Symbiont's SWP BRZ Premium 6MT

[Symbiont]

I have been having a blast in the BRZ. I really enjoy the feel of being connected to the road through the car like I never have been before.

Drove the Mazda CX-7 for a bit today to put some air in the tires and gas it up, since the BRZ is going into the shop for the stereo install tomorrow. It felt like I was 10 feet off the ground, and floating. Completely surreal experience.

Worked a bit on my splash screen for the NAV today since I was bored.

[Symbiont]

I dropped off the car today to have a stereo installed at Gold Star Audio in Orange County, California. They handle a lot of more expensive vehicles (There was an Aston Martin, Rolls Royce, and GT-R in the shop when I dropped off the BRZ), so I know they have the experience handling clean installs. I had them handle my Maxima before and they did a good job, so I'm looking forward to the results.

I asked them to take some pics of the install process, so I will hopefully have something to share here from it. I just didn't have the time to do it myself, so I figured that this was the best route to go.

I am going to keep the factory deck for now, mainly because of money constraints. There have been a lot of speed traps around lately, so I figured the money would be better spent on a radar/laser detector.

Stereo components:
Morel Hybrid Ovation 6 3w bi-amped (3.5" mids and tweets on one channel and the 6.5" on the other)
2 Focal P 25 DB 10" subwoofers in a custom MDF ported box in the trunk

Mounted under the trunk floor are going to be the following components:
JL Audio a4300 component amp
JL Audio a1800 sub amp
Auidiocontrol EQS

Since they are already going to be in the dash and such installing wiring, I asked them to set up a direct wire Escort Passport 9500ix as well.

[Bristecom]

Originally Posted by Symbiont

I went for my daily drive down Pacific Coast Highway (Laguna Beach to Dana Point to Huntington Beach and back) and saw an Asphalt and an Ultramarine FR-S. It was nice to see some new owners enjoying their cars, too.

The car continues to draw attention... was followed/chased by a couple different cars trying to take pictures/video of the BRZ. PCH is a hot spot for nice cars, so people cruise there all the time looking for the next hot thing. Saw an orange Lamborghini Reventon yesterday.

The transmission continues to impress. I'm considering a harder rear shift bushing to make it feel even more firm, but I'm not quite sure it needs it yet. This car is a blast to drive at any speed.

Yeah, I used to live in Irvine and would drive up and down the PCH often. Beautiful view of the ocean and lots of nice cars. I miss it...

[Symbiont]

So, I picked up the car today from the install shop, but I don't have any pictures to show yet.

I went for as stealthy an install as I could. The stock speaker locations were filled perfectly with the Morel Hybrid Ovation 6 3way (6.5/3.5/28mm) and I left the rear speakers alone. Ran the inputs to the Audiocontrol EQS and from there to two new amplifiers, an ARC Audio KS 300.4 and an ARC Audio XDi 1000.1.

The 300.4 biamps the Morels (2 channels to the 6.5s and 2 channels to the 3.5s and tweets) and the 1000.1 is pushing to 10" Focal P 25 DB in a trunk mounted rear-facing sealed enclosure. The amps are located under the floor of the trunk with the bass remote control running to a spot under the driver's side dash. Overall, I only lost the use of about 1/4 of the trunk, but I wasn't planning on using it anyway. I ended up putting the 2 JL amps and my old 10w7 into my CX-7, so it was time for new amps in the BRZ.

Everything else looks stock. I will probably upgrade the deck at some point as I'm not enamored with the interface of the stock nav unit, but that's for a later time.

I am absolutely amazed at how bulletproof the car is. The doors didn't need any Dynamat at all, and I can't detect any rattles except for the rear license plate frame. I'm going to put a square on the back of the plate and a square frame between the inside of the plate frame and the plates, once they arrive.

The car sounds amazing, even without the speakers being broken in and tuned yet. I can't wait to hear how it sounds once everything is tuned up and ready to go.

The Escort Passport 9500ix is direct wired and mounted unobtrusively in a corner of the windshield. I may relocate it later, but for now it seems effective and out of the way.

Pictures to follow when there's a bit more light.

Next project up, I/E and an ECU tune. Looking to get another 15-20whp out of the engine, as well as smoothing out that torque dip.

[Thefuzz]

Originally Posted by Symbiont

I went for as stealthy an install as I could. The stock speaker locations were filled perfectly with the Morel Hybrid Ovation 6 3way (6.5/3.5/28mm)

Did the 3.5's fill exactly or is there room for 4's up there?

[Symbiont]

Originally Posted by Thefuzz

Did the 3.5's fill exactly or is there room for 4's up there?

