WHAT DID YOU DO TO YOUR FRS TODAY?

[smackrel]

Originally Posted by suzyj

Still on the original spark plugs.

wowzers

[cmiovino]

Originally Posted by suzyj

Still on the original spark plugs.

Might want to do those spark plugs.

For us US folks, that's 154k miles. And here's me sitting over here fretting at 54k miles if I should do them now lol.

[suzyj]

Originally Posted by cmiovino

Might want to do those spark plugs.

For us US folks, that's 154k miles. And here's me sitting over here fretting at 54k miles if I should do them now lol.

I’ve had a set sitting in my shed since 90,000km. When I got them, I told myself no point in replacing them until the originals start to show signs of wear. After about 120,000km it turned into a science experiment to see what the longevity of the plugs really is. Even now at 240,000km I’m still averaging 6.7l/100km and it idles and goes like a new one.

Admittedly my commute is not typical. It’s a 120km round trip at 110km/h on Australian country roads (with lots of potholes, hence the new suspension components), but wear on my engine and brakes is non-existent.

[suzyj]

Well we did the spark plugs. We used the technique where you undo the engine mounts and then tilt each side up with a jack under the exhaust headers. Was very easy.

Could easily have gotten another 100,000km I reckon.

Next on the list is the clutch. Also original with 240,000km.

[bababooey]

152xxx miles, still on original set, tuned / catless. figured i'd get it done when some other issue comes up requiring a shop visit. unless starts to idle weird or acceleration lacking.

[RickyBobby]

I noticed a few months ago that some of the LEDs on my 10 year old Valenti tail lights were out. Amazed I got 10 years out of them. They never had water or condensation in them. I saw a video where a guy baked them at ~220F and then with a LOT of effort got them open and soldered on some new LEDs. NOPE. I purchased sequential red clear Vlands from their eBay store about 6 months ago for $170 + tax. shipped, finally got off my butt and installed them. On sale now at ebay for $159.99 with coupon code until 8/9. https://www.ebay.com/itm/314690141971
Valenti left turn signal, several LEDs out

Valenti right brake light, several LEds out.

Vland gaskets are crap, thin and soft. My Valentis came with rubber washers. Vlands did not, purchased some at Ace Hardware. I should have used Ninja gaskets.

Vlands do not line up in the center of holes. There is a slight overhang on the inside even when the lights are pushed as far to the outside as they will go. No problem though closing the trunk.




Valenti's quality is better than the Vlands. The gaskets were better, fit was perfect. Per installation instructions, I was able to torque the Valenti's nuts to 39 in-lbs. I tried torqueing one of the Vland's nuts to 35 in-lbs. No go, the bolt came loose from the light's plastic housing. I had to JB Weld it back in. I tried 25 in-lbs on the next bolt, lowest setting on my torque wrench, and it was ok. These lights come with a sort of installation manual. It does not say what to torque the nuts to but on their website I found this, "Scion FR-S. You need an 8mm deep socket and a torque wrench to properly torque the 4 nuts down to 3.3ftlb", which is 39.6 in-lbs. And from Ninja Gaskets website: https://gasketninja.com/instructions/, 39 in-lbs.
They do not come set for US use. You have to switch the 2 wire connectors.
What I do like about the Vlands, except the price, is that they are brighter than the Valentis.

The OEM and Ninja gaskets will not fit VLAND tail lights without cutting them so I decided to cut my own. I ordered this sheet of 1/4" neoprene foam, https://www.amazon.com/weyleity-Neop...%2C147&sr=8-20 and picked up a tube of 3M Weatherstrip adhesive from Walmart. https://www.walmart.com/ip/3M-Black-...2&from=/search The foam without the paper backing measured 0.275", ~7.0 mm with my digital caliper, slightly thicker than the VLAND gaskets and a bit more dense. I used the VLAND gasket as a template and a X-Acto knife to cut them out. I first removed the remaining 7 bolts from the VLAND's plastic housings, put a small amount of JB Weld on the threads before re-installing them. I was able to torque the nuts to 35 in-lbs when I installed the tail lights. I also like to use rubber washers on the bolts. The washers help keep the gasket from oozing out the body holes, i.e., the VLAND bolts that are not centered in the holes, and help distribute the torque on the gasket.

