My 2005 Diamond Graphite Coupe - A Long Journey From Day 1
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,249
Likes: 430
From: Houston
Itasha Coupe
My 2005 Diamond Graphite Coupe - A Long Journey From Day 1
Well I got bored and started going through pictures. I realized that I could see the changes that my car has gone through on my phone alone. So, seeing as how I'm still bored at 12:30 in the morning, I decided I'd just do my progression thread.
Granted, I've slowed down on modding recently and really don't intend on doing anything incredibly epic like an engine build or tracking out my car. I just thought I'd like to share with everyone on the forum this incredible journey that I've had with my car.
Not only has it brought me great joy in modding my car, but it also has given me the opportunity to meet a lot of awesome people along the way.
I hope everyone enjoys looking at my progression thread as much as I did gathering all the images and posting them here.
Anyways, everyone loves pictures. So here we go.
Day 1 when I brought her home. This was back in February of 2010. I bought her when I was on leave from Iraq.
Immediately after buying her, I found this forum and ordered my suspension parts to prepare her to get lowered. I also placed my order for a set of WORK T1S, 20x9.5 and 20x10.5 +15 all around. A disc in the front, O disc in the rear.
I also picked up a used X02 exhaust from craigslist, where I'd meet my current friends Gabe and Anthony when we met up to do the transaction.
Along with the suspension, I ordered my first body kit. AIT front bumper and ings+1 replica sides from AIT.
Not only that, I also picked up a brand new set of 06-07 OEM projector headlights, since I didn't like the look of the 03-05 reflectors.
I came back from Iraq and immediately went to get all my stuff installed.
And somewhere along the way I picked up a set of OEM style clear corners too. I've gone through probably like 7 sets of those.
And then we installed my exhaust and headlights at Gabe's house. No, it isn't just a jack underneath. There is a jackstand under there too.
Then it came time to get my AIT front bumper and ings+1 sideskirts on.
Well I got tired of using the OEM radio, so I did some research and ended up getting the JDM double din kit with a Pioneer head unit.
After frequenting the forums more and more, I decided it was time to ditch the whale tail. So I had the rear wing removed and installed a carbon fiber Nismo style diffuser. Not to mention, I also picked up a set of 15mm spacers for the front and 25mm spacers for the rear to make my 19" rays a bit more "flush."
Finally, after almost 5 months of waiting, my WORK T1S came in. However, around that time I got tired of driving around with a fiberglass front. So I took off the AIT front bumper and ings+1 sideskirts and sold them to a local member in Houston. I chalk that decision of going with a polyurethane front bumper in the end due to my inexperience of driving a lowered car.
Somewhere around here I also decided to paint my grill gloss black. I've loved my grill ever since.
I ended up purchasing a Kuruma Z front bumper and Impul style sideskirts from Concept Z Performance. I also picked up a carbon fiber Strafe Speed trunk from a local member too.
We all know how many times I've repainted this damn front bumper....
My car would sit like the above picture for awhile. But then I got kind of bored with the OEM rear bumper with the Nismo style diffuser. So I figured I'd really make my coupe into a "cookie cutter" and get a Chargespeed rear. I also sold the Strafe trunk to my friend Anthony and went back to wingless.
24.jpg?t=1343539973
But my car wouldn't sit like that for too long. I was browsing the market place when I found a guy selling a Hikkita Dori hood in San Antonio for $300... BRAND NEW! So I hopped on that deal really quick.
25.jpg?t=1343539974
26.jpg?t=1343539975
I would go to later repaint this hood like 8 million times too.
27.jpg?t=1343539975
Later, my friend Gabe would convince me to do a black suede headliner. So we tackled that together and had his grandpa do all the wrapping and all that good shabazz.
28.jpg?t=1343539976
28-1.jpg?t=1343539977
29.jpg?t=1343539978
I finally got around to get my system installed. And it was just in time for Import Reactor, 2011.
Later down the road, I would find a really sweet deal on a set of USDM 06-07 tails. Around this time I'd also finally get my sub installed in a custom wall unit in my trunk... but I don't have any pictures of that.
One of the many Cars and Coffee that I would attend. This image was taken in Summer 2011.
Granted, I've slowed down on modding recently and really don't intend on doing anything incredibly epic like an engine build or tracking out my car. I just thought I'd like to share with everyone on the forum this incredible journey that I've had with my car.
