Galant Lopez build "Tom"

[Galant Lopez]

So ive had my car since i was 16, just about 4 years. My parents got it for me after i messed up a Ford Focus i had before it. (I was going a little too fast over a bump and bent the axle.) Well at first i was upset they chose to get me this car since the dealer had a nice civic vtech and a gsx eclipse. Oh well its for the best now. I know its been a long time that ive had this car but i didnt know anything about cars back then, well i still kinda dont but i figure it out as i go.
http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/IMAG0078.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/IMAG0076.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/IMAG0077.jpg

These are the most recent pictures i have of my car. All i have done is pretty much put a system in it, hid's, found those 2000 grand am se rims for $120 and had to get them since my steelies were down to the wire, literally.
Now that i have a little bit of money i thought i would start a build thread to show everyone my progress starting soon.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/IMAG0080.jpg

found these on craigslist last week for $400 and the guy threw in the evo 8 carbon fiber spoiler for $50 couldnt pass that up. I have a few more parts coming in next week. I have kyb agx, injen cold air intake, eibach lowering springs, and hopefully a megan cat-back.

[Skyforger]

Nice start! The GASE wheels actually look nice on the G, like if they were OEM.

[Galant Lopez]

Ya thats wat i think too. From far away i tell ppl i got sum bbs rims but once they get closer they look lame haha

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

[Guzm4n]

Yes another Iowa member, too bad you're 3 hours away though.

[Skyforger]

They aren't lame, haha. All of the 5th gen Grand Am's alloy wheels were made by Enkei. lol

Now you have two sets of Enkeis!

[Galant Lopez]

Yes another Iowa member, too bad you're 3 hours away though.

Whoop whoop haha ya i was seein ur thread last week and it made me want to step my game up

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

[Galant Lopez]

They aren't lame, haha. All of the 5th gen Grand Am's alloy wheels were made by Enkei. lol

Now you have two sets of Enkeis!

Really? Whoah awsome, but the evo enkei r 3 times lighter and will look better

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

[Skyforger]

Well, obviously. lol

They're good, durable wheels. They can take a beating.

Any other plans for the G?

[Galant Lopez]

Well, obviously. lol

They're good, durable wheels. They can take a beating.

Any other plans for the G?

For now, no. I just want to fix my car and bring it back to tip top shape. Im goin to paint my bumper tomorrow and take a few dings out. Mayb turbo next year? Who knows

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

[Skyforger]

For now, no. I just want to fix my car and bring it back to tip top shape. Im goin to paint my bumper tomorrow and take a few dings out. Mayb turbo next year? Who knows

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

Definitely focus on the maintience first. Lots of cash needed for boost, save up early, and research, research, research!

[Galant Lopez]

Definitely focus on the maintience first. Lots of cash needed for boost, save up early, and research, research, research!

Ya but seein my car wit nice rims and dropped will make me want to skip the fixin part and go straight to makin it fast. But i have to control myself haha

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

[Skyforger]

Ya but seein my car wit nice rims and dropped will make me want to skip the fixin part and go straight to makin it fast. But i have to control myself haha

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

Yup. No sense in having nice wheels and lowered if it's having problems! lol

[Skyforger]

I'd check out Jigz's build for inspiration and help with your potential turbo build.

[Galant Lopez]

I'd check out Jigz's build for inspiration and help with your potential turbo build.

Funny u said that...his was the first build thread i read wen i got on tgc and it inspires me but hes way ahead of me.

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

[Skyforger]

Well damn. lol

I like his build, a lot.

[Galant Lopez]

Well damn. lol

I like his build, a lot.

Ya me too....one day ill b 5 speed swapped (wenever i feel confident enough to try it)

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

[foxbrand]

nice start! I've been wondering due to all the time I have seen you lurking in GT what you were up to

[Galant Lopez]

nice start! I've been wondering due to all the time I have seen you lurking in GT what you were up to

Haha ya i creep alot gather info and do thins here and there but now that i have money i can finally show every1 wats goin to go down

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

[Galant Lopez]

Alright so i want to make sure i have everythin in so i can start puttin them on my car once they get here (parts wise.) Since im lowering the car would it be smart to get and adjustable camber kit for the 3g eclipse and new boots for the struts?

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

[Skyforger]

IIRC, the 3G Eclipse suspension is exactly the same as the 8G.

[Galant Lopez]

IIRC, the 3G Eclipse suspension is exactly the same as the 8G.

