FRS/86/BRZ-The modern age Datsun 240Z; tryin' to make it better w/OEM parts

[Prodigalson]

Picked up a used set of the aero-underpanels today from that same BRZ (thanks Brendon!). I think these were only available on the limited or higher trim. I'll clean them up (and the underbody of my FRS) and get some additional pics of them installed.

[Prodigalson]

First proper bath of the year, plus i cleaned up the under panels.

[Prodigalson]

Garage Queen waiting for her 2nd coat of Aerospace 303 Graphene Nano

[Prodigalson]

Praise God! I have my next interview with Ford Motorsport tomorrow from 3:30-4:30pm. As always, prayers are appreciated! I'll update here with the outcome.

*The interview was not easy, but it is in God's hands. I'll hear something next week. I'll be praying that they decide to make an offer!

[Prodigalson]

Got the underbody washed and the aeropanels installed. Also got the wheel spacers installed (we have gappage!).

For the last pic, I took a quick snapshot while I was out.

[Prodigalson]

Originally Posted by 2.2Lude

How do they feel? I've been debating the same springs.

After driving it for a week or so, I have some observations, but first some background: I spent a lot of years driving various Honda's. More than a few had a lot of miles with varying degree of synchro wear and the later ones were cable shifters, so as a result I became accustomed to shifting somewhat carefully (which is to say that I was not forceful and always sorta easing it into the next gear). After getting my first 86, I have noticed that a more intentional/forthright shift behavior is more effective with these cars, particularly with respect to 2nd gear when cold. But, sometimes I resort to my old habits. So when I started driving it around with the new shifter springs, my first thought was that it was more notchy. But, as I drove around more and shifted more firmly and quickly, I noticed how much more of a precise feeling it provides. I'm more confident of my shifts and they are more rewarding.

This my be simply a culmination of the shifter springs, the STI transmission mount, the Perrin rear shifter bushing and the Pentosin MTF2 fluid, but aside from my NA/NB Miata's, this is one of the better shifting cars I have owned.

[Prodigalson]

Pulled the original 4.1 (Y38) diff rear subframe starting Friday, then finished on Sunday. It took about 4 hours altogether, but I am an engineer and like to be particular, so it could easily be done more quickly.

I'll do a video of it being pulled when the 4.3 (Y58) diff subframe comes out.

Steps are:

-Pull center console & remove ebrake cables from brake handle. Feed the cables/grommets through the hole in the floor
-Remove the intermediate exhaust pipe
-Unbolt the ebrake cables from the body & the rear subframe mount brackets (4 places per cable, 12mm)
-Remove the brake calipers (I unbolted the caliper bracket with the calipers as a unit, 14mm). Zip tie to rear coil spring
-Unbolt & remove the brake hose from the spindle (12mm)
-Unbolt/remove lower shock bolts (17mm)
-Remove driveshaft to diff bolts (4x, 14mm)
-Remove & tie aside the wheel speed sensor (10mm)
-Remove the wheel speed sensor routing bracket from the upper control arm (two 10mm bolts)
-Position the tranny jack and strap it to the rear subframe in the safest/most secure manner possible
-Pull the two 19mm front subframe bolts and the four 14mm bolts on the front subframe bracket/plate
-Pull the two 19mm rear subframe bolts
-Make sure ebrake cable is free
-Double check to see if anything is still attached that shouldn't be
-Lower the trans jack with great care. I used the forklift for added safety

Once it was out, I chased all the threads (tap and die) for the subframe to body fasteners (thread is 14mm x 1.5 by the way). It's very nice to be able to run the bolts in by hand, plus I read about fellows on here struggling to get them bolted back up when installing the subframe bushing inserts. Oddly enough, all were in very good condition except for the passenger front which was mildly corroded.

Today, I swapped in the subframe with the 4.3 ratio diff to be able to use the car while I do all the following work to the original subframe:

-Weir 4.556 FD
-STI subframe bushings
-STI pillowball trailing link set
-STI differential bushings
-tS Rear Upper Sub-Frame Stopper
-tS Rear Lower Sub-Frame Stopper
-tS Rear Sub-Frame Bolt
-MCA Traction Mod II

It took most of an hour to get the subframe situated on the tranny jack in a way I was comfortable with, but thank God it only took about 15 minutes to get the subframe lined up with the holes in the unibody and the four main bolts installed. By the way, those driveshaft to diff bolts are tight! (locktited). I buggered a couple of those bolts getting them off so I am waiting on the new ones then it'll be back on the road and I'll get to work on the other subframe.

[Prodigalson]

I'm not sure it isn't a placebo effect, but I can tell a difference with the 4.3 final drive. Definitely has a bit more zip.

[Tatsu333]

Originally Posted by Prodigalson

I'm not sure it isn't a placebo effect, but I can tell a difference with the 4.3 final drive. Definitely has a bit more zip.

Gear multiplication means that you're effectively putting about 4.9% more torque at the same rpm to the wheels in each gear with the shorter final drive, so it's not just placebo.

[Prodigalson]

Originally Posted by Tatsu333

Gear multiplication means that you're effectively putting about 4.9% more torque at the same rpm to the wheels in each gear with the shorter final drive, so it's not just placebo.

Agreed. What I meant was, would 5% really be noticeable? I feel like it is.

[2.2Lude]

Looking forward to your impressions of the 4.55 in comparison to the 4.1 and 4.3. I have the same Weir 4.55 sitting in my garage but haven't decided if I want to put it in or just grab a 4.3 diff and swap the whole pumpkin in.

[Prodigalson]

Found one of the OEM+ pieces i was wanting to get: got the TRD airbox used on eBay for $117 shipped. Woot! Does clean up the engine bay also

[autoracer86]

Nice score! I have wanted one myself it's very nice

[2.2Lude]

Nice pick up. That thing looks like it’s the same size as the intake manifold lol.