PETERhasbeenBAD

Hey everyone,

I've been a silent member for a few years here. Suddenly, today I decided to share my thoughts and car with everyone. I purchased my years back, but didn't want to do anything to it because it is under warranty. It still is under warranty, extended warranty also, but I got tired of waiting around.

I've done a lot of things to my car, but also not a lot. The exterior remains the same, because the streets are becoming real POS's and I don't want to fuss with all of the rims and suspension crap on the decaying Los Angeles roads. But, I will eventually get to it; it's on my list of things to do. So far, I've done the standard mods with the grille, hood badge, and tint. All it needs are the shoes and suspension; possibly a cf lip (my work has a really deep ramp).

Over the years, I have found a lot of useful information on this forum. To all the noobs out there, the information is out there; you just have to know how to use the advanced search function and your brain. If you can't find the answer, visit a shop or call an expert, it doesn't hurt to ask. You're not consulting a lawyer, they won't charge you for asking questions.

I've figured out how to dismantle the factory HU to install my iPod kit; I've figure out where to buy my beloved HID kit, how to take off the front bumper of my car, and how to install both projectors and HID kit from this forum, along with other little tidbits. I owe a lot to all the people that has contributed tremendously on this DB. Maybe I'll make a thank you list; I don't know yet.

A lot of times, it takes some guts to take apart your car and try to do it yourself. Yeah, things are on there really tight or they don't seem to fall out like its suppose to, but if you want to drive a car that suit your standards, be prepared to have some cojones to take stuff apart and not cry about it. Luckily, I haven't ran into any problems with breaking stuff, however I've been ripped off once, recently too.

Well, cutting it short, got places to go, here is a picture of my ride. I'll be posting more information about my modifications in a few days.

aac85

the 07 rims are not bad. a cheaper alternative is to powdercoat them black. will look nice on your car.

you should also consider getting smoked sidemarkers.

you car definitely is looking car though!

lamesc230

Care to share where you got the HID Kit from? Also where you got your grill from. I recently stepped into a 07 and what you have done is exactly what I am looking to do but not sure where to and where not to buy from.

bdgdl08

I am also interested in where you got your HIDs... are they OEM? That's a mod I want to do, but can't afford at the time. Thanks alot.

PETERhasbeenBAD

I had clear sidemarkers, but they melted because the bulbs I had were a little big. Which leads to how I got ripped off. Buying from GTRacers, off of eBay, from which I've previously bought the sidemarkers before, those ******* sent me a cheesy version this time. Been disputing the issue with them ever since. I gave up though, if anyone want these sidemarkers for free, to paint them to match their cars, they can PM me; local only: Orange County. I am not interested in painting them, so might as well give them away.

PETERhasbeenBAD

I got my HID kit from DDM Tuning. There are cheaper places out there, but they are fly by nighters. Like VVME, which the last time I checked, is offline now. They are a very good warranty. One of my cancelers exploded for some reason and they sent me a new one, no charge.

I got the slim ballast for my headlamps and foglights. They are light way and can easily to strapped on with zip-ties, or double sided tape. Initially, I purchased the larger ballasts, but decided to switch em out.

I got my grille off of eBay from a store called 5th gear. They seem to be reliable, but you don't know until you try. Dealing with eBayers is a hit and miss situation, sometimes you buy from the coolest people in the world, and more often then not you run into d-bags.

PETERhasbeenBAD

Nope, they are not OEM. I was considering getting OEM at first, but I wanted the ability to switch the bulb colors whenever I decided to do so. Those are DEPO projectors, they are cool but very flimsy. When you adjust them, just make sure to turn the screw driver slowly, and when met with resistance, stop immediately, that is as far as it will go. Anymore and you will have an expensive and useless lamp housing. I think the entire setup cost me under $650.

PETERhasbeenBAD

Ok, on to some tangible information. First thing I did with my car, when I started to mod it, was to get the tacky front license plate off of the bumper. That left four ugly holes that needed to be covered.

So, I went to the dealer and got some Bondo Glazing & Spotting... Sanded the holes lightly and got some paint from the dealer to finish it off. After a few hours the holes were noticeable up close, like you would have to really look at it with a squinted eye to tell that the holes were there.



The paint cost about $14 at the dealer and Bondo somewhere around $6-9; I don't remember exactly. The paint last a long time, I used it to paint the underside of my front bumper, it was white from hitting the street out of my work's parking lot, and I still have a lot of paint left.

BayAreaC32

Would you have any pictures of the beam pattern on the floor and up against a wall? More light output than the Stock Halogen housing? Alot of members here are hesitant to buy DEPO projectors cause of the beam pattern it gives out.
Thanks.

OneOfaKindTrini

Lookin Good

moonrkr23

nice ride, love the 07 s

PETERhasbeenBAD

I don't have pictures of the beam pattern. Initially, I was kind of fussy about the beam pattern myself. But I thought to myself, that nobody is going to stop me in the parking lot and go "Aww man! Your beam pattern is sh*tty!" The beam pattern is scattered everywhere; my projector fog lights have a more refined pattern than the headlights.

PETERhasbeenBAD

So here are a few pictures of when I got my DEPOs. I got the HID kits from DDM Tuning, they were 35W and 6000K. Since then, I've switched them out for the slims and 5000K for a whiter beam. I managed to find a tiny spot on the passenger side to shove in the ballast to where it would stay and strap the other one, on the driver side, to whatever unit that that thing is in the picture. It was difficult getting the bumper off the first time, after that it was pretty easy getting it off and back on again. I think I've taken it apart about 6 times over the past year to install the slim ballasts for the headlights and foglights. I'll try to take some current pictures soon; these are pretty old.

PETERhasbeenBAD

Here is when I changed the exterior/interior lights. The lights in the center unit where a pain in the ***. I made a noobie mistake by trying to pry the lenses out; don't ever ever do that. Take the entire unit out from the headliner; it'll go more smoothly. I changed almost every bulb in the car, including the one in the trunk. For the exterior, I changed out the license plate bulbs and put in chrome domes for the reverse, front and back turn signals, and etc. Sorry, no pictures of the outside yet. Still haven't gotten my camera back.

samaritrey

That unit is your abs controller and it is a known place to never put your ballast near. their has been some people that have blown out the abs controller which is really expensive. i would recommend moving it just to be safe. their are plenty of good places to put the ballast that won't potentially come back to haunt you. otherwise i like your bulbs they don't seem to be yellow at all which is something i hate.

PETERhasbeenBAD

=OX Thanks for the heads up...