My Build

[Ron]

Started a build, and thought I'd share.

First, thanks to everyone here. I've been trolling all kinds of posts and the information has been invaluable.

It's an early 2012 with the suitcase exhaust, and I started with the chassis:

• Eibach Pro-Kit springs
• Front and rear Koni yellows
• EC rear bump stops
• CFP strut top mounts
• CFP vertical chassis braces
• Neu-F rear torsion bar
• Zimmerman drilled rotors

[Robert Nixon]

Good stuff!

[gverelli]

Looking good, and you did all the right tastful mods Im sure it already feels worlds of a difference

[Ron]

After about a week's driving on the new chassis parts, I re-torqued everything and had an alignment done. All good.

Not much new:

• CPR subframe brace
• Bosch 4C coils

I've been playing with the rebound settings on the shocks and struts. I'm set at 1/2 turn on the struts and a full turn on the shocks. For street work, I like it. It's not harsh, but also no secondary bouncing after bumps; and the back end is following me around nicely. If there's any understeer left, it's just the right amount for me. I ran in my first autocross set that way to see how I liked it when running harder, but I'm afraid I had too many other new things to pay attention to; so evaluation of the shocks/struts was shortchanged. There's always next month.

I'm currently waiting on parts to arrive, which is giving me an opportunity to actually drive it around more.

[streetsurfer]

Hi Ron,
Welcome, and thanks for sharing. Looks like a real clean ‘12.
I’ve subscribed with notification, to see what your future changes are. So many choices out there.

[Ron]

So many choices out there.

Word. The first hurdle was which springs to make it sit like I wanted, but the real challenge is going to be deciding what goes on the outside. The only thing that seems certain is the hood; I put my hand on the air intake after running a few rounds at the autocross, and I see a hood extractor in my future.

[Ron]

The red shift knob was the only mod on the car when I got it, and it is now gone. I put the original knob on top of a Bonalume short shifter. I like the stock interior (black leather), so I'm using the original shift knob, and the back seat will be staying.

Also installed an EC Pedal Pro and a GVB DV+.

[Ron]

Received the EC V4.1 intake, and it was installed during a break in the weather.

Still waiting on the FMIC, and since I'm working in my driveway I expect progress to be pretty slow for a while.

[problem_417]

looks good! going for E+D phase 2?

[Ron]

looks good! going for E+D phase 2?

My intent is to be able to run phase 2, but I will likely go with less. The stock car is faster than I want to go, which leaves me with no good explanation as to why I'm doing any of this other than just having some fun.

[alex500a]

Looking good, as someone who said the same thing, I won't be surprised if you eventually want to run ALL OF IT.

I'm at E+D phase 1, it is smooth and the power is not too crazy. Will likely do phase 2 at some point if I keep the car long enough.

[Ron]

I won't be surprised if you eventually want to run ALL OF IT.

I'm fairly long in the tooth, so I doubt it; but I do plan on having the option, in case I surprise myself. I've already surprised myself by: one, buying this car. And two, modifying it. I've never modded a car, and it's been decades since I turned a wrench on one.

I have no idea why I'm doing this, I'm even past the age where I could blame it on a mid-life crisis. I guess even even us old guys need some fun.

[alex500a]

This car has a way of bringing that out I guess. I'm not old, but not young either (it is all relative anyways) and this car is addictive. I get bored of my cars quickly and this has been the longest I've owned a car. Still surprised by all the looks it gets even though these are fairly common. Just went to the grocery store and this kid, probably 5 years old, was walking with his mom across the parking lot as I drove past and his head was glued to the fiat and I heard him say "woooooow" as I slowly drove past. Fun car and still gets some looks.

[Ron]

The weather has improved, so I'm back after it. Finally got that EC FMIC to sit right last night (about 3 evenings worth of fun), and now I'm having more fun trying to get the fascia back on.

The new wheels came in a while back (Evo Corsa San Remo), and the new tires today; so I'm on the verge of having a set of everyday wheels and a set of dress wheels.

[Ron]

Abandoned the EC intercooler as unworkable. I had to shim the crash bar out to get the intercooler core clear of the condenser, and it was so far out when I finally cleared that I was stretching the bejesus out of the fascia at the corner bolts (the ones in the fender). Despite all the adjusting, shimming, grinding, filing, etc I just couldn't make it work.

Went with the intercooler from NGEN. The basis for that was:
1. I don't drive hard enough for long enough to justify an ATM (not to mention they appear to have been out of stock for the last 6 months).
2. My primary goal was just to clean up the plumbing.
3. Weight.

The intercooler is installed, and while I was in there I put on the blue Mishimoto radiator hoses.

(bonus picture with the fascia back on and the new wheels)