Matt's 03 Galant ES build thread

[Rodriguez]

Ok so Ive been on here for about a year now and Ive had my G since August 2010. Im doing this build thread mostly to get input and help and to keep track of my car. So feel free to add your input.

Its an 03 Galant ES 2.4L, Its a cali spec. I inherited it from my mom who for 8 years beat the shit out of it. So not too much has been spent on parts. Mostly been fixing the bodywork and the interior. All Ive been able to do in terms of mods are, 18x7.5 enkei ls5 wheels in black, wrapped in falken ziex 225s (all purchased from Youngfab59). Also a few touches like painting the grills black as well as the drums and calipers black. I deep cleaned the interior and painted some of the trim pieces black. I also smoked the oem tails, but Im getting for JDMs cause Ive been pulled over twice already, not worth the hassle. In addition I put 8000k HIDs and added a blue LED license plate light. I also cleared my corners using nothing but a dinner fork from my kitchen lol :icon_biggrin:

Plans for when I return from Army Infantry training in October 2011

Engine
Megan Racing Header and Cat Back
Cold air intake (still cant decide whats a good one, any suggestions?)

Suspension
Coilover kit (cant decide on this either, would like some tiens. Im prepared to spend the money but 1200 is my limit)
Strut bar (not sure where to get this yet)

Wheels
Slotted and Drilled rotors (R1 Concepts)

Exterior
Full Respray
New rear bumper (Slight dent from my mom hitting a pole)
CF Hood
New mirrors (not sure if Im doing the 97 accord mod yet or going with black oem0
2500K Yellow HID fogs on a relay

Now for some pics

This is the oldest picture i have of the car a few weeks before I took possession.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l52/Mendoza1243/0904101642_01.jpg

This was the day I bought my rims and installed them myself. My only problem was that the lugs on my steelies were put on with a damn impact wrench and were over tightened so i manged to get all the lugs off except one which I broke the stud off tryin to get ouf. I later replaced the stud.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l52/Mendoza1243/1216101521b_01.jpg

This was my clearing corners "tool"
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l52/Mendoza1243/1224100043_01.jpg

And this is how she sits now after a good wash and wax.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l52/Mendoza1243/IMG_0380.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l52/Mendoza1243/IMG_0344.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l52/Mendoza1243/IMG_0354.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l52/Mendoza1243/IMG_0361.jpg

Let me know what you guys think. any tips or advice is greatly appreciated.

[mrg7243]

looks like a good start so far. But purple tails?? or is that just the picture?? Though a few suggestions for your build would be to go with 3000k fogs instead of the 2500k, the 3k have a better light output. And for the exhaust the cat-back is great, but you are going to have fitment issues with the header, since your car is a cali spec car, the headers are made for fed spec cars. This means your downpipe sections is a different length from the fed-spec.

[Rodriguez]

Lol Yeah its just the picture they are red but im getting jdms soon. And yeah so far as i can tell there is another cat connected to the bottom of the header. I thought the Megan headers would eliminate that cat or whatever it is completely, so it would just be like a fed spec.

[tamim13]

Will you be able to pass inspection/emissions then? Or is it not required to be renewed every year/2 years?

Nice clean car. The strut bar, I got my DC one from eBay. There are quite a few threads on here about the various strut bars. I'm not really feeling the blue LED license plate light, but to each his own.

[Rodriguez]

Will you be able to pass inspection/emissions then? Or is it not required to be renewed every year/2 years?

Nice clean car. The strut bar, I got my DC one from eBay. There are quite a few threads on here about the various strut bars. I'm not really feeling the blue LED license plate light, but to each his own.

Thanks man, and as far as emissions are concerned we have no inspections in Florida and its not needed to pass any tests :) About the strut bar, I heard you could get it of an eclipse but im not sure which one, Ill search it up more.

[00 galant es tdip]

where did u get your purple tails

[mrjaydeeone]

looks good. keep up the good work. How about some more day pics?

[XxGiRLaNT06xX]

looks good. keep up the good work. How about some more day pics?
x2! looking good

[tamim13]

Yeah the v6 00-05 eclipse strut bar fits in the Galant without modification. Only thing is, the bolt to the firewall will not bolt on, as there is no place to bolt on, but it is not necessary. It's cheap enough to buy new from the dealer or even cheaper if you get it from a junk yard.

