Rochester

iTrader: (9)

blnewt

iTrader: (13)

They're fully drilled, they sell those dimpled/slotted sets w/ their pads for a nice price but I wanted name brand pads so I got the rotors there and Stoptech pads at rockauto.com I think it came out to about $360-380 for everything (including shipping). The stoptech street pads have exceeded my expectations thus far.

blnewt

iTrader: (13)

Thanks BL, If you want the exhaust mainly for the look you might check into the Tanabe axle back Medalion, from all I've heard it's really similar to stock, not obtrusive at all. In fact a few have sold theirs because they wanted a bolder sound.

sniper27

iTrader: (2)

while this is true, the tips are rather large. and unless I was imagining it, my car also drove worse with the Tanabe. low end torque felt compromised, and it made the drive in stop and go traffic even worse than what the 7AT is already.

shivers

iTrader: (2)

Dig the exhaust look.

blnewt

iTrader: (13)

Good to know Sniper, hadn't heard many complaints about the drive.

blnewt

iTrader: (13)

Appreciate the kind words

antirice

iTrader: (2)

I have FI exhaust and hated the shiney cans. I painted mine with plasti dip without removing the exhaust from the car. It took about 15 minutes and the paint has held up pretty well in 2 years.

Rochester

iTrader: (9)

Hey Newt, you want an idea for painting under the hood? You touched on that topic somewhere in one of your recent New Mod of the Week threads.

How about painting the coolant reservoir? In OEM form, it's white. Actually, not even white, just a sickly, translucent plastic. You could mask off a 1" strip in the back, to eyeball fluid level, and then paint the thing pretty much any color you want.

Gunmetal comes to mind. Or in satin black, to match the rest of the plastics.

Knowing you, I bet you'll document the entire process, with photos and tips on little things that come up, where you sanded and how you prep'd. Do it right, and you might garner a little following. I know people have done this, but if you get a dozen people this summer, all jazzed up to mess with this little project... well, then you'll have sparked a movement.

I can't wait.

ScrewstonNismo

I personally would have gone for gloss, but it still looks sweet. Good job for sure man.

blnewt

iTrader: (13)

PlastiDip is pretty versatile and seems to be able to handle heat pretty well, impressed that it's lasted that long on something as hot as an exhaust.

blnewt

iTrader: (13)

Between my DIYs and your idea factory we could make a profitable side venture Interesting idea about the washer tank, might have to give it some thought, and BTW, it was YOUR mod thread that I posted it in

blnewt

iTrader: (13)

Thanks a lot, I was on the fence about the paint finish, my carbon wrap valance has a bit of a matte sheen so in my case I think either finish would blend pretty well. I was also a bit worried that a gloss might not bond as well or hold up as well over time.

MACS

iTrader: (3)

You keep making it look sweeter and sweeter... rotors look great, and the exhaust job was a nice touch.

I had a Stillen exhaust on my '04, but haven't upgraded the '11 as yet. Not sure if I am going to do anything else, but the way you got the front lip and rear valance carbon fiber wrapped is making me want to do that... and wrap the shiny window trim.

Rochester

iTrader: (9)

I think you need a project to get you interested in how the car looks under the hood. This is as good as any.

So... you do it up first, and I'll follow your lead. I've been considering this idea for a while now. Personally, I'm thinking going a shade lighter than the matching black plastics. Gunmetal is an appealing idea. Something matching my radiator and oil caps.