Lexus IS Forum banner

white_is build thread! (1jz swap in progress... 1/30

507K views 2K replies 271 participants last post by  Joshie989 
#1 · (Edited)
Newest pics = Post 1882*

Going to try to revive as much of this as I can. Pictures won't be exact, and I may not put ALL of the pictures back, but I'll do what I can over time.




*** All of these are hotlinked. Click on them and they will take you to the specific post.
Obviously I couldn't include ALL the important posts, so these are the ones with pictures.

Post 1: First day I got the car. Then Tanabe Coilovers, Work Emotion XD9, Work RS Lug Nuts, 15% tint.
Post 8: Fog Mod. DIY BP Emblems.
Post 30: Blitz Nur Spec Exhaust. DIY Black housing Head lights and Fog lights.
Post 32: VIS TRD/L-Tuned Replica Lip Kit. L-Sportsline Grill
Post 39: VIS TRD/L-Tuned Replica Lip Kit. L-Sportsline Grill
Post 49: VIS TRD/L-Tuned Replica Lip Kit. L-Sportsline Grill
Post 52: Duplicolor Metalcast Blue Painted Calipers with Black Decals. Satin Black Emblems and License Plate frame.
Post 89: SOLD Works. 11 spokes back on. Lower. iPhone pics FTL. Extended Exhaust for USDM Bumper. Added “L” Emblem to grill later.
Post 119: More pics.
Post 145: DIY Relocated horns
Post 150: More pics
Post 154: Interior Pics. Tanabe Sway Bars. Falken FK 452’s. Ray’s Extended Blue Lug Nuts.
Post 157: SSR Carbon Fiber Center Caps. SSR Professor MS1’s.
Post 164: Test fit of Wheels/Tires. JDM Altezza Window Visors. JDM Altezza Short Antenna.
Post 199:Fitment after rolling all four fenders. Shorter Springs installed on Tanabe Coilovers.
Post 219: PICS
Post 241: Some fender mods
Post 264: “Tinted” Third brake light red. MMSport Satin Black Tail Lights with Chrome rings.
Post 282: More Pics
Post 308: Random Pictures. LSD.
Post 332: LSD.
Post 338: Grom Audio iPod adapter. More Random Pics.
Post 350: Grom Audio. More pics.
Post 352: Pic.
Post 358: Another random pic.
Post 410: JDM Non Smokers Box. Edited Pictures. Stock wheels back on.
Post 427: Stock wheels + Stock Suspension = FAIL (winter mode)
Post 460: Hiding my Grom Audio Ipod Adaptor!
Post 471: New pics. Tuned Parts Rigid Bars. Polarg Hybrid Bulbs. Figs Mega Arms.
Post 488: BC Racing Coilovers, Ichiba Spacers, Cusco Upper A Arms, Nokya Bulbs, Figs Mega Arms, SSR's all installed. New pics!
Post 513: New pics!
Post 526: New pic!

