DS-BRZ: January 2019

The gear shifting experience in the BRZ has never been ideal. In the cold it does not go from 3rd to 2nd easily. Once warmed up and at speed on the track, it takes a moments concentration to make sure the gear is lined up before shifting it to the next gear. This was especially worse at PI going from 4th to 5th and vice versa. Even a slow car needs high gears!

The first proposed solution is a set of MTEC Shift Spring kit which helps stiffen up the feel of the shifter giving it a heavier feel and quicker return to neutral, that then allows for getting into the next gear more confidently.

Next is the Whiteline Shift kit, fancy name for an insert between the gearbox and mount. Simple but quite effective at taking the movement in the gearbox which makes it easier to find each gear at the cost of a few notches increase in the NVH department. Because race car.

With all things said, overall the shifting finds its way into each gear more easily, or simply "snappy" as Jorge would say haha. I have yet to drive it in the cold to see if the 3rd-to-2nd gear notch has been smoothed out or had the need to go hard between 4th and 5th, and I will report back when I do!

MTEC Shift Spring Kit & Whiteline Shift Kit

Grease and insert.

"Extreme pressure molybdenum disulphide (LM) based grease" - In case I ever need this stuff again.

Bushing install first. It inserts itself in here.

After 1 bolt removal, some jacking of the transmission, it inserted pretty easily.

Shifter spring install. First bolt that needs to be removed is on the passenger side of the gearbox.

Specialty tool (Thanks Jorge!), and a Loctite'd hex bolt came out without too much trouble

Used a magnet to get the old spring (left) out and in went in the new spring (right)

Cleaned up the old Loctite before applying some new blue Loctite for reinstall

The second spring is located behind this bolt on the driver side

People had to unbolt the exhaust to get to the bolt. I was lucky my breaker bar could reach to crack it.

After many turns using a ratchet and uni joint, it is out.

New spring (left) vs the old one (right). Putting the bolt back into the gearbox took a few shots given the limited room, sight and angle.

At the end of last year I decided I wanted to participate in the WRX sprint series this year. Why? I've had the passion of track driving for the longest time but the motivation to do more events wasn't always there and I would be always saying retrospectively 'I should have gone!'. I needed a little bit more of a push or a goal, and decided this is it. Let's enter and compete and see how I stack up to my fellow car enthusiast competitors!

Another reason is I could easily spend endless amounts money on modifying the car if I could afford it (and was allowed), so having a limit on what I could do so that I can compete in the specific street class was a perfect solution. I can satisfy my urge to modify the car within reason, have a goal related to it and not spend aimlessly.

Round 1 was at Phillip Island! The last time I was here was 7 years ago and that is far too long.

Trying to spot that apex thing

The standings after Round 1. Very happy with where I am but still a long way till the end.

It look awhile for me to find the lines that worked. The goal was a 2:00.xx, but this 2:01.3638 was the best I managed for the day.

Track flows very well with only a few hard braking points. Smoothness and getting on the throttle as early as possible was key.

Ecstatic with the car handling back-to-back PB laps of mine without a hiccup. Despite not getting the 2:00.xx goal time, I am still super happy I could do 2:01.xx consistently and it wasn't entirely a "fluke lap".

Made a new mate on the way up to PI

Scrutineer put my sticker on upside down cos said he saw a 86 on its roof last week and jokingly said if I saw this sticker the right way around, I'm screwed. Funny guy.

Pit lane waiting to go out. Mirin' them Tom's tail lights, wheel fitment and exhaust tips while I wait

Tom's V2, CF boot and diffuser. Droolworthy!

Panorama shot turned out a little weird

Serious brake and wheel package

With matching rears

Clean oil cooler set up

Perfect fitment. 17x9+35.

This is a 245 tyre, a 255 would fit but would poke that ever little more.

Right on the limit!

WedsSport TC105X. A good alternative to the ever popular RPF1s.

A reminder for me to keep my car as clean as this.

Life goals. Porsche towing a Porsche (hidden in the garage).

Chilling the sun waiting to go out

The fastest BRZ/86 drivers around gathered in 1 place. I got a lot to learn from this bunch.

E85 means lots of fuel cans lying around

There is a spy amongst us....

Team Tom's V1

Crooked sticker job by yours truly

The view from this track is as spectacular as I can remember

This shot actually makes the BRZ look fast

Not see in this shot are geese loitering around on the next apex.

Some professional shots from: Suz Gallus Photography.

Prior the event...

Checking the general condition and wear of the RS3 tyres.

Can't see anything I should be concerned with

Just over 5mm prior PI

Not wanting to remove the current pads on the car, I used a cable tie to gauge how much pad I have left and compared it to a near-new pad I have as back up. I had ~7mm on the pads in the car. I think I'll get through the next 6 events with no dramas.

Regs say I need high tensile nuts and bolts for the fire extinguisher mount. These are just random bits I used. Better upgrade them.

A quick trip to Bunnings for the nuts and bolts and I end up $130 poorer haha

Fixed!

Regs also said I need a fire extinguisher within 3 years of manufactured date. I think my current ones are closer to 10 years old... Better upgrade that too!