Dadhawk's FR-S (6AT Firestorm)

[russv]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

They are much more substantial than the stock units, so yes, although I didn't weigh them. The stocks ones aren't much more than an aluminum tube with a support in them.

The speed shop manager at my Pep Boys said they typically only stock one of these at a time. He had it shipped in from the distribution center. Got it same day. I think if you order them online you can have them shipped to your local store for free.

Thanks. Will do.

[Mr.Jay]

the fun really starts now! I broke in my FRS and boy am I glad I did

looking sharp with the new tips and fin!

[Dadhawk]

I updated my mileage and MPG ratings in post #1.

After about 2,700 miles and I think I can say with confidence Olivia has settled into an MPG "real life" rating of about 31MPG for me. I don't do a lot of EPA "City" driving, but unfortunately don't know what my average speed is since the on-board computer does not show that. Haven't checked to see if that is available from memory.

My lowest MPG tank so far has been the 29.38 and 29.32. The 29.38 was the first tank, which I believe was "regular". The 29.32 included two trips into downtown Atlanta, which is always more stop than go, and one commute that was twice as long as normal due to an accident.

The highest has been 34.62 which was mostly 55 - 80MPH driving on the interstate and about 60 miles worth of twisty, 3rd/4th gear mountain twisties.

In the end, given I expected to be well below 30, more in the 27MPG range, I'm very happy with these numbers.

[Dadhawk]

@JPM Coachworks (one of the commercial ventures on here) is located within "spittin' distance" of me. As they have posted here, they are looking at doing some custom work for the BRZ and the FR-S.

Since they had seen a BRZ but not an FR-S, they asked if I would be willing to drop by so they could take a look. In exchange, they were willing to swap a BRZ e-brake boot (red stitching) for my e-brake boot (black stitching). Well, how could I refuse!

Met today with Joe and Alex at their shop. I let them crawl around the FR-S, we talked about an hour about options and such for the interior (storage room, alternate steering wheels, replacement instrument hood with stitching, replacement door and knee panels, etc). They also showed me some of their custom parts they do for S2000s and Subarus, as well as letting me take a look at a beautiful '64 Corvette Stingray they were doing some interior work on. They had built a nice armrest for the 'Vette that looked like it had been done at the factory.

Based on what I've seen, these guys do quality handcrafted work using domestic products whenever possible (a plus for me). If there is anything on the interior readers would like to see done, I suggest you visit their website and shoot them a note. They are a small shop so they can only invest in products they know they can sell!

They are also both car guys. Alex is the former President of the local Subaru club and Joe headed up the S2000 club, that's how they met.

After we talked a while they brought out the OEM e-brake boot they had, and Joe took literally less than two minutes to swap them out. He did it so fast I didn't think to snap a before/after shot, but here at least is the after.

Yea, its a small change, but it's one of the single things that bugged me the most.

Thanks JPM Coachworks!

[ZetaVI]

Wow! They did an awesome job! I love it.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by ZetaVI

Wow! They did an awesome job! I love it.

I should point out (as I did above) this is an OEM (BRZ) boot, not a custom job by them, but they did do the swap out for me. They were honest enough to admit that unless you want to change the fabric, they couldn't really do it much cheaper than OEM. However, they are looking at doing matching fabric boots, which is why they wanted the unit for a pattern.

[ChrisOkc8]

I like how it matches the red stitching on the seats. Looks great!

[mezdup]

Nice. Looks great!

Sent from HTC Rezound using Tapatalk 2

[Dadhawk]

(Fuel numbers updated in the OP)

Went to "Caffeine and Octane" today (Atlanta's version of Cars and Coffee). "Olivia" had the good fortune of parking with 2 of her sisters (OK, technically one is a half-sister). For a brief write-up and more photos just click the pic.

[russv]

DadHawk

Thanks for the post. I was sitting in my car yesterday and the lack of red stitching was a bit annoying. In my trolling of auto parts stores I notice a handbrake boot with red stitching for $9.99 and was sorely tempted. But I am definitely interested in a high quality one and will look at the Subaru version. I wonder how difficult it would be to replace.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by russv

DadHawk

Thanks for the post. I was sitting in my car yesterday and the lack of red stitching was a bit annoying. In my trolling of auto parts stores I notice a handbrake boot with red stitching for $9.99 and was sorely tempted. But I am definitely interested in a high quality one and will look at the Subaru version. I wonder how difficult it would be to replace.

It literally took them 2 minutes. The entire side panel snaps off and pulls over the end of the e-brake handle, then you slide the other one on and snap it back in.

[Shagaliscious]

E-brake boot looks much better with the matching red stitching.

About your ipod, you could get a USB extension, i'm sure you could run that behind some panels into your glovebox, and just keep your ipod in there. Not completely invisible, but at least your ipod would be in the glovebox.

[russv]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

It literally took them 2 minutes. The entire side panel snaps off and pulls over the end of the e-brake handle, then you slide the other one on and snap it back in.

Subaruonlineparts.com has them for $69.13 plus shipping. Part number 92123CA310

[mezdup]

Originally Posted by russv

Subaruonlineparts.com has them for $69.13 plus shipping. Part number 92123CA310

oh man i kinda want the spoiler but i doubt subaru's colors would match the FR-S

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by mezdup

oh man i kinda want the spoiler but i doubt subaru's colors would match the FR-S

The colors are all the same except for the Hot Lava and the Subaru blue (whichever one it is that is a Subaru exclusive). The codes are different but it's the same colors, at least that's what has been said here by folks that know better than me.

UPDATE: Got it backwards, codes are the same, names are different with exception of the two "exclusives". Thanks to those below that set me straight!

[civicdrivr]

The codes from what I can tell are identical (for everything but Hot Lava and WRB, as you said).

My asphalt FR-S has paint code 61k, which is the same as Subarus Dark Grey Metallic.

EDIT - These are the codes as posted by @Calidrifter in another thread:

Asphalt/DGM - 61K
Argento/ASM. - D6S
Firestorm/LR - C7P
Hot Lava - H8R
Ultramarine/GBS - E8H
Raven/CBS - D4S

[OrbitalEllipses]

Codes are identical, names are different.

[JPM Coachworks]

Great meeting you, Mitch. What you see installed into Dadhawk's FR-S is an OEM Subaru Product. We will be producing our own variant from upgraded materials (read as not vinyl) to match either the leather or Alcantara found within the BRZ platform. Please visit our website for a few examples of "catalog" style items or our flickr for custom work performed: http://www.jpmusa.com and http://www.flickr.com/jpmcoachworks, respectively.

We intend to run a few group-buys to introduce this community to a handful of our handcrafted products including the steering wheel, clusterhood, shift boot (both AT and MT), brake boot, knee pads, door pads / speaker surrounds and sun visors. We have been asked to address the issue of covering the rear bulkhead once the seats are put down as well as storage solutions for the front of the ****pit. If you have any question or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us via the Contact form on our website, telephone at (678) 858-4785 or sales [at] jpmusa [dot] com.


Alcantara Dash Panel for JDM Right-Hand Drive Subaru Impreza WRX/STI MY2002-07 by JPMCoachworks, on Flickr


arkperformance-jpmcoachworks-2012-sema-hyundai-veloster-05 by JPMCoachworks, on Flickr


jpm-coachworks-lamborghini-diablo-vt-roadster-interior-alcantara-leather-edelman-006 by JPMCoachworks, on Flickr


rallysportdirect-jpmcoachworks-2011-sema-subaru-wrx-sti-05 by JPMCoachworks, on Flickr


(Sorry for the thread jack, Mitch!)

Best Regards,
Alex

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

Went to "Caffeine and Octane" today (Atlanta's version of Cars and Coffee). "Olivia" had the good fortune of parking with 2 of her sisters (OK, technically one is a half-sister).

Some more photos of the 3 cars are available on the southrnfresh.com website. For details, click the pic.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by JPM Coachworks

Great meeting you...




....

No problem on the thread jack! Might want to post something in the vendor section if you haven't already.

I saw the instrument hood portion of the dash shown above. That was an excellent, high quality piece of work! Look forward to seeing what you come up with in the future.

[AX_FRS]

The brake boot looks like it should have been that way all along. I think an upgrade to the visors would be good because when I was in an FRS, they seemed so cheap and ugly.

[Dadhawk]

I converted my CF Frame to a photo frame for my wall. Click the pick for the DIY instructions.