Dark Jewel's Proj Log: part out thread posted.

hul kogan · Post by **hul kogan** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 12:28 am

As most of you know, the Dark Jewel is my pride and joy. This obviously isn't going to be a project log from the beginning, but it will give me a place to talk about the project moving forward. So, let's get this started...

The Jewel began life as a bone stock 2000 Dodge Neon ES ATX. It was my first car that I bought, almost 10 years ago, at the age of 15 1/2 when I got my temps. Of course it served as a DD (with a handful of mods) for a few years but when I started college and didn't need it for everyday transportation anymore I just went nuts. Since then the madness hasn't really stopped...

I'm working to dig up some early pics of the Jewel, but for now this is what she looked like when stock (minus the Plymouth badging and pinstripe).

And, for those that haven't seen, here is how she looks now (I'm gonna whore out Anthony's pics again since I haven't gotten any recent ones of my own, thanks again dood!)...

Also, here are some from the last 'stage':
Pics with previous wheels and engine bay color scheme

The Winter Mods:
- SPEC Stage 3+ clutch
- Quaife LSD
- a few, little surprises

The Potential Winter/Spring Mods:
- Coilovers (not sure which brand yet, someone buy my struts/springs and then I'll decide...

)

The Spring Plans:
- Break in the new clutch, then...
- Turn up the boost and dial in the tune
- Hit the dyno for official numbers
- Enjoy the car AND the '10 season (can't wait for Carlisle!)

It all sounds so simple! Now I just need a little luck and it will all go off without a hitch. If you know me at all you will find a heaping helping of humor in that last statement...

Stay tuned folks!

srtjesse · Post by **srtjesse** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 12:40 am

i love your car man cant wait to see what else you do to it

superdan · Post by **superdan** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 12:40 am

its about time lol

love the car man

dank(r/t) · Post by **dank(r/t)** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 2:25 am

toledo eh. se michigan here.

i wanna do this carlisle thing. caravan?

LilSparkPlug · Post by **LilSparkPlug** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 8:00 am

Your car is:
1. The only one I like that kit on.
2. The only car that can get away with CF fenders
3. Gorgeous
4. I love it and it's color.

I could keep going but...anxious to see how things pan out

heydockyle · Post by **heydockyle** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 8:48 am

There are so many dam things going on with your car. I almost get confused when looking at it, but it looks amazing.

TNK · Post by **TNK** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 8:49 am

one of my all time faves. need a mod list though

what wheels are those?

hul kogan · Post by **hul kogan** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 8:50 am

Thanks for the comments. Love to hear your thoughts everyone!

dank(r/t) wrote:toledo eh. se michigan here.

i wanna do this carlisle thing. caravan?

Indeed. Where are you at...Monroe?

That sounds like a plan. I'll probably be driving down with Eric and Liz anyway, so you're welcome to join us.

LilSparkPlug wrote:Your car is:
1. The only one I like that kit on.
2. The only car that can get away with CF fenders
3. Gorgeous
4. I love it and it's color.

I could keep going but...anxious to see how things pan out

Wow, quite the compliment LSP. Thank you!

You know as well as anyone that when you do something like this for yourself, it's like icing on the cake to get positive feedback. And it's a delicious cake!

TNK wrote:one of my all time faves. need a mod list though what wheels are those?

Thank ya sir!

Believe it or not, it's remarkably hard to finish the list for this damn car! Every time I think I am done I remember something, haha. I have one that is pretty much done. I'll post one soon.

They are XXR 002's, done in a custom gold by my powdercoater.

TNK · Post by **TNK** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 8:53 am

well fine then. ignore my post. dickwad.

hul kogan · Post by **hul kogan** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 8:55 am

TNK wrote:well fine then. ignore my post. dickwad.

Don't go getting a sandy vag now.

I saw you posted after I submitted the last one, so I added my response in the previous post.

I contemplated not answering, though...since I don't like you and all.

TNK · Post by **TNK** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 9:01 am

don't like me eh? is it cuz i slept with your mom?

and that's the wheels i thought they were. i love those wheels. they have been on my list of "potential wheels" for the Coupe ever since the first time i saw them.

heydockyle · Post by **heydockyle** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 9:04 am

TNK wrote:don't like me eh? is it cuz i slept with your mom?

and that's the wheels i thought they were. i love those wheels. they have been on my list of "potential wheels" for the Coupe ever since the first time i saw them.

It's okay, he must not like me either lol.

hul kogan · Post by **hul kogan** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 9:08 am

Oh, hey guys...I'm here for the pitty party. I'm not on the list but I figured you could get me in.

Heart you guys.

heydockyle - I wasn't quite sure how to respond to your comment, lol. So my car is sensory overload?

TNK · Post by **TNK** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 9:09 am

you should go ahead and pull those wheels and send them to me. i think my Coupe needs them. kthxbi

hul kogan · Post by **hul kogan** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 9:12 am

TNK wrote:you should go ahead and pull those wheels and send them to me. i think my Coupe needs them. kthxbi

But...I'm not done having sexy time with them yet.

When I am through, you can haz sloppy seconds. K?

EDIT: This log is going downhill...fast. Haha.

