What to do first? (BRZ content)

The car is stock except for the Stg 1, 91 oct, Open Flash Tune.

Typically, I would say suspension/brakes first, no question. But the stock suspension is so composed, I'm not sure it really "needs" to be done first. The chassis is much better than the HP (much like the NC Miata) so I was thinking of starting there first.

It seems as though an intake/full exhaust + E85 will get the car north of 200whp which would be an absolute riot.

So first big question, go with an equal length header? Or go unequal length to get the rumbly, boxer sound?

I would do wheels & tires first, wider tires will give a nice handling improvement, and unlike most cars this won't immediately turn the stock suspension into a joke, because it's decent. If you like power more than handling then +1 for the intake and exhaust.

I have to say that trying to "Improve" the suspension on this car is going to be a tall order. I know there is a lot of hardware out there that is sold for the job but really, how many people working out of their garages could have developed the stock suspension, let alone something better.

I would go for sticky rubber and more engine power if you feel you need it.

NOHOME wrote: I have to say that trying to "Improve" the suspension on this car is going to be a tall order. I know there is a lot of hardware out there that is sold for the job but really, how many people working out of their garages could have developed the stock suspension, let alone something better. I would go for sticky rubber and more engine power if you feel you need it.

Randy Pobst recently drove a BRZ equipped with the RCE Tarmac II coilovers and said it was one of the best handling cars he has ever driven.

Those are $2300 coilovers though and don't include camber plates. Those are another $500.

I'd still go suspension, especially if the chassis feels so much more capable.

Yeah there are lots of high-end coilovers that are better. Also in stock form the car has a lot of anti-squat and anti-dive which can be dialed out when you go to harder suspension, and if you're going to lower the car it will need roll center and bump steer correction too.

In reply to z31maniac:

He and Myles have been driving me nuts with temptation from that setup. (It didn't help that Myles fitted a babyseat into the back to show that one can fit).

Unequal length headers. HNNNNGH

captdownshift wrote: In reply to z31maniac: He and Myles have been driving me nuts with temptation from that setup. (It didn't help that Myles fitted a babyseat into the back to show that one can fit).

Me too. But not sure I can justify $3000 on suspension for a daily driver.

I've always had good luck with Ground Control and their complete setup is $2100.

I've had nothing but good luck with Ground Controls as well. Chris Dupplesis has promised me some time in the Nameless rally car this summer as well, that will likely be the tipping point in me picking up a Frisbee to daily/hpde and occasionally rally-x now and to be converted into a full stage car in 7-8 years.

I enjoyed trying one on for size when they first came out, but didn't find an urge or need to purchase one, driving Myle's changed that, I like it almost as much as a Cayman S, and would pick one up before a S52 or S54 M coupe.

What are your plans for the car? If it's going to remain a daily, sticking with the stock suspension set-up may not be a bad idea. (for a while at least) They really nailed the ride/ handling tradeoff right out of the box. I'd maybe swap the sway bars out of an FR-S to make the rear-end more lively, but if you'll have to deal with potholes, speed bumps and daily obstacles, I'd be hesitant to lower, or stiffen the car too much.

Exhaust, intake, a tune and maybe sticker rubber would be first on my list---- -although those cars are a ball to fling and slide around on the non-agressive stock tires they come with.

If you have an eye towards competition---- have at the suspension. Otherwise, I'd focus on extracting a bit more power out of it..... and just have fun!

Plan for the car? It will remain my DD, but also see the occasional local Auto-X (maybe regional but doubtful) and HPDE.

I'll likely run the car in STX, that let's me do everything I want to the car without going overboard. I have no desire to chase a Regional/National win, nor do I have anything resembling enough skill.

MotoIQ did make a bunch of exhaust changes to their BRFRS and IIRC that didn't make that much of a difference overall as the ECU ended up pulling the parameters back to where the car was essentially making stock HP again. Don't think they ever tried corn juice, though.

If you're going to be doing a lot of autox or hpde's, I'd look into getting an oil cooler. The oil pressure drops dangerously low pretty quickly when it's being ran hard.

Better tires are nice, but do make the weaknesses in other parts of the car much more apparent, and takes away from the playful nature of the car, imo.

The equal length headers tend to make more power, but the uel's do sound better.

