rockstar143's '04 NBP progress thread (part deux continues after 6 year hiatus)
#203
Moderator
iTrader: (3)
#204
You be right in that picture...that was right after I installed the two arm camber kit and I just eyeballed it. Its been aligned since. good eye!
,Guys you are too funny. I'm actually running j ebay camber kits front and back, they get the job done!
,Guys you are too funny. I'm actually running j ebay camber kits front and back, they get the job done!
#207
yeah man, look em up, the seller is j's racing or some bobo brand like that. They had good customer service skills and for a piece of metal and some bushings, I didn't mind giving it a chance. I want to say 135 shipped gets you front AND rear camber kits...
J.
J.
#209
Moderator
iTrader: (3)
Such a good looking car. The only thing it's missing is some ATLP on the ass
#210
Lol...thanks CL, always appreciate your feedback!
I've considered it, but I guess I always really loved the stock tips and how they fit so nicely into the bumper opening. Every time I consider it, I come back to the stockies and am happy...I DO have a stage 3 so it sounds nice at least...PLUS, full catback is a lot of money!
I've considered it, but I guess I always really loved the stock tips and how they fit so nicely into the bumper opening. Every time I consider it, I come back to the stockies and am happy...I DO have a stage 3 so it sounds nice at least...PLUS, full catback is a lot of money!
#211
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iTrader: (3)
I agree, I love how the tips look like they are SUPPOSED to be there and be a part of the bumper. I didn't know you had Stage 3 exhaust already so that's why I mentioned ATLP. It's a lot of money but damn it sounds goooooooooddddddd
So what's next? Maybe a 5.0?
So what's next? Maybe a 5.0?
#212
Don't know if that'll fit in the engine bay
If I were to go look at a new/used car right now...I'd be all over Genesis Coupe 3.8...Mustang 5.0 or 370Z. There's something about all of them that keeps me from pulling the trigger...mainly COST!
Plus, I have a gorgeous, reliable car that I KNOW I'd end up missing a lot. May pay it off and then think about another car in the future...for fun driving.
If I were to go look at a new/used car right now...I'd be all over Genesis Coupe 3.8...Mustang 5.0 or 370Z. There's something about all of them that keeps me from pulling the trigger...mainly COST!
Plus, I have a gorgeous, reliable car that I KNOW I'd end up missing a lot. May pay it off and then think about another car in the future...for fun driving.
#213
Moderator
iTrader: (3)
I'm in the same boat. I'm always talking about getting a new car but I know I'll miss mine too much. Once I pay off the TL and move the hell out of my parents house, then I'll think about getting a weekend cruiser. I think I have my heart set on a S2k.
#214
Nice pics RockStar. As soon as I'm done paying my
03 Tl-S off, I'll be scooping up a 3rd gen TL- type-S!
Cant wait!! Like you said, for the money and looks, this is the best out there on the market.
Just my !
03 Tl-S off, I'll be scooping up a 3rd gen TL- type-S!
Cant wait!! Like you said, for the money and looks, this is the best out there on the market.
Just my !
#216
Instructor
Seems like its been hard lately to get some good weather for some photos. That black would look gangsta in any weather i'm sure. An all black set up like this on a G35 would look wack as hell. The TL's lines seem to cater to it.
#217
Thanks for the compliments, man...
Funny you should mention that...last night after mountain biking, I saw a G37 all blacked out...emblems and tails etc. I thought to myself "there must be a thin line between a nice black on black on black and looking overdone" because I really thought it looked bad. Then I thought, I guess I got it right because even I HATE black on black normally but most people think it looks good. I think the car being lowered helps a LOT...and the wheel lips going all the way to the edge of the rim. One might call it an obsession, but I'm always looking for that "perfect shot" of the car.
Took a few more last night at the park at sunset...it looked pretty cool i thought...and this is on my EVO phone!!! lol.
Anyway, I still really appreciate all the nice comments guys/gals...makes me feel good to know others like what I've done with her.
