What did you buy/do to your NB? 2018 edition

[Demon I Am]

I found a box full of sunshine on the porch yesterday. guess the car is gonna stay in the air for a bit longer. Can't argue with the quality or speed of shipment from Treasure Coast. I wish they sent out a shipping update, but it's not a big deal.

[— kung fu jesus —]

Dash cam arrived. Going to hardwire the power source to the car and install it. Too many crazy happenings recently, plus I can use it to record my sessions.

[MiataQuest]

I just installed a different model ROAV dash camera in my 1984 Audi four weeks ago. I think the model is called C2. My son got it for my birthday back in February.
My son helped me select the best memory card so I can run good resolution while still storing a lot of data. It is mounted directly to the front windshield with adhesive tape. I mounted it near the rear view mirror. It is hard to notice which is good.

My weekly commute of 520+ miles has been crazy between construction, accidents, bad roads, and people playing with their devices.

I was lucky my Pioneer audio system has two USB outlets. I used the one in the back for the dash cam and the one in the front for my iPhone. So both USB ports gets activated when the car starts so I do not forget to plug or unplug them. The dash cam does come on using it's internal battery for a few minutes if it senses some movement when parked.

I figure it will be good for legal protection in the event of an accident and with all the craziness it might capture a good Youtube video in the future!

[HarryB]

Eager to read your feedback; please provide pics if possible. Have been contemplating one since a quite long time now.

[Demon I Am]

Here is something I missed during parts removal... the damn stud pulled out of the header. Stud still has lower threads, but barely. they are too smashed to thread into the header. What's my best course of action? Retap and thread a new stud or add a bolt/nut/washer that fits?

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[— kung fu jesus —]

Those studs...ugh.

I had a similar issue on my 10ae. I replaced the studs with bolts. IIRC, I drilled out the holes on one side, used the threads on the other flange to run the bolts into.

*edit* looks like I used bolts and nuts. I remember I FUBAR'd the studs and had to remove them, I think two seized and I drilled them out. The bolts threaded into one side, I might have used nuts to prevent a similar situation OR it was that the studs from a '99-00 had a different thread/pitch than an '01+.

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[Demon I Am]

Figured this would be the best COA. Guess another hardware store trip is in order. Also, how vital is replacing the copper-ish seal that fits inside the header at that junction? Is it a "replace every time" seal, a=or reusable? Also, that transmission bracket in the area is vile, and not going back on the car. The long bolt which held the exhaust to the bracket broke off a year or 2 ago, and I haven't seen any issue.

[— kung fu jesus —]

I have reused the metal exhaust gaskets many, many times. It's the soft, fibrous gaskets that are 1-time use.

That bracket that holds the pipe to the trans...I eliminate it when the opportunity presents itself, it's never been an issue.

[Demon I Am]

Just like that intake mani bracket. Over-engineering...

[— kung fu jesus —]

That flimsy starter support bracket on the earlier cars. Just one more thing to work around on that side of the car, like the engine mount. The NBs don’t have it.

Swapping out the passenger side engine mounts on my car and a friend’s NA. His car took an extra 20-30 minutes because of that damn bracket. Mine took 20-30 minutes total.

[— kung fu jesus —]

After 15 years of heavy use, my 1.5T aluminum floor jack gave out on Sunday. Fortunately, I was able to take advantage of some Father's Day extended sales and buy a new one: a 3T, low-profile, steel unit. $99 + free shipping. It arrived a day earlier than forecast. She's pretty stout and has a higher lift range. So long, old pal, you served me well.

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[Warhammer]

Your aluminum jack looks just like the one I just bought last month. I hope I can look forward to 15 years of service from mine, too!

[—Bryan—]

I need something with a taller lift.

[Demon I Am]

I need a lift

[Warhammer]

New shoes installed... mostly.

I got all 16 of the chopped wheel studs out and replaced them with original length studs. The PO had cut them REALLY short! I installed the 25mm spacers and wheels up front, and I'm very happy with the result. In the rear, I think the 32mm spacers are just a tad too narrow.It doesn't look bad, just not quite what I want. I think I need about another 1/4 inch for them to look just right. I already have some 38mm spacers on the way that should be here by Friday.




I went from the OEM 16" to 15" wheels with this mod. They definitely don't fill the wheel wells as nicely. With all the fender gap, it's obvious that the next major mod I need t plan is a set of coilovers.

I was going to install my new stripes, but the shop messed up my order. Instead of cutting out the white area between the red and black stripes, they left white in that location. I test installed a short piece of the strip, but the white of the vinyl is just way too different from the white paint on the car. I'll have to wait for the shop to make me another set of stripes. The pics give an idea of how its going to look, though.