Hey man awesome build thread! How are the akebonos holding up? Curious what people with fi think about those brakes

The akebonos do a pretty good job. I run carbotech pads when at the track and they work nicely. I imagine myself making a slow transition to a dedicated track car in the future and as that happens new brakes will be in order along with a full cage and about a million other things!!

Sweet! Thanks for the info, looking forward to seeing more!

Ent-z,

It was nice seeing your car in person today. I got there late had to go to dinner afterwards, so I did not make the cruise.

Your setup is nice and looks really clean. I will definitely have to check it out and go for a ride at the next meet.

Hello gorgeous...
 

Looks great

Looks awesome!

Time for suspension!
 

http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/...psbvzaqgxj.jpg

Gave myself a nice Christmas!

Tein monoflex coilovers
Tein EDFC Active with optional GPS sensor
SPL Front Upper Control Arms
SPL Front Impact Bushings
SPL Front Lower Arm Bushings
SPL Rear Camber Links
SPL Rear Traction Links
SPL Rear Mid Links
SPL Rear Eccentric Lockout Kit

Not pictured are new 285/35/R19 and 305/30/R19 RE-11s as well.

Shout out to Joe@ZSpeed for the always awesome customer service and prices! Highly recommended.

Your car is beautiful! You got that last picture in wallpaper size? :tup:

Damn. That's an impressive list of stuff there. SPL is some nice quality stuff!

ENT-Z - you gotta let me know how you like the suspension setup. Been reading all about this setup and it sounds very cool.

Will do. I spend a lot of time on the track with this car so I am really looking forward to seeing how the EDFC active works in that arena. I'm hoping it is awesome!

Sweet looking ride..congrats!

Need any help or anyone to install the suspension for you?

Where you still at stock ride height?

The car is currently with my usual mechanic at ET Tuning. I really appreciate the offer to help though! I know you have helped out a lot of the St. Louis guys.

I am going to keep the ride height as close to current as possible (currently on Nismo springs) but it may drop just a tiny bit with corner balancing. I only have a tiny amount of clearance coming up my driveway with the longer Stillen front fascia so I can't afford to drop it.

So I learned that the SPL mid links do not work with the factory style springs or the springs that come with the Tein Monoflex coil over setup. You have to have 2.5" inner diameter springs.

So I ended going with Swift Metric Coilover Springs in 12K for the rear. Tein makes springs in this size but the wait is 3 months from Japan so I passed on that option. So now I will have 14K front and 12K rear which I think will be better than the original 14K square set up that the Monoflex comes with.

Well I have had a chance to drive the car now with the new suspension. The car is completely different now. It's not something you would want to do to a daily driver but this thing is so attached to the road now it's awesome. You actually have to drive with two hands on the wheel because if the tires catch a break in the pavement you might end up in the next lane…haha! Here are some photos of the EDFC active controller and the relocated seat heater switches.

http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/...psbmixu4qu.jpg

http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/...pscxlqlipt.jpg

Did you go with a more aggressive alignment? Or do you think it has more to do with the control arm style and firmer bushing?

Definitely both. My current alignment specs are -2.5 camber, +7 caster, 0 toe up front and -2.0 camber and 3mm toe in on the rear. I may opt to move rear camber to about -1.8 as I have to make a ride height adjustment anyways due to it being a little too low for my driveway.

Track Experience Update
 

Well I have had 4 track days in so far with the new suspension set up and I have to say it is pretty awesome.

My first weekend of the year was with NASA and on the second day they moved me up into the HPDE3/4 run group which is open passing anywhere on the track that you feel comfortable with. Open passing was a new experience for me and it was pretty cool passing in the turns instead of just on the straights.

My second weekend I ran in the advanced group of the porsche club event. There were 3 GT-3s and 2 911 Turbos in the advanced group and none of them were able to keep my pace - needless to say I am very happy with the car!

Next up will have to be a more aggressive front pad and new rotors all around (finally wore mine out). I would love to do a StopTech or AP racing BBK but they get very $$$$. Along with that I would like to do a 4 pt cage and racing seats/harnesses.

Very nice buddy. I have always wanted to do a track day.

You should try to make it to cars and coffee this weekend.

I definitely plan on being there as long as it isn't pouring down rain. I invited a friend with an M5 as well. I just have to get time to clean the car up sometime this week - it is covered in brake dust and bits of rubber!

Sounds good.

http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/...psvho6ggif.jpg

http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9yorhhpa.jpg

Looks great

Thank you!

Looks real clean! I have the varis rear on order and was also thinking of going stillen sides. I may have to do something different now that you've beat me to it :P

I was wondering if you could do a huge favor and measure the diameter of the exhaust holes for the varis diffuser?

I'd like to know if the new Carbon Signal quad tips would fit without having to do any modifications.

Thanks in advance!

Sorry for the late reply - the width is around 6" at the widest part mid height getting narrower higher up and wider down towards the bottom