Hey Guys

[JG]

Hey i'm new here and i'm planning on buying a used FR-S when i get back to the states (currently deployed in OEF). I plan to mod the car lightly also, is there any reccomendations where i should start? I admit i'm a complete noob to this and i want to put on the "essentials" only to save money. Wheels, Exhaust, Drop in Filter, Tint, and whatever else to make it sound nice. I've been reading around and have been following this forum for about a month now (because i'm in love with this car!). Thanks beforehand for any feedback.

[Chen]

Only thing I have to say: Thanks for serving. I truly appreciate it.

[JG]

I appreciate it. Anything to keep the loved ones safe.

[R_E_L]

If you just want a different sound put on a catback and call it a day, but a filter and exhaust will only give minimal returns in performance. Going from headers to exhuast + the intake and most importantly a tune has given a nice boost in power from what i've seen on threads here. But again it all depends on your goals. Get the car, drive it stock for a while to get a feel for what you think it needs. Then search the forums and read the build threads. That will help you the most.

[JG]

Nice thanks for the feedback. I read a few things about a header. What is that exactly? I thought it was apart of the Exhuast system. And will a tune destroy any warranty i hope to get on the car? I've read before that it could do that.

[Chen]

Originally Posted by JG

Nice thanks for the feedback. I read a few things about a header. What is that exactly? I thought it was apart of the Exhuast system. And will a tune destroy any warranty i hope to get on the car? I've read before that it could do that.

It generally is. But you could go with a CBE and still be happy. Also. If your looking to tune... Make sure you get every bolt on before your tuning. Or else your just wasting money.

[Target70]

the header is the part of the exhaust that bolts directly to the engine. an aftermarket header vs the factory exhaust manifold will provide better flow, and from what I understand, is the most restrictive part of our exhaust system, so upgrading will provide the largest power boost(after the car is tuned for it). to answer your other question, depending on the type of tune, and the dealership, you may have to fight to have warranty work done if they find you have a tune.

I would love to be able to give more examples, but I really don't know what you would are aiming for. I would agree with REL, drive it stock for a while and think about what you want more of. If it is performance on a budget, I don't think you can beat the OFT (open flash tablet) as a tuning solution. It is a tablet that you plug directly into the car and can reflash or tune it to optimize any bolt-ons. It allows you to adjust your tune for free when ever you want. They provide free pre-made tunes for certain upgrades such as exhaust and intake, plus you can flash back to the factory tune for free if you ever have to take the car back to the dealership. The OFT has a package deal to save money on the OFH(open flash header). With the OFT, and the OFH combo, you can throw in your choice of drop in filter like k&N, and flash it with the stage 2 tune(I think). Tires will be nice too when my stock ones go bald.

[JG]

I understand the tune will be the last thing i do to my car performance wise. Thank you for the explanation on what a header is. Finally i understand. I will definitely drive it stock for a bit and get used to it. My plan is to actually take care of the aesthetics first anyway (tint, tires and wheels, etc.). To clear what i'm aiming for i would love the car to be a bit more torquey. I'm fine with the horsepower as i haven't had any sports cars to judge it off of. I won't be taking it to the track and i'm not a stoplight racer lol. I just want a car that I feel good in and thats why i want the FR-S.

[Target70]

you should get a good sense about the car while you work on the aesthetics. You may find that stock it pulls hard enough to leave it stock, but if not, torque in this car is hard to come by. Really if you want much more than stock you have to go FI (force induction) aka supercharger/turbocharger. Just a word of caution, electronically this car seems to be very temperamental. Most bolt-on mods seem to gain very little without a tune, and some mods without a tune can actually cause you to loose power and/or throw check engine lights such as a catless header, or a CAI (cold air intake).

Also I feel I should provide a disclaimer. I am not affiliated with the people who make or sale the Open Flash products, I in fact have not used nor do I own any, but they are on my "to do" list.

The first mods I did after I bought the car was to buy some good rubber floor mats (I went with husky liners, a lot of people go with weather tech)

I disabled the window indexing (auto roll down a little when opening the door).

I modified the traction control so that it turns off automatically when I start the car.

