Hey brother honestly I really appreciate what you bring to the table as for as info and your honest opinions , thanks and please do continue to share! Well yes eventually I plan to do a REAL cold air intake and one that I would be showroom quality for meet ups and such. The scotch brite pad just temporary...one of those DIY projects for when funds are low lol. I didn't have a filter and the stock box wasn't doing right it wont sit correctly and it wont stay together it was just in there losely so I needed to do something hehe. Honestly after some research I don't see the metal intakes being better than the plastic (some would argue different, I know) so what I plan to do is buy that Spectra plastic intake from Walmart or Advance Auto Parts for like $35 or so and fix that cold air system once and for all and with a nice high performance filter. But like I say all in due time. I post a link to the cheap but practical Spectra intake. As for as the bodykit no I don't think I can afford it(considering I can't afford the cheap cold air upgrade for now lol joke) but also seriously because I honestly want to keep the body all original, but thank you so much for your offer bro . But CJbarker2 might be interested as he has an 03 OZ, just saying

 

Man you can burst my bubble anytime bro haha I really owe you one, and I'm not about to forget my blessings . Wow nice information man you really know your stuff. I couldn't begin to describe and explain that lol. Well, like I said in reply to Cranswick, my $3 DIY blue ghetto short ram is temporary only. And thanks to you guy's input I'm looking forward to that showroom look and high performance genuine cold air set up this Lancer needs, again all in due time. I'm already seeing debri collect on the blue pad, that tells me it was sucking up a lot of stuff for the week or so I'd been driving it without a filter( wow scary). Thanks again for the information and taking the time to post it. Well did you want that bodykit from Cranswick bro? Like I said I honestly don't need it I'm gonna keep the ES stock body with the exception of maybe a grill modification in the future. I'll let you 2 decide about that

 

Guys there's something I want to show you , seriously, as if someone was trying to intentionally put this Lancer at a disadvantage. Ok I'll post about it soon

 

Yes you are absolutely correct about that honeycomb bro, but you don't need me to tell you that lol. Yep a nimrod is a good description in one word/name. The previous owner/owners were not afraid to show their rebellion against all common sense. That's leading into my next project update of what I've had to do for a quick fix. I'll post about it soon guys, cheers

 

Here's that plastic chrome Spectre intake simple cheap and effective and still stylish. If I'm not gonna be racing it should do fine for a dd/tuner. I'm not picky about metal over plastic especially if there's differing opinions but not much solid facts. I'll take the cheap plastic as the function is the same

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Spectre-Pe...&wl13=&veh=sem

 

OEM OZ rally air dams and side skirts on a wingless ES will look really good if you drop her about an inch or so...if he's got an OZ he's already got the skirts...i'm telling you, i'll get a shipping quote, and if you can afford the shipping, i'll basically give them to you...my wife wants them gone, cause we sold our 03 ES like 3 years ago...a little body work and some paint, would really make your ride pop, and they aren't that easy to come by...most cars in the wrecking yard either got hit in the front or back...I got these from a guy would did a full aftermarket body kit...this this them: https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sa...de-skirts.html

 

Hey guys ! Been so busy as I'm sure you guys have been also. Got so much going on with this Lancer I wish I had more time to update you guys and keep you informed. There's still some random projects that are pending upload for you guys so you know what's been gping ok...will try to get some pics uploaded later if get time. Just want you guys to know I'm not avoiding any replies and not abandoning this thread, just been more busy than normal . Some things I've been working on was a home made alternator tensioner adjuster, yep, I went to tighten the alternator belt because it's been squeeling like crazy at cold start up for about a minute or 2. Come to find out the tensioner adjuster there on top the alternator is missing. So the bolt at the bottom of the alternator was the only thing securing it, just crazy, lord, what will I discover next lol. Well, I got my answer soon after my custom home made tensioner adjuster was successfully installed( I got pics, will upload soon guys). Next I'm in the process of removing the head guys as the car's burning lots of white smoke. Removed the spark plugs and sure enough they covered in radiator fluids. The engine was idling and stalled by the way while it was smoking. So I removed the spark plugs, cleaned them and let them dry and cleaned the spark plug wells really good. Reinstalled the spark plugs and the car started fine but still smoking white out of the exhaust. So after research and comparing my symptoms to what the experts are saying, I figured I got a bad head gasket, as that would allow the coolant fluids to pass over and seep into the combustion system. Ok so as we speak I'm attempting DIY head gasket change. All keep you posted, I got pics of everything. I update soon guys hope you are well and have some exciting projects of your own going with some excitement and success

