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'22 Subaru BRZ
Placeholder picture/teaser for now.
https://i.postimg.cc/ryJ7QBXv/image.png I got to drive Simmons' new BRZ on Saturday and I'm really excited for mine to arrive shortly now! |
Picked up an XForce 2.5" resonated exhaust on Black Friday sale. Super happy with their exhaust on my RX-8, figured I'd try their 86 offering. Still waiting for my car to get here but whatever.
Came with two sets of tips, which is cool. https://i.postimg.cc/MZCHzLwN/image.png https://i.postimg.cc/ydW4R7mj/image.png Packaging is, uh, "fine" at best. Half the cost of most 86 exhausts though... https://i.postimg.cc/3wxJL5j4/image.png Quality looks pretty good though! My RX-8 exhaust has held up well on track and daily driving so I suspect this will be good too. The RX-8 has a LOT higher exhaust temps than most cars and puts a beating on cheap crap. https://i.postimg.cc/JhFmPy4v/image.png 2017 build date, guessing these don't sell quickly. https://i.postimg.cc/xCVpfYsq/image.png They mill the flanges flat after welding, a nice touch. https://i.postimg.cc/5yRwtSxp/image.png I just hope it fits as well as the RX-8 exhaust did! I did order some 1/2" split shaft collars like what Perrin uses so I can center the exhaust nicely in the openings. Otherwise, should be good to go whenever I get my car. I'll post videos and such. |
Oooooooooohhhhhh
Looking forward to your review vs. your old BRZ!! |
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ooooh, this excites me!
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Boo, turns out the xforce exhaust doesn't fit :(
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Super jelly of the car- excited to see your "usual" build/enjoyment! Sucks the exhaust doesn't fit.
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Ohhhh
How does it compare to the RX8? :D |
So the contact was the plastic piece with the two square holes in it. You can see how an exhaust with the flange off to the side could contact it, especially if the flange sits wider than the outlet pipe.
https://i.postimg.cc/xT5401cw/image.png https://i.postimg.cc/QxhzGTxg/image.png I've gone ahead and ordered a Perrin 2.5" resonated exhaust, it will take a while to get here sadly as they're not in stock. |
The car is just... wow. VERY good. The power difference vs the first gen is stark, haha. I drove it back to back vs my buddy's FR-S that has a header & tune and coilovers and such. It's really interesting that the new car feels nearly as stiff but just more comfy. Interior changes are huge and generally fantastic while some are a little, uh, odd. It just feels like a really premium experience. Still a cheap car with some of the materials choices but I'm thrilled. Lower seat has more bolstering than before while the upper seat just seems slightly more aggressive in how it pushes on my shoulders/upper back. Not uncomfortable, just different. Rear seats seem even less useful than before for adults, somehow. Trunk opening is narrower or something. I want STI/Group N motor mounts again, the stock mounts are soft and fairly pathetic yet again.
Fuel economy seems pretty darn good so far, though the cluster seems very pessimistic, haha. Compared to the RX-8 it's night and day. The RX-8 is super fun, but definitely a much older car. It feels like a different decade even vs the first gen twin, which makes sense for when they were developed. The RX-8 is faster than my buddy's first gen twin, but slower than the new twin by a lot. RX-8 just feels a lot more aggressive, but in good ways. https://i.postimg.cc/9QnVQpDH/image.png |
I've got a few hundred miles so far and a lot of seat time. I had a BRZ before and a few other comparable cars and some less than comparable, haha.
