Regarding the installation of the vortech kit, I felt your pain.

Pain 1: the freaking windshield reservoir. After installing everything, I poured the windshield cleaning fluid back (luckily not after putting together the bumper), and found the leak. After trying 4-5 times flipping the rubber seal around, pushing it to the max or pulling it, and it still leaked. In the end I used sealant to get the job then. Then I filled it up again, and later found out the neck was also leaking..... I needed to do the same thing again and sealed everything up.

Pain 2: Tube C (the MAF sensor tube)
Interestingly, my tube B has very good clearance. Not all kit alike? Tube C was knocking the frame and the headlight all the time. I think the ECU was detecting the knocking of tube C to the frame as knock, and I saw some knock correction at some very random and low rev place. So I needed to undo the bumper and headlight to adjust the tube C. Also, according to the instruction, the headlight power clip putting aside move was for FRS only, but it was apparently needed for BRZ. After numerous trial the tube still touched the frame so I made some adjustment by using another hose clamps at tube C and zip tied it to a hole next to the coolant reservoir cap.


Pain 3: The bumper does not fit back well. There are big gaps around the edges of headlights.
Need to check why, might be the intercooler was not adjusted correct, but does yours fit perfectly?

In the end it took me 20 work hrs and like 40 man hours to get it done. I think if there is second installation it can be down to 8-10 hours.

I believe the instruction was OK (of course it can be improved), because I am a noob and most of the things are understandable. For those that I do not understand, i will play the spot the difference game and try to match the location vs the pictures.



Oil cooler seems like a must, because today i was at the track and after 3 mins the oil temp went up to 125c. I was using 0w20 and this was one of the issue. 5w-40 should handle ok in short run like 5-6 mins, but for longer run oil cooler is a must. Your set up seems workable, however I concern I have will be the 3 layers of radiator. After each layer there should be a big drop in terms of receiving cool air... How is your setup performing?

I installed mine with basic hand tools and in my aunts driveway (I was on vacation). it took me 12-13 hours. it's a pain in the ass but it can be done and at the cost of a sore back for the next 3 days.

would I pay someone if I had to do it again......I honestly donno. I think if I had a lift and a second set of hands, I would install it again. nothing is overly hard (if you can solder). it's just a lot of little things.

the instructions are a good guideline but they need some refining. if you have common sense, you'll make it through the install.

I've seen a lot of instructions for aftermarket parts, and they usually are just guidelines.

Thats if you even get instructions....

Thank you sir, you've done a great service to the community

You guys should have tried installing it with the first set of instruction.

So far all my temps are solid IAT is virtually indentical before and after oil cooler. I have low RPM knock detection, did yours go away after you fixed your pipes?

Mine leaks from the top tube (washer fluid if you fill it passed the metal filler neck.

Yeah you can get through it for sure, shocked you did it like you did, how bad was your back?

Thanks a bunch

I had the second and 3rd revisions how bad were the first?

I dont get that at all. I would never design a product sell it without documentation.

If they hired a technical writer would it have increased sales? They are probably still in the red with these. I doubt many have been sold. With the ecutek/tuning requirements it is an expensive piece not affordable to many.

@Dezoris That was an EPIC review man great job! I am sorry you had so many bad experiences with the kit, I am now very glad I had mine installed by a technician at Phastek. I am a novice mechanic if I am being generous, and I felt a lot more comfortable leaving something so important to a pro.

Thanks for the hard work, the video looks and sounds great.

They could easily contract that out to someone for new documentation, and review.

I don't think it would increase sales but help prevent losing sales in this case.

Yeah that was smart and Phastek already had experience too. It probably made the process more fun too.
I actually spent a lot of time on in car audio, the driving part and dynos used three mics placed at different areas of the car to capture the sound as accurately as possible.


Thanks!

I was on leave visiting family in Indiana non of which has a garage. Like I said, no part of the install was overly hard. A second set of hands would have been nice when bolting up the intercooler but its not impossible to do it all by yourself.

My back felt like busted ass and was sore for the next 3 days. You really dont realize how low our cars are until you're bent over the engine bay for a long period of time.

Cmon Pete! Be a man. :p

I have some interesting tuner info to post tomorrow comparing different base tunes from the 3 large tuners.

Very impressive review/documentary. Thanks for putting it all together!

I'm in your area, hope to see you around.