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dcairns

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Posts posted by dcairns

  1. Seems like California, New York and Maine require CARB compliant catalytic converters and you need to be very sure you get the right one in those states.  Everywhere else, it seems that you just need one made for the vehicle / engine combo you have. I would suggest looking for any info from your state's website on emissions requirements. I suspect Wisconsin just follows federal requirements, so it is a lot easier for you.  Be grateful you don't live here in California ?

    Some good info here:

    https://www.walkerexhaust.com/support/tech-tips/state-catalytic-converter-guide.html

  2. Kelly Blue Book gives a "trade in" value of $6,800 - $9,100 and private party sale of $8,800-$12,000

    NADA has a clean trade- in of $6,500

    Ebay shows:

    $6000       2003 SS (check engine light on)

    $14,800    2004 SS (23 inch rims , electric cooling system, very clean)

    $23,000 2003 SS (sold by dealer, supercharger - claims 1000hp, supposedly spent a lot on it)

    $16,000    2003  SS (original, very clean)

     

    I think a clean 2003 with no issues, could easily sell for $10,000 to a private party.

     

     

     

  3. As I was replying to another thread here, i was searching through my virtual pile of SS related photos and thought I would dredge up a few of the funny ones.

    Some of these I photo shopped myself.

    1) I seem to recall somebody with a Red SS wanted more bass in their stereo, so I put in a bigger sub for him 

    2) Not sure why I did the riced out version of the SS, but it was funny looking.

    3) The Lemon Fresh oil if from the internet.

    4) It must be a bit hot where this guy lives.

    5) Dual Radix super charger. Had a bit of fun photo shopping my single Radix in to two ;D

    6) Ash all over my SS from a brush fire long ago (Southern California).

    7) And we all know that Joseph was a carpenter, so he needed a fast truck to get around, that is why he had as SS.

     

    SSsubwoofer.jpg

    riced.JPG

    kendall.jpg

    hell.jpg

    Dual Radix.jpg

    HPIM0825.JPG

    SSChristmas.jpg

    • Haha 2
  4. Yes, I will report this, even though it probably won't make a difference. I have read that GM narrowly missed having to do a recall on this by claiming it is "normal wear and tear" for brake lines to corrode and fail after 6 or 7 years :wtf:

     

    http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-09/gm-avoids-recall-of-2-million-trucks-for-corroded-brake-lines

     

    I did see a stainless set of lines on rock auto made by Dorman (not exactly my first choice in parts suppliers).

  5. Well, this was interesting. I was driving on a residential street coming to a stop when the brake pedal suddenly went to the floor! I was just about to go for the parking brake, but was able to slowly make it stop before the stop sign. Thank God this did not happen at higher speeds around cross traffic! Anyways, I limp home (just a block away) using the parking brake and checked out what was going on. In the front left of the engine compartment, brake fluid was sprayed around and dripping on the driveway. Further investigation showed the batter had been leaking some acid. Not a huge amount, but enough to eat some paint off the battery tray. But it seems like the acid must have found a way to drip down to the brake line on the frame near the battery. This line goes from the distribution block in the middle of the truck to the front right wheel, passing under the radiator on it's way.

     

    The battery was a Bosch low maintenance battery that I got as a free replacement for a better battery that died early. Most people run sealed no-maintenance batteries these days. So I would say, stay away from anything that is not sealed. Battery leakage can be an issue.

     

    I was surprised that a single hard line failure would result in complete loss of brakes, I always thought they ran a dual circuit system, so if you lost either of the front lines, the backs would still work and the other way around as well. It seems the dual circuit only extends to the distribution block. Not a very good design, if you ask me.

  6. Just a reminder, our trucks are still popular with thieves! After 11 years of ownership, I had the unwelcome surprise of coming back from the grocery store to my SS, to find that some jerk had come within seconds of making off with my SS. He must have been spooked by another shopper in the parking lot or saw us coming out of the store. He knew how to get this far, so I am sure he knew how to finish the job and be gone. The tow truck driver said the SS trucks are popular with thieves these days, as there seems to be an active trucking scene with low lifes who don't care where their parts come from.

     

    I never cease to be amazed how bad the security on modern cars is. In any event, I am thankful to still have my SS and only be out my $100 deductible, although I would rather have that money in my pocket. Needless to say, I will be investing in some countermeasures. I saw a German Sheppard in the back seat of another car in the parking lot, and it is looking like a good idea. I wonder what my cat would thing.... :wink:

     

    Passenger side door, lock cylinder pushed in and opened, probably with a screwdriver.

    IMG_5892.jpg

     

     

    Steering column cracked open, and looks like a screw driver with good leverage was used on the lock .

    IMG_5895.jpg

     

     

    IMG_5897.jpg

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  7. I am a bit late to the brake upgrade party, having only recently passed the 100k mile mark on my 03 SS, and started to need new brakes. Here is the recipe I used:

     

    Stoptech drilled/slotted rotors. I liked these because they have a coating on the not friction areas that keep them from rusting, so they stay nice looking. The drilled/slotted feature is mostly for looks, but you got to admit, it does look good ;)

     

    Fronts (07 Tahoe):

    127.66045R

    127.66045L

     

    Rears (stock)

    12766057R

    12766057L

     

     

    PowerStop Calipers Red Powder Coated. Liked the powder coating aspect. A durable finish that will endure.

     

    Front PWR S4918

    Rear PWR S4764

     

    Centric Ceramic Posi Quiet Pads. Heard lots of good things about Centric from mechanics, so I went with them.

    Front 105.10920

    Rear 105.08340

     

     

    New brake hoses, "stainless steel" hoses from a local vendor, since my early 03 won't work with the available Earls kit.

     

    The larger front rotors sure look a lot more competent !

     

     

    Front:

    IMG_5853.jpg

     

    Rear:

    IMG_5854.jpg

     

    Yeah, it needs a good washing now :)

  8. You might want to check the fan clutch as well. I was having an issue where the A/C compressor would shut down and blow warm/hot air while at a stop light (but only when the car is first started). Once I got away from the light, the moving truck was forcing enough air through to get it working right. Strangely the engine coolant temps were fine.

  9. Russell definitely makes a kit for an '03 SSS, I ordered them from Summit and installed the fronts this weekend, doing the rears tomorrow hopefully, but I checked for length and clearance and the fit and finish is awesome.

    I ordered the same part number (RUS-672430) and the brake shop said the fittings were different in a couple places. Sent them back.

  10. I would back up a bit here, if your stock brakes are not seeming to be adequate for towing, then something is wrong with the setup. Does your boat trailer have brakes? If not, it sounds like it needs them. The boat trailer brakes need to be in good working order as well so they can take care of most/all of the increased braking needed. That said, the stock truck brakes can certianly be improved, but first get the trailer end working right.

  11. You caught my typo. :P

     

    Yes, after thinking about it, I am leaning towards the 136. Given the tube sizes and all, a bigger pump would just draw more power and not get much more through the system. I am also looking into the idea of a larger resevoir, if only because the existing one seems to introduce lots of air into the coolant due to the whirlpool it makes. That would only get worse with a bigger pump.

  12. Do you have a part number for that H/X? Looks extrememly efficient!

    I think they make better fitting heat exchangers now especailly for the SS, although I am not sure where. I got this one back in '03 and it was actually made for a Ford Lightning :blink: I had to trim the tabs and do some finger gymnastics to get it bolted in. The electric fans are a "must do" as they cool things down while you are at the stop light, waiting for the next full throttle launch. :peelout:

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