Time to Smog the Terminator

[03_SONIC_BLUR]

Drunk tools? I resemble that remark!

Since I am struggling with a bum shoulder, I rigged a couple of cam buckle straps over the trans to hold the mid pipe in place and raise/lower it during removal and installation. I used a crows foot on the lower left nut on the intake plenum where it bolts to the supercharger. That thing is a PITA to remove and replace.

The most annoying thing about having loaded the stock tune is that &&%$@@%^ Stupid Shift Light! Argh....

[Tetge]

Drunk tools? I resemble that remark!

Since I am struggling with a bum shoulder, I rigged a couple of cam buckle straps over the trans to hold the mid pipe in place and raise/lower it during removal and installation. I used a crows foot on the lower left nut on the intake plenum where it bolts to the supercharger. That thing is a PITA to remove and replace.

The most annoying thing about having loaded the stock tune is that &&%$@@%^ Stupid Shift Light! Argh....

I used a crow's foot as well as a shorty wrench that I had a set of. It was a tiny turn at a time both to remove and install the aftermarket TB. And then I had to fool with the TPS to get its position just right. After while I got tired of wrenching on my Terminator and I was willing to pay to get at least the exhaust swapped out, or in. Even with a lift, the bolts on the manifold on the passenger side could be a real PITA.

I forgot about the shift light!

[03_SONIC_BLUR]

I had forgotten about the shift light too, until the first time that little arrow lit up

The passenger side manifold nuts were bad, with the one that requires a flex attachment being really stubborn. I shot it with PB Blaster, and it was still causing my 1/2" drive breaker bar to flex trying to get it to break loose. I reverted to an old trick my Dad taught me. It it's frozen, sometimes you have to tighten it a little to get it to break loose. Once I got it too move, getting it off was easier

[03_SONIC_BLUR]

So I had an idea this morning on getting the monitor readiness test to set the monitors and clear the dreaded P1000 code so the car could be tested. I decided that I needed a long run where there was a mix of driving under load, and unloaded decel. So I took off and drove the Grapevine to Gorman. From what I understand, the two monitors that are toughest to get to set are the EVAP monitor and a check for switching between upstream and downstream O2 sensors. Getting EVAP to set requires having between 30% and 70% of a tank of gas. I am also led to believe that the loaded accel and unloaded decel contributes to the upstream/downstream O2 sensor switching. Burning off a tank of gas on I5 to Gorman seemed like it would fit the bill, as several trips to Ventura, about 10-15 miles were not working

I can finally smog my car and get these slow pieces off of it. And reload the RET tune to shut off that silly shift light!!!!!

[Tetge]

And, even stock, after you sort of get used to it, a Terminator is still a fine open road machine. The Grapevine got nothing for any Terminator, stock or not. In fact, you can open the stocker up more often so it has its moments.

Yes, now that I think about it, to avoid future smog test issues, you should just leave your car stock in its old age, and put a piece of black electrical tape over the shift light.

[03_SONIC_BLUR]

Passed my smog test. The first question he asked was "Got any mods?". He entered the EO number from the K&N Intake, and the computer didn't reject it. So, tomorrow the re-modding begins

[Brakelate]

Funny, I too forgot about that silly upshift arrow. Man, I swear it came on at quarter throttle at like 2k RPM!

Hey, if you happen to "ugly something up" I still have a perfect, stock full blower with a mere 22k on it sitting here in a box.

That, or if you really want to silence the Auto Coyote, mod the hell out of it to your heart's desire. I know someone who happens to own land in one of the increasingly rare "Rural Exemption" zones that requires ZERO inspection (they don't even want to see what color the car is by looking through the window! ) who would love to share an address with you.

With the limited amount of miles or time that Termi sees on public roads is minimal, so no one would "dime you out" as if it were a daily driver.

Currently, I am even working on a SPF Mexico waiver that is good across all boundaries, may they be county, state, federal or international!

With the one small fee *Included with indoor storage, being that they get to be driven by yours truly about once a month, just to keep the tires from flat spotting.