Hey, welcome to the forum Malchorian. You seem like a well spoken guy so you should get along very nicely here. I see you've already met Vadim. Just like him, I'm also a computer guy turned car nut. =]
Originally Posted by
Tommyditch the chrome trim on the fenders
x2
Originally Posted by
TommyThen, I would get a pop-chargerThis is one of the most confusing things to say to newbs. It's a name for an item that doesn't really exist for other cars. Malchorian, a "pop charger" is a replacement for the stock air box/filter. It contains an adapter that bolts onto your MAF (air meter) and incorporates a smooth "horn" for less restrictive flow for the intake. A large filter element (6") is clamped onto the horn to finish it off. This is what a pop charger is. Jim Wolf Technologies (JWT) makes them for the most part (although other companies have in the past). It's a good modification, and falls into the Warm Air Intake (WAI) category. It's an intake that removes restrictions, but doesn't go as far as Cold Air Intakes (CAI) do, meaning it still gets warm air from inside the engine bay, instead of cold air from outside of it.
Originally Posted by
TommyIf you remove the valve-cover you might as well throw a highport intake cam in their for a little more HP.I wouldn't do anything like a cam upgrade just yet. Don't bother with any of that, you're still just starting out. If you do decide to take your valve cover off and/or replace or paint it, don't worry about doing cams just yet.
Originally Posted by
Malchorian What on Earth is a PCV valve?It stands for Positive Crankcase Ventilation and it's designed to keep fumes out of the crankcase. Basically, while you're idling, the intake sucks in the fumes from inside the oiled sections of the engine (crank case and valve train area) adding them to the combustion in the cylinder, and expelling them through the exhaust. It's a series of tubes (vacuum lines), valves and oil separators connecting from the block, valve cover and intake.
Originally Posted by
Malchorian What is this advance timing you speak of as well?They are talking about ignition (spark) timing. Best thing to do is read about it here
http://www.se-r.net/car_info/engine_performance_tuning.html#Timing
Originally Posted by
Malchorian There isn't much I need under the valve cover, is there? I never quite opened one before.Don't bother with that right now. You can open the oil filler cap and shine a light in there to get an idea of how often the oil had been changed in the past. No need to take the valve cover off now or any time soon.
Originally Posted by
Malchorian Is there a way to change the horn for a different sound? I would like something a little louder... it's a little... too quiet.Yes, this is very common actually. Some go all out with air horns (I have them, and wouldn't really recommend them) but the X-Terra horn is popular... Really, any horn will do. get a Volvo horn (serious business) or something you like the sound of. It's very simple to swap something like that.
Originally Posted by
Malchorian Oh, and are there any clear like tail lights for this car?Don't do it man!
Originally Posted by
Malchorian What would every suggest to replace the chrome on the fenders? I'm not even sure if that's stock or not. To be honest, I never even quite noticed it until Tommy brought it to my attention. Truthfully, after staring at it... it kinda does need to go.Yes, they have to go. Hopefully they weren't put on there to cover up rust. If they were, you're sort of in trouble. If there's no rust, just take them off and call it a day.