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Modifications
(Yes they actually do make performance parts for Saturns) |
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Click on an image for full size view. Use your browsers Back button to return to this page. |
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Spring, 1999: After about 3000 miles of ownership, I decided that the base 124HP out put of the twin cam 4 cylinder just was not enough. I called SPS and ordered up one of their Cold Air Ceramic Powerstacks. After 15 minutes of install time, I was off to pick up my friends for the "new car break-in run" to Niagara Falls, Canada. As I pulled off my street, and "cracked the throttle," a huge grin found it's way to my face. The sound was amazing! A nice throaty growl inside the car, that got louder as the RPM's climbed. This photo was taken in Canada, right after we got there. For some reason I don't remember to much about that trip... |
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March, Y2K: Exactly 1 year, and two days of ownership has passed. Peformance bug bites me again. This time it was a cat-back exhaust system. Hand crafted in Toronto while I waited by Richard and Kalvin at Brullen Exhaust. It features 2.5" stainless steel piping, with resonator, and single chamber muffler. I went with the dual resonated tips for one reason. It does not have the 4" diameter "Fart-Can" look to it, that can be found on SO many Hondas. To a non car person "it could be stock..." Plus I think it just looks cool as hell. Now the car sounds like a race car at full throttle.
My Saturn was the first Saturn that Brullen had ever done. I got a pretty good deal on the whole system. Dollar wise. Since the 2nd or 3rd month, my car has been plagued with rattles and clunks. It started out as just a clunk when I would turn left at rough intersections. Two tie wraps fixed it for a while. By October, Y2k, I was so tired of hearing it, I made the trip back up to Toronto for an adjustment of the muffler hanging system. It was great! I even did some high speed turns in the parking lot to test it out. About a hour after I got there I was on my way back home. The 3 hour ride home was enough to stretch out the rubber hangers. Now instead of a clunk, there is a very irratating rattle that starts when the car starts, and stops when I shut the car off. I can't hear it above 40 MPH. Any thing slower, and it is there. Needless to say, I am in the process of scheduling another trip to Toronto. |
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Early Fall, Y2K: I am spending way to much time on Ebay. I wanted something to make my car different from all the other Saturns in my area (as if it wasn't already). Found this sticker on Ebay for $9. Couldn't pass it up. |
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Dirty picture, taken during a sunny day this winter: List of Mods...
Early fall Y2K: Still spending too much time on Ebay. "Wouldn't some of those clear corner lenses, like all the Hondas have look cool on a Saturn?" Yep! Paid too much for 'em too!
November 12, Y2K: "Happy birthday John! Here's a check... " Cool, I'll get my roof and mirrors painted black. Just before hunting season, and the painter runs out of time. At least the roof is done. All I need to do is get off my lazy butt and call him, and he will do the mirrors, and re-paint the roof for me.
Late fall Y2K: Holy smokes, winter is almost here, and the stock Firestones are SHOT. Autocrossing has taken it's toll on them, 40,000 miles and the tires are bald. Time to buy tires. Back out on Ebay, I find somebody on the other side of the city, selling 4 blizzaks, mounted on 15" steel wheels with hubcaps. I ask if I can take a look at them before I bid. When I get there he says first $100 takes them. A short trip to the ATM, and the tires were mine.
Just before Christmas Y2K: I bought the "Twin Cam 16V" stickers from Jamin for $20. |
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Christmas time, Y2K: Santa was VERY good to me this year. Along with new belt's and hoses for the Vette, I got a SPS 16mm, 3-way adjustable rear sway bar, and a 4-piece black emblem kit for the Saturn. Both are still in boxes under my bed, where their maximum performance gains are put to full use... |
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| That just about takes me to where I am today. Around April 24th, 2K1, I had new tires mounted on my alloy wheels. BFG Comp T/A HR4's. A week later and I installed Carbotech "F" compound brake pads, and new front rotors. |
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Sometime in late July, 2003. Finally put the 16mm sway bar on the car. Installed new rear rotors too. |
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Same time late July, 2003: "New" 15 inch rims. I paid $100 for the rims and another $100 to have them painted black. Their offset is different from the stock Saturn alloy's, giving the car a more agressive look and a slightly wider stance. Even if they are only 15 inchers. The BFG's are 205's. |
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| Questions, comments, concerns? Send me an e-mail! |
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