Team3S: 3000GT & Stealth   Thursday, April 10 2003   Volume 02 : Number 126
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Date: Tue, 8 Apr 2003 19:10:33 -0700
From: "Courtney Bennett" <courtney_b80@earthlink.net>
Subject: Team3S: Problem with the A/C
 
> I have a '93 stealth Es and am having a problem with the A/C.  It
> takes 20 minutes or so for the Air to kick on.  Have had it checked
> out by a few people and they cant find ne thing wrong with it.  One
> shop suggested that the computer must be bad!  I don't agree with him.
> Another shop suggested that I might need a new relay switch.  Has
> anyone else had this problem? Courtney
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Tue, 08 Apr 2003 21:19:38 -0700
From: "Andrew D. Woll" <awoll1@pacbell.net>
Subject: RE: Team3S: Problem with the A/C
 
Yup - I have the exact same problem.  I replaced all the relays in the front left engine bay and it did some good for a month or so but now the problem is back.  I have not been able to figure it out. It makes using the car in the summer a real problem.  I am thinking that either the sun sensor on the dashboard, or the heat sensor near the sunroof latch, is bad. Just a theory right now. If you figure this out, please let all of us know.
 
Andy
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2003 00:42:20 -0600
From: "Donald Ashby" <dashbyiii@earthlink.net>
Subject: Team3S: Wow, my turbo must have been starved!
 
My hungry little turbo ate something: http://www.geocities.com/raverdude30391184/index.htm
(click hungry 9b)
That's definitely not right...
Donald Ashby
'93 3000GT VR-4
"Don't drink and park, accidents cause people!"
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2003 08:52:00 -0400
From: "Furman, Russell" <RFurman2@MassMutual.com>
Subject: RE: Team3S: Wow, my turbo must have been starved!
 
Hey Donald what type of intake do you have?  K&N, HKS, or stock?
 
That pea shooter looks like it ate a rock or some sand....  The MKIV crowd had a couple of BPU cars loose the #1 turbo after the owner replaced the filter element on the HKS intake and it did not seal around the edges of the cage properly.  I guess there is some sort of trick to properly installing the foam element.......
 
Sorry looks like you are going to a pair of 13G's or DR-500's?
 
Russ F
CT
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2003 08:24:04 -0500
From: Bob Mc Kibben <mckibben@sugar-land.oilfield.slb.com>
Subject: RE: Team3S: Problem with the A/C
 
I have a similar problem with the A/C on my Stealth, in that it would not
cool sometimes with the push-button switch in the first (orange light)
position, but worked just fine in the second (green light) position. As I
understand it, (this is what the Dodge service mgr told me) there is a
three position on/ON/off switch that controls the A/C. The first position
is thermostatically controlled and will adjust the air temperature output
according to cabin temperature. The second position is just "ON", maximum
cold air. That being the case, it's possible that you have a bad
temperature sensor, or maybe a restriction in the air flow, or maybe a bad
on/off switch. Or he could have been b.s.-ing me and it could be something
completely different altogether.
 
Hope this helps,
Bob
 
At 09:19 PM 4/8/2003, Andrew D. Woll wrote:
>Yup - I have the exact same problem.  I replaced all the relays in the
>front left engine bay and it did some good for a month or so but now
>the problem is back.  I have not been able to figure it out. It makes
>using the car in the summer a real problem.  I am thinking that either
>the sun sensor on the dashboard, or the heat sensor near the sunroof
>latch, is bad. Just a theory right now. If you figure this out, please
>let all of us know.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Robert McKibben
Senior Designer
Schlumberger Conveyance & Delivery Center
555 Industrial, Sugar Land, TX. 77478
281-285-7763
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2003 13:41:58 -0000
From: "Jeff Lucius" <jlucius@stealth316.com>
Subject: Team3S: 3KGT-Stealth artwork
 
This artwork is available in the online folder below.
 
http://www.stealth316.com/images/artwork/
 
I also put all the images into one zip file for those that want to get everything at once. Note the file size in the filename.
 
http://www.stealth316.com/images/artwork/artwork(18mb).zip
 
Thanks to Slayton Shaw for making this artwork available to us!
 
Jeff Lucius, http://www.stealth316.com/
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2003 14:00:24 +0000
From: mjannusch@attbi.com
Subject: Re: Team3S: Wow, my turbo must have been starved!
 
