F1point4's Asphalt FR-S 6MT

[F1point4]

Whoot!

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19226

Originally Posted by F1point4

Got busy this past weekend with

+ RaceComp Engineering Yellow Springs
+ OEM Front Camber Bolts (Subaru Part 901000394)
+ Cusco Rear Lower Control Arms (Part 692 474 L)

Thanks to Andrew/Myles/Dan at @Racecomp Engineering for their professionalism and expertise. Felt like I was making the right choice after our conversations. Very good to work with.

Their starting recommendation to correct the additional negative camber in the rear suspension was the Whiteline Camber Bushings for the upper control arm. I make it a point to do as much as I can DIY so I can learn, however installation/adjustment of these were beyond my skills/tools at the moment. After careful consideration and caution from Myles I went with..

Cusco Lower Lateral Links/Lower Control arm. Much easier to install and adjust, albeit with a higher cost. Since the rear setup is near identical to a 2008+ WRX/STi, this is a proven part. Appreciate Jeremy/Yo @FT-86 SpeedFactory for the assistance/speed in acquiring these arms. As with most Cusco parts, the manual was all in Japanese. Cusco USA has kickass customer service. After a call to them, I had an email with the English instructions.

The OEM Front Camber Bolts are just like the stock bolt except the Camber bolt doesn't have a widened girth to fill the top slot on the strut. Therefore you get some play and can add negative camber slightly for more grip in the corners.

In the end this setup allows me to get some negative camber in the front, and keep from too much negative camber in the rear. The drop is mild so I don't need to run any aggressive settings just to avoid rubbing. Good in my book.

I haven't had a chance to get an alignment yet, so I will refrain on giving detailed feedback on the handling until so. Unlike @AVOturboworld, I installed these in one go. What I will say is the resulting drop is absolutely perfect. Definitely what the car should have been set to from the factory. It is also cool to be able to see the arms when you bend down. Go blue. This is my first lowered car, and it definitely feels like you are hugging the ground while driving. Noticed that most truck's low beams look like high beams now. The install went well, so far no creaks/vibrations/pops so far. Success for the amateur enthusiast.

Here are some car porn and notes from the install

Messing with iOS6 Panorama mode

20121005-RCEYellow-CuscoLCA-1 by VictorN07, on Flickr

20121005-RCEYellow-CuscoLCA-2 by VictorN07, on Flickr

20121005-RCEYellow-CuscoLCA-3 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20121005-RCEYellow-CuscoLCA-4 by VictorN07, on Flickr


RCE Yellow Springs vs OEM Front. The RCE Yellows are much beefier than the OEM one. Definitely feels like a quality product.

20121005-RCEYellow-CuscoLCA-5 by VictorN07, on Flickr

The Rear hats do not rotate freely like the fronts. We had to separate the metal thingy from the rubber piece that grips onto the top of the spring. The rubber has to be rotated to accomodate for the RCE Yellows. Otherwise the hat and the lower attachment point won't line up and can't be re installed in the car.

20121005-RCEYellow-CuscoLCA-6 by VictorN07, on Flickr


This is the proper way to break loose and tighten the top nut on each strut.
Make sure the springs are compressed for safety.
Use a 6mm Hex Key and 17mm pass through socket on the front struts.
Use a 5mm Hex Key and 14mm pass through socket on the rear struts
I could not break the nuts loose by hand. Using an impact driver, I tapped lightly until I saw the socket turn slightly. Then finish with the hand tools.
Using solely an impact driver may spin the inner shaft. If the shaft spins enough, the seals in the shock will break making for a blown strut.

20121005-RCEYellow-CuscoLCA-7 by VictorN07, on Flickr

The Cusco Lower Control Arm has a pillowball bushing and adjustable camber. The stock one (black) has no adjustment. The Cusco is also much beefier than the OEM one. I think it'll take a lot to bend this arm.

20121005-RCEYellow-CuscoLCA-8 by VictorN07, on Flickr

20121005-RCEYellow-CuscoLCA-9 by VictorN07, on Flickr


It's hard to see in this picture; the swaybar endlinks are weaksauce.

20121005-RCEYellow-CuscoLCA-10 by VictorN07, on Flickr


Here is a picture of my car right when I bought it.

IMG_0301 by VictorN07, on Flickr

Oh my how have things changed

20121005-RCEYellow-CuscoLCA-11 by VictorN07, on Flickr

Pre-Drop with the Weds

21020923-RallyArmorMudGaurd-01 by VictorN07, on Flickr

Post Drop

20121005-RCEYellow-CuscoLCA-12 by VictorN07, on Flickr

Playing with the filters in Camera+

20121005-RCEYellow-CuscoLCA-16 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20121005-RCEYellow-CuscoLCA-17 by VictorN07, on Flickr

My Favorite Picture!

20121005-RCEYellow-CuscoLCA-18 by VictorN07, on Flickr

[Coheed]

Car looks great. If those wheels are still available when my BRZ gets here I'll have to check out a set. Great choice of wheel.

[F1point4]

Originally Posted by Coheed

Car looks great. If those wheels are still available when my BRZ gets here I'll have to check out a set. Great choice of wheel.

Thanks. Those are a great choice, must have for weight weenies!

[SubaSteve]

Was also thinking of rce yellow since I don't want a huge drop but when I get my new wheels/tires next summer I don't want that huge wheel gap.

[Jayde]

Curious, but did the oil drain valve come with the red safety clip?

FR-S looks great btw!

[F1point4]

Originally Posted by SubaSteve

Was also thinking of rce yellow since I don't want a huge drop but when I get my new wheels/tires next summer I don't want that huge wheel gap.

THey are great springs, stiffens up the suspension quite a bit. Keep in mind they haev high spring rates. If you want a smoother ride you may need to consider other options.

[F1point4]

Originally Posted by Jayde

Curious, but did the oil drain valve come with the red safety clip?

FR-S looks great btw!

I ordered them separately and purchased them here. They are cheap, but man the shipping will get you.
http://www.qwikvalve.com/5-8-Safety-Clip.html

[just86]

still no exhaust...

[Jayde]

Originally Posted by F1point4

I ordered them separately and purchased them here. They are cheap, but man the shipping will get you.
http://www.qwikvalve.com/5-8-Safety-Clip.html

Shipping for me is either $4.29 or $7.89, depending on what type I want. Then again, it's coming from the same state, so I'll have to pay sales tax too.

I take it the valve on that site, the F-108 is the same as what you/everyone else has?

[F1point4]

Originally Posted by just86

still no exhaust...

Not yet....

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19503

[*KID*]

looks great on the springs

[F1point4]

Have some more updates

Perrin Headerback Review
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19503



20121012-WhitelinePerrinBushing_Headerback-12 by VictorN07, on Flickr


Whiteline Positive Shift Kit DIY
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19782


20121012-WhitelinePositiveShiftKit_DIY16 by VictorN07, on Flickr


Perrin Rear Shifter Bushing
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19767


20121012-PerrinRearShifterBushingDIY-01 by VictorN07, on Flickr

[SubaSteve]

I also did the shifter bushing but I'll have to also look into the whiteline. For such a cheap price how can it not be worth it? I'll probably wait till I can do both that and the positive traction kit at the same time.

[F1point4]

Originally Posted by SubaSteve

I also did the shifter bushing but I'll have to also look into the whiteline. For such a cheap price how can it not be worth it? I'll probably wait till I can do both that and the positive traction kit at the same time.

That's a good idea. It is worth it.