ShinyBRZ

Wasn't sure where to post this, but kind of feels the right place as I've been away for so long. I'm thinking of coming back to a BRZ. I had one of the first in 2012, but about three years ago swapped for a Seat Leon Cupra estate due to a lack of space in the back for my young lads. The Seat's faster, quicker, quieter, comfier, more grip, more brakes (with the big Brembo kit on it), just about as economical, easier to get in n' out, carries more (just about), but dull as anything. "Dull" might be the wrong word - it's 280bhp, so perhaps "uninvolving" is better....I recall the BRZ was plenty fast enough on the road, except away from the lights surrounded by German mid range diesels!! It never felt out of its depth, even on standard tyres on the track. So, if it's been improved for the 2017 facelift, it might be knocking one of the other options for a 2nd car, a 981 Cayman, out of the picture.

...then the diff...then the gearbox...then the brakes... Then when it's boringly all holding together a bigger engine!

My race buddy has won an auction on eBay for a 328i E36 that's being sold as an actual working car. We'll be ripping out the engine and box for our race car, and I'll be making sure the rad comes across too. I understand it's a lighter engine with more power and torque. What can possibly go wrong?!?

Quieter then usual trip home, Keethos, it's my mates car... I suppose racing old sh1tters has its advantages - there are plenty of engines in scrapyards! It was originally a 320i and the last owner moved up to a 325 class. I've a big suspicion it was a half ar5ed job and he left the old radiator in place, rather than increasing the cooling to keep the temperatures under control.

Can't be good. 2nd race sharing my mates BMW 325i, at Rockingham. It decides to get hot and bothered and doesn't want to play anymore. Think it's just head gasket, but we'll be checking if any thing's warped. Wonder if an FA20 would be easy to drop in...

Smaller diameter wheels would give a better ride.

Cross drilled and grooved discs look cool. So I'm told. That'll be the primary reason why most "upgrade" kits are cross drilled and grooved.

Conti C5's on mine. Can't really fault them, but the car's lost the driver involvement as it's doing far more itself. They've made the car far more competent, boring from a different perspective. I'd like to keep them for the odd track day / sprint and keep a standard set for the road, though it's a faff changing them regularly.

Pretty much anything just to get the grease and grime off the blades. Don't leave the blades dripping, just a good wiping works a treat.

Real quick win is fairy liquid in kitchen paper. Brings up the blades a treat. Done in 2 mins from reading this...

That looks like an absolute hoot. Don't recall a recent swap, but a good few years ago Brundle and McRae swapped cars. An Impreza and Jordan at Silverstone. They got to within a second or so of each other, in good dry conditions on the circuit and rally stage they've got there, but Brundle suggested there'd be a huge gap at 2am in a foggy Hafren forest or in torrential rain at Spa. They're as good as each other, but I reckon a rally driver will always be more adaptable than a race driver...

PP limits might be worth considering, then we'll all have arguments about the best combination of mods to add, say, 30 or 50pp to standard. Turbo vs lightening, bit of both maybe? Standard everything's probably easiest to regulate. There must be getting close enough numbers for a virtual meet, too? Managed that once on GT5. Of course, the BRZ reigned supreme that time!

That's worth an extra lottery ticket or two...

There's London too. Not sure what time a London bus would do in rush hour, mind!

GT5 owners were invited to try too. I'm now down to an 8.08 in a standard BRZ (straight from dealer) with race tyres... Will probably get GT6, but won't be allowed to open it till Xmas day!