> My hungry little turbo ate something:
 
Ouch!  Don't you have an air filter on your car?  You probably want to check
the other turbo if you haven't already.  Are all the honeycombs still in your
MAF sensor?  Maybe one of those got sucked through somehow.
 
Turbo upgrade time!  :-)
 
- -Matt
'95 3000GT Spyder VR4
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2003 07:43:06 -0700
From: "fastmax" <fastmax@cox.net>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Wow, my turbo must have been starved!
 
Of major concern is where all the debris went --- The intake tract may be littered with pieces parts.
 
        Jim Berry ==================================================
 
- ----- Original Message -----
From: <mjannusch@attbi.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2003 7:00 AM
 
> > My hungry little turbo ate something:
>
> Ouch!  Don't you have an air filter on your car?  You probably want to
> check
> the other turbo if you haven't already.  Are all the honeycombs still in your
> MAF sensor?  Maybe one of those got sucked through somehow.
>
> Turbo upgrade time!  :-)
>
> -Matt
> '95 3000GT Spyder VR4
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2003 10:57:38 -0400
From: "Furman, Russell" <RFurman2@MassMutual.com>
Subject: RE: Team3S: Wow, my turbo must have been starved!
 
I would be more concerned with those shards of metal tearing tiny holes in the rubber sections of you IC piping or even worse putting a small hole in one of your IC cores.....
 
After you replace the hairdryers, definitely do a pressure test of your intercooler system to check for leaks......
 
Sorry to add to the bad news :(
 
Russ F
CT
 
- -----Original Message-----
From: fastmax [mailto:fastmax@cox.net]
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2003 10:43 AM
 
Of major concern is where all the debris went --- The intake tract may be littered with pieces parts.
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2003 09:07:18 -0600
From: "Donald Ashby" <dashbyiii@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Wow, my turbo must have been starved!
 
Nope, pressure test is fine, no leaks in the intercoolers or the pipes. The fins all got bent over, none of them are actually missing. What it looks like is something small and plastic got to them, the front turbo has actually been like that for about a year, just never pulled it to take pictures before now Donald Ashby '93 3000GT VR-4 "Don't drink and park, accidents cause people!"
 
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Furman, Russell" <RFurman2@MassMutual.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2003 8:57 AM
 
I would be more concerned with those shards of metal tearing tiny holes in the rubber sections of you IC piping or even worse putting a small hole in one of your IC cores.....
 
After you replace the hairdryers, definitely do a pressure test of your intercooler system to check for leaks......
 
Sorry to add to the bad news :(
 
Russ F
CT
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2003 11:40:19 -0700
From: "Damien" <dabinch@actionsd.com>
Subject: Team3S: Lotek installation
 
I have a Lotek A pillar 2 gauge pod.  It is long enough to cover from the base of the A pillar to top of the A pillar.  The stock trim piece covers from the bottom of the A pillar all the way back to the rear of the door. The Lotek piece does not appear to be a cover over the stock piece, but also isn't as long as the stock part.  I believe I'm supposed to cut the stock trim and remove the part that covers the A pillar and replace that with the Lotek part.  Can anyone confirm?  Is anyone using this piece?  I have a very dark brown and tan interior and this pod came color matched, very cool.
 
Thanks.
 
Damien
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2003 06:22:26 -0700
From: "Bob Forrest" <bf@bobforrest.com>
Subject: Team3S: OT: ThunderHill Track Report (long)
 
The weekend was a hoot (what little of it we ran)...  This is lengthy, but there's still more, so I'll put the rest on our website in the Race Reports section.  We had a great turnout this weekend, although only 8 of us went out on the track:  Geoff and Nissa, Ann Koch, Michael Gerhard, Bill Ashurst, Jim Elferdink, ET and I were driving.  Bob Willingham took a few rides.  Rick Pierce came with a whole crew: his son-in-law- and father-in-law-to-be (Bryan Rogers, who built my engine and former owner of my car, and Vern Rogers, an elder engine guru), Bryan's fiancee Brenda and her friend Delta, and a couple of Bryan's friends, including Chris Flinders, who came with a gorgeous, heavily-modded, charcoal 92 VR-4 with a gazillion HP, full replacement pillar pod, the works - engine also built by Bryan.
 
