mines13's Argento FR-S there are many like it, but this one is mine.

[mines13]

6.27.12

The day had finally arrived! Like many of you, I had been waiting several years for this car's release. I even picked up my
new Argento 6MT FR-S wearing my Best Wheel Base shirt! *very excited*


A couple of pictures myself and the car just before I took it home.





6.28.12

I had purchased an Escort 8500 X50 in anticipation of picking up my car. Here are a few pics of the installation that I had performed the following evening after picking the car up, including stealth power cable.





power and ground



display


8500 X50 in black out mode





7.1.12

Washed the car at my buddies body shop. A few clean pictures.





shorty antenna


7.3.12

tires in route. NT05 225/40-18. Wheels being custom made as we speak.



7.5.12

Well. the tires showed up. along with a new Tomioka Racing light weight battery & billet tray. I will be doing a stock vs replacement weight measurement and documenting the install of the billet battery tray it included. The Tomioka Racing batteries and other products are very nice for the money, I went with the 15lb solution simply because this a daily driver. They do offer slightly heavier and lighter batteries as well. I stole some detailed information for those who can not wait from the Tomioka Racing website:

"Just the right size and weight, TR-B1500 offers little weight addition and significant power increase than TR-B1100. It’s small enough for 4-cylinder vehicle without the added weight, in other words just right. Perfect for racing and daily driving vehicles.TR Battery utilizes Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) technology which increases specific power and ride quality and environmental safety. The design allows the battery to be mounted in a variety of positions and to accept automotive terminals vertically and horizontally. Included with each TR Battery are high quality brass SAE terminals, designed to distribute the electrical load battery for high amperage, high stress use of racing and audio applications..


Weight: 15 lbs / 6.8 Kg
Product Dimension:6.9 inches / 176mm x 3.5 inches / 89mm x 6.2 inches / 158mm
Voltage: 12
Full Charge Voltage: 13.8
CCA: 465
Capacity: 17.5 Amps/Hour @ 10AH Rating"









7.8.12

Largish update. This covers the Tomioka Racing TR-B1500 15lb gel cell battery and billet bracket installation in the FR-S. Switching to the TR-B1500 will save 15lbs vs the stock batteries 30lbs. The TR-B1500 sells for $175 and the lightweight billet mount kit is $64.90, these products are available at: http://www.tomiokaracing.com I was impressed with the quality of both of these items and the fact the battery is made in the USA.

Here is the TR-B1500 Battery.


OEM Panasonic vs Tomioka Racing TR-B1500


OEM Panasonic on the scale.


This is what you will see once you remove the battery and the tray, those holes in the two bolt bracket are for locating the OEM battery tray.
This will come in handy...


The mount kit parts out of the bag.


You can now see why those holes are handy, not wanting to cut the car up, I simply lined up two of the grooves with the holes in the 2 bolt OEM bracket.


You will need to carefully but firmly more this brake hard line while you loosen this bolt to remove the bracket, the other bolt is completely unobstructed. Even having to push the line, it is not very difficult.


After I had removed the bracket, I sourced a couple of flat washers with the correct ID to re use two stainless mounting bolts from the mounting kit. I had to clearance the channels slightly with a file, which only took a couple of minutes. Being aluminum and hidden I didn't worry about painting over the areas I filed down.


This is after I had mounted the base and supports back in engine bay, pre-bolted to the OEM 2 bolt tray location bracket.


There you have it. Knocked 15lbs out of the car. One could use one of the smaller or larger Tomioka Racing batteries if deemed necessary, but I felt the TR-B1500 offered a solid 50% weight savings vs stock while maintaining some decent stand by time.


Another angle.



Almost forgot my nutts.




7.10.12

I was bored with the OEM DRL setup so I went with some 2500K yellow bulbs for that Lemans GT class look.

Here are the bulbs I used.


Not the greatest picture, but they are actually very, very yellow. It has grown on me.



7.21.12

I close friend of mine in Japan sent me the clear side markers as a surprise gift!

Out of the package.


Installed.



7.30.12

Finally had the change to take my FR-S out to the track! The car was incredible for being bone stock, I went up to Buttonwillow Raceway for the weekend with Matt Andrews where he was performing testing on new parts and setup for his personal FR-S. I ran my car completely stock for the two days, I even ran the stock brake pads! This was my first time running at Buttonwillow and I have to say, I love this track! The car performed very well, my only complaint and it really is not the cars fault, would be the stock brake pads and tires, (for all out grip, but as far as fun they were EXCELLENT.) But you could say that about most any standard street car...

This car could only bite if you if it's words fell on deaf ears. It speaks, and loudly, through your hands and your ass. If you listen, you realize quite quickly how easily you can steer this car through the throttle. When it does give up it's mechanical grip, it does so in such a smooth and linear fashion you can't help but feel like so much more driver then you actually are, as you embrace the slip angle and put yourself right on line for the next braking zone/corner entry. It is, so very good. I am gushing and rambling but the bottom line is, you need to get this thing to a race track. throw in some decent intermediate brake pads, some higher boiling point fluid and take it to the track, even on the stock tires... (I found 28psi cold to work quite well.) You will be grinning for days...

