Well I've finally got a VE. I'm not driving it yet because there's plenty of things I'd like to have done before I start having some fun with it. I got lots to swap over from my VG. After 3 years with my VG I kinda feel like a noob around this VE.

Grounding the VTCs:
I grounded the yellow wire but I still get the clacking. Is there anything I could've forgotten to do? Or are the VTCs just that screwed? I will likely rebuild the VTCs within the next two months but if I can quiet this damn thing down for a while, I'll be much happier.

Knock Sensor:
The car really lacks power until about 3000rpms and up. I haven't tested the knock sensor yet but if I do and it turns out to be bad. What's recommended; replace the sensor (plus harness if bad) or just wire in a resistor?

The engine will be coming out of the car sometime next month and I'll be doing some preventative maintenance on it.
So far I'll be replacing:
Water Pump & Thermostat
Front & Rear Main Seal
Belts (if needed)
Coolant & Rad Hoses
Oil Pan Seals
Manifold Studs

Seeing as the VTCs will be taken out and likely something done with the knock sensor I'll also be replacing:
Rocker Cover Gaskets
Injector O-rings (inside the rail)
Fuel Rail Hoses
Vaccum Lines

Anything else I'm forgetting?
Suggestions are appreciated.

 

clean out your throttle body...made a huge difference in my car since i had 150,000 miles on it....my throttle response improved amazingly

 

exh man studs. You forgot the lower intak man gaskets ($!!) You should just read the sticky about the jdm swap.

 

OMG
i completely forgot about them.
good point, i'll check out the jdm ve swap sticky.
thx

 

If you are going to do all of that work, definitely put in a new KS and not use the resistor.

Sometimes VTCs are so far gone, they clack even when grounded. When I grounded mine, they still did it on occasion. It also screwed up my idle, so I ungrounded them and let them be noisy.

 

When you do the KS, don't forget the subharness b/c thats whats corroding.

On the VTC grounding, you should check that the terminals on the solenoid for corrosion. Also some solenoids crack internally and leak oil into the area where the terminals are.

 

Courtesy just sells it as a kit. Subharness and KS together. I would get it from them, unless you have a decent stealership near you.

When I called my local stealership, those fluckers tried to argue with me that there is no such thing as a KS subharness (or harness). They would only sell me the entire wiring harness for the whole freaking car. I told them I know there is one and I would be buying mine from a dealership that actually knew about the parts they were selling.

 

thanks guys.

red,
i get 15% at a few dealers near me so i'll likely get the ks and sub harness. get it over with once and for all hopefully. i'll un-grround the vtcs today or tomorrow seeing as it makes no difference.