[M-Rod]

another Matt Rodriguez?!? Crazy! Wheels look good and clean.

[Rodriguez]

where did u get your purple tails

LOL there not purple, its the picture. They are the OEM tails but I smoked them and then put a clear coat over them. Im getting risd of them though cause the jdms will get me in less trouble.

[Rodriguez]

another Matt Rodriguez?!? Crazy! Wheels look good and clean.

What? your a Matt Rodriguez too LMAO. Its such an uncommon name down here.

[Corey2kG]

Very clean n shiny lol

[Rodriguez]

OK, so while im still here and before I do anything big like I talked about before, Id like to take care of a few little things like the audio system. First off im not looking for a street pounding, trunk rattling system just something that sounds nice. I have a decent little amp, nothing special, I think its a Power Acoustic. My first question is where have you guys found to be a good place to run the amp power cable from the battery into the car? So far as I can tell there are no plugged holes in the firewall and ive tried through the left fender but I cant seem to get it to the door. Any ideas?

[Galantman03]

if you take the front fender off, you'll see a boot where the harness goes through... i VERY carefully knifed it all the way through and just put the power wire in and ran the power wire underneath the carpet, under the left door sills under the rear seat and into the trunk... its really not that hard.

[Corey2kG]

Ok with the hood up look in the corner by the battery you'll see a space behind the strut tower I drilled a hole there n ran ther wire there.

[Rodriguez]

if you take the front fender off, you'll see a boot where the harness goes through... i VERY carefully knifed it all the way through and just put the power wire in and ran the power wire underneath the carpet, under the left door sills under the rear seat and into the trunk... its really not that hard.

Thats what I was thinking of doing earlier, but do you have to remove the front bumper in order to remove the fender, I mean I see where most of the bolts are but Im thinking there may be more.

[Rodriguez]

UPDATE!

Ok, so got a lot done this weekend.

Started with the stereo. Finally managed to run the amp power cable, thanks for the advice. I took a clothes hanger and attached the cable to it and ran it up thru the fender to the door. Its kind of exposed until it goes under the door sill but no biggie and it shouldn't get cut. Then I when out and picked up a head unit from pioneer, the dh-1200 i think it was. Wired up my little 400 watt amp to a single 12' sub and that was it. Concealed all the cables and crap cause im super OCD about that shit.

I also wired up some pilot fog lights that were on sale for 10 bucks. I thought it would be cool to mount them behind the grill. I'll post pics up soon. Lemme know what you guys think when I do.

[Rodriguez]

Not sure if i like the look yet, if not ill just move them
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l52/Mendoza1243/0117111716a_01.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l52/Mendoza1243/0117111700a_01.jpg

[Redhaze]

eh unique. i like your G. i was going to get those rims earlier this month off craigslist but they were the wrong bolt pattern

[Rach3T8G]

Too much going on with the front end i would remove the lights in the grille but thats just my opinion

[DTP]

Put the lights in the bumper... They just don't look right. My opinion though.

[Rodriguez]

Put the lights in the bumper... They just don't look right. My opinion though.

Yeah, It was just to see how it would look. Ill probably move them to the bumper this weekend since i have work and exams this week and drill.

[Rodriguez]

eh unique. i like your G. i was going to get those rims earlier this month off craigslist but they were the wrong bolt pattern

Thanks man, and yeah I love these rims, they are just a bitch to keep clean :092:

[DTP]

Yeah, It was just to see how it would look. Ill probably move them to the bumper this weekend since i have work and exams this week and drill.

Put a brighter bulb, like your headlights in the newer fogs. Then wire them up so you can have JUST the fogs come on as DRLs. That'd be bitchin.

[Rodriguez]

Yeah, thats how they are now, im just not sure of the bulb size.

