QuickResponse

Hey'MaxMike93,
Outstanding I30! Very very nice job of updating. Too bad you didnt work for Infiniti when they built them. Would of been a great asset to them.
Bought wife a 2000 millenium green I30 last yr when her camry took a dump. Just wondering were you found the cefiro radio woodgrain dash piece? Next question how much hassle to install it?
I'm goin for the I35 grill too. Nice!

MaxMike93

The dash piece was from a member Sycefiro, but I think he has since run out when I bought mine in the beginning of the year and sparked everyone's interest in them again. But see THIS post from the I30/I35 Classifieds thread since the guy was selling one and could still have it, but I have no idea.

Now I'm thinking of getting a set of clear front side marker lights, but $96 for two lenses and housings is kinda hard to swallow. I also need to order some LEDs from V-LEDs. All the eBay ones listed as "pure white" still have a blue tinge and I want bulbs that are as white as the exterior of my car . Then I think I'll be done with my car.....if I can stop looking at different wheels online, not that I can afford Vossen CV4's anyway (20s would look too big though anyway)

QuickResponse

Thanks MaxMike93 I emailed him to see?
Peace

MaxMike93

Took a long time to decide, but I finally ordered a set of clear side marker lenses from Klearz. Can't wait for them to come

MaxMike93

So if you go through the I30/I35 forum, you'll see that there was some discussion regarding the installation of HIDs into stock housings. But with the reassurance of members who have done it, I got a kit from DDM Tuning for 6000k 9006 bulbs and put them in. I guess max ride 41 was right since comparing those Crystal Visions to HIDs is like apples to oranges. The color is so much nicer from the HIDs, and with proper aiming the light output is fantastic. No getting flashed and no trouble with multiple cops I've passed so far (knock on wood), so I think that turned out well. I also got the clear corners which no one seems to get anymore, so I was excited to finally get those on the car. I originally got amber LEDs, but with my friend saying how white would look so much better and looking up that they can be white as long as they don't blink, I already switched them. But since they are cool white, I placed an order with VLEDs for some 5000K bulbs. I also wanted to put in LED fog light bulbs I had ordered, but one burned out almost immediately upon testing with a 12V supply and the other gets quite hot after being on (which with LEDs reduces lifespan drastically), so I think I'll just send those back and keep my halogens. I also have 3W Cree LEDs coming for my reverse lights would should be a big improvement at night to help illuminate what I see in the rearview camera and for others to see me backing up. Some smaller things include putting on some exhaust tips for a more finished look, and that I'm finally gonna change the trans fluid next week. Not much for future additions, except maybe getting a new dashboard piece with the storage bin (above the clock) from Sewell Infiniti since the mounting points for mine got brittle and cracked from age, not to mention that it's all scratched up. I was thinking before about the Cefiro mirrors, but that will be only if any of mine get wrecked since the cost and time for install doesn't justify simply wanting them. So onto the pictures:

Exhaust Tips


Philips CrystalVision Ultra (left) vs DDM Tuning 6000k HID (right). This is pre-adjustment so you can see why the HIDs needed some fine tuning.


Light Output Post-Adjustment




Clear Corner/Side Markers


Once it gets nicer out I'll thoroughly clean my car and get some good pictures of how it sits. But aside from replacing stock parts, I think I finally have my car the way I want it. By the way, anyone know a good paintless dent removal service in the northern NJ area to get three dents/creases out of my driver's side rear door? Pisses me off that someone does that to the car leaving me to have it fixed

MaxMike93

Since it's been a while and I got the opportunity for a good cleaning today, thought I'd post up some new photos. I never really posted the condition or newer details of my interior so I thought I'd finally put up some pics. Happy the brush I used for my driver's seat got it looking great without ruining the upholstery. Also finished my 5000k LED interior bulb conversion a while ago, as well as LED reverse bulbs, and I think they are all great. I still have to do the transmission fluid how I want since when it was done my dad took it and only dropped the pan to change out that ATF, when I wanted all the fluid pumped out by taking off the hose that goes from the radiator/transmission cooler to the transmission. Also getting some rust taken care of (in the rear wheel-wells) soon. With those, and getting a new dashboard storage bin eventually since it has been rattling horribly lately, I think I'll be done with buying things for the car. Unless I decide to change the spark plugs, if there is any reason to change them since I assume they are original. So onto the pics (there's plenty!), and I apologize for the quality of the last few night shots since there were no streetlights and I just had my iPhone 5 on me.











Middle shelf is my car-washing arsenal lol








Added aftermarket woodgrain a while back for the climate control and under it to match the rest of the dashboard like the Cefiro piece.


