Hello!

[mikehz]

Hey guys,

Been reading a vast amount of information of here, so I decided I may as well introduce myself

Name: Michael
Ride: 08 Liberty GT Spec B Wagon AT
Location: Perth, Canning Vale
Mod: Stock at the moment
Plans: turbo back exhaust, front & rear sway bars, new wheels and a tune (hopefully I stop there haha)
Occupation: number cruncher aka accountant
Year of birth: 1988
Previous Rides: have been driving an EF falcon since 2006, until my recent new purchase

Have been looking for a Liberty GT for a while now, just something about the cars that I absolutely love, so I decided to finally purchase one around a month ago. Fairly decent price for the low kms its got (47,000 when purchased). Don't know a whole lot about cars, enough to get by.. finding this forum great for relevant info.

Looking at all the members rides and what they've done has got my head spinning with what I want and what I should start with. I want to keep my car looking and sounding fairly stock, nothing ridiculous.

But a basic idea I have so far is this:

Phat GT Dump Pipes are almost a must. Just not sure how much these generally cost.

Exhaust - not entirely sure what exhaust I want. Something with a deep sound (I think this is the area where I will spend most time researching and looking around). Budget wise I'm looking for at spending around 1.5k maybe 2k for full turbo back (incl the phat dumppipe). Not really sure where most people buy their exhausts from whether it be ebay/exhaust shops/mates/wholesalers.

Tune - would like to get a kido tune seeing as how highly recommended it is. Just not sure on the whole 'street tuning' part. Will definitely be looking out for when Matt next comes to Perth.

Swaybars - Whiteline swaybars seem to be the go, most money efficient upgrade I can do for better handling. Similarly to exhausts, not sure where most people buy theirs from. Obvious places like Pedders seem to sell them, but I'm sure you can get them cheaper elsewhere.

Wheels - probably the last thing on my bucket list atm, just got a new set of tyres and I'm not after any major cosmetic mods (yet... I'm sure that will change sooner or later

Will post pics of my car sometime in the next few days.

cheers!

[agan]

Hey Michael!

Welcome to the forum - this isn't a good place for an accountant..be prepared to lose a lot of $$...

But seriously - a great forum, awesome, helpful people (though they will tempt you....).

And where do you work?? (Asking coz I'm a number cruncher too, lol).

Whilst you're at it - do come along for our next gathering if you're free and keen!

viewtopic.php?f=35&t=21637

ps. Pictures of the ride please

[mikehz]

Hey Michael!

Welcome to the forum - this isn't a good place for an accountant..be prepared to lose a lot of $$...

But seriously - a great forum, awesome, helpful people (though they will tempt you....).

And where do you work?? (Asking coz I'm a number cruncher too, lol).

Whilst you're at it - do come along for our next gathering if you're free and keen!

viewtopic.php?f=35&t=21637

ps. Pictures of the ride please

Haha yeah I'll have to be careful Looking at what other members have done makes me quite envious

I work at a local WA CPA based firm that has mainly rural clients, based in Belmont. How about you?

Yeah I'll look into that cruise... would be good to see some of the nicer cars in person and meet new like minded people

[jslayz]

Welcome,

Contact member 'Stomps' to see if he can help source some swaybars as he seemed to be able to get them at a good price.
Enjoy the site n making mods.

Hope to meet you at the next cruise.

J

[agan]

Hey Michael!

Welcome to the forum - this isn't a good place for an accountant..be prepared to lose a lot of $$...

But seriously - a great forum, awesome, helpful people (though they will tempt you....).

And where do you work?? (Asking coz I'm a number cruncher too, lol).

Whilst you're at it - do come along for our next gathering if you're free and keen!

viewtopic.php?f=35&t=21637

ps. Pictures of the ride please

Haha yeah I'll have to be careful Looking at what other members have done makes me quite envious

I work at a local WA CPA based firm that has mainly rural clients, based in Belmont. How about you?