Not only has it brought me great joy in modding my car, but it also has given me the opportunity to meet a lot of awesome people along the way.
I hope everyone enjoys looking at my progression thread as much as I did gathering all the images and posting them here.
Anyways, everyone loves pictures. So here we go.
Day 1 when I brought her home. This was back in February of 2010. I bought her when I was on leave from Iraq.
Immediately after buying her, I found this forum and ordered my suspension parts to prepare her to get lowered. I also placed my order for a set of WORK T1S, 20x9.5 and 20x10.5 +15 all around. A disc in the front, O disc in the rear.
I also picked up a used X02 exhaust from craigslist, where I'd meet my current friends Gabe and Anthony when we met up to do the transaction.
Along with the suspension, I ordered my first body kit. AIT front bumper and ings+1 replica sides from AIT.
Not only that, I also picked up a brand new set of 06-07 OEM projector headlights, since I didn't like the look of the 03-05 reflectors.
I came back from Iraq and immediately went to get all my stuff installed.
And somewhere along the way I picked up a set of OEM style clear corners too. I've gone through probably like 7 sets of those.
And then we installed my exhaust and headlights at Gabe's house. No, it isn't just a jack underneath. There is a jackstand under there too.
Then it came time to get my AIT front bumper and ings+1 sideskirts on.
Well I got tired of using the OEM radio, so I did some research and ended up getting the JDM double din kit with a Pioneer head unit.
After frequenting the forums more and more, I decided it was time to ditch the whale tail. So I had the rear wing removed and installed a carbon fiber Nismo style diffuser. Not to mention, I also picked up a set of 15mm spacers for the front and 25mm spacers for the rear to make my 19" rays a bit more "flush."
Finally, after almost 5 months of waiting, my WORK T1S came in. However, around that time I got tired of driving around with a fiberglass front. So I took off the AIT front bumper and ings+1 sideskirts and sold them to a local member in Houston. I chalk that decision of going with a polyurethane front bumper in the end due to my inexperience of driving a lowered car.
Somewhere around here I also decided to paint my grill gloss black. I've loved my grill ever since.
I ended up purchasing a Kuruma Z front bumper and Impul style sideskirts from Concept Z Performance. I also picked up a carbon fiber Strafe Speed trunk from a local member too.
We all know how many times I've repainted this damn front bumper....
My car would sit like the above picture for awhile. But then I got kind of bored with the OEM rear bumper with the Nismo style diffuser. So I figured I'd really make my coupe into a "cookie cutter" and get a Chargespeed rear. I also sold the Strafe trunk to my friend Anthony and went back to wingless.
24.jpg?t=1343539973
But my car wouldn't sit like that for too long. I was browsing the market place when I found a guy selling a Hikkita Dori hood in San Antonio for $300... BRAND NEW! So I hopped on that deal really quick.
25.jpg?t=1343539974
26.jpg?t=1343539975
I would go to later repaint this hood like 8 million times too.
27.jpg?t=1343539975
Later, my friend Gabe would convince me to do a black suede headliner. So we tackled that together and had his grandpa do all the wrapping and all that good shabazz.
28.jpg?t=1343539976
28-1.jpg?t=1343539977
29.jpg?t=1343539978
I finally got around to get my system installed. And it was just in time for Import Reactor, 2011.
Later down the road, I would find a really sweet deal on a set of USDM 06-07 tails. Around this time I'd also finally get my sub installed in a custom wall unit in my trunk... but I don't have any pictures of that.
One of the many Cars and Coffee that I would attend. This image was taken in Summer 2011.
Last edited by XiN; Aug 1, 2012 at 06:47 PM.
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,249
Likes: 430
From: Houston
Itasha Coupe
Again, my car would sit pretty like that for awhile. But then a really good deal on a set of OEM brembos fell into my lap and I picked up the brakes from a member in Dallas. I must also add that Stephen (r1forever) was so kind enough to deliver these brakes for me.
Originally, the brembos were powdercoated white. Though I really liked the unique color of the brakes, they just didn't "pop" enough for me, so I got them redone in blue with the Infiniti lettering instead of the brembo.
