The Evolution of IKE : Teasers & Pleasers

[the4ringer]

Below is a build-up thread I've since brought over from Fourtitude [getting a lil tired of the nonsense goin on over there] and felt I would post it here. Enjoy.

Mar 17 2008
So I've finally gotten to make an evolution type thread consisting of the lifespan of my ownership of my A3, a.k.a. "IKE". I was against it for a while cause I didnt feel that anything was really worth taking pics of, because we sort of all have the same mods or seen them a thousand times before in previous threads, so to me it seemed pointless to add to the clutter with the same pics.. But after saturday, with a few things that are going on, I felt it was time. Here is a small list of things that I've done so far with a few pics/dates to follow.

Purchase Date: DECEMBER 7TH 2007

2008 Audi A3 2.0T
Factory Options
- S-Line
- Open Sky
- iPod integration
- Ocean Blue Metallic Paint

- 12/14 • 50% Tinted Windows (Auto Image)
- 12/15 • Debadge
- 12/17 • Purchase Neuspeed P-Flo Intake (Ebay/MJM Autohaus)
- 12/25 • Installed Neuspeed P-Flo









JANUARY 2008

- 01/07/2008 • Purchase Nuespeed Rear Sway Bar (jaybird722)
- 01/26/2008 • Purchase Escort 8500 x50 Radar Detector (Ebay)
- 01/26/2008 • Purchase Escort 8500 x50 Radar Detector Hardwire (Ebay)


FEBRUARY 2008

- 02/14/2008 • Purchase Oettinger Matte Silver Grille (ProjectA3)
- 02/16/2008 • Installed Escort 8500 x50 Radar Detector & Hardwire
- 02/29/2008 • Revo SPS2 Handheld Flasher (SilverA3)


MARCH 2008

- 03/15/2008 • Installed Custom Painted Oettinger Grille












Apr 28 2008

Damnit. So last nite i went to the BK Lounge and came back. I had all 4 of my windows down on the way. Came back to park my car and went to roll the windows using the auto up feature. Checked all my windows before I turned off the car and saw the the Right Rear only went up a bit. Figuring I hit the button and stopped it, I thought nothing of it.

Today, I did the same thing. Rolled around town doing errands and such with the windows down. Noticed the Right Rear is auto up/down feature doesnt work on either my Drivers controls or on the right rear door itself.

Time to call the stealership and take the 1st step down Warranty Road...




May 1 2008
Window switch is is fixed. Was done while I waited. Bout 20mins or so. Also got a 'software update'. But because they had a printer problem, I'm unable to disclose what it is exactly.

Will post details once I get it in the mail.


Gotta love warranty




May 8 2008
got the service records mailed to me. Here is exactly what is written for the roof trim clip:

"Please comeplete roof trim loose campaign as per Audi..

Cause: CD PLEASE COMPLETE ROOF TRIM LOOSE CAMPAIGN AS PER AUDI

4 8P4-858-573 CLIP"


btw it was done at no charge. guess its a 'recall' on the part, hence complete roof trim loose campaign as per audi




June 6 2008
After spending hours upon hours detailing Ike for wustefest in about a little more then 5 hours, i taped it up and shot a few.

Excuse the poor quality. Lighting was uber-sh*tty.

Take care and see some of you guys in a few hours! :beer: :thumbup:












June 15 2008
Back from wustefest!







Some pics that I found from others.
[edited to my liking]


Thanks Jason [ultimatetaba]


Thanks Jason [ultimatetaba]



a little video action...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7DS_2_n3BI

[the4ringer]

Aug 19 2008
late check-in, but finally decided on exhaust and getting closer to figuring out suspension setup. I know im runnin koni yellows. just waiting for some info back from vogtland.


boo to slow progress :thumbdown:




Aug 24 2008:
Got spring rate info back from Vogtland through a tuner shop. Numbers are wiggity whack. Thankfully I will still have a "backup" suspension setup. Lookin at late September install. Bout flippin time!

In other news, curbed my RR stockie on Saturday morning dodging an aimless work truck driver [*sshat!]. Its on the very top part of the lip and only measures less than 1/4". Not really noticeable. But I know its there and I'm just anal-retentive like that.




