VCMC 350hp Turbo FR-S Review on Tuned

[SnapOv3st3r]

Originally Posted by Dezoris

Global Time Attack is not a wheel to wheel event, it's a time trial running for best lap times, dominated by tuners with $$$.

They are not required to run a certain amount of laps, so reliability is not as large of an issue as it would be for wheel to wheel they just have to get in a few fast laps in qualifying and a few fast laps for final times.

I should re-phrase what events or series could you go and compete in, wheel to wheel. Not solo or time trial events?

I'm aware it's not Wheel-to-Wheel. You were not being specific and just said what series. Wheel-to-Wheel isn't the only thing considered to be "series". I'm sure this car could also run in NASA. And Time Trials are not dominated by tuners with $$$. They have different classes for a reason. Unlimited class is dominated by tuners with $$$.

[SnapOv3st3r]

Originally Posted by FullBlown

Trust me, you wont have a problem on the streets unless you are in boost 90% of the time.

Exactly. Track abuse accelerates wear and tear. If it survives on the track, it definitely will survive on the street.

[FullBlown]

Originally Posted by WingsofWar

looking hot..RAWR!! What kind of water temp readings were you getting at your runs that led you to make a new rad? Did your cool down periods help any?

We were not there when they filmed the car so I am not entirely sure how it all went down.

The radiator was actually in the process of being done just because we knew the stock one was not going to fly when we dissected the car.

Cool down definitely helped out. We were able to run 5 out of 6 laps before letting her cool down. This test was done, pretty much in the middle of the desert as well.

[Dezoris]

Originally Posted by SnapOv3st3r

I'm aware it's not Wheel-to-Wheel. You were not being specific and just said what series. Wheel-to-Wheel isn't the only thing considered to be "series". I'm sure this car could also run in NASA. And Time Trials are not dominated by tuners with $$$. They have different classes for a reason. Unlimited class is dominated by tuners with $$$.

I don't want to start a pissing match, I am just saying most who drop 20k-30k to prep a car are going to want to compete in a race series. Not just try and run time trials. AKA Spec Miata, SRF, SCCA B-Spec.

Not discounting time trial, just saying it's not wheel to wheel racing.

[Dezoris]

Originally Posted by FullBlown

We were not there when they filmed the car so I am not entirely sure how it all went down.

The radiator was actually in the process of being done just because we knew the stock one was not going to fly when we dissected the car.

Cool down definitely helped out. We were able to run 5 out of 6 laps before letting her cool down. This test was done, pretty much in the middle of the desert as well.

No data logging while they ran?

[FullBlown]

No Data this time around since it was literally a last minute ordeal. We had to overnight everything to meet the filming deadline. Next time out, they will be more prepared.

[SnapOv3st3r]

Originally Posted by Dezoris

I don't want to start a pissing match, I am just saying most who drop 20k-30k to prep a car are going to want to compete in a race series. Not just try and run time trials. AKA Spec Miata, SRF, SCCA B-Spec.

Not discounting time trial, just saying it's not wheel to wheel racing.

Sorry, disagree there. If you are a privateer, you get your jollies fairly easily running Time Trials. Wheel-to-Wheel racing requires you to have a crew/team to help you. Time Trials you can pull off a race day all by yourself. And as a side note, 20k into a car is not a lot just fyi. It may sound that way, but it adds up quickly. A turbo setup + built motor is approaching $20k by itself. Add in aero, suspension, bushings, fuel, tuning....it hits $20k quickly and easily.

Time Trials is a Race series imo. Have you done either?

[WingsofWar]

Originally Posted by FullBlown

We were not there when they filmed the car so I am not entirely sure how it all went down.

The radiator was actually in the process of being done just because we knew the stock one was not going to fly when we dissected the car.

Cool down definitely helped out. We were able to run 5 out of 6 laps before letting her cool down. This test was done, pretty much in the middle of the desert as well.

Sucks you guys weren't there, but man you guys are REALLY good getting the car set and ready in a short time for filming. and the only thing that went south was heating..which was to be suspected.

5-6 laps and a good cool down time sounds like the OEM rad was doing a really good job.

Originally Posted by Dezoris

I don't want to start a pissing match, I am just saying most who drop 20k-30k to prep a car are going to want to compete in a race series. Not just try and run time trials. AKA Spec Miata, SRF, SCCA B-Spec.
Not discounting time trial, just saying it's not wheel to wheel racing.

I agree, 20-30k in modifications can be used for many different racing sanctions, and thats a lot cash to drop into a single machine, unless your privateer. Then 20-30k isnt a whole lot.

[SnapOv3st3r]

Originally Posted by WingsofWar

I agree, 20-30k in modifications can be used for many different racing sanctions, and thats a lot cash to drop into a single machine, unless your privateer. Then 20-30k isnt a whole lot.

As mentioned, that is not a lot of cash to even build a weekend track car. $16+k could be had in just building the motor and adding a capable turbo setup.

Fully built long block = $8-10k
Capable Turbo setup = $5-7k

Now start adding in everything you think you would normally add to a street car. Coilovers, rims, good rubber, bushings, aero..etc. You just eclipsed the $20k mark and you haven't even added in the $3-5k dollar Roll Cage yet.

[WingsofWar]

Originally Posted by SnapOv3st3r

As mentioned, that is not a lot of cash to even build a weekend track car. $16+k could be had in just building the motor and adding a capable turbo setup.

Fully built long block = $8-10k
Capable Turbo setup = $5-7k

Now start adding in everything you think you would normally add to a street car. Coilovers, rims, good rubber, bushings, aero..etc. You just eclipsed the $20k mark and you haven't even added in the $3-5k dollar Roll Cage yet.