TNK · Post by **TNK** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 9:22 am

as long as the stains are cleaned off, i'm good with sloppy seconds.

dank(r/t) · Post by **dank(r/t)** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 10:38 am

hul kogan wrote:
dank(r/t) wrote:toledo eh. se michigan here.

i wanna do this carlisle thing. caravan?
Indeed. Where are you at...Monroe?

That sounds like a plan. I'll probably be driving down with Eric and Liz anyway, so you're welcome to join us.

close, but not quite.

are they michiganders too? we'll discuss more indepth closer to the date.

ps, car's hawt

dtjackten · Post by **dtjackten** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 11:10 am

i will say that when i first started on this forum and saw ur car i did not like the kit at all... but now i look at it again it is starting to grow on me, i cant wait to see it in person honestly!... i love the hood! i am jealous of that for sure... love the color, i really like what u did with the engine bay, something completly differnet!!! great job! keep up the great work and keep us all posted!

2005.Neon.SXT · Post by **2005.Neon.SXT** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 11:44 am

I am just amazed at this car. I love it. I also love how you moved the alternator. Not sure if it was necessary, but that's pretty awesome (considering when I swapped mine out... ya, that was a PITA

lol).

I would love to see a mod list as well

Tam · Post by **Tam** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 11:52 am

^He didn't need to move the alternator. He did it just for looks and to be original.

But yeah, awesome car, Chris. Can't wait to see what's in store later. Especially seeing it on coilovers.

heydockyle · Post by **heydockyle** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 12:34 pm

There are alot of things going on. Carbon fiber, gold, purple. But it all flows together so nicely without sticking out like a sore thumb.

Thanks what i meant by my post lol.

hul kogan · Post by **hul kogan** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 12:48 pm

dank(r/t) wrote: are they michiganders too? we'll discuss more indepth closer to the date.

ps, car's hawt

Yes, well Liz is at least. Thanks sir!

dtjackten wrote:i will say that when i first started on this forum and saw ur car i did not like the kit at all... but now i look at it again it is starting to grow on me, i cant wait to see it in person honestly!... i love the hood! i am jealous of that for sure... love the color, i really like what u did with the engine bay, something completly differnet!!! great job! keep up the great work and keep us all posted!

Haha, good to hear! It doesn't work well all the time, but in my extremely biased opinion, it looks tasty on my car.

Thanks for the compliments. I shall keep 2GN updated with the DL.

2005.Neon.SXT wrote:I am just amazed at this car. I love it. I also love how you moved the alternator. Not sure if it was necessary, but that's pretty awesome (considering when I swapped mine out... ya, that was a PITA lol).

Gracias senor! I am amazed at how many people notice that but I'm glad that the subtleties show through. It wasn't necessary, no. In fact, a lot of the 2.4s I see in 1st gens have it behind the block, like the 2.0L. Sure makes it a hell of a lot easier to do anything with the alt, though!

Tam wrote:But yeah, awesome car, Chris. Can't wait to see what's in store later. Especially seeing it on coilovers.

Thank ya! All I need is someone to buy my struts/springs, then we'll see what happens...

heydockyle wrote:There are alot of things going on. Carbon fiber, gold, purple. But it all flows together so nicely without sticking out like a sore thumb.

Thanks what i meant by my post lol.

Lol. That's what I thought you were going for, but I wanted to check before I commented back incorrectly. It seems to be just the effect I was after...a theme with a few major aspects and a lot of subtle things pulling it all together.

JeffM · Post by **JeffM** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 12:52 pm

My favorite car on 2gn.

Can't wait to rub my body all over it at Carlisle next year.

hul kogan · Post by **hul kogan** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 12:59 pm

You will not touch her like that.

Unless you bring me the complete first season of Fraggle Rock on DVD and a bottle of your best Maple syrup. Then we can talk...

Oh and thanks, she is flattered to receive such a dubious distinction from everyone's favorite Audi driver!

JeffM · Post by **JeffM** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 1:05 pm

hul kogan wrote:Unless you bring me the complete first season of Fraggle Rock on DVD and a bottle of your best Maple syrup. Then we can talk...

Maple syrup I can do, I could NEVER give up Fraggle Rock though! NEVER!

hul kogan · Post by **hul kogan** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 1:11 pm

Well then Lord Jeffrey IV, this ship will sail without you. Sorry about your luck.

JeffM · Post by **JeffM** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 1:16 pm

hul kogan wrote:Well then Lord Jeffrey IV, this ship will sail without you. Sorry about your luck.

but but but but...

<3 you, Chris

hul kogan · Post by **hul kogan** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 1:21 pm

You'll get through it Prince of Cock, you'll get through it.

I'm assuming you said that with lots of homo involved since I didn't see a disclaimer...? Haha.

LilSparkPlug · Post by **LilSparkPlug** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 1:21 pm

Is this cake you speak of gluten free? Can I have some? I do know exactly what you mean, doing it yourself pays off tenfold in the long run!

hul kogan · Post by **hul kogan** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 1:25 pm

LilSparkPlug wrote:Is this cake you speak of gluten free?

Yes.

LilSparkPlug wrote:Can I have some?

No.

Well, maybe I can spare a small piece. I mean, we're talking a sliver here. So don't get your hopes up.

LilSparkPlug wrote:I do know exactly what you mean, doing it yourself pays off tenfold in the long run!

Amen to that!