Shin Kaeru 神カエル-My build(-ish?) thread

[etikoner]

[Thread hi-Jack]
Today my car gave me a problem that is strange and has happened before which I thought I fixed. Car wouldn't crank and it seemed the battery was dead. Got me really mad/sad/angry and then I wanted to post my car up on CL once and for all.

But then I got a jump start from a nice local, and now it seems my battery is still good and my car is starting right up just like before...

I don't have room for two cars, but I am seriously debating just getting a lease for a new cheap fun reliable car.

I can agree having a roadster as your sole daily in a hot environment sucks dick (my ac isn't working in south Florida)

But your car has been slowly turning into a very nice exhibit of your tastes, and I'd suggest you not sell it....

Maybe go out and see what kind of lease deals you can get?

[speedypenguin]

I'd advise not to sell the NA, if you truly love it. I went through the same predicament a couple years ago. I was very close to selling my black NA, but decided to "tough" it out. In the two years since, I've modified the car in ways I never thought I would, and it was so much fun during the process. Now I have a car that I can truly call mine, and I've made many friends.

[Ihatecars]

I'm still alive.

Things are sorta different not. I've been focusing on other things besides my car lately. Mostly photography.
Hopefully in 2016 I'll get back on the saddle.

But until then

[speedypenguin]

Enjoy your car. Mods will always be there for the picking.

[Ihatecars]

Enjoy your car. Mods will always be there for the picking.

I've been driving a lot. Either with friends on the streets, autox, or on track.

It's been my excuse for not buying car parts. Learning to be faster, not buying to be quicker.

[woahmiata]

Hey, i'm in Houston as well and was curious as to what meets you attend. None of my car friends go to meets anymore and I need new car meet buddies!

[Ihatecars]

Hey guys,

Nothing too crazy has gone on in these past few months.

I ditched the Momo Super Indy and went with a Nardi Classico



I bought some rad old roadster magazines



Took wayyyy too long to install some FM frame rail braces





I sold my GV tails because reasons



I thought it looked great but I quickly stumbled onto something on YAJ and a few weeks later



and ZOOM!



Incredibly happy



I got a really awesome camera and have been taking loads and loads of bad photos



I got my windows tinted and it was crazy dark at first, but I guess I've gotten used to it



But the biggest thing to happen to my roadster...









RS Watanabe Type-B 14x7j et8 Special Black finish

and if you haven't seen already, I'm on the hunt for an RS Aizawa front bumper. Please message me if any of you guys find one.

Thanks homies

[Greasemonkey2000]

Excellent choice on the taillights, one of my all time favorites, and wheels! The BRG is really coming together, congrats!

[pacman 99]

Nice to see you back Nic!

Did you tint your windshield? !

[— Hammerhead —]

Looks great!

[Ihatecars]

Excellent choice on the taillights, one of my all time favorites, and wheels! The BRG is really coming together, congrats!

Thank you so much. I'm slowly getting closer to what I want my car to look like in the end. It's exciting.

Nice to see you back Nic!

Did you tint your windshield? !

It was a "clear" UV protection film... I'm fairly certain it's just 80% tint. This picture makes it look much much darker than it actually is.

[Ihatecars]

It's 2017

I'll get the wat photo out of the way quick.



Now, the good stuff

I got a new bumper



Barchetta! Thanks to Max at Rev9! Great experience as always.

I had my heart set on an RS Aizawa bumper, but after looking back at Old Cafe's car I decided I wanted to stick with the retro roadster look.

Retro cool stays retro cool.

I sourced some 88+ Mini lenses to replace the clear turn signal lenses that RS Factory Stage sent with the bumper



I cooked the housing to get the lenses off the housing.





Actually, on the last day of 2016 I started the install of the bumper.



Wiring was fairly easy. I split the ground and ran the appropriate wires to the running light and the turn signal.





The plastic crash bumper wouldn't fit so it had to go.



While I had the bumper off I removed the washer bottle, associated wiring, and the charcoal canister.



The bumper was a great fit. The only part that required modification was the brace that attached the fender and the bumper. I had to trip a little bit off the end to lay flat against the inside of the bum



Looking good



Random bork walked into my garage to hangout. He was cool.



And the first photos with the new bumper on.



A little example of the direction I'm going for with my car:



I also drilled out the "Mazda" emblems from my finish panel and covered the whole with some cool stickers.



I washed my car in anticipation of great photo opportunities



But shortly after washing my car it rained.



On a less exciting note, I got an alignment



Lastly, I received the "last" part to complete the front of my car,



TRAP 100mm lip



and a nerdy roadster calendar




Hopefully I'll get my Trap lip on by this weekend. ~hopefully

[BRGNA8]

Awesome mate! Cars coming along really nicely!

Just a questions regarding your watanabes, what is the centrebore on your set of wats? Because my set is 63 compared to the 54.1 that our cars come with. And what centrecaps do you have on them?

[Greasemonkey2000]

Just keeps getting better and better, Nic! Dat bumper and now dat lip...oh my!! What about them monster oem headlights? Some Jass performance low pros would do nicely....

[Ihatecars]

Awesome mate! Cars coming along really nicely!

Just a questions regarding your watanabes, what is the centrebore on your set of wats? Because my set is 63 compared to the 54.1 that our cars come with. And what centrecaps do you have on them?

Thanks man!

I'll be completely honest, I have no idea what the center bore is. I believe that the center caps I have are the Type-1 set. I purchased my wheels through Rod(Tetsuya Garage) I just told Rod what I wanted and he did the hard work.

Just keeps getting better and better, Nic! Dat bumper and now dat lip...oh my!! What about them monster oem headlights? Some Jass performance low pros would do nicely....

Much appreciated!

No plans to get rid of the round pop-ups, but I am planning on sourcing some SEV Marchal lenses in the near future.