Yeah i totally agree, problem i see is who is the tuner. A fully built engine setups to some shops may total to 20k alone. But the total cost actually paid was only a fraction of that because many times, those builds are made easy on wholesale or discounted distributor contract.

20k paid on mods by a reputable shop could realistically be 40-50k in retail parts to a privateer.

Not saying thats what fullblown has done, but iv been involved in plenty of full time attack builds for the unlimited class (particularly redline), where the total cost of the build was larger than what was actually paid.

A weekend warrior/ private tuner is exactly what you were describing. 20k could be a lot or a little depending on who it is, and what resources that is available.

[SnapOv3st3r]

If you are paying $20k just to get a built motor...think it's about time to evaluate the tuner you are having build it. LOL...unless it's like Lambo, Porsche, GTR...etc. It shouldn't take you $20k to build an FR-S, Civic, Cobalt...etc engine.

[Dezoris]

Originally Posted by SnapOv3st3r

As mentioned, that is not a lot of cash to even build a weekend track car. $16+k could be had in just building the motor and adding a capable turbo setup.

Fully built long block = $8-10k
Capable Turbo setup = $5-7k

Now start adding in everything you think you would normally add to a street car. Coilovers, rims, good rubber, bushings, aero..etc. You just eclipsed the $20k mark and you haven't even added in the $3-5k dollar Roll Cage yet.

I would be willing to wager <1% of the owners on this forum are going to dump 20-30k into this car just to run at some time trials and HPDE.

You could drop 15k on a Rotax kart and compete nationally against the best drivers. You could compete in B-Spec for around 25-30k.

Really what I am asking, is if you are not a shop who and why would you drop 20k on an FR-S/Scion other than saying you have a fast car?

I don't think it's going to be the track guys, because they will be in a Lotus, Kart, Vette etc or spec series at the 50k price point.

[SnapOv3st3r]

Originally Posted by Dezoris

I would be willing to wager <1% of the owners on this forum are going to dump 20-30k into this car just to run at some time trials and HPDE.

You could drop 15k on a Rotax kart and compete nationally against the best drivers. You could compete in B-Spec for around 25-30k.

Really what I am asking, is if you are not a shop who and why would you drop 20k on an FR-S/Scion other than saying you have a fast car?

Track guys don't have to be into Shifter Karts or B-Spec racing, or Miata's to be track guys. I'm not into spending $15k on a Kart to go against other carts. I would rather go against all different types of makes and model vehicles other guys could be driving.

This forum does not make up every FR-S owner in the world. Again, even a street setup can approach $20k and that's just people who daily driving their cars. Just because you put $20k into a car, does not mean you are building a track machine. It's not a lot of money, that's just it. Not everyone wants to be in a Lotus, Kart, Vette..etc. That's why we have options. Just because it's an FR-S, Honda Civic, Scion tC, Chevy Cobal, Neon SRT4...etc, doesn't mean there isn't someone out there dropping enough coin to run Time Attack. To compete in anything but enthusiast class in Time Attack, you are going to NEED at least $20k already to be at the top of the leader board. Aside from that, lot of the Wheel-to-Wheel racing series have very strict rules/guidelines. If you don't want to comply with those rules, then you build to the likes of another motorsport....i.e. Time Attack, which is a little less stringent, but still has rules.

You never did answer my question. Have you raced in a series or Time Attacked before? Check out the rules for the "Street" class for GTA. This FR-S by VCMC is nothing more than a "Street" Class car in GTA. It hasn't even hit Limited or Unlimited class capability and it already has $20k in it. LOL...it's not a lot of money man that's the bottom line.

Originally Posted by Dezoris

I don't think it's going to be the track guys, because they will be in a Lotus, Kart, Vette etc or spec series at the 50k price point.

So, if you aren't running Karts, Vette, Spec Miata series of racing....you are not a track guy? LOL...ok.

[Dezoris]

Originally Posted by SnapOv3st3r

This forum does not make up every FR-S owner in the world. Again, even a street setup can approach $20k and that's just people who daily driving their cars. Just because you put $20k into a car, does not mean you are building a track machine. It's not a lot of money, that's just it. Not everyone wants to be in a Lotus, Kart, Vette..etc. That's why we have options. Just because it's an FR-S, Honda Civic, Scion tC, Chevy Cobal, Neon SRT4...etc, doesn't mean there isn't someone out there dropping enough coin to run Time Attack. To compete in anything but enthusiast class in Time Attack, you are going to NEED at least $20k already to be at the top of the leader board. Aside from that, lot of the Wheel-to-Wheel racing series have very strict rules/guidelines. If you don't want to comply with those rules, then you build to the likes of another motorsport....i.e. Time Attack, which is a little less stringent, but still has rules.

You never did answer my question. Have you raced in a series or Time Attacked before? Check out the rules for the "Street" class for GTA. This FR-S by VCMC is nothing more than a "Street" Class car in GTA. It hasn't even hit Limited or Unlimited class capability and it already has $20k in it. LOL...it's not a lot of money man that's the bottom line.

Series yes, time attack no, that's what qualifying is for I guess we will have to agree to disagree. I think this example a "tuner" has 20k in and not done yet. For a shop or business to blow that I get. For your private racer, that's insane. These guys for example are just building out a car to see how far they can take it maybe to win or place at one competition, it's advertising for them.

Different strokes, not saying you are wrong BTW.

My point was if you asked one of the track guys to spend 50k for a track car, I dont think you would see, many of them saying they would spend 25k on an FR-S and then dump another 25k on it just to run weekend HPDE and time attacks.