Coupe introduction!

[Jlor1002]

What's up, Nico? I've been lurking around here for a while and finally felt I should introduce my coupe (I introduced myself in a previous post). I've posted a few questions and have spent extensive time with the search button, so thanks to the community for all of the help!

My coupe is a 2011, 3.5 6MT. I bought it in July 2011 and immediately had it tinted and debadged. I then spent the next several months reading the forum and started toying with it in April. Here's where I'm at so far:

-eibach springs
-RL y-pipe
-RL short shift kit (and razo knob)
-Borla exhaust
-19x8.5 enkei RSM9 w/ 245/40 Kumho ecsta
-c mod grill - color matched

The eibachs feel great IMO (still early though). The shift kit w the weighted knob is sick. The y-pipe and borla sounds unreal, couldn't be happier there... I wanted more aggressive/deeper without being much louder, and that's exactly what I got.

I'm happy with my wheels, but could be happier. I wanted 19s but was looking to keep them light. The rsm9s are under 20lb and I got a good deal on them. They also had the look I wanted... besides being a little too open. I painted my calipers black, but the wheels scream for a BBK (not happening).

I'm also not thrilled with the c-mod. I think I want to color match the chrome on the OEM and blackout the top/bottom part of the burger. It would be greatly appreciated if anyone has any pics of a color matched OEM grill (not black), because I can't find one, or has any other suggestions.

I apologize for the low quality, dirty car pics. I have a big scratch on the corner of my rear bumper and my exhaust tips are uneven, so after I get that taken care of I'm going to have some quality pics taken. But in the mean time...

[schon77]

Sounds like your doing pretty well with your mods. I am jealous of your 2011 3.5 mt if only I had the option for that model, currenly driving 2.5l Altima Coupe 2010 cvt. Your car is pretty cool in my opinion, don't stop what your doing.

[SHIFT_COUPE]

Welcome around! Glad to see you posting! I approve of your mods

[DJ_B_Easy]

Welcome!

I have color matched OEM grille, but on 2008. Well, the chrome mustache is color matched, the burger is color matched with the Nissan letters painted back in black, and the honeycomb is flat black. Not sure that would help you to see what it would look like for you, but let me know and I can take some pics.

[SanoSuKe]

Yeah, still not a fan of the C-Mod. I think you should switch back to OEM grille, get an CA intake and coils. And you're all set!

[dangeris]

Looks good but +1 the Cmod. Doesn't look right. Where in Pa are ya and Welcometo NICO

[Jlor1002]

Thanks everyone! Appreciate the welcoming and kind words.

My problem with the c-mod is that it doesn't follow the hood lines - it just ends abruptly. That being said, I still like it better than the OEM grill w/ the chrome.

Beasy - Thanks, but I've seen a few color matched 08-09 but not any +10s. However, I've seen you post like mad but don't think I've seen your whip at all!

Dangeris - I'm in Wilkes-Barre. I was considering going to Carlisle this year to see what it's all about, but I was still working at the time and couldn't make it.

Probably going to take it easy spending on the car for a while... spent a lot in the past few months and am saving for a new tattoo (cars and tattoos... great investments). But next thing on my list is getting grill situation figured out, then probably traction rods, sway bar, strut bar, and end links from racingline, and will do coils once the Eibachs wear out my struts and need to be replaced.

How do you guys go about passing inspections with CA intakes? Everthing I've looked it says they aren't legal in PA and it's not worth it to me to have to switch it in and out every time I need an inspection.

[DJ_B_Easy]

^I havent posted a pic of the exterior of my car in probably almost two years. Guess I should do that huh?

Funny, I STOPPED spending money on tats to mod the AC. Going back the other way now. Sleeve is at 75% I need it done.

Im not sure of the laws in PA but it shouldnt be a problem. Let me put it this way...if Dangeris is passing inspection legit, then you will.

AND YOU SOULD HAVE COME TO CARLISLE!

[Jlor1002]

I'm jealous, I have a half sleeve... would love to be able to have a full, but don't think it would go over at work.

Sounds like I need to look more into intakes.

And I would have made it to Carlisle but I can't days off from work.

[DJ_B_Easy]

^I work for a corporate company, the pres and vice pres love my tats. If they had a problem with them, I wouldnt want to work here.

