2008 Lancer CJ VRX - Build thread

[Mars1811]

Ouch, so sorry to hear it all Avenir. The breakup on top of that must have been rough.
Keep your chin up, you'll have forgotten about it all in a year's time.

[Avenir]

Thanks lads, yeah it's just typical life though. Loves beating you when your down, I almost expect it at this point.

Your words really help @mars & @awood

Hear next projects from me soon, stay tuned

Avenir.

[Mars1811]

Looking forward to more

[bumblebee]

I had another thought on the brake issue with the Radio
Out of interest
What sort of lights did you shove in the tail lights?
Are they led lights by any chance?
Are they "canbus" compatible
For those who don't know , think of canbus like USB for a PC
It allows the ECU/ETACS etc "talk" to the car and see WTF is going on with it self
From memory this happens around half a million times per second.
So if the led lights are not canbus compatible, they can create a ton of electrical noise / interference and shove it back down the wiring and cause all sorts of stupid stuff

[Avenir]

Build update:

Hey guys I'm back, giving a bit of a smaller update on what's next. The wheels are still turning..

New Headunit:
I have decided to give in and get a new headunit, double din of course: Bluetooth, Android auto etc all the bells. With the advent of the golden point I don't want to use my phone in the car and getting into deeper shit then I already am. It's probably a wise investment, especially with GPS too. Hopefully it will tell me where speed cameras are too

I have booked it in with a specialist guy back home for end of June. So yes a bit away, but its the earliest he can do and he's quite good with what he does, he's already inspected my car, knows what I want and is giving a reasonably fair price. The headunit also has the option for 3 rear cameras too, if I decide to do that sometime down the line.

As always I've got the money aside already to do it so this now leads me to a mini project inbetween now and June..

Exhaust & Merlin Tune

Kudos to bumble for helping out, I am one step closer to getting my car tuned by merlin. I've given him the details he needs I believe and awaiting a time and date we can do it. Like I've said before I will fix up my exhaust before hand.. high flow cat and expanded piping etc which will hopefully make the car a bit louder too. So I'll ring the exhaust guy maybe tomorrow/sometime this week to get it done asap.

Not quite sure the whole process of tuning, especially long distance but nonetheless just figure it out as it comes. Stay tuned (not intended) we will see how she does.

Radio issue

So it still does the braking radio static issue, i have been told by the guy doing my headunit that with a newer headunit like this one it will have a much more powerful receiver and amplifier etc etc. So it should be able to fight off the EMI a lot better then the current. But I'm sure he will look into it if he has troubles with getting radio signals.

He is also going to scan my car with a proper expensive vehicle diagnostic tool (idk just the big ones that tradies use) to maybe find what is wrong with my ASC and source the problem potentially. Cos at this point it could be 10 different issues.

F & R Sway Bars

I was going to purchase this kit off whiteline with all the links and mounts etc that I need with it. But now the tune and headunit have jumped in, this last handing upgrade is put on the backburner for just a bit longer. I will do this probably after the headunit or just before.... very keen to finish this off though.

Some quick pics:

Just some quick pics of new door and spoiler. They aren't great locations/lighting, I just haven't had time hahah.... also random but there's a guy with a VRX down my street on his L's and has a ralliart/evo bonnet. I bloody want it I'm so jealous.







Avenir.

[bumblebee]

glad to be of assistance

[awood]

Good upgrades. Looking forward to seeing the wireless upgrade as was thinking about doing something similar soon.

[Mars1811]

I'm looking forward to seeing more on this, the Merlin tune and new head unit especially.

[Avenir]

@awood - Me too, I believe you are referring to the headunit...? I am not sure if Android Auto is wireless with this headunit I have requested but we can see eventually, I hope it is!

@Mars - I have provided merlin some more details about 2 days ago just waiting to hear off him. I also rang the exhaust shop today and I will be hopefully getting the car in for an inspection next week sometime. A bit worried of the check engine code I'll get after its done but I am hoping to get that tune real soon lol.

Avenir.

[bumblebee]

The fix for the O2 sensor is in my signature
That will most definitely get you out of trouble no need to panic about CEL lights

[awood]

Back to the future mate.

[Avenir]

Hi Lads got a small update for you:

I am still around, I have things planned but covid is making it difficult to get it all finished. As well as Uni.

Aftermarket headhunt:
I had this booked in but of course work sends me to Bairnsdale that particular week so I cannot get this done, so It's looking like 2 weeks after that. I have the money aside but it'll be a while. Unless covid makes things difficult again. But either way it'll be some time before I get that installed, sorry for people who were keen!

Exhaust & Tune:
So I was going to get my exhaust looked at I believe 2 weeks ago but covid again cancelled it. I think this will be easier once I have finished Uni as well. The guy knows I am coming he just wants to take a look first. So update on that in probably 2 weeks as well.

Tune has progressed, Merlin has written me up one without any pops/crackle, removing the DAMN throttle hang/rev hang that annoys me when shifting, higher revs at idle (Stock is roughly 600rpm where as I am hoping to get it closer to 900/1000rpm) for just a bit more noise and a small improvement when taking off, as well as improvements to fuel maps, ignition timing etc all that jazz for increase in HP.

He states that his tunes are meant for 98 RON fuel so I am wondering how much it will improve the car when I am in the drivers seat, we will see.. I already have the money aside for the Tune and Exhaust as well, so it leads me onto:

Next...
All this time I have been saving quite a lot, so I am looking into the next parts to get for the lancer.

- Whiteline Sway bar + Bush + Link kit? - which finishes off all the suspension work and gets rid of the rattling/clanking sounds of my sway bar bushes etc.

- New Rims? - although I just got new tyres so it's hard to justify them right now until I need new tyres? What do you guys think? I've got the Avid Av06's in mind as they are just an all time fav (lol). Also wanted some offset, obviously within legal limits but my rims at the moment are quite tucked inside the fenders, they could come out a touch.

- VLAND Head lights? Completes all the light upgrades around the car, although for the headlights I believe you have to adjust the light path etc they aren't necessarily plug and play like the back ones. Which could be annoying...

- Evo 10 Bonnet? - I really want one of these. But don't want to pay 1000$ for it and then another 500$ to paint it. Many wreckers have them at all?

oh and @awood its a filter I found, works really well. Planning to get some proper photos of the car with my 1976 Asahi Pentax KX film camera when it finally is finished!

Cast your votes lads..

Avenir.

[Mars1811]

Mmmm, I like plans.

No crackle pop?? How are you supposed to let your neighbourhood know that you're a hoon? Where's the fun in not getting any cops chasing you down?
Good pick. I'm so sick of hearing about people asking for crackle pop tunes on facebook

[awood]

Good updates , look forward to see more pic's and progress.

[bumblebee]

the evo /RA bonnet
usual price is about $1000
freight extra, talk to Jimmy @ evolution spares Sydney
https://www.evolutionracingspares.com.au/
if you put aside $50 each fortnight, in a year time you will have the $ to get one, worked for me