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Not fair!! I want that! But I also want a super bright red/white LED switchback for the reverse light turned fog light. Tired of being told my "reverse light is out" during the day. As far as I know, none exists and the only one I found is from a company in Russia. No shipping available to the states. FYI I have a single VLED Red V6 Triton 921 bulb in there. Plenty bright. Anywho I wish you luck with the project and happy to have been an inspiration. lol I know you're great when it comes to wiring so I'm sure no worries there. P.S. things are well. Will update with some good news in a few days. Stay tuned
Reason they don't make them is because the socket for the 194 bulb is a dual contact and looks like you need triple contact bulb.
This might work for you.
You would have to change the socket out to make the bulb work. The bulb needs three leads: GND, REV (+), and rear FOG (+).
You have me on software and coding sir.
Sooooo back in my Honda days, like many european cars certain models came with a Rear fog embedded into the taillight and this was the issue.
"Hey one of your lights is out comment"
Got tired of it and went with this option. The only issue was this waffer wasnt really available back then so it was stuffing two LEDs in there and prayed for the the best.
Then switchbacks came in and changed the whole game
Thank you guys for your expertise in lighting. @BULL I will check that out. I too considered the LED sandwich trick. LOL!
Quick update in regards to my exhaust. It finally shipped!!
I also bought a surprise part that should be arriving soon. Anyone wanna take a guess?!
I have a shop ready to do the exhaust install and surprise part install so once both parts arrive, off to the shop we go! I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas morning. OH the memories!!
Nothing really special but it would be nice to kill the SUV wheel gap a bit. Tempted to get coilovers but I'm saving up to ultimately get the car on air. These swift springs will have to do for now. I'm sure it needs no introduction as these springs are the #1 springs mentioned here on the forums which in turn, helped me decide on purchasing them. It doesn't slam the car but it does do a nice noticeable drop with positive feedback in regards to ride comfort. Enticing indeed!
Congrats on the Swifts'. Most everyone who has them loves them so I'm sure you made a good decision. I almost pulled the trigger on a set but got a killer deal on a set of new 370Z red Nismo's. Eventually I'll get around to installing them with the Koni's. Just too much IRL crap to deal with....
Another update! The major project and most anticipated part finally arrived 😁.
Even came with everyone's favorite surprise. A PLATE FRAME!! Lol. I've never had an exhaust before so I can't really tell you this is top notch quality stuff. The chrome tips however tell me that they are so yeah.......top notch quality stuff right here!!
I have an appointment with a shop called Real Auto Dynamics here in Long Island NY for tomorrow. They specialize in Nissan/Infiniti's as well as R32s and up so I expect nothing less than quality work. They also do tuning which will be next on my radar after I get the goods installed.
Man I can't even tell you how happy I am right now. I've been living with the sound of a broken Y-pipe since February and it's been such a horrible experience. Not to mention embarrassing as well. Car just sounded so ratchet. The drone was almost nauseating. I think I've gone deaf from how loud I've had to put the music to drown the sound out. I don't know how these guys with resonator deletes do it. So glad it's over! Let's start with the shop.
Real Auto Dynamics was a great experience. Friendly and knowledgeable staff with various updates of the progress through social media. That was a nice touch. One negative is that they didn't give me my old springs back. I've contacted them about such and waiting for a response. Also a mini-rant here, WHY THE HELL DO THESE SHOPS UGGA-DUGGA THE LUGS BACK ON!?!?! I snapped my 1/2 extension trying to loosen the lugs. This car only needs 80-85 ft lb of torque. Think of the driveway mechanics!!!
Pick-up,
The car was dropped of at 9am Saturday morning and was ready at 530 later that day. They mentioned to me it would have been an all day affair so it wasn't a surprise. I'm sure the most frustrating part was the cats. Rather them than me! They mentioned as they were removing the exhaust, it was coming off in pieces and was falling apart in the techs hand! Sheesh. I don't know what I did to that exhaust! Total cost was $800. I consider it fair for the amount of work done. Plus they were the cheapest. One shop quoted me $1300.
Initial impression,
The sound is gone! Thank god the sound is gone! That initial start up from getting the keys back was music to my ears! The exhaust is perfect. The 18" resonators are doing its job well. The car has a nice rumble to it at idle and screams at wide open throttle. Cruising at 2300-2800rpm has no drone whatsoever. Biggest worry no longer a worry. It sounds like a 370z to me. I always found the 370z after market exhaust sound to be perfect even though it's literally the same engine. Most exhaust for the sedan have that "typical trombone" sound to it and it's just meh. The exhaust is also paired with AAM Competition Resonated HFCs. Can't say they help with sound, which I'm sure they do, but the whole exhaust is a 11/10 for me!