"IIRC"? Idk wat that means sry, and i thought so. I ordered them from autopartswarehouse and the guy i talked to told me that they wouldnt fit but i read on here that they did...so i went ahead and ordered them anyways.

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

[Skyforger]

"IIRC"? Idk wat that means sry, and i thought so. I ordered them from autopartswarehouse and the guy i talked to told me that they wouldnt fit but i read on here that they did...so i went ahead and ordered them anyways.

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

IIRC = If I Recall Correctly

The parts guy should know better, it's the same part #'s for the 8G and Eclipse 3G. lol

[Galant Lopez]

IIRC = If I Recall Correctly

The parts guy should know better, it's the same part #'s for the 8G and Eclipse 3G. lol

Oh haha ya i knew that n well he didnt which had me second thinkin it.

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

[Galant Lopez]

Okay so i finally got a few parts after two weeks of strugglin wit my bank and the stupid website.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/IMAG0086.jpg

im still missin the other front strut, i hope it comes tomorrow cuz i dont want to call them again with another problem. Just ordered the lowerin springs, megan cat-back, and dc strut brace today so an other week of anticipation. Quick question tho, should i get pillow ballmounts?

[Galant Lopez]

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/IMAG0084.jpg

took the bumper off to primer it but then it was too windy so i just sanded it down and its hangin out in my garage until i get the chance to finish it and get a clear coat on.

[Galant Lopez]

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/IMAG0087.jpg

Got the cold air intake put in. Would have it further but a slight set bak from andys auto sport had risen, so its gonna b a couple more weeks untill i get anythin else done

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

[mrg7243]

you could invest in a can of engine degreaser or some dawn a spray bottle and brush

[Galant Lopez]

you could invest in a can of engine degreaser or some dawn a spray bottle and brush

Haha guess it is pretty bad but i dont have much to show off yet, but good idea i should do that this weekend

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

[Galant Lopez]

http://www.andysautosport.com/mitsubishi/2000_2005_eclipse/suspension/camber_kits/progress/

http://www.andysautosport.com/mitsubishi/1999_2003_galant/suspension/pillow_ball_mounts/ksport/

Im not goin to buy from this website but i use it to get ideas, r these any good?

[Galant Lopez]

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/IMAG0090.jpg
So got the megan catback the other day and i tried to put it on today but ran into a problem, the flange from the cat pretty much welded the bolts on so i cant get it out. I called a local exhaust shop and hopefully theyll get it on today.
http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/IMAG0092.jpg
Now since the megan didnt have anywhere to put the o2 sensor on there i just zip tied it for now but my check engine light is on. Any suggestions?

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

[Skyforger]

The downstream O2 sensor sets off the P0420 code, you'll need a tune to eliminate the code entirely, or have an exhaust shop tap a new flange for the O2 sensor.

[Galant Lopez]

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/th_VIDEO0006.jpg (http://s1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/?action=view&current=VIDEO0006.mp4)
its pretty loud with an open cat

[Galant Lopez]

The downstream O2 sensor sets off the P0420 code, you'll need a tune to eliminate the code entirely, or have an exhaust shop tap a new flange for the O2 sensor.

Good to know. Is it possible to slice that sensor into the other one that runs right before the cat?

[Skyforger]

Good to know. Is it possible to slice that sensor into the other one that runs right before the cat?

No, they monitor two separate things. The upstream O2 sensor helps regulate the spark and fuel going into the engine. The downstream just monitors the cat.

[Galant Lopez]

No, they monitor two separate things. The upstream O2 sensor helps regulate the spark and fuel going into the engine. The downstream just monitors the cat.

Alright well i think ill just delete the error with a scanner cuz i think this guy will charge me alot more than i want to tap into the megan.

[Galant Lopez]

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/IMAG0091.jpg
oh ya i almost forgot i got these in today. Im goin to buy new boots and mounts n junk so i can just assemble the struts before i intall them and just pull the old ones out.

[Skyforger]

Alright well i think ill just delete the error with a scanner cuz i think this guy will charge me alot more than i want to tap into the megan.

The code will come right back after a few miles since you clipped the wire. lol

[Galant Lopez]

The code will come right back after a few miles since you clipped the wire. lol

so then the only thin to do is take the bulb out in my cluster? haha

[Galant Lopez]

http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/VIDEO0011.mp4
Heres another clip of the exhaust i took off the silencer but its too loud so i put it bak on afterwards

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

[Galant Lopez]

http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/VIDEO0009.mp4
Now i changed my oil a couple days ago and now i hear a tickin in the engine. Idk wat it is, i was able to hear it b4 but now its louder. Im thinkin i have a misfire but not too sure

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

[Galant Lopez]

http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/VIDEO0009.mp4

[oakrdrs187]

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/th_VIDEO0009.jpg (http://s1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/?action=view&current=VIDEO0009.mp4)
JUST CLICK PIC


Fixed.