About the spacers, it was definitely win...BUT, not worth the constant rubbing when I'd hit a bump...even if I had rolled properly, the tires would have touched the fender...I'd rather not have it so flush than have to raise it up or run -3 camber. Another thing was putting a painted wheel that far out meant it was more suceptible to getting chips from highway rocks etc...even in the short period it happened a little...lucky my wheels are gloss black, same as my touch up paint pen which hides it perfectly!
Stay tuned for a couple more pics...
Funny you should mention that...last night after mountain biking, I saw a G37 all blacked out...emblems and tails etc. I thought to myself "there must be a thin line between a nice black on black on black and looking overdone" because I really thought it looked bad. Then I thought, I guess I got it right because even I HATE black on black normally but most people think it looks good. I think the car being lowered helps a LOT...and the wheel lips going all the way to the edge of the rim. One might call it an obsession, but I'm always looking for that "perfect shot" of the car.
Took a few more last night at the park at sunset...it looked pretty cool i thought...and this is on my EVO phone!!! lol.
Anyway, I still really appreciate all the nice comments guys/gals...makes me feel good to know others like what I've done with her.
About the spacers, it was definitely win...BUT, not worth the constant rubbing when I'd hit a bump...even if I had rolled properly, the tires would have touched the fender...I'd rather not have it so flush than have to raise it up or run -3 camber. Another thing was putting a painted wheel that far out meant it was more suceptible to getting chips from highway rocks etc...even in the short period it happened a little...lucky my wheels are gloss black, same as my touch up paint pen which hides it perfectly!
Stay tuned for a couple more pics...
#220
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#2 is win...love the ants eye view on all of them.
well done, sir.
well done, sir.
#225
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Join Date: Jan 2008
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Nice drop and wheels....
#227
Alright guys...
A little lower control arm bushing action here...finally get the front end nice and tight!
Ok...enough waiting on answers and solutions...heeltoe must be busy and I don't want to wait on answers on here. I figured if an 07 TL-S with 15K had this crack and my 04 made it to 60K miles.... and the 04's are a harder rubber...I opted to use the A1 part number, rather than A11.
Was pricing this here and there, ended up going to the dealer...$37 each...WTF...lucky a guy that recognized me gave me 20% over invoice...he says he can't do 10 anymore because questions get asked.
SO...paid $22 bucks each...
Then swung by advance auto and paid $20 for this stuff...
and ended up with this...there's a nifty divider in the mold anyway, and since I'm waiting till Saturday/Sunday to knock this out...I just put all the window weld in in one shot. Wore gloves, of course...and smoothed out with my finger. Came out pretty well, should offer enough support to the OEM rubber to keep it from cracking again. Hopefully...I know it'll be a little stiffer, but I can live with stiffer better than ANY vibrations or tracking or cupping or unpredictable steering.
So I ended up with this!
Once in, I'll give a good review on it...let everyone know if this is the route for you.
OH AND ANOTHER FYI if you decide to do this...the top and bottom of the bushing are different...you'll see it when you touch it and I'm SURE it's just gotta match how they are on the stock ones now. I made sure NOT to cover the arrows with the window weld so I know where to put them.
J.
In addition, I did my spark plugs last Saturay along with cleaning my K&N filter and changing oil. Love doing maintenance...For those contemplating the plugs...even though they CAN go to 105...it says depending on driving condition. Got a good deal at advance auto and paid 38 for the plugs...maybe it's placebo but the response on the throttle feels better. I confirmed this by a comment my fiance made yesterday on our way to Publix...had to push it a bit to get around this guy to turn. She immediately said "Babe...did somethinig you do yesterday make the car faster??" I said f*** yeah...
Mind you, this is coming from someone that is super annoyed with my car obsession and would NOT compliment me unless she really thought it.
Also, lately my hood has been coming down on my head while working. I attributed it to the cold weather etc...but I knew it was time. Hurt to spend the $66 on the hydraulic hood raisers but I have to say, I took off one side and the hood fell, had to put a broom to hold it up. When I took off both sides and put back on 1 of the new ones, it was able to hold the load all by itself. 7 years is pretty good for the first set, no?!...hurts to spend so much on something that is only functional but I'm a firm believer that if you start letting stuff go, before you know it your car looks old and beat up and is full of features that no longer work.
