[k_shanz]

Originally Posted by GTO

I gotta admit…..I am a huge sucker for good sound! Psycho told me of the availability of one set of Greddy headers, which were a bolt-on fit to the Indian Vtec. Ajmat had already got a similar pair installed on his Vtec and raved about the performance. It was a no brainer - Order placed and the headers were on the way. I am from the service industry, and am aware of the high-level of commitment (supported by quality infrastructure and staff) that is required to do a professional job. When my headers arrived and it was time for the free-flow exhaust, I didn’t trust anyone as much as Automech exhausts at parel. Me and Rtech headed over to meet Vivek at Automech pretty early on the next weekend. Vivek gave me a couple of options (stainless steel / MS) and asked where I wanted the power delivery improved (Low / mid / high rpm range). The Vtec anyways has a great top end, so I asked for a low – mid power band increase. As promised, the car was ready in the afternoon. The install is extremely clean and looks stock….not like an after-market fitment at all.

I headed straight to an open stretch. With the engine sufficiently warmed up, I let her loose. The throttle response was UNBELIEVABLE! It had become really crisp and the low to mid-range power delivery was leaps ahead of the stock setup. The sheer climb of the needle through the rpm gauge has become a treat to watch and the engine feels a LOT more tractable all through. A bonus was the improved top end. The Vtec has just gotten better!

Look at the headers in the picture. When cold, they are a delicious chrome. Warmed up, they turn bronze.

I GTO, i liked your car very much!! Very clean, and you executed all jobs very neatly! Wish i could meet this baby next time i hit your place!

[di1in]

I've started giving a face-lift to my OHC - started of with 15" alloys and stuff. All done with the help of my buddy SYJ. I don't know what I'd have done without him - hats-off to you bro !! I've put up some of the pics below.. the white Lensos' look great when rollin' - i'm luvin' it !

Note: The top of the exhaust tip got bluish after i got back home from kochi.. is that normal ? you can still see a hint of it in the pic, it looked pretty "cool" . ..

[Veelubai]

Hey,
Dilin, very nice alloys you have got there!Whats the tire profile like?205/50?

I have send you a PM, pls check it out!

[di1in]

Originally Posted by Veelubai

Hey,
Dilin, very nice alloys you have got there!Whats the tire profile like?205/50?

I have send you a PM, pls check it out!

Got your PM.

The tires are 195/55, R15. I didn't want to break my spine on lower profiles on the streets of our lil' thrissur.

[GTO]

With the odo marching toward 70,000 kilometers, it was time to give the stock suspension an overhaul. Psycho advised me to stick to OEM components only as I'm already running 16 inchers, and the last thing I need is a stiffer suspension. Plus, I was crystal clear in my requirement of reliability over any other factor. The Vtec has only had scheduled visits to the garage in the past; she is a dependable workhorse.

The Vtec went visiting the Master's Garage (Sunil Shanbagh) last week. Mr. Shanbagh's attention to detail & quality of work are unsurpassed. Plus, his old school automotive stories & humility make me look forward to a cup of chai at his workshop.

Here is the work performed:

1. Suspension overhaul : A Marine Drive run this morning confirmed that the car is back to feeling T-I-G-H-T. The wafty high speed feeling is entirely gone. She stays planted (as well as an OHC can anyways). The tight go-kart feeling is sheer bliss!

2. Bye bye rattles : Get this, I didn't even ask Mr. Shanbagh to address the rattles. But he decided to remove them anyways. His staff went looking for the smallest noises and got cracking at them. Guess what? The rattles are entirely gone. Can you imagine an OHC being rattle-free at 70,000 kms?

3. Power steering rack leak : Known issue with OHCs once the rubber seal wears out (due to age). Repaired.

4. Two dents removed : His friend has that magnetic device which can suction-remove dents (only a 15 minute job...no need of painting). I had two on the right side, from the tight parking spot below my office (pedestrians & motorcyclists). Take a look at the pictures:

The bottom part of the door (below plastic moulding) had a deep annoying dent. That magnetic thingy has removed 99% of the dent. Only if you stick your eyes to the door can you tell of some minor unevenness (spell check)


The entire body panel behind the rear door was dented (probably by a pedestrian leaning on it or a hard football hit). Again, it's 99% gone, though if you look very closely in person, you could tell.

