SWP BRZ ("Stance" to Autox) Pic Heavy

[BRZach]

Hey all,
So this will be my thread on the progress of my car, and events I attend.

To start off, as you might guess from my username, my name is Zach. Ive been on the forums for a few years and finally decided to write a build thread with some motivation from my friend @Buddhas I'm now 20 and attend the University of Central Florida for Mechanical Engineering. I received my BRZ in May of 2014 for my graduation present since my Prelude was starting its decent into the grave. I am very grateful and lucky to be fortunate enough to have parents that were able to surprise me with this car. Anyway, it was picked up used in Savannah, Georgia with 14k miles on the clock. We were lucky to find a limited for the price of a premium at the time Since I had an idea that I was getting an 86 (just didnt know when) I ordered a set of Fortune Auto 500s before I even received the car

My original plans for the car were to stance the hell out of it (another phase), and so I did. I enjoyed it and LOVED the way the car looked. BUT, hated how terrible it performed and didnt actually enjoy driving her. Just looking at a car gets boring, so Im going to walk y'all through my stance and then into what I am currently doing with my car to have a fun spirited daily driver and hopefully autox There will be plenty of photos !

Heres my Prelude right before selling (oh what a phase):

Within the first week of receiving my BRZ, I redded out the tails.
It consisted of red Duplicolor Metalcast, and Spraymax 2k clear coat.


Within a few weeks the Fortunes arrived from being built:




I decided to max out my coilovers, and still thought it wasnt enough... although my exhaust scraped everything


The car came with a muffler delete already with truck tips, which looked and sounded great. And so with boso pipes being cool to me, I decided to get the exhaust rewelded to extend the pipes out (favorite part of my car):


I then decided to swap trunks with a FRS on campus because I wanted to get a 5-axis eventually...



Some time went by and I was thinking of purchasing 3-piece wheels like Weds Bazerias, Work Ryvers, and some other ideas. Unfortunately UCF is known for car thefts, especially wheel thefts.
One morning, after a night of hanging out with my car friends, I walked out to the parking garage on campus and witnessed my good friends Speed3 sitting on bricks, his $3000 Weds stolen along with his tools in his car. My car was sitting next to his and surprisingly they didnt touch mine, though there was nothing for them to take.

This then led to start thinking, I should possibly invest in air suspension. After some thought, and a good group buy deal, I purchased my Airlift Suspension with V2 management. I decided to do this for added security, protection of my fenders and lip, and to sit even lower
Once I had time, I decided to install the suspension. Being first time for airlines, and running wires through the vehicle, it took me all of 20 hours, straight. Yes, straight, I took tiny breaks for food and that was it. To be honest, the positioning of the compressor and tank took the longest, because it consisted of the most planning.
Anyway, here is my setup (not completely finished) and my car the next morning once I maxed out the settings :




So I decided to throw my friends WCI CC10's on my car for the hell of it one day. I dont recall the specs, something like 18x8.5/9.5 +15/+30? Anyway, it would have looked great with a bit more camber




So for a show "Simply Clean 6" I test fitted a friends C5 Corvette wheels which were 18x8.5/9.5, forgot offset. We were going to refinish wheels before the show, but unfortunately I was denied yeah i was a little butthurt but oh well.




My friend bought his wheels and wanted me to test fit them on my car since he wanst then yet bagged. They are Avante Garde F141's I believe (which I cannot afford) 5x100 18x9.5/10.5 +25ish all around I think. Front could have fit a lot better had I cambered it a bit..




AND now for another test fit! Haha so the story here is that a friend told me his co-worker was selling a set of Maserati Quattroporte wheels which were 5x114.3 in 18x8.5/10.5 . Funny thing is, another friend has these wheels on a VW R32 with 5x114.3 to 5x100 adapters, so I was able to test fit them to see how I liked them




So after that test fit, I was sold. I fell in love with the wheels because of how different they looked on the 86. I have always been a fan of VIP builds with fat faced wheels so this suited my vision well.
I purchased the wheels with some curb rash and chipped paint, which meant a refinish was necessary.
I wanted to have them powder coated but my friend convinced me to have them painted, so I sent them to him to have them chemically stripped, sand blasted, and painted. During so, 33mm and 25mm adapters with extended APR racing studs to clear the huge backing of the wheels were ordered, along with 205/40 & 235/40 tires. Thus bringing the final specs to 18x8.5/10.5 +17/+27mm ( LOTS OF PICS COMING )











And here is are a few pics from the first show my car was in with the wheels. Blue BRZ is my bud who I test fit wheels earlier in thread.




