RCE Street to RallyX BRZ

[Racecomp Engineering]

I've been driving BRZs since...well...before they came out here in the USA. We (RCE) got one back in 2012 and built a very nice shop BRZ that was a streetable track car and suspension R&D vehicle. I've driven a lot of customer cars. I've driven friend's cars. I know this car pretty well. It has its faults. It's different. It's a lot of fun. And looking back to when it first came out, it was THE car I wanted Subaru/Toyota to build.

But I've never had one of my own. And yet...I was planning on getting a new 2018 WRX this summer and not a BRZ. The BRZ has been around for over 5 years now and while the 2017 update is nice, I thought it was time I got a 4 door car with a bunch of power and more space than my previous car.

Naturally, I threw all that nonsense out the window and got the BRZ I've always wanted. I found an almost new 2016 BRZ Limited in white in Connecticut about a month ago. A day off work and a 4 AM train ride later, I was headed home in the car I talk to other people about every day. The BRZ guy at RCE finally got himself a BRZ.

(The 2017s are nice, but I got a very good deal and don't regret skipping the latest model).



Stopped over in NYC to visit a friend and eat some banging pastrami sandwiches in Brooklyn.



And then onwards to Baltimore through Manhattan.



Our previous "Clubsport" build BRZ was an excellent test platform for a lot of suspension and brake parts . That car had a decent NA engine build, final drive change, Recaros, BBK, all the suspension bushings and arms, and a selection of different coilovers. Still clean and streetable, but a bit more on the track side of things. That one has long since been sold. Details on that car here:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21194

This car will be a little different...think Cayman S instead of Cayman GT4. A very fun, simple, and composed daily driver. This isn't going to be a car that I have to apologize for or explain to a non-car person. Project Regular Guy BRZ. BRZ GT. BRZ Spec B. Something like that. Our own BRZ "tuned by RCE" Performance Package.

It will also serve as a test platform for a few very special parts that I've been thinking of building, but that will not be the primary focus.

Parts are coming soon but in the meantime I've been having an absolute blast driving this car stock. It's easy to forget how much fun these cars right off the showroom floor with the crap tires. Lots of people modify these cars, only some of them actually make them better.

Stay tuned.

- Andrew

[Racecomp Engineering]

Parts list:

Pastrami sandwich

(So very stock. For now. lol.)

[jmark]

Congrats on the car. B6 & RCE Yellows?

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by jmark

Congrats on the car. B6 & RCE Yellows?

Thanks!

And yes, as soon as I decide which wheels I want.

- Andrew

[jmark]

Leaning towards Apex Arc 8 17 X 9 42 wheels. Clears the PP Brembos.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by jmark

Leaning towards Apex Arc 8 17 X 9 42 wheels. Clears the PP Brembos.

Those are in the running.

[jmark]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

Those are in the running.

One thing neat about the BRZ/FRS spec Apex Arc-8 17x9 wheels they have the correct hub OEM bore.

[mjanmohammad]

I'm excited to see where this build goes. RCE has always been one of my favorite vendors.

[matchamochi]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

Parts list:

Pastrami sandwich

(So very stock. For now. lol.)

#1 upgrade A++ where did you get the sandwiches from?

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by matchamochi

#1 upgrade A++ where did you get the sandwiches from?

[EdBoy]

nice, looking forward to the build

[ApexEight]

Best first mod ever. Looking forward to this build. In.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Sorry for the lack of updates. Haven't done ANYTHING yet which is driving me crazy. Been busy with work and family life.

I'll be doing a light "stage 1" soon. Wheels, RCE Yellows, etc. I will eventually have a nice complete BRZ type RCE package that we'll put up on the website (still working on the name).

Then we'll be doing some big things with my car as a test bed. And unfortunately it has to stay extra top secret at first. I hate to tease (jk I def enjoy it quite a bit) but this car will be a test bed for some really neat stuff that will mean a lot to the future of RCE. Nothing to hold your breath for just yet, but this winter will be very busy. It's going to be good.

- Andrew

[Racecomp Engineering]

Okay, slowly collecting parts. Will probably make some progress in early December. The shop is a little crowded right now and I still have to sell my old MINI.

In the meantime, I think I need some winter wheels. The easy way to go is some 16x7 +35mm Enkei RPF1s. They're 13.7 lbs, and they're relatively inexpensive.

Still thinking about Braid for summer wheels but I'll hold off until the spring for that. I should talk to them though.

Will probably go with General Altimax Artic winter tires, and if I do, it will definitely not snow here this winter.

- Andrew