Saturday was my first track day with my (almost finished) VR-4.  For my first run, I took it pretty easy.  I was still getting used to the car, it only has stock brakes with Porterfield R4-S pads; and the track, tires, and brakes were still cold.  It felt fabulous!  The JIC suspension may be bone-jarring on the street, but on the track it is just awesome.  Now I know why they named the JIC FLT-2's "Magics" - I've never felt one of our cars handle better.  Part of the credit for the amazing handling goes to Custom Alignment, who are the best professional alignment shop in California (they are rated in the top 10 in the country)!  They played with the car and tweaked it for a day and a half, including corner-weighting it.  This car is NEUTRAL in handling, with just the right amount of understeer.  With a car this balanced, I found myself driving so much more relaxed, and hadn't a clue how fast I was going except for the tires squealing around almost all the corners.  It never felt like it would break loose, unless I wanted it to.  As the first run ended, I was all smiles - this was exactly the track car I wanted to put together.
 
Then it was ET's turn to go out in the Stealth.  I just finished a bunch of mods this past week, (GC coilovers + Eibach helper springs, 3SXPerformance custom downpipe, Random Technology high-flow cat, 3SX Performance Aluminum crank pulley, 3SXP custom adjusters front and rear to give more range to suspension camber/toe settings).  It felt like it got our just-above-stock 175 HP up to almost 190 HP.  A noticeable difference in power, and excellent handling.  The car felt great, and on the 150 mile drive from SF to Thunderhill Friday night, we played tag at 120 or so with some badass cars and ate up all of them, with her in the lead.  Wonderful performance - and the Stealth suspension was finally perfect.  She said she had heard some ticking, and we checked the oil twice when we got up there.  It appeared full.  And there was no oil on the ground where we parked overnight. But on Saturday, she only got 1.5 laps and the engine seized - threw a rod, we guess.  No oil.  False readings from the dipstick?  My fault, I thought.  But we had never seen any oil leaking until we were at the track, and the two shops who had worked on the car that week would have noticed leaking and I would have heard noise or something driving the Stealth home that previous week...  So as Rick pointed out, maybe it was a simple part failure, and it happened on the way to the track that morning.  Sucks, no matter how it happened.  So now I need an SOHC motor (that I can't afford after all the other mods to both cars).  I guess the Stealth will have a little vacation for a while...
 
Then I took my second run of the day in the VR-4, and on the second lap, some hyperthyroid female in a white Mazda smacked into me (which rarely happens in this kind of "school" event).  Bryan was with me, and after we checked with the officials for damage of the tire rubbing, they sent us back out for a fabulous second run.  What had happened was that there is a string of 3 short straights between slight lefts at each of turns 7-8-9.  The "line" that you take is that you clip the left inside corner of all 3 and treat it like one long straight.  I ran right up the tailpipe of Geoff's Z-06, who was right behind this Mazda - both of them doing maybe 70 and over to the right of turn 8 - off the proper line.  He waved me by (he told me he was waiting just to see what my car could do - he doesn't usually go that slowly!), and I thought she waved me too (since I thought they were doing "lead-follow" or something over on the right).  But as I went by past at around 110, she changed to the proper line (that I was already on) - she had never looked in her mirrors.  So I got my first "NASCAR Kiss" of her wheel imprint on the side of my door, and she crushed the nose of the right front fender a bit too.  Not awful, but pricey to re-do that paint.  If you're gonna go out on a track, shit *will* happen.  It just wasn't supposed to happen on my birthday weekend!  :-)  When we got back in, Nissa reminded me that when we had gone to Laguna Seca three years before, on her birthday, they had blown all 3 of the cars they brought. She jinxed me by saying "you should never bring more than one car on a birthday weekend".  It's her fault that we weren't done with our bad luck yet...  ;-)
 
I went out in the VR-4 with Rick as passenger, and tore the track up again. This car is fantastic with the JIC suspension!!!  Stock boost, no BOV, no boost controller, and weak stock brakes (much better, after we disconnected the damned ABS) and the car just FLEW!  We didn't even USE the brakes a lot.
;-)  Rick was screaming "Go Bob!", and we had a ball.  On the last lap, though, we lost power, and it turns out we blew one of the NEW turbos!?!  So our weekend was done by midday Saturday.  We stuck around and had the NASA BBQ (Team3S/Speedtoys hosts it), and afterwards, about 20 folks (Team3S racers, some NASA people, and other track friends) celebrated my birthday (actual date - today) with 2"-thick NY-cut shell steaks, Margaritas, and an huge birthday cake, right at the track - it was great!  Afterwards we went to the Mexican place next to the hotel and had a few more - a terrific night!
 
