Lerroy's 2014 JDM VMG (NZ)

lerroy

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Joined
Jun 27, 2023
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170
Location
Wanaka NZ
Vehicle(s)
VMG (A) Levorg
Some small updates over the last few weeks....

Sprayed the chrome rear trim which i ended up fully removing to do a better job, Also did the rear badges (plastidip)


interior-1001-2.jpg

Token STI sticker to make sure its always premium :)

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Previous owner had already upgraded most the interior to led but left the boot light stock bulb. Decided to replace with a Liberal LED panel from japanparts. Pretty impressed with the unit, easy install into the bulb socket and retains the push to on functionality, so much brighter its like night and day the difference it makes

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lerroy

Active Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2023
Messages
170
Location
Wanaka NZ
Vehicle(s)
VMG (A) Levorg
Interior updates

I'm not a fan of the silver trim interior so have been trying to replace with black / piano black from the later models.
Also really wanting the red leather trim piece's from the STI model...although seats are likely to prove expensive.

interior-1000-3.jpg
This was the interior when i picked it up

Steering wheel was the first to be swapped out.
There are 2 ways to change this part.

You can remove the airbag, steering wheel and remove the plastic trim to get to the 1 Phillips head screw which is quite involved.

Or two you can do what I did and drill a small hole to be able to get to the Phillips screw. Its on the back of the wheel so wont see the hole and can be patched with plastic cover.

If you want to drill the measurements are 38mm from the bottom of the wheel and 35mm from the edge.
Once hole is drilled just a matter of getting the right angle on the screw and making sure you only undo enough to remove the plastic cover, if the screw comes out to far you will lose in the wheel be careful

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interior-1003.jpg

At this point I noticed the white stitching and was wondering if any easy way top change to red like the STI. After some google searches looks like a red fabric pen should do the job, ordered and spent and hour or so starting with the wheel, door panels and seats. You just draw over the stitching and rub off from the leather, did a couple of coats.

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lower quarter test...

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Sourced CVT surround in Black, Handbrake cover in black, also painted the trim on the dash panels to red, although not sold on the shade so might redo. STI leather CVT console also installed

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This is pen I used x2
 

Supafly_NZ

Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2023
Messages
50
Location
Northland, New Zealand
Vehicle(s)
2014 FA20 Levorg, 2008 600HP 6MT Impreza STi
Nice work, love the red-fabric pen hack. I did the same on my STi.

What model headunit did you go for? I'm tossing up the move to an android 9.5" unit as you've done but can't decide if I need to buy the 4GB/6GB or 8GB variant for the performance.
 

lerroy

Active Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2023
Messages
170
Location
Wanaka NZ
Vehicle(s)
VMG (A) Levorg
Nice work, love the red-fabric pen hack. I did the same on my STi.

What model headunit did you go for? I'm tossing up the move to an android 9.5" unit as you've done but can't decide if I need to buy the 4GB/6GB or 8GB variant for the performance.
Hi Supafly

I got this one here

I went with the HT 8GB variant and 2k screen, I don't know what the slightly lower res model would have looked like but really happy with the quality of the 2k screen looks amazing really bright and super sharp

The only thing the 2k screen model doesn't have is captive buttons to control volume and mute etc...I just use the steering controls but does annoy the wife from passenger side has to swipe down or up first then volume appears

Screenshot 2023-11-21 195300.png
 

Carbon

New Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2023
Messages
4
Vehicle(s)
2016 Levorg 2.0 GT-S
Hi, did your original heater vents transfer over to the idoing facia ok, mine like yours don't have the rectangular frames around each one? I'm also unsure about the removal, did the complete surround come off leaving the head unit bolted in place? Thanks
 

lerroy

Active Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2023
Messages
170
Location
Wanaka NZ
Vehicle(s)
VMG (A) Levorg
Hi, did your original heater vents transfer over to the idoing facia ok, mine like yours don't have the rectangular frames around each one? I'm also unsure about the removal, did the complete surround come off leaving the head unit bolted in place? Thanks
Yep no problems at all, you remove the 2 vents and click them into the idoing surround.

The stock head unit surround comes off leaving the headunit in place
You can see the head unit removed and vents in place on this post

https://levorgclub.com/threads/lerroys-2014-white-gts-2-0-nz.1240/post-7282
 

lerroy

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Joined
Jun 27, 2023
Messages
170
Location
Wanaka NZ
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VMG (A) Levorg
Alright update over the last few weeks...

After finding I had left out 2 screws inside the headlight housing, it was really annoying me...one of the lights didn't seem to match the same consistency of light and honestly the led upgrade from liberal wasn't much of an improvement, i wanted that LED look on the C light.


Decided to get the Diode dynamics Switchback kit from Illumo, as I had to open up one of the headlights anyway I thought what the hell. Pretty easy second time and I didn't have to replace the seal as it was so fresh. Fairly easy install (youtube videos are handy) just getting it lined up correctly and dremel the hole slightly bigger. I tapped into the indicator as well as it looks quite nice, not as tacky as i thought
Huge improvement over stock and the liberal Vision plus, Way more uniform and brighter.

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Allot of effort but happy with results all the screws are now in :)

 
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lerroy

Active Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2023
Messages
170
Location
Wanaka NZ
Vehicle(s)
VMG (A) Levorg
more upgrades to interior, almost all silver is gone now :p

  • STI gear knob from Japan parts
  • Piano black interior handles for all door sourced 2nd hand from buyee yahoo auctions
  • vinyl taped all door chrome strips
  • STI centre armrest in red leather
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Pretty happy with how the vinyl tape came out, first time using it. No an exact color match to the dash panels but pretty close and remove more chrome :)

Only one more thing for interior I'm keen on some STI red stitch floor matts but they arent cheap
 

Yoshikirizame

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Joined
Jan 2, 2024
Messages
2
Vehicle(s)
VM4
You're a champ!

