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History of my GS-R.. and rebuild.. my now-current track car.
BRZ is going back to stock more or less. I decided I wanted to track a car that I can put into a wall and not give a crap. And a car I can put a rollbar/cage into without worrying about value.
No fear, the BRZ will still get tracked, it just won't be tracked as much :) History of my GS-R.. and rebuild.. So back in 2000 I bought a brand new 2000 Integra GS-R. The car was autocrossed within a month and on Sebring within two months. The car was used hard, put away wet, and beat like a red headed stepchild. The car also basically never let me down and never left me stranded. Below is a list of everything that has ever broken on this car: -Radiator end tank started leaking -Brake master cylinder -Clutch master cylinder Yeah.. that's it. She has about 163K on her (had an ITR cluster in for ~10-11k to keep warranty a bit longer...) and until recently she still had both original axles (still has one of them!), the distributor has had rotor/cap/screw replaced as preventative maintenance but otherwise is 100% original, original main relay, etc. Maintenance wise.. yeah she's had a lot of parts and was maintained mechanically in my normal fashion (stuff gets replaced regardless of need and in batches, etc). This was my first new car, but I don't care about that. I do care that I can let the damn car sit for 6 months, jump it, and go drive without any concern that it's going to fail on me. Maybe I'm stupid or trust this thing too much.. this damn car should have broke a lot more often than it ever has with what I did to it :) Here's a not-so brief photographic history... Back when she was new... http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gs...engineorig.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gs...gsr47miles.jpg The first autocross.. 852 miles IIRC. http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/gsrautox1.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/gsrautox2.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/gsrautox3.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/gsrautox4.jpg Second suspension mod (first was a comptech rear sway bar, pics are shit so I didn't bother) - H&R Sport springs on Bilstein HD dampers: http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gs...srsprings1.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gs...srsprings2.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gs...srsprings3.jpg At the track - Sebring - Circa late 2000/early 2001: http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/gsrtrack1.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/gsrtrack2.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/gsrtrack3.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/gsrtrack4.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/gsrtrack5.jpg Some engine mods - at this point it was putting down 163/121 on a dynojet - about the same as a stock ITR. http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gs...rearlymods.jpg Ahhhh.. roll cage.. leather seats.. yeah back in the day... http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/cage1.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/cage2.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/cage3.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/cage4.jpg And then it was wrecked a bit.. cage sold to D.. some mods removed.. eventually subframe damage.. not washed for 6 years or so at a time.. At 144K indicated I decided to sell it.. without cleaning it of course. Some interest but I never cared enough to move forward.. pics from then.. http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_6230.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_6231.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_6236.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_6240.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_6244.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_6245.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_6246.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_6258.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_6282.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_6283.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_6284.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_6286.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_6287.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_6288.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_6239.jpg Eventually (shortly before buying the BRZ) I decided to actually.. well.. use a DA to buff and polish it.. plus fix the rollbar holes and other holes with the OEM plugs, silicone, undercoating spray, and aluminum tape.. Paint... http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/gsrwax0.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/gsrwax1.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/gsrwax2.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/gsrwax3.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/gsrwax4.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/gsrwax5.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/gsrwax6.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/gsrwax7.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/gsrwax8.jpg Undercarriage/roll cage holes... ripped out subframe.. http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/gsrund1.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/gsrund2.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/gsrund3.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/gsrund4.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/gsrund5.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/gsrund6.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/gsrund7.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/gsrund8.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/gsrund9.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/gsrund10.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/gsrund11.jpg Leakdown results from about 6K ago... Cylinder 1: http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/cyl1ld.jpg Cylinder 2: http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/cyl2ld.jpg Cylinder 3: http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/cyl3ld.jpg Cylinder 4: http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/cyl4ld.jpg Not bad considering the mileage and usage it's seen :) Eventually a buddy of mine was going to buy it. So I fixed a bunch of oil leaks (dist o ring, cylinder head plug, valve cover gasket, oil pan gasket, a couple others), fixed input shaft bearing, welded the subframe, etc... I'm sure I have some pics somewhere.. but I don't know where.. so skipping ahead... So for the rebuild I decided I could do this is in one week and proceeded to order a ton of new parts. About $2,000 in just OEM Honda parts (all hoses, gaskets, rear ITR calipers, some control arms, seals, timing belt/water pump/associated bits, etc). Also ordered: Rebuilt front ITR calipers Mini Cooper 280mm front rotors EP3 Si rear rotors Kosei K1s with Toyo RA1s Moog inner and outer tie rods Recaro Profi XL (comfy for road trips! ) Random passenger seat from the race car Pasenger harness from race car Buddy club rails Scrotch Profi HANS harness NRG quick release and short hub Bling ass (aka mugen) pedals Skunk2 shift knobz y0 Momo race 350mm wheel SS brake lines Hard race bushings Hard race steering rack bushings Hard race front sway bar bushings Eibach R2s with 700F/750R springs CL RC6 front, CL RC5+ rear, and a set of Ferodo DS3000 to test out. AP Super 600 fluid Competition Clutch street disc/pressure plate Competition Clutch Ultra light flywheel Sadly I didn’t take too many rebuild pics, was too busy working. At work and on the car. 8-9 hour day at work followed by 5-6 on the car EVERY night kinda sucked after a few days. WMHM (West Michigan Honda Meet) fucks with my head every year. This year I decided to do something about it by building the GS-R again. Since the subframe was ripped (and rewelded by myself and a friend) this was the first thing I wanted to check and make sure the plan could continue in a timely fashion… http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/asr1.