Dimmerz EJ8 Build

[Dimmerz]

Hi all, I've been lurking around the forums for a little while just looking at other peoples rides and getting some ideas etc.
This was meant to just be my granny spec. daily driver but since driving it around for a bit I've found even though it is just a little single cam, it has a bit of up and go in it.

Recently I've started pulling all the dash apart as the owner before me really buggered up all the wiring with and after market immobilizer, cruise control, stereo etc. etc. after a day of pulling it apart I thought, screw it, I'm turning this into a project.

It is probably going to be a very slow build as many of you would understand, bills, rent & food come first and hobbies and other stuff second, haha.
Here's a list of what I plan to do, nothing too fancy.

Engine -
Entire engine rebuild using standard or slightly better components
Stage 2 cam
Full 2.25" exhaust w/ headers
Short ram intake
Intake manifold
High flow oil pump
Spray block
Wrinkle red rocker cover

Driveline -
Full manual trans rebuild
LSD
Rear brake disc conversion

Suspension -
Bilstein B6 HD shocks all round
Lowered springs
All bushes
Front and rear sway bar
Strut braces

Exterior -
Full respray (same colour) colour code everything (mirrors, rear bezel, side strips, skirts, bumper lip)
New 16" Rota grids with low profile rubber
Yellow fog lights (Love the look of them)
EM1 tail lights (red and white, no amber)

Interior -
Darkest legal tint all round
Stereo w/ integrated GPS
New speakers all round with a small sub probably 8" for a bit of oomph


I'm sure I've missed out on a heap of stuff but I'll get to that later, here's some pics for you all to take a look at. She looks like a bucket at the moment but it's a work in progress.

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg823/scaled.php?server=823&filename=20120103151607.jpg&res=medium

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg846/scaled.php?server=846&filename=20120103151621.jpg&res=medium

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg213/scaled.php?server=213&filename=20120103151632.jpg&res=medium

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg141/scaled.php?server=141&filename=20120103152417.jpg&res=medium

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg43/scaled.php?server=43&filename=20120103152437.jpg&res=medium

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg528/scaled.php?server=528&filename=20120103152503.jpg&res=medium

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg39/scaled.php?server=39&filename=20120103152511.jpg&res=medium

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg152/scaled.php?server=152&filename=20120103152702.jpg&res=medium


The work currently being done.

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/532002_3687230019775_128610698_n.jpg

[Dimmerz]

Fed Ex just came shipment just came in, about to start fitting it all up now.
Apexi N1 2.25" catback and skunk2 replica headers.
Very happy with the headers, the welding is done very well and all the inside looks like it's been built quite well.
We'll see how it all goes later.

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/531345_3694006709188_1245923969_33649766_581795564 _n.jpg

[Dimmerz]

Wiring is all done and walah! The car still works! Lol, It looked like I pulled out 100km worth of pointless wiring and an imobilizer that didn't work anyway.
Exhaust is all fitted up too, it's 150mm too short where it bolts up to the cat =/ going to mettams tomorrow so I can get a 150mm piece fitted up so it completes it.
Sounds like a Harley with the baffles removed at the moment, haha.
Updates, pics and a vid of the new sound to come :)

[Bludger]

Like!!!!

Subscribing.

make sure you update regularly.

[Gtstripes]

nice car, cant wait to see the finished product!

[Dimmerz]

Haha, thanks guys, I just drove it to my mates place, we're going to weld up the gap on Saturday and my god! I'm glad he's only 2-3 k's away cause that was so loud!
I will try update as much as I can, my posting is limited only to what my wallet can provide, haha, I do have the bilstein B6 shocks on their way but I won't be fitting them until I get some new springs aswell, don't want to do the same job twice, work smart, not hard!

[Dimmerz]

Okay, so little update, the whole exhaust is fitted up, still need to get a 130mm piece made up, doing that when I get back to work on Tuesday.
All the wiring is fixed up and tidied up as much as I could, unfortunately I didn't have any heatshrink so I've done it all in electrical tape for now, will be getting in there again to fix it all up with heatshrink when I can, plus I'm running without a stereo at the moment so need to fix that up too.

Here is some pics for you all to see the progress.

