Be aware that some people have had issues with LED swaps. The LEDs draw a lot less current than the stock bulbs and confuse the computer. They can cause very strange electrical gremlins that seem to have no relationship whatsoever to the lights.

Some people have no issues whatsoever. Just be aware of it.


The sub was an option. You had an either/or: If you ordered the sub, the system would not allow you to also order the OEM rubber trunk mat, and vice versa. You can't fit both in there at the same time. Personally, I think that rubber trunk mat is more useful than a sub could ever be. With the way this car handles, crap slides all over the place on the carpet, but the trunk mat really does help keep things in place.

There is no need to delete that thing. Subaru included a solution with the car.

Have you found the hidden cigarette lighter outlet inside the glove box? It originally came with a black plug in it, which I'm convinced was a practical joke to make it more difficult for people who didn't read the manual to discover the outlet up under there. If you pull back the carpet on the firewall in the passenger side footwell, you will find the "sound hole" that feeds intake noise into the cabin from that sound tube. If you still have the practical joke plug from the outlet, it is the exact size needed to plug the sound hole for free. No more intake noise. They made it fit like that on purpose, by the way.

Sure, there might be other reasons you would want to delete the sound tube. You might be chasing weight if you were tracking the car. You might just want it out of the engine bay, since it doesn't really do anything other than pipe noise to the cabin. But there is no reason to spend any significant amount of money on it, even if you do remove it. You can get a plug for it at the hardware store.

If your cigarette plug is missing, you can get another one at pretty much any auto parts store. I think WalMart has them also.

ETA:

I noticed you didn't include tails in your list of ideas for mods. Personally, I think the stock tails look ricey, so I went with the Tom's tails. They actually look more stock than stock, and I think they add a lot to the rear of the car.

I also picked up a TapTurn with the strobe pack to replace the stock flasher relay. What that allows me to do is put on strobes when someone is tailgating me. It usually prompts the tailgater to back off. For some reason people love to tailgate this car.

I am a big fan of the Torque app for use as an engine monitor. If you're not already using it, consider getting a bluetooth OBDII connector and setting Torque up on your car. I have a dedicated tablet (actually an old Galaxy Note phone I'm not using) that I use to monitor the car. The computer will give you all sorts of engine data that doesn't show on the dash.

This car does NOT have an oil pressure sender capable of giving you an actual oil pressure. It has an oil pressure switch that only gives an on/off signal to the idiot light on the dash, and it's set to some ridiculously low number so that by the time it lights up, you're already in trouble. If you're used to having a real oil pressure gauge, you might want to search around here for threads on adding one to the twins. Subaru left a handy hole for it in the oil gallery on top of the engine.

I actually bought a digital aircraft oil pressure gauge for mine. At some point when I have the time, I'm going to delete that stupid clock on the dash and put that pressure gauge in its place.

What about a shark fin antenna? Are these good?

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Beat-Sonic-FDA4W-Universal-Functional-Antenna/dp/B003M0U5N2/ref=sr_1_23?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1420955783&sr =1-23&keywords=Beat-Sonic+shark+fin"]Amazon.com: Beat-Sonic FDA4W White Universal Functional Shark Fin Antenna: Automotive[/ame]

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Beat-Sonic-FDA9-37J-Whiteout-Functional-Antenna/dp/B00JRR74KG/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1420956003&sr= 1-1&keywords=Beat-Sonic+shark+fin"]Amazon.com: Beat-Sonic FDA9-37J Satin White Pearl/Whiteout Functional Shark Fin Antenna: Automotive[/ame]

I think between that, the trim pieces, the filter, the armrest, and the wheel spacers, that should take up most of the budget and maybe I'll save the rest. That's enough to feel like I've personalized it a little at least. Maybe throw in some after market lights too.

Those are fine if you like the shark fin look. I'm not a huge fan.

