R Tard's 2025 CW Build Journal

[R Tard]

Recently picked up this 2025 FL5 in September after a Toyota Dealer(Novato) fucked the 20k service on my GR Corolla causing the car to lose all oil.
After they were not willing to work with me and telling me that I would be wasting money if I paid them to open the motor to check on the condition of the bottom end, I ended up just wasting money and getting a FL5 instead. I honestly feel like this car doesn't need anything else from the factory but I did have money leftover after parting out the Corolla so why not.

Here is the current mod-list for the car so far:
-Garage Unique Carbon Front Lip ( Exceed lip on hand waiting for Racebred splitter)
-PRL HVI Intake (Now running a Blitz Intake)
-PRL Carbon Turbo Inlet
-Spoon Springs
-Spoon Rigid Collars
-J's Front Camber Joints
-Te37 Saga S-plus 18x10+40
-HKS Legamax Exhaust
-Remark Solid Stands (placeholder before Voltex)
-Maxton Gurney Flap (placeholder before Voltex)
-EVS Duckbill spoiler (would not recommend, fitment was dogshit)
-EPR Canards(Ordered EVS but no lead time given, canceled.)
Need a JDM company to create a single canard option ASAP
-Varis Front and Rear Flares
-Varis Side Rear Undersplitter
-Varis EVO II side skirts (ordered these right after 2026 TAS, thinking about rocking the full kit maybe.)
-Voltex Type 4B (April/May eta)

These initial pictures are from when I first got the car:

The goal for this car is a clean and reliable weekend/project car that I don't have to worry about being state ref'd anywhere in California. Will most likely do a couple track days a year as well.
Hopefully I will remember to update this as I get more mods for this car.

If anyone has a IG , feel free to add me and I'll drop a follow back here: @s2klout
I do want to see more FL5 builds on my feed for inspiration haha.

 

[R Tard]

Test fitting the Varis flares.
Apologies for the toaster phone pics.

 

[R Tard]

Quick 3 month update.
Had the flares put on a while back and installed a couple other parts.
Here are some photos of it with the flares on.
Car finally looks a bit different compared to all the other CW cars on bronze TE's

 

[R Tard]

For anyone debating about buying the EVS duckbill, I'd highly advise against it.
Fitment was extremely dogshit and I wasted probably 4 rolls of 3m VHB tape.
The right side of the spoiler just would not hold down even when pressure was applied.
My friend and I ended up needing to dremel parts of the ducbkill down to be able to make it fit flush.
I've had better fitment running alibaba specials on my old cars.
I'd give it a pass if it was a cheap part but for $700 after tax this should fit perfect out the box.

 

[R Tard]

New Plates for the Civic Tard R.
Wanted R TARD but it wasn't available .
Close enough I guess.
Had a friend make me a custom plate frame for it as well.

 

[R Tard]

Final update for now.
This is currently how the rear looks with the Varis rear undersplitters on.

 

[Agen2integra]

@R Tard The pics of your car with the city and bridge in the background is awesome! I love the wheel and tire combo! What tires/specs are you running on the TE's and was there any rubbing? I was just curious if that was the reason for the Varis Flares.

 

[jtlctr]

I’m actually surprised your plate was approved! A friend of a friend in Maine had a plate that read “FKDIFINO”, and eventually the state made them replace it with a standard plate.

 

[R Tard]

@R Tard The pics of your car with the city and bridge in the background is awesome! I love the wheel and tire combo! What tires/specs are you running on the TE's and was there any rubbing? I was just curious if that was the reason for the Varis Flares.

Thanks! Currently running the 18x10+40 TE's on 275/35/18 Continental ECFs.
There was no rubbing pre-flares but the tires stuck out too much to my liking due to the sidewalls. Fitment looked pretty mexiflush from the tire but the actual wheel fitment was perfect and spot on. Ended up going with the Varis flares since I wanted to make car look wider and it was the only flare in my opinion that seems to add to the body line. Its definitely not for everyone though haha.

 

[R Tard]

I’m actually surprised your plate was approved! A friend of a friend in Maine had a plate that read “FKDIFINO”, and eventually the state made them replace it with a standard plate.

Same haha.
I think there was a court ruling against the DMV a while back and from what I've heard, as long as the plate isn't too crazy it'll pass most of the time now.

 

[R Tard]

Picked up some new goodies recently:
-Blitz Intake

-Exceed Full Carbon Lip/Splitter

Also ordered a Racebred splitter to hopefully prolong the new setup.

 

[R Tard]

Blitz intake installed, definitely looks amazing both inside and outside of the car but that's also probably just me coping for dropping nearly $2k on an intake

 

[R Tard]

Final update on how the car is currently sitting without the EPR canards for now.
Probably no updates until I get my Racebred splitter/Voltex Wing.

 

[wtw]

Awesome build thus far! LMK if you plan on selling the Garage Unique lip! It's one of few lips I actually wouldn't mind having.

 

[R Tard]

Wasn't expecting to update so soon but after JAS released their new kit, their hood vent caught my eye. Ended up placing an order and was surprised that the part arrived in two days from Italy. Definitely a welcomed surprise considering how long it usually takes for parts from Japan haha.
For anyone else interested in purchasing there are a few things to note.

1. The transaction is through a bank wire directly to JAS and is also in EUR.
2. There is also a shipping charge of ~200 EUR
3. I was also charged tariffs for ~$120 as well.
The total ended up being closer to $1.2k USD which is honestly not worth it for a hood vent but it is the only hood vent option thats available that I liked.