My initial thoughts on things so far! Really enjoying the car, glad Subaru/Toyota refreshed it. The whole car just feels premium vs the first gen, in pretty much every way. The top of the dash is hard plastic now I think, which is kinda lame. Some of the ergo choices are a bit odd (thinking of the door handles in particular), but generally all really good. Materials are still "cheap car" but used well so it doesn't feel cheap. The center console/armrest seems totally fine to me. I do wish it had a power port there, but whatever. I love that it can close on my phone cable totally fine so I can still have my phone out and connected to Android Auto. Cupholders themselves seem... fine? I wish there was a nicer place to put my phone, there really should be a pocket under the HVAC controls. Audio quality seems "fine" at best which is totally fine for me. I haven't felt a need to play with the EQ yet, but it could definitely use a bit more bass. Actual speaker quality seems good for a stock system, sounds pretty clear. The radio interface is very busy looking but works well. Android Auto integration is great. Super smooth and responsive which is the most important thing to me with a radio interface. The backup camera is great during the day, but pretty trash at night as the backup lights wash out everything in view. The turn signals are fine. Totally fine. I wish there was a bit more of a detent to bump against when doing a tap-turn lane change but it's fine. Going back to a normal car now feels weird, haha. The high beam stalk operation is really annoying to me. Every other car I've ever driven was push to turn the high beams on, then push again to turn them off (or pull the stalk back to center on older cars) but the BRZ returns to center then you need to pull towards you to turn them off. It feels super weird pulling from the center position to turn them off. Not sure why this is so annoying, but it is. The actual headlights are "fine" with a decent spread of light. The dead spot from the anode is not ideal but whatever. High beams are also "fine" with a better spread than the first gen HIDs but not really that great. The active sound thingy is a bit too loud IMO. I don't mind it in normal driving but rev it out or even higher speed highway driving and it's just making noise for no good reason. I can't wait to get an exhaust on the car and turn it off, tbh. If you're leaving the car stock it would be amazing to have an option to cut the volume down a lot but leave it on. I'd imagine with the active sound turned off the car would be way too quiet. The trunk opening is a bit narrower, I think. Seems to have the same interior space though, and no spare tire so there's some storage under the trunk floor now too. Seats are still great. There's definitely more bolster along your thigh and the upper back area feels like it's a bit stiffer/more supportive. Headrests seem to be a bit further away which is nice for those of us that autocross/track our cars. They're still really supportive and comfortable though the materials on the base seats are pretty "meh" feeling vs the first gen BRZ seats (they do feel nicer than the materials of the first gen FR-S seats) The steering feels heavier than a first gen at all times, but loads up a bit less mid corner so there's a bit less "feel" but more weight. It's fine, but doesn't feel quite as light on its feet and communicative. Still super responsive and easy to place the car. The new suspension tuning feels really nice. Shocks have been dyno'd by RCE and they have similar compression to my RX-8's coilovers, so they're surprisingly stiff and responsive. Balance feels pretty good on the off ramps I've taken so far. Primacies still kinda suck, but duh? Brakes feel good, though I find them mildly difficult to get used to vs my RX-8 or ND Miata. The brake pedal seems more responsive when you get on it quickly vs just a smooth roll on to the brakes, slightly odd. I haven't accidentally hit the stupid "panic assist" nonsense yet, nor ice mode. We'll see what happens when I autocross/track though. Throttle response is great, sometimes it seems really numb to heel-toe blips though. When you lift off the throttle the ECU really smooths out the sudden drop in throttle which makes it smooth and easy to drive around but also kind of annoying. Driving the car harder this seems to be less of an issue. Power & power delivery is fantastic. Just what the car needed IMO. There's still a mild torque dip but *nowhere* near as bad as the first gen. Sorta feels like a heavily tuned stock first gen, dip wise. Header & tune will fix that right up and surely make power Shift feel is very "strong" feeling. The detent springs feel like what a first gen felt like with the MTEC springs, I guess. Still engages nicely and smoothly. A bit stiff when it's cold, but better than the first gen. Fuel economy seems solid so far. I'm averaging about 23 mpg, I suspect I'll stay around that figure. About what I got on the first gen, I think I got around 24 mpg. Highway fuel economy still seems to be a bit over 30 mpg, so not much