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17’s. Gave me another 1/2” of sidewall, much softer ride. Same height as stock 245/40R18. Considered going to 245/50 but was concerned about wheel well clearance, not a lot of room at the rear on front at full turn lock, especially with suspension travel. Central Washington has some really rough roads🤬, not to mention my 1/4+ mile dirt/gravel driveway!
17’s. Gave me another 1/2” of sidewall, much softer ride.
I did the same and never regretted it. Sure, it doesn't look as cool, but I'm an old fart and choose comfort over pizazz! A side bonus, we've lost unsprung weight, which helps make up for the loss of the lower-profile cornering. It provides other performance benefits as well (when going with lightweight racing wheels).
As I am on annual leave from work (but limited as to my ability to travel due to a medical event) I have taken time out this week to: 1) Had a wheel alignment performed (only to be told that the car has probably sat for too long not being used (hmm 3000km in 3 years by previous owner), that has left flat spots on the tyres! (unless they rectify themselves with me driving the car more often, I can see a new set of tyres being needed - ouch)., and 2) I engaged a 'dentologist' to come remove the annoying small dents that accumulate on cars that are used regularly - a coupe of small dents on the bonnet/hood and a dent on each door (driver and passenger). He did a marvellous job and I am very pleased with the outcome.
Pictures of the mini-disc installation - stereo / hvac and nav screen set up in my 2007 JDM SC430. TV does not work in NZL as we have the PAL system, and Japan uses NTSC. I am installing the SC430MODS rear camera kit soon to give me a reverse camera, and also the bluetooth kit to play music.
Decided to give the baby the full spa treatment today.
Used 3 Maguire products: Compound, Polish, Wax
Took all day but the results are very nice.
The Compound removed some light scratches from my 2005 and the Polish and Wax just gave it that wet look.
Since it's silver -- posted pictures would not do it justice. Learned experience: Both the Compound and Polish dry much too fast for me to buff off completely by hand -- so I used a power polisher.
Over the last week I drove to Boise to my son’s shop. We replaced struts all around, front upper control arms, #2 front arm, lower ball joint, outer tie rods. Then put on new wheels and tires! Made a HUGE difference in ride. Old struts had no rebound, could collapse them with two fingers. All the rubbers were cracked and oozing grease. Rubber on the #2 arm was almost split completely through. 173,000 miles on potholed roads had taken their toll! Other than struts all parts were oem, put KYB on the front, Gabriel on rear. Next up is new brakes, they are shuddering badly at highway speeds. PO claimed he had them done at 165k, but there are obvious hot spots on the rotors, doesn’t appear they were bedded correctly.
‘I went with 45’s in 18”. Fairly good ride with the MeisterR CRD’s and still turns very well. Initial tire roll at 33 psi in extreme turns then stops leaning. Rails turns hard. Attach capable
Got some new shoes. Got rid of 9 year old BFG tires, got new Enkei 18x8 ET 35 wheels, custom ordered odd sized Lexus center caps, new Michelin Pilot Sport AS4 from Costco. Looks and feels better. Outstanding project: new rotors and pads all round from Power Stop- in the garage not yet installed.
My SC430 is a 2007 JDM model imported into New Zealand in about July 2021. It has travelled 120900Km (c74000 miles). This last week I had the SC430Mods reversing camera and bluetooth kits fitted - both working very well. I also had the power to the rear aerial disconnected as a previous owner had added an after-market aerial that was connected direct to the ignition, so it was raised everytime the car was turned on, and could not be lowered. As the radio frequencies in NZL are different to Japan I have opted to rely on the bluetooth connection from the phone to the car for my music. I also had a set of hella Daylight Running Lights fitted adjacent to the fog lights. All working beautifully. Next job is to source and fit the rear quarter window lower/raise kit from Japan and have that fitted. - I think the body lines are enhanced with the rear quarters raised when the roof is lowered; likewise I like the idea of driving with the rear quarters lowered when the front window are also lower - to provide that 'pillarless' look.
A few weeks ago I also had the 'dentologist' remove four small but really annoying dents from the bonnet (hood) and both doors - now it looks really great. Location of rear camera Using original screen (direct sun onto the screen, so not the best picture - but under normal light - acceptable without upgrading the screen. Showing DRL side on DRL in situ
Last edited by nzxyxy; 05-12-24 at 10:30 PM.
Reason: Added pictures!
That will help keep maintenance costs down. Seems that as soon as I start trash talking a car, it starts having issues.
Though, I might be trash talking it because it is having issues, but let me have my superstitions.
No. its not superstition. I had a Citroen ID19 once and it would not do anything right until I stopped cussing at it in English and started cussing in French. Then all of a sudden it started shaping up.
As to the SC430, I retrieved it from the dark recesses of my garage, where my wife had delegated it, I had to junp start it as it had been there 6 weeks. That was a surprise to me because usually it would go 2 months and still restart. But then I remembered that at my last state inspetion the horn was not working and wih my recent knee replacement getting under the dash was impossible to I jurry rigged a remot button to honk the horn and pass the inspection. It was probably draining enough power to kill the battery.
But I got out my trusty "jumper brick" from under the front seat. It said the charge on it was only 88% (three other car starts and one motorcycle start had just about finished it off) But it still had enough to get the SC going even though it took 4 trys (I was trying to start it without my foot on the gas so couldnt bump it when it fired). But, start it did, and we went o the post office and back, 10 miles, and the battery was charged. Then 3 hours on the USB and the Jumper Brick was recharged, good for another year of service. Best invention in the past 5 years.
Drilled slotted Powerstop rotors installed, supposedly carbon fiber ceramic pads came with the kit. Old rotors lasted 7 years and probably 50-60k miles before they warped. Hope these make it that long.
03-30-24, 09:14 AM
