Danny_J's Premier Edition Cosmic Grey EP3

[Danny_J]

Owned the car for quite a few months now so think its time I started a build thread.

I spent ages looking for the right car! Best part of 8 months in fact. But eventually i found the right one :bigthumb:


Bought in Aug 2014, and been loving every moment since, theres something thats so raw with these cars and the engine is just dying to be revved and set free! Really are awesome cars.


I bought the car with just under 63000 miles. Its an 06 premier edition, which is exactly what I was after, being one of the last ones made. It was originally lowered on ABP springs, however these had to be removed for practicality reasons - potholes and speed bumps are quite abundant near me :-x So I bought it as standard but with custom cat back exhaust and remaining camber arms and adjusters if I ever decide to lower it in the future.
Got the car for a fair price considering just a few months before I bought it had new oem front discs and ds2500 pads,4 new tyres and the full big service so all plugs, fluids, filters etc.


Havent got any decent pics from when I first bought it, as I was too busy driving it! Must of spent over £200 in petrol the first day I went for a drive in it :-D


I originally wanted to keep it as it was, however as we all know this is extremely hard to do. I bought a few bits not long after buying it and havent stopped since really.
Bought a VisionR Carbon plug cover from TarmacNymph off TRO, then came jazz washer jets, jdm coin holder, carbon centre console and handle inserts.
Then decided to get a new battery stay as original was flaking so a PasswordJDM one was quickly purchased.


First pics I ever took of it on a drive up the horseshoe pass North Wales.:

Then decided to buy a Tegiwa M induction kit. For the money the fitment is quite shocking and it does take quite a lot of effort to get it to sit right. However the noise it makes is quite epic!

Next up was new rear discs and pads. Went for oem brembo's as I already have decent braking up front so decided to go stock on rear. This should of been an easy job, however as always there was a problem. The two screws that hold the discs in place had rounded off on one side, not even an impact driver would remove them. Thankfully it was only on the one side and the other side was easily changed. Quick visit to a local garage and they put the other side on for me.

Old pads were in need of a change:

All done

I also bought a mugen rep spoiler spoiler as well but unfortunately the delivery driver decided to play baseball with it and it arrived damaged, so that had to be sold on.


Recently ive just bought a Js Racing front strut brace which is an awesome bit of kit for the money and looks spot on in my eyes.

Future plans, id really like a skunk2 intake and throttle body as think they look awesome and a good way to increase power of course. Probably will buy a set of bronze Rota Grid or Team Dynamics 1.2 Black in the next week or so, bit undecided on which looks better atm.


Comments Welcome! :bigthumb:


Dan

 

[MikeyEP3]

Cars looks mint, liking the mods you've gone for. Been tempted by the tewiga air into take too, definitely a good choice

 

[Danny_J]

26/05/15 Update

Climair wind deflectors fitted

Then fitted a Tegiwa quick shifter, fairly straight forward to fit . Hardest part was removing the white ball cap off the socket on the oem shifter. For the money its an awesome bit of kit,really shortens the throw and this coupled with a Skunk2 gear knob makes for awesome shift action feeling!


Then carried a full two day detail. Snow foam,2 bucket wash, any scratches/marks addressed, then clayed, coat of SRP, then EGP, then a few coats of concours wax.

Awesome stuff:

Finished article:

Then set about restoring the dull cloudy headlights that all ep3s seem to suffer from. Started off all yellow and cloudy looking, much worse in person.

Removing oxidation:

Smoothing out surface,removing heavier scratches:

All done:

Then changed the old worn out front H with a fresh new one
Old:

New:

Old vs New:

Tidied up the front end nicely looks much cleaner now!


Also gave it a clean underneath the grill as there was quite a bit mud and grime behind there!

Also got a set of TD's Pro Race 1.2s in Matt Black on order. Having to be made specially for me so have to wait another week yet. A long time to wait for them (about 8weeks) but nice to know they are being made directly for me. Also ordered a full set of Goodyear Eagle F1 AS2 to go with them. Plus a set of black Muteki SR48 tuner wheel nuts.


Till next time, Dan

 

[RichE91]

Looks crackin buddy! Lots of things you have done to yours which I have lined up for mine can I ask where you got the front badge from?

 

[Danny_J]

Looks crackin buddy! Lots of things you have done to yours which I have lined up for mine can I ask where you got the front badge from?

Thanks for the kind words! Much appreciated. Bought off ebay, just make sure you order correct one for yours (face or pre face) watch out for the copies aswel!

 

[Spike85]

looks fantastic, You selling off the standard wheels

 

[Danny_J]

looks fantastic, You selling off the standard wheels

Thanks.Was in two minds wether to sell OEM wheels or not. Been aswell they've got 4 new T1Rs on and theyve not long had a refurb i think ill probably keep them as winter wheels, save ruining the TD's!

