Scion FR-S Build: What's next?

[DarrenDriven]

Originally Posted by Random YouTube Message

Hey dude,

Sorry to straight up message you from out of nowhere, my name's Craig - I've been greatly enjoying catching up with your videos on the modifications you've been doing to your FR-S. I've really been looking into getting one of these, and I don't want to make any hasty moves without gaining some expert perspective on the machine, you know, from someone who knows the car really well and all.

I was big into modding my old car, had a 2003 Audi A6 limousine edition, CVT transmission, 5 VPC V6 engine, was a monster of a car. Before I lost during a drive (ice and gravel) I had it up just passed the 305fwhp/280fwt range. Wasn't a speed demon but would put your head back and I gave most other cars a run for their money due to the CVT's ability to lock in at redline and take me down the track. I miss it and I kind of want to get more into the sport car realm now.

What I want to know, from someone who is into their car as I was, is how much fun is this car to mod? Is it easy, expensive, etc? Any nuances that make it more exhilarating than other cars? Any reasons you would suggest against buying this car? I checked out your build right now and even through all of the glitches along the way, like the headlights, etc, you've put it together really well dude. I know the headlight kit kills the brights, but it does look REALLY sick, I'd do it too. For practicality reasons though, have you ever wanted to change it? Do the headlights reach out far enough for emergency situations?

Sorry for all the dive bombing questions dude, I just really appreciate your work on your car and get excited when I see someone doing quality work. Kudos to you.

Craig

Yo Craig, what's up, brother? That was a SERIOUS email for a YouTube message, haha!

First things first, head to ft86club.com and poke around in the forums. There is more to learn there than I can get into here... lots of generous guys there who will gladly answer every tiny question you can think of.

Let's see... the car is really easy to work on, I can install springs or coilovers in under an hour by myself now. BUT -- I haven't touched the engine yet and that is this car's Achilles Heal. It just doesn't have enough power and I need more. When a decent forced induction kit comes out I will be installing it, until then I suffer through 200 hp and a wimpy torque curve. I've had a turbo S2000, a Pontiac GTO with 450hp, a 350Z roadster, a Lexus SC430, an SR20-powered S13 convertible, an 85 Corolla GTS with a built 4AGE and a 300hp B18C1 NOS'd Civic hatch. I like to go fast and until I can get there with this car I will just settle for looking and handling great. It's tough, but I'll manage.

As far as the headlights go, I am fine with low beams only, but my friend converted his projectors to high/low units and then blacked out his brights. His headlights looks mean AND still has full functionality. I might go that way in the future, but for now I am fine with the way it is.

I love the car and it gets a LOT of attention... and I think that it will continue to get attention for years. On top of that, I know it will hold its resale value well because they will continue to be hard to get (low volume) and many of the used cars will be thrashed by their owners. (try to find an AE86, S13 or even a CRX that is clean... not easy!)

Hope that helps. I know you will want to ask more Q's, but do me a favor and create an ft86club.com account and post your Q's in there where I can answer them for all to see and others can chime in. I am going to post our conversation there right now...

Darren

[DarrenDriven]

Originally Posted by Craig from YouTube

AH, the SC series, nobody realizes the monstrous handling that thing had, what a fantastic car. With a former line up like that, you're obviously in the game and know what you're doing, I appreciate the history! I'd love to talk cars with you sometime, pick your brain a little bit more of course like you said, and heck yeah ill make an account, used to be a HUGE forums guy. Totally agree on the lives of the cars you mentioned, was looking at dropping the engine/transmission from my old A6 into a CRX with a modified cavity and mount set, would've had those horses and that tranny in a car half the weight of the former, would've been a blast.

Craig, you better get your butt in here and continue this in the forum! Haha...

I actually got rid of the SC430 because it was a yacht. A big, heavy yacht. It was really nice to drive, but trying to have "fun" in it was a chore. Went from that to the S2000 turbo and couldn't have been happier! (well, until my FR-S gets forced induction)

I've always wanted to do a random motor swap. Was gonna drop something powerful into the Amigo's engine bay if the engine ever blew... until the engine actually DID blow and I opted to just drop the $500 to repair it instead of an SR20 or LS1 or 2JZ swap. That would have been fun.

[Guff]

Craig, where you at?