My Big Day of Mods...
 

Not really - I am actually just a piker when it comes to this stuff, compared to the heavy hitters here.

But I do plan to do a few things to my FRS today:

- Plug the sound tube: man, there is excellent info on this forum about this. I did as suggested in so many threads - I got the plug from Lowes just so I don't have to leave my glovebox power outlet unplugged. I'll report back to let you know if I hear a dif.

- Set my stock head unit to TC: I've read that some FRS'ers really prefer this car setting. I've tweaked my settings, especially potting-up the back speakers to boost needed mid-range - another good tip I got here. Still, I want to give this a try.

- Ditch the dealer plate frames, replace: I hate dealer license plate frames. I purchased plain black plastic, 2-hole frames real cheap on eBay. The actually look very very nice.

- Remove the dealer sticker: I've never done this and I am a bit unsure about it. It's the vinyl type and I always have had the dealer remove it before delivery. I was far too head-over-heels after my FRS test drive to notice - so it's my job now. I plan to use the hair-dryer method. It's cold here in MD, so I don't know how that will affect the removal. Any advice would be appreciated. I'll report back.

I never heard of anyone liking the TC setting on the stereo, I'd be interested to hear a comparison.

Do you got a link for the DYI?

Wait I answered my own questions :D

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72263

Actually there are a bunch of guys that recommend it. It does boost bas a hair but I felt it muffled mid range so went back to the FRS setting. Took about1/2 an hour of messing with the limited settings but actually got it sounding better. Probably the only thing I miss from the Lancer GT is the stock Rockford Fosgate system with the 8 speakers and woofer.

Done!

- Plug sound tube: makes a difference. Nice. Much quieter, but still real easy to hear the engine. Not Lexus quiet, but I don't want that.

- TC setting: Yuck. IMO, it passes frequencies that are too low to the dashboard speakers - they don't want to handles those freqs. Boomy too. Tried the other car settings. IMO, the FRS is far and away the best setting. Makes sense!

- Dealer license plate frames: Gone. Good riddance. Nice solid black frames look simple, clean, nice.

- Dealer stickers: Man, I spent an hour researching this yesterday to make sure I don't futz up the paint. Turned out to be super simple, even in 35 degree weather. The car was in the sun, so the vinyl decal was a little warm, but even if it wasn't it still would have been a breeze. Didn't even reach for the hair dryer. Each letter in the dealership name was a separate decal, but still, it took 90 seconds, tops. No adhesive to clean up. Easy.

Now that that's all out of the way, time for the real mods to start!

:)

The mod bug is dangerous, my bank accounts are cowering in phear.

Its kinda like this...

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sDpp2mkOAk"]My Mind Is Telling Me No... But My Body Is Telling Me Yes! - HD Remake - YouTube[/ame]



Except with car parts lol.

Yup - should have posted there.
Oh well!

@billyk can u post the link to the ebay listing of the license plate frames. I still have the frames on mine w/ some lame dealership quote like "... Toyota. Let's go places!" ugh.

Should I fork over ~15$ on 2 frames or should I just use black spray paint to black out the dealership font on my current ones? thoughts?

if you have an OEM Audio 400+ system , the tC setting is the best.

The sound set up is purely subjective. There is no "best" or "worst" except for personal preference. I thought the TC setting sucked big time.

Hey - here ya go.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/111511747592...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

The frames look great, shipped free and fast. $7.99 for two frames. They have tabs on the back side that hold the plate tight. Can't say how they'll look in a year or two, but at this price it's great to just get those dealer frames OFF!!

Definitely subjective. If you found a setting that works for you, that's great.

BTW: I have a 2014 base FRS with the stock head unit. We may have different hardware.

I'm so glad my dealer didn't put a dealer sticker on my car.
That would've really bugged me.

ah yes, understood. it is very subjective. But from my opinion, the tC setting enhanced bass and overall sound quality with the 400+ system. I am using 2013 factory touchscreen pioneer head unit.

After driving with the soundtube plugged yesterday, I unplugged it today for an hour long drive through the Northern MD rural twisties. Funny, but I actually prefer it to be unplugged. I like the feedback from the engine.

Plugging the soundtube definitely makes the ride quieter, if that's what you want.
Initially, I thought I did.
I am going to keep it unplugged for a while.

I actually played around with this prior to upgrading my stock intake. It's actually nice to have a plug for the sound tube. That way on days you want the noise you have the option. Whereas if you want a quieter ride all you have to do is plug it right back up!

Really simple, LOW setting and don't let the hair dryer sit. It's pretty hard to damage the paint removing the dealer stickers since they come off pretty easy in small bits and pieces but these cars have thin paint. Letting the hair dryer sit will improve the chances but as long as you're in no rush you are golden. Since it's cold out you may have to move the hair dryer slower.

