More updates...

35% tint, thanks to Norb @ Carbox Industries. Look him up if you want a great tint at a great price.

Clear markers finally installed with amber leds.

Chrome bulbs front and rear.






Sorry that some of the pics are washed out... I'll take some better ones closer to sunset.

 

Where did you get your clear front markers? The only place I can find them is on eBay for 100+ dollars plus 30 for shipping! Are they JDM original parts or did you find them cheaper somewhere else?

 

I bit the bullet and bought from Carson Toyota - $99 plus shipping. OEM JDM parts.

 

I've got a pretty sweet update for today... First round of TRD test-fit parts were installed!

TRD Cat-back Exhaust
TRD Lowering Springs
TRD Sway bars (front & rear)
TRD Air Filter
Bongiovi DPS Audio Upgrade




Now for some installation pics:

 

Installation complete.

 

The exhaust sounds f'n amazing. Deep tone, no rasp. Has a hint of that subie burble that usually comes from UEL headers. It's even got some nice little pops and backfires on hard deceleration.

I like the springs - I wish they were a bit lower for aesthetics. Ride is firmer, but not jarring.

The sway bars have reduced what little body roll the factory suspension had, and turn in definitely feels sharper.

I didn't get a chance to push it very hard today as it was raining... but I will say the car is easier to rotate!

Oh, and the Bongiovi DPS upgrade really wakes up the factory speakers. IMHO, great bang for your buck upgrade.

All in all, today was a good day!

 

How did you get ahold of all these TRD parts?! Where did you get them? They look awesome! I didnt even know these TRD pieces were available! I must have! How much of a drop did the TRD lowering springs give?

 

They aren't available yet... Fortunately, I was selected as the car for the test-fit parts to be installed on for Scion Canada.

The TRD springs produce a mild drop - but these are pre-production springs, so I will hold out until the final products are available to measure.

 

The TuRD Springs doesnt look like it even Lowered the car at all!...

I dunno I wasn't a fan of TuRD Parts...they are just ReBadged parts from ther manufacturers so I rather get the actual Company Named part instead of one just Renamed...

 

I probably should have taken some specific before and after shots... but you're right... It doesn't lower the car much. Looking at it beside another FR-S, you can see that it is lowered - it's especially noticeable in the rear.

These cars seem to have a bit of rake to them from the factory, and the TRD springs level out the front/rear ride height.

 

If you want no BS/hassle in case a warranty issue comes up, TRD is the way to go. They aren't the best bang for the buck, but TRD suspension/brake mods combined together work very well and come with a 1 year warranty.

Nice upgrades OP!

 

Some pics from this past weekend.





Overall 46th/65 (PAX time), 6th/8 in my class (STX).

I didn't get my air pressure dialled in until my last two runs on the second day. I borrowed my buddy's wheels and tires (Technicraft T6 17" x 8" +42 with some tired and worn Dunlop D1 Direzza Star Specs in 235/40R17). Ended up running 43 PSI up front and 39 rear.

I found my biggest issue is lack of camber in the front. With the TRD lowering springs I have maybe -0.5 degrees... so when the front suspension was loaded up in turns I was rolling the tires pretty hard.

Camber plates are definitely next on the list. The ones from Whiteline are a good price, but non-adjustable. Here's hoping Racecomp Engineering releases some of their lowering camber plates for the FR-S/BRZ soon!

All in all, it was a great learning experience. Each day my first run was my slowest, and my last run was the fastest. I was able to claw time off of each run. Some of this was due to finding better lines on the course, and some was from getting a better feel for the car. I look forward to the next event, and would seriously encourage anyone interested to come out!