Now I'm going to show some pics from small photoshoots around the Tampa/Orlando area and some local shows. Some photo creds to my buddy @Buddhas

My favorite picture of my car:








'MURICA


#86boyz



Das R32:


Heres some pics on my way and at Simply Clean 7 in Daytona, FL. I made it into show parking this year and was beyond excited. Unfortunately none of my friends made it this year so it wasnt as fun since we weren't near eachother. I barely took any pics of my own car, and thus transcends into my phase of wanting a fun, well performing car. Anyway here are the last pics of the "stance".




Some random dude



Well, theres that. Thats my adventure through my "stance" phase. I have recently picked up parts to start my autox and spirited driver build. I have UEL header installed, and some other stuff. I will update as new things come.
I hope someone gets enjoyment out of this

[BRZach]

And so I will start some of my new build pics.
I picked up a new Gruppe-S UEL header on black friday for a killer deal. Received it quickly in great condition (minus a tear through part of the box). The install was easy, being that I installed an EL header multiple times before.. The quality is amazing along with the fitment, and the sound is awesome paired with my muffler delete. I plan to make a review thread soon on the quality and sound so stay tuned for that. For now, enjoy some collector porn

[BRZach]

So when throwing the stock suspension back on, I stripped the bolt and nut on the left rear lower control arm connecting the swaybar endlink. Subaru didnt carry it in stock, so it was a 5 day wait because of new years.
Also, I was dumb a long time ago and mixed coolants so once I realized the damage of that, I needed a coolant flush. So within the last week, I changed the LCA bolt, flushed and changed the coolant, and installed a new intake tube.

Sometimes I like to workout when I'm not under my car




No shame


#86boyz @Buddhas

[BRZach]

And one last update for a little (maybe). Currently I have a set of used Fortune Auto 500s (had to get em again ) with 6k miles, Invidia resonated front pipe, Perrin drift knob, Motul tranny and Diff oil, MTEC Shift springs, and Energy Suspension rear shifter bushing on the way! Along with a custom tune on the 17th Oh and a trunk swap to one with a TRD spoiler
Looking forward to installing everything and enjoying the difference
I still have multiple things on my parts list still but am waiting for my Maserati wheels to sell.

[PandaSPUR]

Personally not my taste, but I love how clean it looks. Great pics and write up as well

[BRZach]

Suspension should have been here 3 days ago... and tracking number isn't necessarily "working." Going to have to call UPS and see what they say. Wont name names unless a Paypal claim has to be made So we'll see, not happy at all, but with Paypal purchase protection, I can say that I've learned from it somewhat when dealing with sellers.

[B-R-Z]

Not my taste either. Exhaust tips on the SWP look like they were made for a pickup truck.

[BRZach]

Originally Posted by B-R-Z

Not my taste either. Exhaust tips on the SWP look like they were made for a pickup truck.

Thought build threads were for people to comment what they liked about it rather than dislike

[BRZach]

Traded trunks to get TRD spoiler, to find out after we swapped that it was 5-axis. Oh well, helped out a bud and got an OEM sealed 5-axis trunk along with being able to see a fresh rocket bunny, so I'm happy




It flows with the body so well, can't wait to be low again so it pops even more!

[BRZach]

New update.
Fortunes and Invidia resonated front pipe came from same guy at a fair price
Unfortunately, UPS handled the box like shit, so the brake line bracket on one became exposed and pretty much bent off. Gonna try to JBweld it back on Anyway, install went pretty well except for one top-hat, which the studs didnt want to fit into the holes without fuss... They ride well and the front pipe sounds great so overall I'm happy.

There were some shipping mishaps with the motul oil, so until I head home at the end of the month, I wont install any transmission parts yet.

Heads up with the Energy Suspension Rear Shifter Bushing, it does not come with any lube. I'm going to try to find some at an auto shop. Energy Suspension said that marine grease will work as it will be water proof.

Anyway, heres some pics of the install and before vs after:








Some poop pic, but a nice moderate low

[BRZach]

Update:
School started so there hasn't been much going on.
This past weekend I was able to install my Motul Diff & Tranny oil, Energy Suspension rear shifter bushing, MTEC Shift springs, and Gruppe-S heat shield on my oil pan.
All I can say is wow, the MTEC make a night and day difference. So smooth and direct, I know theres so much written about them (even Ken Gushi) so all Ill say is that theyre definitely worth the money.

As well, I picked up a super cheap J2 quad exhaust that was modified to 4 inch tips, and a magnaflow resonator. I got it for $140, so its the perfect temp exhaust while I save up for something better.

Hoping for a drift even soon if I can land this job I'm looking at. Pics will def follow