Is this a troll thread LOL? These aren't really mods in the traditional sense except the sound tube plug I guess.

I dont understand why you would make such a thread haha, but hey good for you. I did the sound tube "mod" but undid it afterwards.

Hey, he said right up front that the thread was more in fun then anything else and he did ask for some advice.

Don't get why every time somebody makes a joke or isn't absolutely deathly serious they become a "troll"!
I guess many people just read the jokes and tack their own anger or angst on to them and totally misconstrue the intent of the comment. (not talking about you here Fspeed but some reactions are way stronger then yours)

The definition of an internet troll is:
"One who purposely and deliberately starts an argument in a manner which attacks others on a forum without in any way listening to the arguments proposed by his or her peers. He will spark of such an argument via the use of ad hominem attacks (i.e. 'you're nothing but a fanboy' is a popular phrase) with no substance or relevance to back them up as well as straw man arguments, which he uses to simply avoid addressing the essence of the issue."

Pretty sure that OP's intent did not include starting arguments but was more geared to entertainment and an answer to his very simple question.

Thanks for the definition TCoat you troll! Haha jk, first time I've read that definition. I'm sure it'll help many understand the true meaning of troll besides just me. :thumbup:

Oh, I can troll with the best of them when somebody pisses me off but mostly it's just jokes.


Just had to speak up, as that was about the 4th time today I saw somebody throwing around the word troll and it put my OCD over the top.


The really fun part is, that very often the person (again not you) wrongfully calling somebody a troll becomes the actual troll in the act of the accusation. (how's that for a twist)

did the OP not make changes to his car or if i might be so bold to say he modified the cars appearance and sound.

sounds to me like he modded it.

Good job OP, first mod i did on my car was debadge the subaru and brz letters from the back. IMO it should be the first mod done to this car everytime.

No trolling - just a noob exploring a few simple things. :-)

Bingo Tcoat.
Thanks for "getting it".

Not sure if I'll ever hang with the modders here - you guys are serious!
Me?
I am just a piker, as I said.

The lack of that freakin' dealership license plate frame along with the decal is the first thing I notice now as I walk up to my FRS. It just looks clean.

I think you just might find that most of us here right now are not toooo much more into the big mods than you are. There are of course still quite a few but they are dropping into the minority and no longer seem the biggest group here.
My guess is that the guys with the biggest mod plans bought early, did their thing and are now onto the next project.
Go way back to the early threads and the battle cry was "more power" but now it has retracted to more "I like it just the way it is".

Probably why it was on TC setting when I bought the car.

speak for yourself, i still want moar power, i just took the long way there. first had to make her look sexy, then i made her even sexier, then i made her get low and sticky. next up is some extra umpfff.

not all of us buy things with money we don't have to impress people we don't like. :)

Oh you are not alone! Like I said there are still plenty planning on the big mods just not the vast majority there was back a while ago.
I am still on the fence about a supercharger or not myself.
And boy I hear you about the spending part!

go turbo, throw that SC thought out of your mind. :) i know 4 people that went from SC to turbo, i've yet to meet a single person that went turbo to SC.

Ditch the plate frames

It is my DD and I drive about 4000 miles a month for work so have to keep reliability and fuel costs reasonable.
Now if it was just a plaything...

Ah some misnomers in your statement, a turbo will actually be better for fuel mileage as you don't have to deal with the constant parasitic drain on the engine by having to drive the SC belt all the time. ;) whereas the turbo is scavenging exhaust gasses to make boost when you need it.

also a mild turbo build, like say a stage 1 avo kit will put you right around the 250whp range which is the same as most of the sc set ups. so reliability isn't a factor if you keep your goals mild. (i.e not hunting for 3-450 hp) :)

I actually like the way solid matte black frames look on the plates on my Argento FRS. I guess it's a subjective thing.

Oh I think you misunderstood what I meant by mileage!
I throw a turbo on there and I know my mileage will go up!
Simply put ... WOT!

I am not looking for any huge hp gains as I am actually pretty happy at stock and am not looking at racing or track anytime soon. Really just would like to smooth the 4000rev dip out a bit. TRD drop in and exhaust (sorry Shutter) help a little but would like a bit more.

hahaha yeah i know what you mean by that, i sure do miss boost :) i was just saying on the freeway the sc is always needing more fuel to drive the belt vs the turbo, if your concern was highway mpg.

but i'm in the same boat as you, already got a AFE drop in filter, catless front pipe and perrin catback. i have an hks el header and perrin op ready to go on this spring when i can get her tuned. :) hoping for 192-195 whp on 92. if i get more great, if not whatever because racecar noises. :D

Finally got around to installing these. Thanks for the suggestion; plates look much better now. Attachment 99681Attachment 99682