[Redhaze]

could always put some 8000k-12000k bulbs in your headlights for show and use the lights behind your grill as your real headlights when no ones looking

[Rodriguez]

what do you guys think of this, Obviously they arent jdm but they look cool plus i plan to put a similar mesh on the bottom part of the bumper

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/JDM-Mitsubishi-Galant-02-03-Front-Mesh-Grill-Grille-Set-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQfitsZModelQ3aGalantQQhashZitem2 0b0e5a981QQitemZ140406794625QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTr uckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

and for future reference I dont plan on doing a jdm front end anytime soon. I actually like the 8gb front

[Redhaze]

Dont waste your money there's no hooks to go onto your bumper you'd have to make your own
Here
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MITSUBISHI-GALANT-CHROME-MESH-GRILLE-GRILL-02-03-NEW-/180616855295?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a0d9a7eff

[Rodriguez]

looks good but only if I can put it behind the grill and paint them black, but thanks I like the pattern

[Redhaze]

Hum would be a little project for you... Cut your fines out in your original grill buy some paint or have them paint it for you theyll do it for a little extra if you read the ad. Then adhere it to your grill on the back side. there you have it just like you wanted

[Rodriguez]

...I like it..lol, Im just trying to think of the best way to cut the fins out and then adhere the mesh, paint is easy, im quite good at it.

[Redhaze]

Dremel them out. im not sure what adhesive you should use maybe bondo it on there and sand it down.

[Corey2kG]

I would color match the mesh

[Rodriguez]

Ok, so Im looking for some advice on where to go with my motor. I cant decide weather I want to do a DOHC swap and go to a 4g63 head or weather i wanna keep the SOHC and just go to a 272 cam and a new cam gear along with a header and an intake. Any advice on this is greatly appreciated.

[Rodriguez]

UPDATE!
Ok so finally got some new rubber on the g.

Picked these tires up at an amazing $260 wholesale and had them mounted, balanced and had an alignment for another $120. They are Haidas (Some Chinese brand, hopefully no problems). Same size as before 225/40/18 on a 7.5 inch wide rim. They sit really nice for even for the stock ride height. That will change hopefully next week when I will be ordering some Megan springs. Keep posted for that


http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii154/SU37ACE/031311143442.jpg

On another note. Im having a bit of an issue that I cant put my finger on.
Prior to getting these tires my car would sort of shake at anything above 70 mph. Now i thought it was the tires, which were very worn, I mean VERY worn. So when I installed these i thought for sure that with a complete balance and alignment, everything would be good. Sure enough, on the way down the turnpike back home, at about 80 mph the steering wheel sort of started shaking and rumbling. It wasn't too strong but enough to annoy me. Any ideas? Like i said all the balancing and alignment was done. Also I do have a slightly bent wheel as you can see in the picture, could this be causing problems?

[Da_Prodigy]

Motor mounts is my guess.

[Rodriguez]

Motor mounts is my guess.

Well I have had bad mounts for some time now. Can they effect the way the car rides like that?

[johnygezony]

could always put some 8000k-12000k bulbs in your headlights for show and use the lights behind your grill as your real headlights when no ones looking
^
Horrible Idea

And About fogs the 2500k yellows are a great choice, halogen performs be better in intense fog due to the spectrum emission of Halogen say vs a 3000k HID where the intensity and brightness will contribute to much of that light being reflected and not penetrating that lower level fog.

[tamim13]

a bent wheel will cause vibration in the steering at higher speeds, when it's not too noticeable. Put the bent one in the back and see if it goes away. If it's still there, it could be your CV joints as well. Check if the CV bellows are hard or soft to the touch and if the grease is leaking.

[Rodriguez]

a bent wheel will cause vibration in the steering at higher speeds, when it's not too noticeable. Put the bent one in the back and see if it goes away. If it's still there, it could be your CV joints as well. Check if the CV bellows are hard or soft to the touch and if the grease is leaking.

Well there is this rubber bushing connected to the lower control arm that had grease on it but it looks like its coming out. I don't know if you know what im talking a bout ill try to get a picture but don't have my camera right now.

[Rodriguez]

UPDATE:
2nd Gen tails are in (after 6 hours and 3 blown fuses) as well as red LED's in the gauge cluster. As well as a full 2.5 inch exhaust from the cat all the way back, no muffler. Pics coming soon

[Rodriguez]

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii154/SU37ACE/040311134534.jpg

[Rodriguez]

Update,

The G is parked right now with a bad fuel pump but Im on my way to FT. Benning right now for four months and hopefully my friend will fix her while im gone. When I get back its on. So Ill be back on TGC then.

[finald8ta]

i have a buddy in ftbenning right now going threw bootcamp

[Rodriguez]

i have a buddy in ftbenning right now going threw bootcamp
wats his name and unit?

