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Discussion starter · #62 ·
With my use I'd rather get the windows tinted first, then some better brakes, and then an intake, and then a tune. And after that roughly $1200 I'll get a drop.hahaha I'd also love to chop out a section of the lower grille and put these in there.
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So I still haven't sold my stock wheels and tires. I'm going on a big 1700 mile road trip so I was wondering if it'd be worth it to swap back to them for the drive. The tires are 195/60/15 Michelin Primacy MXV4 with alot of tread left. They're narrower and less sticky giving less rolling resistance, shorter giving better gearing, and lighter(8 lbs lighter total) than my current set up. My thought is it'll give me 1-2 mpg max saving me roughly $20. Thoughts?
 
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Discussion starter · #64 ·
We'll see if I have time this weekend to swap them over. All my parts are here so getting some of them on before the trip is a larger priority since it wont save me a ton of money.

So I saw this picture
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and it got me thinking. I want something like that that isn't in your face but makes the car stand out a little more. My thought is to do something similar to my upper grille but using collin mcrae wrc focus martini livery colors like below(always been a rally fan and loved mcrae since I'm half Scottish). Obliviously the grille has horizontal lines, not vertical so I'm not sure if I'd keep the stripes vertical and just do a 1/4" line of each color going dark blue, light blue, red, light blue,dark blue. Or do the lines horizontally and have a whole row be one color in the same order. More in your face but maybe flows a little better with the whole car.
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Discussion starter · #66 ·
Yeah that's what I was leaning towards. That's just a fun project down the road.

Got my shorty billet antennae from CFM installed this weekend. Too busy getting ready for the road trip, celebrating my brothers bday, and dealing with my wife's mazda cx9 to do anything else. The cx9 decided that voltage regulators are over rated so it didn't need one. Thank god we got a small warranty on that thing that covers the alternator since its as the bottom lower corner of a very tight engine bay. Sadly it's a motor that ford and mazda developed together so I can't get mad at mazda. But really who puts an alternator at the front bottom of the engine in a AWD suv?

That means were taking the focus to Tucson. Did a quick and very dirty fender rolling job with a set of pliers and a towel. It worked great but the paint cracked on the backside- I knew it would do this but didn't have a choice as we leave tomorrow. I'll tape it up and spray it black to prevent corrosion when we get back.
 
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#68 ·
Paint is pretty easy, get your paint code and sand, spray clear coat
 
Discussion starter · #69 ·
ausatz- Thanks. When the funds come-itll be a while after this rash of car issues for my family- that's the kit I'll be getting.

nboyle- Yeah I'm not too worried about it. Of course french blue isn't the common blue so I have to order the paint.
 
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#70 ·
Haha put up a pic when you're done. Seems like it'd be neat when you've finished up.



Hopefully you get free shipping on paint.
 
Discussion starter · #71 ·
Ill only be painting the inside lip of the fender so you wont see it from the outside.

Went over the car last night. Everything seems to check out so we're heading out this afternoon. No updates for a while but its gonna need a oil change and tire rotation when we get back so might be a good time to buy some ramps and change the dogbone while I'm under there.
 
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Discussion starter · #72 ·
Back! The focus made it 1704 miles with no issues! For a 2k beater I'm very pleasantly surprised. Got between 24 and 29 mpg. My fender crimping helped some but it still rubs on big bumps so I'm thinking I need to have them flared out a little too. O and the rear is getting very floaty, especially with the weight of luggage and another person in the car. Hoping the new rear shocks will fix that.

I noticed while checking the car out for the return trip that the car doesn't have the under hood padding. Not sure if that's a huge issue. It seems to me that it would let heat out easier but also let out more noise.
O and a gratuitous pic from the trip
Image
 
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Discussion starter · #74 ·
Yeah it was nice. I've been out there a good amount. Gotta love 80 degrees and sunshine for thanksgiving. I'm a born and raised cali boy who's lived on the central coast and in the bay area my whole life so I miss actual mountains, green, trees, ocean, and moisture in the air but the desert has it's charms and appeal. Working on getting the in laws outa their same restaurants, same activities funk so I can actually explore Tucson.
 
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#75 ·
Ah you're still here? Few cool spots around. I can show ya if you want
 
Discussion starter · #76 ·
No I'm back in the bay. I was hoping to get some free time while I was there but no go. Next time I'm out there we should meet up
 
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#77 ·
Haha sounds good, I think I have your pm w/ phone #



Lukes, gmg Chinese bistro (you got better I know), nicos taco shop and eegees are a few restaurants to start.



Old Tucson, the desert museum, air and space museam, biosphere 2, and colossal cave and the local drag strip are cool attractions. Drag strip is best w/ fuel alters and other big nitro jam style cars. Things are damn fast. Paint ball archery range too.



As far a fun driving roads there is mt lemon and gates pass... That's all I can think of atm.



Even if we don't now you got a few places to go! Anytime you'll be back or not for awhile?
 
Discussion starter · #78 ·
I've had eegees but haven't heard of the other restaurants. I want to go to the air and space museum and the in laws keep talking about the desert museum( they talk big but when it comes to plans they're not good at them,haha) but we still haven't gone. We drove past the sign for the bioshpere 2 while I was out there but wasn't sure what it was. I'm always down for a little local drag strip or a good mountain road- just gotta get my rear tires to stop rubbing so I can enjoy it properly.

As for coming back unfortunately it will probably be a while. But they like to come up with spur of the moment trips so we'll see. Thanks for the suggestions
 
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#79 ·
Haha those 3 are kinda one trick ponies. Still fun if you've never been.



You'll wanna wait until you get smaller tires... Like normal sized. Cali has lots of fun roads though. Look up porches great roads.



Well haha if ya do lmk. And np for next time.
 
#80 ·
nboyles85737 said:
Haha those 3 are kinda one trick ponies. Still fun if you've never been.



You'll wanna wait until you get smaller tires... Like normal sized. Cali has lots of fun roads though. Look up porches great roads.



Well haha if ya do lmk. And np for next time.
Click to expand...

Porches roads huh. I've heard of Porsche....[poke]
 
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