Flat spanked the new right off!

[NoobTron]

So, this being my first sports car and all I decided to not only put some mods/upgrades on the car, I have spent a bit on driver upgrades this month. Yesterday I put my FRS on the track for the first time (with an instructor riding shotgun). Oh hot damn! What a day, what an experience. The track was really demanding (16 turns, almost 100’ of elevation change) and there were a couple of turn outs were more torque would have not sucked. This little car was up to challenge; it ate everything I could feed it for 3.5 hours. Now, the brakes were smoking, I think I was smoking, there were all sorts of odd smells coming from the car, probably odd smells coming from me too, but I drove 1.5hrs to the track, hammered down for a couple of hours, 1.5 back home and that car never missed a beat. By the end of the day I was so pumped up I felt like I needed to run through a wall or something, I still do. Anyone want to arm wrestle?


On the down side, my F1’s had maybe 1200 miles on them prior, and now they are pretty well smoked, that’s gonna cost you. I burned a full tank of gas at the track, didn’t really think that one through before hand. The interior is pretty well covered in dust like substance, but I don’t care so much about that, and I probably blazed the pads pretty good. I also discovered the importance of an upgraded suspension. Yes, this car was more up to the task than the driver, but I still had plenty of roll and noticeable weight shift that I can see the benefit of some attention underneath. Still, had a blast and I think I am more fond of this car than I was 48 hours ago.


In this world there are two types of people; those who have tracked their car, and those who have not. I am now the former. Ah, yes….

[Mikem53]

About 6 months ago, I took my car to Charlotte motor Speedway. We had use of the high speed track and the infield road course.
I really had a good chance to open it up at speed and get into the twisties as well.. There was no wheel to wheel racing as it was a private event and we had the track all evening with only about 23 cars or so. So I wasn't too nervous about slamming into anybody on the track which made it nice as we had as much time as we wanted out there.
I never did get comfortable with the high-speed banks. I hit 127 on the straights and as soon as I started heading into those banks I would slow down because I didn't know if the car was going to rise up or I was going to lose it into those turns. That was my first time ever on the Highbank oval. I hope to go back and do some more runs later this year.
My brakes got a work out and I could smell the pads and fluid running hot..
I also felt disconnected from the field and the noises with the helmet on. I couldn't get used to not hearing the engine and other noises..
Was a great time and can't wait till my next time out on the track. This car did really well on the track, especially considering how streetable it is..
It certainly gets you pumped up and I was looking into all kinds of mods for the track.. But then I came to my senses realizing that I only will track it once or twice a year so I will leave it set up for the street and work with the compromises on the track. What a great fun car!

[strat61caster]

Awesome story, something stuck out at me though...

Too many people jump to throw a bunch of money at suspension, the stuff in this car stock is already a great compromise. Make sure you have the consistency as a driver to understand what a suspension upgrade is actually going to do for you, reducing body roll and weight shift isn't going to make you faster, understanding what your inputs do for grip (late vs. early apexing, dialing in your turn in, when you apply power) and how your current suspension is limiting you is going to be much more cost effective. Making the thing stiff as a rock isn't going to increase your cornering speed nearly as much as fresh rubber and the smoothness that comes with weeks of track time. Plus I haven't heard great things about Georgia roads, that 3 hour drive might become unbearable with an aggressive setup.

I did my first track day recently as well, I'm not nearly good enough to take advantage of a suspension upgrade, I can't even tell you if the car is suffering from understeer or oversteer because I'm nowhere near consistent enough to get reliable feedback from the car. It's kind of like saying "I need more power but I haven't gone full throttle with the car as it is right now".

Edit: To be clear a lot of people who know their shit have put time into developing good suspensions for this car, I'm sure a number of aftermarket solutions off the shelf would be a noticeable improvement for a capable driver. All I'm saying is make sure you're at the skill level that you can take full advantage of that kind of investment.

[NoobTron]

I hear you loud and clear, bro, 100% agree. Skill beats hardware, got it.

[humfrz]

I drove my FR-S up to the grocery store today .....


humfrz

[Tromatic]

If I understand correctly, you tracked it right off the bat? How many miles on it before you hit the track?

[NoobTron]

I had right at 1600 before I rolled out day of.

FWIW, I had that guilty feeling like I had just yelled at my dog for no reason at all when I pulled into the pits for first time.

[jeepmor]

Having done this, has your upgrade list changed?

