Something called a build thread...fc3s_johnny

[fc3s_johnny]

Originally Posted by TylerLieberman

Ugh! I went to BCT at Ft Jackson a few years back around this time of year. The pollen was HORRIBLE!!! Yellow smoke just pouring from the trees. My allergies went apeshit haha

Originally Posted by asianbob

I was at ft Gordon this time back in 09. My car was always yellow

So you guys feel my pain. It's terrible, it kills all motivation to have a clean car. Hopefully it will be over soon.

Originally Posted by alpine

Did you buff these out after wetsanding them? That is what makes all the difference.

Unfortunately, i didn't

[fc3s_johnny]

I'm on Spring Break this week so i made sure to order some parts because i knew i'd have time to install them, and they came in today. Battle Version solid aluminum steering rack bushings and delrin rear subrame bushings. Whiteline "gearbox positive shift kit" bushing. Perrin rear shifter bushing. MTec shift springs and a Beatrush duracon spin-turn knob to replace the aluminum TF one that i currently have (which rattles) and this new one perfectly matches my shift knob.

The goal with this "round" of modifications is to sharpen the car. I don't want to raise the grip level/threshold of the car just yet with wider wheels, stickier tires, and sway bars as i want to grow with the car. Hopefully, these parts should achieve that and lead to a more engaging driving experience while allowing me to feel more feedback from the car. We'll see. Installs start tomorrow.

[Assunta]

Originally Posted by fc3s_johnny

I'm on Spring Break this week so i made sure to order some parts because i knew i'd have time to install them, and they came in today. Battle Version solid aluminum steering rack bushings and delrin rear subrame bushings. .

Those aluminum steering rack bushings will bump you out of STX...
If you're not competing in STX anyway just ignore me.

[fc3s_johnny]

Alright, just a heads up but this is going to be a pretty involved post, without pictures.

So two weekends ago i installed the shift springs and both shifter springs. I always thought that the shift feel in the car was great (compared to the FC with no feel) but these improved it even further. The gears slot in easier and quicker and the whole action feels more connected and sharper. Shifting is even more of a joy. I have noticed a bit of noise from one of the bushings in the form of a slight whine that's only really audible if you're listening for it.

One weekend ago i changed both the diff and trans fluids, again with Motul Gear 300 75W-90. Just like last time, it's still awesome and further improved shift feel with the new additions (above). Also installed the rear subframe bushings. It wasn't hard at all and they've made a noticeable improvement. The rear end feels more planted than before, with more grip, especially in corners which have features that tend upset the balance of the car mid-corner (bumps, imperfections, etc.) It's also actually resulted in less rattling in the rear of the car than before.

So overall all those relatively simple and inexpensive mods made a nice difference in driving feel with it being sharper as a whole, which was the goal (waiting to install the steering rack bushings for a few reasons)

Now to the not so cool stuff...

Upon arriving at school the other day, i shut the car off and quickly turned the key into accessory to run the air and stereo for a few more minutes, as i've done hundreds of times before. With the car in neutral and my foot off the clutch, the car cranked and turned back over. I was confused, as i knew that i hadn't cranked it and then noticed my first ever CEL

I had to go into school thinking about what could be wrong (not a good feeling) and hoping it was just throwing a code. When i left school the CEL light was still on so i decided to use the OBD scanner we have at home to check the codes. It read a P0616 and a P0451. P0616="starter relay, circuit low". P0451="evaporative emission system pressure sensor/switch range/performance pending".

This put me at relative ease as it ensured that it wasn't the issue where people were having their motors let go with the CEL + slip light. As of this morning, the CEL was gone. I took it by the dealership anyways to see what they could find out. I normally hate dealing with dealership people because they generally don't understand that i don't need them to touch every part of the car and wash it and change the oil, that i know exactly what needs to be looked at and THAT'S ALL. Fortunately, I knew someone from the Nissan dealership who ended up at the Toyota dealership who had left but referred me to someone who understood. In short, they only did what they needed to and read the same P0616 code and said it was a non-issue. So that's good and i also met another FRS owner who asked about my exhaust and owned an FD RX-7 in the past The other bad is that my left rear tire has a small nail in the inboard sidewall, which has been the cause of the slow leak i've had. Now time to fix that...

[fc3s_johnny]

Sorry for the lack of updates...but here's a teaser

[Jdogg88]

Don't know if you mention it or not but how do the steering rack bushings feel?

[janitor]

I enjoy how well written your posts are, keep up the great updates.

[fc3s_johnny]

Originally Posted by Jdogg88

Don't know if you mention it or not but how do the steering rack bushings feel?

Still haven't put them in yet. Trying to decide when to do it or whether to wait and do it further down the line because of class regulations.

Also, another teaser while i get tires mounted... (hint: this will be a square setup)

[fc3s_johnny]

Tire teaser

Wheels are on the car now, just getting everything dialed and waiting on a few more parts before i show it. I'm stoked on how it's coming out, by the way.

[fc3s_johnny]

Here's the finished product. Enkei RS05RRs, 18 x 9.5 +43 with Bridgestone Potenza RE11s 255/35/18 on all four corners. Parts Shop Max locking spline drive lug nuts in black chrome. I didn't originally intend to go with these lug nuts, but they work. They're open ended for when i have the time to install the ARP extended studs, they're locking, and they're quality. The black chrome finish also contrasts nicely with the matte gunmetal of the wheels.

Also still need to install the SPC camber bolts in the front and get another alignment. At the current specs there's no rubbing or decrease in driveability. Overall i'm really happy with the look and performance, which should only improve with the studs, bolts, and alignment. Tires are fantastic in both the dry and the wet.

More/better pictures and thoughts to come later.

[redge]

Hi,
I just post this so that other getting the same code will find the answer more easily.
I also had a CEL with code P0616 by doing exactly the same thing as you. I shutdown the engine and tried to turn it on in accessory mode only. The engine started. Then I had this P0616 code.
My car is an european GT86 with the start button.
bye

[TylerLieberman]

Very nice!

[dizzario]

Dude I love those new Enkeis. I would love a set in that Sparkle Silver color. Looks awesome...and I don't even prefer 18s. Thumbs way up!

[fc3s_johnny]

Originally Posted by dizzario

Dude I love those new Enkeis. I would love a set in that Sparkle Silver color. Looks awesome...and I don't even prefer 18s. Thumbs way up!

Originally Posted by TylerLieberman

Very nice!

Thanks guys! Put the front lip on yesterday, hopefully i can get pics up today