Daniel's Sky-on, so far.

[punk2m1d]

The hood. Hence, photoshop. Oh the trickeries of photography. The gold calipers look great IMO, I thinkl I'll paint those soon, in real life.

[CadenceScion]

After looking over all your pictures and the mods you want, I have to say you've done a beautiful job on your tC. Although I have a few opinions I'd like to express. I like the custom painted engine cover, but it doesn't match your car or the theme. Secondly, if I was you, I would do a blue or purple LED in your dome lights. Thirdly, I would have decline on the coilovers. Coil overs IMO are more for racing/autocross applications, and most people I have talked say they don't care for the ride quality, rather bouncy. I would rather see you go with a reliable aftermarket strut/shock like (KYB, Tokico, TRD) for ex.

I would try to keep your theme all the same inside and out. Now you spoke of having an auto transmission, you could convert that over to a manual and then you'll have the option to beef up the tranny to take on the forced induction.

[CadenceScion]

This is a list of what I want. Kinda want show and go. Any opinions and/or testamony is awesome. Also, I think I will repaint the engine cover to match the interior. With that, I wanted to get LEDs in my dome light, but don't know if I should go with purple to match the dash lights, or blue to match the paint...

Engine
NRG Pullies
Weapon-R Header w/S-Pipe
Midpipe
Camshafts
Forced Induction
Blue Hoses

Suspension
Coilovers
Progress Rear Sway Bar
DC Front Strut Bar
C-Pillar Bar

Exterior
Tinted Taillights
Tinted Full 3rd Brake Light
S2000 Antenna
Tinted Mirror Signals (White)
Blue LEDs in Headlights
Painted Calipers

Interior
Racing Seats (blue accents)
Harness/Harness Bar
LEDs
NRG Short Hub
NRG Quick Release
Racing Steering Wheel (blue accents)

Another Note:

C-Pillar Bars will interfere with your Air Bags and will void the cars warranty. I would only buy a c-pillar bar if your strictly racing and racing only. I already looked into this when I bought my o6 Scion tC, and found out its more trouble than what's its worth.

[navylife59]

Hey Punk, id you ever do anything to that OEM header? Just curious.

[punk2m1d]

I've scrapped the c-pillar idea. I've changed my cubby light and dome lights to purple, to match the gauges. I painted the gauges cluster blue to match the waterfall and outside of car. I painted my +battery terminal cover and fuse box the same blue as the interior stuff. I blacked out my rear Scion badge.

I have yet to do anything with my oem headers. I'm waiting for a new job to pick up, down here in LA, so I can afford to jet coat it, or purchase the weapon-R.

I am in the process of joining a scion team down here. Team Sciontific. A lot of them are show before go, but I have opposite plans. With that said, I do want my car to match their styling marks (while still being able to beat them on a strip or track ) Another problem is time.

This is my DD, so I don't really have the time to remove my wheels, clean and prep the calipers, paint them, then put them back on.

[CadenceScion]

I'm liking the changes you've made and your going in the right direction. Now you spoke of wanting to have the brake cailpers painted and what not, but your free time is limited. You do have another option and one I am considering with my tC, and that is powder-coating. Powder coating over painting the brake cailpers is simply this: lasts longer, can withstand more abuse/heat, won't fade, crack, rust or wear off. Plus I feel it will give a whole cleaner look and be great for carshows.

[navylife59]

The trick with Power Coating is all in the cleaning. The cleaner the metal, the more resilient the coating will be. PC can and will crack and flake if the metal was not clean enough, too much clamping pressure, or the coating was put on too thick. To do your calipers in PC would require having them removed, disassembled, cleaned, then coated. That means you will have to purchase a caliper rebuild kit (front/back) from the Dealership. They are fairly inexpensive and rather easy to rebuild but does take some mechanical skill.

I had planned on PC my calipers, but found that the DupliColor spray paint caliper kit was easier and very resilient. The brush on type did not last long so only use a spray type. This method does not require disassembly of the calipers and if you are careful enough, can be done with them still on the car. That is, if you can get them cleaned.

