Replacing the Original Radio

"Sven" tunes into the modern era! April 19, 2024.
I was having trouble with the original radio. The display would work most of the time, then it wouldn't. I could change the volume, then DENIED!, I could change stations, then not allowed.
Use the CD player? Only when Sven felt like it. I did do the reset that I found on the forum and it would be ok for a while, but it was getting annoying. Time for a change!
I bought my Kenwood KMR-D382BT Marine CD-Reciever from Crutchfield. It came with everything needed to do the replacement. I called them and spoke to a rep who was very helpful.
I didn't want to do any splicing, so I told him what car I had and for $24.00 they made a pre-wired adapter. Plug and play! Now I have blue tooth and can make and receive calls just like on my RAM.
NOTE: I have a base roadster, so there is no amp or subwoofer.
Here's how I installed mine:

 

NeedsWings Oil Catch Can Installation

Svengoolie can breathe cleaner air now! May 27, 2024
I've never used an oil catch can before, but I've learned a lot about them since joining the forum.
Valk posted a very informative video and showed how much oil his catch can was trapping. A few other members also commented about theirs.
I decided to go with the kit from NeedsWings.com. It came with everything needed to do the job and the instillation is pretty simple.
Rob was very helpful and also when I originally posted it on fakebook, pointed out a couple of small errors I had made routing the hoses near the brake master cylinder.
I had that corrected in 5 minutes. I am very happy with the quality of the product and I get a lot of questions and compliments on it at the cruise nights.
Here's how I installed mine:

 

That engine sure looks lean.

 

Thanks!
After I fixed the breather gaskets, I cleaned up as much oil as I could. I still have a small seeping type of leak somewhere low on the engine.
Either the oil level sensor or the rear main seal. I'm trying to figure it out.

 

MagnaFlow Exhaust Part 1 of 2

Svengoolie gets exhausted! June 11, 2024

It was quite a task prepping to install my MagnaFlow cat-back exhaust kit. My front passenger side bracket rusted off and the driver side was on it's way out.
The O2 Sensor bracket was rusted and the nuts holding it to the exhaust were rusted like they were welded. I had to make the exhaust brackets because you have to buy a whole new exhaust to replace them.
I also bought new rear hangers, the mid upper hanger, a new gasket for the cat-back, O2 sensor clips, and the mounting screw plates for the front pipe brackets.
After I made the brackets I went to a local muffler shop to have the new brackets welded to the pipes. I also wanted to see if he could weld the original tips onto the MagnaFlow kit so I brought it with me. I'm not fond of the round pipes.
Unfortunately he couldn't. He did offer to weld the brackets and install the kit for a great price, since the car was on the lift anyway. I let him install it. I didn't have to crawl around on my back fighting to install the kit!
It sounds great!
Here are the usual pics and descriptions:

 

MagnaFlow Exhaust Part 2 of 2
Svengoolie gets exhausted! June 11, 2024

It was quite a task prepping to install my MagnaFlow cat-back exhaust kit. My front passenger side bracket rusted off and the driver side was on it's way out.
The O2 Sensor bracket was rusted and the nuts holding it to the exhaust were rusted like they were welded. I had to make the exhaust brackets because you have to buy a whole new exhaust to replace them.
I also bought new rear hangers, the mid upper hanger, a new gasket for the cat-back, O2 sensor clips, and the mounting screw plates for the front pipe brackets.
After I made the brackets I went to a local muffler shop to have the new brackets welded to the pipes. I also wanted to see if he could weld the original tips onto the MagnaFlow kit so I brought it with me. I'm not fond of the round pipes.
Unfortunately he couldn't. He did offer to weld the brackets and install the kit for a great price, since the car was on the lift anyway. I let him install it. I didn't have to crawl around on my back fighting to install the kit!
It sounds great!
Here are the usual pics and descriptions:

 

The hard work has paid off!
June 23, 2024.

I was at the Tri-County car show in Wayne, NJ and Svengoolie won his first ever trophy!
This is a people's choice/sponsor's trophy. Everyone at the show votes and the 30 top people's choice winners get a trophy from one of the event sponsors. There are also other trophies for different categories.
There were around 200 cars there today, so I feel very lucky to have been selected.

 

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Congrats John! Your hard work not only paid off but the membership here has a whole lot of information to help them take care of their cars! Again, CONGRATS! Your hard work had paid off and you can be sure your car is ready for just about anything.


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I second this! Congratulations!! Awesome job at helping out the members and documenting your journey. The car looks great! To many more trophies for Svengoolie!!

 

Ditto the above comments! Been very informative following your journey with the roadster.

 

I got it my first Magnaflow new on my previous Coupe in 2013 and my current Roadster came with it from the friend I bought it from.
It has been on my Roadster since 2007 just after the original owner purchased the car new.
I do absolutely love the sound from it !!



...............................My Sound Clip of the Magnaflow on my previous Coupe

 

I appreciate that!
Thanks George!

 

I just got mainly to check out the cars, and hang out. But I'm not going to say no to more trophies! LOL
I try to do my best to help out and give back to the forum members.
Thank you for your kind words,
John

 

I appreciate that and I would like to thank you and the other members for the threads that have been so helpful to me.
Thank you,
John

 

Great video!
I've had the MaganFlow exhaust for about 2 weeks now and I'm glad I got it!
It sounds great and it turns heads! LOL
Also the round tips are growing on me.
I was just trying to keep the car as original as possible, but some things have to change I guess.
Thanks for the advice!

 

Transmission Mount Replacement

Sven gets some support! June 25, 2024.
This was a pretty easy job and I also refurbished the transmission cross member while I had the car on the jack stands.
Remember; safety is the main priority!
This how I did the work on my own car. This is for reference only.
Here are the usual pictures with descriptions.

 

Manual Transmission Oil Replacement

Sven gets in gear! June 25, 2024.
This was pretty straight forward, but if you rush it could get very messy very quickly!
Spray the threads with penetrating oil the night before.
Remember; safety is the main priority!
This how I did the work on my own car. This is for reference only.
Here are the usual pictures with descriptions.

 

How many miles on Svengoolie at the time of this Manual Transmission Oil Replacement ??

 

Actual mileage: 48,206 at the time of the transmission oil change.

 

All that metal on the drain plug magnet and only 48K, Hmmmmmm... I wonder what mine has on it with (just yesterday) 38K?





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