the struggle is real.... - Page 2 - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

R_E_L · 12-13-2018, 03:04 PM

Make a list of the things you think you want, pricing everything out, and start setting aside money towards that amount every month for 6-12 months depending on how much you are gonna spend. Then at the end of that time period if you still want to make all those changes, you can have at it. If not you got a nice chunk of change to put into other things/invest.

thill · 12-13-2018, 03:33 PM

Drive the car for awhile after break-in and see what bugs you. For me the sound system needed an improvement right away and that was something I knew no amount of break-in would fix. But for anything suspension or power related I would say wait about. Especially with power modification as you risk having powertrain warranty work denied on a brand new car.

Tcoat · 12-13-2018, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DandoX

I think it's smart to not mod the car for a year. However there are some exceptions:

Extra set of wheels/tires is never a bad idea

It is NEVER too early to get a new exhaust for these cars, stock exhaust is far too quiet.

After years of ownership I safely can say if you put a new more aggressive sounding exhaust you will not regret it.

Ya I should have been more clear in my first statement. Cosmetic mods such as wheels (changed just for looks), cat back, spoiler, etc are a do right away sort of thing since they do not really change but just personalize the car. Performance mods should be based upon driving the car and determining exactly what each individual feels they need to change and what the best route to get there is.
OH and asking "what are the best coilovers/turbo/headers/etc does not count as determining what meets your needs..

daiheadjai · 12-13-2018, 04:21 PM

I think it might be premature for performance mods (F/I, upgraded brakes, coilovers, etc.), but I heartily-endorse mods that improve the "feel" of the driving experience (which is really what this car is really about anyways).

Highly-recommend:
-TRD Quick-shifter and MTEC Shift springs (and maybe a weighted shiftknob).
A complete mechanical noob/klutz like me managed to install both as DIY projects.
Makes the stock shifter feel floppy in comparison (much more direct and positive feedback, although you will also need a bit more shift effort). A solid shiftknob gets rid of the cheap/rickety/rattly nature of stock knob.
-Lightweight pulley: some people think it's useless, but I felt the car was noticeably more responsive with the lightweight pulley (when I reverted to stock, it was noticeably worse); again a very easy DIY project
-Cusco gas pedal (if you are trying to learn heel-and-toe with the car): Another easy install (albeit pricey for what you get), but you'll learn a useful skill - you can remove it afterwards (think of them like training wheels for heel-toe)
-FREE mod: adjust the clutch point

Highly do not recommend:
-Injen SP short ram: Causes idling/bogging issues, and occasionally would stall the engine even while the car was moving (although it did make the car sound far better)
-GReddy SP Elite axle-back: Minimal change in sound for mucho dinero

Ultramaroon · 12-13-2018, 04:21 PM

It's never too early to ruin your car.

Sapphireho · 12-13-2018, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

It's never too early to improve your car.

FIFY

justinco · 12-13-2018, 04:41 PM

As others have said, these cars are great fun even bone stock. Drive it for a while then do what you feel like. Everyone will have a different approach and interests in modifications. The good thing is you bought a fantastic platform that can excel in many different ways.

norcalpb · 12-13-2018, 04:43 PM

Master cylinder brace should be everyone’s first mod.

Leonardo · 12-13-2018, 04:50 PM

Better tires (and wheels, if you can afford to get both) should be the first mod(s).

I started adding parts ( and removing parts) on Day One. I have had my car 6.5 years, and still no Power mods. I don't need them. Spent a bunch on wheels, tires, suspension, interior, stereo, and lighting though.

Sapphireho · 12-13-2018, 04:53 PM

Actually I did the rear seat delete the second weekend I had the car (took a week to ship). It has never had more than 2 people in it, as it should be.

Tcoat · 12-13-2018, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

I was going to wait until my warranty was out, but after a year said f-it and bought a bunch of bolt on parts. Love my twin.

The King of the Boltons!

Sapphireho · 12-13-2018, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tcoat

The King of the Boltons!

That doesn't look very comfy. Maybe just an ottoman?

Tcoat · 12-13-2018, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

That doesn't look very comfy. Maybe just an ottoman?

Not sure that is better

RToyo86 · 12-13-2018, 05:15 PM

I made it 8 months stock[aside from a different weighted clutch pedal spring] before I added a catback exhaust. For me the car is pretty much perfect out of the box for street use except for the the noise coming out the tailpipe.

12-13-2018, 03:04 PM	#15
R_E_L He's got this. Join Date: Mar 2010 Drives: 50th Anni BRZ Location: SoCal Posts: 569 Thanks: 251 Thanked 247 Times in 129 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Make a list of the things you think you want, pricing everything out, and start setting aside money towards that amount every month for 6-12 months depending on how much you are gonna spend. Then at the end of that time period if you still want to make all those changes, you can have at it. If not you got a nice chunk of change to put into other things/invest. __________________ Don't worry, I'm certified... promise.