J.
A little lower control arm bushing action here...finally get the front end nice and tight!
Ok...enough waiting on answers and solutions...heeltoe must be busy and I don't want to wait on answers on here. I figured if an 07 TL-S with 15K had this crack and my 04 made it to 60K miles.... and the 04's are a harder rubber...I opted to use the A1 part number, rather than A11.
Was pricing this here and there, ended up going to the dealer...$37 each...WTF...lucky a guy that recognized me gave me 20% over invoice...he says he can't do 10 anymore because questions get asked.
SO...paid $22 bucks each...
Then swung by advance auto and paid $20 for this stuff...
and ended up with this...there's a nifty divider in the mold anyway, and since I'm waiting till Saturday/Sunday to knock this out...I just put all the window weld in in one shot. Wore gloves, of course...and smoothed out with my finger. Came out pretty well, should offer enough support to the OEM rubber to keep it from cracking again. Hopefully...I know it'll be a little stiffer, but I can live with stiffer better than ANY vibrations or tracking or cupping or unpredictable steering.
So I ended up with this!
Once in, I'll give a good review on it...let everyone know if this is the route for you.
OH AND ANOTHER FYI if you decide to do this...the top and bottom of the bushing are different...you'll see it when you touch it and I'm SURE it's just gotta match how they are on the stock ones now. I made sure NOT to cover the arrows with the window weld so I know where to put them.
J.
In addition, I did my spark plugs last Saturay along with cleaning my K&N filter and changing oil. Love doing maintenance...For those contemplating the plugs...even though they CAN go to 105...it says depending on driving condition. Got a good deal at advance auto and paid 38 for the plugs...maybe it's placebo but the response on the throttle feels better. I confirmed this by a comment my fiance made yesterday on our way to Publix...had to push it a bit to get around this guy to turn. She immediately said "Babe...did somethinig you do yesterday make the car faster??" I said f*** yeah...
Mind you, this is coming from someone that is super annoyed with my car obsession and would NOT compliment me unless she really thought it.
Also, lately my hood has been coming down on my head while working. I attributed it to the cold weather etc...but I knew it was time. Hurt to spend the $66 on the hydraulic hood raisers but I have to say, I took off one side and the hood fell, had to put a broom to hold it up. When I took off both sides and put back on 1 of the new ones, it was able to hold the load all by itself. 7 years is pretty good for the first set, no?!...hurts to spend so much on something that is only functional but I'm a firm believer that if you start letting stuff go, before you know it your car looks old and beat up and is full of features that no longer work.
J.
#230
February update:
Upgraded to AMP'd Extreme LED front emblem. Love it, totally holds it's own in relation to the headlights/fogs now.
AND, redid my headlights with type S diffusers...and put in the silver "v" in the grill.
Super happy with how it came out.
Those were at CB Smith today...hope you enjoy!
Upgraded to AMP'd Extreme LED front emblem. Love it, totally holds it's own in relation to the headlights/fogs now.
AND, redid my headlights with type S diffusers...and put in the silver "v" in the grill.
Super happy with how it came out.
Those were at CB Smith today...hope you enjoy!
#232
Moderator
iTrader: (3)
Looking dope as always!
#234
You fellas are the bomb...thanks for the comments/compliments. Always appreciated!
PS...yeah, emblem was meh in my mind, but once I saw it in person...I love it. Camera doesn't do it justice.
That said, MAN, so happy with the type S diffusers...I mean, I was happy with the blacked out amber ones before...but it looks so much more clean like this and light emanates so much better too.
AND...washed my car today AND no condensation tonight. YAY! I made sure to heat/press in the two sides REALLY well this time and line all the tabs up. That, coupled with my blowdryer/hose gimmick to remove trapped humidity and VOILA!
See you all at the next meet, hopefully!
