Tube Rear end, major chassis modification questions. Scion FR-UTE!

[Takumi788]

My vote is lifted rally car.

[Chickeneatman]

Originally Posted by wparsons

Not trying to rain on your parade, but what you're talking about sounds like a lot more work than returning it to stock...

I would essentially have to cut the back half off a car and weld it onto mine to bring it back to OE. That sounds like more headache than it is worth. I'd rather do something fun with the car since I am rebuilding it anyway.

[gtpvette]

I'm sure you've seen this site. The guy 'Smith' was the brains behind Factory Five racing.

https://www.smythkitcars.com/

The UTE's are pretty cool though.

[ame]http://youtu.be/cF8S5aK0qOA[/ame]

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by gtpvette

I'm sure you've seen this site. The guy 'Smith' was the brains behind Factory Five racing.

https://www.smythkitcars.com/

The UTE's are pretty cool though.

it's just too bad that the only vehicles they use for base aren't very well known for reliability.

if they offered a camry/accord/civic kit, i'd be buying one tomorrow.

[Chickeneatman]

Well, Sorry to disappoint anyone that may have been interested in this project. It has been put on hold for a while.

I have found a BRZ w/ knock for sale. My FRS happens to have a good engine. I really wanted to be able to compete in STX still so I decided to jump the gun and purchase the BRZ. I'll be doing a heart transplant in the next couple of weeks.

I still plan on doing something with my shell of an FRS. I do really want to make a mini truck out of it, but it is definitely on hold for a while.

Thanks for all the ideas. If I ever get around to working on this FRS I will post more in this thread. Until then if you need an FRS parts I have some! 53k miles.

[Chickeneatman]

Time for me to bring this project back to life! I am sick of staring at this smashed up FRS in my garage.
Since I have donated the motor out of this car to my BRZ (anyone want a 13 BRZ Limited 55k miles?) I need to find a motor... I just so happen to have a friend with an LR4 out of a 99 Silverado. This FRS seems like the perfect candidate for a 'sloppy' LS swap.
The iron block 4.8 with just cams and springs can rev to ~7k, and responds to boost very well.
For a transmission I plan on using an AR5 out of the Colorado/Canyon/Solstice. This transmission will mate up to the LS with the FABbot adapter kit. The AR5 isn't as tough as a T56, but they can be found in junkyards for ~1/5 the price.
I am not 100% certain if I will bother with the CANbus system or not. From the brief research I have done it looks like I can solve it with the AGT Engineering wire-in translator for ~$350. Do any of you know of any other solutions to the CANbus problem?

I am thinking I will need to convert the cable throttle to a DBW. With that I should be able to have cruise control and traction.

Once I have the car able to move under its own power I will be taking it to my buddies shop. There we can start the FR-Utification.

I am extremely excited to finally start working on this project! I have been thinking about what to do with this smashed up chassis, and this is the only solution that made me happy.

[Chickeneatman]

Decided to jump on the Youtube bandwagon. Here is a video update. I have collected a bunch of parts and am getting ready to start piecing my paperweight back together!

Constructive Criticism is welcome.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6O1_aW6bPM[/ame]

[Chickeneatman]

I tore my motor down, and began rebuilding it. I am building this 4.8 in a 'sloppy stage 2' style with plans for some mild boost in the future. While waiting for all my parts to arrive I loaded up fusion 360 and began looking into where I want to begin the 'truck' bed. I made these cuts then fusion crashed on me. What do you guys think?
Obviously we will be adding roll bars and supports. This is just where I think it would be best to cut out.

I will be adding another video to my YT channel once I have the motor back together.

[churchx]

I'd make rear pillar wider in bottom, angled, like in holden ute.

[Chickeneatman]

Originally Posted by churchx

I'd make rear pillar wider in bottom, angled, like in holden ute.

Yeah that is the part I wasn't sure about. I need to remove the rear corner window, but do I have a straight drop, or a slight angle. I will have to work on that tonight.... if my parts don't come in.

I think I would need a steeper angle than the ute, but a slight angle might help blend it in a bit.

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by Chickeneatman

I would essentially have to cut the back half off a car and weld it onto mine to bring it back to OE. That sounds like more headache than it is worth. I'd rather do something fun with the car since I am rebuilding it anyway.

late reply, but this isn't more headache than what it's worth... it's how cars are fixed and resold with a salvage title.

many times, if a car has a messed up rear quarter panel, the body shop would simply buy the entire sheet metal replacement part, cut up the damaged section and weld in a new quarter panel.

like this:
https://parts.subaru.com/a/Subaru_20...10-522-01.html

[Chickeneatman]

Originally Posted by mav1178

late reply, but this isn't more headache than what it's worth... it's how cars are fixed and resold with a salvage title.

You aren't wrong. I did look further into doing that, but honestly I don't want to. I bought this car with a rebuilt title. The body will never be worth that much, and I don't plan on selling it.

This is an excuse for me to learn a lot about fabrication, and build a silly and exciting car.

I donated the stock FA20 from this car to a clean BRZ limited which had a bad motor. I then sold that car and made $6000. So as far as money is concerned, this FRS doesn't owe me anything.