We stuck around to take some rides with other friends on Sunday, and ET had to take out a student at 4:30 (we're both instructors now), while I rented a tow dolly and packed up our car.  One of the NASA guys (Dave Bongiovani, Chief of Timing and Scoring) with an F-250 towed the Stealth home for us (saved us
$300+) and we limped the VR-4 home - keeping it under 90 on I-5.  The turbos are warranteed, so it'll just be a loss for some labor.  But the "Blue Streak" ain't a track virgin anymore!  LOL!  What an AWEsome car!  I can't wait to get back on the track again.
 
I'll fill in the blanks and have more to add when I put up the page on the website...  It probably seems like body damage, a blown engine, and a blown turbo should have us freaked.  But we just aren't.  And it IS a serious financial jolt for us (that we can't afford), but this stuff happens when you want to play on the track.  ET and I both can't think of a more fun way to spend our money.  We still had a great weekend!
 
Best,
Forrest
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2003 13:53:23 -0500 (CDT)
From: Geoff Mohler <gemohler@www.speedtoys.com>
Subject: Team3S: Re: 3S-Racers: OT: ThunderHill Track Report (long)
 
My report is short.
 
Went fast as hell, busted a rear tie rod that was already stressed from a previous incident.
 
Perhaps Rick can offer more detail as a passenger.
 
- ---
   **Now offering replacement Audi/BMW/Mercedes/Porsche/SAAB/Volvo parts!**
 
Where do you buy YOUR brakes from?
orders@speedtoys.com  Maybe I can help..asking is free.  :)
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2003 18:59:00 +0000
From: mjannusch@attbi.com
Subject: Re: Team3S: OT: ThunderHill Track Report (long)
 
> I just finished a bunch of mods this past week,
> ...3SX Performance Aluminum crank pulley...
 
Did you forget to read the 'why an undampened crank pulley is bad' FAQ?
 
> She said she had heard some ticking, and we
> checked the oil twice when we got up there.
> It appeared full.  And there was no oil on the
> ground where we parked overnight.  But on Saturday,
> she only got 1.5 laps and the engine seized -
> threw a rod, we guess.  No oil.  False readings
> from the dipstick?  My fault, I thought.  But
> we had never seen any oil leaking until we were
> at the track, and the two shops who had worked
> on the car that week would have noticed leaking
> and I would have heard noise or something driving
> the Stealth home that previous week...  So as
> Rick pointed out, maybe it was a simple part
> failure, and it happened on the way to the track
> that morning.
 
When they strip it down, take some pictures of the main bearings.  I'll
venture a guess that you'll see some really odd wear patterns on them due to
the lack of the harmonic damper.  Hopefully the block is okay!
 
- -Matt
'95 3000GT Spyder VR4
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2003 12:07:22 -0700
From: "fastmax" <fastmax@cox.net>
Subject: Team3S: Re: 3S-Racers: OT: ThunderHill Track Report (long)
 
I wish one of you guys would buy a stopwatch and time a lap --- all I hear is we're faster than the Mclarens and I passed an F1 car --- let's get some times.
 
Hmmm --- "stressed from a previous incident", is that a euphuism for a gopher hunt ???
 
        Jim Berry ==================================================
 
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Geoff Mohler" <gemohler@www.speedtoys.com>
 
>
> My report is short.
>
> Went fast as hell, busted a rear tie rod that was already stressed
> from a previous incident.
>
> Perhaps Rick can offer more detail as a passenger.
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2003 12:27:41 -0700
From: "Bob Forrest" <bf@bobforrest.com>
Subject: Re: Team3S: OT: ThunderHill Track Report (long)
 
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "fastmax" <fastmax@cox.net>
> I wish one of you guys would buy a stopwatch and time a lap --- all I
> hear is we're faster than the Mclarens and I passed an F1 car ---
> let's get some times.
- ----------snip-------------->
 
I'm installing a transponder in the VR-4.  ET got me one for my birthday. I'll know exact times for every lap.  (It looks like a $34 plastic toy - for
$340!)
- --F
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2003 14:28:23 -0500 (CDT)
From: Geoff Mohler <gemohler@www.speedtoys.com>
Subject: Team3S: Re: 3S-Racers: OT: ThunderHill Track Report (long)
 
Ya..had to miss a deer on Hwy1 a few months ago.  Probly had the tie rod bent a little, and we missed it.
 