If I were going to get a shark fin, however, I think I would go with OEM instead of Beat-Sonic. Starting in 2015 the BRZs came stock with shark fin antennae from the factory. You can order the OEM shark fin and put it on an older BRZ. The OEM antenna is about $40 more.

I have a Beat-Sonic Blaid on mine. It's the one goofy bit of rice I allow on my car. I have a like/hate relationship with it.

Valenti taillights!

Consider some weathertech floor liners if you care about your carpet. It's nice to always be able to get in not worrying about what's on your feet.

I totally agree with this statement.

OFT + UEL catted header. Done. Enjoy your extra 30whp and a great sound.

When I purchased my SWP Limited, I considered Tom's Tails and a TapTurn flasher to be mandatory purchases. I am not a fan of the stock tails, and the flasher provides OEM functionality to the Tom's. Red Tom's look great on SWP/Whiteout. I also swapped in lots of LED lighting from Diode Dynamics -- I've done sidemarkers, dome, door, trunk, rear plate, and reverse lighting. The issues people have had with the LEDs frying electronics is from using metal tools to remove/install lights. Don't do that and you'll be fine.

All of the cosmetic stuff is subjective, of course.

I'm in a similar situation (having just bought my BRZ) and here's my opinions so far:

tldr; I'd only consider the bolded stuff, but YMMV.

1. Exhaust: I'm content with the stock one, since 2015 came with bigger tips and I don't want a loud exhaust. There's really no other point to an aftermarket exhaust on these twins unless their boosted, you want more noise, or you want bigger tips.

2. Intake: I was going to just get a drop-in filter until I saw the SuperTek intake kit. $90 for new intake + filter + sound tube delete.

3. OFT or any other Tune: I'm gonna avoid this since I think the gains are negligible. And I also want to go FI in a year or so, which means the OFT would be a waste.

4. Interior: Like some others have said, having a Limited trim already sorts out most of the interior for us. I still like the JPM Coachworks stuff though, especially the knee pads and speaker trims since the stock ones aren't actually padded.

5. Exterior: Again, since we have the Limited trim, we dont need aftermarket HIDs or DRLs. So unless you're itching to change the taillights, you're set. I'd consider clear or smoked side markers though.

6. COSMETIC MAINTENANCE! This was a big one for me and the only actual "mods" I've bought so far. Custom fitted car cover for when its in the drive way. Bumper bully for when I park in the city (put it away in the trunk when driving, which people forget to do). Optimum No Rinse for all cleaning needs. 303 Aerospace protectant for the interior. When spring comes around I plan to get a clay bar, Blackfire Crystal Seal and Collinite #915 wax.

Sounds nice, but think it would put me over budget.

Do you have links for these?

In retrospect, yes it would. I apologize. I remain resolute that an OFT is your best choice. It both provides a siginificant improvement over stock, while allowing you to plot out what mods you'll do in the future, as well as already having the tool required to tune the engine to support them.

That being said, I would go OFT + downpipe+testpipe. I did the downpipe\testpipe combo from TopSpeed Auto and they sound wonderful, while not droning at highway speed. Freed up some torque too, and the dip is now minimal.

Also I noticed you're asking for links for these things; ft86speedfactory is the main site I use, however I often use that site to find the part I want, and then find a much better deal for it on eBay.

Yep, here's the intake kit:
http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/supe...lter-1346.html

And here's one of many places to get the side markers:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57650

There's a lot of options for sidemarkers, I haven't looked them all up yet though, so thats up to you.

The JDM Toyota clear side markers are the best looking of all of them. They simply look like they belong on the car.

If you go with clear side markers, be sure you also get AMBER replacement bulbs to go inside them. It's not legal in the US to run white lamps in clear side markers. Either the lamp has to be amber, or the lens has to be amber, so that it shows amber light to other motorists.

I bought a set of amber LEDs for mine for $6 each from a guy on the member classified board. Cheap LEDs that work just fine.