15mm spacers had to be installed in the front to clear the A-disc face with my WORK T1S. I didn't want to be at a 0 offset in just the front, so I had them installed in the rear too. My final offset with my WORK T1S would be a 0 all around. I also lowered the car another half an inch.
Here's a video of them putting it on the alignment rack after everything was said and done.
And a rolling video right after the alignment was completed.
All Team Bash, hosted by Team Sunworks. Fall 2011.
My first real photoshoot with the brakes installed, new ride height, and wheel specs.
But alas, I got tired of looking like most G's on the forum so I decided to sell my WORK T1S. It was a hard decision and though I do miss my old wheels a lot, I'm glad I made the decision. Plus, I know they went to a good home. I see them every now and then in the Ivory Pearl thread!
Though I really wanted another set of JDM wheels (I was looking at SSR's), I didn't want to wait 5 months. So, my good friend Tony Walls (twalls) pointed me toward his buddy at Lusso Forged. In a short period of time, my LFC5's arrived at my door step.
20x9.5 and 20x10.5, -2 offset all around. Clears brembos with no spacers.
Around this time, my custom license plate with the U.S. Army Seal would arrive too.
Then, as a favor to Chad@LussoForged, we decided to do a shoot for him to use on his facebook page and his website. Photo credits go to Jason Scott of SouthrnFresh.
Wek'Fest Texas in Dallas. I participated in the Lonestar Run to Dallas, hosted by Mayday Garage.
Cars and Coffee, at their new location since they outgrew the previous one. I have this habit of switching from my Hikkata Dori hood to my OEM hood.
Once again, my car would sit like the above picture for awhile. However, a good friend of mine got rear ended and was looking to get a Chargespeed rear. Well, I worked out a deal with him that he could have my Chargespeed rear and he'd just buy a Strafespeed rear that he would give to me.
Here's the test fit. And don't mind the rear Iconz Forged wheel. We were test fitting my LFC5 on a G37S and I didn't have a spare jack stand so we just put his Iconz on my car as a place holder instead.
Painted 2 days after the test fit.
My first night strobe shoot. Image is taken by Jason Scott from SouthrnFresh.
And then I decided to take a trip from Houston, Texas to Wichita, Kansas to visit my parents and attend IFO Wichita. I also dragged some friends with me.
Unfortunately, it was raining really bad on the way back. I hydroplaned my car in Oklahoma City and ended up smacking the side of the wall. Luckily, I wasn't hurt. I was also lucky that no one else was behind me to run into my car since I slid across 4 lanes of highway.
The fortunate thing about that accident, is that my rear driver's side wheel took all the damage. No exterior body damage except for the large crack / scuff in my new Strafespeed rear bumper. The rest of the damage was done to the rear lower suspension, which ended up costing a pretty penny. Luckily, my insurance covered everything... including my wheel!
Yes, I'm well aware that it is a Falken FK452 and that probably played a part in my hydroplaning. Expensive lesson learned. Calm down, tire gurus!
While my car was down, I would also use the time to get my front bumper and sideskirts repainted since they were slightly damaged when my car was on the flatbed.
Well, my car would be long done before my replacement Lusso Forged LFC5 would come in. Lucky for me, I have an amazing friend by the name of Kevin (GeezNuts) who would let me borrow his WORK Gnosis GS4's temporarily until my wheel came in.
His wheel specs: 20x9.5 and 20x10.5, +12 all around. R-disc in the front, O-disc in the rear.
Kevin's 2006 Black Obsidian Coupe. One of the last images of his car before his part out.
Yes, I know... the rotors are rusted. I just got done washing the car.
And finally, my Lusso Forged LFC5 replacement wheel arrived. I'm happy to say, that I'm glad she's back the way she used to be.
Thanks for taking the time to go through my thread. It has been a long, painful, yet incredible journey with my car.
I don't really have a whole lot planned for the car now. I'm trying to save up some money. But I do intend to get an Ionic emblemless grill before the end of the year though. Maybe next year I'll finally get around to installing a TransGo or something.
Originally, the brembos were powdercoated white. Though I really liked the unique color of the brakes, they just didn't "pop" enough for me, so I got them redone in blue with the Infiniti lettering instead of the brembo.
15mm spacers had to be installed in the front to clear the A-disc face with my WORK T1S. I didn't want to be at a 0 offset in just the front, so I had them installed in the rear too. My final offset with my WORK T1S would be a 0 all around. I also lowered the car another half an inch.
