Support Group/Thread For Mod Addiction or MA

Sparky

Member
Dec 4, 2011
12,927
Well that's just $1100 for the blanks. Then you have to get them made.
 

Mooseman

Moderator
Dec 4, 2011
25,257
Ottawa, ON
Wow. Just wow. And I'm cringing at $2000 for an exhaust for the Caprice. That's a third of what I paid for the car itself. But that's just my cheap ass side talking.
 

HARDTRAILZ

Moderator
Nov 18, 2011
49,665
How the hell is it $2000?

A couple to few hundred has got me custom exhaust on several vehicle. I just buy components and take them to a local shop to have welded up. The trans am was 100 in labor to weld up and I think the first TB exhaust was 125.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Capote

Sparky

Member
Dec 4, 2011
12,927
How would exhaust cost $2k? Dang.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Capote

littleblazer

Member
Jul 6, 2014
9,265

Mooseman

Moderator
Dec 4, 2011
25,257
Ottawa, ON
For a stainless system from headers to tips and cats, yeah, it's $2 bills. And that's the knockoffs of Kooks too which would be another $1k. Also looking at JBA Headers for it, which are made in Mexico. These are the ones I will probably go for:

(Headers)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/382315899054?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649
(Mid pipes with cats)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/192405492851?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649
(Pipes and mufflers from cats)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/192403888422?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649

That's $1855USD, which translates to $2300 in moose bux, not including storage fee at my US address or import tax (13%~$300)

Once I get it out of winter hibernation, I'll look into local shops for a custom exhaust minus the headers. There are different sellers for those that I don't think any custom shop could beat.
 

HARDTRAILZ

Moderator
Nov 18, 2011
49,665
Find a good shop and you can prolly cut that by at least 25-50%. None of those looked liked anything super extraordinary. Keep an eye on amazon and such for an open box or return on the headers since you are not in a rush to need em.
 
  • Like
Reactions: littleblazer

littleblazer

Member
Jul 6, 2014
9,265
For a stainless system from headers to tips and cats, yeah, it's $2 bills. And that's the knockoffs of Kooks too which would be another $1k. Also looking at JBA Headers for it, which are made in Mexico. These are the ones I will probably go for:

(Headers)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/382315899054?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649
(Mid pipes with cats)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/192405492851?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649
(Pipes and mufflers from cats)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/192403888422?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649

That's $1855USD, which translates to $2300 in moose bux, not including storage fee at my US address or import tax (13%~$300)

Once I get it out of winter hibernation, I'll look into local shops for a custom exhaust minus the headers. There are different sellers for those that I don't think any custom shop could beat.
kind of look like corsa knockoffs to me lol. Definitely shop local. I couldn't tell what grade stainless it was but if it's 304 or something like that it's still pretty expensive. Deals can be had.
Right, I read that wrong. :duh:

That was pricing years ago, not sure what current pricing is.
Yea 8620 is pretty expensive (~120 a foot for 4 inch but that's cast...) but that also means the rough price may only be ~100 more with inflation. Like I Said, compared what it is to do a comparable motor it isn't extreme for a one off limited production thing. I'd imagine grinding can be cheap or expensive depending on who you go with. Wanna say someone like comp is around 200 a grind. Local is probably approaching half that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Capote

Mooseman

Moderator
Dec 4, 2011
25,257
Ottawa, ON
Descriptions say they're 304 stainless. I there's only one or two shops around here. One that does only uses regular steel and not mandrel bent. I have time to search.
 

Capote

Supporting Donor
Member
Jul 14, 2014
24,227
Atlanta, GA
Yea 8620 is pretty expensive (~120 a foot for 4 inch but that's cast...) but that also means the rough price may only be ~100 more with inflation. Like I Said, compared what it is to do a comparable motor it isn't extreme for a one off limited production thing. I'd imagine grinding can be cheap or expensive depending on who you go with. Wanna say someone like comp is around 200 a grind. Local is probably approaching half that.
Yeah, just trying to see if there's even enough interest from enough people first to have them want to do it. They'd need a minimum of 10 sets. Me and Traz would probably be interested, but not sure who else. Not something I really need for this build, but would be a cool addition.
 
  • Like
Reactions: littleblazer

Sparky

Member
Dec 4, 2011
12,927
Well... I haven't completed some other mods yet and I'm pondering more mods.

Dang it, focus!

Wish I had a Tech2 also (or someone was close by) just to disable the bulb out detection on my truck so that I wouldn't need resistors to prevent hyperflash. Because you know, resistors suck.
 
Last edited:

Capote

Supporting Donor
Member
Jul 14, 2014
24,227
Atlanta, GA
Well... I haven't completed some other mods yet and I'm pondering more mods.

Dang it, focus!

Wish I had a Tech2 also (or someone was close by) just to disable the bulb out detection on my truck so that I wouldn't need resistors to prevent hyperflash. Because you know, resistors suck.
There's no flasher relay type deal for your truck? Like the Tridon/Novita LM486 on a GMT360.
 

Sparky

Member
Dec 4, 2011
12,927
Nope. All totally controlled by the BCM.
 

Sparky

Member
Dec 4, 2011
12,927
That's what the tech2 is for :tongue:

It's all in the programming. Can't do a hardware mod to it.
 

HARDTRAILZ

Moderator
Nov 18, 2011
49,665
Buy the Tech2...you would probably love it and get good use out of one
 
  • Like
Reactions: djthumper

Mooseman

Moderator
Dec 4, 2011
25,257
Ottawa, ON
I second that. Best purchase I ever did.
 

Sparky

Member
Dec 4, 2011
12,927
I've thought about it, but Tech2 only goes so new before needing the newer GDS2 stuff. Tech2 would work on my Silverad, but if I upgrade my truck to a much newer one then I'd not be able to use it.