Post 529: New pic!
Post 532: New pics!
Post 552: LS 400 front calipers in the works
Post 574: BC Damping Extenders, SSR Stickers, Caliper Bolts, Pads, Front Rotors.
Post 581: Some pictures of my front fitment...
Post 585: Techna-Fit Brake Lines
Post 589: Figs CDDD, Caliper Adapters, RCA's, Busted Windshield.
Post 597: Rear rotors and a couple new pics.
Post 608: Teaser from my Brake install.
Post 616: Rear calipers powder coated.
Post 622: HID Fog kit. Brake setup DONE. Stock wheels on.
Post 646: New "old" picture.
Post 651: Random Parts. One of my friends 240sx.
Post 655: New pics. Interior shot.
Post 672: Karl-Sport Short Shifter
Post 691: No more lip kit. Broken lower ball joint bolt.
Post 695: Figs Rear End links and new ball joint.
Post 696: New pictures.
Post 710: New picture of my car. Picture of my friends Civic.
Post 712: Rear end links installed.
Post 721: OEM TRD Altezza Grill.
Post 733: Figs Hood Props installed.
Post 742: Preview. OEM JDM Front. Authentic TRD Lip
Post 777: Random picture
Post 780: Vertex front bumper
Post 788: Vertex Side skirts
Post 799: Vertex front and side teaser
Post 819: Vertex Rear lip
Post 837: Teaser of my wheels
Post 841: Test fit of my wheels
Post 847: Test fit of my new wheels. Two new pics.
Post 867: 255/35/18 Yokohama S.Drives.
Post 873: 215/40/18 S.Drives. UGO Replica.
Post 882: Tires mounted. Teaser rear fitment.
Post 893: Z-Edition Grill
Post 898: Toe Links. Spacers.
Post 910: Lug nuts. Spacers. Teaser.
Post 918: Wheels on. Pics.
Post 943: New pics.
Post 957: Interior Pics.
Post 960: Floor mats, touch up paint. Vertex parts almost ready.
Post 962: Kit installed!!
Post 983: More pics!
Post 986: Pics from my buddy!
Post 996: New random pics
Post 1010: More picture whoring
Post 1028: Pictures...
Post 1060: New pictures before winter
Post 1081: Maintenance parts. Figs. Wheels.
Post 1082: Wheels
Post 1097: Wheel update. KS shifter
Post 1110: Wheel update.
Post 1113: Toe links, end links, teaser.
Post 1132: New Pics with Vertex and Wheels.
Post 1158: More wheel pictures.
Post 1171: New Pics. Refinished wheels on.
Post 1177: Maintenance parts.
Post 1179: Timing belt job. Interior. Raised car.
Post 1204: Old pictures from the summer.
Post 1210: Samco. Koyo. Exterior. Parts. Engine bay.
Post 1217: Ganador Mirrors. Wheel teaser
Post 1229: Wheel teaser.
Post 1236: New pictures.
Post 1241: New picture.
Post 1250: New pictures.
Post 1254: Wald Flares. Vertex hood spoiler.
Post 1269: Spring cleaning. Cusco trunk bar.
Post 1270: Modellista kit!
Post 1292: Interior cleaning. Carbing?
Post 1293: Wald flare test fit.
Post 1314: Painted rear Modellista Mesh
Post 1315: Rect Japan quarter window ducts
Post 1316: Window duct test fit
Post 1328:New pictures.
Post 1331: New pictures
Post 1333:New pictures.
Post 1339: New pictures
Post 1341: Old bent wheel lol.
Post 1360: Fog lights. New pictures.
Post 1376: Vertex fender test fit.
Post 1380: Ganador paint options.
Post 1381: Oil pressure gauge working. Fog light film install.
Post 1382: Power Ganadors!
Post 1386: Fully functional cluster
Post 1392: Modellista Fog lights wired
Post 1406: Two new pictures
Post 1409: TRD Neo/Cloth interior from Japan
Post 1412: New white/blue glass Ganadors
Post 1417: New white Ganadors
Post 1424: My view out of Gandors
Post 1428: Ganadors
Post 1435: Wheel disassembly
Post 1437: Wheels disassembled
Post 1442: Couple old pictures
Post 1444: Qualitat Badge
Post 1445: White Ganadors/Qualitat
Post 1446: Cusco Rear Strut Bar
Post 1451: Door panels. Chrome VS black Head lights
Post 1457: Arm rest, No.2 LCA, bushings
Post 1466: Random pictures
Post 1470: Friend's wheels pictures
Post 1481: Snow pictures
Post 1483: Bushings pressed out. Wheel hardware
Post 1486: Random pics. Juran FSTB
Post 1488: Bushings and parts
Post 1497: Vertex Wheel. Parts. Lips.
Post 1503: Wheel Faces
Post 1506: Random pics. Bushing install. Faces
Post 1513: Random pic.
Post 1519: Snow pics. Inner Barrels
Post 1524: Front wheels.
Post 1529: Buddy Club Spec 2.
Post 1530: Random Picture
Post 1540: New pictures
Post 1548: Buddy Club Spec2 videos. More pictures
Post 1559: Vertex Steering wheel install
Post 1564: Fender marker wiring. Steering wheel
Post 1570: Vertex horn button
Post 1573: Front tires mounted. Test fit
Post 1577: OEM Altezza Push Start
Post 1585: Blitz finished and put together
Post 1593: Blitz on. Pictures
Post 1604: Blitz on. Pictures
Post 1613: Blitz on. More Pictures
Post 1620: Bump Stop Spacers
Post 1621: Couple Pictures
Post 1626: Footwell LED. Blitz center caps. Suspension rubbing.
Post 1629: More pictures
Post 1638: Steering Wheel Spacer
Post 1643: More Pictures. Carbing Rear Strut bar
Post 1645: Carbing rear bar installed. Steering wheel spacer on.
Post 1652: Carbing front strut bar installed.
Post 1658: Wekfest Houston pictures
Post 1664: Fall Pictures
Post 1674: Rolling shots
Post 1678: New keys lol
Post 1688: Modellista Clear Trunk Lights
