Search found 14 matches

by RonB
Sat Apr 29, 2017 3:46 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Tow Report
Replies: 4
Views: 1516

Re: Tow Report

Went to autocross today. My tow vehicle did very well, and so did my race car: http://rbutterfield.com/Miata/IMG_20170429_080129s.jpg I did find out that it would start to wiggle if I went much above 65. That's with about 8% tongue weight. For legality and safety, I added electric brakes and a car s...
by RonB
Mon Apr 17, 2017 6:40 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: Tow Report
Replies: 4
Views: 1516

Tow Report

My Vibe GT wasn't doing that well at the autocross, and in the stock class it was tearing the edges of the new tires pretty badly. So, I've been on the lookout for something cheap enough to use as an autocross toy. Yesterday I found it, and tonight I drug it home: IMG_20170417_212645s.jpg I was tota...
by RonB
Thu Oct 13, 2016 3:57 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: New to me 03 GT
Replies: 12
Views: 4169

Re: New to me 03 GT

I'm still enjoying it, but it hasn't been all "wine and roses" due to some needed repairs. During an autocross a couple months ago, the clutch started to slip. I was too busy at the time to deal with it, so I dropped it off at the dealer for a replacement. Then, this past weekend, it would...
by RonB
Thu Sep 15, 2016 5:13 pm
Forum: Motorsports
Topic: Autocrossers?
Replies: 17
Views: 27717

Re: Autocrossers?

Next autocross 9/24 at Z-Max in Concord, NC. I have arm-twisted my wife into joining me and driving. I bought a sheet of .020" magnetic sheet to cut numbers from. My driver number is 12, so she will be 112, plus an "N" for novice. We'll see how the sheet works. I'll bring a roll of ma...
by RonB
Thu Sep 15, 2016 5:09 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: New 03 Vibe GT owner with questions
Replies: 75
Views: 59061

Re: New 03 Vibe GT owner with questions

Hi, WhiteAllTrac

I really like the look of your GT with the body-color cladding, as opposed to mine with the faded-gray cladding.

I hope you get your mechanical issues sorted before cold weather sets in.
by RonB
Mon Aug 22, 2016 5:17 pm
Forum: Handling, Suspension, & Brakes
Topic: Suspension performance upgrades
Replies: 7
Views: 3566

Re: Suspension performance upgrades

The thing I stall on (other than the full schedule of settling in still, that's about done, but now it's hotter than (removed) in the garage :roll: ) is having to goto an autoparts store and borrow their crappy compressors. Have you looked at Harbor Fright? They have a strut spring compressor for $...
by RonB
Mon Aug 22, 2016 4:56 pm
Forum: Motorsports
Topic: Autocrossers?
Replies: 17
Views: 27717

Re: Autocrossers?

I participated in an autocross at Dixie Classic Fairgrounds this Sunday. I came in 3rd of 4 in H Street, at my 3rd event. The car is dead stock, with 104k, except for an upgraded rear sway bar. It still has the junk all-season tires from when I bought it a couple months ago. It is not the ideal car ...
by RonB
Tue Jul 12, 2016 6:26 pm
Forum: Engine & Transmission
Topic: Evap Error Story
Replies: 6
Views: 2664

Re: Evap Error Story

I did not write down the actual code numbers, but I did make note of the type of codes. I had driven at least 70 miles on the tank before being stuck in traffic, so it was not completely full, but was mostly full. If any of the codes, or the check engine light, had recurred, further investigation wo...
by RonB
Tue Jul 12, 2016 6:13 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: New to me 03 GT
Replies: 12
Views: 4169

Re: New to me 03 GT

I owe you guys a picture. It's not very good, but here's the first one: http://www.rbutterfield.com/Vibe/IMG_20160712_202449.jpg It is an 03 Vibe GT, Mica red, with sunroof and 16" wheels. So far, I have caught up on maintenance, and added a trailer hitch (a Curt hitch specific to the GT). It h...
by RonB
Thu Jun 23, 2016 4:33 pm
Forum: Engine & Transmission
Topic: CAI - worth it?
Replies: 5
Views: 3033

Re: CAI - worth it?

Well, this morning I was able to do a "calibration." I turned on the ignition, but didn't start the engine. I then waited until all the sensors had a read. Results: Dash outside air: 74 OBD intake air: 77 Coolant temp: 77.8 So, my OBD temps are about 3-4 degrees higher than my dash outside...
by RonB
Mon Jun 20, 2016 3:49 pm
Forum: Engine & Transmission
Topic: CAI - worth it?
Replies: 5
Views: 3033

CAI - worth it?

Hi again I am wondering if a CAI is going to be worth the bother. I am using Torque (an Android app) with an eBay OBD bluetooth dongle to monitor things under the hood. I have yet to perform a calibration comparison, but my "intake air temperature" and "outside air temperature" a...
by RonB
Sun Jun 19, 2016 3:57 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: New to me 03 GT
Replies: 12
Views: 4169

Re: New to me 03 GT

Thanks, all, for the welcome. I really like the lift :D Not every commute has the chance, but it is welcome when it is possible. I am pleasantly pleased with the fuel economy. My first tank returned 33 mpg, and my second is at 35 so far (compared to the EPA rating of 29 highway). If I had known that...
by RonB
Sun Jun 19, 2016 3:51 pm
Forum: Engine & Transmission
Topic: Evap Error Story
Replies: 6
Views: 2664

Evap Error Story

Hi, All I was stuck in traffic one recent warm day for 45 minutes. Following that event, I had a "check engine" light. Using Torque Pro, I pulled the codes to see what happened. I had 1 Evap failure, and 2 pending Evap failures. I reset the codes, and have put 200 miles on it since. What I...
by RonB
Thu Jun 16, 2016 3:00 pm
Forum: The Vibe Lounge
Topic: New to me 03 GT
Replies: 12
Views: 4169

New to me 03 GT

Hello, all I just purchased an 03 Vibe GT that I ran across locally that was too good a deal to pass up. It is Salsa red with faded gray cladding. It had 99,000 miles on it. It was very dirty, but drove like a new car (at least, compared to my old one). Once I get it cleaned up, I will take and post...