Previous "Stages"
Here is a quick history of what has been going on so far on this project. I have been working on this project for some time and I wanted to show a bit of my project development, I am Currently at what I like to call Stage 7 which is described in Page 01 = Project Shadow Matrix Ovewiew but in this section I will briefly describe previous stages of my project.
Initial Steps and stock pic's
This is STOCK/OEM setup. Basically only had changed to Arospeed Wheels 17" - Nitto NEOGEN 17" & NEON Under Car Lights
Engine Replacment 1ZZFE Modified Engine Jap Imported - Tranmision Replacment XRS 6 Gear
Turbos used in Stages 2 & 3 / Turbo XS TO3 & TO4 Turbines
Apex-i SAFCII ECU / It has been setup for Fuel Economy instead of HP (I think everyone know why)
Turbo Setup
At some point I decided to forget racing and started installing more show modz and removing race modz. So Sadly :-( my Ride is no longer TURBO. I have decided to return to STOCK Engine with some performance modz. I got some pic's from when it was TURBO. It's not all bad (better fuel economy) and I think I have done a good job making a show car, hopefully you think the same. I only removed the TURBO setup and changed the Exhaust Header to a OBX 4to1 Performance Header, also all the other race modz (such as Apexi) where left there since they also work on stock/mod engine.
Pictures From Stage 2 - Turbo was Behind the Engine
Pictures From Stage 3 - Turbo was moved above the Engine
Race Strip Manati Puerto Rico
I dont have many pic's from these days. The Matrix is the one in the back, burning tires.
STAGE 1
Here the car was used for Racing at local strips, Originally Nitros Boosted 75psi then changed to TURBO @ 7psi TO3 TurboXS Turbine and with WISECO Pistons (Low Compretion) and a few other Mods.
Dual Fin Aluminum Spoiler
Arospeed Wheels 17" (Aluminum light Weight) on Nitto Tires - NEOGEN 17"
Stage 2
This Stage includes a TO3 Turbo and Body Kit + Fenders and also Installed Roof Scoop. One of the handles broke so I got the chrome handle kit.
Turbo was behind Engine in Stage 2, You can see part of the WateGate Here...
Stage 3
I spay painted the body kit because I did not like the green, black and grey combo also Installed TO4 Turbine
Stage 4
This stage is where all mayor modifications came in place to change a race car into a show car
Here I decided to paint the Body kit myself, not to bad an outcome if I might say so myself :-)
I painted the vent visors with the rest of the things, but they did not stick and flew off in the highway so I got new ones for stage 5 and decided not to paint them
Stage 5
This is stage 5, carbon fiber came into place and got a few more black details in also. stage 5 also included an upgrade Clutch Kit with Flywheel from GripForce Racing, it is a stage 2 cerametallic kit. I have videos of when I tested the kit if you like to see how the kit works check out the video section on Page 06 = Project Videos. This Cerametallic Kit has a lot of "KICK" to it, sometimes it bothers me because the car gets "jumpy" but because I have those heavy 18" wheels I needed the added grip, this way get more power tranfered from the engine to the wheel and less "strain" on the whole system.
Stage 6
Finally got my hands on a HD Camera :-) that's what the Camera say's anyway!?! The Camera Resolution is ridiculous (3200x2400) 8 MegaPixels. I have changed the resolution (1280x960) to lower the file size. I am testing the new Camera, got the car washed and all, so I just took a lot of pic's an uploaded them. I am planing on taking a weekend to travel around the island getting some nice shoot locations soon, for now I just wanted test the CAM so I just took these, hopefully you will like them...
I did not use the Race Pedal kit becase it was to much work to install it for a test, I did place the floor matts. Got some nice shots of the Hood Art and the engine. Few details missed here and there but then again I was just testing. Personally I am very satisfied with the Camera, only BAD thing is you will see the dings and dents my ride has :_( anyway this is my "daily driver" after all. Thank you for viewing my ride. Please remember to vote! Thanks!