Here's a video of them putting it on the alignment rack after everything was said and done.
And a rolling video right after the alignment was completed.
All Team Bash, hosted by Team Sunworks. Fall 2011.
My first real photoshoot with the brakes installed, new ride height, and wheel specs.
But alas, I got tired of looking like most G's on the forum so I decided to sell my WORK T1S. It was a hard decision and though I do miss my old wheels a lot, I'm glad I made the decision. Plus, I know they went to a good home. I see them every now and then in the Ivory Pearl thread!
Though I really wanted another set of JDM wheels (I was looking at SSR's), I didn't want to wait 5 months. So, my good friend Tony Walls (twalls) pointed me toward his buddy at Lusso Forged. In a short period of time, my LFC5's arrived at my door step.
20x9.5 and 20x10.5, -2 offset all around. Clears brembos with no spacers.
Around this time, my custom license plate with the U.S. Army Seal would arrive too.
Then, as a favor to Chad@LussoForged, we decided to do a shoot for him to use on his facebook page and his website. Photo credits go to Jason Scott of SouthrnFresh.
Wek'Fest Texas in Dallas. I participated in the Lonestar Run to Dallas, hosted by Mayday Garage.
Cars and Coffee, at their new location since they outgrew the previous one. I have this habit of switching from my Hikkata Dori hood to my OEM hood.
Once again, my car would sit like the above picture for awhile. However, a good friend of mine got rear ended and was looking to get a Chargespeed rear. Well, I worked out a deal with him that he could have my Chargespeed rear and he'd just buy a Strafespeed rear that he would give to me.
Here's the test fit. And don't mind the rear Iconz Forged wheel. We were test fitting my LFC5 on a G37S and I didn't have a spare jack stand so we just put his Iconz on my car as a place holder instead.
Painted 2 days after the test fit.
My first night strobe shoot. Image is taken by Jason Scott from SouthrnFresh.
And then I decided to take a trip from Houston, Texas to Wichita, Kansas to visit my parents and attend IFO Wichita. I also dragged some friends with me.
Unfortunately, it was raining really bad on the way back. I hydroplaned my car in Oklahoma City and ended up smacking the side of the wall. Luckily, I wasn't hurt. I was also lucky that no one else was behind me to run into my car since I slid across 4 lanes of highway.
The fortunate thing about that accident, is that my rear driver's side wheel took all the damage. No exterior body damage except for the large crack / scuff in my new Strafespeed rear bumper. The rest of the damage was done to the rear lower suspension, which ended up costing a pretty penny. Luckily, my insurance covered everything... including my wheel!
Yes, I'm well aware that it is a Falken FK452 and that probably played a part in my hydroplaning. Expensive lesson learned. Calm down, tire gurus!
While my car was down, I would also use the time to get my front bumper and sideskirts repainted since they were slightly damaged when my car was on the flatbed.
Well, my car would be long done before my replacement Lusso Forged LFC5 would come in. Lucky for me, I have an amazing friend by the name of Kevin (GeezNuts) who would let me borrow his WORK Gnosis GS4's temporarily until my wheel came in.
His wheel specs: 20x9.5 and 20x10.5, +12 all around. R-disc in the front, O-disc in the rear.
Kevin's 2006 Black Obsidian Coupe. One of the last images of his car before his part out.
Yes, I know... the rotors are rusted. I just got done washing the car.
And finally, my Lusso Forged LFC5 replacement wheel arrived. I'm happy to say, that I'm glad she's back the way she used to be.
Thanks for taking the time to go through my thread. It has been a long, painful, yet incredible journey with my car.
I don't really have a whole lot planned for the car now. I'm trying to save up some money. But I do intend to get an Ionic emblemless grill before the end of the year though. Maybe next year I'll finally get around to installing a TransGo or something.
Last edited by XiN; Aug 1, 2012 at 06:51 PM.
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,299
Likes: 1,488
From: By the sea, Tx
G35 sedan w/ too much money in mods
That's by far one of the ugliest G's I have ever seen.
Y u no call no more? Sorry I missed you last week, we need to get together soon. Car looks great as always!!
Y u no call no more? Sorry I missed you last week, we need to get together soon. Car looks great as always!!
Registered User
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
