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Re: project: 2003 SSEi

Posted: Sun May 16, 2010 10:05 pm
by harofreak00
I did a ton of work today, but for some reason I forgot to take pics through the process... so you'll just have to imagine.

I tore both front seats down to the frames to fix the heated seats. I magic eraser'd the leather (with help from the little neighbor girl) and cleaned them up, even the frames. Then I took the seatbelts down to the car wash and blasted them clean. They looks brand new. Same thing for the rear seat. Results are here.
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Still need to do a little more detailing. The steering wheel/buttons need a good scrubbing. The sunvisors are in good shape, but the sunroof shade is not.

Re: project: 2003 SSEi

Posted: Sun May 16, 2010 11:56 pm
by crzydmnd72
Wow....From zero to hero just like that! :)

ETA, Do you think the old gross carpet would have cleaned up much? Or was it just too far gone?

Re: project: 2003 SSEi

Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 2:43 am
by wake
looks great bud.again who ever gets this one is gonna be lucky..that interior is flawless :eek2:

Re: project: 2003 SSEi

Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 9:03 am
by harofreak00
crzydmnd72 wrote:ETA, Do you think the old gross carpet would have cleaned up much? Or was it just too far gone?
Just too far gone. The salt damage was the worst I have seen.

Re: project: 2003 SSEi

Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 9:39 am
by 1fatcat
Do you ever take the car back to the guy you bought it from and see if he wants to buy it back after you finish it? Probably would have a hard time convincing him it's the same car.

Re: project: 2003 SSEi

Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 9:58 am
by harofreak00
Na... when someone treats a car that badly, they obviously don't appreciate it, and wouldn't appreciate the work that went into it to get it like that.

Re: project: 2003 SSEi

Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 2:42 pm
by 1fatcat
That is true.

Re: project: 2003 SSEi

Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 5:28 pm
by crzydmnd72
harofreak00 wrote:Na... when someone treats a car that badly, they obviously don't appreciate it, and wouldn't appreciate the work that went into it to get it like that.
Quoted for emphasis, my work van which I practically LIVE in during the week, still looks mostly new inside because I vacumn it once in a while lol.

Re: project: 2003 SSEi

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 8:26 pm
by harofreak00
Well I realized that my quick fix yesterday didn't completely fix the issue. I fixed 2 burnt/broken wires in the driver heated seat bottom, but there was still a problem with the seat back. I pulled the seat out again today and tore it all down again. Took pics this time.

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Well heres your problem!
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Torn apart
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Fixed
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Going back together
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Done
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NOW, they work
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Re: project: 2003 SSEi

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 10:41 pm
by sonoma_zr2
I see you bought a NorthernTools impact!

Your ability to buy cars that are fixable and flipable is nothing short of amazing. If I tried something like this I would end up with mess.

Re: project: 2003 SSEi

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 10:45 pm
by Skippy1827
you have a gift my friend..

Re: project: 2003 SSEi

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 11:06 pm
by harofreak00
sonoma_zr2 wrote:I see you bought a NorthernTools impact!
I bought that the day after I got home from doing your trans. I can't believe I used to live without it.

Re: project: 2003 SSEi

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 11:48 pm
by Sadden
Hey man i have looked at more than one of your flips.

Has the local law ever talked to you about flipping vehicles?

I know someone who "Flips" them. Buys one for 1000 and sells it for 1500 etc..
However he does NOT go to the lengths that you do to raise the value of the vehicles.
That being said he has been pulled aside by the police and been told to knock it off because he is moving enough vehicles that they want him to get a dealership license and adequate insurance.

Re: project: 2003 SSEi

Posted: Tue May 18, 2010 11:52 pm
by 00Beast
In MN if you transfer more than 5 vehicles out of your name, you have to get a $250 dealer's license. I think Andrew's OK for 2010, but i believe in 09 he did 4, lol.

Re: project: 2003 SSEi

Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 9:46 am
by harofreak00
I have looked into a dealership license. Its a lot more than a $250 price tag. You have to have an actual place of business (not a home), a landline phone, posted hours, etc... not very realistic for me.

Yes I am allowed 5 per year, and I might cut it close this year if I keep it up. However I can always just start transfering them in Shannons name or anyone else.

We don't have any police in Browerville, just an occasional Sheriff driving through. I doubt that anyone really knows what I'm doing.

Re: project: 2003 SSEi

Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 10:28 pm
by crzydmnd72
Besides, who is it hurting? He's an enthusiast restoring exclusively H-body cars in a specific year range, then making the ready to use H-body available to other H-body collectors at a cost that merely captures his costs and labor. There's a loophole somewhere lol. I don't see car dealer action here

Re: project: 2003 SSEi

Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 10:37 pm
by 00Beast
Problem is that he owns the cars and resells them. That makes him a dealer. All it requires is 5 title transfers out of your possession in one year to make you considered a dealer.

Re: project: 2003 SSEi

Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 10:39 pm
by RJolly87
I could see a problem if he bought a car with a failing tranny, stuck some bubble gum <or equivalent> , cleaned it up, and sold it, and when the tranny blew up he would go "all sales are final". He is not though, and the letter of the law states 5 cars in a calendar year, there is no hostile intentions, what is the problem?

Re: project: 2003 SSEi

Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 10:42 pm
by crzydmnd72
I'm not exactly sure about Oklahoma, but I have heard for years that the same kind of limit applies here, but unless it was a significant volume, it was unlikely to raise any flags. Things may have changed with all the computer systems in place nowadays though...At any rate, there are legal workarounds :)

Re: project: 2003 SSEi

Posted: Sun May 23, 2010 8:37 pm
by harofreak00
Today I worked on the ambient temp sensor problem I was having: http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... 18&t=18393

I got the Tech2 from Marty today. I swapped in another IPM and recalibrated it. Same symptoms, ugh. I was at a loss, so I gave my dad a call. I explained everything I had done and that I was stuck. His immediate thought was the wiring. I gave it a second check and was pleasently surprised to find chaffed and corroded wiring about 1' back from the connector.
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I removed the wiring harness from the car and found the wiring was actually broken in half.
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I replaced the wiring as far back as I could on the harness, all the way back to the connector.
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Then I rewrapped the entire harness.
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Installed it, and it works perfect, thanks dad!
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Also replaced the Monsoon amp, as 2 channels were blown.