 

[GarryK20]

Good progress so far, keep it up

 

[Danny_J]

Good progress so far, keep it up

Thanks! Debating the skunk2 intake and throttle body atm! Would you recommend?

 

[GarryK20]

Thanks! Debating the skunk2 intake and throttle body atm! Would you recommend?

yes I would highly recommend them, prices are a bit steep compared to the rbc but the scuttle does not need modifying and they are excellent build quality. Most see better gains with them too, plus the noise is addictive

 

[Danny_J]

Update time.

My wheels eventually came and were fitted beginning of June.


Overall im exceptionally pleased with the results and much prefer darker wheels on a cosmic. As for the Eagle F1 AS2 they are leagues above T1Rs imo, there just so much more grip compared to toyos you wouldnt believe... also the ride quality is greatly improved due to going up a tyre size.


Just fitted:

Pic with Muteki SR48 Black wheel nuts and lockers:

A quick poor lighting side shot:

Not really done much to the car as of late as ive been thinking of selling the car and getting an Evo, but still in two minds what to do...

 

[Danny_J]

Big Update - Feb 2016

After thoughts of selling up and getting an Evo, ive decided to keep the car and spend the money saved to put towards an Evo into making this car even better! Just couldn't sell it


My rear caliper was sticking, so instead of just buying a refurb kit, i decided to just buy a brand new caliper and carrier. Fairly priced compared to refurbed ones aswell. Was originally sent a dc2 caliper however a quick email to jap service parts and the correct one was sent next day. Top service, cant reccomend enough.

All painted. Matt black to match the rest.

Then the Tegiwa M was sold to make way for the real deal. Gruppe M

Mugen Twinloop catback bought to bring some JDM goodness but more importantly less noise!

Then bought a DC manifold

Also bought a carbon spoiler so this will be fitted once ive figured out how to fit the rear high level brake light.


Then this happened

JRSC, KPRO,RC650CC Injectors and Manual Tensioner :-D


Car was dropped off last week at TDI North for it all to be fitted and mapped. I already know what power she made but any guesses?


Next up is an LSD along with a new clutch. Any suggestions whats the best ones to go for? Also on the verge of buying a bbk, so she stops aswell as she goes... Again reccomendations on whats best? Been looking at AP 6 Pots as these look the business


Til next time
Dan :ninja:

 

[Scottish Type-R]

Great update. I have the Mugen Twinloop. Nice tuned sound when wanted and quiet when need be. Looking toward to seeing the results after the supercharger has been fitted and your remap.

I went for Mugen Mani and sports cat. Not fitted yet.

All the best

 

[Ed]

AP 6 pots would be massive overkill for the power to weight ratio.
Have a look at the Stoptech kits

 

[Danny_J]

What about the Brembo gran turismo kit - 4 pot 330mm

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/perfo...lack-4-piston-calipers-330x28mm-drilled-discs

Are these more similar to the Stoptechs? Or maybe the AP 4 pot kit also sold on Tweeks website as well?

 

[Hamza Type R]

Thats well nice mate car build going good

 

[WelshyWelsh]

Lovely build this. Always nice to see proper JDMness!

 

[Krzys]

I'd recommend the Stoptech 330mm 4 pot BBK!

Also my guess power is about 300bhp?

I've got a Mugen Twinloop too!

 

[Danny_J]

Thanks for the kind words guys, always nice to see people appreciate what you do

As for the power she made 309bhp. So chuffed with that!

I could get Stoptechs but unfortunately we dont supply them in work. So im looking at getting either the Brembo gran turismo kit above or the AP 4 pot kit as i will be able to get them discounted . If these are similar to stoptech kit i will end up getting one of these. Thoughts?

 

[Danny_J]

Well i now have the car back from TDI North and its awesome! Noise the charger makes is heavenly and i dont think ill ever get bored of hearing it. Cant wait until the weather improves so there will be a bit more grip in the tyres so i can really test it out.


Theres is torque available in all gears and rpm ranges now. So car is much more drivable without being near the redline all the time.


Also the Mugen exhaust im rating quite highly as well. Quiet when driving round town etc but loud when you need it


As soon as my current set of T1Rs have been toasted i think i will put winter tyres on to oem wheels for next year. As having so much more power just highlights how awful the Toyos really are. Come summer Pro Race 1.2s will go back on with tne Eagle F1 AS2 so cant wait for that.... Any reccomendations for winter tyres guys? Need something i can put on the car in November and take off March time.


Not many pics taken as was too busy driving it

Also fitted a Supercharged grille badge but not sure if i like it? Looks out of place so might put it level with the type r badge but on the other side of the H and see if it looks better.

Might take a trip up to the Evo Traingle soon to properly stretch its legs.


As far as brakes go, stopping power seem ok so far with the ds2500 pads all round. On track i can see the need for a BBK as temps will be a lot higher. I will see how i get on and if needed order CL RC5+ or maybe RC6 pads to try before getting a bbk.