AustinTaper

I bought the car 2 years ago from ThinJim. The car was stock, except he debadged the trunk, added Comptech exhaust, removed the mid muffler resonator and he also did the carbon fiber trim on the interior and the new shifter. Purchased with 62,700 miles. Currently at 72K miles.

Since then, I have dropped the car on Eibach Pro Kit springs, installed RJ Devotion DT3's (19x8.5/+40 offset) on Kumho Ecsta 235/35/19 tires and that's about it, besides doing the timing belt/water pump service.

Next on my plans for this weekend - new tint.

This spring, I'll be upgrading calipers (RL/Legend) and maybe headers/CAI. I also would like to get an M5 trunk lid lip modified and installed (do they still make the Sarona version?).

I had purchased a RJ body kit, but after opening it up yesterday and doing a pre-fitment, I think I'm going to pass on the kit and sell it. It just wasn't for me after seeing it in person. If anyone is interested, let me know, I'll be selling it for less than what it cost me.

Now for some before/after pictures!

Here's the pictures provided by ThinJim before I bought it:












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Next, here are pictures after the Eibach springs were installed:











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Finally, here are pictures from yesterday with the new wheels/tires:

















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Overall, I'm happy with it, but may consider removing the springs and going with coilovers, but I think it is progressing along and looking better! Feedback, comments and critics welcome, just know I'm not done yet!

Thanks for looking.

eneffex

looks good so far! I have the same drop setup, contemplating putting on the rt3s afteri get then refinished, so this isa good reference

AustinTaper

Thanks, I'm not sure of your wheel specs but if similar, go to a place that can roll your fenders. I definitely needed it.

CLassy02

Good looking car. I'd say coils>springs, but springs are good for a momentary drop if you can't afford coils.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Looks great.

Definitely go lower in the front.

Cant wait to see your other mods

AustinTaper

Thanks, agreed on coils>springs. While still a huge improvement over stock, I was hoping the front would settle more than it has. I've had them on 1500-2000 miles now and not sure if I can expect any further settling.

Would it work to do coils only in front? I'm happy with the back.

Also forgot to add, I had to shave rear bumper tabs.

krazykrnboi

how much you want for the ron jon lip?

AustinTaper

I'd do it for $500 plus shipping. Shipping to me from RJ was $130 for reference. You could always drive down and pick it up.

anthracitecl

iTrader: (7)

Looks nice!!! like those wheels!

CLassy02

I agree. I have Tein S-techs and the rear def sits a little lower than the front. Kinda bugs me lol. And if you buy coils you might as well just do it on all four for adjustability.

gnuts

iTrader: (1)

clean ride. I agree the rear sits a little too low...or the front too high. The RL calipers look great with those rims.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Unfortunately most springs were made for the automatic CL which is slightly heavier up front. Unless your struts have adjustable spring seats, the front will sit higher then the rear. Its annoying.

Im sure you could run coils just in the front, but I dont know anywhere that you could just buy two of them. Not to mention the spring rates and dampening rates would be drastically out of proportion between the front and rear of the car.

AustinTaper

good points. i should have just done coils to start. add that to my to do list...one day

i also need to buy an ingalls rear camber kit, ordering today. in doing the alignment, they said my camber is fine in front, but my caster is off. I spoke to excelerate and they dont offer anything to fix caster. any options?

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Check your radius rod bushings. They may be worn so the radius rod isnt sitting properly.

And I know what you mean about coils. I bought KSports first, then when they died I went to the Supercup Kit thinking that would be it. Im back on coils now

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Its so weird seeing my wheels on another CL

1foxbody

I like the wheels and the carbon fiber center trim looks sick. The fitment looks just like oem who made them? I wish there was a way to do the silver trim on the door panels and rear panels to match that would be perfect.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Theyre RonJon Devotions (forged), 19x8.5 +40mm with 235/35 tires.

rush

iTrader: (1)

Nice

StreetKA

iTrader: (8)

i like it alot but you must feel the same way i do right now because i went with spring/shock combo instead of coils first and my car looks just like yours... (uneven)

MD03CL-S

iTrader: (1)

Looks good and I love those wheels!

Thank you for finally buying them so I didn't have to!

AustinTaper

also willing to trade for a set of coilovers

1foxbody

I was referring to the center console trim lol. I remember you giving me the specs awhile ago when I saw pics of them on your car. They are nice looking wheels

AustinTaper

I'm not sure, that was ThinJim's work. It's been asked a few times but he never answered and he rarely visits here anymore it seems. You are right though, very clean, looks like it was made that way. I don't see any evidence of peeling, bumps or edges looking worn. very happy with that, as I was skeptical before it arrived.