Headers turning gold
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg217/scaled.php?server=217&filename=20120407144145.jpg&res=landing

Car on stands
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg844/scaled.php?server=844&filename=20120407163103.jpg&res=landing

Wires cleaned up as much as possible
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg703/scaled.php?server=703&filename=20120403201205.jpg&res=landing

[Bludger]

fcukyeah.jpg


I'm doing a dash atm, My mess looks worse:p
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u19/bau_fug/IMG_20120325_035421.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u19/bau_fug/IMG_20120325_035513.jpg

sorry to take away from your thunder:p

good luck,

[Dimmerz]

Haha, that's cool, what's up with yours? Looks pretty messy!
I took out and immobilizer system, central locking system and a cruise control unit, of which none were hooked up properly and working, lol.
The wiring was everywhere and the soldering was terrible, I hope it wasn't done professionally cause I would have told them to give me my money back!

[Bludger]

Haha, that's cool, what's up with yours? Looks pretty messy!
I took out and immobilizer system, central locking system and a cruise control unit, of which none were hooked up properly and working, lol.
The wiring was everywhere and the soldering was terrible, I hope it wasn't done professionally cause I would have told them to give me my money back!
I'm just cleaning shit up in the bosses car:p

I'm anal retentive, can't stand that shit.:D

[Dimmerz]

Same here bud. I really hated myself for even doing it in electrical tape so it's only a temporary thing until I refill my electrical wiring and heatshrink stocks, haha.
I'm thinking about getting into the engine bay, pulling everything out so I can clean it all up, fix the wiring and put some nicer looking hoses etc. in and get rid of anything that doesn't need to be there.

[mugen_ctr]

nice to see another ej being built, keen on results :D

[Dimmerz]

Thanks man, I will try to update as much as possible :)
You have a build thread at all? Love the look of yours from your pic, love the JDM spec foggies, lol.

[mugen_ctr]

Thanks man, I will try to update as much as possible :)
You have a build thread at all? Love the look of yours from your pic, love the JDM spec foggies, lol.

nah havent really bothered to b honest lol

though the foggies look nice, 9 outta 10 times it never gets used, stupid laws, id use em all the time if i could >_<

[Dimmerz]

Bought a Simota carbon short ram intake last night for $100 and free postage, just waiting for it to get here :)
Still waiting on my shocks and springs to come along, soon I will be getting a rear sway bar kit and some rims to go on too.
Here's a pic of the intake.

http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m538/genesis_motorsport/Simota/CarbonCharger-EGEK/Simota-CarbonCharger-EGEK_05.jpg

[Dimmerz]

Shocks came in the mail today :)
Now I just have to find the right springs to match them up with before I fit them.
Can anyone out there tell me a good combo? I was thinking SSL but I reckon that may be too low, maybe SL instead?
I will be investing in a set of 17's to go on it soon.

Preview of the Bilstein B6 shocks
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg41/scaled.php?server=41&filename=20120410185415.jpg&res=landing

[Dimmerz]

Everything is all fitted up nicely, sounds good, need to give it a good run in now.
Think all that's left for the engine is a cam and tune and I'd be happy...for a little while >:D
Cant wait till the springs get here so I can get into the suspension.
Here's a pic of the engine bay, will get a sound clip going another time.
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg141/scaled.php?server=141&filename=20120414103746.jpg&res=landing

[Tai]

I had Eibach springs with my Bilstein height adjustable shocks, worked a treat

[Dimmerz]

Nice, I bought some superlow kingsprings for an EG which fit mine, I forgot that the spring ratings were different so I have a set of ultra lows, haha.
If they are too low I will be changing them over for superlows. Simple mistake, lol.

[Tai]

Dont get king springs, they sag over time.

[Dimmerz]

I've never had a problem with kingsprings in any of my vehicles.
Ofcourse I would ultimately go for coil overs but never had a problem with kings.

[Dimmerz]

My springs finally came through :D
Getting excited now, haha, I know exactly what I'm doing this weekend.

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg209/scaled.php?server=209&filename=20120418183118.jpg&res=landing

Bought myself a little present too.
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg855/scaled.php?server=855&filename=20120418183036.jpg&res=landing

[Boznian]

where did you get your intake for that cheap :O?

[Dimmerz]

where did you get your intake for that cheap :O?

Some people like to use facebook 24/7, I troll ebay all the time :P haha

[Dimmerz]

All nice and low now, just need a paint job and some rims and should look sweet!
Here's a pic for you all!

