GoPaul's Journal

[SSE 4 2SS]

Dude, I would drive to Houston if you offered to help me do this on Brandi, but I want red accent lighting...

Originally Posted by GoPaul

May 2011 Internal Aqua Blue LED Lighing Project








Bought the Aqua Blue LED Interior lighting kit from AAC. I've wired it into the Dome lighting for now but I'm going to add a SPDT switch once I get it so I can also wire it to the Ambient lighting, that way I can have a bit more control of it.

I also need to find a couple of small LEDs that I can add to the cup holders.

[GoPaul]

Originally Posted by SSE 4 2SS

Dude, I would drive to Houston if you offered to help me do this on Brandi, but I want red accent lighting...

sure, no problem - it's actually a piece of cake, depending on how you want it wired of course. Currently mine is tapped into the dome light power source so it comes on the same way that one does. I am waiting on a SPDT switch which will allow me to also power it from the existing Ambient lighting in the doors - this way I have a choice of how it is controlled and also the option to switch it off completely.

Give me a shout and maybe we can get a few of us together for a couple of beers and a little mod work

p.s. Try out AAC's website to see if they have red footwell lighting.

[GoPaul]

Just finishing hooking up a SPDT switch so I can control my footwell lighting from 2 different power sources and an off option.

Switch Installed:



LEDs powered from the Dome lights (normal light intensity) -(this way for car shows and stuff I can switch the dome light into the Constant on position and have the footwells on also):



LEDs powered from the Ambient Lights and using the ABL dimmer to lower the intensity to the minimum (this way I can drive with the footwell lights on and not have to have the dome light on - I can also change the intensity so it isn't too much of a distraction when driving in the dark)

[GoPaul]

May 2011 Engine Cover Project:

1: Ok so to start I removed the heat insulator on the back of the cover and then thoroughly washed and degreased the engine cover. I then marked out the areas of the cover I wanted to cut out with a silver sharpy. I then drilled a number of holes just within the border of my marked areas (so I could get my jigsaw in) I then used the jugsaw to cut out the marked areas (taking care not to run over the lines) I then used some metal files to get down to my straight edges and finished off with sandpaper to smooth the edges down.


2. I bought the perforated aluminim sheet from Amazon.com (I'd never have thought I'd get it from them) cost was approx $20. I used some snips to cut my shapes out. I went with one large piece to cover both of the vertical cut outs and 1 smaller piece for the shaped horizontal.

3. I bought the Aqual blue LED Footwell strips from AAC - cost approx $30-40

4. I then contacted emblemspro.com and asked them if they could make me a V6 engine emblem with the RS symbol (I understand they can pretty much make anything - within reason ) cost $45.

5. Painting the cover was the killer for me, I had to do a lot of "re-do's". I went with the Krylon Fusion in gloss black as it needs no prep, but the number of coats, wet sanding and buffing I had to do to get it right (and I'd say it is only about 80-90% right but not enough to notice) I probably wouldn't use that stuff again, instead I'd probably go with some sort of plastic adhesion promoter and a black enamel.

6. I then bonded the aluminum with an epoxy glue.

7. I applied the LEDs with the sticky double side tape that is on the back of them and also added a few dabs of super glue for some extra bond (not sure what the heat of the engine will do to the 3M tape if anything). I wired each of the LEDs together and then clipped the positive wires to a SPST switch which I also bought from Amazon.com - (The switch comes with a small blue LED built into it which illuminates in the 'on' position). I then ran a ground wire from the "-" terminal of the switch and t-tapped the LEDs to it. I then ran the ground wire to the underside of the fuse box where there is an existing 'grounding point' (any grounding point will do). Then from the "+" power source of the switch I then connected the wire to a fuse using a female terminal one one of the fuse clips, from the remaining fuse clip I ran another wire (also connected with a female terminal) to the fuse box - when you lift the lid of the fuse box there is an existing power source (I loosened the nut and connected my positive wire and tightened the nut back up). The switch now gives full control of the LEDs even when the car is switched off. Also if I need to remove the engine cover then I just need to disconnect the female terminal from the fuse. As I type this I have just realized I havent got a method to disconnect the ground wire though so I will need to cut the ground and stick a female / male quick disconnect combo in the line.

