put the new shrouds in as well.
John: You are going up to the dealer on Thursday correct? Why don't we plan on Thursday night to work on the car then (if that's cool) I can shoot straight up after work and be there around 6:30ish. let me know if that works. That way we can fudge with the exhaust and put the new shrouds in as well.
03-10-2009, 04:16 PM
#4679
The devil made me do it
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My appointment is at Westside at 11AM Thurs. Then I am heading over to see the Watchman in Solon with a buddy at 4. If Westside can get me done in under 4 hours I will throw my car in the garage and we will be good. If not, we will have to go grab some grub while the exhaust cools. Another buddy is going to come over and give us a hand but if anyone else wants to stop up you are more than welcome. I will also grab some more exhaust hangers so we can work less.
03-10-2009, 05:18 PM
#4680
That would be some flimsy pipe material to create that effect.
That pipe is stiff and the angle at the rear is determined by the hangers (which is why people have installed clamps to compress the grommets and raise the angle at the rear).
Since the rear cat-back section uses 4 hangers, even if the FRONT of the the cat-back (just after the cat) was raised, those four hangers in the rear would keep it pretty much level or else you'll see the very end of the tips hit the shrouds first, NOT the rear of the tips (rear of the tips meaning the part of the tips closer to the mufflers).
This guy is obviously trying to find stupid reasons for you to let him work on the car, accomplish nothing, and rape you in labor costs.
But your rotation is limited by the hangers (mostly), which aren't adjustable (without bending them).
Last edited by Jon316G; 03-10-2009 at 05:36 PM.
03-10-2009, 07:23 PM
#4682
The devil made me do it
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Wow... just thinking about how far the exhaust would have to sag for it to hang HIGH in the back, but cause the tips to LOWER downwards.
That would be some flimsy pipe material to create that effect.
That pipe is stiff and the angle at the rear is determined by the hangers (which is why people have installed clamps to compress the grommets and raise the angle at the rear).
Since the rear cat-back section uses 4 hangers, even if the FRONT of the the cat-back (just after the cat) was raised, those four hangers in the rear would keep it pretty much level or else you'll see the very end of the tips hit the shrouds first, NOT the rear of the tips (rear of the tips meaning the part of the tips closer to the mufflers).
Ummm... what?
This guy is obviously trying to find stupid reasons for you to let him work on the car, accomplish nothing, and rape you in labor costs.
But your rotation is limited by the hangers (mostly), which aren't adjustable (without bending them).
That would be some flimsy pipe material to create that effect.
That pipe is stiff and the angle at the rear is determined by the hangers (which is why people have installed clamps to compress the grommets and raise the angle at the rear).
Since the rear cat-back section uses 4 hangers, even if the FRONT of the the cat-back (just after the cat) was raised, those four hangers in the rear would keep it pretty much level or else you'll see the very end of the tips hit the shrouds first, NOT the rear of the tips (rear of the tips meaning the part of the tips closer to the mufflers).
Ummm... what?
This guy is obviously trying to find stupid reasons for you to let him work on the car, accomplish nothing, and rape you in labor costs.
But your rotation is limited by the hangers (mostly), which aren't adjustable (without bending them).
Also he said that the exhaust is touching the "K member"...whatever that is. I was talking to one of the guys at work and we think he meant the rear cross member. I don't know how that all plays into this but whatever.
Tim...your buddies shop around here somewhere? Think we might use his lift on Thurs?
03-10-2009, 07:42 PM
#4683
Then tell me if the pipe stays rotated or comes back to where it was.
I bet you all it does is lower the center slightly.
Which isn't unusual with some aftermarket setups.
I'll take a pic of my cat-back when I get home and you can judge if your cat-back is lower than mine.
Which is possible... but I didn't see it when Steve and I were under there checking for leaks.
Plus, we would have heard that thing rattle against it.
If it is touching, you can loosen the clamp connecting the pipes and slide the middle pipe towards the front (easier said than done) and then reclamp it.
03-10-2009, 07:58 PM
#4684
The devil made me do it
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So according to the dude...the hanger at position blue is not on correctly. This caused the bend at position red to be at the wrong angle raising the front of the mufflers into the car at position green.
03-10-2009, 08:16 PM
#4685
I'm not saying its impossible John... but if that hanger was off completely, it still shouldn't have sagged THAT much to cause those kinds of angles to be noticeable.
Remember, the cat also has a hanger which is keeping that middle section up too.
After Steve got the middle pipe connected to the cat, he only needed to raise the pipe about 1" to get it onto that hanger (at least that is what it looked like from my viewing angle).
The available play by not having that one hanger just doesn't add to the angles described.
But that is why you should just go under there, verify everything, and make any tweaks/adjustments that you see fit.
Remember, the cat also has a hanger which is keeping that middle section up too.
