End of Season Oil Change for Scarlett

End of season means time to start to clear out old oil and any contaminants before the car sits for long periods.

Oil change time

Maintenance Update:

Mileage: 174,303

- 11.5 quarts Driven GP-1 20W-50
- Mahle OC54 oil filter

Suspension refresh for the 944

I haven't been doing any motorsports events in the 944 because it developed a bit of a clunk when stopping at slow speed and the alignment wasn't what I wanted. I decided to get a fresh set of Konis and I'm glad I did since it turned out the old Koni front inserts started to have play in it. We reused the ground control coilovers that were already there and obviously the Racer's Edge camber plate that was also installed earlier this year. 

New front Konis installed

Rear Konis installed

I was also not happy with the uneven ride height so I had SJF reindex the torsion bars in the rear which unfortunately is easiest to do by dropping the entire rear and also had the front lowered a little bit. 

Reindexing rear torsion bars

The result was much more even ride height

LF - 25 1/2

RF - 25 1/2

LR - 25 5/8

RR - 25 1/2

The alignment was then properly done with the front camber maxed out. The rear is set 1 degree less, 0 toe and dialed in a little toe out in front to get better turn in.

We also noticed an oil leak from the plugs in the valve cover so new seals were installed. We also replaced the completely destroyed exhaust gasket. We then discovered the source of the clunk. The bracket that sits above the exhaust in the transmission tunnel wasn't fully tight. As soon as that was tightened, the clunk disappeared. 

Maintenance Update:

Mileage: 98,728

- New valve cover gasket and plug set

- New exhaust donut

- New Koni yellow all around

- New bolts and hardware for struts

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

Season End Track Day - Watkins Glen - 25th Anniversary Honda S2000

For the final event of the S2K Takeover track season we ended it with a 2 day event at Watkins Glen. 2025 coincides with the 25th anniversary of the S2000 and we had a terrific turnout of 40+ S2000s. We also got blessed with incredible weather, sunny, dry and in the low 80s. Everything you could ask for, we got.

Watkins Glen International - 9-29-2025
Photo by: John Mascarinas

During lunch for the first day, we had had a parade lap so we could capture some epic photos that will be etched in our memories forever.

Watkins Glen International - 9-29-2025
Photo by: John Mascarinas

Watkins Glen International - 9-29-2025
Photo by: John Mascarinas

Watkins Glen International - 9-29-2025
Photo by: John Mascarinas

I set my PB on the first session of day 1 but in my biggest bonehead move of the season, I didn't replace my tires thinking I could get away with a full season of track on a set of RE71RS except I forgot I actually changed out these tires late 2024 so I had more track days than I remembered. The result was a pretty quick drop off in grip after that so I just kept losing more and more time as I had to back off for safety.

Tires completely worn

Overall though it was incredibly fun and I'm glad that's how the season ended and I'm looking forward to some really nice changes next season :D

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