Alright, afterburner effect! Combined with the turbo kit I ordered, my days of waving people past are numbered!
https://www.amazon.com/iSaddle-Exhaust- ... B008V5UAJC
Long term drivability hopefully isn't the goal here, if I can get my Buick on the road again. I was finally putting things back together last night when I broke a bolt off under the timing cover. I refuse to pull the cover (and oil pan) again and am bringing a drill to try to extract it. I have left-handed bits and three different kinds of extractors. But that's a tale for another forum. I've only got through Monday to get-er-done and the Colt is my only transportation until I finish.
After that the Colt doesn't need to be continuously drivable. It's on my insurance, but that only added a hilarious $30 over 6 months, and permanent plates was just $120. Unlike most US states, we still don't have any emissions or safety inspections in Montana. You know, recently at a stop light I was right behind a white Evo X Final Edition with sticky tires and rally armor flaps (WANT), and as much as I'm jealous, I think I could actually afford to run the 4G15 on nitrous constantly for less than the insurance and registration costs for an Evo. I priced out a GT86 recently, and while the payments are manageable the insurance was hundreds a month. I'm 31 and have nothing on my record. Perfect credit, no debt. No thanks! Old shitboxes for me!
I'm discovering that the Colt is a truly superior crap-can. I've spent time in all the generations of Metro/Cultus, Festiva, Civic hatch, you name it. The inputs on the Colt are way better right out of the box. Brake feel is shockingly good, I can't wait till I change the nasty fluid. The turning circle is frankly amazing. I already praised the steering and shifter. There's no rattles, even with no carpet it's not half as loud as my Jeep inside. We'll see what it's like without the headliner. I'm starting to love this thing, and I really enjoy working on it.
Did anybody ever try ghetto-charging the 4G15 as is? Not considering it, just wondering aloud.
I'm gonna pick up some split loom in different diameters to protect the wiring now that the carpet is out. I've found TPS from shadier sources for more like $50 shipped. I'm gonna hope it really is the sensor and not wiring or something. I don't see anything about the vehicle speed sensor in the FSM. Googling only shows AT trans results. Does it do anything important? Why TF does my car have an AT style 02 sensor anyways?
I never mentioned that the car needs CV axles badly. It looks like no matter what engine or trans I go with I'll still be using the stock length and spline axles. Is this correct? I'll probably just go the OEM route locally on that as I never expect any more than 150HP in my life. I'm also hunting for strut options. The k-sports are absolutely ineligible for my use as I need maximum ride height and compliance. Even the paved roads here are rough hewn, I have three cattle guards I hit twice every single day at full speed. I may just end up with OEM struts I suppose. Even then, Autozone only shows fronts for some reason.