Lerroy's 2014 JDM VMG (NZ)

[lerroy]

I took car on the track last week, they have a 'breakfast and laps' event here every month $50 at highlands track Cromwell. It is billed as a "tour of the track" but we got up to around 160+kmh, got to really test the car for 2 laps. Super happy with how she handled and kept up with some quicker cars. I did try to film but my camera mount failed me, vibrated the power button and turned off .
I will defiantly go again so stay tuned.

After doing the swaybar and seeing the dirty looking exhaust, felt I could make it look a bit better, grabbed some cleaning products and polishes and used 000 mesh. Was pretty hard work, but came up pretty nice. Really want to do mid pipe but PITA to get to with just jack stands, one day.







Now gotta do the right side

Scored a Levorg STI speedo from Be-forward that had 1500km more than my current milage, had a scratch on the plastic cover so negotiated with seller and got a little bit off. I just swapped my current cover with the the STI one and no scratch



Have been waiting to install when milage became close or even exactly the same. I caved and installed today, was a few hundred km more, but close enough.

Bit of an indulgence, the only difference is the blue lights are now red and it has a glowing STI log on the Rev gauge. I was kind of hoping for a different animation or welcome screen but same as the GTS.



My interior now is all matchy red, will put a night photo up when I get a chance.

Probably should have just saved on all these parts and got an STI but fun researching / installing parts

 

[lerroy]

Couple of updates this week

Sold my old STI wheels so free'd up some funds for other bits

Received CARGO STEP PANEL with Faux carbon look from japanparts

Car gets used most weekends shuffling bikes and other bits for the family, every time a bike goes in I cringe in fear of the rear step panel. finally got one of these protectors to cover it, goes with the other faux carbon bits. Comes with 3M tape on the back make sure you get in correct position mines ever so slightly off but good enough.



Also got some STI DOOR INNER PROTECTOR (STSG18100521) from japanparts

These stick on to the door cards to protect from scratches, same look as what's under my door handle carbon look. make sure you clean the surface so stick properly ones of mine wasn't going down that well so took a hair dryer to it








Picked up a Dragy GPS timer as well last week. Have been doing some testing my first few runs was a bit disappointing.
The dragy wasn't mounted correctly, but even so times were way over what i was expecting. what ever mode I was in.
Best I could get was a 7.4 0-60 was hoping to at least crack into 6 second mark.

This was traction on (tried off as well), S# (tried others slower) no air con and launch mode used.

Please note these all done on private roads



I felt a bit gutted what was wrong with my car ?
I did a bit more research see if I was doing anything wrong but seemed all ok.

So my car maybe not running as well as it should. my annoyance turned to semi happy, now i have work to do and something to chase.

Car has just had a basic service but decided I would try and clean MAF sensor and ordered some new spark plug as well (will install later).

Mass Air flow sensor is on the intake piping I carefully removed and then sprayed the sensor insides and left to dry. Reinstalled and started car all seemed good.



I adjusted tyre pressure bit lower to 34/35 ( was on around 38-39 from when wheels done)
Mounted dragy correctly

I took car out again to see if had any effect.
First run in I mode was about the same 7.2

I then tried in S# again, TC off, launch

Was pleasantly surprised, was able to get into the 6 seconds with a 6.74 for 0-60 and 14.75 1/4




So I still think she has more in her, there are others on here around 6.4 or less with mild mods.

I'm gonna try 98 fuel (yes I know should be 98 all the time but NZ fuel is exy as)

 

[Robsyuk]

Try doing this. It made a huge difference on mine

Robsyuk 2018 Levorg Sti

Now at 93k and getting ready for having all the fluids changed. I've replaced the spark plugs, cleaned the intercooler with white spirits, carb cleaner in the throttle body and all breather pipes. I went to change the pcv valve and annoying ordered the wrong one. * The Ebay page said it was...

levorgclub.com

 

[lerroy]

Try doing this. It made a huge difference on mine

Robsyuk 2018 Levorg Sti

Now at 93k and getting ready for having all the fluids changed. I've replaced the spark plugs, cleaned the intercooler with white spirits, carb cleaner in the throttle body and all breather pipes. I went to change the pcv valve and annoying ordered the wrong one. * The Ebay page said it was...

levorgclub.com

Thanks man so just to confirm

• PCV valve replace / clean - Will Replace ( Part No. 11810AA141 ) Steps here to change
• Throttle body and breathers EGR carb cleaner
• MAP sensor / Manifold ambient pressure sensor part no. 22012AA240 (will check condition not cheap) or Clean with MAF cleaner
• Spark plug NGK Spark plugs ( part no. ILKAR8H6 ) Guide here
• Intercooler fins ( checked mine today pretty good)

 

[Robsyuk]

Thanks man so just to confirm

pcv valve replace / clean
Throttle body and breathers carb cleaner
Spark plugs
Intercooler fins ( checked mine today pretty good)

The fins was more of a cosmetic thing for me.

 

[leonyy]

Take your car to a local dyno and see if your cars power/torqur match other levorgs.

