FRS/86/BRZ-The modern age Datsun 240Z; tryin' to make it better w/OEM parts

[Prodigalson]

August 10th of this year, I purchased my 4th FRS/86/BRZ. It's a 2013 FRS with 78,500 miles. Valve spring recall was done at 55k miles.

My first was a 2015 FRS. I sold it to get a brand new 2018 BRZ Limited with the Performance Package. I then leased a 2023 GR86. Once that lease was up, I bought a 2013 FRS. I wanted a first gen I could pay off and drive while I save for a ‘24/’25 BRZ tS (CPO/new). I’ll keep the ’13 as a weekend car & drive the BRZ tS as a daily. I like both generations & I think the first gen (and likely the 2nd gen) will be collectible when they are no longer made (similar to the S2000 & the FJ Cruiser).

This 2013MY came with:
-Delicious Tuning Flexfuel kit
-RCE SS1 coilovers
-Setrab thermostatically controlled oil cooler
-Enkei RPF1 17x9 wheels
-Ignition Production coils IPM149401Q
-K&N panel filter
-TRD door stabilizers MS304-00001 (they weren't installed when I bought it. I have since installed them)

My plan with this FRS is to correct the early model issues, any other esthetic or functional issues and generally improve performance by focusing on STI/tS/TRD parts. I'd like a more precise/engaging/communicative driving experience without a significant impact to NVH or reliability (it's still a daily driver) but that also would appear to be fully original (unless one was very familiar with the vehicle). The notable exception to appearing stock is that I'm sticking with the gold Enkei RPF1's 'cause they just look fantastic on the Lightning/Firestorm red!

Resolved the following issues:
-OEM front fender well liners (originals were damaged by lowering) SU003-06093/SU003-06094
-OEM front wheel bearings (both of them) SU003-00782
-Replaced the driver/passenger window switches with 2015+ switches. The 2015+ switches only drop the window about 19mm instead of 30mm. This helps prevent the roll-over of the window seal (a problem that this car had) 83071CA013/ 83071CA042
-Replaced the driver window seal damaged by being rolled over as mentioned above 63521CA010
-Replaced the driver's side inner/outer window stabilizers (these had worn down & damaged the glass) 61256CA100/61256CA000
-Polished the scrapes in the driver's side window glass (the scratches were not completely eliminated but were substantially improved). I'll replace the driver's door glass if f I can learn how to correctly align it (frameless windows require more fiddling about)

Aesthetic improvements:
-OEM 2017+ taillights
-OEM black shifter trim SU003-03190
-OEM black traction control buttons SU003-02486
-OEM padded red stitch speaker panels SU003-05738/SU003-05737
-OEM padded red stitch center console knee pads SU003-01919/SU003-01920
-OEM red stitch parking brake boot SU003-03201
-OEM BRZ red stitch parking brake assembly 26001CA030
-OEM JDM black air vent rings SU003-01915
-OEM JDM black console trim SU003-01928/SU003-01927
-OEM JDM red rubber door grips SU003-04424/SU003-04426
-OEM JDM black door grip covers SU00301562/SU00301563
-OEM JDM black steering wheel trim SU003-04253
-TRD red stitch Alcantara gauge hood SU003-06622
-TRD red seatbelts SU003-07841/SU003-07840
-STI Under Spats E5610CA100
-STI Side skirts E2610CA010
-Silver painted front calipers (rears will be done in the spring)
-C7P (lightning red) Legsport style duckbill spoiler
-2017+ muffler 44300CA150 (from my 2018 BRZ)
-20% window tint
-red stitch OEM style genuine leather shift boot
-Plugged intake resonator tube
-Ikon Motorsports STI style front lip (allowed me to match the OEM STI side skirts with the FRS front bumper)
-Aftermarket genuine leather red stitch center console insert/armrest

Tech improvements:
-OEM FRS touch screen radio PT546-00140
-OEM 10” subwoofer H630SCA000
-OEM red footwell lighting H701SCA000
-Aftermarket backup camera (integrated with OEM touchscreen radio)
-Sound deadening (trunk, back seat, quarter panels & doors)
-LED's: headlight (hi/lo beam), dome, license plate, trunk & reverse
-Disconnected DRL resistor
-7440 LED Switchback front turn signal bulbs (Amazon-->https://a.co/d/1I5hYRV)
-Adjustable LED flasher unit (VLEDS CF18 ADJUSTABLE LED FLASHER 8 PIN)

