Mr. Sociable's BRZ Daily Driver (slow) Build

[Mr. Sociable]

Hey all,

Decided this would be a good place for my first post on here. First, a bit about me: My name is Dan, I'm in Fort Collins, CO and have been into cars since I was a kid. My most recent cars have been my 2003 Legacy GT which I tracked while it was stock (save for a set of wheels/tires), then sold in favor of my 2005 Saab 9-2x Aero, which became my DD project for about four years. A picture of that beauty if anyone cares:



I finally decided to sell that car in an effort to move into something slightly less expensive both in value and insurance. After a longggg search, I picked up my '96 Toyota 4Runner SR5 from a seller down in Denver. It had 130k miles, was a manual and had a locking rear. By FAR the cleanest 4Runner I've ever seen.




Sold that because it was slow and I wasn't enjoying 15mpg, wound up with a 1997 Miata STO which I drove for a few months. Put Elise seats and a hardtop on it since I'm a big guy (6'6"!) and eventually decided it was too small.





Logical progression for a new, nice, fun DD was a BRZ. I prefer the BRZ's appearance to the FR-S, as well as it being a Subaru rather than a Scion. In the end, it was an easy choice. Put a deposit down last Friday, picked it up today!

This will be my DD for the next many years, and upgrades will be fairly mild, at least initially. Thinking 8" wide wheels (debating 17 or 18, loved the 17x8's on my old Saabaru), a lightweight exhaust, and some suspension. Might go to full STX prep, but not sure how hardcore I want to get back into the auto-x scene. Will probably just mod for my own enjoyment.

After warranty ends though, all bets are off.



So excited to be a part of the community! I'm having a photoshoot done on Thursday so I'll update with those pictures. I'll also try and keep a log of mods, DIY's and other fun stuff that goes on.

[KevinDuMa]

Looks great man congrats!

[Lonewolf]

How well do you fit in the BRZ? I'm worried about stuffing my 5'8 frame in the FRS...

[Mr. Sociable]

Originally Posted by Lonewolf

How well do you fit in the BRZ? I'm worried about stuffing my 5'8 frame in the FRS...

I wouldn't have bought it if I didn't fit.

I have tons of legroom with the seat back. About two inches of headroom. Comparable to most cars for me. 5'8" is easy, you're lucky!

[Lonewolf]

Originally Posted by Mr. Sociable

I have tons of legroom with the seat back. About two inches of headroom. Comparable to most cars for me. 5'8" is easy, you're lucky!

Except when I'm playing basketball and everyone else is 6+ feet, lol.

[WorldRallyBlueBRZ]

Originally Posted by Mr. Sociable

I wouldn't have bought it if I didn't fit.

I have tons of legroom with the seat back. About two inches of headroom. Comparable to most cars for me. 5'8" is easy, you're lucky!

Im also 6'6" and i fit in it just fine. but i am about the max height someone can be and still be able to drive it

[Turbowned]

Nice progression! I can't believe how clean that 4Runner looked

[Mr. Sociable]

Originally Posted by Turbowned

Nice progression! I can't believe how clean that 4Runner looked

I was amazing. Look at this interior. For a '96 4Runner, it's DAMN nice.:




On a more related note, cell phone teaser of a photoshoot my friend did today. More pics, including rolling shots, will be put up as he finishes editing them!

[ranisron]

cheers from another Saabaru owner...

[Mr. Sociable]

^ Thanks!

Friend did a photoshoot like I mentioned...here's the results!

Originally Posted by Cosmo

Dan picked up his new car on Tuesday. After a quick car wash, we headed to Red Rocks to shoot a few pictures.

1.

2013 WRB Subaru BRZ by Mark A. Bowers, on Flickr

2.

2013 WRB Subaru BRZ by Mark A. Bowers, on Flickr

3.

2013 WRB Subaru BRZ by Mark A. Bowers, on Flickr

4.

2013 WRB Subaru BRZ by Mark A. Bowers, on Flickr

5.

2013 WRB Subaru BRZ by Mark A. Bowers, on Flickr

6.

2013 WRB Subaru BRZ by Mark A. Bowers, on Flickr

7.

2013 WRB Subaru BRZ by Mark A. Bowers, on Flickr

8.

2013 WRB Subaru BRZ by Mark A. Bowers, on Flickr

[Mr. Sociable]

Decided enough was enough with the stock exhaust tips - temporary solution until I decide which exhaust I want. These are the DC Sport 1010 iirc, and they look very OEM. Aligning them was kind of a pain, but now that they're on they look great!






Decisions decisions on the exhaust...Perrin, Borla, Nameless, and Lachute are all very tempting.

[megatron]

lachute imho :-P

[Texas FR-S]

Sweet... Exterior color brings back memories of my first car: '04 Winning Blue RX-8.

Anyway, congrats... And all the very best to you and your new BRZ!

[Spartan65]

Originally Posted by Lonewolf

How well do you fit in the BRZ? I'm worried about stuffing my 5'8 frame in the FRS...

I'm 5'8" and I fit fine in my FR-S

[pinoyplaya]

What padding did you use on the back where the plates go?

[Mr. Sociable]

Originally Posted by pinoyplaya

What padding did you use on the back where the plates go?

That was on there from the factory. I'm in the process of adding more 3M foam adhesive to the back of my plate as well. Hence, no plate at the moment.

[Mr. Sociable]

Picked up a set of older Legacy GT snowflakes and a st of Firestone Winterforce's for the coming snow. Wanted a different tire but at $41 each (local shop was liquidating since they got bought) how can I complain?


Also picked up a set of 18x8.5 Rota Gravel's in hyperblack from the same shop. Going to be a sweet summer setup, but I have to figure out what tires to go with. OD is a tricky thing with 18" wheels it seems like... Thoughts?

[Racecomp Engineering]

We're running 245/35-18 on our 18x8 +38 offset wheels. That should work out well for your set-up too. I'd resist the temptation to go wider or stagger.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16495

- andrew

[Mr. Sociable]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

We're running 245/35-18 on our 18x8 +38 offset wheels. That should work out well for your set-up too. I'd resist the temptation to go wider or stagger.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16495

- andrew

Yup, saw that doing research. Seems like that'll be the size I shoot for. Oh, and I'll definitely be picking up some RCE Yellows + Camber plates from you. LOVED my RCE wagon springs!

[Mr. Sociable]

Related: There may or may not be a set of RCE springs on the way to my house.






Had RCE wagon's on my Saabaru, along with GTWorx camber plates and loved them. This setup will probably wind up similar. I think I'm going to start with the OEM bolts for camber adjustment, so we'll see the kind of numbers I can get form them.

[Mr. Sociable]

Had my taillight replaced for condensation today. The car goes in to get the HPFP replaced on Tuesday. FINALLY.


Also ordered camber bolts. After that I'll be all ready to install the RCE's. Stoked. Winter setup will be going on this week too I think, decided on old Legacy GT snowflakes with 225.50.16 tires. MEATY.

[Mr. Sociable]

Winter setup! 16" Legacy GT snowflakes with 225/50/16 Firestone Winterforces. Shitty pics, I'll get better ones tomorrow.