Overnight Parts from Japan: Dan Gray’s Supercharged Scion FR-S – Nov 2014 COTM

NickNovember 11, 2014

Little more than a month ago, Dan Gray’s Scion FR-S rolled up to the shop, the unassuming pearl white exterior did an excellent job of hiding the Jackson Racing supercharger lurking under the hood. US Navy Veteran Dan Gray has been working with Senior Mod Expert Alan Wei over the past few months as a major shift was made in this FR-S Exterior appearance. Dan Gray is a US Navy Vet, and strangely enough, one time, Dan got to play drums for Blink 182. (No, seriously. We were skeptical too, until we saw the youtube clip of it happening!) What that has to do with that build is nothing, but should tell you Dan is a cool dude, if nothing else. He showed up with the car freshly supercharged, still wearing dealer plates. One of the things about Dan’s SC setup is that he’s TOTALLY CARB LEGAL.

For those of you who live in the Socialist State of California with the Smog Gestapo, CARB LEGAL is a BIG DEAL to Cali people. It means you’re in the clear when it comes time for the sniffer!

We had the chance to sit down and spend a few minutes talking to Dan and finding out what he plans to do for the car. Much like our goals for building the Project Fiesta ST, Dan didn’t want a street-going racecar. Dan, like myself, has been down the racecar” road before, and he didn’t want a racecar. Instead, Dan wanted the car “how it should have been”. Considering the distinct and deliberate lack of FACTORY forced induction for the FA20, it makes even more sense. Dan wanted a car that’s faster than stock that can reliably make power, rather than something focused on absolute power at the expense of everything else. Looking at the build with the “how it should have been” philosophy in mind, everything he’s done (with a little help from Alan) makes perfect sense.

As the days passed, the mods increased in number. The OEM hood went away, in its place, a Carbon Fiber Vented Hood for Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ – to let that supercharged FA20 breathe a bit more easily and stay cooler. Dan went with a Sport Type Carbon Fiber Hood for FR-S/BRZ (GT86-HD-SPT-CF), giving the car a very different look than the majority of the CF hoods on the market.

Carbon Fiber Fender Trim Vents for FR-S/BRZ look fantastic and help echo the look of the Carbon Fiber Hood for FR-S/BRZ on the fenders for a balanced aesthetic.

A set of Carbon Fiber Mirror Covers for Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ continues the effect which lends to create a bespoke look for the car.

Next on the list was a set of Valenti LED tail lights for Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ along with a Valenti Rear Bumper Light for Scion FR-S Subaru BRZ to give the car’s rear end a tasteful makeover with fresh lighting.

The Carbon Fiber Rear Bumper Skirts for FR-S/BRZ (RCRS style) also help give the tail a slightly more aggressive edge.

Next on the list was a rear spoiler. Dan opted for a CFW Style Carbon Fiber Trunk Spoiler for Scion FR-S/BRZ – this wing offers ducktail type styling but without the strakes of other designs for a cleaner look. Then of course, were the Winjet Projector Headlights for 2012+ Scion FR-S Subaru BRZ – giving this beauty the “JDM” look, and the black housings complement the white/carbon fiber theme of the car beautifully.

Projectors are great, but without HIDs, you’re not getting the most out of them. That’s why Alan recommended a 6000k 55w H7 Slim Ballast HID Conversion set to really make those projectors pop.

Up front a Carbon Fiber Front Lip for Scion FR-S (2h Style) gives the car a race-inspired edge.

A set of Carbon Fiber Side Skirt Extensions for Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ continues the CF aesthetic created by the 2H Style Carbon Fiber Front Lip for FR-S. Altogether, it creates one sexy package.

Next the interior needed some love, so Carbon Fiber Shifter Bezel for FR-S and some Carbon Fiber Steering Wheel Trim for FR-S complement the interior beautifully and bring the CF theme into the interior.

A P3cars Vent Gauge for Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ lets Dan keep an eye on the Air Fuel Ratio at a glance, along with coolant temp, intake air temperature and a whole host of other engine data, though unfortunately this particular P3Cars gauge doesn’t read boost, as the FR-S ECU isn’t looking for Boost and thus isn’t measuring it… bummer, but the AFR functionality and intake air temperature are critical insights into what the motor’s doing.

A set of bright red MGP Caliper Covers for FR-S/BRZ peek out from behind a set of black Koenig Wheels, giving a dash of color to an area that might otherwise disappear visually amongst all that black, and sits low on a set of Swift Sport Springs for Scion FR-S.

Dan tells us that with the Swift Sport Springs for Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ, the ride is not bouncy but stiff, but not overly stiff. A set of Raceseng Camber Caster Plates and Adjustable Rear Control arms give the car a bit more fine adjustment for its suspension setup.

At this stage, Dan’s FR-S is looking every bit the bit the street bruiser that it is with the supercharged FA20 underhood, we really can’t say much more than hasn’t already been said – check out the photo gallery for yourself.

Mod List:

Valenti LED Tail Lights Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ
Type:Red & White (VALENTI-FT86-TL-CR)

Valenti LED Rear Bumper Light Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ
Type:Red & White (VALENTI-FT86-RBL-CR)

Winjet Projector Headlights
Color: Black/Clear

H7 SLIM Ballast 55W HID KITColor: 6000K

Swift Sport Springs for Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ

Carbon Fiber Steering Wheel Cover (GT86-STEERCVR)

Carbon Fiber Mirror Covers (GT86-MIRROR)

Carbon Fiber Gear Knob Cover (GT86-GRFRAME)

Carbon Fiber Fender Trim Panel (GT86-FNDRTRIM)

2H Carbon Fiber Front Lip (GT86-FL-JS-CF)

Side Skirt Extensions – Carbon Fiber (GT86-SS-CF)

Rear Bumper Skirts – Carbon Fiber (GT86-RR-CS-CF)

CFW Trunk Spoiler – Carbon Fiber (GT86-TS-JG-CF)

APR Rear Diffuser FRS/BRZ/GT86 – AB-585020 (ON BACK ORDER)

FR-S/BRZ Sport Type Carbon Fiber hood (GT86-HD-SPT-CF)

MGP Caliper Covers for FRS

Motul Gear 300 Differential Oil Change Kit

P3 Cars Integrated Vent Digital Gauge Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ Item:P3 Vent Gauge FR-S / BRZ (P3FRxU)

We hope you enjoyed reading about Dan’s build as much as we’ve enjoyed watching this car transform. Thanks for reading, and we’ll see you next time!

Interested in modifying your car? From the Toyobaru Twins to European Power to Domestic Performance & Muscle, the Mod Experts at ModBargains can help you take your car to the next level with the experience and enthusiasm to get you there. Interested in getting as much out of your car as Dan got out of his FR-S? Give us a call at 714-582-3330 – dial x8006 to reach Sr Mod Expert Alan himself.

Story & Photos by Nicholas Gregson in collaboration with Sr. Mod Expert Alan Wei