Looks like belt needs to be tightened. And welcome to the tick life.

You can try Marvels mystery oil additive and switching synthetic to see if it gets rid of it

[Galant Lopez]

Thnx for that i dont know why it did that. Anywho, it wasnt that loud b4 but once i turned it on after i was done changin the oil it was really bad, and i used royal purple so mayb i can try another kind?

[Galant Lopez]

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/IMAG0103.jpg
This is b4 i put the springs on

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/IMAG0107.jpg
And this is after, im super satisfied

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

[G-spot]

Glad it worked out for you :)

[Guzm4n]

Starting to look better, good job.

[Galant Lopez]

Glad it worked out for you :)

Thnx G-Spot

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

[Galant Lopez]

Starting to look better, good job.

Thnx man now two galant in Iowa will look good

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

[Guzm4n]

Thnx man now two galant in Iowa will look good

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

Make that three, there's another member on here his username is galant108. I've seen his galant in person it's pretty nice IMO, he just needs to get his front bumper painted.

[Galant Lopez]

Make that three, there's another member on here his username is galant108. I've seen his galant in person it's pretty nice IMO, he just needs to get his front bumper painted.

Nice i just found him hes my age and works at hy vee...haha hy vee has all of us trapped

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

[Guzm4n]

Nice i just found him hes my age and works at hy vee...haha hy vee has all of us trapped

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

I think he left hy-vee, he told me he works at place where they remove dents now.

[Galant Lopez]

I think he left hy-vee, he told me he works at place where they remove dents now.

nice, i need to get out of there and make more money for my car

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

[oakrdrs187]

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/IMAG0103.jpg[/IM]
This is b4 i put the springs on

[IMG]http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/IMAG0107.jpg
And this is after, im super satisfied

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

Much Better!

[Galant Lopez]

So after messin around last night wit it on sum streets that nice to test out my suspension, i found out that these rims do rub if i turn too much. These tires r 225/50 so mayb thats y?

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

[99galantES]

I would've ran 225/45

[Galant Lopez]

I would've ran 225/45

Thats wat i was goin to go for but my friend sold me these for $50 wit at least 60% tread left on em so i had to get them

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

[99galantES]

Yeah not bad price till you get new ones but car looks good might get me a set for the winter time

[Skyforger]

Looks good. Everybody's nabbing these Enkeis. lol

[Galant Lopez]

Yeah not bad price till you get new ones but car looks good might get me a set for the winter time

Ya for the mean time i just wanted to get em on already

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

[Galant Lopez]

Looks good. Everybody's nabbing these Enkeis. lol

Ya they rnt bad, i just dont like that my rear drums r rusted bad and u can c them alot more now

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

[IVORY_G]

Only way to get rid of that CEL is to movef the O2 Sensor behind the 2nd cat, thats what I did with my exhaust when I installed my Megan Racing header...
That ticking noise is known as "Lifter Tick". Very common for the 4G64, and can get louder after an oil change. Search 'Lifter Tick' on here to find some solutuions...

[Galant Lopez]

Only way to get rid of that CEL is to movef the O2 Sensor behind the 2nd cat, thats what I did with my exhaust when I installed my Megan Racing header...
That ticking noise is known as "Lifter Tick". Very common for the 4G64, and can get louder after an oil change. Search 'Lifter Tick' on here to find some solutuions...

Awsome thanks for that ticking tip and ya my bro in law has a muffler shop and he said he could tap in the resonator to put a new sensor like Skyforger said

Sent from my HTC EVO 3D

[IVORY_G]

No prob

[Galant Lopez]

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/IMAG0124.jpg

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/IMAG0125.jpg
Nothin new has happened lately except for this hks filter i ordered and installed. And that lifter tick is there faintly but wit sum marvins mystery oil it keeps it quiet.

[Galant Lopez]

So i get pretty bored wen im home so ive always wanted to clear the corners on my heads but never wanted to take them apart since i dont know much of anythin i just learn as i go but my freind let me borrow his heat gun so i can roll my fenders and thought y not give it a try since i have two days off.
http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/IMAG0129.jpg before

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/IMAG0131.jpg ghetto paintin booth in my basement

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/IMAG0132.jpg then after its done, i also took out the corner amber reflectors and used vht nightshade and i like how they look. Ill keep them like this but im goin to order sum switchbak led's to make it look better, and then ill take out the reflectors.

