A Ton of Mods Completed Today

[BColeman]

First of all, I want everyone to know that I've recently (this past Monday) relocated to Conklin, NY. I'm about 6 miles north of PA just off of I-81.

I got a job with a Rock Quarry for the next few months, which will afford me quite a few mods within the next 2 months.

Speaking of which, here's the latest:

At 8 a.m. this morning, I began removing my A/C system. Now the car is completely voided of:

A/C Compressor
Condensor
Hardlines

Here's some shots of the engine bay:

A/C Compressor Gone

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c111/bpc217/My%20Car/ACGone.jpg

A/C Compressor Gone 2

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c111/bpc217/My%20Car/ACGone1.jpg

Hardlines missing and a few of the radiator showing the missing condensor from in front

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c111/bpc217/My%20Car/LinesandCondensorGone.jpg

Front Picture showing ONLY the radiator, no more condensor in front

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c111/bpc217/My%20Car/JustTheRadiatorNow.jpg

All the hardlines in the trunk of the car till I can store them

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c111/bpc217/My%20Car/ACPartsinTrunk.jpg

I am sending my A/C compressor and brackets to a buddy of mine in Orlando. He just recently completed a Beta II swap in his LC Accent. This is the final piece he's missing to make his car comfortable again. He's a Corrections Officer, and the polyester uniforms can be hot in the middle of the summer in Florida.

I also added in a solid rear motor mount today, and with both of these done, the car is seriously improved. Start up is instantaneous, acceleration is improved, and there seems to definitely be some freer power available.

And I added an appearance item as well. As everyone knows, XD2's have their "parking lights" in side the low beam side of the headlight. My amber versions had burned out 6 months ago, so I just put the OEM color back in. I picked up another set yesterday on clearance, and now I have my amber color back (to appear like JDM city lights). No pics, I'll get them up after my next round of mods


Okay, well those 2 things took me until 11:45 a.m. to do. I go down stairs into the basement I'm using for home to do some homework. About an hour later, the door bell rings. I run up the stairs, and lo and behold, I've got my package from KSpec. I only ordered this past Saturday, so I'm really happy it arrived in only 5 business days. Much props to KSpec yet again for great products and service.



Oh, I guess I should show and tell huh. Okay:


First, pics of the Rear Strut Bar (hatchback only)

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c111/bpc217/My%20Car/RearStrutBar.jpg

Now, pic of it installed (1 hour installation time BTW. I'm picky about how everything looks, so I took my time in cutting the rear plastic speaker covers and such).

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c111/bpc217/My%20Car/RearStrutBarInstalled.jpg

Next box, my H4 M&L Steering Wheel Hub

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c111/bpc217/My%20Car/SteeringWheelHub.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c111/bpc217/My%20Car/SteeringWheelHub1.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c111/bpc217/My%20Car/SteeringWheelHub2.jpg

And now my steering wheel (which I've had for over a year now) is finally mounted in my car and now being used.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c111/bpc217/My%20Car/MountedSteeringWheel.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c111/bpc217/My%20Car/MountedSteeringWheel1.jpg



Well, it has been a very fruitful day. I'm just waiting on SFR's package to arrive, and I'll be even more happy.

BTW: The Motor Mount will be available in the Pay It Forward thread. Kewlkat, I'm mailing you the Steering Wheel and Air Bag on Monday. No rush on sending me the money, just get the damn thing in your car so you can be happy again.

[yamaha]

Not having A/C is a blessing/curse, you will love the freed up power, but summers in PA can blow ***. Glad you moved up here, there may be a PIttsburgh meet in the near future.

[BColeman]

I heard there was a meet coming up somewhere in PA around August 4th. I hope to attend that meet.

With the new job I got, and the fact that it's an outdoors job, I'll be used to now have the A/C.

I'm still retaining the heat of course. I just need to figure out what to do about the HVAC controls.

I'll either relocate them inside the center console / armrest thingy, or in the glove box. Probably the center console/armrest.

I need the space it's taking up and the cubby above it for an aluminum panel I have that I want to install for my guages.

[04GTboySC]

wow nice mods dude cant wait till the other thing comes out ;-)

[05xd]

Thank god im not the only one that has removed a fully functional A/C system from a newer car lol.I got rid of mine about 2k hot miles ago.The only time I miss it is when it is raining out and have to keep my windows up.
No window frame=teh suck

[Felis-Pardalis]

I really can't imagine not having A/C in a car,if anything i'd like to add another one.
However i like the new wheel and bar getting mods done feels great.
Good work

[vladj]

ummm is it just me or will that steering wheel **** up your air bag system?

[04GTboySC]

yup it will vladj but thats his choice

[PSUsouthpaw]

Nice mods Bryan. Looking forward to seeing it all in a few weeks.

