TruTaing's Stock W203 thread
12-05-2008, 09:17 AM
#102
Super Moderator
Congratulations j0hn!
Still looks brand new in your pictures.
There are plenty more of those in it - it’s just now getting ready for prime time.
Still looks brand new in your pictures.
There are plenty more of those in it - it’s just now getting ready for prime time.
12-18-2008, 04:46 PM
#107
Moderator Alumni
Thread Starter
I finally was able to get around to getting my LET UDPS installed.
I had bought this a year+ ago in hopes to install it asap. I was under the impression that it would be an easy install, but ran into quite a few problems.
No air tools to help me remove the alt pulley or proper tool to remove the power steering pulley. As a result, I bought some specific tools to remove the pulleys and sent the tool kit + pullies (and belt) to my shop and had them install the kit.
They found that both the water pump pulley AND power steering pulley had holes that were too small to fit over the stock pulley locations. As a result, both were drilled out a bit. The pulleys sit fine on the car now and nothing crazy seems to be happening.
While I was at the shop, I also had them deal with the CEL that has been plaguing me since I bought the car. They guaranteed (will fix it regardless of cost) me that 350 bux for new filters and new MAF would fix the issue. We'll see how this goes cuz I have had this done before, but this time there is a guarantee
I was hoping to go for a nice drive today on the way to work and see what kinda seat of the pants power I gained from the pulleys, but woke up to find this:
Not much snow, but really low temps + ice == staying home.
Received my new lug bolt locks from RADusa a few days ago, so I have to get in the garage and install them
I also swapped over to progressive auto insurance. I saved 500+ dollars annually (about 30%) and have -significantly- better coverage. I highly advise anyone my age (mid twenties) with a MB to check their web page out
Things in the mail:
New rear tires! Yay
05 Grill!
Canon 5D mkII
Things to come:
AMS Crank Pulley and Headers
Black vinyl for my roof and maybe grill.
Secondary Cat Delete
Updated luxury bumper + parts (spring time)
Things I need to get done:
Gotta send my ECU off for a LET Tune - after headers
I am considering to down turn my exhaust tips for a much more stock look. What do ya guys think?
I had bought this a year+ ago in hopes to install it asap. I was under the impression that it would be an easy install, but ran into quite a few problems.
No air tools to help me remove the alt pulley or proper tool to remove the power steering pulley. As a result, I bought some specific tools to remove the pulleys and sent the tool kit + pullies (and belt) to my shop and had them install the kit.
They found that both the water pump pulley AND power steering pulley had holes that were too small to fit over the stock pulley locations. As a result, both were drilled out a bit. The pulleys sit fine on the car now and nothing crazy seems to be happening.
While I was at the shop, I also had them deal with the CEL that has been plaguing me since I bought the car. They guaranteed (will fix it regardless of cost) me that 350 bux for new filters and new MAF would fix the issue. We'll see how this goes cuz I have had this done before, but this time there is a guarantee
I was hoping to go for a nice drive today on the way to work and see what kinda seat of the pants power I gained from the pulleys, but woke up to find this:
Not much snow, but really low temps + ice == staying home.
Received my new lug bolt locks from RADusa a few days ago, so I have to get in the garage and install them
I also swapped over to progressive auto insurance. I saved 500+ dollars annually (about 30%) and have -significantly- better coverage. I highly advise anyone my age (mid twenties) with a MB to check their web page out
Things in the mail:
New rear tires! Yay
05 Grill!
Canon 5D mkII
Things to come:
AMS Crank Pulley and Headers
Black vinyl for my roof and maybe grill.
Secondary Cat Delete
Updated luxury bumper + parts (spring time)
Things I need to get done:
Gotta send my ECU off for a LET Tune - after headers
I am considering to down turn my exhaust tips for a much more stock look. What do ya guys think?
12-18-2008, 10:28 PM
#111
Moderator Alumni
Thread Starter
Hahah
Jonny, I heard Bellevue was in shambles and that 520 was closed along with that 148th cuz 148th was like an obstacle course of stuck/abandoned cars. Driving home last night, I got stuck trying to climb up my drive way. I ended up spending 20 minutes clearing the entire drive way and about a foot around my car just to make it to my spot where I park.
BTW, Jonny, I told the guys at Mercedes Garage that you could be giving them a call about those eibachs.
Jonny, I heard Bellevue was in shambles and that 520 was closed along with that 148th cuz 148th was like an obstacle course of stuck/abandoned cars. Driving home last night, I got stuck trying to climb up my drive way. I ended up spending 20 minutes clearing the entire drive way and about a foot around my car just to make it to my spot where I park.
