Pixel67's Daily Driver Build - Journal

[post_break]

Originally Posted by pixel67

One of the "livability" problems I was having with my FRS it how to mount my iPhone4 so that I can actually use GPS. While I could use it to listen to directions before, there wasn't anywhere for me to place it so that I could actually SEE! Making calls was a pain in the rear as well.

Mountek nGroove CD Slot MT5000 to the rescue! I saw another forum members comments and thought it was perfect! Fits in the CD slot nice and snug and the display is at eye level. *hint* go to mountek site to purchase as it's $5 less than buying directly from big river and standard shipping is fast. Ordered mine wednesday night and it was in the mailbox on Saturday. Here is a video of another users experience.

I just found your post by chance, that's my video! Glad you like the mount too, I use it every day.

[pixel67]

It's been a little while since i updated this post and thought i would comment on the latest additions to my FRS. I have 15,000 miles on it now and it is still rock solid (no CEL). I do still have the HPFP chirp but don't see a long term fix yet.

My first round of mechanical mods was focused around getting a better sound out of the flat 4 and opening up the breathing a bit. My budget is very limited at this point so i decided to go cheap and bought a K&N drop in ($50) and a catback from J2 Engineering ($349).


It just doesn't get any cheaper than that and, to be honest, I wasn't expecting a whole lot for that level of investment either. The K&N filter has been discussed ad nauseum so i will focus on the J2 catback.

I purchased it off of Ebay, installed it on Friday, and have put a few hundred miles on it already. Installation was a one person job for the most part. I don't have a lift and local shops were going to charge 175 - 210 to install it (crazy, i know) so i put it up on jack stands and did it myself. Removing the stock exhaust was pretty simple after lubing up the hangers. Only 4 bolts really and it pulls right off (with a little bit of elbow grease on the hangers of course).

Installing the J2 was a bit more involved since their are 4 sections. I essentially followed the same path as is posted in this youtube video. Getting it to hang right was PITA but just time consuming mostly.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=yPe4b3G7Z90"]2012 Scion FRS Exhaust Installation - YouTube[/ame]

So, my impressions?

First the good...

From outside it actually sounds quite nice! Deep tone at idle with an aggressive quality that i really like. Winding it out is really a blast as it now sounds like it means business!

Then the bad...

It is a bit loud for my tastes (both inside and outside), but again this is about what i expected given the investment. The donut gasket coming from the cat needs to be removed and replaced with a standard gasket which should have been included in the kit. Head to the parts store before putting it on or you might end up like me and running the donut for a bit while you head to the parts store.

And the ugly...

Drone is definitely present from about 1500 to 3200 rpms. This actually surprised me a bit since I made the assumption that the helmholtz resonators were tuned to help low frequency drone. That doesn't appear to be the case. I will let all of the engineers among us do the math, but to my ears it sounds like it is actually tuned to take the edge off of higher frequencies because once you get it over 3,000 rpm then the note smooths out quite a bit. To the point where i would cruise highway speeds in a lower gear to shift out of the "drone zone". Vid below but keep in mind you can't hear drone on a video.


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Or1Ouz-q1_0"]FRS J2 No baffles - YouTube[/ame]


So what's next? Since i daily this car i need to address the drone. My ears are just too sensitive but your tolerance may be different. I will be trying out a Car Chemistry insert which should be delivered this week.

This seemed to be the next logical step before taking more drastic measures. I chose the 3 disk model so that i can add/remove as necessary. I will likely have a local shop tack weld it to a 2.5 inch flange so that i can slip in in between the cat and catback easily and remove it to adjust as necessary. I will update the thread with my thoughts once i get it installed.

[Turbowned]

Nice! You don't have to mod the bejeezus out of the car to have a cool journal!

I hate to say it but those "Helmholtz resonators" are probably not tested at all. You have to figure that at the cost of $349 vs. at least twice that for properly engineered exhausts, that you're not gonna get a superior product. Hope you can get that insert to work; if not, the Perrin and HKS Legamax cat-backs add a little sound without being obnoxious.

[ATL BRZ]

Love your pics from the Dragon! I can't believe I still haven't gone on a mountain run yet. Shame on me!

I want to try out the Moonshiner next time.

[6-Shift]

Have any pics of the J2 exhaust on your car? Slash have you had the chance to ride in an FR-S/BR-Z with an Invidia N1 by any chance?

[pixel67]

Originally Posted by Turbowned

Nice! You don't have to mod the bejeezus out of the car to have a cool journal!

