My BRZ daily driver build - Slow and steady

[laextreme5]

Sup everyone. Just picked up a 14 brz about a month ago. I have owned a few subarus i the past, 12 wrx and then an 05 wrx.

Plan behind this car is a fun, useable daily driver. Im a huge fan of feel and feedback in a car. So that will be a LARGE focus with this car. As of the date of purchase i had 14 months left of warranty. I bought the car used with only 5600 miles. Previous owner barely drove it. Regarding that 14 month warranty, i promised the wife i wouldn't touch the engine till it is over. WE had some issues with my 2012, broken ring land, of course, on my 12 at 37000 miles, she seems to think it was from the modding but is too stubborn to realize its a ,sadly, extremely common issue on the ej25's.

Here is a few shots of my previous cars. Sadly, i parted the 12 out before i was able to paint the Vairs parts. I loved that kit. Good news is a friend of mine bought it from me so i get to see it completed.


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As with the 05, it was nothing but trouble, constant issues from previous owners mods etc. It met its odds in the manner it only knew, smoked a hog on the way home one night and it totaled.

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And lastly my project 240. She's in for the long haul, already been working on her for 6 months now, still got a long ways to go now. Im sure pictures of her will pop up in here every now and then

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So anyway, enough about the other cars. On to the BRZ.



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Current Goals for the car

-improve feedback
-improve overall performance
-increase comfortability
-give it my own stylistic personal touch.


Im a huge fan of rare and well, expensive jdm parts. I like using parts you normally dont see, even sacrificing slight initial goals to use them. I had varis parts on my 12 wrx and i had a massive amount of work to make the front bumper work with the fenders, as even tho they were both varis, the fenders were made to fit a different varis bumper which i didn't like.

Now I'm not going to go to that extent on this car, ill save that amount of work for the 240, but i do intend to add my personal touch vs just bolting on parts here and there.




Current parts on the car

EXTERIOR

-Perrin Shorty Antenna


INTERIOR

-Overland Design Alcantera dash knee pads
-Recaro RS-GE bucket seat
-Prodrive Suede deep dish steering wheel
-Prodrive steering wheel quick release (made by works bell)
-Splash steering wheel hub (made by works bell)



DRIVETRAIN

-Energy suspension shifter bushing
-MTEC shifter springs
-Jon Motoring short throw
-Anarchy Motive Galaxy Black Titan shift knob
-Motul 300 trans oil

SUSPENSION

--Front camber bolts





FUTURE WANT PARTS

--PowerHouse Amuse titan r1 single exit
--Varis Arise front bumper with VSDC diffuser
--Rocket Bunny V2 side skirts
-- Todokori front fenders
--Pro Composite rear bumper
--Full Alacantera interior
--Custom fit Re Ameyia FD rx7 diffuser
--TRD carbon fender canards

CURRET PHOTOS

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[Marat]

As soon as I saw the first couple of pictures I knew I've seen them somewhere, then I scrolled down and saw the 240. I've been following your crazy (understatement) 240 build on zilvia for a while now. Awesome work on the 240 and good luck with the BRZ!

[laextreme5]

Originally Posted by Marat

As soon as I saw the first couple of pictures I knew I've seen them somewhere, then I scrolled down and saw the 240. I've been following your crazy (understatement) 240 build on zilvia for a while now. Awesome work on the 240 and good luck with the BRZ!

thanks man! glad to see there are a few on here that are over there as well.

[laextreme5]

One of the first things i did once had the car was increase the front camber. Ive learned from my previous 2 wrx's that additional camber adds good front grip to the car. The method was simple enough, i had a set of camber bolts from my previously mentioned wax's.

Granted this amount of camber still isn't optimal for my intenions of a fun, communicative daily driver, it is definitely better than the measly -.5 or so from the factory.

I also took the time while the car was up on the rack to get some inial weights of the car.

+++++Bone stock, Full tank of gas, No driver++++

=Overall weight 2744

= Front to rear bias 56/44

=Cross weight balance 49.7/50.3

=Side to side 50.2/49.8

I was pretty happy with these figures sans the front to rear bias, I was expecting a bit better than that. Regardless the stock cross weight ( front right + back left divided by the overall weight) was excellent.

