Another weekend, and a little more progress on the G35! As mentioned earlier, I finally received my Berk HFCs after waiting on them for nearly 3 months. I had Fast Intentions HFCs on my G37; but wanted to try something else for the HR. Plus I appreciate that Berks allow you to keep the stock brace over the center which prevents random rattling noises at idle.




While I normally would tackle bolt ons, given that this was a '07 and the notorious demon bolts on the OEM cats- I took it to a local shop for the install. And I am SO GLAD I did. The horrible heat shield rattling was coming off the left cat, as it appears the previous owner had already removed the heat shield from the passenger side as seen below:



After multiple uses of a flame torch, the mechanic was able to get the new Berks installed within 1.5 hours. The O2 sensor on the drivers side was badly rusted into the OEM bung and unfortunately would not separate. Time to buy a new sensor, it's always something


But while it was on the lift, we made a discovery. It seems the original owner actually DID make some modifications:




Always nice to find some TEIN coilovers and braided brake lines in there. Such an interesting mod to do with the rest of the car stock- but I'll take it. Now I can save some on my suspension plans and reinvest elsewhere

 

I also FINALLY was able to install my custom JDM tail lights from my previous build. This had been held up since march, as I had some serious leakage going on with the passenger side:




No bueno. Thankfully the builder (Johnny Blaze on IG) was immediately willing to do the warranty work and subsidized the shipping cost (it was to and back from Canada). He unfortunately also had some personal things going on, and I wasn't in a hurry to complete this due to working on the Z- so long story short I receive the repaired passenger tail light this past Thursday.

Finally had sometime Saturday afternoon to complete the install. OEM rear:



And after. MUCH better:


I love the look of the halos behind the shrouds, just seems more OEM to me:



Close up:



This side profile captures why I went with JDM tails. They get their color from the lens itself (as opposed to USDM which are clear but have red housings) . So the net result is an almost tinted look to the OEM housing, but with 100% visibility to other drivers (which since I'll be carting around a toddler is very important to me).



Transformation is coming along. While I was initially hesitant about owning/maintaining a black car (and seriously wrestled with wrapping); I'm starting to appreciate it more and more. Only issue is my Coupe wheels from my other build were powder coated Galaxy gloss black, and that might be a little too much for this build. This opens up a whole host of considerations (powder coating them again, OR sell and buy new wheels). Lots of fun things to ponder....

Also I've got an update that a major upgrade will be arriving this upcoming Wednesday. Of course I'm out of town for work (Murphys law), so the install will have to wait till the weekend most likely. But very excited about where the build is heading!

 

Looks really good, especially the tail lights. I want to do that as well. What coilovers are those? they look non-adjustable. Also what'd you replace the rear bumper with?

 

As tough as black can be to maintain, it looks stunning once you dial it in. I recommend doing a good polish & finishing it off with a ceramic coating. Hand was only and it should look great for a long time.

How did you not realize the car has an aftermarket suspension?

 

Tails looks great. I like the halos behind the shroud, that’s the perfect look. Is it possible to match the trunk mounted reverse lenses to the new tails?

Also those are not adjustable coilovers. Looks like the Tein Enduro shocks with maybe Eibach springs.

 

A black pin stripe around the outside of the lens to "mask" the glue line I believe would compliment the tails as well.

 

Thank you, been waiting awhile to see the modified JDMs on this car. Rear bumper was replaced with a "fresher" rear bumper I found at local junkyard.

Indeed the car is definitely due for paint correction/ceramic coating- will tackle that after the 2010+ front conversion is complete. LOL coming from an X everything just felt so much sportier so I just assumed it was part of being part of the real Sport Sedan club

The halos behind are definitely my favorite touch. Unfortunately I haven't seen a retrofitter that's wiling to cut open into the reverse sense- all of them tint the inner lenses to match. The JDMs are actually much less noticeable than the redder USDMs in person- but in the sun the difference is so obvious. Bleh, every mod is a compromise.

And good call on the suspension, I'll have to take the wheels off to see what's actually on there. I guess I was just too excited to see the Tein green!

That's not a bad idea either. Just checking my instagram messages, it's been about a year since I started down thinking about this mod and purchased the JDMs from Japan. Just glad to have it wrapped up for the moment.

 

Another week down- and more G35 updates to be had! As previously mentioned, part of the hold up on my JDM tail builds was that the original passenger side had leaked during Ohio rains. Thankful to report that problem has been resolved, also a nice shot of my two other Nissan products (KAD G37 & V1 Nismo 370Z).



I spent the early part of work out of state for work; which provided a bit of angst as I had a LARGE package from FedEx that was to arrive while I was away. However after a couple snafus with trying to get it held at a Walgreens (side note, learned that they have a size limit for package holds)- I ended up picking up the item Friday night from my local FedEx distribution center. After a frantic unpacking session, my eyes were treated to this:



Successful Automotive Bella Carbon Fiber Duckbill trunk

I've never been able to get attached to the OEM G35 spoiler, as it really looks like a 2 spoilers stacked on top of each other. And unfortunately due to the drill holes of the older spoiler, I wouldn't be able to place a 2010+ spoiler on my current trunk either. No junkyards in my vicinity had a black trunk, and eBay/Facebook wanted nearly $400. Faced with these options, I decided to opt for a Carbon Fiber trunk- to gain considerable weight savings and provide a different aesthetic to this build. I may eventually paint the trunk and leave the top in CF; but for now I like the raw unfinished look against the black paint- as the black helps "mute" the CF. After a few hours getting everything swapped over and working on fitment, here's the initial look:



Really cleans up the rear end and ties in nicely with the JDM tails. I'd rate fitment as 8/10; I had to spend a few hours dremeling the driver's reverse area to fit my tails flush as well as remove my support struts (the G35 ones are too powerful as they are meant to hold up that heavy spoiler). Here's some pics the next morning after more adjustment:




Love the look in that last photo. Fitment is still not 100% perfect (and a challenge with any aftermarket part); but for the most part I am content. The car will be due for some bodywork when I do the 2010+ conversion, so I'll have the shop perform the final adjustments. Now I'll need to bring over the Rear Spats, AK Diffuser, and FI Exhaust and the rear will be complete.

