car parts

Converting to AN Fittings

By admin | 2008/09/14 15:07 Posted in car parts, thoughts, vws | Comments (0)

It started with the external oil filter, but I recently decided to convert all* of my VW’s fuel lines to -6 AN fittings… you know, those red and/or blue aluminum fittings on the end of stainless steel braided line? The advantage is that they’re very secure, leak-free connections. The downside is that it’s very, very expensive to get all of the line and hose ends and connectors and adapter fittings. (Expect to pay over $10 a foot for your line and $6-$30 per fitting.)

Here’s the Canton Mecca oil filter with -8 lines.

Holley fuel pressure regulator run under the rear tray. Notice the two -6 bulkhead fittings run into the engine compartment…

A closeup on the bulkhead fitting with a red+blue 90 degree fitting on it. Above is the breather box.

A view of the whole thing. Fuel fittings on each side of the engine, ready to connect to my dual Weber 44s

*technically, the fuel line through the body is still original steel fuel line.

Lower G35x

By admin | 2008/03/16 15:25 Posted in car parts, thoughts | Comments (1)

I originally dropped my 2004 Infiniti G35X (sedan) with Eibach Sportline springs (stock shocks up front, DSpecs in back – running on 18×8.5″ kazara rims, Eagle F1s – 245/18). The performance was great (0 body roll) but the ride was too rough – not on me, but on the car itself. So I picked up a set of Tein H techs for the 350Z and put them on this weekend. See below for before and after.

The Teins aren’t quite as low as the Eibachs (doesn’t matter to me) but the ride with the Teins is MUCH better. It’s like I have a suspension again. Perfect. If I had read about the H&Rs, I might have given them a try but I’m happy with the drop+ride+performance of the Tein H tech’s for my X.

BEFORE – w/ Eibach Sportlines:

AFTER – w/ 350z TEIN H TECHs:

Hope this helps someone who’s driving one of these AWDs! They’re a little tougher to lower than the non-AWD or Coupes.

Griot’s Garage

By admin | 2008/02/28 15:05 Posted in car parts | Comments (0)

I’m a hard sell when it comes to slick product packaging and the like. When I received my first Griot’s Garage catalog, I felt it was nice to look at high-end car care products but they probably weren’t for me. When my Infiniti needed a good interior cleaning, I decided not to go for the same old autoanything leather conditioner/cleaner that you can get. Instead, I ordered the Leather Care Spray. Great stuff! It cleans without being sticky and it leaves a really nice, fresh leather smell afterward. It is a little expensive ($25 for a 35oz bottle) but other products like the Rubber Cleaner and Mag Polish are $10-$15. Fascinating, right?