daily driver

Kenny Senter · 09-03-2008, 11:51 AM

hey guys,

I bought this car back in May of this year (08) and have been steadily improving upon things as I see fit including new suspension, wheels and tires, fixing the a/c, adding a stereo, etc.

First things first, this is the car in the condition in which I received it, pretty nice in the beginning, and a good platform to improve upon.

its got a couple dents and dings, but nothing major. All those things I can take care of later if I so choose to do so.
heres the list of how the car was "modded" when I purchased it:
"5 Speed N/A, with 154k miles on the chassis, and apx 15k miles on the the motor. Motor was built by Dale and myself about a year ago. Motor was built with Rotary Aviation apex seals, all new seals, and everything was spec'd out perfectly with a micrometer.

Body is straight other than one dent near the front fender from a persons knee while leaning over the engine bay. Some scratches around the hatch area from loading/unloading stuff. The only bit of rust is on the hatch, and about the size of a quarter. According to carfax, it's never been in an accident, and everything is as it should be.

A/C system is all there, but has never been hooked up (no belt) in my ownership. The previous owner said it worked fine before he blew the motor. Heater works like a champ.

Regular oil changes and maintenance always preformed on time.

~15k mile motor
RA Apex Seals
No emissions other than a TII Cat
No Power Steering
<1yr old brake master cylinder
Turbo Catback
New shifter bushings
Racing Beat headers
GXL Limited Slip Diff is included, but not installed
S5 Tails
S5 Mirrors
S5 Turbo Steering Wheel
S5 Shifter surround
S5 Stereo surround
S5 Turbo alternator
Battery is brand new
Radiator hoses ~1yr old
Belts ~1yr old
S4 Turbo Wheels
5 lug conversion w/ turbo brakes"

The first few things I did was add the cooling tray under the engine, an oil change, and a good bit of suspension which consisted of:
a Fighters Garage camber link

Cusco camber plates

Dropzone Coilovers on KYB AGX's

also installed were Suspension Technique front and rear swaybars with Mazdatrix adj. endlinks. I have yet to install the LSD and my front and rear CP Racing strut tower bars

I really couldnt stand that suspension. It was overly stiff and not very well damped, it just bounced all over the place. The Cusco camberplates also made it very difficult to turn the steering wheel and made atroutious popping noises while steering (I know, race car parts, but not a racecar). I sold the camber plates, dropzone setup, and the KYB's and purchased a set of Ksport Coilovers. These are extremely better than the previous setup and I cannot speak enough words on the improvement.

and at the same time picked up the new "hot version" 5zigens FN01RC

thats pretty much how the car sits now. I'm purchasing another 7 parts car and it comes with the s5 TII wheels and an Apexi full exhaust (with a header but I already have the RB header). I'll be installing the exhaust towards the end of the month.

for now:

(Im kinda partial to her backside, has such a nice rear!)

Kenny Senter · 09-03-2008, 11:58 AM

I guess I should mention also that since owning the car I have fixed the a/c, painted the brakes, , new lower balljoints, new outer tie-rods, added the a/c cooling fan, new belts, new fuel filter, new fuel sock on pump, added SAFC, did a complete stereo setup cause the car had none (Clarion headunit, Memphis MC series front and rear, will be re-installing my Diamond Audio amp, and possibly adding a bass tube or something small of sort).
I've got an s5 bumper and some molding pieces in the garage, as well as the aero pieces for in front of the rear wheels (considering selling those if anyones interested, or trade for TII sideskirts).

Whizbang · 09-03-2008, 11:59 AM

do you have a picture of the CP racing brace installed?

Kenny Senter · 09-03-2008, 12:04 PM

I still have yet to install them, the front brace hits the stock fan so I will either have to get a different brace or wait til I do an Elec fan if and when I ever do. I'm also open to trades on the CP racing bars for a set of different manufacture...no ebay please.

I can get pics of the set if interested

djmtsu · 09-03-2008, 01:12 PM

Great looking S4. Don't see many like that anymore. I like that almost everything you have done serves a purpose. And the FN01's look friggin sweet. What are the specs, if you don't mind.

Phoenix7 · 09-03-2008, 01:17 PM

oooooooooooooooh, very clean!

Kenny Senter · 09-03-2008, 05:49 PM

17x8 +35 225/45/R17
17x10 +25 245/40/R17

I want a smaller section width, maybe a 215, so they will "slightly" stretch like the rears are. I dont wanna go with anything larger than a 245 on the rear and I dont like the way the front profile looks in propsective to the rears. I know a lot of people dont like that, but this car isnt for a lot of other people.