[RToyo86]

Installed 20mm front and 16mm rear sway bar.

On topic of spark plugs; last Friday I developed a severe misfire exiting the highway after a high RPM 3rd gear pull. Flashing CEL and stuttering. Had the car towed home and after some diag I found the cylinder 1 plug had failed. It was barely hand tight, my best guess was slightly loose causing a misfire until the electrode let go. No CEL prior which is odd if it misfired.

Ceramic insulator is still inside the plug loose(phew)

[RickyBobby]

This forum is not as busy as it was, but understandable. Some members have moved on to the GR86s or other cars. I am in my 70s so keeping my FR-S for now. It's still in great shape and only has 42K miles on it.

I was checking my oil the other day and noticed the cap on the low pressure AC line valve was missing. Could have cracked and fallen off?
I found these caps on Aliexpress. For 0.99 + tax shipped, WTH. I got them yesterday, took about 6 days. They fit. https://www.aliexpress.us/item/32568...yAdapt=glo2usa

[silly86]

Today's project is replacing both cv axles, axle seals, rear differential bushings (oem), and rear subframe risers. Couldn't find anything big enough to use as a press for the left rear diff bushing...so had to pause until tomorrow.

[blsfrs]

Originally Posted by RickyBobby

This forum is not as busy as it was, but understandable. Some members have moved on to the GR86s or other cars. I am in my 70s so keeping my FR-S for now. It's still in great shape and only has 42K miles on it.

I was checking my oil the other day and noticed the cap on the low pressure AC line valve was missing. Could have cracked and fallen off?
I found these caps on Aliexpress. For 0.99 + tax shipped, WTH. I got them yesterday, took about 6 days. They fit. https://www.aliexpress.us/item/32568...yAdapt=glo2usa
Attachment 228976

I'm also in my 70's and keeping my FRS. Just had the ac charged for the first time. Much nicer in the hot and humid weather and the dog likes it better too. Being semi-retired I usually only drive it once a week to take Gigi to her (and my) agility class. The class is a several miles out of town down a windy road. My FRS has a 2nd gen engine and I do like the extra power. I'll keep my FRS as long as I can get in and out of it.

[RickyBobby]

Originally Posted by blsfrs

I'm also in my 70's and keeping my FRS. Just had the ac charged for the first time. Much nicer in the hot and humid weather and the dog likes it better too. Being semi-retired I usually only drive it once a week to take Gigi to her (and my) agility class. The class is a several miles out of town down a windy road. My FRS has a 2nd gen engine and I do like the extra power. I'll keep my FRS as long as I can get in and out of it.

I thought about trading it in for, no one laugh, a Mazda3 sedan. My wife asked what's wrong with the FR-S. Nothing. I try driving it at least a few times a week. I live close to the TOTD and do 2-3 runs a year but it's now full of tourists' SUVs and slow Harley hogs. Close to sunset is the best time to run it.
I got me a few old fart aids to help with my bad back and getting in and out.
Lumbar pillow. https://www.amazon.com/TISHIJIE-Memo...28&sr=8-5&th=1
Car door handle https://www.amazon.com/Valorcielo-Po...9&sr=8-10&th=1
About 2 years ago I used about half of this AC charging kit, very easy to use.https://www.walmart.com/ip/A-C-Pro-A...260986&veh=sem It's been in the mid 90s here in mid TN for weeks. AC blowing a bit warm. I used the other half this week. Slow leak??

[Muskoka800]

Changing from the street set-up for Mondays trackday at TMP. 🏎️