Should I add Forced Induction to the FR-S?

"Maximum_Odyssey" (Maximum_Odyssey)
06/02/2014 at 15:19 • Filed to: None

So, I've thought about it adding a super charger, similar to the one that the Edmunds crew used, but then I see their 0-60 numbers, and then I think that I will only use the extra power about 1% of the time. Is it really worth it? Anyone have any firsthand experience on driving impressions?

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DISCUSSION (35)

CalzoneGolem > Maximum_Odyssey
06/02/2014 at 15:21

Yes. Next question.

Maximum_Odyssey > CalzoneGolem
06/02/2014 at 15:21

Very convincing argument you make.

Party-vi > Maximum_Odyssey
06/02/2014 at 15:22

$5k seems like a lot for 65hp or so. I'm in the same boat as you because I would love to SC my E46, but really that's like dumping $6k into a car worth $6k and crossing my fingers that the slushbox won't asplode.

offroadkarter > Maximum_Odyssey
06/02/2014 at 15:25

your car needs all the help it can get in the power department so yes...

William Byrd > Maximum_Odyssey
06/02/2014 at 15:25

$4700 for the kit, how much would an install be?

That's a lot of cash. I would typically ask myself what a trade-in plus $X thousand dollars would get me. But if the FR-S is the car for you, just needs power, than maybe! Consider warranties, reliability, etc. as well. Nobody I know who added FI to their factory non-FI car has had a fully reliable car unfortunately. One was a twin-turbo V8 Mustang though, so he was already asking for problems. haha

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > Maximum_Odyssey
06/02/2014 at 15:26

Either that, or just try to shoehorn an EJ257 in and call it a day.

Maximum_Odyssey > William Byrd
06/02/2014 at 15:27

As far as install goes and looking at the video, it looks like something I could do myself in a day.

However, you bring up another point that I've been wrestling with: reliability. There's something to be said for a car that I can have fun with and expect it to run 200,000 miles with minimal problems. Adding some boost completely wrecks that.

CRider > Maximum_Odyssey
06/02/2014 at 15:28

First ask yourself how much more it would cost to swap in a LS engine

William Byrd > Maximum_Odyssey
06/02/2014 at 15:29

Shoot, I'm not that mechanically inclined. That'll save you some cash though!

It's always something, a gasket, something is leaking, the boost setting or tune is off, blinker fluid low, etc. I have a lot of "friends with project cars" and the damn things seem to be in the shop more than they are on the road.

Jonathon Klein > Maximum_Odyssey
06/02/2014 at 15:30

I'm in the same boat, I keep looking at the SC's for the FR-S and wonder if I should or not. I think the Vortech is the best one=least likely to fail, but it's a big if. Also killing the warranty isn't fun. I say, add smalls stuff that no dealer really cars about, exhaust, tune, maybe some suspension bits, and run it into the ground.

Maximum_Odyssey > William Byrd
06/02/2014 at 15:31

Well, this kit is very well designed and a SC kit is a much easier install than a Turbo kit. I'd probably do it myself with a friend to assist.

ncasolowork2 > Maximum_Odyssey
06/02/2014 at 15:31

Do you auto cross or take the car to track days? If the answer is yes then the answer to your question is yes. If the answer is no, why the hell don't you do that?

Nothing > Maximum_Odyssey
06/02/2014 at 15:32

Looking at the 0-60 on the Edmunds site, that seems like a lotta scratch for a 2/10 second improvement.

Saracen > Party-vi
06/02/2014 at 15:33

it's a lot better than $5k for 30 horsepower like you'll get from Cosworth..

YSI-what can brown do for you > Maximum_Odyssey
06/02/2014 at 15:34

First drive it with 200hp, race it and improve the handling as much as you can. Then add FI. It is much easier to tell what is wrong with a cars handling with less power.

Maximum_Odyssey > Jonathon Klein
06/02/2014 at 15:34

The thing I don't like about the Vortech kit is the higher boost/hp numbers. I'd rather not start having to upgrade the entire engine. The Innovate kit is pretty much a bolt on kit with low enough boost that the stock engine can probably handle.

