GR86 What did you do with your GR86 today

First impressions after returning from workshop on wheels for approx 30 min drive.

Holy moly. Miles better than Yellow powerflex insert. No brainer comparing these two.

I had powerflex and after driving with it in first 5 minutes, I was debating if it was right move.

No such thoughts with STI gearbox mount and Perrin rear insert. I don’t know if the latter isn’t playing greater effect.

Closest I can say now, is that feeling is on pair if not better than MX5 ND2 shifter.

Notchiness is improved, gears are “falling” into gates, instead of you pushing them. As soon as you pick correct gear, no matter which one is it, it simply falls in, with right amount of click. Whole stick is also a bit stiffer. Overall nothing but positives for time being. I’ll restrain myself with final opinion and drive car a little more but it looks very promising.

Only slight amount of vibrations between 1000-2000 rpm when cruising at very low speed, no major NVH. So far, so good.
 

Attachments

  • WhatsApp Image 2025-01-13 at 1.35.50 PM-4.webp
  • WhatsApp Image 2025-01-13 at 1.35.50 PM-3.webp
  • WhatsApp Image 2025-01-13 at 1.35.50 PM-2.webp
I already have the STI mount and found it an improvement. Now considering the Perrin rear insert. Was that difficult to install?
 
I already have the STI mount and found it an improvement. Now considering the Perrin rear insert. Was that difficult to install?
I gave it to local recommended shop, as you need 2x lifts, one to lift the car, other to lift transmission. I could try work my way out on jack stands, but as this is central portion of the vehicle, it would be pain as hell.

With the Perrin bushing, you have to loosen up the mid drive shaft support, and in theory it should be enough to squeeze it in, but people often also remove the exhaust portion. Not difficult in process but hard in accesse.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Conscript
I gave it to local recommended shop, as you need 2x lifts, one to lift the car, other to lift transmission. I could try work my way out on jack stands, but as this is central portion of the vehicle, it would be pain as hell.

With the Perrin bushing, you have to loosen up the mid drive shaft support, and in theory it should be enough to squeeze it in, but people often also remove the exhaust portion. Not difficult in process but hard in accesse.
Thanks. I managed to find a video of someone who's done it on jackstands. Maybe a little job for when the weather warms up.
 
Drove my car today for the first time in weeks to have it's 2nd service.

Before driving it home, I sat in a new GR Yaris which was very nice. A great driving position and comfortable seats.

Then I sat in my 86 to drive home. It's so low compared to the Yaris - perfect. A little wiggle on a greasy roundabout reminded me why I love this car so much. The journey was the same one I did when I picked the car up new 2 years ago and it recreated the excitement of that day.

PXL_20230103_123521512.webp
 
I started mine at 7.30am on Friday at -5C after 3 months off the road - no signs of sluggish starting whatsoever.

Drive to the dealer for the service was certainly interesting!

Drove back three hours later and it was thankfully 2C and sunny.

Was behind a VW ID4 for four or five miles at 35 to 42 mph on the country roads on the way home - not an issue, I understand some folks drive that way. The road was dry but best to be patient.

Got to the only safe overtake and calmly overtook. ID4 instantly reached 65 as I started to pass - so I had to be energetic to get back in without issue.

Cruising at 60mph, I then had the VW up my chuff for the whole journey home.

Do people just fall asleep or is it a “don’t pass me” ego thing?
Probably range anxiety - they drop the speed to keep the efficiency up, but then when there's a car in front they try to slipstream..
 
STI gearbox mount and Perrin bushing for shifter mount.

Installation over weekend. Hopefully it will decrease the sloppiness in drivetrain. Looking forward to see if Perrin bushing will make any difference as I'm told if the OEM is fairly new and still in good condition, it shouldn't really matter but let's see.
Where did you get them from?

Also been looking at this but is a bit expensive for what it is.
https://www.xiiimotorsports.com/pro...inguisher-bracket-copy?variant=44435799113914

Building a box of bits to get fitted. Some I can do as I have stands and a good jack but some of it would be easier to get done with a proper ramp somewhere
 
Where did you get them from?

