Badbong's SP: "Diablo"

[BadBong]

It seems to be the season for Garage Threads as new ones pop up every second day so I'd thought that I'll join the band wagon (and what better way to demonstrate my very, very newbie photoshooting skills...or lack of)

I've been a proud owner of NiMo (99' Evo Gold NB8A) since 2009 but I've made the fatal mistake of accepting Benny's invitiation to ride and then to drive his SP... and I've since developed a power-craving syndrome.

After the failure of getting a FFS GB off the ground, I've been keeping a keen eye for any SPs on the market and this one finally came up in June this year: Let me introduce you to Diablo:

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2002 Black SP
140,000kms
Production number... TBC (Haven't had the chance to take out the airbox)

Came with:
New turbo and tubing
Racing Beat chrome style-bar type II
GoFastBits BOV
Drift boost gauge
17" no-name brand with al-cheapo tyres
Red aftermarket interior trim in leather
'Interesting' looking bonnet vent to accompany the equally 'interesting' dent right next to it (they're both growing on me... one like, one dislike)

Diablo... because it's Black & Red and this theme will be emphasised with the growing list of mods to come...

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First thing off the rank was an immediate service to change all the fluids and a transplant operation between NiMo and Diablo at Mania:

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In:
16" Black & Red rims with Red D1 spec wheelnuts wrapped in Kumho KU31s (much better grip and an enhancement to the colour scheme)
Whiteline sway bars front & back
Larger capacity radiator

Out:
17" with crappy tyres

More pics on its current look to come...

[NitroDann]

Nice. Now tear out the windows and that nice interior and ill meet you at wakefield

Dann

[BadBong]

More introductory photos (excuse the colour schemes as I was testing all sorts of manual settings...)

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[BadBong]

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[BadBong]

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Next... PSS9s

[BadBong]

Due to another infection spread by Benny's SP experience, I've been in conversation with Shox.com on their Bilstein PSS9s for months.

I've finally hit the switch on Monday and Voila, they arrived last Friday just before another weekend at Hayden's Den...

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Due to Deen's attempt at being a clown, we didn't get started until 4:30pm but here goes...

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Hjt holding a rather expensive and oddly looking baseball bat

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Little did we know that the PSS9s don't come with top hats like all the other coilovers out there on the market and requires us to use the OEM parts. This has added at least a good hour to our job and thank god for those spring compressors.

...So at 9:30pm, we've finally arrived at the last corner...

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[BadBong]

And by 11:30pm and after ALOT of elbow grease (mostly from Hjt ), it's all done!

Front...

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Rear...

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And in the corner - a very tired but satisfied looking individual

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BIG, Big thanks to Hjt there! Didn't even get to shout him dinner cause his old man was just as nice to buy us all a good feed. (I'll return the favour when you fit your coilovers in mate!)

Off to Spinning Wheels for a good alignment from Stu the next day.

Next to come... Audio system

[Apu]

Hayden's going to be the coilover swap champ! Haha!

Full of envy! Nice car, and pity we didn't get to meet that weekend thanks to Captain America!

Nice jack stands BTW

[-alex]

Damn so I could have come to visit you guys after work, *sigh!!
Glad to see your car is getting underway, can't wait to see the future mods..!

[sliq]

hrmm. not a fan of the smoked repeaters + reflectors. would look baller with an alloy brown davis roll bar. a car of this calibre would need an LSD (actually, ALL mx5's should have LSD).

otherwise, i'm very envious.

[BadBong]

Yes indeed Apu - couldn't have done it without your jack stands (and jack as well if I recall correctly???).

Alex - if the delivery van in Sydney, Canada with my lights would like to turn back to the U.S. border now then maybe, maybe I'll be able to get them in before the end of August...

Sliq - was pondering about clear ones but it works out quite well now with the black and red theme. Going to install my MX5PLUS black twin hoop roll bar onto it soon so there'll be less and less bling externally.

LSD is definitely on the list, just haven't had time to learn all the pros & cons of the various types available (and I'm also getting this feeling that I'll get alot of bites if I start a GB later this year for LSDs.... hm... I think I'll wait till everyone's wallets recover from the frame rails first )

[Hjt]

Lots of interesting comments, the cars in great condition and I think learning something is always more fun than paying for it.

A nice LSD would compliment this car at a later date.

If you need help with anything else you know where to find me.

P.s I look like crap

[davidau]

Your pant suit the interior

Awesome car mate....love the red and black interior. interior red is Factory or aftermarket ?
I want to see some SP video!!

[BadBong]

Awesome car mate....love the red and black interior. interior red is Factory or aftermarket ?
I want to see some SP video!!

Aftermarket trimming and seat trimming kit I believe.

I'm going to be selling the trimming kit and door trims soon as well as the RB style bar. Going to get the interior custom trimmed by a 'specialist' (aye? hjt? ).

[davidau]

Awesome car mate....love the red and black interior. interior red is Factory or aftermarket ?
I want to see some SP video!!

Aftermarket trimming and seat trimming kit I believe.

I'm going to be selling the trimming kit and door trims soon as well as the RB style bar. Going to get the interior custom trimmed by a 'specialist' (aye? hjt? ).

What colour is going into your interior? I am too in between choosing classic colour for my car. ending up bought heaps of items that doesnt suit and now back to square one.