19bonestock88's 2004 Saturn "Ion Green Line" build...

[mpg_numbers_guy]

How often do you check your tire pressure? I haven't checked mine in probably 7 or so months since I set them to 80 PSI; they're probably at 70 something now.

Cutting and reinforcing a hole in tape sounds like more of a PITA, unless you were planning on doing something with fiberglass for durability. If the tape comes off with the wheel cover I'd just pump up the tires more and not worry about a hole.

Looking forward to seeing how they look with the CF vinyl.

[19bonestock88]

I was leaning that direction too lol... I set them to 55 but most times when I check them they’re 45-48

[19bonestock88]

Today has been a very productive day! I installed a new set of Hankook Kinergy ST tires, and then worked on installing my stainless header and getting a new exhaust system made... we had to gently massage (with hammer, cutting wheel, and welder) the exhaust runner for cylinder three on the header to get it to fit properly and not contact my coolant crossover pipe, but it worked in the end. From there I went with 2.25” pipe all the way back, an emissions delete downpipe, resonator and Thrush muffler... car has an all new sound that I’ll have to get used to but it seems to run better at least. Once the tires break in and I stop stomping the loud pedal to hear the car, I’ll try and see how the mods affected mileage...

[mpg_numbers_guy]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but won't the car be stuck in open loop / rich burn without a catalytic? Or did you install an 02 fooler?

I had to reset my 12V battery after changing my catalytic due to it running rich afterward (I didn't do an emissions delete...lean burn reasons).

Let us know how it does. Do you feel any more power accelerating?

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EDIT: My 1000th post on Ecomodder!!

[19bonestock88]

My car has been throwing an 0420 the past year or more due to a bad cat (it actually burned out its core or it disintegrated somehow) but running in closed loop and returning amazing mileage the whole time, it’s running in closed loop now with the header and a downpipe that doesn’t even pretend to have a catalyst. I plan to replace the sensors and add an extender to the downstream O2, unless my 0420 doesn’t come back (I cleared it after the exhaust install and it hasn’t come back yet)

I can’t tell much (if any) extra power at low RPMs, below 2k it feels about normal, just a touch louder/coarser. Above 3500 there is a small but noticeable gain in acceleration (most of that was just due to the header and not from the exhaust) and the sound gets intense and loud...

Bottom line- this thing RIPS!

[19bonestock88]

So I’ve noticed a huge increase in rolling resistance from the new tires, about equivalent to having removed my skirts and air separation plates... highway mileage seems about the same though, maybe the header and free flowing exhaust is helping? Once I get a few miles on the tires to break them in and I can stop being juvenile and stomping the accelerator to hear the noise I can nail down some actual numbers

[Joggernot]

Yes, break-in the tires. I have them on a CRV and the mileage got better after about 5k miles. Don't baby the tires; break'em in right.

[19bonestock88]

I’m never gentle on my tires, hence my being impressed at getting 28K on my last set... there’s a short stretch of road on my commute back home from ridesharing that I always hit at maximum attack, I can’t wait to do it again. I probably gained 10-15hp from the header and exhaust and with new tires it should be some serious fun for the ~.7mile that it is

[mpg_numbers_guy]

Back roads in WV and VA are fun. I was over 90 MPG on my drive down to college so I had a little fun on the twisties.

Sorry it didn't work out to meet since you worked today and I couldn't delay my drive by another day. Maybe over thanksgiving break when I pass through again?

[19bonestock88]

Oh it’s all good man, we’ll shoot for sometime in the fall...

And yes I really enjoy the twisty roads around here, makes a car like mine really fun...