Quote:
Originally Posted by tranzformer
^ question is how far would you want to mod it? I guess hard to tell without a test drive first, but suspension sounds like it is an upgrade (should be fine for moderate increase in hp), R-Spec has decent brakes with the Brembo package (I realize you would be more interested in the base model), LSD on R-Spec (same regarding you wanting base model), I'm sure there will be several decent exhaust systems if you give it time (I personally like the sound of the ARK exhaust). There is also a decent number of turbo kits and intercoolers. So I am sure you would be able to find stuff. Just take a little longer.
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From the sounds of it, the outgoing model needs serious suspension help. R-Spec is basically you are just adding the LSD and brakes (brakes got a pretty good reputation). The rest has to go. Sounds of it it lacks travel and will smack its bumpstops a lot more than would be expected. The geometry leads to massive camber gain when lowered as well as amplifying the tendency to hit its bumpstops. Bandaid fix for the camber issue is more static (and more tire wear) and ditching the anti roll bars for new ones with more roll stiffness. And there is a front-rear pitching issue, which sounds like a spring frequency and/or lousy damping issue. So to sort out its handling it needs different spring rates, dampers will then have to be matched to the new rates, more travel and more roll stiffness. So that means even on the R-spec the upgraded springs/shocks and bars need replacement.
The problem with the market is whether the manufacturers will do serious enough development or just use their generic damping and jack up the spring rates because everyone KNOWS stiffer=moar better handling.. :rollseyes:
So even with good availability, that doesn't mean a lot of good parts. If the market thinks KSport is good, why would others spend development dollars on improvements that the buyers won't even acknowledge.
As for the forum issue. We will see some of the same problems here (this is one of my complaints of the FR-S going to Scion). But as Dragon has shown, Scion does support real grass-roots racing even if it is a minority, plus the car's suitability to AutoX will give it a better following from more serious function over form users.