Bought some Cusco FRS parts.... (pics)

[Primo86]

Originally Posted by Moto-P

Be very careful with eBay and such though. Most of these high-profile brands have a whole list of copy-cat makers making look alike stuff..
Always demand the best by dealing with REAL distributors for qualty and support. The last thing you want happening is having parts fail on a track day you paid good money to enter, and spent weeks preparing your car for.

This happened to me a few times before i started working at a shop and eventually learned my lesson with cheap broken crap. As i said, it is worth it to save your money and get the best- this car especially deserves nothing less...

[Moto-P]

Originally Posted by Sanka86

What suspension do you have on you fr-s for the lowering?

RS*R Sports-i, Monotube, Custom Valved, Double Tap, Adjustable coilovers.
Details here:

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...hlight=SUper-i

[bucket]

Originally Posted by Moto-P

I've already tracked a fleet of FRS for 3 days at the Spring Mountain Raceway Park,
Now, I think I need to think about what to do before the next outing (this time with my very own FRS)

humm..

Tires -check
jacks - check
helmet - check
FRS - check
tech inspection - done
tools - check
lunch money - working on it
car payment - ugh!

I'm interested to know how this car really performs with better tires. It seems like the FRS/BRZ is bringing a slingshot to a gun fight in a lot of the stock vs stock reviews.

[Moto-P]

Originally Posted by bucket

I'm interested to know how this car really performs with better tires. It seems like the FRS/BRZ is bringing a slingshot to a gun fight in a lot of the stock vs stock reviews.

It doesn't really matter, as the main focus of design, at least initially, and as product in current form, is made to cater FUN, Agility, and joys of sports car driving, for those who enjoy the tactile sensations, and precision of a driver's tool for the road, and less as specs leader for simple number games.

Very few cars can mimic the FRS in this sense, and nothing else right now comes close in the price category (new) except maybe the Mazda Miata...which is a bit more dedicated to the occasion, and less practical.

If you get the idea, and value this, this is the car.

If the performance numbers matter more to you, then move on to something else, I think. This is the most fair way of saying this car is not for everyone.

Yes, with higher performance tires, it will generate better cornering, and braking. However, the reason the designers chose the modest tires is to provide a good fun balance of grip for learning to drive on the edge without the peaky characters of high-grip tires, or the expenses. It also provides the milder motions, communicative feedback, and predictable handling for those who aspire to learn how to drive better as dynamic driver. Higher performance cars, rarely are very forgiving to drive near the limits without the aid of electronics and sophisicated and expensive driveline and driver assist devices and makes the driving experience less engaging sometimes, and vehicles much more expensive.

[bucket]

Originally Posted by Moto-P

It doesn't really matter, as the main focus of design, at least initially, and as product in current form, is made to cater FUN, Agility, and joys of sports car driving, for those who enjoy the tactile sensations, and precision of a driver's tool for the road, and less as specs leader for simple number games.

Very few cars can mimic the FRS in this sense, and nothing else right now comes close in the price category (new) except maybe the Mazda Miata...which is a bit more dedicated to the occasion, and less practical.

If you get the idea, and value this, this is the car.

If the performance numbers matter more to you, then move on to something else, I think. This is the most fair way of saying this car is not for everyone.

Yes, with higher performance tires, it will generate better cornering, and braking. However, the reason the designers chose the modest tires is to provide a good fun balance of grip for learning to drive on the edge without the peaky characters of high-grip tires, or the expenses. It also provides the milder motions, communicative feedback, and predictable handling for those who aspire to learn how to drive better as dynamic driver. Higher performance cars, rarely are very forgiving to drive near the limits without the aid of electronics and sophisicated and expensive driveline and driver assist devices and makes the driving experience less engaging sometimes, and vehicles much more expensive.

What do you mean it doesn't really matter? You're already installing parts and talking about going racing

I'm just wondering how much potential is locked away by the stock tires since nobody has published a test with any of the usual autox street choices. I can't really go out and drive one myself like that, so I can only infer the experience from the numbers.

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by bucket

What do you mean it doesn't really matter? You're already installing parts and talking about going racing

I'm just wondering how much potential is locked away by the stock tires since nobody has published a test with any of the usual autox street choices. I can't really go out and drive one myself like that, so I can only infer the experience from the numbers.

One of the Japanese magazines did.

I'll be switching mine out soon also.

[WingsofWar]

Originally Posted by bucket

What do you mean it doesn't really matter? You're already installing parts and talking about going racing

I'm just wondering how much potential is locked away by the stock tires since nobody has published a test with any of the usual autox street choices. I can't really go out and drive one myself like that, so I can only infer the experience from the numbers.

What i think moto is saying is the car's initial design was to provide the best possible road performance without relying on tire performance to achieve those goals.

So ultimately.. it doesn't matter if you have the stock tires or high performance tires. The vehicle will have similar driving characteristics. But we are talking about feedback here..not numbers.

It was already proven in a recent video that in terms of quantifiable performance. The Zx6 yields much...much better 1-60 and 1/4 mile times vs stock tires.

So yes....HP tires unlocks lots of the cars potential to be competitive. But unlike most cars..the feeling of greater performance will be hard to notice to the untrained and seasoned driver.

[Moto-P]

Originally Posted by bucket

What do you mean it doesn't really matter? You're already installing parts and talking about going racing

I'm just wondering how much potential is locked away by the stock tires since nobody has published a test with any of the usual autox street choices. I can't really go out and drive one myself like that, so I can only infer the experience from the numbers.

Haha, sorry, I meant it wasn't of much importance to me at this point of my ownership.
And the "doesn't matter" response was for your comment "bringing slingshot to a gunfight" (assuming competition was cars of higher power and meaty tires, over that of the FRS)

However, I did just get a set of 225/40-18 Falken Azenis RT615K on my SSR, so I'll post something soon as soon as I get some venue where I can do some driving at the limits. This seems to be June 23rd for me so stay tuned.

So far in street trim conditions, the added grip afforded by these semi-race tires are ample soft, and although the FRS does lack power in relation to the competition (if you can call it that at this point), the behavior seems to be just as solid.

Usually, when such track-spec tires are used on compliant street based suspension and unibody/subframe, things start to get a bit flexy, and tossable characters diminish a bit, giving way to sheer grip and tenacity as well as added rolls, dives, and flexing sending the wheels more out of alignment.
However, I am very glad to say the unibody is extremely rigid (therefore also not snapping welds or making noises), and the sub-frame and dynamic alignment seems just as accurate because of this.
I can almost tell that the designers had such use, completely within the design parameters, and if any higher rigidity was required, it would mostly be done at easily replaceable components like suspension arms, bushings, and rods, rather than requiring much caging, stitch welds or angular reinforcements at the base unibody, the latter being much more expensive and extensive.

I don't have any numbers as of yet, but it looks very promising. The car feels more snappy, as expected with higher grip tires but just as accurate and predictable...so it is going in the right direction.

I do also add though, that I do NOT recommend RT615K for daily use. Not because it is in any way uncomfortable or is an issue with usability, but I say this becasue these and equivalent "race compound, street legal" tires are designed for just that...racing. And because of this the compound is not only EXTREMELY fast wearing, but also as with any such type of tires, must be used sporadically, as soft compound race tires harden over each heat cycle (daily drive of warm-cold cycle), and eventually they will lose the designed grip and consistency.

They also soften greatly, and add to drag and rolling resistance so it will affect fuel economy as well. Soft tires also tend to pick up junk on the road more, and that means more chances of having flat tires with some sharp objects picked up along the commute.

In fact, the main reason this class of tires have street legal rating is due to most USA track events, and SCCA amateur racing requires them to be DOT approved for normal use, to keep safety parameters assured. They are not intended though, for street use aside from getting to your Sunday race venue on the day of... And most people who are serious would rather haul then in the trunk than ride to the event on it to keep them fresh and prevent heat cycling excessively.

Keep in mind also, that more grip the tire has and more it is catered to performance, the more snappy, tenacious, and quickly things happen.
And while this trait makes for a faster lap time for many seasoned drivers, it does make it more difficult for novices to "feel" for the car.
This makes it harder to train the mind and body for feeling the contact patch, and timing themselves on weight transfers, and general shifts in dynamics and momentum.
Generally it makes the car harder LEARN to drive WELL.

Everything happens faster, and with more speed, and with violent forces, so the driver has to be that much more sensitized, quicker, much more accurate at the controls, and basically able to deal with a less forgiving car.

This is why Chief Tada chose the OEM tires with Michelin Premacy all season, because he wanted EVERYONE who jumped into this car, to be training on these tires, to become proficient drivers rather than one that boasts HP rating or skid-pad figures without having a slightest clue on how to achieve those numbers as a driver. The OEM stock tires are stiff in sidewall to provide great feedback, but with mild grip. This, a side-attribute of Eco Prius spec tires to the intent of making them with less rolling resistance.

For street use, Falken does have other excellent choices such as current FK452 and upcoming FK453 which does balance performance and daily use much better (and equivalent tires of other brands of this type).


High Voltage by Club4AG by Moto@Club4AG, on Flickr

[Turbowned]

Your car Moto, looks SO GOOD with those wheels and the other small upgrades! I'm definitely getting a BeatSonic antenna and 5Axis rear spoiler after seeing 'em on your car. Do they come pre-painted?

[chulooz]

Originally Posted by Moto-P

The oil catch tank does operate fine with EGR system with open vent configuration too, but can be chosen to install in a closed loop as required by emissions regulations in areas required, as well.

Can you give us an update of the oil catch tank? Mainly just a picture of her oil or lack thereof, and a general history of how the cars been driven since the install.

[ZetaVI]

I was wondering how the strut tower brace and the powerbrace are holding up? Any updates on them?

[chulooz]

Originally Posted by Moto-P

[/URL]
Cusco Strut Tower Brace, and Angle Support system, with, Brake Master Cylinder Stopper, and Oil Catch Tank

Bump for my oil catch questions! Hope everything is settling in well.

[JR007]

I don't mean to bump an old thread, but just wanted to say thanks for everyone who contributed to it...I learned quite a bit.

[FyeaFRS]

Do they make stuff with any other color other than blue...?