PS...yeah, emblem was meh in my mind, but once I saw it in person...I love it. Camera doesn't do it justice.
That said, MAN, so happy with the type S diffusers...I mean, I was happy with the blacked out amber ones before...but it looks so much more clean like this and light emanates so much better too.
AND...washed my car today AND no condensation tonight. YAY! I made sure to heat/press in the two sides REALLY well this time and line all the tabs up. That, coupled with my blowdryer/hose gimmick to remove trapped humidity and VOILA!
See you all at the next meet, hopefully!
#235
Moderator
iTrader: (3)
I'm jealous of those diffusers. My headlights look so ricey with the switchbacks just chillin there in plain sight
So I have to ask, what's next? It looks pretty much "completed" to me, but when it comes to car modification, is that even possible? Maybe you'll save your pennies for a 5.0.
So I have to ask, what's next? It looks pretty much "completed" to me, but when it comes to car modification, is that even possible? Maybe you'll save your pennies for a 5.0.
#237
Honestly, I had blacked out then red then back to chrome badges...lol...I like the contrast. I think the key to a properly done "murdered" out look is knowing when to stop (ie...don't black out the lights etc) you have to have some things POP when you look at the car and accentuate some things too otherwise it ends up looking like a rolling black mass.
CL...MAN, I said I was "done" like 5 mods ago! lol...I DO want to save my pennies to eventually get a 5.0. I DEFINITELY will not go 35K into debt for a car that I can guarantee will be VERY popular and cheaply attainable in the next few years.
My last mod for now...is the Jpipe sitting in my garage...I'm ready to slap it on but when I did my stage 3 exhaust I used smaller sized fittings on the dynomax resonator...and that creates "turbulence" in the exhaust creating backpressure etc...I want to fix that before I do the Jpipe so I get ALL I can out of her!
NOW, the key is to stay happy with it and stop going back and forth...paint this...do that...then go back to the way it was. The type S diffusers were expensive but I had to jump at the opportunity to get em...I didn't like the "open" socket look with my first set of cleared lights so I'm with you. Have you thought about the USR clear diffusers? They seem more "see through" to me...but at least would somewhat mask the switchback!
CL...MAN, I said I was "done" like 5 mods ago! lol...I DO want to save my pennies to eventually get a 5.0. I DEFINITELY will not go 35K into debt for a car that I can guarantee will be VERY popular and cheaply attainable in the next few years.
My last mod for now...is the Jpipe sitting in my garage...I'm ready to slap it on but when I did my stage 3 exhaust I used smaller sized fittings on the dynomax resonator...and that creates "turbulence" in the exhaust creating backpressure etc...I want to fix that before I do the Jpipe so I get ALL I can out of her!
NOW, the key is to stay happy with it and stop going back and forth...paint this...do that...then go back to the way it was. The type S diffusers were expensive but I had to jump at the opportunity to get em...I didn't like the "open" socket look with my first set of cleared lights so I'm with you. Have you thought about the USR clear diffusers? They seem more "see through" to me...but at least would somewhat mask the switchback!
#240
Just a written update as EVERYONE has already taken pics of install of Jpipe etc...
Below is a copy paste from my opinion on the V3 jpipe I just put in. In addition, I removed my front grill and rear license valence...my buddy owes me some cash and is going to paint it for me professionally finally. SWEET!
J.
Anyone with a stage III stock exhaust...you WILL hear a difference, absofreakinlutely. And it's intoxicating. I swear to you it sounds like a friggin exotic car.
That said, install was easy enough, got home, jacked car up, disconnected car battery (do to the idle relearn process after) went for a 30 minute jog. By the time I got back exhaust was cool to the touch.
Ok, so I used about a one foot lead pipe as a breaker bar on my 3/8" ratchet. Not a problem. Started the bolts by hand then hit them (the front 6) with my new Makita 18V impact driver. Oh yeah...took all 6 off. I live in South Florida so corrosion was a minimum. That said, I had 2 of the nuts get stuck to the threaded nut that comes down and the whole screw came out with the bolt. Since they bolts were all in decent shape, I opted to reuse them factory bolts (front 6, you can't reuse the back 3).