After Steve got the middle pipe connected to the cat, he only needed to raise the pipe about 1" to get it onto that hanger (at least that is what it looked like from my viewing angle).
The available play by not having that one hanger just doesn't add to the angles described.
But that is why you should just go under there, verify everything, and make any tweaks/adjustments that you see fit.
03-11-2009, 05:37 AM
#4689
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Hey RK and Jon. Let me know what you guys come up with for AP tuners.
I'm curious what is the advantage of paying $300 to the custom AP tuners for a stock setup, over the maps posted on the Cobb Forum? The car is an 04 MT N/A stock exhaust and setup. Are there any major gains to be had by paying the extra money for the custom tune?
I'm having some personality problems with Jeff at MM. I've never gotten the custom tune that was supposed to be included, but that's partly my fault. Perhaps we can come to an agreement.
I'm curious what is the advantage of paying $300 to the custom AP tuners for a stock setup, over the maps posted on the Cobb Forum? The car is an 04 MT N/A stock exhaust and setup. Are there any major gains to be had by paying the extra money for the custom tune?
I'm having some personality problems with Jeff at MM. I've never gotten the custom tune that was supposed to be included, but that's partly my fault. Perhaps we can come to an agreement.
03-11-2009, 05:47 AM
#4690
Since you aren't running any "HP performance mods" Doc I wouldn't worry too much about it.
But if you can still get your free tunes, then go for it.
Always nice to dial in everything so that your car is running well (and I'm not just talking about getting the most HP gains as possible).
Tuning an engine is more than just HP gains, its also engine longevity.
But most people only care to push their motor as hard as it can go and tune it ridiculously.
Jeff's custom map is created with engine longevity in mind and not so much "how much more can I push out of this engine?"
That's why I trust him to do my maps. I know he'll do it right!
But if you can still get your free tunes, then go for it.
Always nice to dial in everything so that your car is running well (and I'm not just talking about getting the most HP gains as possible).
Tuning an engine is more than just HP gains, its also engine longevity.
But most people only care to push their motor as hard as it can go and tune it ridiculously.
Jeff's custom map is created with engine longevity in mind and not so much "how much more can I push out of this engine?"
That's why I trust him to do my maps. I know he'll do it right!
03-11-2009, 05:53 AM
#4691
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Unfortunately, I waited so long, he wants to charge me another $300 to get the tune. That's unacceptable. He and I got off to a bad start when I bought the AP (the instructions in the box had a misprint) and he's been downright rude. He's got a monopoly on here and if you get on his bad side, he's just not gonna help you.
03-11-2009, 06:01 AM
#4692
Yeah... that kinda sucks Doc.
Unfortunately, Jeff's site does say that the custom tunes are for 6 months.
Its like trying to return an item after 2 months, and find out it has a 14 day return policy.
Even though you never used it, policy is policy no matter how much it sucks.
BUT... you would also hope Jeff would be more understanding and give you the 6 months from the time you send your first data.
*sigh*... it sucks either way.
Unfortunately, Jeff's site does say that the custom tunes are for 6 months.
Its like trying to return an item after 2 months, and find out it has a 14 day return policy.
Even though you never used it, policy is policy no matter how much it sucks.
BUT... you would also hope Jeff would be more understanding and give you the 6 months from the time you send your first data.
*sigh*... it sucks either way.
03-11-2009, 06:07 AM
#4693
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I agree and I understand. I also think there's room for compromise. Another $300 is out of the question. We'll see what he does. If he's not willing to compromise, I need to come up with an alternative.
03-11-2009, 06:14 AM
#4695
Since I'm not working tonight, I think I'll pull out my starter and check a few things.
It would be awesome if the only problem with our starter is the brushes!
I would gladly pay $15 for brushes versus paying for a new starter.
But knowing my luck, this issue will be shorts in the coils and would require a new starter anyway.
It would be awesome if the only problem with our starter is the brushes!
I would gladly pay $15 for brushes versus paying for a new starter.
But knowing my luck, this issue will be shorts in the coils and would require a new starter anyway.
03-11-2009, 06:15 AM
#4696
03-11-2009, 06:18 AM
#4697
You could just stay on Jeff's base map like Doc is on now.
And if Doc can't work anything out with Jeff, then I feel Doc should just stay on that map until an alternative comes up.
I've been running fine on the MM base map.
03-11-2009, 07:26 AM
#4699
No more RX :(
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Sorry so late for the update. I dont think the port is sticking as I reset the ECM and took it out and it ran great! Is a frigging blast. There are a ton of twisty roads between here and C-hoga Falls and took her down some. So I turned her off and came back out and drove her to the E-Check the next day and no troubles! Looks like it may have been a quick stick when the car had been first driven after sitting for 4 months.