359's BRZ

[The359]

Now with video!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXzq-ZNkl9Y

Finally got my memory card and extra bits for the GoPro, so I took the car out for a quick spin just to see how it'd work. Surprisingly the sound from being attached to the front bumper isn't too bad until I hit about 40mph, but that's where the wired external mic will come in, which is still in the mail. I think the fact that the camera is mounted not far from the intake helps with the noise. The plan is to run the mic through the hole for the tow hook, up past the foam for the bumper, and tape it to the top of the fuse box where it's in a pretty good position.

Also not noticable in the video are the downshift blips from running the car in manual mode which I wanted to illustrate, but oh well, that'll come later.

[Kchrpm]

Cʼétait un Rendezvous in Pennsylvania!

[novicius]

Also not noticable in the video are the downshift blips from running the car in manual mode which I wanted to illustrate, but oh well, that'll come later.
Manual mode? :?

[Kchrpm]

He got the automatic.

[novicius]

Ah, I did not know that.

[Kchrpm]

The first Toybaru I drove was an automatic, it's actually a quite nice transmission. For non-expert autocrossing I wouldn't be surprised if it's faster and more enjoyable to most.

[novicius]

In reviews it sounds like a brisk, compact and tuned automatic with a locking TC from the factory, nice. No qualms from me as you well know. :D

[KillerB]

With the way things are going - hell, the automatic is now the *standard* transmission on BMWs, with a manual transmission being a no-cost option - what will be the last car available with a manual transmission?

I'm guessing it will be the Miata.

[Kchrpm]

Between improving, 8+ speed automatics and dual clutch transmissions coming down in cost, traditional manuals are getting hit from multiple sides.

The Miata is a good guess, as it is the most about feel above all else than any other at least sporty cars and it doesn't seem to have the market pressures on it to minimize development costs like something like the Viper or Vette have. Perhaps the pony/muscle car twins will be able to keep the fire burning at least until no one longs for their grandfathers anymore.

[The359]

The only problem in autocross with the manual is getting off the line. You can't launch, so the 0-60 time looks horrible, but 5-60 is only a fraction's difference.

[Kchrpm]

Why can't you launch? I never tried a hard launch in my test drives.

[KillerB]

You mean muscle car triplets. Challenger sales are higher than ever. :)

[Kchrpm]

Oh yeah, duh.

[The359]

The paddles dont have a neutral, I cant really rev it up and dump the clutch, if you will.

[Yw-slayer]

I gotta admit that I drove the auto 86 while in Sydney and really didn't get along with it.

[Kchrpm]

Interesting...I don't remember how it works from my drive, is there no way to go from neutral/park to drive in an instant? What if you hold the car in place with brakes and keep the revs up, it just feeds it in rather than trying to spin the tires?

[The359]

You could theoretically go from Neutral to Drive, but I imagine that would be a little rough on the transmission as it's not meant to do that. Further, I'd be going into Drive, it's another move of the stick to the left to get it into Manual, and then being ready to bump the shift to get into 2nd. All of that while trying to get going is just a mess waiting to happen.

And from my understanding you can hold the brakes and rev the engine in 1st gear but it'll start to break the rear wheels loose at only like 2500rpm, so not really much use there either.

[Kchrpm]

Crazy idea: put it in second while holding on brakes, release and downshift at same time.

[The359]

Can't put it in second while stopped, unless in Snow mode, which is kind of the opposite mode I want to be in. ;)

[Kchrpm]

You're just boned then. Seems like an odd oversight.

[novicius]

Organized High Speed Autocross events allows for flying starts, I believe. Just don't worry about launching hard in parking lot autox. *shrug*

[KillerB]

Neutral drops are a bad idea if you intend to have the car continue to work!

I guess I'm confused, because you said you can't launch the manual, but now it sounds that you can't launch the auto, either. Is there something that makes the manual hard to launch, like axle hop?

[Kchrpm]

He drives the automatic in manual mode. He can't launch the automatic.

[The359]

Yeah, I meant that's why the manual transmission 86 has a faster 0-60 time, you can launch it, while the automatic can not. But once you get going, the 5-60 time of the two cars is pretty similar.

[Random]

Should be relatively moot for autocross, since course designers are supposed to avoid "drag race" starts. YMMV.

[KillerB]

Ah got it. I thought you meant you bought the auto because the manual has an issue with fast autocross starts, to which I'd say "dang, that's a pretty narrow use." :P

[Godson]

Should be relatively moot for autocross, since course designers are supposed to avoid "drag race" starts. YMMV.


This. I have only seen a few that had anything of the sort, and they even started with a slalom. Most have hard right or lefts very quickly out of the starting gate.




GoPro question. Is that with the skeleton cover on the back, or the waterproof cover?

[The359]

That video is with the waterproof case, but I have purchased a skeleton case for when I put on the wired mic.

[Godson]

Yours didn't come with the skeleton case?