On Wed, 9 Apr 2003, fastmax wrote:
 
> I wish one of you guys would buy a stopwatch and time a lap --- all I
> hear is we're faster than the Mclarens and I passed an F1 car ---
> let's get some times.
>
> Hmmm --- "stressed from a previous incident", is that a euphuism for a
> gopher hunt ???
>
>         Jim Berry ==================================================
 
- ---
   **Now offering replacement Audi/BMW/Mercedes/Porsche/SAAB/Volvo parts!**
 
Where do you buy YOUR brakes from?
orders@speedtoys.com  Maybe I can help..asking is free.  :)
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2003 12:41:19 -0700
From: Michael Gerhard <gerhard1@llnl.gov>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Re: 3S-Racers: OT: ThunderHill Track Report (long)
 
At 12:07 PM 4/9/2003, you wrote:
>I wish one of you guys would buy a stopwatch and time a lap ---  all I
>hear is we're faster than the Mclarens and I passed an  F1 car ---
>let's get some times.
 
Jim Elferdink had a hot lap timer running in HPDE group 3 (my group). I'm
thinking that one of his best times was 2:17 (one of the laps I was still
keeping up with him). I had hand timed myself last June at Thunderhill
during the Thunderhill school and my best lap was 2:38 back then. There was
a difference between the track configurations. At the school we ran the
crows nest at turn 5, rather than the bypass. Also, the school puts up
chicanes at the end of the main straight (just past the end of the hot pit
wall) and on the back side just before turn 8, to slow the cars down to
25-35 mph so they can restart at lower speeds and keep learning. The NASA
HPDE runs the bypass with no chicanes so turns 1 and 8 are fast.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Michael A. Gerhard     1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4  Pearl White
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2003 15:47:02 -0400
From: "Danno" <palermod@pilot.msu.edu>
Subject: Team3S: Bent Wheels
 
All~
 
I've been fighting this relentless wobble from the front end.  Got the tires balanced, front end aligned (tie rods replaced)and finally took the car to Discount Tire for further analysis.  They're telling me all 4 rims are bent, and my two front tires (Michelin Pilots with about 12K on 'em) have tread separating!  Shit, I'm an old fart who drives the thing like a pansy for cryin' out loud!
 
Anyway, are the rims throw-always, or is there someone out there that can bring them back from the dead?  I don't care about rechroming.  I just need them to run true.
 
Any thoughts?
 
Thanks!
 
- - Dan
'95 Black VR4
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2003 13:06:12 -0700
From: Jim Elferdink <macintosh@sunra.com>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Re: 3S-Racers: OT: ThunderHill Track Report (long)
 
I've got a Hotlap timer in my car. The best I did was on Sunday: 2:16. Geoff was *way* faster! We were running the bypass at turn 5.
 
- --Jim Elferdink
 
on 4/9/03 12:07 PM, fastmax at fastmax@cox.net wrote:
 
> I wish one of you guys would buy a stopwatch and time a lap --- all I
> hear is we're faster than the Mclarens and I passed an F1 car ---
> let's get some times.
>
> Hmmm --- "stressed from a previous incident", is that a euphuism for a
> gopher hunt ???
>
>       Jim Berry ==================================================
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2003 14:59:38 -0500
From: "Patrick Purviance" <purdaddy@associatedsys.com>
Subject: RE: Team3S: Bent Wheels
 
Dan,
 
I once needed to have a Talon rim "trued" (can't remember what the guy actually called the process, but he was good at it).  It's not something that most shops offer.  Had to ask around and one of them mentioned knowing a guy that did it.  It was a run down hole-in-the-wall, but excellent work. They can be repaired if the bends are not too bad.  Just have to find someone that can do it right. So you may ask around at tire/rim shops and see if anyone knows of anyone (I called around).
 
Good luck.
 