Also been looking at this but is a bit expensive for what it is.
https://www.xiiimotorsports.com/pro...inguisher-bracket-copy?variant=44435799113914

Building a box of bits to get fitted. Some I can do as I have stands and a good jack but some of it would be easier to get done with a proper ramp somewhere
I was sourcing Perrin from USA as it wasn’t that expensive to ship - part number: PSP-INR-006

Looks to be available across Europe.

STI gearbox directly from Japan as I was buying something else as well.
Part number: ST41020AS000

Regarding your driveshaft bushing.

I told myself that I would replace bushing under engine, gearbox and diff. For sure I wanted gearbox, and maybe diff. After giving it second though, I said, if it still will be loose after gearbox mount, next in line should be differential (this requires press to insert new ones).
After that, it it’s still not enough for your needs, I would consider other bushings.

At the very last I’d touch the bushing on driveshaft, but ideally, replace it to single piece… I’d say this part is great once OEM rubbers wears out and are due to replace. Remember, to install it, you have to cut through OEM part, so it’s a one way ticket.
 
  • Like
Reactions: KobayashiMaru86
Removed the covers and ran the engine for the first time since the beginning of November.

Learned a valuable, but painful, lesson regarding the peeling of PPF and why you should use plenty of lube. I'd put some scrap PPF on the rear edge of the Ducktail Spoiler and the Shark Fin Aerial to protect their edges whilst under the cover as it's quite a tight fit over those areas. Seemed like a good idea at the time. This evening I attempted to remove the PPF from the spoiler, in the cool, without lubrication, and ended up splitting and removing a tiny area of paint on my AliExpress Ducktail :(. What a dick! Once I started to use some lube the rest of the PPF came off super easy. The OEM paint was absolutely fine, just the AliExpress accessory coating is really soft by comparison. Touch up kit and DA Polisher will make an appearance tomorrow I think :rolleyes: ...

WakeyWakey.webp
 
Removed the covers and ran the engine for the first time since the beginning of November.

Learned a valuable, but painful, lesson regarding the peeling of PPF and why you should use plenty of lube. I'd put some scrap PPF on the rear edge of the Ducktail Spoiler and the Shark Fin Aerial to protect their edges whilst under the cover as it's quite a tight fit over those areas. Seemed like a good idea at the time. This evening I attempted to remove the PPF from the spoiler, in the cool, without lubrication, and ended up splitting and removing a tiny area of paint on my AliExpress Ducktail :(. What a dick! Once I started to use some lube the rest of the PPF came off super easy. The OEM paint was absolutely fine, just the AliExpress accessory coating is really soft by comparison. Touch up kit and DA Polisher will make an appearance tomorrow I think :rolleyes: ...

View attachment 33610
An , ouch ya fecker moment!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Renzokuken86
Removed the covers and ran the engine for the first time since the beginning of November.

Learned a valuable, but painful, lesson regarding the peeling of PPF and why you should use plenty of lube. I'd put some scrap PPF on the rear edge of the Ducktail Spoiler and the Shark Fin Aerial to protect their edges whilst under the cover as it's quite a tight fit over those areas. Seemed like a good idea at the time. This evening I attempted to remove the PPF from the spoiler, in the cool, without lubrication, and ended up splitting and removing a tiny area of paint on my AliExpress Ducktail :(. What a dick! Once I started to use some lube the rest of the PPF came off super easy. The OEM paint was absolutely fine, just the AliExpress accessory coating is really soft by comparison. Touch up kit and DA Polisher will make an appearance tomorrow I think :rolleyes: ...

View attachment 33610
Maybe try a low tack masking tape next time.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Sonic
First oil change using an oil extractor, which was pretty good. From now on I'll be alternating between these and Toyota dealership changes every 5,000 miles.
Interesting! I wonder if I could come up with any more uses for a 'sooking device' like that? :sneaky: