Royal Origin

Tag: pbm

  • The Leopard | Suspension

    The Leopard | Suspension

    Not too long  ago I was looking for a second car to be my fun daily driver since driving the MS3 around was getting a little annoying to take to certain places, and it was limiting the amount customization I could be doing to the car itself. So, my search took me to Craig’s List, where I was looking for anything within my budget of below $2000.00 USD. In the end, I got the most unlikely car I was looking for, a 1991 Infiniti M30 coupe for less than $900.00.

    The reason this car stood out to me was the body lines (basically the way it looked), the v6 motor, rear wheel drive, somewhat decent reliability, and the fact that it was compatible with many other Nissan parts from other models. Oh yeah and for the price (way below the budget) of the potential this car has was pretty worth it as well.

    This is kind of a rare car being that it was one of the first Infiniti cars in North America, and about only about 6,000 coupes and 6,000 convertibles were made through the production years; 1990-1992. It is basically just a rebadged Nissan Leopard in Japan though, and shares similarities with the Nissan Z-chassis, R-chassis, Y-chasiss, and S-chassis. Because of that, I entered a world of mixing and matching parts.

    046Finding information was a definite mission with the downfall of forums, and the rise of social media, especially Facebook groups are to blame for that. First up was a 5 lug conversion and S13 coilover conversion. This pretty much meant upgrading most of the front suspension, which is straight forward plug and play, while the rear suspension had more modifications.

    Front Suspension:
    -S13 Powered By Max Competition front coilovers 5″ 30k
    -S14 modified knuckles
    -S14 stock 5 lug hubs
    -S14 Duralast 5 lug brake rotors
    -M30 stock brake calipers
    -M30 Duralast brake pads
    -S14 stock lower control arms
    -GKTECH S14/S15 40mm roll center correction kit
    -S14 MOOG outer tie rod ends
    -Maxima MOOG inner tie rods
    -S14 ISIS Pro tension rods

    Rear Suspension:
    -S13 Powered By Max Competition rear coilovers 5″ 22k
    -Z31 5 lug rear stub axles
    -Z32 Duralast 5 lug brake rotors
    -Z32 stock brake calipers
    -Z32 Duralast brake pads

    DSC01434Some of the main front suspension components.

    DSC01414The beautiful Powered By Max Competition coilovers. These are meant for S13, but with the right pieces and tweaks they should mount to the M30.

    DSC01415The front will mount with all the arms and knuckles. The rear will only be able to mount with modifying the M30 rear towers to match the S13 mounting points for the S13 top hats.

    DSC01416The stiffness.

    DSC01458The front coilovers maxed out with all the collars still placed at the top. Really short.

    DSC01428Added some paint onto certain items for protection and style.

    DSC01431Common on Nissan/Infiniti models for there to be wiring harness above the wheel well. This wiring harness above the driver side wheel well was labeled, cut, tucked, soldered, sleeved, and reloomed away inside and around the driver side front shock towers.

    DSC01433There was about 200 wires that needed attention after being cut and tucked inside the engine bay.

    DSC01455The biggest cock block for wanting to be low and somewhat functional.

    DSC01453

    DSC01460Tucked inside the engine bay.

    DSC01459Also rerouted the hood latch cable inside the engine bay as well. Results are a worry free area to go low and run meatier tires.

    The front was straight to the point, but required additional modifications to fix the roll center and tracking.

    Because I was converting from 4 lug to 5 lug, this also meant that I needed wheels. After some research I found the appropriate wheel sizing I wanted to give the car. I went from the stock 4×114.3 wheels of 15×6.5 +20 to 5×114.3 15×10 +/-0. And of course did all that fender magic.

    These are Vision 521 Nitro 15×10 +/- 0 with 205/50/15 tires all around.

    DSC01565

    The rear required new mounting points for the S13 top hats, Z31 rear 5 lug stub hubs, custom Z31 to M30 axle flanges, Z32 Duralast rear brake rotors, Z32 stock brake calipers, and Z32 Duralast brake pads.

    Eventually, the whole rear end will be taken out to be replaced by S14 rear subframe and arms, but that isn’t until a later time.

    12711050_10153960347190996_832878887933408150_o

    163

    152

    156

    150

    Thanks. @shaviw

  • Alignment Day at 714 Tires

    Alignment Day at 714 Tires

    So with Vegas right around the corner, all of us are trying to prepare for the crazy trek up the 15N to the state that is known for,  “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” Jimmy, Minh, and I decided to get an alignment for our cars today at our buddies’ place over at 714 Tires. The funny thing is that 714 Tires has an above-ground alignment rack, so getting our somewhat low cars onto the rack was a mission for all of us.

    Jimmy’s car went first and it took a couple of wooden planks and a jack to get his car up on the rack, but it made it.

    Jimmy’s car on the rack; it was definitely a mission, but it was well worth it.

    All about that camber.

    (more…)

  • The Impossible Will Take a While (The Story of my Lexus SC400)

    The Impossible Will Take a While (The Story of my Lexus SC400)

    Everyone has their dream cars, from the NSX  to the Murcielago. In all my years I was into cars, I was never really into those super cars that everyone would give an arm and a leg for. I have a slightly different liking for cars. I’m more into the cars that everyone sees everyday and then making them a beautiful form of moving  art. I know people say this is just a hobby and you’ll probably get over it in years to come, but I believe it’s something much more than that. It’s my way of showing the world that there is a creative side of me because hell I can not draw or paint if my life depended on it. I’m trying to get my SC400 ready for AUTOCON because to me that event is like an art gallery and one of the pieces that I want to be displayed is my car.

    You must be thinking, “Damn, Minh you have two cars?! Must be freaking nice” and I have to tell you it is nice. The story behind me buying this car was when I had the money I could have bought UAS(Universal Air System) aka bags for my IS250.

    When I talked to my financial adviser(my girlfriend) she said, “With that much money, why don’t you just buy another car?” I considered investing in something like Bitcoin UK, but instead, we decided to buy another car. She helped put in half of the money, so half of this car belongs to her and whatever I do to it, I run it by her first. Good thing we have similar taste in everything. So, here it is my 1992 Lexus SC400…

    The first thing you should do to any car is drop it. After months of research, I decided to go with Powered by Max coil overs. It was the most stiffest ride you can get(insert dirt joke here) and probably gives you the best drop for the SC. They also dip it in gold for you and give you copper plated springs.


    (more…)