M56 by Debonair

[Debonair]

I decided to start a build thread a year and a half after actually buying and starting work on my car mainly for the little additions and tweaks I have done, and will do that do not warrant their own regular or DIY threads. And of course to share some random pics and parts I come across.

Here is my current list of mods with links to their dedicated threads.

• 20" MRR Wheels & Yoko Tires
  Lowered on BC Adjustable Coilovers with Swift springs (see wheel thread)
  LED Signal Mirrors (DIY thread)
  Full Interior and Exterior LED conversion (99%) (DIY thread)
  Subwoofer and Amp Install (DIY thread)
  Plastidip Grille (DIY thread)
  Daytime Running Lights (DIY thread)

Wash, Clay, Wash, Wax, Coat, Wipe

Recently, right before our current rain storms set in, I spent a morning, washing, clay baring, washing again, waxing, and then applying a protective coating to her. I have been addicted to this regimen and the smoother then glass paint feel it produces since the first time I used a clay bar a LONG time ago. She needs a full polished too but I just did not have enough time. Summer (longer days) is coming though. I planned on getting some good reflections shots around dusk but life got in the way and we are getting rain again. What can you do.

• Meguirs Car Wash
  Meguirs Clay Bar w/3D HD Touch for lube
  Collinite 845 Wax
  Optimum Opticoat
  3D HD Touch final wipe

[Debonair]

And something new coming soon....

[Ilya]

When my back wasn't shot (yep, shot since like 23 due to an accident), I used to clay, etc. as well. Definitely worth it, the final result is amazing.

[Larz]

That finish is absolutely brilliant, mate ! I know that this job takes most of the day, but it is time very well spent.
I do the same procedures, just a different brand as I am hooked on Griot's garage. Proper prep BEFORE waxing is the key. I know you agree that after the clay bar, the surface is smoother than when new, and free of any contaminants that are invisible, but decrease the final glow and depth of the wax job. I also do a high-speed polish and pre-wax cleaner after the clay bar, before the wax.

[Debonair]

When my back wasn't shot (yep, shot since like 23 due to an accident), I used to clay, etc. as well. Definitely worth it, the final result is amazing.

Bummer. If you were closer I would clay your car for lunch. Other then the bending over part (as you know) its a pretty easy job.

That finish is absolutely brilliant, mate ! I know that this job takes most of the day, but it is time very well spent.
I do the same procedures, just a different brand as I am hooked on Griot's garage. Proper prep BEFORE waxing is the key. I know you agree that after the clay bar, the surface is smoother than when new, and free of any contaminants that are invisible, but decrease the final glow and depth of the wax job. I also do a high-speed polish and pre-wax cleaner after the clay bar, before the wax.

Thanks! I don't polish every time, sometimes due to time constraints but also because I find it's not always needed since I usaully clean my car at least once a week. It does need a polish now though. The Opticoat and the HD Touch does wonders as well in the shine and slickness department though.

[spoons22]

Do you wash it all by hand or use a power washer on its low setting? Or do you know if Meguirs car wash detergent is safe to use in a power washer?

[Debonair]

Do you wash it all by hand or use a power washer on its low setting? Or do you know if Meguirs car wash detergent is safe to use in a power washer?

No power washer. The Cali drought means I need to be extra frugal with water usage. I am technically not legally allowed to wash my car at home at all right now. But I find a way to hand wash it once a week as long as it's not raining, sometimes even when it is if the car is especially filthy. Spray detailer and wipe down in between.

If you are going to use a pressure washer get yourself a foaming gun and some high suds wash. Very cool stuff. Otherwise all car wash should be fine In a pressure washer as long as the pressure is not cranked up to high.

[Debonair]

My Cree Led fog bulbs with 3K glass covers arrived this morning along with a cool little neck pillow. Now to motivate myself to get outside and install them.

[Ilya]

Nice! Mine should be here on Wednesday or so. That neck pillow is a nice touch.

I just had to motivate myself to go out and install my full exhaust on my bike...man what a PITA lol. But it's done and so rewarding.

[Debonair]

Nice! Mine should be here on Wednesday or so. That neck pillow is a nice touch.

I just had to motivate myself to go out and install my full exhaust on my bike...man what a PITA lol. But it's done and so rewarding.

Haha. Yep it's a LED foglights stampede for sure. I look forward to the output pics.

[Debonair]

Exhaust tips came in. They initially sent two with the same part number but from two different production runs. They were not a match. They had a third, matching tip shipped to me. I like the look of the 4.5 tips but these are not exactly what I expected. Not sure if I'll use yet so I ordered different set due in next week. I'll compare them and then decide.

[ILOVEMYM37X]

I wish you lived in NY, i would just give you my car and pay you to get it how i want it lol

[Debonair]

Ha ha. Everything is done a little at a time for me too. It just adds up after a while.

[Ilya]

I wish you lived in NY, i would just give you my car and pay you to get it how i want it lol

If I ever win the lotto (LOL), this is what I will spend my days doing. I will open a bike/car speed shop installing wheels, coilovers, exhausts, etc. for people. Don't care if I get one customer a month...I'll be a millionaire. That one customer will get 200% customer service.

[CRV_33]

Yep can't wait to see and how your exhaust came out. Exhaust tops do look good! Once Minnesota stops snowing i'll be sure to claybar my car to get rid all the road salt and sand off my paint.

[Debonair]

Yep can't wait to see and how your exhaust came out. Exhaust tops do look good! Once Minnesota stops snowing i'll be sure to claybar my car to get rid all the road salt and sand off my paint.