You can find info about what is/isnt legal in your state online. Maybe if Dangeris jumps back in here he can help you out. There are quite a few members from PA, at least one that turbo'ed. You should be OK.

[AlexM.]

I'm surprised Dangeris didn't use this as an opportunity to market his headlights

Welcome!

[dangeris]

I'm surprised Dangeris didn't use this as an opportunity to market his headlights

Welcome!

Not sure how I missed that opportunity but You SHOULD consider getting a set of custom Dangeris Lumenation headlights. I know that you're car already as projector headlights but I'm betting its inferior to the headlghts that I retro..

[Blackmobile]

i think your cmod grill would look better in a different color rather than color matched.

[Jlor1002]

^I work for a corporate company, the pres and vice pres love my tats. If they had a problem with them, I wouldnt want to work here.

I hear you. I'm a strength coach and my current employer would be cool with it, but I know of other organizations that wouldn't be. Once I get into the private sector or open my own place I'll go with a full sleeve.

Not sure how I missed that opportunity but You SHOULD consider getting a set of custom [url=<a class="vglnk" title="Link added by VigLink" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.dangerislumenations.com]Dangeris"><span>http</span><span>://</span><span>www</span><span>.</span><span>dangerislumenations</span><span>.</span><span>com</span><span>]</span><span>Dangeris</span></a> Lumenation[/url] headlights. I know that you're car already as projector headlights but I'm betting its inferior to the headlghts that I retro..

It's definitely inferior. I've seen some of your work around the forums and it looks amazing. What's the story with your intake? I think I remember reading you can get around inspections with a CARB sticker or somesh!t.

i think your cmod grill would look better in a different color rather than color matched.

I'm trying to keep it all silver/black. You think the c-mod would look better in black? I don't like the unpainted look, but painting it black would probably look better. that's part of my issue with it - not enough black as it is now... well, that and the fact it doesn't flow with the hood lines.

[mikethemike]

I dunno about you guys, but I LOVE how this front end looks. I wouldn't get a c-mod grille but something about this color really makes it stand out. Makes it look like it belong on there and I like that =)

[DJ_B_Easy]

I like it, but I do agree it leaves something to be desired. I almost feel it might look better with the "fat" part up closer to the hood and the thinner plastic around the curvature of the opening...if that makes sense. But thats a design flaw, not a color issue.

Please dont paint it black, its going to look ridiculous.

[AlexN09]

I like it, but I do agree it leaves something to be desired. I almost feel it might look better with the "fat" part up closer to the hood and the thinner plastic around the curvature of the opening...if that makes sense. But thats a design flaw, not a color issue.

Please dont paint it black, its going to look ridiculous.

That totally makes sense and I agree black wouldn't be hot either. I am going to find a way to mesh the oem grill and do a write up on it for everyone.. maybe haha

[YoungCoupe]

That totally makes sense and I agree black wouldn't be hot either. I am going to find a way to mesh the oem grill and do a write up on it for everyone.. maybe haha

If you do try and put mesh on the oem grill, please share! The c-mod just doesn't do it for me. It looks so out of place IMO

[DJ_B_Easy]

I am going to find a way to mesh the oem grill and do a write up on it for everyone.. maybe haha

Ive already "started" this with the '08 OEM grille, meaning Ive planned it out and know what I have to do, I just havent done it yet. Its going to be a decent amount of cutting, fiberglass, and Bondo. Im done modding my AC for the most part but Ill get bored sooner or later and do it. I have all the materials left over from my amp mount so its just a matter of time and effort.

[Jlor1002]

I'm going to have that scratch on my bumper fixed next week and figure it would be a good time to have my rear diffuser painted. Can't decide if I should go matte or a gloss black. I think gloss black would match my wheels nicely. Anybody have any thoughts? Thanks.

[AlexN09]

I painted mine matte but sometimes I wish it was gloss! Definitely looks cool on silver.

[Jlor1002]

Got the scratch on my bumper fixed, leveled the tail pipes, and had my diffuser painted semigloss black. They didn't do a great job with the diffuser - the line along the top is junk. I'd take it back and have them fix it, but I already did that with my c-mod (they fixed it) and figure I'm just getting what I pay for now.... which isn't much.

