The Project Pad

Dustin, I recommend using BEL from now on. I spoke with them a bit once i had my head back, and even had BEL do the final cleaning.

the car still has its bugs, need to get a better grip on the tuning. next summer she will run nice. I have a new tune to upload, and see if it starts and idles better.

I second using BeL engine services. When you walk in there and see what they do, you'll understand why.
Those other guys that messed up the head I've never heard anything good about. I've also heard recently that there was a staff member there that was working under an A.K.A. and stole about $20 000 worth of JDM engines and parts (either RB or 2jz, can't recall which) from a couple clients and made off in to the night.

Just detailed the exterior.

Wetsand 2000 grit
Meguiars compound
Meguiars polish
Turtle wax

I also sanded down the hood and removed all the plasti dip. Bondo on the really bad spots. I then painted the hood with gloss black rust paint. Sanded it down but decided not to clear as the clear coat reacted bad with the rust paint.

Neacail wrote:I second using BeL engine services. When you walk in there and see what they do, you'll understand why.
Those other guys that messed up the head I've never heard anything good about. I've also heard recently that there was a staff member there that was working under an A.K.A. and stole about $20 000 worth of JDM engines and parts (either RB or 2jz, can't recall which) from a couple clients and made off in to the night.

Absolutely Bel for local support -

And the hood looks good from this view!!

FFF wrote:And the hood looks good from this view!!

Hood has its flaws but its alot better then the plastidip that was on before. Really like the fact it has gloss to it now.

After fighting what I thought was a fueling issue. It turns out all that was wrong was a stupid boost leak that I over looked. Car threw some weird codes at me, 4412,4411, 2341.

Finally got the car sorted with a new turbo outlet pipe. All is good now.








Car was running rich as hell as you can see. The old hose was coupled together and the crossover was not lined up well. I adjusted the crossover with spacers and the new hard Pipe lines up much better.

Thanks to all who helped me along the way.

Could this be why you had such trouble when you had VEMS on the car?

Chris, I'd rather not think about it lol...but it could have been. Small leak causing acceleration enrichment issues and lean spikes....maybe.

morris400 wrote: Small leak causing acceleration enrichment issues and lean spikes....maybe.

Probably, but at least you found it.

All in all, I'm happy with the tune. And glad I dont need to worry about tuning myself. Vems is great but it not in my wheel house and this setup now works better for me.

Next phase, Brembo.

Very nice. What pads?

Not 100% sure yet...they appear to be stock brembo pads with 90%+ life on them. Probably going to rock those. Going to paint the calipers this weekend before I install them.

Nice, gonna be a worthwhile upgrade.

I ran the pads that came in my Brembos, 99% sure they were stock Porsche pads. Worked well enough, had no complaints. Never bothered installing the Pagid Blues I bought for them.

That's pretty much my plan. Got a really good deal on the calipers and all the hardware. The calipers have been rebuild with all new seals, rotors and lines are brand new as are the 034 brackets. Going to give these calipers a nice coat of paint and new decals before I put them on. Going to paint match the rears as well.

You're a better man then me! I rebuilt my calipers but i plan on running them as is. They could use a coat of paint but i figure they aren't terrible so it can always be done later. My rears however desperately could do with caliper paint.

I picked up a set of Akebono Euro ceramic pads. Curious to see how the ceramic compound feels for street driving. I know I'll be glad to have reduced brake dust though. Keep us updated with the install.

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I ended up with Brembo ceramic pads on the wagen, and they're surprisingly nice for non-hooligan driving. They squeak a bit, but the lack of brake dust is a huge plus.

Almost there. Paint done. Just need to bake them

Looks awesome buds. Did you just mask the pistons and rubber boots or did you disassemble for rebuild? Spray-on or brush on paint?

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The calipers were rebuild by the PO. I masked off the boots and pistons, removed bleeders and crossover line while I painted. I used VHT caliper spray paint (gloss black, clear coat) 3 coats black, applied decals then 3 coats clear. Let it dry 1h. Then bake 20m @200f in a toaster over lol. 3 cycles. 20 mins bake, 20 mins cool.

Brakes installed.

You're killing the progress buddy! I really need to step my game up! Lol

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Gotta stay busy. Sitting around to much makes be stir crazy. I think this will be the last mod for this summer. Plan to get the car to a few shows and hopefully bring home an award or 2.

IslandRinger wrote:You're killing the progress buddy! I really need to step my game up! Lol

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morris400 wrote:Almost there. Paint done. Just need to bake them

Damn that looks hot...