Me too. The second set of tips are coming on Thursday so exhaust should be on by the weekend.

Here is what they should look like. 4.5 in as well.



Claybar is an amazing concept and product. Every car person I know who has seen what comes off their car and how good it feels after is a believer from then on. I like doing a 1x1 ft square on my friends "clean" car fenders and letting them feel the difference. Then I refuse to do the rest.

[CRV_33]

The muffler looks really nice but I am not familiar with that brand. Have you used them in the past?

[Debonair]

The muffler looks really nice but I am not familiar with that brand. Have you used them in the past?

Nope, never used them. Vibrant Performance is very well known for their resonators which are commonly used to take drone out off performance exhaust setups without costing horsepower. I was looking for something different then the Magnaflow/Stillen everyone runs, and not priced in 1K+ range like Ark & Impul. I just like trying new things.

These mufflers are used quite a bit in sport-compacts, but I can find very few instances of them being used on V8's, less on moderns V8's (mostly trucks), and none in a dual configuration on a modern car V8. It's a tiny bit bigger then Magnaflow/Stillen and has similar but not the same construction. We will see how it sounds.

[Debonair]

Second set of tips came in. I definitely like them better. Not a fan of the stamped brand name but this will be mostly hidden I think. These tips are 4.5 in. diameter, 7 in. long, and 2.5 in. inlet. The muffler shop will be expanding the 2.25 muffler outlet to match the tips before welding them on.

I am getting them installed on Saturday.

The tips are actually designed to be bolt-ons for the 2010-13 Camaros so they have nut and collar welded on. Once they are welded to the muffler and installed this hardware would not be visible but I am going to cut them off and grind it smooth anyways.





I cut the nut and collar off this one already. Still need to grind the remaining weld down some.



And a mini preview.

[Debonair]

Exhaust is In and sounds great! More on that later, once I can get some pics and sound clips.

In other news....

Laser cut MDF emblems

I made a concept pic of a false wall I plan on making for my final subwoofer box, which is in its final planning stage. Part of it was an embedded Infiniti logo. I searched online for any suppliers of MDF logos for subwoofer boxes and came up with none other then some VW ones. I contacted a local laser shop and was quoted $75 for a single 12" logo. No way.

Then I found out a co-worker has access to a Epilog laser cutter. Jackpot! I made of some vector files, handed over a USB stick to him, and a little later met up with him to pick these up.









Original concept Photoshop image:

[Ilya]

Nice!

[Debonair]

Vibrant Performance Mufflers and Pypes Exhaust Tips

Just a few pics. Sound to come. I leant my GoPro out and am waiting for its return.

[Altered]

This is what I've been waiting for, custom exhaust on the 5.6L. How far back did you replace the factory system? Looks excellent, great choice on the tips

[Debonair]

This is what I've been waiting for, custom exhaust on the 5.6L. How far back did you replace the factory system? Looks excellent, great choice on the tips

Thanks!

Just from rear flange back (axle back). Not really looking for more power (420hp is plenty for me) or a show quality setup. Just a little rumble. It sounds perfect to me.

[twostep361]

very nice!!!

[Debonair]

very nice!!!

Thanks! Eager to get some sound clips but want to wait for my GoPro to come back home so I can get a proper microphone on it and make some recordings.



Tool Kit

This is something I always recommended and mostly forced on customers buying aftermarket wheels and tires for their cars back when I worked retail and sold this stuff; a universal lug wrench and a pack of OE lug nuts. Way too often people install new wheels and tires and do not realize their OE lug wrench does not fit their new lug nuts and/or lug nut opening until they are on the side of the road with a flat tire and no way of changing it.

I have had this Gorilla universal telescoping lug wrench since 2000 I think. It includes two reversible sockets that fit 4 different lug sizes. I added some heat-shrink tubing one side to protect the wheels. My wheel lock key is also there.

I also will take 5 OE lug nuts and wrap them up nice and neat so they do not rattle or get lost. These are needed to secure the spare tire which is on an OE wheel of course.

These two items are so often overlooked. Update your tool kit if you are on aftermarket wheels and don't have them yet!

[Ilya]

I found out the hard way the other day when I went to use my air gun to loosen my lug nuts and found out the new wheels (Incurves) had a too-small opening. Luckily my factory lug nut wrench still worked...but sucks I need to do it by hand now.

[ibc]

Very nice stainless steel muffler and tips! Wow. I also like how they glisten in the sunlight.

[Debonair]

I found out the hard way the other day when I went to use my air gun to loosen my lug nuts and found out the new wheels (Incurves) had a too-small opening. Luckily my factory lug nut wrench still worked...but sucks I need to do it by hand now.

If the factory wrench fits you should have no problem getting a thin wall impact socket in there. Get the ones with the silicone sleeve that prevents them from damaging the wheels.

Very nice stainless steel muffler and tips! Wow. I also like how they glisten in the sunlight.

Thanks. Shades are required.

[reggiebrown40]

I was stranded 3 weeks ago because of this, Debonair. Found out after breaking my tire stem that the original lug isn't deep enough for Vossen wheels. I ended up buying a Gorilla wrench off Amazon but I probably won't use it. Instead, I'll use a torque wrench and the lug extension adapter in addition to the wheel lock key. I'll keep the original lug set because I still need it to jack the car up. I got lucky and found an old guitar stand bag to toss all the pieces into.