New Haltech ECU for Bumblestook

A few months ago I noticed that I could no longer connect my old laptop to my Haltech ECU. It wouldn't detect it and later it would actually shut my laptop off if I did. I setup a new laptop to see if the laptop was the issue but it gave a warning that whatever was plugged into the USB port was drawing too much power. I knew at this point the USB port on my Haltech Pro Plug-in must've shorted out since changing the cable didn't fix it either. 

Old ECU left vs New ECU right

I ordered a new Haltech Pro Plugin for the S2000 which looks pretty cool with the new black and yellow color scheme to match the car. The guts and the firmware haven't really changed since years ago so it was as simple was swapping everything over, reloading my tune and configuration and firing the car up. I did recalibrate the TPS voltage which has changed a bit over time just to make sure everything was good and everything ran just fine.

New ECU

New ECU talking to my new laptop just fine

Joe Engineering NACA duct

I've had the Achtungcraft air duct for the oil cooler on Scarlett for some time now and the screen has started to come off. I've also unfortunately hit it with my knee a few times when walking around the car. I saw the new NACA air duct from Joe Engineering and it looks much better. It's streamlined into the bumper so nothing is protruding and funnels air nicely to the oil cooler. I ordered the premium version which has a nicer finish and made of better material. 

Joe Engineering NACA duct

Joe Engineering vs Achtungcraft

Install was super easy and just took a few minutes since I had already removed the side marker before to install the Achtungcraft duct. I made some suggestions to Jose about how to improve on it a bit in the future but overall a nice piece.

NACA duct installed

New cabin filter for the Mini

The AC has started to smell a bit musty so it's probably time for the air cabin filter to be replaced on the Mini. I curse the engineer who designed this system. Not only is it all the way in the center console but the flap you open up to replace it, goes up to open so it's literally trying to close on you as you remove and install the new filter.

Old filter left - New filter right

Maintenance Update:

Mileage: 81,065

- New Hengst air cabin filter

First autocross in a year

It was May 11 of last year when I last autocrossed, which was in the 944. Obviously feeling super rusty so enlisted my equally rusty friend, Rad, to codrive with me in the Cayman. We had a fun little battle where he got me on his last run but I was able to find a bit more time to take the win on my last run. Good times, great weather, loads of fun. I definitely miss this.

NNJR SCCA Autocross - 5-18-2025

The Motocompacto also made an appearance
Photo by: Autox4u

Run comparison

Pre-autocross maintenance

Not only has it been over a year since my last autocross but it's been even more than that for the Cayman. I signed up for the NNJR SCCA autocross on Sunday but since it's been over 2 years since I changed the transaxle fluid and brake fluid, I wanted to get that sorted before any kind of actual performance driving. Went to see SJF Performance to get this all sorted. First was a full flush of the brake fluid with Motul RBF600.

Fresh Motul RBF600

Fresh Motul RBF600

Next was fresh Motul Gear Oil for the transaxle. The oil fluid actually came out super clean, still the same blue color this fluid comes in from the bottle so there's definitely no excessive wear on the OSGiken diff inside it.

Motul SAE 75W150 gear oil

I also wanted to see of my Honda Motcompacto could fit in the trunk and was pleased to see that it did so I can take it to events to get around.

Motocompacto in rear trunk of the Cayman

Maintenance Update:

Mileage: 54,100

- 1.5L Motul RBF600

- 3 quarts Motul SAE 75W150 gear oil

2025 Season Opener with S2K Takeover at NYST

Finally got my first track days in for the year. We had a great 2 days at NY Safety Track doing the uptown track on day 1 and the downtown track on day 2. Despite the one and off rain, we had a great time and the car was feeling really good. Looks like some of the late season suspension changes we did last year really sorted out the noise issues on the rear suspension and the lack of front caster.

NYST 5/5/2025

NYST 5/5/2025

The new Fire Link setup is making it super easy to not only gather real time telemetry but as a learning aide to understand where I can drive faster using Fire Laps. It consists of a GPS antenna and logger with LTE capabilities so it can transmit data directly to your firelaps account as you run. The analysis at the end of each session lets you hone in on each section and find out what you can do to extract some more pace.

 

NYST 5/5/2025

Firelaps data analysis

Overall it was a terrific 2-day event and I can't wait for our next event in July at NJ Motorsports Park.

Uptown - 1:40:02

Downtown - 1:43:9

Track prep for Bumblestook

First track day of the season is coming up so it's time to get Bumblestook ready. Took her to SJF to get brake fluid flushed and new StopTech cryo slotted rotors installed. I actually ordered these rotors over a year ago. I got half of them a few weeks later but the other two got backordered over a year so I had been running regular blanks end of last year. I prefer the cryo because so far they've been reliable.

Brake fluid flush

new rotors

fresh brake fluid

Maintenance Update:

Mileage: 67,274

- 1L Motul RBF 600

- 4 StopTech Cryo Slotted Rotors