I've been trying to put an Atoto HU in my '14 GT-S. The mess of dealer wiring behind the dash looks eerily similar, so your explanation + photos are gold. Still trying to fathom the SWC inputs though.

I've no idea what to do with the 'DAB' antenna wires - wife is upset she can't watch Japanese TV anymore, so maybe I'll search around for a TV tuner module.

Nice job on your mods.
 

Robsyuk

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Joined
Jun 4, 2022
Messages
376
Vehicle(s)
LEVORG Sti

lerroy

Active Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2023
Messages
170
Location
Wanaka NZ
Vehicle(s)
VMG (A) Levorg

lerroy

Active Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2023
Messages
170
Location
Wanaka NZ
Vehicle(s)
VMG (A) Levorg
Some updates over the last few months
had some unexpected issues with tyres, got a puncture that pretty much ripped entire rim off the wheel, luckily was on a straight piece of road and pulled over quickly. being a JDM no spare so had to get a tow. 4 new tyres later and much poorer mods have slowed.

Picked up some Bridgestone Potenza RE003 245/40/R18, not that noisy and have plenty of grip. now on the look out for a spare wheel :)

last bit of the interior I didn't know i needed arrived, red stitched leather for the MF display, pretty easy to install remove vents and couple of screws finishes off inside nicely

levorgjune-1000.jpg

You can grab from Japanparts here - 66067A + 66067B PANEL, DISPLAY

STI Roof End Spoiler

After my mistake order for STI Roof end spoiler (ordered VN instead of VM) i have been reluctant to replace but it was on a slightly better price so pulled the trigger and ordered

Order here Japanparts

I haven't seen any install pics or vids on this so ill post some pictures, hopefully it helps someone

First step, remove all the plastic panels, screw on the handle and mostly just pop clips, 2x screw clips holding the main rear piece on

There are some black rubber bits in the top corner of the boot lid you, remove these (pop clips) and there is a nut behind each
there are then 3 bolts in the middle for a total of 5 nuts (10mm) see image red circles

Note : careful you don't loose any of the nuts in the door took me extra 30 mins with a magnet to find one.

levorgjune-1001.jpg

Unplug the connector for the rear brake light
There are then a few pop clips holding the wing on, just give a bit of a pull be careful not to scratch paint.
pull the grommet out for the rear brake light and feed the plug through the hole
Give behind a clean :)


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You will need to remove the brake light, its held on with 2x 8mm nuts see circled image
remove the wire from the clip and the light should slide out.

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Now comes the scary part
clean the surface and apply the template sticker that came with the STI spoiler.

Then drill through the spoiler starting with a 3mm then 6mm then 10mm

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Apply the remaining template stickers

now the JDM manual said about half peeling the double sided tape off and trying to get in place before fully peeling. This seemed way harder to me so i just peeled them all off and got it in place lining up and stuck down.

the holes need to line up with template, i know the image kind of looks like its not exact but bad angle...

Now screw in the supplied screw through your newly drilled holes, don't overtighten

levorgjune-1007.jpg

looks great happy with results, I very much doubt it will doing anything for handling but its goes will
with the rest of the STI body kit.

levorgjune-1008.jpg

Spacers

Ive been playing around with the wheels offset +55 on the Sti rims isn't really that aggressive and it has been bugging me lately.

I created another thread here on spacers, but after adding some simple 10mm ones looked way better

levorg- spacers rear.jpg
 

lerroy

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Jun 27, 2023
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170
Location
Wanaka NZ
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VMG (A) Levorg
.... Cont

I decided to try some hub centric 15mm ones to see how they go and i was really happy with the results, make the car look much tougher.

The 15mm will give me a +40 offset
As you can see the stock nuts stick out a fair bit and I was worried they would not let the wheel sit flush, luckily though the STI rims have some deepish recesses to accommodate and it seems fine

Have ordered another pair and will try and organise a Cert for them in Dunedin, when i go down for work July.


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lerroy

Active Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2023
Messages
170
Location
Wanaka NZ
Vehicle(s)
VMG (A) Levorg
Jealous of the wheel spacers. Definitely makes it look much better!

Unfortunately after more research I'm gonna have to remove. nz regulations around them to tight.. To get certified I have to lock car of from any future modifications.

Will be looking for better offset rims :(
 

charlie_ching

Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2023
Messages
44
Vehicle(s)
Levorg
Ahh that sucks. I like my sti rims, but they sit in too much. Spacers are illegal in Aussie. So I'll prolly end up going the TE37 route eventually
 

lerroy

Active Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2023
Messages
170
Location
Wanaka NZ
Vehicle(s)
VMG (A) Levorg
Few more additions for weekend.

STI Valve caps (Japan parts)
STI Radiator cap
Cusco brake stopper
STI Security nuts (marketplace)

levorgjune-1000.jpg

Was pretty stoked with STI lug nuts, I've had them on wish list but couldn't warrant the cost, found these second hand on trade-me for a steal.
They are nice nuts, spline and security nut in a nice case. I don't know if ide pay full price for them though unless you are collecting everything STI (which it does seem i currently am)

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STI Radiator cap, good for 5hp gain for sure ;)


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How many STI logos can i fit in once space :)

levorgjune-1002.jpg

Cusco brake stopper braces the master brake cylinder to stop flex on the firewall. I used to have one on my old integra back in the day and it does help, under heavy braking feels less spongey.

Bit fiddley to install but not that hard.

levorgjune-1007.jpg
 
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