 

Hey, I see you're having a lot of trouble out of that poor car lately. My motor's almost done on the rebuild and I've got parts to overhaul the one I'm riding on now. If you run into any other issues, I'd be glad to overhaul my motor for you and sell it to you. You'll run through more money replacing a head gasket with no known cause to blow than just getting a new motor dropped in. Has the car run hot? If it did, you replacing the head gasket is just going to be a bandaid that keeps falling off. If it's something else, God help you. Regardless, man, I'd replace the head bolts if nothing else. I had a screw strip out on me in the transmission case because it was torqued over spec before. You don't want that on your old head bolts. Given the shape of what I've seen so far, you were spotted a mile away and they saw "SUCKER" written all over you. It sucks to see someone encounter so many problems with what is really a pretty good car when it's kept up even halfway. To change the head gasket, you'll need a 10-mm 3/8"-drive socket, a long 3/8"-drive extension, a 12-mm wrench, a 12-mm star socket (3/8"-drive) with a cheater bar, a 14-mm combo wrench and possibly a 14-mm 3/8"-drive socket, and a bit of patience. Also, check the timing belt. You'll have to set the timing when the head comes off and goes back on. A tube of copper permatex will be helpful, also. Use it on the exhaust manifold and intake manifolds. This would also be a great time to clean the intake manifold if you feel up to it. Definitely an early-morning all-day job. Good luck, brother.

 

CransWick thanks so much bro I really appreciate the offer about the OZ kit but I've got my hands full, I'll let the kit pass me by , thanks so much though I really appreciate it. Well, I know it seems like one thing after another with this ES I've got but I'm not gonna let things discourage me. I'll keep tackling them as they come. Chris buddy that 12mm star socket is that the one for the head bolts there on top to remove the head? Thanks so much for your support man, your help has been priceless and greatly appreciated

 

I made a mistake, man. That's a 10-mm star, which is also called a 10-mm 12-point socket. When you pull the valve cover off, down between the rocker arms on either side are the head bolts. They're black and look splined. I found a multi-socket set at O'Reilly's a while back that I use all the time. It's 6 or 7 sockets and they fit around metric and standard sockets. I bought them for the head bolts in particular because I'd planned to pull a head last year. That set is the best thing I have ever bought for working in this car. I'll take a picture of the 10mm/3/8" that I have on-hand and attach it in a post once I get back out to my tools. You'll find them to be wonderful for when you're in a pinch or when you can't carry a big toolbox.

 

I found the sockets. They're a brand called "powerbuilt," and they're sold in O'Reilly's stores. They're CR-V (chrome-vanadium) sockets, and they're slotted rather than being cut for 6 or 12 points. I have tried them on rounded bolts as well as good ones, and they turn them all like they're brand new. By far the most useful socket set I own (and can't find all of.)

Pictures are attached. The package looked cheap (and it was.)

 

Those sockets are not for removing stripped bolts, there are actually bolts that are splined and that's what those are for...head bolts are 12 point.

 

Wow! Thanks so much bro and awesome quality pics might I add! I'll grab that socket hopefully tomorrow, but I wont be able to remove the head until Monday morning early. I removed the valve cover and that big wire harness so far and I have 2 bolts remaining on the intake manifold that need removed, I stopped there a couple days ago because I had other important stuff come up and wanted to get your confirmation about what size of that 12 point start spline hehe thanks so much man. I expect it to be a pretty straight task about changing the head gasket, but I'm sure I will drag it out over a few days if not a week because as you know I'm leaving soon August 26 so basically the Lancer head project I can take my time for now no hurry. I haven't even bought the gasket yet, I just waiting to finish the head pull (my first time ever for any car) so this exciting and a real learning experience. If I can successfully change the head gasket(emphasis on successfully) it would be a real confidence booster for me lol with working on this car the Lancer. But I certainly could not take all the credit no way...because Chris man you have been such a big help. I'm just really looking forward to passing you by on the road one of these days man, that would be awesome .

 

Just some current status pics




Just some current status pics




Just some current status pics

 

That's not the case. These are the ones that most people are skeptical of, the "universal" sockets. If you look in the pictures, the ends of the splines are rounded. Splined sockets and bits are squared off at the ends. I just finished dealing with my brother's VW. That thing is home to some polydrive bolts, which are like TORX, but worse. They are recessed splined bolts. I picked them up out of curiosity months ago and have tried them in literally every application I could find. They do exactly what they're advertised for. Good catch, though, Crankswick. Until I touched this 1.8T pain in my butt, I hadn't seen a splined bolt before.