Keep Your Cool!

Hey guys, Matt here with another update!

So I've been focusing a lot on reliability mods lately before chasing more power and the key parts I've determined needing attention are:

Radiator
Coolant
Oil Cooler
Intercooler

Right, so let's get stuck into it shall we? After looking around and reading other user's experiences, and having friends run the very same radiator I purchased an ASI 52mm aluminium radiator kit along with upgraded top and bottom rad hoses.

So out with the old rad (which is really worryingly thin for a stock item!)

After discussions with my mechanic Andrew of MBL Motorworks Newtown, and advice form Motorsport Connections, I decided to invest in a complete Evans' Waterless Coolant system (check them out here http://www.evanscoolants.com.au/) The beauty of this system is that it lasts for virtually the life of the engine, and most impressively doesn't boil at an average coolant's boiling point, thus removing pressure from the cooling system. Additionally, it isn't water-based so for the aluminium-block SR20DET this removes the possibility of corrosion.

Full coolant flush, running the Evan's prep fluid which absorbs any residual water and slotting the new rad right in. Fitment was great, however note due to increased thickness, the rad fan shroud was pushed back a few mm and couldn't be screwed into the IC crossover pipe. I didn't worry about that as this part will be replaced with the FMIC anyway.

I've also been looking at Greg Kruse's shop (www.gktech.com.au) for some time and I'm slowly becoming a fan of his products. I just finished installing his Cooling Plate and I am quite a fan of the product. Fitment was pretty much straight-forward, and same with plastic screw-in bolts.

Here's the before-install pic

The kit itself:

Bolting it into place:

Next up will be the much-needed Oil-Filter relocation kit! The stock filter location is a real pain to get to so hopefully this will help fix that issue. Stay tuned!


-Matt

Bride Zeta III Install

Hey guys, Matt back with another update!

Well I've been busy collecting parts for the S15, the most recent was a lucky find on a forum I frequent, I was unhappy with the stock seats so I had been hunting a while for a solution. After talking with my engineer regarding the legalities of a seat swap, I had learnt that ADR approval and FIA-approved seats are both legal.

And so began the search for a suitable seat! So I had settled on the Bride ZETA III series for looks and price and after sitting in a couple I knew I was on the right track! Next step was finding a seat rail! After some hunting around and researching I had learnt that a Bride FO-type rail would suit, and so it did!

Here's the result of the install

Initial impressions.....wow! I cannot over-emphasise how much of an improvement a proper bucket-seat makes to a car, the difference is night and day! You feel at one with the car, and gain a considerable amount of 'fee' for the car and what the chassis is doing. An essential upgrade for anyone who enjoys driving,

Next up, ASI 58mm radiator upgrade and Evans Waterless coolant!