I paid @ 700-800 and got alot of stuff as a package deal. HMU if you want the exact details. Prob about everything u would wanna do to keep u happy 4 a while.

Ok, so here's the conclusion I've come to.

Arm Rest $75
http://www.ebay.com/itm/13-14-SCION-...f16cba&vxp=mtr

Full Interior Black Trim (-door handle/lever, shifter) $116
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...ight=vent+trim

Spacers $100
http://www.corner3garage.com/V3-Spac...WRX_p_482.html

Intake/Filter/Delete $90
http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/supe...lter-1346.html

Side Markers (Super White LED) $150
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57650

$531 dollars and covers interior and exterior aesthetics, plus 5 or 6 HP, and leaves me some leftover to put away towards a sub later.

After driving it a good bit today, I realized the only thing I really feel like it's missing is aesthetics and a good sound system. Anyone want to recommend a sub? Are the ones with built in amps good?

Let me know what you guys think of my picks.

Thanks for your help.

Yes.. I'd like details. You can PM me if you prefer it that way for whatever reason.

Anyone have experience with this?

JL Audio BRZ Subwoofer Stealthbox

https://www.google.com/shopping/prod...ed=0CGYQpiswAA

Careful, as extrashaky pointed out, you need amber LEDs if you have a clear side marker.

I don't have experience with that, but you could search around the forums, thats probably your best bet. Searching forums is easier in google, type "site:ft86club.com JL audio subwoofer" and it'll search the forums for "JL audio subwoofer"

From what I've seen though, people seem to like the package from "OEM+ Audio" http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/brz-...rade-1443.html

Its pricey though.. I personally plan to just swap out the 6.5" woofers in the doors and add some sound deadening while I'm in there. I feel like adding a subwoofer is just asking for more rattles.

1,500 dollars.. holy cow. Yeah I don't think I'm ready for that.

The system is a bit pricey, but it literally transforms the driving experience with the car.

It's hugely pricey. One could source a custom fiberglass box, JL W6V3, and appropriate amp for well under that.

It wouldn't say "OEM+" on it, or be a one-click purchase, but lets be honest here it's just a sub and amp with an OEM-designed trunk box. Absolutely nothing special about it

It's meant to be a good system with components all picked and designed to work together well. It replaces pretty much the entire system except for the head unit, it's not just adding a subwoofer. And come on, that sub enclosure does look nice.

Yea you can source different parts and do your own research and build your own sub enclosure for less, but that takes more time and some hit/miss effort. I wouldn't say the OEM+ system isnt worth it though.

I'm personally just going to swap out the door woofers on my own since I don't need a sub, but if I wanted a sub I'd probably just go the OEM+ route.

There has been plenty of debate and intakes have been proven to have very little benefit. The stock intake is almost as good as you can get.

The OFT has been PROVEN to make not only a noticeable difference, but a SIGNIFICANT one. There is no question that the basic OFT ROM on a stock vehicle makes a huge difference.
AND how is the ability to tune your car yourself a "waste" when switching to FI?
Wont you still need to tune after FI?? As a matter of fact, OFT has some FI tunes, so there is a chance you wouldnt need to pay for a tune after your FI install.
If you purchase the OFT, there is support to help youcustomize the tune by sending datalogs (which the OFT can capture).

IMO there is zero downside to purchasing an OFT.

Yep I'm aware of that. I like that intake because its a clean way to do the sound tube delete and it comes with an air filter. The actual intake tube itself is just a bonus to me.

Significant difference? Maybe I've been looking at the wrong threads.. For a Stock NA car it seems to give you at most 10HP difference from the dyno charts I've been seeing. It seems handy if you want to go E85 or have the option to switch back and forth. It also seems handy if you like to do a lot of bolt-on mods for the NA engine and be able to quickly update the tune to match.

