Bluetooth connection issues - Fixed!

From the day I got my car I had Bluetooth connection issues.  It would drop sometimes, but my main issue is that it wouldn't always auto-connect.  Sometimes it would connect right away, sometimes it wouldn't connect at all, sometimes it would wait until I was 15 minutes into my trip.

Needless to say this was frustrating.  During this time I had an iPhone 3, an iPhone 4, and a Galaxy S3, all had the same issue.

I think I fixed it!  I recently started digging around in the less than obvious menu of the OEM head unit.  I eventually drilled down into an option which asked "Connection Method?" and gave me two options: 'From Headunit' or 'From Device'.  'From Headunit' was selected by default (as I had never been in this menu before) so I figured that choosing 'From Device' couldn't hurt anything.  Since making that change my Galaxy S3 now connects every single time almost as soon as I get in the car.  It's awesome...and by awesome I mean it now meets my expectations.  /sigh

Below is a visual walk through of how to get to that menu/option.

MTEC Shifter Spring Review

I recently purchased a set of MTEC shifter springs.  I purchased these based on some reviews on FT86.com which said they improved shifter tightness and feel.   I watched the video that MTEC provides on their website:  http://www.mtecind.com/diy/scion-frs-subaru-brz-toyota-gt-86-shift-spring-install/ which really helped with the install.  It's pretty easy but you need to have the car jacked up enough to really get under the car.  I had the front and rear on jack stands and was on a roller which made everything much easier.

MTEC says that the install should take 30 minutes but I took a little over an hour.  The first 10mm socket bolt you remove takes a while to get out because you can only turn a 1/4 at a time.  Then the second 27mm detent also is not simply taken out and put in.  The angle is awkward and when you re-thread it back in you really have to take your time and make sure you get it right.

Tools needed (minus torque wrench)

Oem 10mm spring, and the bolt. 

Oem detent spring on left, MTEC on right.  This is located near the rear of the transmission on the passenger side.  It's a bit buried so feeling around with bare hands helps when you align the 27mm socket.  

Torque to 29 ft/lbs.

Pretty easy install, just a bit time consuming for 2 springs.

And now onto the review.  I did notice that the shifter was slightly tighter but there wasn't a night and day difference as explained in some of the reviews.  Doing this while you are already on the ground doing an oil change, or some other under car work would be worth it, but I don't think spending the $35+shipping and 1-1.5h is worth it on it's own. I'll note that I do have the Whiteline positive shift kit bushing, so perhaps that had a greater effect than the springs.  On an OEM setup maybe the springs would be more noticeable.

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!!

Updates!

So, I'll have a longer post coming along after I get back from the F1 race in Austin.  Been traveling a bit for work so not much is new with the BRZ.  She has 20K on her now, warranty run through in 1 year...challenge accepted.  Below is a list of upgrades/changes waiting for my return.

- Perrin shift knob
- Perrin high flow filter
- Whiteline transmission stabilizer
- Perrin shifter bushing
- Full Motul fluid change (engine, trans, diff, brakes).
- 215/45/17 Winter i*cept Evo tires

I'll update the changes with pics and have a review of each.  Also got my tail lights changed out and they have been water free for a month!

Teaser of some unshopped photos from a set I'll have up shortly as well:

Waterlogged

Still waiting on the dealership to call me back on getting these things replaced.  My car was one of the first 1700 off the line and it seems that they were over tightening some of the screws on the tail lights which led to hairline cracks and thus the condensation in the lights.  Sommer's Subaru ( http://www.sommerssubaru.com/index.htm ) has been great in response to these warrant issues and I would recommend them for any Subaru work you need done.  I'll post up some photos with the new tails in soon.

Otherwise, smooth sailing.  I did an oil change at 7500 and installed a Qwik valve (shown below) which I won't be able to test out until 15,000 miles.  Simple idea:  Spring latch and ball valve means my 15m oil changes will only take 10m now.  More importantly the chance of me not catching the oil drain plug, getting a hand full of warm oil and then digging in the drain pan for the oil covered drain bolt has dropped to 0%.  For the BRZ the valve you want to order is the F-108.