Performance improvements:
-OEM GR86 door checks 61124CC000. This is fantastic improvement & well worth the $64 spent for the pair!
-OEM 3/4" Impreza slave cylinder 30620AA111. Got this for $36 shipped from NAPA (ATM P3038). It is a reboxed OEM part. I confirmed this by comparing the two.
-STI front upper strut mounts ST2031055000
-STI transmission mount ST41020AS000
-STI motor mounts ST41022AS000/ST41022AS010
-STI steering rack bushing/spacer/bolt/nut ST34112AS000/ST20255AS000/ST20109AS010/902370063
-STI Flexible Draw Stiffener ST20118AS000
-STI Flexible V Bar ST20502AS020
-TRD Performance air intake PTR03-18130
-TRD door stabilizers MS304-00001
-Replaced RCE SS1 w/2017+ Performance Package Sachs suspension
-Adjusted clutch pedal approx 1/4" lower
-Replaced clutch stopper (added 2 stacked circular pieces of inner tube to clutch bracket, using rubber cement).
-Perrin shifter bushing
-MTEC shifter springs
-Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 245/40R17 with Parts Shop MAX 3mm wheel spacers

Summary of currently installed non-OEM parts:
-Delicious Tuning Flexfuel kit
-Setrab thermostatically controlled oil cooler
-Enkei RPF1 17x9 wheels
-Ignition Production coils IPM149401Q
-Perrin shifter bushing
-Backup camera
-Legsport style duckbill spoiler
-Genuine leather shift boot
-MTEC shifter springs
-Ikon Motorsports STI style front lip
-Aftermarket genuine leather red stitch center console insert/armrest

Future work:
-OEM 2015+ engine wiring harness w/coils 24020AG080 (not yet installed)
-STI differential bushings ST41322AS010/ST41322AS000 (not yet installed)
-STI subframe bushings ST20174AS000 (not yet installed)
-tS 2013 Rear Upper Sub-Frame Stopper ST20176AS000 (not yet installed)
-tS 2015 Rear Lower Sub-Frame Stopper ST20176AS010 (not yet installed)
-tS Rear Sub-Frame Bolt ST20159ST000 (not yet installed)
-STI Pillowball trailing arm link set (ST20250AS000) (not yet installed)
-Weir 4.556 FD (not yet installed)
-MCA Traction Mod II (not yet installed)
-tS shift knob 35022CA100 (still looking for a good price on one)
-stock GR86 suspension (or 2nd gen BRZ) if found for the right price
-Tomei/JDL UEL header
-GKTech clutch pedal return spring (sitting on my shelf waiting to get installed)

Here's the YouTube videos I've made for some of this work:

TRD red seatbelt install:

OEM wheel bearing install:

STI Steering Rack Bushings/Bolts/Spacer Install video:

STI draw stiffeners install video:

STI Flexible V-bar install video:

[Prodigalson]

Here is some pics I've taken.

[Prodigalson]

Looks like (God willing) I'll be getting a complete rear out of a '18. This includes 4.3 diff, axles, multilinks, hubs. I plan to swap that in, whole, then take the '13 rear end and do the following to it before I swap it back in:

-Repack axles w/Redline CV-2, replace boots
-Clean & paint subframe w/VHT epoxy
-Install STI diff mounts
-Install STI subframe bushings
-Install tS stoppers
-Install longer tS subframe bolts
-Install Weir 4.556 FD
-Chase the female threads for the subframe with a tap

I'm planning to make a video of the subframe swap and rebuild process.

[KMA KiCKz]

Originally Posted by Prodigalson

TRD red seatbelt install:

The seat belts look killer!

[Prodigalson]

Originally Posted by KMA KiCKz

The seat belts look killer!

I borrowed your OEM/TRD color coded text idea. I thought it was so cool!

[villainous_frx]

Originally Posted by Prodigalson

-Repack axles w/Redline CV-2, replace boots
-Clean & paint subframe w/VHT epoxy
-Install STI diff mounts
-Install STI subframe bushings
-Install tS stoppers
-Install longer tS subframe bolts
-Install Weir 4.556 FD
-Chase the female threads for the subframe with a tap

I'm planning to make a video of the subframe swap and rebuild process.