I like the OFT and the whole idea it represents. I would like it even more if I was a tuner of some sort but I wont pretend to be. It's definitely a powerful and useful tool, but for a stock car I don't see it making a SIGNIFICANT difference. Again, I don't have the OFT, so I'm just judging based on posts and reviews I've read.

Also for FI, all of the kits I've been looking at so far still use Ecutek for their tunes. Maybe this is changing or has changed recently? I've been focusing on the Full Blown kit, and now I'm following the FT86SpeedFactory kit in development.

For a guy who just got his BRZ and has $700 to spend, I think using it for things other than just the OFT would be more satisfying.

What I'm saying is that it really is a $900-1000 MAX system (a majority of that being the 'molded' box). To have the box paint matched is an incredible $+200 addition. 33-45% markup for the convenience of not spending 20-30 minutes researching subs and speakers and calling up your local sub shop to have a fiberglass box made (or just buy one of the custom boxes from a vendor on here for ~400-600) for a system that would blow the doors off this OEM+.. some think it's worth it due to warrantyable and plug and play/OEM looking out the box. Others love the DIY. I can see merits to both.. until you look at the specs

the sub amp is 120W @ 2ohms and 14L of air in the box driving an 8 inch DVC sub. I'm sorry but that is pathetic. That's a $50 amp at best. The door amp is decent. The factory harnesses are cool, but worth less than $50.

P.S. Look at Integrity Concepts' fiberglass box. Blows this one out of the water and at a pricetag that makes the OEM+ one laughable. There's not many packages I flame on but the OEM+ people are really gouging the hell out of us just because Scion endorses/warranties it.

Integrity Concepts-
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31813

You forget that peak hp gains aren't the only benefit that comes with a tune........

Myself and hundreds, if not thousand+ others will testify, even a stage 1 91 octane off the shelf OFT map blows the DOORS off the stock tune, all around- throttle response, power, smoothness/operation across the entire powerband... I believe that's what @stugray is trying to underline here. It's much more than just a raw power increase mod.

plus data logging and ability to upgrade tunes + E85 potential... picking one up for $400-500 is a no brainer best bang for your buck in the performance department.

Yea I get what you're saying. Unfortunately all I have to judge upon is the dyno charts. And across the dyno charts I don't see much of an improvement (not looking at just the peaks).

I just worry that a lot of people get the placebo + butt dyno effect lol.

But again, I do agree that the OFT has a lot of potential, its useful if you're a tuner, its useful if you want to go E85, and its useful if you plan on doing a lot of bolt on mods for your NA car.

This guy has $700 to spend right now though. I still dont know if putting 500+ into a single thing will be more satisfying.

Look at the logs in addition, plus "butt dyno" is much more relevant when discerning overall car response and powerband characteristics.

People downplay being able to 'feel' mods and often times adversely attribute the term "butt dyno" to discredit others' findings. The proof is in the pudding, I suggest you take a friend's OFT tuned car for a drive or find someone at a meet who has it done, with similar mods to yours. Let us know your experience :)

Don't forget OFT is perfectly capable of boosted tuning, with OTS maps available for variety of kits right now, more on the way, including custom tuning of FI maps via romraider.

$500 for data logging + E85 potential + scalable maps + ability to alter cold start/flat foot shifting/launch control/rev limit altering....

you'd think I was a fanboy for OFT but I'm just a very, very satisfied customer who has a long track record with opensource applications and subaru engines. The OFT is so far my most enjoyable experience yet in that arena.

Ecutek is a close rival and depending on his end goals, another significant rival. But so far OP seems to be in line with what OFT does.

Opensource is the shit and is expanding all the time, regardless of what OP does he's come to the right forum to get advice :burnrubber:

It DEFINITELY made a noticeable difference.
I felt the difference immediately (torque dip is not there any more), AND my passenger noticed right away.

