2003 Azure Blue Mach 1 Progress Thread

VLONE

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Got the new FRPP UCAs and MM HD LCAs installed this past weekend along with the MM poly pinion snubber. The cheap SR Performance UCAs and LCAs that the previous owner had installed were disgustingly worn out. The bushings were shredded and I could pull the metal retaining sleeve out with my fingers! :eek: Needless to say the car feels 100% better now. No floaty rear end, better grip, drives straighter and launches better. Replacing the cheap parts that the PO installed and making sure all maintenance is up to date has now become my priority :rolleyes:
 

Wade_GT

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Get the MM panhard bar now and you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner. The upper control arms do not like poly bushings.
 

VLONE

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Get the MM panhard bar now and you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner. The upper control arms do not like poly bushings.
That's along the lines of what I'm planning on doing. I Think I'm just going to save up until I can get new full length subframe connectors, a panhard bar and torque arm setup all at once. Then the whole rear suspension will be done.
 

VLONE

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Haven't updated here in a minute, and while I haven't tackled much on the car since its been off the road I've got some work ahead of me now. Recently received my full length HD Maximum Motorsports subframe connecters that have to be installed (replacing SR Performance subframe connectors). They look so much better and stronger than what is currently on there and I can't wait to have them on and feel how much more solid it will be. I also scooped up a driver's side JLT v2 Catch Can with the passenger side pre-filter locally off of Terminator owner, so that will be installed soon too! Other than that I have to install my Carbon Driven side scoop inserts that came in, and I still have to tackle the gear oil change and shifter gasket install that I've been putting off for a while now... Other than that I'm chipping away at some accessories and appearance related items that I want to throw on. Only other performance based item that will be on the horizon is a set of MAC long tube headers and an off-road lethal x-pipe, which I will be buying off of the same guy I got the catch can from. He just has to get the headers off of his car and then they're mine! :D He's going twin turbo on his car and can no longer use them so I guess I'm going to be lucking out! He sold the full eaton swap off of his car last fall and SOMEHOW I missed it?!:mad: Anyways, after the headers are installed the car just needs a re-tune and I'll be good to go! Can't wait for summer!
 

VLONE

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IMG_2310.jpg


Got the Carbon Driven side scoop inserts installed today. They just overlay the factory insets and stick on with some crazy strong two sided tape. Love the way they look, they make the scoops stand out more than the faded black honeycomb. Can’t wait to see them outside in the sun


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VLONE

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So I still need to post a few picture updates on some stuff I've tackled over the past couple of months. I decided to sell the used JLT catch can as I didn't like how they wanted you to mount it by screwing it into the plastic on the firewall, and I bought a brand new V3. Installing it was relatively straightforward although fitment was pretty tight. Really like the build quality of it though and it sits in a nice spot in the engine bay. I also got the JLT Ram Air Intake installed but I used the heat shield from my old steeda intake because the one that came with the JLT did NOT mount up to the shaker connection nicely whatsoever. The steeda heat shield just needed some minor modifications to work/fit with the new JLT intake. Overall it looks better than it would have with the JLT shield though! On another note, the car is going to the shop in a couple of weeks for a solid bit of work. They will be doing the Mac Headers, catless x pipe, MM HD subframe connectors, MM steering shaft, MM steering rack bushings, EGR delete and an alignment. I'm super excited to get all of that done and hear how it sounds afterwards! After that I have to book an appointment with my tuner to get it retuned and see what gains I get out of the headers. Can't wait to get the car back on the road next week and have a lot of fun with it this summer!
 

Streetfreak

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Nice update, curious to see how the cia looks installed. Also, if you wouldn't mind messaging over the cost of the header install when it's done, I have a full exhaust with long tubes in my near future. Thanks
 

VLONE

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Brought the car back to my tuner about a month ago for to get re-tuned after the headers, JLT intake and EGR delete. Didn’t gain a ton but the car put down good numbers. Just under 322whp/333wtq. It was also over 80 degrees and pretty humid out that day, not sure if that effected much. Overall I’m happy though, car is running great and sounds great. Next up on the list is some minor stuff as well as energy suspension motor and transmission mounts.
IMG_2907.JPG



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VLONE

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Dang, you're chipping right away on that thing! Very nice car dude, I've got many of the same mods planned for my Mach.

Thanks man, I appreciate it! I'm hoping to have all of the suspension, bracing and bushings/mounts done by Spring 2020. Really want to get the handling down and make sure it's ready to handle some more power, without being too terrifying, when the time comes
 

Torch'dMach

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Thanks man, I appreciate it! I'm hoping to have all of the suspension, bracing and bushings/mounts done by Spring 2020. Really want to get the handling down and make sure it's ready to handle some more power, without being too terrifying, when the time comes
Same. I've always been involved in road racing and autocrossing so handling is more important than all out power for me. Supercharger wayy on down the line is the plan.
 

VLONE

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Same. I've always been involved in road racing and autocrossing so handling is more important than all out power for me. Supercharger wayy on down the line is the plan.

That’s my plan too, get everything else sorted first and then add a blower. The temptation to just toss a blower on and make great power right now is real though


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Torch'dMach

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Brought the car back to my tuner about a month ago for to get re-tuned after the headers, JLT intake and EGR delete. Didn’t gain a ton but the car put down good numbers. Just under 322whp/333wtq. It was also over 80 degrees and pretty humid out that day, not sure if that effected much. Overall I’m happy though, car is running great and sounds great. Next up on the list is some minor stuff as well as energy suspension motor and transmission mounts. View attachment 1593893


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Was just ready back through this and caught your numbers again. That's strong, do you have underdrive pulleys? I'm hoping to get my car tuned soon so hoping for similar numbers.
 

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