Phoenix7 · 09-03-2008, 06:12 PM

ouch why? why do people like the stretched rims?

TehMonkay · 09-03-2008, 07:14 PM

You're running a bit HOT on the temp gauge

Phoenix7 · 09-03-2008, 07:18 PM

nice camera too, those last shots came out nice.

djmtsu · 09-03-2008, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TehMonkay

You're running a bit HOT on the temp gauge

If that is the case, its also idling very low.

TehMonkay · 09-04-2008, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djmtsu

If that is the case, its also idling very low.

Yeah it's only at 12v so i assume it's not running, lol, but that's still the correct temp assuming the gauge isn't broken.

Kenny Senter · 09-04-2008, 07:30 AM

the temp gauge has always read high like that. The previous owner had a temp gauge installed and came to the conclusion that the factory gauge is out of spec and always sits high. I do want to get another temp gauge for myself though, but that is "normal" for this car.

Max777 · 09-07-2008, 08:26 PM

nice! My friend is getting an S4 coupe tomorrow! We just unflooded it today, ran like a champ!

Kenny Senter · 10-03-2008, 11:37 AM

bought another 7.
88 GXL with what is thought to be an atkins rotary stg2 streetport s5 engine. Car comes with Apexi N1 exhaust with pre-silencer, brand new Powerslot rotors and Hawk HP pads, Eibach springs on stock shocks, of course the GXL LSD, Racing Beat header, TurboII wheels (mesh style) painted black, H4 headlights with silverstar bulbs, and is complete otherwise.

I have swapped the exhaust and brake rotors and pads over to my car. I'm gonna do a compression test on the engine and hope its good. The story behind that is it started running funny so the prev. owner assumed it was blown. Hmmmmm... So I'm hoping compression test out fine. Then I gotta do my research to see what I need to do to make it work in my S4, or if its even worth doing. My car has a 20k mile fresh rebuild as it is and is running great with no problems.

Trying to decide if I'm gonna strip what I want/need off the GXL or part it out as it is.

09-03-2008, 11:51 AM	#1
Kenny Senter The Newbie Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 27 Rep Power: 0	daily driver hey guys, I bought this car back in May of this year (08) and have been steadily improving upon things as I see fit including new suspension, wheels and tires, fixing the a/c, adding a stereo, etc. First things first, this is the car in the condition in which I received it, pretty nice in the beginning, and a good platform to improve upon. its got a couple dents and dings, but nothing major. All those things I can take care of later if I so choose to do so. heres the list of how the car was "modded" when I purchased it: "5 Speed N/A, with 154k miles on the chassis, and apx 15k miles on the the motor. Motor was built by Dale and myself about a year ago. Motor was built with Rotary Aviation apex seals, all new seals, and everything was spec'd out perfectly with a micrometer. Body is straight other than one dent near the front fender from a persons knee while leaning over the engine bay. Some scratches around the hatch area from loading/unloading stuff. The only bit of rust is on the hatch, and about the size of a quarter. According to carfax, it's never been in an accident, and everything is as it should be. A/C system is all there, but has never been hooked up (no belt) in my ownership. The previous owner said it worked fine before he blew the motor. Heater works like a champ. Regular oil changes and maintenance always preformed on time. ~15k mile motor RA Apex Seals No emissions other than a TII Cat No Power Steering <1yr old brake master cylinder Turbo Catback New shifter bushings Racing Beat headers GXL Limited Slip Diff is included, but not installed S5 Tails S5 Mirrors S5 Turbo Steering Wheel S5 Shifter surround S5 Stereo surround S5 Turbo alternator Battery is brand new Radiator hoses ~1yr old Belts ~1yr old S4 Turbo Wheels 5 lug conversion w/ turbo brakes" The first few things I did was add the cooling tray under the engine, an oil change, and a good bit of suspension which consisted of: a Fighters Garage camber link Cusco camber plates Dropzone Coilovers on KYB AGX's also installed were Suspension Technique front and rear swaybars with Mazdatrix adj. endlinks. I have yet to install the LSD and my front and rear CP Racing strut tower bars I really couldnt stand that suspension. It was overly stiff and not very well damped, it just bounced all over the place. The Cusco camberplates also made it very difficult to turn the steering wheel and made atroutious popping noises while steering (I know, race car parts, but not a racecar). I sold the camber plates, dropzone setup, and the KYB's and purchased a set of Ksport Coilovers. These are extremely better than the previous setup and I cannot speak enough words on the improvement. and at the same time picked up the new "hot version" 5zigens FN01RC thats pretty much how the car sits now. I'm purchasing another 7 parts car and it comes with the s5 TII wheels and an Apexi full exhaust (with a header but I already have the RB header). I'll be installing the exhaust towards the end of the month. for now: (Im kinda partial to her backside, has such a nice rear!) Last edited by Kenny Senter; 09-03-2008 at 11:54 AM.

