'04 IS300 - Project (Not Really) Nice Daily

[Goodspeed]

Holy crap it had been forever since I had done any car work whatsoever, but a few odds and ends were taken care of recently so...update?



Firstly, I didn't mention it in my last update but I had the rear fender lips rolled at Mr. Spoiler in Manassas. Really cool guy, he let me hang around and watch and did a superb job. He masked and painted the lips a flat black so the job "disappeared" too. No rubbing whatsoever, success!

This weekend I replaced the rear swaybar endlinks with new Moog units. When the suspension was installed at Paul's place I didn't think to get new ones, and the original pieces were almost toast. I also found that the mounting bolts at the bar itself where loose, causing them to clank around somewhat. I'm glad I caught that when I did, but with the nuts in place there are like 1.5 threads left, I guess I'll just keep an eye on 'em.

Earl change was performed as well, and I couldn't get the damn filter off. The shop that did the TB/WP etc. work just after purchase in February did the last change with a new filter. I've been able to get to and remove the filters on my previous vehicles by hand no problem, but sweet jaysus is it in a terrible spot on the 2JZ. Everything is in the way - coolant line, oil and trans dipsticks, it's tucked under the intake manifold and even the hood prop is in the way when you're standing at the fender. I guess an oil filter wrench is in my future...

I also decided that the novelty of a giant, shiny, headlight-reflecting muffler had worn off, so I took off the Manzo catback and coated it. I used the VHT Flame Proof line of prep spray, primer, ceramic flat black and low gloss clear. I did however leave the tip polished. I hope it holds up as it looks great - the process was degrease & clean, rough up with red scotchbrite pad and then 320 grit sandpaper, clean again, then 3 coats of primer, 3 coats of black coating and then 2 coats of clear. I let the pieces air dry overnight and then cured them per instructions by running the car - idle for 10 mins, cool for 20, idle for 20, cool for 20, then drive for 30.

In progress:



Before:



After (potato cam shots from here on out...my deepest apologies)





Still being a supremely excellent DD. I honestly don't know why I'd ever part with it. I love you car!



<3