[Rodriguez]

So, I returned from training about 2 weeks ago and In that time the g has gone through some serious work. Mainly, I got her completely resprayed and installed Megan coilovers. Unfortunately this is the only decent photo i have, http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l52/Mendoza1243/IMG_20111111_172104.jpg

[wetamup2k3g]

Makes me miss my gray one, looking good!

[finald8ta]

wats his name and unit?

Patrick matuzac don't kno what unit, iirc he went to airborne after bootcamp, I think, and welcome back

HTC EVO 4G

[Skyforger]

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii154/SU37ACE/040311134534.jpg

Yes!

Looks good, d00d.

[Rodriguez]

Alright so so some bad shit went down with the car recently. I had a bit of an accident (someone cut me off and I slammed into a curb at 25-30mph). Anyway, so far as i can tell all that happened is my camber and caster is off (car pulls right really badly), I cant see that anything is bent. I also warped a rotor. So I ordered some drilled and slotted ones for the front and ceramic pads. Also ever since I had the timing belt done my car has had a lingering odor of fuel after start up and after shut off. I cant tell if its a leak and if so where? Any suggestions? other than that the new megan coilovers are amazing. I dont know how I ever drove without them.

[mrg7243]

I would say check the return line

[Rodriguez]

I would say check the return line

I found the leak. Its a brass or copper connection on the fuel line that starts on the drivers side of the fuel rail. maybe 4-6 inches down the line close to the firewall. It seems pretty serious, like a steady drip when the cars idling. Im kinda worried, definitely dont wanna drive it. Anyone else experience this issue?

[mrg7243]

I dont have my car in front of me but I believe somewhere you can remove and replace that whole line

[Rodriguez]

I dont have my car in front of me but I believe somewhere you can remove and replace that whole line

this is the part in question.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l52/Mendoza1243/IMG_20111204_230428.jpg

[mrg7243]

Yeah, if there is a 4 banger in the yard when I go I can get you one, If not I can get you the part # for it.

[8thLS6]

I've seen those wheels from time to time while browsing ebay, and I always wondered how they would look on an 8g. From the looks of it real good, especially with the color of your car. Nice!

[Rodriguez]

So ive still got the fuel leak but Ive been working in the meantime. I installed new slotted and drilled rotors, ceramic pads and removed the calipers painted them and bled the whole brake system. Stops pretty well now, a little too well for a car without ABS lol. But its all good.

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l52/Mendoza1243/374295_2791296830461_1499596501_32864768_127465133 6_n.jpg

The busted ass rotor from the accident and the new ones.
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l52/Mendoza1243/378861_2791291310323_1499596501_32864765_995334065 _n.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l52/Mendoza1243/383095_2790929501278_1499596501_32864758_184780988 4_n.jpg

[02redgalant]

mann i miss MIA...looks nice man

[Skyforger]

G's looking good. But that rotor...metal to metal much? lol

[Rodriguez]

Ok so I guess its as good a time as ever to let people on here in on my little secret.

I am now the owner of TWO G's
http://img.tapatalk.com/44188341-97fe-2da4.jpg

Now a lot of you will recognize the new car. Yes its John's car (johnathansgalant her on TGC). Its 16g boosting and its 5 speed and before people get all upset, all the credit on this car goes to John! This was his baby for a while and my plan is to build upon it. Im going to swap it all onto my car and run a nice conservative tune while I build the much healthier engine I take from my car.

Wish me luck I know its gonna be a difficult swap but its been a longtime goal of mine to go boost and 5 speed. Any suggestions and tips are greatly appreciated.

[Rach3T8G]

Congrats on the new pick up!

Sent from my rooted 3VO using Tapatalk.

[02redgalant]

at least it stayed in the family

[oakrdrs187]

Saw it on CL, Good Deal.

[valley8g]

Congrats, great purchase...looking forward to your progress.

[IVORY_G]

Nice!

[Skyforger]

Nice find!

[wetamup2k3g]

Way to keep it going! Congrats and good luck!

[Rodriguez]

UPDATE!

Only with the help of Whokilledhoughes, We were able to pull the tranny, turbo and associated parts, FMIC, and all the piping Plus a lot more like the brakes and other misc. stuff. All that's left on the car to remove is the shifter cables and assembly, clutch cylinder, pedals Evo fuel rail, injectors, fuel pump and that's about it.

