I think a half cage at some point (although maybe not yellow), at which point some yellow harnesses would go well. At the moment it's still my daily, until I figure out what I want to daily alongside it, so I'm sticking with normal belts for now.
GR86 S18 RSG - Halo White Manual
- Thread starter S18RSG
- Start date
Yeah they do a few different heated seat options, unfortunately none that I liked massively, and all recliners, which I didn't want.
I think I've used the heated seats maybe half a dozen times, so I can't imagine I'll miss them awfully haha.
One down, one to go
They feel superb, very comfortable, solid, but most importantly very low down in the car and way more bolstering than the stock seats.
The downside is, my hands won't forgive me for a while. The amount of cuts and bruises I now have will act as a reminder for why I won't be in a rush to do this job again haha.
Passenger side will go in once I've calmed down from the stress of today
They feel superb, very comfortable, solid, but most importantly very low down in the car and way more bolstering than the stock seats.
The downside is, my hands won't forgive me for a while. The amount of cuts and bruises I now have will act as a reminder for why I won't be in a rush to do this job again haha.
Passenger side will go in once I've calmed down from the stress of today
EasySeven
New member
I feel you, removing the wiring harness was a real pain in the *ss.
Personal suggestion: I would personally unscrew the lower part of the seat belt and make it pass through the hole of the bucket seat as I did with my Bride. It's safer and better looking imho
Personal suggestion: I would personally unscrew the lower part of the seat belt and make it pass through the hole of the bucket seat as I did with my Bride. It's safer and better looking imho
Already been done
I didn’t do it immediately as I was still pulling the seat in and out making adjustments, but it’s done now.I’m tempted to switch over to those Bride rails though, they look a bit easier to deal with than mine!
Well, a long weekend of messing around, hours spent achieving not much, all resulted in today being the most straight forward and satisfying day so far.
Second seat in, no warning lights at all, passenger airbag still functions as standard, all sorted. Just in time for Japfest
Just needs a bit of a valet inside now and we're good to go for next weekend.
Second seat in, no warning lights at all, passenger airbag still functions as standard, all sorted. Just in time for Japfest
Just needs a bit of a valet inside now and we're good to go for next weekend.
GRistopher
Totally Hooked
- Oct 23, 2023
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I just have a couple of questions regarding your coilovers.
Are they the ZN6 version (GT86)? i can't find a ZN8 version anywhere. Similarly with the KW V1 although KW state they have developed a ZN8 version on their website. ID-workz have a pretty good deal on the KW V1 for ZN6 at the moment so if they're fine, I might get them ordered.
Did you re-use the existing Topmounts? Previousley when changing spring / dampers I've got new topmounts but this was on older cars. If its not required it would be a way to save a few quid.
Are they the ZN6 version (GT86)? i can't find a ZN8 version anywhere. Similarly with the KW V1 although KW state they have developed a ZN8 version on their website. ID-workz have a pretty good deal on the KW V1 for ZN6 at the moment so if they're fine, I might get them ordered.
Did you re-use the existing Topmounts? Previousley when changing spring / dampers I've got new topmounts but this was on older cars. If its not required it would be a way to save a few quid.
The versions of coilovers don't really matter, as the ZN6 and ZN8 chassis is the same. When I ordered these, Bilstein had updated the part number, I assumed to make a GR version, however, when they released that part number, they removed the other one from service and this set I have became the "GT86/BRZ/GR86" version.
It's the same with KW. I was looking at theirs, and the GT86 version is the same, it's the one you need.
I re-used the top mounts. In fact, I specifically wanted a set that used OEM top mounts as I like to maintain the lac of additional NVH that can present itself with other top mounts. What I will say, is that you will struggle to get much more than -2deg of camber without top mounts.
My solution to that, is that I plan to get the Pedders top mounts fitted soon, which are OEM quality rubber, but give an additional -0.7deg of camber over stock, as they're offset. Might be worth considered for yourself also, to save on fitting costs.
GRistopher
Totally Hooked
- Oct 23, 2023
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Thanks, that's really helpful
. I'm trying to choose wheels, tyres and coilovers that maintain good ride quality and NVH.The solid top mounts have put me off a lot of different types. I'll check out the pedders ones. It would be nice to keep the OEM struts as a single unit when I take them off.
GRistopher
Totally Hooked
- Oct 23, 2023
- 685
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Yes, Pedders top mounts and camber bolts is a common combination, and what I plan on.
What I'd say with regards to coilovers, is many people who've tried mine after having something like BC/Tein have commented on how well damped it is. It's very similar to stock (which is a good bar), but obviously you get the benefit of lowering. The thing that affects the ride of mine more than anything currently is the tyres, which are a really stiff sidewall.
I generally believe that once you've established your budget, your best bet is to buy the best possible dampers, and the coilovers with the most testing and R&D possible for that money. For me, that means a brand like Ohlins/KW/ST/Bilstein, all of which ran their own 86 chassis development car for tens of thousands of miles.
