Oldsmobile Aurora: Modifications

garnes1

I guess I'm a computer rube. When I signed up with the new system, it asked for a user name, but would not allow me to use the old one.

I don't even know if I have 2 accounts now. I don't think so. Heck, I followed the instructions and this is what I get. I probably followed the wrong instructions or something.

Oh well. You all know who I am.

Karen_S

...a company rep for Tirerack is now participating in Tires, Tires, Tires. His username is "tirerack", of course. :-)

mike98c

A Caddy tech that to whom I happened to mention my allergys acting up thought the 99 last model Seville air cabin filters could be retro fitted to the Auroras by cutting some plastic that bridged an opening on the Classic Auroras.

He was to busy to try and compare micro fiche between the two models but IF I get the time and ambition I might go to the jun.. er. auto reclamation center in Blaine Mn near me and see if I can do a first hand comparision. It's a lot easier to do the comparision without those goofy accessories like the engines and doors in the way anyways lol.

Henry

I finally brought the wood dash kit for my Classic. Since the Classic has not been made for 5 years, I figure I should get it now "while supplies last."

Henri

blk97aurora

Henry,

Which one did you get? Have you installed it yet? Results?

Les

hammen2

I was thinking that the Wood Dash kit would be the first thing I bought for my Aurora once she's paid off (Monday, May 5 is rapidly approaching). It's between that and saving $$$ for the Corsa...

I echo the "where did you buy it and how much did you pay for it" questions. Do you have heated seats? Does it have different wood trim for those controls? Is there a trim piece for the passenger side vent (i.e. their left knee area)? I've seen some that do, and some that don't...

--Robert
hoping his Aurora survives the 65 mph winds tonight :-(

nsollman

here's an idea i've just started knocking around in my head. i would like to illuminate the area between the two rear tail lights on my classic. a quick assessment makes it seem as though it would not be all that difficult to wire in the lights, but how i would like to have it might be next to impossible. i would like to have it illuminate as the tail lights do when the headlights are on, and perhaps even brighten with breaking as the tail lights do, but i don't want them to blink to signal a turn. anyone have any suggestions as to how or whether i could make that happen?

Henry

This has come up before. I know one Aurorite who said he was going to attempt it, but I dont know the results. If you no one ansers you directly, you can search through this discussion for the postings. The posting would be on the main Aurora board since it occured beofre the discussions were split up into an owners forum. YOu might also want to look in the archive for the postings since they may have been before Edmunds increased its capacity to handle long threads. There are Aurora and Aurora 2 threads.

Hope this helps.

Henry

http://www.exoticwooddash.com/bit3.asp

For Product, you need to select the "Flat dash kit"

Henry

I have a picture of Zinc's car with the wood dash kit. However, I dont know how to post the picture so that it shows up in the photo gallery. If someone wants to post it for me I will email them the picture.

Henri

Karen_S

Re: photo

Does the pic reside at a photo hosting site? If so, there are instructions in Town Hall Help about how to post a photo.

If the photo resides on your hard drive, it will need to be uploaded to a site that hosts photos.

Hopefully, in the near future, the Town Hall will be incorporating a feature where members can upload photos to their accounts.

Henry

The photo is on my hard drive. I am hoping that Javi, Rob, or one of the other Aurorians that have posted pictures will help me out.

Thanks

stickking1

Feel free to email the pic to my address, I'd be happy to post it for you. Just click my user name...my e-mail should be viewable there.

-Brian

Henry

I want to let my email address show also. However, every time I try to update the profile I get a system error message. Hmm, one of those RARE but famouse Edmunds bugs.

mike98c

Opinions? My silver Aurora has the dark brown center console with the light trim on the doors and dash underside. I redid the seats a few years ago (lightened the color) to better match the side panels and under dash. I'm thinking of doing the side bolsters of the front seats to match the dark chocolate of the dash top and center console.
My old hard drive self destructed a few months ago so I don't have any reference pictures to play around with in Photoshop. Any thoughts?

95mushroom

Would the chrome or the painted silver 01k+ wheels look better on my CopperMist 95?

I know the guy's (sorry forgot know's) Antelope classic looks tight with the paints, but garnes black is better with chromes. I cant find a good pic that does the color justice because none show the orange in the paint suffiently.

javidogg

Hey Henry send the pictures to me and I can also put it up for you.

Javidogg2002@yahoo.com

Peace.

Henry

I already sent them to Brian (stickking1).

stickking1

Here is the picture of the wood dash that Henri is talking about...sorry it took me a bit to get it up Henri..long day today :-)



And 95Mushroom, I have to put in a vote for the brushed aluminum wheels for your color. I just don't like the chrome for that color as much as the aluminum...I am a bit biased, since it's my car your talking about, but I really think they are the way to go. But if I had a black Aurora, I'd go with the chrome in heartbeat. Just my two cents...

