'23 BRZ Manual Track Build

[X25]

After pretty much receiving all the parts but the car itself, I've finally picked up my Gray '23 BRZ Premium, yesterday

I love keeping journals of track builds, so I decided to start this one.

This car will join my '19 Corvette Z06/Z07 M7 as second track car:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ld-thread.html

[X25]

9/3/2022; at ORP.


10/13/2022; post coilover install + alignment (12.875" front, 13.125" rear). Stock is about 14.5" front, 14.75" rear.

[X25]

• Engine/Powertrain
  • Charcoal filter removal
  • Perrin transmission mount support to address 2nd gear shifting in hard-left turns (link).

• Interior
  • 2x Schroth Profi II ASM race harness in black
  • 2x Sparco EVO L QRT seats w/ PCI low-mounts (26.5 lb vs 39 lb passenger, 36.8 lb driver OEM; 53lb vs 75.8 lb OEM). 84.
  • Brey-Krause Harness Bar. (18.5 lb). 84.

• Handling
  • Karcepts MCS 2WNR Coilover kit 450/550 lbs/in front/rear springs 36.2 lbs vs 45.6 lbs OEM (link). 78.
  • Cusco rear UCAs for fine-tuning alignment (5.3 lbs vs 8.9 lbs OEM) (link). 14.
  • SPL rear toe link for fine-tuning alignment, and consistent alignment (1.8 lbs vs 2.0 lbs OEM) (link).
  • Perrin 22mm front sway bar (130%, 218% stiffer; 9.7 lbs vs 5.2 lbs OEM; link). 85.
  • Perrin 19mm rear sway bar
  • Whiteline HD sway bar endlinks
  • Brakes
    • Essex AP Racing Big Brake Kit (ENDURANCE) - 325mm (25.2 lbs per side vs 31.5 lbs 6.3 lbs lighter per side; 12.6 lbs total weight savings) (link). 11.
    • EBC SR21 (DP8037/2.20SR21) front (link), Cobalt XR2 CRB.XR2.D1124 rear pads (link). 78.
  • Wheels/Tires
    • Longacre TIRELIEF pressure bleeder (link).
    • APEX ARC-8 17x9 5x100 ET35 Black for fronts (link).
    • APEX ARC-8 17x9 5x100 ET42 Black for rears (link).
    • Hoosier A7 245/40/17 (they run as wide as most 265s) (link)
    • Falken RT660 225/45/17 (for stock wheels)
    • Gorilla racing lug nuts (42123BK) (0.6 lbs vs 1.3 lbs OEM) (link).

• Fluids
  • Amsoil 75W-110 for differential
  • Castrol SRF
  • Mobil1 5W-30

• Other parts/tools
  • T6 TPMS from Tirerack.
  • Autel MaxiTPMS 315Mhz/433Mhz 2In1 Universal Programmable OEM TPMS (link).
  • Autel MaxiTPMS TS508 for programming TPMS (link).

• Discussions / misc.
  • Mini DIY: Zip-tie (GoPro) bar mount for large bars! (link).
  • Alignment
    • @200 miles. -2.5/-2 Front, -2/-2 rear camber, 0/0.05 toe F/R in degrees @stock height, stock shocks. 17.
    • @820 miles. -4.2/6.0 /0 Front, -2.5/ NA / 0.15 rear Camber / Caster / Toe in degrees. 80.
  • Oil analysis
    • @1500 miles: 101.
  • Archive
    • Ferodo 3.12 front, 1.11 rear pads (Raybestos pads are out of stock).

[X25]

I'm trying to see if I can make it to Aug 12th Oregon Raceway Park ORP-club day event.

The plan
OEM-ish baseline:

• Cusco rear UCAs and camber bolts installed for alignment.
• Get the alignment, targeting -3 camber front (not sure if it's possible), -2 or more at the rear.
• Replace stock tires with Falken RT660 225/45/17s.
• Install AP endurance BBK, as well as race pads.
• Put a higher temp window oil (would 5W-30 work?), as well as Castrol SRF brake fluid.

These should make the car ready for track with no braking issues. After this, I will start adding the remaining mods (most important of which is coilovers of course), and we'll see how the handling and lap times changes : )



Already received almost everything (except the harness bar). AP brakes look good.


Opted for the bigger brakes, especially since float design is much more resistant to cracks, etc.


