Eric Jensen’s LS Swapped GridLife Scion FRS Race Car

An LS-swapped Scion FRS embodies what GridLife Touring Cup is all about. Racers can use their creative freedom to build something that hasn't been done before in traditional club racing. You have your classic BMW purist builds, LS Swaps, K-swaps, S2ks, Vettes, Hondas, Miatas, and more, all racing against each other regulated by a power-to-weight ratio. The simple formula that has made GridLife grow exponentially in the last few years. 

Eric Jensen is one of those new drivers who found his way to GTLC in the past few years. He has taken advantage of the short rule book to build something fun, fast, and reliable to go racing with. "Honestly, I didn't know club racing or HPDE even existed. In 2017 my uncle Jeff told me about a track near him and only an hour away that I could drive on. So, I went to an HPDE event to talk with the drivers and see what it was about. I knew right away that I wanted to do it. I came home and told my son that I wanted to build a track car, the FRS or the 370z. Which one do you want as your daily? He chose the 370z," Eric told us. 

And so began the slippery slope as Eric got his race license with NASA in May of 2019. "I signed up for the NASA Championships at Mid Ohio that year. That weekend really hooked me. It was the biggest field I'd raced in with 14 cars on the grid." Racing wouldn’t be as widespread as it is without the bench racers talking their buddies into doing this crazy expensive thing. Also, "​​I had several racers telling me about how fun GridLife was. I could tell from live-streamed races and in-car YouTube videos that these drivers are really good. I wanted to see if I could compete at that level. I did my first GLTC race in April 2021 at NCM and have only missed two events since"; needless to say; Eric is quickly becoming a veteran in the GLTC paddock.

“The community is family, and everyone involved makes it special. I have some terrific friends in GLTC. We help each other, cook food for each other, hang out, and race. What's better?" 

Of course, LS Swaps are something we've all seen before. With so many engines around and a plentiful amount of readily available parts, it's a great way to upgrade horsepower without spending crazy amounts of money. But choosing the proper chassis for an LS might be the best decision one could make. The Scion FRS / BRZ / 86 platform isn't the flashiest choice. But the shorter wheelbase, light curb weight, and excellent handling characteristics make it a sneaky good pick that gets overlooked often. For GLTC, his max horsepower is 216hp, and his minimum weight is 2984 lbs which is the highest weight penalty on the grid. 

Here are a few highlights of Eric's build: 
2016 Scion FRS GSpeed installed LS2 engine with Sikky install kit
Dailey Engineering dry sump
Verus Engineering high-performance radiator with a PWR core
Dual Setrab oil coolers
Motec M150 ECU, Motec C127 dash, Motec camshaft.   
GForce GSR 4sp dogbox trans.  
Tilton 7.25 3 plate clutch.  
Custom driveshaft.  
OS Giken LSD and 3.58 final drive with the Driveshaft Shop axles.
Full SPL Suspension 
AP Racing sprint BBK in front
Cobalt Racing Brake Pads
Front wheels are custom Forgeline 18x10.5 to mount to stock 5x100 bolt pattern. 
Nexen NFera SportR tires. 
JRZ Pro3 coilovers with Swift Springs set up by Inertia Laboratory.  
Homemade air dam and plywood splitter.  
Simon McBeath designed the rear wing built by DJ Engineering.

When GridLife Festival Tour recently visited Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, South Carolina, from March 31st through April 2nd, we were there to root on Eric and our clients' trackside. Sometimes there are more tough weekends than good weekends in racing, but that's just the nature of the sport. Unfortunately for Eric, he had one of those rough weekends in Carolina. 

"After COTA, I knew my car might have an issue developing, but I wasn't sure what it was. So I changed the rear spring rate in hopes that was the issue ahead of CMP. But my car was still not pulling at the corner exit, though; crazy loose. I tried making big sway bar changes, but nothing helped. I then suspected it might be the differential. Sure enough, first hot lap of qualifying, and BOOM, no more engagement." 

I went to look for a spare diff, and the first person I asked had one, Tyler Starr. Only one problem, it had a 4.44 FD, and mine was a 3.58. My top speed was limited to 110 mph, and I usually am closer to 120. I called a junkyard, but they didn't have one, so we put the replacement on with the help of buddies. I was limited in speed but still racing. I missed race 1, made the repairs, and had to start from the back in race 2. With it raining, I aimed to keep it clean and make a few passes. All was going well until the last lap. My oil temp dropped to 120, and now the ECU kicks in the rev limiter at 3k. I had to limp around the final lap at 50mph and get passed by a lot of cars. Races 3 and 4 went about the same. There's not much I could have done with the top-speed limitations, but I still had some fun battles. Not everyone knew what I was dealing with, so I used it to my advantage to keep some cars behind."

When you have one of those weekends, there is usually lots to repair. "I've got to change the clutch plates, fix the trans (was popping out of 3rd), and modify the diff. I'll be mostly back together for Watkins Glen. The only thing missing will be the OS Giken LSD, and stock Torsen LSD will have to do until the OSG is repaired."

Outside of the repairs, Eric still has aspirations of getting a little more involved with set-up changes. "I'm going to spend more time developing the car's balance and understanding how set-up changes affect the handling. I usually just put gas in and go. But I just had it corner-balanced for the first time before this season and want to hone in more on dialing in the car. Regarding racing aspirations, he tells us he's happy with where he landed. "I don't see myself doing anything else motorsports related. I've found a home. Especially now that my son races in GLTC too. It's a family thing!" That's what racing is all about in the end—going fast and having fun with friends and family.