MitsuStyle - Project Lex

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- Project Talk (http://www.mitsustyle.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=5)

- - Project Lex (http://www.mitsustyle.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28018)

Not that anyone is really following this anymore, but figured I'd throw some updates out there.

Car his been running phenomenally, with the exception of a caliper bolt backing out during the cruise (which comes down to my dumbass fault). It is officially parked for the winter and will be undergoing some changes. Other than coming out for some test drives here and there, I'm going to keep it garaged until I'm done with everything I want to do. I'm tired of driving it around half done. So here's the plans:

- IS300 COP ignition (purchased)
- Build a front facing TT style intake manifold (materials purchased)
- SC400 3.26 rear diff (purchased)
- LSD for rear diff
- 350z 6spd manual trans swap kit (purchased)
- 350z 6spd CD009 vintage transmission
- 350z Clutch/flywheel setup that can hold some decent power
- OEM 98 side skirts and basic lip kit for front and rear bumpers
- Paint
- Wheels
- Bring to Shane with 600+hp aspirations!

That's about it. This may take longer than just this winter to complete, but next time it's out and about it should be a different animal.

This thing already sounds beastly at WOT when you flyby. Can't wait to hear it when it's done!

Plan on doing a thicker head gasket or arp's for once you turn the boost up?

Awesome! Can't wait to see it finished up.

Damn it! I meant to get a ride in its current form.

Sounds like a great setup for next steps, can't wait!

Sounds like a sweet GT car in the making!

Thanks all. As for HG, nope sticking with the stock GE gasket and stock 10:1 compression ratio. Going thicker HG puts the squish numbers outside the ideal band. I'd rather have higher compression and ideal squish vs. lower compression and not ideal squish (see my thread from a month ago for more details on that). I have the dog point MAP Ultimate Duty head studs already.

06+ 350 transmissions are supposedly better than the early one.

You still gonna get a lift? I bet it would make your swap a ton easier...

Yup the CD009 (06+) version are the ones that are supposed to be badass. Hoping to find a used one in the $600 range. Otherwise a brand new one is only like $1600.

Lift, yeah I still really want one. Just not sure exactly when that will happen. And still not 100% sure which lift I want to get.

Managed to squeeze in about 2hrs of work on her yesterday. Result is the rear subframe sitting on the floor :)

http://www.dsmstyle.com/photopost/data/656/IMAG1758.jpg
http://www.dsmstyle.com/photopost/data/656/IMAG1757.jpg

Little bit more done today. Got all connections/etc. disconnected so the rear subframe is completely out. Driveshaft removed. Mid portion of exhaust removed. Rear ABS sensor wiring removed (For good). Muffler heat shields removed. Just lots of little misc crap removed basically.

With the underside fairly exposed at this point, I was actually pleasantly surprised by how little rust there was considering this thing has over 160k miles. Mainly just in spots where the rusty fasteners were, are little spots of rust. However I was inspired by this project:
http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...g?t=1311369242

I don't have the skills or patience to go to that level, but still, makes me want to get the underside of the car looking nice too. So I will be trying to take my time and replace anything rusty (fasteners, clamps, lines, etc). Coat things like control arms, subframe, diff, etc so they look like new again. Replacing bushings with poly ones where it matters, and probably just OEM in some spots to keep it feeling like a Lexus. And may consider sanding and putting some sort of undercarriage coating, but not sure yet if I'll take it to that level.

Here's how I left it tonight, as well as some shots of the underside of the car showing the small areas of rust around fasteners.

http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1352430387

http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1352430387

http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1352430387

http://mitsustyle.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1352430387

looking good. I thought the first pic was your car when I first scrowled down. I really want to pull my rear subframe undercoat the car and powdercoat the old parts I may use this as inspiration.

If you have some pointers on undercoating, lemme know! I'd love to just do a black undercoating or something. I just have no idea what kind of prep is involved, what kind of product to use, etc.

Where is the lift!!!?

Where is your car from, the rust doesn't seem terrible for a 93.