Post 1692: My garage lol
Post 1695: Spare tail lights. Interior piece
Post 1700: Rear toe adjustment failure
Post 1705: Elixir teaser
Post 1706: Elixir teaser
Post 1720: New rear tires
Post 1725: New BC coils, Figs mega arms installed
Post 1728: Exterior Pictrues
Post 1731: Elixir test fit
Post 1734: Some kind of leak?
Post 1741: Work Lug nuts, Moon face ball joints, random pictures
Post 1745: Pictures, interior and exterior
Post 1746: 17x9 Blitz type 03
Post 1749: Moon Face ball joints installed. Blitz wheel pictures
Post 1756: Ikeya Subframe collars installed
Post 1757: "New" JDM rear bumper
Post 1762: Black 3 Bar Altezza Grill, New 17x9 +22 CE28N, First puppy Luna
Post 1766: 17x10 +35 CE28N, two pair of CE28N
Post 1772: Street Faction Front/Rear Bash Bar Install, TRD Yellow, Elixir Teaser
Post 1773: Pictures with mismatched color CE28N
Post 1774: Luna update, First rescue dog Vada, dogs together, Amsoil trans and diff fluid, cabin air filter, oil change parts
Post 1784: Footwell Lighting, TRD Yellows, LED Ganadors, New door lock actuator, new drive belt, Figs foot plate, hood dampers, battery bar, T-shirt, bushings, Replacement trunk hinges, "new" daily 4Runner
Post 1786: Wiring Ganador plugs, JDM black housing Head lights, Super Pro diff bushings, Carbing front under brace, more pictures with mismatched color CE28N and LED Gandors installed
Post 1789: Figs side skirt clips, JDM Head Light install, CE28N back from powder coat
Post 1791: Tires mounted, Figs foot plate installed, Ray's replacement valve stems and CE28N stickers, matching wheels installed, Figs side skirt clips installed, head lights and tail lights polished
Post 1795: Trac links and bushings removed, Figs trac link arms, trac link knuckle bushing, rear lower control arm bearing installed, OEM white pearl tail lights, interior picture, exterior pictures
Post 1796: Exterior pictures
Post 1797: Exterior Pictrues
Post 1798: Exterior pictures, random pictures
Post 1802: Failed Foster dog addition Bug, all three dogs
Post 1806: Before/After detailing 4Runner, new rear brakes for 4runner
Post 1807: Last Modellista picture, Karl Sport shifter maintenance, Altezza cloth rear seats, arm rest, and door panels installed, Bride Zeta 2 driver seat cleaning with Street Faction seat rail and slider, new trunk lip spoiler, transporting Elixir and IS for paint
Post 1808: After 4Runner paint correction
Post 1809: Elixir painted teaser, Elixir details, grill fitting, Fog lights fitted, IS300 paint correction started, Elixir skirt test fit, broken wheel stud, car on jack stands
Post 1815: Diff removed, diff bushings removed, poly bushings installed, subframe bushings partially removed, picked up Chargespeed fiberglass hood, hood latch replacement parts and hood test fit
Post 1819: Rear H&R Extended wheel studs install, subframe diff poly bushings installed, car back on the ground
Post 1820: Exterior pictures
Post 1821: Exterior pictures
Post 1822: Exterior Pictures
Post 1828: Exterior pictures
Post 1829: Spare dash, Bride hip pads, Bride installed
Post 1830: Exterior pictures, Interior pictures, tires removed from front CE28N, New rear tires
Post 1832: "New" Advan RS 17x9 +29 18x10 +15, tires mounted, exterior pictures
Post 1835: Exterior pictures
Post 1838: Exterior pictures, new tie rod end
Post 1839: Interior pictures, exterior pictures
Post 1843: Interior pictures, exterior pictures, engine bay picture
Post 1844: Bride XAX2 passenger seat, Max intro, all 4 dogs picture
Post 1846: JDM Altezza front fender fitting, Garage shelving updates
Post 1852: Received Karl Long o2 Sim
Post 1854: How NOT to change your door lock actuator
Post 1857: o2 Sim Installed, Bride/Interior Pictures
Post 1858: Bumper on, no side skirts, engine bay pics
Post 1859: Kit back on before paint. Raised front, fenders rolled.
Post 1860: More pictures before paint. After getting an alignment.
Post 1861: More pictures. TRD CF license plate garnish
Post 1863: More Advans (17x9 +29, 18x10 +15, 18x10 +25), new valve stems, Bride RO Seat Rail.
Post 1870: Progress Pics From Body Shop. Hood/Fenders Prepped.
Post 1871: Progress From Body Shop. Parts Painted. Seats in, Car back At home. Ganadors put together. Car ready to be assembled. 18x10 +25 Advans on.
Post 1872: Car Assembled Pictures.
Post 1873: More Pictures
Post 1877: More Pictures. Car On Jackstands. Removing Front Upper Control Arms.
Post 1878: Failed Upper Control Arm Ball Joints. Car back on the charger for now lol
Post 1880: Ball Joints and Bushings Replaced. New Pictures
Post 1881: New Pictures, Garage Rearranged, New Tahoe
Post 1882: Future Fab 1jz Turbo Elbow, Altezza Digital Cluster
Post 1888: Weld Spark Plug Cover, Altezza Hyper Rev Volumes
Post 1889: Random Pics, Parts
Post 1890: ACT Clutch, Fidanza Flywheel, New pics, Buddy Club Exhaust for sale
Post 1891: Greddy Supreme SP Exhaust, Fluidampr Crank Pulley, Walbro Fuel Pump, Pics


