Hi guys, my name is Joshua, I am from Orlando, Fl and this is my dc5 project build thread.. Wasnt planning on doing one but my good friend Xul from XMP (Xul Mechanics and Performance) explained how important it is to have one when putting all the work we've put into the car. Well as everyone else, it all starts with the purchase of the vehicle. I bought my 04 A-Spec edition precisely back in November 17 2013. It has been through many different styles as you will see in pictures below..



First time driving it, felt like heaven. Thats when I knew that this would be my favorite car.





By then I had already done a few mods, F&F Coilovers, Saleen 18x9 wheels, fogs, etc... Basic mods.





By this time I was already switching the look up to 06 front, TE37 Reps (Rotas), KPro, etc.<br/>





Here it had just gotten fully painted and all body dents fixed. Along with new wheel set up.





This is when I decided I wanted to be part of the whole stance game, got some 18x10.5 -3 Es6 and did some playing with the fitment til I got it to where I wanted it. As any other car-head, got bored quick.





Then I heard of this new product called Kandy Pearls, so I decided to give it a try. Changing the look of the car entirely.





And last after removing the wrap, my paint got destroyed. But luckily I was already starting the whole RHD build so I really didnt care since I was going to re-do the whole car entirely. This is where it all starts..

 

After I did the Kandy Pearls Wrap, I found a clean pair of Dc5 Blue Recaro seats at a local jdm shop (jdmflorida.com) that I could not let slip through my hands.



It was like a little piece of heaven just waiting to be purchased. So I negotiated with the price til I got em around the price I wanted and made my move.





Didnt waste any time to put em in the car, and I loved the way they felt and looked.

 

I kept coming back to JDM Florida to look for other parts, until one day they tell me the have the full clip from which the seats came out of. So took a look at it, and after a little bit of thinking and arguing with my girlfriend lol I said I have to do it.. So I went ahead and bought it.



It was complete, mint, but more importantly BLUE, My favorite color.





The fenders and front bumper had already been sold but that didnt stop me from buying it as it had everything else, Including doors.





So we wrapped it up and brought it to the shop.

 

Then the tear down began. Fully stripped the entire car. Prepping it for the rhd conversion, etc.



Here I had started taking off the interior pieces.





Sad picture to look at, but it all had to be done since I wanted to do the car from the ground up.





Engine bay was 80% stripped, etc.








Firewall fully gutted, and ready to be cut.

 

After countless hours of stripping and prepping the firewall was finally cut and replaced. We ran into many issues as any other build would, but the biggest one was the Windshield Plate. For all those planning a rhd conversion on a dc5, hit me up to explain how to go about it unless you want to order an original Dc5R winshield from japan.



So after another shop almost made me loose the car because they claimed they knew what they were doing, I brought it back to XMP to do everything there. You can admire some of their insane builds in the background.





RHD firewall was already in, and ready to be welded into place. At this point I was seriously thinking I was never going to be able to drive the car again.. But I was wrong.





Here I got caught applying Seam Sealer to the inside part of the firewall to prevent leaks, and fully seal the weld.





Then we mocked up the dash to make sure it all fits, and everything fit perfectly. So we were ready to advance into the next step.





We prepped and Semi-Shaved the engine bay. Idk why I dont like the fully shaved bay, it looks fake lol.. But thats just me.





Here is the man that has made all of this become reality. Xul without a doubt one of the best at his line of work, caught doing the brake tuck.





Then we have the engine bay, after putting most things in. Just admire that brake tuck! Only one in the US. And Yes, Wipers were removed. Color is Paradise Blue Green Pearl, thats why it looks blue in some pics, and green in others. But, see what I mean, even though its not fully shaved it looks great!





Here caught the man again, this time wiring up the dash, making sure everything works the way it should.

 

so much work and money to just drive the car from the other seat.....

 

Well most people spend money on stupid things.. This is what makes me happy so, I dont mind it.

 

I say its your money; do what pleases you. I may not be into the RHD swap option, but I can admire the work involved.

 

Thank you sir, I will be posting more updates soon.

 

not into stance, but pretty cool to see it happen on a newer car

 

Oh no, Im over the whole stance thing. I have some 17x10 rpf1 with 285/40 Nitto NT555 that Im putting in the car along with the wide body.

 

Bought a K24a2 with only 46k Miles from a local collision center. Got it prepped and ready to be put in along with a brand new Exedy Stage 3 clutch with exedy 8lb flywheel. Brand new RBC from honda, Brand new Skunk2 Alpha Header, ktuned tb adapter plate, skunk2 70mm TB, ktuned fuel rail, aeromotive FPR, All fuel lines brand new, ID1000cc Injectors, and a couple other things that Im missing..



Engine is in with no components, but looking really good. No issues found at this point.





Made a trip to Honda to purchase the oem RBC IM, along with a new Nardi Torino, black suede with blue stitching to match the interior, and my Skunk2 Mega Power RR Exhaust came in.





Most components in already, coming together nicely.





Skunk2 70mm Tb, along with the ktuned tb adapter plate.





Another package came in the mail, the skunk2 alpha header. Cant wait to put this on.





Installation was easy and clearance was good. Read that the sway bar was going to be a problem but it went right in, no problems.





Starting to look like a car again lol xD





Here got caught doing hoonigan shenanigans lol Mugen bumper finally came in. Didnt have a truck at the moment





Test fitting the bumper, and fitment was good at this point..





Then had some clearance issues with the headlights as this is not an original mugen but a rep (VIS) But the guys at XMP made sure fitment was perfect.





After almost 3 weeks searching for fenders found a pair lol 1hr and 30min away but it was worth the drive for $120 cant beat it.





Car is pretty much complete at this point. Scored a nice set of RPF1 with 285/40 Nitto NT555s for a great price. Sad part is that theyre too big for the car, but no worries. Body will be pulled and plated to create an OEM style wider body. To properly fit these monsters. And yes the car will have AC, but no Power Steering. Planning on boosting down the road.

As of now, My Wire-Worx harness just got done this week, so its just a matter of time to start the car. Then its off to paint and all the body work is gonna get done. I will upload more pics as progress is achieved.

 

Looks like a good start on the build, will be watching for more.

 

Nice man!

 

Ill be posting more updates this week hopefully

 

i respect that. good luck with your build, seems to be coming along nicely.

 

Curious to see this wide body.

 

nice k24 dude, im sure the fun will be worth your money.

 

"mugen"

 

Thank you sir, much appreciated

 

Itll be pretty much something similar to this, but not as wide. So itll still look OEM, just about 20mm wider.

 

Yes most definitely. Cant wait for start up day. Ill be posting more updates soon

 

Uh, Wanna-be I did state it was a VIS Rep, so Idk why you got your **** all excited for. But still payed my thread a visit and took your time to read. So Thanks

 

Enjoying a cold one while we get the car prepped for engine harness install. We're just days away from first start up.



Salud!

 

If he was referring that part being fake. People need to realize that sooner or later. Every part will be replica cause everything is becoming unavailable.