New to the game

[Hardpack]

Hey all, I just bought my FR-S back on the 21st and I love it. I have never really been into cars, at least not more then driving them. I sold my '05 Mustang so that I could get the FR-S and I am glad I did. Since I would like to get into upgrading just about everything in the future, my first mission to tackle is the exterior. I already have the windows tinted, 20 on the sides and 30 on the rear windshield.

Plans:
-Smoked tail lights
-HIDs
-Black TSW Mirabeau rims 18x8 with lowpros
-Black rotors
-Red calipers
-Switchback front turn signals
-License plate relocation kit
-Debadge and emblem swap

Now for a bit more detail. My two biggest concerns right now for the exterior of the car are smoking the tail lights and getting some HIDs since these will take some work removing/installing.

Smoked tail lights: For these I plan on simply replacing the factory units with aftermarket smoked LED's. Was looking around and found the Spyder's looked really nice

HIDs: I want to put in some HIDs, however I saw on another thread the GT86 headlights. Those lights look awesome, and I would love to get my hands on them. Does anyone have the P/N to order through Toyota, or a link to where you bought them. Do they come with HIDs? If not I was looking on DDM Tuning and saw the kits for roughly $30+. I was planning on going with the 6000K level.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated and welcomed. I am kinda shooting into the dark with this one and I want my car to look great without messing anything up.

[kALMIGHTY]

Welcome!

First off, you got 20% tint on the sides and 30% on the rear? Are you sure you don't have the numbers backwards. Lower % is darker, so you're saying your side windows are darker than your rear windshield? That's the opposite of what people usually get.

Second, as far as HIDs, if you're just going to get an HID bulb kit like DDM Tuning, or Diode Dynamics, or Vicious LED ones, there's not much to do, but a simple plug and play install. If you're planning on getting the GT86 headlights, be prepared for a huge financial hit because those babies are hella expensive. If I recall correctly, they were about $1200 a piece, so $2400 for both driver and passenger side, and they probably do include the bulbs, but also require a lot more modification as our USDM FR-Ss are not wired up the same (different harness wires, interior automatic levelling switch, blah blah). The only thing that comes close to that are the Winjet aftermarket headlights that basically look the same as the GT86 headlights, and you can get them with HIDs for close to $500 total.

Happy modding!

[Hardpack]

First off, you got 20% tint on the sides and 30% on the rear? Are you sure you don't have the numbers backwards. Lower % is darker, so you're saying your side windows are darker than your rear windshield? That's the opposite of what people usually get.

My numbers are right, I did that on purpose ;P

That is quite the pretty penny for those lights. I think I might go with something else instead then. Thanks for the help kAL!

[FRSfan111]

8ks
Took 10 min to install if that.
People will complain about the glare, I barely moved my squirrel finders down and I can't see glare no matter what angle I look at my headlights from. Cut off is pretty good. The light output is also far beyond stock. Makes me feel like I was driving with candles in front of my car before lol.

I did go with a much nicer set then DDM though. I personally would recommend morimoto kit.

[Hardpack]

@FRSfan111

Did you put HIDs in all your lights or just where the low beams go? For the rest of the lights I plan on putting in LEDs, unless I get aftermarket headlights where the high and lows come from the same bulb.

[FRSfan111]

Originally Posted by Hardpack

@FRSfan111

Did you put HIDs in all your lights or just where the low beams go? For the rest of the lights I plan on putting in LEDs, unless I get aftermarket headlights where the high and lows come from the same bulb.

The rest are all LEDs on my car.

[Lverasky]

8Ks head light, got Nokya yellow H11 for fog light. good to go.
I also had my headlight yellow tinted with Lamin-x

[BRZPDX]

I would start with a general theme to your car to have a "flow". If you just go at it, without the big picture, a lot of the mods just look like you slapped it on. Some people have it, some people don't.

[m.box.design]

Gees you portland guys are really helpful today.

To the op, just take it slow. Those mods you listed are a nice start. But don't get too caught up too fast. Many owners are buying mods only to find more preferable mods later on and have to take a financial hit. To be honest, most of my mods have been bargains, several which were barely used items (less than a year old).
It pays to be patient. Unless you're filthy rich, then well.. you can have at it.
Happy modding!

[Hardpack]

Thanks for all the tips, guess I just got caught up in the excitement. As for a theme, I'm looking for a clean flow to my car, as well as keeping with an overall blackout style. Dark and mysterious :P

[Bushman7140]

Originally Posted by indesign

Gees you portland guys are really helpful today.

To the op, just take it slow. Those mods you listed are a nice start. But don't get too caught up too fast. Many owners are buying mods only to find more preferable mods later on and have to take a financial hit. To be honest, most of my mods have been bargains, several which were barely used items (less than a year old).
It pays to be patient. Unless you're filthy rich, then well.. you can have at it.
Happy modding!

Best advice I've heard... Many many many things can be had for bargains. Then everyonce in a while there's that one thing that comes along and is perfect for your "theme" for me that was the Toms tails. I had no issue paying full price for the clear lenses. It matched what I wanted to go with (black/red throughout with splashes of CF for accent. Trying to keep it low wide and mean and drop any chrome I can.) At the end of the day, it's yours. Let it reflect you and what you're wanting to build. Someone had the quote on here, "I'd rather lose with a car I built, rather than have one built for me." Stick to what you want, and don't rush it just because you feel like you have to. Let the car tell your story.

This is the first car I've ever modded or done anything too, it's an addiction that can't be helped!!

[Chen]

Originally Posted by indesign

Gees you portland guys are really helpful today.

I was just thinking the same thing. Figured if day something but all was said already.

[m.box.design]

Originally Posted by Hardpack

Thanks for all the tips, guess I just got caught up in the excitement. As for a theme, I'm looking for a clean flow to my car, as well as keeping with an overall blackout style. Dark and mysterious :P

It's all good. I've gone through so many ideas on how to take the look of my car. I've considered going Stillen, Downforce Aero, and TRD. I think I'm finally settling on the TRD kit, but even that's not 100%. lol.

My 5axis spoiler was used ($220) and my Greddy exhaust was ($225). I've saved over $500 on these two items alone.

[Hardpack]

Mine came stock with the TRD exhaust and intake, I really like how it sounds. I'll eventually change those out when I put a turbo in it. I don't plan on putting a spoiler on it, if anything I'll change out the trunk and hood for carbon fiber ones.