Sept 12 2008:
Well after a long time of waiting and waiting... and more waiting, wheels are starting to turn. Literally. Got a list of mods that will be coming through in the next month or so, consisting of custom OZ's, tails and FINALLY suspension. And suddenly I'm slowly starting to consider a custom skid plate for the front end of the car cause the driveway I have to get out of is a monster! I hope the drop will be nice appearance-wise while still giving me a good .5" to play with while getting in and out of the garage.

Could potentially have some more news next week. I think after this round of modding, I'll be good until around January... That's when the engine mods start, heh.




Sept 16 2008:

New shoes confirmed. Picking them up tomorrow morning. hell, I picked em up today and was blown away. LIGHT! Will need some 'minor' TLC, but nothin that will be seen once they are "final". Gonna be a straight OEM tire swap once its done, meaning, yes I know, they are only 17's. But I have a feeling I'll be turning into a wheel whore so it wont matter.

Its taken me nearly year to get a roll on mods and its finally moving. Thank the LAWD!




Sept 17 2008:

Trigger has been pulled. Bullet is shot. Wallet is out for the count [so far]. Picked up the wheels today. Didnt throw them on just yet cause they need some work, heh. Should have em up in about a month or so. Keeping my fingers crossed. Snapshots are below.

Also threw down for the LED tails so I'm waiting on those as well. Glad the ball finally got rolling.










Till next time, keep it on all fours...




From LED Tailight thread:

What's your formula for determining your percentage Jay?

Once the parts are INSTALLED on the car is when it counts. Owning the parts doesn't count. Ive had an NS RSB since Feb that I'm going to install. Was going to have a shop install cause I dont have 1) a lift or 2) the pinch well adapter. There is no Jackstand mounting point for the rear and I just havent felt all too comfortable with working on the car, merely on a floor jack. Gonna try and utilize my parents steep driveway to install with car on the ground and wheels on. We'll see how that goes...

As it stands the parts that I have or are on their way, to install are:
- Nuespeed Rear Sway bar [outside in my storage unit]
- OZ Ultraleggera Wheels [at parents, waiting to have time to clean them up and paint them]
- LED Taillights [waiting for Val's row boat to hit U.S. soil with the shipment]

Within the next month, if not sooner, car WILL be lowered, FINALLY! Waiting on a check to come through from an event I worked.




Oct 14 2008:

Totally forgot to update this. Anyways, yes, I know I missed out on the NorCal/SoCal meet. I had a billion things going on for my bday weekend and doing that dive twice in one week wasnt runnin top priority. Was going to try and install the RSB myself, WITHOUT jacking the car up. Tried to utilize my parents steep driveway. Didnt work out like I wanted. WHACK! Since there are no rear jack stands points, I dont feel comfortable using just a floor jack to work under. So I'm just going to have the shop install it when they install my suspension, which is another story.

so after waiting.... and waiting... and waiting some more, I'm FINALLY getting my suspension. Looking like the late part of next week. Got a few checks coming in this week so that will basically round up the last part of what I been savin for.

Waiting to hear from Drew regarding the taillights. Kinda antsy, but dont wanna annoy him so I'm lettin him do what needs to be done before he distributes stuff out.

Bought some goodies yesterday from DBC. Just the Neuspeed Torque Mount and the EuroJet PCV fix. Havent chipped the car, but its more of 'I know its bound to go' or 'I'm gonna need it' kinda thing. Should come in by Friday is my guess.

And lastly, I have yet t get started on my wheels. Been so busy doing everything else that I just havent had any time to fix em. HOPING for either this weekend or the following to get to em. However, all in all, I'm glad the ball has since started rolling. Once this round of modding is done and all paint is completed, I should be done til about January/February.




Oct 15 2008

So after much waiting [well, not really that long, surprisingly], I made a run out to SF tonite to meet up with terje_77 to 'collect' my euro tails. He was kind enough to lend his tools and time for the install. He was just as careful with IKE as I am (:thumbup:). Install went really fast. Faster then I expected. Had a snag with one of the bolts for the outers but we got it taken care of. Talked shop a bit after, left him with a new friend named Don [haha] and went on my way.

Got the chance to snap a few...

