Modding your DD - where's the sweet median?

[Scubaru]

To start off, let me explain what I mean by the title.

There's quite a few guys like myself that are modding our cars to improve the overall performance of our car, but want to sacrifice as little as possible of OEM like characteristics for a daily driver. In my case, my car sees a lot of spirited driving on back roads, very minimal track time, and a good percentage of stop and go traffic/highway driving. I want to improve the performance of the car without making it unbearable to drive as a DD.

A few examples to explain:
I have TRD springs on my car. It gave the car a modest drop, improved the looks and performance, but the car still retains a ride like quality to keep it enjoyable as a DD.

The Sprintex S/C I have greatly improved the performance of the car, but as far as just cruising around town or cruising on the interstate, you can hardly tell a difference before/after installation.

This is not limited to anything. Engine mods, FI, braking system, clutches, wheel/tire combos, suspension, differentials, etc. Any personal experience you have to share about a product that you use on your DD will be greatly appreciated.

Hopefully we can get some good information in here!

[FRSNewb]

The Spec-D Headlights, with an HID kit, and switchbacks I installed certainly make my car super sexy to look at from the front at night.........these are the only mods I have done to my car thus far

[Ponwh]

Imo in the near future when I get a frs. Sound deadning. currently I think the rs1.0 already have good amount of mods on it but I'm not digging the color.

[extrashaky]

I have a '14 BRZ, and most of my mods have been functional with a couple of cosmetics thrown in. I drive mostly long highway miles (almost exactly 30,000 miles in 12 months of ownership). I have done no performance mods, because I really haven't felt the car needed it.

The first thing I did was add a Cusco heel/toe pedal.

The next thing I did was swap out the stock triangular knee rests for JDM padded ones for highway comfort. (Now you can get them domestically.)

Then I fabbed my own cell phone holder (seen here), because the aftermarket options were pitifully inadequate.

I also run Torque all the time on a separate dedicated phablet (seen here). Not really a "mod" per se, but still very useful.

Then it was Tom's tails and a Tapturn with strobepack. That wasn't just cosmetic. I have a recurring problem with people tailgating me in this car, and the strobes are useful in getting some of them to back off.

Then I did JDM Toyota clear side markers (with amber bulbs), just because.

Then I installed the [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Toyota-PT478-18130-Armrest-Center/dp/B00P3FWH2G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1423068558"]FR-S armrest[/ame], again for highway comfort.

Then I installed a Beat-Sonic Blaid antenna, which provides no functional improvement whatsoever. Sometimes I look at it and really like it, and other times I look at it and think it looks stupid as hell. I started to remove it once but couldn't find the allen wrench, so it's still there.

I have a set of RPF1s for it, but I'm waiting until I burn down the rubber on the stock Primacy tires before swapping on the Enkeis with Michelin PSSs. That will be my first "performance" mod.

I keep threatening to put a loud exhaust on it, but then I think of how my head will ring after a five hour drive and don't.

Finally, I have everything I need to install a real oil pressure gauge on the car. I have a JP Instruments slimline digital oil pressure gauge out of a crashed Beechcraft that is almost the right size to fit in the center console where that stupid clock is currently located. With all the crap I keep reading about oil starvation and spun bearings, I really ought to make this a priority, but my Jeep project keeps taking up all my time.

[tigermack]

Probably something like ST coils or JRZ (depending how often I autox/track) if I start from the ground up. Full bolt ons, stock seats, some 18x9.5 with a lip kit.

[Tcoat]

I like my RS*R lowering springs and sway bar combo. Between the two they firm the ride up and compliment handling just right for my taste.
Also a big fan of the TRD exhaust and drop in filter as they give me the sound I want but don't attract to much attention and my neighbors have not shown up with torches and pitchforks for my 5am cold starts!

[extrashaky]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I like my RS*R lowering springs and sway bar combo. Between the two they firm the ride up and compliment handling just right for my taste.

I would love to lower my car, but this is a shot from right outside my apartment showing a typical Louisiana street.



Since that photo was taken (just a couple of weeks ago), another pothole has opened up to the left of the two large ones in the foreground, such that I now can't drive the BRZ down that street at all at stock height because there's no way to negotiate those holes without bottoming out. I have to drive several blocks in the other direction to get out of my neighborhood now. If I were lowered, I wouldn't even be able to negotiate that alternate route because of lumps and holes over there.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by extrashaky

I would love to lower my car, but this is a shot from right outside my apartment showing a typical Louisiana street.


Since that photo was taken (just a couple of weeks ago), another pothole has opened up to the left of the two large ones in the foreground, such that I now can't drive the BRZ down that street at all at stock height because there's no way to negotiate those holes without bottoming out. I have to drive several blocks in the other direction to get out of my neighborhood now. If I were lowered, I wouldn't even be able to negotiate that alternate route because of lumps and holes over there.

I have to spend a day a week just outside of Detroit for the next few months and can say, without a doubt, that if I had to drive those roads and Interstates every day I would not be lowered either!
Good lord I can see why pickups and suvs are so popular there.

[Ddreder]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I like my RS*R lowering springs and sway bar combo. Between the two they firm the ride up and compliment handling just right for my taste.
Also a big fan of the TRD exhaust and drop in filter as they give me the sound I want but don't attract to much attention and my neighbors have not shown up with torches and pitchforks for my 5am cold starts!

Do you have the super down RSR springs? I am really interested in these but am having a hard time deciding.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Ddreder

Do you have the super down RSR springs? I am really interested in these but am having a hard time deciding.

Yes. I really like them. I like a firm ride and that is what I get without having the crap beat outta me.

[PhantomX]

It depends on each person's personal preference for a DD. I've had many modded cars that I used as track cars and DD. I was willing to live with the fact that with some engine mods, my MPG would go down. I'll probably be the same way when I get my FR-S.

[BRZZZZZZZZZZ]

Everything I have ever touched on my BRZ has made it a shitter daily driver.

Therefore I don't daily drive it.

[Wise]

I mod my car so that it won't compromise on daily driving.

Got catless header and tune, but made sure I chose a catback (Q300) that wouldn't make the car sound obnoxious.

Run springs and camber bolts. My ride height is at 100mm which is dead on legal limit for Australia. Ride is firm, but forgiving on bumps and potholes.

The only drawback I've found to my modding is that now I have to be extremely careful when parralel parking so I don't scrape the wheels. Not that I wasn't careful on the stock wheels.

[Turbowned]

I was given sagely advice when I was growing up modding cars:


Street parts are for street cars. Race parts are for race cars. Don't mix the two.


This should go for engine mods, exhaust, suspension, brakes, interior, aero, you name it. If you want a comfortable daily it's usually best to avoid straight-through mufflers, gutted interiors, big wings, aggressive suspension setups and harsh brake pad compounds. If you want to do all that stuff, get a separate car to daily drive. Know what I mean?