The Project Pad

I have to admit - I really wondered why I kept dragging this around as I was moving it yesterday. It sure it pretty, but it's quite the burden right now. Oh well, maybe next year it'll be done? (said that 2 times now...)

Because the car is beautiful? I don't know, that pic is a great shot of your car and it looks far too nice to get rid of.

Thanks for the kind words everyone

Need some opinions - I'm looking for exhaust piping and have come across 'Columbia River Mandrel Bending' in speaking with some friends of mine and they are by far the cheapest and most legitimate of the vendors I've been looking at. I'm conflicted because I've always been shooting for a stainless steel exhaust - but is it worth 175% of the price of aluminized? I will have a SS rear muffler and no one will be seeing the underside of my car, so I feel as though 3" aluminized will last plenty long on a car that won't be seeing salt/winter use anymore. I also don't mind if my downpipe isn't shiny.

Any thoughts? I can basically pick up what I need in 3" aluminized for around $150 plus shipping, or $340 for stainless. I think that $140 could go to some more important parts of the car when cash flow is so limited.

tbar wrote:Yeah, those wheels look really nice...they are 18's right?

Yes, they are 18x8

Nevering wrote:Is this a turbo? and do you have an exhaust manifold, the 2 piece version.

thanks

Yes it is a turbo, but it doesn't have a two-piece mani since it is a 20v turbo.

I'd think aluminized would be fine if you're not going to be tromping around in snow and salt all the time. I ran aluminuzed exhausts on my old Jettas and Rabbits back in the midwest without significant issue, and those were daily drivers.

WOMBAT wrote:Thanks for the kind words everyone

Need some opinions - I'm looking for exhaust piping and have come across 'Columbia River Mandrel Bending' in speaking with some friends of mine and they are by far the cheapest and most legitimate of the vendors I've been looking at. I'm conflicted because I've always been shooting for a stainless steel exhaust - but is it worth 175% of the price of aluminized? I will have a SS rear muffler and no one will be seeing the underside of my car, so I feel as though 3" aluminized will last plenty long on a car that won't be seeing salt/winter use anymore. I also don't mind if my downpipe isn't shiny.

Any thoughts? I can basically pick up what I need in 3" aluminized for around $150 plus shipping, or $340 for stainless. I think that $140 could go to some more important parts of the car when cash flow is so limited.

If its not going to be in snow and salt like you claim then it will be fine for quite a while. I've never had stainless before on any car. Granted I'm in Florida, but my windows have to be cleaned of salt on a monthly basis because of our proximity to the ocean... so that tells you something. The one on my 200 is doing quite well... bird shit welds and all lol. If you paint it after with high temp paint, it will last even longer. I would say 10 year minimum before stuff starts rusting out unless you are constantly in the salt + snow.

Had to read through this now that I am driving my 200 again. I didn't really realize how much I missed driving it until I actually started daily driving it again. Had been contemplating putting it up for sale but not any more... It needs quite a bit of work that I can't get to right now but soon. How are the manifolds coming for yours?

Yeah... sitting in the 200 this weekend for the first time in months reaffirmed my love for that car. It is just so right somehow!

Easy enough to change the mid-pipe later on.

Matt wrote:Had to read through this now that I am driving my 200 again. I didn't really realize how much I missed driving it until I actually started daily driving it again. Had been contemplating putting it up for sale but not any more... It needs quite a bit of work that I can't get to right now but soon. How are the manifolds coming for yours?

You have the sickness exhaust Mani should be done now.... Hank will be done as soon as he gets a free minute he's a busy guy so itll get done eventually.

I don't have a real deadline 8)

I bought this 3" SS exhaust kit. Have a look.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FLO-815937/

ringbearer wrote:I bought this 3" SS exhaust kit. Have a look.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FLO-815937/

oh wow that's really reasonably priced! Hows the quality of the stainless? I couldn't find what type it is.

Its 409. I called and asked. If it was 304 it would really be a deal. I'm not polishing or driving in salt so it should be fine. All the bends were smooth, I've gotten their 2.5" aluminized steel systems before and had a couple bends that weren't perfect.

It was a 2 week special order.

the new wheels look sooo much better!
get to wrenching casey!!

Bought a torque wrench today (no more mooching!) so that I can put the exhaust mani on. I'll bolt the turbo up just for mock.

After 'settling' to have the Hank intake mani ran in stock fashion behind the motor and then the charge piping over the exhaust, I said no to myself. I'm not going to go through this project and not have this set up the way I need it to be! I found a radiator that will make space for the intake and so the games back on for a forward facing throttle body!

Just wanted to bring this back from hibernation because I need to get working on the car and it's depressing to have to use the search function to find my project thread!

PS Hank - get back to me! Let's make this epic 8)

I know how you feel man. I'm really missing my girl too! Just keep on keepin' on

Lets make it happen. I saw your PMs, but haven't lokoed at the radiator you choose yet. Mount the radiator, take measurements, and we can move forward with making a one off that works 8)

WOMBAT wrote:Just wanted to bring this back from hibernation because I need to get working on the car and it's depressing to have to use the search function to find my project thread!

hahhah LMAO

ShavedQuattro wrote:Lets make it happen. I saw your PMs, but haven't lokoed at the radiator you choose yet. Mount the radiator, take measurements, and we can move forward with making a one off that works 8)

Here's the rad I picked up
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/GRI-2-28185-X/
Its dims are 22x13x3. Cant see there, but I imagine those are core dims and not overall. If that's the case, it should be 3" shorter in width and with slightly different mounting, there should be plenty of space to run the throttle body in front of the motor...

Also, have helper springs and couplers, and also thrust bearings on the way to finish off my suspension (finally).

After that, I'll need to run intake plumbing, fab up the exhaust, and get my ECU etc. before it's driving again. Hopefully I can get it done in time for Carlisle.

WOOOOT

I can't seem to come across a decent aftermarket radiator so I may steal your idea and go with that one!

Glad to see it's getting some attention

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