change there. There are a lot more underbody aero pieces now so surely that helps. Maybe marginally worse fuel economy overall than the first gen? Worthwhile trade off for the power gains! As a comparison my RX-8 gets ~15 mpg on my commute and ~20 mpg on the highway (in STX autocross trim) while my ND got ~26 mpg on my commute and ~35 mpg on the highway (in STR autocross trim) I already want motor/diff mount upgrades. The stock motor mounts & diff mounts are hilariously soft. Makes it fairly annoying pulling away from a stop because you don't feel the drivetrain load up as you release the clutch. Speaking of the clutch, clutch feel is similar to the first gen. I suspect it will benefit a lot from the slave cylinder mod as the first gen car, my buddy's FR-S has that and it's well worth it. Looks are subjective, but I really really like the looks of the new gen. I do prefer the GR86 front bumper, but Subaru is awesome to work with and I love WRB, haha. The front fender bulges are still great, it makes it easy to place the car with them in your peripheral vision, that was the first thing my fiancee commented on when she drove it around! Compared to my RX-8 the new BRZ is night and day. The RX-8 is super fun, but definitely a much older car. It feels like a different decade even vs the first gen twin, which makes sense for when they were developed. The RX-8 is faster than my buddy's first gen twin, but slower than the new twin by a lot. RX-8 just feels a lot more aggressive, but in good ways. My RX-8 is fairly modded, but not at the same time. Poly motor mounts and diff mounts, catback, coilovers, camber bushings, front swaybar, intake, tune and that's it. The RX-8 transmission feels like complete crap, super notchy and sorta crunchy into gears when it's cold (brand new trans and clutch too!). RX-8 has a very fun powerband and super addictive noise, so I always want to rev it out and my fuel economy is trash haha. It's definitely slower than the new twin, but the power delivery is *sooo* fun. The RX-8 brakes are a bit touchy vs the BRZ, even with stock pads, but the stock pads are also totally fine on track even on hot days in back to back sessions so I can't complain! RX-8 rides very well considering the spring rates in use (thanks Shaftworks USA!) and no doubt has fantastic suspension, but the twin is shockingly close to the same feel when driving the car hard, assuming you ignore the extra body roll and such. Driver inputs feel the same, which is awesome. Compared to my prior ND2 Miata, the new twin feels both more expensive and less expensive in a lot of different ways. The ND interior styling is on point and everything feels really nice... Except for where it's clearly *really* cheap. It's hard to compare totally stock versus totally stock as I had MCS shocks on the ND within a month or two, but the ND seemed to absorb large bumps better but it was super floaty and *very* soft so no surprise there. The ND powerband was smoother but felt slower because of it. Straight line acceleration is about identical, but the BRZ feels more dramatic because of the slight torque dip I guess. ND steering feel was nearly non-existent and the twins is miles better. ND was easier to hustle along a back road, the pedal placement and ease of use was *perfect* for heel-toe and such. BRZ is still really really good, but I think it needs a tune to turn off some of the emissions BS that dulls the throttle response in certain situations. ND shifter was definitely not as notchy/less stiff detents but it was also always sorta mechanical feeling and you felt things working to get into gear. The BRZ is more notchy but filters out all of that mechanical feel as it slots into gear. Both cars were different but still great. The BRZ is definitely a more practical car, even with the fairly useless rear seats. The ND wasn't supposed to be a practical car and it always carried everything I ever wanted until I was moving, so I can't complain at all! https://i.postimg.cc/9QnVQpDH/image.png https://i.postimg.cc/hPsG9cNV/image.png |
Amazing write-up! Felt like I was driving the cars back to back to back!
It really sounds like the new twins are complete winners and great steps forward for the nameplates. I also like how clean the chassis and suspension still are on yours :lol: Since you're tracking/autocrossing this car, what are your plans for where it needs help? Header/Tune/Catback/Mounts/Wheels/Tires/Brakes? |
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My plan is pretty simple, mounts/wheels/tires/header/tune/exhaust/coilovers/front swaybar/brake pads (maybe BBK eventually but meh) Less stuff than I had before, but still pretty modded. It definitely would be a weapon with stock suspension with camber bolts up front but it really needs camber plates to get enough camber. |
I installed the OEM crash bolts. I got around -1.3 degrees of camber on both sides with my camber gauge. Toe was nearly unchanged, as it was on the first gen.
https://i.postimg.cc/Y9Tnz6P4/image.png |
looking good!
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Thanks!