Starting to creep up on 50k since I got it with about 22k almost 2 years ago


5000k HID color


Got some Infiniti valve stem caps

MaxMike93

A couple more





Trying to emphasize the HIDs and white LED clear corners




Just the "city" and marker lights on for these next 2




LED reverse bulbs (you can see how brightly the corner-light bulbs light up my friend's Mustang)




Courtesy lights


The rust that has to get taken care of , hopefully in the coming weeks

BMAX92GXE

iTrader: (1)

What kind of bulbs do you use for the visor lights and the glove compartment as well as the fash? I have a led conversion I30 in progress

MaxMike93

The visor lights are a fuse-type bulb that I got from eBay. If you get them, I'd recommend getting 2-LED bulbs as I have 3-LED ones and they can actually be too bright. I may get new ones, but I so seldom use them that I don't need to right now. The glove box is a T5 bulb that I just got off eBay, also. Which is the last one you are asking since it seems like a typo there? These are pretty much what I have (eBay listings end and exact ones aren't always relisted):

Glove Box (These have a bigger LED than mine, but I would think they still fit fine. And you want this design with the one LED on the end without any lens): http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-x-Car-T5-5050-SMD-Dashboard-White-LED-bulbs-light-C-/260787177789?pt=US_Car_Lighting&hash=item3cb820893d
Vanity (These look to be exactly what I have): http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-x-Super-White-LED-Bulbs-For-Visor-Vanity-Mirror-Light-3-SMD-/290920839865?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43bc3bbab9&vxp=mtr



And off-topic from the LEDs, but I picked up a set of OEM side sills/skirts from the 5th Gen Classifieds so I'll be getting those painted and installed when I get the rust taken care of in about 3 weeks

MaxMike93

FedEx came this morning and dropped off a box with these in it (sorry, I thought the Instagram filter looked good):



Since they're black, they will be getting painted when my car goes for rust and dent removal next week, and I'll hopefully get them on the week after, provided everything is done by then. Was doing some reading last night and now I'm thinking of doing the rewire mod to have the map light come on with the dome light, insulating the rear deck to reduce rattling. I think I'm just looking for things to do to my I30 now lol

MaxMike93

So right now I'm without my I30 as it's at the body shop; hoping it will be ready by the middle of the week as estimated. In the meantime I'm either using my mom's Toyota Highlander (meh) or my dad's loaded GMC Sierra. I'm getting the rust I posted taken off then rust proofed/painted, the side sills painted Aspen White Pearl and installed, and have their PDR guy fix my door. Total estimate: $1660. Kinda hard to justify on a 13 year old car I know, but in its condition, low miles, and sentimental value, I want to keep it perfect, also since it won't be worth it to trade in on a future car and I see myself having it for quite a long time.

MaxMike93

After a little more than a week she's finally back to me. Rust is gone and the side skirts are on so those are taken care of, and I think next time I need tires I'll be looking at wheels now for a little bigger ones lol. Unfortunately the guy there said the PDR guy they call in wouldn't do the dents because he thought it was too risky and would crack the paint. Said the dents are in a weird spot in between the braces inside the rear door. Guess I'll either leave it as it is or go around to another place to see if they are able to do anything. Also have to add a little headlight aiming to my list since I think they are a little high from when I adjusted them for putting HIDs in.




And if only I had the money for these (but stock I35's are good for now):

persianbat

MaxMike93

Maybe post some pictures in the "Let's see those I30/I35's" thread in the I30/I35 section. Probably would get a lot more responses to your car there than here in Member's Rides.

persianbat

MaxMike93

I'm pretty sure there have been one or two of yours posted in there. The US I30 was essentially them bringing over that foreign Maxima design to use for the premium brand.

persianbat

MaxMike93

So did a few things recently. Finally got the bin piece last week and decided to put it in today. Took me 10 minutes, so hopefully my drives will be rattle free now.



Also last week, I decided to take off most of the stick-on wood trim I put on the dashboard last year. This went easy on the passenger side, where everything heated up fine and it came off without any real trouble. The issues came up on the drivers side, where I don't think I heated everything up enough, and the adhesive pulled up the soft touch finish on the vent. First I ordered one cheap, but the color was wrong since I'm pretty sure it was from an I35. I just got another one but it's more beat up than it looked in the pictures, so maybe out of the curiosity I'll call up my dealer and see what they want for a driver's side vent. But this is what happened to the original vent:



Sent from my iPhone 5 using MaximaOrg

EDIT: Called up Ramsey Infiniti to verify a part number and told me the price for the vent was $82. Did a little searching and found that Infiniti of Englewood has an online parts store and I ordered the part from there. Best thing is that it was less than $2 more than the beat-up eBay piece! Chose to pick it up when it comes in since it will cost less than $13 in gas to pick it up, and then my FUBAR is taken care of.

