Spuds' Vroom Machine
 

Hi. I'm Spuds and I have no idea what I am doing!

So some history first I suppose. I bought my FRS new in October 2013. Started doing all the periodic maintenance in 2015 and some basic mods in 2016 (see below). No major issues, and no, I never got the valve spring recall done. It's now at 60k miles and 9+years and I'm looking to make a few updates to it.

Why am I doing this? Well, the FRS is a pretty fantastic platform to learn things, and there's still a bunch of stuff I haven't tried. I was considering getting a gen 2, but having test drove one I decided I would spend a bit more time with my FRS. I also got myself addicted to autocross so there is that. So this is all an experiment just to try stuff out, in leu of getting an entirely new car.

My current plan for the car is to continue doing autocross, and possibly do some HDPE. I'm willing to sacrifice daily driver comfort for response, feedback, predictability, etc. I'm also willing to sacrifice a bit more money for better build quality and functionality where applicable. I would prefer to avoid common reliability problems though.

March 1, 2024 update: Smaller mod list this year, endlinks, another set of wheels, and just fixing some stuff. I'm pretty happy with the car at the moment. Still need to tune for the this specific header, which I at least got leaking less with some high temp rtv. Going to play around with damper settings.
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Current mods as of March 1 2024:
Power:
--OFT running a slightly modified v4 tune (in work)
--Perrin inlet tube
--AFE drop in dry air filter
--PTuning EL 4-1

Chassis/suspension/etc:
--RCE Tarmac 2
--Vorshlag front camber plates
--Verus rear LCAs
--Perrin 19mm front sway
--Whiteline front endlinks (KLC180-215)
-Whiteline rear endlinks (####)
--Whiteline rear subframe inserts
--Whiteline differential inserts
--STI engine mounts
--STI transmission mount
--Perrin shifter bushing
--Perrin MC brace

Alignment:
Front Camber: maxed out at -3.6°
Rear Camber: -2.3°
Toe: 0° all around

Exterior
--Full-sized underpanels
--Grimmspeed license plate relocation kit

Interior
--Some Mario Kart stickers for the lulz
--Dual lock pads holding my OFT where I can see it

Wheels/Tires
--Street set: Apex Arc-8 17x9+35 matte bronze with GT Gmax AS-05 245/40
--Autocross: Apex Arc-8 17x9+35 black with Bridgestone RE-71RS 245/40

Brakes:
--Centric plain rotors all around
--Ferodo DS2500 pads all around

Misc:
--Ultra's clutch slave swap
--Fumoto oil drain valve
--Amsoil transmission and diff oil
--PDM Tranquil Snout Kit 1 (PN) and associated TOB
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In the pipe (acquired, not installed yet):
--There is always room for more...


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This future mods section is subject for discussion in case anyone reads this and wants to give advice. I'd like to keep within the STX rules for the time being.

Power:
--working on the tune...
--maybe a different header, the ptuning leaks a bit
--catted FP and catback?
--anything and everything STX legal to cool the engine bay a bit...

Drivetrain:
--4.3 or 4.56 Final Drive -- not stx legal
--AL or CF drive shaft? -- not stx legal

Suspension:
--

Chassis:
--Are there any chassis braces that actually do anything?

Brakes:
--Maybe a bbk at some point in the future, especially if I get into track driving.

Wheels/Tires:
--i don't think my wife will let me have any more wheels ...
Interior: TBD.

Exterior: TBD.

Other:
--Lightweight battery and tie down.

First pic is from October 2022.

The Tools Post. I am going to attempt to keep a list of what tools and equipment I have and what I want/need/wish I had.

(Placeholder for tools lists)

How long have you been on the OFT tune? I'm thinking about it for my STX build as a stepping stone. The OFT first, then adding headers later after I get the suspension sorted and main money dump there.

I've run a Cobb 'stage 2' OTS tune on my WRX for years doing autocross. Worked fine. Might not have been the most power, but got the job done as the tunes usually run a hair rich to suit a variety of cars/climates, etc.

