McNasty's '03 SE (Bill)

McNasty · Post by **McNasty** » Fri Aug 08, 2014 2:49 am

Hey guys, I'm just starting work on my 2003 SE. I've done some small things like my lights, some painting in and out, and a K&N CAI. I installed new plugs, wires, coilpack, and boogers (pics soon), but the poor bastard's had a hard life and needs a new tranny. Sadly, I live in downtown Denver and they frown on major automotive repair in their streets, so off to the shop he'll go. So for now, I've got some pics of how he stands now (sans ignition stuff and boogers)!

Oh, and ignore the

for sale

sign in the windshield. That was there before I learned that piston slap isn't major internal failure.

That and nobody in this city wants to pay $2200 for a 10+ year old Neon with nearly 200k on the clock...

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Fri Aug 08, 2014 2:56 am

"Bill"- just read about that in your Garage entry. Good save!

McNasty · Post by **McNasty** » Fri Aug 08, 2014 3:46 am

Thanks!

I'm also thinking about saving up for the BCs or maybe Megan coilovers, new suspension bushings all around, BBS or BBS-style wheels, and some sort of exhaust set up. I want to do as much of it on my own as I can (more limited by the lack of a garage than my know-how

). But before the bigger stuff, I'm liking the BBK option that occasional demons touched on here:
viewtopic.php?t=25866

Jean-Seb · Post by **Jean-Seb** » Sat Aug 09, 2014 9:25 pm

Hmmm... pic problem, but anyway, sounds like this car found a great owner.

McNasty · Post by **McNasty** » Mon Aug 11, 2014 12:38 pm

Pics fixed!

blueneo03 · Post by **blueneo03** » Mon Aug 11, 2014 2:11 pm

damn i love the color! but its a shame you have the Taupe interior... that can be changed tho if it bothers you that much. I think some coilovers would be great to lower it down some and throw some rims on it. im definitely interested in this build!

McNasty · Post by **McNasty** » Mon Aug 11, 2014 2:18 pm

Thanks! The center console was something of a test piece. I think I like the gloss black, so when I get around to swapping the gauges, I'll spray the whole dash, along with door panels and pillars to match. Then it's just a matter of getting some decent SRT seats and black carpet to really clean it up.

As soon as I posted that side shot, I knew that coilovers would come up. Unfortunately, he's gonna have to stay 4x4 for a few more months since all of my project money is going to a new transmission.

A little later today, I'll probably get another pic up after I tuck the throttle cable and clean up the engine a bit.

Jean-Seb · Post by **Jean-Seb** » Mon Aug 11, 2014 3:02 pm

Great, looks very nice. Good luck with the repairs and mods. Keep it fun !

McNasty · Post by **McNasty** » Mon Aug 11, 2014 4:34 pm

New coil pack, plugs, and wires, tucked the throttle cable, and cleaned up a bit.

But first...

BEFORE:

And AFTER:

Unfortunately I broke a valve cover bolt (front, between cyl 1&2) when I replaced the gasket. Any tips? Or should I just let a shop do it, so that if the head gets f'd up in the process, it's on them?

Post by **occasional demons** » Mon Aug 11, 2014 10:02 pm

If it isn't snapped flush, you might be able to back it out with vice grips.

Don't know that any shop would give that good of a promise to repair a broken bolt.

Getting it drilled in the center is usually pretty easy. You just got to angle the drill bit to get it in the right spot sometimes. As long as an easy out will grip in the hole, it need not be perfect. Only when you end up having to drill the entire bolt out does it matter.

Remember, barely snug on those. The tightness of the screw doesn't determine the clamping force on the gasket. They are shoulder bolts. Once they bottom, that's as tight as the gasket will be clamped. you only want them just snug enough to not come loose.

McNasty · Post by **McNasty** » Fri Aug 22, 2014 1:50 pm

occasional demons wrote:Getting it drilled in the center is usually pretty easy. You just got to angle the drill bit to get it in the right spot sometimes. As long as an easy out will grip in the hole, it need not be perfect. Only when you end up having to drill the entire bolt out does it matter.

Remember, barely snug on those. The tightness of the screw doesn't determine the clamping force on the gasket. They are shoulder bolts. Once they bottom, that's as tight as the gasket will be clamped. you only want them just snug enough to not come loose.

Thanks! Once it stops raining here in the mountains, I'll try drilling it out.

On the good news side, I got my Raceland coilovers!

Bella isn't as excited as I am...

blueneo03 · Post by **blueneo03** » Mon Aug 25, 2014 1:14 pm

damn nice when u putting them on?