There is a lot of talk about my mods throughout the posts inbetween too. I mainly posted the posts which contain pictures lol.

My CURRENT Mods list.

Exterior
15% Tint
Chargespeed Fiberglass Hood
Cerumo Sports Trunk Spoiler
DressUpBolts.com Titanium Engine Bay Dress Up Kit
Elixir Aero Front Bumper
Elixir Aero Side Skirts
Elixir Aero Rear Bumper
Figs CF/FRP Hood Prop Kit
Ganador LED Super Mirrors with Blue Glass
JDM Altezza Antenna
JDM Altezza Black Housing / Blue Tint Head Lights
JDM Altezza Black Z-Edition Grill
JDM Altezza Front Fenders
JDM Altezza Rear Bumper
JDM Altezza Rear Emblem
JDM Altezza Window Visors
JDM Modellista White Tail Lights
Rect Japan Carbon Fiber Quarter Window Ducts
Replica UGO Roof Spoiler
Satin Black Painted Fog Lights
Street Faction Front Bash Bar
Street Faction Rear Bash Bar
TRD Carbon Fiber License Plate Garnish
TRD Oil Cap



Interior
Altezza Black Cloth Arm Rest
Altezza Black Cloth Front And Rear Door Panels
Altezza Black Cloth Rear Seats W/ Head Rests
Bride RO Passenger Seat Rail And Slider
Bride XAX 2
Bride Zeta 2
Carbing Shift Knob
Dakota Digital Speedometer Convertor Box
Dakota Digital Tachometer Convertor Box
Grom Audio iPod Adapter
JDM Altezza RS200 Digital Gauge Cluster
JDM Non Smokers Box
LED Dome Light
LED Door Lights
LED Foot Lights
LED Map Light
LED Trunk Lights
NRG Short Hub
Steet Faction Seat Rail and Slider
Vertex Steering Wheel
*All-Weather Floor Mats (For Bad Weather/Winter)
*Full Black Leather Interior in storage


Performance
Carbing Cooling Plate
Figs Clutch Dampener Device Delete
Greddy Supreme SP Catback Exhaust
JDM OEM Altezza OEM Plug and Play Push Start
K&N Intake
Karl Long o2 Sim
Karl-Sport Short Shifter
Koyo Aluminum Radiator
TRD Type S 1.3kg/m^2 Radiator Cap
Samco Coolant Hoses and Clamp Kit

Suspension and Brakes
5 Speed LSD
BC Racing Coilovers (18k/16k)
BC Racing Damping Adjustment Extenders
Carbing Front Strut Bar
Carbing Rear Strut Tower Bar
Cusco Trunk Bar
Figs Replacement Upper Control Arm Ball Joints
Figs Caliper Adapters
Figs Diff Pinion Mount Bushings
Figs Diff Subframe Bushings
Figs Front Adjustable End Links with Moto Rod Ends
Figs Front Upper Control Arm Static Bushings
Figs Drop Mega Arms
Figs Polyurethane #1 Lower Control Arm Bushings
Figs Polyurethane #2 Lower Control Arm Bushings
Figs Polyurethane Steering Rack Bushings
Figs Rear Adjustable End Links with Moto Rod Ends
Figs Rear Knuckle Lower Bearing
Figs Roll Center Adjusters
Figs Sway Bar Relocation Brackets
Figs Toe Links with Moto Rod Ends
Figs Trac Links with Moto Rod Ends
Figs Trac Link Knuckle Bushing
IS300 EBC 3GD Sport Rotors (Rear)
IS300 EBC RedStuff Pads (Rear)
Ikeya Formula Rear Subframe Collars
LS400 EBC 3GD Sport Rotors (Front)
LS400 EBC RedStuff Pads (Front)
LS400 Front Calipers
OEM Front Upper Control Arms with Moon Face Low Angle Ball Joints
TRD Yellow Front Sway Bar
TRD Yellow Rear Sway Bar
Techna-Fit SS Brake Lines (Black Coated)
Tuned Parts Rigid Bars
URAS JZX110 Super Tie Rods


Wheels and Tires
Advan RS
17x9 +29 215/45/17
18x10 +25 225/40/18
Stock 11-Spoke wheels


My car in it's CURRENT state...