I replaced the transmission and differential oil with motul gear 300 (higher quality oil) some people claim it will help to shift smoother,(I couldn't tell a difference) but as the gears are new they will shead a lot of metal fragments early during break-in, so I believe it is advisable to change the oil after a few thousand miles

I also disabled the daytime running lights.

you might not be interested in some or most of these, but I just thought I'd give you some options/examples

as soon as I finish building a carport to protect my new car, I'll start on my performance mods.

[JG]

Originally Posted by Target70

You may find that stock it pulls hard enough to leave it stock, but if not, torque in this car is hard to come by. Really if you want much more than stock you have to go FI (force induction) aka supercharger/turbocharger. Just a word of caution, electronically this car seems to be very temperamental. Most bolt-on mods seem to gain very little without a tune, and some mods without a tune can actually cause you to loose power and/or throw check engine lights such as a catless header, or a CAI (cold air intake).

I heard to go the forced induction route is costly and nobody knows if the longevity of the vehicle is tampered with by doing so. I remember reading that the 86 twins don't take too kindly to bolt on's without a tune. I like what you did first with your vehicle though. I actually will do what you did to the windows also. I don't like the idea of my windows being a little down when i leave the vehicle (i'm not leaving my dog in the car lol). Idk if it will pull harder with stock tires, I just don't like the stock rims and the skinny look of the tires in general. Though i read they're good for drifting!

[Migero86]

Originally Posted by R_E_L

If you just want a different sound put on a catback and call it a day, but a filter and exhaust will only give minimal returns in performance. Going from headers to exhuast + the intake and most importantly a tune has given a nice boost in power from what i've seen on threads here. But again it all depends on your goals. Get the car, drive it stock for a while to get a feel for what you think it needs. Then search the forums and read the build threads. That will help you the most.

I would have to agree... get the car first for sure. Drive it and enjoy it as it is and once you are comfortable with it then I would say start modding.

I have a drop in filter, Silicone Intake Pipe, modified snorkel, UEL, OFT Stage 2 tune on 94oct... This has brought the car to life in my opinion. Suspension wise, if you do start modding that side of things, you will also want to keep the rubber upgraded to keep up with the suspension upgrades as the tires are passable with a stock setup, however, they quickly slide down the slope into useless on a modded setup.

Welcome to the club, you will really enjoy this car if you go in expecting it to be a fun car that delivers without the brute power of muscle car. (its unfortunate, but alot of people expect this car to be just that... its not).

Its nostalgic, raw and connected.

[JG]

Originally Posted by Migero86

I would have to agree... get the car first for sure. Drive it and enjoy it as it is and once you are comfortable with it then I would say start modding.

Sounds good to me!

Originally Posted by Migero86

Welcome to the club, you will really enjoy this car if you go in expecting it to be a fun car that delivers without the brute power of muscle car. (its unfortunate, but alot of people expect this car to be just that... its not).
Its nostalgic, raw and connected.

That's exactly what i'm expecting it to be. I understand it won't be a Mustang/charger/camaro. I see WAY to many of those on the streets and i've never seen this car until someone told me to research it. I was actually going to buy a G35 or G37. Now i see it as a boat and my understanding of cars is a little different now.

[Migero86]

Originally Posted by JG

That's exactly what i'm expecting it to be. I understand it won't be a Mustang/charger/camaro. I see WAY to many of those on the streets and i've never seen this car until someone told me to research it. I was actually going to buy a G35 or G37. Now i see it as a boat and my understanding of cars is a little different now.

Glad to see your approach to this, there is nothing wrong with all the other vehicles mentioned, they just arent apple to apple comparos and truly they are designed and perform to said design.

Keep us posted on your progress and this place is a wealth of information, sometimes its overload.

[DarkSunrise]

If I were starting over from scratch, I'd go with Vishnu's Open Flash Header + Open Flash Tablet combo first for $1k. Gains of almost 20 hp to the wheels. Or if you want more midrange torque and have some money, the Nameless EL header + tune.

Then go from there since a header will significantly increase noise and rasp. You'll want to pick your other exhaust mods accordingly.