That's not to say BC/Tein/MeisterR or others are bad, just that if you spend £1500 on Bilsteins and get height adjustment only, vs £1000 on Teins that give you top mounts, height adjust, damping adjust and all sorts of other features, I wonder how much of their development cost was put into making the parts as good as possible, vs just cramming in a load of largely unnecessary features.
Plenty of people will disagree with me, and that's fine. That's just my opinion, and is mostly backed up by my experiences with this chassis over the years.
Caveat, there's a big difference between requirements for a track car suspension wise, and requirements for a road car. My requirements are heavily biased towards road use.
Long overdue update, albeit without anywhere near as much to report as last time.
Car has now just ticked over 16.5k miles, still basically faultless.
Latest additions to the car are:
For those unaware, the new Godspeed kit consists of a set of Renault Megane RS Brembo calipers, 330mm discs, a choice of pads and all brackets/bolts required. I went with Performance Friction Z Rated pads, a popular choice in Renault circles, alongside the floating disc option and some Motul RBF660 fluid. Calipers are also finished in something called "Ski Doo Yellow", the closest single stage paint I could find to the Renault Liquid Yellow-esqu colour I've tried to go with across the various yellow accents. Godspeed were kind enough to have these powdercoated for me at no extra cost, which was very kind.
My only slight annoyance currently is a grinding noise from the outside wheel when at full lock (so left wheel when turning right and vice versa). I'm sure this is just a shroud or dust shield or similar, but no major concern for now. Doesn't make any noise under normal driving, just low speed and full lock. (If anyone has any ideas, I'm all ears, but I'll get it looked at ASAP).
The tyres seem to be a fairly positive experience too. I was running a set of Continental SportContact 7s in 225/40, which lasted me around 12,000 miles. They were exceptional, but if anything, too grippy for this chassis (at least for my driving style). They were also fairly loud, and had quite a stiff sidewall.
On the flipside, initial impressions after around 400 miles on the Goodyears are a significant reduction in road noise, a slight improvement in comfort, but at the expense of that ultra responsive initial turn in the Contis offered. I don't necessarily see this as a downside though, as I found the Contis ultra responsiveness did kind of cause me to move about a fair bit in the seat. These slightly less responsive tyres almost give my body a chance to brace for turn in beforehand, so in a weird way, the car feels like it rolls less (when it perhaps would roll more on a softer sidewall). Weird, but interesting.
As for the seat bases, a typical experience of buy cheap buy twice. I had a great deal on the M2 rails, under £200 for the pair (a welcome offer after the expense of buying the seats). Their design however, being so massively adjustable, meant it was borderline impossible to get them fitted correctly. A constant bug bear. After weeks of frustration, constantly taking the drivers seat out to adjust (I think I counted around 20 times in a month), I got annoyed enough to spend £330 on a single base for the drivers side, and a good decision it was.
Anyone thinking of changing to bucket seats, just don't bother with anything other than the PCI bases, I can't see how anything would be better.
Anyway, enough rambling, a few pics:
Car has now just ticked over 16.5k miles, still basically faultless.
Latest additions to the car are:
- Godspeed front big brake kit
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Assymetric 6 tyres
- Swapped from original M2 Motorsport seat bases to PCI Racing bases
For those unaware, the new Godspeed kit consists of a set of Renault Megane RS Brembo calipers, 330mm discs, a choice of pads and all brackets/bolts required. I went with Performance Friction Z Rated pads, a popular choice in Renault circles, alongside the floating disc option and some Motul RBF660 fluid. Calipers are also finished in something called "Ski Doo Yellow", the closest single stage paint I could find to the Renault Liquid Yellow-esqu colour I've tried to go with across the various yellow accents. Godspeed were kind enough to have these powdercoated for me at no extra cost, which was very kind.
My only slight annoyance currently is a grinding noise from the outside wheel when at full lock (so left wheel when turning right and vice versa). I'm sure this is just a shroud or dust shield or similar, but no major concern for now. Doesn't make any noise under normal driving, just low speed and full lock. (If anyone has any ideas, I'm all ears, but I'll get it looked at ASAP).
The tyres seem to be a fairly positive experience too. I was running a set of Continental SportContact 7s in 225/40, which lasted me around 12,000 miles. They were exceptional, but if anything, too grippy for this chassis (at least for my driving style). They were also fairly loud, and had quite a stiff sidewall.
On the flipside, initial impressions after around 400 miles on the Goodyears are a significant reduction in road noise, a slight improvement in comfort, but at the expense of that ultra responsive initial turn in the Contis offered. I don't necessarily see this as a downside though, as I found the Contis ultra responsiveness did kind of cause me to move about a fair bit in the seat. These slightly less responsive tyres almost give my body a chance to brace for turn in beforehand, so in a weird way, the car feels like it rolls less (when it perhaps would roll more on a softer sidewall). Weird, but interesting.
