kag8

I may have mixed up terminologies, isnt offset ET? So these wheels have 5x114.3 studs, the bore size was 67mm I beleive so I got spigot rings to get them to fit 64.1mm hub. The ET is 35 whereas our coupes should have 40something is it? Hence they stick out. The spec is a direct fit for some Hyundais (and likely many other cars with 5x114.3mm studs) but I think there are many ppl with slammed cars and want wide wheels that would bite if i price them reasonably. Having said that, i dont think ill be selling them yet. Will get 2 new tyres and sort out the tracking. About the tracking, sorry, im still slightly confused. Stu suggested I adjust the toe by 0.5. Current reading was minus 0.25, so the resulting toe should be positive 0.25 then??

Thanks guys. Ive just spent a good hour cleaning my car and 40mins of that was on the wheels alone! 10 mins each. Getting into the tiny gaps and cleaning them. Such a pain. Usually i get very satisfied when i get them shiny but now with the weather as it is they will only get filthy again in a few days! I guess whats making me more inclined to changing them is a mixture of the above cleanliness factor and that I had got the bargain of a lifetime. So even after kerbing them like crazy (havent curbed them in about 3 months now, more used to the turning circle and dont take unnecessary risks parking) and wearing down 2 of the tyres ill likely get my money back if i sold as is...then i can put that money into 17s with the correct offset, allowing me to drop the rear without rolling the fenders. But if i sell ill never get these type of wheels at the price i did ever again :s Maybe Ill just keep an eye out for a set of 17s with winter tyres on and keep these aside for when the weather is better. As for the kms miles debate. I too understand distance better when presented in kms rather than miles. Just conditioned that way having grown up in Kenya. I guess that makes me underestimate the age of my car since the odometer is in miles so seems lower in my mind that reads it as kms so thats a plus haha

Thanks so much. Will go back asap and get it aligned.

Having to replace 2 tyres prematurely is making me think to drop to 17s accord type r speedline types with the correct offset and more sidewall. Someone talk me out of it. I love my current rims and will only regret it. Lol

Please could I have the part number for the auto tensioner assembly? Do Gates make a package including the belt.

Thanks guys. I wish there was a honda coupe hotline I could call at times haha. I just happened to be able to leave work early and quickly went in for a check before they closed shop. So Caster isnt something I should worry about then. Toe, i need some, so rather than the minus -0.25 it should be positive 0.5 max? Worrying thing is ive only done about 1k miles since lowering it and the inner edges are finished!

Huge bump I know but this might be the most relevant thread... So I've been to get my alignment checked finally, one of the tyre shops with a Hunter machine which apparently is very good. The weird thing is the shop said Caster is not adjustable on my coupe??? Is that right? I'll upload a pic of my readings asap but mainly 1.41 front caster (red) and -.20 toe (also red). EDIT: Now uploaded pic. Also just noticed it says at the top except 2.2l, coupe. I guess it's being compared against the wrong readings?? My front tyres almost completely have worn out on the inner shoulder (whereas I was monitoring the outer edge, doh, my bad especially after having lowered the front should have aligned it much more before).

Yes its that belt. Noise and play are minor enough to leave for now but will monitor it periodically. Thanks!

Done an oil and oil filter change over the weekend. 10w30 mineral oil from S&A and this time a genuine oil filter. Didn't get a chance to do the ATF change and install the in line filter. Maybe next weekend. Diagnostics queries (sorry!) - I had previously mentioned my power steering pump squeeling (especially at full lock). With the engine on I listened and watched hard around that section of the engine bay and noticed my auto tensioner jerking around occassionaly causing a crackling sound too. With the engine turned off i tugged at the tensioner and could feel some play and kind of recreate the sound albeit low volume. The belts themselves look fine. Is it absolutely vital to replace the tensioner asap or can I possibly do it when the belts need replacing? Edit: clarifying that the jerking around was very slight. I had to watch very intently to even notice it. Its not the tensioner wheel but the metal attachment piece which moves.

Coolio as in 'cool' in terms of air intake or just looks wise?

The one I got was very very sticky. No room for error when applying. It hardened and felt of very good quality. Unfortunately the ebay app on my phone wont go back to April when I bought it so can't find the seller. Will see if I can find it when Im on the computer next time. Having said that Craigsplates (they do do vinyl right?) has an excellent reputation so must be of very good quality too.

Yeah that's a good question. It does cover a lot of the vent...maybe the square plate is the best compromise after all. Did you get a vinyl plate in the end?