09-03-2008, 11:58 AM	#2
Kenny Senter The Newbie Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 27 Rep Power: 0	I guess I should mention also that since owning the car I have fixed the a/c, painted the brakes, , new lower balljoints, new outer tie-rods, added the a/c cooling fan, new belts, new fuel filter, new fuel sock on pump, added SAFC, did a complete stereo setup cause the car had none (Clarion headunit, Memphis MC series front and rear, will be re-installing my Diamond Audio amp, and possibly adding a bass tube or something small of sort). I've got an s5 bumper and some molding pieces in the garage, as well as the aero pieces for in front of the rear wheels (considering selling those if anyones interested, or trade for TII sideskirts). Last edited by Kenny Senter; 09-03-2008 at 05:52 PM.

09-03-2008, 11:59 AM	#3
Whizbang Respecognize! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Δx = ħ/2Δp Posts: 3,190 Rep Power: 20	do you have a picture of the CP racing brace installed? __________________ For current updates and event coverage check out Follow on Twitter! @WhizbangRally Whizbang Rally's Webpage \| Facebook

09-03-2008, 01:12 PM	#5
djmtsu My minds tellin' me no... Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Murfreesboro, TN Posts: 4,043 Rep Power: 22	Great looking S4. Don't see many like that anymore. I like that almost everything you have done serves a purpose. And the FN01's look friggin sweet. What are the specs, if you don't mind. __________________ 1976 Mazda Cosmo RX-5 1976 Mazda Cosmo RX-5 2003 Toyota Tundra TRD 2015 Toyota 4Runner SR5

09-03-2008, 07:14 PM	#9
TehMonkay Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 302 Rep Power: 18	You're running a bit HOT on the temp gauge __________________ My car blows up everytime I start it, it's rotary

09-03-2008, 12:04 PM	#4
Kenny Senter The Newbie Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 27 Rep Power: 0	I still have yet to install them, the front brace hits the stock fan so I will either have to get a different brace or wait til I do an Elec fan if and when I ever do. I'm also open to trades on the CP racing bars for a set of different manufacture...no ebay please. I can get pics of the set if interested

09-03-2008, 05:49 PM	#7
Kenny Senter The Newbie Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 27 Rep Power: 0	17x8 +35 225/45/R17 17x10 +25 245/40/R17 I want a smaller section width, maybe a 215, so they will "slightly" stretch like the rears are. I dont wanna go with anything larger than a 245 on the rear and I dont like the way the front profile looks in propsective to the rears. I know a lot of people dont like that, but this car isnt for a lot of other people.

09-04-2008, 07:30 AM	#13
Kenny Senter The Newbie Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 27 Rep Power: 0	the temp gauge has always read high like that. The previous owner had a temp gauge installed and came to the conclusion that the factory gauge is out of spec and always sits high. I do want to get another temp gauge for myself though, but that is "normal" for this car.

09-07-2008, 08:26 PM	#14
Max777 Pirate Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Central IL Posts: 1,323 Rep Power: 19	nice! My friend is getting an S4 coupe tomorrow! We just unflooded it today, ran like a champ! __________________ Rotaries:They are NOT that complicated!

10-03-2008, 11:37 AM	#15
Kenny Senter The Newbie Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 27 Rep Power: 0	bought another 7. 88 GXL with what is thought to be an atkins rotary stg2 streetport s5 engine. Car comes with Apexi N1 exhaust with pre-silencer, brand new Powerslot rotors and Hawk HP pads, Eibach springs on stock shocks, of course the GXL LSD, Racing Beat header, TurboII wheels (mesh style) painted black, H4 headlights with silverstar bulbs, and is complete otherwise. I have swapped the exhaust and brake rotors and pads over to my car. I'm gonna do a compression test on the engine and hope its good. The story behind that is it started running funny so the prev. owner assumed it was blown. Hmmmmm... So I'm hoping compression test out fine. Then I gotta do my research to see what I need to do to make it work in my S4, or if its even worth doing. My car has a 20k mile fresh rebuild as it is and is running great with no problems. Trying to decide if I'm gonna strip what I want/need off the GXL or part it out as it is.