It's craigslist Jon. I'm sure he'll sell it for less than he's asking. Everyone does.

 

Ryan- Once you get your starter out, can I test out the switch to see if yours is good?
Maybe I can make a workable unit between the two until I can purchase the upgraded one.

 

Absolutely.

I got the starter and the battery last night so I think I'm going to be able to swap it on Saturday. If you're bored stop down. I'm actually planning on a little recorded experiment where I show how the car is cranking with the 04 starter and a charged battery, how it would crank with the optima and the 04 starter, how it works with the current battery and the new starter, and how it works with the new starter and new battery.

Figure that'll be about as good an education as anyone visiting the forums would need to know before investing in a new battery or starter.

It'll really suck if my car still doesn't start right.

 

Oh and I've been meaning to ask. I can't find any 22-18 gauge easy wire splice things. The ones that just clip onto existing wire and provide the T for new wire. Will 16-14 gauge ones work? That's all they had at Advanced Auto.

Gonna finish my damn gauges on Saturday too.

 

Jon...let me know if you are going down there. I might drop by if you dont' mind Ryan as I really need an excuse to waste gas. :P

 

Not really. Want me to swing by the shack later?

 

Not a bad idea... would be great for a video DIY on replacing the starter.
I can probably stop by Saturday (if the wife approves since we haven't had a weekend in awhile ).

Just in case I can't, here are all you tools you'll need:

1. 12mm deep socket for the nut holding the wire terminal
2. 14mm deep socket for the two bolts holding the starter in
3. A 14mm combination wrench because one of the 14mm bolts goes all the way through to the other side and you need to use the wrench on the front to hold the bolt head while you spin the nut on the back
4. An extension for the upper-most bolt
5. A breaker bar... mine was REALLY rusted on there
6. AND DISCONNECT THE BATTERY

 

I would recommend not using a 16-14 tap because your wires are pretty small (think they were 22 awg).
Using a 16-14 may not give you a good crimp and the wires may be loose inside.

You can always use a butt-splice connection and just feed two wires into one side of the connector.
Then just wrap it with electrical tape.

 

So I am bored at work and decided to try one of my 18-14 wire taps on a 20/22 gauge wire I had laying around and see how it holds.

I crimped it and gave it a good tug.
It seems to be in there pretty good, so you should be able to get away with it.


I then decided to show the wires butt-spliced together.


Notice that the resistance is the same between the two methods.
So you can choose whichever method you prefer.
I personally like the butt-splicing method because its easier to wrap with electrical tape.
Plus, I like having everything match to the correct wire size.

 

More than likely I will... why?

We can swap shrouds if you want John.
I don't mind.

 

Nice. Stupid question but wire taps don't need me to cut a wire, right? Just tap into the existing wire and then run my new wire into the connector. The only reason I'd prefer that over butt connectors is that I won't have to cut/strip the OEM ciggy lighter wires so the risk of me screwing up and having to shorten the wires decreases significantly. Even tho I've gotten in a fair amount of practice while lenthening my gauge power cables and my water sender I still had plenty of leeway in both cuts. Not so much with this one.

As for the starter install I have everything but the breaker bar which is sitting in the back of a Shinka somewhere between Youngstown and Lakewood... But I'm sure I'll manage.

 

Correct. Wire taps require no wire stripping/crimping.
I took some 18-14 taps that I showed in the pic above from work if you need them.

If you want my help Saturday I can stop by (and bring a breaker bar).
I only have one stipulation.... we don't do this at 8 or 9 in the morning

 

Nah. I've got a bunch now. I may still swing by the Shack to get some 22-18s. I swear tho they didn't have them last time I stopped in but their site says they do so I must have just waltzed on by... I may have to use the 16-14 because I'm not sure that the OEM wires are 22-18.

Offers always open. And I'm planning on something a little more reasonable like 11 since I don't need to do nearly the amount of work. I'll text you and John whenever I get up on Saturday and know when I'll be there.

 

I don't receive text messages. Phones are made for TALKING

 

I don't have a phone. I have an iPhone.

But calling it is. Just don't bitch at me when your phone's ring wakes you up.

 

fair enough.

Did you still want to create a video of the battery & starter install?
I can bring my camera if you need one.
I have the JVC Everio 30GB camcorder.
Its nice to have the video save directly as an .avi
Let me know!

 

Sure. Bring it along. I'll have my digital camera and that takes good enough movies for Youtube. But I'm sure yours will be better.

 

Jon - nah...swapping just sounds like even more of a hassle for no good reason really. As you have said you really don't notice it unless you go looking for it. And the reason why it matters if you go or not is because I still have your beer in the fridge. Im gonna throw it in the trunk for ya.

 

 

Couple things I'm sad about this morning....
1) Just found out my Xbox360 has a Phillips DVD drive
I'm sure some of you know why I'm sad about this!

2) After my latest MM tune (v4_0_1) my exhaust smell isn't as bad, but I have a harder time popping flames

Curious to see what my MPG is now.

 

Good to hear. Should be a nice uptick. Should be more power as well. Remember in the end that's the really important part.

 

I know I know... popping flames easier meant I was running richer.... *sigh*

 

Ryan if you want I can swing the breaker bar up to you. It's not a big deal really

It's still sitting in my trunk from the autoshow, where I was suppose to give it to you after megan jacked it. That little thief

 

Nah. I'll just get it the next time we have a meet or something. Not like I need to use a breaker bar all that often.

That reminds me... we should probably set up our next meet. I'm thinking Boneyard in Broadview Heights in late April. Shoot for the Friday the 24th @ 6 PM.

I'm also thinking we all get together one day when there's an autocross at Northfield. We can use the main parking lot rather than the lot used for AutoX cars. Get a photoshoot of all the RX8s. They're running on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month but only 1/2 at Northfield.

 

I'm in for April 24th. A little later is better though.