synthetic oil

[puckaveli]

For any motors I built I would always change oil at 500, 1000, and 3000 miles. I wouldn't use synthetic until 3000 miles since you want some friction during break in so everything wears and seats. Always vary your rpms during and decelerate under vacuum so it breaks in evenly. It is crucial to replace the filter at 500 and 1000 since it will have a lot of metal particles in it. My oil changes are based off what the oil looks like,if your driving it hard you will wear it down faster than just cruising around town.

I've been using Mobil 1 in my Subaru since 3000 miles and 150,000 miles later it still runs strong and has stock compression levels and i've driven the piss out if it.

[KuroNekko]

I just changed the oil this past weekend for the first time since I bought the car. Car came with fresh oil so I drove it about 4500 miles before the change. Put in Pennzoil Ultra with a Mobil 1 oil filter. The engine is more responsive now and revs faster and smoother. Also poured in a can of Seafoam into the gas tank which I usually do every oil change with a fill up of gas.

What caught my eye was the fact that you can see the timing chain through the oil filler cap hole in the engine. That's kind of neat as you can monitor the cleanliness of the chain over time. I plan to keep the car on Pennzoil Ultra and if it's not available, then I will get Pennzoil Platinum. The Pennzoil synthetics are renown for their cleanliness and excellence in preventing and removing sludge.

The oil filter location for the car is a bit hard to see and get to. After doing this oil change with an oil filter plier-type wrench, I decided to get a cap wrench because of the limited space and angle. The Mobil 1 filter is also shorter than most filters so there is less space for the plier-wrench to grasp. A cap wrench is optimal for removing the oil filter in this car.

I also noticed while under the car that my pre-center muffler under brace was bent. It may have happened when I accidentally ran over some hard, large object I could not avoid last month. I heard a horrible noise under the car, but when I parked, I did not see any obvious damage.
As I was doing the oil change, I noticed that the brace looked a little disfigured. The impact appeared to have bent the brace although it did not break or loosen it. The brace did however save the center muffler from damage.
Because the brace is just a little bent, but otherwise fine, I think I will live with it.

Looks like RRM does sell a performance replacement although it does not state whether it's for the brace in front of the center muffler or the one at the rear of the center muffler. Anyone ever get this brace?

http://roadracemotorsports.com/store/in ... cts_id=672

[SamirD]

I also noticed while under the car that my pre-center muffler under brace was bent. It may have happened when I accidentally ran over some hard, large object I could not avoid last month. I heard a horrible noise under the car, but when I parked, I did not see any obvious damage.
As I was doing the oil change, I noticed that the brace looked a little disfigured. The impact appeared to have bent the brace although it did not break or loosen it. The brace did however save the center muffler from damage.
Because the brace is just a little bent, but otherwise fine, I think I will live with it.

Looks like RRM does sell a performance replacement although it does not state whether it's for the brace in front of the center muffler or the one at the rear of the center muffler. Anyone ever get this brace?

http://roadracemotorsports.com/store/in ... cts_id=672

I just saw this as I was researching for an oil change, and I have to say go ahead and replace it. It's body parts like these that will become hard to find down the road, and since it is a load-bearing piece, I'm sure it will affect handling when pushed to the edge.

[KuroNekko]

I also noticed while under the car that my pre-center muffler under brace was bent. It may have happened when I accidentally ran over some hard, large object I could not avoid last month. I heard a horrible noise under the car, but when I parked, I did not see any obvious damage.
As I was doing the oil change, I noticed that the brace looked a little disfigured. The impact appeared to have bent the brace although it did not break or loosen it. The brace did however save the center muffler from damage.
Because the brace is just a little bent, but otherwise fine, I think I will live with it.

Looks like RRM does sell a performance replacement although it does not state whether it's for the brace in front of the center muffler or the one at the rear of the center muffler. Anyone ever get this brace?

http://roadracemotorsports.com/store/in ... cts_id=672

I just saw this as I was researching for an oil change, and I have to say go ahead and replace it. It's body parts like these that will become hard to find down the road, and since it is a load-bearing piece, I'm sure it will affect handling when pushed to the edge.

I agree but RRM wanted too much for it ($140). The description also did not state which one it replaced as there are two braces: one in front the center muffler and one behind it. I just checked and RRM's website now says they are sold out, but at the price they were asking, I wasn't going to buy it.

While at the DC Auto Show, I was able to check out a Lexus IS on a lift and look underneath it. It also had crossbraces made with a similar type of metal. These seriously aren't that sturdy nor thick and will bend if hit directly much like what happened with mine. I think the RRM's brace is a lot better but isn't worth it. I'd have to really push the car in corners for it to make a difference and I simply just don't drive like that.

[SamirD]

I agree but RRM wanted too much for it ($140). The description also did not state which one it replaced as there are two braces: one in front the center muffler and one behind it. I just checked and RRM's website now says they are sold out, but at the price they were asking, I wasn't going to buy it.

While at the DC Auto Show, I was able to check out a Lexus IS on a lift and look underneath it. It also had crossbraces made with a similar type of metal. These seriously aren't that sturdy nor thick and will bend if hit directly much like what happened with mine. I think the RRM's brace is a lot better but isn't worth it. I'd have to really push the car in corners for it to make a difference and I simply just don't drive like that.

I wonder what RRM would want for one now as they'd have to produce the part? I thought about getting one of the braces (I forgot what), but they stopped making it completely.

I bet you'll be able to find this part as cars start to become wrecked and hit the salvage yard. They're just now hitting autotrader and the like as a great value.

[bootymac]

I think the RRM brace replaces the rear one, which has eight mounting holes versus two on the front:



#7 7559157L00 Cross bar front 
#9 7557057L00 Cross bar rear 

The front brace actually looks quite sturdy while the rear appears to be made from stamped steel (weaker):



Samir: It looks simple enough to fabricate so I think anyone can make it if provided dimensions.

[KuroNekko]

I think the RRM brace replaces the rear one, which has eight mounting holes versus two on the front:

Good catch.
Well, it's the front one that's beat up on my car. After all, that's the one that would impact an object under the car first. I'd be more interested in replacing the front bar than the rear, but I agree that the rear one is probably more flimsy.

[bootymac]

Yeah, unfortunately none of this really helps your situation. Doubt it's worthing fixing

[LPSISRL]

Go to junkyarddog.com and have them to a search for one off a wreck. They're a clearing house for many recyclers across the US. Used the service on a number of occasions. They put you in touch with a yard that has the part.