2013 "Silly Goose" FRS - 210k+ km/130k+ miles - TRD/STI Build

[thedollarbill]

Hello friends and fellow ft86 enthusiasts,

My car's name is Silly Goose. In honor of my SO's nickname for yours truly. As the title of this post shows, Goose has a lot of miles on her but I have a hunch she's got many more to go. Will the nickname come to bite my silly butt for purchasing a 200,000 km car? Only time will tell. In regards to mods, I have no particular inspiration. My plan is to keep it OEM+. Quality over form. My goal is to see if I can get this car to 300,000 kilometers and beyond.

(Update October 2020) Silly Goose is close to its final form, which has become a TRD + STI mashup. I've taken her to the track (had a blast) so that has me eyeing a few more critical upgrades but other than that I just have small pieces left!

Current photos:




Pre-Body Work, Aero Album: https://imgur.com/a/2LODUXI
Original State Album:https://imgur.com/a/LGnXdRF

Engine Bay and Exhaust
TRD Cold Air Intake - PTR03-18130
TRD 1.3bar Radiator Cap - MS143-18001
STI Battery Tie Down - ST82182ST000
STI Strut Tower Bar - SG517CA000
Subaru Oil Filter (Black) - 15208AA130
Corsa Catback Exhaust
OpenFlashTablet v2 - Stock/Stage 1 Tune
Optima REDTOP Battery
Modellista GT86 Red Engine Cover

Suspension
Ohlins Road & Track MUU SP22 - 5k Front / 5k Rear Spring Rates
SPL Front Sway Bar End Links (thanks u/Route)

Summer Wheels and Tires
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S - 225/45/17
STI Enkei Wheels 17x7 +48 - Powdercoated Prismatic Triple Bronze with a Satin Finish
H+R Hub-centric Spacers x4 - 25mm

Winter Wheels and Tires
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 - 225/45/17
OEM Kouki 17+MY 17x7 +48 - thanks u/Jordanwolf
H+R Hub-centric Spacers x4 - 25mm

Fluids:
Engine: Eneos 5w20
Transmission: Redline 75w90NS (previously used Motul Motylgear)
Differential: Motul Gear300 75w90 + Redline LSD Additive
Brake and Clutch Fluid: ATE Typ200
Coolant: OEM Subaru Coolant


Exterior:
STI Dry Carbon Spoiler - E7210CA105 - BRZ tS wing - thank you u/Berserker !!!!!
TRD Carbon Fiber Fender Fins - MS345-18001
TRD Front Lip - MS341-18001
TRD Side Skirts - MS344-18001
RallyInnovations Rear Spats
Rallyarmor Mud Flaps (Black w/ Grey Lettering)
Verus Carbon Fiber Sidemarker Deletes
OLM Carbon Fiber Mirror Covers
Toyota Wiper Blades

Exterior Lighting:
Morimoto XB LED Headlights
OEM 17+ Tail Lights
Nsidius Industries 4th Brake/Fog Harness (w/ dual function LED for brake function) - thanks u/Route
Verus Engineering Carbon Fiber Sidemarker Deletes
Replacement LEDs for reverse and rear license plate lights.

Interior:
Verus Pedal Spacer
ICE Fabrications GR Gauge Cluster
Subaru BRZ tS Steering Wheel - 34312CA150RG
OEM Subaru 18+ Harmon Kardon Headunit - 86271CA780
LED Trunk Light Strip
LED Dome Light
Weathertech Front Mats
Weathertech License Plate Clear Covers
(OEM Trim Pieces)
Subaru BRZ tS Shift Knob - 35022CA100
Subaru BRZ tS Door Grips - 94237CA140VH, 94237CA150VH
Subaru BRZ tS Vent Rings - 66067CA000
Subaru BRZ tS Black AC Trim - 66076CA040, 66076CA050
Subaru BRZ tS Shifter Trim - 92122CA020
Subaru BRZ tS TC/Track Mode Switches - 83245CA070
Toyota JDM Black Door Grip Covers - SU00303270, SU00303271
Toyota 86 Cargo Liner (available via Canadian dealerships only) - PU550-18151-01
Toyota Badge Swap
Toyota Key Shell Swap

