My new ride

[philvb]

Finally got around to taking some pics of my 2005 GA. Only mods on it are the vent visors and the stone/bug deflector. As I know many of you hate those two things, please understand that I drive 160 miles each weekend on the highway. Fresh air without the noise, and a nearly bug/stone chip free windshield are essential. Although Idaho requires a front plate, at least the main color on the plate is a dead on match to the car's color.

http://i3.tinypic.com/xcj6e1.jpg


http://i1.tinypic.com/xcj8yd.jpg


http://i1.tinypic.com/xcjbed.jpg


http://i2.tinypic.com/xcjcky.jpg

I've listed some of the mods I would like to complete in the next 6 months to a year. Was wondering if I could get your opnions on them.

Completed Mods:
AVS Ventvisors
AVS Carflector

Mods in the works:
Interior -
30% tint – Front/back side windows and rear window (no tint allowed on windshield in Idaho) ($180+)
Wheelskins leather steering wheel cover ($34.95+)
Auto-dimming/Temperature/Compass rearview mirror with map lights ($249+)
Steering wheel ring overlay ($5+)
Steering wheel inlay ($5+)
New stereo

Exterior -
Altezza TYC Black Taillights ($219.95+)
Black housing headlights ($219.95+)
Tire Rack ASA AR1 rims (Black w/Mach lip) ($876+)
Sprint performance suspension lowering springs ($214.95+)
Two post mirrors (painted to match body) ($134.99+)
Curved cut rear window eyebrow ($35+)
Black window molding overlay (to cover the chrome molding left over after install of ventvisors) ($25+)
Sunroof
New tires
Grand Am Owners Club decal (for lower back window) ($7+)
Rear bumper inlay ($13+)
Splash guards ($38+)
Shaved V6 and Grand Am badges

Engine –
Cold air intake ($179.95+)
Borla Cat back exhaust system ($679.95+)

[levey]

Looks good dude.
I'm not a big fan of uni-brows. But it's your car. And if you like it. My opinion means nuts. :D

[phattymcgee]

The car looks good. It kind of sounds like you are planning on getting alot of those sticker/overlay things. Thats cool if you like them, but in my opinion they are kind of a waste of money.

[ManktheTank19]

Car looks nice and clean :)

[kody]

Car looks good, identical to mine only I have a '03 with Greystone Metallic paint. I'll be putting tint on this summer but that'll probably be it, can't really afford any other mods but I like it the way it is already. Keep us posted on your mods, it'll be cool to track your progress. :cool:

[philvb]

Thanks for the comments. I'll post pics when I make the additional mods, a few at a time. As far as the stickers/overlays, the only ones that I have really looked at, are for the pontiac inlay on the bumper, and the steering wheel overlays. The black molding one is just to cover up the left over chrome trim, as the visors cover up the top portion of the window line. The rear window eyebrow was listed because I read on the board that after tinting, the dot matrix back there looks nasty. The GAOC decal is just because I think this place is the best resource for GA owners.

Any ideas/suggestions as far as a sunroof? Will do a search on the board. Just kinda curious as the dome light seems to be right in the way of that kind of thing.

[levey]

I noticed "sunroof" in your list of things to do. Do you have any idea how much that will cost ya?

[philvb]

I did a search on the net for sunroofs, and found a few manufacturers, who then list certified installers. Only problem is that the closest ones are in Boise. Now that's not a big deal, but kinda leary of getting a major mod like that out of town, would rather find something closer, but also don't want to sacrifice quality for a close location. Oh yeah, and none of the sites give a damn price, or at least a ball park figure. :mad:

['96GAGT]

Originally posted by levey
Looks good dude.
I'm not a big fan of uni-brows. But it's your car. And if you like it. My opinion means nuts. :D


HAHA he said Uni-Brow... haha.. BUT in other things the mods you have planned out seem to be in good order lets see them once they're installed.

[Dargasonus]

Just some ideas :D



Mods in the works:
Interior -
Wheelskins leather steering wheel cover ($34.95+)

`I don't really care for steering wheel covers, but if you get one, make sure to get it in the color your planning on doing your accents in.

Steering wheel ring overlay ($5+)
Steering wheel inlay ($5+)

`I wouldn't buy those inlays if I were you, but if you do make sure and don't get funky colors!!

Exterior -
Altezza TYC Black Taillights ($219.95+)
Black housing headlights ($219.95+)

`Check ebay, Im entirely sure you can get them for less than 200.

Sprint performance suspension lowering springs ($214.95+)

`Keep in mind you'll hafta get new struts eventually when making a drop.

Engine –
Cold air intake ($179.95+)

`I got my CAI on ebay..$100 shipped and it's just as good as any of these 'name brands'

Borla Cat back exhaust system ($679.95+)

`Borlas just a name brand..I don't think it will be as loud as your looking for.

[philvb]

Originally posted by Dargasonus
Just some ideas :D I don't really care for steering wheel covers, but if you get one, make sure to get it in the color your planning on doing your accents in.
The interior is tan with black. Was thinking possibly a maroon/dark red with black. Don't know, will have to take a closer look at the colors they offer. Might just go with all black if I can't get the right color combination.

I wouldn't buy those inlays if I were you, but if you do make sure and don't get funky colors!!
You're probably right. If I go with the steering wheel cover, I think the inlays/overlays would be overkill and tacky.

