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Inside the Shop: Winter 2024 Installs at FAPAUTO

4 min read

A yellow C8 Corvette with a rear wing, lit by its tail lights inside the FAPAUTO shop

Winter is install season. The cars come off the street and up on the lifts, and that's where the club spent a good part of early 2024, filming what came through our sponsor FAPAUTO's doors in New Jersey. Here's the roundup, each with the original reel.

Hybrid Racing short shifter on an FK8 Civic Type R

A short shifter cuts the distance the lever travels between gears, so shifts are quicker and feel more positive. This one went into an FK8:

Hybrid Racing short shifter install on an FK8, enjoy. Thanks @kevi_bdd for trusting us with your baby!

The FK8 short shifter install on Instagram Watch on Instagram
@redlined.cc · Jan 17, 2024

Whiteline control arms on a GD STI

Fresh control arms for a Subaru Impreza STI, greased up before they went in. Control arms locate the wheel, and aftermarket ones like these are usually about firmer bushings and, on lowered cars, correcting geometry. (More on why lowering changes geometry in our alignment lesson.)

Lubing up Whiteline control arms for the Subaru Impreza STI GD. Full install is on YT.

The STI control arms on Instagram Watch on Instagram
@redlined.cc · Feb 2, 2024

Wing or no wing? A C8 Corvette

This patient was at the shop for a wing install. Personally I like it without the wing, but that's just my take on it.

Where do you stand? The comments on the original are still open.

The C8 wing install on Instagram Watch on Instagram
@redlined.cc · Jan 31, 2024

A Porsche Macan exhaust

The glamorous side of the job, from underneath a Macan:

Doesn't matter what you do with your eyes, you still get dirt in them. For installation services and performance parts, come to @fapauto.

The Macan exhaust on Instagram Watch on Instagram
@redlined.cc · Jan 10, 2024

A Seibon carbon hood

A while back @seiboncarbon sent us a hood. Let me know if you are curious about how we got to the point in the video.

The Seibon hood on Instagram Watch on Instagram
@redlined.cc · Jul 25, 2024

A day in the life at FAPAUTO

Day in the life at FAPauto, we do what we love and make our community happy! We are Jersey's finest.

Starring @qbshurafa, with a Porsche 911 from @livelikehabibi and, in the background, @xrayman_44's Corvette.

A day at FAPAUTO on Instagram Watch on Instagram
@redlined.cc · Feb 10, 2024

Before you book your own install

Every one of these jobs went smoothly because of what happened before the car arrived. If you're planning a winter project, a few things save time and money:

  • Buy parts for your exact chassis. "Fits Civic" isn't the same as "fits FK8." Year, trim and drivetrain change mounting points, and many parts are chassis-specific.
  • Plan the follow-on work. Suspension parts like control arms change alignment, so book one right after. Exhausts may need new gaskets and hangers. A wing needs to be mounted to a structure that can take the load at speed, not just the trunk skin.
  • Ask about the old parts. Keep factory parts if you might sell the car or go back to stock; they're often worth more on resale than people expect.
  • Check the rules where you drive. Loud exhausts and some lighting can bring tickets or inspection trouble depending on your state and town. Ask the shop what's sensible before you buy, not after.

What each mod actually changes

  • Short shifter: shorter throws and a more positive feel. Stiffer bushings can add a little notchiness and vibration in the lever; that's the trade.
  • Aftermarket control arms: usually stiffer bushings for sharper response, and on lowered cars, adjustability to correct camber or caster.
  • Rear wing: real downforce only if it's designed and mounted for it; otherwise it's styling. Both are fine, just know which one you're buying.
  • Exhaust: sound first, sometimes a little power and weight saving. Drone at highway speed is the most common regret, so listen to a clip of your exact setup if you can.
  • Carbon hood: saves weight at the front of the car and changes the look. Check how it latches and whether it needs hood pins, and keep its clear coat protected from the sun.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a short shifter do?

It shortens the distance the gear lever travels between gears, making shifts quicker and more positive. Stiffer bushings can add some vibration or notchiness.

Do I need an alignment after replacing control arms?

Yes. Control arms locate the wheel, so replacing them changes alignment. Book one right after the install.

Does a rear wing actually add downforce?

Only if it is designed for it and mounted to a structure that can carry the load at speed. Many wings are styling, which is fine as long as you know which you are buying.

Is a carbon fiber hood worth it?

It saves weight at the front of the car and changes the look. Check how it latches, whether it needs hood pins, and protect its clear coat from UV.