Jean's build
#1
Jean's build
Here is my 09 GT in December 2013 in all its bone stock glory
Since then I have done much of the most common bolt-on upgrades (AEM intake, BHR coils, BHR midpipe, BHR reinforced clutch pedal, RB Rev 8, S2 Koyo Radiator, RB radiator hoses, RB oil cooler and radiator screens, Mazdaspeed front and rear strut tower braces, Bilstein PSS9, Hotchkis front and rear sway bars, RB adjustable endlinks, axialflow short shifter), some interior upgrades (Pioneer Avic 8100 Nex, AutoExe steering wheel and shifter, re-upholstering the leather seatbacks and replacing a bunch of damaged interior trim bits), however, I haven't done much to the exterior.
The focus of this thread will be to document some of the exterior modifications.
For the longest time I wanted to keep the car as stock looking as possible, but that only lasts so long.. . I first came to terms with the fact I would probably want to do an R3 conversion, but as some of you know this is a slippery slope. So this month, I kind of went all out and ordered some wheels as well as pretty much all the JDM body bits I envisioned.
The wheels are Volk TE37SL in 18*9.5 40
Note: I had to reuse my 245 40 R18 Michelin PSS tires from the stock rims so, the current tire configuration doesn't look very good with the ride height, but I'll figure it out in due time.
here is the list of items I'll be getting from Japanparts:
I've also already received the R3 sideskirts factory painted from Japan and will order an R3 bumper locally when the time comes.
Here is what inspired me for the front end
I will update the thread as this progresses.
Any constructive feedback / comments welcome.
Since then I have done much of the most common bolt-on upgrades (AEM intake, BHR coils, BHR midpipe, BHR reinforced clutch pedal, RB Rev 8, S2 Koyo Radiator, RB radiator hoses, RB oil cooler and radiator screens, Mazdaspeed front and rear strut tower braces, Bilstein PSS9, Hotchkis front and rear sway bars, RB adjustable endlinks, axialflow short shifter), some interior upgrades (Pioneer Avic 8100 Nex, AutoExe steering wheel and shifter, re-upholstering the leather seatbacks and replacing a bunch of damaged interior trim bits), however, I haven't done much to the exterior.
The focus of this thread will be to document some of the exterior modifications.
For the longest time I wanted to keep the car as stock looking as possible, but that only lasts so long.. . I first came to terms with the fact I would probably want to do an R3 conversion, but as some of you know this is a slippery slope. So this month, I kind of went all out and ordered some wheels as well as pretty much all the JDM body bits I envisioned.
The wheels are Volk TE37SL in 18*9.5 40
Note: I had to reuse my 245 40 R18 Michelin PSS tires from the stock rims so, the current tire configuration doesn't look very good with the ride height, but I'll figure it out in due time.
here is the list of items I'll be getting from Japanparts:
I've also already received the R3 sideskirts factory painted from Japan and will order an R3 bumper locally when the time comes.
Here is what inspired me for the front end
I will update the thread as this progresses.
Any constructive feedback / comments welcome.
#5
Thanks! well hopefully it won't take so long, I went with the expensive "Courier/Fedex,TNT,DHL,UPS" option.
A few items are scheduled to reach JapanParts by end of March and a few others around April 7 to 9. Hopefully I can start getting these on the car by late April / Early May
A few items are scheduled to reach JapanParts by end of March and a few others around April 7 to 9. Hopefully I can start getting these on the car by late April / Early May
#6
Thanks! well hopefully it won't take so long, I went with the expensive "Courier/Fedex,TNT,DHL,UPS" option.
A few items are scheduled to reach JapanParts by end of March and a few others around April 7 to 9. Hopefully I can start getting these on the car by late April / Early May
A few items are scheduled to reach JapanParts by end of March and a few others around April 7 to 9. Hopefully I can start getting these on the car by late April / Early May
#7
The difference wasn't that much. I think it was 96k Y for seaport, 114 k for Airport and 160k Y for courrier. So in relation to the Grand total it didn't seem that bad.
Last edited by Jeanator; 03-25-2016 at 08:36 AM.
#8
Well based on the estimated arrival dates at JapanParts, most of my parts should be in and should start shipping soon (hoping for next week).
Can anyone confirm how accurate these estimated dates usually are?
In the meantime, here are some shots of the car as it currently sits
Can anyone confirm how accurate these estimated dates usually are?
In the meantime, here are some shots of the car as it currently sits
#9
Well based on the estimated arrival dates at JapanParts, most of my parts should be in and should start shipping soon (hoping for next week).
Can anyone confirm how accurate these estimated dates usually are?
In the meantime, here are some shots of the car as it currently
Can anyone confirm how accurate these estimated dates usually are?
In the meantime, here are some shots of the car as it currently
#10
Parts have shipped in a 3 package FedEx shipment. So estimated dates were pretty accurate.
Right now it shows an estimated delivery this Friday, but that seems very optimistic with customs and all...
Definitely excited, though I doubt any work will start on the car for a while. I've got some loose ends to take care of.
Will post pics of the stuff when I receive it.
Right now it shows an estimated delivery this Friday, but that seems very optimistic with customs and all...
Definitely excited, though I doubt any work will start on the car for a while. I've got some loose ends to take care of.
Will post pics of the stuff when I receive it.
#11
Got a first EMS package that was sent after the FedEx ones.
I was a bit surprised to only get one piece out of the re amemiya order, but I'll see what is in the FedEx packages on Monday hopefully.
I was a bit surprised to only get one piece out of the re amemiya order, but I'll see what is in the FedEx packages on Monday hopefully.
Last edited by Jeanator; 04-16-2016 at 04:33 PM.
#13
I actually received most of this stuff a while ago but had some stuff going on. Here are some pics.
Re-amemiya eyelids back
Odula Grill
Odula diffuser
Leg motor shift boot
Rmagic eyelids in velocity red
Odula lip
Re-amemiya super canards
Odula hood (notice a small chip on one side, hopefully this can be fixed)
Re-amemiya eyelid
Undertray side
The only thing not pictured is the rmagic spoiler. Let me know if you have any questions about any of the items.
Re-amemiya eyelids back
Odula Grill
Odula diffuser
Leg motor shift boot
Rmagic eyelids in velocity red
Odula lip
Re-amemiya super canards
Odula hood (notice a small chip on one side, hopefully this can be fixed)
Re-amemiya eyelid
Undertray side
The only thing not pictured is the rmagic spoiler. Let me know if you have any questions about any of the items.
#17
#21
Quick update. Nothing installed yet as I just ordered the following additional parts:
- Leg Sport Fender set (my front fenders were damaged when my hood flew open after a front end fender bender).
- Knight Sports tow hook
- Leg Sport Fender set (my front fenders were damaged when my hood flew open after a front end fender bender).
- Knight Sports tow hook
Last edited by Jeanator; 05-19-2016 at 07:51 PM.
#23
Forgot to take a picture of the rear fender flares, but they don't really look like much on their own. At this point I'm really close to having all the parts necessary to hit the body shop. Main thing I'm missing now is an R3 bumper cover.
Last edited by Jeanator; 06-06-2016 at 10:43 AM.