[oakrdrs187]

You purposely painted just one corner?

[Galant Lopez]

You purposely painted just one corner?

My bad i forgot to put on there that i took a pic of how each would look, but i have both reflectors on there now hahaha that would look funny

[Guzm4n]

He maybe did one, then took a pic, and then finished the other one. That's what I did when my jdm heads arrived, unwrapped one, took pic, then unwrapped the other one, lol!

EDIT: forget this post, I posted too late, haha

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I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?bphpcx

[Galant Lopez]

He maybe did one, then took a pic, and then finished the other one. That's what I did when my jdm heads arrived, unwrapped one, took pic, then unwrapped the other one, lol!

EDIT: forget this post, I posted too late, haha

---
I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?bphpcx

Lol well i did both but wanted to c how each looked but i didn't describe it wen i posted it

[Galant Lopez]

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/IMAG0133.jpg
I put them in and i like how they look, now i just want to my bumper painted
http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/IMAG0134.jpg
http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/IMAG0135.jpg
Idk y in the picture it looks green. I read on Greddy's build that his is like that too but my hhids r 8000k

[Skyforger]

Nice job with the heads, you should look into a retrofit for HIDs.

[Galant Lopez]

Nice job with the heads, you should look into a retrofit for HIDs.

Ive been considerin it but idk how to go upon it. I think ill save up for sum one piece heads then practice on these that way i dont mess up the jdms

Sent from my PG86100 using Xparent Red Tapatalk 2

[Galant Lopez]

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/IMG_20120427_194025.jpg
http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/IMG_20120427_193937.jpg
Went to pick up my girlfriend from work with my bud and had our cars parked next to each other and thought i would get some quick pics in between the rain, only got two b4 it poured

[Galant Lopez]

So i replaced my ac condensor last night and the vents on the sides blow out cold air but the center and top vent blow out hot air. I put that spray in it to recharge it but no use. Any ideas?

[Galant Lopez]

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/IMAG0149.jpg
Finally painted the bumper. I just left it primer for now.
http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/IMAG0150.jpg
Pretty noticable color difference but oh well im not plannin on keepin this bumper for long so its just so i dont c the patches from where i sanded.
http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/IMAG0148.jpg
And my car just hit 100000 the other day

[Skyforger]

SES light though. Get the codes pulled?

[Galant Lopez]

SES light though. Get the codes pulled?

No ive just been ignorin it...im thinkin of gettin rid of this exhaust so thats wen ill have the other o2 sensor put in

[Galant Lopez]

So i finally thought i found what was making that loud screeching sound. I thought it was the ac compressor that had seized so i bought a shorter belt to skip it, but as i was put the tensioner back on i snapped the bolt.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/IMAG0261.jpg

Then i went to the junkyard to get another bolt since the two auto parts store didnt have them. While there i picked up a v6 throttle body for only $20 so it wasnt so bad, but it didnt have the iac.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/IMAG0262.jpg

I ended up twisting the bolt i got from the junkyard then i went back to get another one from second galant that was there and in the process i twisted that one too. So i pretty much was having a bad day.

[Galant Lopez]

okay so since i last updated i have figured out what was making that noise. After many trips to a shop (who i thought did good work) i ended up buying a timing belt kit. It was from http://www.timingbeltkit.com/servlet/the-464/timing-belt%2C-mitsubish-galant/Detail. It came with new pulleys new belts and a water pump. SO i figured that would of taken care of it. anywho long story short it didnt stop the noise, took it to another shop, tightened the tensioner. Boom fixed it.

Nothing new with the car, im just about maintenance now until i can paint it.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/033.jpg (http://s1159.photobucket.com/user/lopezm3979/media/033.jpg.html)
Used grease cleaner and got as much as i could. Going to buy some wire brushes and give it another good scrub.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/044.jpg (http://s1159.photobucket.com/user/lopezm3979/media/044.jpg.html)
Interior shot.

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/043.jpg (http://s1159.photobucket.com/user/lopezm3979/media/043.jpg.html)
Need camber kit and possibly spacers?

http://i1159.photobucket.com/albums/p635/lopezm3979/null.jpg (http://s1159.photobucket.com/user/lopezm3979/media/null.jpg.html)
Swapped wheels with my girlfriend just to see how it would look. Hers are 16's so my car sits a bit lower which i dont mind at all.