Picked up a torque solutions short shifter. Looks to be a copy of the kartboy which is now discontinued.
https://i.imgur.com/E48xRix.jpeg

Install was mostly straightforward all though I ran into a couple small snags. I had to partially destroy my trim overlay to get the center console out :( .
Installing the pin on the gear selector rod into the shifter was not as simple as what is described and shown in videos.

I was able to get the pin half way in by hand before jamming up. Fiddled with it for a while before eventually used a bar clamp to press fit it through.


General idea of how much shorter the shifter physically is compared to stock. Top is installed, bottom is stock shifter.
https://i.imgur.com/DnKWpyq.jpeg


I need some time to live with it before I can form a opinion. Intial impressions much stiffer feel between gears.

The supplier where I ordered the fujistubo axleback weren't able to get it from their new supplier, so I decided to bail on the idea after looking at the cost increases to get my hands on one.

Grabbed a greddy SP to try out.
Fits nicely in the trunk without the massive box!
https://i.imgur.com/5OUnYoP.jpeg

First impressions are that it's quiet overall but boomy at low rpm. From 1500-2700 it drones a bit under load which I find annoying for a DD. Enough that I will be welding in a second resonator. Ideally a vibrant ultra quiet resonator but the midpipe may need to be hacked up to clearance it.

Few clips to show off sound

Cold start idle(winter for extra rasp)
https://youtu.be/aVM109PBmD8

Light revs with full throttle pass with pass launch control. Then light throttle shifting at 3000rpm under constant load.
https://youtu.be/ubI959qQ_Ww

I have 2 of those Subaru "JDM" exhaust hangers that are supposed to reduce some noise and vibration. Free + shipping if you want them.

- Andrew

Thanks, I actually have all five JDM hangers already installed. I'm considering experimenting and tossing on stock hangers in different locations to see if there is any difference.

Lemme know what you find out, I have 5 and was planning on installing just 3.

- Andrew

I Did a 100km nut and bolt check, added some orange gasket maker for good measure to rule out leaks.

Switched out for 2 rear JDM hangers, and 3 OEM, like how STi suggests for their axleback.
Went for a quick drive, hard to say if there's any difference. While the exhaust is cold it's less boomy, after a few minutes I noticed it got boomy again.

I picked up a Vibrant 12" bottle resonator, and took some measurements to see what would need to be done. Lots of space overall, the big resonator will need to move back 2-3" to give comfortable space to weld the vibrant resonator in.
I wish I had a lift :lol:

Initially I wanted to have this Tig welded in, but I need to do some digging to have the work done. Either it's a long wait or I am being given High priced quotes over the phone. I have an appointment Wednesday to have the car on a hoist via a shop who did some exhaust work on my old integra.

Alternatively I could see a friend and we could DIY with a MIG, but I'd prefer to keep it looking as OEM as possible in case I decide to sell it later.

https://i.imgur.com/FFFUBj3.jpeg

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

https://i.imgur.com/V8Vx736.jpeg

Update: Going to make some changes.

https://i.imgur.com/zn9nvss.jpeg

Got pricing from a few people to install the resonator and the cost isn't worth it. 2-3 hours labor at $150 an hour. Not sinking $500 into a 1.1k exhaust to potentially make it bearable.
In retrospect I probably should have got a full refund when my fujistubo order was canceled. Lesson learned!

Considered a few options, like selling the SP at a loss and stick with the stock CB, maybe run a aftermarket front pipe to try and change the tone a bit.
Before that I'm going to try a little experiment. I'm picking up a friend's 2017 OEM header tonight to keep as a "revert to stock" and will be punching out the cat on my OEM header to install. Will need to do some logging with the original tune @tomm.brz provided with UEL setup.

Will decide then to toss my Gruppe-S header up for sale, then set some money aside for a HKS or something similar EL setup.

Picking up new grimspeed header gaskets in stock tomorrow, and doing the install.

Swapped over the decatted OEM 2017 header on Thursday.

Ultimately the SP isn't going to work for me, I blame my sensitive ears :lol:
It's much more Livable than when paired with UEL headers. Drone is considerably less intense inside the cabin; but still there from 2000-3000rpm.