-Brian

Karen_S

"every time I try to update the profile I get a system error message. Hmm, one of those RARE but famouse Edmunds bugs."

Please report this problem via the "Help" button. I had some trouble updating my profile when we switched to the new system, but I don't recall ever getting an error message.

Thanks!

mike98c

I like brushed aluminum on the lighter colors and chrome on the dark colors.

95mushroom

so would you say mines light or dark?

hammen2

After installing and liking the look of SilverStars as my headlights, when I found out that they had just come out with SilverStar fog bulbs, so I bought them ($20 ea.) in early March and installed them a week or so later.

Imagine my surprise when I noticed last night on my way home that one of the bulbs was burned out (I removed it and verified this). So, I perused Sylvania's web site, where they don't specifically mention a warranty, but provide an 800 number to call.

When I called them and mentioned my problem, they immediately asked me for a part number. When I gave it to them (ST893), they fessed up that the first few batches of these had a manufacturing defect which made them crap out. All I have to do to get replacements (they're replacing both since the other is likely to die soon) is to fax them a copy of my purchase receipt (which I've done).

The only bad news is that they are out of stock for another month or so. So, if you're considering buying these for your Aurora, I'd suggest holding out for another couple of months to make sure you get the "Revision B" units (as us geeks call bug-fix hardware revs :-)

FYI, the phone number can be found at the following URL:

http://www.sylvania.com/auto/sstar_faq.htm

Hope this helps someone,

--Robert

aurora5000

Robert,
 I bought 2 Silverstar headlights last year. They lasted 3 to 6 months. I went back to Autozone for replacement or refund and was told no refund and only 90 days on bulbs. I then bought "RJS upgrade" ( hi beam bulb in low beam socket). Also bought the "House Brand" "Valuerite" in the yellow and black package for $7.99 each. I like them a lot better than the Silverstars and have not have a bulb failure in a year.

Thanks,
Steve

95mushroom

Finally found some okay pics of my Copper Mist color. The pics are indoors so my So. FL sun doesn't turn the color more brown-orangery like it should be. I think chromes would look better in the sun but it looks like cost and availablitity are going to be the determining factors.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&cate- gory=6404&item=2474431049&rd=1

javidogg

Hey that's a beautiful color, if maintained properly.

Copper Mist and the Bronze Mist are found also on the Auroras and Intrigues too.

Peace.

Javi
Http://www.cardomain.com/id/javidogg

mike98c

I see the car has the optional 6cyl. according to the write-up! LOL. they must have the same copywriter that put an 3800L into the engine bay on the g.M. site!

I do love the color, though I can't decide which wheels though I'm leamning toward chrome.

95mushroom

If someone can help guide me to a cheap place for chromes or painted lemme know.

Also, I want opinions on tires. I wanted Eagle F1 GS-D3s but at 12k-mile expected life, I dont think so!!! I want high-performance but with longer life. About 30k-40k would be excellent.

Shawn

blk97aurora

Shawn,

There is a current eBay auction for four 2001+ non-chrome wheels; no bids yet, $500 starting bid and $550 buy-it-now.

I lucked out last year by buying four of the same wheels with center caps for $202 plus $68 shipping. They were near perfect. $550 seems like a reasonable price from what I have seen on eBay for about three years. I am in no way connected with the person who is auctioning those wheels.

As far as tires -- I am very pleased with my Continental ContiExtremeContact tires I bought August 2003. I had looked at Goodyears but was totally turned off by their extremely low tread life. My new Contis have a 400 rating. I replaced the OEM ContiTouringContact tires, rated at 360, at 61,000 miles with a safe margin of tread remaining. So I expect the new ones to last at least that long.

Since you live in Florida, you probably do not need the snow traction of my tires, so something else may make more sense.

You didn't ask about size, but I'll address that also. Stock size for 2001+ V8s is 235/55-17; stock for the Classics is 235/60-16. I decided to go with wider 255/50-17 tires. The diameter is within 1% of stock and there are no clearance problems.

Les

95mushroom

ya that was a question I had, why'd you drop a aspect ratio when you went to 255?

95mushroom

anyone know the weight is a stock 01+ 17" wheel?

blk97aurora

Shawn,

17 pounds (without center cap)

Les

95mushroom

I have pretty much made up my mind to 2 choices. The 01+'s or these 18"s on tirerack the ASA JS5. I can get the tires I want (the Eagle F1 GS-D3s) with the 18"s (255/45/18). I reread the reviews and the ones who got only <10,000 miles took them autocrossing or sounded like people who would abuse them. Someone got 30k and one said 90k but I doubt that seriously.

Any comments on the ASA JS5?

http://www.tirerack.com/upgrade_garage/WheelSearch.jsp?autoMake=O- - - ldsmobile&autoModel=Aurora&autoModClar=&autoYear=1995

rjs200240

I don't particularly like them. I'd go with the multispoke ones like the AR1, but what do I know? Your car is light-colored, right?

