My first round of mods

I have made some small mods on the car to make it more functional and improve its performance.  I have installed a Fram air hog since day 1.  I have always used Castrol Syntec 5/30 for the engine and K&N oil filters.  I picked up nice set of Borbet Type E wheels with the 5x110 bolt circle for summer and a set of Nokian Hakkapeliitta RSI's for winter.  I picked up a bra to help from rock chips and to make it easier cleaning off bugs in the summer.  I also undercoated the car on my own after masking for fuel lines, brake lines and exhaust which helped with interior noise and hopefully helped prevent more corrosion.

In summary, I don't think I'll ever buy new again.  I am perfectly happy working through problems with used vehicles.  I never expected so many problems buying new.  My Malibu is in the shop more often than the Taurus ever was.  Only on one occassion were we given a replacement vehicle while the Malibu was in for service.  Every visit to the dealer involved brake problems.

Well, I've decided to keep this car and some of the things I have looked at:

• Dropped the pan on the 4t45e transaxle (7.5L) and replaced fluid with Dexrox VI from GM ($16 per 4L).  I have noticed that using the electronically controlled shifter really increases wear.  I dropped the fluid on my buddy's 99 Old Alero 3.4L w/ 4t40e tranny and he had way less wear at 140K than I did at 60K.  I will stop using the manual shift option.
• These cars don't seem to be impacted by the GM dexcool problem w/ lower intake manifold gaskets being eaten alive. I am monitoring this situation closely.  GM recommends checking the radiator fluid at every gas fill-up.
• Upgraded the rear shocks to Monroe sensatracs which I have upgraded yet again to Monroe Max Airs MA768 (rear shocks for a 1990 Aerostar).  I run them at about 65 psi and this maintains the ride height in the rear much better.  The metal sleeve had to be heated up and pushed out because it was too tight for the Malibu mount (lowers that is).  The air lines run through the unibody and come up at the trunk.  I have a shrader valve fitting on the lower right side of the trunk jam.
• Removed the stock air box and replaced with an RActive 3" cone filter and removed the intake resonator in the passenger fender.  Notice how I took a sliver of black busted broom handle and used that to mount the air conditioning line so that it's not just floating.  The other engine bay shot shows the ground leads they replaced (brass vs. silver - three in a row on the front of the driver's side).
• I have a new catback exhaust installed now for the epsilon-based G6 sedan.   I also have a set of obxracing headers installed now and a backup ECM so I can send mine in the mail next summer to get programmed for the high flow intake, exhaust setup and take out the check engine light from comparing the upstream and downstream O2 sensors.  I also have a set of redline racing hood struts.  I'm also working on stripping down my summer Borbet wheels to the aluminum and getting them all polished up.
• I have had the brembo high carbon rotors and akebono ceramic proact pads now for over 40K and absolutely love them.  They really cut down my braking distances, don't dust as much, and are still quiet.

Here are some pics: