Totaled Release Series FRS to a DD Track Car

[ozafar]

In the true DD spirit, I tried to drive into as deep snow as possible. It worked!

[ozafar]

First set of rims I bought. Plastidipped them black so I can sell them in the future in the color they came (which was gold).

Installed the APR splitter too. If I could do it again, I would've mounted it independently from the bumper. Alas, I mounted it to the bumper and now it points slightly upwards.

(BTW, the yellow line on the edge of the splitter is my own drawing to see how it would look, I must have deleted the original picture.)

[ozafar]

Tinted the headlihgts and indicator lens black.

[ozafar]

The next set of upgrades are mostly all turbo-related. I wanted to have good airflow before installing it, so I got the Seibon vented hood.

First I installed it with QL-38 hood pins (yes, drilling into a new CF hood IS SCARY)

Then I had to get the car ready for paint. After it was done, I couldn't have been happier.

[ozafar]

Standing rain water actually confirms the effectiveness of the hood. Before I leave the house, the whole hood has water droplets on it.

After 10 min of freeway driving, parked at the office I can see all the water is gone except the droplets behind the vents.

This means there must be airflow upwards out of the vents, creating a low pressure field behind it.

It's pretty cool to see water just sitting there while going 85 mph lol

[ozafar]

As I upgrade, I sell OEM parts as soon as I can. Seems that the person buying my header was a fellow Release Series owner!

[ozafar]

Around this time I had the turbo installed. I don't have any pictures, but I can give advice for anyone looking to install a Speed By Design 500X:

1. Make sure you install both PCV and CCV catch cans. They will catch more oil than you will guess.
2. Make sure you weld the metal front pipe bracket provided. It is only welded on one side! Trust me, have that other side welded too.
3. I used Shiv @OFT for tuning, I would highly recommend.
4. Make sure you replace all bolts and studs provided with Grade 8 or higher bolts
5a. DO NOT use any exhaust wrap. ESPECIALLY headers. The trapped heat will FAIL the welds. Instead, spend a little extra and get a vented hood. That heat needs to escape, so give it airflow to escape.
5b. Do not use the turbo blanket. Again, that heat will ruin your bearings. Instead, protect you air intake tube with some wrap.

Basically, wrap should be used to keep things that should stay cool from getting hot, not preventing hot things from getting other components hot.

[ozafar]

Here is that front bracket that will fail if not welded on both sides.

[ozafar]

Put my snow tires back on for the winter. Some fun winter pics!

[ozafar]

Next was the diffuser. After its installation I could see water fly up into the air like never before, when it rained. The installation is actually quite easy.

[ozafar]

Size of the diffuser compared to the car

[ozafar]

Some more front end downforce to balance to diffuser. These are ACE canards, painted to match.

[ozafar]

Next was the oil cooler. Took some time, but well worth it since you absolutely need one to track the car. I added mesh fog light bezels to help airflow.

Later on, I added a switch-operated cooling fan to that oil cooler to really get some nice airflow.

[ozafar]

Parked next to a ZL1 1LE, a Ram 3500 Megacab, and a tractor. LOL