Running Lights


Look at that A**


Brake light on


Again, just at idle



Another notch on the completion meter. Half way there. And I got a bunch of ish coming in within the next week or so. Gonna be happy times

:laugh:




Oct 17 2008

Let me first start off by saying its been one HELL of a week. Oiy. Glad its over. Anyways, got my Neuspeed Torque Inserts. Though I ordered the torque insert and the EJ PCV fix at the same time, from DBC, I guess they were outta stock on that part so they are havin one drop-shipped to me. I'm expecting that sometime early next week.

After all the suspension qualms, questions, comparisons and so on, the trigger has been pulled. And I didn't even get what I had been in debate about for months on end, haha. Ended up goin with a H&R Sport Cup Kit. Just waiting on paypal to clear the e-check [which is said to be Monday]. Then I should have, I'm hoping by Friday of the same week. If that IS the case, I'll have my Indie install it Saturday.

I will be checking into a few lighting things tomorrow when its daylight. I tried doing it tonight and aside from almost blinding myself, I only got minimal info. Putting some numbers together and once its completed, you guys will be the first to know.

BTW, can I tell you how much I'm in love with my Euro Tails?! Thanks again Drew/Chris.




Oct 24 2008

Alrighty folks. It's Friday! You know what that means right?! Lots of goodies in store. Haha. Well.... For me at least. Checked with UPS and at some point today, Chris' hot UPS chick is stoppin by to make a delivery. Expecting a small box [take that how you want, haha] for my EuroJet PCV fix and a much beefier box with my NEW[ish] suspension. Should arrive at some point today. UPS.com says its "out for delivery, but considering last weeks shipment showed up at 8PM [!!!!], who knows. Sad because I'm literally 2 mins from the San Ramon hub. Anyways...

Last time I updated, I was talking about getting some lighting things taken care of. Well I got 98% of it completed. Still have 1 set of lights to install/play with. The only reason they need some 'finesse' is because of the contacts [or lack thereof] are not making, well, contact. Gonna play with that some time this weekend if I have time. Its only for the glove box and truck lights [which are the same].

As it stands, I replaced those hideous yellow halogen Visor lights, Dome lights, and Courtesy lights with all "Cool White" LEDs. There were no matching part numbers so it had to be all measured out in millimeters, wattage, and voltage [which when it comes to volts/watts, im 'tard happy]. So I'm reluctant to say I scored big when this all worked when I installed them on Wednesday night [I know, I lag]. Anyways, here are the pics I have so far. Will post up the other ones once I get them sorted out. Some were a biotch to install, but with time, you can do it. They look a little blue, but with my car being blue, it actually looks dope.

Cool White LED Domes with Halogen & Cool White LED comparisson


Halogen & Cool White LED comparisson


Cool White LED Visor Lights


Rear Cool White LED Courtesy Lights



By the way, no bulb out warning or anything. Got one more thing to try as well so we'll see. I purchased them from superbrightleds.com. 10 bulbs + shipping was like $41 and change. Cheap mod to bump up the completion meter!


Part Numbers are as follows:

Visor Lights x 2
3910-x6 LED Festoon bulb
Options: Cool White 3910-CW6 1.75

Dome Lights x 2
4410-x9 LED Festoon bulb
Options: Cool White 4410-CW9 2.25

Courtesy Lights x 4
BA9s-W4 White LED bulb
Options: 12 Volt AC or DC

Trunk / Glove Box Lights x 2 [still working with these bulbs on fitment]
WLED-x6 LED bulb
Option: Cool White WLED-CW6 0.95




Nov 4 2008

Let me first start off with: "Anal retention is cleaning something that is supposed to get dirty". Well I'm finally dropping my car off in 2 hours to get suspension done. its been almost 11mo for the wait. Its been long enough. I've had the suspension for a lil over a week and last Friday, I had some 'extra time' to literally sit and clean every part of the springs/struts/shocks. I bought the suspension mildly used so it was obviously dirty... The obsessive-compulsive side of me decided that couldnt fly. So clean it shall be.

Now that that is completed, I couldn't be more stoked to get this done. The sway bar I've had since about February just sitting in storage... just collecting dust. On the flip-side to the suspension, I have to worry about battling a HUGE driveway for the next 28 days [until I move].

Will post pics later today of the height and how it looks visually and the 'after' once I get it back.