 -Patrick
 
Patrick Purviance
'94 Stealth R/T TT, 59k miles, Open Air Intake, 1g DSM BOV, Pro Boost MBC, Blitz DATT Wichita, KS
 
> Anyway, are the rims throw-always, or is there someone out there that
> can bring them back from the dead?  I don't care about rechroming.  I
> just need them to run true.
>
> Any thoughts?
>
> Thanks!
>
> - Dan
> '95 Black VR4
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2003 13:23:47 -0700
From: "Bob Forrest" <bf@bobforrest.com>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Bent Wheels
 
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Danno" <palermod@pilot.msu.edu>
> All~
> I've been fighting this relentless wobble from the front end.  Got the
> tires balanced, front end aligned (tie rods replaced)and finally
> took the car to Discount Tire for further analysis.  They're telling
> me all 4 rims are bent, and my two front tires (Michelin Pilots with
> about 12K on 'em) have tread separating!  Shit, I'm an old fart who
> drives the thing like a pansy for cryin' out loud!
> Anyway, are the rims throw-always, or is there someone out there that
> can bring them back from the dead?  I don't care about rechroming.
> I just need them to run true.
> Any thoughts?
> Thanks!
> - Dan
> '95 Black VR4
- ------------------------------------>
 
You won't know if they can be repaired until you bring them in.  Some can be repaired; some can't.  Do a Google search for {wheel repair +(your locale)}. If possible, bring the wheels in with tires UNmounted.  Most places charge an extra $10-$15 to unmount each tire.  Avg price per wheel for repair is $100-$125, depending on your area and who you use...  (That's for repair - rechroming is extra).  It's cheaper than buying a good wheel replacement, and worth it if they are good strong stock chrome wheels.  If they are low-profile aftermarket wheels and you drive on rough roads, however, I wouldn't bother - it will just happen again.  I trashed 3 out of 4 lightweight, *expensive* 18x10 wheels just going over a bad bump at the end of a bridge...  Hard lessons.
- ---Forrest
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2003 15:32:27 -0500
From: "Willis, Charles E." <cewillis@TexasChildrensHospital.org>
Subject: RE: Team3S: Bent Wheels
 
Wheels America Al rims straightening for flat rate of $109.
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2003 21:00:09 +0000
From: danielhyde@attbi.com
Subject: RE: Team3S: Bent Wheels
 
And here is the link.  They did good quality work for me at the Dallas TX
location - fast.
 
http://www.fixrim.com/
 
Dan
97 VR4
> Wheels America Al rims straightening for flat rate of $109.
>
> <Snip>
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
------------------------------
 
Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2003 16:00:24 -0500
From: "merritt@cedar-rapids.net" <merritt@cedar-rapids.net>
Subject: RE: Team3S: Bent Wheels
 
> finally took the car to Discount Tire for further analysis.  They're
> telling me all 4 rims are bent, and my two front tires (Michelin
> Pilots with about 12K on 'em) have tread separating!
 
Ka-ching! Ka-ching!
Do you look wealthy?
Does it say "SUCKER" across your forehead?
 
I don't buy this whole deal.
 
How do you bend all four wheels? You some kind of rally driver? Sheesh, we RACE on stock wheels, and never bent one yet. They are some STRONG muthers.
 
You can see tread separating, so they can't fake that, but I think I'd get a second opinion on the bent wheels.
 
Rich/slow old poop
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Wed, 09 Apr 2003 18:14:53 -0400
From: "Philip V. Glazatov" <gphilip@umich.edu>
Subject: Re: Team3S: Bent Wheels
 
I would be suspicious if the wheel shop tells you that you have two
problems at once, like four bad rims and tires, however this is possible. I
just straightened four stock chromed wheels, paid something like $340 at
Mr. Wheels of Indy, near Indianapolis. Bastards told me that they would
straighten all eight that I had and that they have "one-day turnaround".
Yeah, right, it was a one-month turnaround, but the four wheels did come
out very good, no discoloration or anything like that. The rest, I sense,
they did not want to be bothered with. Call them if you wish. They do
quality work but a little slow though.
 
Mr Wheels of Indy
135 E BROADWAY ST
FORTVILLE, IN 46040
(317) 485-7046
 
Philip
1995 R/T TT
 
At 03:47 PM 4/9/2003, Danno wrote:
>All~
>
>I've been fighting this relentless wobble from the front end.  Got the
>tires balanced, front end aligned (tie rods replaced)and finally took
>the car to Discount Tire for further analysis.  They're telling me all
>4 rims are bent, and my two front tires (Michelin Pilots with about 12K
>on 'em) have tread separating!  Shit, I'm an old fart who drives the
>thing like a pansy for cryin' out loud!
>
>Anyway, are the rims throw-always, or is there someone out there that
>can bring them back from the dead?  I don't care about rechroming.  I
>just need them to run true.
>
>Any thoughts?
>
>Thanks!
>
>- Dan
>'95 Black VR4
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2003 19:14:23 -0500
From: "cody" <overclck@satx.rr.com>
Subject: RE: Team3S: Bent Wheels
 