And what is it. Suspension, brakes, steering, power? And what order?

[NoobTron]

I have already done TRD intake, TRD Exhaust, Borla UEL Header, ECUTek Tune, brake pads, stainless lines, Motul 5.1 fluid, Grimmspeed master cylinder brace, wheels & tires.

In the world according to Noobtron, brake upgrades are a big deal, even if slight like mine -pads, fluid, brace. Huge difference (to me).

My next most likely mods are RCE springs either Yellows or Tarmacs and possibly Bilstein B8s. Then possibly rotors of some kind - probably DBA T2s. Finally a driveshaft -leading candidate, Driveshaft shop plastic version.

Some head scratching is going to have to happen before I go back on that track. I know driving technique goes a long way, but I really didn't factor the consumables tires, brakes, fuel, etc. and I killed the tires.

I have small hopes of maybe hitting an autocross or two.....who knows.

[strat61caster]

I think my advice extends beyond suspension, enjoy the car stock for as long as you can. Just check out the number of cars for sale in the classified section with a healthy number of the mods you listed. They aren't getting their money back on those.

It's harsh but it honestly sounds like your spending money to spend money and look cool and list off all the mawds you got. There are certainly people who have done exactly what you're doing and still love their cars, just be careful about it.

Edit: Also the odd smells are probably the remnants of the factory coatings and oils burning off, wouldn't worry about those they should be completely gone within the next few weeks if not finished after the track day.

[NoobTron]

Maybe a bit unnecessarily harsh, not offended though. I rather thought my mod list was fairly tame compared to some of the crazy stuff I have read on this site. Nothing at all “cool” about brake pads, and it seems to me that if I was going for the “hey look how cool I am” mod list-o-rama I would have mentioned that in my original post. Wouldn’t know for sure because that’s not where I am. I was simply responding to cousin jeepmor’s question and thought what I have currently done is relevant to where I plan to go next. Maybe not. It is also not stated when I plan on these mods only that I plan on them. I do intend to get a more life out of the stock rotors before I bite that off, and sometime or another address the suspension, that’s all.



I realize the debate rages on about how effective the TRD intake is, but it sure got rid of that retarded ass sound tube thingy, looks good, sounds good, certainly doesn’t hurt. I had the dealership install the exhaust so in the very unlikely event that ever sell this car I can state “dealer installed upgrade,” fwiw. I bought this car planning on keeping it for a very long time. I test drove one for months before I purchased, scouted and planned my personal upgrade choices for just as long. I am having a blast with this car, I have enjoyed every second behind the wheel, and don’t regret a nickel that I have spent – I do wish the Borla header had a touch less drone at 3K, however, I still am very fond of this whole experience.
I said it before, skill beats hardware. On that I think we agree. To that end I have invested in a few driver training programs this year already, a completely transferrable set expenditures. The skills gained will stay with me as long as I am vertical, I hope. The track session I had the other day was just the first time I had put my personal ride on the line. The climate is way different when you know it’s your car and that baby has to get you home and you haven’t pushed the limit in that particular car before (a touch scary to me at least).



I get it, you seem to be anti-mod. That’s cool. Again, I am not offended. I do offer you this nugget: If you think this car is fun stock, get a tune at a minimum, it’s safe, easy and completely reversible. A bios update seems to unlock some magic left behind from the OEM, just my opinion.

[NoobTron]

For the record. I bust myself. The plastic drive shaft is totally, completely 100% utterly unnecessary, but I think that one will be cool. carry on.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by NoobTron

I get it, you seem to be anti-mod. That’s cool. Again, I am not offended. I do offer you this nugget: If you think this car is fun stock, get a tune at a minimum, it’s safe, easy and completely reversible.

We're totally on the same page, I got the impression that you copy pasted other mod lists without putting much thought into it, combined with your username. Clearly I was wrong. I'll keep my mouth shut on how 'safe' an aftermarket tune is.

Enjoy your car!

[jeepmor]

Good to hear you're so happy with your car. Pretty extensive list already. I was interested if your future or present upgrade list would have changed due to the track day. Looks like a no. Not sure I'd want to do that for the consumables you mention. Dont' get me wrong, I wanna do this to my car, but I dont' want to have to pay for all that stuff on my daily because I shred it on the weekends. At least not yet. I'll have to go do some autox first and then see.

thanks for sharing.