[the4ringer]

Nov 4 2008

Pics?

FINE! haha. Here is the 4WD pics

Ike on stilts. ugh. 3/8 of a tank of gas


Fronts - About 26 1/4" on S-line suspension


Rears - About 25 3/4" on S-line suspension



The monstrous driveway that I have to battle for the next 28 days.


Hoping that much of a drop wont kill the underbody.


I'm supposed to pick up my car tomorrow morning around 10/1030am. Thanks to the guys at East County European Autoworks in Brentwood! Car is being dropped as we speak and is getting the alignment tomorrow morning. Excited? HELLS YEAH


Support Your Local Indie!




Nov 5 2008
FINALLY! Ike has been dropped. The wait is over. The waffling is over. The constant debate of what suspension to get is over. Its over, period. I put a call into the shop this morning to make sure the car was ready to be picked up. Scott answered the phone and said it came out awesome. He asked if it would be okay to take pictures at his house and in front of the shop. Far be it to deny IKE from camera time. Picked the car up and immediately felt the difference. Made it about 10 mins away from the shop and had to pull over and take a few pics. So without too much more, there they are.

In front of one of the shop guys house.


In front of the shop. Think this may actually be made into a poster and placed inside the shop


Out on Vasco Road in the middle of the windmill farms


Best part of all, made it into my garage!


Fronts coming in at just about 24.5" on H&R Sport Cup Kit


Rears again coming in at just about 24.5" on H&R Sport Cup Kit



Movin the meter!




Nov 10 2008
i just came back from tahoe so the car is a disaster and since its been raining it doesnt leave me much time to actually have the car clean. on top of which, now that I have my car lowered, I can make it MY driveway, but not my parents. So I have to wait til I move at the end of the month.

On thing that trips me out is walking up to my car. It sits so low, but I love it. Me and my gf walked up to it the other nite and it was parked on the street. We both stopped and saw the car from the front and both said "damn that thing is low". Definitely wont clear curbs or parking stops. its cool though. At 168" long, it doesn't need to be tucked into a parking stall and still be all the way in the spot. Cant get enough of how it looks, even with the stock 17's on it.




Nov 17 2008

This past weekend I FINALLY got some time to clean up my wheels, also had time to start another small side project. The wheels took me a good 2 hours to clean up. Only had to focus on 2 wheels with seriously minor rash [surface], other then that, a few minor factory blemish, as well as removing the sticky side of the lead wheel weights. Filed down the rash then sanded down with some 220 grit. Gave all the wheels a good once over with some 400 grit. Took me about 15 minutes wheel, getting all the spoke faces, barrels, and in between crevices. Might got back one more time with some 600 grit before I prime them, just cause I'm that kind of anal. But they are now straight as hell, so I'm happy about that. C'MON PAINT!

The other project I started was the front amber corner-markers and my rear license plate frame. At first I was going to make the front corner-markers just basic black. But then I remembered that my dad works for an auto body supply company, specializing in custom paint. I gave him the paint code and he mixed me up a small batch in an aerosol can. So I popped out the corner-markers, sanded down the embossed numbers, scotch-padded the billet license plate frame and primed them. Shot them with two coats of primer and let em cure over night. Put on 2 coats of paint and 4 coats of clear. Going back this week to pick them up as I had to leave Saturday. Going to wet-sand em and buff em out and voila, done! Should be in later this week. Just got tired of how the amber lights destroyed the front end look. And as for the rear with the license plate frame; that was paint to match to appease the "less is more" look/theme I have going. Also going to take off the mounting bracket for the license plate and chop off the bottom half of the exceeding lip. Will have pics up once its completed.




Nov 23 2008

Finally made it out to my parents to pick up the painted parts this pat weekend. They came out awesome. Those about a half a shade off [viewed by certain direction], I still cant complain. The front markers are MUCH better then "notice me" orange. Threw em back on and I love em. Finishes off the front end like I wanted. Was either that or getting a Euro S-line front end, heh. Threw on the rear license plate frame as well. Just as happy with that. It makes the rear end very clean and minimal looking. Not too fond of the bling/shiny/plastic license plate frames, and I don't really need any wording or anything. So without further delay...

You can see a bit of light poking through on the trim lines, but nothing comes through on the lens itself.