BTW, Jonny, I told the guys at Mercedes Garage that you could be giving them a call about those eibachs.
12-18-2008, 11:20 PM
#112
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Join Date: Dec 2008
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'06 C230
Hahah
Jonny, I heard Bellevue was in shambles and that 520 was closed along with that 148th cuz 148th was like an obstacle course of stuck/abandoned cars. Driving home last night, I got stuck trying to climb up my drive way. I ended up spending 20 minutes clearing the entire drive way and about a foot around my car just to make it to my spot where I park.
BTW, Jonny, I told the guys at Mercedes Garage that you could be giving them a call about those eibachs.
Jonny, I heard Bellevue was in shambles and that 520 was closed along with that 148th cuz 148th was like an obstacle course of stuck/abandoned cars. Driving home last night, I got stuck trying to climb up my drive way. I ended up spending 20 minutes clearing the entire drive way and about a foot around my car just to make it to my spot where I park.
BTW, Jonny, I told the guys at Mercedes Garage that you could be giving them a call about those eibachs.
I sent Mercedes Garage an email asking for a quote.....just waiting to hear back from them. Thanks for the recommendation.
12-19-2008, 12:32 AM
#113
Moderator Alumni
Thread Starter
I live in Factoria up on the hill and walked down to Applebees this afternoon and couldn't believe how many people were still trying to get around.....the roads are horrible!
I sent Mercedes Garage an email asking for a quote.....just waiting to hear back from them. Thanks for the recommendation.
I sent Mercedes Garage an email asking for a quote.....just waiting to hear back from them. Thanks for the recommendation.
I think his (Adam's) email is down and they aren't so great about updating the webpage. You should just give the guy a call... Hit me up on the PM if you want his number or google "Mercedes Garage Bellevue" and you'll find his number easily. I don't wanna accidentally cross the TOU lines or anything so I'm not gonna publicly post his number :P
12-22-2008, 01:36 PM
#118
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Diego, California
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2003 C230 Kompressor Coupe, 2003 E320, 2003 Chevy Corvette Z06
12-22-2008, 01:38 PM
#119
Moderator Alumni
Thread Starter
I drove into the city Friday after some of the snow had been cleared with intentions of staying w/ my friends in the city to avoid more snowfall and to find shelter from snow with the city being closer to the water and snow usually not falling in the city....
Fail. Downtown Seattle had probably 4 of 5 inches of snow on all of the roads....
Fail. Downtown Seattle had probably 4 of 5 inches of snow on all of the roads....
12-22-2008, 08:30 PM
#120
Super Moderator
Tru - looks like you stepped from the frying pan into the fire
OFM what an inappropriate analogy
OFM what an inappropriate analogy
01-15-2009, 11:59 PM
#122
Moderator Alumni
Thread Starter
I have come to the conclusion that my car + its ride height + tire selection is not so good for the snow.... As a result, Ive come to the conclusion that I need a better car for the winter... My car is just not fit... Makes me sad, but...
...
I got one of these for the winter... '97 Pathfinder SE - with every option!
(this photo was taken w/ my 5dmk2 at 2500 iso :drool: )
For a grand total of 800 dollars from the neighbor with selectable 4wd or 2wd. 3.3L v6 (VG33) known for its durability in the off roading world while providing an insanely inefficient 160ish hp and 190 ft/lb of torque while drinking 14 mpg in the city and 17 on the highway! I would have never imagined the day that I would join an off-roading forum, but they seem to provide the most useful info about the truck...
As for the w203...
I just installed a new 05 grill and philips Ultinons into my low beams. They are VERY bright!
Ive got a 3000k 9006 and 6000k H7 HID kits for my fogs/high beams sitting on the floor of my bedroom while I try and plan out some time to install them. I am a bit hesitant to install the 6000ks into the high beams because high beams are turned on/off frequently and Ive swore that xenon bulbs shouldn't be turned on and off so much... Input here would be greatly appreciated.
These showed up in the mail in the past few days and will be installed shortly:
(AMS crank pulley and headers - taken w/ my XTi at 400 iso
)
Quickly looking over crank pulley: The build quality seems awesome and the product is VERY light.
As for the headers, the exterior welds seem fantastic and the headers dont seem like they're going to be leaking anytime soon. Although they seem sound in that respect, the insides seem to be rough at points and some of the edges where the pipes meet don't seem to be the best match. I wish they were worked on a little more and ground down a bit more to keep things smooth inside.