You would be surprised.  The stock wheels on all Mitsu cars bend extremely easily.  We had a customer come in with a VR4 with 18" chrome wheels.  Both fronts were bent so badly at the lip they wouldn't hold air, and the rears were also bent pretty badly as well.  Especially any of the 2-piece wheels (don't recall if the VR4's are) but most Mitsu cars use 2 piece alloy wheels.  The lip/barrel is separate from the face of the wheel.  These are especially susceptible to bends in the lip area only (usually causing the assembly to not hold air)...
 
One thing though - if your tires are separated, DTC will not put them back on your car no matter what, I guarantee it.  If they do, let me know which store, please.  You might have tires that appear to be separated from bad wear, alignment, lack of rotations, etc. can all cause problems that may be symptomatic of a separated tire, but just be bad wear.  Also, when you ask "what's the problem"  and you are general, Any and all possible answers are given up front. 
 
It's been too many times that I've heard customers come back saying "I thought the two new tires would fix the problem" when it ends up being a slightly bent wheel that no one even noticed.  It's called CYA - cover your ass...  Someone comes in with a vibration problem and OE wheels - two major things to look for - bad wear on the tires / separated tire / bent wheel(s)  It's a possibility you have 4 slightly bent wheels, but will they cause a vibe problem?  Maybe.  Is there a bad wear problem with the fronts / is one really separated?  Maybe.  Ask to see the problem so you can better describe what you are seeing. 
 
- -Cody
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2003 18:06:13 -0700
From: "Richard L. Barron" <radanc@cox.net>
Subject: Team3S: Parts for sale
 
Hi All,
 
I posted this before, but wanted to try again since I no longer have my car (totaled). I have a completely unused TMO datalogger I never used and want to get rid of as well as a still packaged HKS air filter (drops into stock airbox), Actually here is a better breakdown:
 
New and unused:
 
HKS superfilter drop in for factor airbox (Mitsu 1506-sm-002) TMO datalogger with software harness, instructions (you can't get one of these within a century of ordering!) K&N Filtercharger (14071-1)
- -6 SX fuel regulator
 
Used
 
2 stock 9B turbos and intercoolers
1 IHI ball bearing turbo (same wheel dimensions roughly as the 357s) 2 stock rims 5 spoke design 1 Greddy Profec fuzzy logic boost controller box and all plumbing (extra filters would be included) 1 stock exhaust cat-back (this would obviously be a pick up item not
delivery)
2 Stock front brake calipers
2 stock rotor mounting hats
 
E-mail me privately if you are interested. I already sold the fuel rails so these are no longer available.
 
I am in SoCal (orange county) if some of the heavier bulkier parts are of interest so might be picked up if you are local.
 
Rich
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2003 19:07:35 -0700
From: "Richard L. Barron" <radanc@cox.net>
Subject: Team3S: RE: Parts for sale
 
My apologies. I have a 92 Stealth TT. Rich
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2003 00:03:15 -0600
From: "Jason" <Jason@garagedynamics.com>
Subject: RE: Team3S: Bent Wheels
 
Wow, I will make sure to be extra careful with my Buddy Clubs then. Sorry to hear about everyone's bad luck.
 
Jason
 
- -----Original Message-----
From: Bob Forrest
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2003 2:24 PM
 
You won't know if they can be repaired until you bring them in.  Some can be repaired; some can't.  Do a Google search for {wheel repair +(your locale)}. If possible, bring the wheels in with tires UNmounted.  Most places charge an extra $10-$15 to unmount each tire.  Avg price per wheel for repair is $100-$125, depending on your area and who you use...  (That's for repair
- -
rechroming is extra).  It's cheaper than buying a good wheel replacement, and worth it if they are good strong stock chrome wheels.  If they are low-profile aftermarket wheels and you drive on rough roads, however, I wouldn't bother - it will just happen again.  I trashed 3 out of 4 lightweight,
*expensive*
18x10 wheels just going over a bad bump at the end of a bridge...  Hard lessons.
- ---Forrest
 
***  Info:  http://www.Team3S.com/Rules.htm  ***
 
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End of Team3S: 3000GT & Stealth V2 #126
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