With flash, cant really see the diff in pigment, as its fairly subtle.


Rear plate frame. Didnt get a chance to take off the extra lip but you get the general idea.



In other news, I got to small nickel-quarter sized scuffs on the bottom of the fascia. Not happy about it, but its something that can be fixed, probably when I reshoot my grille and other parts.




Dec 4 2008

Took IKE for his 15k check up. Passed with flying colors, heh. Thankfully my indy who has his own shop, stil also works at audi in Concord. Met with him and talked shop for a bit. Even he is asking where the wheels are, haha. Anyways left there and get a call about an hour later saying its all ready to go. I was told it was going to take around 2hrs so when I got the call an hour after I left there, I was stoked.

Get back and looking over the checklist I see the wear on the brakes and tires are still 'alive'. 75% life on stock ContiProContact tires and 80% on the brakes all around. And thats after 15k miles.

Was happy by the service and promptness. Also got a chance to stroll the lot and check out the 09's. Was tempted to test drive the quattro's, but wa busy trying to ohld my lunch down with the HUGE wheel gap. UGH! Maybe I'll do that some time this weekend.

Gotta give IKE a thorough rub-down tomorrow for Saturday. Till then, keep it on all fours...




Dec 8 2008
Happy Belated Birthday to IKE. He's now a year and a day old. He's come a long way and still a bit more to go!

[krazyboi]

nice work!

[littlewhite]

AH! now i remember your ride! Small things makes big differences, nice of you to post the part # and place. Car looks hot! Driveway aint that bad. Our car actually the bottom doesnt sit that low or too low compare to like a B5/S4, B6 etc

[SoFresh]

My car wouldn't make it down that driveway, I know that for a fact!!

I like how you wrote dates and everything, I wish I would have done that with mine... but I don't remember all my dates.

[the4ringer]

i managed to make it out of the driveway unscathed [most of the time], though there were still moments where it scrapped. Hella boo boo. But now that I'm in my new place, I dont have to worry. So much more of a relief.

As for dates, I updated by most of the times, but on those that I didnt, I just used the posting date from the other forum.

[Blake P]

Wow, very thorough write-up. I skimmed it, but can't wait to give it a good read when I have some time.

[littlewhite]

Me S-Line too, the only time I scrap the bottom is when it dips deep and goes up like in some place going into a strip mall or something. Messed up bottom of my right front bumper where it sticks out a bit. Of course this is @ the bottom. And one think I hate is if u look at the bottom bumper, there is like a horizontal thing that sticks down a bit about 2/3s in length. That thing get some damage whenever LOL! But I have to say is way better than when I had B5 S4 front on my B5 in the past

[the4ringer]

Dec 12 2008

Finally got some free time to install the EuroJet PCV fix. Its been sitting in my desk for 2 months now and it was only like a 10 min install. I really didnt need to install it right now cause I'm not chipped, but its the whole 'preventative action/get-it-out-of-the-way/its taking up space in my desk/I had nothing else to do' mod. Went on smooth.

We shall see what tomorrow brings. Some things may be goin back to stock temporarily.

[speedydragon]

what happened to the ultraleggeras?

[the4ringer]

they were sanded down and ready to go to paint. I had to take the oetty grille off this weekend cause it needs to be repainted, and since its black and the wheels will be black, they are being done at the same time. Seeing as how I couldn't make it up my parents driveway, I had to work, basically on the sidewalk... in the cold. And trying to get to screws on the bottom side of a car thats been lowered around 2", not too fun. Also, I didnt throw on the filler plate cause well, its just more ish to take off when I have to throw the oetty back on. I'm getting really good at removing the bumper. haha. Should have it down to about 15-20mins next time.

The infamous driveways I have to deal with. ugh!


Passing the times with a 7up... Yeah, I'm that kinda hardcore.


And finally its all put back together... i still hate the stock grille. blah.



Also have to take off the rear bumper to prep the lower valance for paint as well. Could literally be spotted being "half-assed", so dont be surprised. I'm working on getting a booth right now cause with this weather, I can't do it in a garage or make-shift booth. Paint/Primer will never cure.

[norcatalyst126]

Nice write up....can't wait to see the wheels!!!!!!!!

