What did you do to your 2nd gen BRZ today?

[Re_Invention]

Got another update:

Cusco steering rack bushings


STI V Bars and front tower brace (from zc6 - it fits)


STI rear draw stiffener




It does not fit the USDM crash bar per se, you'll need to notch out a piece for the brackets to fit correctly. See here:


I really need the alignment done ASAP before I comment on the ride. So far the car drives great but the rear seems to be hunting around when there's vertical fluctuations in the road (dips/bumps/etc.). Steering feels slightly heavier and a little more immediate. Would love to drive a stock BRZ now as a back to back.

Next time attack is on the 13th, will give a report after that.

[jvincent]

Originally Posted by 22 BRZ

Also, they are a tad heavy...Maybe I'd be better off with PF01s... Decisions, decisions.

I have the PF01s on my 2022. I moved them over from my 2013 FRS.

Great wheels.

[Liquidsnake]

Ceramic Coated her myself. I’m tired.

[kaesu]

Originally Posted by Re_Invention

Got another update:

Cusco steering rack bushings



I really need the alignment done ASAP before I comment on the ride. So far the car drives great but the rear seems to be hunting around when there's vertical fluctuations in the road (dips/bumps/etc.). Steering feels slightly heavier and a little more immediate. Would love to drive a stock BRZ now as a back to back.

Next time attack is on the 13th, will give a report after that.

Looks good! Out of curiosity, how hard was it to install the steering rack bushings?

[Re_Invention]

Originally Posted by kaesu

Looks good! Out of curiosity, how hard was it to install the steering rack bushings?

I'd rank it a 1.25 out of 5

12mm and 10mm for zipping off the bolts of the undertray front and middle

14mm for the little triangular brace pieces

Then I think it's 17mm for the long bolts. Once the bolts are out, I used the Cusco extractor tool: https://www.counterspacegarage.com/c...l-brz-frs-gt86

Be sure to have an box end ratcheting wrench handy otherwise you'll be spinning the nut for a long time the old fashioned way.

Once out the old bushings were out, I lightly greased up the center pin, pushed in the two separate bushing pieces into the cylinder as best I could, used a hockey puck and hammer to lightly tap in the pin, once it hit a point it wouldn't go any further I switched over to some large plumbers pliers and 'pressed' in the center pin further. You don't need to press it in all the way - just far enough in so the long bolts can get some bite and zip those bad boys in - that'll press the pin in and seat the bushings entirely.

[drift86]

Originally Posted by Re_Invention

I'd rank it a 1.25 out of 5

12mm and 10mm for zipping off the bolts of the undertray front and middle

14mm for the little triangular brace pieces

Then I think it's 17mm for the long bolts. Once the bolts are out, I used the Cusco extractor tool: https://www.counterspacegarage.com/c...l-brz-frs-gt86

Be sure to have an box end ratcheting wrench handy otherwise you'll be spinning the nut for a long time the old fashioned way.

Once out the old bushings were out, I lightly greased up the center pin, pushed in the two separate bushing pieces into the cylinder as best I could, used a hockey puck and hammer to lightly tap in the pin, once it hit a point it wouldn't go any further I switched over to some large plumbers pliers and 'pressed' in the center pin further. You don't need to press it in all the way - just far enough in so the long bolts can get some bite and zip those bad boys in - that'll press the pin in and seat the bushings entirely.

Did the Cusco steering bushings feel much stiffer than the '22 OEM bushings in your hand? I believe the '22 OEM bushings are already stiffer than the first gen OEM ones.

[jongers]

Ordered some reman'd brembos (14 sti) and rotors/lines/pads needed for a retrofit. Missed having the factory brembo's that came on my 19 86.

So many mods to look pretty in my garage

Also had 3mm spacers installed on the front which really helped with getting the fitment to match up the rear (18x9.5 + 40)

[Re_Invention]

Originally Posted by drift86

Did the Cusco steering bushings feel much stiffer than the '22 OEM bushings in your hand? I believe the '22 OEM bushings are already stiffer than the first gen OEM ones.

On second thought I think the bolt may have been a 19mm and I think the torque spec was 89 ft lb

I haven't driven a first gen in a long time, so I couldn't make the comparison between oem bushings.

I'm gonna preface this by saying I'm a terrible person to ask about changes; I feel like 99% of the parts are simply sales pitches (which I buy 100% of the time!) and I enjoy the wrenching sessions and Gran Turismo fantasy of arm-engineering as much as I enjoy driving at the time attack. So I'm completely skeptical at all the snake oil and I'm even skeptical of my own experience behind the wheel because I know I'm buying into the hype. With that said...

After I put on springs, offset top mount and tires/wheels the car felt ok, a little spongy and limp if it wasn't loaded up, and I attributed that to the extra sidewall of the 225/45r17 tires - down from the 215/40r18 factory Pilot Sport 4. I really liked how the car drove from factory and thought this may be a little step back. I was ready to do a back to back with the factory wheel/tires.

Then the car sat for a while, did the rear lower control arms and toe arms with my janky alignment, car felt better. Then sat again and did rack bushings, V bar and brace all together before driving it. The steering is heavier now than it ever was especially at low speeds; likely wider wheel/tire, and feels the same or better at higher speeds. To be fair I'm also running -5psi out of all four corners now (~30 psi) than I did at first and I drive a minivan everyday. So it could just be the tire pressure and/or it could all be in my head. I drive the BRZ every other week or so, so the 'feel' blurs over time and I'm just stoked to be in something sporty for a change, meaning, I don't know if the bushings/braces had any positive effect on handling but it feels great right now and I wouldn't take anything off.

If anyone in SoCal wants to do a back to back I'd love to confirm the changes did anything.

[dragoontwo]

Originally Posted by Re_Invention

On second thought I think the bolt may have been a 19mm and I think the torque spec was 89 ft lb

It is 17mm

[Yoshoobaroo]

Autocross!

[Stonehorsw]

First track day, beginner class. Much fun. Learned a lot!

Next step, turn back the artificial/horrible noise generator to hear when in a track.

Powerstop pads + RBF600 held pretty well.

[mike2100]

Originally Posted by Yoshoobaroo

Nice pics! Really makes the red look good. This generation is much more modernized.
That side profile pic does look a bit like the second generation Mitsubishi Eclipse.

[mike2100]

Originally Posted by 22 BRZ

Thinking I might got for some Enkei XM-6's (still in 17s and 7.5). But probably not until next year unfortunately. Can't really find many pictures online of Twins with XM-6's (makes me wonder if they are a newer style). Also, they are a tad heavy...Maybe I'd be better off with PF01s... Decisions, decisions.

Between those two I prefer the PF01s. In those side profile pictures they look more sporty.

[eyeballs]

Autocross yesterday. Installed the CSG touring catback plus JDL catted/resonated front pipe today. Unfortunately the donut gasket that came with the JDL isn't fat enough to keep the exhaust from leaking. Also put the slightly smaller "black chrome" mxp tips on, rather then the included muffler tips. Hopefully soon I'll have time to install the RCE SS1s that came in the mail last week.