Body Work, PPF:
All body work is done at Luxury Auto Body. The only place I trust in the Greater Toronto Area. s/o Rich Rodrigues and his team.
May 2020 - Front Bumper, Hood, Fenders, Roof, Driver Side Door repainted
Nov 2020 - Roof, A-Pillars, Passenger Side Door Repaint/Blend

Credits:
Thank you to my mechanics:
- Jason @ Apex Automotive Solutions, Jason and his team are the heart surgeons of my car. Anything major especially engine related I will only bring to him. He is the elite Subaru specialist in Toronto.
- Rich and Nick @ Luxury Auto Body. Get it done once and get it done right. The only place I trust with any body work and aero installs.
- Raf @ Bosomode. Did all my exhaust installs and great mechanic when Apex busy or closed.
- My friend Daniel (u/polyline). The official Silly Goose electrician, thank you for all your work with lighting and wiring.

The Literature
As the story always goes... I drove a friends' 2016 FRS two summers ago and immediately fell in love. I knew I had to have one. For the four years I have lived in Toronto, I had no real justification to pay top dollar for underground parking and have a vehicle with no work commute. That changed in 2019 when my work started occasionally reaching to locations out of the city but I found it, at the time, easier to rent a car and just expense it to the company. However, that didn't stop me from setting up autotrader alerts or Kijiji (our northern version of craigslist).

My criteria for my potential car:
* One Owner
* Accident Free (at least, reported accident free)
* 13-16 FRS - with the "fangs"
* Stock Drivetrain
* Stock or close to stock exterior.
* Not tracked.
* Local (or within a 2-3 hour drive of Toronto)

From late 2019 until March 2020, I couldn't find anything that peaked my interest. As you will see below, my modification list is a mishmash of what I like and OEM+ mods so buying something that is even "tastefully" modded would just be not worth my time as I would be taking out headlights, tail lights, spoilers, and lips out in favor of what I wanted.

Then COVID happened and somehow from out of nowhere, a wild 2013 FRS in Firestorm Red (and in manual) appeared on the market for a whopping 8000 cad/ 5650 usd (for y'all freedom buck users). For sale, at a random and somewhat "shady" used dealer about 30 minutes from where I live. A look at their current inventory (as of right now): Kia Rios, multiple Nissan Altimas, and a Land Rover for 15k CAD. Was this too good to be true?! What is this FRS doing here? (Refer to this album for its purchased state: https://imgur.com/a/LGnXdRF) It was stock, it had one owner, it had no exterior modifications, and it was made in June of 2013 so it was never part of the '13 recall. With one major caveat. It had 209,000km on the odometer. And it had the cleanest carfax I've ever seen, refer to linked imgur album. (Same day renewal for 6 years in a row? What the heck!)

After getting the VIN/Carfax, I gave a few local Toyota dealerships a call and it turns out, it was purchased and serviced at the same dealership. Clutch, TOB, spark plugs done last summer. And has come in for all of its major interval services. It was even just at the dealership in March (more on that later).

Before going to see the car, I reached out to Canada's resident 200k expert, the one and only Tcoat. He noted a few things to look out for in a high mileage car and asked me to send some pictures when I went to see it and go for the test drive. I pre-negotiated to 7.5k and acted "busy" for a few days. On April 1st, I showed up to the dealership unannounced. I didn't want guy selling it to have a chance to pretty her up.

She started up with no issues, gears shifted nicely, oil was fresh, and aside from the surface rust on the underbody. Facetime'd my mechanic friend, sent some pictures to TCoat and received the stamp of approval from both guys. I didn't want to waste any time so I put down 10% on the car and agreed to purchase the vehicle upon the passing of the safety. Two days later, I picked her up and the dealer man noted new (off-brand) AS tires, new rotors, new brake pads were required to pass the safety so those were the only changes made to her after I saw it.

