Duder's BRZ Mod Journal
 

Mod Summary

Installed Mods:
Valentine One (hardwired)
Stubby Antenna
LED dome, door and trunk bulbs
OZ Ulltraleggera 18x8 +48 (Gold) wheels wrapped in Kuhmo Ecsta XS 245/35 tires
Perrin Power Pulley
Scorpion Cat-Back
KartBoy STS w/ Rear Shifter Bushing

Mods Not Yet Installed:
SS brake lines F/R
Carbotech XP10s F/R

Media:

BRZ's New Kicks
New Wheels - 5/1/13
Power Pulley Install - 5/18/13
Scorpion Exhaust - 6/15/13

http://i.minus.com/j512tKYfjoW0k.jpg
http://i.minus.com/jq12FX96vHnXi.jpg
http://i.minus.com/jbnaAbbqERd4s9.jpg

[ame]http://youtu.be/fq7_Y427pPg[/ame]

Hello hello,

Been lurking for a few months now, and I finally pulled the trigger on a WRB BRZ Limited a few weeks ago. I've put about 1200 miles on her so far and am bout ready to get down to business so I thought I'd start a mod journal for my car.

First I want to talk a bit on why I bought a BRZ. My first sports car was a '93 325is and I loved that car. It was so much fun and I learned so much behind that wheel. My second sports car was an Evo VIII 2.3 stroker, but I only owned it for a short time. The ridiculous torque and near limitless power potential was fun, but honestly, I missed my e36. The evo's handling was better for sure, but it wasn't nearly as much fun to drive. Only in a straight line was it more fun than my e36, and I'm not much for drag racing. I gotta say, even in snow, I had more fun in my e36. Too much power can really spoil a good street car IMO. Styling is also a big deal for me. I'm very partial to classic sports coupe styling. I was never in love with the looks of the Evo 8/9 but thought I could get over it. I was wrong.

I sold the Evo and started debating between an e36 M3 or the BRZ. I also consider a Cayman or S2000, but ruled them out early due to the lack of a back seat. Although the back seats in the two cars that have them are a bit of a joke they do make them slightly more practical. Especially if you have a dog.

It took me several months to finally make a decision. I'm a sports car enthusiast that loves to go fast, and loves going sideways even more. I'm a firm believer in using sports cars for what they were made to do, and I run them pretty hard. I love autox/snowcross and haven't done any track days yet, but plan to start this year. The price/risk factor was the only thing holding me back from getting a BRZ much sooner. I consider myself a good driver, but there is always risk when you push cars to the level that I do and the BRZ is much more expensive than an e36 M3. Fortunately, my financial situation is pretty stable so in the end I more or less just said, "Fuck it, I'm young", and went for it! :thumbup:

I chose the BRZ over an FRS for three main reasons (in no particular order): branding, styling and color. Personally, I find it a travesty that they branded it a Scion and not a Toyota GT-86 in the states. The GT-86 is also much nicer than the Scion model - even nicer than the BRZ limited. On styling, I just love the front end and headlights of the BRZ - beautiful! Finally, I will always prefer a blue sports car and since I was buying this car new there was no reason not to be picky. WRB was the only option for me.

Some pics and videos of my old toys:

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot..._6923720_n.jpg

[ame]http://youtu.be/fvIHlhrAb3g[/ame]

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...62985371_n.jpg

[ame]http://youtu.be/8-rA57fw2hc[/ame]

All Innocent and Stock
 

Alright, here's my new baby. All innocent and stock.

Only mods so far are stubby antenna and hardwired V1. The car came with the rear diffuser and gas cap cover. I don't think the dealership even knew they were on the car cause I didn't pay for them :D

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-L...6/P4263758.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-O...6/P4263769.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-c...-side-shot.jpg
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-e...3/P4263749.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-i...6/P4263748.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7...6/P4263766.JPG

Looking forward to the direction you go with it! Mod on my brotha! Check mine out in my sig!

Wheels!
 

Wheels are on!

http://i7.minus.com/jqioIcur31iO.JPG

Choosing a wheel was tough. Ultimately I settled on the OZ Ultraleggera, but choosing a color and size was even tougher! I was originally planning on the 17s for the weight savings and extra insurance against road hazards (I am in VT..), but function lost this battle. It was when I saw @frsguy707's FRS on these exact wheels that I could resist no longer. The color looked so much better in his photo than on tire rack.

I've only driven a few light miles on this combo so far, but I'm already very pleased. Even with the little driving I did it feels much more planted. Tonight was actually the first time I noticed any body roll. The gold on WRB is amazing too - I freaking love it! It was also kinda uncanny how much more attention it attracted tonight from bystanders and motorists. I feel like it truly looks the part of a supercar now :cool:

I tried to weigh them but could not get an honest reading because the tires were too wide to fit on the scale. You can feel the added size and weight tho, no doubt. NVH also increased noticeably, but nothing beyond expected.

I hope to run em at an autox event this Saturday, but I'm not sure I'll have enough mileage on them by then.. we'll see. Can't wait to really push this combo.

Here's a whole album of pics. Unfortunately the suspension wasn't fully settled, but I intend to go on a shoot with my buddy later this week to get some really nice shots.

http://min.us/m2CoSDtCCJxdh

Valentine One hell yeah

Always the first mod installed :thumbsup:

Beautiful wheels you got there my friend!

Thanks!

Below is a quick video taken this AM on the way to get my alignment checked. Going to hit up the car wash after work and take some more footage and pics. Its a beautiful day so it should be a good shoot!

[ame="http://vimeo.com/65223789"]PatBRZTest - HD 1080p on Vimeo[/ame]

The alignment needed no adjustments.

The wheels transform the look of the car...beautiful :party0030:

Thanks man, they really do! I was reluctant to go for the 18s in gold, but I'm so glad I did.

I updated the first post with new pics from the shoot yesterday. Should have some video cut up in a few days.

Power Pulley
 

I meant to update this a while ago...
In May I installed the perrin power pulley. It was quite an easy install with the help from this forum's resources. However, I recommend waiting for your car to completely cool down! I did it while still warm and the o-ring popped out and would not go back in place. I just brought it inside to cool down for a few minutes and was able to put everything back OK.

Before
http://i.minus.com/jK92itIC45OFM.JPG

After
http://i.minus.com/jbhzis06YPH1p7.JPG

The improvement is subtle but not so much as to be negligible; more noticeable in the lower RPMs. It just feels a little more eager to get going which is nice. Definitely an improvement in throttle response as well.

More pics here


Next mod up is the exhaust! I decided this weekend to go with the scropion catback. I'm psyched to get this thing bolted on! Should be doing that next weekend.

I also ordered up the KartBoy SS kit and some JPM Coachworks goodies for the interior. Hope to do those next weekend as well - woohoo!

PS: I updated the OP with a video from the most recent autoX I attend.

Cool wheels, awesome engine sound:thumbup:

Love the wheels!