wheel366

Well, since my mechanic picked up my truck, we have been finding more and more wrong with it. It turns out that when the previous owner had the timing belt changed his mechanic had one of the cams misaligned which did more damage than we had previously thought. After going back and forth I decided to order the Jim Wolf S1 cams hoping to get a little more power than just the headers and exhaust would give me. Then, my mechanic called me to tell me that one cam was bent and that head was also shot. He was going to take the other head to a shop the next day to see if it was ok. Well, sure enough the other head was shot too. So, I didn't feel to bad ordering the performance cams but dishing out another $1000 for heads was not something I had in mind. The only good thing is that I have a friend who is the parts manager for the local Nissan dealership and I get stuff right above cost. So, I've only paid $3500 for the truck. To recap, I put the calmini lift on, a borla cat back, thorley ceramic coated headers getting installed as we speak, new auto hubs, bridgestone revo's, K&N drop in filter, rocker arms, lifters, cams, heads, hoses, timing belt, driver side sun visor, new rods, new strut arms, new spindles, rear axle seal, new headlight and fog lights, rancho steering stabilizer and all new bushings in the front end. I think that I have put almost double the amount in parts than I paid? Man, I must really like this truck. And I still want to change the intake, cat, chip, get the calmini steering kit and new speakers. Just thought I would let you guys know what I sucker I am. I also have a 2001 Audi S4. I'm almost afraid for the extended warranty to be up because I have huge plans for turning it into a track car. I need a better paying job!

I use IE for a couple of reasons. Built into the OS, been using it for years and a it's an app that I have to support at work.

I guess i still ahve some questions. Does anybody know the size of the stock cams? Also, which size then should I get? I have found: From AC's Site .425"/256 .430"/262 Jim Wolf's Site 440"/260 473"/266 Still need to pass inspection so, I would assume the first one? Maybe I'll give JWT a call tomorrow and talk to them.

The lifters are all getting replaced. I'm still looking to do the intake. I have the K&N drop in filter, but haven't gotten around to doing the cone filter thing. I guess it's up in the air if I want to get the cams. Thanks for all your advice. I really appreaciate it. I'll let you know how it turns out. Rich

Thanks for the info. I found 2 different sizes of cams on Jim Wolf's site and 2 different sizes on AC's site. He is going to look at the valves too, I just wanted him to look at the cams cause I personally would like more power. I'm willing to put the money into it if it's worth it. We'll see what happens.

I just spoke with my mechanic today and we are trying to find out what this knocking noise is. He first thought that it was a rod knock but now isn't to sure. This knock, which sounds like taking a screw driver and taping the frame started after he aligned the cams. The person who changed the timing belt last (which is before I bought the truck) had one cam 2 - 3 teeth off. So, now he is thinking that it may be the valves. I asked him to look at the cams and see if they are in bad shape. My question is, does anybody know the stock size of the cams in a 95? If mine are ok, then I'll leave them, but if they are all messed up, I'm going to replace them with something bigger. So, my next question is: has anybody done this and what size have you used? We do have inspection in NJ and I need to pass so I'm not sure what size to get. I guess if I do get cams, the ECU upgrade and the cone filter are all thats left. Ohh... and maybe a high flow cat. I already have him putting on the headers and have a borla exhaust on it. Rich

I have a 3 inch suspension lift and am having them put on this week. I'll let you know if my mechanic has any issues. The guy at Thorley told me that the Y-Pipe would have to be modified but my mechanic had said before he started that he doens't think anything needs to be done since the suspension lift jacked the whole truck up. I'll let you know.

M.M. Did you change out your CAT? Also, where would I get a high flow CAT for my pathy? Have you tried new cams? I'm kinda wondering when enough is enough. I know that I can go with cams and a new chip, but is it worth the $1000 for what, another 20 - 30 HP? Any thoughts? Rich

Looks like I'll be getting the sliders, but probably after the New Year. Any ideas which brands to go with?

Well, I want to do some light off roading soon. Once I get the frame welded, of course. I was looking at price difference and new running boards are $225 and the rock sliders are 300. I thought that it made sense just to spend the extra $75 and play it safe. Rich

I'm in the market for new running boards. I'm curious so find out what you guys use. I saw the link in the 96-up forum for rock sliders but I figured I should post it in the correct spot. Any ideas you guys can offer is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Rich

What do you guys think of these? I need new running boards and was thinking about these instead. Do you guys have something idfferent to recommend?

Dude, I just got mine today. Probably won't get them installed for at least another week. I have to get lifters replaced and my rod knock fixed at the same time. Let me know how you like them.

I don't know who makes these shocks though. Probably by Calmini. Dude, I had to do the same thing. My Mechanic had to cut mine out because the bushings and washers were all screwed up. In the end, I had to order new ones too, along with new strut rods, washers, and a bunch of other things. The person I got the truck fron didn't take care of it either and now I am paying for it.

I just put my lift on and when we let the jack down, I got this nice hole in the back right by the spring. Looks like I'll be getting my welded up soon.

I'm just getting my installation finished up today. I'll let you know if I like it and if it's wort the $750 I paid for it!

I ordered the Thorleys but they state that they are only for manuals. I'm sure you can get a shop to customize them for a price. I ordered mine from summit on july 29th and I still have not seen them! I've been in contact with Thorley and was told that they were supposed to be on a truck to summit today. We'll see how much longer it takes.

I have those shocks but I have no idea who the maker is. I assumed it was calmini, but I may be wrong. I just got them because mine were shot and they only cost $50 more. When I have $400, I'm getting the bilstein 5150's.

I would get 32's if I didn't just buy new 31' Bridgestone Dueler AT Revo's. How much lift do you have. I'm almost done with my calmini lift but I have to order new strut rods and rods for the upper control arms. This lift is costing me a fortune! I'm afraid to intall my headers when they finally do ship.

I just broke 182,000. Now that I started school again, I estimate I'll be around or over 200,000 by december.

I emailed Thorley and the told me that the headers will be on the september 13th shipment. So, we'll see when I get them. Since I just ordered the calmini lift kit and rancho steering stabilizer, I'm happy to wait before I have to pay for the headers.

I replaced my tape deck with an old sony that I had and added a sony 10 disc changer in the back. If I replace it with something else, it will probably be another sony.

I just ordered my Rancho SS kit today but when I asked about the mounting bracket, I was told that everything comes with the kit. Is there anything else I will need that is not included that I will need to go out and get?

Have any of you had this problem? When I go over lots of bumps or potholes, my whole truck especially in the back seems to squirm and almost feels like its floating and literally leaves the ground and the whole truck shifts on the road. The whole leaving the road thing can be dangerous if you are passing someone and it shifts to much toward the direction of the car next to you? Any ideas?

a combination of both. I would say sometimes 50/50 and sometimes 60 city 40 highway