Untitled by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pics from when I first got the car! 2005 CW 5 speed with black leather interior and 28,900 miles.

WhiteLexus4 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr


WhiteLexus6 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

WhiteLexus2 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
added more pictures... they arent the best either though. its been cloudy and cold all day.

alright i got new rims tires and coilovers all in the past two weeks and have obviously had the windows tinted since i got the car. but i finally got everything put on wednesday and have been dying to post pictures but i didnt have a chance to take decent ones when i got the car back wednesday. i washed it but by the time i got home i ran out of daylight :( and i was busy all day today. so here are some pics i have so far.


tanabe sustec pro s-oc type II coilovers
TanabeSustecProS-OCTypeII by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

bronze work emotion xd9 18x8 +45
WorkEmotionXD94 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr


CoreysPictures003 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

CoreysPictures007 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

CoreysPictures011 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr
 
See less See more
9
#1,719 ·
Leon still has it. Just doesn't drive it much. He was selling his turbo kit/v161. But he was planning on keeping the exterior as is with the Elixir front.

So thats a no on selling me your modellista front so that i could have a spare modellista front w/ fogs? haha. looking forward to when you slap that new front on.
lol noooo keeping both so I can swap between full Modellista and full Elixir whenever I want :)
 
#1,721 ·
Got coilovers ordered last week though.
uh, didnt you already have coilovers? Or did your car not have struts, why you were running so low :lol:
 
#1,724 ·
Haha yeah, Rey is correct. Will be my third set of coilovers

My current set of BC weren't the extreme drop version so I had to droop the springs to get as low as I wanted. Plus I wanted to go stiffer.

I was going to rebuild them, but to get new extreme drop shocks and Swift springs it was basically the same cost as new.

So I just bought a new set of BC exteme drop in 18k/16k with Swift springs



My current set will probably be for sale after I swap them. I'll clean them up and see if they are blown or not. Feal Suspension will rebuild them for $75 a piece. Or new cartridges are like $150 each from Figs
 
#1,725 · (Edited)
Well been super busy the last month. My coilovers showed up two weeks earlier than expected, and it's been a pain in the ass since then :lol:

BC BR Series Coilovers in 18k/16k with Swift Springs

DSC_4790_zpsm9bmtzgn by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_4791_zpspmiwxhti by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Front out
DSC_4788_zpsw3sjejs8 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr


Rear out
DSC_4804_zpsvwepxo2j by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Rear comparison
DSC_4803_zps7brcc5za by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr


Old front
DSC_4789_zpsnk5dpyh7 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Comparison of the fronts
DSC_4792_zpsjazpi1bs by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

Cusco full positive vs full negative
DSC_4793_zpspw7joike by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr


Lower control arm out
DSC_4868_zps6dxzgejt by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr


New drop arms in
DSC_4872_zpsnubx9vhb by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr




So basically I got them installed no problem, but had the worst time trying to get the height set where I wanted. I'd get it set, but couldn't turn, raise it to turn, but be 1/2" off from each other. Weirdest stuff I'd ever seen lol. Eventually found out the rear wouldn't go as low as I wanted... So after talking to Figs I purchased a set of Drop Mega Arms. Was unexpected but whatever, it will be much better suspension geometry wise.

I got the arms swapped in, but was still have trouble getting the height set. I was trying to do some-what of an alignment my self but ended up just getting everything WAY out of wack lol.

Eventually completely started over, and basically gave up on trying to align it myself. I was worried not having camber at least close was effecting the height so I think I've got them decently close now.

Part of the problem/reason I was trying to get it close my self is the area I live in. Everyone looks at me like I'm trying to do something unheard of/impossible because they've never seen anything like it.

So last week I finally was ready to get an alignment (3 weeks after installing the coilovers lol). Took it to 2 different places, and neither could get the car on the rack. No front bumper, no side skirts, and lots of wood. The car isn't even as low as I want it to be so it's been very frustrating.

Toyota has an in ground alignment rack, but basically told me they didn't want to do it. They said "they updated their computers and they aren't as user friendly to custom specs". Bunch of bull shit if you ask me...