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/asr2.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/asr3.jpg And this just happened to be laying around in a buddy Nate's storage unit.. sanding it this weekend and painting it S2000 Grand Prix White (I have a can sitting around). http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/rollbar1.jpg Everything removed (most of the interior, engine/trans gone, no suspension, etc) [img] http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gs...r-stripped.jpg[/img] Cleaned off IM gasket material, installed sandwich plate, still has old hoses... http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_2891.jpg Oil filter installed, new gasket, new hoses, new PVC, breather box grommets, o-ring, joints, etc.. http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_2896.jpg Intake manifold reinstalled (hard to torque that thing, should be "good enough" lol), wiring reconnected, vacuum lines reconnected (I haven't replaced those, probably should but then seem soft enough :shrug: famous last words I'm sure :) ) http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_2898.jpg Steering rack related stuff... Subframe dropped, new bushings installed, one inner and outer tie rod replaced with new vent tube, bellows/bands/etc. Ghetto power steering bypass/loop. http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_2893.jpg Subframe reinstalled in the car with both outer and inners replaced, bellows, etc. http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_2901.jpg Pass side tie rod... http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_2899.jpg And then the shifter stabilizer/etc.. replaced both dust boots, the collar, o-rings, bushings (where the linkage connects and the white thing around the shifter ball). http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_2902.jpg Shitty hardrace compliance bushing didn't fit on one side.. forgot to deal with this so far. http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_2904.jpg Comparison of original one and hardrace one: http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_2906.jpg Suspension mounted. Thanks to @_MrK for shipping them to Dave “Twinkle Toes” http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_2907.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_2908.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_2909.jpg Tight clearance between rear R2s and ASR RSB endlink bolt: http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_2913.jpg http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_2916.jpg This is driving "straight". One wet surfaces the car does 4 wheel drifts while driving straight. Alignment is spot on IMO. ;) http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_2969.jpg Finally empty.. http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_2975.jpg Defi Oil Temp/Pressure gauges. http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_2976.jpg Alignment.. check the awesome before specs! http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_2986.jpg Corner balance. Weight with 180lb driver and a full tank (minus 3 miles between station and shop) is 2,735, so approx 2,475-2,500lbs without driver/gas. http://www.itrexpo.com/users/dave/gsrredo/IMG_2985.jpg So the car is ready to go. Rebuild took 8 days. It's been sitting for a few weeks since then until I got it aligned and corner balanced today. Drives much better now :) I purchased a bunch of parts from companies/vendors from here that are involved in the FRS/BRZ to keep it in the family. Eibach (@Jackson and @_MrK), Essex (@JRitt), No Limit Motorsport (@No Limit Motorsport), and some others but I don't know their usernames to mention them :) The car's track debut will be next Monday/Tuesday at Mid Ohio at www.itrexpo.com :) Rebuilding a car in a week to drive it 3,500 miles and track it 1,100 or so from home.. stupid? Yeah probably. |
Odd, the mentions didn't seem to work..
Just so they know they are being thanked :) Eibach ( @Jackson and @_MrK), Essex ( @JRitt ), No Limit Motorsport ( @No Limit Motorsport ), and some others but I don't know their usernames to mention them :) I would have edited the original post but it comes up blank when I try. |
Inb4 fwd haters.
Nice work. I also like the idea of "being able to ball it up and not cry about it" methodology. Good work on the corner balancing and I lol'd at the floor mat. |
Man that's some awesome work you did there. Reminds me of my old GS-R. Had pretty much every bolt on every made. Reading your post made me miss that girl. Had some great memories with her.
On a side note. Makes me wonder if a Subaru will ever had the no-nonsense dependability of the Honda. Call me pesimistic, but I doubt it will ever have what those old Honda's did. You can just feel it in and around the car IMO. In any case, good luck at the track! :happy0180: |
Awesome!! I bought a '92 Prelude VTEC new back in 1993. I always had a soft spot for that and the GSR (a friend of mine bought a new one in '95 after really liking my car).
I wish I could have kept it and rebuilt like you're doing. Damn nostalgia. :) |
Fuck... Makes me want to re register my beast. Nothing like a 13:5 comp 1.8 liter screaming to 9500rpms. Make my brz seem like a tricycle in acceleration.
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This takes me back to days when I used to have an Integra. Thanks for sharing!
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Props for a clean GS-R! I wish I was born a decade earlier than I was :P ... I would have loved to take delivery of one of Honda's golden years machines.
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One of the best cars ever made....by any car company! I miss my little red GSR. I sold it after getting pissed that my kids kept begging to borrow it then bringing it back with new dents. Occasionally, I will go on autotrader.com and think about buying another one to use as a fun daily.
Awesome build. It is great to see someone keeping one alive and tearing up the tracks. |
Great stuff, Dave! Bummed I won't be at Expo this year but we're still supporting the event. Going to work on bringing out one of my cars for next year.
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Hey Dave...
Keep that inside rear tire on the ground! :lol: http://honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=3166741 Best quote in that whole thread came towards the end from the genius himself about what going fast in a fwd car really is. Quote:
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Snap just realized your taking it to mid ohio ... i'll take off work and come watch :P
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