2008 Has Arrived!

I was just browsing my own site and came across a list of things that I intended to get done before the end of the year.  Let’s look back and see how far we got, shall we?

[Circa October 2007] Tonight the Galant goes back into the garage, where it will await my return from the wedding in Las Vegas this weekend. Once I get back, first order of business is to re-torque the head studs and change the oil. From then on, I’ll be setting my sights on getting/doing the following before the end of the year…

• Alignment (car pulls to the right)
  • This still hasn’t been done.  Ray tells me there’s even some obvious camber issues with one of my rear wheels.  He’s mentioned removal of major suspension parts and a lot of pressure…
• New shifter bushings (very mushy gear selection right now)
  • Actually, I just won a set of these on eBay the day before yesterday.  I seemed to keep forgetting them until I spotted a set on eBay for less than $5.  I sniped them at the last minute, paying just over $18 and saving at least $6.  Wo0t!
• Battery relocation to trunk
  • Eventually, I guess.  It’s still right up front where it’s always been.
• Hard intake pipe
  • Hard to remove the stocker without getting oily dirt all over your hands from that hose I refuse to connect to the valve cover.
• NACA duct in fender to feed intake
  • This has actually been done.  Not!
• Good set of stock headlights
  • I decided I already have a good set of stock headlights.  Sure, they’re no longer adjustable by any means other than wedging empty cigarette boxes or 32 ounce QuickTrip fountain drink lids behind them and, sure, they shake a bit while I’m driving down the road, but they’re still good.
• Smaller (1G) radiator
  • This mod was actually performed.  I had to do it.  The stocker shit the bed when the car died over the summer, so I had to use the other radiator I had lying around.  I took it out of a 1G DSM, so it should be the right one, right?  Doubtful.  It’s janky looking and, while it is shorter in height, it’s nearly as wide as stock.  Go figure.  I’ll be replacing it before summer, I’m sure.
• Install SRT4 front mount intercooler (FMIC)
  • Currently installed in the same corner of my garage as it was back in October.  Imagine that!
• Fuel system upgrades (injectors, pump and rewire)
  • I have new gas in the tank today.  I got it a couple days ago.  (Translation: This isn’t done, either.)
• PocketLogger for proper tuning
  • I have the 1G logger cable!  Well, I’ve always had it, since that burned-out POS GS-T I got had one under the seat.  Still need the PocketLogger, though.  DigitalTuning is the way to go if you’re in the market.
• Re-do the brake lines, pads, rotors
  • Finally!  Something with news to report!  Front rotors are on their way, expected delivery this week sometime.  I’ve also got the new front pads to boot.  Of course, the guy at Autozone who didn’t speak very good English, and who picked “Except Turbo” when I told him the car *was* turbo, pulled the front pads for me, telling me how they were the rears.  Then he quoted me $45 apiece for the rear rotors?  Inconthievable!  Methinks I should get a second job at Autozone so I can get a discount on parts there too.  Hmmmm….

Also worth mentioning, Christmas found me with my rally car first aide kit and reflective emergency triangle.  They’re in the trunk right now.  BONUS!  I scored a 200ft-lb cordless electric impact gun too.  Santa was good to me this year, eh?  In addition to the rotors being en route, I’ve also got my LifeHammer tool for cutting safety belts when they won’t undo or breaking out a window after an accident and a full ten cans of classic Rustoleum flat black spray paint on their way so that progress on the appearance of the Galant can begin.

2008 is off to a great start, all things considered.