Sunday, January 18, 2009

Civic Si - Polishing with Turtle Wax ICE

It was a beautiful day today, so I took the opportunity to pick up where I left off last week when I washed my car. Last week it was cold... damn cold.... so, my baby only got a good washing and a vacuumed interior.  My hands were numb, so I didn't wax the Si, nor did I get to apply protectant to the interior.

Today, I fixed all that.  After a quick rinse and wipe down, I broke out the Turtle Wax Ice Liquid Polish.  I saw this stuff on an info-mercial late one night, and bought some the next day.  Unlike past experiences with other "As Seen on TV" products, I did NOT regret this one.  It truly performs as advertised!


Turtle Wax Ice is a synthetic polish that will not leave a chalky residue, and it CAN be applied to hot surfaces, and even in direct sunlight.  Ice goes on easy with an included foam applicator, and comes off just as easy with a microfiber towel, also included.  It really seems to deepen the paint, and gives your car a wet, glossy appearance.  It's also great for black plastic trim and wiper arms too!

Turtle Wax offers several products in the ICE line, but two that are certainly in my future are the Ice Clay Bar kit, and the Ice Spray Detailer:



Once I finished polishing the exterior with ICE (including all the trim), I cleaned my windows with Eagle One Aeresol Glass Cleaner.  (more on glass cleaners later)  When I was fully satisfied with the exterior, I turned my attention to the interior.

It had been ages since I had used any Armor All or other protectancts, and it was really showing. I don't like my interior surfaces that dried out, but I DON'T like it thick and greasy, either.  So, instead of using a nearly uncontrollable spray protectant, I like using the Armor All Protectanct Wipes.  They come in a convenient plastic tube, very much like a tube of baby wipes. 

Armor All also makes cleaning wipes, exterior detailing wipes, glass wipes, as well as wipes formulated for leather surfaces..  check em all out here.

I finished the afternoon out with a nice, long cruise around the area.  I love a clean ride!

I will post photos of the car itself as soon as I can!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

2007 Civic Si: MagnaFlow Cat Back Installation Photos

I took some pics of my new MagnaFlow Cat-Back Exhaust System that I bought for my 2007 Honda Civic Si.

Opening the box, this is what you'll find inside...
Actually, there was a LOT of plastic wrapped foam packing material that I didn't take pictures of.  The system came well-packaged, and there were no scratches or dents on the flashy bits.

The instructions, gaskets, and clamps were in a seperate plastic bag:

The 4" double-rolled stainless tip attached to a 5" diameter stainless MagnaFlow muffler:

The MagnaFlow system, like most, have the hangers attached for a no-brainer installation:

Again, good packaging on the polished stainless components.  Here, I am holding the resonator:
Speaking of... I believe the kit includes extra pipes to bypass the resonator. I had a couple of pipe segments left over.

Here are a couple of photos of the nice thick flanges:


On to the Install photos..

Here you can see where the system bolts up to the stock catalytic converter.  This was the ONLY trouble spot of the whole install process.  It turns out that the pre-drilled holes on the mating flange were not properly spaced, and had to be enlarged slightly. The gasket had to be modified as well, but no leaks as of yet (about a week after install).  If you look closely at the photo below, you can see small gaps to the inside of the converter studs:

A nice undercar shot showing the resonator and muffler/tip. Also note the smooth mandrel bends:
Another shot of the polished resonator:
"MagnaFlow" is nicely embossed into the muffler casing..  And a vicious 74 camaro in the next bay   o.O
More pictures of the polished stainless exhaust tip:



Sunday, January 4, 2009

2007 Civic Si - Magnaflow Cat Back Exhaust and K&N drop in filter

I recently found out that I can purchase a MagnaFlow Cat-Back system for my '07 Si through the NAPA store I work at.  Not only can I get it through there, since it's through the NAPA system, the freight is only going to cost me a flat $8.95, PLUS, we're an independant store, so the owner lets me buy anything for my car at cost - Which, in this case, equates to a savings of $200.00 off street price, and over $500 off MSRP!


About the MagnaFlow system:

Material: 100% Stainless Steel
Tubing O.D. Size: 2.25in.
System Type: Cat-Back
TIP O.D. Size: 4in.
TIP Quantity: 1
Single/Dual: Single
Exit Position: Rear Exit

Features and Benefits: Lifetime Warranty, Dyno Tested And Proven To Make Power, Performance Gains In Horsepower And Torque, Great Sound - Has A Smooth, Deep Tone, Easy To Install, Mandrel-Bent. All Welded. Built To Last.

MagnaFlow Exhaust Sample Video

Pictures of the Exhaust System and hopefully the undercar install coming soon!

**MagnaFlow Install UPDATE! - Videos**

Before (factory 2007 Civic Si Exhaust):

After MagnaFlow Install:

AND.... since I'm saving so much on my exhaust system, I justified a K&N drop in filter - for now...  

K&N offers the "Typhoon" Short Ram Intake with built in heat shield, plus it ties into the stock Civic Si cold air induction.  Lifetime warranty... Proven for 7 hp.... it's definitely on my short list!   I really like the Fujita SRI, but unless I can fabricate something like K&N figured out, I think I'll pass.  I'm just too worried about heat soak issues with a short ram setup here in Southeast Texas.