Now, we're working on pulling the Auto tranny, and swapping all the turbo parts. I will admit I'm quite the noob with all this as Whokilledhoughes will tell you. But I'm really happy that this project is moving along. Here are some pics from the work so far.

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l52/Mendoza1243/B4898B46-BFF3-482E-8576-C1832E242F0C-1512-0000011D1521295D.jpg
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l52/Mendoza1243/A55BE29F-2860-489F-881D-1CF49A73D6CE-1512-0000011D1EC7BD13.jpg
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l52/Mendoza1243/2BA967A1-6AFB-4648-974C-D3CCF7666183-1512-0000011D2C5403D5.jpg
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l52/Mendoza1243/50C2CCE5-BD7C-4617-8557-B7B10BD52C51-1512-0000011D6374187C.jpg
http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l52/Mendoza1243/3B47DFC7-4C68-44C9-A21C-D21383042AA9-1512-0000011D59F2A2D8.jpg

[wetamup2k3g]

Good progress so far, nice!

[finald8ta]

sweet, i make it down there and give you a hand but thats a 5hr drive for me, lol keep us posted

[Rodriguez]

sweet, i make it down there and give you a hand but thats a 5hr drive for me, lol keep us posted

Lol thanks for the offer, i could use the help, but no biggie ill figure this shit out.

[Rodriguez]

UPDATE: A BIG ONE!

So first off, its sad to say. And i feel really bad lol but, johnathansgalant former car is no more. After an overheating issue of some kind she just wouldn't give anymore. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/12/05/u2epe4up.jpg

But she was a good organ donor. Ive started work on the five speed with the help of whokilledhoughes. Also did the rear disc conversion, with steel braided lines all around. Hope to have the tranny in and working before the end of the month.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/12/05/ava9anut.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/12/05/3a7egydy.jpg

[finald8ta]

Did you at least keep the motor todo a fresh rebuild?

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2

[Rodriguez]

Did you at least keep the motor todo a fresh rebuild?

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2

Unfortunately it was totally cooked and i didn't have time to pull it even if I wanted to.

[Black8GV6]

dang, u didn't part the car out? looks like DE window trim and I could've used the driver's side headlight, oh well

[Rodriguez]

dang, u didn't part the car out? looks like DE window trim and I could've used the driver's side headlight, oh well

I took pretty much everything except the motor. And you don't want that trim, it was shot

[[DC_eightG_00]]

Looking good bro. Nice work

[Rodriguez]

Stuff to do in the coming weeks...
Wire up speedo...
Fix lower radiator hose leak...
Buy more turbo parts...
Anyway, how she looks now, in the market for a few things by the way:
1g, evo, 3000gt steering wheel
JDM door sills
EGR VISOR!
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/02/14/ga2ybu8y.jpg

[greddy]

I have the steering wheel youre looking for. Pm me if interested

[8thLS6]

Is the 3kgt wheel straight bolt on? Never seen one before...I assume it looks better than the galants wheel lol? Car is lookn clean btw lol

[wetamup2k3g]

The 3KGT wheel looks to be the same as the Diamante wheel:

3KGT
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k525/wetamup2011/Captree%202012/bfb09b7d.jpg

Diamante
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k525/wetamup2011/702be6f8.jpg

[Rodriguez]

The 3KGT wheel looks to be the same as the Diamante wheel:

3KGT
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k525/wetamup2011/Captree%202012/bfb09b7d.jpg

Diamante
http://i1114.photobucket.com/albums/k525/wetamup2011/702be6f8.jpg

Correct but the 3000gt wheel I'm talking about came on the vr4s, its a momo.

[wetamup2k3g]

Ooooh ok. Don't know what that one looks like.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk fam!

[8thLS6]

http://admin.rpmgarage.com/resize.php?pic=attachments/4418230e96f7dec81de00531a61bfee4.jpg&size=640 Is this it?

[Rodriguez]

http://admin.rpmgarage.com/resize.php?pic=attachments/4418230e96f7dec81de00531a61bfee4.jpg&size=640 Is this it?

Yes sir...

[greddy]

^I have one of those for sale for a good price haha