New to JDM with a freshly imported Tourer V 1993

[Youngatheart]

Thanks Loonie, now it matches the other interior trim perfectly. I can't recommend Meguiar's PlastX polish highly enough, some people say toothpaste works just as well ... but really ... on my car ... I don't think so.

Yeah that paint colour is sick and it just blows me away how subtle it is. Right up until it was perfectly polished, in the direct sun and up close did it 'BLAM my peepers' like in that photo.

I was wanting to get the ISLE personalised plate so the top of the surround could say Little Miss I'm sooo sad sometimes.

Yeah PowderJZX about that polishing, you have 2 chances and Slim just left town, leaving F#ck all to hold the fort.

Thanks for that excellent info, just what I needed to know as I've a few bits and bobs to pick up (Factory aero kit, clear indicators and fog lights) and piecemeal would have been a hassle.
As much as I'm gagging for the exhaust, it's ok if it's delayed, I've been very lucky with the car already considering that in 1 hour I'll be driving it with the manual freshly installed ......

I don't honestly know when I will stop driving the car after that, might be days, will pack a sleeping bag

[xMRWHIPPIEx]

honestly, i can't get enough of the progress you're making on this thing man!

and i can vouch, that once you have the R154 box in, you will need a bedpan/depends pull-ups when you drive it.

[Youngatheart]

MrWhippie, I went large with full length incontinence pants, just popped home to empty them after a quick blast up to Warkworth.

Still reeling and will pop out for a city cruise at about 10 ...Wow, Wow, Wow.

Impressions to follow tomorrow after a full sinking in of the AWESOMENESS ...

Someone once said, If you're a petrolhead you should own a convertible at least once in your life, I took that advice and never regretted it.
Here's the little beauty I'm upgrading from after 7 years of absolute driving pleasure.


Once again I was awesomely blessed, it is a:

Mazda MX5 NB 1999 - 27,000kms certified (in 2007) now 78,000kms

RS: Special Edition package - 6 speed, Torsen Differential, Bilstein Gas Shocks, Nardi leather steering wheel and gear knob.
Optional extras: ABS, AC, Power Steering, Bose Audio, Electric Windows, Electric door mirrors.
Paint - Twilight Blue Mica

HKS Super Mega Flow Kit

Splitfire DI SR20DET S13/14 High Performance Coil System and Splitfire Classic Platinum Plugs

Mazdaspeed Stainless Steel Exhaust Manifold and Catalytic Convertor
Fujitsubo Giken ‘FGK’ Stainless sports muffler

Professionally Lowered - 30mm Front/ 35mm Back (Certified)
Fully adjustable coil overs - Japanese high spec.

Autoexe Inc Strut Tower Bar (Rear)
Autoexe Inc Sports Stabilizer (Front)
Autoexe Inc Sports Stabilizer (Rear)

Enkei RP02 16 x 7JJ Offset +32
Front/ Rear: Toyo T1R 205/ 45ZR16

Garage Vary Body Kit - Type I - Front spoiler
Garage Vary Body Kit - Type I - Side skirts

Light Bronze Style Bar with Windbreaker and Map book pocket

Steering Wheel replaced with genuine Wooden Nardi Product

Gauges upgraded to Factory White dials with blue LED lighting

Hazard Light Switch moved and replaced with Starter Button

Seats covers - Premium black long/ short hair sheepskins

Alarm system - AVS S5 Alarm (Options: Microwave sensor, keyless entry, internal screamer siren)

It's always garaged and it's only seen rain for one winter in the 7 years when someone stole my run around ... a fantastic little Corolla FXGT.

I know there will be yells from the under-endowed about it being a hairdressers car etc .... but in reality it was a super sweet handling machine, which apart from the obvious power difference would give the JZX (and a lot of other cars) a run for their money.

But the JZX is an awesome next car, trading some of that uber handling for uber style, heaps of space and buckets of power.

I is a pig in poo.

[phys]

looks like a very nice little car, always like the Enkeis...were on my last DC2R.
But onto more JZX related speak...whats the impressions of the car now that you have had play....gearbox feel, power delivery etc. I know I was very happy upon receiving my pig back and feeling how free she had become.

[Youngatheart]

As you guys said it totally changed the car, so it was a weekend of gain and loss or to paraphrase:

Wow and Oh well

When I picked up the car Brendan was very complimentary (as expected) on the condition of the internals and he noticed that there was a 'new' alternator installed while it was in Japan. He knew they normally gave out after about 110-120,000kms and suspected that time would also cause them to fail. He advised that the gearbox mount was a specially made heavy duty urethane version and would transmit a lot more noise and vibration that a standard one. He wasn't wrong.

The installation and setup in the car is perfect, as usual (from what I've read) Brendan did a fantastic job.

The power delivery is smooth and noticeably stronger, as expected. What a beautiful strong, tractable motor it is now I have it under proper control.

The HD gearbox mount makes the gearbox sound positively Soviet Block and that took some getting used too, sure it's practical enough, strong, relatively smooth but there's no mistaking that it was made for a truck. This probably surprised me most because for the last 7 years I've been used to one of the most refined, positive, slick and satisfying gearboxes ever put in a car.

But over the weekend even that's developed it's own charm, sure pre-boost it's sounds soviet but once it's in the go zone it's all 'hang on to your skirts ladies'.

So the Wow:
Much better power delivery.
More engaging.
More fun.
More smiles.

Oh Well:
Loss of refinement.

If I may liken it to a woman.
Gorgeous, full makeup, cocktail dress and Stilettos who's just changed the heels for Doc Martins. Yes, not quite a refined as before but boy does she make me smile now.

[xMRWHIPPIEx]

The HD gearbox mount makes the gearbox sound positively Soviet Block and that took some getting used too, sure it's practical enough, strong, relatively smooth but there's no mistaking that it was made for a truck. This probably surprised me most because for the last 7 years I've been used to one of the most refined, positive, slick and satisfying gearboxes ever put in a car.

i have the same feeling about my R154, but it just takes a bit of time/getting used to both the noise and the 'notch-iness'

the whining of the box at low rpm around town just means you have a race-car right?

[Youngatheart]

Cheers H,

Yeah, it's just time and my thoughts exactly ... it's a racecar.

Here's the latest addition - genuine top of the range TRD shift knob and the lovely Nick at NST gave me a nice discount.

A boys new toy's just got to have the 'extras' and dang it's almost auto-porn to use.


New shift boot should be here by the end of the week,
Exhaust still Xmas time.

I luv it.

[JZ14]

Damn that's nice.. I'd like one of those.. pity it will look like crap in my interior

[m989]

Just my 2c regarding the gearbox being clunky. 1st - 2nd feels a bit like a truck gearbox however moving up thru the gears mine is smooth as silk (has about 115,000km on it). However there is a very slight whine while driving at low speeds around town but the exhaust helps to take care of that noise!

[yakuza]

Just my 2c regarding the gearbox being clunky. 1st - 2nd feels a bit like a truck gearbox however moving up thru the gears mine is smooth as silk (has about 115,000km on it). However there is a very slight whine while driving at low speeds around town but the exhaust helps to take care of that noise!

+1

My one is also slightly clunky when its cold, but once it's warmed up its fine.