purplerims

i hope it's headers!

CCColtsicehockey

So this weekend I removed the muffler sections of my exhaust so I could try installing some smaller rubber exhaust hangers as my exhaust was sitting on the bumper a little. While they were off I felt the need to take the car for a spin sans mufflers for my enjoyment and most likely the annoyance of my neighbors.



I bought rubber exhaust hangers that were 1/8in shorter and 1/4in shorter as they were actually the shortest ones I could find. The one side went on really easy and looks great. The other side was an absolute bitch and actually once I got both 1/4in shorter ones on it now rubbed the side of the opening. I switched out and I am running one OEM one and one 1/4in shorter one right now and it seems good. The other side with the two new ones also seems to have some rattle sound of almost metal on metal sound occasionally when at idle but goes away or I just can't hear it while driving. Going to have to figure out that or possibly switch in one of the 1/8in shorter hangers.

Regardless I need to get the exhaust centered in the opening before I can proceed with the goodies.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

That's insane sounding. I can't believe a Lexus makes that noise.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

I think you messed up the links, you posted the same vid twice.

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nuhMT-vIzbs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

crazyasiantl

iTrader: (7)

damn

alexSU

iTrader: (3)

Holy shit!! That is a lot louder then I imagined it would be lol fakin sick!

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Jason you're really good with the camera.

I loved the first one that was pointed inside of the garage, it made me feel like I was truly behind the wheel.

The second one was great too. I now know what the abbreviations for Power and Volume are.

rossv1

I would leave the exhaust just like that.

chill_dog

^Agree. Man up and deal with the drone.

nspec_ya4

iTrader: (38)

I like it!

CCColtsicehockey

Nah not doing that. However I do think some electronic dumps will be in my future for sure.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Sounds very nice! I really want to spice up the exhaust note on mine too, but the performance gain from the CBE is pretty much negligible for my car.

Majofo

suddenly, boner

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Seriously, it sounds fucking awesome. Great job on it again, Jason.

CCColtsicehockey

Trying to get some pics of the new parts installed but it is raining all day so far.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

Majofo

If you're not installing headers or a SC, I'm going to be pissed.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Then you're going to be pissed.

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

Is it something gay like head lights?

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Lip kit?

CCColtsicehockey

A while back I picked up the Branew lip kit a member on ClubLexus was selling. I finally was able to have time to install it this weekend. I documented some of the install as the only way to really correctly install it was to remove the front bumper and side skirts from the car since the kit doesn't use factory mounting points except at the end of the front and rear bumper.

The install wasn't terribly difficult just more so time consuming due to having to remove the front bumper and sides. The kit also is rather hard to fit with the ISSForged exhaust because it goes into the exhaust openings on the bumper and thus makes them a little smaller. I fixed this problem a little by switching out so some different size rubber exhaust hangers in order to move the exhaust around in the opening a bit.

I am still working on fitting the rear piece in a final position as the original install they used pop rivets that were hidden but I don't really want to drill those holes in the bumper because they would not be 100% hidden when I would eventually remove the kit.


Well onto the install and pics.


New slightly smaller rubber exhaust hangers.


This spot on the rear lip mounts to the bolt right before the wheel arch in the picture below. Those bolts one on each side are technically the only thing holding the rear lip on. It does however fit tightly around the exhaust as well so it is pretty much permanently held on. Once I get a few more things figured out I will then attach it with 3m body tape as well. Hopefully till then it will stay on safely.




Rear lip on and car up on ramps and boards to give a slight increase in clearance to complete the rest of the install.


I chose all stainless steel hardware to bolt in on with. I got nylon locking nuts as to help prevent the need to ever have to retighten anything since I would have to remove it from the car first which would be a pain.


Front wheel arch remove top bolt


Remove 2 bolts and 1 clip here.


Rear wheel arch remove single bolt on side skirt


Remove clip from flap


Remove bolt from flap


Remove 7 clips on underside of sideskirt


Remove 2 screws under weather stripping one at front and one at back. The front ones were rather a pain because I could not get in a position to be able to see into it so as to line up the screw driver.




Side skirts finally off


Now on to removing the front bumper. There are 9 clips on the top panel.


Below that there are 3 bolts. 1 on each side and one in the middle.


I forgot to grab pictures but there are two plastic clips inside each wheel arch and then one screw which you have to pry the fender liner out first to access at the top corner of the bumper. Then there are 8 bolts to be removed on the bottom side of the bumper. Once are of that is out carefully pull the bumper out of the clips underneath the side and inner corner of each headlight.

You will either need someone to hold the bumper or or lay it down at an angle and quickly disconnect the fog light wires so as not to put strain on them. Also need to disconnect the harness that is for the headlight washers and parking sensors.

Lastly make sure you have something to clamp the hose from the washer fluid container or else you will end up with a mess like I did the first time. Not really sure what I thought was going to stop it from coming out all over the place.


Bumper finally off


So I was worried about scrapping the front lip and since it was carbon and I didn't want to damage it I did a little research and found two solutions. One using industrial Velcro and the other a 3M product used on airplane front ends and helicopter blades that seems pretty indestructible. The 3M product is extremely expensive and I was unable to figure out if you needed a special adhesive to apply it so I went with the easier solution that I could pickup at Lowes.


You don't use the hard plastic stuff but rather the softer thicker part of the Velcro.










Lip finally installed on the bumper


Couple shots of the hardware installed and at the end of the bumper you can see how the last mounting location uses the factory hardware. I chose to use the factory holes to start with to bolt the lip on to align it to the bumper before drilling the holes in the bumper to install the other bolts.






Shot before installing the side skirts.


The side skirts didn't have a factory bolt hole to use to help align so a buddy of mine came over to help me hold it in place after I lined up each end before drilling the outer holes. I forgot to take any pics of the rest of the side skirt install cause I was getting tired at this point. Also no pics of the re-install but just pretty much do the reverse of taking it apart.




Only able to get 3 shots of it today as it rained for most of the day unforunately. The sun did come out though so I could at least get these.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

I'm glad you finally bit the bullet and got the pieces. I love it.

godfather2

Well done bro!

crazyasiantl

iTrader: (7)

p.diddy

iTrader: (3)

looks good.

neuronbob

Very good!

chill_dog

Well, you've been sitting on that kit long enough .

And it looks absolutely awesome!! Definitely the best lip kit available for the F. Looks like you were able to get the exhaust lined up, too...very nice.

Crazy Bimmer

Looks sharp!

At first I was thinking on the velcro but now I think I may copy that idea.

fsttyms1

Majofo

lip kit..

p.diddy

iTrader: (3)

+1

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

At first I wasnt really sure what you meant about using the velcro, but its a pretty good idea actually

Looks great too!

ACCURATEin

Dear Certified Wheel Whore,

Your time has expired with these wheels. Move along to the next set.

CCColtsicehockey

New wheels after being on the car for one year is only for the TSX. Does not apply here. I will eventually do some new wheels over the life of the car but won't be for another year at least. Unless I can swing a deal again with the same company. When I do I will probably go with something concave in the rear though.

Majofo

I agree with Cosmonaut Eric.

Something with a lip, maybe deep dish.

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

Nice.

CCColtsicehockey

Because of the rear axle design the dish in the rear is as much as I can do without making the wheel stick out even further. I already rub on bumps so that isn't really an option. I will leave crazy fitment wheels to the TSX.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Concave ftmfw

Majofo

Next, trunk spoiler.