[Williampreza]

This is a record of efforts to develop a high revving, well-sorted and comfortable, sports car with good street manners and a surprising turn of speed.

Listed are Goals and the plan to achieve them as they stand at the beginning. Some may prove unrealistic or irrelevant. Some may not make any sense to anyone but me. This journal is primarily for my own benefit, but I like talking about cars, so don't hesitate to ask.
Goals:

• Mission: To create a Sports car using minimalist aesthetic modifications, positive functional modifications, and efficiency improvements.
  
  • More power by reducing the amount of work the car, as a system, has to perform.
  • Least added wear
  • Reduced long-run expense
  • Avoid changes that require significant supporting modifications.
  • Any synergistic modifications must be sequentially positive. That is, they must improve the car individually, or occur at the same time.
  • All modifications must fall within the scope of the original design for the car
  • No super/turbocharging
  • Original engine
  • Power through high rpms, maximizing NA efficiency, light weight
    
    
  • Goal is a more enjoyable driving experience
  • Sports car, Not a race car
  • Track days are a way to appreciate what a car CAN do, not to decide what it SHOULD do
  • Aesthetics are a balance
  • Perfection lies in the appropriate combination of imperfections
  • No one else is ever going to “get it” completely. So, make the car mine.
  • Resale value is not a consideration.
  • "Better" is superior to "More"
  • I am part of the equation. Improve the driver to match the car.
    
    
  • Efficient changes
  • No warranty-killers
  • Each modification builds toward final goal, each modification, by itself, results in an improvement in the driving experience.
  • Avoid duplicate modifications (multiple ECU flashes, upgraded components replaced by further upgraded components)
  • Minimalist change; each alteration shall have the minimum scope and magnitude necessary to achieve the goal
  • Minimalist change; each alteration shall fulfill as many functions toward the goal as possible
  • Minimalist change: each alteration shall have no, or negligible, negative effects relative to the goal.
  • Long-term cost reduction comes from careful planning, selection of parts, and implementation of changes, plus efficient disposal of surplus.
  
  
• Methods:
  
• Each part/change must pass three tests:
• Does this part/alteration make it easier for my car to do what it is was designed to do?
• Does this part/alteration reduce or have no effect on the natural rate of wear of the car or its parts?
• Does this part/alteration result in a pure elevation in my aesthetic experience of the car?
• 
  
  
• Powertrain: Naturally aspirated, Street daily driver level modifications.
• First; improve external engine breathing
• Catback and intake (Completed 02/24/18: Corsa Cb exhaust, Perrin inlet tube, K&N filter)
  
• Oil cooler
• Consider upgrading radiator
• (Warranty expires)
• Intake manifold (porting/honing or replace with high flow or ITB’s) and headers simultaneous
• ECU flash†
• E85/Flex Fuel
• Coatings†
• Second; improve internal engine breathing through valvetrain*
• Add lightness- lightweight valves, retainers, springs (avoid increasing spring rate if possible)
• Stage 1 camshaft
• Third; further improve internal airflow with porting/modification of cylinder head only if necessary*
• Fourth; Displacement and compression modifications via full engine build, only if necessary*
• Stand-alone ECU if necessary.*
  
  
• Suspension:
• Stock suspension is already perfect for the way I drive (Oops. Some RS-R Down Lowering springs must have fallen into my car and installed themselves. Accidentally. :shrug: )
• Modifications that allow alignment corrections to correct wear problems
• Camber/crash bolts
• Adjustable control arms only if necessary
• No pillow balls, harsh bushings, except as necessary to prevent damage or excessive wear of other parts
• Aero mods: Balanced front and rear
• Functional front splitter
• Functional rear diffuser (Completed 02/29/19--Verus Engineering Non-aggressive Rear Diffuser)
  
  
• Brakes:
• Dot 4 Brake fluid
• Upgraded brake pads suitable for both spirited street and rare (1-2 per year) track days, installed after stock pads wear out.
• Steel brake lines seem like fun, if not completely practical/functional.
  
  
• Tires:
• Moderate increase in grip relative to stock tires, focused on tire compound changes likely will have try several sets over the years until I settle.
  
  
• Wheels:
• Lightweight, as robust or stronger than stock. Stock diameter is perfect. Possibly keep stock wheels.
• Interior:
• Weight reduction:
  Nope, I can’t think of anything I wouldn’t miss.
• OEM-style center armrest (Completed 02/24/18)
• Stereo system: Keeping stock (Changed the Infotainment system anyway.Completed 01/05/19
  Swapped a JVC sub amp and Alpine DVC 8" subwoofer from another vehicle.
  Added Pioneer AVH1440NEX head unit with Maestro RR for SWC integration. )
• Gauges:
• Add Oil Pressure Gauge (Completed, Moved to vent location in September 2018)
• Seats: If stock seats prove too uncomfortable, may consider upgrading, but I’d rather keep the airbags. Bolsters?
• Window Tint: (Legal max on side windows and rear windshield. Blackout quarter panel windowsCompleted 02/21/18)
• Pedals: Throttle pedal adjustments Ended up going with an aluminum pedal set from FT86Speedfactory. Completed ~09/26/18

*Only used if previous modifications do not achieve power goals
†May accompany other modifications, possibly in multiple iterations