DIY cheap mods ?

LukeyST · 23-03-2007, 03:51 PM

gday,

I have a problem! Since starting uni ive discovered that i dont have much money for mods (as i cut bac my work hours big time). Since starting my first thread when i introduced myself i havent done a single thing and its starting to annoy me!

So my question is: What mods can i do that are full DIY style starting with just materials or mods that are cheap to purchase but give a decent gain?

I mean mods of any kind to, performance, interior, exterior, anything to keep me occupied on a budget.

As mentioned in my first thread ive already done the following performance mods-
* V8 snorkel
* K&N panel filter
* Deleted rear muffler

These have given noticable gains.

Thanks for any advice or recomendations ! :eclipsee_

Cheers,
Luke

Grechie · 23-03-2007, 03:55 PM

advance your timing, and use BP Ultimate petrol.

EF302 · 23-03-2007, 04:00 PM

clear side indicators, off an nf fairlane

EBTom · 23-03-2007, 04:47 PM

Make a shift kit. Even if you dont often use it, its still good to have just for shits and its cheap.

LukeyST · 23-03-2007, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grechie

advance your timing, and use BP Ultimate petrol.

Hmmm, do u reckon Ultimate makes a noticable difference? Ive tried it, but dont reckon it makes any difference

:

EFFalcon · 23-03-2007, 05:03 PM

2nd hand springs - superlows

LukeyST · 23-03-2007, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EF302

clear side indicators, off an nf fairlane

I was actually considering that a while ago, forgot all about it until u mentioned it! How do u get to the back of the light for removal? U go under the wheel arch or something?

LukeyST · 23-03-2007, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EBTom

Make a shift kit. Even if you dont often use it, its still good to have just for shits and its cheap.

How do u make them? I havent got a clue lol. Was there a thread about making them at any stage?

LukeyST · 23-03-2007, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EFFalcon

2nd hand springs - superlows

Ive got lows, and happy with them. Not going any lower, borderline scraping over uni speedhumps as it is lol.

Want annoying and savagely square edged speed humps ? Go to Newy Uni!

jason_85 · 23-03-2007, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LukeyEL

I was actually considering that a while ago, forgot all about it until u mentioned it! How do u get to the back of the light for removal? U go under the wheel arch or something?

Just slide them backwards then unclip them, sometimes they are jammed and you have to get in and lever it out, the new ones go in easy anyway even if you break the old ones

Hybrid34 · 23-03-2007, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LukeyEL

Hmmm, do u reckon Ultimate makes a noticable difference? Ive tried it, but dont reckon it makes any difference

:

yes big difference mate if you know your car, Putting it on the expensive juice usually has a more responsive acceleration, and you should get more km;s outta your tank.

few other things you might want to do, get a turbo

, haha
na do the interior, lighting, neons leds, parkers, switches, things like that if you want it to glow a bit, (I can certainly recommed you to someplaces that are really really cheap),

spray your brake calipers red

as far as performance wise, you can't really do alot to gain power unless you spend big bucks, other than exhaust, filter, and then mabyy extractors n highcat depending on how deep your pocket is.

one thing you could do is customise your boot, (if you have a sound system) if done right, can be really impressive.
hope this helps
- Ash

ebfalcon13.5 · 23-03-2007, 07:49 PM

try this http://fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=91553

ThoR_ · 23-03-2007, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LukeyEL

Hmmm, do u reckon Ultimate makes a noticable difference? Ive tried it, but dont reckon it makes any difference

:

Depends. Sometimes you get a bad batch of fuel sometimes its good. Ive used ultimate befor and it has been like unleaded and ive used it and its made a huge difference. Octance varies all the time

EBTom · 23-03-2007, 08:49 PM

For info on building a shift kit, check out http://www.fordmods.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=36009

Some people reckon they're bad for the auto, some say it improves its life. I keep mine on the softer of the 2 settings and havent had any issues and good to drive. Either way it cost me less than $20 for all the parts including the cost of the soldering iron.

Cameronhayward · 23-03-2007, 10:30 PM

what is a shift kit?

BLSTIC · 24-03-2007, 01:07 AM

The ones they are talking about alter the line pressure during shifts. The line pressure (during gearshifts) effectively controls how hard and fast the clutches change over. Kinda like dropping the clutch rather than easing it out.

They alter the amount of power that goes through the line pressure control solenoid, so making it clamp harder. When I did this to my auto, the gearshifts felt much like they do when you sidestep the clutch on a manual, but I got the wrong components, most of the time they just firm it up a little.

Cost me $25 to make a switchable one with a fancy box, but you can make a permanant one that just tapes onto your wiring loom for about $4 all up.

BLSTIC · 24-03-2007, 01:09 AM

Oh yeah, shift kits for normal hydraulically controlled gearboxes are more expensive, but you have the option of changing the shift points, as well as making them firmer. Also if you so desire, they can make up a manualised valve body, so you have to change gears via the stick all the time.

cya
Ben

EBTom · 24-03-2007, 03:15 PM

edit: point covered by BLSTIC

LukeyST · 24-03-2007, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason_85

Just slide them backwards then unclip them, sometimes they are jammed and you have to get in and lever it out, the new ones go in easy anyway even if you break the old ones

Ok thanks, think i might do this mod. How much would i be lookin at for the clear fairlane ones ?

