Enlight

I will learn how to use my La Pavoni by then, as long as no one minds waiting 5 minutes/shot of espresso...

Looks good to me, too! Good job!

This one is nice too, definitely not opposed. Watkins Glen Raceway doesn't make their schedule for 2024 until January.

Here are the preferences @Boxkitty gathered. The only other wrinkle is that some people from the cottages will have to share their bathrooms - to that end I don't mind staying at one of the cottages and letting that bathroom be "public."

Catharine Cottages just got back to me: Between them being OK with tents, pop-up campers, and dogs, I think they check off all of our boxes while keeping everyone in a central location. They are also only a 10 minute drive from Watkins Glen Raceway. Since this deal only works if we book all 4 cottages (furnished with appliances, electric + running water) I think we should move forward with them. Between now and next summer I'm confident we can fill all four cottages. This won't work once just one of the cottages is booked by someone outside of our group. If people don't have any strong opinions against I'd like to go ahead and reserve the entire location and collect from members on the back-end. Remember that by exploring other options, we will still need to open up the box of questions that is whether they allow pets, tents, pop-up campers, etc. Thoughts?

I like the idea of a state park myself as well, but also sympathetic to those with families who need a little more in the way of modern amenities. I've also reached out to this smaller outfit Catharine Cottages. They only have 4 cottages and they are priced reasonably at $180/night for 2 adults and a child. I've sent them a message asking if they would allow tents and a pop-up RV camper if we rent 2 or more of the cottages. If we can book all 4, I think they might be amenable. As of now they have full availability for 6/14/24 - 6/16/24. A little creek runs through, their site looks quite picturesque. Message also sent to Watkins Glen.

I started some initial research, I think one of the things we have to do is Drive the Glen. I will call to confirm whether they plan on holding those the June 14-16 weekend. For people unfamiliar with the area, Finger Lakes is also a well known wine region so I think it would be cool to do at least one lunch outing at a winery. There are wonderful views of the lakes from many of these establishments, not to mention tons of great driving roads. At this point, I think any lakeside houses are out of our budget. I like the idea of campground with cabins for ease of logistics and satisfying people's different lodging wants and needs. Sned Acres Family Campground: Has tent, RV, and cabin sites. 35 minute drive from Watkins Glen. Closer River's Crossing Campground and Marine: Same as above, but better reviews and has more water features on the property. 1 hour from Watkins Glen. Buttonwood Grove Winery: Has 4 cabins that can be rented, maybe I can send a message to see if they would also be willing to allow tents and RV's on their site. Tentrr: This website might be worth further exploration. For example, here's a brewery offering campsites. Watkins Glen State Park itself is also something to behold. If you're into rock formations this will be cool to you. The state park also has campsites, but no cabins.

I trust your driving if you want to take her for a ride , though this VF52 isn't a pure JmP experience. When he was working on it he discovered that the previous port job would negatively impact the spool a little bit, but that the top end would really pull. I don't know what an OEM VF52 is like, but the spool feels pretty instant now! I'm open to other weekends as well, and also open to campsites. I'd still like to prioritize a place where people have options for different types of lodging. I've camped on farms that AirBnB'd out their land before, something like that would be pretty cool. We were able to pitch our tents inside a huge barn. It was basically glamping.

I'm in Queens, right next to Brooklyn. I'm happy to devote more resources to the search. Just prioritizing buttoning up the car so I can launch muFreight. I haven't made a post about it yet... but the car is running and the new engine + @JmP6889928 turbo is fantastic. Nothing has blown itself apart yet (except for the P/S I ran dry and am having @AZP Installs replace) much to my amazement. Here's a teaser of the new-to-me Spec B bumpers I've been holding on to for nearly a year. She's hopefully getting wrapped this week if not next.

I would like permission from you to rock a pair of these , they sounded beautiful at ECM.

Saw this the other day and love the self-deprecating humor. And here's the Family Guy reference...

It was vapor honed and then I just sprayed it with Rustoleum Cold Galvanizing spray paint. I didn't have the time or patience to give it the full prime/paint treatment as I did some other components. The bearing is NTN 6203LLU and I got the reseal kit from Power Steering Seals. I took a gamble on them since I didn't see many reviews but can confirm they fit. As for the bumpers, the JDM lines really do look better. If you're interested in getting them before next year's meet let me know. I ordered these bumpers as I was doing "research" (read: business expense) on some other businesses. I will let you know when I expect my last container before the meet. I can provide a 50% discount on fees to members of this forum, excluding the hard costs that my partner in Japan charges me. If you use Yahoo Auctions that will amount to 15% of the item cost + 10% of shipping to Japan warehouse + $7.50/sqft of the package size for the container. This does not include duties U.S. customs may or may not impose (I've gotten lucky and never had to pay). This will get the items to NYC. Mods, I haven't officially launched the service but please let me know if there's anything I need to do to come into full compliance.

Vinny Ten Racing just called to give me an update after dropping off the car yesterday. She's currently on the dyno getting her break-in tune. They had to find the source of a fuel leak which I discovered when I gassed her to 1/3 tank yesterday. It turned out to be missing o-rings when I assembled the fuel pump. That was back when I was pulling all nighters trying to button her up for ECM. In looking at the before and after photos of the engine bay it doesn't seem like much work was done at all, despite the block being clear coated, P/S pump rebuilt, turbo freshly painted by JmP. Vehicle Wraps 777 is waiting for the car now and I'm hoping to get in a wash so the vinyl can bond properly. I will also need to remove the Plastidip from roof and waist spoilers and install the Spec B bumpers/sideskirts I got in from Japan.

I'm in!

I'm buttoning the car up for the tune tomorrow but have a feeling this EGT sensor isn't right. Are the threads supposed to slide like in this video (link)? Also, there are two plugs that they can connect to that I've circled in red. The one closer to the manifold has a resistor in it so I will plug it into the one closer to the wheel well. Did the LGT originally come with two EGT probes?

Paging @m sprank

Another vote for @JmP6889928, here's a thread with people's reviews of his turbos. He can work on your vf46, too.

That EMUSA vacuum manifold is pretty nifty. Really cleans up the bay... I like how you are hiding everything under the manifold. It kind of reminds me of the clean desktop PC cabling setups. Very clean.

June 14-16 works for me, too.

If you're going to Florida, I can take the Amtrak Auto Train from Lorton, VA and drive up with you. Perhaps others will be interested in joining for this portion of the road trip

I'm willing to cough up a few shillings if we need to put down a deposit.

That figure works for me too. Car is almost buttoned up so hopefully now "So you want to drive your 16..." for me.

Re: the Killer B headers and oil pan, this post (link) may be of interest to you. From KillerBMotorsport: I don't know head from tails, personally, so I have no horse in this race. The post does give me some comfort as my oil filter is touching the header with the help of a sandwich adapter.

Any clue where this bracket goes? It looks like a bracket that secures the uppipe/turbo to the block but I can't find it in Subaru's parts diagrams.

Yeah, after looking at some different options I realized that was the most economical. Harbor Freight's 4,000lb model is just $25.00. This city boy is slow.