Max's BRZ STX Build

[blkwrxwag]

Over the last two weeks, I have taken my now retired daily driver, to 80% STX build.

The car already had a Kartboy shifter, and Mach V 17x9 wheels with some 245/40/17 Dunlop Z1 tires I had sitting around.

Out came the Unichip and the Eibach Pro Kit, and on went a set of MCS D/A Internal reservoir shocks from Vorshlag Motorsports, along with Vorshlag camber plates.




The MCS shocks have a very cool adjustment knob. Push down for rebound, and pull up for compression adjustment



I had to drill out the rear OEM top hats, as the MCS shock has a thicker shaft than the stock shock.

I already had a Strano Front bar, but it would not work at the lower ride height with stock end links as it hits the control arm. The solution is to move the bar above the control arm, and use adjustable Whiteline end links on their shortest setting.

For rear camber, I installed a set of SPC rear control arms, but I think I will need to add adjustable toe links as they limit how much camber you can dial out.

A Perrin resonated catback, with Perrin HFC front pipe were next in, and I will add the overpipe and JDL header when it arrives (hopefully soon).

Moto-East did the tuning, and I could not be happier with the results. The dip is pretty much gone and it drives so smooth.

Over the weekend, I took the car to California Speedway to test the setup.



I didn't like the way the car felt doing the pedal dance (ice mode on the brakes), so I just held the traction control button down after that and no further issues with the brakes.

The car had some corner exit oversteer, so I took some compression out of the rear which fixed that. I added some rebound all the way round to help in transitions at which point the car seemed really good to me.

Here is a run from Saturday...

[ame]http://youtu.be/BNJCqhKXo1Y[/ame]

On Sunday, I ran my old STR MX5 on Rivals. I really didn't like going back to the Rivals after the Z1's. The car was pushy and loose, much like it had been in Lincoln. Really hard to drive. I then drove the BRZ to compare and was just 0.2 seconds slower than the MX5 and about 0.5 faster than our top local STX BMW (Jeff Stuart).

[ame]http://youtu.be/SZ5s4mVKhD0[/ame]

Overall, I'm really happy with the setup. The header, overpipe and a tune adjustment for those items should wake the power up even more.

Many thanks to Vorshlag and Moto-East for their great service and quick turn around.

[SubiePig]

Welcome to the the club! Hope to see you at some of the tour next year.

[brz7400]

Your car was flying (windy day too, lol) out there on Saturday practice!
Didn't get to see the timer much due to not being on top of trailer, what times were you getting, ~54 secs?

[blkwrxwag]

55 - 56 second runs for the most part.

[Gearhead23]

[Scooby South]

Welcome Max... look forward to the progress.

Bill

[blkwrxwag]

Thanks Bill. Did you ever do engine mounts, and if so, what was the NVH like?

[Scooby South]

Originally Posted by blkwrxwag

Thanks Bill. Did you ever do engine mounts, and if so, what was the NVH like?

I am running Cusco Mounts..NVH is a bit strong but everything feels more tied together and connected too..I wanted you drive my car on the test course but that never materialized.. sorry. maybe spring Nats next year. That being said, I also have all the bushings done in the drivetrain,(Tranny, Rear Diff, Subframe, Steering Rack and the engine).. so my NVH is probably a bit higher than most. It feels strong.. not unbearable but just at the limit of my tolerance too... but then again I have gotten used to it. Others that have ridden or co-driven my car notice right away that I have done Eng mounts. Hope that helps

Bill

[blkwrxwag]

So, I was getting some clunking up front, so I did some investigation.



My Strano bar was an early version, with no collars and the fitment was not quite perfected. Obviously, it was hitting the control arm. I really liked the balance of the car on the Strano bar, but I also wanted to add some adjustability.

So, my friends at Whiteline contacted me and asked to help out. Yesterday I received a nice box from them and I got to work. First up was a 22mm adjustable FSB.



This thing comes with adjustable endlinks and collars to prevent bar walk. Awesome.

Install is easiest by removing the subframe...



Then, you can pre-assemble on the bench which makes things very simple.



After installation, clearance at full droop over the control arm is much improved.





They also sent me an adjustable rear bar, which again comes with endlinks and come swaybar mount stiffeners. Pretty cool.



I'm looking forward to the car making its first National debut at the SCCA Match Tour in St. George at the end of the month.

[Scooby South]

Very nice....wondering why you went up to a 'solid' 22... whereas Sam's bar was hollow????.. ...What kind of camber did you end up with??? if you don't mind sharing..

Bill

[blkwrxwag]

I wanted something in a similar size to Sam's, but adjustable and with better clearance to the control arm. It's a few pounds heavier, but hopefully it will keep the same balance.

[Wepeel]

Originally Posted by blkwrxwag

They also sent me an adjustable rear bar, which again comes with endlinks and come swaybar mount stiffeners. Pretty cool.

I'm not sure the swaybar mount stiffeners are legal in STX? They have the same things for the GR/GH/GV Imprezas but I didn't run one on my STI because I thought it was technically illegal per the rules.

[blkwrxwag]

Hmmm... I wondered about that, but hadn't looked into that yet. I better check. Thx.

[blkwrxwag]

I think they are legal...

Substitution, addition, or removal of any anti-roll bar(s) is permitted.
Bushing material, method of attachment, and locating points are unre
-
stricted. This does not authorize the cutting of holes to route the bar(s)
or links. Components such as anti-roll bars and strut housings that
serve dual purposes by also functioning as suspension locators may
not be modified in ways that change the suspension geometry or steer
-
ing geometry. Non-standard lateral members which connect between
the brackets for the bar, including allowed strut bars per Section 14.2.G,
are permitted