DIY Mechanics

Damien (AKA AUSSIE) · 06-16-2007, 01:12 AM

.... No one has wanted to start a thread up yet about this so I might as well get one started

This thread is mainly for discussing projects and concept designs for DIYers.
Also for advice and opinion for anything troubling your mind on a particular matter for cars, motorbikes or anything of the genre...
(Compressors, Electronics, Wood and metal work, Bling Blinging your car....ect)

Some people here can save you hundreds to thousands of Dollars on repairs or adjustments just by someone here giving you simple/advanced advice.
I myself am a qualified mechanic, so for most problems involving Cars I can help with, so dont worry if your question sounds stupid, I've heard them all
Also I know for a fact there are a few brainy Members here that would be happy to help when needed, this thread is for them too.
Also to add, Im no auto-electrican, but a few people that like there elctronics might be able to give you top advice on a query you have...

I just want to add a note to this though,
Not everything can be fully explained/translated from a google search... I have already proven this in the SCF forum but if you just need something explained that you found on google, post it here

I have a few problems Im trying to workout myself and I will post them later in a detailed post

Abriel · 06-16-2007, 01:23 AM

Umm yeah what he said...

YaY4Beer! · 06-16-2007, 12:07 PM

Just an added FYI, I'm pretty knowledgeable when it comes to the electrical and electronic side of automobiles. Obviously no tech knows everything, but I may be able to help. Also, I have complete access to AllData, Shopkey, and Mitchell On Demand for most vehicles. 07 and up is still a bit limited. If you need wiring diagrams, flow charts, technical service bulletins, or procedures for testing diagnostic trouble codes, I can help.

Allen · 06-16-2007, 01:01 PM

I want a second opinion.

My mom has an air intake on her 1998 grand am gt.

It is taking too much air in and breaking the stock catalytic converter because of the increased flow. (It gets red hot)

I think she should go with a performance catalytic converter.. to handle the increased flow.

They cost like 60 bucks.. and she wouldn't have to replace her intake with a stock one which would cost more money than getting a hipo cat because you have to replace the oem cat and buy a oem intake..

I haven't asked my brother in law's opinion about this. He is certified mechanic.. but he thinks he knows all about cars.. he only has an associate's degree and is fresh out of community college and comes from and a ignorant family. When he studies he does things last minute and doesn't take time for the knowledge to sink in. For an example.. just yesterday... he thought the coil packs were missing on firing the plugs. The rest of us knew it was the cat.. and he had to look under to see if it was red hot. The coil packs are new by the way.. like 15 thousand miles on them. I'm afraid he'll just say no they won't work.. he lies like that even though it is not a beneficial lie but he knows that a cat that can support a 1000 hp hotrod can sure enough support a stock 4 banger with a intake on it.

I do have a mig welder .. I would weld it.. but the next time something goes wrong with her car I would be the first to blame.

Sooo.. do you think she should go with the cat that has the increased flow capacity orreplace the stock intake and oem cat?

Damien (AKA AUSSIE) · 06-16-2007, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allen

I want a second opinion.

My mom has an air intake on her 1998 grand am gt.

It is taking too much air in and breaking the stock catalytic converter because of the increased flow. (It gets red hot)

I think she should go with a performance catalytic converter.. to handle the increased flow.

They cost like 60 bucks.. and she wouldn't have to replace her intake with a stock one which would cost more money than getting a hipo cat because you have to replace the oem cat and buy a oem intake..

I haven't asked my brother in law's opinion about this. He is certified mechanic.. but he thinks he knows all about cars.. he only has an associate's degree and is fresh out of community college and comes from and a ignorant family. When he studies he does things last minute and doesn't take time for the knowledge to sink in. For an example.. just yesterday... he thought the coil packs were missing on firing the plugs. The rest of us knew it was the cat.. and he had to look under to see if it was red hot. The coil packs are new by the way.. like 15 thousand miles on them. I'm afraid he'll just say no they won't work.. he lies like that even though it is not a beneficial lie but he knows that a cat that can support a 1000 hp hotrod can sure enough support a stock 4 banger with a intake on it.

I do have a mig welder .. I would weld it.. but the next time something goes wrong with her car I would be the first to blame.

Sooo.. do you think she should go with the cat that has the increased flow capacity orreplace the stock intake and oem cat?

TBH Allen, I have never had the opportunity to work on a grand am....
But going by exhaust systems in general, its always best to use OEM parts when applicable. But seems you have already made the modification of the air intake, you need to make mod's to your cooling system as well to cope with the rise in engine temperature (if its a dramatic rise) your only choice is to fit the aftermarket hiflow cat, otherwise you need to take the aftermarket air intake off.... doing that would save you money in long term damage as well.

If emission laws weren't so tough I would have said take the cat off and weld from the engine pipe straight through to the muffler/s
Maybe an American can help you with the smaller details...

Charmed™ · 06-16-2007, 04:55 PM

This post will describe in full detail on how to change your transmission fluid.

