2point0's BRZ Ltd "Mina"

[2point0]

Sometime last month, I got a call that I had to move my Mustang, as the house where she's staying is going on the market. I only midly freaked out, since I'm still on crutches and the car isn't running. Well, I talked to my metalworking friend who I worked for during a previous unemployment stint. He offered to pull the car into the shop and help me get her running finally! I should have called him sooner...

Got a couple batches of new parts for the Stang:

- 140A Powermaster alternator
- 110gph Holley fuel pump (actually replaced the exact same thing, mine was just deteriorated)
- Fel-Pro rubber/steel oil pan gasket (pretty awesome piece...odd to say that about a gasket)
- high flow water pump
- SPAL 16" electric fan and temp switch to replace the power-sucking belt fan
- 1" front sway bar w/ PU endlinks
- belts/hoses/t-stat/plugs/wires/blah blah

Ok, I didn't really need the sway bar to get the car running, but the old one had to come off to get the oil pan out and I really didn't want to spend the time to clean the old skinny bar. It's going to be upgraded at some point, might as well do it now!

Saturday I painted some of the parts. The water pump is the last piece and should be here today, so I'll get that painted as well. It's sort of a keystone part for the front of the engine, so I can't install a few things until that is on. Also need to flush the cooling system first, it's really gross in there.

Since he's all about metal, he's going to get the body fixed up. It's not bad, just a couple of areas that need attention and rust repair. It's a native CA car, so rust is really not that bad (oh shit...I didn't just say that). Then he'll help me prep for paint and I can go get a cheap spray job. Should work well, since we will have all the prep done ahead of time. Actually, he's really pushing me to go black plastidip...I have different ideas.


The poor BRZ is just sitting there with a dead battery, making me sad. My gf said she'd come home on lunch today and take me and the battery to AutoZone for a free charge up. I have an appointment with the podiatrist on Friday and if the x-rays look good, I can drop the crutches and walk in the cam-boot. But the really good part about that is I'll be able to take off the boot and DRIVE.

Almost 7 weeks without driving ... might as well just shoot me. It's been awful. I hate begging for rides but also hate being stuck in the house. "Hmm, maybe I'll go for a walk or ride my bike...OH WAIT."

[2point0]

DAT REDNEK DOE






Note the nice orange/rust color of the water passages...


This is what everything under the car looked like...which is a big reason I replaced the sway bar. Also, paper gaskets are the devil...took two evenings and a sore neck to scrape that bitch off.


Oil pan before:


Oil pan after a shit-ton of scrubbing and paper towels (it's since been blasted and painted satin black):

[2point0]

FITMENT (front is actually strapped down to a trailer). And yeah, those are the same Drags that were on the BRZ a while back. And on my STi before that...


Booty

[chanomatik]

So sad for you! Interesting that your battery died. I had to replace mine a few months into ownership. My 2011 WRX battery needed to be replaced after 9 months. Silly Subaru.

Glad you're going to be walking dead again!

The 'Stang project looks pretty cool!

[2point0]

Thanks, Chano!

I had my BRZ battery charged last night and the guy says "it's bad" but didn't say how he knows that. It did take a charge to like 92% and it started the car, so I'm good. He said he sees a lot of issues with Panasonic batteries. Well, if it dies, maybe I'll go lightweight.

It was nice to hear her purr again. If all goes well, I'll be driving again next weekend.

[chanomatik]

Oh yeah, 92% is good. My stock BRZ battery wouldn't even hold to 75%, so it got swapped.

The car is definitely meant to be driven. If not, then you might as well have gotten an Outback... from the 90's.

[2point0]

Well crap...tried to start the car and it was a no-go. Battery is shot. WTF?

Sucks, I don't want to pay in-store prices, but really need to get this replaced ASAP. I have an Optima Red Top in my Mustang, but those are even heavier than stock, I think. DECISIONS!!

[chanomatik]

Lame! For where the battery is located, it won't be noticeable on the handling. It's towards the center. It's like carrying a fat kid in your car.

And apparently 92% is BAD.

[Carlos_M]

Really digging the fitment of the Drag's on the Stang! Also, keep up the great work on your BRZ. And have you looked into the Shorai (<-SpellCheck) Battery? I know it is a little pricey but apparently it is top notch.

-Carlos

[2point0]

Thanks, yeah I did a bunch of looking into lightweight batteries, but in the end I needed it right away and needed it to fit. I just got the lightest stock replacement at O'Reilley's. 3 yr warranty and all that. It's right around 30#, but I was considering the more pricey AGM style and that one was 40#...yuck.

I actually had to go back into the store to buy new, longer J-hooks. My Kartboy tie-down plus the slightly taller battery left no threads for the nut with the stock hooks.

I also happened to find the last two 3/8 NPT to 5/16" hose fittings they had. Been like trying to find a specific needle in a big stack of needles. These should help me hook up the fuel pump on the Mustang. They better fit or I'm gonna have a fit...

[chanomatik]

How goes thangs?

[2point0]

Hey, @chanomatik, I haven't been checking in here much lately. Been spending most of my time on the Mustang forums and looking up wiring diagrams, etc. It's been frustrating, lots of back and forth to the local O'Reilley's.

Right now, the next step is to repair rusted sheet metal where the battery sits, and fab up a shroud for my new electric fan. After that, I can try and start up.

As for the BRZ, I switched back to E85 last week. I also took a gamble and got her washed by the guys who come to our office every week. I'd put it off forever and decided to try them out since my foot still hurts enough that I don't want to do it myself. What a mistake...I should have known better than to trust a $20 wash job. Got a scratch on the rear bumper that I can't 100% prove wasn't there before, but I'm certain it wasn't. Wheels weren't even cleaned and everything was just kind of half-assed. I saw smudges on the inside of the windows, so naturally reached for my nice little green CARSMO microfiber cloth that came with my armrest...and it was gone. Fuckers...learned my lesson, I guess.

One of these days I'm going to break down and get those rear spats. Just too much going on and too many little parts to buy for the 'stang.

How's life up there in the north pole?

[chanomatik]

Dat 'Stang business! Gotchu all wrapped up in tha game. That's cool you have a little project, though. Sounds a bit more fun and rewarding than modding a BRZ.

Alaska is good! There's pretty much zero snow up here, so my Blizzak snow tires are slippery everywhere. Super annoying. Making the most of it now that I've decided to stay for a bit longer, probably two years or so. Gonna do my best to break free and visit other places though. I still wanna do a road trip again next year with my BRZ.

That's terrible about the wash! It's something so basic! I've found that using the bay wash, the best results for me have been to rinse, soap, soap a rag, hand wipe down the car, then rinse and dry. Less than an hour and less than $15. Wipe horizontally, not vertically or in circles. DONE! And PRISTINE! That's your free Wash Tip from a Blaxican. You're welcome.

[2point0]

Haha thanks! I will need to give that a try soon. The foot has been hurting so scrubbing down the car just does not seem appealing at all right now.