Party-vi > Saracen
06/02/2014 at 15:35

But...but...Cosworth!

YSI-what can brown do for you > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura
06/02/2014 at 15:35

They got a Tomei Ej26 in there.

Kinja'd!!!

Maximum_Odyssey > CRider
06/02/2014 at 15:37

Wow. As epic as that sounds, I wonder what that does to the handling.

Maximum_Odyssey > ncasolowork2
06/02/2014 at 15:38

No, probably due to me being a fraidy cat and worrying about insurance, etc. However, maybe when it is 5-6 years old and I am in a better financial position I will take it to the track.

Maximum_Odyssey > Nothing
06/02/2014 at 15:39

Exactly.

CRider > Maximum_Odyssey
06/02/2014 at 15:42

It only adds 60 lbs so it should still handle pretty close to stock. LS engines are unbelievably light weight. That supercharger for the stock engine probably adds almost as much weight to the front, and adds it all higher up. Here's a link with more info about the swap.

ncasolowork2 > Maximum_Odyssey
06/02/2014 at 15:47

Cones don't hurt. Take it to the auto-x course.

Saracen > Nothing
06/02/2014 at 15:47

The dramatically improved midrange punch it's what's most important here, and it's what will let you have more fun and exploit the chassis' capabilities. Traction off the line will factor quite a bit into something as overrated as 0-60 times. Toyobarus aren't dragsters.

Jonathon Klein > Maximum_Odyssey
06/02/2014 at 15:47

I think the Vortech kit is the same boost pressure at 9psi. And it's a bolt on kit too. I'm just not that familiar with Innovate as I am with Vortech.

Saracen > Party-vi
06/02/2014 at 15:48

Meh.

Oh, and it's more like 80hp. To the wheels.

Party-vi > Saracen
06/02/2014 at 15:49

Nah - Delicious Tuning said the Stage 2 did a max gain of 90hp to the wheels, but peak hp was only 65hp to the wheels. That being said, they did state there was no loss for power anywhere in the RPM range.

Nothing > Saracen
06/02/2014 at 15:50

I imagine so, but I wouldn't spend that money without being able to get my butt in a seat and checking it out for myself. That's when (for me personally) I could determine if my time and $5k are worth it for what seem to be mild improvements on paper.

Keep in mind the closest I've been to an FR-S is when I peeked in the window at the dealer when my wife was looking at 4Runners.

STANDARD6SPEED > Maximum_Odyssey
06/02/2014 at 15:52

If that's your reasoning for not tracking or autocrossing it then you really shouldn't be doing this mod, imo. I don't mean that to specifically be a douche or something, but that's just my opinion.

Saracen > Party-vi
06/02/2014 at 16:03

Yeah, I see that now.

After looking at some data I think the Jackson Racing blower is the best to get for the FR-S. It actually makes more torque than the Innovate kit despite using a Rotrex blower.

Tripper > Maximum_Odyssey
06/02/2014 at 16:07

My buddy has a BRZ and did the kraftwerks kit. It's a centrifugal kit unlike the twin screw pictured. Much better, it was so slow before. However the throttle is a bit jerky in the low rpm range. A decent tune should iron that out.

davedave1111 > Maximum_Odyssey
06/02/2014 at 16:24

Personally I can't see how it makes sense. Either you're adding so much power that you're radically changing the character of the car, in which case just sell it and buy a different car, or you're not, in which case what's the point?

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Maximum_Odyssey
06/02/2014 at 16:37

Isn't the engine in the FRS and WRX basically the same engine, just one is FI? If that's the case then I don't think a little boost would hurt it.

Andl > Maximum_Odyssey
06/02/2014 at 23:24

Do it or no NO BALLS.

If you install it carefully you can remove it when/if the engine blows and nobody will be any wiser. Not its some huge turbo set up...

M3charles > Nothing
06/03/2014 at 15:38

didnt wach edmunds, but isnt a "thing" about the fr-s its skinny tires? Probably that limits traction for launch, thus not much better 0-60.