'11 Honda Inspire

[Doom]

I've posted this car in the post your ride thread before but I finally finished some significant body changes... Imported the front Modulo kit from Thailand (no domestic options for the 11-12 model years), Mugen around the sides and rear. After buying the car I began the conversion to the JDM Inspire model, which is effectively the Japanese Acura TL since Japan does not have the Acura brand. Motorized folding signal mirrors, bi-xenon retrofits, revised face, rear garnish and fixture replacement, along with assorted performance and interior mods land me where I'm at today:

Aside from the occasional small mod that arises (windshield visor tint, etc) I think that the exterior is pretty much complete. Recently added an imported Modulo front since there are no current options for the 8.5 gens. Authentic Mugen sides, replica rear. I originally thought that the replica would afford me more room in the exhaust ports but after some recent research I think I was wrong. Since the side skirts' quality is amazing my plans are to upgrade the rear to authentic this fall. The HFP suspension handles the frequent dips in local roads but I think I'll switch to coilovers in the spring. Full brake system upgrade is still to come but the OEMs have plenty of remaining life. Will probably drop in Redstuffs soon but have my eyes on an all wheel BBK setup for the future. Current pix:


http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/4911/photojun0880126amhdr.jpg
http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/9439/photojun0880302amhdr.jpg
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/2672/photojun0880756amhdr.jpg
http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/9384/photojun0880824amhdr.jpg
http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/6453/photojun0880924amhdr.jpg
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/1791/photojun0881337amhdr.jpg
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/3020/photojun0883801amhdr.jpg
http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/7788/photojun0883848amhdr.jpg

Not exactly a built for speed in the same vein as most of the other cars here but I thought I'd share :) Still wrestling with going 1.0-1.5 inches lower again but I have some nasty dips on my way to work to contend with.

[AutoMods]

looks nice. quite a different side of modifying then I prefer but I respect it. I like to mainly just make shit faster. as long it got clean paint an no dents-i'm satisfied.

I wouldn't mind spending a lot of time on exterior/interior looks stuff on an older car like a 1970 240z or along those lines and restore it, make it look as good as new, that'd be fun.

[Doom]

looks nice. quite a different side of modifying then I prefer but I respect it. I like to mainly just make shit faster. as long it got clean paint an no dents-i'm satisfied.

I wouldn't mind spending a lot of time on exterior/interior looks stuff on an older car like a 1970 240z or along those lines and restore it, make it look as good as new, that'd be fun.
thanks for the compliment. i helped my father complete some restorations on like-model cars from his past... 47 plymouth (searching for a buyer still), 77 challenger, etc. i bought this one as a daily but it turned into something unexpected. i've installed essentially all of the bolt on enhancements so there's not much left to do (besides further chassis tightening) until someone figures out an ECU reprogram. ...i get what you're saying though - different end of the spectrum than most members here.

[Domestic Disturbance]

I like it too. Everything is very tastefully done and clean. Best part is it isn't too busy either or over the top either, just subtle. Those wheels and ride height are perfect. Definitely other side of the spectrum of what most of us are usually exposed to

[Doom]

FINALLY removed the rear wing. Always thought it was more becoming of a 90's riced out Civic... Some additional interior enhancements and a tint ticket under my belt since last post. Good to live somewhere that tint is even an issue I suppose :)


http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/1530/phuppimagexbr.jpg
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/1029/phuppimagehqv.jpg
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/9372/phuppimageaen.jpg
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/3135/phuppimagepxr.jpg
http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/797/phuppimagejg.jpg

Working on lowering back down a bit further so the rim lips are flush against the bottom of the fender arcs without resorting to excessive camber.

In case people do the JDM shows in Chicago, there are a few noteworthy events coming up including the Stretch Your Legs autumn opener.

[Chase]

Were you at Automass?

[Doom]

wanted to attend (as a spectator) but had conflicts.

[Drifte]

Looks good, you make any car shows locally? I cant own a lowered car at my current place, but the next house may be designed around that aspect.

[Sleepy]

The ride height is perfect already! Looks great with out the spoiler. The folded mirrors threw me off at first.

[Doom]

Looks good, you make any car shows locally? I cant own a lowered car at my current place, but the next house may be designed around that aspect.
thanks. i really have no business going lower because i already scrape on my regular commute, but it looks so damn good lower. i could always break the bank and bag the car but i'm not sure if air suspensions like our winters very much.

not aware of much going on in the corridor... will be in chicago for these events:

JDMC Friday Night Lights 7/21
Stretch Your Legs VIII 7/22
Steady Mobbin Autumn Opener 9/22

The ride height is perfect already! Looks great with out the spoiler. The folded mirrors threw me off at first.
that's one of my favorite inspire features - auto folding mirrors. i have a bypass switch built to stop the relay during our frozen months.