MaxMike93

So I got the new vent piece, then today I decided to take it out since some paper towel bits were stuck in the gap, and I ended up scratching the brand new piece on my A-pillar . I think I'll just live with it unless I really feel like spending another $60. And I finally got to change my transmission fluid with my friend today. Process was pretty quick and easy, now to just keep driving and see if there are any improvements. Next thing I may do if I feel like spending (this probably won't be until next month, though) is to find two used I35 wheels. My refinished ones are chipping badly, but the OEM ones are fine. Really not worth it to buy a new set of wheels when I like these, so I think getting 2 more used might be the way to go. Other than that, I'm thinking remote start and insulating the rear deck will be the last things to get. Unless I get some "whiter" fog light bulbs since the originals are pretty yellow.

Requin6

iTrader: (36)

Looking good! Where did you get your side skirts from?

MaxMike93

Side skirts were from a member in the Classifieds. Brand new OEM kit, just had to have them painted my color.

Sent from my iPhone 5 using MaximaOrg

MaxMike93

Just thought I'd post what I've been doing lately, which unfortunately hasn't been much with the weather getting colder in NJ. Other axle boot tore so that got replaced, and I've done more lighting updating with PIAA white 7440 bulbs in the corner lights, Philips CrystalVision Ultra fog lights, and different LEDs for the clearance lights as the ones I had had burned out, but the new ones have much better heat sinks to help keep the LEDs at a better operating temperature. The PIAAs and Philips bulbs are definitely much whiter than what's been in those sockets for fourteen years. Right now I'm making my list for next year of things to change, which include 2 other wheels to replace the chipping ones (or something totally new if something really catches my eye), a new grille since the finish on my first RockAuto one has really taken a turn for the worse, and maybe another driver's side vent since I kinda messed up the one I had to put in. That's among doing a real detail in the spring so I can polish out all the swirls, changing center cap emblems to my new ones in the box, and the typical air filter and MAF cleaning. Still a great car to drive everyday, just wish I could get more than the usual 18.5MPG Fuelly has been telling me. And on a side-note, I finally got a pic of my car with my friend's latest acquisition, a classic luxury car:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/97860483@N02/11079528775/http://www.flickr.com/photos/97860483@N02/11079528775/, on Flickr

If anyone is wondering, it's a 1974 Cadillac Eldorado with under 20k original miles on the clock.

Young Christin

iTrader: (1)

Why don't you just paint your grille instead of buying another one

MaxMike93

I was actually thinking of plastidipping my grille for the winter since the paint is chipping so bad. I'd still get another one in the spring, though, just since I like the chrome look and there isn't really a way to replicate it with painting it. Only thing I ever saw was on Pimp My Ride where some chemical reaction with the metal bodywork produces a chrome look.

Young Christin

iTrader: (1)

I was gonna get that rockauto grille but I might just get a OEM i35 grille if those grille chip like that. How long you had the grille?

MaxMike93

I think what happened is whatever my car was washed with when I had bodywork done was somehow bad for the paint on the grille since my center caps were messed up too. I've had my I35 grille for a year. If you're worried you could always get some 3M clear bra put on over the grille to protect it from rock chips.

D I R T Y I 3 0

Clean Infiniti mike, I respect the amount of detail you've put into your work

MaxMike93

Thanks, man. I appreciate that. I always enjoy making my car how I want it to be so the new parts will have to just keep coming, especially since this car will have a real long time till it dies; just hit 55k last week. Gonna have to wash it this week and get the new stabilizer bar links in since when I got my oil changed 2 weeks ago the guy (my dad's friend) checked them and said at least the passenger side one is bad, so I ordered a new pair and it will hopefully solve the noise when I go over bumps. Good looking MR2, just get it on some 17s or 18s (I think that's how I made one in Forza 4) and it'll look awesome. Doubt that car will ever give you any major problems either.

D I R T Y I 3 0

Wow 55K is nothing. Should last awhile indeed.

Ha well it gave me problems in the beginning but it's running ok for now. Still have to fix a few things

Big.Tater

DANG! Mike, that car is HOT! I just got a used '01 i30t, but it's nothing like your's! I really like the i35 grill you added on it. I was wondering if the grills were interchangeable. Did you have to do anything special to make it fit or did it just bolt right on. Also, the sun roof shield, was it a glue on or bolt on?

Again, super clean ride you got!

MaxMike93

Thanks! The grille goes on without modification. You just undo the screws holding it in (I think it was a 5mm nut size) and the old one comes out (I think the I30 uses 7). Only difference was that it used one less mounting screw, and some people say there is a gap between the hood and the grille, but I never really thought it was that big and I don't even think it's noticeable anymore. You can get the grille from RockAuto.com for about $40 shipped then a grille emblem will run another $40 off eBay. Mine for some reason is chipping badly, but I think whatever it was washed with last year when I got the side skirts painted and put on by a body shop reacted badly with it since my center caps got all screwed up too, although I have new ones that I just have to swap the emblems on to. The sunroof shield/wind deflector has two clips that go onto the edge of the sunroof cut out in the roof. You slide them on then the whole thing gets screwed onto those clips.



