bluesolara

good stuff man, wasn't a fan of this car at all until I saw your progress thread.

With the sports/performance look you're going for, you should black out those window trim and the chrome around the grille. Sorry, I'm just a sucker for no chrome. Either plastidip or have someone tape it off with trimbrite would do

and also, if you're gonna stick with the plastidipped stockies for now, get some spacers, especially for the back

my .02 you have a sick car, congrats

Kevin

usdmJON

Thank you for the kind words and constructive criticism.
It definitely has a sporty look right now but luxury is my direction.
I like the chrome trim a lot. It is a change from the integra I had before with black trim.

As for the wheels I will be making a big purchase come February so I haven't bothered with spacers.

Tint off. Fix it checked of by CHP. Just need to mail in my proof.
So... no more tint but took the front plate off again.

usdmJON

After a day of having no front tint I have mixed feelings.

It feels like a brand new car sitting in the cabin now. But at the same time I miss the sense of "privacy" the tint gave.

Tickets are done and paid off.
I have been looking heavily at wheel the past 6 months.. literally. I am confident spending $1,200-1,500 on wheels without tires. Fingers crossed for March.

Also looking into getting an exhaust before coilovers.. this all depends on how she sits after new wheels.

usdmJON

gonzo08452

very nice shots! Oh and the car is nicely done as well. Question. How do you keep your car from getting rock chips from those gravel/dirt roads in your pics?

Kayak_man

Looks great!

usdmJON

Thank you both.

Im not on unpaved roads very often. There are a couple where I work but I only drove on them to take the pictures.

usdmJON

Updates in the mail.
New DRLs, ready for LEDs, eff these halogens until I care to blow money on VLEDs. They just aren't bright enough during the day for me. We'll see how these Cree's go.
Small interior/exterior cosmetic changes as well.

Tax season right around the corner!!
As well as retint and a slightly more substantial cosmetic change (at least to my wallet anyway) before tax season hits.

Then wheels and diving into performance parts as the weather gets warmer.

RyanCR

Nice! This is one of the best shots I've seen of the ILX.

usdmJON

Thank you! That was taken with a Galaxy Note 2. I really need to get out there with my actually camera that doesn't have a phone attached.
I will once these small changes come in shortly. One piece coming from overseas so it's going to take another week or so for shipping.

usdmJON

rcs86

Looks awesome. Was it easy to install?

Kayak_man

Looks good. I like what you've done so far. Keep up the good work.

usdmJON

Easy. Yes. Frustrating. Fuck yeah.
The double sided tape just sucked. Maybe it was too cold put but no part of the spoiler would hold with the 3m tape alone.
I used the epoxy which was the only thing that held it down after I put a bunch of weight son it and went back and forth holding each side down until it hardened.

It has been a day and is holding up pretty well but I curse the day I need to take it off if that ever comes.

Thanks. Will do!

savclaude

clean

usdmJON

Thank you sir!
Your build looks amazing to say the least. I really hope Mugen does something with the ilx... did you see my Mugen inspired chop on the ILX section?

DRL change... Didnt like how the white halogens looked during the day. Just not bright enough for me. I understand I am losing my high beam intensity but I have not used my high beams once in the near year I have owned the car. In the future I plan on upgrading to Vleds when they are instock to the LEDs they make that support DRL and highbeam wattage.

New Cree LED with projector lens and an 8smd housing.
Old bulbs were Nokya Arctic Whites.

usdmJON

New DRLs on.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Those are hawt.

duce2k

Lovin the DRL's...

usdmJON

Thanks guys. I've already decided I need to go with a higher wattage. Going to purchase some 80w this week. Anyone have any ideas if I need to upgrade my resistors or are they all the same?

Also, got a new inside piece to replace that lame JDM youth icon hanging from my mirror.

As well as...


SO EXCITED!!! I want to drive with it. hahaha

usdmJON

Fake HDR with my Note2

usdmJON

New small cosmetic addition.


JDM Tsuna Knot by Junction Produce.
Cant see it very well but there it is hanging from the roof lining over the mirror.


Reapplying tint to the front windows with this next check. New drls as well probably. Same style just higher wattage.
I decided on the wheels on wanted.
Decided on something inexpensive because I am now saving to move out ALONE. I am definitely happy with the choice I just wish they were more... brand name authentic. Ah well. Just for 2 years or so and ill have more to spend on tires as a result.

