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What modifications have you done to your FD that you regret?

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Old 06-19-13, 09:58 PM
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Final Form

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Question What modifications have you done to your FD that you regret?

I already see some threads about "what are recommended mods?", "Best thing you've done to your FD", etc, but wanted to get some insight from FD owners of modifications performed that were maybe not the best.

Anything you regret and why would be great!
-Exterior mods
-Engine mods
-Ricer mods
-Tire/Wheel/Suspension mods
-Basically anything

Just trying to learn from anyone's past mistakes, and any input is much appreciated!
Old 06-19-13, 10:13 PM
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I changed out a lot of stuff and like basically all of it. My oil pan still leaks a little bit. not much but it still does. so I regret not taking more time, or loading more sealent around the oil pan.


In terms of mods, I don't really have any regrets. I modded it the way I wanted to, tuned the car myself and it turned out great. car runs really well. single turbo GT3574R with a twin plate clutch, new rywire harness, redone suspension bushings, redone brakes, all new fluid, new fuel system, datlogit, tuned by me

I am running rpf1 wheels, I used to have SBC SSR SP1 wheels on it that I think looked better, but the fronts were only 8.5" wide (came with the car), and I wanted a square set up for handling/rotatability. Also those wheels are heavier at probably 26lbs and the 18" RPF1's weigh like 18lbs. I seem to always migrate to better performing parts so I went with the best available IMO with the car.

I guess the only thing I could regret is buying a few parts when the car was a TT car instead of spending that money directly into the single turbo build I went with.
Old 06-19-13, 10:34 PM
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I regret buying new tires for the OEM wheels. That same year I found my ideal wheels and had to buy tires again.
Old 06-19-13, 10:54 PM
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I bought a set of knock-off Knightsport headlights. They didn't fit and the vendor didn't want to give me a refund. I basically followed them from forum to forum until I got my dough back...A fricken year later!

Lesson: If you like the pop-ups like I do and like to drive your FD at night, Sakebomb garage is your friend.
Old 06-19-13, 11:10 PM
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Mine is a very track-oriented car, and I can deal with the noise, the smell, the 700# springs, no radio, race seats, no power steering. All of it.

The only thing I really wish I had back is air conditioning.
Old 06-19-13, 11:13 PM
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My first FD. Nothing went right from beginning. The main part of that was the custom twin turbo set up the fabricator never completed. Scrapped project, bought another FD last year. Its almost done now, nothing crazy, just Fritz Flynn's reliable recipe thread mods.
Old 06-20-13, 06:03 AM
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Nothing yet.
Old 06-20-13, 09:00 AM
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I regret putting in a needle valve boost controller on my prespool line. I spent weeks trying to get a good boost pattern, with no success. I finally removed it, and drilled out the oem pill a tiny bit. That resolved the problem.

I also regret buying a set of Yokohama ES 100 tires. They were terrible. I wound up sending them back for a refund.

Everything else has been fine.
Old 06-20-13, 10:38 AM
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I purchased some CCW wheels that I thought would look good and when I did a test fit I realized that I hated them on my car, haha.
Old 06-20-13, 11:01 AM
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Buying on of the alluminum hard pipe replacements for the Rubber connectors on the stock IC
Not only did I have to grind it down so it wouldnt rub But eventually it blew off and rubbed against the main crank pulley destroying hte pulley , and my ps / ac belt as well as leaving a gaping hole and a ridiculous boost leak about 100 miles from home .

buying used "low millage " tokiko illumina shocks . that were'nt as low millage as they were advertised LOL

Last edited by Tem120; 06-20-13 at 11:23 AM.
Old 06-20-13, 11:20 AM
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Tunning till I drop!

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lightweight aluminum flywheel

I could never really feel the difference enough to justify stalling when coming off throttle at high RPMs. Don't get me wrong, I could drive around it ... the money just wasn't well spent.

My other item was a thin walled stainless steel down pipe. I'm much happier with the DP that I have now. It has a molded mild steel top. This fits much better and suppresses considerable noise.
Old 06-20-13, 01:14 PM
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1st thing was my 6puck sprung clutch I bought. It was just to hard to consistantly modulate in stop and go traffic. I ended up just replacing it with another factory disc while keeping the hd pressure plate. That was a perfect streetable combination.

2nd A long time ago I replaced my worn dif bushings with the solid Jim lab units. At 1st I thought that I loved them due them solidifying the rear end. You could hear low rumble in the back which I got use to. These bushings didn't become a problem for me till I started solidifying the rest of my drivetrain. I reienforced my PPF. As soon as everything started tightening up, the rear rumble got louder. Plus those bushings amplified everything in the rear. I removed them and went with those purple units. Now everything is nice and quiet again.
Old 06-20-13, 01:52 PM
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Back to basics

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Going non sequential, then switching to GT35r...I should've skipped all the bs and gone straight to my current setup 6766 (my low boost tune makes more than my high boost did with the gt35r on the same dyno and same tuner). So much time and money lost due to those steps.
Old 06-20-13, 06:55 PM
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Installing polyurethane diff bushing when my stock ones were in good condition.
Makes the rear of the car very noisy.
This is on a car used only for street use.
Old 06-20-13, 07:11 PM
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Spec sprung 6 puck clutch...... RE-A 'short' shifter...... Hurley Apex Seals (too many times)...... looped P/S rack.
Old 06-20-13, 07:32 PM
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Dunno yet...getting it back from JPR in a week or so...hopefully will still be none

Jason
Old 06-20-13, 07:39 PM
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Rotor or no motor

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Electromotive tec3r

Hks v mount
Old 06-20-13, 08:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Natey
I bought a set of knock-off Knightsport headlights. They didn't fit and the vendor didn't want to give me a refund. I basically followed them from forum to forum until I got my dough back...A fricken year later!

Lesson: If you like the pop-ups like I do and like to drive your FD at night, Sakebomb garage is your friend.
Can I ask were these the hotwater lab replicas? I'm interested in them but if lighting is poor then...
Old 06-20-13, 09:42 PM
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I regret driving into a curb and making my front bumper and side skirt custom.
Old 06-21-13, 09:08 AM
  #20  
Don't worry be happy...

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Installing gauges in the A pillar. Talk about being a boy racer magnet... Have since relocated them to my dash speaker console and couldn't be happier.

Also getting the plx digital gauges. They are very cool but the glare during the daytime is super annoying
Old 06-21-13, 07:50 PM
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I Regret installing a used LIM Gasket with RTV. Didn't work and was a huge waste of time to tear it back out.
Old 06-23-13, 10:32 AM
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Great input, gentlemen. My only regret thus far was choosing tires that were way to big for the wheels with the car as low as it was. I had Michelin Pilot sport PS2's sized 265/35 on a 18x9.5 +12 on the rear. I kept rubbing to the point my paint started to melt on the rear fender and pieces of rubber were flying off on a daily basis. I have since changed that setup.

Keep them coming!
Old 06-23-13, 10:45 AM
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You picked the wrong wheel, not the wrong tire...

Jason
Old 06-23-13, 11:48 AM
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Indeed, 265 is (was) perfect on a 9.5" wheel. +12 offset was (is) your problem.


Originally Posted by Jason94R2
You picked the wrong wheel, not the wrong tire...

Jason

Last edited by ptrhahn; 06-23-13 at 11:50 AM.
Old 06-23-13, 11:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Bullet13b
Can I ask were these the hotwater lab replicas? I'm interested in them but if lighting is poor then...
EVO-R. I don't think they offer them anymore. In their defense, I DID get my money back.


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