12-13-2018, 04:21 PM	#19
Ultramaroon 義理チョコ Join Date: Sep 2014 Drives: a 13 e8h frs Location: vantucky, wa Posts: 31,869 Thanks: 52,132 Thanked 36,520 Times in 18,921 Posts Mentioned: 1106 Post(s) Tagged: 9 Thread(s)	It's never too early to ruin your car. __________________ service manuals

12-13-2018, 04:41 PM	#21
justinco btr.life Join Date: Aug 2015 Drives: 2022 GR86 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,099 Thanks: 662 Thanked 1,094 Times in 491 Posts Mentioned: 23 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	As others have said, these cars are great fun even bone stock. Drive it for a while then do what you feel like. Everyone will have a different approach and interests in modifications. The good thing is you bought a fantastic platform that can excel in many different ways. __________________ 2022 Toyota GR86 - The BTR Garage 1994 BMW 325is \| 2013 Scion FRS \| 2017 Subaru BRZ

12-13-2018, 04:50 PM	#23
Leonardo Country Boy 4 Life Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: 19' & 06' Ridgelines, 13' FR-S Location: EUGENE Posts: 5,228 Thanks: 6,719 Thanked 5,291 Times in 2,720 Posts Mentioned: 47 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	Better tires (and wheels, if you can afford to get both) should be the first mod(s). I started adding parts ( and removing parts) on Day One. I have had my car 6.5 years, and still no Power mods. I don't need them. Spent a bunch on wheels, tires, suspension, interior, stereo, and lighting though. __________________ I LIKE TIRES!

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12-13-2018, 03:33 PM	#16
thill Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Drives: 2020 SS1LE (previous 13 BRZ owner) Location: North Pole Posts: 2,753 Thanks: 328 Thanked 1,463 Times in 802 Posts Mentioned: 20 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Drive the car for awhile after break-in and see what bugs you. For me the sound system needed an improvement right away and that was something I knew no amount of break-in would fix. But for anything suspension or power related I would say wait about. Especially with power modification as you risk having powertrain warranty work denied on a brand new car.

12-13-2018, 04:21 PM	#18
daiheadjai Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Drives: 2003 S2000, 2008 Fit Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 1,990 Thanks: 2,584 Thanked 1,154 Times in 688 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I think it might be premature for performance mods (F/I, upgraded brakes, coilovers, etc.), but I heartily-endorse mods that improve the "feel" of the driving experience (which is really what this car is really about anyways). Highly-recommend: -TRD Quick-shifter and MTEC Shift springs (and maybe a weighted shiftknob). A complete mechanical noob/klutz like me managed to install both as DIY projects. Makes the stock shifter feel floppy in comparison (much more direct and positive feedback, although you will also need a bit more shift effort). A solid shiftknob gets rid of the cheap/rickety/rattly nature of stock knob. -Lightweight pulley: some people think it's useless, but I felt the car was noticeably more responsive with the lightweight pulley (when I reverted to stock, it was noticeably worse); again a very easy DIY project -Cusco gas pedal (if you are trying to learn heel-and-toe with the car): Another easy install (albeit pricey for what you get), but you'll learn a useful skill - you can remove it afterwards (think of them like training wheels for heel-toe) -FREE mod: adjust the clutch point Highly do not recommend: -Injen SP short ram: Causes idling/bogging issues, and occasionally would stall the engine even while the car was moving (although it did make the car sound far better) -GReddy SP Elite axle-back: Minimal change in sound for mucho dinero

12-13-2018, 04:43 PM	#22
norcalpb Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Drives: 2013 BRZ, 2023 Model 3 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 2,296 Thanks: 1,212 Thanked 863 Times in 570 Posts Mentioned: 15 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Master cylinder brace should be everyone’s first mod.

12-13-2018, 04:53 PM	#24
Sapphireho ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Join Date: Mar 2016 Drives: '15 ultramarine Location: Idaho Posts: 13,194 Thanks: 5,451 Thanked 18,241 Times in 8,610 Posts Mentioned: 155 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Actually I did the rear seat delete the second weekend I had the car (took a week to ship). It has never had more than 2 people in it, as it should be.

12-13-2018, 05:15 PM	#28
RToyo86 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Drives: 17 Asphalt 86 Location: Ottawa Posts: 2,172 Thanks: 1,710 Thanked 2,216 Times in 1,132 Posts Mentioned: 15 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I made it 8 months stock[aside from a different weighted clutch pedal spring] before I added a catback exhaust. For me the car is pretty much perfect out of the box for street use except for the the noise coming out the tailpipe.

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