[The359]

It came with the waterproof case and a skeleton back plate, but not the full skeleton case.

[Godson]

Ah, ok. I didn't know that. I haven't read that much into them, just fiddled with the one the swim team has.

[The359]

RallySportDirect.com had a 10% off everything sale this past week, and I got my federal tax refund, so parts time!

First, and most importantly in my book, was a GrimmSpeed strut bar in black, been wanting one for a while but it's taken me forever to decide which one I wanted. GrimmSpeed had an additional sale, so $115, a steal. Second was a K&N filter, cheap and easy, although a pain to get into the airbox. Third, following everyone else on getting new 86 taillights, the Tom's red USDM specs:

https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1/1435_10100637192568047_2107580171_n.jpg

Some JDM-spec side lights and yellow fog light tints are incoming soon. Also, probably taking the badges off the back to clean things up a bit.

[thesameguy]

Got a wider pic of those lights? I think I dig them.

[The359]

https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1/1964885_10100637192607967_3579140_n.jpg

[thesameguy]

Yes, I do indeed like them. I think it's a much better look than the stock ones. :up:

[The359]

Well for one thing it has a halo to match the headlights, so I can run with the parking lights on and have just the halos on both ends.

[Godson]

That color combo and those tails are definitely a win.

[Yw-slayer]

Nice mods, MY BRUTHAH

[KillerB]

Aftermarket taillights have come a long way.

[novicius]

Superior. :up: :up:

[IMOA]

It's kinda a bit sad when the factory taillights are tacky and look like they were designed by a 15 year old why the aftermarket ones are a nice clean design better suited to the car.

[Yw-slayer]

Yeah. Bloody Altezzas.

[Freude am Fahren]

Nice! Our twins are like twins now. I was thinking about the tint for the fogs too, but think I'm going to go LED upgrade with a temp to match the headlights.

Also whenever I finally pick up my replacement DRL's (the dealer has had them since I moved like 4 months ago), I'm going to do the mod to make the Halo's part of the DRL's.

[The359]

Nice! Our twins are like twins now. I was thinking about the tint for the fogs too, but think I'm going to go LED upgrade with a temp to match the headlights.

Also whenever I finally pick up my replacement DRL's (the dealer has had them since I moved like 4 months ago), I'm going to do the mod to make the Halo's part of the DRL's.

Has someone finally figured that out? I know there had been a ton of discussion on the FT86 forums on how to get the halos to run with the DRLs. I assume its not a simple mod.

And yeah, I was realizing how similar our cars are now, although I dont think Ill ever do the bodykit, this winter has shown taking the car anyone lower will just tear any kit up.

[Freude am Fahren]

Lights mod does require some soldering: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53111

Yeah, if ever lower, I'll most likely remove the lip. Also, I'm glad I didn't get the STi lip, as this one probably wont last more than a couple years before it looks pretty bad. Only one major hit so far, on a security gate's track in angled parking garage entrance), but still a few more scrapes. More than the damage to the lip, I'm worried about damage to the bumper's attachment points as it is shoved up.

[Godson]

My previous M3 had issues with that stuff.


Sucks having a front end like that.

[The359]

By the way, here is the original BRZ STI Concept from a few years ago, notice the taillight design.

http://theversatilegent.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/06-subaru-brz-concept-sti-la.jpg

[Freude am Fahren]

I forgot about those. I think TOMS did a great job. I will say, and it may not be all units, but in bright light at certain angles mine look a bit funky, like the plastic doesn't have a constant enough shape. Almost looks like they're a bit melted. The only thing that makes them look aftermarket, but you can't tell most angles.

[The359]

They aren't flat, there is a bit of a raised portion in the middle of the circle, exactly like the stock taillights have.

[The359]

Got the clear side markers in, looking good. Bit of a pain in the ass in that the clips on the JDM part are slightly different from the USDM part, took some effort to get them clips to stay. Yellow fog covers will come soon once I get a chance to properly wash the car.

[The359]

Just an update on how things stand on the car at the moment, with pictures from the most recent local Cars and Coffee

https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t31.0-8/10257362_1494851384060135_7455422072463537298_o.jp g

https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1.0-9/10336819_10100696589960197_6047892484266391811_n.j pg

Fog light covers are on, not the best application job but it's hard to get in there. Took all the lettering badges off the rear of the car last week to clean up the look. Been testing out the GoPro more and more, have the wired microphone working as well.

Next on the shopping list are a set of Continental ExtremeContract DW 235/45/17s to replace the stock Michelins and better fit on the wider rims.

[The359]

So nice to see some sidewall on the car again. Those stretched 215s were killing me!

662

Also, I may have bought a somewhat Gran Turismo-themed license plate... :assclown:

[Kchrpm]

That is a good looking car.

