Thanks for the insight I have been wanting to get ASE for awhile now regardless so definately. How did you like it? I imagine 22 years it must have been worthwhile then. Im a real hands on type of guy and I am a pretty established mechanic in my area as it is but its all side work never a full time gig and no formal training yet. Only real concern is making descent money. Im not gonna get rich doing this by any means but as long as I can live comfortably thats all im concerned with. My counselor was talking about an entrepreneur program that I could pair with the desiel mechanics to get me some business classes as well. I dont mind working for someone else but to have my own shop would be awesome I think.

 

loved almost every minute of it. (except for the days i got in trouble ) its really weird not putting on the uniform in the mornings. i'm like "aw f*ck - what am i gonna wear today?"

ase tests are definately worth it. i think its a great idea to get involved in that training program with another mechanic. they'll teach you a lot of stuff including stuff you need to run your own shop. i definately never got rich in the military thats for sure. before i retired, the highest wage i was offered was $29/hour. that comes out to a little over 60k a year, but still....

good luck and i wish you well on your continued quest.

 

Thanks man appreciate the support. 60k a year still isnt bad. The Job I was laid off from I was at $18.90. However that was the job I started right out of high school too and started at $6.50 so I couldnt complain. I figure this is my chance to do what I really want to do. Honestly I wouldnt mind getting into the design side of engines or open a performance shop, but idk maybe something down the road. My issue is I dont persue something unless I plan to see it though to the end so it takes me awhile to make a confirmed decision on things lol.

 

So my car has been down for a little over a week now again lol. Had what felt like a bent rim going on so I pulled off my front wheels and calipers to find this



Drivers side caliper froze up and the pad has been rubbing for awhile now it looks like. So I had to buy a new caliper and rotors and pads. So I bought some drilled and slotted rotors online and while I am waiting for them to show I started a little project.

 

that blue calipers and black wheels will look great

 

yeah they will!!!

 

I want to take a small brush and paint the MR7 on the wheels blue only thing is I am missing that plate on one or two of the wheels lol. My rotors should be here today so tomorrow I should have it on the road again.

 

I thought you did the rear conversion?

 

Nope not yet havent had any money to. I so wanted to get the wilwood kit like you got but yeah no job makes it kinda hard to convince the wife on that deal lol.

 

i thought you had a ES? i thought that wilwood only had a kit for the oz. unless im wrong then i would love to know where to get there kit.

 

Well now that you mention it I never actually looked at details I just knew they had the big brake kit for the 02-03 lancer. Dont see why they wouldnt though I mean only thing different would be the center hub for the rotor drilled different correct?

 

Well we have a 4x100 lug pattern and they have a 4x114.3 so the rotors wouldn't work but I have mini copper rotors on my front and rear's so we could prob get there rotors for them. I put dsm calipers on my car and as far as I have read they fit on the oz also. So I would think that the bbk would fit the es also

 

Couple more pics




Damn these look tiny behind my wheels




Anybody who has lowered there car have to buy a camber kit? My fronts seem fine but as soon as I rotate them to the rear they wear FAST!! And the inside wears much faster than the outside like the wheel is tilted in at the top. Kinda pisses me off because the guy who did my last 4 wheel alignment said everything went great and no issues.

Edit:

FSM shows a camber adjustment as stock for the rear anybody mess with this? Wondering If I should try adjusting it some, It shouldnt affect the Toe right? Cant imagine It can get much worse I should have taken pics of the rear tires.

 

rear camber adjustment is very easy. camber will directly effect toe.

 

Found our factory camber adjustments for the rear. Question though I already adjusted them some but honestly didnt do very specific measurements and after I did one side I just moved the other the same amount of notches. I know not the best way by any means to do it but I knew anything was better than what it was for right now.

Anyways question is what is the best way to get a proper measurement AND be able to adjust it? seems like if I measure then lift it up to adjust and drop and remeasure that would not be too accurate right?

Off that subject I think I need to put some blue accents somewhere else to help match with the wheels and brakes but not sure where.