Car came back from alignment and wheel bearing jail. Fresh axles in the rear, new tires mounted, Whiteline bump steer kit (ball joints + outer tierods), and new wheel bearings. Before heading to the track, swapped rotors for blanks and put in the track pads + full nut & bolt check.

https://i.imgur.com/hSZ0thb.jpg

Went out to Strawberry Creek today, great day at the track.

Spent all day messing with damper settings to balance with the aero package and dusting off the cobwebs. By the end of the day times were pretty consistent back to back and quicker than last season, so that is a win.

Changes since 2022: fresh tires, fresh drivetrain fluids, aero package, header with flex fuel kit.

https://i.imgur.com/KvS8LPo.jpg

Did some autox yesterday, the splitter definitely did not help. Collecting cones all day due to the extra 1.5" it sticks out from the bumper on the sides.

https://i.imgur.com/D0rgDGh.jpg

Course was a pretty quick and flowing ~50 seconds, 11 runs (6+5). After the first two drift sessions on a super cold course clocked in a number of 49xxx back to back, and after lunch a 48.5xx.

Fun was had by all, so that's what matters to me. On the drive home I think an exhaust gasket gave up the ghost, as suddenly my feet were a lot louder. Going to check over the whole system while watching F1 today.

Pulled most of the exhaust off the car and cleaned all the flanges and then threw it back together with new gaskets. No leaks thus far.

Header gasket off cyl 4 gave up, looks like the bolt got about 1/8 turn loose.
While everything was apart I started cleaning the oil leaks off the block and installed some brand overpipe I got a few months back in an effort to solve some rattling from the OEM one. I can confirm it did infact do this... not sure if it's the bends being slightly different or just the angle it sits without a heat shield.

https://i.imgur.com/gPMWASL.jpg

After that, drove down to Lugnutz and did a quick oil change. 5w30 oil pressure is comically higher than 0w20 just cruising down the highway at temp.

So the rattle mentioned in last post moved and was the bent exhaust tip. You know the one...

Chopped both tips off and replaced with Blitz VSR clamp on replacements. Also acquired a slightly better condition rear bumper to wrap over.

https://i.imgur.com/XdMzTdS.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/lnA82ZR.jpg

Car works. Laps were quick, sun was hot, TT2 Lotus pitted next to me was a good sight.
Was having issues getting the car to rotate :/. I believe this is due to cranking the damping stiffer to compensate for the wing. I suppose the next logical thing would be stiffer rear spring to allow me to soften the suspension a hair. Always something with cars.


https://i.imgur.com/yMQHBw4.jpg

I should probably wash this car. Probably :iono:
https://i.imgur.com/mvDmV3p.jpg

Looks plenty clean to me :iono:

The beauty of Hot lava (any orange color in particular)

I see 7 dirts

Time to part out.

lol

The bugs on my front bumper remind me of the last time I passed through the US.

"Do you have any livestock or animals in the car?"
"Nope, just the dead bugs on the front bumper"
"Sir, please pull off to the side and bring your passport inside"

8/6 Day in Edmonton.
https://i.imgur.com/tbqC7WQ.png

Did a full nut + bolt check for a track day later this week.

Also picked up a TRD Duracon shift knob from YAJ. I like the shape, however it sits lower than the Vertex ones I have.
Earlier in the week I acquired the new Blitz shift knob. Don't love the hand feel, weight, or the height. One for the collection or another car.

https://i.imgur.com/YrZ0HIe.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/FeYNErp.jpg

It should light up when it's time to shift.


https://i.imgur.com/YrZ0HIeg.jpeg