++++Bone stock, full tank of gas, WITH driver++++

=Overall weight 2963

= Front to rear weight bias 54.7/45.3

=Cross weight 50.2/49.8

=side to side 51.5/48.5

Subaru/Toyota really did there homework. Weight of the driver improves the front to rear bias and the cross weight as well. Obviously wasn't going to positively affect the side to side as the driver position is offset. But regardless 54 is much better than 56, even if you will never drive the car at 56 front bias, well under your a ghost or something...


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While i had the luxury of the car up on the rack i assessed the the split i had seen before on the bumper from underneath. I also changed out all the lock lugs as they are just plain unnecessary in my application.

I also curbed my first wheel the other day :/ didn't have a choice as someone came into my lane i my in laws neighborhood and it was either my front end or the wheel.


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[laextreme5]

The other day i installed the follwoing

-Jon Motoring Short throw
-Rear shifter bushing
-Mtec shift springs
-Anarchy motive white shift knob (temp till my galaxy black on comes in)
-Motul Gear 300 trans fluid
-Motul 8100 motor oil
-Fumoto quick oil drain
-STI oil filter
-Overland Design Alacantera center console sides
-Perrin 2'' Shorty antenna
-BRZ Weathertech logo inserts
-Whiteline transmission insert

I didint take too many pictures as i was tryign to get done quickly as at the time my wife was home 9 months pregnant and i didnt want to be away from her too long. But here are a few


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Few notes on the parts i installed.

--Weighted feel increase from mtec springs was great. Absolutely reccomend it.

--Jon Motoring Short throw is SHIT. Rattles WAY more than stock (part of the pushing factor to change)

--Im not sure if this has to do with the short throw or my syncros, but 2nd to 3rd is more vague and causes mis shifts since the parts install. Doubt its the mtec springs.

So after its all said and done im considering switching back to the stock short throw and going with the USD TRD short throw kit. I prefer a taller shifter height, which the Jon motoring lowers is i think 5/8", where as the US TRD kit changes underside the car not the shift leber so it stays stock height, plus the add. height my shift knob will give, i think that will give me the feel i am after.

[BDKane01]

So in for this build....as well as more of the 240! I also have a CWP White BRZ. Man, I got to get mine as clean as yours. What is your detailing process? Your BRZ is crispy clean for sure. I'll be watching this!

[laextreme5]

Originally Posted by BDKane01

So in for this build....as well as more of the 240! I also have a CWP White BRZ. Man, I got to get mine as clean as yours. What is your detailing process? Your BRZ is crispy clean for sure. I'll be watching this!

Thanks man! As for detailing, a good base haha. I got the car with 5600 miles. So there was minimal detailing that was needed. Justa good clean on the interior and i did a bit of polishing on the paint before wax. In the next month or so i plan to color sand it a bit to get rid of some more orange peel and get it even more slick.

Ill be sure to post 240 updates in here every now and then, but i have a tol of info and pictures on its own build thread in the link in my first post.

EDIT: Just realized i never linked my 240 build thread. Here it is over on stanceworks.

http://www.stanceworks.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=82162

[BDKane01]

Originally Posted by laextreme5

Thanks man! As for detailing, a good base haha. I got the car with 5600 miles. So there was minimal detailing that was needed. Justa good clean on the interior and i did a bit of polishing on the paint before wax. In the next month or so i plan to color sand it a bit to get rid of some more orange peel and get it even more slick.

Ill be sure to post 240 updates in here every now and then, but i have a tol of info and pictures on its own build thread in the link in my first post.

EDIT: Just realized i never linked my 240 build thread. Here it is over on stanceworks.

http://www.stanceworks.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=82162

That's awesome. Yeah I bought my '16 limited over a month ago. I do a lot of highway miles with it and I live in a townhouse with no garage so it's hard to keep clean.


Are there any areas you thought to watch out for while polishing on the BRZ?

