The Automotive Thread

[envirotex]

How big is the hot rod revival in your town? The ATX is having a big hot rod show this weekend, and people really get into the whole image of hot rodding...is this just something here or is it big everywhere?

http://lonestarroundup.com/

 

[Capt Worley PE]

Man, too bad about the rust. I love these things.

Rare 1987 Hatchback SI, fuel injected 12 valve motor. 119700 miles runs and looks great. Rust underneath. I bought this for a project tuner car. To many other irons in the fire to get done. Serious only 814-934-4781 after 1500 before 2000

 

[snickerd3]

That looks like one of my coworkers cars...she had to get the odometer replaced because it stopped counting miles.

 

[Capt Worley PE]

That's back when Honda knew how to make light, fun, practical cars. I like those even better than my old 89 Civic Si, despite having a beam axle instead of IRS.

 

[Supe]

The CRX is still one of the most dominant autocross cars in existence.

 

[Capt Worley PE]

I always liked the CRX, but it was never really practical for me. Too small and the insurance was a lot more expensive than it's Civic brother.

 

[Krakosky]

Went in for a routine oil change this past weekend and was told I needed a new battery ($150) and spark plugs ($220). 2005 Ford Escape with 108k miles on it. I've replaced the battery once before and have never replaced the spark plugs. Got the new battery and spark plugs for $108 and labor for $0.

 

[Ble_PE]

^So the labor was paid for "under the table" if you know what I mean?

 

[Krakosky]

Haha...sort of. Usually I just pay to have that stuff done bc I want it taken care of immediately. But I didn't feel like dropping $400.

 

[MA_PE]

108k out of a set of plugs is pretty good. Depnding on the access, I pay to have them changed...some cars really suck trying to get at the plugs.

You might consider a new set of wires, too. It can really help performance.

$150 for a battery...it must be a pretty nice one.

$220 for plugs. I assume it's a 6 so that's ~$37/plug. Again, must be nice ones.

 

[Supe]

Hell, my RACING plugs cost a whopping $2.95/ea!

 

[Krakosky]

It's a 4 cylinder and the plugs are easily accessible right in front. My dad did use a pen with a piece of rubber on the end to pull them out which worked surprisingly well. They quoted the plugs at $16 each.

 

[MA_PE]

On my transverse mounted GM V-6's I let the mechanic deal with access next to the firewall. He might charge me $5/plug but I know he's got a parts mark-up so it doesn't bother me much.

 

[Capt Worley PE]

On my transverse mounted GM V-6's I let the mechanic deal with access next to the firewall. He might charge me $5/plug but I know he's got a parts mark-up so it doesn't bother me much.

That's what I'm going to do when the Maxx gets more miles on it. I have no desire to torture myself with getting to the plugs on the firewall side.

 

[Master slacker]

On my transverse mounted GM V-6's I let the mechanic deal with access next to the firewall. He might charge me $5/plug but I know he's got a parts mark-up so it doesn't bother me much.

That's what I'm going to do when the Maxx gets more miles on it. I have no desire to torture myself with getting to the plugs on the firewall side.

All hail GM! My mom had a 2000 Grand Prix GTP... Thank God we never had to replace anything in it. It seemed that you had to remove the engine to access the alternator. I couldn't imagine the plugs.

 

[Krakosky]

That's the fine work of Obama Automotive.

 

[Road Guy]

Where are the ill change your plugs baby? Comments???

I did the plugs on my v8 Durango.. $50 bucks total, 1 hour, and loss of some skin on knuckles...

I'm gonna get me some cool mechanics gloves to save my skin...

 

[Capt Worley PE]

On my transverse mounted GM V-6's I let the mechanic deal with access next to the firewall. He might charge me $5/plug but I know he's got a parts mark-up so it doesn't bother me much.

That's what I'm going to do when the Maxx gets more miles on it. I have no desire to torture myself with getting to the plugs on the firewall side.

All hail GM! My mom had a 2000 Grand Prix GTP... Thank God we never had to replace anything in it. It seemed that you had to remove the engine to access the alternator. I couldn't imagine the plugs.

No joke. I was filling up the washer fluid on my wife's Impala SS, and realized that not only would I never change the battery (had USAA do it when it died), I'd never eff with the air filter either. In both cases, braces have to be removed.

Runs like a scalded dog, though.

 

[mudpuppy]

Batteries have gotten expensive, I couldn't find one for the Cherokee for less than $130. But $220 for plugs is outrageous--you sure that didn't include anything else? Coils? Timing chain?

I second the thought to replace the plug wires. Eventually the insulation will start to break down and you'll start getting shorts, although this is probably more a factor of age than mileage.

 

[Master slacker]

The tried and true Tracer is running with 21 year old wires with no issues. I changed the plugs about a month ago. The old plugs were gapped 3x the original spec. Little bummed that I didn't get any better mileage after the change.