[Doom]

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj15/chaqui74/IMG-20120630-01150.jpg

a little too much poke for me (looks like he's on 10mm spacers) but height is on point.

[Doom]

josh did am amazing job installing my coilovers and i'll be back for some brakes in a little while. i can't recommend him enough - careful and thorough. ...just plain perfect work.

i had some minor scraping (fender clip tab against driver's front tire) after some settling so i raised the front an 1/8" but i think i'll say screw it and dump my height when i go back low in the spring. excuse the tape and bra, these are last minute photos as i was leaving a meet a few hours away:

http://imageshack.us/a/img21/7986/photosep1361133pm.jpghttp://imageshack.us/a/img840/6906/photosep13252c60921pm.jpghttp://imageshack.us/a/img26/4420/photosep1361210pm.jpg

[Drifte]

your not really gonna drive that this winter are you?

[Doom]

your not really gonna drive that this winter are you?
i'll reluctantly raise it back up 2 inches, slap on the stock wheels, and hate every minute of it until spring.

[LT1Dan]

Saw your car at Joshs when he was doing the coilovers. Super clean and very sharp looking, the pictures don't do it justice.

[Doom]

thanks for the compliments. it was pretty dirty due to rain on the way up from IC but josh knocked the coil install out of the park.

i currently have a lowbeam bi-xenon retrofit but i'm working on a quad bi-xenon retro - turning out to be much harder to modify the high beam bowls than i anticipated but it will be very cool when complete. i had the inside of the lights (including reflective surfaces) professionally painted to body color and will be using the brand new XB halo technology. plan is to put the halo behind the projector shroud so it's not over the top and gives an iron man arc reactor slotted look...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l13Z2X4NhzE

i think these further modded lights will complete the exterior v.i.p.-ish theme i'm sort of going for. quad bi-xenon lows should be a wall of light so i can't wait to finally finish the project. at least 20 whp added right?

http://imageshack.us/a/img94/3257/photoaug3174342pm.jpg

[Doom]

back to winter mode this weekend :/ pix are sized 1920x1200.

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/2995/01streetnight1920x1200.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/717/01streetnight1920x1200.jpg/) http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/9841/02sunsetprofile1920x120.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/803/02sunsetprofile1920x120.jpg/) http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/5125/03front2cars1920x1200.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/696/03front2cars1920x1200.jpg/) http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/6982/04front1920x1200.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/685/04front1920x1200.jpg/) http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/6083/05side1920x1200.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/685/05side1920x1200.jpg/) http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/7089/06emblem1920x1200.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/145/06emblem1920x1200.jpg/)

[Domestic Disturbance]

amazingly clean. is that 2 door this car? https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/456953_1823206098103_2125831522_o.jpg

[Doom]

Yep. Nice eye.

[sparkles]

I must be blind or something. What's an Inspire? I'm seeing an Accord.

[Doom]

There isn't an Acura line in Japan and so their Accord is called an Inspire and builds upon our domestic, marrying it with the Acura TL features. I have imported the unique parts such as auto folding mirrors, trunk garnish (that allows replacement of idiotic domestic reflectors), etc. Japan make has HID so I retrofit my halogens into bixenon projectors, upgraded the sway components past TL spec, etc etc. Also interesting is that Asia does not receive Accord/Inspire coupes. 4 doors only.

Of course I went well beyond the Inspire OEM theme with wheels, intake, suspension, kit, etc.

Got a quad bi-xenon retro finishing this month with new halo technology and looking to bag it this spring and replace the Vossens with either a custom 3 piece wheel or something forged. Very few performance mods available to date that I haven't already knocked out.

[85XR7Project]

That thing looks so clean. You have done a very nice job with it

[Clinical]

If this falls under the "JDM" modifying thing - then this is the first one I actually like. No I love it. It just looks like a totally different car. I'm sure in another 2 years it'll still look like a brand new car. It's so much better than kids with a beat up 90's honda slapping some JDM headlights, JDM amber this or that, etc and saying it's tasteful.

Love this car, keep up the good work for sure!

