Sneezy's 540 Adventure

[Sneezy]

So you got M-Cloth/Alcantara seats? and trying to decide on the rest of the interior?

Aye. The package tray is toast and must be replaced, the rest of the interior is good with a little TLC but it all has to match and it is something I only want to do once. I think the hardest part will be getting material that does, in fact, match. Nearly impossible to do by looking at swatches over the internet. Hell, I thought it was the lighter gray Alcantara right up until Tyler delivered it. I was thrilled to see it was actually the darker color and in better than expected condition. Big win in my opinion.

I am still in research mode and there really isn't anybody out here in the sticks that I can go talk to about it but I will figure it out.

[TGreene]

In my opinion (so feel free to stop reading right now), I would not try and match it. Even if you spent a ton of money on some reproduction stuff, I would bet it would still be off just enough to bother you. I would rewrap it all in a simple black fabric - no suede, no alcantara, nothing that would warrant attention. Leave it black and let the seats get all of the focus.

[Sneezy]

Probably a lot safer than trying to match up 15 year old material, true.

I'd probably have to dye the carpet black as well, but I was thinking that would also have to be done with the dark gray headliner anyway.

[thatonedood]

I'm with Trevor on that one.

Sneezy, does the rubber piece that's flimsyly strewn across the intake manifold bother you? As much of an eyesore as my bay is, that piece always jumps out at me. I'm thinking about trying something custom there.

[Sneezy]

You mean the rubber bit that connects the electronics for the injectors? Yeah, they muffed that up pretty badly. GM did a much better job but in the engineers' defense they knew there would be an acoustic cover hiding all of that.

I run the cover, so it bothers me not at all.

[bubba966]

You think about ordering up the package tray that's been pre-cut for the power rear sunshade and installing that?

My package tray is kinda faded, so instead of cutting mine for the power sun shade I figured I'd just order up a new one that's already cut.

[Sneezy]

I have never even thought about adding the sunshade, honestly. Aren't they rare air items? I know Pavel has one in his car, but don't recall ever seeing one for sale.

[bubba966]

I have never even thought about adding the sunshade, honestly. Aren't they rare air items? I know Pavel has one in his car, but don't recall ever seeing one for sale.

They're kinda rare, yeah. I might have the stuff around to put together a second power sun shade set...

[Sneezy]

Well now, do tell.

[bubba966]

I got a mostly complete setup from Joel a year or so ago. And then I got super lucky and managed to pull one out of a yard. Wasn't fun to pull the one out of the yard, but I got the whole entire thing. Never saw one in the yard before, or since.

If I had my M-Sport at my house I would've messed with them enough by now to make sure they both worked and were complete. Not sure if the Touring has the power connector in it to plug the shade's harness into it so I can test out both setups.

So, if you're not in a hurry I'll put your name on one of 'em. I'm just not sure how long it'd take me to mess with them and make sure they're both ok and working properly.

[Sneezy]

Cool, I definitely would like to have one. Like I said, never really considered it because I never see them, but if it is a possibility then hell yeah.

[bubba966]

Ok, I'll give you first crack at the spare when I get them sorted out.

Want any driver's side glove box parts? Got spares in black...

(in case you didn't notice yet I've got a few parts sitting around. )

[Sneezy]

The driver's side glove box is actually on my to do list, yes. PM me what you got and what you need for them. I'll probably take it off your hands.

[Steve547i]

about dang time for this thread

[Sneezy]

I am just about convinced that I will be reversing course on the suspension. I had my heart set on using a GC kit on this car for a few reasons.

All inclusive. By the time you add up everything you get it isn't that much more expensive than springs and dampers with all new components and camber adjusters.

Complete adjustability.

Cool factor.

Alas, I spent my coil money on the M-Cloth interior. One of the reasons I was willing to do that is while I was going through the parts bin I found probably 80% of the miscellaneous parts needed to rehab all four corners already here, NIB. I also really do not NEED the coils, it isn't like I will be tracking the car. Once I have a ride height I am happy with and the car driving the way I want it will likely stay that way ad infinitum.