[Freude am Fahren]

Did you get the Lamin-X fog covers? I ordered directly from Lamin-X and they seemed way too big. When I took the trim piece off, I was able to get them on bit they still went way over the side of the bulbs. Made it difficult not to get creases around the edges. Does make for 100% coverage and easier removal though, as you get something to pull on.

[The359]

I ordered the Lamin-X from FT86Speedfactory, they seemed the right size but I didnt take the trim off, just fudged it. Theres some bubbles and creases but you only see them up close. I could just order another set for $15 and try again. Mine had two tabs on either side for you to hold, and tuck away so you can use them to pull the covers back off.

[Freude am Fahren]

Yeah, sounds liek the same as mine, just smaller. I had 0 chance to get them on with the trim still on. In the end though, I think that is good.

[The359]

I assume you had to take the whole front bumper off to get the fog light shrouds off?

[Freude am Fahren]

Nope. You can get at them from behind through the fender liner. The passenger side you can actually get to through the engine bay as I did if you have longer, skinny arms. Two bolts release the DRL's and then it's just four tabs. I manually released one tab to get it loose then just pulled.

Funny thing is I actually did partly remove my bumper earlier that night to try and put it back on correctly and fix the misalignment. It worked briefly, but by the time I buttoned everything up, it had moved back out of alignment. I don't think that will ever be fixed without a new bumper.

[The359]

Just to follow up, I'm going to take a wild guess you may have bought the FR-S fog light covers and not the BRZ ones. I'm fairly certain the FR-S' fogs are bigger. But as long as they work.

[The359]

So, this happened.


http://youtu.be/IChl8mt-Rok

Was invited in April to a Subaru event by the dealer I bought my BRZ from for a photoshoot revolving around the 2015 Outback at a local drive-in theater for their Drive magazine. 20 or so odd Subaru owners in the area, including a few guys I know, and they photographed and video taped everyone there, and this is what they ended up publishing. There were only two BRZs, mine and the white one that only had 300 miles put on it in a year, and I'm in one of the shots talking to a couple about my car. So this was nice to find today.

[Yw-slayer]

Did they actually show a movie for you guys, or was it just free food and a chance to show that you own a car made by THE BEST BRAND ON THE PLANET?

[The359]

They showed two movies, $10 in food coupons, and gave away some Subaru swag.

The movies sucked though and it rained, so I left early into the first movie.

[Yw-slayer]

Subaru swag is always good. :up:

[The359]

Welp, here's the BRZ as of today, sitting in a body shop. I had a brush against a guardrail last week and dented and scratched both right side fenders, scratched the door, and scuffed up my right front rim. Nothing too major, but still a pain in the ass.

http://img2.autowatch.com/images/2701/3217216/file-821952404.jpg

[novicius]

Contrary to what Keith thinks, railing cloverleafs is suboptimal. Best to take it to the countryside. #goodluckwithfix

[The359]

It wasn't even a choice, it was a narrow road with no shoulder along a river, I took my eyes off the road for a second and wandered into the guard rail.

[Kchrpm]

Contrary to what Keith thinks, railing cloverleafs is suboptimal. Best to take it to the countryside. #goodluckwithfix
You do what works for you, I'll do what works for me :up:

[novicius]

Just doing my part to shame you into some countryside action, Keef! :lol:

[Kchrpm]

Why go on the countryside when you can go on a racetrack?

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Jh4DJ2ISrKE/VAJvWwDW58I/AAAAAAAEKVI/IGMGO69S_5o/w983-h553-no/DSC_0036.JPG

[novicius]

That works. :up: :up:

[The359]

I have a recent itching to do this:

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71798

Replace all the silver trim and dash pieces with their black equivilants from Japan. Toyota offers all the parts in a flat black and can be obtained from most US dealers, while Subaru offers all the parts except the dash panel, door locks, and transmission buttons in a glossy painted black from the BRZ tS, but they would have to be imported at a higher price.

[Yw-slayer]

I support the idea. The worst part of the brz is that huge, horrible silver plastic thing.

[The359]

I don't mind the silver plastic, it's better than the fake carbon fiber on the FR-S. But black would be nicely unique in the US.

[Yw-slayer]

Really? I prefer the fake cf.

[Freude am Fahren]

Or you could go real CF? :D

JPM coachworks will wrap it in Alcantara for you (no more gap too).

http://www.jpmcoachworks.com/jpm/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/1/1/1116a40-r_02_596x596.jpg

[The359]

Can't say I'd like the look of alcantara all over the place either. I've seen a few guys with some JDM Coachworks stuff before, but not that full dash piece.

[Freude am Fahren]

Yeah, I've got the inside knee pads. Thinking about the gauge cluster hood and speaker surrounds (outside knee pads, basically). That might be overkill though.

[The359]

The guys I've seen with them have had the kneepads, but also the sun visors and a central armrest from them.

[The359]

So I went out playing with the GoPro a bit...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-AT1KfW_XI


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPW6FDbE3Yc


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSLqOLypRbY