Project Nimbus - "The Only Thing Constant is Change"

[Nimbus]

Long story short, my very first car was a sw20 mr2, and I have been daily driving those(or attempting to) for the past 10 years. It had been working out pretty well too, but I dropped a valve at the worst time and needed a more reliable vehicle. So I bought a new 2015 Nissan Versa... Anyway, a couple months later my inner race car driver said that won't cut it. So I traded it in, took the loss, and got myself a vehicle that I can honestly say I love to drive just as much as a sw20(horsepower issue aside for now).

A Halo 2016 Scion FRS with 7 miles on the ODO. I took it as is. Turned down the gas, detail, and tint so there would be no chance that anything could get messed up. No one else was going to touch that car after I decided that it's going home with me. I'm a DIY type of person through and through. Not to mention the traumatic experiences I've had; countless unnecessary mistakes when I let minimum wage employees carelessly work on and damage my pride and joy. Thats not going down with the FRS, since I am the original owner, it is my responsibility to keep this car as "unmolested" as can be, for as long as possible. Right?



I wanted to start this thread to introduce myself and document where this FRS ownership goes. It's the first car in 10 years that has gotten me as excited as when I bought my first mr2; on the day before I turned 16, with my own hard earned $$$. As a true sw20 nut, I drove the crap out of the car(even in my dreams!), and I also began making parts to sustain my choice in a daily driver(while in school and working). Right now I produce a few parts for the mr2 and would love to see what I can make for the FRS. I will post more in the days to come and I am exited to hear what you guys have to say.

For now, here is my FRS, and my Mr2 about a 9 months ago in full 90's Wangan Top Speed Racer stage. I generally look to certain Japanese tuning shops for inspiration.. and so my build stays focused for a particular type of driving.




Making about 290whp. 160.2mph highest gps recorded speed. 2700lbs with a 3/4 of gas. 100% built by me. Function > Everything.

If y'all wanna follow me on IG my name is in the FRS photo. You'll probably be able to predict where this FRS build will go. And see some other random mr2 stuff I probably shouldn't clutter this thread up with.

The theme for my build is change. This time, slowly, and precisely. (My mr2 builds got a little goofy sometimes.) The first will be a togue inspired stage. I drive ALOT, and 100% of it will be on the street for now. So Im looking to maximize fun while not making sacrifices in safety or performance for looks or an other reason really.

Lets just say that you won't see me flexing nuts in a 800hp 2JZ 19x10 Work Equip Stancenation. for now This will be a real street machine!

-Fadil

[JonAvalon]

Welcome aboard!

[An Amish Woman]

Welcome to the club!

[meWant]

Welcome to the club

also you should join Houston 86 Club on Facebook if you haven't already. A lot of local members are more active there imo than here, but both are great communities.

[ryoma]

I noticed that a lot of people used to own MR2's then moved onto our cars lol. I used to own an 86 MR2 with a ST205 3SGTE. extremely fun car.

[Nimbus]

Originally Posted by meWant

Welcome to the club

also you should join Houston 86 Club on Facebook if you haven't already. A lot of local members are more active there imo than here, but both are great communities.

Thanks!. I feel like I only log on to FB about once a month but I probably will go check the club out.

Originally Posted by ryoma

I noticed that a lot of people used to own MR2's then moved onto our cars lol. I used to own an 86 MR2 with a ST205 3SGTE. extremely fun car.

I bet that car was fast. Those 1st gen mr2s were really light.
I noticed that too and honestly as a long term mr2 owner, I never seriously wanted an FRS. But a Toyota sports car?! Around 2700lbs, 200hp. Strating to sound like a sw20 to me. How could I say no?
I haven't measured the cars, but the dimensions look incredibly similar as well.



My mr2 is now a test mule again. So please disregard its condition. Its kinda sad to see my mr2 so "tired" looking.

[ChrisFL]

Former MR2 owner here, I owned a '91 NA, '93 NA, 2001 Spyder previously and also helped work on a friend's '85

I agree about the dimensions, weight and power being very similar. The only major differences are weight distribution, engine location of course, and the fact that the FR-S is 20 years newer than the SW20. The FR-S is more forgiving also because of that.

The '91 NA I had bought a year ago for $1,200 but everything I tried to do on the car was met with the problems of a 25 year old machine, rusted bolts, plastic pieces falling apart, etc., was just too much work for myself.

[Nimbus]

Originally Posted by ChrisFL

Former MR2 owner here, I owned a '91 NA, '93 NA, 2001 Spyder previously and also helped work on a friend's '85

I agree about the dimensions, weight and power being very similar. The only major differences are weight distribution, engine location of course, and the fact that the FR-S is 20 years newer than the SW20. The FR-S is more forgiving also because of that.

The '91 NA I had bought a year ago for $1,200 but everything I tried to do on the car was met with the problems of a 25 year old machine, rusted bolts, plastic pieces falling apart, etc., was just too much work for myself.

Yes, they are very different. To me, my sw20 and the FRS are 2 cars I like above any I've driven. The thing that really blows my mind away about the FRS; as a 10 year sw20 driver/tuner, my best setting for a street mr2 feels almost the same to that of a stock FRS in terms of weight transfer and balance. And cornering speed/stability in some situations.

That being said, I can't wait to see how much more fun this car will be once stickier tires and lighter wheels go on the car.
I mean, I REALLY can't/could't wait:

[ryoma]

I was surprised with my BRZ as well when I compared it to my MR2. I'm not sure about the FRS suspension, but the BRZ suspension felt about 90% as solid as my MR2 on Koni yellows and GC setup (450# rear no swaybar, 250# front w/ ST swaybar). pleasantly surprised me. just that there was way more body roll, but the firmness in the dampening and travel was way too similar to my MR2. a +1 for me