So, got the car back from F.I. Friday evening.
Spent an hour or two out screwing around, and was totally and completely blown away.
First impressions were as expected. The fit and finish is fantastic. I took a few minutes doing a walk-around/inspection, changed out of the valet-map, double-checked the boost group, let the oil come up to temp, then I went for a drive.
...My first text to Tony was filled with expletives.
I started with the "around town" map, which is about 9 psi/590hp with conservative timing. It is a total mind-f@#k.
The power is relentless, but the most amazing part is the delivery. Specifically, the boost threshold and boost response. Needless to say, I am VERY happy on my decision to wait and go with F.I.
Anytime...anywhere...you have boost. Cruising along in 6th at 2800...tip in, and it instantly makes boost.
I did one pull up to the top of 5th along a deserted stretch and, well...its gets there DAMNED fast now. Stupid fast.
I'm totally going to have to re-learn this car at the track.
Oh, almost forgot. Those HTA wheels and the alpha housings sound WICKED! Major grin factor!
The next day I had a bunch of daddy duties in the morning, and a car show in the afternoon, so it was back home for a quick wash.
Saturday was my buddies car show.
All my local gear-head friends knew the car would be back, so it drew a lot of attention. People couldn't believe the numbers it made on a stock motor, and the attention to detail was oogled over all day. I had Tony put a crinkle-coat black finish on the intake pipes and they came out REALLY well.
Saturday evening was dinner with the wife so I got to scare the **** out of her...
check!
I also played with the high-end map+boost group Saturday evening. Want to blow the tires off ANYWHERE in third?...check!
Today was spent recharging the ac (i evacuated it prior to shipping to CA, so I told them not bother recharging it), draining the coolant, replacing with distilled H20 + water-wetter, and doing a few other maintenance items.
I'm scheduled to be on the track Wednesday, so I don't want to be "that guy" dumping antifreeze all over the place.
I also need to get corner-balanced again...hopefully Monday.
That will also be first shakedown session.
My main goals are to see how the cooling systems copes, and what changes I need to make to the damping & LSD. Initial breakaway and total lock is probably off for the power I'm now putting down, but we'll see.
It's also not supposed to be very hot, but I have no data at the moment so I have to get as many shakedown sessions as possible.
Next major punchlist items are:
- Get the oem seats back out and replaced with the EVO2's,
- Work on front splitter
- Work out ducting for brakes. I had to wait for the TT install, so I can figure out how to best route around the filters and intercooler piping.
- Maaaayyyybeee tinker around with rear diffuser ideas. I have some aluminum handy, and no one seems to have anything resembling functional, so it's something I want to work on.
All in all, very excited! Hopefully I have time to get any setup bugs worked out over the next few weeks. I have plenty of track time booked, so that's the goal.
May 9th - GTA @ Road Atlanta. Be there!