There’s something electrifying about the process of modifying cars, especially when it’s a beloved JZX100 Tourer V with a manual 1JZ-GTE engine and only 30,000 km on the clock. For Tony and his team, this journey into upgrading their HKS-equipped beast has been an emotional rollercoaster, complete with unexpected challenges, high hopes, and a few laughs along the way. This is the story of how things went from boost dreams to exhaust leaks and broken parts – all for the love of performance tuning.
The Project Begins
In classic tuner fashion, Tony and his team couldn’t resist diving into the JZX100’s mechanics almost immediately. Within days of taking ownership, the turbo and downpipes were already off, boost pipes were getting replaced, and they were knee-deep in adding custom parts and flavor – quite literally. With HKS parts almost everywhere, this machine was primed for an upgrade, and the crew was just getting started.
Tony took the first major step by raising the car – something he humorously noted was a historic moment. The decision to lift the car a bit allowed for a smoother approach to the rest of the upgrades, especially considering the work that lay ahead on the exhaust and turbo setup.
Tackling the Exhaust Leak
An annoying exhaust leak quickly turned into a larger mission. The team stripped down the exhaust to get to the root of the issue, uncovering a severe leak and an old cable-activated contraption that had likely seen better days. After removing it, Tony opted for a free-flowing exhaust setup. With a four-pound hammer and chisels in hand, the team got to work, determined to perfect every detail.
With help from Boost Genetics, they welded up the cracks, installed new studs, and prepared to replace the old exhaust manifold gasket. By now, Tony’s commitment to quality was clear, as he sourced genuine Toyota oil filters and high-end parts to ensure the build could handle the increased performance.
Water Methanol Injection and Troubleshooting
Next up was the installation of a water methanol injection system, a process Tony tackled on his own with some premium parts from CoolBoost. This setup was designed to boost performance further by injecting water methanol into the engine, giving the car an extra edge. The meticulous installation saw Tony walking viewers through each step, including an on-off switch to test the system both with and without the injection active.
This process was not without its frustrations, as fitting the boost pipes required squeezing hands into tight spaces and removing the bumper for easier access. After an arduous day of cleaning, aligning, and assembling, the JZX100’s engine bay was finally looking pristine and ready to roar.
Testing and Setbacks
With everything seemingly in place, it was time to start up the car. However, things didn’t go quite as planned. From missing boost pipes to loose clamps, the initial startup was riddled with small issues. Just when it seemed like things were under control, a critical piece – the dump valve – came loose, leading to a low-pressure reading and forcing Tony to limp the car home.
Despite the setbacks, Tony pushed forward, determined to fix the issues and get the JZX100 back on the road. He re-tapped the threads and carefully bolted everything back together. It was a moment of perseverance, a reminder of the unpredictable nature of tuning.
The Final Touches and Future Plans
As the build neared completion, Tony gave a glimpse of the upcoming enhancements, including a DC Drag Cartel and Ferrari components ready to make their way into the engine bay. With a POV driving video on the horizon, viewers can expect to see the JZX100 in action, showcasing the fruits of Tony’s labor.
Lessons from the Build
From exhaust leaks to the challenges of securing parts, this JZX100 build is a testament to the ups and downs of car tuning. Tony’s story shows that no matter how prepared you think you are, the unexpected can always throw a wrench in the works – sometimes literally. But in the world of high-performance cars, that’s just part of the journey.
For anyone interested in seeing how it all comes together, stay tuned for the next video, where Tony will hit the road, give a detailed walkaround, and hopefully enjoy a well-deserved joyride in his newly upgraded JZX100.
Add comment