Whats next on the Agenda?

Edit: You still haven't gotten those brake pads installed?

[slow 2K2GT]

Man I am so wanting to take out my AC as well but it gets so hot here in Ontario...you are a braver man than I. I am also told that when the fluid is out of the power steering system that its not so bad to steer, I only tried it with the belts unhooked. I could ditch that system if it does turn out to be easier to steer. I miss my Momo wheel in the XD but I would much rather enjoy the safety of airbags..even though I dont like them.

[BetaPwrdLC]

well, in haydens 2002 elantra he had, when he got into an accident right at the meeting site, his airbags didn't deploy. I figure to be safe as well, but i sometimes question the safety of the airbags deployment system in hyundai. Hopefully i will not have to find out the hard way. Good job brian and i hope to see you soon.

[BColeman]

I hate airbags, for the driver anyway. Seat belts worked for me in the past, and they still will. Screw the law and insurance, what they don't know won't kill them.

Hell, the airbag hasn't worked for over a year now. I mistakenly ordered the wrong hub on eBay (BTW: it was this same company), it was for the J2/RD Hyundais. Well, when I disassembled the wheel and stuff, I really, REALLY, messed up the ribbon wire in there, so I just ripped it all out and unplugged/cut everything. I lost Cruise Control at the same time. Didn't care about having it anyway. I also removed the CC stuff under the hood 8 or 9 months ago too.

Next on my list to remove is the P/S. I will change out the steering wheel yet again for that, as I don't trust this eBay one for strength when I take it out. But, like Scott and Jared have semi-alluded too, I've got a very important project that needs to be completely completed first.

Jared, no, it started to rain, really bad, with hail, thunder and lightning. That was what I was going to work on right after lunch, but since it was raining, I did my homework. You can even see in some of the pics it was raining.

Tomorrow I am replacing my f'ed up rotors with el-cheapo Duralast ones with cheap Duralast pads. This is a TEMPORARY fix everyone, as I will be getting the good stuff the second week of September. Believe me, I will really need them at that time.

One other thing, there is no horn button installed. I don't have a horn, much less the OEM wiring in the steering wheel column to wire one up. Jared has given me a great idea, with something he's done for a horn, so I plan to get 2 of them and wire it up to the horn button. Also the button I got with the wheel is stupid rice, so I'm in the market for something better.


Thanks for the comments guys, mucho appreciated.

well, in haydens 2002 elantra he had, when he got into an accident right at the meeting site, his airbags didn't deploy. I figure to be safe as well, but i sometimes question the safety of the airbags deployment system in hyundai. Hopefully i will not have to find out the hard way. Good job brian and i hope to see you soon.

Yes Scott #2, I do not feel they are safe, especially in the Elantra. I too have had a few accidents in which it should have deployed. Like the accident I had in my first Elantra, 2002, 11 days after I bought it new. 55mph on I-4, stupid girl from Ohio tries coming in my lane, over corrects when she sees me, hits the brakes, and slides her arse end out and I t-bone her doing 55 miles an hour. We even crossed 5 lanes of traffic, didn't hit a soul, and came to a crashing rest on the side of the road.

I had bruises from the seat belt, no air bag deployment, on either side, as I had my wife with me at the time too.

[slyderdai]

I was just thinking about doing this today i think mine needs to be recharged. but i would rather have the windows down anyways i like fresh air. Did you ever get your head lamp lens polished up yet??? I hate airbags i had an airbag deploy on me after the crash in a 2002 dodge ram i was like a minute after we crashed damn near ripped of my head i had powder burns and one hell of a scuff mark on the side of my face from the dash panel

[PSUsouthpaw]

Wait, wait...I gave you an idea? Dammit, I want it back now!

jfwy man, nice mods.

[Silentwolf]

GAH! I could not go without AC!
I prefer to keep my airbag as well, BUT i do wear my seatbelt like a good lil boy. Ya, i prefer not to test the airbag system out. However, I know your wanting to race yours while i'm going for the Euro tourer style.

I will be getting Gonzo's rear strut bar in mid august (NY and Saturn are on board with this one as well), cant wait to see how it feels.

[NY2002ElantraGT]

should have waited a few weeks for the removable rear hatch strutbar from G7 sport. and as for the steering wheel, your a brave soul. i've been saved by an airbag twice in my life, i would never drive a car without one!


as for the A/C i thought about it, my buddy did it in his RSX and loved it. but on a hot summer day when im sticking to the leather, i love the A/C

[Tommy]

placebo mods are the best.

[BColeman]

My leather seats won't be lasting long, I can tell you that much. Very soon you will see them for sale in the Market Place.

As far as the removable strut bar from G7, nope. Once something is in, I wont be taking it out. I'll work around it, as far as capacity in the hatch is concerned.

