Learned'd VIII: Less Bewbs, Same Nonsense

[Kompresshun]

I enjoy my XB1 quite a bit, but my wife gets more use out of it than I do. It's a HUGE time suck, so eventually I started doing other things because like you mentioned I felt like I could be doing something more productive with my time. Plus you'll sink a lot of money into it quickly. Now don't get me wrong though - I am very glad we got one and we get a lot of use out of it. It's also very useful as a media center and can function as one central point for your TV and home theater systems. I switch on the Xbox and everything comes on. A simple command brings up live TV and you can control it from there. To me that's all novelties though.

Destiny and Forza are both amazing to play though. I spent almost the entire weekend playing Forza Horizon 2 and still have barely scratched the surface of what is to be done in the game.

I tried picking model cars up again, but I just don't have the patience or a good work area to build them. I have two sitting out in the garage that need to be finished and I could rush through to get them done, but i'm never happy when I do that.

What i've been doing with my free time is watching a lot of videos on automotive detailing, body work, and ect. lately. I want to teach myself as many new skills as possible, since I really want to create a side business for myself down the road as i've mentioned before. I want to pick up a welder next year then also some body repair and detailing tools. Welding is definitely a skill worth picking up IMHO. It can be beneficial in many different ways.

[frapjap]

You're right about the xbox doing it all. We use it for tv, some music, and dvd on occasion. The 1 looks pretty sweet, I think Lindsey may get one around xmas.

Has anyone played the Alien:isolation game? I was playing the demo on the xbox home page last night and got frustrated with some of the logic puzzles.

Body work is fun. Its an awesome skill to pick up, too. It can help you flip cars with cosmetic blemishes, or, like you said, aid your knowledge in paint less dent repair. However, some of the stuff a real body person can do is impressive- smashed in B pillars and quarter panels, getting the old smashed panels off with out hurting everything else around it, etc. I compare it to being an artist looking at a block of marble trying to find the shape. The guy I worked with on the Trans Am just laughed when I brought that up.

[WDRacing]

I enjoy gaming on the PC much more than a console. I dislike the Xbox controller, the PS is better for me. I have both and use neither. Wii actually gets more use these days.

[Kompresshun]

Mornin' gents.

You're right about the xbox doing it all. We use it for tv, some music, and dvd on occasion. The 1 looks pretty sweet, I think Lindsey may get one around xmas.

Has anyone played the Alien:isolation game? I was playing the demo on the xbox home page last night and got frustrated with some of the logic puzzles.

Body work is fun. Its an awesome skill to pick up, too. It can help you flip cars with cosmetic blemishes, or, like you said, aid your knowledge in paint less dent repair. However, some of the stuff a real body person can do is impressive- smashed in B pillars and quarter panels, getting the old smashed panels off with out hurting everything else around it, etc. I compare it to being an artist looking at a block of marble trying to find the shape. The guy I worked with on the Trans Am just laughed when I brought that up.

Oh the Xbox 360 doesn't even scratch the surface of what the XB1 can do. I honestly don't even use all of the features myself, but considering how much they've dropped in price they are a much better buy now than they were. I bought one back when they were still $499 and thought I was getting it at a steal for $450. Now you can pick them up for less than $400

I haven't played the Alien game yet. I noticed last night that they have a bunch of games on sale on the XB360 though that you can buy right through the system. I picked up Injustice: Gods Among Us for $6 last night on there.

Body work and detailing is going to be my major focus, but I really want to learn more about metal fabrication as well. I also want to eventually learn how to do fine detail stuff like pinstriping by hand and ect. Basically I want to start with paintless dent repair and detailing, then expand from there. Then my tentative plan is 10 years from now have my own business up and running doing that then maybe flip some cars here and there as well. It may never grow to be more than a part-time gig, but i'm totally cool with that if it doesn't.

[RicerX]

I'm buying a Forzabox... I mean XBox One only because Forza does not exist on the Playstation platform. I can't get one until after the wedding is paid for though. Ugh.

My PS4 is the s***. I'm currently wrecking NHL 15 on it. I just finished Watch Dogs (everyone needs to play that game - I believe it's on the xbox as well.)

Chris - if you're a DC fan at all, Injustice's story mode is REALLY neat.

[Kompresshun]

I honestly came very close to getting a PS4 instead, but the only reason I didn't was for the sake of Titanfall and Forza. That and i've been loyal to Xbox since it began. Forza>Gran Turismo.

I will say I was greatly disappointed with Forza 5 in comparison to previous titles. It's still an excellent racing game, but it really was lacking vehicle selection in comparison to Forza 4. Now, Forza Horizon 2 has been freakin' amazing so far.

I've been dying to play Injustice and i've heard it's pretty awesome, so I can't wait to sit down and play it. I just got done playing the Deadpool game a couple of weeks ago, so I needed something new anyways. I'll probably pick up the Batman Arkham games, because they're on sale right now too. I played the first one and it rocked.

[frapjap]

The Miata is close to living! Just needs the turbo bolted up, the radiator hoses reattached, the coolant flushed, and the oil drained and away it will go!

All in all, I could do 4 miatas in the time it took me to do that Legacy.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Just buttoned up the trainwreck mustang. Still doesn't shift right in D.

Might whip up a special solenoid tomorrow at work for higher pressure operation and slap it in there.

[Kompresshun]

That's awesome news on the Miata Ray! So I guess I shouldn't be worried about doing my head gasket myself this winter?

James - I wish I could just "whip up" a special solenoid while i'm at work. Maybe you can come up with a fix for Ford's crappy transmissions too!

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Which Ford trans?

We already make a replacement (and better than OE) solenoid for 5R55 transmissions.

