New Chapter: Connor Aigner’s 2013 Scion FR-S

Vehicle Features Adam Gordon

Photography by Brandon Deuster

Back when Scion’s FR-S (A.K.A. Toyota’s 86 in some parts of the world) was originally introduced, Connor Aigner was busy looking at Subaru STI hatchbacks. Once he saw the FR-S and its sleek coupe style, he found himself drawn to the RWD sports car that Toyota was toting as the ultimate driver’s car. He needed to have it.

Aigner sold his 2007 Toyota Yaris, which he had gained minor build experience with previously, and started a new chapter. Being his first ever full build, the process was a learning experience. “I learned that things don’t always go as planned. In fact, never as planned,” he quips. “Issues arise when installing anything aftermarket.

Overcoming these obstacles just took time and patience. I learned that doing it the right way while taking a little longer always turned out better than trying to rush and throw it together.”

Going into his build with a vision and a plan, Aigner was surgical and precise about modifications. “I have had a clear picture on the way I wanted to car to look from the beginning,” he tells us. “My idea was to keep the visuals clean but also very aggressive in a way that created the ultimate image.” By all accounts, the planning seems to have paid off.

The love of cars might just be hereditary. According to Aigner, his father was the driving force behind his passion for cars. “I have my father, Curt Aigner, to thank for all my car passions. He lives and breathes cars. Growing up he owned multiple modified vehicles, including a MKII, MKIII, MKIV Supra, and Toyota Matrix XRS,” he says.

“His vast knowledge ignited my passion at a very young age, being engulfed by the automotive world my Dad lived and breathed.”

With 51% of the Popular Vote, Connor Aigner was the winner of the PASMAG Tuner Battlegrounds award category competition at Hot Import Nights: Chicago.

ESSENTIALS

Owner: Connor Aigner
Vehicle: 2013 Scion FR-S
Location: Wayne, IL
Engine: Toyota FA20 2.0L H4
Horsepower: 354 whp
Torque: 275 lb-ft

SOCIAL
Facebook: Connor Aigner
Instagram: @connor_lol

ENGINE

Borg Warner EFR 6758 turbo
Treadstone Performance (TR8 intercooler, 6061 mandrel-bent aluminum piping, intake manifold)
Electronic boost control solenoid
Deatschwerks (65mm 265 fuel pump w/ E85 compatibility, 900cc injectors)
HKS Super Fire Racing M45HL iridium spark plugs
Ecutek tuned

EXHAUST

Swift Racing Technologies (down-pipe-back 2.5-inch exhaust, up-pipe, exhaust tip)
Treadstone Performance (headers, down-pipe)

WHEELS/TIRES/BRAKES

CCW D240 3-piece wheels – 18x9.5 -20 (f), 18x11.5 -14 (r)
Bridgestone Potenza RE760 tires – 245/35/18 (f), 295/35/18 (r)
APR neochrome hardware
StopTech slotted rotors
Goodridge stainless steel braided lines
TRD brake pads

CHASSIS/SUSPENSION

Air Lift Performance 3H air suspension system w/ dual VIAIR 444c compressors
Dual SMC water traps
Dual compressor isolator kits
TRD sway bars
Password JDM front strut bar
Versus Engineering 7000 Series lightweight rear LCAs
TRD door stabilizers
Whiteline front camber bolt kit

EXTERIOR

Rocket Bunny V2 (front bumper, fenders, splitter DRL LED kit)
Rocket Bunny V3 (spoiler, side canards)
Stancenation x Aimgain (rear diffuser, reverse light kit)
Dai Yoshihara canard kit
TRD Japan (rear side spoiler, stabilizing cover)
TRD fender fins
Beat Sonic (shark fin antenna, roof spoiler)
JDM window visors
SpecD headlights
Dual Starry Night side emitting RGBW boomerang lights
Morimoto RGBW demon eyes
Custom headlight housings
Valenti smoked tail lights
Custom side skirt lip
LED red license plate lights
6000K HIG headlights and fog lights

INTERIOR

TRD Japan shift knob
P3 multi-function vent gauge
Braum Racing (Elite X seats w/ red stitching, SFI 5-point harnesses)
Cusco 4-point half rear cage w/ harness bar
TRD (door sills, center console addition)
LED red footwell lighting kit
Planted Technologies seat brackets

AUDIO/MOBILE ELECTRONICS

BeSpoke 6.1-inch touchscreen head unit
Multi-channel 32-bit DSP amplifier
Side trunk fitting enclosure
Front 6.5-inch carbon fiber cone woofer speakers
Front 4-inch carbon fiber midrange speakers

SPONSORS

ABMotoring, Adams Polishes, Air Lift Performance, Braum Racing

21st Century Mid-Night: Austin Barnett's 1976 Porsche 911

Mid-Night Club played a pivotal role in shaping underground car culture in Japan. The group was known for pushing the boundaries of speed and...

Unleashing The Dragon: Jimmy Tu's R35 GT-R

In the concrete jungles of the San Francisco Bay Area, where every turn of a corner reveals an automotive tale, Jimmy Tu's Nissan GT-R emerges as a...

Laekoi: Beefy Clanton's Unicorn 2017 Lexus RC F

Immediately upon first glance at his 2017 Lexus RC F, a platform he chose for its own rarity as far as Japanese V8 sports cars go, you can certainly...

Powered by a Subaru EJ25 Engine Swap: Austin Barnett’s 1976 Porsche 911

One of my Top 10 favorites of SEMA 2022 is Austin Barnett’s 1976 Porsche 911 in the Toyo Tires Treadpass. Sporting a rare TBK front bumper, a la Mid-...