Canonshooter's '07 FXT (now mac_gc8s 2007 XT)
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Congrats man! Wish I could have made it to the show. I think it was that sweet light bar that just put you over the top :icon_wink:
Not only did I point it out to the judges, but they mentioned the "auxillary lighting" in their announcement that my car had won the class.
Jim, thanks! "Modding the Foz" has been a great source of enjoyment and satisfaction for me. It's even more satisfying having my peers acknowledge it!
Thanks to all for stopping by to look at my FXT, and nice to have met you all!
Ha ha that is great! I was kinda being sarcastic with my post above.
Today I replaced the MadDad boost gauge with an AEM digital boost gauge. The reason for the change is that I think the digital gauge goes better with the Aquamist gauge. I also used black bezels on both gauges;
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I also installed two GTSpec pieces today - a front strut bar and their 4 Points Front Ladder Bar. New engine bay photo below showing the front strut bar;
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I installed the front strut bar first and I did feel a difference with just that, in fact more than I thought. My goal with bracing is to reduce flex and give the car a more solid feel going over rough roads. These 2 pieces in combination did indeed make a noticeable difference.
I also installed two GTSpec pieces today - a front strut bar and their 4 Points Front Ladder Bar. New engine bay photo below showing the front strut bar;
I installed the front strut bar first and I did feel a difference with just that, in fact more than I thought. My goal with bracing is to reduce flex and give the car a more solid feel going over rough roads. These 2 pieces in combination did indeed make a noticeable difference.
Looks good! The gauges to match very well.
Do you have any install photos or tips for this you could share? I hear the eBay variants are somewhat iffy at best.
Sure!
The front strut bar was not too bad. Separate the two ends from the bar and get those positioned on top of the strut towers. Install the 3 nuts on each strut but do not tighten. Then install the bar and the bolts that hold the bar to the brackets, leaving those lose too. Then tighten the 3 nuts on each strut, and then sock down the bolt on each side of the bar.
The biggest issue I had with the front strut bar was the top AC line - I had to bend it a bit more because the brace pushes down on it a little and made it hit the back of the TMIC. I also had to flip the AC line bracket near the master cylinder. Once I did that, all fit just fine.
The ladder bar is a bigger project. I placed the front of the car on ramps and completely removed both sub frames. Once they were out of the way is was easy to position the brace and catch the control arm bracket bolts to hold the brace in position.
Because the front tabs of the brace go between sub frame and the chassis mounts, the thickness of the tabs have to be compensated for. You will notice that the sub frames have sleeves welded in where the bolts pass through. The sleeve that bolts up through the brace tabs have to be cut down (shortened) by the same amount as the thickness of the brace tab (about 3/32") to make the sub frame sit correctly. With the sub frames completely out, this is easy to do with an electric reciprocating saw and a metal blade. I cleaned up the cut with a file and painted the bare metal gloss black.
The holes in the brace lined up perfectly and the brace sat perfectly in place. With the modification done on the one bolt sleeve in each sub frame, they bolted right back up without any problems.
So, the GTSpec pieces fit just fine, though it takes a little effort to make them do so.
thanks for the tips
thanks for the tips. I was thinking of the braces but noone at the bigmeet could tell me if they fit the XT. Saw your car there and it is awesome. Nice job. Hope you dont mind if I lift a few ideas from your car..
thanks for the tips. I was thinking of the braces but noone at the bigmeet could tell me if they fit the XT. Saw your car there and it is awesome. Nice job. Hope you dont mind if I lift a few ideas from your car..
Thanks - and I don't mind at all!
There is absolutely nothing new with my car - other than I haven't used as a DD since last spring. I drive a 2003 Impala as my DD now, so when I get in the Foz it feels like I'm driving some HP monster!
Absence makes the heart grow fonder...
Absence makes the heart grow fonder...
Considering the 3.4 V6 Impala is 185HP at the crank, the FXT feels mighty lively!
My stock wheels are going back on this weekend (with the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R). :icon_wink:
So, what happens when you reach a point where you are satisfied with the level of mods? I think I've reached that point - I'm really quite happy with the way my FXT is right now. In fact, since I don't drive it very often, when I do a major smile appears on my face!
Even though the modding has ceased, I do need to post here more often.
Even though the modding has ceased, I do need to post here more often.
Usually when I get to that point I start looking for another car. I like building and modding more than I like driving I think.
I've thought about that. But between the investment and the fact that I really like the FXT, I haven't warmed up to that idea.
If I had the dough, I'd go for something completely different.
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