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Finally decided to start my own build thread... I had to fit in somehow!
In September of 2015, I finally purchased my first car at the age of 20. After nearly a year of researching, I ended up purchasing a 2012 G37x Sedan in Vibrant Red. Purchased it with 35,000 miles on the odometer, 4 months later, it's at nearly 43,000. (Driving between NJ and NC)
Car paid off as of August 27, 2016.
Wheels/Suspension/Brakes
OEM Black Chrome G37 Convertible Wheels - 19x9 +30mm
Here she is sitting at the dealer the day I bought her.
Towering over my friend's S2k.
G meets M?
Purchased these OEM paddle shifters locally on the forums. First "mod" I purchased for my car.
Morimoto XB LED 5500k foglights installed.
I originally disliked the OEM decklid spoiler, but it grew on me after seeing how many people had it on the forums. I ended up buying it in December. The install sucked, but as you can see, I was successful. 0/10 would not do again.
I've finally made some progress! Quite a big change.
19x9 Black Chrome Vert wheels installed along wrapped in BFGoodrich G-Force Comp 2 A/S tires (245/40/19) and my GTR start button
Now I really need to get some AWD Swifts springs and an Akebono BBK, preferably in burnt copper.
Those rims look fantastic on your G, Z. Just the right amount of chrome too IMO as is right now with the wheels, window trim, headlights, grill and fog rings. Very proper so far. Nice work....
Those rims look fantastic on your G, Z. Just the right amount of chrome too IMO as is right now with the wheels, window trim, headlights, grill and fog rings. Very proper so far. Nice work....
Haha "G, Z"... Sorry, I thought that was funny.
But thanks man! I thought the same about the chrome too, although I think I'm still going to black out the window trim. We'll see
Recommend an Intake before you tune (Takeda or Stillen G3). There are no plenum spacers. You can make an aftermarket ported OEM plenum (Z1 performance) or a VQ35HR plenum (M370). You could also PNP your lower plenum to match. I actually have a set of OEM upper and lower plenums for sale if you're interested. Camber kits would be a good idea so your alignment is perfect one you lower it. Coilovers would be ideal though. Fortune Auto 500 with Swift springs is my recommendation. If you are going to paint your headlight housings might as well do some other upgrades too (clear lens, Iron Man or Halo Rings, etc.). Carsmo ***** are a nice cheap upgrade. Illuminated door sills looks great too. Diode Dynamics interior LED kit is another cheap mod that is really nice.
I love those wheels. Chin Spoiler, drop, painted headlights will look really nice. 20 years old and you got this car and money for mods. Must be doing good, good for you!!
Recommend an Intake before you tune (Takeda or Stillen G3). There are no plenum spacers. You can make an aftermarket ported OEM plenum (Z1 performance) or a VQ35HR plenum (M370). You could also PNP your lower plenum to match. I actually have a set of OEM upper and lower plenums for sale if you're interested. Camber kits would be a good idea so your alignment is perfect one you lower it. Coilovers would be ideal though. Fortune Auto 500 with Swift springs is my recommendation. If you are going to paint your headlight housings might as well do some other upgrades too (clear lens, Iron Man or Halo Rings, etc.). Carsmo ***** are a nice cheap upgrade. Illuminated door sills looks great too. Diode Dynamics interior LED kit is another cheap mod that is really nice.
I love those wheels. Chin Spoiler, drop, painted headlights will look really nice. 20 years old and you got this car and money for mods. Must be doing good, good for you!!
Woops forgot to add intakes to the list. I was confusing the plenum spacer with the Motordyne M370 manifold (I'm an idiot)
Camber kits will also be considered once the car is lowered. I'm realllllllllllly leaning towards Swifts since they seem to be well respected on the AWD side of the forums. The Fortune coils with Swifts do look awesome though. When/if I choose to do my headlights, I'd probably just upgrade the lenses. Halo are meh to me right now, maybe they'll grow on me? (It's not BMW) My car came with illuminated door sills when I bought it
Thanks for your response though, very helpful and will definitely look into these options. Appreciate the kind words.
With the AWD Sedan, if your priority for lowing is aesthetics, then definitely go with Swift Springs, and only pursue camber kit(s) if necessary after the fact. Lots and lots of people here get away with only the lowering springs, and /done.
As for the BBK... sure, copper powdercoated Akebono calipers would look amazing against 14" slotted rotors, behind black-chrome 15-spoke rims. But honestly, the wheel choice here hides your brakes. With that black-chrome finish, and the number of spokes, the brakes are an afterthought. If I were you, that expensive BBK would be way down my list.
You know what else hides your brakes? Taking all these new pictures in the freaking shadows.
With the AWD Sedan, if your priority for lowing is aesthetics, then definitely go with Swift Springs, and only pursue camber kit(s) if necessary after the fact. Lots and lots of people here get away with only the lowering springs, and /done.
As for the BBK... sure, copper powdercoated Akebono calipers would look amazing against 14" slotted rotors, behind black-chrome 15-spoke rims. But honestly, the wheel choice here hides your brakes. With that black-chrome finish, and the number of spokes, the brakes are an afterthought. If I were you, that expensive BBK would be way down my list.
You know what else hides your brakes? Taking all these new pictures in the freaking shadows.
That's most likely what I'll end up doing. As for the BBK, I don't plan on doing that until February 2017.
Wheels look great Zahy, and just paint your OEM calipers black, just use some brake cleaner, then wipe down w/ rubbing alcohol and put a few coats of VHT black caliper paint on those brakes. This will clean up the look, not draw unneeded attention to base floating calipers, and will blend well w/ your G.
Rochester gives good advice, if you drop on Swifts just keep your front camber the best you can since you have full toe adjustment, and just get a rear bolt kit to get your toe proper, then you'll have a mild camber tuck to have those wheels fit like a glove. You'll be extra happy w/ that setup!
Wheels look great Zahy, and just paint your OEM calipers black, just use some brake cleaner, then wipe down w/ rubbing alcohol and put a few coats of VHT black caliper paint on those brakes. This will clean up the look, not draw unneeded attention to base floating calipers, and will blend well w/ your G.
Rochester gives good advice, if you drop on Swifts just keep your front camber the best you can since you have full toe adjustment, and just get a rear bolt kit to get your toe proper, then you'll have a mild camber tuck to have those wheels fit like a glove. You'll be extra happy w/ that setup!
I just figured if I'm gonna be messing with my brakes, I might as well go all out. It's going to be a gift to myself after my next deployment. I'm in no rush to do it.
I have to do some more research about camber/toe adjustment because I have little to no knowledge on that subject. Would I get the rear bolt kit installed and then get everything adjusted when I get an alignment? Would it be wise to purchase the Swift springs, rear bolt kit, and hotchkis all together? Appreciate your input, blnewt.
01-08-2016, 09:55 AM