(Update: May 2020)
I have finally acquired the full service summary from the Toyota dealership, as noted above, the previous owner from my nosing around only serviced the car at a Toyota dealership. I had noted down some clutch/tob replacements that I inquired about over the phone but I scanned the print out I received from a Toyota tech.





I will reply to this thread with its "updates" in chronological order when I have the time to do so. Spoiler alert: there has been one check engine light (resolved), enough very specific blemishes to warrant some refinishing and repainting (lots of paint chips, a few dents, and enough red fading on the bumper)...

To be continued...

Thanks for coming along for this journey with me.

[skylinekin]

These cars are becoming an excellent value with higher mileage. I can’t think of another sports car with the same value at that price and it’s still a “newer” car even with high mileage so you don’t have to worry about old car issues like a 90’s sports car. Enjoy the refurbishment process!

[Berserker]

Nice meeting you the other day my guy! Congrats again on the car, exciting for sure The Toronto Eight Six cult keeps getting bigger

[phm14]

What was the CEL?

[thedollarbill]

If anyone sees this, how do I thank other people's posts???? I swear I'm not blind.

Update #1 - 1st week of ownership (~04/06/2020)

Initial Impressions:

• Previous Owners' HID conversion kit was a complete joke. The wiring, the output of the lights and the color temperature was hideous. Good thing I have Morimotos on the way.
• Something was off about the battery. Headlights flicker while idling and the idle is a little rough (typical 2013 issue? rough idling?). And ffs, the center console 12V socket is blown.
• Clutch is so mushy? Wtf? Am I just a bad driver?
• I hate the stock exhaust.
• Drove it around as much as I could to use up the half tank of gas I received from the dealership. Upon refueling (don't think it mattered but if you are curious, Esso 93) the car threw CEL + Traction Slip (Limp Mode) on start-up. Uh oh.

More about the CEL:
After receiving the code, I went to buy an OFT immediately. Pulled and cleared the code (P0016), and upon clearing it would come back on start-up usually. I did my research (here, on FB, and on the rest of the internet) and more importantly gave my Subaru mechanic, Jason @ Apex Auto, a call. (My car was due to be in his shop in 3 weeks, yes, he is very busy)

Jason's advice:
Back to basics, Check/change the battery, check/change oil and check gas cap. And obviously, he'd do his best to resolve it if those issues persist but he warned it could lead to OCV replacements/cam sprockets/ECU.

What I did:
I made a visit to see Ben @ Dixie Bloor Service (he's a Ford guy but I trust him with all the basic needs). The battery voltage tester showed some terrible readings on the battery. Our first step of attack was a new battery. I quickly zipped up to the great guys at Garage16 and picked up a Optima Red Top and some Eneos 5w20 (wanted my choice of oil anyways) to get the basics done.

Results:
No CEL upon start up!! Battery was changed on a Thursday and it did not pop-back up for the rest of the weekend. Fingers crossed! I have since (for superstitious reasons) only filled up with Shell 91 and avoided Esso like the plague.

End of the week mileage: 210,000 (~1000km).
CEL showed up around ~200 km in

Update #2 - 2nd week of ownership (~04/13/2020)

• Purchased a TRD Intake. Makes some fun noises and that sound tube delete is so clutch! (Sorry, forgot to take pictures of it)
• Removed clutch spring helper. Legit, best free mod. Thanks to this forum.
• Made Goose's longest trip yet (~500km/310miles), GTA>Bowmanville>Trenton>Lindsay>GTA- picked up 17+ OEM Tails (from a '19 BRZ), TRD Exhaust, and Eibach Sportline Lowering Springs.
• New lights were installed and fixed the 12v while we were at it.
• Flashed OFT Stock/Stage 1 Tune. Definitely feeling a difference and oddly, made idling so much smoother!?
• TRD exhaust was installed (thanks Raf @ Bosomode), now she purrrrrs like a mean little kitten. Love the TRD exhaust. (If I weren't on the OEM+ route, I would go Corsa Catback)
• Swapped badges and smoked the turn signal/DRL.

