iM Feature: Beniot’s Scion FR-S & Spencer’s Toyota AE86

September 8, 2013

Two iconic Toyota’s, from different generations, one was the last of its kind at the end of the 80’s the other is reviving the lost art of balanced lightweight sports cars almost 20 years later. When the early concept car for what we now call the GT-86/FR-S/BR-Z first surfaced in 2007 I was instantly hooked on this car. The idea that Toyota was even considering making this sent tingles up my spine, If I have any brand loyalty its most definitely to Toyota. At 22 years old my mind was instantly flooded with endless possibilities and as time went on and the concept evolved it was made possible for anyone to drive and whip around famous race tracks in Gran Turismo and Forza. And was also followed by endless online forum discussions and amazing renderings by fellow enthusiasts.

Now fast forward to 2013 and here in North America we have the Scion FR-S, undoubtedly one of the most talked about and eagerly awaited cars in the import world and car industry period. Online forums and parking lots everywhere seemed to be talking a lot about who lays the most claim to this joint venture of a sports car. To me none of this mattered, because after all this is an enthusiasts car and this is directly reflected by the availability of aftermarket support.

Now here I am working in a shop at one of Toyota’s biggest dealerships in Alberta and the largest in Edmonton. My excitement was through the roof the first time I got to drive an FR-S into my own bay for some wrench time. It didn’t take long for modified FR-S’s to make their way into the shop and Beniot’s White Out FR-S was one of the first and one of the lowest, my hoist arms couldn’t even get under the body to lift it! Beniot was just as excited to see his car roll out the shop after its first oil change.

Yonaka Spec II coil overs and Eurotek 03’s provide the drop and eye candy.

Interestingly enough these exhaust tips were sourced from a Dodge Ram!

The AE86’s light weight and balanced nature played an influence to the drivetrain of the FR-S, Spencer’s 86 certainly does not follow any traditional route that most 86 owners go with aesthetically speaking.

Rat Rod is the first thing that came to my mind the first time I saw this ride. Raw is also another that comes to mind via different coloured panels, sanded body parts and exposed rivets. But check out that drift ready stance, this 86 is of the slideways breed!

A genuine JDM Kouki front bumper is combined with a rare Zenki lip up front.

J Blood side skirts can be found between custom made Smothies rounding out the low and aggressive stance of this AE86.

Hello! Zenki Sprinter taillights, TRD spoiler and J Blood rear fins round up the rear.

Moving inside we have a Grant steering wheel with Kitty Chan taking the rage out of any ill intent horn honking ha!

Whats a drift car with out gauges? A sole AEM Wideband Air/Fuel gauge is clearly visible to the driver where the dash air vent used to reside, followed below by a bank of Autometer gauges…..is that a boost gauge I see?

After a few years of learning and perfecting his drifting in a low HP car, Spencer felt it was time to up the ante in this AE86. A single Tomie M7960 turbo now calls the engine bay home.

Mishimoto aluminium radiator and intercooler help keep the temperature down.

Here is the heart that beats within a Toyota Venza Brown clad SR20?!?! For the unfamiliar you might not think twice about this motor and assume it is a standard Toyota motor, shaving off the Nissan markings keeps the swap low-key but still a head turner!

When searching for higher power Spencer wanted a swap capable to take 4500+ km road trips and be able to drift at a moments notice and of course be driven daily! These one off Smoothies were made to spec by a hot rod shop based out of the western states.

Wether your a fan of one or the other, both or none, there is no denying the importance of these two cars in the Import Scene as a whole.

The FR-S has only been available for a hot minute and can be found in many facets of the motor sports world, all the while these old Corolla’s are still doing their thing and show no signs of stopping.

Spencer’s SR20:

Engine:

98’ Blacktop SR20DET
Tomie M7960 turbo
Stainless tubular exhaust manifold
ACL race main bearings
ACL race connecting rod bearings
ARP main studs
ARP connecting rod bolts
ARP head studs
Apexi metal head gasket
Mishimoto FMIC
Mishimoto aluminum radiator
Mallory fuel pressure regulator
Walbro 195lph fuel pump
Central 20 tuned ecu
2.5 inch downpipe
3 inch mandrel under axel exhaust
Magnaflow muffler

Drivetrain:

ACT 6 puck unsprung clutch
ACT heavy duty pressure plate
Short shifter
One piece driveshaft
MA47 Supra 7.5 inch rear differential
4.11 gears

Suspension/Steering

Techno Toy Tunning camber plates
Techno Toy Tunning RCA’s
Techno Toy Tunning heim link adjustable panhard
Custom 40mm short stroked coilovers
SW20 MR2 AGX adjustable front dampers
8kg/mm coilover sleeves
GAB 8 way adjustable shocks
TRD 6kg/mm rear race springs

Interior:

Grant steering wheel
Autometer oil pressure gauge
Autometer water tempt gauge
Autometer boost gauge
Autometer volt gauge
AEM UEGO Wideband gauge

Exterior:

JDM Kouki front bumper
JDM Kouki rear bumper
JDM Zenki front lip
JDM Zenki Sprinter taillights
J Blood sideskirts
J Blood rear add-ons
TRD spoiler