But I went by there Thursday to show them and explain what I wanted, and they are going to try to do it Tuesday.

So that's that. I drove my car the weekend the coilovers showed up, 10 hours in the rain, and haven't washed it since. Front bumper is barely hanging on with 2 zip ties and still no side skirts, so no pictures of it as is.
 
#1,727 ·
What's crazy is it's not even that low. I would like to be about an inch lower all the way around, if not more.




ANNNNNDDDD Toyota couldn't do it. There in ground rack had jacks that stuck up too far. So I had to take it to some other place that had a pit and just did a strings and levels alignment.

So I don't expect these tires to last very long. Not to mention I had the front all over the place, and when they pulled out all of the front camber it raised it. So I need to lower the front more.

Frustrated with cars right now :serious:
 
#1,728 ·
Like I said, not near as low as I want. Front is my fault, rear not so much. Rears are too wide/high offset and hit the springs on my coilovers. Can't push them further out without pulling or flares and I'm not doing either.

(I put towels in my inner barrels after drying to suck up the standing water)

And the front bumper is just hanging in there, not putting it on better until I test fit Elixir.

DSC_4916 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_4913 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_4905 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_4903 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_4900 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_4899 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_4886 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr
 
#1,729 ·
It looks like you can do another 5mm in the rear?

Edit: where did you get the Vertex fenders?
 
#1,730 ·
5mm out or lower? Either isn't really doable lol. I may be able to squeeze out a little lower, but I can't match the front now so it's pointless.

Can't go out more than 2mm or so. I can barely fit a key between the tire and quarter panel. Under full compression the lip of the wheel BARELY clears by maybe 2mm lol

I got my fenders from auctions in Japan
 
#1,731 · (Edited)
Don't know if it was mentioned, but I had the full Elixir kit cut in half to save $$$$. This allowed me to buy new coilovers, and the amount saved was greater than what it will cost to have it refiberglassed together and primered.

Yes I could have waited, but I preferred to get the kit in hand as I had the means to get it (both financially and logistically). I'm just happy to actually have the kit and now I don't have to worry about it being discontinued or anything like that.

I have been wanting to fit it, but was waiting to get the wheels on, height set, and aligned. Finally had everything done and had time today so I threw the front and side on (and Vertex bonnet spoiler and quarter window duct). Still need a JDM rear bumper.

Also going to have to decide on a grill, and I'm torn on a TRD wing or different style. Elixir is so sharp that I feel like the stock round spoiler doesn't match.

I'd love a new hood so I could have EVERYTHING done at the same time but that may be a stretch :lol:

Everything is on hold right now though, kind of lol. Trying to decide to be responsible and address minor issues (both rear knuckle bushings look pretty worn and I seem to have some sort of oil leak). The bushings I can deal with, but I'd like to get Trac links at the same time and I'd rather not deal with another alignment right now. So waiting until fall/winter seems like a better idea lol.

The oil leak I'm hoping is just valve covers, but I'm not convinced yet. There's oil around the bellhousing/block area, about half way up the block. It doesn't look like it's going out the drain hole like a rear main leak would, but I also don't have oil in the spark plug channel.

I noticed some on the back side of the intake side valve cover, but the noticeable amount of oil lower is on the exhaust side.

I'm pretty tired of working on the car right now, so I'm going to wait a few days and then try to get under and see if I can get a better look. Just in a bad spot to try to look close as the header and all the underpanels are in the way.

DSC_4918_zpsf1nkbgns by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_4921_zpsdwz1bbms by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_4922_zpscmuq6ajb by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_4923_zpsyjgo3mbs by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_4925_zps4r1kmls4 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr
 
#1,739 ·
Many people do not understand why someone would even think of cutting any kit in half lol but I think it was the best way to go... I waited over 20 weeks for mine, port strikes, customs, blah blah blah. Being patient was one thing but delays kept increasing the risk of the kit getting damaged so your route was much much better. So glad you finally got it though :grin:

Don't prolong maintenance, as much as you want the kit and other parts on there, maintenance is priority. I'm in the same boat lol, boring suspension overhaul here I go.
 
#1,732 · (Edited)
ah, maybe it was the angle, thinking you could go out another 5mm


EDIT: I to had a small leak and under the car was filthy. I had my upper and lower part of the motor steamed cleaned, or pressure wash it clean and then drive a bit to see if you can pinpoint where the leak is. I too thought it was a rear main seal, but it was the valve cover.
 
#1,733 ·
If I took off my 3mm spacer I could maybe swap to 5mm lol. But right now I've got the stiffness, height, and camber balanced that my driver side doesn't rub/hit ANYTHING.