1foxbody

Oh okay well he did a great job. I love the way it looks. If only he made the door and rear panels match that would look sexy haha. Either way I still love the silver trim but real carbon fiber looks way better

gnuts

iTrader: (1)

looks like he used 3M carbon fiber vinyl on the silver trim. You can wrap around corners with it, which is why you see no edges.

richardparker

iTrader: (7)

^ that's not 3m vinyl unless someone put clear over it.
You can see a shine off of it right under the steering wheel. Looks to be cf to me.
3m vinyl has a matte finish.

eneffex

Mine are same spec 19x8.5 +40, definitely will get my fenders rolled if I put them on, still debating on selling them once re finished.

AustinTaper

Cool, plan to shave the rear bumper tabs too. It's a must.

Rear camber kit is also needed. I went with Ingalls, arrives this week.

eneffex

Do you have a close up pic of the shaved tabs? I'm not sure how much to take off.

I also plan to get the rear ingalls to pull within spec, its about -2 in the rear, let me know how that goes, I'm almost sure mine are frozen =\ probably will have to cut them like I did my endlinks.

btw the CF trim looks awesome.

StreetKA

iTrader: (8)

thats 3m carbon fiber vinyl called DiNoc, what he's got is 100% real carbon fiber

AustinTaper

Thanks, I'll post pics this week. Getting my camber kit Thursday, then going for final alignment same day or Friday. Will get pics by then or sooner.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

They do make glossy cf DiNoc, but the pattern on that center console is way too deep to be vinyl.

acura_dipset_tl

iTrader: (40)

Nice progress so far. Can't wait to see your future mods.

AustinTaper

thanks!

AustinTaper

small update for this week:

--Sold the RJ kit. I think I may try the TL lip kit route instead.

--I installed the Ingalls rear camber kit. Had tires balanced again, it drives 100% smoother now and alignment came back great and in spec.

--Had the shop replace the bumper bolts that attach the splash guard in rear fender wells to the rear bumper, as the previous bolts had a slightly raised bolt head, which caused rubbing. After replacing with flat head bolts, the minimal rubbing has all but disappeared...except on really large bumps, but 95% of the time, no rubbing now!

--I purchased the m5 trunk lid lip from p.diddy and will be painting and installing that as soon as it arrives, hopefully later this week or early next week.

--new tint has to wait until it warms up some more. I called a few shops and most all had no problems doing it right away, except one who advised I should really wait until it warms up to a consistent 70+ degrees so the car windows can be warmed up, to allow them to easily remove the original layer of tint and glue used, otherwise he said I may be in for problems. Since I'm in Texas and we only have 2 days of winter a year, it shouldn't be long before I can tackle this one

-very close to purchasing coilovers from p.diddy...just waiting for final price and shipping confirmation before purchasing those. I will be installing those asap and will be selling my Eibach Pro-Kit springs for anyone interested.

After these couple of upgrades, I'll be detailing it again and going for a respectable photo shoot!

Later this spring/summer:

-TL lip kit
-new motor mounts
-Planning to order my RL calipers and new rotors & SS lines after the 1st of February and install right away.
-Plan for what engine bay upgrades I want to consider, like headers, CAI, SC, etc.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Removing tint sucks balls. I went through it in my Civic, in the winter.

AustinTaper

M5 lip arrives tomorrow, going for paint Wednesday!

I just bought RL calipers, Stoptech Rotors (rear too) and SS lines from Diddy...pretty excited about this one.

Question is...leave them red or powder coat another color? I think I may keep it as is, see how it looks.

Speaking of other colors...I'm having an itch to paint the car white. Thinking it will look slick with the black wheels. Any pros or cons to this? The paint now is in excellent shape, so certainly not needed, but interested in at least considering it! And no...I would never misrepresent it was a true white on black 6speed w/ nav...for those who may chime in

More pics coming soon after lip and brake installs next week.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

If you change the color of the car, you have to do the engine bay and jams or it looks horrible

AustinTaper

update for this week:

got the m5 lip painted and installed...looks great! (i know, useless without pics!)
bought the RL BBK (red) + Stoptech rotors (f/b) and SS lines - awaiting delivery from diddy
Bought some AMR coilovers!!!
Got a custom license plate - CL*6s

I am hoping both the coils and brake kit arrive next week and will get both installed immdiately. I'll take pictures after those get on the car.

finally, still waiting for warmer weather before re-tinting the whole car darker.
Also going to buy some new motor mounts next.

It's coming along, hopefully by spring I'll be close to done

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)