[laextreme5]

Originally Posted by BDKane01

That's awesome. Yeah I bought my '16 limited over a month ago. I do a lot of highway miles with it and I live in a townhouse with no garage so it's hard to keep clean.


Are there any areas you thought to watch out for while polishing on the BRZ?

Yeah i have 20 mile commute to work on i-12 (Super busy interstate here) and i park in a dusty gravle parking lot by a few trees. When she is clean she doesnt stay that way for too long lol the 240 is in the garage so the brz is out in the driveway right now till we move and build a larger garage

As for watching out for areas while polishing, its just like any car, dont spend too much time on the edges, watch out for sharp body lines, etc.

Im hoping the clear is somewhat thick as id like to remove a decent amount of orange peel, need to do a test with our paint mil gauge and see how thick it is.

[laextreme5]

Currently no real update.

Still have yet to install my Extended pedal, which i desoeratly need to do, as i cant quite get the hwee toe down given the stock spacing. I also want to remove the clutch assist spring and adjust the pedal height some, just to my liking.

Currently getting some pricing on some coilovers and wheels. Have ultimately decided against the JRZ's, as good as they are i just dont want to invest that much money into suspension when that additonal money can be put into parts for my 240 project to continue progress on it.Still want a set of coils and wheerl tho, hate the stock height sunken look, on top of a lightweight set of wheels and good coilovers will do wonders for the ride quality, which i feel to be a bit crashy as slower speeds an to some extent at highway speeds.

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[laextreme5]

Been so busy lately, really been neglecting the BRZ. She has gotten so dirty from all this rain that caused the flooding few miles away in the Baton Rouge area. Pulled it in to our detail bay and gave her a good washing and interior cleaning.

Also pulled off the side clear protectors, the rear bumper clear protector, and did a partial debadge on the trunk. I hate how those clear decals get nasty dirt lines and they just look terrible over time. Also added our local groups equal to the back glass as well, SOLASEC.

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Pulled the car up near the garage and did an oil change today, as well as FINALLY installing my SRB extended gas pedal, def makes a difference on heel/toe shifting.


Now, onto the clutch spring. REMOVE IT AND REMOVE IT NOW. it gives such a natural feel and shifting is smoother and easier. I HIGHLY recommend it.

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My Driveway is on a downward slant so i must jack up the backend and get the car level to check the oil level when changing the oil. I could drive it to the street but if i need to fix something thats a lot of back and forth, besides i had more work to do (pedals) after changing the oil.
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And lastly, last weekend i had a long day of driving. Went to Baton Rouge to eat lunch with some friends, on to Lafayette to check out a car and give a quote on some work, come back home the other way around the lake and pass through Thibideaux and Raceland and pic of a few ej25 short blocks, as ill be picking up a budgie wrx soon and be using it as a learning vessel to assemble rotating assemblies and short blocks. In total i pick up 2 complete short blocks and a set of empty case halves. ALL 3 FIT IN THE TRUNK OF THE BRZ. Along with my camera bag. To those who say the car isn't practical be damned lol That was with the back seats folded up and all. In total it was about 5.5 hours of driving. It made me realize i seriously need to get my Recaro Rs-ge mounted in there as my back was killing me once i got home. Its not that the seats are uncomfortable, just the way my body is built i can't get a perfect driving position with them. No pics from the trip as it was raining all day sadly.

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[spicyricecake]

keep up the good work mate!

[swarb]

Nice camera work! What is your setup?
What motor is in the s13?
Is the integra yours also?

[laextreme5]

Originally Posted by swarb

Nice camera work! What is your setup?
What motor is in the s13?
Is the integra yours also?

Thanks! its a Canon 6d and 50mm f1.8 lens

Im actually parting out the 240 now. Will be picking up a budgie wrx and using it as a learning vessel to build motors. 240 was getting out of hand and was going to take another year atleast. figured my money is better spent in a car that could possibly make me money in the end and be a toy. win/win imo.

And no the integral isn't mine, customers i was doing a few gaskets and such on.