Found the pic I've mentioned before I think. I like it. Would look even better if the original holder bumps were gotten rid of and nicely painted over.

Thanks, Stu. Good to keep things nice and orderly, another reason I love this site!

Guarantee you Stuart has tidied this thread up and the posts will magically appear in a relevant topic

I was going by memory so was optimistic that they didn't protrude THAT much, looking at the pic that PRT200S has posted I see that it is huge so the thicker vinyl wouldn't completely hide it. Would be better but not perfect. @PTR200S get to shaving it off chop chop

Yeah, but maybe try the thicker Vinyl? I'm quite excited by it. Looks like it will hide the mounting holes and stick onto the curved bumper exactly. If you are brave enough to cut off the mounting holes, do it to the headlight washers too! give it a cleaner look all round!

The guys lucky enough to have a bodykit on theres could get away with it I think. Gives it that more sporty look. Even the Square JDM plates would look good imo. Or even having a regular plate placed almost at the bottom of the bumper but to the left (passenger side) - saw it on a Supra I think it looked really nice. basically anything but the stock mount!

Yes, that is thicker than the Vinyl I received. Mine was literally A4 paper thin (ok maybe I exaggearate). The one on your celica looks really good! Where did you order it from? I think it will definitely cover the mount holes and it will take the shape of the bumper very nicely. Something I would be tempted to do on my coupe if my current plate does ever fall off and go missing.

I had a vinyl plate for a few days. I spent many hours researching it and the consensus was it is legal (with several caveats around reflection properties, and the usual spacing etc) but you would likely have a lot of hassle if ever stopped in that you may have to argue your case, maybe even keeping paperwork to prove it to a cop in the car. All seemed abit unnecessary. The main issue I had was with the 2 mount holes on the bumper. The Vinyl would go over it and so there were some unsightly bumps into the registration (as it takes the form of where its stuck) and slightly disfigured the registration numbers hence I was even more wary. Having said that, my local supermarket with APR (?) cameras always correctly detected my registration and the screen greeted me :). I think the only way to get the vinyl to stick flat and smooth would be to somehow get rid of the bump on the mounting holes, don't know how possible that is. In the end I just stuck my plate directly onto the bumper using very strong double sided adhesive. I prefer the look way more now. Due to the angle of the bumper I could only really stick the bottom of my plate and about halfway up on the sides. So there is a slight gap on the top where leaves and rain does go into. Semi-regular cleaning is therefore essential. The way mine is setup is if the plate does falls off I still have my vinyl plate underneath lol so could continue to drive until I get home in case it happens on the road and I don't realise. I do need to re-strengthen the bond of the plate with the bumper as when cleaning I do end up lightly peeling it back to get the leaves etc off. Might just take it off completely and re-seat with fresh adhesive. Something to go on my to do list for now.

Thanks Stuart. I'll have a look around my local area. I get that any decent garage should know what they are doing but was hoping to be equipped with some technical figures I should be insisting on eg. for toe/camber so I can weed out the dodgy garages. I thought lowered cars won't follow manufacturer spec to the letter. I'm a total noob with this and have been to many clueless garages for other botched work! There is one of the more "posh" garages near my workplace with the Hunters (?) machine that apparently do free checks so I can go there for a diagnosis to see how much out of wack it is. Then compare with tech sheet after they or any other garage does the job?

As mentioned in my 'build' thread I recently lowered the front of my car by 35mm. Plan is to do the rear at some point but as I will need to get the rear arches rolled (otherwise will rub my slightly wider tyres) not a priority at the moment. Besides I do like the nose dive look! Now before I completely wear out the outer edge of my front tyres (needed alignment even before lowering), where can I get wheel alignment/tracking done correctly for my lowered setup? I think springs should have settled by now so want to get that sorted asap now. Thanks in advance!

being my only car I am forced to use it for everything and it has handled all trips, fully crammed, as you say..in style! seats in the back aren't as comfy as a regular saloon of course and more suited to shorter adults, worth carrying cushions in there and ofcourse taking the front seats further forward.

I can see your pictures, @Mangoman. Thanks for the link to postimage.org a very easy to use site. Used to take me ages to upload 1 pic at a time before. This was very easy now. Have re-uploaded the pics to my post now, also thrown in an added bonus (aerial view) pic. It's not showing up properly formatted on my end but maybe its my screen size acting up. Anyway, the pics should be clickable if anyone wanted to get a closer look.

So sorry. Completely unintentional sorry. Which is the recommended hosting site?