Passenger side for some reason rubs the very top outer edge of the inner fender well. And the inner fender well about 2/3" above the fender lip. I tried to take a hammer to that area tonight lol but no idea if it help or will help at all.



Under my car doesn't have any trace of oil anywhere else except the bell housing/block/oil pan area. I took some pictures early so I'll get them posted in a few
 
#1,737 ·
So not real sure what's up. I don't have any carb or brake cleaner so I didn't mess with trying to clean it off yet. It's not a big leak, there isn't anything being blown back towards the rear of the car yet. And I didn't get a good picture of it, but there isn't oil collecting around the weep hole where I would expect the rear main seal leak to show itself.
Yeah, its hard to tell where its coming from. Its definitely something to look into, when you get around to it.
 
#1,736 ·
I was honestly worried that after all the time, energy, and $$$$ spent getting the kit, I wouldn't even like it on the car. I've looked back at other cars with it, and even recent cars with the front bumper , and really haven't been impressed.

But I can finally say I'm EXCITED about how it will end up looking. Everything I've had up to this point (rep TRD, real TRD, Vertex, Modellista) has been alright, I've liked them. Vertex I loved then ended up not liking at all after like 6 months lol. Modellista has grown on me and I will be keeping the car with Modellista basically full time.

But I think Elixir is finally what I envisioned. I just need time (and $$$$) to bring it all together with a 1jz.
 
#1,740 ·
so happy for you man. id probably do the same as you, cut it in half. shipping is such a PITA.

i have an oil leak coming out of my valve covers now....nothing like a leaky ol' NA 2J.....the 1JZ VVTi is calling -_-
 
#1,741 · (Edited)
Well disappeared for a while. Bought a few things, missed a few parts. Namely a Carbing front under brace I've been wanting :(

Did pick up: Ikeya Formula rear subframe collars, Work RS-R lug nuts in purple, and Moon Face low angle ball joints.

I was under the impression that my upper ball joints on my A arms up front were clunking/going bad. Bought ball joints since I had stock arms still, then got to looking around and it seems that my upper control arm just wasn't "tight" to the shock tower. It was tight, but not GOOD and tight, and there was movement in the arm. Which means my tire was just shredded :lol:

So I didn't going to Import Alliance in Kentucky this weekend. I got my tires flipped in time, but it just didn't seem worth driving 7 hours one way and risk blowing out a tire. Especially considering I don't want to buy new tires for them.

I'm really torn on what to do with the wheels. Really would like to find a pair of 17x9 +22 Blitz 03's but that's proving difficult. So then I'm trying to decide if I really want to go 17/18 or stay 18/18. We'll see...

In the meantime, here are some cell phone pictures of stuff. Have not installed the subframe collars or low angle ball joints yet. Hoping to get a few more suspension pieces and then install stuff closer to fall/winter (depending on how long my tires last).

IMG_1923_zps7fnevncf by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

IMG_2212_zpsuvq1y5uw by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

IMG_2216_zpsr3ptnlqk by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

IMG_2217_zpsomvog9hu by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

IMG_2415_zpslwfbxquj by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

IMG_2418_zpsjjuo7vgf by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

IMG_2501_zpsr8aehxbc by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

IMG_2529_zps8xrjfgrd by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

IMG_2538_zpskxck4dgs by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr


And a picture a friend snapped rolling to park at a Tennessee State of Drift even in Memphis, TN last Saturday.

IMG_2548_zpsycmtixar by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr
 
#1,745 · (Edited)
More of the same driveway pictures. Haven't had the motivation to get out and take some pictures anywhere else :(

DSC_4990_zpsczqu2umz by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_4985_zpsnwof6qci by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_4975_zpsqz6zmvea by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_4946_zpsoewtcvi2 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_4952_zpssxkjutd2 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_4963_zpsv8dihlyb by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_4969_zps8tsdl6mr by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_4955_zps7lah8gve by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_4991_zpssmxys1b7 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_4999_zpsgvnx13kk by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_5003_zps3vqcc9nu by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_4995_zpsvkvav2ad by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_5000_zpsdb4ownn3 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr




Need more Brides, actually installed side skirts, lots of paint, a good vacuum cleaning/interior clean, and a 1jz trollolololol


Clearly installed the new lug nuts lol. Happy with the purchase, they match as close as I could have hoped.

Just wish my calipers and lug nuts were black lol
 
#1,746 · (Edited)
Surprise!