Yeah I'll look into that cruise... would be good to see some of the nicer cars in person and meet new like minded people

Hey that's very near me... I'm just outside domestic terminal - should do a mini meet up at Belmont forum or smtg

EDIT: Just realised I didn't answer - Also work in public practice - Lawler McGillivray at Perth Airport (Alpha kew building).

[libz05]

PICS

[mikehz]

As promised
http://i.imgur.com/b1RqCya.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/CwbxGRc.jpg

Stock standard :p

[agan]

Nice. How's the mods coming along?

Go lookup Japan parts for some cusco bits if you're looking at sways. The Yen is in our favour!!

[mikehz]

I went down to Stronics a few days ago just to have a chat regarding a TBE and various other things.

I got quoted around 1.5 for an ultrex TBE, not sure what dump that is though.. apparently they've been having issues with the manufacturer with regards to fitting the auto so they're constantly going back and forwards with adjustments. But for now they have a revised version which Stronics said they will modify so that it does fit.

The other option was a Butler system with split housing in the dump for around 2.5k. Bit of a step up in price so I don't think I'll go down that road.. I also think I recall they said they've also had issues fitting the phat dump which I found quite odd

Tune wise they recommended ASG at around $1200, being an extra $300~ over the standard price because of the fly-by-wire throttle, not sure whether that's BS or not as I'm not exactly well versed with modding cars

Don't think I'm game enough for a kido tune at this stage, despite hearing all the great successes with it.. I just don't want to risk being hoonlawed

edit: Stechnic sorry.. dont know why i always get confused!

[agan]

STechnic? Yup I go there for my servicing too. Very good to deal with and know what they're talking about.

Dumps have been a problem at best - and with mine they basically modded some DP to fit mine lol.

$1.5 is pretty reasonable unless you want to go the likes of HKS and all. The PhatDump to this day I still find odd..As all our Eastern counterparts have had no problems..so I don't really understand..so in the end when they did one up for me...I didn't worry about that bit haha.

ASG is definitely good at their tunes - James (JDGT05) and Adam (MajesticCrow) can vouch. I decided to give KiDo a shot from the success stories and have not looked back since. Having said that he may have connections and possibly able to get a dyno rented for a dyno tune if you prefer that - think in his last trip here he used Mao's dyno (Evolution R or something along those lines).

Good luck with the modding, (be warned..its a slippery slope...) and looking forward to hear stories and all - hopefully see you at the June meet if not probably see you around the Belmont area sometime

[mikehz]

Yeah sorry, I meant Stechnic. They were very friendly, I scheduled in my service there in a few weeks time.

Yeah I want the peace of mind knowing that the dump will fit 100% so that's why I'll just go with what Stechnic recommend.

For now I want to get the big mods out the way with the TBE + tune, afterwards I'll look into smaller bits and pieces like lights etc (your headlights look very nice btw).

BTW, are you studying for CPA/CA atm? Got an ethics exam for CPA on Monday - finding it very hard to stay awake... hah

[agan]

Yeah have the dreaded exam on Monday - Global Strategy

Ethics ay. You should be ok. Just don't leave it right to the day before like I did. Big mistake lol.

(This forum does make it a bit harder to focus....)

Let us know if ya need any tips/horror stories when you do start modding - might as well learn fr our mistakes lol

When's your paper?

[mikehz]

Yeah, ive finished reading the whole book (well I probably skipped every 4th page or so..), got my practice exam questions printed out. seems straightforward

My exams in the morning on Monday at the convention centre... worst venue for an exam.. I was late for my audit exam because there was no parking and I had to go find some backalley Wilsons parking.. Claremont showgrounds was good last semester

[agan]

Well done mate I don't usually finish reading till the day of or before exams lol.

Yeah convention centre parking is a pain. And $25 too :/ Mines on Monday too! You must be morning paper then. All the best for the paper

[mikehz]

just a quick update....
turbo died in the last few days :O

taking it to the dealer while it is still under statutory warranty to get it fixed............. or I will ask them if they can just give me cash instead and I might get a vf52... don't like my chances though