Here is my build thread over the past year or so. I bought the car used in October 2011 and then the money-pit began...

Here is a teaser to keep you scrolling






Started with a debadge, only to find the previous owner thought the best tool for removing emblems was a flathead screwdriver...





polishing the trunk and I put the emblem back on



Then I moved to Kansas and tore into the car now that I had a garage. Found this wiring mess under the dash





weight savings



tore the interior out just to make it easier and gave it a good cleaning as well







removed the rear wiper and decided to make DIY Evo VII tails









polished the headlights







Italian leather shiftboot and arm rest



painted the center part





new gauges



started mounting the sensors for the Defi gauges











new exhaust Greddy Ti-C





company I had weld the wideband bung on screwed it up and re-did it. Both of them look like ****, but I guess they work



new intake (check out that ugly bay that needs some attention)



Polished the car



reflection shots





18x9.5 RPF1



255/35/18 Star Specs



TONS of clearance



Fortune Auto 500 Coilovers









All together



got tuned with intake, exhaust and 3 port





Did a mini wire-tuck





A little cleaner than before, but still ugly

 

I started the tear-down for the Shep trans and TC swap



removed the subframe to make it easy since I only work on this car alone and it's on jackstands, no lift





she's out



she fell out too



ready to go to Shep



gotta stay organized





yikes



much better



comp stage 2 sprung HD



gotta clean everything up before I install it



hmmm







cleaned parts ready to go



looking sexy. Rebuilt street/strip 5 speed and rebuilt TC with wavetrac LSD



got the tranny in first try by myself on jackstands having never done a tranny swap on any vehicle, ever



mis-read the torque specs in the manual





removed the rust and stuff



test fit with stock wheels




Now the real fun begins

Parts started coming in after black friday and christmas sales



1450's







sweet ****



And another tear-down begins









The pile of stock parts is growing



They hooked it up



Timing belt kit



During the swap



I didn't get any after pictures, but she's timed good. Tensioner is perfect too, with the grenade pin inserted it just spins around freely when you flick it

This came in the mail



So I had to get it on the car



Big shoutout to Matt from spoolinup for working with me on my special needs for a harness



JDL Hot Parts and MAP EF3





oil feed line installed





and these are from last night







bent the A/C line slightly to clear the 2" dump tube



trimmed the massive Greddy flange down a bit to clear the dump tube



AIT sensor wiring and boost controller mounted



looking nice under there



Pedobear gives his seal of approval





And here are some shots of the car from a photoshoot just before I started the most recent tear-down. Looks the same other than a new vortex generator

 

Very Nice man

 

Your car looks amazing! I always admire people who has the mechanical skills to tackle the install themselves.

Good job and keep up the good work

 

Looks good man! Thanks for sharing

 

Do you track this IX?

Very clean and tastefully modded.

I tip my hat you; a man with a similar penchant for style and a hardcore DIY gearhead.

Here's my beater:

 

wow man im very impressed. great job!!!

 

Great thread, I love the attention to detail!

 

very nice

 

wow great build! Car looks great!

 

Nice job! Is the armrest a cover?

 

looks great man , loving that exhaust .

 

wow looks amazing man.. whats the offset of those enkeis front and rear?

 

Ive sadi it before, Ill say it again, very clean! You gave me an idea for the next time I have to drop the trans, i never thought of removing the subframe lol.

 

As always, very clean sir!