Symphorced's EP3

[Norm]

oh wow! The rims are look beasty!

Norm

[Symphorced]

After getting bored of the RPF1s after about a week of having them on, I started looking for a new set of wheels. A friend suggested I look into sourcing brand new as I was quite specific about the specs I was after and I was really keen on getting a set of RE30s. With little commitment to it (as I thought the price would have been way out off reach), I emailed Jesse Streeter on a quote for RE30s in 17x9 +35 and 17x8.5 +30. The reply I got was that the x9 +35 had been discontinued and the 8.5 +30 can be ordered but would take approximately 4 months. A little disheartened but not defeated, I then asked for CE28ns in the same specs. Same reply - x9 +35 discontinued and the 8.5 +30 would take months to be ready. Not swayed by the answer, I remembered a couple of months back that my friend had mentioned a local automotive workshop had a set of CE28ns for sale in 17x9 +35 and 17x8 +32. I had dismissed the comment earlier as I had no use for the thinner pair, but now I decided seeing as the x9 +35s had been discontinued it was an opportunity I couldn't turn down. So I went down to the workshop with little expectations and found a set of CE28ns in extremely poor condition. With little option, I bought them with refurbishing the x9 +35s in mind. After securing the set, I emailed Jesse back and told him to order my RE30s - yep RE30s. I had decided to run a mismatch setup. Two of Volk Racings most famous wheels.

About 3 weeks later, I received an email from Jesse telling me that the RE30s were ready to go! Excited beyond belief I quickly dropped off the CE28ns at Wheel Solution who told me they could attempt to match the Volk RAcing Hyper Bronze for me - but would not be 100%.

So after a bit of delay as Wheel Solution in Richmond were a little pedantic about their work, I picked up my CE28ns from them. Must say it turned out really well and I'll say the finish is probably about 95%. When placed side-by-side with the RE30s you can notice that the CE28ns are a slight shade of bronze darker and they don't have the anondized "sheen" to them.

Here they are mounted on the car:





Specs are:

RE30 - 17x8.5 +30 225/45/17
CE28n - 17x9 +35 245/40/17

[M@lew]

Re: Symphorced's EP3

In 4 days we'll be running the exact same rear set up!

Although my fronts won't be as nice.

[Symphorced]

In 4 days we'll be running the exact same rear set up!

Although my fronts won't be as nice.

Oh nice! In time for the ClubITR meet this Thursday? So the RE30s are no longer restricted to track only eh?

[M@lew]

Nah I'll still be as is this Thursday. Might have the RE30's...in the boot though. Depends if I can be bothered putting them back in the garage for a few days!

[fr4n]

Symphorced's EP3

This is the only mismatched set up I've ever seen that I like. (Y) want to see more

Is there some trend of discontinuing aggressive wheels? No demand? Is everyone becoming "function" bitches getting skinny ass 7.5 inch bicycle wheels?

Heart dropped when I read that part, now im anxious To see what other volks had been discontinued in the 9" size..

[plAythiNG]

nice, I was keen on a set of White RE30's but I missed out on the auction.. sigh...

[Perry]

Very very nice dude, have you ever thought of running ce28 on one end ans re30 on the other?

[rookie]

Looks awesome dude! The colour matches surprisingly well from the photos.

[Symphorced]

This is the only mismatched set up I've ever seen that I like. (Y) want to see more

Is there some trend of discontinuing aggressive wheels? No demand? Is everyone becoming "function" bitches getting skinny ass 7.5 inch bicycle wheels?

Heart dropped when I read that part, now im anxious To see what other volks had been discontinued in the 9" size..

Apparently they've gone and discontinued CE28Ns entirely in preparation for thei new line of Volk Racing wheels.

nice, I was keen on a set of White RE30's but I missed out on the auction.. sigh...

Unlucky mate! Such an awesome wheel.

Very very nice dude, have you ever thought of running ce28 on one end ans re30 on the other?

I would if I didn't have staggered sized wheels/tyres haha! One side would look taller than the other if I did with these wheels.

Looks awesome dude! The colour matches surprisingly well from the photos.

Thanks mate. Yeah can't recommend Wheel Solution more. Been to Wheeltech in Dandenong who said it wouldn't be an issue matching up my BBS LMs - came back to me in a bronze/gold colour.

[felixR]

That looks great!

[fr4n]

Symphorced's EP3

I'm more of a bbs lm fan than rays nowadays. I blame this on you lol

[Symphorced]

Haven't had too much done to the car leading up to H Nationals. Mainly because I know the car, as it is, is capable of a better time. Mainly just maintenance with oil and spark plug change. For a while now, I've had loud clicking noises coming from my engine which has concerned me a fair bit - I didn't think it was the valve clearances as I had them adjusted just a little over a year ago.However, I had my doubts as the mechanic that did the clearances could not find the specs for the EP3 and stated he would just "adjust them accordingly". Very sceptical. So I had them checked out hoping my engine wasn't about to die on me. When the valve cover was taken off and checked, all the valve clearances were within spec. We were then able to narrow down the source of the noise to the fuel rail and it seems like the ticking is just from the fuel injectors. Possibly due to the tune. Quite satisfied that my engine wasn't about to explode, I was a happy EP3 owner again.

Also, my lower ball joints needed replacing so I thought I may as well upgrade given the chance. So I bought a pair of Buddyclub extended ball joints.



These were advertised to fit EP3/DC5. However, when I went to get them pressed in, it was found that they were 3mm too large for the tapered hole of my lower control arm. Upon further research, these are to fit the DC5R. The other model which Buddyclub makes, would fit the 02-04 DC5 RSX and EP3s. So after all that, I was left with one damaged lower ball joint and no replacement - one week out from H Nationals. Thankfully, fellow m,ember eskimo_firefighter, had a spare pair of OEM lower ball joints which saved me the hassle of having to run around trying to source some.

Since the last update, I've also purchased a Whiteline adjustable rear sway bar. For a while, I was debating whether to get the Whiteline RSB or the Cusco RSB. However, I left things too late and had I ordered the CUsco product, I most likely would not have received it in time for H Nationals. Althoguh the girth of the two RSBs did not seem to be too different, the WHiteline product was definitely a lot more solid and slightly heavier.

Stock vs Whiteline - poor comparison as the Whiteline is lying flat on the ground whereas the Stock one is sitting on an angle :



Installed:



Bring on H Nationals and a new PB!

[jdm.itr]

Nice update mate! Good luck on Saturday, can't wait to see your car in action!!

[felixR]

Nice.

Good luck with the new PB!