LukeyST · 24-03-2007, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hybrid34

yes big difference mate if you know your car, Putting it on the expensive juice usually has a more responsive acceleration, and you should get more km;s outta your tank.

few other things you might want to do, get a turbo

, haha
na do the interior, lighting, neons leds, parkers, switches, things like that if you want it to glow a bit, (I can certainly recommed you to someplaces that are really really cheap),

spray your brake calipers red

as far as performance wise, you can't really do alot to gain power unless you spend big bucks, other than exhaust, filter, and then mabyy extractors n highcat depending on how deep your pocket is.

one thing you could do is customise your boot, (if you have a sound system) if done right, can be really impressive.
hope this helps
- Ash

Thanks for the in depth reply!

Im gunna fill up with ultimate tomoro and give it a go. I will reset my average fuel comsumption read out and see if my economy gets better, and will see if i see a change in engine responsiveness.

Dont laugh about the turbo bit! lol, thats my goal ive set- to finish uni, get a good job, get new car, keep this for project car (with a turbo set up in the works).

Interior mod's wise ive gotten blue LED's, i like them! Very cheap mod indeed. What do you mean by parkers? Will look into more things i can do interior wise . .

Not gunna spray calipers, that not only is literally cheap, it also looks terribly cheap imo.

In performance terms, ive only got the mods mentioned in post 1. I want to get a 2.5 inch system soon though, give it a better note and a few more horses hopefully.

Boot install sounds like a good 'uni holidays' project. Definately considering it as i want to upgrade the sound system a little.

LukeyST · 24-03-2007, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EBTom

For info on building a shift kit, check out http://www.fordmods.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=36009

Some people reckon they're bad for the auto, some say it improves its life. I keep mine on the softer of the 2 settings and havent had any issues and good to drive. Either way it cost me less than $20 for all the parts including the cost of the soldering iron.

Thanks for link.

Im gunna research this a bit more me thinks. I thought this would eventually destroy the g'box as it sorta 'jolts' more into the next gear, loading up the entire drive-train more than usual?

I dont see how it could improve transmission life though

Definately gunna keep it in mind though!

BLSTIC · 25-03-2007, 02:21 AM

the theory behind transmission life is that the clutches are slipping for less time on each shift. Kinda like grandma riding the clutch in a manual as opposed to any normal driver in the car.

Gearbox damage would only happen if you screw up like I did and make it overly harsh. Instead of a firm shove in my car, it was more like getting hit from behind. No good for uni's and gearbox casing. Chirped into 2nd any day though, and once I did it in third (flat out, 135km/h into 3rd). Way too harsh...

nothin suss · 25-03-2007, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hybrid34

spray your brake calipers red

- Ash

_

mcflux · 25-03-2007, 08:36 AM

Unsure on costs but maybe some Fairlane cornering lights? Kenaz got a set recently for his EL Ghia

jaikai · 25-03-2007, 08:53 AM

Cheapest mod you can do... good wash and detail, dunno how many ppl tell me they want this and that, but cant even keep the engine bay clean, let alone the glass and interior...

adumb · 25-03-2007, 09:43 AM

Looks like from your avatar you have a Fairmont, so you could always get new, or paint the side moulds and grill Ghia style, I rekon it looks tons better!

Hybrid34 · 25-03-2007, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nothin suss

_

ay man nothing wrong with spraying your calipers, heaps of people do it, if you do it right, it can look good.

parker lights are the lights at the front of the car:P, 1st click to turn your headlights on (don't know how to explain it.)

Kenaz · 25-03-2007, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LukeyEL

I mean mods of any kind to, performance, interior, exterior, anything to keep me occupied on a budget.

Your car is a EL Fairmont?

If I were you I would Ghia-ise the car a bit. Things like colour code the grille insert, chrome interior door handles, second hand leather steering wheel etc.

fairmont1998 · 25-03-2007, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason_85

Just slide them backwards then unclip them, sometimes they are jammed and you have to get in and lever it out, the new ones go in easy anyway even if you break the old ones

The EL Fairmont mouldings can make getting the indicators out without damaging them or the moulding a pain. I find the safest way is to open the front doors and squeeze your hand in behind the guard, there is a black filler piece there but it is only attached on one side and flexes out of the way. You can depress the clips on the back of the indicator from in the guard and pop it out without any tools.

Kenaz · 25-03-2007, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fairmont1998

The EL Fairmont mouldings can make getting the indicators out without damaging them or the moulding a pain. I find the safest way is to open the front doors and squeeze your hand in behind the guard, there is a black filler piece there but it is only attached on one side and flexes out of the way. You can depress the clips on the back of the indicator from in the guard and pop it out without any tools.

You're not kidding. I broke the clips on my amber ones pulling them out.