Sorry for the bad pic, will be taking some good ones in a few weeks.

[Jlor1002]

Well, I was supposed to finally take some quality pictures of my car yesterday... but didn't quite make it. I helped my brother move on Saturday and he repays me by plowing into my rear end with the Uhaul. There was minimal damage to the uhaul, so we just returned it and my brother will be paying out of pocket for the repairs to my car. I wasn't too pissed about it because 1) he felt like a d!@k and 2) I'm not paying for the repairs, BUT I did just pay out of pocket to have a scratch on the bumper fixed! So, that was a complete waste. Also, the money he's spending on fixing my car could have been used to hire movers, thereby sparing my car and my Saturday. Oh well, here's a pic of the damange - car goes in for repairs next Monday.



However, there is some good news. The shop failed to realize that my rear diffuser was painted, so when I brought up the fact my bumper needs to be replaced they agreed to paint the diffuser on the new bumper free of charge! I'm pretty stoked because the first shop did a horrendous job, so hopefully they do a better job and I don't have to pay a dime for it.

[SanoSuKe]

Well, I was supposed to finally take some quality pictures of my car yesterday... but didn't quite make it. I helped my brother move on Saturday and he repays me by plowing into my rear end with the Uhaul. There was minimal damage to the uhaul, so we just returned it and my brother will be paying out of pocket for the repairs to my car. I wasn't too pissed about it because 1) he felt like a d!@k and 2) I'm not paying for the repairs, BUT I did just pay out of pocket to have a scratch on the bumper fixed! So, that was a complete waste. Also, the money he's spending on fixing my car could have been used to hire movers, thereby sparing my car and my Saturday. Oh well, here's a pic of the damange - car goes in for repairs next Monday.



However, there is some good news. The shop failed to realize that my rear diffuser was painted, so when I brought up the fact my bumper needs to be replaced they agreed to paint the diffuser on the new bumper free of charge! I'm pretty stoked because the first shop did a horrendous job, so hopefully they do a better job and I don't have to pay a dime for it.

That sucks dude Hopefully you'll have her fixed soon! I dunno why but I'm starting to think that altima coupes are in-general bad luck lol.

[DJ_B_Easy]

Also, the money he's spending on fixing my car could have been used to hire movers, thereby sparing my car and my Saturday.

Oh the irony
Move s***, thats what brothers do. Funny, last time I moved my brother he almost rolled the Uhaul off his driveway directly into his new house. I had to run at him screaming and basically jump in front to stop him because he couldnt see what was about to happen.

[AlexN09]

Hahaha that last part of your post was awesome, always look on the bright side of life !

[mikethemike]

If its any consolation I crashed my brothers mustang when I was 18 and this was for driving like any retard 18 year old

[Jlor1002]

Hahaha that last part of your post was awesome, always look on the bright side of life !

I try... used to be a much more of a miserable pr!ck. No way to live life.

If its any consolation I crashed my brothers mustang when I was 18 and this was for driving like any retard 18 year old

Yup, had I been driving the Uhaul I probably would have made the same mistake. He didn't do anything stupid.

Oh the irony
Move s***, thats what brothers do. Funny, last time I moved my brother he almost rolled the Uhaul off his driveway directly into his new house. I had to run at him screaming and basically jump in front to stop him because he couldnt see what was about to happen.

Yup. I get to help my sister move next month! And I wish I had the foresight to stop this from happening, def didn't think the rear of the truck would travel so far inside (I was parked perpendicular to the truck, cut turn too tight).

That sucks dude Hopefully you'll have her fixed soon! I dunno why but I'm starting to think that altima coupes are in-general bad luck lol.

I think so. A/C drivers (at least on Nico) certainly seem to get hit more than they dish it out. And your car looks sick man!! I don't think I've seen your car on here till seeing it in your new? sig.

[Irvxing]

Altima coupes are bad, bad luck!
mines been hit, re hit, and my hood flew open

[mikethemike]

ya'll are just a bunch of bad drivers (including me)

I kid. I hope nothing happens to my car though. I've never been into an accident, at least not in my cars. Crashing my bros car was the only time i ever got into an accident that I caused. Otherwise, this was probably my most memorable accident