well my trip to PAA was nothing short of entertaining today!!!

last month after getting headers installed, i noticed my actuator was busted, so today's service visit included replacing the actuator...all went smoothly until i got into the car and tried to adjust my side mirrors, and that's when i realized my passenger-side mirror wasn't working properly...so back inside the car went, and for the next hour or so, Jens takes both door panels off to try and figure out what the problem was...unfortunately, the conclusion was i need a whole new mirror, but the bright side is it coulda been much worse as electrical signals go through 3 computers between the switch on the driver's side and the passenger mirror itself...Jens was nice enough to teach me how to take off the door panel so when the replacement comes in, i can just do it myself

ok, now onto the actuator!!!
holy sh!t i didn't realize how friggin FAST the car is...since i got my headers, i had no actuator, so i couldn't get the TRUE feel for the headers...until now

if u don't have em, GET THEM!!!!! like so many other major mods, u never realize what yer missing til u get em!!

thanx to the PAA crew for their usual warmth and hospitality can't wait til the next PAA meet!!

 

headers will definately be my next mod.

 

mine are sitting in a box just begging to be installed!

 

hope u get every thing fixed, congrats on the headers

 

i've had both of my side mirrors replaced.

 

Nice. How much was the total header cost???

 

bought the headers used from a good friend of mine...install was bout $200 and change (i felt more comfy having PAA do it than me)

 

Wow. I was going to do it myself, but for $200 that's not bad at all..

 

What actuator goes bad in the cars? Is this the window actuator problem that kept you from driving, or are you talking about something under the hood?

 

its the acuator aka IMRC (do a search) . it basically opens up the 2nd stage intake and allows more air flow, and more power after 3800rpm on the TypeS models

 

Im gonna quote our mechanical/physics/calculation guru EricL:

The IMRC controls the air "resonance" in the car's intake system. Someone did a write up on this on how to see if it is working or not. I think "The Red Rocket" has his own page with pictures of how to sort this out.

Does anyone remember the link to the page:

Soopa note:

The MIRC page/link would be a great FAQ link (MHO)


The disconnection of the battery resets the ECU. Think of it as if it had adjusted to the current set of parts in the car. If you change to headers or CAI (cold air intake), you have changed the air flow in the car, and the engine needs to do "re-educate" itself from its past experience. By disconnecting the battery, you are giving the ECU the equivalent of a "brain wipe". It is supposed to help it get the most out of the updated "goodies."


You would want to disconnect the negative terminal to your battery for about a half an hour. This "resets" the ECU. It also resets the radio and NAV unit. If you are going to do this be sure to have your "PIN" numbers for the radio and NAVI available.

BTW -- the radio looses its PIN right away. I've still had the NAVI working with the battery disconnected for 20 minutes (go figure).

 

Nice Scooter, I put on my headers last month and I love them. Can really feel the power at high speeds. You gonna show for the meet on feb 1st if we have one?

 

Scooter, congrats on the headers, it rocks from 5000 up doesn't it Hey, i noticed you have the SS brake lines, did you notice any difference in brake feel after install ? Thanks.

 

3800 rpm is when vtec is supposed to "kick in"? It seems like mine kicks in at about 4500-5000 rpm. Is something wrong with my actuator?

 

no your fine, the acutator goes @ 3800, vtech is at 5000ish

 

yes in harder braking...soon after i got the lines, i replaced rotors and got the upgraded pads, so the feel was MUCH better...i'd say it's a worthwhile mod for those "just in case" situations...can't put a price on safety, right??

 

sure if we have 1...Rob, what's the status???