I got the OFT in 2016 or 2017, I forget exactly when. I actually (finally) joined the forum to ask about certain settings for it lol. It doesn't add a whole bunch of power by itself, but the logging and dialing in helps to understand how the car is running, vs a locked tune where you cannot see what is going on.

EL headers I'd go JDL or HKS, basing this off reviews. Personally I haven't heard anything regarding a drop in quality, I have on the other hand heard on long wait times due to staff shortages. Earlier UEL headers did have some fitment/ quality problems but I'm almost 3 years in on my UEL catted ones and everything has been perfect.



Overpipe not really needed, just a nice to have and do while you're down there replacing the header.



Catbacks, Fujitsubo, HKS, Greddy, JDL, ARK. I've been looking at ARK recently because of their beautiful design/sound, but I can't justify spending close to $2K on a catback.



Don't have much experience with brakes on this platform, but I've read that the StopTech kit is a good daily and light track duty set. From my research, it is often described as a OEM+. But I think CSG Mike would be a better resource for a final choice.



For interior, at least for quality of life, highly recommend, at least, to replace the interior lights from Diode Dynamics. I did the interior dome, door lights, license plate and it was great. Super easy too. A heavier shift knob from Raceseng was a huge improvement in drive-ability.


While you're doing the headers, get a rear shifter bushing from Perrin or Whiteline. I have a brand new, but opened, Whiteline transmission mount bushing that is also supposed to help with notchy shifting, if you want it.



For exterior, a cheap lip kit, can't tell you how many times I've hit that stupid little boulder or sidewalk on parking lots whenever I decided to pull in, instead of reverse parking. IF it wasn't because of my front lip kit, I would have a very ugly looking front bumper.

Double check STX legality of chassis braces...don't think they're legal most of the time.

I probably won't run SS brake lines ever again.

He who dies with the most tools, wins! At least that's what I keep telling myself.

- Andrew

Yeah I went back and read rules again after I originally posted. I think a tower brace might be allowed? Idk.

What's the drawback on SS lines?

Tools:. Lol. I suppose that is one way to look at it.

I've had an SS line shift just slightly and then rub through, causing brake failure. It's happened to others. Mostly though, modern OEM lines are essentially just as stiff and there's minimal advantage.

- Andrew

So far my JDL 4-2-1 is performing just fine. Welds, fitment is all on point. Took some time to get it but I understand that these are made to order items.

Overpipe is a good while you are in there piece. I've data logged a bunch with my gruppe-s OP with my tuner and will be upgrading soon to a slightly larger 2.5" OP. I'll be curious if the logs indicate any difference. Personally I doubt it but who knows.

You finally made one! I’d say go with HKS for generic EL headers or take a chance on JDL. I have the ACE and love them but it’s a shame they left us. As for fatback I’d recommend the HKS Legamax Sport!

The TOB started making fun noises last weekend at precisely 59,210 miles, so it looks like I'll also be pulling the transmission to fix it. While I contemplate going through all that effort for a $30 part, I figured I would start getting this updated.

Ordered:
-RCE T2s with Vorshlag camber plates
-OEM rear tophats
-PDM TSK1 clutch release bearing kit (sleeve and TOB)

I have Verus LCAs, clutch fork, and pivot sitting in a cart, but I still have questions the internet at large hasn't answered and am too introverted to go ask lol.

Looking at bushings/inserts/mounts next. Plus looking at updating lifting tools and process (jacks/stands/ramps).

Yeah, getting hooked on AX gave me something to target, and I had to type stuff up somewhere.

I was going to wait on exhaust stuff until later, but I guess I'm going to have to remove half of it anyway...

My wife is starting to give me concerned looks when I tell her that I am buying yet more parts. If only my exhaust suddenly developed rust holes in all the pieces just sitting in my garage...

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/HeftyDelay...restricted.gif

https://www.sciencecompany.com/Nitri...ed-500mL-P6387

Sounds like a reason to upgrade then!

I’ll be excited to see where this build goes.