Henry

95mushroom

Mine's the Copper Mist but tirerack's color is off and its closer to the Bronze Mist IMO.

AR1, the mesh wheels? You guys are killing me. I not overly-fond of those. But those are only 16 spoke, maybe some true mesh, over 32, would look better. What you got to do is pick a wheel, then back up from the screen, like 4 or so feet to properly see the wheels.

I think multi-spoke rims like you're talking about RJS are too busy for the Aurora. With a car, like the Aurora, with lots of curves and lines, "plain" rims are better. As with like a Focus or Civic their plain bodies need "entertaining" rims. The JS5 with center caps too. Thats a sticking point with me is rims with tons of lug holes (JS6) for fit diff. cars.

BTW, I saw a new Sable at a boat ramp with chrome meshes. I really liked the look so maybe my theory is off.

kayaman420

I like the JS5. They are similar to what Dubya put on his car. Ive seen it and it looks great with them on. Chrome. I dont like the Mesh stuff. Reminds me of Pontiacs.

My Aurora is the Metallic Green. I was SOOOOO happy when I traded in my grey factory wheels for chrome factory wheels. Some people dont like chrome. If you want and like chrome....get chrome or you will always regret it.

Henry

I dont know if he put in his 2 cents but, the guy on the board for rims is Javi. However, his car is black.

95mushroom

I'd go with chrome but the extra $$ doesn't justify the slightly better look. Everyone has chromes here anyways so it'd be cool to be different. Esp, with those monster F1s.

javidogg

I saw the wheels that you were talking about AJA SJ5, I think for me the Aurora is got to have some five spoke sport wheels, but that pattern that your looking at, I don't think it really matches the Aurora's.

I did like the wheel Mille Miglia F20, kind of remind it me of the 300 Special M wheels. On the Aurora it would not look bad at all, those wheels I have seen on ebay all the time.

But the ASA AR1 have my vote, in chrome or silver that would still look decent, but sorry I would look into some 20 inch wheels in that style though, the Aurora has so much space in the wheel wells, it would be a shame to let the space go to waste.

For me almost anything is better than the OEM wheels that my Aurora had.

Oh yeah this is my wheel, Enkie Kapone, and their lightweight too.



Peace.
Javi
Http://www.cardomain.com/id/javidogg

javidogg

These are the wheels that I was talking about

http://cgi.msn.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&- rd=1&item=2476100676&category=38662

Here are my wheels while I cleaned them,


These is how they looked when I had finished cleaning them.



Javi

stickking1

If you are looking for a pic of his car's color, check out post #87 in the Photo Gallery....page 5, I think. He's got a couple pics in there.

95mushroom

saw a laguna blue 530i today with factory 17" mesh wheels (gray). Did not at all look bad.

You guys might want to try discounttire.com too. It uses shockwave so it gives a better picture of the Aurora. However they lack any good wheels and the colors are fake.

mike4l

I was wondering if anyone knew the weight difference between 16" and 17" oem wheels with or without tires. Thanx in advance!

95mushroom

Would 8.5" wide rims be too wide for the Aurora?

mike98c

Depends on the wheel offset. If know one else knows offhand I'd look up the offset of the current wheels and also measure how much room between that wheel and tire combo and the suspension and compare to any rims you're interested in using.

95mushroom

I'm just guessing, but isn't it a standard 38 offset for GM FWDs? (I got that off ebay so use it for what its worth).

mrdubya

i still havn't gotten pics of my rims on the car put up on cardomain....lol. i tend to put stuff off. i agree, simple 5 spoke style rims look the best on aurora's. i finally found a cleaner that cleans them up and makes them look like mirrors. its meguires or somtihing like that, im sure you've all seen it. the EAGLE stuff i had was HORRIBLE.

on the plus side, ill be putting a indash tv in, some bumps too.... and *hopefully* the lowering springs in about a month. been low on money lately, but i got a new higher paying job. kinda makes me want to get a beater so i dont have to put so many miles on it, but then id have to wait longer to put the springs in!!

javidogg

I currenlty drive on 8.5" wheels and no problems with rubbing at all. So you'll be fine doing 8.5's.

Javi
http://www.cardomain.com/id/javidogg

95mushroom

At first I only found the wheels by searching at discounttire.com by the bolt pattern (apparently there's a truck with our pattern too). The wheels where not in the "view on your car" part. Then today, I searched by the make/model thing and they where on the list, so I guess they just dont have a pic of them on "view on your car" part. So if they dont fit, it will be their problem.

The rims are Fondmetal Type 6500. I think they have just the right amount of the "busyness" to them for the Aurora.
http://discounttire.com/dtc/findWheelDetail.do?step=details&s- - ource=vehicle&index=14&productCodeIndex=65852&path=wh- - eel