[CadenceScion]

Navy makes a very good point with this post. I see so many people painting their brake cailpers right on the vehicle. Not saying it doesn't look good or doesn't last, but I have seen some poor paint jobs and paint that cracked/flaked off due to poor prep work. I myself don't mind having to buy a rebuild kit or taking the calipers off to have the job done. I am just looking for something that will catch the eye and be more professional looking. I just wouldn't attempt powder coating on yourt own, have a professional do the job. There is also more and more people having their headers and plenums powder coated as well. Just a suggestion and something worth looking into.

[punk2m1d]

Thank you both for your suggestions and encouragement. I just got hired at a new job today, so soon I'll have some money to put into my car again. That's why I've been doing the simple, DIY, mods lately.

[navylife59]

You can actually send your calipers and rotors off to have them professionally ceramic coated for even tougher finish.

[punk2m1d]

I made a small list of things tht I am unsure about as far as performance is concerned. Do any of these things actually help the car?

Grounding kit, Electric fan, "Performance" radiator, Air diversion pannels, and spark plugs.

[CadenceScion]

I made a small list of things tht I am unsure about as far as performance is concerned. Do any of these things actually help the car?

Grounding kit, Electric fan, "Performance" radiator, Air diversion pannels, and spark plugs.

The grounding kit from what I have heard from other Scion owners does nothing. Electric Fan isn't necessary since we have one our cars and runs fine as is. Air Diversion panels, actually help to channel more air into the radiator and make for a great engine dress up piece (Greddy, Dr.Isotopes). Spark Plugs can help as well, but I don't see this being necessary, our engines come stock with NGK Platinium's. You could go with a hotter or colder plug, or step up to a double/triple platinum or iridium. A Performance Radiator isn't necessary either unless your building a race car, not needed for a daily driver. Throw a bottle of Redline Water Wetter in.

[navylife59]

I run the stock radiator with the TRD S/C thermostat, JDM 1.3KpA radiator cap, Toyota 50/50, and Redline Water Wetter. My car runs cooler than stock all of the time. I do have an oil cooler which helps with the oil temps. The power steering cooler only serves to cool the power steering fluid. All the while I am running 15PSI with no intercooler.

The radiator diversion panels on our cars is just for show. Much like the coilovers, LW wheels, low-profile tires, and CAI; there already is an airflow diversion setup already in place. Look at the rubber seals on the front of the hood and the two plastic side panels by the radiator.

[punk2m1d]

the CAI is just for show?

[CadenceScion]

I believe that Navy said that the air diversion panels and the coil-overs are for show, not the CAI.

[punk2m1d]

The radiator diversion panels on our cars is just for show. Much like the coilovers, LW wheels, low-profile tires, and CAI;.

I dunno, sounds like he's sayin the CAI is for show...

Either way, I'm for sure saving my money for useful items. I think headers, then cams. Eh?

[CadenceScion]

I can't really speak for Navy, but I am pretty sure me may have mispoke. Have you considered snagging one of those hoods from ScionPro.com? The header and cam shaft sounds sick, sounds like your going all out on your baby.

[punk2m1d]

The hood is the best lookin hood i've seen for a tC, but it's out of my price range for now. Once my income gets back to where I have fun money, I'll for sure be spending some time with my car. You think the next level upgrade of the cams would be fine for my car to be used a DD and to blow people off the line? Would I need additional supporting mods?

[CadenceScion]

The camshaft will help out a ton with HP/torque, but not sure how it will affect your gas mileage or off the line launch. Are you going forced induction and have you done an intake, header and exhaust? If you do go forced induction, I would upgrade the injectors, and fuel pump. Have you done your pulley? The only other thing I can think of that would help you is having a machine shop do port/polish. I know that there are upgraded pistons available as well. If you have a manual tranny, you may want to consider upgrading the flywheel to a lighter weight one and a semi-racing clutch.

[punk2m1d]

This car will probably stay n/a. I don't have the pulley yet. I've heard that it's a great power/weight reduction mod, and I've also heard it's worthless. So I dunno... I have a CAI and exhaust. Prolly header 1st, to free up the breathing, then cam and/or pulley?