Oem front lip has been on my mind a lot recently... well see where that goes.

usdmJON

Front tint back on.
New DRLs ordered again. Same style just 4x brighter than these 16w.

And new awesome sun shade.

duce2k

Lookin good as usual JON, I need to get my brow tinted too, my Si had a 9 inch brow with limo tint, never had to use my visors

usdmJON

Thank you.

I didnt even realize it was tinted until maybe a month ago. Must have been done when they sent it to get the rear windows tinted because I never asked for it but I like it.

usdmJON

Couple changes on the way.
One being a new sti lip so I can fit it better and put a plate on the ends where I cut them off so it doesnt look as cheap.

Another I installed today. New DRLs again. Same style, I definitely like the CREEs the best. These are just 4x as bright. Hope the resistors I already have will work fine :/
Ive now got 16x replacements, nokya white halogen replacements, and the oem bulbs all as back ups. haha

The third should show up in a week or so.

Still counting down the days to tax returns which will bring new wheels.

Colin

I've got a bad feeling about that sunshade...

usdmJON

hahaha Hell yeah.

OEM front lip should be here in the next few days. First install I wont be doing myself. Just dont want to drill those holes into the bumper myself. :/
Need to take a day off but Ill get that done asap.

Looking into some vinyl options. I'll speak more on it when I have made some decisions.

Pretty much decided on wheels. They will most likely be replicas. As Aaron stated, better to no break the bank for the first set when you aren't sure on the specs yet.
And they'll always make good winter wheels once Ive forked out some real money on wheels in the future. Still much better than Rotas or XXRs so I will be happy.
It will also allow me to spend a little more on the tires and splurg a little for some half way decent lug nuts.

usdmJON

Also got the new DRLs installed. Daaaamn they are bright. Love it. Last ones I posted were 16w so just imagine what 80w would be. I can finally see the reflection of my DRLs in the back of black cars.

Wheel money squared away. Some more cosmetic mods squared away. Lighting done minus needing to still figure out what the footwell lights are. Someone said 194 and that was a lie.

Now paychecks can go towards some coilovers and a full exhaust overhaul.

usdmJON

Still have this rear window spoiler for sale. 70 picked up arou d San Fernando/Santa Clarita or 80 shipped.

P.s. I hate fedex

usdmJON

I wish I could edit posts. Apparently my lip will be at the correct fedex pick up location today. Shooting to install Wednesday. Fingers crossed. Money saved for tires. Anxiously awaiting tax return season to scoop the wheels that are still up for sale.

usdmJON

Again. Wish I could edit posts after 5 minutes.
New Cree Projector 80w LED DRL/HighBeams at night.
Here is DRL vs HighBeam output.



The high beam intensity seems to dim a bit after a few seconds and they wont remain on be clicking inward. Maybe that is what people meant by losing your high beam intensity.

Still works great!

duce2k

They seem pretty bright, do you have pics of OEM High beam output vs Cree LED

usdmJON

Sadly no. I never got shots of the OEM outputs.

New cosmetic change underway today.
Another addition come this weekend if all goes to plan.
And another another new addition that will take some fitting but fingers crossed it works out great.

usdmJON

Cosmetic change #1 done.
Teaser my buddy just sent me..


Attempting to perfect it tonight with cosmetic change #2.

Just got work that #3 shipped out today.

usdmJON

New front lip on. Love it.
Bye sti lip.

usdmJON

Love the front lip. Love the fitment.
Purchasing a dremel here real soon then working on the sti lip this weekend to get it to fit hopefully better and higher than it did last time.

Also, finished half of my collection that was stalling progress on my build.
As I said, half. I am done buying what I consider cheaper end watches.
From here on how they will be much nicer. But that wont be for years.

usdmJON

usdmJON

Alright guys. Very happy to say I got the a new sti lip installed and looking much better than the first go around. Looks a lot more like a functional splitter now... RICE yeah.. but looks stellar.

From sti lip mounted about 2.5 inches further back.
Then got the OEM lip kit.
Then mounted up the new sti lip closer to the front right under the OEM lip for a finished look.


Very happy with the outcome. Before I felt it sat too far under the bumper looking like the plastic pieces on todays challengers.. ew. Hence why I never took profile shots.
Now it sits really far forward and looks much better.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Very nice