SHOOT ON LOCATION: Dorado PR
More Pictures in Page 09 = GALLERY Section >>>
SHOOT ON LOCATION: Urban Zone PR (My Hood)
More Pictures in Page 09 = GALLERY Section >>>
More Pictures in Page 09 = GALLERY Section >>>
Stage 7
Stage 7 Includes:
* Air Suspention Struts
* Carbon Fiber Hood Pins w/key lock
* Carbon Fiber (look) E-Break Cover
* Bullet Grafix
* Magnaflow Cat Converter & Resonator/Silencer "re-worked" (had to change again in stage 8)
* Changed rear license plate frame (matrix)
* Portable Battery Booster
* Roof Light (Actually I placed the orange bubble inside the car :-p)
About Carbon Fiber Hood Pins: I changed the hood pins for new carbon fiber hood pins for security reasons since these new pins have key and I believe to be a bit safer. This was a dificult mod for such a simple thing, but it was because the Matrix hood is not designed to install these type of pins and some "bases" where created to install this mod. here is a view after instalation...
About MOD Suspension: I have had a problem because of street conditions where I live I have been constantly damaging the body kit and it has gotten all "banged up" so I have been working in a suspension that would let me change ride height and have decided to go with an air suspension. I am currently working with this and I have at least got the main parts and I have installed them myself. It might take a while to complete since I am price hunting the net for the parts I am missing but at least I have the most important part setup. I would like to add a preview here to show how it is going. I will update with complete specs and a lot of pictures later on but for now this is just a preview of what I have so far. I will also update the sponsorship and promotinal page acordingly depending on how this project completes in days to come.
Testing: How low it could go? Check the Pic's let me know what you think ;-)
I am working on this myself with help of my Brother KavuX. I am proud to say I am extremely satisfied with what we have done so far. Stability and Dampering settings work great I will add more info soon. Still some work to be done and need some parts...
The Air suspention in 90% completed and it is working. still need some parts and some work to be done but it works pretty well so far. I will upload the pic's from the process if you want to know more go to: Page 04 = Previous Stages, Project Information and Initial Steps and Stock Pic's
Instalation of Air suspention Pic's. I had request to upload Pic's from when I installed the EasyStreet Air suspension. Here are the Pic's, I took them during instalation which took a few days and there are still some parts missing and work to be done. It is a "BOLT-ON" Air Suspension Strut Kit. As I mention in another section the suspension is working, it's just not completed (about 90%). More info on stage 7 can be viewed on Page 01 = Project Shadow Matrix Ovewiew
These are the Air Suspension Strut Kit parts. You can see the dampering settings buttons. Very Professional, Very Solid construction. Completely "BOLT-ON" assembly...
Front and Rear Struts Installed. Fit Perfectly into available space. Instructions where very well explained and easier and safer than when the TEIN coils where installed. Checked clearance and it's about 1 to 2 inches all arround the struts, for what I saw in various videos online this is the prefered/necesary space.
Initial testing: Hardware store and Plumbing parts where used for conectors and hoses. NOS solenoids where used and small tire pump for air. It takes about 2 to 3 minutes to get the hight I use to drive and it goes down in just a few seconds. If I get the Air Tank it will take only a few seconds to raise the ride. This would be ideal because when I find a part in the road I might not pass thru normally(bump) I can quickly raise the ride to pass the obstacle then lower it to continue driving, for now I have to get out the ride and look at how high it goes and wait a bit for the sistem to fill up. Suspension works great almost no diference from TEIN DELUXE COILS. You have to get the correct ammount of Air in the bag and fix the "Damper" settings until you find a confortable ride setting. There are 5 settings for the front switch and 9 for the rear, I am using default settings from instructions and it works great. I am also missing gauges to check how much pressure the struts have so for now I have to get out the car and visually inspect the hight to where I want it. I just set it to where I want it and leave it there. Now I can easily get in parking lots where I had trouble before. It is not that I can go to the mountains with it or run in any bad terrain, but it helps greatly either way.
This is how it looks now when I lower the suspension. I think it looks Awesome, I Hope you do to...