I hate to say it but those "Helmholtz resonators" are probably not tested at all. You have to figure that at the cost of $349 vs. at least twice that for properly engineered exhausts, that you're not gonna get a superior product. Hope you can get that insert to work; if not, the Perrin and HKS Legamax cat-backs add a little sound without being obnoxious.

I agree and highly doubt it was tested to the level of other systems like Ark that utilize them. I have faith that the inserts will knock it down a notch or two and get the low frequencies under control. I have to say though that it sure is great to "hear" a performance car again! The upper RPM's really sound great and it's good to hear the old SRT4 "burble" from time to time. I received the inserts already (props to Summit Racing for shipping them so fast!) and should have it installed over the weekend and will post a follow up vid. All in I have spent just over $400 which is still a great deal and can fine tune the volume to my liking.

Originally Posted by ATL BRZ

Love your pics from the Dragon! I can't believe I still haven't gone on a mountain run yet. Shame on me!

I want to try out the Moonshiner next time.

You gotta go! I actually preferred the Moonshiner over the dragon as its a much longer run.

Originally Posted by Missourifornian

Have any pics of the J2 exhaust on your car?

No pics yet but will get some this weekend. I also painted my calipers recently so it's time for a new round.

[6-Shift]

any updates?

[mad_sb]

Hey man, I used one of those inserts, on the catback on my ralliart... It did quiet it down, but it also killed the power, especially up top. Then again these cars don't pickup much power with most exhausts so yo may not notice it. I would not bother with those end caps unless you want less power than stock.

Originally Posted by pixel67

....
So what's next? Since i daily this car i need to address the drone. My ears are just too sensitive but your tolerance may be different. I will be trying out a Car Chemistry insert which should be delivered this week.

This seemed to be the next logical step before taking more drastic measures. I chose the 3 disk model so that i can add/remove as necessary. I will likely have a local shop tack weld it to a 2.5 inch flange so that i can slip in in between the cat and catback easily and remove it to adjust as necessary. I will update the thread with my thoughts once i get it installed.

[pixel67]

Alright, so long story short... I installed a modified 3 in CC insert and it has made it tolerable. Still there, but definitely knocked it down several decibels. Since these pipes are 2.75in, it took a bit of cutting and grinding but its tack welded in place. Now, if I were 20 years younger I would call it "done" and rock it for a while cuz it sure does sound sweet. But again, this is my DD and business conference calls are a challenge as my ears aren't what they used to be (too many REO Speedwagon, ZZ Top, cheap trick concerts back when) . I may try to build an insert like the invidia N1 comes with. Then again, Zeta performance carbon fiber tipped cat back sure does look sweet. And tax refund check is in the mail...
Hmmmmmmm


Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

[pixel67]

Originally Posted by mad_sb

Hey man, I used one of those inserts, on the catback on my ralliart... It did quiet it down, but it also killed the power, especially up top. Then again these cars don't pickup much power with most exhausts so yo may not notice it. I would not bother with those end caps unless you want less power than stock.

I didn't use the end caps as it just seemed like overkill. I have run a few virtual dyno's since tack welding it in and don't see (or feel) a difference.

[pixel67]

Well... The need to mod won out and i bought a set of these to replace the J2. Stephen at Zeta gave me a good deal!


I just put them on and all i can say is they are perfect! Awesome build quality, bolts right up without a hassle, hangs perfectly, and sounds great. Much quieter than the J2 but still retains that Subie rumble. Aggressive sound during de-acceleration with a deep, throaty growl when you open it up! No drone whatsoever! the J2 is great if you want your FRS to sound like a race car, but I like the subdued sound of the Zeta much better.

[pixel67]

Now that I have the Zeta Cat Back installed, I believe I can move on to installing the Unichip i purchased a few weeks back. Waiting for that last "covered" oil change and I may ask them to update the flash first.

[GTM_Challenge]

Originally Posted by pixel67

One of the "livability" problems I was having with my FRS it how to mount my iPhone4 so that I can actually use GPS. While I could use it to listen to directions before, there wasn't anywhere for me to place it so that I could actually SEE! Making calls was a pain in the rear as well.

Mountek nGroove CD Slot MT5000 to the rescue! I saw another forum members comments and thought it was perfect! Fits in the CD slot nice and snug and the display is at eye level. *hint* go to mountek site to purchase as it's $5 less than buying directly from big river and standard shipping is fast. Ordered mine wednesday night and it was in the mailbox on Saturday. Here is a video of another users experience.

url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txAzTXWvc10"]iPhone dock in Scion FRS - YouTube[/url]

Just picked one of these up, thanks

[ilpad]

The third pic from your moonshiner 28 shoot is down right amazing. Sure beats the hell out of the purple walls in my office! (previous manager was a chick... with bad taste.)