It's designed for 3.5s, but a shallow 4 would fit with a custom baffle.

[Symbiont]

I've been asked a few questions about the shift knob and how it works with the reverse lock, so I updated my original post with a couple different angles of the knob.

I also included a picture of the trunk to show how much space is left over after the sub box is installed.

[Symbiont]

I am going to be donating my baby to Injen (up in Pomona) for a few days next week. Should have a nice intake when it's done.

I'm also taking a look at a manufacturer of carbon fiber trim parts, to see what options are available for rear diffuser, front air dam, and possibly side skirt or rocker extensions.

They also do GT wings, but my girlfriend would smack me if I put a large spoiler on the car.

[Symbiont]

After breaking in the speakers in my install and having it retuned, I wrote up a short thread about what audio solution I chose for my BRZ. You can find it here if you are interested in aftermarket audio.

[Symbiont]

The impromptu Longo Scion meet was a lot of fun. Even though my car was dirty from the drive I took that day, I had a great time meeting everyone.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9736

[Symbiont]

Originally Posted by Symbiont

I am going to be donating my baby to Injen (up in Pomona) for a few days next week. Should have a nice intake when it's done.

I'm also taking a look at a manufacturer of carbon fiber trim parts, to see what options are available for rear diffuser, front air dam, and possibly side skirt or rocker extensions.

They also do GT wings, but my girlfriend would smack me if I put a large spoiler on the car.

Interestingly enough, Injen is also going to try out some exhausts on Delilah. Can't wait to see what they come up with!

I'll keep this thread posted with updates.

[Symbiont]

BRZ almost ready to go. Super excited to see what they may have done with it.

[Koji_Online]

Looking forward to the results =D

That's a nice looking mini jet turbine in the back! Haha

[Symbiont]

Down at Injen right now, posting from my iPhone. Absolutely best guys in the world; Adrian and Paul are genuinely passionate about their work. Very considerate with how they have handled the whole process. I am going to drive my car for a while and bring it back in for them to finish off the rest of the planned testing.

Going to have to hold off on engine bay and undercarriage pics until everything is done. Want to drop the whole package at the same time.

Initial driving impressions to come, as well as (possibly) some very exciting news!

[phenryiv1]

Very nice thread. I love the color (I have an SWP 2011 WRX 5DR) and really like all of what you have done in the audio thread.

I fired a question to you over there (may be mor appropriate there than here) abot the door speakers and whether you have photos of how the 6.5" mids were installed.

Thanks, and congrats on the beautiful car.

[Symbiont]

Originally Posted by phenryiv1

Very nice thread. I love the color (I have an SWP 2011 WRX 5DR) and really like all of what you have done in the audio thread.

I fired a question to you over there (may be mor appropriate there than here) abot the door speakers and whether you have photos of how the 6.5" mids were installed.

Thanks, and congrats on the beautiful car.

Thanks!

I do have pics of it, but they are on a computer I don't have access to until sometime next week. As soon as I can get to it, I'll post them up for you.

[Symbiont]

Did a small write up on my time at Injen today.

Missing my baby already, but can't wait to see what more the wizards down there can come up with!

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11118

[phenryiv1]

Originally Posted by Symbiont

Thanks!

I do have pics of it, but they are on a computer I don't have access to until sometime next week. As soon as I can get to it, I'll post them up for you.

Thank you. If you have the OEM speakers around, I could use your input/assistance on some R&D. I shot you a PM.

[Symbiont]

Originally Posted by phenryiv1

Thank you. If you have the OEM speakers around, I could use your input/assistance on some R&D. I shot you a PM.

I will see about getting you those measurements by EOD tomorrow.

[gt865]

Wow that tint makes white look even better than what it already is! Quick question, I saw you put that you were getting 35/25 tint.. Are the front windows 35? Because I have 35 on mine and it does not look as dark (or good) as yours lol!

[Symbiont]

Originally Posted by gt865

Wow that tint makes white look even better than what it already is! Quick question, I saw you put that you were getting 35/25 tint.. Are the front windows 35? Because I have 35 on mine and it does not look as dark (or good) as yours lol!

Yes, the fronts are 35, rears are 25. The contrast with the white definitely seems to increase the darkness of the tint, comparatively.

[EvoXDD]

positive: nice car and mods fo sho!
negative: having a white car in my stable, you will regret not going all the way back with the clear bra. should have done entire bumper (skipped hood) and entire fenders. you will have a line of dust that will take forever to clean every time you clean your car. a good solution is 3M adhesive remover. comes in a metal container (totally paint safe) and will take most of the dust in one swipe. you can get it at kitrells. a lot of other places don't sell it as it is a professional grade product.