Jenna's Song

Prelude:
I have to start this thread by first stating that I have the best girlfriend in the world. This statement should be immediately followed up by my utter hatred of the tradition of buying engagement rings when proposing, and their utter uselessness in terms of function. The combination of the previous two statements ends with me still having to buy a ring, but somehow halving the price by also buying an 18 year old non-running car. The result: one Jenna that hasn't stopped giggling and smiling with excitement since pushing the car onto the trailer last night (her first experience "driving" a car onto a trailer). I think she's happier with the car than any rock could make her, and that's awesome.

Intro Story:
I started off in ST, which in retrospect was a great thing. Not enough power to kill yourself, and not enough grip to simply throw the car around to a decent result. The combination yields a vehicle that forces you to spend time feeling balance in the car and how you drive it. I'd like to think that it gave more opportunity to learn how to both tune a car and drive it, while still being fun to drive.

Jenna started off entirely on the wrong foot, and I'm partially (ok, maybe more) to blame. For her first year or so, she'd only driven cars on R-comps, and even when "backing off" from the monster SM 240sx, she jumped into a mildly prepped HS car on Hoosiers. It wasn't until she co-drove a couple cars at a local event on street tires that she really started seeing her driving beyond just looking at a line and driving it (which you can pretty much do with the higher grip limits and shock loading of R-comps). On top of that, the "seat time bug" had bit and she wanted more and more seat time at local (non-SCCA) events. The time had come: Jenna needed her own race car, and it would be an ST car.

The Goal:
Build an ST car that can help Jenna build confidence and driving skill. (Also if I have anything to do with it) Compete on the National level.

Enter: The new ST car and its owner/ primary driver:

The good:

+ The body is pretty good for a 17 year old (especially one found in New England) [you can read that however you want].
+ HICAS steering rack and VLSD.
+ It comes with some extras, like an S-AFC and water temp gauge.
+ Interior is in great condition.
+ It's in my driveway and I have the title.

The bad (missing lots of stuff):
- Driver's side window is missing/ broken
- No fan/ fan shroud/ AC fan
- No radiator
- No header/ cat/ exhaust
- No intake (forgot to check if it even has a MAF)
- No front brakes
- No ECU

Conclusion:
It was obviously well used, and un/fortunately already resprayed (I'll have to go over the body to see if it was ever bondo'ed). More than likely, I'll do the same for as much of the suspension/ subframe as I can, to get the car to a "like new" state before letting it loose next year at an autocross (wonder if I can make the Dixie Tour?). The only OEM parts I really need are the brakes, door window, radiator, and fan stuff, of which I think the only thing that'll be difficult to source is the fan crap (especially the shrouds). I'm planning on going to work on the car tonight and log the missing components for a big CourtesyParts/ RockAuto order. The goal is to have it running next week.

The Plan:
Some of the missing stuff isn't so bad. I've already got an excuse to do a header/cat/exhaust. It looks like I'll be doing an Ebay header to start, and not sure what exhaust (originally planned on building one). Requirements for it are for it to be quiet (less than 90db @ 75ft) and low profile (less law-enforcement attention).

The one thing I'm pretty sorted on is the suspension. If I can get everything off to the powdercoater, I'll be re-installing with ES bushings where applicable. Unfortunately I can't use heims as the ST rules state I can't substitute rubber bushings for metallic ones. The plan for shocks and struts are NRR 8610's (or 8611's if I'm feeling ambitious) up front with Koni Yellows in back (externally adjustable Eclipse rears). It'll be a Whiteline sway up front, and stock or no rear bar to try and let the VLSD do its job.

Up next:
Less talk, more pics and general car overview/ review.