Oil change time for the Jeep

 Just the annual oil change for the Jeep

Oil change

Maintenance Update:

Mileage: 83,314

- New mopar oil filter

- 6qt Castrol Edge 5W-20

Oil change for the Mini

Realized that despite running only about 5K miles since the last oil change I realized it's already been almost a year so that had to get done. 

Maintenance Update:

Mileage: 81,627

- 5L Liquimoly 0W-20
- New Mahle oil filter
- New oil drain copper washer
- New rubber oil drain gasket

Little End of Summer Autocross

Well we haven't  had many local NNJR SCCA Autocross events for a few months now since Metlife stadium has been busy getting ready for the FIFA World Cup. We finally got one today for the last one before the summer and our friends go off to Lincoln to duke it out at Nationals. 

NNJR SCCA Autocross - 8-24-2025

Weather really couldn't have been better, pretty much high 70s to low 80s all day with some cloud cover and a decent breeze. Course was fast and fun and the Cayman's feeling nice and spicy and dancing around just the way I like it. It's funny because I drive the S2000 a lot on track of course which is far more scary in terms of kicking out the rear so when the Cayman does it which feels very slow and controlled, I find it super easy to drive through. Kept the tires at 30psi all around hot and that felt pretty good so I think I'll stick with that. 

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NNJR SCCA Autocross - 1st place XSA - 57.692

Suspension maintenance and Alignment

I've been continuing to here some metal tapping/knocking sound from the back of the car when moving around at low speed. I know there aren't any loose bolts back there but wanted to get the shocks out just to make sure everything was ok. Visited SJF to get the car checked out. They were a bit dirty and the top Swift thrust sheets we installed last year had warped which I think contributes to the springs binding a bit so we removed and reassembled. The noise has been reduced but it's still there. I'm going to replace these shocks next year anyway so I'm not too worried. 

Rear shock cleaned and reassembled

We did notice that the threads on the lower shock mount bolt were not looking too healthy. I'm going to order new OEM replacements. 

These threads have seen better days

Finally I wanted to get the car realigned since the front steering wheel had to be turned left to drive straight. Turns out the rear toe slipped a bit so we put that back to what it should be (1/8" total toe in) and it's driving perfect again.

Alignment time

NSX-R Horn Button

I've had a Mugen steering wheel (basically a Momo competition wheel) in Bumblestook for over a decade now mostly because I'm such a Mugen whore going back to my RSX days. However, I've always loved the classy OEM NSX-R horn but have just always hesitated to pull the trigger. They're pretty expensive for what they are but I guess as time passes and in the large scheme of everything I've ever bought for my S2000 for the past 15 years, it's not really that crazy.

OEM NSX-R Horn

Also, as I own more and more older cars it makes me further appreciate the luxury of being able to buy new parts from the factory while you still can. The cars we drive are indeed a dying breed and while this is nothing but a superficial mod, it is a nod to a bygone ere of when Honda was making absolutely timeless classics.

Looks so at home in there

And yes, sadly it seems I have a scratch on my steering wheel but who cares. Driven not hardparked!!!

Post-track Maintenance

Well I finally got the car on the lift to do my usual post track maintenance of changing the oil. It's been a while since I sent a sample out for analysis so I think i'll do that this time. 

Fresh oil

I also replaced the bent endlink from the little sway bar debacle last weekend. Thankfully I always keep a fresh spare set so it was an easy swap. I also double checked the troque on the allen bolt for the sway bar arms to make sure they were at 85 ft/lb. 

Bent endlink bolt

Bags of backup end links

New endlink installed

I also rotated my wheels front to back so they'll be nice and fresh for The Glen next month.

Maintenance Update:

Mileage: 68,844

- 5.5 quarts Amsoil 10W-40 Signature Searies

- New Honda OEM oil filter

- New front passenger side swaybar endlink

- Rotated tires front to back

Open Track Day at NYST

I got the full season membership with S2K Takeover this year which included a private invite only open track day at NYST. It was for 2 days but I could only make the first day and it was still all worth it. It didn't start all rosy though as on my way to the hotel the night before, I felt something metallic drop from the car and drag on the highway. I was able to quickly pull over and realize my sway bar arm had wiggled its way loose from and disconnected. 

Sway bar arm came off

Thankfully I was convoying with Dhariel and he had his jack with him so we were able to quickly get it up off the ground and I was able to quickly detach the endlink from the arm to get it completely off and into the trunk so we could get on our way.

Roadside repairs

The next day I got the car up on jackstands to check underneath. There was thankfully no additional damage and I didn't lose any bolts or nuts so I was able to reattached the bar. The endlink had bent a bit but it was still enough to get it secured and working again.

Time for repairs

Re-attached sway bar arm

With the bar secured again, everything was driving back to normal. Weather was near perfect at high-70s to low-80s the whole day. I got some decent laps in the morning but as the temps started to go up, the tires started to get a bit greasy and the times started to go up so I packed it up a little early to get home at a decent time.

It was a good day

NYST Uptown - 1:40.60