 

[lerroy]

Take your car to a local dyno and see if your cars power/torqur match other levorgs.

Ide love to, have been searching around for dyno and tune but none in my local area 4-5 hour drive and not cheap.

Always good idea to do some maintenance anyway. The dragy seems likea pretty good tool to see results as well.

 

[lerroy]

Maintenance day

• PCV Replace ( Part No. 11810AA141 ) Steps here to change
• Throttle body and breathers EGR carb cleaner
• MAP sensor and EGR Clean with MAF cleaner
• Spark plug NGK Spark plugs ( part no. ILKAR8H6 ) Guide her

Found some shipped from AU cheaper than Repco by quite allot you can get them here arrived pretty quick as well - https://www.sparkplugsdirect.com.au/

Spark plugs are a bit of a pain, removed Intake airbnox, ECU on drivers side and Battery on the passenger side to access the plugs.

fiddly to get to, elbow joint socket set is a must. Unfortunately when I removed the plugs there is a bit a oil on every plug on outer, might be sign of rocker cover seals or something worse.

Have ordered valve cover gasket set for each side to get on top of it. Will be another fiddley job

Right side link NZ Repco
Left side link NZ Repco





Removed intercooler and cleaned throttle body (not that bad) EGR pretty gunked up and the MAP sensor.




Replaced the PCV valve still had a rattle so likely all ok but was there anyway.




put all back together, man the intercooler is a pain. Started her up no engine lights slight bit of smoke let her idle for 5 mins and it all settled down. took for a test drive car feels good cant say made a huge difference but happy I've done the maintenance. Will test with Dragy soon.

In other maintenance news. My air con has been playing up it has been to mechanics last year as the cold just shuts off and stops. only way to fix is turn off and on again, it will sometimes come back on but sometimes not just normal air not cold. They have re-gassed and fixed seals but now its got hot im using more and its still doing it
I have replaced the air con relay in the fuse box found a 35amp 14v 4 plug relay on jay car and will give a try. quick drive seemed promising but generally happens over longer trips.


Also got a red STI starter button cap from Aliexpress, came with a tool to remove old black one and worked a treat i painted the chrome surround black. Much cheaper option than the OEM starter, couldn't warrant the couple of hundred.

 

[tom397]

Wow thanks for the maintenance walk throughs mate. I just bought the same spark plugs on black friday at repco for $60 each down from $80 but good to know for next time! Will add some of these to my ever growing maintenance list coming up. Dragy GPS looks interesting, might look at getting on myself. Cheers

 

[lerroy]

Updates on improvements after the maintenance

Well car feels much better after all the service work done, I have yet to replace the rocker cover gaskets, as I know its going to be a PITA. I'll wait till its a bit cooler.

Was good to visualise what the servicing has done to the car, with the dragy. I did another quick run with the dragy on same secure road and the car improved quite a bit, from 6.74 to 6.44 and a better quarter mile time. Unfortunately as you can see the in graph i backed off before 1/4 mile end as i was getting to the end of my friends private drive



I'll have a another go and try some 98 Ron fuel



Have been enjoying the car and making most of warm weather in the South island. Took the car on a few road trips to the west coast and Catlins and took her over 90k km now.
The car really impressed me off the road, and in the loose stones.
The exit back to the road from the beach at Jacksons bay got blocked by a campervan, he thought it would be a good idea to drive on the beach with 2wd and bald tyres weighing like 4 tonnes. We spent hours trying to dig him out and some locals came and successfully helped pull him out. only problem was the sandy entrance to beach was now all rutted and huge holes with loose sand.
I planted it and rode through the really soft stuff and the AWD didn't miss a beat, was well chuffed the Hilux with winch on standby was even more shocked.










The rear really collets the dust as well and the wheels

 

[jarocki]

Some stunning photos there in fairness. What scenery!!!

 

[lerroy]

Did another "breakfast laps" at highlands motorsport in Cromwell last Sunday.

Highly recommend if anyone is local $50 and you get a couple of brisk laps behind pace car and a nice breakfast.

The first time I did it I had a quick group, but last weekend had a slower one. still but was fun to push hard into corners, just to see how grip there is.

 

[lucavolta]

I took car on the track last week, they have a 'breakfast and laps' event here every month $50 at highlands track Cromwell. It is billed as a "tour of the track" but we got up to around 160+kmh, got to really test the car for 2 laps. Super happy with how she handled and kept up with some quicker cars. I did try to film but my camera mount failed me, vibrated the power button and turned off .
I will defiantly go again so stay tuned.

After doing the swaybar and seeing the dirty looking exhaust, felt I could make it look a bit better, grabbed some cleaning products and polishes and used 000 mesh. Was pretty hard work, but came up pretty nice. Really want to do mid pipe but PITA to get to with just jack stands, one day.

View attachment 2552View attachment 2553View attachment 2554

View attachment 2557View attachment 2561

View attachment 2558

Now gotta do the right side

Scored a Levorg STI speedo from Be-forward that had 1500km more than my current milage, had a scratch on the plastic cover so negotiated with seller and got a little bit off. I just swapped my current cover with the the STI one and no scratch

View attachment 2559

Have been waiting to install when milage became close or even exactly the same. I caved and installed today, was a few hundred km more, but close enough.