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg577/scaled.php?server=577&filename=20120421171934.jpg&res=landing

[Gtstripes]

haha did u get the air compressor + hose + air tool kit from supercheap auto? :P

[mugen_ctr]

looking good man, ride height is jus right, not to low or to high

[Dimmerz]

haha did u get the air compressor + hose + air tool kit from supercheap auto? :P

That I did, haha, it does pretty well!

And I would say it maybe is a tad too low, haha but ahwell, it's nice and stiff, now it needs a paint job, rims and for me to get off my arse and finish the wiring and the stereo..

[Dimmerz]

Because race car.
Saw these on gumtree for $150 and couldn't resist, came off of his EG, just need to save up and get some new brake lines to suit the calipers and think I'm just going to buy new blanks and some good pads, pads on these are pretty much brand new but the discs aren't much chop so I'm just going to change it all at once.
Guy was so nice he even threw in a rear sway bar for no extra charge :)

Here's the porn.
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/306111_3949442094913_1245923969_33749862_144078418 4_n.jpg

[mugen_ctr]

nice! good find

These should make a difference, never was a fan of drums on ej, and shouldnt have come with drums from the start, disc brakes feel much better imo, an with good pads on fronts an rears, really makes a huge difference :)

Consider also changing the big bushing as well, as it will b a bitch later on to swap out

[Dimmerz]

Hey all, just a quick question, I've recently as of the last two or three days noticed that the tappets have started getting louder whilst under load, when idling there is no noise, only under load. I service the car every 5000k and fill it up with 15W40 oil. Would it be that the oil is too thin or the oil pump is starting to go?
I've heard that the y8 pump can fail abruptly so I don't really want to keep driving if the oil pump is going to die.
I have a half hour drive from work to home which is more than enough to make the oil hot, I pulled the dip stick out as soon as I got home and it was only luke warm.
Ideas? Suggestions?

[mattsrea]

Nice ride height bro, just wondering if you ever scrape? I tried lowering mine to about that and i scraped alot so i ended up rasing it back up ):
My cat was dagging down to much. Do you think your apexi n1 catback sits lower then stock catback?

[brad]

Cannot wait to see this on some nice wheels with decent offset! I love coupes! As for the noise, are you SURE it's the tappets?

[Dimmerz]

Thanks guys, yeah, the cat back is actually tucked away quite nicely how ever the cat itself does sit fairly low.
I do scrape a bit but not much to be concerned about, it's usually the mudflaps that take the beating.

As for my problem, I am fairly sure it is the tappets, it has that real characteristic sound of them and I can't figure out else it could be. Only under load does it sound like that.

[mattsrea]

Thanks guys, yeah, the cat back is actually tucked away quite nicely how ever the cat itself does sit fairly low.
I do scrape a bit but not much to be concerned about, it's usually the mudflaps that take the beating.

As for my problem, I am fairly sure it is the tappets, it has that real characteristic sound of them and I can't figure out else it could be. Only under load does it sound like that.

Ohh right, because i wanted to increase my ground clearance so i can lower it abit more without too much scrape since my driveway is pretty steep. Would any exhaust piping (or catback) be nicely tucked away than the stock? What exactly do i have to look for? I dont mind power loss/gain or anything so yeah.

[Dimmerz]

I'm not sure what you mean, all I did was chuck it on and it had pretty much the same clearance as stock, the only low part is the cat because the extractors sit lower than the manifolds.

[mattsrea]

I'm not sure what you mean, all I did was chuck it on and it had pretty much the same clearance as stock, the only low part is the cat because the extractors sit lower than the manifolds.

Oh fair enough thens lol thanks for your help. Keep up with the good work on the EJ8. Subscribed

[Bludger]

keep the progress coming!!!

[Dimmerz]

Update on the lifter noise.

I got home, put some engine flush in and let it run for about 10 - 15 minutes, dropped the oil and put a slightly thicker grade in.
Lifters are still noisy even after a bit of a run in.. Suspect lifter setting or still oil pump.

Thoughts?

[Dimmerz]

Gonna get busy down on this bucket soon!
Bought a clutch kit and spigot bearing, brake discs were skimmed, calipers rebuild and new pads.
Here's a photo y'all!

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/s720x720/539914_4072012399094_1245923969_33796881_189235069 1_n.jpg