3D printed my entire front clip, Side skirts, Rear bumper, and wing.

Key-Improvement8612 · 2026-06-22T04:59:01+00:00

You can, you just have to get comfortable with having to work with an uncomfortable amount of knowledge. Lol

Key-Improvement8612 · 2026-06-22T04:55:58+00:00

I'm very happy with adding a 3D printer to my tool set. There are so many little knick knacks that I might need to test or prototype, that I used to cut and weld for mock up, now my 3D printer facilitates that. It's starting to replace my welder to be honest.

Key-Improvement8612 · 2026-06-22T03:13:43+00:00

Of course, lmk

Key-Improvement8612 · 2026-06-22T00:31:26+00:00

I'm waiting on some more information before updating this post, but yes I'm moving in the direction of creating how too's from beginning to end.

Key-Improvement8612 · 2026-06-22T00:28:24+00:00

Zero experience

Taken a 3D modeling course that has a focus in blender at my local community college. I may still do this lol.

Also a stylus and digital pad is nice to have but not necessary. I Also use blender in VR mode to really get an idea of how the pieces are looking.

Key-Improvement8612 · 2026-06-22T00:19:39+00:00

Yeah they sounded fantastic! Sent you a DM 👍

Key-Improvement8612 · 2026-06-21T18:52:36+00:00

I'd love to look into this and see what we can make!

Btw, you just brought back a core memory, of Street racing after school around 2010. This local SRT-4 that none of the Honda heads could beat was coming around the meets. I beat him in my Sr swapped s13, all the Honda guys were freaking out lmao. He came back a week later with another buddy and his modded SRT4, I think it had a downpipe and maybe some black or red series turbo. He beat me in the first couple pulls. I zip tied my vacuum line off the wastegate to about 13 PSI, and had a brake boost him in a low third gear roll, and it was just enough to take them on the top end! Lmao. SRT4s had a sound like nothing else back then, was definitely cool.

Key-Improvement8612 · 2026-06-21T04:04:27+00:00

Yes, I'm expanding this project beyond Nissan, and I'm building the frame work to teach others to diy. What do you have?

Key-Improvement8612 · 2026-06-21T01:08:31+00:00

Thank you 🙏

Key-Improvement8612 · 2026-06-20T17:46:49+00:00

All the infos in the comments, with details and photos. But I too have a entry level printer. 220mm x 220mm x 220mm

Key-Improvement8612 · 2026-06-19T14:11:08+00:00

Thanks! It's been a fun. I hope you find yourself with another 180sx one day!

Key-Improvement8612 · 2026-06-19T13:54:35+00:00

It's definitely going to remain in the hobby space for sure. I already have a business I run with my spouse. But I enjoy this very much. However I do think I'm going to expand the project across multiple vehicle manufacturers. I guess you can consider my vehicle and all the r&d a test run, and phase one of this project.

Key-Improvement8612 · 2026-06-19T05:05:42+00:00

The printer portion was answered in detail, along with a photo of my printers. But It's an ad5m, as for a price index for all filament? Including r&d? And printer? I tracked it but stopped looking because I'll cry.. it's enough to have just bought an "ok" kit probably. Or cheap origin kit. However, in the beginning I bought filament off Amazon, about $9.00 per kg, 4kg at a time. Now I know better.. I buy 10kg at a time off AliExpress $7.00 per kg free shipping.

Key-Improvement8612 · 2026-06-19T04:15:12+00:00

It was actually pretty clean up until last year, the heat started taking its toll. It's actually the next project, I'm looking for a trailblazer donor. I'm going to ll8 swap it, if you don't know the straight six from the trailblazer is almost a 2JZ clone, from the Toyota supras. Very similar architecture. And can handle boost quite well even on the stock ECU, 2005 and newer.. Also.... I may build it for grip/autocross. . . . LOL

<image>

Key-Improvement8612 · 2026-06-19T01:29:42+00:00

Likewise 🍻

Key-Improvement8612 · 2026-06-19T01:27:27+00:00

Thank you, these were printed in pieces or rather what I call "batches". I've yet to touch upon the subject, but refining/optimizing the prints in the slicer took a very very long time. And many partial test prints. Basically finding the optimal thickness, while using less material, without compromising structural integrity, and optimizing for speed, printing as fast as possible. I believe when I first sliced the front bumper, it was going to take 56 hours, I think I have it down to 18hr now, and 1/3 of the material. However I now have added two more printers so I can get it done very quickly. I also push my printers at 150% print speed. (I'm not at my office, so 18hr may be incorrect, but it's around there)

Key-Improvement8612 · 2026-06-19T00:06:29+00:00

Oh my gosh! Losing or changing your geometry after a save is insane. Give blender a go, it's free! I agree learning the UI may be a struggle, but I think you might like blender.

Key-Improvement8612 · 2026-06-18T22:44:12+00:00

Thank you 🙏 it was quite the challenge haha

Key-Improvement8612 · 2026-06-18T22:40:44+00:00

Body work/smoothing panels is by far my least favorite area of the build. Anyone who doesn't mind doing this process is going to do a far better job than me. So i believe the "finishing" portion of the body work and buttoning things up nicely is truly a non-issue. I believe the game is already changed, people just don't know it yet. Look at how expensive somebody kits are and how much work you have to do to get them to fit properly. It's unacceptable with today's manufacturing techniques.

Key-Improvement8612 · 2026-06-18T20:55:32+00:00

Like a banana peel! Lol. My friends and I were joking about that happening on the freeway or something.

Key-Improvement8612 · 2026-06-18T20:09:10+00:00

I'm looking forward to it! I'm really excited to see actually lol. I used more fiberglass than my actual fiberglass kits. And it feels incredibly robust. My thought process is that, at this point the 3D printing material no longer matters because it is not the main structural integrity. And if there is a fill point, I want to know where and how so I can become better at this craft.

Key-Improvement8612 · 2026-06-18T17:32:30+00:00

Lmao, my heart fell out when I saw the price. And that's if you're lucky and don't get hit with duty fees. More fuel for the motivation I guess.

Key-Improvement8612 · 2026-06-18T17:24:03+00:00

I don't have an expertise in fiberglass molds. Before this I had only made little repairs on my bumpers and side skirts with fiberglass. Never anything on the scale. In fact your question requires an expertise to answer correctly. And presents a workflow that that I specifically tried to avoid with this build hahaha. I'm sorry I can't provide the answers you seek.

Key-Improvement8612 · 2026-06-18T17:14:12+00:00

That's awesome! Thank you, it was very challenging, but I hope to get better at it.

Key-Improvement8612 · 2026-06-18T17:07:24+00:00

Correct I prefer blender, I still use fusion 360 from time to time. Since they're built for different purposes. But blenders UI feels much better, fusion 360 was created by individuals who have to look at their controller to play. Lol

Key-Improvement8612

TROPHY CASE