My first Mods
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 1
From: Flagler Beach
My first Mods
Well after much reading and advice on this board, I've finally completed my first two mods, and I feel I can comment a bit on their impacts.
Yesterday I installed the Dension IceLink which Eric at BumperPlugs sold me. Eric was both helpful and patient, which I appreciated, and he sent some links that were very helpful.
Since there is a long thread on this install, I won't describe it in detail. Just to comment that I put mine under the hood, on top of the NAV unit. My car has the CD changer and the wiring was easy - but I wasn't sure where to grab unswitched power until I read Eric's other threads. The orange-green wire that provides power to the CD changer was the one (brown in the same loom for ground), and I used the red splicers to make the connection (blues are too big). Took about 3 hours total because I diddled and had to run out to get the splicers. Probably could do this in under an hour if it mattered.
This added some weight to the car, but also shifted the center of gravity forward and up slightly.
Previously I had installed NAPA NeoForm wipers. This was a very easy mod as they snap in, but one of my wiper arm hooks is a tad long, so it took some extra finesse to install without breaking something (or swearing). I looked for the Bosche blades that were recommended here but couldn't find them; the NAPA blades appear to be a knock-off design. What surprised me about these is that they weigh a lot less than the factory wipers, so that moved the center of gravity back and down a tad.
When I had the wipers on but not the iPod install, my Butt-Dyno confirmed the weight savings were equivalent to about 20HP and the change in CofG made the car tend to push a bit more. The Dension unit got the weight back on the front tires so the push is gone, and although I paid for it by giving up that HP-equivalent weight savings, I'm enjoying the car and its stereo a lot more. It didn't help, of course, that temps were approaching 50F (ISO day, as they say), so my natural CAI was of no use and I lost those HP gains as well.
Have fun out there.
Yesterday I installed the Dension IceLink which Eric at BumperPlugs sold me. Eric was both helpful and patient, which I appreciated, and he sent some links that were very helpful.
Since there is a long thread on this install, I won't describe it in detail. Just to comment that I put mine under the hood, on top of the NAV unit. My car has the CD changer and the wiring was easy - but I wasn't sure where to grab unswitched power until I read Eric's other threads. The orange-green wire that provides power to the CD changer was the one (brown in the same loom for ground), and I used the red splicers to make the connection (blues are too big). Took about 3 hours total because I diddled and had to run out to get the splicers. Probably could do this in under an hour if it mattered.
This added some weight to the car, but also shifted the center of gravity forward and up slightly.
Previously I had installed NAPA NeoForm wipers. This was a very easy mod as they snap in, but one of my wiper arm hooks is a tad long, so it took some extra finesse to install without breaking something (or swearing). I looked for the Bosche blades that were recommended here but couldn't find them; the NAPA blades appear to be a knock-off design. What surprised me about these is that they weigh a lot less than the factory wipers, so that moved the center of gravity back and down a tad.
When I had the wipers on but not the iPod install, my Butt-Dyno confirmed the weight savings were equivalent to about 20HP and the change in CofG made the car tend to push a bit more. The Dension unit got the weight back on the front tires so the push is gone, and although I paid for it by giving up that HP-equivalent weight savings, I'm enjoying the car and its stereo a lot more. It didn't help, of course, that temps were approaching 50F (ISO day, as they say), so my natural CAI was of no use and I lost those HP gains as well.
Have fun out there.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 14
From: Wellington. FL
Please tell me that this thread is meant to be humorous...if it is, then bravo, as I got a good laugh!!
If it is meant to be serious, I think you win the "off the wall" award....you can tell a difference in weight by switching windshield wipers?.....if so, please stop driving your car until your physician adjusts your medication, as your hallucinations would be very troublesome on the road.....
If it is meant to be serious, I think you win the "off the wall" award....you can tell a difference in weight by switching windshield wipers?.....if so, please stop driving your car until your physician adjusts your medication, as your hallucinations would be very troublesome on the road.....