8. The emblem comes with a much stronger bond on the back of it so just applied as is.

9. I also bought a polished stainless oil cap cover for $25 from here http://www.getautoextras.com/Oil-Cap-V6-p/bc-161.htm

Hey presto - hope you like it, I know I do

[TJ91]

wow man that looks great, did the wetsanding and buffing help?
I just dropped of my baby this morning to have the Rims done all Gloss black, get my eibachs tomorrow too
Your car is looking badass Paul!

[GoPaul]

Originally Posted by TJ91

wow man that looks great, did the wetsanding and buffing help?
I just dropped of my baby this morning to have the Rims done all Gloss black, get my eibachs tomorrow too
Your car is looking badass Paul!

thanks TJ91, yeah I found the wet sanding helped alot, thanks for the tip. I don't think I will use the Krylon fusion again though to be honest, I wish I'd gone for an enamel paint but the prep would have been alot more.

You will love the Eibachs, they really set the car off and what with your black rims it will look mean!

[GoPaul]

Next mod: Trifecta tune - on order

[BACH]

Good job Paul! You know who's next.....

I think the circle mesh you chose give sit a better "glow" than the expanded metal look - at least in the photos. Can't wait to see it in person.

I may cruise to Kemah with you.

[GoPaul]

June 2011 - 2nd Annual Camaro Show - Kemah

Attended my 2nd Annual Camaro Show at Kemah - this year I decided to enter though, had a great time and even won a Vararam air intake for the V6 !

Also got this great picture taken - love it

[GoPaul]

June 2011 Trifecta Tune Loaded

Took it for a quick spin but not really tried it out in ernest yet.

Probably all in my head but certainly feels sharper in the lower gears......

More to follow.....Will probably wait until I install my Vararam intake before getting on the dyno, I'd like to send a data log back to Vince so he can tweek again once its installed.


June 2011 Vararam Installed

Had a few issues Installing this (heat mat was too large, brackets needed to be cut, plastic guides on brackets needed removing - add to this the fact I had to uninstall my Injen including the wash bottle and reinstall the stock bottle and it was a bitch of a job) Initial feedback though is it was worth it I will let the ECU do it's relearn process then will give my feedback after that.

[BSR-1]

I'm real curious after watching the install videos. It looks like there's less than an inch for it to draw air from the front and that the majority of air will be drawn from the side areas in the engine compartment.
Am I wrong?

I was going to ask this on the Vararam thread but didn't want to sound like I was bashing. I'm just honestly curious.

[hardestysa]

Originally Posted by GoPaul

June 2011 Vararam Installed

Had a few issues Installing this (heat mat was too large, brackets needed to be cut - add to this the fact I had to uninstall my Injen including the wash bottle and reinstall the stock bottle and it was a bitch of a job) Initial feedback though is it was worth it I will let the ECU do it's relearn process then will give my feedback after that.

Your engine cover is sick!

[GoPaul]

Originally Posted by BSR-1

I'm real curious after watching the install videos. It looks like there's less than an inch for it to draw air from the front and that the majority of air will be drawn from the side areas in the engine compartment.
Am I wrong?

I was going to ask this on the Vararam thread but didn't want to sound like I was bashing. I'm just honestly curious.

After doing the install I was thinking exactly the same thing - In fact I was convinced I'd installed the wing incorrectly because it just didn't look like it would help - I guess it does force the air up from behind the grill into the engine bay though?

Originally Posted by hardestysa

Your engine cover is sick!

thanks

[LA_Ghost]

Originally Posted by GoPaul

June 2011 Vararam Installed

Had a few issues Installing this (heat mat was too large, brackets needed to be cut - add to this the fact I had to uninstall my Injen including the wash bottle and reinstall the stock bottle and it was a bitch of a job) Initial feedback though is it was worth it I will let the ECU do it's relearn process then will give my feedback after that.

You're not worried about the L.E.D.'s melting?

Looks sick though!!