Element Tuning Track Tested and Track Proven FRS Video

[Element Tuning]

What can I say but amazing for 155 whp! We didn't plan on racing our FRS this weekend for the Whelen USTT Championship but with our STi down and out we decided to make lemonade!

With the FRS there just to show off I couldn't think of a better way to fully test this car than to throw it into battle against much more serious hardware. With everyone on race tires we stuffed our STi Rota DPT race wheels and tires on there and gave it a go.



Dual view in car video from the Whelen USTT Championship round at NJ Motorsports Thunderbolt.

Element Tuning FRS/BRZ Whelen USTT 2012 NJ - YouTube

With such little power going up against some heavy weights we didn't win anything but huge respect from everyone that saw this car on the track. I'm not sure I every got a totally clean lap due to getting passed into turn 1 but I managed a 1:40.07 at NJ Thunderbolt. For 155 hp and a 3000 lbs race weight, that's really good. I'm confident a 1:39 was what I could have done but the old race tires were just about corded so I couldn't really give it another shot in hopes of some clear track.

I had a couple strange issues related to the power steering and when I spun out once the car wouldn't restart for awhile. Under heavy braking and turning (Turn 11) is was as if the power steering failed. I'm not sure if the race tires had too much grip under braking for the power steering or there's some funny VSC (it was all off) that doesn't like you trail braking.

Had a blast and can't wait to fully build this car up into a potent Time Attack race car. We should have our prototype Hydra EMS computer in about a week and hopefully our custom valved BC Suspension in 3 weeks.

Thanks,
Phil Grabow

[Asterisked Accolade]

Oh God i have been waiting for someone on here to make a proper track car out of these. It looks great with those wheels and tires, by the way.

[Sccabrz192]

Originally Posted by Element Tuning

What can I say but amazing for 155 whp! We didn't plan on racing our FRS this weekend for the Whelen USTT Championship but with our STi down and out we decided to make lemonade!

With the FRS there just to show off I couldn't think of a better way to fully test this car than to throw it into battle against much more serious hardware. With everyone on race tires we stuffed our STi Rota DPT race wheels and tires on there and gave it a go.


Dual view in car video from the Whelen USTT Championship round at NJ Motorsports Thunderbolt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxAkNUQ24Pk&hd=1

With such little power going up against some heavy weights we didn't win anything but huge respect from everyone that saw this car on the track. I'm not sure I every got a totally clean lap due to getting passed into turn 1 but I managed a 1:40.07 at NJ Thunderbolt. For 155 hp and a 3000 lbs race weight, that's really good. I'm confident a 1:39 was what I could have done but the old race tires were just about corded so I couldn't really give it another shot in hopes of some clear track.

I had a couple strange issues related to the power steering and when I spun out once the car wouldn't restart for awhile. Under heavy braking and turning (Turn 11) is was as if the power steering failed. I'm not sure if the race tires had too much grip under braking for the power steering or there's some funny VSC (it was all off) that doesn't like you trail braking.

Had a blast and can't wait to fully build this car up into a potent Time Attack race car. We should have our prototype Hydra EMS computer in about a week and hopefully our custom valved BC Suspension in 3 weeks.

Thanks,
Phil Grabow

In the manual there is a note about how the vehicle will intentionally reduce the electric power assist system if the EPS motor starts to get hot. Was their an esses section prior to turn 11 or a series of quick turns? (not familiar with the track). Hopefully their decision to move the electric steering system up into the column didnt compromise its ability to cool like a rack-mounted system.

[Element Tuning]

Originally Posted by Sccabrz192

In the manual there is a note about how the vehicle will intentionally reduce the electric power assist system if the EPS motor starts to get hot. Was their an esses section prior to turn 11 or a series of quick turns? (not familiar with the track). Hopefully their decision to move the electric steering system up into the column didnt compromise its ability to cool like a rack-mounted system.

Admittedly I have never touched the manual. Picked the car up Monday night and was on the track Saturday

NJ Motorsports is extremely technical and leading up to the problem section you are in an extremely long right hand sweeper. It was happening at the exit of turn 11 or 9 (not sure how they call it).



Steering feel and response overall is better than anything else I've ever driven. I was doing 8-12 laps so I was out there a long time but it was only a problem in that one spot so I bet due to the long sweeping turn it could have overheated the electric motor.

[Element Tuning]

Originally Posted by Asterisked Accolade

Oh God i have been waiting for someone on here to make a proper track car out of these. It looks great with those wheels and tires, by the way.

Don't worry we will be creating a serious track weapon but it was nice to just push the stock platform and realize how good it really is. I mean besides tires, 100% stock! I bet I could get two seconds out of the car with some real race brake pads.

It's also really nice to hone your skills on a low power car as it really teaches you to use 100% and then some of the track, keep up your momentum, and to keep that steering wheel open so you don't scrub so much speed. In the world of 500+ whp Unlimited Time Attack cars with huge downforce you spend a lot of time just maintaining control of the car and correcting vs. being inch perfect.

