Chris and I took the day to install the parts I recently ordered from Rob (Needswings), sans the supercooler. Mods installed: Retrofit Dual CAI, Manis, Coated Valve Covers, Ported Y-Pipe, and a Catch Can. Everything was silver teflon coated.
The install went relatively smooth but wasn't without several snag that set us back (combined) a few hours.
The first difficult thing we encountered was replacing the power steering cooling line. It wasn't so much of a snag as much as just a long messy process. A large part of my lower engine bay is still caked with oil. :P
Next up with the driver's side valve cover. We couldn't remove it due to a fuel line that connects in the rear of the engine to the fuel rail. This had to be removed and bled.
We had to re-use and relocate the oil filler cap which ended up actually being a snag for us.
We weren't quite sure how to remove it and didn't want to apply too much force and crack it. We ended up having to call Rob yet again, lol, who got back to us after lunch with the VERY SIMPLE directions on how to remove it. For anyone who is doing the coated valve covers all you have to do is lift the tab facing the rear of the engine and rotate counter-clockwise. It came off smooth as butter- I wanted to hit myself with a wrench....sorry Rob!
The catch can was cake because everything was already taken apart.
Then on to the y-pipe which is a given to be a pain so I'll just leave it at that. Finally we finished up with the dual CAI. The passenger side was simple- as it was the first time around installing it however the driver's side was a PITA. It starts out at the same pipe diameter, but has coupler/reducer to fit a smaller pass through tube. In front the the radiator it's got the same thing but reversed to bring the size back up to fit the K&N filter.
We had some difficulty trying to find the best sequence in which to install all these items. Finally we found it was easiest to install the pass-through tube on it's own from the front through into the engine bay. Then install the elbow and various couplers on from there.
We could only get one horn to fit back on as well. I barely squeezed the passenger side one on which has more lateral room that the driver's. I couldn't get the driver's side filter and piping to budge to the right and further.
Started her up and she sounded just as she did before the mods (which is a good thing I suppose). Granny drove her for about 5 miles before getting on it and didn't quite notice a huge difference yet however some time at the track will truly tell. It did feel like it was breaking loose quite a bit easier down low which would coincide with what Waldig mentioned about the extra power down low.
I haven't a clue what my boost or a/f is doing so those are on my list for VERY NEXT mods. I will be switching to the In-Motion Mani Tune asap! Chris and I just have call James over at InMotion and see if we can get the laptop rented for both of our cars simultaneously.
Total time all of these installs was approximately 7 hours, however that's with snags and two hacks dropping tools through the engine on to the lower tray and requiring contortionist arm movements to fish them out, oh and a lunch break to boot.
Next up Chris's car. Same thing, plus meth....all black! We may hit the track tomorrow night and report back with our results. Chris and I wanted to also thank Rob for going the extra mile. He worked his butt off getting all these parts to us in a timely manner. Plus he stayed patient with our incessant ridiculous phone calls with our various "snags".
Here's a shot of the results:
