G20.net: How, when & why did you first acquire your Infiniti G20?
slimlou: I picked it up in September 2004. A former coworker had a ’99 P11 (that he picked up used himself) and was trying to sell it to me about a year of ownership. He wanted a Nissan SUV instead. But he was asking way too much and was just a little too rough for my liking. But liking what I saw, I started to look for another one. Literally the day I started looking, is the same day I found it. And when I called about it, it turned out the person selling it lived less than 4 miles away from me! I went that night to see the car. The main thing that attracted me to it was that it only had 67,000KM on it. And better still, after doing a quick check, it still had about a month left on the factory warranty! I then arranged to take the car to my mechanic a few days later. And the kicker was, she let me take the car with only giving her a copy of my driver’s license & insurance! I guess I have just one of those honest looking faces! Got the green light from the mechanic and a few days later, it was officially mine! Seeing the warranty was almost up, the next trip was to the dealership…. That trip to the dealership got me a new fog light assembly & climate control console through warranty! Basically, this car is the newest and lowest mileage car I have ever owned!
G20.net: What were your original plans for the car and have they changed?
slimlou: Honestly, since I didn’t really know about G20’s before I go it, I didn’t know what could be done to them. So I didn’t buy the car with any preconceived plans. The only thing I said to myself was that I finally have a car that I can/want to mod. And really, the only mods I said I’d do to whatever car I got next, was wheels & suspension work.
G20.net: What performance modifications have you made to your car?
slimlou: Hmmm, The only ‘performance’ mods would be my AEM CAI, SSAC header, Fastbrakes Front Wilwood brake kit, Spec Stage 2 clutch & ZEX/JUN 11lb flywheel, and Remus Bolt-on muffler. Hmm, can you call my TWM short throw shifter a performance mod? How about my NISMO AFPR?
G20.net: Do you have any dyno numbers?
slimlou: LOL Yes, but I’m rather embarrassed by them! Run #2 - 121.9HP @ 6100RPM & 119.7 ft-lbs @ 4200RPM. At the time I only had the CAI and Flywheel done. I wonder what the #’s would be like now with the SSAC header & Remus bolt-on. Te rest of the exhaust remains stock (for now)
G20.net: What suspension modifications have you made to the car?
slimlou: Pretty much all that can be done! LOL I’ve got the TeinSS coilovers, Stillen Front & Rear strut bars (at the time of this post, I actually have the ‘Octotat’ RSTB installed, but the Stillen RSTB will be installed shortly ) and the Maxima Progress Rear Sway Bar. Oh, and if you want to be picky, a few ES bushing upgrades. Is there any other suspension mods left to be done?!?
G20.net: Any cosmetic modifications to the exterior?
slimlou: I’ve kept this to a minimum. All I’ve done to date is the clear side bumper markers with Red/Amber LED lights. And of course the proudly displayed ‘G20.net’ stickers & license plate frame! I don’t need/want any extra attention. Because of recent idiots, the ‘authorities’ are keeping a keen eye out for cars that ‘only look’ modified to hassle…. Oh, and I have a modded front mesh grill that needs a little more tweaking before it gets installed.
G20.net: How about the interior?
slimlou: Again, I’m purposely keeping this to a minimum as well. I don’t like or want to make it too flashy. So the only interior mods are the ‘350Z’ Clutch, Brake & Accelerator pedal covers, a 10th Anniversary Sunk2 Type-R weighted shift knob, ’02 ‘Sport’ Front floor mats and the ’02 ‘Sport’ aluminum door sill plates.
G20.net: Have you made any upgrades to the stock sound system?
slimlou: To date, no. However, I’ve been considering an upgrade more & more. It’s either (a) upgrading the entire system, (b) just the head unit with an aftermarket amp or (c) just the speakers. After speaking with a few audio experts, it looks like I may just go with a new head unit & Amp. Turns out that the stock speakers are 2ohms. So by by-passing the factory amp, installing a 4-channel amp (with 2ohm impedance outputs) and picking the right head unit, I think I will be a happy camper. As luck will have it, a friend gave me a suitable amp. So now, all I need to do is find the $$ for a head unit to do it!
G20.net: Any future modifications we should look out for?
slimlou: Hmmm, I’m thinking about switching to a WAI setup. From what I’ve been told/heard, we loose a little low end with a CAI (on a basic stock motor). Knowing that a turbo is not anywhere in the near future, I want to keep as much low-end as I can. As for my exhaust, I’m in the process of deciding what resonator to go with. Once that’s decided, then it’s a matter of finding a reputable TIG welder to weld up my 2.25” SS intermediate piping. At which time, I’ll have the bolt-on Remus muffler I have modded so that it has a matching 2.25” inlet vs the 1.75” stock one on it now. The goal with the exhaust is that it will still remain as a much of a stock bolt-on system, except just with 2.25” tubing. Lastly, I’d like to get rid of my ‘boat anchor’ Motegi MR7 rims and go with a light weight rim. I’m liking the price & looks of Motegi’s Tracklite 1.0 or 2.0’s.
G20.net: How and when did you first find G20.net?
slimlou: Right after I picked up my car, I did a Google search about G20’s and that’s how I found this site. I officially took ownership of my car on September 10, 2004 & became a member on the 15th!
G20.net: How has this site benefited you?
slimlou: Where to start/end! This site has been UNBELIEVABLE for me! In no time at all, the fear & unknowns that a car is ‘complex’ is completely gone! Whenever I have an issue, all the info, advice & “how to’s” on this site makes things so easy, that even a 2yr can do them! Also, I’m rather pleased how people ‘check their ego’s at the door’ and have a genuinely +ve attitude and willingness when chiming in to help out a one another. Especially the patience with newbies! After all we all were newbies once ourselves! But above all, there are the countless friends that I’ve made because of being a part of the Gnet family. There are SO many! Some I only know through the exchange of thread postings, some a little more via PM’s & even some through the occasional phone calls. But I swear, after a short time, I fell like I’ve know them forever! And before I forget, I with throw out a HUGE ‘thanks’ all the SOG’s and especially Loek & Loco! The good thing is that Loco’s still around but Loek has moved away! I truly am going to miss our weekend wrenching!
G20.net: Any last comments you would like to make?
slimlou: “Uncle Dave” a moderator? I guess the end IS near…………
On, and SOG’s RULE!!!!!!
Cavern: Additional high quality images (26 in all) can be found by clicking here.