Got the Y cables installed and loaded up my tune to the Twk and the center image locked into place. With some EQ work this thing should have some serious potential. Hopefully we’ll get the install done Saturday and I can get some seat time and make this respectable in the next month.
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TheTodd’s 2008 Malibu (re)build thread
- Thread starter TheTodd
- Start date
And she’s done! I’m quite happy with how the whole thing turned out. The new amp mounts were definitely worth the redo.
View attachment 17256View attachment 17257
Next up will be to try to get some EQ done before the meet. All I have is a free RTA app on my phone but I’ll see what I can do. If anyone is going to the NC meet and wants to give it a go I’ll be more than happy to compensate.
View attachment 17256View attachment 17257
Next up will be to try to get some EQ done before the meet. All I have is a free RTA app on my phone but I’ll see what I can do. If anyone is going to the NC meet and wants to give it a go I’ll be more than happy to compensate.
Notloudenuf
Well-known member
That looks really good. I’m looking forward to checking this out in person.
Over the last week I’ve gotten some EQ work done. I must say I’m REALLY happy with how this sounds. I’m surprised I got it this good with just a free RTA app on my phone. Just to get its full potential I’ve scheduled a professional tune for Thursday. I’ll definitely report back with the results.
Doubtful I’ll change anything before the next GTG.
I *MAY* have spoken too soon. I just may have a totally different car by the next one.
The ‘Bu has developed a severe issue with the brakes. I’m REALLY glad it didn’t show it’s ugly head until this morning and NOT on my drive back from NC. But… now the decision has to be made whether to repair the car or get a new one. I have been window shopping for a few months now so I have a general idea what car I’ll get if I go that direction but if I’m being honest, I really love the ol girl and the system/tune that’s in it. I’ve put a lot of literal blood & sweat into it recently and I’d HATE to start all over. Looks like I have some thinking to do.
Well dang, that sucks. That's a tough decision as well, especially after all the work that just went into the Malibu.
Similar topic, when we got home, pulled the wheel off my son's Mustang, the reason that one wheel was entirely covered in dust.... literally nothing left on the pads. Went ahead and put new rotors and pads on both sides when we installed his coil-overs. He's grumbling now about brake dust on both wheels, I laughed, told him that'll happen with white wheels.
Similar topic, when we got home, pulled the wheel off my son's Mustang, the reason that one wheel was entirely covered in dust.... literally nothing left on the pads. Went ahead and put new rotors and pads on both sides when we installed his coil-overs. He's grumbling now about brake dust on both wheels, I laughed, told him that'll happen with white wheels.
Clean em up real good and get yourself a ceramic coating of some sort and coat the wheels. The spray on stuff from Meguiars isn’t bad. It’s not really a true ceramic coating but works really well for this purpose. You may only have to reapply it every few years but, for the most part, the brake dust just rinses off with a good pressure washer.
On my end, though, I’ve made the decision to fix the car. I pulled out of my driveway yesterday morning and the dash lit up like Christmas morning: “Brake System Failure”, “ESC unavailable”, “ETC unavailable”, “Service Brake System”, “ABS unavailable”, “Low Brake Fluid”… the whole gambit. There was a big puddle of brake fluid on the ground by the drivers rear wheel. Normally with GMs, especially in the Northeast, the brake lines have a habit of rusting. So when I got home I did a bunch of investigating and it APPEARS that it’s just the caliper leaking. I won’t know for sure until I start tearing stuff apart. Things always seem to end up worse than they appear so I’m crossing my fingers that this is it. It’s 14yrs old and approaching 170k so some things are bound to go bad but if it turns into doing new brake lines I’m drawing a line. I’ve done them before and will NOT do it again.
On my end, though, I’ve made the decision to fix the car. I pulled out of my driveway yesterday morning and the dash lit up like Christmas morning: “Brake System Failure”, “ESC unavailable”, “ETC unavailable”, “Service Brake System”, “ABS unavailable”, “Low Brake Fluid”… the whole gambit. There was a big puddle of brake fluid on the ground by the drivers rear wheel. Normally with GMs, especially in the Northeast, the brake lines have a habit of rusting. So when I got home I did a bunch of investigating and it APPEARS that it’s just the caliper leaking. I won’t know for sure until I start tearing stuff apart. Things always seem to end up worse than they appear so I’m crossing my fingers that this is it. It’s 14yrs old and approaching 170k so some things are bound to go bad but if it turns into doing new brake lines I’m drawing a line. I’ve done them before and will NOT do it again.
I’ll be doing the swap Saturday so I, too, hope it goes well. I’ve also noticed over the last few days that there’s no leakage if I don’t use my parking brake… which I almost always used as my driveway is on a bit of an incline. So we’re guessing there’s a seal somewhere that’s gone bad. Unless something else catastrophic happens it’ll be at Ian’s meet in Sept and I think it sounds WAY better than Jason’s meet, especially after (other) Jason tweaked it a bit.
Small update. I replaced the drivers rear caliper on Saturday and I’ve had absolutely no leakage so it appears all is well… for now. It IS, after all, 14yrs old with 170k on it. A real careful inspection, though, showed that all brake lines & hoses were in good shape so there should be no immediate concerns there. So for all that worry, $80 for a caliper, $10 for a bit of fluid & 2hrs of my time the ol girl is back on the road.
Well… this is the beginning of the end for the Malibu. If all goes according to plan (even though it rarely does) it’ll make it to the fall meet in VA for one last demo session. I am purchasing a new car & should be picking it up within the next week or so. A buddy of mine is buying the ‘Bu for his son but can’t take it until Sept so I’m hoping to still have it come meet time.
The new ride:
View attachment 17599
2014 Toyota Avalon, 1 old lady owner, 35k miles and not a flaw on it… for now. It does have the JBL system in it so it’s already creating a few headaches as far as getting my radio in but with the help of a few friends I think we found a work around. Stay tuned for a new build thread.
The new ride:
View attachment 17599
2014 Toyota Avalon, 1 old lady owner, 35k miles and not a flaw on it… for now. It does have the JBL system in it so it’s already creating a few headaches as far as getting my radio in but with the help of a few friends I think we found a work around. Stay tuned for a new build thread.
BenevolentDictator
Noob
You're a lucky man. That is a beautiful Avalon and she'll treat you well. Can't wait to see how this one turns out.
Well… this is the beginning of the end for the Malibu. If all goes according to plan (even though it rarely does) it’ll make it to the fall meet in VA for one last demo session. I am purchasing a new car & should be picking it up within the next week or so. A buddy of mine is buying the ‘Bu for his son but can’t take it until Sept so I’m hoping to still have it come meet time.
The new ride:
View attachment 17599
2014 Toyota Avalon, 1 old lady owner, 35k miles and not a flaw on it… for now. It does have the JBL system in it so it’s already creating a few headaches as far as getting my radio in but with the help of a few friends I think we found a work around. Stay tuned for a new build thread.