And now for some pictures.



Met this pretty cool guy at the track, hung out all weekend since were in the same run group. He had a very rare 965 turbo.


Cooling off.




Representing Tomioka Racing at Buttonwillow. (They sponsor my car.)




I passed the 965, and the M3 on NT05's.






That's it for now, I picked up some front camber bolts. I will install them once I do my suspension. More to come!


8.2.12

Installed my Greddy SP yesterday. It is super quiet, but I like the note. May do some sort of OEM replacement mid pipe eventually for a bit more sound. The fitment and quality are excellent for the price.





These also showed up...

Yes, they would be.


Prototype FR-S Swift springs...




Install pics coming soon... These are NOT the final production version however. I will end up with them for a while after these.


8.9.12

Swift springs installed. Lowered .9" rear 1.1" front.




Stock bolt (fat shank) right, OEM WRX bolt left. (Same as OEM FR-S lower front strut bolt I believe.)


My buddy Yoshi from Neptune Speed tightening down the end link.



Needless to say, I love these springs. They ride excellent and certainly increased roll stiffness front and rear with out noticeably effecting ride quality. I would say that with the .5 degree camber gained with the bolts they work REALLY well. My opinion, if you drive the car and you are intent on lowering it with a spring, make sure you have the bolts in hand. I will follow up with spring rates, etc...


8.16.12

Installed the 5axis spoiler and removed the FR-S badge. Looks clean.






8.17.12

JDM Delrin TRD shift knob. Feels nice, looks good and is slightly taller then the stock knob. I dig it.






8.25.12

Threw on some DS2500 front pads, DOT 4 fluid and a Berk B pipe (secondary cat and resonator delete) on my far for the track day at Buttonwillow tomorrow. A few pics:

Berk B pipe on the scale.



Stock pipe with cat and resonator on the scale.


Installed.


Side by side.


Savings? about 5lbs. Also picked up a bit more growl but still pretty sedate. Nice piece.


On to the brakes...

DS2500, quite fond of this pad and I have been using it for years. Not a hardcore track pad but an ok compromise for weekend track romps.


With Signature Series rotors from Best Brakes, highly recommended if you need an inexpensive front blank for your FR-S/BRZ/WRX.


On the road again...


8.27.12

Had a blast at Buttonwillow again on Sunday, will be posting some vids later... Meanwhile today these showed up, had them mounted while I was at work. Team Dynamics Motorsport 1.2 18x8 +37 offset 56.1mm hub bore...















11.20.12

It has been a while since my last update. After several track days I had a pretty major brake failure which had been mentioned in the AP/Essex thread. I finally stepped up and installed the Essex brake kit, front and rear Essex brake hoses and new pads. Needless to say I am very happy with this setup. New wheels and likely coil overs on the way for next month. A few pictures:









Shout out to my buddy Yoshi at NepTune Speed for the use of his lift!



12.3.12

I met Tada san and he signed my dash.



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[mines13]

reserved.

[mines13]

reserved. 2

[mines13]

reserved. 3

[zoomzoomers]

[Lonewolf]

That's a slick detector setup you have going on there

[mines13]

Thanks. I think the X50 is the best value per dollar personally. I like my stuff clean.

[mashal]

That is just a radar detector right? not a laser jammer?
I have 9500i, im looking for a laser jammer tho

[mines13]

Originally Posted by mashal

That is just a radar detector right? not a laser jammer?
I have 9500i, im looking for a laser jammer tho

Just the detector. I believe you can use the Escort laser shifter with any of the Escort radar detectors.

"Laser Shifter ZR4

The SHIFTER ZR4™ is the most advanced defense system against targeting laser guns. The SHIFTER ZR4™ includes (2) front-mounted and (1) rear license plate mounted laser transceivers, interface module, display controller with audible and visual alerts, and a remote mute button.

The SHIFTER ZR4™'s High performance "Multi-Shift" laser transceivers provide maximum protection against laser targeting and CINCINNATI MICROWAVE's exclusive "link" design allows you to connect the SHIFTER ZR4™ to select ESCORT radar detectors (Passport iQ, Passport 9500ix, Passport 9500i Blue, Passport 9500i Red, Passport 8500 X50 Blue, Passport 8500 X50 Red, Passport 8500, Cordless Solo S2, Cordless Solo S3, Passport SR7, C65 and RedLine), providing the ultimate protection against all forms of radar and laser encounters. This combination of detection and "shifting" is the best protection available!*"

There you go.

[Mr.Jay]

nice stealth on the radar there

also that shorty antenna looks good. good size!


I always thought you were a tall asian guy for some reason now I see the light haha

[stalon320]

Congrats!! Love that Argento! Leaning that way myself when I order or purchase mine Spring 13.. Enjoy it !!

[StarsGarrador]

So much want

[mines13]

Originally Posted by Mr.Jay

nice stealth on the radar there

also that shorty antenna looks good. good size!


I always thought you were a tall asian guy for some reason now I see the light haha

[KI_ZN6]

I have the Escort 8500 radar detector as well. Saved me many tickets in the past. I have also tried V1 and it is just as good, with the bonus of the front and rear arrows.

Congrats on your new FR-S! =)