A cool project and definitely something I would watch

[Prodigalson]

Picked up the complete rear end from a 2018 50th anniversary BRZ yesterday. Planning to clean it up a bit then swap it in so i can work on my original rear

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by Prodigalson

Looks like (God willing) I'll be getting a complete rear out of a '18 tS. This includes 4.3 diff, axles, multilinks, hubs. I plan to swap that in, whole, then take the '13 rear end and do the following to it before I swap it back in:

-Repack axles w/Redline CV-2, replace boots
-Clean & paint subframe w/VHT epoxy
-Install STI diff mounts
-Install STI subframe bushings
-Install tS stoppers
-Install longer tS subframe bolts
-Install Weir 4.556 FD
-Chase the female threads for the subframe with a tap

I'm planning to make a video of the subframe swap and rebuild process.

I think I've got a set of unused STI rear diff bushings somewhere. Decided to just do Whiteline inserts instead of the press out-in. Was holding on to them in case I had to replace the bushings for some reason, but the inserts work well enough that I'd probably just use a new set of regular bushings plus inserts again if I didn't have these. I'd be willing to sell them to someone planning to actually install them though, better than sitting in my basement for years lol. PM me if you are interested and I can dig them out of my stack-o-parts.

[Prodigalson]

Shoot! I just got the sub frame bushings from RallySportDirect. Thanks for offering!

I am looking for the following:

-STI Flexible V Bar ST20502AS020
-STI Draw Stiffener ST20118AS000
-Any Group N/STI Front/Rear suspension bushings
-4.556 FD & shims
-tS shift knob 35022CA100 (this is the red topped w/black leather wrap/red stitching)

Originally Posted by Spuds

I think I've got a set of unused STI rear diff bushings somewhere. Decided to just do Whiteline inserts instead of the press out-in. Was holding on to them in case I had to replace the bushings for some reason, but the inserts work well enough that I'd probably just use a new set of regular bushings plus inserts again if I didn't have these. I'd be willing to sell them to someone planning to actually install them though, better than sitting in my basement for years lol. PM me if you are interested and I can dig them out of my stack-o-parts.

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by Prodigalson

Shoot! I just got the sub frame bushings from RallySportDirect. Thanks for offering!

I am looking for the following:

-STI Flexible V Bar ST20502AS020
-STI Draw Stiffener ST20118AS000
-Any Group N/STI Front/Rear suspension bushings
-4.556 FD & shims

Ah oh well. I don't have any of the other bits you are looking for unfortunately.

BTW, did you get a chance to test the trd door stabilizers before/after? If so, did they make a noticable difference?

[Prodigalson]

Hey Spuds,

The previous owner had these but hadn't installed them. I'm not sure if I would have bought them otherwise. The doors do sound more solid when shutting them which is a nice side effect. In terms of handling, there wasn't any sort of noticeable improvement, but haven't had a chance to do any limit handling and it apparently works best with either the member braces or the draw stiffeners.

I bought a Vevor Press & Pull Sleeve Kit for changing the sub frame bushings and also got a nylon vise jaw pad for holding pipes, and a CV joint boot clamp tool to be used for when I replace the CV joint boots.

I ordered some Red Line CV-2 grease but apparently that stuff is on national back order. Looks like I won't get it until late January.

The STI subframe bushings measured ~60mm for the sleeve diameter and 71.5mm for the flange diameter. This info will be useful if using a press & pull sleeve kit to remove the bushings.

Originally Posted by Spuds

Ah oh well. I don't have any of the other bits you are looking for unfortunately.

BTW, did you get a chance to test the trd door stabilizers before/after? If so, did they make a noticable difference?

[Prodigalson]

The new rear end cleaned up nicely. That was $600 well spent, especially considering that it’s a 4.3 diff.

[Prodigalson]

Got the center console buttoned down today. I replaced the entire parking brake assembly with a used eBay unit from a BRZ for $42 (I didn't want to have to twist off/break the glue holding the brake handle cover, and swapping the whole unit was easy with the console off). Bought a new parking brake boot ($70!!) with red stitching and replaced the shifter trim and traction control buttons with black. I'm really liking how it's looking (simple, clean & consistent).

[jetrex]

Nice build.