[PSUsouthpaw]

My leather seats won't be lasting long, I can tell you that much. Very soon you will see them for sale in the Market Place.

As far as the removable strut bar from G7, nope. Once something is in, I wont be taking it out. I'll work around it, as far as capacity in the hatch is concerned.

Let me know when you decide to put those for sale...I may be interested.

[KeWLKaT]

BColeman:

1- Damn you! Because of this thread I got inspired and went to work on my car myself... Step 1 to back to turbo is now complete (gauges).

2- You are the man! I'll let you know when I get the wheel and cash should be on the way soon enough. I had planned to send it to you this week but I got suspended from my job for a whole week (long story), so very slim paycheck this week...

placebo mods are the best.

What are you referring to exactly as a placebo mod in this very thread? I'd be interested to argue.

[BColeman]

No problem Felix. I'm shipping USPS with Tracking on Monday. I forgot to take it with me to the Post Office this morning. It's funny though, it was in the back seat. I'll clean it up nice and pretty.


And what the hell is placebo anyway? Sure, I've been in college now for 10 years, and still have no idea what that word means. Guess I'll Google it.

Placebo:

1. a. A substance containing no medication and prescribed or given to reinforce a patient's expectation to get well.

1. b. An inactive substance or preparation used as a control in an experiment or test to determine the effectiveness of a medicinal drug.

2. Something of no intrinsic remedial value that is used to appease or reassure another.

3. (plä-chb) Roman Catholic Church The service or office of vespers for the dead.


So in other words, I installed these to make up for something. Or I installed these mods to make up for not doing any in a while.

I'm still confused.

[Silentwolf]

No the mods installed give a psychological effect of your car being better rather than actually doing much to improve the car.

[KeWLKaT]

Yeah I got that part but it's not placebo at all, not like he installed speed stickers or an inline flux capacitator...

[Cypher]

dude don't knock my flux capacitor!

[Silentwolf]

Oh i know, which is why that post of his dont make sense.

[KeWLKaT]

Oh i know, which is why that post of his dont make sense.

Cool, finally something we agree on, ha. :abovelol:

[Tommy]

no im saying its a placebo effect because all removing the ac does is drop about 50lbs of weight off the front end. the ac provides very little if any drag on the engine when its not on, so really all youve done is destroy ride comfort for you and your passangers...and didnt you say you had kids? they like roasting in july heat?

[BColeman]

Okay, I feel better after reading all of the extra posts after Silent's first one. See, I receive updates to the threads I subscribe to, and I read Silent's in my email, and I got really aggrivated. I come here, and now I don't feel that way anymore, kind of.


Let me explain:

1) The strut bar: I'm sorry if other's don't think it doesn't do anything, but y'all are wrong, and should know better. First of all, I have a hatchback, it's the only Elantra that a Rear Strut Bar will have any affect on. I'm lowered, with a Front Strut Bar as well. So it's fully functional, and it works well, really well.

2) Removal of A/C: freed up scavenged HP, lost 30 or 40 pounds up front, making me get closer to a 50/50 distribution (which will never happen all the way, but I'll settle for 60/40). Besides that, I was able to help out a friend of mine in Orlando who just completed a Beta II swap into an LC 4 door Accent. I like to help my friends out a lot. Ask Kewlkat, NYElantra, 04GTBoy, struck1481, and the list continues on.

3) The steering wheel: I lost about 10 pounds from the steering area, and added some bling with my go go stuff. Can't argue with the fact it doesn't do much in the way of performance other than the weight reduction, but looks go a little way too.

All in all, I've dropped about 50 lbs. off the car, and I did it in 6 hours total. Its not like I could drop the 30 lbs. off of my body in 6 hours, so I'll settle for the car to lose a few. We are both on a diet as of Friday.

no im saying its a placebo effect because all removing the ac does is drop about 50lbs of weight off the front end. the ac provides very little if any drag on the engine when its not on, so really all youve done is destroy ride comfort for you and your passangers...and didnt you say you had kids? they like roasting in july heat?

I see what you are saying. Except the A/C's belt spins on the crank pulley. There is drag, whether it's on or not. Not to mention there is an idler pulley on there keeping tension at all times.

As far as the comfort thing goes, don't need it. The kids and wife are still in NC, and will be for a little while till I find a house.

My car is off limits to the family now. As mentioned earlier, I have some very important plans for the car, and though it will remain MY daily driver, it will not be so for the family. That's what the new mini van is for. I said I was up here getting paid, and I'm not kidding. I'm making more money here in one month than I could have in Orlando for three months. And that doesn't even include the extra pay I'll receive that's tax free.

[NY2002ElantraGT]

lol, i like the way you put that, "we're both on a diet" haha

my fat *** car needs to go on a diet as well, cuz i sure as hell aint!