[Doom]

If this falls under the "JDM" modifying thing - then this is the first one I actually like. No I love it. It just looks like a totally different car. I'm sure in another 2 years it'll still look like a brand new car. It's so much better than kids with a beat up 90's honda slapping some JDM headlights, JDM amber this or that, etc and saying it's tasteful.

Love this car, keep up the good work for sure!
thanks, man - appreciate it. Just wish it had 2 more cylinders :/

[Doom]

nearing the end of a 4 month project... quad bi-xenon retrofit with xb led halos. the latter will be switched so they can be turned off if desired, otherwise will function as the car's DRLs. plan to wire the projectors to illuminate as quad lows but we'll see what the output/cutoff look like. lights were baked, opened, all chrome and black plastic were painted body color at billion collision, full amber delete (switchback signals), high bowls cut significantly - low bowls were plug and play, and last everything was butyl sealed. cutting the highs escaped by ability/tools as i discovered that the plastic housing is metalized (and almost claimed a finger) late in the game.

http://imageshack.us/a/img231/3755/screenshot20121201at857.png

for comparison, here's my current retrofit setup:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bldOJiYOKwE/UAQiC6CQwMI/AAAAAAAADRw/zzoSr58dbUA/s200/3.JPGhttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TFt9lH2xYtk/UAQiJlhICPI/AAAAAAAADTY/VVUXrq8Tu4w/s200/16.JPGhttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lazNhmaZVqQ/UAQiIcT2mHI/AAAAAAAADTI/teStc1cNGJg/s200/14.JPG

next up - full brakes after winter leaves and bagging in the summer. still a little nervous about iowa winters vs air suspensions but i'm doing the homework.

[MoncefA33]

This car is amazing. I love classy builds. I shared your website on my Fb page. I do a lot of work with Mr Silver too.

[Chase]

http://imageshack.us/a/img26/4420/photosep1361210pm.jpg

Whats that white car?

[Doom]

^^ 8th gen accord coupe (08-10)

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/559381_10101907416648678_518470917_n.jpg

[85XR7Project]

Oh wow, who knew an Accord could look so cool? Not being sarcastic.

[Domestic Disturbance]

I've seen this car in person and its very clean. It has white calipers that never have dust on them!

[Doom]

I've seen this car in person and its very clean. It has white calipers that never have dust on them!
i have an full brake system replacement (along with a J pipe) for josh to knock out in the spring. keeping up after the stock pads has been a full time job so the low dust ebc redstuff pads will be a welcome change.

still looking for a place that will do alignments on low cars. the mitsubishi dealership in CR turned me away and the only show in IC seems to freehand the job a bit. they did a good job last time but i feel better about getting a specs sheet afterward.

[Chase]

There is a place in Iowa City that will do it. I drove there for my car and chances are its lower than yours.

buttt I cant remember the name of it. It might start with an R? It's across the street from a panera bread if that helps.

[Doom]

do you mean that shop attached to a car wash more by wendy's?

[Doom]

Quad retrofit = done. Considering a light smoke tint on the lights to hide some of the internals. What's the best tint shop in the area?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNwB08UVSIY

[85XR7Project]

Pretty sharp lookin.

[Domestic Disturbance]

I think there was a recent thread on tint, but advanced tinting solutions is the place I always hear good things about.

[Doom]

lots more mods since i last checked in but here's one you might not have seen before...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy5TWNHUUxs

working on a wifi network under the hood to control the demon eyes via iphone app, also automatically sync media with my home server, obdII data, etc.

[lenny]

Good lord this thing needs BIG brakes.
-Dan

[Doom]

I agree but the typical package across all four corners is in the neighborhood of $5000. Next priority is air, then a lift for the garage of the house I'm planning, THEN bbk if I still have this car lol.

[AutoMods]

Good lord this thing needs BIG brakes.
-Dan

I doubt it

[lenny]

I doubt it

Lol. Yeah. I guess unless it's pushing more power, what's the point?
-Dan

[Doom]

Photos from a quick shoot last week:


http://imageshack.us/a/img29/2188/nzz4.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img96/5350/uoa0.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img854/9323/ppo2.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img856/2987/425f.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img7/1572/7syd.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img843/4101/6h3f.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img40/8863/7ju2.jpg
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/2756/yjja.jpg
http://imageshack.us/a/img600/6108/vnet.jpg

[tylers88]

Photos from a quick shoot last week:


http://imageshack.us/a/img843/4101/6h3f.jpg




https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQfeen_NnkKqc5mJ-jNhWa67NfL-MQtu1GS3IJ6dD3Uefu1kpjE

[86svo9L]

Looks great!