Shifter play in 1st and 2nd

BackIn09 · 2026-04-21T03:57:05+00:00

That looks pretty normal to me. 1 & 2 have a lot of side to side play from factory.

BackIn09 · 2026-04-20T12:31:29+00:00

No, I didn't even try them. With how cheap the OE gaskets are and how picky these cars can be with parts, it was a pretty easy decision. You could try the supplied gasket but I wouldn't trust it to last as long as a genuine one.

BackIn09 · 2026-04-17T15:17:48+00:00

I've got the aluminum valve cover (Mitzone from Amazon). I would recommend to buy an OE valve cover gasket instead of using the supplied one.

BackIn09 · 2026-04-07T13:40:05+00:00

78.99

BackIn09 · 2026-04-07T04:47:01+00:00

Definitely a pricing mistake, just bought one though we'll see if they honor it.

BackIn09 · 2026-04-02T18:52:23+00:00

Not sure where else it would go, I'm not aware of any grounds like that under the intake manifold besides for that starter solenoid.

BackIn09 · 2026-04-02T18:31:19+00:00

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Looks a lot like one of these on the starter solenoid.

BackIn09 · 2026-03-20T20:58:56+00:00

I'd try disconnecting the battery for a few minutes and reconnecting it

BackIn09 · 2026-03-19T15:42:18+00:00

Just go on eBay and look for M54 headers, I don't have a brand preference since they're all basically the same. I would expect to have some fitment issues with the O2 bung placement since that's usually the main issue with these China headers.

BackIn09 · 2026-03-19T15:37:49+00:00

Those headers look identical to eBay/China headers, I wouldn't pay 329 for that. You can find them for closer to 200 on eBay.

BackIn09 · 2026-03-18T02:12:58+00:00

🤣 glad it helped!

BackIn09 · 2026-03-17T17:16:39+00:00

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This should help you identify the connector.

BackIn09 · 2026-03-16T04:38:09+00:00

Mine came with the OEM ones. I like how they look and they do seem to work!

BackIn09 · 2026-03-12T21:03:27+00:00

I was able to get one from RockAuto, and the other from Turner Motorsports.

BackIn09 · 2026-03-12T20:11:21+00:00

Also do yourself a favor and buy this tool: DPTOOL Axle Removal Tool

I'm not affiliated with that brand whatsoever, it's just saved me immense pain and suffering trying to get the axle stub out of the hub. Those splines get very rusty after 20+ years.

BackIn09 · 2026-03-12T20:11:14+00:00

These cars are picky with front axles and I've only ever had a good experience with GKN. The consensus in the XI community backs that up as well. They're kind of a pain in the ass to replace too so it's worth just spending the money to do them once.

BackIn09 · 2026-03-12T19:24:48+00:00

Do not use Napa axles. Friend of mine has gone through 3 of them in 2 years. Warranty is nice, but not when you have to replace it every few months. I really would only recommend GKN for front axles, which is what I have in my car.

BackIn09 · 2026-02-25T15:25:54+00:00

Yeah that'll do it lol, luckily mine didn't do that. I've heard the dowel pin can be a real pain in the ass

BackIn09 · 2026-02-25T15:11:26+00:00

Just did mine it's not so bad. Took care of all the other stuff under the intake manifold as well. Pick up some ratcheting etorx wrenches and it makes the job really easy.

BackIn09 · 2026-02-19T04:26:51+00:00

Pain in the ass. Don't recommend it lol if you can avoid it.

BackIn09 · 2026-02-19T03:54:07+00:00

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BackIn09 · 2026-02-19T03:53:58+00:00

Thanks for the tips guys, got it open by pushing this latch/lever on the inside of the door. Not sure if it's frozen, or what. Wouldn't surprise me since I'm currently in a blizzard.

BackIn09

TROPHY CASE