Going to continue to run the decatted header for a while, I want to see if I miss the UEL sound.

SP will be up for a sale soon.

Reinstalled gruppe-s header, Gutted my OEM front pipe, installed stock catback.

Put the car on stands and installed Cusco shifter front carrier bushings and torque solutions rear shifter bushing. RIP to my body after doing it on my back :lol:.
Took several hours due to fighting to get the inner carrier bushings out and rear shifter bushing installed.

For anyone doing this combo together on jack stands I would suggest disconnecting the front carrier then sliding it forward to install the rear bushing after boiling it in a pot of water.

I am now quite happy with the shift feel with the short shifter. Stock bushings/short shifter combo is not something I would recommend, at the very least the rear bushing.

Weather outside is absolutely beautiful, which allowed me to get some cosmetic TLC done to my driver door. Between the two door dings and the residue that is caked on the paint under the mirror it was looking pretty grimey.

Hit the paint with Sonax fallout remover and then clay which got out a good 70% Of the contaminants under the mirror.
Made a quick pass on the door with the polisher. Minimized the residue on the dent and cleaned up the other door ding to about 95%. Removed remaining fallout junk under the mirror.
This should tide me over til I have the dent PDR'd and give the car another polish when I recoat it over the summer.

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

https://i.imgur.com/6sKUAgw.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/fKL1mjd.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/xWSn52G.jpeg

Started a suspension refresh with a new set of yellow springs. Got the rears done yesterday before a crazy thunderstorm hit and took out power in the city.

Shout out to @Racecomp Engineering for helping me out and going above and beyond :thanks:

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

Wrong bumpstop was used in this photo. Fortunately I caught it quickly and fixed it.
https://i.imgur.com/vXgicsT.jpeg





Ordered some pedders offset strut mounts to install when I compete the fronts. One was missing from the order so that will be done later in the week.

https://i.imgur.com/G7Q8hN4.jpeg

Got the front suspension dialed. Pedders installed, new springs and end links. Opted to keep the camber bolt/crash bolt combo out of curiosity of what max potential is, then dial back I'd needed.

Ordered some Moog rear end links to freshen them up.

Need to get my alignment checked before final impressions, but between the fresh end links and pedders the wheel weight is slightly heavier and the front end feels very planted around corners.

Picked up a HKS dual resonated front pipe pop up in good condition via local classifieds. Ended up chatting with the owner for a while during the sale and made a friend. Another reason I love this platform :D


https://i.imgur.com/Cx9xooK.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/B21WUyW.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/a4BLIrn.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/gBpl5V0.jpeg

Got some seat time with the new front pipe. Very unexpectedly all of the annoying RPM based NVH I was getting after doing the whiteline trans insert is now completely gone. The gruppe-s header introduced it and assumed that was the cause. I've had the front pipe completely off and reinstalled with no change to NVH.

The engine also revs more freely, and blips on downshifts feel cleaner. I didn't expect much of a difference vs stock or gutted oem header.

Got fresh rear end links installed. One side came out no problem, other got 90% out then stuck and required persuasion by my Dremel.

Alignment is booked for tomorrow to check camber and toe.

This is how the car sits right now with pedders, crash bolt and lower camber bolt. It looks like 3° but I'll be curious where it sits. Rear was measured around -1.8° last alignment.

https://i.imgur.com/hJSWct3.jpeg

Question, where do you get your car aligned?

Nice curious to see what you get. I’m planning on running this combo on my gen 2. That does look close to, if not -3 visually, which would be amazing.

There are a couple decent places around town, but I am taking it back to powersports garage at Calabogie motorsports park. Jay did a great job on the last alignment and I like that he uses the machine and string method. Plus he does enough twins that he can suggest settings and not let it leave until he's happy with it.

Will update once it's all sorted! He rack read -2.3° with just the boltd last year. Pedders should add roughly 0.7° from my understanding.