A user named Dezoris on ft86club has done a lot of good youtube videos of his journey while modifying the car. The guy definitely isn't the typical ft86clubber.

BoxheadTim wrote: MotoIQ did make a bunch of exhaust changes to their BRFRS and IIRC that didn't make that much of a difference overall as the ECU ended up pulling the parameters back to where the car was essentially making stock HP again. Don't think they ever tried corn juice, though.

He has an open flash tuner that let's him get around that.

rotard wrote: If you're going to be doing a lot of autox or hpde's, I'd look into getting an oil cooler. The oil pressure drops dangerously low pretty quickly when it's being ran hard. Better tires are nice, but do make the weaknesses in other parts of the car much more apparent, and takes away from the playful nature of the car, imo. The equal length headers tend to make more power, but the uel's do sound better. A user named Dezoris on ft86club has done a lot of good youtube videos of his journey while modifying the car. The guy definitely isn't the typical ft86clubber.

Definitely will do an oil cooler in the spring (I'm also tempted to do an oil pan when I do the header). We don't have any events until March.

That way I can do the intake snorkel/oil cooler at the same time and only pull the bumper once.

So, would you say that the OFT is definitely worth it? I'm wanting to get myself an early xmas present.

Versus the options, definitely.

Aside from Shiv and the guys at OFT having great support and free maps and updates, the tunes are locked down, so if you know what you are doing, you can use the OFT to datalog then edit the tunes yourself.

I used it on the NC Miata and now the BRZ. Noticeable on stock vehicles both times.

Some of the suspension upgrades fall into what I call "Dog Hearing Range"

As in "I could improve the frequency response of my stereo system, but only the dog could hear the improvement".

How often will you exploit the Perceived (cause I am gonna ask for REAL BEFORE AND AFTER STREET DATA) benefits of the Tarmac II coilovers?

If we are talking race-car, then all bets are off because you are willing to throw away anything for ultimate pavement adhesion and that is the ONLY parameter that matters. Much easier design brief.

^To be fair, part of wanting to eventually change the suspension is to lower a bit for looks.

Sticky Tires.

Supercharger.

pinchvalve wrote: Sticky Tires. Supercharger.

Hell, skip the sticky tires if just driving it on the street.

Super or turbocharger, either one!

1) Very first thing - get solid steering rack bushings (either Delrin or Aluminum ones) to get rid of that weird mid turn in wiggle/hesitation from the stock soft rubber ones. Very inexpensive and no too difficult to do. Don't need to touch the suspension at all...I'm still stock nearly 3 years on and only plan to upgrade to non-adjustable Bilstein B6 dampers with RCE Yellow springs when the stock dampers are worn out.

2) Go with stock sized performance tires on lightweight wheels with a little more offset (17x7.5 or 17x8 with +40 to +45). Get the unsprung weight off...ride quality and agility noticeably increase.

3) Fork out the money and go with a P-Tuning race header if you don't have to worry about needing cats, 200+ WHP with header, exhaust, and tune P-Tuning 4 to 1 race header...

IMO, the stock wheels don't look good enough for the car to be lowered at all. I would say to skip the header and just go straight to a turbo or supercharger, but you said you wanted to autocross in STX. I would go with 17"x8" or 17"x9" wheels with sticky tires in the biggest size that will fit under the fenders. Next season, I would get a good set of coilovers or Koni yellow/Blistein sports and Ground Control sleeves.

Mr_Clutch42 wrote: IMO, the stock wheels don't look good enough for the car to be lowered at all. I would say to skip the header and just go straight to a turbo or supercharger, but you said you wanted to autocross in STX. I would go with 17"x8" or 17"x9" wheels with sticky tires in the biggest size that will fit under the fenders. Next season, I would get a good set of coilovers or Koni yellow/Blistein sports and Ground Control sleeves.

Stock wheels are also on the heavy side at nearly 21 lbs for a 17x7 wheel... The wheels I originally got for track are under 16 lbs each and are 17x8. My daily's are 17x7.5 and 17lbs with a +40mm offset.

z31maniac, since I really don't track my car anymore (frankly the car is not reliable enough to chance it) I have no use for my track wheel set. Kosei K4R, 17x8 with a +36mm offset are available if you are interested.