Berzerk's 2017 CWP 'Slow and Steady' Build Thread

[Berzerk]

I figured I should make one of these since I have done it for the last couple of cars I had.

Last Monday, 2/20/17, I picked up my 2017 Crystal White Pearl BRZ with Performance Package. In early November, I decided it was time to move on from my 2005 Honda S2000 to a new platform, but a "more practical" similar car.

On 11/12/16, I walked into my local dealership and ended up walking out with an order placed for a 2017 CWP BRZ with no add ons or no packages attached to it. At the time, I poorly assumed that the performance package was far more expensive than it actually was so I never inquired about it (and somehow the salesman never explicitly stated the price). I was originally given an estimated delivery of December, but after reading on here, I knew that would be wrong. I didn't realize how wrong it would be as the car ended up being estimated for arrival at the end of March!

Fast forward to 2/10/17 and I go to my dealership to check out the series.yellow that they just got in (I hadn't even seen a '17 yet, I test drove a '16 model). I end up walking out requesting them to find me a CWP w/PP coming in or to possibly re-order one. I get home and my salesman calls me to tell me that they found a CWP w/PP and it was coming in next week at another dealership. He asked if I wanted it and I said yes right away.

So here I am now with a CWP w/PP and popular package #3. I'm very happy as I got the car a month early, with the packages I wanted, and for a great price.

I enjoy modding my cars, but I will keep this one bone stock for at least the first six months or one year. I'd like to learn the car before I make any performance changes. It's also currently my daily driver so I've got to consider that.

Here she is on the day I took her home and the day after:









Coincidentally, my coworker actually purchased a '14 WRB on the same Monday that I purchased mine too. Now we're BRZ buddies.

[Berzerk]

One change I had to do ASAP was swap out the shift knob. Nothing really wrong with the OEM knob, I just prefer the shape and feel of the Moddiction one. I had it in my S2000 and really liked the countersunk + weighted feeling + shape.

[spike021]

Such a beautiful car. Mine arrives in ~3 weeks. Can't wait to see what you do with yours!

[rookie]

I considered an s2k before i ended up with my BRZ. Curious what your overall thoughts are on the BRZ vs s2k. Obviously sk2 > BRZ when it comes to power but in terms of driving experience, fun factor, road feel, handling etc.

[Clipdat]

Why no pics of S2K??

[goldenfri]

Originally Posted by Berzerk

One change I had to do ASAP was swap out the shift knob. Nothing really wrong with the OEM knob, I just prefer the shape and feel of the Moddiction one. I had it in my S2000 and really liked the countersunk + weighted feeling + shape.

[img]http://i.imgur.com/Y9lHM8T.jpg[img]

Nice, I didn't realize that S2000 knobs fit on the BRZ, Might have to try my old voodoo knob on for size.

[Berzerk]

Originally Posted by goldenfri

Nice, I didn't realize that S2000 knobs fit on the BRZ, Might have to try my old voodoo knob on for size.

Ah, the S2000 knob does not fit the BRZ! Different thread pattern, I believe. I purchased a BRZ specific knob awhile ago

[Berzerk]

Originally Posted by rookie

I considered an s2k before i ended up with my BRZ. Curious what your overall thoughts are on the BRZ vs s2k. Obviously sk2 > BRZ when it comes to power but in terms of driving experience, fun factor, road feel, handling etc.

I think most of my feelings have been regurgitated by others that have had an S2000, but I'll still share my thoughts.

The S2000 just felt raw (particularly the AP1. I have owned both an AP1 and AP2) compared to the BRZ. How I personally describe it is that the S2000 felt like a traditional car, whereas the BRZ feels like a modern car that is computer/technology assisted. Nothing wrong with either one, but there's just a different feel.

I haven't pushed my BRZ with handling yet, but so far it actually feels pretty comparable to the S2000. I was running 255/40/17 on my S2000 and Hankook RS3 so the grip made handling excellent. I'm sure with a similar set up, the BRZ would handle just as well.

I'm also actually quite surprised by how fast the BRZ feels in comparison as well. Although the S2000 has higher numbers, I don't feel like the BRZ is slow in comparison at all. The 2017 changes may have a lot to do with that.

[Berzerk]

Originally Posted by Clipdat

Why no pics of S2K??

[goldenfri]

Originally Posted by Berzerk

Ah, the S2000 knob does not fit the BRZ! Different thread pattern, I believe. I purchased a BRZ specific knob awhile ago

Ah ok, glad I saw this before I went to the trouble of trying it.

[goldenfri]

Originally Posted by Berzerk

I think most of my feelings have been regurgitated by others that have had an S2000, but I'll still share my thoughts.

The S2000 just felt raw (particularly the AP1. I have owned both an AP1 and AP2) compared to the BRZ. How I personally describe it is that the S2000 felt like a traditional car, whereas the BRZ feels like a modern car that is computer/technology assisted. Nothing wrong with either one, but there's just a different feel.

I haven't pushed my BRZ with handling yet, but so far it actually feels pretty comparable to the S2000. I was running 255/40/17 on my S2000 and Hankook RS3 so the grip made handling excellent. I'm sure with a similar set up, the BRZ would handle just as well.

I'm also actually quite surprised by how fast the BRZ feels in comparison as well. Although the S2000 has higher numbers, I don't feel like the BRZ is slow in comparison at all. The 2017 changes may have a lot to do with that.

I agree 100%. AP1 is actually pretty slow compared to the AP2, but the AP2 feels much more refined.

[Berzerk]

I guess when I wrote "slow and steady" build, I really meant it

Fast forward nearly five months and I haven't done too much to my car due to buying a house. Fortunately, it has a four car garage so I can really enjoy working on my car!

Since the last update, I've reached the 4000 mile mark and am still enjoying the BRZ more than ever.

I have also purchased and installed an HKS Hi-Spec Power L (more in next comment) as well as purchased a third (fourth?) rear brake light that I'll install soon.

[Berzerk]

I told myself I wouldn't make any changes to my BRZ within a year, but I only made it halfway and cracked at the six months point.

When I bought the car, I knew there were three main things I wanted to change: Wheels/tires, exhaust, and suspension. I daily my car for now so these mods are pretty crucial to daily enjoyment and comfort. I haven't found a wheels/tire combo I wanted yet (difficult accommodating for the Brembos!) and I wanted to still feel out the car's handling so I went with an exhaust.

I needed an exhaust that was louder than stock, minimal or no drone, has ti tips, and a deeper tone. I almost pulled the trigger on a local Corsa exhaust, but missed out on it so I went with the HKS Hi Spec Power L catback with Ti tips.

I've only driven about 100 miles on it, but it has been pretty nice so far. First off, it's louder than I thought, but I didn't really have anything to gauge besides YouTube videos. I don't know what's considered "loud" or not for the 86 platform, coming from an S2000. To me, this exhaust is just the right level of noise. I can still hold a conversation just fine in the cabin, but the car feels and sounds "sportier" while saving 20-25 lbs from the stock exhaust. I believe it does have some minor drone between 2500-3000 rpm, but it's not bad at all. Quality of the piece itself is good, considering the price of it.

Also, everything is stock besides the catback system.

The exhaust itself:




Installed on the car:




Here's a short comparison video between stock and HKS (apologies for the not-so-great sound quality)

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVT-Zlf_bcQ"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVT-Zlf_bcQ[/ame]