End of the week mileage: 211,xxx (~1000kms)

[thedollarbill]

Originally Posted by phm14

What was the CEL?

P0016 - deep deep rabbit hole. Fingers crossed, battery swap and oil change has not brought it back for a good almost 2.5k kms (1.5k miles).

[daskaman]

Just missed you at Boso if he was he was still working on the Mini, a few of us here are like family and get our work done there

[thedollarbill]

Update #3 - combining the next 3-4 weeks of ownership into a big post

After installing the TRD catback, the car was dropped off at Apex Automotive Solutions for a engine compression leak test and fluid changes for transmission and differential. Refer to top for fluids used.

Lonely goose sitting next to some other subies.


Results of test, order of images cylinders #1,2,3,4:





The car was then driven to Luxury Auto Body for front end and driver side door repaint. Rich graciously installed my STI wing and aero bits for me as well.
Process pics on LAB's IG: https://www.instagram.com/p/CARZ7tngb22/

AFTER, oh my goodness...




I had a bit of buyer's remorse with my TRD exhaust. The drone was too much and my heart was already set on a Corsa before I even got the car. So I lined up a buyer for my TRD and bought ordered the Corsa catback.

Here it is getting installed @ Bosomode


Got my vanity plate and new shoes before getting the coilovers and spacers installed!



Had my Tein Coilovers, Spacers, SPL End links and Mudflaps installed at Apex Auto:


Picked up a bottom key cover from a local Toyota dealership to replace the Scion logo:


Current mileage as of May 23,2019: 213,xxx

[thedollarbill]

The butt shot might be my favorite right now!!! Here's one from today this beautiful summer day. Stay safe out there friends!

[Jordanwolf]

Looks good so far!

[DaJo]

Holy mileage!... Very cleeeeaaaannnn; many more miles to go!


Any major issues along the way, or just minor regular maintenance things?

[thedollarbill]

Originally Posted by DaJo

Holy mileage!... Very cleeeeaaaannnn; many more miles to go!


Any major issues along the way, or just minor regular maintenance things?

I sure hope so!!

Since I've gotten the car:
-New Battery
-New Oil Filter
-New Engine Oil, Transmission Oil, Differential Oil
-New Wheels + Tires

I did have a P0016 (Oil Valve Sensor issue) within the first week of picking up the car but the new battery has put that issue to rest so far.

I actually finally got the chance to get the full "service summary" from a Toyota tech. They were previously giving me a very hard time trying to pull any service history on my vehicle because "privacy" or whatever bullshit they were trying to give me over the phone. But I showed up to pick up some parts and popped by the service lane in my car and got someone to print it.

Here it is: https://imgur.com/a/QirJMrD (I didn't have this knowledge before purchasing the car but I think I lucked out. Previous owner had it serviced exclusively at the same Toyota dealership since 2013)

[DaJo]

Originally Posted by thedollarbill

I sure hope so!!

Since I've gotten the car:
-New Battery
-New Oil Filter
-New Engine Oil, Transmission Oil, Differential Oil
-New Wheels + Tires

I did have a P0016 (Oil Valve Sensor issue) within the first week of picking up the car but the new battery has put that issue to rest so far.

I actually finally got the chance to get the full "service summary" from a Toyota tech. They were previously giving me a very hard time trying to pull any service history on my vehicle because "privacy" or whatever bullshit they were trying to give me over the phone. But I showed up to pick up some parts and popped by the service lane in my car and got someone to print it.

Here it is: https://imgur.com/a/QirJMrD (I didn't have this knowledge before purchasing the car but I think I lucked out. Previous owner had it serviced exclusively at the same Toyota dealership since 2013)

Very well taken care of indeed (aside from all that surface rust in the undercarriage, but I'm sure it's because of all that snow/salt out east there)! Good that you bought it off a responsible owner.



She still running silky smooth?

[thedollarbill]

Originally Posted by DaJo

She still running silky smooth?

So far so good!The before/after on the transmission oil change I felt the biggest difference.