The Long Road Back

[JamieH]

Might I suggest MSM mounts? Stiffer than stock, but less so than Mazda comp mounts.

[—Bryan—]

Might I suggest MSM mounts? Stiffer than stock, but less so than Mazda comp mounts.

Maybe. At this point, I'm not tearing into the car any more than I have to. I need to get it buttoned up for inspection which, aside from changing oil, is probably the last major thing it's going to get before I head to MATG.

[—Bryan—]

Night before inspection. Completed tasks:

1. Undertray reinstalled
2. Fender Liners reinstalled
3. RB Blocks installed
4. Subframe Brace installed (had to flip mine because the 01-05 brace has a pair of locator studs that the 99-00 subframe has no receptacles for)

Here are the blocks in their new home (on the passenger side):

Racing Beat Blocks - Passenger Side by Bryan Wyatt, on Flickr
Racing Beat Blocks by Bryan Wyatt, on Flickr


Also...pretty sure I found the source of my exhaust leak. Found it while I was installing the subframe brace. First, I noticed the shiny machine marks on the heat shield, then my eyes fell on the obvious:

Seized Nut by Bryan Wyatt, on Flickr

The nut closest to the camera on the flange seized partway on and was never fully torqued down. I am going to guess that the shop that did my clutch made this oopsie a couple years ago, and I just now found it.

Car's as ready for inspection as it's going to be at this point. Wish me luck!

[— kung fu jesus —]

Lubricate that stud & nut before you try to torque it down. Go slow with it, or risk snapping it off. (ask me how I know)

When I swapped out the exhaust manifolds on my current car, it took a few ugga-duggas on the impact wrench to get one of mine fully torqued.

[—Bryan—]

At this point, I'm not messing with it. It's been like this for at least two years (I had my clutch swapped before MATG in 2016).

[—Bryan—]

It passed

[—Martin—]

Woot!

[—Bryan—]

Took the car out for a short jaunt. I haven't had a chance to drive this thing in anger yet.


WOW.


Between the wheels, tires, and the big sway...I'm not used to this level of grip.


Suspension feels great!

[TNRooster3]

Cool, hopefully will get to see you again up there.


Sent from my Moto G Play using Tapatalk

[—Bryan—]

Cool, hopefully will get to see you again up there.

Yep. I'll be there. Only question was what I'd be driving

[TNRooster3]

Yep. I'll be there. Only question was what I'd be driving

Me to, The Rooster is still sick.

[—Bryan—]

Me to, The Rooster is still sick.

Bummer

What's up?

[TNRooster3]

Having trouble getting it to pass the emissions test. Been down with back and knee problems and haven't had time to get the 2nd O2 sensor replaced before MATG.


Sent from my Moto G Play using Tapatalk

[—Bryan—]

Post-MATG issues:

1.) STILL have something clunking/rattling in the suspension. Seriously, this is pissing me off--not to mention causing some major anxiety. I was able to drive for the weekend, but the new noise showed up as I popped into the driveway.
2.) I need to cover my tranny tunnel. My legs were HOOOOOT the whole way home--even with the AC on.

[— kung fu jesus —]

Bryan, if you can describe the location(s) and conditions that make the sound, perhaps we can try to help you narrow down the possibilities. Sometimes video helps.