We are THE benchmark for 42-48RE dodge transmissions too. I co-developed that solenoid with 1 other dude, and we now have over 90% of the aftermarket marketshare. Hell, Mopar is picking up the design.

We were the OE suppliers for all GM F4 transmissions, and all ford AODE variants (including the 4R70W that is in the 'stang), so utilizing the ~$1,000,000 worth of assembly and test equipment is nice. Almost makes me want to buy an Automatic....

[Kompresshun]

Oh how I wish I knew you when I had my Mustangs. I've never driven an AODE that didn't slip at least when cold. Not just a little slip either... Full on hunting for second gear.

[frapjap]

I hear ya on the AOD transmissions, Chris. A friend of mine bought one brand spankin' new. First thing it did every morning? SLIP. Like a f***.

Definitely don't be afraid of doing your own head gasket on the Miata. Its pretty damned simple and painless. However, do not torque the valve cover bolts to the 48 or whatever ft/lbs the manual says to or you'll snap one. The threads are still holding down the cover into the head on one of the center bolts between the #3/4 spark plugs, but that could've been worse.

[WDRacing]

I've been very lucky with automatic transmissions, all Chevy or Nissan though.

[frapjap]

Me too. The only one that slipped was a REALLY worn out Chevy Prism (corolla) with 250k+ miles on it.

[Kompresshun]

I'm honestly not all that worried about doing the head gasket, but I still get a little nervous digging into motors. I figure the worst I can do is screw it up though and 1.6's are dirt cheap anyways

Yeah, i've had pretty decent luck with automatics too aside from the white Maxima. Some of them may have slipped a little, but for the most part they all held up fine.

I'm actually working on fabbing up one of these bike mounts for the Pathy tonight:



I really don't want to drop the cash on a hitch bike rack right now and I don't really like dealing with a rooftop carrier, so this one should cost about $20 total to make. I'm hoping to hit a few trails while we're on vacation next week, so this is an easy way to transport the bike there on the cheap and it not take up all of our luggage space

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Nice. I'm planning on making a super simple one for my truck too

[Kompresshun]

I'm not doing the fancy aluminum in mine. I'm using a scrap piece of 2x4 from the shop, but I did spring for a nice fork mount to screw into it. Basically the board will be cut where I can wedge it in the back. It seems like that's what most people are doing, so i'm gonna go that route first. I like cheap solutions anyways.

[frapjap]

Thats a cool little rig.

Where are y'all going on vacation?

[Kompresshun]

Heading to Gatlinburg, TN for a few days with the in-laws. I figure i'll need an excuse to escape the madness, so I thought taking the mountain bike would be a good excuse to get out of the cabin for an afternoon.

I think I might adventure off to here too while i'm there and see what the Pathy will do

http://www.outdoorsinthesmokies.com/off ... icles.html

[WDRacing]

I figure i'll need an excuse to escape the madness, so I thought taking the mountain bike would be a good excuse

[frapjap]

That sounds awesome. Bring a backpack with a couple of beers with you to, you know, enjoy the scenic overlooks!

Finally Friday. Date night has been instituted on Fridays now. Going to have to get reallllllllll creative.

[Kompresshun]

I intend on stocking up on Yuengling while i'm there, so I may enjoy a couple while i'm there

Yeah i'm pretty sure we've never had a designated date night, even before the kid. Now we're lucky to get 2-3 date nights per year.

[WDRacing]

Give Yuengling Light a try while you're there dude. It's my go-to beer these days. Tons of flavor and only 99 Cals. I'd venture to say it's the best light beer I've had to date...and I've tried LOTS of beer.

[numbnuts240]

they finally started selling yuengling here on monday (bars and restaurants had it over the weekend). i'm so happy right now.

[frapjap]

Give Yuengling Light a try while you're there dude. It's my go-to beer these days. Tons of flavor and only 99 Cals. I'd venture to say it's the best light beer I've had to date...and I've tried LOTS of beer.

This.

And when I have regular Yuengling, its even more amazing.
Plus, I get kinda wobbly after 4-5 regular yuenglings and remain perfectly capable of most anything drinking the Light. Its neat to not have to sacrifice the taste for calories.

they finally started selling yuengling here on monday (bars and restaurants had it over the weekend). i'm so happy right now.

About goddamned time! Wish they had it last weekend at Marks wedding. I drank Coors Light instead.

[frapjap]

Miata is good to go. All went smoothly until I started the engine and I had A LOT of noise from the valve cover and weeping oil in a continuous stream. Unknown to me, the place that decked the head undid the retainers on the exhaust cam causing the cam seal to pull out and pour oil down the front of the block. I got the pleasure of doing the timing belt again and popping in a new cam seal. All is well now.
Adjusted the timing, bled the coolant, took the car on a 30 mile ride Saturday night and all was well. Took it to work today, to confirm operations and to enjoy BOOST SEASON a little bit before it gets sold.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I basically just did everything you did, minus pulling the head.

I still have this god forsaken noise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQRj5Jy ... e=youtu.be

[Dattebayo]

I found a new toy for the ricers out there...

http://vimeo.com/102641140

[frapjap]

That is a weird clacking noise. Did you end up pulling all the cam bearings/retainers?
It almost sounds like an exhaust leak at the head/manifold.
Can you hear the noise while its trying to start first thing, too?

Might be time to pull the head and see if you have any valve issues, though it sucks to have to buy another head gasket.
I wonder if you've got a crank shaft that is cracked or compromised. The rest of the bottom end is forged, right?

[numbnuts240]

I found a new toy for the ricers out there...

http://vimeo.com/102641140

well call me risotto, because i want that.