[Asterisked Accolade]

Originally Posted by Element Tuning

Don't worry we will be creating a serious track weapon but it was nice to just push the stock platform and realize how good it really is. I mean besides tires, 100% stock! I bet I could get two seconds out of the car with some real race brake pads.

It's also really nice to hone your skills on a low power car as it really teaches you to use 100% and then some of the track, keep up your momentum, and to keep that steering wheel open so you don't scrub so much speed. In the world of 500+ whp Unlimited Time Attack cars with huge downforce you spend a lot of time just maintaining control of the car and correcting vs. being inch perfect.

Speaking of that, i was noticing the huge amount of momentum you were maintaining while trailing the Yellow Corvette, and i have to say i was very impressed. Then, he would squirt ink in your face and scamper off on the straight aways. Then in the next corner you'd be right on him again. It was very fun to watch.

[Element Tuning]

Originally Posted by Asterisked Accolade

Speaking of that, i was noticing the huge amount of momentum you were maintaining while trailing the Yellow Corvette, and i have to say i was very impressed. Then, he would squirt ink in your face and scamper off on the straight aways. Then in the next corner you'd be right on him again. It was very fun to watch.

That was my biggest problem throughout the day. Let's face it everyone is trying to get clear track but if my momentum was disturbed I was in a world of hurt due to the low power. My entry speeds were typically higher than all the cars around me. Just amazing for a stock car on equal tires (everyone was on race tires).

I eventually did push the car past it's limits and looped out when I took too much curbing. I have more video and when I get a chance I'll get that up also. I had many exiting battles riding inches off bumpers and then my spin out.

[Asterisked Accolade]

Originally Posted by Element Tuning

That was my biggest problem throughout the day. Let's face it everyone is trying to get clear track but if my momentum was disturbed I was in a world of hurt due to the low power. My entry speeds were typically higher than all the cars around me. Just amazing for a stock car on equal tires (everyone was on race tires).

I eventually did push the car past it's limits and looped out when I took too much curbing. I have more video and when I get a chance I'll get that up also. I had many exiting battles riding inches off bumpers and then my spin out.

Aww, man you spun out? 'Guess that really goes to show how hard you were pushing. And this is really a testament to the stock set up of the FRS, just like you said. Imagine if you adjusted the suspension and had 45 more horsepower. They'd worship you on Sundays.

[ultra]

I love this vid.

I mean it'd be one thing to strap on some R comps and shadow faster cars on a trackday just for kicks but I love that those are prepped TA cars out there. When you factor in the fact that the camera car is riding SUV high up in the air on huge 10 inch wide Hoosiers (contrary to conventional wisdom of low & stiff) the WIN meter pretty much falls off the far side of the dial.





Some pretty insane entry speeds being carried right through the bends there too. I see you making some oversteer corrections now and then which makes me feel obliged to ask whether the car still felt well 'within the envelope' (i.e. predictable & controllable) being driven like that, or if you were pushing it a bit towards the edge while filming that vid. And, if you were really pushing it hard, I'd like to know how it behaved at/over the edge given the odd setup and cornering G's and speeds involved.

Was it planted and confidence inspiring, a little light on its feet or perhaps slightly nervous and a little twitchy?

[Element Tuning]

Yeah it looks like a "donk" or something from the movie Cars It was very much a run what's in the trailer situation. Overall it was a heavy for NA setup and larger in diameter than ideal. I just kept up the momentum and made it work.

I was very much in control even at the limit. The tires started to cord on the side I spun and it think that combined with jumping the curb did me in. I was trying to cut inside the curbs but those dumb DE cones were in my way.

[Tainen]

This has got to be one of the most awesome threads I have seen on this website.

Thank you SO much for showing some of the platform's potential. You have just validated the purchase of this car for me, and hundreds of others. I hope they make this a feature story.

[Element Tuning]

Originally Posted by Tainen

This has got to be one of the most awesome threads I have seen on this website.

Thank you SO much for showing some of the platform's potential. You have just validated the purchase of this car for me, and hundreds of others. I hope they make this a feature story.

You got it. Honestly I've never driven a car this good, box stock, with just race tires (not even the GTR). Perfect balance, awesome rear diff, etc. I think the aftermarket is likely to make it worse not better so be careful what you buy, this is no WRX! Choice mods will be very important and everything suspension wise we do will be custom valved etc and track tested.

Here's the video on day two when I was pushing harder to break into the 1:39s but the track was just too hot and my tires too wasted. I chase a Ferrari 458 Challenge for about 1 second (LOL) and pass a CTS-V track car on my way to spinning out.

Element Tuning FRS Spin at Whelen USTT 2012 NJ - YouTube

[Tainen]

With some camber adjustments, I could see some of that oversteer being adjusted out. I wonder how much you could improve your corner speeds even more that way.

[NYNOMAD]

What a great video! I'm going to have to get out on a track. Limerock...

[Asterisked Accolade]

Originally Posted by Tainen

With some camber adjustments, I could see some of that oversteer being adjusted out. I wonder how much you could improve your corner speeds even more that way.

