just 2 quick questions...

1.
I need new brake pads according to my mechanic, though i don't trust him 100% coz he has tried to dodge me before (said i needed a new timing belt 10,000km after i had replaced it), how can i check if i do? my breaks feel heaps better then my sisters TH...

Also whats the costs of front and rear pads??? how hard is it to do myself?

2.
I have a whole in my rear muffler, its the stock one, i want to get something that has a 3" dumped tip, but what brand? I have stock exhust and no plans to upgrade... the magna is purely a looks car for me...

cheers

just 2 quick questions...

1.
I need new brake pads according to my mechanic, though i don't trust him 100% coz he has tried to dodge me before (said i needed a new timing belt 10,000km after i had replaced it), how can i check if i do? my breaks feel heaps better then my sisters TH...

Also whats the costs of front and rear pads??? how hard is it to do myself?

2.
I have a whole in my rear muffler, its the stock one, i want to get something that has a 3" dumped tip, but what brand? I have stock exhust and no plans to upgrade... the magna is purely a looks car for me...

cheers

Easy, you can see how much pad materal is actually left without pulling the pads or your rims off. Just look between the spokes if your rims from the side of the caliper, if that makes sense. Though if you have steelies, you probably need to take them off to be able to see anything. As a rough rule of thumb, a brand new pad will have roughly around 1cm of pad material. So if you only have say 3-4mm left, I'd be changing them pretty soon (not a good idea to wear them ALL the way down, you risk them cracking).

Cost of pads simply depends on the application. But assuming it's just street driving and light "sprited" driving, something like Bendix ultimatse, Lucus TWR etc are the usual suspects, around $80 for a front set from memory.

As far as mufflers go, Magnaflows seem to be the "bee's knees". Pricy, but well worth it over a cheapo job IMO. Though stuff like Luckey and Xforce sound ok too, it really depends on what sort of note and volume you are after.

Also, some members here don't run a rear mufffler, and just replaced it with a "hotdog" resonator, and seem happy with the results. So you could give that a try, much cheaper than getting a Magnaflow.

Brakes: Getting mine replaced hopefully this weekend with aid from a friend
- Bendix Ultimate front and rear $150 with discount... from a contact its NOT HOT
but can't share contact details
- if you get it through this guy off ebay whose prices are perhaps cheaper
than most other places.

Bendix Ultimate's (DB1203ULT) Will Cost You $93.00
Bendix Ultimate's (DB1204ULT) Will Cost You $76.00

Bendix Heavy Duty's (DB1203HD) Will Cost You $68.00
Bendix Heavy Duty's (DB1204HD) Will Cost You $68.00

Bendix CT's (DB1203CT) Will Cost You $50.00
Bendix CT's (DB1204CT) Will Cost You $50.00

Exhaust:- Bolt on Redback system 2.5inch from cat back is approx $480 had that fitted to TF
- Other option is go to an exhaust place and ask them for a replacement muffler eg
Redback or Lukey, all up with tip shouldn't be more than $250-$300 thats being
pessimistic.
- Go to the wreckers and pick up a stock muffler or you might get lucky and find a
VRX/Sports one shouldn't be expensive to buy and fit.

Easy, you can see how much pad materal is actually left without pulling the pads or your rims off. Just look between the spokes if your rims from the side of the caliper, if that makes sense. Though if you have steelies, you probably need to take them off to be able to see anything. As a rough rule of thumb, a brand new pad will have roughly around 1cm of pad material. So if you only have say 3-4mm left, I'd be changing them pretty soon (not a good idea to wear them ALL the way down, you risk them cracking).

Cost of pads simply depends on the application. But assuming it's just street driving and light "sprited" driving, something like Bendix ultimatse, Lucus TWR etc are the usual suspects, around $80 for a front set from memory.

As far as mufflers go, Magnaflows seem to be the "bee's knees". Pricy, but well worth it over a cheapo job IMO. Though stuff like Luckey and Xforce sound ok too, it really depends on what sort of note and volume you are after.

Also, some members here don't run a rear mufffler, and just replaced it with a "hotdog" resonator, and seem happy with the results. So you could give that a try, much cheaper than getting a Magnaflow.

Cheers mate... i have 15" solara rims on there so ill have a look at the brake pads...

As for the muffler is there anywhere where i can have a look at the range thats out there for model numbers or just go to a mechanic and say wat i want and they will find it for me???

I am after something that isn't "fullysik" loud but has a nice rumble at idle and a medium growl under acceleration.

EDIT:

Boozer, thanks for the prices on those... i think ill go and pick up a pair if i need them and save myself the markup from a mechanic...

Anyone have any idea if AC Delco make pads for magna's? they source all of there stock from Bendix anyway so might be a cheaper option...

Cheers mate... i have 15" solara rims on there so ill have a look at the brake pads...

As for the muffler is there anywhere where i can have a look at the range thats out there for model numbers or just go to a mechanic and say wat i want and they will find it for me???

I am after something that isn't "fullysik" loud but has a nice rumble at idle and a medium growl under acceleration.



Don't go to a mechanic, go to an exhaust shop. A decent exhaust place will be happy to show you a range of mufflers, and discuss what best suits your pricerange, how loud you want it etc.

Unfortunantely what's "loud" etc is very subjective, perhaps you could see if there are a few AMC members near you that are happy to let you have a listen of their car, then you can decide what works for you.

E.g I like my exhaust to be pretty much deafening outside at WOT, but others just want a note that's audible but fairly subtle.

From what you describe, A sports/VRX muffler or the aftermarket luckey equivelant (you'll find a part numver of you search these forums) would probably meet your needs - definantely growls audibly if you give it a bootful, but doesn't give a shrieking note at high rpm like some other exhausts do, which I'm sure some people find obnoxious.

you should have been faster, you could have picked up Gerard's VRX muffler for close to nothing. that would have been a cheap performance mod. with a nice rumble and medium growl.

i do however have a vrx muffler, a 3inch dump tip yet to be welded on and a hot dog on my garage floor but Lugo wants it already... you can fight it out with him :)

yeah i jst missed out on that vrx muffler :(.... im gonna keep my eyes peeled from now until i get some time to actually get the thing fixed.... my main priorty right now is the brakes... which looks like i need :( think ill be getting those bendix ultimates...

wats the dif b/w the ultimates and the heavy duty's.... and the CT's?

with the Exhust , all i done was (well a mate of mine) is cut the old box off and weld a piece of pipe there with a dump tip cost Pipe $0 Tip $20. it sounds really good :badgrin: