Dropped it off to get the front springs installed.
Bunch of Subie guys work at the local Tire Mart and they know what's up. Should have the car back by lunch.

:tup:

I agree, Alchemy. Your car looks hawwwwwt. And your HDR photos rock. Hey, if you don't mind me asking, tips for shooting HDR? Isn't it just merely taking at LEAST 3 shots via a tripod? one low exposure, one high exposure, and one normal? Then just blend into one? What software do you use to blend? I have a D60 fyi...

Just got done ordering my NEW personalized plates! Won't tell anyone what it is yet ;) Will post a pic once I get it. I tend to change plates every year if I get bored with them.


Also, I went to a larger meet in Iowa City on Saturday. Was finally nice to go to a meet where it wasn't all import haters and big block and old school folks. It was refreshing. Had about 50 or so cars, even an Elise. Met some cool folks, but the downside was there were a lot of "ricers" and others that were just cocky haters in general... then their cars were POS's anyways?!?!?! :icon14: sheeesh. Sad. Anyways, the coolest car there I thought was my buddy's SC'd Honda Prelude... super clean install. Pics below, more pics in my album:
http://www.the370z.com/members/fromg...-7-9-2011.html

Of course my car first :D btw, friends were giving my crap because after I got my car clear bra'd, I STILL put blue tape, followed by the leather OEM bra up top for high way drives :bowrofl: I told them I am all show and no go :p

btw: photos are unedited, via D60. Forgive the crappiness if they are bad :(

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...1/DSC_1588.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...1/DSC_1586.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...1/DSC_1590.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...1/DSC_1593.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...1/DSC_1594.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...1/DSC_1595.jpg

Sorry to jump in, but I hope this helps.

I'm not sure if the D60 is capable, but the easiest way is to use the bracketing function on your camera to take multiple shots at different exposures, you can do up to 5 for HDR but 3 is ok. Use a remote trigger. Any movement will cause blurry areas. You can manually adjust the exposure after every shot, but you do risk moving the camera ever so slightly which could ruin your HDR shot. Photomatix is a good program and relatively inexpensive. Give the trial a shot, it is fully functional, but leaves a watermark on the image when you print. The newer versions of Photoshop have a pretty good HDR plug-in also but PS is pretty pricey.

Photomatix Website

Beginners Guide to HDR

^ thank you very much!!!! I will research ;)

Thanks!! Although those shots are not HDR :) I dont have any HDR software. I want some though!

I am a digital newbie. What is HDR?

It stands for High Dynamic Range. Here is an example, its Boost Lee's car, another member. Beautiful shot.
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...1310401780.jpg

High dynamic range (HDR) imaging is a more accurate representation of light intensity you would normaly see in real life. You can however, exaggerate those values to give it a surreal effect. Some iPhone apps can "fake it" with a single photo, but you need at least 3 exposures to capture a true HDR.

Cool. Thanks. I have given each of you a rep point.

Just ordered this today

Photo

Are you the anti-Stig?

I know. I like bringing happiness to you guys.

So if it's not HDR, did you just play with the exposures and filters on the camera/editing software? Very nice either way!

Drove the Z to the dentist, I love this car. :)

I know the feeling. I also love going to the dentist myself. Always some hot women there leaning over ya.:tup:

Lol yeah its just a super simple edit.

Finally installed my K&N's. Drove to work. Love this car!

Sorry to hear. but at least you did not crash the car due to fatigue. Would've been more than wat polishing can fix. :D

G2Z- looks like fun. :D. Wow, clean Gen5 lude. I had one long time ago...98' was a great car of its time.

Picked her up from the shop after throwing in the towel on some stubborn bolts on the front control arms that prevented me from completing my spring install. Here she is with a slightly lower stance on Swift springs and H&R spacers:

http://www.the370z.com/members/lunaz...adjustment.jpg

Powdercoated calipers by Mike. I went with a factory tweaked look:

http://www.the370z.com/members/lunaz...65-caliper.jpg http://www.the370z.com/members/lunaz...64-caliper.jpg

Not visible in the pictures are stainless steel brake lines and a fresh supply of ATE Super Blue brake fluid.

looks good, luna! :tup:

Looks good Luna. I did my Swifts Saturday. I love them. Actually just walked in the door from puttin her thru some good twisties for the first time. They are amazing. Love the calipers too, wish mine were red.

Looks great. Props.

I went with the Ate Superblue and Goodridge SS lines -- one of the best upgrades I have made. Nice work on all else too. +1 rep for you.

The best thing to look forward to at the dentist without a doubt. If you are lucky, she might have a nice set that is up against you the entire time. :yum:


Your car is beautiful, the drop looks fantastic. Shame that you ran into some trouble with the install, at least you didn't have to get it towed! How do you like the change in the ride and handling?

Nice Alchemy! Another happy Swift owner, the change they make is amazing for a set of springs. It makes the Z feel much lighter on its feet and the car's balance is much more neutral.

Thanks a lot!!! :tiphat:
I've only had the chance to take a short kenchan so far, but I can tell right away the car feels a lot more stable and the turn-in is noticeably quicker and more precise. It definitely feels a bit firmer over bumps, but not in a way that's annoying like other cars I've lowered in the past.
More time and miles will tell for sure, but I'm thinking I'm going to be very satisfied overall.

Thats one thing I have noticed most about the Swifts, turn in. The car feels very direct as soon as you turn that wheel.

Yeah I wish I took a shot of the engine bay. You could have eaten off that thing.


Luna... gorgeous car bro.

So did you have the calipers colored red just like the 40th calipers? I also like your rotors. What type are those?

As for the swift springs, those look great. So all you changed are the springs, then left the OEM shocks? Any foreseeable issue with this? Or is it perfectly acceptable to run aftermarket springs with stock shocks?

I heard that the Swift springs were designed & tested and therefore optimized on the Nismo, which does use different shocks than Sport version. However, there any many forum members with Sport that have these installed without any issues and have given great reviews. As for any potential long term issues, I don't know. Worst case is that the shocks don't last as long as they would on stock springs.

Thanks man!
Yup, the inspiration for the caliper colour was the 40th... that, and I just think sports cars should have red brakes. Not that there's anything wrong with colour matched calipers like on a lime green Lamborghini Superleggara ;)
With aftermarket lowering springs on stock shocks, the main issue is springs that are too low and cause the shock piston to work outside of its normal stroke range and bottom out. The Swift springs have a conservative drop and I don't think they'll be an issue. Time will tell.

Lunaz- take it to the bumpiest of roads aka railroad crossing and let us know how it differs from stock. Most often spring only setups are okay on smooth surfaces but not at the extremes. May be swift mastered this? :D

I live in Pennsylvania... even the smoothest interstate is like a railroad crossing. :roflpuke2:

Used my newly purchased Mity Vac to bleed my brakes this morning.
Where have you been all my life, Mity Vac?!?!? I can't believe I've waited this long to buy one for my garage.
As I suspected, there was some air in my system after swapping out the calipers and lines. All better now. :tup:

:icon18: lol!

mity vac sounds like a worthy investment. :tup:

Which one did you get. I am sick of the three person brake bleeding experiences.

needed to fix my post cause i was thinking luna bought the MightyVac as in vacuum cleaner. lol :D

as for mity vac im using the hand pump extractor (vacs liquid from the caliper) and their replenish bottle made for nissans. :) i wasn't too fond of the push type where you pressurize the brake fluid reserve.

woot, vendor mentioned my Mine's is scheduled to ship soon. :p cant wait. :yum:

:tup:

Dropped off my HKS Hi Power exhaust and Z1 TPs to be installed.. I get the Z back after work!