It was definitely NOT the placebo effect.

id agree with the above. only performance mods on mine include the perrin inlet tube to remove the cabin sound tube, perrin drop in, and the OFT. best increase in performance per dollar spent. while the first two upgrades were minimal in feel, the OTS tune already loaded on the device was a noticeable difference over stock with improved drive-ability around town. i dont have dyno sheets nor quarter mile times to prove but i am satisfied with my investment.

other mods on my car are cosmetic. shorty antenna, clear sides, leds lights inside & out, perrin muffler caps and a rear diffusor. for 250 bux the final two help fill out the rear end.

ive got my eye on valenti's tails but im in no rush as ive funneled about 500 per month into upgrades since owning the vehicle.

Great.. after a day in the car with the disappointing stock speakers, all I can think about is how I can re-budget to squeeze this 1500 dollar system in. I'm starting to think I should have gone with a premium or an FRS.. I didn't expect the mod bug to bite.

I'm going to have to do some serious thinking. I do not like the stock audio experience at all. As others have stated, the more I drive the car, the more I'll notice what my personal preference tells me it needs. For the past couple days, it's been screaming at me SPEAKERS.

The interior was screaming at me before I even bought the car though, so the black trim pieces are a must. Maybe I'll just get the black trim, and the intake/filter/delete, and put away the rest towards a sound system.

Then later, wheel spacers and clear sidemarkers, and eventually tires.

Because "$700 left for mods" sounds like you're scraping the bottom of the barrel...

What is your monthly disposable income situation like, after you've accounted for car payments, insurance, gas, and other regular maintenance items for the car? If you are barely breaking even, then save it for car payments.

I don't know about you, but my car mod budget is month to month, and every month I don't spend anything means it carries over to the next... or I just use it on something else, or save the money, or invest it. My budget is large or small depending on how long/short I wish to save up for.

-alex

I installed a 10" with a LOC to tap into the signal, and personally I'm not impressed. I think the HU does weird things to change the output signal as volume is turned up. I'll probably upgrade the HU next year.

Ever notice how the door speakers cut low range when they're about to distort?

I had no lien on my jeep, I sold it for 17k, I put $14,104.47 down on a $22,000 dollar car, and am financing $7,500 at 3.48% apr. For a 48 month loan I'm paying $165 and $88 for insurance, and kept $2,895 cash from the deal to pay tax and title, credit cards, and mods. I don't think I'm scraping the bottom of the barrel at all.

After mortgage, utilities, hoa, car, insurance, gas, and groceries, I have $625 a month disposable. I'm currently in a contract to hire position that is up in 2 months and I already know I'm getting the job, and my wife is waiting on her work documents. Our income is going to increase significantly over the next months. I'm really not stretching myself terribly thin as it is.

Street car- crawford Billet Power blocks, drop in filter, front and rear lip

Track car: New Tires and Open Flash Tablet

These do look nice.. and are on sale
http://www.integrityconcepts.net/subaru.html

Do you have a sub, amp, and headunit you'd recommend? Do you think a 8" would suffice or would you go with 10"?

The first things I did were OFT then transmission fluids to Motul.

I have not once had buyers remorse from spending 500 on the stage 1 tune. I'm on stage 2 now and I don't know if I can go back to the stock tune.

Now I'm looking into suspension parts (lowering springs, camber bolts, spacers) as well as driveline parts like mtec springs.

Honestly 700 is a lot to play with and whichever route you go whether it's aesthetics, power, suspension I'm sure you'll love the result. That's the beauty of this car

I always recommend JL subs. Amp is your choice- I have a JL 12 inch W6v2 subwoofer powered by a JL 500/1 amp personally. It's beautiful and LOUD. I wouldn't hesitate to put something with half the wattage, though- such as a JL 10W6V3.

Head Units- pioneer all the way. I forgot what DIN units fit best, so do some searching through google.. here's a good one to get you started

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37534

Think I'm leaning towards black interior trim, intake/filter/delete, and OFT. Sounds like the most bang for the buck right now.

Then start saving/researching for a good sound system down the road.