I still want adjustable dampers, that is a must. Yeah, maybe I do not need them but want is what this car is about so there it is. I have a set of NIB Lowtec 60/40 springs out there, but 60mm is just a little lower than I want the nose. I have those on the 525 and they tend to crash a bit on larger bumps. I thought about getting some 45mm fronts from Mel to make a 45/40 drop but I believe I am going to give Spax a try. Their kit for these cars is 40/40 with adjustable dampers (and here is the selling point to me) that can be changed without removing them from the car. Also, I don't know of anybody here running them outside of the Moosehead guys so I figure what the heck? I'll be a guinea pig.

I haven't had any luck finding out what the spring rates are for the 540 application, that is the last piece of the puzzle. I will send an email off to the folks at Moosehead and see what they say. Honestly, I doubt it will be that different than any of the other vendors out there, so will be fine.

I have a set of strut tubes I will have powder coated and mount up all new wheel bearings and such. That should be an adventure in itself.

Why now, you ask? Why not wait until you have saved up the coin for the GCs? Well, the brakes are nearly done and I will have a goodly part of all four corners disassembled to install those. Feel free to post some of your pics if you want to, Jon.

As stated, I do not really NEED coils for this application.

I want the car more low like yesterday.

Probably will take the strut tubes to the powder coater this afternoon since I am off and it appears I have a free day. Red? Purple? Hot pink? Stay tuned.

[TGreene]

We know you Sneezy. You do NEED coils. Don't kid yourself that you will be happy without the ability to have full adjustability.

[Steve547i]

I've got GC coil specific camber plates you can have cheap if you decide to go that way.

[ShapeShifter]

Dont believe the coilover hype on a street car. Once the ride height is set and the dampers dialed in, whats to adjust? Maybe some fine tuning with the provided shocks/struts would be nice. In my mind if your not slamming the car, valve tuning is the only advantage with coilovers.

I think your thought process is simalar to mine. I went with LowTech 45/30 on my touring without spring pads in the front. Net was 51/30. For me the front ride height was perfect. I should have chosen the 40mm rears.

I think if you go spax without pads you will be happy.
Maybe Spax springs, no front pads, and Koni's will be ideal.

[5mall5nail5]

Am I the only one who re-balances the car depending on what groceries are in it?

[ShapeShifter]

yea....

[Sneezy]

We know you Sneezy. You do NEED coils. Don't kid yourself that you will be happy without the ability to have full adjustability.

lol, you may be right.

I've got GC coil specific camber plates you can have cheap if you decide to go that way.

Kewl. Thanks man.

Dont believe the coilover hype on a street car. Once the ride height is set and the dampers dialed in, whats to adjust? Maybe some fine tuning with the provided shocks/struts would be nice. In my mind if your not slamming the car, valve tuning is the only advantage with coilovers.

I think your thought process is simalar to mine. I went with LowTech 45/30 on my touring without spring pads in the front. Net was 51/30. For me the front ride height was perfect. I should have chosen the 40mm rears.

I think if you go spax without pads you will be happy.
Maybe Spax springs, no front pads, and Koni's will be ideal.

What I like about the Spax dampers is that the rears are adjustable without taking them off. There may be a reason Koni prefers not to do that, I don't know.

Am I the only one who re-balances the car depending on what groceries are in it?

Doesn't everybody keep a set of scales strapped in the trunk?

[TGreene]

What I like about the Spax dampers is that the rears are adjustable without taking them off. There may be a reason Koni prefers not to do that, I don't know.

I did not know that. That is a really cool feature.

[Sneezy]

Looks like I will have a free weekend this, so I am planning to yank the bushings out of the spare subframe using the tool I rented from Greg. That shouldn't take long since the unit isn't in the car.

Then, dread. I am going to get her back up on stands and have a look at what is going on with the power steering. I have a low mileage servtronic box from an M car that I would like to swap in, but I don't know. The thought of tackling that one laying on my back is daunting. The first step is to see where this new zero pressure leak has come from and go from there.

[ShapeShifter]

Good luck on the box swap....

[gixxerboy63]

Did you ever contact Sneed? I have an adjustable rear subframe they can use as a reference to weld yours up. PM me.