1JZ E30 Vert Build Thread with Pastry filled wheels

[Jdesign]

So I spent my whole day today, learning and experimenting with our new printer. I think I finally got it dialed in and can start making gauge faces. This is this is the latest print I created, which has solid and transparent parts, with a clear gloss varnish pattern on top. I hope to have a complete Set of gauge faces tomorrow.

[Earl]

Awesome=)

[wasnt m3]

Wow! Turned out really nice!

[B C]

Very very cool! Looking forward to pictures of them installed

[Bassboy3313]

Awesome!

[YoungCR]

So what exactly is the printer you are using?

[Jdesign]

CYoung said:

So what exactly is the printer you are using?

Its a Roland VersaUV Printer. It can print on almost anything and is the next closest thing to permanent. We are the first consultancy world wide to have one that is not in a full scale production facility. It prints on metal, plastic, glass etc. It can also do curved surfaces. If you or anyone on here is interested in some custom parts printed(ex: gauges, shift knobs, etc) let me know. 

Earl said:

Awesome=)

wasnt m3 said:

Wow! Turned out really nice!

Snap said:

Very very cool! Looking forward to pictures of them installed

Bassboy3313 said:

Awesome!

Thanks guys!!! I am really excited to see what it looks like lit up too. I am still trying to figure out lighting though. I might have to make some SLA parts to replace the orange/red plastic that light pipes the OEM red glow light around the faces, because I would prefer white.

[YoungCR]

Curved surfaces? That's awesome. My first job was running a large format UV curable inkjet. The inks are incredibly durable and scratch resistant.

[Jdesign]

That they are. Its a really awesome machine. I will share some designs with you guys once they are complete.

[Jdesign]

Finally got mine all printed. Now time to figure out the lighting. Here is a pic of the final print. 

[Jdesign]

Not much of an update, but I installed half of the gauges and the lumens from the stock bulbs was far too dim. I ordered some LED replacements to see if that will work, but if not I will have to find another means for lighting. I am trying to reduce spotting and the yellow / reddish hue from a standard bulb. I will post pics once everything is installed, so far here is what I ordered; 

[Earl]

I installed those in my cluster on the compact and they were excellent

[YoungCR]

Where did you buy the bulbs?

[B C]

CYoung said:

Where did you buy the bulbs?

Diodes Christopher.

Diodes.

[YoungCR]

[Jdesign]

LOL now, now, gents. I got teh uber rare DIODES on eBay.  $8 for all of those!! I only wanted 2 but why not buy 20 for the same price  Vatozone charges for 2?!  Any who they worked out great! I took a pic comparing the two, and then a few of them installed. Have a looksie...

Old bulb on the left, LED on the right. 

Here you can see how clear and bright it looks. 

I was a little upset that I messed up cutting out the odometer cut out a little, so I will be printing new ones. I also noticed that due to the location of the LEDs inside the cluster, that the red/orange "alpina style" stripe on the RPM face got washed out(as seen above). So when I print a new version, I will have to make the color a little less transparent.

If anyone has interest in me making you some gauge faces, let me know, as I am just experimenting right now, I can make you some really cheap.

[Jdesign]

So I haven't updated in a while, but I have been busy with a lot of other things besides my poor E30. Anyways I finally got around to dropping the rear subframe in order to Perform the following upgrades:

_Poly subframe bushings

_Install a 4:10 LSD

_Poly Sway bar bushings

_Reinforced sway bar mounts

_New sway bar links

_Rebuild the rear calipers

_New Brake lines

_Clean the shit out of everything and sandblast and paint the Parts that need it.

Bough this LSD From Snap! (THANKS!) It will need some paint but I am excited to get it in and do some burnouts.

I also sold my Nardi wheel,  and bought another one immediately so it would match the wood-grain of my e39 knob. I also bought a gold Nardi horn and a new adapter off of another member on here (sorry I forgot your screen name but THANKS!) So my wheel will be a little closer to my dash again.

[Jdesign]

I am going to try and add more pictures as I go along. I tend to be pretty bad a documenting what I do as I am doing it. On another note, Does anyone know where the studs for the rear subframe come out on the verts? The coupes and sedans are in the back seat, but mine seem to be inside the quarter panel? WTF?

referring to this:

[Earl]

They're behind the side panels on verts=)

[Jdesign]

Earl said:

They're behind the side panels on verts=)

RAD! Thanks earl, thats what I thought, I was just too lazy to remove the panels.