Check ebay, Im entirely sure you can get them for less than 200.
Your exactly right, thanks for the tip. Found them for around $188, with shipping.

Keep in mind you'll hafta get new struts eventually when making a drop.
Didn't figure that in, thanks for pointing that out.

I got my CAI on ebay..$100 shipped and it's just as good as any of these 'name brands'
Cool, will check for them.

Borlas just a name brand..I don't think it will be as loud as your looking for.
I'm not looking for a cheesy, ricey sound. Something with a good low hum to it would be nice. Any suggestions?

[philvb]

First off, I make no claims to knowing how to modify/edit photos...with that in mind, I used the only graphics program I have now, a freebie called PhotoPlus. Just wanted to kinda "sketch" what my car will look like with the following mods:

Tinted windows
ASA AR1 Rims
Altezza TYC Black Taillights
Black/tinted headlight/marker overlay
V6 Badges shaved
Low profile tires
Suspension lowering springs / struts
Touch up black paint on key hole

Again, the after photo is crude, but it's just to get an idea of the look.

http://i1.tinypic.com/xdfkuu.jpg

http://i3.tinypic.com/xdsgh0.jpg

[03grandam]

Not bad. As far as the dome light being in the way,if your getting the rearview mirror with the lights in it then you shouldnt need the dome light.Or you could try relocating it back farther if you really need it. Imo, i would take it out,lol.
Btw not a bad chop.

[philvb]

Originally posted by 03grandam
Not bad. As far as the dome light being in the way,if your getting the rearview mirror with the lights in it then you shouldnt need the dome light.Or you could try relocating it back farther if you really need it. Imo, i would take it out,lol.
I see what you mean, I would rather try to relocate it. Granted, I don't carry more than my girlfriend and myself in my car, but would be nice to have some light back there. Those map lights are really just for the front seats.

Btw not a bad chop.
Thanks :)

[03grandam]

You could also try and find a couple of smaller map lights and put one on each side in the back.Just an idea. That way it would do away with that BIG dome light.

[philvb]

Originally posted by 03grandam
You could also try and find a couple of smaller map lights and put one on each side in the back.Just an idea. That way it would do away with that BIG dome light.
True, good point. Will have to look into that.

[philvb]

One thing I wanted to say about my choice of black as the other color in combination with the body color...The main reason I have always found Grand Ams to be sexy, are the curves of the body. By utilizing black, it really brings them out, as the focus is not on the rims, or the taillights, etc., but on the natural flow of the vehicle.

[Dboucher]

For the muffler go with Flowmaster. I just got a 80 series for mine and sounds sooo nice. Didn't cut out resonator or anything and its as a nice low tone to it ( V8ish ). And just cost me $130 CND for the muffler itself and another $110 instal (SS piping).

['96GAGT]

Don't know how I could have missed that before..
you may want to upgrade to double post mirrors.

[Bouchie11982]

for the headlight, you might want to change that side reflector to white :) there is no black reflector on those headlights.....*cough* check mine out below. overall the 'after' picture looks good. i have a borla exhuast as well and it isn't loud, but it is loud enouh to know tat it isn't stock....i that makes any sense :)

[Bjornboy81]

Originally posted by Bouchie11982
for the headlight, you might want to change that side reflector to white :) there is no black reflector on those headlights.....*cough* check mine out below. *cough* black vinyl overlays *cough*;)

Looks good man. One question though...I thought the only GA's made for the '05 model year were coupe GT's and 2.4L SE's...how do you have a V6 SE '05???

[RedFireUFO]

looks nice.. paint is awesome.. interested to see how the modding goes for you. :)

[miamia27]

dam thats a sweet. car. what color is that? looks red/orange to me but maybe thats the light catching it.

[b2089]

http://www.jcwhitney.com/wcsstore/jcwhitney/images/imagecache/I_147663_SW_1.gif (http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ItemBrowse/c-10101/s-10101/p-100000167568/mediaCode-ZX/appId-100000167568/Pr-p_CATENTRY_ID:100000167568)

Click the the picture. If you are going to put in a sunroof you'll need to move the dome light. On cars with it the dome light is behind it and there are lights on the mirror for the front. Since you need to move the thing you may as well upgrade while you are at it. This light has a dome light and two map lights that turn, so you won't need more.

Putting in a sunroof is doable, but it's not an easy thing and it requires careful cutting of the roof. You must have custom shops in the area or a body shop that does good custom work, ask them for a price guestimate.

[philvb]

While I got my windows tinted last summer, I never posted updated pics of her, so here they are. Granted, I have a long way to go in regards to upgrades, but every little bit counts. Idaho law is anal about window tinting, so they are not as dark as I would like, but as dark as legally allowed.

Also, these pics were taken after I washed her today, but no recent wax. The last wax she got was back in September. Used Meguiars paint cleaner, polish, carnauba wax, and finally NXT generation tech wax. Takes about 4-5 hours, but worth it for the incredibly deep and long lasting high gloss shine.

http://i13.tinypic.com/314wd5i.jpg

http://i16.tinypic.com/2jb5moo.jpg

http://i16.tinypic.com/2hriatd.jpg

http://i15.tinypic.com/40m90kx.jpg