And even some slight inward toe would maybe help a bit with oversteer.

EDIT: After watching the second video, it seems like you were carrying even MORE momentum. It seems like the BRZ could just barrel through those corners while the other cars seemed to tip-toe through a lot of them.

[SWAMechFRS]

Great video. Really anticipating getting my car out to the track with my old Porsche Club Racing gang so I can show them what's up. This appears to be a really capable track car right off the lot.

Waiting on my VIN number...........

[Element Tuning]

Originally Posted by Tainen

With some camber adjustments, I could see some of that oversteer being adjusted out. I wonder how much you could improve your corner speeds even more that way.

There really wasn't too much oversteer until the tires started going out. They were used and not good enough for our Unlimited car (wouldn't have lasted 3 laps on that car) but I knew the FRS would be easy on them so we went for it.

I was running the car hard through the turns and since I was getting momentum drifts vs. power slides it's harder to recover since lifting off the throttle doesn't do much (makes it worse I suppose). Overall though on race tires the car is well behaved and the differential action is well balanced. On the OEM street tires the rear diff is actually on the aggressive side and it drifts too much with those tires.

I also did the first session with the VSC Sport mode on and the street tires and it really keeps you from loosing control. It also prevented me from going really fast also as it doesn't allow for a really aggressive entry into the turns. I say everyone on street tires should start with that on until they feel how the car behaves and see where it intervenes. Then at least you'll know where an how the chassis wants to step out on you.

I agree though that some negative camber would allow me to pick up the pace tremendously as I wasn't using the contact patch well at all.

[Element Tuning]

Originally Posted by Asterisked Accolade

And even some slight inward toe would maybe help a bit with oversteer.

EDIT: After watching the second video, it seems like you were carrying even MORE momentum. It seems like the BRZ could just barrel through those corners while the other cars seemed to tip-toe through a lot of them.

Yes I was very comfortable for my second session on the race tires and was pushing it for all it was worth trying to find the limit. This makes you slower on such a low power car but once you find the limit, you dial it back a notch and there is your record lap. The track however and my tires were slower than my first session (I ran the same time but was working harder for it) but it was such a blast knowing I had a fraction of the power and still running fast track cars down in the turns.

Now I have an FRS (wanted whatever I could get first) and from what I've heard the FRS is faster around the track (tested in Japan) as Subaru decided on their own Suspension for the BRZ (probably more comfortable). Can anyone confirm this?

[Tainen]

The FR-S is more oversteer prone, the BRZ is a little more even in oversteer/understeer. Randy Pobst stated he liked the BRZ better because of that- he had a little more confidence in the corners in the BRZ, whereas the FR-S liked to step out just a little too often. That made him faster in the BRZ. It sounds like the differences are relatively minimal though, and I'm sure with track tires it's even less minimal.

[Element Tuning]

Originally Posted by Tainen

The FR-S is more oversteer prone, the BRZ is a little more even in oversteer/understeer. Randy Pobst stated he liked the BRZ better because of that- he had a little more confidence in the corners in the BRZ, whereas the FR-S liked to step out just a little too often. That made him faster in the BRZ. It sounds like the differences are relatively minimal though, and I'm sure with track tires it's even less minimal.

Interesting. With track rubber it's very controllable and I felt like I could put it anywhere I wanted. As tire and wheel fitment improve most likely people will be going staggered and I think this is when the FRS may be better balance due to less front traction from smaller tires.

Probably means little once we start we get the custom valved BC Coilovers and dial in the spring rates.

[Tainen]

yeah, once you change out the coilovers, it really won't matter.

I hope no one with actual track aspirations goes staggered setup on this car.

[Staticfrost]

Originally Posted by Element Tuning

With such little power going up against some heavy weights we didn't win anything but huge respect from everyone that saw this car on the track. I'm not sure I every got a totally clean lap due to getting passed into turn 1 but I managed a 1:40.07 at NJ Thunderbolt. For 155 hp and a 3000 lbs race weight, that's really good. I'm confident a 1:39 was what I could have done but the old race tires were just about corded so I couldn't really give it another shot in hopes of some clear track.

I had a couple strange issues related to the power steering and when I spun out once the car wouldn't restart for awhile. Under heavy braking and turning (Turn 11) is was as if the power steering failed. I'm not sure if the race tires had too much grip under braking for the power steering or there's some funny VSC (it was all off) that doesn't like you trail braking.

Had a blast and can't wait to fully build this car up into a potent Time Attack race car. We should have our prototype Hydra EMS computer in about a week and hopefully our custom valved BC Suspension in 3 weeks.

Thanks,
Phil Grabow

Hey thanks for the vid upload!

Intresting to watch! Love the line you were taking and how different it was to that white evo. Loved how you could see the evo get it in to the sweet spot and he would rocket away lolz. (should add never been on a track before so i don't know what the correct line should be :S)

Question, i noticed you said you were getting BC Suspension do you think the Suspension in this car is limiting you at all to keeping up with these cars? I would think it would be the HP difference that would be holding you back.

Look forward to reading more updates