I got Stage 8 Modz installed, moving to Stage 9:
Here are some pic's including the new modz I have installed...
The Following Pictures Include:
New Round/Circle Mesh-Grill, Carbon Fiber Front Grill and Carbon Fiber AERO AIR DUCT INTAKE
New "TAGS" (Toyota, Supercharged & Apexi) & New Window Tint (COP Tested @ 37%)
Here are the new Carbon Fiber Pedals:
Here is the NEW! Dash Color Kit (BLUE) Installed, it was one of the most difficult & delicate Modz this stage. I also installed the Magellan GPS System (3" Touchscreen)...
Here is the (Behind Trophies) BILLET POLISHED BATTERY TRAY & Optima (GEL) 34x series Battery
Stage 8 Includes:
* Vertical Doors Kit
* Window Tint (Street Legal 40%)
* Because of performance Issues with Cat & Resonator (2") decided to go back to 2.5" and straight tube (Street Legal)
* Optima (GEL) 34x series Battery
* 3inch. CARBON FIBER AIR INTAKE FILTER [Status: Installed]
* CARBON FIBER AERO AIR DUCT INTAKE [Status: Installed]
* BILLET POLISHED OPTIMA BATTERY TRAY [Status: Installed]
* CARBON FIBER FRONT GRILL [Status: Installed]
* Mesh Grill (Round Pattern) [Status: In Progress]
* Carbon Fiber Pedals [Original Japanese (JDM) HAYAME REAL CARBON FIBER PEDALS] [Status: Installed]
* Blue Cluster Light Kit (Replacing the OEM Red Dash Lights with a neat Neon Blue Color) [Status: Installed]
* Magellan GPS System (3" Touchscreen) [Status: Installed]
These Modz have been really hard to find but you can find anything online with some time and a little luck :-) . Some of these Modz where harder to install than I thought, had some problems getting them how I wanted them setup but I am almost done...
Stage 9 (Aprox: 100%)
Done with stage 9:
As you might already know this project is diveded in 10 stages. Each stage for a "Mayor Upgrade" or "Set of Upgrades" and I am finally at stage 9. As described in my Brief Description my ride was originally "NOT Full Power " and this stage will cover the "FULL POWER CONVERTION KIT "...
Stage 9 Includes:
* Full interior Upholstery [Status: Completed]
* Power Window Kit [Status: Completed ]
* Power Lock Kit [Status: Completed ]
* Door "Kit Panel" Speakers Instalation (4 doors) [Status: Completed]
* AudioPipe MidRange speakers Total 14 speakers (12x6" + 2x8") & 6 tweeters [Status: Completed]
* Removable Racing Steering Wheel and Kit [Status: Completed]
* Door LCD Integration with "Kit Panel" (2 doors) [Status: Completed ]
* Air Tank (For quick and easy managment of Air Suspention) [Status: In Progress]
* Digital Air Suspention Gauge Set (Chrome with Blue Display) [Status: Completed ]
* Carbon Fiber Fender Flares [Status: In Progress]
You can see here the seat covers and door kit panels total 12x6" speakers, 2x8" and 6x3" Tweeters
Here you can see the new "Removable Steering Wheel" also the GPS and part of the "Kit Panels"
Here are the front and rear "Kit Panels" with the Doors Closed...
Here are the front and rear "Kit Panels" with the Doors Open...
Here are some pic's of the Custom seat covers
Here you can see the New Pre-AMP instalation, Also the Removable Steering Wheel and GPS...
About this MOD (Pre-AMP) Installation:
With the Install of the new "Kit Panels" the current Pre-AMP was unreachable under normal usage, because I could not open the Glove Compartment unless I opened the Door. I decided to place the Pre-AMP somewhere I could reach it since the Pre-AMP controls the volume for the Audio System. I checked online for a Pre-AMP that had a Top or Cover that could hide any cuts done to the Dash and this CADENCE fit the bill and was inexpensive compared to what they sell here...