Here is what you will need:

1. Transmission fluid: For Automatic Transmissions: ATF. For Manual Transimissions: Dexron III Mercon(?).

Depending on your the size of your Motor is how many quarts you'll need. The Auto Parts Store Clerk will know exactly how many quarts you'll need.

2. Transmission Filter KIT(This kit will include the transmission filter, trans. filter gasket, and trans. pan gasket.)

3. Depending on your car: 10MM Socket or 3/8" Socket/Extension/Rachet

4. Drain Pan

5. A grease wrag would be ncie too btw.

Steps:

1. Put Drain Pan underneath Transmission Pan.

2. Some cars have a Drain Plug in the Transmission Pan. You can take the Drain Plug out by using a 5/8" Socket. If your car doesn't have a drain plug, skip to step 3.

3. Using the 10MM or 3/8" Socket, start taking out the bolts. Please put bolts in a safe place.

4. Slowly lower the pan and let the transmission fluid drain out. Once drained, clean out the transmission pan with Shop Towels or an old towel. If you do not do this, then you'll defeat the purpose of changing your transmission fluid. Also, check to see if there are huge metal shavings in the pan. Take not of the color of the Transmission fluid aswell.

5. Take off the filter. Usually there are bolts or scews holding on the filter on some cars. These bolts/screws may require a Phillips(+) screw driver or a 1/4" Socket. Once the old filter is off, find the new filter's O-Ring or Gasket, it shouldn't be that big. Put on O-Ring or Gasket and install new filter.

6. Replace your cleaned transmission pan and put 4 bolts in each corner to hold it in place. Note that this is hard to do by yourself, as when your under the car, the pan is above you so it tends to be slightly heavy.

7. Snug the four bolts and then put the rest of the bolts in snug.

8. Tighten up slightly, not too much or you'll strip out the bolts. Then you'll be in big trouble.

9. Replace drain plug, if there is one.

10. Put atleast 4 quarts of transmission fluid in the car. Start it up, check the fluid level(Note that the Fluid should be in between the Gridding, not above or below it.) If the fluid is below the Gridding, please add more. Don't over fill. See below.

For all of those that do not know: Below the Gridding means Add Fluid, above the Gridding means to drain some out(Over filled).

11. Check for leaks. If there is any, switch the car off and tighten up the bolts a little bit more. Start the car up again and check for leaks again until there are no more leaks.

12. Drive car for about 30 Mins and then check fluid level again.

Everything should have went according to plan. If you do not understand a step, please quote this post's Step. Thank you.

YaY4Beer! · 06-16-2007, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allen

I want a second opinion.

My mom has an air intake on her 1998 grand am gt.

It is taking too much air in and breaking the stock catalytic converter because of the increased flow. (It gets red hot)

I think she should go with a performance catalytic converter.. to handle the increased flow.

They cost like 60 bucks.. and she wouldn't have to replace her intake with a stock one which would cost more money than getting a hipo cat because you have to replace the oem cat and buy a oem intake..

I haven't asked my brother in law's opinion about this. He is certified mechanic.. but he thinks he knows all about cars.. he only has an associate's degree and is fresh out of community college and comes from and a ignorant family. When he studies he does things last minute and doesn't take time for the knowledge to sink in. For an example.. just yesterday... he thought the coil packs were missing on firing the plugs. The rest of us knew it was the cat.. and he had to look under to see if it was red hot. The coil packs are new by the way.. like 15 thousand miles on them. I'm afraid he'll just say no they won't work.. he lies like that even though it is not a beneficial lie but he knows that a cat that can support a 1000 hp hotrod can sure enough support a stock 4 banger with a intake on it.

I do have a mig welder .. I would weld it.. but the next time something goes wrong with her car I would be the first to blame.

Sooo.. do you think she should go with the cat that has the increased flow capacity orreplace the stock intake and oem cat?

Allen, like Damien said, you have to take into account that, if the cat is getting red hot, the entire car is running hotter, and thus, to prolong the life of the automobile, a modification to the engine's cooling system might need to be made as well. It depends on how hot the car is running. Also, I don't know what part of the U.S. you are from and how strict the emissions laws are there (compared to here in California), but a hotter running car may also fail NOx if you need to pass smog depending on the cat.

Allen · 06-16-2007, 09:22 PM

The engine is running a normal temp.. I'm sure it has gone up.. though.

What'cha think about that stuff you pour into your radiator and they guarantee 40 degree drop in temp?

I'mma go with a magnaflow cat..

Edit: NC... she knows somebody who will pass it anyway...

Damien (AKA AUSSIE) · 06-29-2007, 09:46 AM

I've got a problem that's annoying the fu.ck out of me....
This is mainly Peugeot’s, A worker fitted up some tyres today and he came to me asking how to balance them... I was thinking SH!T!!! not this again (I've come across this several times) I had a look and the wheels don't have center caps, it's solid so it wouldn't go on the balancer... I can't find any tool or accessory to fit the balancer to suit Peugeot wheels, or any other wheels with solid centers (no center caps).... I can't figure out how to get them properly balanced without getting the portable truck balancer out (too ridiculous to work lol)
If it's any help, the wheel balancer is a besbarth 3000 (I think lol, I don't pay much attention to it)