A healthy upgrade for the warm weather

**specialB** · #1: 03-18-2013, 05:18 PM

I figured it was about time to put some more capital into the lgt with the weather getting warm. I mean heck i just rolled 10k on a fresh motor i had tuned back in October.

So here's my plan:

E85 tune scheduled for early April
(vf52 and supporting mods already installed)

But before then, I'm swapping my usdm bilsteins with Swifts for a set of jdm bilsteins rev. A with jdm pinks.

Installing a whiteline anti lift kit for the front and camber bushings for the rear

Bought a set of Rota Formula Mesh 18x8 and I'm going to plasti dip them to match the interior

I have on order a set of 235/40 federal R-SR

Now to get this project going!

Stay tuned for updates!

**lee07** · #2: 03-18-2013, 05:41 PM

Nice, You'll feel more power out of E85 than you will when you put the new turbo in(at least I felt more power/torque just from E85)

**specialB** · #3: 03-18-2013, 05:53 PM

Turbo has been on since before the motor went. She went 310whp/320wtq on pump gas with the vf52.

Before TGV deletes, forged internals, bigMAF and EWG she made 349/382 on E85 last summer. Interested to see what she'll make now

**RedDawg** · #4: 03-19-2013, 07:08 AM

Since the wheels aren't mounted to tires yet i'd suggest powdercoating them rather than plastidipping.

I'm a big fan of plastidip, ive had my oem wheels plastidipped for over a year and a half now and they held up fine, until i just had new tires put on and the installer peeled them at the edges. So now it's a pita to pull all the wheels, re-dip them, etc.

IMO if i was going with aftermarket wheels i'd pay the extra and have them powdercoated.

**specialB** · #5: 03-19-2013, 08:34 PM

Yea like six hundred bucks!

Good point and i was thinking about this, was debating just doing them while the tires are on the wheels then deal with peeling later when i change the tires.

Anywho, i got the front struts and control arms off. Off to my buddies tomorrow night to press the old bushings out and install the new.

Debating changing the inner bushing too while it's out, but does it really make a handling difference?

Rears are up next, pb blaster for the win!!

**specialB** · #6: 03-20-2013, 09:52 PM

Rears are off! The lower studs on both struts are both seized onto the strut. So they're soaking in pb blaster to see if i can bang them out later.

I'm surprised how light the spec b components really are. The upper control arm is litetally like 5 pounds at best.

Removal of springs from struts tomorrow then bushing install this weekend

**robitrice** · #7: 03-21-2013, 06:58 AM

i plasti dipped my stock wheels then used VHT paint over the dip. It held up great when i had new tires put on. my .02 and another method that has held up well in the new england weather.

**sanchitosonria** · #8: 03-22-2013, 08:46 AM

You can touch up plastidip with some gas and a nitrile glove. Much easier than redoing the whole wheel...

If you can afford the powder coat, go for it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedDawg

Since the wheels aren't mounted to tires yet i'd suggest powdercoating them rather than plastidipping.

I'm a big fan of plastidip, ive had my oem wheels plastidipped for over a year and a half now and they held up fine, until i just had new tires put on and the installer peeled them at the edges. So now it's a pita to pull all the wheels, re-dip them, etc.

IMO if i was going with aftermarket wheels i'd pay the extra and have them powdercoated.

**specialB** · #9: 03-22-2013, 04:53 PM

Got my dip! I'm gunna heed warning though and wait till next weekend when i get my tires mounted. I'd prefer not to put an enamel coating over the dip as it would eliminate its removability. It is a good idea if you want it forever permenant

**suds2250** · #**10:** 03-22-2013, 06:46 PM

I'd put the other whiteline front control bushings in while its out (the w0506 kit)

**specialB** · #**11:** 03-26-2013, 08:57 PM

Yea are they that noticeable? I did just order a cusco Lower front arm bar from infamous and they do have those bushings in stock...

**specialB** · #**12:** 03-27-2013, 04:14 AM

look what i just found, ORDERED!

Click image for larger version

Name: uploadfromtaptalk1364379226834.jpg
Views: 63
Size: 32.8 KB
ID: 146422

Click image for larger version

Name: uploadfromtaptalk1364379241746.jpg
Views: 57
Size: 35.2 KB
ID: 146423

It comes with fog lights and the reinforcement too! I think that may even be the spec B color too. I'm stoked.

**specialB** · #**13:** 03-27-2013, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suds2250

I'd put the other whiteline front control bushings in while its out (the w0506 kit)

Screw it, another fifty bucks but save me the aggravation of doing it again later. Ordered...

**scoobycoupe** · #**14:** 03-27-2013, 06:21 PM

is that your home shop?

**specialB** · #**15:** 03-27-2013, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scoobycoupe

is that your home shop?

More of a home car storage garage than a shop. If it were my say id have at least one frame lift for projects. Butt my pops doesn't wrench he just drives nice cars lol