As an added advantage it lets me controll volume individualy of front and rear doors which helps considering the front has more speakers than the rear doors. I had to sacrifice the Dash a bit for this setup but after much thought I came to the decision of installing it as you see in the pic's. Everything fit well and the Glove compartment opens and closes when needed (as long as the passanger door is open) and that is why this was setup that way...
Stage 10 (Aprox: 10%)
Finall Stage??!!??
Here are some NEW pic's completed the Carbon Fiber Fender Flares and the new Grafix by Digital Tuner (www.digitaltuner.co.nr)
Here are some pic's from the process of changing the Grafix. if anyone thinks they would prefer without the Grafix, this is what it looks like. I prefer the Grafix and this time around they are promoting our main WebSite!!
Here are the Grafix Half way Installed... After this the Caracters where added:
* Shadow
* Bee
* Dr. Robotnic
I will start by uploading the pic's of the New Grafix redesigned by Digital Tuner (www.digitaltuner.co.nr) and there are a few pic's of the car with no side Grafix.
Here is the Grafix instalation half way there, only missing the characters that where addedd later on...
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...Accident June '09 :-( ...
Got in an accident during June 11, 2009. Body Kit was damaged, thankfully no one was hurt...
Info: To make it Brief: Dead Dog (yes it was already dead) in the HighWay. Did not have time to react and/or avoid. It caused the rear bumper to "FLYOFF" and it hit another car.
Here is my car the day of the accident:
Here is the car the Bumper hit:
When I got home and starting figuring out the damages:
First Steps in the Repair. I had to pay all myself since the Insurance did not pay me because it turns out if a part of you car hits another. it does not matter how it happened you are not covered :( and well I payed for my own repairs. At least I did not have to pay for the other car...
The Bumper Broke in 4 diferent locations or sections. It was fixed with fiber glass then Red Putty, from here sanded and ready for Prime.
Prime was set and first hands paint was thrown on...
Next Step was Final paint and ready for Clear coating and polish.!.!.! We had to move the Revers/Parking sensors up because the bottom part was broken and we had to cover those holes to re-inforce the area. So now the camera is in the middle and besides the camera are the sensors.
OK the whole thing took about 7 Days to complete which was not bad. We added more Grafix to the Ride Overall and also changed the Exhaust Tips from ROUND to SQUARE Tips.
Here is my Ride about a week after the accident!!! :D
These are the pic's of the repairs. There is still a bit to add since i got a few more Grafix I will be placing but here you can see that the bumper is looking OK and the New Exhaust tips are installed...
October 2009 after the accident
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Some Other Stuff mostly from before the accident 2009
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Latest PhotoShoot Pic's: Beach in Vega Baja PR April/2009
Latest Autoshow Pic's: The Best Autoshow (Arecibo PR May/03/09)
AutoShow in Rincón PR During 2009
AutoShow in Ponce PR During Feb 22 09
Night Meet with some Friends... Nice way to start 2009 Exhibitions/Meet's...
AutoShow in Juncos PR During 2008
SHOOT ON LOCATION: Dorado PR 2008
SHOOT ON LOCATION: Urban Zone PR 2008 (My NeighborHood)
Pictures of the main "Theme ART" on the Vehicles Hood!!!
Additionally:
Parts are for sale Check the Parts for Sale (MOD'Z) section for more information on PAGE 08.
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Comments & Feedback are Welcome!!!
Please Remember to Rate my Ride... Thanks for your interest...
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Page 01 = Project Shadow Matrix Ovewiew
Page 02 = AutoShows and Exhibitions (Part 1 of 2)
Page 03 = AutoShows and Exhibitions (Part 2 of 2)
Page 04 = Previous Stages, Project Information and Initial Steps and Stock Pic's
Page 05 = Engine + Audio/Video "ICE" Setup + Aerodynamics, Custom Lighting and Interiors
Page 06 = Project Videos
Page 07 = Linkz to other Digital Tuner projectz + promotions + sponsors
Page 08 = Parts for Sale (MOD'Z)
Page 09 = GALLERY
Page 10 = ABOUT
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