venting a little...actually a lot

I'm Allen

Member
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'03 Black Mica MSP #18
Well, I got my iON FMIC and turbo-back exhaust last week. I had a 4 day weekend this last weekend and was excited to get it all together. My buddy and I started Saturday morning at about 10 a.m. and here it is Monday night and I'm still not done. Things were going well Saturday. We took everything out of the engine bay...intake, radiator and fans, IC piping, exhaust manifold and the turbo. I get the stock S-pipe off and begin putting the new one on and break the stud on the very last nut. We take the downpipe back off and I end up breaking another stud. I buy a stud extractor kit, get one off, and then break the other one off inside the hole. Then I break the extractor inside the hole. I quit after that. We get started on Sunday morning and take it to a mechanic friend of mine and he gets it out and re-taps it no problem. Things are going well and we get the manifold, turbo, and exhaust bolted up really nicely. The muffler is centered and everything looks as if it will fit nicely. Now that that's done we swap out my rear motor mount back to stock. What took 6 1/2 hours to do the first time took just over an hour. It's a lot easier when you can stand inside the engine bay and don't have the IC piping in the way. So now we get started on the FMIC. We get the bumper off and take off some of the plastic pieces and mount the IC. No problem so far. We cut some on the driver's side and run the piping from the IC outlet to the TB, get everything aligned just right and quit for the day since the sun goes down at 6 now. This morning I told myself I would do some yard work first so I do and then I get started on my car again. I finish the driver's side and have it looking really nice and get started on the passenger side. I cut the hold required to route the piping and start putting things together. I think I have it and tighten all the clamps. I put the radiator back in and then try putting the fans back in. No luck, the fan goes where my piping runs. So I have to take the fan and radiator back out, loosen all my clamps and try to reposition my piping. After about an hour I finally get it right and put the radiator and fan back in. I tighten it all up and begin putting everything back in. I converted my Injen CAI into a SRI and connect all the hoses. The bypass valve line is kinda tricky but I got it. I get everything back together except the front bumper, reconnect the battery, and fire it up. Man does it sound great. The exhaust sounds AWESOME. I was soooo worried that it would sound like crap. With the car idling we check for liquid, air, and exhaust leaks. No air or exhaust leaks, but, I notice some smoke coming up from the turbo and under the exhaust manifold heat shield. I get under the car and found a pretty bad leak from an oil line to the turbo. It won't tighten up anymore so I throw in the towel for the night. I thought for sure that I would be done by the end of today. Now I have to drain my oil (fresh oil I might add), fix the leak, and then put the bumper back on. Probably only about 2 hours of work but still disappointing. My radio doesn't work either to add to it. I've had to make 9 trips to either Autozone, Advance, or to Northern to get the right tool or part. My wife isn't too happy about that since I've spent nearly $2500 already for the two products. Anyway, I guess I'm done for the night. I have to go take a shower and try getting the stuff off my hands. Thanks for listening. Also, I've attached some pictures. I'll post more up later. Hopefully tomorrow of the finished project!

Allen-
 

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Why do I never see this black beauty around :)?? What part of NN do you live?

Did you ever find out what was causing the oil leak? How does the finished product look?
 
Just to make you feel Better

I Just recieved my ion fmic on thurseday, i installed it on saturday and it took me about six hours....... (and im a auto technician!!!!!)(Thats with the right tools, lift and all) Hope that makes you feel a little better... sorry about your troubles hopefully it will be worth it.... jeremy
(rockon)
 
j12rock31- 6hrs? lol. I wouldn't state that then say your a technician....it gives us a bad name.
 
BlkZoomZoom said:
j12rock31- 6hrs? lol. I wouldn't state that then say your a technician....it gives us a bad name.
could have taken you half the time, right?

how is your re-build coming? just dropped you a PM
 
It's already running, had it going on saturday. Took total of ten hrs....including swapping everything (had to take everything back off because I decided to put a new timing belt on it also.)
 
j12rock31- 6hrs? lol. I wouldn't state that then say your a technician....it gives us a bad name.

I am sure there where unforseen problems. Besides, most tech go 1/2 hour work, 15 min coffee, 15 mins for a smoke, back to work for 1/2 hour kinda deal, at least its that way at the 2 dealerships Ive worked at and 5-10 friends I have who are mechs for dealerships, just a thought.
 
Well listen, first thing is i like everything to be perfect kind of deal, i actually had it together and then took it back apart several times....Bad Name????lol just to let you know im a (A Tech for lincoln,mercury), so if your questioning my ability all i can do is smile i guess :)
 
Dang Allen. I wish I could have been there to atleast give you guys a hand. I have been up in NOVA doing some training for the last week. We just got back last night, so I had no Idea you were going through with the install. I was planning to drop you a pm later tomorrow, since it will be my last work day till next Monday(15th).

Well good luck, and drop me a line and let me know how it went.. Ok.
 
jeffsmsp- lol...yeah thats true. Luckily I don't smoke so I have an advantage over everybody else.
 
j12rock31 said:
Well listen, first thing is i like everything to be perfect kind of deal, i actually had it together and then took it back apart several times....Bad Name????lol just to let you know im a (A Tech for lincoln,mercury), so if your questioning my ability all i can do is smile i guess :)
I'm an electrician and I'm the same way, everything has to be perfect (When I am working on my things at least). Quality over quanity any time.
 
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