New SHO owner

[lejeunebimmer]

Hello all,

I picked up my CPO Ruby Red 2014 SHO with PP earlier this month with 10k miles. Loving it so far, I've already converted the factory recirc valves to vta and it really made it more pleasurable to drive. My wife wanted to know if I could make her '12 Edge (3.5) do it, lol.
Coming from a very heavily modified BMW 330i that I had setup for road courses/Autox, I am thoroughly surprised at just how well this car handles for being 4400lbs and stock! It seriously handles 95% as well as the Bimmer (less connected to the road though) at twice the comfort of mine!

Anyway, couple of quick questions:
1) For whenever I do down pipes if I choose to go non-catted I know that Livernois can turn the monitoring off for the post-cat 02's, but will I still get a MIL for the post cat 02 heater circuits? I ask because on my BMW I still threw codes for the heater circuits even after turning monitoring off, and having brand new rear 02's plugged in just to make sure the circuit was complete. Also, yes I know these are for "off-road" use only, and no my state does not have any emissions inspections; just wanted to get my disclaimer out there.

2) RX catch can and oil separator, or just do BG services every 15k or so?

3) On BMW's they would routinely blow the stock shocks and struts (same multi link rear, and McPhearson front as the SHO) if used with lowering springs so we always upgraded dampers when lowering. With the despicable absence of any good aftermarket dampers (koni, Bilstein, AST, etc...) has there been any instances of this happening of the SHO's? For those with H&R and PP how has the ride been?

4) These cars are CANBUS correct? I ask for when I do LED license plate lamps, and reverse lights.

I think that's it, and thanks in advance!

[SHOdded]

Welcome to EBPF, lejeune, glad to have you and your '14 SHO here!  Quite a compliment to the SHO, equating performance to the BMW   Yeah, too bad they haven't made the engine available in the Edge, tho a 2.7EB is forthcoming in the '15 MY.

Not sure on the MIL, but the only real advantage of non-catted is the initial cost.  Power/performance is almost exactly the same (thank you, hi-flow cats).

Experience with catch cans has been mixed.  Some people get a lot of condensate, some don't get any.  Check your intake, turbos, and CAC/IC for oil deposits.  If there's anything but a light coating, any pools forming, a catch can system MAY help.  If fairly clean, I would get BG (or similar) DI services done, and inspect the back of the intake valves with a boroscope, regularly.

There have been a few instances of shock blowouts, especially with lowering springs, but not very common.  More often, you will get a little bit of creaking or a bit of clinking if the springs don't seat quite right.  The need for a proper alignment after installation goes without saying.  But the best choice is lowering springs right now for the '13+, hopefully Megan will resume work on their coilovers for the '13+ very soon.

CANBUS:  I will defer to the experience of those who have installed LED lighting (geswek, BiGMac, ShoBoat, BigPelo, etc.)

And I gotta ask for pics   The Bimmer too if you will.

[ZSHO]

Welcome aboard partner and another ruby red SHO,post some pics of the ride and good luck with the new ride,by the way you mentioned DP ,speak with 4DRHTRD HE IS A VENDOR HERE and will SHO you the way to go,and also have a BMW 740 with Magnaflow exhaust&converters,lowered the car with Bilstein&Eibach springs,front swaybar,custom CAI and Borbet&Conti tires 255-35-20,both cars about the same weight and the SHO will blow its doors off and welcome.

[SwampRat]

Welcome to EBPF !

Give EcoPower Parts a look for great performace mod stuff ...

http://ecopowerparts.com/shop/

Lots of good people and info here

[PokerMunkee]

Welcome!

I'd recommend buying the LED puddle lights here: http://drivebright.com/home/shop/5w-cree-led-puddle-light-pack/

They come with the LED license plate lights at no extra cost, so it's the best way to go IMO.  Then you can get the interior kit for $35 at hidxenonlights.com for everything else.  They also sell reverse LEDs there.

Get the PPE (site sponsor) catted DPs.  Hardly a noticeable difference from non catted in power and you won't smell fumes  and save a tree or two.  A number of non catted guys seeing smoke coming out of the pipes, most people blaming the seals in the turbos.  I'd go catted DP with a Corsa catback exhaust.    That's my plan, already have the Corsa.

[lejeunebimmer]

Thank you all for the suggestions and info, and the warm welcome. So catted down pipes it is then. As I wouldn't even be looking to do springs for a while I'll just hold out and hope that Koni or Bilstein comes out with some dampers for it.  Yeah that kind of sucks that the Edge couldn't get the 3.5 ecoboost. Honestly though the N/A 3.5 is enough to do the job in it. Even with AWD and the optional 20" wheels.

As requested a few photos of the bimmer, and some to give you an idea of how modified it was. Also the one I have of the SHO so far.