[the4ringer]

Jan 22 2009

Well its been a while since I've last updated. Not much has went on or progressed due to the holidays. Seems every weekend has been packed with something to do. I made some time available one night while my buddy was over and he was going to bring over his torque wrench so that I could install my Neuspeed torque mount. We put the car on two pieces of wood giving us about another inch to get under the car [when its that low, an inch really does help]. As luck would have it, it didn't seem to be enough room, because I couldn't seem to break loose the existing bolt. Figured I'll save that "project" for when I get some Rhino Ramps [if they will even fit under the car].

Well, I finally had some time this past Friday/Saturday to get into yet another project that ties into the previous posting about removing the front bumper/grille. This one was now to remove the rear bumper.

After about 20mins [if not less], I got the rear bumper off. Was pretty easy to do. Though I didn't reinstall the Euro LED tails as there are 2 clips that snap very easy if not removed correctly. One is already missing from my OEM tails [which were put back in the LEDs place] and another one is bent on the Euro LEDs, as I'm trying to keep the "extra parts" to minimum. Seems getting the bumper off was only half the battle. The next portion was to get it to fit in the back of my car. That was a hassle, but after a few creative moves, removed headrest and back seat, i got it in just fine.

I'm sure you're asking what the whole point is for me taking it off in the first place. Well here's why; so my entire theme of my car is blue and black. Ideally my plans when I first got my car were to have:

Black:
- Roof [taken care of by oem openskye]
- Front Grille
- Wheels
- Rear Valance

Blue:
- Front Cornermarkers
- Rear License-Plate Frame


So now that I already had the grille off, the wheels prepped [or so I thought], it was now time to remove the rear bumper to prep the rear valance for painting. I went ahead and sanded down the pits and chips out of the grille. Finally had a good chance to see that using 400-grit on the wheels didn't do nearly as good a job as I had thought, the first time I sanded them down, so each one had to be redone. I then had to scotch-pad each wheel twice and degrease them. Spent about 20 minutes on each wheel, each time [next time, im saying screw it and doing effing powder coating. effin demanding!]. Got those all taken care of so then I moved onto scuffing the rear valance and masking it up.

Well now that all this is done, my initial plan was to take care of all that stuff last weekend, and I did. Then I was going to proceed with priming and panting this coming weekend. And because its now raining and humidity levels are damn near impossible to do anything with, it now looks like its going to be shelved for at least another 2 weeks. This weekend shows rain and its lookin like the same thing for next as well. So now I'm runnin around without a rear bumper on.

Its going to be a complete monster puttin it back together, but I'm lookin forward to it. The wheels are easy, the front bumper is a breeze, as I've taken it off numerous times already, and the rear bumper is really simple too. Just gotta figure out how to get my bumper, wheels and grille back from my parents house to mine, all inside my car. Gonna be a long weekend when its ready to be put back together.

Here are some pics of the rear. I wish I woulda taken pics of the wheels all scuffed. Ah well.

Till next time, keep it on all fours.


assOFF


The rear and trunk in peices


Finally got the bumper inside the car so that the hatch closes.


Headrest - Rear Seat - Rear Bumper = 8lbs Shed

[the4ringer]

fak the rain! still waiting for a pair of good weathered days. still assless. *tear*

[littlewhite]

=D it'll come

[tpliquid]

duno why u took off ur rear bumper to paint the valence. u can take valance off w.o taking bumper off.

[the4ringer]

easier to deal with versus removing all the tabs. at least for me. either way, it only took me a few mins to remove the bumper so it doesnt bother me.

[mykelron]

Where can I pick up those LED tail lights in the Atlanta, GA area? Can some one please assist...

[littlewhite]

Where can I pick up those LED tail lights in the Atlanta, GA area? Can some one please assist...

unless another local member got one, try dealership or look online

[the4ringer]

Mar 16 2009

After MONTHS of waiting and waiting, I finally got my lower valance painted and my oetty grille re-shot. They both came out AMAZING. Couldn't be happier. They are both being wet-sanded/rubbed out today. Had the chance on Friday to do em cause it was such a nice day. Though as the day came to a close, the weather got a bit brisk and carried out throughout the remainder of the weekend. So as it stands, the wheels are STILL left bare and unpainted. BOO.

