Carbon Slam Panel

JDMinG Update:

With the new respray and all the bodykit and extra bits added to Kuro, its bound to add more weight to the car. So to save weight and increase response time and fuel efficiency my new line of project is to be adding carbon fibre parts to the car.

First up is adding a Slam/cooling Panel. A Carbon Slam Panel for that matter. The purpose of these are to redirect the heat created in the engine bay and disperse it so the air flowing in becomes cooler.

Before:

After:

For a review and further information on FTO De3a Slam panels Click Here

D-Speed Side Repeaters

After having installed the flyeyes kit to my rear fog light, i also took the time to fit my new D-Speed Side Repeaters.

No more orange indicators, just some nice clear ones to match the car.

Flyeyeskit modification

JDMinG Update 

When kuro went in for a respray, i requested that my rear fog light reflector be left in the rear bumper as i wanted to keep it that way. I know most people would say oh you can just buy a rear fog light conversion into the rear tail lights. I have considered this option before, but insist on keeping it as it is.

As it was after the respray:

Having heard many FTO owners start to mention flyeyes kit i decided to have a look for myself. I watched the videos and saw some of the gallery pics and other peoples images of the flyeyes kit being used. I decided to order a set to give it ago. Seeing as i was only going to be using it on the rear fog light, it wouldn't be that hard to DIY, so great, easy job ^_^. 

£3.00 for a 30x50cm size black film tint.

Flyeyes Black Film Tint Install: Very easy anyone can do it. Instructions given

 Finishing product:

In the rain:

Yokohama Super Advan Generation II

Yokohama Super Advan Generation II

Just when you thought your current alloys were the best, something better always turns up. I have a peculiar taste for Advans Super series. I love the 3 spoke design, and have only ever used the super advans! well besides when i first bought the car obviously lol.

As mentioned in one of my earlier posts, i had bought a set of Super Advans Version 1. Last year though using Nengun (Japanese car parts import company) i stumbled upon a set of Super Advans Generation II. I have never seen any in the UK or ever on ebay or anywhere. I was really amazed to see the listing for GEN II's and for a full complete set with all locking nuts and in perfect condition. Having contemplated long because the offset of the front alloys were ET30. This put me off a bit, but i knew spacers would be needed so i decided yes im going for it. Probably one of the best buys i have ever made ^_^ well happy.

 It was only after my Matte Black respray, that i decided to put on my new GEN II's. I wanted my FTO to be perfect. Off i went to see Johnny the mechanic :s

As you can see what a difference. Front are GEN II and rear are Version 1.

Super Advan GEN II all 4 test fit and test run
Location: Greenwich
Time: Afternoon
Weather: Sunny

Power of Photoshop!

Ever wondered? what your FTO would look like with a certain aftermarket kit. Ive thought about it lots of times and in my head it always looks good.

Their are many bonnet styles for the FTO such as :

- OEM
- Carbon OEM
- Evo Style
- Carbon Evo Style
- Creative style
- Carbon Creative Style
- AB Style
- Carbon AB style

The FTO AB Bonnet has always caught my interest and i love how the double vents and the design, really gives the FTO a nice aggressive look. Although when paired with my Project F Bumper, it didn't look right.

I asked a friend to give it a go and place my bonnet over and existing FTO which had an AB bonnet and this was the outcome. In the end! wasn't my cup of tea, so i gave up on the idea. But still i think the AB bonnet with a Nakaya Tune Lip would go nicely ;)

Examples:

 1st pic was just an experiment to see what the bumper would look like with a smaller mouth

Kuro's First Road Trip

Day before Road Trip

It was raining, but gave me a good scene to take a picture ;)

 

Power of Instagram

Road Trip Day

Ok so it wasn't far, but still a first...girlfriend wanted to go Pod Rolling... you know where you jump in a big sphere and roll down a hill haha.

if anyone's interested where i went for Pod Rolling it was http://www.zorbing.co.uk/

Facebook link:
http://www.facebook.com/Podlondon

15-Piece Carbon Panel

JDMing Update:

All the way from Japan, i treated my FTO to some very rare carbon panel pieces produced in Japan. They are not real carbon fiber but a carbon Tone.

Carbon Tone Panels 15-piece set                                 - 2 x Power window switch 2 point                              - 2 x A-Pillar panel points                                           - Upper center console                                               - Lower center console                                                - Steering column                                                      - Side view mirrior triangular part inside and outside 4 points                                                                         - Cyberstork Carbon Dial Surround

Other similar options you can consider:

Hydrographic carbon - this effect is the use of hydrographic film and activator to achieve a carbon pattern effect. 

Carbon Water Transfer Printing. This method is similar to the hydrographic technique, carbon dipped to give the carbon pattern and shine. Probably the closest look to carbon fiber. 

3-M Carbon Wrap - Adhesive carbon film used to wrap interior or exterior parts to give the carbon fiber effect. Probably the best value for money option as opposed to the above options. Widely available through distributors, retail shops and ebay.

Just a brief summary update to date ^_^ Part3

In my previous blog, i mentioned after the respray i was experiencing some problems with the brakes, and some sort of resistance in the pedal. After some mechanical fiddling, my mechanic friends couldn't narrow the problem at first, so the car went on to the brake ramps. This particular device was used to measure the braking on each side of the wheels which would indicate the level of braking per side. As a result it illustrated the right side having some play. 

Haha just wanted to highlight the sign in this picture. Viewing area ;) my FTO exactly :D

More further dismantling needed and more techy's on the job. In the end we found the problem, it was due to my brake discs not touching the calipers right causing the resistance feel in the brakes.

Problem: Brake discs not fully touching the calipers.
Solution: Diamond Brake Skim to smooth the disc.

While i was at dynotech, i couldn't help myself but admire some EVO's :D

Just a brief summary update to date ^_^ Part2

JDMing Update:

More SLR playing

Since the respray, i had been experiencing some juddering when applying brake. It felt as if their was resistance in the pedal. Not knowing what the problem might be, i asked a friend to have a look for me.