Bit of an indulgence, the only difference is the blue lights are now red and it has a glowing STI log on the Rev gauge. I was kind of hoping for a different animation or welcome screen but same as the GTS.

View attachment 2560

My interior now is all matchy red, will put a night photo up when I get a chance.

Probably should have just saved on all these parts and got an STI but fun researching / installing parts

Hi mate, is the STI Cluster Plug and Play on the GTS?

 

[lerroy]

Hi mate, is the STI Cluster Plug and Play on the GTS?

Hey @lucavolta

Sure is, exact same connections and easy swap. GTS / VM4 (1.6) and STI all the same
Mine was from Japan so just had to change the language
keep in mine the milage is stored in the cluster

 

[le_vorg_007]

more upgrades to interior, almost all silver is gone now

• 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

View attachment 1971

View attachment 1972

View attachment 1973

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

Loving your build man...

Want to do the same thing with silver strip on the piano dash, want to turn it red... How did you go about it exactly? And can you share what you used pls.

Also, what red strip did you put in the door cards? Looks awesome!

 

[lerroy]

Loving your build man...

Want to do the same thing with silver strip on the piano dash, want to turn it red... How did you go about it exactly? And can you share what you used pls.

Also, what red strip did you put in the door cards? Looks awesome!

Thanks appreciate that.

Ok couple of options on interior trim.

First option
I took the stock plastic trim and removed it from dash, pop clips.
mine was already piano black but with a silver strip in the center. I wanted red.
The centre strip is held on with pop tabs and some plastic welds.
I had to kind of snap the plastic welds off the back and then I could use pop the tabs to remove centre strip from the black surround
I then spray painted this a dark red to match the rest and reinstalled.
In my haste I ended up cracking the centre plastic so was annoyed, although it went back together i couldnt unsee the crack.

Second option
Source the correct part from wreckers / yahoo Japan or buy new from Japanparts
I was able to get one second hand from yahoo Japan via a friend over there.

Here are some links to new from Japan parts

Piano black BORDEAUX - Here
Carbon Black - BORDEAUX - Here



As for the door cards i used Vinyl tape.

This is the first time I've used but worked really well and it still holding up. Applied. heated up with heatgun and used a plastic tool to wrap around.

I got from amazon here

Burgundy 1/2" x 150ft heaps of leftovers

Best of luck

 

[lucavolta]

Hey @lucavolta

Sure is, exact same connections and easy swap. GTS / VM4 (1.6) and STI all the same
Mine was from Japan so just had to change the language
keep in mine the milage is stored in the cluster

Sounds very good, i'll have a look for a new cluster
Many thanks man

 

[le_vorg_007]

Thanks appreciate that.

Ok couple of options on interior trim.

First option
I took the stock plastic trim and removed it from dash, pop clips.
mine was already piano black but with a silver strip in the center. I wanted red.
The centre strip is held on with pop tabs and some plastic welds.
I had to kind of snap the plastic welds off the back and then I could use pop the tabs to remove centre strip from the black surround
I then spray painted this a dark red to match the rest and reinstalled.
In my haste I ended up cracking the centre plastic so was annoyed, although it went back together i couldnt unsee the crack.

Second option
Source the correct part from wreckers / yahoo Japan or buy new from Japanparts
I was able to get one second hand from yahoo Japan via a friend over there.

Here are some links to new from Japan parts

Piano black BORDEAUX - Here
Carbon Black - BORDEAUX - Here



As for the door cards i used Vinyl tape.

This is the first time I've used but worked really well and it still holding up. Applied. heated up with heatgun and used a plastic tool to wrap around.

I got from amazon here

Burgundy 1/2" x 150ft heaps of leftovers

Best of luck

Got so many questions on how you did things lol... Like for example the boot chrome bit, how did you remove it? Want to paint that black as well!

I guess I'll do things slowly...

 

[lerroy]

Got so many questions on how you did things lol... Like for example the boot chrome bit, how did you remove it? Want to paint that black as well!

I guess I'll do things slowly...

No problems here to help where I can. I feel you, hated the chrome look.

its a bit of a pain to remove honestly and i dont have better photos sorry but...

You have to remove all the plastic trim from the boot door inside.
Unplug the cables for the number plate light and reverse camera
Then there are 4 nuts circled in red that you need to remove see image below
now you can remove the whole piece that circled in blue, its pretty tight and a pain as its secured with pop clips.

once that piece is off the car you should be able to work out how to remove the chrome.

 

[lucavolta]

Hey @lucavolta

Sure is, exact same connections and easy swap. GTS / VM4 (1.6) and STI all the same
Mine was from Japan so just had to change the language
keep in mine the milage is stored in the cluster

Do you remember if the speed unit (mph or kph) change when you swap the cluster? It's the same as the unit on the MFD that change when you plug in?