It Gets Old Fast | Real Life: Modding a Nerf

[Model Citizen]

Not quoting and trimming the wall of responses on my phone but I ran the kW kit through this winter with 0 issues due to cold. 0 significant issues with the kit overall after about 4 months and 8k ish miles.

Significant amounts of single digit weather. Bit of single digit negative.

The temp rating on the Rotorex fluid is like -40 or something iirc.

[Vracer111]

I seriously can't tell if you really like the 86 or not from your personality, but you are always interesting to watch and read. Personally I like modding cars, but I mostly do it as needed and with an overall goal that ties together to improve on the little things which make it drive better first - major things replaced as needed when the stock parts wear out. Still on 100% stock brakes and suspension and have not touched the motor or transmission.

I generally never mess with the motor on a vehicle unless it needs to be replaced. The intake system before the stock throttle body, a catback exhuast system, and a lightweight flywheel is as far as I'll go with a motor. I may eventually do a catted header for the 86, but I'm waiting on long term results for the direction to go. Generally I do mods which do not affect the reliability of the car because I really don't have money to spend on modding. I love 'free' mods or custom fabricating items and may experiment with things - but on non-critical items for a daily driver; this car is my daily driver and currently my only running vehicle.

[radroach]

Thanks Dezoris for informing much of the technical issues about modding the car, and everybody else who makes informative posts about modifying the GT86 platform. It gave me enough insight to not start throwing parts and money at a brand new car right away.

[Thorpedo]

@Dezoris

FRS was one of those cars you could tell they just built to a price point and stopped. I bought it knowing that, and wanted to see if the aftermarket would finish where they left off. Interesting journey, just too much work.
If they sold an STI or TRD FI, FRS with Brembos and other tweaks for 35k, I would have bought that.

This is where you went wrong IMO. I get where you're coming from, but the aftermarket wont "finish where they left off" on a brand new platform. If you started 5 years after it was released it may have been a different story...

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by ericmpena

I wonder how many people out there wish they had left their car stock instead of turning their car into a money pit that sucks up all your time.

What's really funny is that in 20 years or so people will be buying up what's left of these cars and spending ridiculous amounts of money to restore them back to stock.

[antt]

Great post to highlight the issues with modifying a vehicle. Young guys on here will think you're a god because it is SC with a BBK and everything else, but it's good to show them that it isn't all sunshine and rainbows when you start screwing around with cars.

I have zero time to spare working on cars, so mine is bone stock at the moment too. It will get modified eventually, but reliability will always be priority number one. So mods will likely only effect suspension, wheels and tires.

[Ganthrithor]

Yeah, as tempting as it is to add torque to this car, I really can't see myself actually throwing down the time and money to supercharge it. I'd say just drop in whatever suspension upgrades you need to get the car balanced the way you want it, add light wheels and tyres, and call it a day. Suspension stuff is great in terms of bang for your buck, and you pretty much just stick it in and forget about it.

[BlueDubbinTDI]

Originally Posted by Thorpedo

@Dezoris

This is where you went wrong IMO. I get where you're coming from, but the aftermarket wont "finish where they left off" on a brand new platform. If you started 5 years after it was released it may have been a different story...

The Jag F type came with 3 models right out the gate, they could've done the same thing for this car. But all Toyota is doing is giving us is stupid trim level upgrades instead of power and handling, or fuck even a wheel package. If they had released a TRD version supercharged and all nobody woulda complained. And nobody woulda thought this car was underpowered. There would also be way less stories like this out there. How many people do you see adding a turbo to a base VW Golf? nobody, because the GTI already exists. If Toyota had just had the balls for a FI model factory a hell of a lot more of us would be happy, not only for speed but for lack of blowing money doing this shit ourselves.

[suaveflooder]

Great write up!! Sucks you have so many problems, but it is a good insight. This car I decided to keep the modding to a minimum on for this very reason. I went through your same situation with my last car. Dumped a TON of money in it, only to sell it 2 months after I finished it because I was bored.

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by BlueDubbinTDI

The Jag F type came with 3 models right out the gate...

At base prices of $69K, $81K and $92K for those three models. A comparison of the twins with the Jaguar is meaningless, because they are completely different cars aimed at completely different market segments.

[Dustin]

As entertaining as most of your videos have been, I've always gotten the impression that you've never really enjoyed this car. Stock it was too slow. Modifying it is too big a PITA and in my opinion, not very rewarding to you. Doing the upkeep is too much work and too time consuming. I guess what I'm getting at is you seem to be the type of person who shouldn't buy a car that "needs" to be modified. You'd be happy with one that performs "better" out of the box.

I get frustrated just as I'm sure everyone else does when working on or modifying cars. But I always get a certain amount of satisfaction when I finish any modification to my car. Even if there are issues that arise, sorting them out and making it perform as it should is rewarding to me. I don't mind the headaches that come with it. Nature of the beast so to speak. That's part of having a hobby. If it doesn't make you happy, find another hobby.

[BlueDubbinTDI]

Originally Posted by extrashaky

At base prices of $69K, $81K and $92K for those three models. A comparison of the twins with the Jaguar is meaningless, because they are completely different cars aimed at completely different market segments.

No shit? I'm driving home the point that multiple performance trims can be launched along with the base on its first model year, allowing consumers to pay for the performance they want. Not force us into financial mistakes seen in this thread.

[Tromatic]

Originally Posted by BlueDubbinTDI

If Toyota had just had the balls for a FI model factory a hell of a lot more of us would be happy, not only for speed but for lack of blowing money doing this shit ourselves.

I have said it before and will say it again: If you hate the stock FR-S/BRZ that much there is something wrong with you, not the car. I have never had the pleasure of owning a "super car" or even a spendy Euro, but I have had the opportunity to drive or be a passenger in a few. The stock FR-S, for being a "cheap" car, is a real taste of the exotic. A whole bunch of FR-S/BRZ owners, as has been said, "bought the wrong fucking car". I'm not sure if I should laugh at or feel sad for those who hop in their awesome little car and hate it for what it lacks. It really must suck.

[ZionsWrath]

I think some people are not reading the OP correctly. To me it does not sound like a complaint, he is just saying what he did, why he did it, and after doing it how he feels. I don't see any crying or omg shitty subaru, AVO, AP racing, etc.

OP is merely putting up his entire experience completely transparent. And he is doing so to inform others who may have the mindset of "OMG BRO I'm so gonna buy an FRS, slap on a turbo and supporting mods, and blow xyz car away"

Personally I'd like (or I think I would like) FI but being realistic and looking at the total cost to do it right (10k+) I decided I'd rather spend the money taking my car to the track stock this year and see where that takes me.