Got the car on a rack.
My throw it together setting had camber the left front at -3.1°, right -2.9°. Mentioned he could probably max out left to -3.3, assuming right would be similar.
Dialed it back a bit to -2.6° front and left the rears alone around -1.9.
2mm toe out front, and 1mm toe in rear.

https://i.imgur.com/92ijoXu.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/4Mm0QZc.jpeg

Wow that’s a good amount of camber adjustment. Any reason you didn’t go for the max camber setting in the front? Tire wear?

I took the owners recommendation against max camber since I still use it as a daily and it will see winter use.
It's good to know the adjustment is there if needed. The added caster was nice with the top mounts.

Got to explore the new alignment settings on the drive home, a bonus of making an hour drive to a trackside garage is that the roads near the track are the best around :D

https://i.imgur.com/2NP5C6B.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/Kyug0Cw.jpeg

Nice. I've got some Pedders in the shopping cart for my next round of stuff.

Cars booked for some PDR work this week. Getting a quote for roof and hood dings, and fixing the door ding. Also signed up for autocross this Saturday.

A Sunday wash to start the week. I have about three years on optimum DIY ceramic and it's failed on lower panels. I ordered Cquartz UK 3.0 and Cquartz SIC. Will be doing a combo with two layers UK and one layer of SIC as a topcoat.

The paint doesn't need much correction, just a quick one step all around and focusing on few areas with light scratches. The PPF on the bumper is done which will require a decision on whether to remove or reapply.

Edit: well things got out of hand while ordering carpro stuff :lol:. I ordered a BUNCH of their lineup. I am semi familiar with carpros lineup but a couple things are new to me. Essence, elixir, ech2o, reload on-top of the coatings. Doing a father day detail on the old man's 335i. Planning to give essence a try and top with reload for him.

Essence seems interesting since it's a finishing polish and primer for Cquartz or reload to be applied.


https://i.imgur.com/RlXvGa0.jpeg

Day of autocross was a success. Weather was an absolute scorcher, 36° with the humidity. Plus you add 5° when standing on the asphalt while marshaling.

Kind of bummed everyone only got 3 runs in over 8 hours. Lapping looks a lot more appealing from drivetime perspective!

Car felt great, just grip limited due to old V105s. Will need to look into replacement options next summer.
https://i.imgur.com/qXQgdbe.jpeg


Also organized a little twin club meet via Facebook group. Ended up having a good turnout with around 20 cars showing up.

I didn't think I'd see one of these bumpers on the flesh
https://i.imgur.com/imUbXt8.jpeg

Capped the evening off at a friend's place for a beer or two.
https://i.imgur.com/nWKC8Wr.jpeg

My bulk order of detailing supplies have shown up.
I messed up and ordered essence plus instead of standard essence. New bottle should be showing up this week.

https://i.imgur.com/2Rq5vFc.jpeg

Couple of shots from the event curiousity of MCOottawa photographer

https://i.imgur.com/522JdRi.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/2AEAHGQ.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/bepKZJu.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/sCz4K5i.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/IiFVkV7.jpeg

Plus a bonus clip of two runs near the end. Little too much sauce on the first one.
https://youtu.be/bkwL4-2B0NE

Auto-X in Ottawa, is it a whole lot of waiting around with only a few runs throughout the entire day? I recall it used to be like that, still the case?

Yup. Massive turnout on Saturday, 92 participants, 8am-4pm...3 runs.. :lol:

Thanks. That is exactly the case before. Sounds like hitting up bogie or shanny is the better bet! LOL.

Agreed, CMP does a bunch of promo lapping nights as well which I will try to hit at least one. I believe it's $140 for 3 hours.

I missed slicks sponsored event this past Friday.

Yeah, I would normally hit up CMP lapping nights a few times a year but i have not done so yet this year since i am still breaking in my Gen2. Maybe late this season once i have more kms on the car.

