☆☆☆ '97M- Warbird ☆☆☆

[Greasemonkey2000]

Really appreciate the kind words Slampen! You left part of the proverb/saying out..... "da brachten sie ihn in das Spinnhaus", sometimes thats where i feel it is leading me to. I've always wanted to learn German.

[Slampen]

How am I different from the ones that resides at the "spinnhaus"? I dont dare to check it out.

I dont speak much german, but Norwegian and German share a lot of words.

[mx54life]

Bbbbboost her already!


You got me very interested with the FEAL 411. I need a ride to have a feel so I can make a decision as to whether I will go with the race or the street version.


I sure love the energy of your build Chad.

[Greasemonkey2000]

Believe me i wish i hadn't sold the mp62 but what's done is done.

Well you gots my digits and passing thru this way so i think a "test flight" can be arranged. I think your average enthusiast would be most satisfied with the Street version, just my opinion.

Thanks for the compliment Ed!

[Greasemonkey2000]

12-11-15: Abe with ARTech ran into some issue with the rather tight bend that transitions from 2.5" midpipe to the 5"x11"x22" Magnaflow muffler but he worked his exhaust magic.


Abe said he didn't have any tight radius 2.5" bends so the pie cuts was the solution. Looks VERY time consuming.

[Greasemonkey2000]

12-14-15: Received pics of my ALMOST completed custom ARTech fabrication exhaust which includes a modified Raceland w/ extra o2 sensor bung/flex section/vband, 2.5" vband catalytic converter, 2.5" vband midpipe w/ 2.5"x18"x4" Magnaflow resonator and 2.5" vband Magnaflow 5"x11"x22" muffler w/ dual outlets.

(driver side tip is turned down since his bumper isn't cut)











I had originally requested turn down tips but in the process that detail was overlooked but once I brought it to his attention he said that he would get that corrected. The outlet pieces from the muffler will use lap band clamps to be secured so that proper alignment can be ensured once installed on Warbird.

[Greasemonkey2000]

Unfortunately this happened this evening on the way back from seeing Star Wars: The Force Awakens.....








....apparently "the force" also blows out tires. My wife said it looked like a hunk of concrete. It sucks because I still have at least half the tread left on them with 7,837 miles on them currently. As most know you CANNOT find 225/45/15 Hankook Ventus RS-3's right now so if anyone has ONE they'd be willing to sell me that would be really great. Really don't need/want one that is brand new since I'd rather the tread be a similar depth and plan on getting the 200tw 245/40/15 Maxxis tires when they come out in 2016, so please PM me if you have one, PLEASE!

[Greasemonkey2000]

Well the day after the tire incident on the way home from work I saw the object I struck so I decided to retrieve my "trophy" since it will have cost me a set of brand new 225/45/15 Toyo R1R's...



You can even see the tread pattern from the RS-3's. For reference the floor tile is a 12"x12" tile so it is BIG! It looks to be a land scape rock. It looks as though I actually ran over it partially with the outer edge of the tire and it rolled out from under the tire and since the side wall is pretty stiff it didn't have enough "give" and thus blowing out the tire. All things considered I'm counting my blessings...it didn't cause an accident, the rim isn't bent(no doubt thanks to the stiff side wall of the RS-3) and no other damage was incurred.

I just went ahead and ordered a set of 225/45/15 Toyo R1R's from Phil's Tire Service since they had free shipping plus a $25 off coupon when you buy 4. Unfortunately due to the holidays I won't get them till next week.

[Greasemonkey2000]

I also received word my custom ARTech exhaust is finally complete! So here it is:
new outlets w/ turn down tips







Abe has even offered to drop the exhaust off for me since he is suppose to be in the area(he is about 120 miles north of me) this weekend, how awesome is that! So that will save me shipping cost! I can't recommend Abe enough, I can't wait to install it and hear it!

[RustRat]

Looks awesome, Chad. Can't wait to see it fitted.

[HarryB]

OMG, these welds look so gorgeous! TIG I guess? Eager to see fitted pics!

[Greasemonkey2000]

Looks awesome, Chad. Can't wait to see it fitted.

Thanks Peter! Neither can I.

OMG, these welds look so gorgeous! TIG I guess? Eager to see fitted pics!

Yup TIG for all that 304 stainless steel.

[HarryB]

Awesome fab work! May I ask how much did it set you back? Wish I could find a local fabricator with such skills...or rather patience.

[Greasemonkey2000]

Well Abe said he doesn't mind but bear in mind this is custom work and since he isn't a big business I'm sure his material cost can fluctuate so prices could very well be different.

Here is a breakdown of the cost:

$0- o2 sensor bung added to header
$50- vband added to header
$35- for flex section added to the header
$160- 2.5" vband cat w/o2 sensor
$225- 2.5" resonated midpipe
$425- 2.5" 5x11x22 dual outlet magnaflow muffler
$50-turn down tips
$945-Total plus shipping

A 2.5" test pipe is only $70 and the smaller 5"×8"x18" muffler with dual outlet would have been $325. You go to a normal single outlet muffler and that would probably be almost another $100 less, that is just a guess on my part. Someone on cr.net that got a 2.5" resonated midpipe and single outlet muffler said it was around $600 from Abe.

I really think it is a great value compared to any OTS (off the shelf) options and will be much easier to install/remove due to the vband connections and a reasonable weight for a comparable system. For example a Racing Beat exhaust with dual outlet muffler, resonated midpipe and a high flow catalytic converter would have cost $729 plus shipping.

Abe is a pleasure to deal with but one downside is it may take 2-3 weeks for him to make it but he only does it part time, iirc, and when you are talking custom anything then it almost always takes longer. For more information email Abe at abe@artechfabrication.com, he usually got back to me in a day or two.

[RustRat]

Why, Harry, planning to get one? Lol