Contemplating FRS for track car

[Enkrow]

Personally, I'd take the cheaper car and spend the difference on more track time.

I'm not sure what you were planning to do to it, but from what I've read in this thread it seems like all it might really need is alignment gear+alignment, and an oil cooler, which is less than 2k combined.

The goodies on the more expensive car are cool, but it's not like you *need* them right away.

[GrandSport]

Originally Posted by Enkrow

Personally, I'd take the cheaper car and spend the difference on more track time.

I'm not sure what you were planning to do to it, but from what I've read in this thread it seems like all it might really need is alignment gear+alignment, and an oil cooler, which is less than 2k combined.

The goodies on the more expensive car are cool, but it's not like you *need* them right away.

The only thing limiting track time (in the FRS) for me is having enough free time. I am lucky enough to be able to afford consumables and track time (I'm paying for a membership whether I use it or not).

The "street" FRS needs camber plates (or I'm going to eat tires) and alignment (duh), oil cooler and I'm guessing a BBK will save me money long term.
That's probably around $3k since I can get some stuff (BBK, at the least) at whole sale.

[tony_r]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

Laptimes with a skilled driver aside...good shocks are just a lot more fun and confidence inspiring IMO. That also tends to translate into more consistent times for a newer driver.

There are plenty of time attack cars on crappy shocks and sticky tires that can put in a good lap. But watch the in-car video and it's a battle with thin margins. Not always fun or consistent lap after lap (without even mentioning shock fade). The cars with good shocks and enough travel and a nice balance make for a happy driver and longer lasting tires and drama-free consistent lap times.

The recent Spec Miata shock change has yielded results that back this up by quite a bit. Over a 30 minute period, the old Bilstein setup dropped by 3 seconds a lap. The new Penske setup is within 1-2. Read more here.

A proper shock will allow you to drive any type of tire. Bolting on an A7 or R7 is just masking an issue that will reveal itself when the tire loses it's peak potential.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by GrandSport

I think virtually every driver would take slicks every single time.

Good tires = faster
Good suspension = funner
Both = Nirvana

[Enkrow]

Originally Posted by GrandSport

The only thing limiting track time (in the FRS) for me is having enough free time. I am lucky enough to be able to afford consumables and track time (I'm paying for a membership whether I use it or not).

The "street" FRS needs camber plates (or I'm going to eat tires) and alignment (duh), oil cooler and I'm guessing a BBK will save me money long term.
That's probably around $3k since I can get some stuff (BBK, at the least) at whole sale.

BBK will definitely save you money in the long term, it might be nice to be able to choose which BBK you run instead of already having one, though.

Similarly with the cage, it would probably be better to have it built to the exact spec you want rather than dealing with whatever someone else had done. Additionally, you'd want to make sure you can fit in the seat in the "prepped" FRS, or you might need to get another right away.

I wouldn't forget rear lower control arms as well for the "street" car, the rear end doesn't have easy camber adjustment from the factory.

Overall I think your buddies car has less potential headaches to deal with, and the extra wheels are a nice bonus too.

[Joesurf79]

Originally Posted by GrandSport

...I'm paying for a membership whether I use it or not...

I see you're in TX - is it MSR-C, ECR, MSR-H, Harris Hill, Grandsport ? ...I'll pretend to be you and get more use out of the membership for you if you want

[GrandSport]

Originally Posted by Joesurf79

I see you're in TX - is it MSR-C, ECR, MSR-H, Harris Hill, Grandsport ? ...I'll pretend to be you and get more use out of the membership for you if you want

ECR If you ever go to a public track day there (the track hosts their own track days rather than 3rd parties), let me know and I'll meet you out there. I'll probably be out there anyway.

[GrandSport]

I keep coming back to the "built" one but I can't help but think that if it was on ebay or a classified, it wouldn't sell for more than $15k. Thoughts?

At $15k I think I'd be all over it. $17k, it's more than what I gave myself for budget and it just doesn't feel like that is FMV. I get its got a lot of expensive parts and done well, but man, $17k seems like it's a tiny bit high for fair market value. Am I wrong?

[Joesurf79]

Originally Posted by GrandSport

ECR If you ever go to a public track day there (the track hosts their own track days rather than 3rd parties), let me know and I'll meet you out there. I'll probably be out there anyway.

ECR is super fun! Err was - hows the repaving going? Theres a couple update threads on track junkies about the progress and all the rain has been slowing things down from what I read?

I met the new ownership out there a few months back with a group called Drivers edge. They seem like stand up folks and the clubhouse was hella nice. If I lived closer I'd be a member in a heartbeat - the current deal is a steal. It's a 5.5 hr drive one way for me though

[GrandSport]

Originally Posted by Joesurf79

ECR is super fun! Err was - hows the repaving going? Theres a couple update threads on track junkies about the progress and all the rain has been slowing things down from what I read?

I met the new ownership out there a few months back with a group called Drivers edge. They seem like stand up folks and the clubhouse was hella nice. If I lived closer I'd be a member in a heartbeat - the current deal is a steal. It's a 5.5 hr drive one way for me though

It's going. The rain is definitely slowing things down but once it's done, it should be the best track in the south short of COTA (and honestly, I think that's overrated. I like msrc 3.1 better for a small car).

$2500 +$200/mo is hard to beat

[Code Monkey]

COTA is my least favorite track so far.

[GrandSport]

Originally Posted by Code Monkey

COTA is my least favorite track so far.

It doesn't do it for me. Straights are too long into borderline abusive braking zones. I love the surface, but that was clearly made for F1 cars, not street cars. At +$1000 for track fees for the weekend, I'd honestly rather go elsewhere.


Anyway, great news on the built up BRZ. Seller and I met in the middle. He keeps spare wheels but came down considerably on the price and we have a deal. Only catch is he's going to deliver it late feb/early march. Can't do it before then and I'm out every single weekend in Jan and Feb.
plus I'd rather say I race a Subaru than a scion

I can't wait.

[GrandSport]

So car is coming early, but not early enough.

100 highway miles on the tires + 1 track day. About 75 min of track time. Gone.




Those tires were 10% of the cost of the entire BRZ in my sig.




(but damn was it fun! I'll post up some video later)

[CSG Mike]

NT01 are awesome