[Cypher]

removing the a/c helps more than you think it does tommy. between the compressor, condensor, acclimator and all the other parts its probably a bit more than 50lbs.

If you want to ***** and moan and be all rational then this thread might not be the best. it isn't your car. if the man doesn't want a/c then its gone, simple as that. Just because you feel the nessitity for a/c doesn't mean everyone feels your need.

bottom line? people do mods because its their cars and thats how they want it.

[BColeman]

^ Justin, I've got family here in Conklin. And one of the members of the family does body work and paint. He's a 19 year old kid, does great work. He's doing my front grill that I've neglected for a year and a half ever since I modified.

The point I'm getting at is he has some very innovatve ideas for some ideas I've had, and I may be able to have some good info in the coming weeks about weight loss on the car. It just depends on how far you want to take it. After the brainstorming session, and the work begins, I'll show a complete build up for people to see what I'm talking about. It's still too early to let the cat out of the bag for right now.

[KeWLKaT]

honestly i havent used the AC in 2 years except by mistake when i put it on defrost and it comes automatically.

i think about taking it off but then im like ehhh what if i need it... what if i sell it, it will be already on it etc etc AC is a good selling point and reinstalling/recharging the system isnt something i would like to do.

but i TOTALLY recommend it for performance. just isnt for me. for the moment at least :)

i have a rear bar aswell, its niceee

[NY2002ElantraGT]

you guys notice a big difference with the rear strut bar?

waiting on my G7 removable strut bar..... cant wait much longer, im goin nucking futs

[KeWLKaT]

i love the difference it made on the hatchback.

i did sell my front one because besides being a bracket for my vacuum hub it was useless IMO.

i have the feeling you'll never get the G7 bar but that's just me being pessimistic. How can it take more than a year to design to symmetrical brackets, one piece of strait pipe, and two bolts with winged nuts... lol

[NY2002ElantraGT]

more than that, patent, starting a company, trial and error, and its not just a wing nut. quick release. i already paid, they should be shipped next week. the only thing holding me back from a rear strut bar is the fact i put my seats down and load my car often. it would suck to have to remove the seat, rear speaker grille and take the strut bar off everytime. but im glad theres a noticable difference.

[KeWLKaT]

Like I told you I'm just pessimistic like that. I guess once *real* people (not people involved in the making of it) like yourself get it and can vouch for its quality, we'll see how it is.

I haven't seen a single pic of the brackets yet, which is what pisses me off the most.

[BColeman]

Yeah Justin, I do feel a noticeable difference. The rear end seems very tight. But I have crappy suspension otherwise. Sprint springs that dropped to 2.5" that I don't think are worth reselling and worn out struts at all four corners. That's my next mod at the end of this coming week.

And because of my curb incident, I don't have a Tibby rear bar anymore. Once I have another one and it's put on, I will really feel the difference. I like to corner like I'm trying to get away from someone, so having a properly "dialed" in suspension is nice to have.

[NY2002ElantraGT]

Pics of the G7 removable rear strut bar for 01-06 Elantra Hatchbacks only:

http://g7innovation.com/products.php?id=2&p=1

[KeWLKaT]

wtf in one pic theres wing nuts in another bike style quick release ones...

anyhow well see how the brackets will hold up.

[saturn]

I wouldn't have removed the air bag.

also: I hope the G7 bar shows up... it's been weeks since I paid for mine.

[Silentwolf]

Well, we were paying for a prebuy. He said it would be till august for the bars.

[mayollo072R]

Next box, my H4 M&L Steering Wheel Hub

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c111/bpc217/My%20Car/SteeringWheelHub2.jpg

And now my steering wheel (which I've had for over a year now) is finally mounted in my car and now being used.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c111/bpc217/My%20Car/MountedSteeringWheel.jpg

I got my MOMO steering wheel installed with that same hub from KSPEC. How did you connect the horn if you have one?

[Silentwolf]

Also, i wasn't saying anything bad about ur mods. I was just explaining the placebo meaning.

[BColeman]

Mayollo, I didn't connect the horn. First off, I had already screwed up the wiring in the OEM "hub" when I first tried to install it. So I don't have any wiring there to do it.

When I get my 2 horn sets the end of this week, I intend to utilize the horn button, but I haven't figured out the wiring yet. It came with that brass metal ring detached from the rest of the hub. I assume it's part of the horn system, but I'm not sure how to do it yet. I'll keep you posted and let you know.

[Munky]

Pics of the G7 removable rear strut bar for 01-06 Elantra Hatchbacks only:

http://g7innovation.com/products.php?id=2&p=1

I saw this in person, Richard showed me back on May 25th when I picked up those Xbox games I bought from him.

Looks real impressive, very sturdy. He's got a good idea going here.