Measured and confirmed the 2017+ air filters will work, not that the drop ins really offer a power advantage anyway. There's a neat post air filter filter. https://i.postimg.cc/KYXntWDT/image.png |
Got up to two things today! Received my new wheels, 17x9 ET45 Enkei TS-V in Storm Gray. I'm really excited to see them on the car properly especially with my incoming coilovers from Shaftworks USA!
https://i.postimg.cc/TRB3YNLg/PXL-20...-151641887.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/Kxb4MW95/PXL-20...-151651448.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/XNSqx1n4/PXL-20...-170339628.jpg I installed Eibach's 10mm extended stud/spacer kit using the balljoint spreader tool method on my 2022 BRZ today. Pretty simple as it is on the first gen or most other cars. Warning though, the 2022+ BRZ with aluminum knuckles uses different torque specs than first gens (now 88.5 ft-lbs for the two caliper bracket/knuckle bolts and 70.1 ft-lbs for the four hub/knuckle bolts) but more annoyingly, the knuckle is in the way and there's no way to install extended studs without pulling the hub. Not a huge deal and overall pretty simple! https://i.postimg.cc/fWNWY3vb/PXL-20...-161841702.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/rVWFdGxb/PXL-20...-162431691.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/xYD1w7SS/PXL-20...-162928842.jpg |
^^ guessing the automatic image resizer on the forum broke, sorry...
https://i.postimg.cc/D06G783m/image.png Whiteline diff bushing inserts, I skipped the diff outrigger bushing inserts as they made horrible diff whine on my first gen. Easy install, though if you're lazy like my you need to yank on the swaybar to make enough room for the lower bolt on the one side of the diff. Easy enough! Wheelhop is minimized now, I'll test the subframe bushing inserts at some point in the next few months to see if it's eliminated. |
Installed Whiteline's subframe bushing insert kit. Seems to fit fine even with the new swaybar mounting on the BRZ. It will definitely fit fine on the GR86.
There's definitely a bit of NVH, but the rear end of the car feels more connected. Trade offs! https://i.postimg.cc/sxF8LtZK/image.png |
Got some PPF done and a quick clean/seal by Performance Detailz near Lancaster, PA. Rockers all the way into the car, fender vent piece, mirrors, and trunk strip. Really needed the side skirts done as they're so wide they're going to take cone blasts at autocross and they're also a little difficult to step over.
Unfortunately the front bumper was already a bit chipped up so no point in doing that. :( https://i.postimg.cc/vHhM0ZcC/image.png https://i.postimg.cc/1tD1w9kC/image.png https://i.postimg.cc/638yXGG7/image.png |
Lookin good!!
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Really like the new front-end a lot. Sorry to hear it's chipped :(
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Subaru paint sucks... still haha. To be fair, I got cut off by a dump truck that proceeded to drop rocks all over :(
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VW paint isn't any better...I think all paint sucks these days TBH. |
All water based paint sucks ass
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Did an oil change and switched to Motul DCTF for the transmission. Shifts way better cold (doesn't seem to lock me out of gears as often) and smooths out the hot shifting as well. Transmission even seems a little bit quieter which is interesting!
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I've been working on mapping CAN data and finding a nice access point since CAN isn't readily accessible on the OBD2 port anymore. There's an active sound (ASC) computer easily accessible in the passenger side of the dash, so that was a perfect spot to "hack into" and get CAN access.
Parts list for the ASC connector/patch harness: Male connector (plugs into factory harness): - AMP/TE Connectivity Connector Housing P/N: 1376106-1 (Quantity 1) - AMP/TE Connectivity Pins P/N: 1376109-1 (Quantity 8) - I'd suggest ordering a couple of spares though in case you mess up crimping Female connector (same as factory harness if you're making a patch) - AMP/TE Connectivity Connector Housing P/N: 1318386-1 (Quantity 1) - AMP/TE Connectivity Pins P/N: 1123343-1 (Quantity 8) - I'd suggest ordering a couple of spares though in case you mess up crimping I used this wire: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...0?ie=UTF8&th=1 I used this RJ45 breakout (for RaceCapture Track Mk2, you'll use something else for other devices): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Use something like this to crimp the connectors. It's fiddly and annoying but way cheaper than the "right" tool: https://www.amazon.com/Qibaok-Termin.../dp/B089LW7MWT If you're wiring to a breakout like I was, this will work to make the ferrules on the wires. Way nicer to insert than stranded wire twisted together or whatever: https://www.amazon.com/TICONN-Insula...dp/B09F94TPRV/ My patch harness (made a second for a friend that I owe a favor to): https://i.postimg.cc/zf5XSZTb/image.png My RaceCapture "install" after I routed the RJ45 cable along the passenger side rocker under the carpet, down in front of the seat, and out the flap that exposes the chassis VIN. https://i.postimg.cc/htnfMdBt/image.png Data into SoloStorm! https://i.postimg.cc/y8cghCrc/image.png Matching temps on the dash for comparison: https://i.postimg.cc/fbvVFjsb/image.png |
Dang - nice work figuring that out!