[Rudra Sen]

How did you get that long scratch on the doors?

[Psycho]

Originally Posted by GTO

Attachment 124868

Is it some uneven road or is the camber wrong?

[GTO]

Originally Posted by Rudra Sen

How did you get that long scratch on the doors?

Most scratches and dents on my cars are from the office parking spot. Damn vandals!

Originally Posted by Psycho

Is it some uneven road or is the camber wrong?

Nice observation. Yup, the road is uneven.

[Jaggu]

and i think you are running low air pressure?

[Dippy]

How much did the suspension job and the power steering rack repair cost you? What components were replaced during the suspension overhaul?

Car looks good. The dents are not visible to the naked eye easily.

[lancer_rit]

Originally Posted by GTO

With the odo marching toward 70,000 kilometers, it was time to give the stock suspension an overhaul.

How much did the OE suspension cost ?

Good to hear of the dents removed without needing painting.
Sad to see the scratch across the front and rear doors. I once got a nick like that from left front fender to rear quarter panel, when I was driving past a vegetable cart on a narrow road, and the vendor tried to shift away the cart (which caused it to swing towards my car at the front) and scraped it( when it wouldn't have otherwise). Had to paint the complete left side of the car :-(

[Pankaj401]

3. Power steering rack leak : Known issue with OHCs once the rubber seal wears out (due to age). Repaired.

My OHC is leaking oil too. Any idea as to how the leak was fixed. Only option dealership is giving is to replace the steering rack @ 15k.

[kutlee]

Originally Posted by GTO

3. Power steering rack leak : Known issue with OHCs once the rubber seal wears out (due to age). Repaired.

hi, could you please share what you exactly repaired? I am advised that hard plating may be an issue at high speeds due to uneven plating and steering get stuck. i am thinking of a full replacement and tension free for next 5 years?

[Tejas@perioimpl]

GTO, can you give cost break up for the recent work done?

[GTO]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

and i think you are running low air pressure?

Dunno. It was checked and okay'ed at the time of the last petrol fill (2 weekends back). Will check it on the way back home.

Originally Posted by Dippy

How much did the suspension job and the power steering rack repair cost you?

Originally Posted by lancer_rit

How much did the OE suspension cost ?

Originally Posted by Tejas@perioimpl

GTO, can you give cost break up for the recent work done?

Left the bill at home. But I can tell you this right now : 20,800 included the suspension overhaul, steering rack overhaul, dent removal and other misc. stuff. My Vtec should be all set for atleast another 50,000 kms (got the timing belt changed at the last scheduled service as well. All filters changed in 2008).

Good to hear of the dents removed without needing painting.

You bet. I wasn't looking forward to getting those parts repainted. This was sheer convenience.

Originally Posted by Pankaj401

My OHC is leaking oil too. Any idea as to how the leak was fixed. Only option dealership is giving is to replace the steering rack @ 15k.

Originally Posted by kutlee

hi, could you please share what you exactly repaired? I am advised that hard plating may be an issue at high speeds due to uneven plating and steering get stuck. i am thinking of a full replacement and tension free for next 5 years?

1. Strip complete steering assembly

2. Inspect wear on the rack. Rack is made of a special grade steel. A S S will normally recommend to change the rack @ over 15 grand since they don't normally repair parts (American policy).

3. Specialised shop to re-metalise the rack -> heat treatment -> hardening -> grinding -> polishing.

4. New bushes, new oil seal kit, pinion kit (bearings), check (and replace) balljoint, check (and replace) tie-rod ends

Back in business Apparently a wear & tear maintenance item with most hydraulic power steering systems. As long as Shanbag says rack overhaul works well, that's good enough for me.