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So I've collected a few bits and pieces over the fall and early winter (and possibly another one or two yet to come), and marked them as my "winter projects". So, follow along as I finally start my winter projects!
Today I decided to tackle my seat skin swap. It was much easier than I thought it would be. I had reached out to a local upholstery shop to get a quote for just labor since I already had the skins. They came back with almost $250 per seat!!! That was motivation enough to give it try myself. I had bought a used set (driver and passenger) from a forum member that had done the comp seat conversion. These skins only had a few hundred miles of wear. Oh, and not only did I save $250/seat, I gained $1.26 from the first owner dropping some coins (they were under the seat bolt covers)
From start to finish, which was removing the seat from the car, remove the old skin, replace the skin and reinstall the seat into the car, it was just over an hour (that included vacuuming all the debris from under the seat). Seat skins removal and install was very easy and straight forward. Nothing special was used as for tools, although a small upholstery/pry tool can make certain areas a little easier.
Now I can cross another winter project off the list.
Headers and x pipe (remove AWE x pipe and prepare for shipping too), replace seat skins (uppers), rear facia reflectors replaced with LED brake/turn signal lights. Some cosmetic stuff on/under the hood. I grabbed a white hood vent, so I'll see if I like it over the carbon flash I have now, and might paint match the trim piece on the back side of the hood at that vent.
Some maybes (if I get them before spring): aftermarket tail lights, A&A supercharger kit.
Tonight's task.... Out with the "new old" to make way for the "old new".
Removed the AWE catless x pipe that I bought new, just before the were forced to stop making them. Making room for the used but new to me Kooks long tube headers and green catted x pipe. The headers will be sent out first for some high heat ceramic coating.
nice progress already.
nice list of changes for sure
put that awe xpipe for sale asap, should be able to get $500 plus shipping I would guess, maybe more.
nice progress already.
nice list of changes for sure
put that awe xpipe for sale asap, should be able to get $500 plus shipping I would guess, maybe more.
Already sold (pending payment). A member had reached out months ago when I posted I was looking for headers/x pipe.
Tonight's task wasn't so much putting mods on, but boxing them up and sending them out (to another member).
The original AWE box was 68x19x14. Shipping quotes was over $350 to ship it half way across the country (or close to it). After a suggestion of "shrinking" the box, I ran some new quotes and dropped the estimate to about $150!!! So tonight, I had to put my smart hat on and figure out how to best "shrink" the box.
With a few cuts here and a few cuts there, crease here and crease there, I was able to shrink it, and still had plenty of room for the x pipe!
wow shipping cost are out of hand! yeah ive been know to custom cut down boxes to the freaking shape of the item. its an xpipe doesnt need much wrapping or space...
not much you can do other than perhaps if u know a local business owner fairly well perhaps see if they can use their shipping account...
but i shipped stuff form time to time and always dislike having to quout around between usps, fed, and ups....
but as they say, it is what it is.....
thats why im a sucker for ordering online when its free shipping.
Already sold (pending payment). A member had reached out months ago when I posted I was looking for headers/x pipe.
So unfortunately the member had to back out, so it's now listed for sale in the parts section.
I'll see what I'm able to get done this weekend. Saturday morning I'll drop the headers off to get some high heat ceramic coating. Should be done in about 2 weeks so final removal of the OEM exhaust manifolds and down pipes/cats is next.
Still have a few other things I can work on too. We'll see what the weekend brings.
Today I decided to tackle my seat skin swap. It was much easier than I thought it would be. I had reached out to a local upholstery shop to get a quote for just labor since I already had the skins. They came back with almost $250 per seat!!! That was motivation enough to give it try myself. I had bought a used set (driver and passenger) from a forum member that had done the comp seat conversion. These skins only had a few hundred miles of wear. Oh, and not only did I save $250/seat, I gained $1.26 from the first owner dropping some coins (they were under the seat bolt covers)
From start to finish, which was removing the seat from the car, remove the old skin, replace the skin and reinstall the seat into the car, it was just over an hour (that included vacuuming all the debris from under the seat). Seat skins removal and install was very easy and straight forward. Nothing special was used as for tools, although a small upholstery/pry tool can make certain areas a little easier.
Now I can cross another winter project off the list.
Awesome to hear about the start to finish seat cover removal and install. Your work here certainly makes me less apprehensive to tackle this job.
The covers look great.
BAT's 2023 winter projects...
