The big Five-O

So this happened a couple days ago.  I've done some other mileage check-ins, and I think at my 25k check in someone in an FRS was at...29 or 30K, so I don't think I'm the highest mileage car in the country currently, but I think I'm one of the highest.

The last 25K miles have seen some auto-xing, and a lot of driving around the midwest for work.  The car is still a great "Mini-GT" as I like to call it.  Earplugs are my only addition for long rides.  I've had no issues, and I am following the 5k oil change, 2.5k oil filter change suggestion I read about on the boards.  I'm coming up on a trans/dif change and I used Motul for my last two changes and really liked it.  I've used Mobil for my last two engine oil changes, and always use the OEM filter.

This is my second winter and there are some chips that I put a coat of wax on, but didn't get around to filling in.  I'll have those painted by my body shop in the spring with whatever other chips happen over this winter.  I'm going to add some rally armor mudflaps next week, and I run the OEM rims with winter tires while in winter mode.

I'm still averaging about 29-30 mpg depending on the month which is a mixed city/hwy of 20/80.  I run Mobil 93 almost exclusively but have had to use 91, and other 93 brands when traveling, but not too often.  I'm 10K away from the suggested spark plug change...should be fun.

Winter mods are stacking up!

I need to buy a garage heater.  That's what I need to do.

Instead I bought a used Perrin CAI and silicone hose.  The deal was too good to pass up, and was an almost new piece.

So now my growing list of parts to install:

- 2014 Forester XT oil cooler ( http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50427 )
- MTEC transmission springs ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk8mkTfLANk )
- Perrin CAI / Silicone hose ( https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6fP58Ir8r9PcEFuVUNkT29MS1U/edit?usp=sharing )
- Motul brake fluid

It's currently -3 F outside, which means my garage will be 10-15 F.  None of these will likely happen soon.  Saturday is supposed to be a balmy 30 F so perhaps I can get some of this done then!

The end of summer.

So I've  been very busy with work and the new house to really get down to business and post some of the mods that have made it onto the BRZ.  I've also just been driving the hell out of the car so between all that the blog updates have fallen by the wayside.  Onto the mods!

1. Eibach Sportline springs.
2. Strano 22mm front sway bar.
3. Enkei RPF1 17x8 +45 with Dunlop Z2 245/40/17
4. Full OEM black interior

The results as seen below:

I really like the stance of the Eibach springs.  It really brings an OEM aggressive looking stance to the car that it was just lacking before.  The stock struts have been handling the drop just fine, but they will be replaced after this winter with some Koni yellow inserts.  I don't have any intention of dropping the car on coilovers at this point.

The lightweight RPF1 allowed me to move up to the 245/40 tire yet retain a 40lb corner weight for the wheel and tire combo which was the exact same as my OEM setup.  The way this car feels with the OEM setup is light and balanced but when you add a wide sticky tire it becomes so much more amazing.  This tire has really brought out the chassis and demonstrated that the limts of this car outmatch my ability.  Add to that the Strano front sway to tighten up the 'point and go' feel of this car and the springs to really snug up the suspension and the car just feels so amazing.

Next mods will be a reflash, probably via Vishnu tuning Open Flash Tablet ( http://procedetuning.com/BRZ_FR-S/FA20OpenFlash/index.html ) struts, and a clutch/flywheel in the spring.  By the end of summer I would really like to put in a shorter final gear from Cusco ( http://www.cusco.co.jp/en/parts_product/close_ratio_transmission_gears.html ).  The intention is to pull the most I can out of the NA setup, eventually probably landing at a flex fuel E85 kit.  More to come!!