OEM+ Style Build

[HKSpeed]

I finally installed the Type R style grill and fog lights that were sitting in my garage for months. I also replaced the old cracked lip with a new one (same design). I had white vinyl scraps laying around, so I applied it to the fog light housing and front lip. I'll peel them off when I bored of the look.

Before:

During:

After:

I made 2 modifications during the Type R style grill installation:

I cut slots in the triangle ends to match the real Type R grill.

I applied black caulk tape to cover the stock bumper support teeth (see 6:29 of this YT video).

Do not buy the grill I got. It is identifiable by the blanks at the ends of the mesh to mount the stock airflow baffles. The top does not fit without trimming. I met a guy with the same grill, who didn't modify it. ? I guess the 2 cutouts at the top are to attach the stock license plate holder? ?

The yellow circles are the extra tabs on the grill I removed on mine. The grill still doesn't fit perfectly.

 

[HKSpeed]

Soon I will be less OEM+. ? Enkei PF05 in 18x9.5 et38.

I ordered 245/35 tires after seeing these photos of it. I didn't order Advans like the photos, nor a similar summer tire. ? I ordered all seasons. ?

Maybe someday I'll try this!

 

[HKSpeed]

I cut off the Invidia exhaust tip with a hacksaw because I hated how it protruded 3-4" past the bumper. I replaced the stock diffuser with a LX/EX unit. I'm thinking of painting the muffler black (like this).

I also replaced the rear bumper reflectors with lights.

 

[ItsMeNickG]

I like how this build is going.

 

[HKSpeed]

Got my tires mounted in the morning: 245/35 on 18x9.5 et38. Tires are cheap all seasons with 500 treadwear rating. I prioritize tire life ?

I'm satisfied with the amount of stretch. For several years I had 215/40 on 18x9 (tame for this crowd) on a past car.

Quick shot on the car, because I had an issue to address.

The LX diffuser melted after a day of driving. I wasn't surprised. ?

I removed the muffler and applied aluminum tape to the underside of the diffuser. I also painted the muffler with high temp spray paint.

 

[HKSpeed]

Took these photos at a Corolla meet. I regret getting 245/35 tires because of the wheel gap. On my previous Tesla wheels with 235/40, the finger gap was 1 front/0.5 rear. Now it is 1.5 front/1 rear. The new tires are 10mm wider with 7mm thinner sidewalls (14mm shorter overall tire height). I lowered my car 7mm with these tires! ? I should of got 245/40 for a fatter sidewall. 245/35 is an obscure tire size, so I took a gamble ordering them. I considered the slightly more popular 255/35, but I was concerned about rubbing. The obvious solution to my wheel gap problem is to get coilovers. More low is always the answer! ???

This Corolla GR was parked down the street from me. I love the fitment/fender gap (or lack of) and subtle sideskirts.

This Boost Blue FL1 was at the meet. Great wheel/tire/suspension fitment. I didn't meet the owner. Tires were 235/40/18. My guess is the WedsSport RN-05M wheels are 18x9.5 et38. Note the rare Mugen front lip on top of the APR front splitter. Someone local was selling these same wheels for $1000. I considered it, but I prefer lighter color wheels.

Photos of the black muffler ?

 

[HKSpeed]

Installed a DC Sports front strut bar for a 10th gen. I put the sticker off to the side because I want to the center part clean. I might remove the sticker eventually. I got this bar because I like the subtle design and it includes new strut nuts that utilize all the threads.

DC Sports states it does not fit 2.0 and 11th gens. I took a gamble. To make it fit, I had to replace the stock battery tie down for a thinner piece ($6 from Amazon). I also trimmed the mounting plates to clear the stock windshield cowl.

Previously I had a PRL bar and the stock strut nuts didn't seat fully. I felt uncomfortable driving like that.

 

[iforgettopee]

Photos of the black muffler ?

have you thought about trimming your diffuser to match the outlet of your muffler?
if you wanted to add a tip later it wouldn't cost much for a muffler shop to do it
check out Cypress muffler shop, in Cypress ?

 

[HKSpeed]

have you thought about trimming your diffuser to match the outlet of your muffler?
if you wanted to add a tip later it wouldn't cost much for a muffler shop to do it
check out Cypress muffler shop, in Cypress ?

Thanks for the muffler shop recommendation. I moved to OC last year and I don't know of any local shops. My plan is to see how much the diffuser melts before I cut anything. ? I'll trim the melted plastic once it stops melting. ? My preference is no cutout (I want stealth). If I do a cutout, I'm concerned it'll won't be perfectly circular and/or not centered. This guy on IG did what you suggested.

 

[HKSpeed]

Got a used Hybrid Racing shifter with competition rod for $350. I considered the Acuity shifter. Both have 50% shorter throws, 30% narrower gates (35% for Acuity), and knob height adjustment. Knob placement (close or away) is different. Acuity has 3 "slotted mounting points" that move the shifter closer or away. HR's 360 degree rotation offers incremental placement. K-Tuned's shifter resembles the throw and gate mechanisms of Acuity, with the base and knob attachment of HR. All 3 function the same. I got whichever I could get the best deal on. HR's shifter has been out longest and easier to find used. Best deal new is $408 on eBay, before $20 coupon.

This is the 4th time I take apart the center console. I previously broke 3 clips. 🫣 So far in the install, so good.

 

[HKSpeed]

Cut an exhaust opening in the diffuser using a box cutter and a roll of masking tape as a template. Added a 3" tip (length and width) to my muffler. I bought this tip and sawed off 3" that protruded past the bumper.

 

[iforgettopee]

Cut an exhaust opening in the diffuser using a box cutter and a roll of masking tape as a template. Added a 3" tip (length and width) to my muffler. I bought this tip and sawed off 3" that protruded past the bumper.

nicely done!

 

[HKSpeed]

Got a custom shift boot delete made by someone on Instagram for my Hybrid Racing shifter. Chasing Js makes a titanium one for FL5 and FE/FL (non-R), but I wanted black and offset to the left to match the shifter gate spacing.

 

[HKSpeed]

In October I installed a Spoon shift knob. After a month I didn't like how skinny it was, so I installed an Acuity ESCO knob. After 3 weeks I didn't like how fat the Acuity was, so I went back to the Spoon knob. I feel like Goldilocks trying to find the just-right knob.

My current knob collection. Not shown is the Hybrid Racing Competition Rod, which is too fat for my preference.

On Black Friday I ordered a Wonderladen street rear motor mount. I replaced the stock FL5 mount with PowerFlex street (70a) inserts. The Wonderladen has NO vibration. I highly recommend it.

 

[HKSpeed]

Ever since I installed H&R Super Sport springs (1.4"), I absolutely hated how the front wheel gap is larger (by 1 finger) than the rear. D2 springs also have this problem. Tein and Eibach do not because they're 1.2F/1.0R, but that's not low enough for me. I'm on 18x9.5 et38 wheels with 245/35 tires. These tires have 8mm shorter sidewalls than stock 235/40. These tires increase the wheel gap by 8mm, exacerbating my wheel gap problem. I bought a set of used D2 springs (2") on Facebook Marketplace for $80. I installed just the front springs along with Truhart shocks (made for shorter springs) all around. The front lowered 14mm. Now the wheel gap is approximately 10mm in front (1 tight index finger) and 13mm in rear (1 loose index finger).

I am very satisfied with the results.