DarkSunrise FR-S

[DarkSunrise]

After a few beers and pizza with @endless_pain we got the RCE T2's installed. First impressions on the street are really good. I'm amazed that even though the spring rates are much firmer than stock, it's not that much harsher over small and medium bumps. I'm on the RCE recommended settings and everything feels well damped - the proverbial one bounce and done. Corner balance and alignment coming next week, then an open track day at Summit Main.

For alignment, thinking of going:

F: -2.4* camber, 0 toe
R: -2.0* camber, slight toe-in

Curious how the handling balance will compare to my old setup (stock FR-S suspension + camber bolts).

Also forgot to mention I got my header back from JDL a few weeks ago. I had been talking to them about a possible exhaust leak from the header so they checked it over for me and did some slight machining on the flanges. Installed it and everything is great now. Love hearing the UEL grumble again.

[DarkSunrise]

Quick pic after adjusting RCE T2's to ~20mm drop.

[DarkSunrise]

Got an alignment done yesterday. Specs were:

Front Left:
- caster 5.8 degrees
- camber -2.4 degrees
- toe 0/0"

Front Right:
- caster 5.9 degrees
- camber -2.4 degrees
- toe 0/0"

Rear Left
- camber -1.6 degrees
- toe 1/16" in

Rear Right
- camber -1.7 degrees
- toe 1/16" in

Ideally would have another -0.3 degrees rear camber, but I'm on stock non-adjustable LCA's. Thinking about lowering the rear another 1/4" to add camber, but we'll see how it does like this for now. Should have plenty of time to test and adjust at an open track day this weekend.

A couple of pictures after a wash and fresh alignment.

[DarkSunrise]

Track day! Gorgeous weather. Perfect for testing out new suspension, alignment and tune.

[frslee]

Any plan for aero upgrades?

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by frslee

Any plan for aero upgrades?

I wish! Maybe next year, but right now still working on my driving. My best time at Main was a 1:32 this past weekend, but I want to try to get under 1:30 without changing anything. I think I can after rotating my tires (front shoulders heavily worn) and in cooler weather. Maybe.

Did you feel like your car was slower in the hot weather? I was only hitting 118 mph this past weekend on the straight, but last fall was reaching 121 mph. Did you get a chance to see how our cars compared in power?

[frslee]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

I wish! Maybe next year, but right now still working on my driving. My best time at Main was a 1:32 this past weekend, but I want to try to get under 1:30 without changing anything. I think I can after rotating my tires (front shoulders heavily worn) and in cooler weather. Maybe.

Did you feel like your car was slower in the hot weather? I was only hitting 118 mph this past weekend on the straight, but last fall was reaching 121 mph. Did you get a chance to see how our cars compared in power?

I'm sure you can reach 1:30 with cooler weather. Yea I feel like the car is somewhat lacking power in the hot weather. Thanks to you, it was my first time getting actual lap time lol. Until now, i just went to track for testing car's limit and just seat time. I think because of my tires, exit speed from turn 10 was slower than you were, so my top speed was around 113mph this time. My best time with giving point by was 1:38 with crappy sumitomo tires haha. Still lots of work to do.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by frslee

I'm sure you can reach 1:30 with cooler weather. Yea I feel like the car is somewhat lacking power in the hot weather. Thanks to you, it was my first time getting actual lap time lol. Until now, i just went to track for testing car's limit and just seat time. I think because of my tires, exit speed from turn 10 was slower than you were, so my top speed was around 113mph this time. My best time with giving point by was 1:38 with crappy sumitomo tires haha. Still lots of work to do.

Hahaha yeah I remember when I had the Sumitomos, not that much grip. Also so much tire squeal everyone hears you coming 3 corners away and thinks you're crashing.

BTW I'm glad you liked that Track Addict app. Easy way to keep track of laptimes and see your improvement.

You have any future plans for your car?

[frslee]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

Hahaha yeah I remember when I had the Sumitomos, not that much grip. Also so much tire squeal everyone hears you coming 3 corners away and thinks you're crashing.

BTW I'm glad you liked that Track Addict app. Easy way to keep track of laptimes and see your improvement.

You have any future plans for your car?

Yea it's a great app. Free version only allows 3 records, but who cares it works haha. RS3 level tire and OEM style oil cooler are on my list. I saw your car has oil cooler. How do you deal with winter season? Disconnect or just block the cooling plate?

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by frslee

Yea it's a great app. Free version only allows 3 records, but who cares it works haha. RS3 level tire and OEM style oil cooler are on my list. I saw your car has oil cooler. How do you deal with winter season? Disconnect or just block the cooling plate?

I mounted my front license plate so it acts as a block-off plate for the oil cooler (Perrin OC is center mounted behind it). When I come to the track, I just take off the license plate. I also cut out the center part of the bracket to let a little more airflow through at the track. You can see the modified bracket in this picture:



On the street the license plate works pretty well as a block-off plate for the cooler weather in the spring and fall. Highway oil temp gets to 175-180 F when ambient temps are 50-60 F. I don't drive it in the winter though (BBK doesn't have dust boots).

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by frslee

Yea it's a great app. Free version only allows 3 records, but who cares it works haha. RS3 level tire and OEM style oil cooler are on my list. I saw your car has oil cooler. How do you deal with winter season? Disconnect or just block the cooling plate?

BTW before you get the OEM oil cooler, here were the results of some testing done by Mike at AZP:

Stock cooling system-
290-300F oil
200-210 coolant

Stock cooling system w/2015 wrx heat exchanger-
275-285F
215-220 coolant

PERRIN oil cooler w/koyo race rad-
225-240F oil
205 coolant

I've never tested the OEM oil cooler, but his numbers for the Perrin oil cooler are very similar to what I see at the track (e.g., 220-245 F peak oil, 200-210 F peak coolant).

[frslee]

Good to know, I monitored my oil temp and just backed off the throttle as soon as I reached 255 F. Coolant was consistent at 210-220. Since it's my daily driver throughout the year, I may opt for OEM version. Still in the decision process though.

[DarkSunrise]

A couple of pictures doing a track day in my friend's S3 (APR stage 1, H&R springs / OEM magnetic dampers, Stoptech BBK, Hankook RS-3).

I did a full write-up elsewhere but TLDR version is: fast car, but missed driving the FR-S (mostly the responsiveness and feedback). Still had a lot of fun though.

[NLSP]

What are your thoughts on the diff inserts alone? Most people seem to install the subframe bushing inserts first or at the same time with the diff inserts, so I'm curious if they make an improvement by themselves.

Thanks