So I'm sitting at home, sick with the modding bug, but can't do anything to cure it since I'm flat broke from a vacation to Phoenix and the Philippines... and recently throwing around some money for the wheels, tires, springs, goddamn torque wrench, breaker bar, tire pressure digital readout, engine air diverter, and goddamn lug nuts. All within the past 6 weeks.

I'm freaking broke... but I'm craving that HKS dual ti exhaust/ air suction kit / Nismo (or CWest) lip kit... not to mention the Varis air duct and rear exhaust blocker thingy. Welp, can't do anything right now but but save up till February '07... Zaino and take the old lady around Waipahu here and take some pics with the Fuji F11, which I should really learn how to take advantage of it's features.

















Update: 7/27/06
Well, just installed the Varis Duct. Decided on the C-West Lip pfrp kit (here in 2 weeks,) Blitz spoiler (6 weeks,) and HKS dual (already purchased by bro locally in AZ, so should be here in 2-3 weeks). Haha, dusted off the magic credit card. Just thinking how my Z "COULD" look like was killing me... I couldn't ignore the voices in my head any longer. Man, I can't wait to get that sh*t on.

BTW, I'm getting killed on shipping charges! $300+ for the lip kit from CWest. I can't wait for the quotes my bro is going to give me for the exhaust.

Anyways, I know there's some DIY's for the Varis duct, but I'll chime in with a "hold your hand" guide for "not-so-handy" guys. Also included some information that some that's on the fence with this mod may be looking for. On to the install...



Bought the duct from Performance Nissan. Fast shipping. Quality of the part is good. Some inperfections in the weave and minor scratches concentrated in areas on the clear coat. Otherwise, I'm pretty satisfied, as I do understand carbon fiber parts are pretty much one-offs.


Here's some of the mounting hardware I picked up from Lowes. The screws that were included with the duct allows for easy theft, and has huge heads, so I picked these up. I also stopped by Office Depot to make some photo copies of the template, in case I mess the template up on the first try. I chose an X-acto knife instead of a box cutter, or a utility knife. For me, I have more control making cuts.


Notice I didn't cut out the center. I made the "X" cut so that the paper would conform to the shape of the bumper better. I just traced the line with the X-acto knife with some pressure- no markers needed, and gives an accurate sized transfer.


I used the marks as a guide for scoring, which is basically going over the same cut line, making the cut deeper on each consecutive pass. When the cut was deep enough, I punched the knife all the way through on one end of the cut line, and pulled the knife all the way to the other end. The blade should follow the score line without wavering. I just made sure I scored enough. Using a utility knife may be easier at this point due to the size and handle.


Use the knife to cut the top of the foam that's behind the bumper. At first, it seemed as though this wasn't necessary, but it its. Notice the nice, clean cut of the hole.


When making the holes, I used a pen with water based ink so I could mark and see where the screw holes were going to be compared to the main hole. The duct had some play when in the hole; as it's fluted (no hard edges )for the side of the duct to press against the bumper, so it moves around quite a bit. I used the old marks to guide me where to move the duct for the perfect positioning.

I held the duct in that position and used it for a template to drill the holes. This way, all four holes in the bumper will line up exactly with the holes in the duct. Of course, I made sure the drill bit was small enough not to make the holes in the duct bigger.

I put on the nylon nuts after I put on the washers and regular nuts so it would lock them.


Here's a pic highlighting the position duct opening to the position of the opening of the inlet of the stock air box.... for those concerned about water getting to the air filter. Seems like from this pic, water could get to the inside of the air box.

On to the final pics...




The wait begins for the lip kit and other parts...

 

Beautious!

 

Looking fresh

 

Rellax dude, you're in Hawaii it's all good...

Nice rims

 

Looks great dude!!!

 

thats one nice ppw!

 

...need... freaking... exhaust... like... my... life... depends... on... it...

When you've lived in Hawaii for 80% of your life, it's like having steak all the time. It get's old, only until you've not had it for awhile.

Just checked Intense Power's sale, they have 5 HKS ti-dual exhausts in stock, and with free shipping. Really hard for me right now to keep my credit card in check... the ONLY things holding me back is my 6 month insurance bill just arrived ($800), the 5+ fillings and crown I need fixed on my chewers as I already spent $500+ out of pocket (my $1000 dental coverage is already used up for a root canal and extraction). For real dudes, if you haven't taken dental coverage from work and haven't visited the dentist in 10+ years, I would seriously consider taking it and getting your *** to the dentist chair... lotta pain and fear, but it's better than a tooth ache, beleive me. Not to mention the $1000+ I racked up on my Arizona, Philippines vacation...

Really though, I think my next mod is that Varis air duct/exhaust shield. Maybe I should donate some blood or sperm.

 

Those RG II's look great.

 

Fuking SICK

 

+1. Beautiful wheels. They look great, especially on PPW!

 

wow....i thought **** wasnt alowed on these forums

 

gotta love the RG's. Twins in more ways than one. Rims, Broke, Mod bug(wants exhaust) , and bills (wll not yet )

 

I can never get tired of looking at Advans.

 

The wheels are hot. Do you recall the weight? Thanks.

 

Yup, roughly 19.2 lbs F; 19.8 lbs R

 

You know, my heart was set on TE37s from forever, before the explosion we see today. Then I seen gold SF-Challenges on a PPW, then my heart was set on it, then another explosion... found out they were 26lbs+... found out the advantages of an 18" wheel... then my heart was set on the LMGT4. Then about 6 months ago, I seen your car with the RGIIs, and the rest is history.

Funny, I was going to bring the car to the North Shore near a beach here in Hawaii to take the pics. We would have had posted a pics with a beach background too... And my brother has a white EVO. Who's EVO is that? Don't tell me it's your brother's.

When did you install the Varis duct? You bastard! I was waiting to see how the car would look like... I like surprises Hopefully, our body kits will set apart the cars.

BTW, PM me when you get a new set of tires. I know some members were ragging you for the stretched look. All I know is don't run 275 for the rear... at least not for the Falken FK-451... the sidewall is app. .4" bigger than stock... too big aesthetically.

Last thing... NICE CAR.

 

wow. thanks man. you brought a tear to my eye. sniff sniff.. j/k

I went with something different for the same reason.

The varis was about 2 months I would say. When I got my car back.

On the kit I am really torn between, Cf VI lip only or a CF Cwest lip kit.

On the tires I plan on installing all my suspension (HKS LS+ coilovers, Cusco front a arms, spc rear camber, Cusco sways) then get some new tires. I almost won an ebay auction for 275/295. Toyo T1S. They went for 350 total

The Evo is one of my friends. Not my brothers. Awesome car.

Being I just brought a House. Funds will be tight for a while. Unless I get some killer deals. The car sould be like that for a little while Its for the better though.

Keep me updated on my Twin. Keep it clean. I know you will just by your wheel choice

Talk to you later man...

 

Looks good

 

Gold SF challenges would have been one of my choices also but the Advans really do the trick.

 

Funny how getting new wheels make you just wanna go out and drive... not necessarily to a destination, but just to drive.

More practice pics of Hawaii that I'd like to share:


Ko'olina... where the NFL Pro Bowl Players do all those skill tests. Check out that Zaino effect. Other brands can claim to be as refelective, but no other is as durable. Only waxed 1 time in the past 8 months.


Taken off the Waianae coast on West Oahu... Waianae, incidentally is one of the toughest places on the island... where local is truly local. I high tailed it out before there was an "incident."


Always need to show off the curves of the rims.

God I need some cash.