spcmafia 18 BRZ

[autoracer86]

Yeah I think there is really only 1 legal lip kit but unless you're going to national level events where people might protest nobody is going to care. Spoiler might be the same as well.

Hopefully someone who is currently auto xing will comment as well haha.

[spcmafia]

As the auto-X season closes, got to work on the car and take care of some things for next season.

Got a wonderful deal on some STi engine mounts and went back to the stock front pipe. Now to recover financially and order a set of stock front bushings to remove the roll center correction kit.

Also, while in Japan, I fell in love with an HKS wheel and just had to get it. It is such an easy install, little nerve wracking because of the clockspring danger. But when out smoothly watching Kevin Vo do it.

Gran Turismo League for the winter now.

[DarkPira7e]

You're going to love the STI mounts. I have them in mine, chef's kiss.

I want the hjs wheel but I hate the thumb grips :'( I don't know why, they just don't fit my hands the way I like but it looks awesome! Enjoy!

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by DarkPira7e

You're going to love the STI mounts. I have them in mine, chef's kiss.

Ditto to that^.

I also managed to get the transmission mount in mine, also highly recommend that if you can find one.

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by spcmafia

Yep, found it. Great review and gave me extra confidence. You also reminded me about doing the sub frame inserts.

Its looking now like;
-STi Transmission Mount
-STi Motor Mounts
-Whiteline LSD inserts
-Rear Subframe inserts.

So I just recently swapped FRS's with a friend for a few AX runs. Both on RCEs with some setup and sway bar differences, but the major difference was he does not have the parts above and I do. The drive line bushings/inserts are a 100% improvement, no downside unless you hate gear whine. The subframe inserts come with a caveat.

My car indeed feels more solid and reacts to inputs faster. I would never go back to stock and wouldn't discourage someone from running them by any means. Buuuuuut, there is something to be said for the compliance in the rear end giving you that feeling of rotation.

-Stock, the car will give you a better feel for when it's about to let go at the rear because you can kind of feel the subframe mounts flexing. ... At least I think I can ...

-With the inserts that flex and the associated feeling is reduced to near zero. If you do overcook it a wee bit, it's easier to recover with the inserts. It's in my opinion a bit more fun to drive because the feedback from driving with the pedals is immediate. You can still feel the rear end rotate when you get it just right, it's just a different/smaller yet more precise feeling.

[spcmafia]

Originally Posted by DarkPira7e

You're going to love the STI mounts. I have them in mine, chef's kiss.

I want the hjs wheel but I hate the thumb grips :'( I don't know why, they just don't fit my hands the way I like but it looks awesome! Enjoy!

I can't wait to install them. But its looking like quite a process and I really, really hate being underneath the car even with the quickjack lol. Im trying to find a DIY garage and use a lift. Plus I need another jack for the engine lifting part.

Originally Posted by Spuds

So I just recently swapped FRS's with a friend for a few AX runs. Both on RCEs with some setup and sway bar differences, but the major difference was he does not have the parts above and I do. The drive line bushings/inserts are a 100% improvement, no downside unless you hate gear whine. The subframe inserts come with a caveat.

My car indeed feels more solid and reacts to inputs faster. I would never go back to stock and wouldn't discourage someone from running them by any means. Buuuuuut, there is something to be said for the compliance in the rear end giving you that feeling of rotation.

-Stock, the car will give you a better feel for when it's about to let go at the rear because you can kind of feel the subframe mounts flexing. ... At least I think I can ...

-With the inserts that flex and the associated feeling is reduced to near zero. If you do overcook it a wee bit, it's easier to recover with the inserts. It's in my opinion a bit more fun to drive because the feedback from driving with the pedals is immediate. You can still feel the rear end rotate when you get it just right, it's just a different/smaller yet more precise feeling.

Yep, I feel the car just kind of does want it wants and rear comes out, plus I can tell that power, inputs, don't immediately reach the areas where is needed. Tightening some stuff will definitely help.


So far I do have transmission inserts and mounts, but getting a STi one would be preferable.

[autoracer86]

Since I am still on the stock header and didn't feel like dealing with rusted header/front pipe bolts I let my local dealer install my motor motors... Might be worth just getting a quote from shop/dealer as it wasn't that much.

[2.2Lude]

Nice grab on the STI mounts. You beat me to them so I ended up ordering a set of TRD mounts.

[spcmafia]

Either my car is out of alignment, which it very well might be since I just got new tires. It wasn't too noticeable with the old wheel. But this new wheel makes it very apparent that I am. Or I installed it incorrectly. What my perception of straight is maybe 3-5 degrees to the right when driving.

It also really bugs me how the top of the dash, the cover per se, the ones that is over the speedometer and what not, is slightly cantered to the right and is not pointed straight, so it doesn't align with the logo.

[spcmafia]

Originally Posted by 2.2Lude

Nice grab on the STI mounts. You beat me to them so I ended up ordering a set of TRD mounts.

Haha, Im sorry. I've been on the hunt for them. Next is an STi transmission mount.

[Compelica]

Originally Posted by spcmafia

Haha, Im sorry. I've been on the hunt for them. Next is an STi transmission mount.

Have been considering if going to the STI transmission mount from a stock mount with the Whiteline insert would be worth the jump...

[spcmafia]

Originally Posted by Compelica

Have been considering if going to the STI transmission mount from a stock mount with the Whiteline insert would be worth the jump...

It'd be interesting to compare as that is my current setup. I just like the idea of running as many STi goodies as possible.

[villainous_frx]

Originally Posted by spcmafia

Or I installed it incorrectly. What my perception of straight is maybe 3-5 degrees to the right when driving.

No one mentions it, but this is super common. You'll notice the splines aren't lined up between wheels. I have 6 of them on my work bench and none of them have matching spline rings to one another.

[spcmafia]

Yep. Car did need an alignment. God damn local roads are killing my settings overtime.

Went to -2.5 on front with -1.5 on the rear. With very limited toe on the rear too. Tires seem to like this setting a little more and the car is more stable on straight line. Now I just need to reset the suspension to a more winter-friendly setting.