Figured I should also update this thread while I'm here. For those who don't go into I30/I35, in January, I walked out of work to find my fender got hit. Got the fender repaired last week for about $540.

Before


After


One of my fog light bulbs also went out so I'll replace those eventually when NJ finally gets out of winter and I can use my friend's ramps to get some room under the front bumper. Most likely will go with Nokya yellow bulbs since PIAAs are way too pricey and the Philips ones went out after 4 months. Not going HID with them either. Also will have to go visit a yard one day and find two more I35 wheels as two of mine are chipping (got them from Wheels, Tires and More off eBay). Or maybe would consider a set of Q50 wheels since I've seen them cheap on Craigslist before. Then I think a new set of spark plugs are in order too since the originals are probably due for a change by now even though it's only been 57k miles.

MaxMike93

Been thinking a lot, and now I'm on the search for a set of 17" 7-spoke G35 wheels (2005-2006 sedan). Saw a set on craigslist but by the time I contacted the seller they were already sold. Any thoughts on how they'd look? I keep imagining it and I think they'll look good on my car. Also wanted to mention that I just started working at a local Infiniti dealer! Lots more hours than my old job, and I have been driving a lot of the cars and I really enjoy it. I've been helping the guy who moves the cars around but my actual duties will be presenting the car when a new owner comes to pick it up and showing/teaching them about the features; the position I have is referred to as Delivery Coordinator. My car feels pretty slow after getting out of the ones with a VQ37 lol. It's a job I actually look forward to going to now since I'm much more interested in this than retail and the people there are great, rather than my old one were I dreaded having to get through a shift.

george__

iTrader: (1)

Holy Moly... Lot of time invested in that car eh :P

infinitijohn

wow !!! you and you car are like Romeo and Juliette, you really put into you car really like you car bro,tell me what kind of exhaust tips you put on you car,I need to put on mine too,but I don't know which one I should buy, did you do any modification to your existing exhaust tips?

MaxMike93

I just got generic tips from eBay that use screws to clamp onto the muffler outlet. But after a year, one of them is aging not so gracefully. If you order, make sure to get stainless steel tips so that they won't corrode and can get cleaned up with something like Never Dull or I hear Barkeeper's Friend is good too. Get tips with a 2-inch inlet diameter for a stock I30 muffler.

MaxMike93

So I think my car is beginning to show her age. Muffler went out a few weeks ago so $300 later I don't feel like I'm driving a Honda with a coffee can exhaust. Unfortunately, when I had my car last serviced the service advisor told me my front and rear main engine seals are starting to seep. This was in May so when I take it in again I'll have to see how things have progressed. With what's developing, along with me noticing that the radiator support is showing some slight rust, I'm going to be torn next year on what to do. I did decide on keeping I35 wheels so I'll hopefully get the OEM wheels I have sitting around repaired then mounted on my tires. Finally replaced the faulty Philips fog light bulbs, but for some reason they are aimed so high that they may as well be low beams, so I'll have to correct that. One (first world) problem of working at an Infiniti dealer is getting to drive new G37s and Q50s constantly and realizing how far newer models have come. Being envious that my friend got a G37 doesn't help either

On the outside though, she does still look good. Snapped this before I left work the other night:
image by miccris93, on Flickr

And the headlights on the Q50 are drool worthy
image by miccris93, on Flickr

nick1195

nice, i like your mods. where did you get the woodgrain double din bezal i need one, thanks

MaxMike93

So I am officially out of the I30. I picked up a Graphite Shadow 2015 Q50S AWD about a month ago and sadly had to let go of my beloved A33. It was a spectacular car for the past four years; loved the smoothness and power of a VQ30, the amenities of an Infiniti, and the looks of the A33 I30, along with the sentimental value of it being my high school graduation gift from my aunt and late grandmother. But with a new job that will require a lot of driving, I didn't want to risk miscellaneous sensors and parts wearing when I won't be at the Infiniti dealer every day for work every day. That, and the interior rattles were driving me insane lol. Put about 45k on the odometer in my time and spent countless hours keeping her clean and making her my own. The new owner is my old coworker's daughter who was in need of a good car, so at least I know it went to a good home. When she saw the car she was in love with it, so I did not get any parts out of it, including the Cefiro dash piece; I also ended up giving her all the spare parts I had laying around that I had changed out. I want to thank all of you guys for all the praise and support with my I30 (or Dina as I named her), along with all the help that I received on this board.

Here's a pic with my I30's new owner. Still cleaned up really well for 15 years old and 67k on the clock:
Goodbye I30 by miccris93, on Flickr

And this is what I'll be driving at least for the next three years:
Q50S by miccris93, on Flickr

rbaksi

iTrader: (3)

Wow nice upgrade! Glad to hear your car went to a good home.