Of course all new parts come with new problems. My problem now? A rattle from the underside when hitting bumps and dips. I lifted the car up and am guess the culprit to be a mid brace. The exhaust is sitting right on it. I'm thinking maybe exhaust wrap could fix it.
I put approximately 100 miles on the car already and the check engine light popped up. Yay me! Of course it was the RHFCs. Possibly a tune can fix it? I cleared it for now. As long as I don't see it, the car is good. Lol.
Swift springs.
If you couldn't tell by now, the car was also lowered on swift springs. Add another satisfied customer to the list when it comes to comfortability and looks. The car rides as if it's stock. Yes the bumps hit a bit harder but you get that with any lowering springs, even coils. The stance is perfect. I didn't take any pictures nor did I do any real measurements but the front went from a 4 finger gap to 2. The rears went from 4 to 3. No rear sag like some springs. Nice raked look with an even drop. Win/Win. As far as bottoming out, have yet to do so. I've purposely drove into bad road imperfections with no scraping or concerns so this drop is daily driving approved. There's worse roads around me so I say that last sentence with an asterisk.
While snooping around the front, I noticed a coffee colored like liquid hanging around near the transfer case. Hope it's nothing serious. If anyone knows, please let me know.
The full list of what was installed:
Fast Intentions Full Catback exhaust
2.50 in diameter pipes
18 in resonator
AAM Competition HFCs
Swift Springs
I'm in love with this car all over again. I think I'm good with mods for a bit. Gotta get the wallet to recover. Considering tuning with the same shop when finances permit. Until then, I'm living my life a quarter mile at a time.
Of course all new parts come with new problems. My problem now? A rattle from the underside when hitting bumps and dips. I lifted the car up and am guess the culprit to be a mid brace. The exhaust is sitting right on it. I'm thinking maybe exhaust wrap could fix it.
Although it was 7 years ago, I was lurking at the shop when my old mechanic installed the catback, and I distinctly remember this same problem, where the pipes were compromised by the mid-brace. The solution was pretty simple: use a crowbar and bend the brace so that there's clearance. 7 years later, it's still fine. I suppose you could use a couple of large washers, too, but the crowbar worked.
Man I can't even tell you how happy I am right now. I've been living with the sound of a broken Y-pipe since February and it's been such a horrible experience. Not to mention embarrassing as well. Car just sounded so ratchet. The drone was almost nauseating. I think I've gone deaf from how loud I've had to put the music to drown the sound out. I don't know how these guys with resonator deletes do it. So glad it's over! Let's start with the shop.
Real Auto Dynamics was a great experience. Friendly and knowledgeable staff with various updates of the progress through social media. That was a nice touch. One negative is that they didn't give me my old springs back. I've contacted them about such and waiting for a response. Also a mini-rant here, WHY THE HELL DO THESE SHOPS UGGA-DUGGA THE LUGS BACK ON!?!?! I snapped my 1/2 extension trying to loosen the lugs. This car only needs 80-85 ft lb of torque. Think of the driveway mechanics!!!
Pick-up,
The car was dropped of at 9am Saturday morning and was ready at 530 later that day. They mentioned to me it would have been an all day affair so it wasn't a surprise. I'm sure the most frustrating part was the cats. Rather them than me! They mentioned as they were removing the exhaust, it was coming off in pieces and was falling apart in the techs hand! Sheesh. I don't know what I did to that exhaust! Total cost was $800. I consider it fair for the amount of work done. Plus they were the cheapest. One shop quoted me $1300.
Initial impression,
The sound is gone! Thank god the sound is gone! That initial start up from getting the keys back was music to my ears! The exhaust is perfect. The 18" resonators are doing its job well. The car has a nice rumble to it at idle and screams at wide open throttle. Cruising at 2300-2800rpm has no drone whatsoever. Biggest worry no longer a worry. It sounds like a 370z to me. I always found the 370z after market exhaust sound to be perfect even though it's literally the same engine. Most exhaust for the sedan have that "typical trombone" sound to it and it's just meh. The exhaust is also paired with AAM Competition Resonated HFCs. Can't say they help with sound, which I'm sure they do, but the whole exhaust is a 11/10 for me!
Of course all new parts come with new problems. My problem now? A rattle from the underside when hitting bumps and dips. I lifted the car up and am guess the culprit to be a mid brace. The exhaust is sitting right on it. I'm thinking maybe exhaust wrap could fix it.
I put approximately 100 miles on the car already and the check engine light popped up. Yay me! Of course it was the RHFCs. Possibly a tune can fix it? I cleared it for now. As long as I don't see it, the car is good. Lol.
Swift springs.
