Simple mods to improve handling while improving looks?

[Jinzen]

Just got an FRS. I'll be modding the car as things get worn out on it.

Does anyone have a good guide/list of simple mods that will improve handling?

First thing I'll do is to get new wheels + tires and use OEM ones as winter wheels.

Is there any good lightweight and reasonably priced 18" wheels? What width is ideal? Offset? Whatever I do should improve both looks and handling, definitely not decrease either.

Second will probably be suspension - maybe a slight drop but more for better handling and a great ride than anything else.

Probably will not do anything with power - I'll wait until warranty expires and by that time, I'll probably trade this car in for something else.

[velin86]

Wheels should definitely be a first. There are too many choices out there to even make a recommendation, just do some research, check the wheels section of the forum. I'd stick in the 8 to 9 width on the wheels. And if you wanna lower your car you can get some nice springs. If you wanna go all out get some good coilovers but they will be expensive and you will need to probably get supporting mods like LCA's to keep suspension geometry.

[gatorbushmen]

If you want to improve handling, I'd stick with 17's, as the car was designed to have them.

[Books]

There's a tire section here with a few useful stickies: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=24

There's too many factors and preferences and there really isn't a one-size-fits-all, but good luck! Picking tires out can be both exhaustive and fun!

For handling (which is quite a general statement imo), there's tons of things to do: stickier tires, Springs/coilovers, sway bars and endlinks, different support bars (like tower bars), short shifter, stiffer bushings, brake brace, brake pads, just to name a few. I'd start with the things that touch the ground (tires) and work your way up.

To be honest, drive it for a bit and enjoy your new car! And then see what you want to improve on and appreciate the changes as you add them

[DeeezNuuuts83]

Simple mods to improve handling AND looks? That pretty much limits you to wheels/tires (though make sure you pick the right size and all of that) and suspension (from springs to full-on coil-overs, depending on your budget, as that is the main handling mod that will have an effect on its looks).

Seeing how you're coming from a 2009 Camry (assuming you haven't had anything other than that, or at least no other cars drastically different from that), the FR-S should already be a big change, and I doubt that you can be so disappointed by its handling this soon and coming from what you had before.

[FRiSson]

Keep in mind, the handling is already excellent. You can improve its handling at the limits, but that kind of driving should be confined to the track.

[DeeezNuuuts83]

^ And frankly, most drivers haven't even taken their car to the limits either.

[Mikem53]

Originally Posted by FRiSson

Keep in mind, the handling is already excellent. You can improve its handling at the limits, but that kind of driving should be confined to the track.

Exactly.. Adjust the nut behind the wheel... Done

[mit_peid]

Originally Posted by FRiSson

Keep in mind, the handling is already excellent. You can improve its handling at the limits, but that kind of driving should be confined to the track.

This.

The stock FRS is already really good, you will need to really take the time to think and learn about what you want to do to the car that will actually improve performance.

Consensus is that the stock tires weren't picked with ultra performance in mind so that might be the first thing you want to do if performance is your top priority. OEM wheels are okay, are somewhat light, and not that wide, but most will agree it fits the car's character relatively well (and the skinny wheels/Prius tires were actually a design trait to make it more fun given how good the chassis is).

Looks are very subjective. Majority of FRS/BRZ owners will say that the car can use a modest drop (~1" to 2") to make it look meaner. They will also say that the stock offset is too conservative and can be pushed out a bit more. A drop with more aggressive offset will make it look better, but I recommend you drive the stock setup for a while prior to going aftermarket so you get accustomed to the differences and nuances between stock vs "performance mods".

A little off topic, but for engine/breathing performance - appears as though the thousands of $$ you can spend on intake/headers/exhaust won't get you very much performance gains at all without a tune.

[Ocean-Grown 86]

This won't do anything for looks, but you can get a 16mm WRX rear sway bar for less than $50. I got one off of NASIOC for $35 shipped. It's good for dialing out that little bit of understeer in low speed corners, but in the end it's all personal preference.

[Jinzen]

Thanks for the good suggestions guys.

Yea I don't think I'll bother doing anything with Power as anything short of adding forced induction seems like a waste of money.

[NOHOME]

"Simple mods to improve handling while improving looks?"

Comb your hair, wear a nice shirt and learn to drive? Let the girlfriend drive if she is hot?

Seriously, if you want to get around corners faster and better, the nut behind the wheel is where you need to invest your time and money. The rest is just bling.The money you are planning to spend will do absolutely nothing for your driving experience compared to a week-end of hiig speed driver training.

For that matter, how were you planning to measure "improvements" in handling? Do you have a baseline performance figure that can be trusted as a baseline and measured against? I think cell phones have an app for that and maybe you can measure before and after results?

Sorry, I am not trying to be a ****, just a bit of reality.