Kinda on the fence.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HARDTRAILZ

Mooseman

Moderator
Dec 4, 2011
25,257
Ottawa, ON
Up to 2014. Not sure what it would entail but the GDS would also be good too. You could be the guinea pig.
 

Sparky

Member
Dec 4, 2011
12,927
http://www.oemtools.com/homeproducts/generalmotors.html

Looks like in order to do programming it requires an internet connection to get to the programming data from GM, which requires a subscription. No more offline data it appears... which sucks because 1) what happens if your internet dies and 2) it isn't cost effective at all for home tech dudes like ourselves.

Huh.
 

Mooseman

Moderator
Dec 4, 2011
25,257
Ottawa, ON
From what I'm reading, you only need internet access if you need to reprogram a module or other higher functions, basically replacing the tis2000 program. You can get a 2 day subscription if you need to program something for $55. Still cheaper than a trip to the dealer.
https://www.acdelcotds.com/acdelco/action/subscribehome
 

HARDTRAILZ

Moderator
Nov 18, 2011
49,665
I beat the addiction and skipped on buying wheels while on sale! Still looking but I didnt pull the trigger this time!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Capote

HARDTRAILZ

Moderator
Nov 18, 2011
49,665
Still looking and thinking which of these three should be the summer wheels for the DD

image.php




5d807741-92ca-4527-9ead-f52a1c19e2f8_zps8f676902.jpg



1520534826018.png
 

Blckshdw

Moderator
Nov 20, 2011
10,665
Tampa Bay Area, FL
We'll know you have a REAL wheel addiction if you order all three, and then just rotate them monthly throughout the summer :biggrin:
 

HARDTRAILZ

Moderator
Nov 18, 2011
49,665
I only own one of those three, but debating on ordering the top or bottom. I still have the other three 5 spoke sets around though.
 

Blckshdw

Moderator
Nov 20, 2011
10,665
Tampa Bay Area, FL
I think you may have more sets of rims laying around, than I have lights and projectors in my 'future projects' box.
 

HARDTRAILZ

Moderator
Nov 18, 2011
49,665
I got 5 or 6 sets of HID and a few LED sets and about a dozen or so lightbars and pods plus the old halogen offroad lights on a shelf. Always have parts and horrible about parting with anything. I got 3 or 4 grills and bowties a few sets of headlights. But I am truly a wheel and tire addict.
 

Blckshdw

Moderator
Nov 20, 2011
10,665
Tampa Bay Area, FL
I've been daydreaming about getting some rims for the EXT, as well as leveling out the rear to match the front height. Optional mod to invest into one of those 4 piston big brake kits. Unfortunately, that's even less realistic now, than when I was renting. :frown:
 

HARDTRAILZ

Moderator
Nov 18, 2011
49,665
Had a good paying side job on an Envoy Sat and its so hard not to buy the wheels now....

But its these that I cant seem to stop looking at. I like the look of the classic f-body 5 spoke, but the newer concave. The gloss bronze would be either hit or an awful miss. The Silver is classic and clean. The "hyper black" looks right up my alley in a sort of black chrome, but pictures on the web can be far off what you get in person. Wish i could find them local to see em.

1520861161679.png

1520861268429.png
1520861298204.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: Blckshdw

Sparky

Member
Dec 4, 2011
12,927
I tend to like the darker colors on that color of car, but it has to still have some pop to it, IMO. Hence why I went with the wheels I did with the black barrels but the machined face.

I'd say go for the silver. Bronze has too high a chance of awful miss, and the black chrome, while could be cool, also has a chance of just not looking right. Silver should be solid though.
 

HARDTRAILZ

Moderator
Nov 18, 2011
49,665
Black Chrome did kinda get lost with the car color
unnamed (6).jpg
 

Capote

Supporting Donor
Member
Jul 14, 2014
24,227
Atlanta, GA
Had a good paying side job on an Envoy Sat and its so hard not to buy the wheels now....

But its these that I cant seem to stop looking at. I like the look of the classic f-body 5 spoke, but the newer concave. The gloss bronze would be either hit or an awful miss. The Silver is classic and clean. The "hyper black" looks right up my alley in a sort of black chrome, but pictures on the web can be far off what you get in person. Wish i could find them local to see em.

View attachment 83619

View attachment 83620
View attachment 83621
3rd one, you've already got a gold set correct?
 

HARDTRAILZ

Moderator
Nov 18, 2011
49,665
They are already in process of getting black paint to sell em.
 

Blckshdw

Moderator
Nov 20, 2011
10,665
Tampa Bay Area, FL
I like the black chrome ones, also like the idea of the black rims with machined face too. Ugh, now I want some rims for my truck... Would love a set of either of these :undecided:

32-Chevrolet-TrailBlazer-SS-Black-Ball-Mill.jpg32-Chevrolet-TrailBlazer-SS-Black-Machine.jpg
 

HARDTRAILZ

Moderator
Nov 18, 2011
49,665
I am not a big fan of SS wheels

I think these are sharp from Tony
1520875408765.png
 

HARDTRAILZ

Moderator
Nov 18, 2011
49,665
I think found the right wheels for the DD
 

Attachments

  • 5256A0E0-3539-4948-BC08-A3B8AD90A597.png
    5256A0E0-3539-4948-BC08-A3B8AD90A597.png
    488.1 KB · Views: 1

Capote

Supporting Donor
Member
Jul 14, 2014
24,227
Atlanta, GA
  • Like
Reactions: HARDTRAILZ

Forum Statistics

Threads
23,271
Posts
637,476
Members
18,472
Latest member
MissCrutcher

Members Online