10
votes
Accepted
Wish to understand why non-stock vehicle alignment is an issue
Factory specs assume factory parts. Each modification you have made changes the angles at which the suspension operates so those angles no longer apply. This is especially true on truck lifts where a ...
- 661
6
votes
Does an Engine Strut Bar have any effect on performance?
This question and answer from @BobCross is very illuminating and may help you in your decision making process. Have a look.
- 32.9k
6
votes
Accepted
Replacing a dashboard for another one with more indicators
The basic answer to your question is: Yes
To be more specific, I cannot tell you if it will work or not. It appears you already have the specific dash version you want. What you can do is install it ...
- 148k
6
votes
Accepted
Is it possible to retrofit an ABS?
Yes, just get all the parts from an APV that has ABS. You will likely need:
all 4 wheel hubs because the sensor is built in
the wiring
the ABS controller
You may need to swap your ECU for one that ...
- 12.2k
5
votes
Accepted
Are there any (legal) ways to increase halogen headlight brightness?
It is possible that the adjustment is not correct, i.e. the lights are still shining too steep down though the knob is set to 0. Though you can test this on your own, shops will do this with more ...
- 7,037
5
votes
Accepted
Is an aftermarket amplifier really necessary for standard applications?
Yes, the gain in quality is significant, even when you're not looking for an increase in volume.
Why having an amplifier matters
The stock system can only output about 15 W/channel (*). That's not ...
- 4,412
5
votes
Accepted
What is the formula to determine a relay for aftermarket lights?
You need to know up front what the Amperage of the lights are in the first place and work from there. In the case of the light in the link is has a 72W draw on it. @ 12vdc, this calculates to 6Amps ...
- 148k
4
votes
Does an Engine Strut Bar have any effect on performance?
Tl;dr: it might be better for noise, vibration and harshness than for handling.
Once upon a time, I had a Fox body mustang. I remembered it being chock full of rattles and squeaks. It was ...
- 24.4k
4
votes
Accepted
How does a remap work? Is it harmful for a car?
The manufacturers place very conservative tunes on the vehicles from the factory. They do this for two reasons. First of all for longevity. By placing the conservative tune on there, the engine will ...
- 148k
4
votes
Accepted
Should loctite be used on suspension components?
Since there is a need to re-torque the fastener, it doesn't make sense to use Loctite. This is true for two reasons (after the Loctite has set):
With the Loctite holding the fastener in place, it ...
- 148k
4
votes
Are water electrolysis hydrogen generators likely to damage car engines or make them more efficient?
Note that whatever hydrogen you produce will contain energy from the car battery. The car battery is charged by the alternator, which gives you energy obtained from fuel.
What you describe aims to be ...
- 14.4k
4
votes
Accepted
Orientation for finding high grade cabin air filters (e.g. non-OEM)
"The Icon's air filtration system is N95 certified, which means it blocks at least 95% of small particles that measure 0.3 microns."
This sounds really impressive.. and I suppose it is, from a ...
- 9,970
4
votes
Accepted
Plastic hub adapter on aftermarket rims—is it needed?
"... is the ring a load-bearing component, thus making it unsafe to drive the car without the ring installed?"
tl;dr: Not exactly but close enough. You do need those rings and, if you lose ...
- 24.4k
3
votes
Accepted
Water temperature sensor location
I would suggest neither - the best location is at the thermostat.
This is because, in a properly functioning engine, the thermostat shuts off most of the flow to the radiator while the engine is cold ...
- 28.7k
3
votes
How can you upgrade your "no-extras" car with original components you bought from a broken but better version car?
Retrofitting options on most vehicles will require you to check for both the fuse and whether the vehicle is "prewired" for the option. The ease with which you can wire in options on a vehicle not ...
- 91
3
votes
Accepted
Aftermarket Pneumatic Suspension - Pro's and Con's
Will installing a pneumatic suspension damage my vehicle?
Not necessary depending on the kit. Per your vehicle a company called Air Lift does make an air ride lowering kit for your vehicle that has ...
- 3,675
3
votes
Accepted
760li M performance G12 overheating brakes issue
Engineers established that the brakes were faulty, and replaced with new original brakes. The issue is fixed.
Thank you for all the comments.
- 195
3
votes
Shop preference for OEM parts, why?
I haven't worked in or managed a shop, but I have been told in the past that work would not be warranted if I wanted to use my own parts, or if I wanted the shop to try and get cheaper parts. ...
- 13.3k
3
votes
Installing after-market seats
Usually when someone is replacing seats it's because they want racing seats, so the safety and comfort features do not apply so you would put new seats in and leave the airbags and heaters off ...
- 15.5k
2
votes
Can I retrofit heated side mirrors if it wasn't an option with the car?
The only way to get heated mirrors is to buy the mirrors separately, but there is although a product that is a heated pad to place on the back of your mirror, although you will have to have wiring ...
- 370
2
votes
What is the purpose of a smog block-off plate?
The block off plate replaces the plate which allows an air pump to pump air into the system to allow for better burn of the exhaust gasses (any fuel which may not have been burnt during the combustion ...
- 148k
2
votes
Mounting bar end mirrors on non-hollow bars?
If your mirrors are these http://www.crgmoto.co.uk/crg-ls-hindsight-bar-end-mirror-27-p.asp
Then it looks like the way you mount them is to move all the controls inboard a bit and then clamp the ...
- 2,655
2
votes
Accepted
2000 Toyota Celica GTS aftermarket exhaust system
The cat is the incorrect part for your vehicle. You are looking for the Federal ones, which are 49 state compliant.
Catalytic Converter: MagnaFlow Part #24064 (Fits GT, so you may want to check with ...
- 148k
2
votes
Strange electrical issue with after market brake lights
An LED unit is more complex than a standard filament bulb. As such, you can get what you pay for and that's a cheap LED bulb can give less than stellar performance. I have LEDs on my motorcycles and ...
2
votes
Accepted
What is Neo-Chrome?
I finally found some information that has helped clarify this process a bit.
"Neo-Chrome" (which seems to be a brand name) along with the other terms I've come across including "Aurora Electroplating"...
- 381
2
votes
Accepted
Redundent radiator
Adding radiators might help – if the problem is insufficient radiator capacity – but I suspect that you would do better to find the root cause of the problem. For example, in an older car it could be:
...
- 14.4k
2
votes
Redundent radiator
You could use the heater core as a way to provide extra cooling, in fact when a car overheats you could turn on the heat and the blower to full speed in order to prevent overheating.
However, there ...
- 393
2
votes
How can you upgrade your "no-extras" car with original components you bought from a broken but better version car?
It completely depends on what model and year of vehicle.
In most modern cars each module such as the BCM, Instrument Cluster, Radio, Indicator stalk etc etc, is preprogrammed. In some cases this can ...
- 2,782
2
votes
Accepted
Restoring a Laverda 750 SF - Where to start?
I will start by saying there is no single right answer.
Where to start will depend on what condition the bike is in now (does it start? Is there anything known that obviously wrong with it?) The ...
- 1,552
2
votes
Restoring a Laverda 750 SF - Where to start?
Ambitious first project but rescuing a beast from Breganze is worth the effort.
Number one tip: take too many pictures as you disassemble—priceless because even though I have completely rebuilt my ...
- 131
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