Falken RT-660 street tires


Yum yum; MCS 2WNR


I also plan to test tires' heat cycles with a durometer..

[NoHaveMSG]

The surface at ORP is pretty abrasive. I found the RT’s harden 2-3 points after their first cycle but don’t drop off much after that until they cord. The first time I ran them was at ORP. You running CCW or CW at ORP? It’s a really fun track regardless. I prefer the CCW layout a bit more. Something about dropping down from Valkyrie and flicking it into that right hander at the bottom is so satisfying.

[X25]

I have no idea what direction they'll run that day, but my lap times are about same both directions anyway. Indeed, the surface has always been one of the most abrasive, and feels like it got even more so in recent years. With my Z06, tires are gone in just a few days (front shoulders cord first).

Checking on hardening on the surface is also a bit tricky. Since tires collect rubber, I'm planning to get measurement from the wear marker holes' inside bottom. We'll see if it makes sense : p

[warmmilk]

Originally Posted by X25

After pretty much receiving all the parts but the car itself, I've finally picked up my Gray '23 BRZ Premium, yesterday

you're welcome!

[X25]

Originally Posted by warmmilk

you're welcome!

Hey thanks! Now all you need to do is to get one for yourself, too : )

[warmmilk]

Originally Posted by X25

Hey thanks! Now all you need to do is to get one for yourself, too : )

just need to make a tad more money... and orders need to open again... and gotta finish and sell the Miata...

[NoHaveMSG]

You may not get real consistent results at the wear mark. Usually you want to check on a flat surface if possible. I had some spots I didn’t have pickup that I checked and hit all across the tire. I think I was getting about 72 shore A after the first cycle checked at about 65-70f. I have a cheap gauge but have a 50A standard I checked it with and it was pretty close.

[X25]

On track to getting ready for next weekend! Installed AP brakes, dropped off the OEM wheels for getting RT660s mounted, will install rear UCA tomorrow, and will get the car aligned on Wednesday.



Realized on Saturday that none of my Motive bleeders work.


The correct one is 1107. It's a bit finicky, though. Once it starts going down, you should not twist it more than 1/8 turn, or it gets stuck. I had to remove it using plyers during my first trial!




Removed the charcoal filter. It's thicker than I thought.


I'm guessing these are strap rings used during the transportation of the cars? Anyway, I wonder if I can use them as well on the trailer..


325mm 2-piece AP rotors are 16.4 lbs. OEM are 17.1 lbs.


AP Caliper is 4.9 lbs, pads are 2.3 lbs, mounting hardware per side is 1.4 lbs, and SS lines are 0.2 lbs; 8.8 lbs.


OEM calipers with all hardware and lines are 14.4 lbs each.

TOTAL system:
OEM: 31.5 lbs
AP 325mm: 25.2 lbs (6.3 lbs lighter per side)


It's a bit hard to see, but Ferodo front pad is at the top, and the OEM pad is at the bottom.


Dropping another 1.2 lbs unsprung weight with the dust shield delete (as recommended by AP racing instructions).


Finished!!

[autosenses]

Nice build!

How do the tires look on OEM wheels?

[X25]

Originally Posted by autosenses

Nice build!

How do the tires look on OEM wheels?

Thanks! The tires are still at the shop; haven't picked them up, yet. I really liked the OEM wheel design, though. It is convex, and provides ample clearance for brakes. Hopefully it will indeed fit AP brakes as was listed on the forum, otherwise I'm in trouble : P

I'll measure the stock ride height as well when it gets the alignment on Wednesday, so they will be my baseline measurements..

[X25]

... and I'm ready for the alignment, and first track day event!!



OEM unmounted tires on the right, and RT660 225/45/17 tires mounted on OEM wheels on the left.


It looks pretty flush with OEM wheels and Falken's 225s.


Cusco rear UCA on the top of OEM part.


5.3 lbs vs. 8.9 lbs OEM


1.8 lbs vs 2.0 lbs OEM


OEM lug nuts, though light, still weigh 1.3 lbs vs. Gorilla at 0.6 lbs.


Everything installed!


Also checked on the wheel clearance, and it looks good.


Why is Subaru painting bolts? Anyway, changed the oil as well (to 5W-30) for track use.


Finished! It has zero camber right now, but has huge potential with the changes.



I'll be driving to track to add some more miles before the first event, and will be testing it out on Friday; looking forward to it!