Viper8's '13 FRS DD / Track Build
 

So, smbstyle's track build log inspired me to start my own thread. This thread intends to track the progress of my daily driven 2013 FRS as it works to become a track machine.

My intentions include...
-Keep this car my daily driver
-Make this car as fast on the track as possible within my budget
-Keep this build naturally aspirated
-Prioritize best value upgrades
-Have a blast doing all the above

Running upgrade list:

Suspension/Brakes/Wheels:
-Enkei RPF1 17x7.5 wheels
-Sumitomo HTR Z tires
-DBA USA 4000 T3 slotted rotors
-Ferodo DS2500 brake pads
-Motul RBF 600 brake fluid
-Radium master cylinder brace

Engine/Drivetrain/Intake/Exhaust:
-K&N drop-in filter
-Intake snorkel modification
-OFH3 header and overpipe
-DEI titanium header wrap
-OFT 91 stage 2+ tune
-Sound tube delete
-Perrin light-weight crank pulley

Cooling/Lubrication
-Mishimoto Oil Cooler w/ Thermostat
-Mobil 1 0W-30 synthetic
-Motul Gear 300 transmission and differential fluid

Body/Cosmetic/Aero/Interior:
-ikon motorsports spoiler
-black toyota emblem
-CG seat belt lock
-Custom engine vents through fender garnish

Cheers!

It was 2012 when I started seriously looking for a car that I could both use as a daily driver and take to the track. After much research, I narrowed down my options to a used Miata due to availability, reliability, track record, and price. I however found them exceedingly ugly. Nevertheless, I started looking for a good used find.

Fortune was on my side, and before I spent my dough on a Miata I happened upon an article about the up and coming Toyota/Subaru project, and I was sold. Finally a car with everything I was looking for including the looks to match.

Fast forward to 2015, and I had saved enough pennies to buy my used FRS. However, I had to sell the "practicality" aspect of it first to my wife. We went to a local dealership to test drive one. With an infant car seat behind the passenger seat, and my wife in the passenger seat (her face inches from the windshield), we determined it would in fact be technically possible to fit our whole family in the car if our other broke down. Hallelujah, I got the permission to proceed.

A greyhound bus trip to Ohio, a test drive, and a check later, I had my used, 2013 Ultramarine Blue, 6MT, Scion FRS. I drove it back to Oklahoma with a grin the whole way. And so it began.

The next point of order was to take it to a track. I attended a track day at Hallett Motor Racing Circuit in Jennings, OK going CCW. Car was bone stock including the lovely Prius tires, track was wet, and the car worked great. The track dried up by the afternoon for some progressively quicker laps. With all that fun it was time to start working some upgrades before the next track day.

Before returning to the track, I decided I needed a few things: I needed a means to measure car improvements at the track, I needed some higher temp brake fluid to prevent boiling and better brake pads to improve performance and increase stopping confidence. Also, I needed to start saving for better tires.

Instead of buying an expensive transponder for timing track laps, I stumbled upon Harry's Lap Timer. It's an awesome app that uses your phone's GPS to record track times and can additionally incorporate G forces from your phones accelerometer and OBD reader if you have one. I also purchased a beefy Ram Mount X-Grip to be able to monitor times and record laps.

For the brakes, I bought some Motul RBF600 DOT4 fluid and replaced the fluid. After reading dozens of brake posts, I decided to upgrade pads only for the time being with Ferodo DS2500 Pads. Thanks to @JRitt for all his awesome posted info:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...?t=4807&page=2
https://www.essexparts.com/support/learning-center--faq

With the new lap timer, brake pads and fluid, a return to the track was in order.

Harry's Lap Timer is a good option if you don't want to spend a bunch of money. As long as you have a decent signal, you're golden. Plus, I believe that they sell boosters to improve the refresh rate. Saving money means more money for track days and mods.


Note: Proper safety equipment goes a long way as well.

Absolutely - I agree 100%! I dig your signature line by the way.

2nd round at Hallett (CCW)- (Prius tires earning their keep...):

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHmfZ-IfpbE"]Hallett FRS Oct 16 - YouTube[/ame]

Fastest lap 1:41:31

Car handled well. I had a little more confidence with the new brakes and fluid, but the tires while fun definitely had me wanting more grip. After reading about FRS oil cooling issues, I decided to switch to a slightly heavier hot oil weight with 0W-30.

I also received a few fun Christmas presents I had asked for. I got a Perrin lightweight crank pulley and a Radium master cylinder brace. Shifting (especially downshifting) was taking longer than I would've liked, so I was hoping the lightweight pulley would help make throttle blips a little quicker and more responsive. @Enigmus has a great pulley installation writeup.
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12583
The install was pretty straight forward but loosening the crank pulley bolt was a pain in the rear.

While the pulley looks great, and there is a significant weight difference while holding the two, (1.2 lbs vs 3.9 lbs), I was unable to note a significant difference in engine response without load.

The master cylinder brace was simple to install and seemed to make a slight improvement to brake pedal firmness.

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The next upgrade had to be tires. While doing a little online window shopping, I found a pair of wheels I liked at tirerack, and while they looked good, they really didn't provide any weight savings over the stock wheels (20.1lbs). While perusing ebay one day, I found a good deal on some Enkei RPF-1's in 17x7.5 (vs. the stock 17x7) which come in at 15.2lbs, which was just the size I was looking for (although I would've preferred black wheels over the silver - but beggars can't be choosers!). This would keep weight down while keeping an appropriate amount of grip . After spending all my money on wheels, I decided to match them with Sumitomo HTR Z's from Tire Rack (instead of the Pilot SuperSports I was planning on).

The next item of business was to do something about the FRS's rear end. The trunk just looks like it's missing something without a spoiler. I found one I liked on ebay from ikonmotorsports that came painted for $140. I also bought some 2-sided trim tape to install the spoiler (didn't want to drill through the trunk). Finish was great and the color matched well. Fit was pretty close - good for the price. I prepped the surface using a cleaner/wax remover and clay bar. During the installation I did try to improve the fit slightly using my wife's blow dryer and clamps which I think helped marginally. Overall I'm very happy with the spoiler and would buy again.

An interesting nugget:
No spoiler, no undertray CD = 0.29
OEM spoiler, no undertray CD = 0.28
OEM spoiler, with undertray CD = 0.27

There's an interesting video about FRS aerodynamics here:
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quDLzxmJl5I#t2500"]Automotive Aerodynamics Episode 1: Flow Visualizations of MR2, RX7, Supra, FRS - YouTube[/ame]

Back to the track. 1st time going clockwise (CW). Fastest lap 1:40.17.
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqOpVtmKMfg"]IMG 1276 mov - YouTube[/ame]
There was a definite improvement in grip with the new tires.

Wanting to know how my oil was holding up to the abuse I've been putting it through, I decided to send a sample off to Blackstone Laboratories. The oil had about 3500 miles on it with normal commuting plus two track days.