Well in the height of my excitement, I totally forgot to take pics and feel like such a douche. Damnit. I will say that the oetty grille is like a mirror. That sucker will DEF be taped up for Wustefest. Does have a few imperfections from setting, but nothing that cant be fixed while bein rubbed out. Same situation with the lower valance.

I'm HOPING that this sunday will be a bit more fair with the weather as it was last friday so that I can get to shooting the wheels. Im trying to have the parts done and installed before I leave for Texas for Wrestlemania 25 which is about 3 weeks away.

I'm going to try and shoot back over this week and get my bumper and grille or at least snap some pics. Will likely install all the parts in one day. But now my concern falls with the j/o's installing my wheels. If I get a chip or a scratch, hell will be raised, indefinitely.

[the4ringer]

Apr 24 2009

Well its been a good month or so since I've kept this updated. Not a whole lot as went on with the car [aside from nearly 3 months of dirt!]. Got the lower Rear Valance painted [more on that later ], reshot the oetty grille [which came out a million times better then the 1st time around] and FINALLY got my wheels shot. We shot em last weekend and I went and picked them up on weds.

All parts came out like mirrors! Couldn't be more happier... Well, until yesterday. I was installing my bumper and grille and had my bumper propped up on a blanket. Somehow the bumper ended up falling backwards and off the blanket. FML! Yes it did get scratched up. Fresh paint. OEM Paint. It was horrible. Ugh. Made me seriously depressed all day. However at this point, I just wanted the parts on. So I got em on and looks nice to see my car whole again. As for the scratches, I'm going to see about touch-up paint . With the whole painting fiasco that went on, painting is the furthest thing from my mind right now.

I'm still letting the wheels cure/set and am going to have them put on next Saturday. Was looking at my tires as well, might be needing a new set sometime on before/after wustefest. We'll see how it fairs out. For now, heres a wheel teaser.

[Blake P]

Sorry to hear about the paint fiasco, but at least you're making progress!

[the4ringer]

full body shot to come in about a week or two. have some last minute things to tend to ;)

[Blake P]

Can't wait to see it all together!

[the4ringer]

May 04 09

Well the schedule of events should be goin as follows:
- Friday: Install OZ Wheels
- Saturday: Detail the holy hell outta the car
- Next Friday: Have my tentative appointment for Stage 1 Revo

Sometime between this week and next, I gotta put my order in for AWE Tunings Diverter Valve kit. So much goin on in the next 2 weeks, but I'm glad its finally takin shape.


Next ["last"] round of mods will be [not for at least 6mo]:
- 3" Downpipe [debating to go catless or not]
- Custom AutoTech Exhaust
- Stage 2 tuning

[the4ringer]

well it wouldnt be a build-up thread without a few let-downs... So yesterday I set out as planned. Went out to the tire shop and they jacked the car up, took the stock wheels off, swapped with the new blackies, went to thread em on... OEM lugs (28mm) are too short. DAMNIT (#1). After a few unsuccessful attempts at trying to track down some 35mm bolts, the shop coudlnt do anything more then swap out the blackies for the stock. So back to stock I go. (damnit #2)

Left there and shot out to Freddie out at ECEA to have him recode my euro-tails (long story). Spent about 30mins or so tryin to figure it out and couldnt get it done (damnit #3). Didnt want to take up anymore of Freddies afternoon so I took off and headed home. Will be goin back in about a week or two to take care of my 20k service (oil change), fix the tail light coding, and possibly have him swap out my DV to the new D valve.

Well good news peaked its head out today as I got a hold of a rep from RAD lug bolts for a set of 35mm lugs. Will be calling on monday to place my order. Hopefully i can get em by Friday.

Didnt make the full detail as I had planned on today, but I did let the wheels sit out and bake in the glorious 80= degree weather. Also scuffed, primed, and painted my OZ centercaps that I tracked down. So those are now black and matching. Might go get some clear and give em a good once over.

Other then the above, still have the REVO stage 1 tentative for this coming Friday. Also got a hold of REVO to talk about updating the firmware of my Select Flasher so thats also good news. Said they'd take care of it so long as I covered shipping.

With Wustefest right around the corner, I am just ready to get everything done and just drive the car. Its a definite love/hate relationship and hard on the nerves at times but I know that it will all pay off in the end.