IMG_2794_zpsbuxecpis by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_5012_zpsovajoofz by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_5024_zpskavq6uui by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_5022_zpstvhfds7p by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr



Well, I found a pair of what I wanted. 17x9 +22 High Disk Blitz Type 03. Some of the hardest 17" sizes to find, so I knew I needed to jump on them when I came across them. Was able to get a decent deal on them. Wish it was about 3 months later so I could have some other stuff purchased already but I can't control that.

I will be deciding what I want to do with my wheels over the fall/winter. I will either be selling all 6 or selling a pair. But like Elixir, I'm just glad to have them in my possession for now. Must hoard all the parts.
 
#1,749 · (Edited)
Well not really any updates...

Finally got my Moon Face Super Lap ball joints pressed in. And Installed them.

DSC_5054_zps3qqu5z80 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_5270_zps0xym33au by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

I was also going to install my Ikeya rear subframe spacers...

DSC_5268_zpsl1sf4nww by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

But as you can see in that picture, I have 6 out of 8 spacers required some how... Ordered new and I never took them out of the box until last weekend. Still working to sort things out and see if I can get what I need. May be SOL...

I've been having issues with my front tires lately. Basically my front alignment is bad, KILLED my front tires, one kept going low over night. Went on vacation for a week and came back and one had basically debeaded sitting in the garage. So I'm over it, pulled the wheels off, swapped my OEM arms for the old Cusco's, raised the car (and was going to install the subframe spacer but obviously couldn't do that).

So back to winter mode about a month and a half earlier than I wanted. Lots of decisions to be made over the coming winter months...

DSC_5316_zpsbtxwwv7y by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

As you can see, my front alignment was junk and destroyed my tires.

DSC_5318_zpsghlbro53 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_5319_zpspyptriik by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_5320_zpsooeas94e by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_5323_zps0ymgbodc by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_5325_zps7b6rdedj by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr


I'm tired of stretched tires, worrying about debeading and worrying about bending a wheel. So now I have to decide if I want to stick with the Blitz or not lol
 
#1,750 ·
Hopefully have some updates this weekend, but for now, I've got some Modellista clear trunk lights for sale. And I've also decided to sell my pair 17x9 +22 high disk Blitz 03. I'm also selling my old Cusco arms but they are not listed yet.

http://my.is/forums/f99/fs-modellista-clear-trunk-lights-two-blitz-type-03-a-561842/

Keeping my 18" Blitz but decided to go a different direction otherwise.

Ikeya Formula did come through and I received the two missing subframe collars. Now I just have to get all my rusted/seized bolts loose :pissed:
 
#1,755 ·
Sure thing :approve:

The Moon Face ball joints are actually shorter, so are another method of adjusting roll center. Main reason that I got them, is they give a tiny bit of extra room so that the upper control arms won't smack the shock towers.

My friend was interested in getting a set of Blitz for his car and I just told him about yours at Wekfest this weekend lol. I don't know if he contacted you yet though. Btw Happy Birthday Corey! :)
Thanks man! Wish I could have made it to Wekfest but it just didn't work out this year :(

damn, i was looking forward to seeing the 17/18" blitz combo, those wheels are freakin awesome.... side note, I cant view the for sale thread link, maybe bcuz i'm new?
Yeah have to be here a certain amount of town and/or certain post count to see it. Here's the link to my flickr with more pictures of the wheels.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/51205097@N06/albums/72157660099133322
 
#1,756 · (Edited)
So my wife was out of town this weekend, I decided to try to knock out the Ikeya Subframe collars again.

Managed to get out enough bolts to do them. Went pretty smooth otherwise though. Only had an issue getting one collar in, one of the top ones, but unbolted the coilover and it went in no problem. Then I messed up by not supporting the diff when I pulled one bolt, so it didn't want to thread back in. I got the jack under it and loosed the other bolts then it went in no problem.

Put anti-seize on all the bolts, torqued to factory specs of 94ftlbs.

IMG_3823_zpssit6ytou by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_5398_zpsh70hyttd by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_5396_zpsayhnrgfj by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_5397_zpsgy8utdr8 by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_5399_zpsozklxgab by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr

DSC_5400_zpsm7u66pxt by Corey Wattelet, on Flickr


Haven't driven the car yet though. Wish it wasn't my daily so I had more time to clean up stuff underneath lol maybe one day.

Getting an alignment this week on stock wheels, then I'm going to try my hand at fiberglass work. Going to start with my cracked/damaged fender. If that goes well, I'll be doing some work on my Vertex hood spoiler to get some more experience and then I will begin the process of joining my Elixir kit. Should have a final piece Monday/Tuesday
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top