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Shaftworks USA Bilanx 1 coilovers installed! Rides like stock, I'm really impressed considering the spring rates and valving we went with. Gotta do a front swaybar and finally mount up my tires on my TS-Vs before I can comment much on their performance otherwise. Winter is finally over and I'm excited to go autocrossing and TT :)
https://i.postimg.cc/FRW6XNCf/image.png https://i.postimg.cc/Hxh6P3jX/image.png https://i.postimg.cc/yYczc3rv/image.png https://i.postimg.cc/SsJBsnML/image.png https://i.postimg.cc/RF6Ym2kX/image.png |
A few wet pics with my wheels on :)
https://i.postimg.cc/Hn737DTd/image.png https://i.postimg.cc/g2bt8Jw5/image.png https://i.postimg.cc/T1yNq5J8/image.png |
JDL UEL & Perrin 2.5" catback installed! Sounds like a proper Subaru again, haha
https://i.postimg.cc/4x9dn5JJ/image.png https://i.postimg.cc/yxG18Jtg/image.png |
Love what you’ve done with the place. Something exactly like this will be my adult sport car, whenever I get to a good place with the E30s.
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Thanks! I *love* it and I can't see swapping out cars again any time soon. It's practical, reliable, and a ton of fun. There are more mods I'd like to do when budget allows but no rush.
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I did the header first so I could see how it sounded with stock exhaust:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKr5RSGkfRE Cold start with the header and catback and some free revs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zumc484NSag Cruising around: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0M0emSiA6M Full throttle 2nd gear acceleration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9572mqrI9Lk |
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I also checked out JDL- their stuff seems like quality at a nice price point. Oh, also, exhaust sounds good! I enjoy the header with the stock catback, but the Perrin sounds very smooth/approchable for an aftermarket catback. |
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JDL makes killer stuff, I had them on my first gen too. They make a ton of cool stuff for a fairly random selection of vehicles, like a turbo kit for a 2.5 I5 Rabbit, haha. The header with catback is exactly how the car should have sounded from the factory, IMO. Stock sounded like a Crosstrek. |
Installed my final piece of the puzzle for autocross/track season last night! Karcepts makes badass parts for a limited selection of cars, but when their swaybars or other parts are available for your car you have to buy them. Over-engineered in the best ways possible! The swaybars have a nice arc built in for the adjustment holes so you can quickly and easily adjust the swaybar stiffness between runs at autocross or you could even do it in a pitstop during an enduro race or something. Easy install for a motorsports product with a great installation manual and they even included some specialty tools that are required.
https://i.postimg.cc/L84d3jrN/image.png |
First autocross weekend in the history books! The car is phenomenal! I tested back to back with an ND2 Miata in STR and I don't think we can hang in STR yet (but it will be close with tunes to fix the low rev limiter) but the car is so dang fun I don't even really care. Love the easy adjust Karcepts swaybar and the Shaftworks USA shocks. I made one swaybar change early Saturday at the Test and Tune (math said I should have been where I ended up, but I was lazy and set the swaybar softer) and I didn't do anything for shocks, adjustment wise. I'm really really happy with the car.
My Saturday TnT run: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeWv8DJUzOM Amy's TnT run: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T7sr0fcrrs Sunday's event was defined by crummy off and on rain. I made no changes for the wet and I was clearly the fastest in the wet, but it dried out and I coned away my fast run, then it rained again for Amy and she was faster in the rain than in the dry but coned it away too. Ignore the squeaking in the video, we left our trunk junk in because of the rain and the mic was picking up the squeaky styrofoam. I'll share our faster runs first. My fastest raw time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShKvJFMiLM0 Amy's fastest raw time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TI8K3Bpq6g My fastest clean run: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3amKqE0DPs4 Amy's fastest clean run: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ebcDTK7F0g |
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