That cat looks mighty upset... I did the same to my long haired cat except shaved the paws. She was embrarassed and hid for about a week. She apparantly liked it after a while in the Texas summer heat...

Oh, forgot to address frosty's other Q's:Performance gain would be minimal if any OR on par with other bolt catback systems. I guess a dyno would be the best bet to quantify any gains. I'd say I spent 10hrs. over 4 or 5 days experimenting and I saved maybe $200 compared to a bolt on system...pocket ...

Welding is fun, must be the gassy fumes that's attractive to me.... Keeping it low budget, stainless steel would've been 2-3x's more for just for the mandrel pipe plus the welding rods are 3-5x's more than mild steel. Also depends on the grade of SS. Since I'm in Dallas, I'm not worried about rust, ...

Hi,I thought I'd post my ghetto style, sticked welded MagnaFlow 2.5" exhaust for all to see.... I have more of a write up on my homepage...http://home.attbi.com/~mostang/2_5_exhaust.htmMo

To answer the original posters question, there may be a difference in how he measured the wheel hp. Mustang dynos typically measure 10-15% less then DynoJet dynomameters, hence the 85whp instead of 100-105whp. He didn't state what kind of dyno he used. Or if it was corrected to STP.Mo

Ah, does the 2ZZ-GE have EGR function? If not, I stand corrected and thank you for your patience during my babbling. If it does not, then it is an engineering marvel to keep NOX low for an TLEV rating. I'm assuming this must be done with a combination of a richer A/F ratio and some how keeping combu...

I have to agree this ia a very controversial subject with bypassing TB coolant passages. I think it is safe to assume without me looking for the EGR valve on my XRS that EGR operation is vital to emissions standards or reducing NOX, nitrous oxides emissions which occur in combustion chambers greater...

How hot are exhaust gases? These are the same gases that come from the cylinder head chambers that are recirced back into the intake. They're about 1000-1400F so the relatively hot engine coolant at 220F will cool the TB. They may have cooled to about 500-600F by the time they hit the TB and intake....

Actually, for a street driven car, bypassing the TB would hurt performance since the coolant is designed to cool the TB due to heat input from EGR gases being recirced in to the intake for emmisions and higher combustion efficiency. This only happens during cruise conditions. The bypass may be benef...

IMHO, a gimmick. I haven't seen it in action but I can guess what it does. It probably relocates your intake temp sensor outside the heated intake so it always receives 'cold air' signal to enrichen your fuel mixture so its good for warm up but not so good for warm cruise mode. All NA engines run ma...

Sounds like a logical and fairly objective test to quantify any deflection in the engine compartment. I suspect there isn't very much flex in the upper engine compartment since I coudn't notice any difference with the STB but it is very strong and stable. BTW, I jacked up the front end from the righ...

Hi,New to this forum and see lots of STB made for high coinage...I decided to make my own, it's not perfect but it more than adequately does the job. For an alternative, click my write up below: http://home.attbi.com/~mostang/strut_tower_brace.htmMo

KSNep,I re-used the factory steel C clamps and the 1"X1.5" 11 gauge (1/8") tubing was $13 for 20ft. You only need 4.1ft. My 95A DC arc welder was $100. If you're ever in the Dallas area, I have some spare tubing so look me up and I'll do it for you for a Jackson ($20) Only takes a few...

HI,You can make one for very little effort and $$. Mine was only about $15. I have a little write up on my personal web:http://home.attbi.com/~mostang/strut_tower_brace.htmMo

Flood damage can invoke your comprehensive insurance policy to also include engine damage...yes?

There is one caveat that AEM failed to mention: if the bypass valve works as intended to NOT let water thru the waterlooged cone filter, then UNFILTERED air will reach the engine via the AEM bypass valve. I guess that would be the lesser of 2 evils ;-PMost rain and water would end up on the surfaces...

Thanks for the warm welcome! The mandrel bent tubing shouldn't cost more than $25, just cut to fit! AEM sells their bypass valve separately for around $30, I would consider that but it would take some seriously water to flood the engine!Mo

Hi, My first post! I usually surf matrixowners.com but wanted to share my recent homebrew ram air intake I put together for my new Matrix XRS in my garage...http://home.attbi.com/~mostang/ram_air_ ... mThanks,Mo