So I've had a bunch of stuff that I've been slacking on installing...
-Forge Diverter Valve... I've had this for probably almost half a year, just sitting under my bed
-S-Line Bumper... I've had this for probably 2 months or so
-ATP Downpipe... had this for about a month
Plus I wanted to paint my engine bay covers...
So I took this spring break as a chance to catch up...
I started Wednesday:
I was planning on installing the downpipe, dv, and paint the engine bay all in one day..
I know, a little ambitious I know, but I wanted to aim high...
Went out to the Do-It Center for paint and tools... and Pep Boys for a tool as well..
Prepared for my great endeavor
$100 worth of tools!!
-Ratcheting wrenches
-X-Metal Paint
-Stubby wrench
-Turney extensions for w/e
-Oxygen sensor socket
Most to be returned after I'm done of course :)
But it turns out I didnt need a lot of the stuff anyways...
The Parts:
ATP DP and Forge DV
Laptop for asking questions and DIY, plus speakers for music
S-Line rear bumper
To be waxed and installed later
Car as she currently sits
First on the list: ATP DP
Jack the car up...
Theres like barely more than a foot of room for me to work with...
Stock DP removed!!
Took me like 2 hours...
Compared to the ATP, you can see the difference
Took me like 30-45 min to put the new one in...
No pics... not really anything to see anyways.
My shirt halfway through:
Next up... the Forge DV
I didnt really take any pics of this... but it took me maybe 2 hours to install...
I started at like 2, finished at 8pm...
No time for painting the engine bay... saving that for tomorrow
Thursday:
Stock engine bay
Test painted a piece....
1. Grey primer
2. X-Metal Anodized red
Didnt like how it turned out... too dark...
So I decided to try a different combo...
1. Primer
2. X-Metal Metallic base coat
3. X-Metal Anodized Red
So i went out and bought the metallic base coat... and decided to do the rest on Friday..
Friday night:
First piece:
Battery cover
Then did the fuse box cover.
Waxed the rear bumper while i waited for paint to dry
Starting on the engine cover:
You can see the metallic flakes in the base coat
Finished spraying the engine cover... and called it a night
Saturday:
Test:
Needs a wet sand...
Went to the Do-It center and bought some 1500 grit sandpaper...
Finished!
Not perfect... but good enough for now...
Maybe I'll redo it in the future...
Onto the S-Line bumper!
Original one removed
S-Line diffusor removed and mounted on new bumper
Installed!
Also removed the CSL front bumper on the E46 to get it repainted...
Sunday:
Gave my car a nice wash..
Next mod...
35% Tinted headlight and taillights