Short term update on the UDPS: I seriously cant tell if I've got any more power at all from these things. LET saw 10hp across the entire band, I guess I'm going to have to wait and just see. I seem to be getting WORSE gas mileage - probably caused by the crummy winter fuel if anything. I checked up on the accessory belt and there was no fraying or anything, so it seems like the LET UDPS is staying put and not going to cause any headaches.
After the AMS products get installed, the car will be disabled for a few days while the ECU is sent to LET for a tune!
Camera Note: My 5dmk2's aperture display in the viewfinder was malfunctioning from the day I got it. I had to contact adorama.com (where I purchased it) to have it exchanged for a new one. Yay for them being really good about it and me not having to fill out my canon warranty. Just look at the quality of the two above photos in similar lighting conditions....
Note on my CEL: It hasn't come back
Todo List:
Have new rear tires mounted/balanced
Have old tires taken off stock wheel to clear up garage space!
Install lug locks
Hook up the fog lights w/ the HID kits!
Install AMS products + send out the ECU to have it tuned
Dyno!
Gotta get the stuff for the Lux front bumper
Buy some black vinyl for the roof!
Restrain myself from modding the pathfinder
Photograph Berti_00's car and Royfishes car in the spring/summer!
Things in the mail:
Nothing! for once... nothing... wtfs...
...
I got one of these for the winter... '97 Pathfinder SE - with every option!
(this photo was taken w/ my 5dmk2 at 2500 iso :drool: )
For a grand total of 800 dollars from the neighbor with selectable 4wd or 2wd. 3.3L v6 (VG33) known for its durability in the off roading world while providing an insanely inefficient 160ish hp and 190 ft/lb of torque while drinking 14 mpg in the city and 17 on the highway! I would have never imagined the day that I would join an off-roading forum, but they seem to provide the most useful info about the truck...
As for the w203...
I just installed a new 05 grill and philips Ultinons into my low beams. They are VERY bright!
Ive got a 3000k 9006 and 6000k H7 HID kits for my fogs/high beams sitting on the floor of my bedroom while I try and plan out some time to install them. I am a bit hesitant to install the 6000ks into the high beams because high beams are turned on/off frequently and Ive swore that xenon bulbs shouldn't be turned on and off so much... Input here would be greatly appreciated.
These showed up in the mail in the past few days and will be installed shortly:
(AMS crank pulley and headers - taken w/ my XTi at 400 iso
)Quickly looking over crank pulley: The build quality seems awesome and the product is VERY light.
As for the headers, the exterior welds seem fantastic and the headers dont seem like they're going to be leaking anytime soon. Although they seem sound in that respect, the insides seem to be rough at points and some of the edges where the pipes meet don't seem to be the best match. I wish they were worked on a little more and ground down a bit more to keep things smooth inside.
Short term update on the UDPS: I seriously cant tell if I've got any more power at all from these things. LET saw 10hp across the entire band, I guess I'm going to have to wait and just see. I seem to be getting WORSE gas mileage - probably caused by the crummy winter fuel if anything. I checked up on the accessory belt and there was no fraying or anything, so it seems like the LET UDPS is staying put and not going to cause any headaches.
After the AMS products get installed, the car will be disabled for a few days while the ECU is sent to LET for a tune!
Camera Note: My 5dmk2's aperture display in the viewfinder was malfunctioning from the day I got it. I had to contact adorama.com (where I purchased it) to have it exchanged for a new one. Yay for them being really good about it and me not having to fill out my canon warranty. Just look at the quality of the two above photos in similar lighting conditions....
Note on my CEL: It hasn't come back
Todo List:
Have new rear tires mounted/balanced
Have old tires taken off stock wheel to clear up garage space!
Install lug locks
Hook up the fog lights w/ the HID kits!
Install AMS products + send out the ECU to have it tuned
Dyno!
Gotta get the stuff for the Lux front bumper
Buy some black vinyl for the roof!
Restrain myself from modding the pathfinder
Photograph Berti_00's car and Royfishes car in the spring/summer!
Things in the mail:
Nothing! for once... nothing... wtfs...
01-16-2009, 01:40 AM
#123
Super Moderator
Hey man - all lookin swell. Get a Dremel tool & do a clean up of the inside of those beautiful headers. Happy 4X4ing.
01-16-2009, 03:00 AM
#125
Super Moderator
very cool man! I can't wait to see what the gains are!
my family had a 1997 Pathfinder LE back in the day... man, I remember I did some stupid stuff in that car.
oh and congrats on the 100k mark! that is very impressive
I hope my w203 makes it... 67k and counting...
my family had a 1997 Pathfinder LE back in the day... man, I remember I did some stupid stuff in that car.
oh and congrats on the 100k mark! that is very impressive
I hope my w203 makes it... 67k and counting...
