The Wookiee's 2013 Firestorm FR-S 6MT

[genometuning]

nicely planned. i like that. you must be an organized person

[Chewie4299]

Originally Posted by genometuning

nicely planned. i like that. you must be an organized person

I made the list. Finding the extra cash to do it all is going to take some time. This could be a few years of work.

[Allch Chcar]

Excellent read! Congrats.

[kduff85]

best post I've read on the forums so far. Big props!

[ravenblackfrs]

Originally Posted by Chewie4299

Wish List (no particular order):
Exterior
- Grazio black crystal turn signals
- Grazio black crystal side markers
- Grazio red tails w/ black crystal turn signals
- TRS HID Retro-Quik Conversion and blacked out headlight housing simultaneously
- TSW Nurburgring in matte gunmetal or TSW Trackstar 5 - 18x8 +35
- Unknown high perf tire
- Grazio black chrome Toyota T badges and remove all other badges
- Grazio Black Carbon Look Side Vent

Interior
- JL Audio ProWedge with single 10" W6
- already own JL 500/1 and 350/4 amps
- remove spare in attempt to compensate for added weight
- perhaps LED interior lighting

Engine
- PERRIN Crank Pulley
- lightweight flywheel? Need to research


.

How do you like the Perrin Crank? And did you ever post pics of the sub?

[Chewie4299]

Originally Posted by ravenblackfrs

How do you like the Perrin Crank? And did you ever post pics of the sub?

Originally Posted by Chewie4299

I learned a lot on the forums about opti-coat before I got my car and was determined that it would be the first thing I did. So it was...

Purchased the car on 6/28/12

Current
7/13/12 - Opti-coat applied by Rich @ Explicit Details - $350 ($250 for OC + $50/hr for prep)


Plans
Immediate Future:
1. 4x4 Beater Pickup - for snow and hauling @ <$1500.00
2. Window Tint - 20% maybe? More likely 35% (CT minimum). Don't want to give the police any further reason to harass a red sports car.
3. Winter Tires - so I don't have to drive the beater when the ground isn't a mess in winter.

Actually I'm working pretty slowly through this list. I've actually only gotten as far as the beater for the winter right now but my position at my job has changed such that I'm travelling full time and a needed something more reliable than a $1500 pickup so I spent $3500 on a Jeep Cherokee.

The FR-S is in the garage right now and unfortunately will remain there unless we get some warmer weather soon.

When Spring hits I'll start working through that list quickly. The job change comes with a very significant boost to my paycheck .

[ravenblackfrs]

Originally Posted by Chewie4299

Actually I'm working pretty slowly through this list. I've actually only gotten as far as the beater for the winter right now but my position at my job has changed such that I'm travelling full time and a needed something more reliable than a $1500 pickup so I spent $3500 on a Jeep Cherokee.

The FR-S is in the garage right now and unfortunately will remain there unless we get some warmer weather soon.

When Spring hits I'll start working through that list quickly. The job change comes with a very significant boost to my paycheck .

Well then... congrats on the promotion sir. Cant wait to see the photos.

[Chewie4299]

Well. Progressing slowly but progress will be made nonetheless!

Just placed my order for a Perrin Cat-Back w/ Resonator.

[Turbowned]

Congrats on the car! I vote Enkei Raijin as I've seen them on a black BRZ and they complement the car very well. Second choice would be TSW Nurburgring then Enkei PF01.

[zaptorque]

Good write up, ever make a decision on wheels?

[reflex2o3]

Ur not worry of about voiding warranty because exhaust?

[Chewie4299]

Originally Posted by zaptorque

Good write up, ever make a decision on wheels?

Yes, actually, I'm set on the brand new Weds SA-15R.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28055

Originally Posted by reflex2o3

Ur not worry of about voiding warranty because exhaust?

Nope, I've only got a catback done so far so it will have no effect on my warranty. The Crank Pulley and Intake I've installed are more likely to give me trouble but I've got the ability to revert to stock if I need to.

[Chewie4299]

I haven't updated this thread in a while....

I just editing my progress and wish list on page one with current info.

Current desired wheel is this:

[Chewie4299]

So I've always liked the light put out by HIDs ever since I owned my 2003 Evo VIII which had them from the factory. I never liked the idea of fitting them aftermarket because I believe in ensuring my headlights are as FUNCTIONAL as possible. With an assembly engineered for halogen bulbs that has been fitted with an HID bulb aftermarket one may get more light output but the beam pattern will not be optimal. The cutoff may LOOK perfect but there will be bright spots and dim spots where you'd usually have even lighting AND you risk putting further stress on yourself as the driver and others' eyes due to this.

I liked the idea of the retrofit kits from TRS but had seen mixed reviews on them. Basically the reason I hesitated was that I'd never baked headlights before to take them apart so I was a little apprehensive. I also wanted to paint much of the chrome black if I did it but I'm a terrible painter and don't trust myself to do it.

When I saw these new 22w H11 bulbs sold by AutomationLED I was intrigued. They seemed like the best of both worlds. So I bought them at a price of about $112 shipped due to the current 15% off promo.

I installed them on Friday evening. The install was EXTREMELY simple and straightforward. The only problem I ran into was that the piece the factor harness plugs into has 3M double sided tape on the back to attach nearby the headlight but on one of them half the backing was removed already which left only half the adhesive functional and on the other the entire backing was removed so the tape was useless.

AutomationLED Sale Thread: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27891

Review Thread by @sabSquishy : http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31403

Here's some pics:

Stock

IMG_20130329_195227 by Chewie4299, on Flickr


IMG_20130329_195252 by Chewie4299, on Flickr

LED on Left/Stock on Right

IMG_20130329_200012 by Chewie4299, on Flickr


IMG_20130329_200020 by Chewie4299, on Flickr

Both LED

IMG_20130329_200519 by Chewie4299, on Flickr


IMG_20130329_200530 by Chewie4299, on Flickr


So these things look great and the light is the perfect color. I was REALLY excited once I turned them on and was hoping that they performed well on the road.

Yesterday I drove two hours to a meet in RI and than had the opportunity to drive 2 hours home in the dark.

Notice the cutoff? The halogens have some light above them while the LEDs do not. This actually has made it harder to see highway signage at any real distance at night since the headlights are putting no light that high.

Also, there is significantly more light on the road right in front of the car now where it is not needed and less forward and to the left/right in 'deerland'. The combination of these two factors leads to it being quite difficult to see off to the sides on dark roads when you cannot use your highs because you aren't quite alone.

My final opinion is that these lights will look great for show purposes and, with properly engineered projectors meant to work with them, could probably be exceptional alternatives to HIDs but they just don't perform with the stock housings.

I'd honestly return them if I had that option but I don't so I'll probably plug them in for certain occasions but I think I'll be utilizing the stock bulbs for most of my driving.