I also opted to take off the hanger by removing the 2 12MM bolts...much easier to transfer over and get the OEM jpipe down. Put the gaskets on and hand tightened everything, then tightened and torqued down in a circular motion (a few twists then the next nut then the next one till they wouldn't budge).
Then I put everything away...let the engine idle for 5 minutes and warm up.
IMPRESSION:
Amazing...I could hear it as soon as I turned it on. Much more aggressive sounding especially right up around 4K rpms. Just sounds raw and mean...hard to describe. Once warmed up, I took it down the block alone. Now, the older I get the less I am willing to do this...but for test I went down this pretty lonesome road down the back part of my development. I call it the proving grounds cause it's where I go to test out any changes I make. Anyway, the car DOES just feel lighter on it's wheels...like it's wants to move. I normally can punch it from one stop sign to the next and I usually have to shut down at 80MPH to be able to comfortably stop before the end (2nd stop sign)...TODAY, I hit 90MPH before having to slow down. I don't know what that relates to...but other than FEELING faster, I can tell you I absolutely ended up 10MPH faster down a set distance.
2 things, I felt like there is a smell and a little rasp around 4 to 5K. Not low, and not high in RPM's. BUT, that said, the smell smells like virgin metal when it's first been heated...so I'm sure that'll go away. AND, the rasp, I think once some crud builds up in the pipes and the pipe "settles", it'll turn into a much more deep groan.
Intoxicating and I definitely don't regret buying this, one bit.
Below is a copy paste from my opinion on the V3 jpipe I just put in. In addition, I removed my front grill and rear license valence...my buddy owes me some cash and is going to paint it for me professionally finally. SWEET!
J.
Anyone with a stage III stock exhaust...you WILL hear a difference, absofreakinlutely. And it's intoxicating. I swear to you it sounds like a friggin exotic car.
That said, install was easy enough, got home, jacked car up, disconnected car battery (do to the idle relearn process after) went for a 30 minute jog. By the time I got back exhaust was cool to the touch.
Ok, so I used about a one foot lead pipe as a breaker bar on my 3/8" ratchet. Not a problem. Started the bolts by hand then hit them (the front 6) with my new Makita 18V impact driver. Oh yeah...took all 6 off. I live in South Florida so corrosion was a minimum. That said, I had 2 of the nuts get stuck to the threaded nut that comes down and the whole screw came out with the bolt. Since they bolts were all in decent shape, I opted to reuse them factory bolts (front 6, you can't reuse the back 3).
I also opted to take off the hanger by removing the 2 12MM bolts...much easier to transfer over and get the OEM jpipe down. Put the gaskets on and hand tightened everything, then tightened and torqued down in a circular motion (a few twists then the next nut then the next one till they wouldn't budge).
Then I put everything away...let the engine idle for 5 minutes and warm up.
IMPRESSION:
Amazing...I could hear it as soon as I turned it on. Much more aggressive sounding especially right up around 4K rpms. Just sounds raw and mean...hard to describe. Once warmed up, I took it down the block alone. Now, the older I get the less I am willing to do this...but for test I went down this pretty lonesome road down the back part of my development. I call it the proving grounds cause it's where I go to test out any changes I make. Anyway, the car DOES just feel lighter on it's wheels...like it's wants to move. I normally can punch it from one stop sign to the next and I usually have to shut down at 80MPH to be able to comfortably stop before the end (2nd stop sign)...TODAY, I hit 90MPH before having to slow down. I don't know what that relates to...but other than FEELING faster, I can tell you I absolutely ended up 10MPH faster down a set distance.
2 things, I felt like there is a smell and a little rasp around 4 to 5K. Not low, and not high in RPM's. BUT, that said, the smell smells like virgin metal when it's first been heated...so I'm sure that'll go away. AND, the rasp, I think once some crud builds up in the pipes and the pipe "settles", it'll turn into a much more deep groan.
Intoxicating and I definitely don't regret buying this, one bit.