McNasty · Post by **McNasty** » Mon Aug 25, 2014 1:17 pm

Either Wednesday or Friday. I'm just waiting on new mounts, my friend to help me out, and a sunny day with a strong chance of beer. I'll be sure to take pics all the way through.

quicksilvr · Post by **quicksilvr** » Mon Aug 25, 2014 6:12 pm

Mmmm, Racelands.

McNasty · Post by **McNasty** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 1:08 pm

So hopefully, I'll have the time (and weather) on Friday to install my racelands! Beyond that, I've got a few things in the mail... Change is coming.

Now I just have to return/exchange my BBK TB from Summit. I accidentally ordered the 65mm instead of the 56mm.

FAC3L3SS · Post by **FAC3L3SS** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 2:50 pm

Glad to see more people standing by the Racelands. I've hacked mine to crap and they're not blown, so I'm satisfied.

Oddly enough, I like the tan interior.

McNasty · Post by **McNasty** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 2:58 pm

To each his own, I guess. To me, it just seems so... old. I think because beige was the preferred color for the interior for the Buick Roadmaster.

See what I mean?

McNasty · Post by **McNasty** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 3:53 pm

FAC3L3SS wrote: Glad to see more people standing by the Racelands. I've hacked mine to crap and they're not blown, so I'm satisfied.

Oddly enough, I like the tan interior.

How long have you had your Racelands?

Honestly, I'd love to go with a white interior, but I take my dog in my car, so seems out of the question (unless we use the wife's Focus!). Between the beige and the black, I know the beige hides dirt better, but I think black looks better when clean.

Here's a blue/white (not too far off from the Patriot Blue on mine) combo for reference:

FAC3L3SS · Post by **FAC3L3SS** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 5:03 pm

I bought my Racelands ~2 weeks after they released them last winter / early spring.

I immediately got shorter and stiffer springs for them and yanked the helpers. Also had 1gn camber plates on them too. Still not blown nor clunky, so I'm satisfied.

If only the Neon came in tan leather...

sidepipe87 · Post by **sidepipe87** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 7:41 pm

this is the guy you're selling the SRT wheels to eh, Adam?

FAC3L3SS · Post by **FAC3L3SS** » Thu Aug 28, 2014 8:07 am

Maybe...

SORRY BRO MONEY TALKS I DON'T HOLD PARTS FOR DEADBEATS.

McNasty · Post by **McNasty** » Thu Aug 28, 2014 4:53 pm

sidepipe87 wrote:this is the guy you're selling the SRT wheels to eh, Adam?

Umm... yeah, I'm the guy who bought them.

McNasty · Post by **McNasty** » Sun Aug 31, 2014 12:50 am

Got my SRT cluster in!

The only problem is that I've got a full tank in that night shot...

I tried the self test, and the fuel gauge needle won't raise over the 1/2 tank line.

FAC3L3SS · Post by **FAC3L3SS** » Sun Aug 31, 2014 11:23 am

They are a pain to recalibrate. GL with that!

Do the LEDs dim with the rest of the interior lights?

McNasty · Post by **McNasty** » Sun Aug 31, 2014 11:47 am

They do. And I'm so glad, too, because they're pretty damn bright at night.

FAC3L3SS · Post by **FAC3L3SS** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 10:08 am

That was always my fear. That and I'm too lazy to keep yanking the dash pad out. I have mine set to the lowest dimming setting. I hate bright lights.

Post by **occasional demons** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 11:21 am

If it is just the fuel gauge, you could just pull the needle for that one. I would also try the self test with the connector off of the fuel pump module. The fuel gauge is still directly connected to the sender, unlike the other gauges that are controlled by the PCM.

Just to eliminate any coincidental fuel sender issues. The self test may isolate it from the circuit but who knows?

Just unplug the connector before keying on. You may also get a code for the fuel sender circuit.

McNasty · Post by **McNasty** » Thu Sep 04, 2014 12:27 am

After much sweating and swearing, I finally got my racelands installed!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

The ride is far bumpier than stockers, but strangely less jarring. As far as getting better handling and still keeping a liveable ride for a DD, I don't think I'd spend my money any other way.

McNasty · Post by **McNasty** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 12:11 am

New Stuff!

I totally forgot to take a pic of the maddog STS, but it's in now.

Got the rear sway on, and should be swapping out the front soon.

The drop and the new wheels make a big difference.

Before

Later

After

And a pretty-ish shot

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 12:23 am

L-O-W.