Til next time; Happy Motoring and Keep It On All Fours

[the4ringer]

May 13 009

This is becoming more of a blog then a build-up, I swear it. Well since I last updated, I got in contact with RAD Bolts and got hooked up on a set of 35mm lugs. Ordered them mid-morning Monday and they got dropped off this afternoon to my doorstep. Opened em up and saw how clunky they looked. Threw a lug cap on em and put em in one of the eye-holes of the wheels. Saw that the hat of the bare-metal bolt could still be seen with the cap over it. Being as anal as I am, that wont fly.

Cut some slits in the box they came in, shoved em in and put on 2 nice coats of matte black on em. Came out very nice.

Depending on how my night goes I MIGHT just be able to swing on over to have em thrown on tomorrow morning. If that dont work, then I'll try the same on Friday before my tune, which would be cutting it real close. If all else fails, Saturday it is!

Still need to get my hands on a D valve, change the oil, then ride it out for the next couple months til I get bored and go to stage 2, heh.

[the4ringer]

got word on a 'quick-fix' for my Tail-Lamp issue I was having. Was said to try and swap the harnessing from left-side to right-side. Tried it and it cleared the Bulb Out warning, missing LED ring and corrected my turn signal malfunction.

Totally weird cause when the lamps were originally removed the harnesses stayed attached to each lamp and when replaced, went on the same way. Either way, I'm glad thats over-with.

Checked off the list and pushin forward...

[audiloverz]

full body shot to come in about a week or two. have some last minute things to tend to ;)

Nice awesome look

[the4ringer]

Hella *nom*







oh and stage 1; check!

[the4ringer]

May 17 009

Well the wait is finally over. I've finally got a huge chunk of stuff completed and applied. Friday went as planned and went without a hitch. Kicked major ass, aside from having to drive all over the bay for different appointments. Had to be at Deals on Wheels by 9am and bypass my house on my way to Milpitas by 12pm. Made both appointments with time to spare. Woke up before my alarm clock went off and swore it was my very own christmas.

Wheels went on without a problem. When I was paying Juan I was tellin him how I had to shoot down to Milpitas to get my car tuned. He asked which place; told him Emotion Garage. Turns out him and Will used to work together way back when. Was kinda cool. So went on my way. Dropped off the heavy-ass oem 5-spoke Flintstone wheels at my place then shot down to Milpitas. Got there with about 10 mins to spare.

Talked to Will and told him what I was lookin for. He went ahead and took care of the car and was also able to adjust the settings of my Select Flasher, which was even better. For as much as I wanted to rail it hard after I got the car back, I held out. I still havent ordered my 'D' valve yet. Been kinda stressin on gettin all this other sh done first. So I'm hopin to get it this week. Though I can still feel it pull MUCH harder, while im bouncin around in mid-range.

Washed the old wheels Friday night and put em away in storage. Got up Saturday and detailed the hell outta IKE. Used a few new products and was pretty happy with the results. Got some time to snag a few pics, with a shitty camera, so without further delay...

[Blake P]

Looks great! Glad to see things finally coming together man.

[krazyboi]

Very nice. Lots of new changes in a short time

[the4ringer]

thanks guys. Yeah I'm still shocked at how good it came out. One thing I forgot to mention was how much lighter the steering is. Since I swapped out the stone wheels with the OZ's its become much lighter and more precise.

Now i want to paint the wheel weights and calipers as well. Will prolly wait til after I swap the lines and pads.

And now to hunt down a D valve...

[josmo]

what do you think about gloss black mirrors?

[the4ringer]

i honestly thought about it, but i didnt wanna 'highlight' more things then needed. Not that vital, ya know

[josmo]

ya i see what your saying, but at the same time i don't know if it would highlight it. i feel like it would blend into the window trim more and bring out the other highlights even more....photoshop time?

[MEACH]

Clean build man Keep it up

[the4ringer]

yeah. I've toyed with the idea of two toning the car. still might if i end up keeping it. Would prolly go the vinyl route. but again, still not sure. but cosmetically, im not worried about anythign as of now.

Meach, thanks! post a pic of ur ride, i think i mighta seen you round town (my office window looks out over safeway/safeway gas station)