As for the seat bases, a typical experience of buy cheap buy twice. I had a great deal on the M2 rails, under £200 for the pair (a welcome offer after the expense of buying the seats). Their design however, being so massively adjustable, meant it was borderline impossible to get them fitted correctly. A constant bug bear. After weeks of frustration, constantly taking the drivers seat out to adjust (I think I counted around 20 times in a month), I got annoyed enough to spend £330 on a single base for the drivers side, and a good decision it was.
Anyone thinking of changing to bucket seats, just don't bother with anything other than the PCI bases, I can't see how anything would be better.
Anyway, enough rambling, a few pics:
Is this still on the cards? I find myself swayed towards adding the lip and skirts in FRP when I pull my finger out and add the TRD duck tail to mine.
Well as many of you will now be aware, in a rather unexpected turn of events, the GR86 is gone!
The combination of a fantastic offer to buy the car, as well as a superb offer on a new FL5 Civic Type R made the choice too good to pass up. Going from the GR86 to the Civic is costing me £10 per month more, which is incredible considering the £20k price difference.
The GR86 will be available as a competition through Dream Car Giveaways. Once they got wind I might be looking to sell, they were quick to make me an offer I couldn't refuse.
The car has gone more or less how it ended up, albeit with stock front and rear seats. Whoever wins the car (hopefully me) will get an absolute cracker, and I hope whoever gets it continues my work and keeps the car being one of the more modified examples around.
For those who are interested, I have the Corbeau seats, rails, all associated airbag/occupancy sensing technology etc. available for sale in fantastic condition. Feel free to drop me a message on here and I'll be happy to discuss with you.
For now, I leave you with a picture of the Civic as I received it, and another of how I plan for it to look. I've actually had it for 2 weeks, covered nearly 1000 miles already and already have a pile of parts waiting to go on.
I won't be going anywhere however. The Honda community is one I'm already familiar with through previous Type R ownership, so I've been involved in that owners club for years also. I'll still be here to carry out my administrative duties, help out where I can and answer questions. I'll also still see you all at various Jap car shows around the country.
ATB!
The combination of a fantastic offer to buy the car, as well as a superb offer on a new FL5 Civic Type R made the choice too good to pass up. Going from the GR86 to the Civic is costing me £10 per month more, which is incredible considering the £20k price difference.
The GR86 will be available as a competition through Dream Car Giveaways. Once they got wind I might be looking to sell, they were quick to make me an offer I couldn't refuse.
The car has gone more or less how it ended up, albeit with stock front and rear seats. Whoever wins the car (hopefully me) will get an absolute cracker, and I hope whoever gets it continues my work and keeps the car being one of the more modified examples around.
For those who are interested, I have the Corbeau seats, rails, all associated airbag/occupancy sensing technology etc. available for sale in fantastic condition. Feel free to drop me a message on here and I'll be happy to discuss with you.
For now, I leave you with a picture of the Civic as I received it, and another of how I plan for it to look. I've actually had it for 2 weeks, covered nearly 1000 miles already and already have a pile of parts waiting to go on.
I won't be going anywhere however. The Honda community is one I'm already familiar with through previous Type R ownership, so I've been involved in that owners club for years also. I'll still be here to carry out my administrative duties, help out where I can and answer questions. I'll also still see you all at various Jap car shows around the country.
ATB!
GRistopher
Totally Hooked
- Oct 23, 2023
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As a previous FK8 owner, I'll just say that if you like driving fast, there's probably nothing better out there. The performance of modern type Rs is insane.
KobayashiMaru86
Totally Hooked
Spoken to you about it already and the Type-R is still a car I want to get one day, after having several test drives but it never worked out at the time. Will be a perfect replacement for the Swift one day so I'll have the best of both. Only negatives I read are the safety stuff all new cars come with is annoying (must be a way to turn it all off easily) and possibly a steering issue but I don't know enough about it, only what some on forums had mentioned, mainly US ones.
Alistair31
Totally Hooked
I also previously owned an Fk8 and it was a weapon. I made the mistake of tuning it to over 400hp, which although the chassis could handle it, it did elevate it to a level of power that's difficult to enjoy every day. I'll be keeping this one sensible power wise, it's already extremely quick.
It's obviously a different sort of performance to the 86. That car is all about fun at any speed, the Civic is more clinical, but also more impressive in its delivery. The 86 was never about impressing anyone, just putting smiles on faces.
The modern safety tech is a pain, but it's nowhere near as intrusive as one might imagine. Sure, every time you hit 31mph it beeps, but it is a 3 button operation to turn it off (shame it has to be done every journey) and then it's fine.
Ironically, I actually find it quite a good reminder for my daily commute. The car has a lot more torque than the 86 and is a lot more comfortable, so in many ways it hides its pace very well. I keep it on for those journeys as I have no intention of speeding around town anyway. But yes, it gets turned off immediately whenever I'm going for a fun drive.
