Looks a lot like the flat black that BMW sold on the M3...

 

I WANT THAT BLACK ON MY CAR!!!!! That color is NASTY . I think it is a satin black or a semi-gloss. Please tell me!!

 

Hey Gordon, I'm not 100% on the finish. Its a single stage satin paint.

Car had to be painted 2x as first time, the paint didn't seem even. It had different shade to it. So, it was sprayed again as a whole car. Giving more evenness to the paint.

I've heard this is quite common on flat paint.

I've also talked to one of the best painter here in AL. He has done several SEMA show cars and he does 2 stage flat. Flat/Satin look coming from the clear coat.

The problem with flat black single or 2 stage is that if you scratch it, you have to repaint... and scratches will show up VERY easily. Also, you can't wax, buff, use silicone base cleaning product, use spray type tire shine... as any of the gets on, it will shine.

In few months, I'll have someone new to show on the MB... I been thinking few other options and going to try something different on the MB.


Anyhow, Yesterday was a productive day in automobile hobby.. With help with the new owner of my old FD, I installed my 'Riced' out Big *** wing

 

Nice fd

 

FINALLY a wing to completey cover the plate in rice, VERY NICE!!!!!

Lets see some pics of that new wing because this 99 spec wing is killing my rice palate

 

^^LOL! I'm trying Fritz.

 

Beautiful FD Phil, one of the nicest here in the states. I love the attention to detail and overall execution. Nothing seems out of place.

 

Thanks Blackadde/// !

Next couple of months, I'm re doing the suspensions and take it to the track for a day before heading to DGRR.. Make sure nothing falls off or behaves funny

Hopefully my riced out suspensions will make this car more riced out

 

Very nice Phil!

 

I been working on the wing to make sure its not going to rip the CF wing off at decent high speed.. I made a template, started to cut, then realized my aluminum sheet was too thin. Its now being re-cut using 1/8 inch thick AL plate.. we'll see how that will work.. But mean while I adjusted one of the bolt and seems to reduce some load of the wing on to the body of the car.. Took the car out for a drive and seems the car is more stable (top speed today only to 110MPH).

Anyhow, I drove the Steve Kan tuning here in Bham...

Here are few pics..




My FD with another FD with same wing and mirrors.. except his was all out track addition


My Old black FD showed up to the tuning session...



First time running together since 2003






Also, my tires came from Yokohama Tires... Since I mainly do street, I got the ADVAN Sport tires..



295/30/18 rear


255/35/18 Front

 

so roll tide or war eagle?

 

That's not even a question - WAR EAGLE!! all the way! 2010 National Champs!

 

are those advan wheels as well? I just put rz-dfs in flat black on my 3 series.

 

I used to be a bigger fan of college football but not really anymore... Being in Alabama, I have more friends who are War Eagle vs. Roll Tide... so War Eagle!!!

Weaklink - They are WORK XD9s 18x10s, all four corners.

 

Update for my SSM FD..

Well, I've been deciding on the wheels for the SSM FD. I wanted to stick with OEM and decided to try out the RX8 40th Anniversary wheels.

 

Now that's what I am talking about! Knew Phil was a classy guy

 

Just looked through this thread start to finish.
Bad *** cars man.
Keep up the good work.

 

Phil,
How do the RX8 wheels look on SSM?

 

really good IMO

 

Thanks.. More to come as I'm getting bit more motivated as DGRR 2011 is coming near...

I hope it turns out good
But one of the rim has some curb rash so I'm going to get a replacement.. After that, I'll post some pics of the car with the wheels.

 

I maintain that the US style aftermarket downpipes flow better than their JDM counterparts due to the initial bend design and severity of the change in direction. The two pipes may well be of greater volume than the single pipe. But, to assert that they flow better due to greater volume is to ignore the premise of the design of your beautiful headers.

[/RANT]
Dave.

 

Here is an example that may surprise, however it is using water but I think it will illustrate the point.

1.5" PVC @30psi and 12 feet/sec water velocity flows about 81 gpm

2" PVC @30psi and 12 feet/sec water velocity flows about 127 gpm

2.5" PVC @30psi and 12 feet/sec water velocity flows about 190 gpm

3" PVC @30psi and 12 feet/sec water velocity flows about 273 gpm

As you can see a 3" pipe flows a lot more than even a 2.5"
Two 2" pipes would still flow less than one 3"

Since air/gas moves like liquid I think the same would apply.
There may be other reasons for some of those really sweet looking downpipes. I don't think any pipe combination would beat a 3" dp if there is one for the FD. I have an HKS and it seems to be about 2.5".

 

Well Gordon.. Here is my option about this..

The JDM downpipe with two pipes looks to have bigger volume chamber just after exiting of turbo manifold.

picture comparison from earlier pics I posted..

Knightsport ( dual 60mm pipes)


MS/AutoEXE (dual 52mm pipes)


Feed (single 80mm)


Also,

Here are my calculations regarding US 3 in DP vs. JDP dual 60mm DP (knightsport) and dual 52mm (MS and Autoexe).

3 inch = 76.2mm (US)
area of the opening = 456mm2

Single 80mm (FEED)
area of opening = 503mm2

2 x 60mm DP (KS)
area of both openings = 565mm2

2 x 52mm DP (MS/AUTOEXE)
area of both openings = 424 mm2

 

I have the Maxim Works Dual Outlet dp(before i had the hks dp) and there is some improvement to the spooling from 1000 rpm to 3000 rpm(5-10% faster),and that it.

 

I haven't updated this thread in awhile...

What I been doing for the past few weeks, when I had few mins free....



This pic is of the brace I made for the APR wing. Its made of 1/8 inch Aluminum plate.
Took the car out for some testing and seems to do pretty well.








Little cosmetic treatment for the FEED fenders and flares.. Helps from rock chips




I hated not having these on the hood... So, made it match and installed it.






Interior shots...