If you couldn't tell by now, the car was also lowered on swift springs. Add another satisfied customer to the list when it comes to comfortability and looks. The car rides as if it's stock. Yes the bumps hit a bit harder but you get that with any lowering springs, even coils. The stance is perfect. I didn't take any pictures nor did I do any real measurements but the front went from a 4 finger gap to 2. The rears went from 4 to 3. No rear sag like some springs. Nice raked look with an even drop. Win/Win. As far as bottoming out, have yet to do so. I've purposely drove into bad road imperfections with no scraping or concerns so this drop is daily driving approved. There's worse roads around me so I say that last sentence with an asterisk.
While snooping around the front, I noticed a coffee colored like liquid hanging around near the transfer case. Hope it's nothing serious. If anyone knows, please let me know.
The full list of what was installed:
Fast Intentions Full Catback exhaust
2.50 in diameter pipes
18 in resonator
AAM Competition HFCs
Swift Springs
I'm in love with this car all over again. I think I'm good with mods for a bit. Gotta get the wallet to recover. Considering tuning with the same shop when finances permit. Until then, I'm living my life a quarter mile at a time.
This will give you a problem in the future. The gap between the flanges needs to be much less. Its warping usually attributed to welding of the flange. Many manufacturers flatten these flanges.
Some o2 spacers will clear the light, a tune will do as well.
The car looks really cool, and all your work wasn’t in vain indeed. I have also been a fan of this Nissan car and think it’s one of the most iconic cars of the early 2000s. It’s been everywhere, and everyone wanted it. And it’s still popular among the people who know.
Recently I also decided to fulfill my childhood dream and look for japanese import cars sale in my area. Now I have the money to afford one and some more time to dedicate to this car. I have never been a good car specialist, and I will definitely need some help repairing the insides of the car, but the outsides would be my own project.
Last edited by stoianracing; Oct 3, 2022 at 01:16 PM.
The car looks really cool, and all your work wasn’t in vain indeed. I have also been a fan of this Nissan car and think it’s one of the most iconic cars of the early 2000s. It’s been everywhere, and everyone wanted it. And it’s still popular among the people who know.
Recently I also decided to fulfill my childhood dream and look for japanese import cars sale in my area. Now I have the money to afford one and some more time to dedicate to this car. I have never been a good car specialist, and I will definitely need some help repairing the insides of the car, but the outsides would be my own project.
I'm still here and the car is still going strong. Nothing new added. Just been daily driving it and enjoying it as best as I can. This post will be an update/review on the mods that I've done so far.
Most of these photos are at night due to me working night shift so I tried my best with the shots.
Springs update/review:The swift springs are great. The car sits right and has a perfect look. Not slammed but you're not dealing with that grand canyon wheel gap. The ride quality? It's definitely not stock anymore. I honestly don't even remember the OEM springs but I do feel the ride is stiffer. Bigger potholes also let you know you're riding on stiffer springs. I've hit some potholes so hard that the volume changes. Gives me a chuckle from time to time. Ground clearance? I've scraped the underside once and it was pretty minor. It hit the front sway bar to be exact which sits low on the AWD models to begin with. Albeit I was on a seriously poor condition roadway and was unable to avoid it. Also scrape my lip when pulling out of steep driveways and such. I've driven on roads with dips that usually will make a slammed guy mash his brakes but I go over it without any consequences. Overall I don't drive with worry and is still great for daily driving. Not one regret at all!
Brakes/Rotors update/review:
DBA rotors and Akebono pads. Winning combination for me. The rotors are rusty which I think is inevitable unless you painted the hub but still feel great. No shuddering and no squealing. The Akebono pads also have great stopping power. I like them better than my sportech pads. Those pads left so much dust and faded way too quickly. Never inspired confidence like the Akenono's. One example, coming down a highway with blind curves and came across a disabled vehicle in the middle of the road way. Hit the brakes and went from 65 to 10 quicker than if I saw a state trooper. ABS never activated either. Took a sigh of relief and I was on my way home safely and with a smile knowing that I avoided a potential serious accident. Sold for life on this combo.
Exhaust/Cat:
What can I say? Money well spent! The fast intentions exhaust with the 18in resonator is amazing. Loud when you want it and calm when cruising. I drove to work one night with no music just to really hear the exhaust and was amazed with the little to no drone at highway speeds. Some spirited driving on the side streets and she screams. Not raspy and not ricey either. This is exactly what I was looking for.
Have a few things up my sleeve for the spring time like replacing the vinyl on my rear diffuser. It's bluebat overlay. Not happy with how it's holding up. Cracking and coming apart. Might just paint it instead. Also need to replace my rear license plate bracket as the screw broke and my plate won't come off. Problems of living in the northeast! Everything just gets rusted. Ah well. Here's to many more miles with her!!
You have me on software and coding sir.