Few more pics from the event popped up.
https://i.imgur.com/ufOPG4g.jpeg

Run I almost spun it, too much juice and not enough grip!
https://i.imgur.com/BUFIVmF.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/YUqjtBI.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/u1o04ZQ.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/GpnRJcX.jpeg



Also swapped keys with my old man for a couple of days while I delivered on my father's day gift. 2014 BMW 335i, around 400hp with minor work done. Sounds the business, and goes too! Lots of torque and pulls to redline, a lot more refined and masked speed by contrast to my 86 which is no surprise.
Not sure if it was because it was automatic but I couldn't get syned with the car, and the steering didn't offer any feedback. Getting back into my 86 where everything is so connected made me appreciate it that much more!


Got to test out carpro essence and topped it with reload. I was surprised how well it was able to correct with my polisher, and how nicely it finished. Did a few other odds and ends, including a windshield polish and installation of aquapel.

https://i.imgur.com/4DlaS7Y.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/cX1UIGJ.jpeg
Decklid in the worst shape, before/after
https://i.imgur.com/PgxSl9X.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/HtJtUUY.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/AoZWF8M.jpeg

Picked up a FT86MS catted and resonated Front pipe to replace the catless HKS dual resonated currently installed.

https://i.imgur.com/uia8cUJ.jpg

Also swapped out my OEM catback for a 13-16 OEM unit. Picking up a axleback tomorrow to try which requires the older style flange.
Uploaded a quick clip comparing my setup with different front pipes. HKS unit sounds great overall but a bit rasp at low RPM with heavier stabs of the throttle.

FT86MS quality is great and overall happy with no more Stinky catless fumes. No rasp, and a touch quieter.

https://youtu.be/TK4-8rJ1iUE

Happy to see people on the autocross doing it proper!

Car saw it's longest single day road trip yesterday. Just under 1300km. Wore ear plugs all day to cut down road noise which greatly helped with road fatigue :lol:
Trip mileage average says 6.5L/100km which is roughly 36mpg. If true that's the best mileage I've clocked since buying it!

Picked up a Fujistubo authorize S axleback to try. Tossed it on last night after I got home. Need to live with it a minute but sounds good.

https://i.imgur.com/3aPlYTQ.jpeg
https://i.imgur.com/0biFv67.jpeg

Put a quick video together of the setup. Pretty quiet overall, makes a good noise.

Gruppe-s header/overpipe
Stock front pipe
OEM midpipe
Fujistubo Authorize S

https://youtu.be/0nPCapR6N6c

Ordered some parts, selling others.

On order
JDL 4-2-1 EL with titanium thermal coating
FT86MS 2.5" OP with thermal coating
New o2 sensors
ECUTEK Bluetooth kit

To go
Gruppe-S header and overpipe.
OFT

Already pulled off the Gruppe-s header and reinstalled the OEM decatted header I had laying around.
Header is pending sale, overpipe and OFT will be available in a month or so once everything is installed.

Quick exhaust clip for anyone curious of current setup.
OEM decat
Gruppe-s OP
FT86MS FP
Fujistubo Authorize S

https://youtu.be/8Y4zlNsRpNE

Couple odds and ends showing up.

Picked up the FT86MS OP with CERAKOTE black. Nice looking piece.
https://i.imgur.com/mNbufBj.jpeg

Could not help my self to in stock ecutek kit. Planned to wait for BF sales but 5% off wasn't worth waiting 2 months.
https://i.imgur.com/6X3dnUX.jpeg


Cleaned up the header for the next owner. I didn't get a before shot but it was pretty grimey. Considered breaking out the sandpaper but the drill brush/mother powerball did an adequate job. Tried to focus on parts that you can see inside the engine bay.

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

Oh mama it's time... whipping out the big guns with the Ecutek!

I was given an good offer for a tuning package. They chopped off $50 for the kit and packaged a custom E-tune with another $50 discount at $250.
Their tuning partner powertune Canada is familiar with the JDL.

Spent the weekend polishing and recoating the car. This is more a part 1 post showing process, photos were taken after I polished with essence. I lost sunlight before I could get a decent photo after the coatings were done. Last pic is a post coating shot in the dark.

Two step polish and coated with two coats carpro Cquartz UK 3.0 and one coat Cquartz SIC.

Decon wash; Adams strip wash, misted with ONR and ferrex then hit with a clay towel. Polished with scholl S20 black the followed up with carpro essence.