A Couple updates: Lowered, tails, and homemade CAI

Rapley · Post by **Rapley** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 8:49 pm

Well, it's been a while since i've posted up pics. so here are some up-to-date pictures. I got the taillight covers a couple months ago, lowered it via 1gen springs a couple weeks ago, and finished up the CAI this past weekend. As you can see, i'm no welder, it was only my 3rd time or so welding, i think my second weld on the piece going into the fender was definately improved tho. Read more about it on my cardomain if ya want. www.cardomain.com/id/joshrapley

Shitty welds

Grinded 1st welds, and second welds not even touched with grinder yet.

test fitting with normal filter

Finished Product:

And the whole dirty engine bay, undercoating seems to like to stick like snot to a screen door

MyNeonSaysHi · Post by **MyNeonSaysHi** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 9:00 pm

Looks really good man! Like that Mopar logo on the fusebox cover. BRR wouldn't like to see the picture of your engine bay. He will go nuts! Atleast the valve cover is clean.

I am happy I got my AEM.

I am totally diggin' that color though. Is that patriot blue? I don't see too many of those. How does it ride since you dropped it?

LowNSlow · Post by **LowNSlow** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 9:13 pm

wow you wernt joking bout those welds.. LOL

good stuff tho

GTS · Post by **GTS** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 11:37 pm

Nice. I did something like you but i guess my patience paid off and I found an ICEMAN on Ebay for 60 bux=good enough for me. But hey awsome project man. BTW how do you like that intake. Notice anything different in the way she drives.

J-Villa · Post by **J-Villa** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 12:40 am

nice to see people actually make stuff themselves.... nice job...

post 1600

Rapley · Post by **Rapley** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 12:53 am

Thanks for all the compliments guys.

The color is patriot blue, and i like it alot since it's dark, and not as common as black...plus it's the same color as my dad's Ram

The ride is alot stiffer, and some bumps are killer! I'm waiting to see how long it takes before my stock struts go.

I think the intake gave a little performance gain, but it's only 2.5" piping, not mandrell bent, so i don't think it's as good as it could be. But for less then 100bux canadian, (most of that cost was the filter since it's rechargeable) i think it's really decent. Plus it gave me more welding experience and it was nice to fab something up from scratch

I figure that some of these things are so much easier, and seem to be more worth while if you do/make them yourself. that's what being a car entusiast is all about right? I'd never pay 250-300 for an intake....it's basically piping, and my crappy welded not-so-shiney homemade one serves the same purpose

Thanks again everyone

03sxt · Post by **03sxt** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 1:00 am

Looking nice and clean! (Minus the engine bay.)

bigjim · Post by **bigjim** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 10:39 am

are those stock 1gn springs and they lowered it like that

Rapley · Post by **Rapley** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 8:30 pm

yup, just stock 1gen springs from my 95 and 97 parts cars. Gives it a nice stance, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg

daaboots · Post by **daaboots** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 9:07 pm

Not bad looking. I personally would have bought an eBay CAI and then a better filter after. Then again, it's always fun to make stuff yourself.

The pipe you used, is it just standard exhaust pipe? If so, you might want to paint it up before you start getting surface rust all over it.

Don't worry about the welds too much. As long as it holds. Some of my first welds were pretty bad as well. You'll get better with practice

silentneon01 · Post by **silentneon01** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 9:07 pm

Thats one damn fine looking neon. I always did like the smoke tails on our colored cars.

One other thing did yours come with sliver pin strips down the sides?

Rapley · Post by **Rapley** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 10:00 am

"The pipe you used, is it just standard exhaust pipe? If so, you might want to paint it up before you start getting surface rust all over it."

It's painted silver, kinda hard to tell tho

"One other thing did yours come with sliver pin strips down the sides?"

Nope, no pinstripes down the side, thank goodness, or i woulda had to take time to strip them off haha.

Thanks again for the comments people!

Josh