Side note, yes I still have temp tags on this car. It's been a complete disaster with the Maryland dealer trying to get Ohio plates these past 5 months. I ended up just requesting a renewed temp tag and for all the registration material to just be sent to me so I can register it myself. The saga continues...

 

Well after my Uber failed to show up yesterday for my early flight, ended up having to take the G down to the airport.

At least it was an excuse to snap a photo of the new rear to edit on the flight…

 

IDK why I haven't been following this build, but reading through it this morning was a delight. I'm impressed with the details and the DIY skills to take things apart, fix and mod.

You're right that the G35 spoiler always looked like a spoiler over a spoiler, and if it were mine I'd have painted that chrome lip body color and kept the OEM spoiler. Really don't care for CF panels and that big lip, but to each their own. On a black car the match up is much more forgiving.

Did you get down and look at the clutch pedal assembly and confirm the RJM pedal? If it's still OEM, that's absolutely something you should consider upgrading.

Along that line of thought... after 10 years modifying my 6MT, I've been realizing that my favorite mod was the simple $250 STS bolt-on replacement. It's something you appreciate every time you drive the car. Most mods become the new normal pretty quick, but the STS just always makes you smile.

Keep going, Deepan. Good build. I look forward to reading more from you here.

/subbed

 

Hey Deepan, here's what I meant about the outline.

 

I was wondering when you'd show up

Appreciate the kind words! I totally understand your viewpoint on the Bella- from my perspective it completes the lines that the OEM G35 spoiler was trying to hint at. I also considered opting for a 2010+ spoiler, but this would have required a new trunk as well... and at least the CF trunk offers a substantial weight savings. I'll most likely paint the trunk down the road and leave a small top portion in CF.

Thanks for the reminder to look at the pedal. it's definitely not the RJM (at least not the most recent version that I can compare to online). I wonder if the original owner just changed the spring- as the "pushback" is 100% different than driving my Nismo.

An STS is something I've also considered... but oddly enough I feel like my 370z needs it more. It seems to sit taller than the G37 6MTs I've seen on the site. Pic for reference below.

 

Makes sense! I think it could work, but then I'd probably want to continue that around the reverse lights so they don't appear "fatter". I'm also chatting with a few builders who are local who might just open up the reverse lights so everything matches.

 

Apologies for the lack of updates- work has had me traveling the last few weeks which left little time for car projects. Took advantage of the long weekend to get my G35 & G37 back in the shop with the goal to swap the OEM G35 RWD Exhaust to my G37xS; and then simultaneously take the fast intentions exhaust off that car and put it back on my G37.

Shout out to Nguyen Automotive here in Columbus for doing the work. Great guy, and have had the chance to connect with other enthusiasts who were hanging out at the shop.



While we had the car on the lift, I took the chance to confirm that indeed I did not have Tein coilovers, but rather their EnduraPro Struts. Bleh, still better than OEM but I will be due for an upgrade later. That said I did make another discovery...


Enhance:


Some nice Hotchkiss Sways

Definitely a nice surprise! Also happy to report that the OEM RWD Exhaust is a perfect fit for the X models. Wish I had known/could have confirmed that earlier- would have saved me many fruitless trips to the junk yard earlier this summer. Oh well, just glad that the G37 is almost back to stock. Just need to swap the front bumper/headlights and it is good to go... which is a good thing as I've scheduled a pickup with Carvana later this month. The quoted price jumped by $4K from what I originally checked in April... sometimes it pays to be a slacker :-)

Anyways, back on topic....

The FI exhaust pairs beautifully with the Berk HFCs- and sounds amazing on the HR motor. Almost a bit crisper and defined than my previous setup, and definitely does not drone at all. It's perfect for me- barely distinguishable from stock at idle, but gets a throaty roar as you approach WOT.

And the Sebring Tips that FI uses.... Just absolutely cleans up that rear end beautifully. Enjoy some freshly washed pics:

 

Been busy working on my G37, but had a nice package delivered to my doorstep today after waiting about a month. And of course it's the day before I leave for a work trip. Oh well, something to look forward to I guess.




Totally was in the middle of a zoom call when the delivery man showed up and sprinted to open up the garage door to get it in. Had to unwrap quickly to ensure no damage in transit.



And there we go! OEM Style Seibon CF Fenders. My OEMs were showing quite a bit of rust/dents, and Throttle had an insane 35% deal going on these back in August. Comparing this against the cost of primer/used OEMs + paint and it was a toss up, so I figured why not. I like how these are a bit more subtle than the "M-Fendz" ones that everyone uses, but just makes it seem a little more special than the blank slab OEM fenders. Plus Seibon is known for quality fitment (e.g. mesh is already installed in the vent).

No damage detected from shipping, so they are currently re-wrapped in foam and sitting in the basement until I return and have time to install. Hopefully soon!



Also ironically I FINALLY received the original Maryland title today plus a refund for my taxes/fees- so I can take it to the Ohio BMW and ditch these temp tags on my car. Only took 6 months..... bleh. First world problems I guess.