Header and a good tune for sure.

I'm guilty of getting a CAI after a few years of owning my BRZ. Not sure why as I wasn't expecting gains in any way. A drop in K&N or something similar would have sufficed but I really just like the throaty sound of it. It would probably feel weird if I went back to stock so I'm keeping it =)

This is all that really matters. If you feel the itch to do something, maybe do a cosmetic mod that makes the car look better. Other than that just enjoy it.

I recently added some good ole' Bayson R Skirts, FL, and rear aprons. 30mm Spacers on the rear and 25 on the front. The car looks amazing, Like it should've looked out of the showroom, in my opinion. Now I'm saving up for FI/SC in the future. I'm going to miss installing parts and what not. Now is all just maintenance from here on.

Skip all the NA horsepower mods, except for maybe a drop-in air filter and a header of choice.

Go instead for chassis / suspension / handling improvements. Whiteline transmission mount inserts, subframe mount inserts (positive traction kit), differential cradle inserts. Positive shift kit. And a good set of tires.

The NA engine mods are more about getting rid of the torque dip than anything. Header and great tune by Zach and the power is much better however with the torque dip gone the car came alive.

If you are driving the car to the store, say 2,000 - 3500 RPM, you will never have a problem, with torque dip . If you are driving the car hard, say 5,000 - 7,000 RPM, again you will never have a problem with torque dip.



Its only when you are not quite decided it becomes a problem. As its actually a sports car, that's on you. ;)

IF one feels inclined to spend money on an already great car, I would put it into reducing unsprung weight and making thoughtful handling improvements. Work with the car’s strengths, rather than try to turn it into something else. :thumbsup:

Anything that adds a bit of torque to the midrange makes this engine so much better.

Suspension mods are well and good but if i HAD TO i would do the supercharger instead.

I see this all through this forum.



If I wanted to boost an engine that is already at 12.5/1 compression I would rebuild it and bring it in around 8/1, and then boost it.


Outside of the rebuild I don't really understand how you can puff on a motor already at the limits, with any real success. Any computers involved are gonna try to keep the motor alive, and will pull boost to do so.


Some one explain this to an old man.

QFT.

I installed the full Nameless exhaust & e85 tuned by Zach, the car feels amazing.

For the life of this platform people have been boosting these at the stock compression. The issue isn't the compression ratio, it is rod strength and lubrication. 8:1?? The turbo version of this motor in the WRX is 10:1 from the factory already. Prep for application is key.

I could see 9:1 if you wanted to run 30PSI on 91 octane, but on this platform, stock compression or 10:1 is plenty stout enough :) dual modality of injection is awesome

Thank you for giving the absolutely best take on this ever!!

I don't see it so much as a 'torque dip' between 3000-3500 rpm, but a torque bump from 1500-3000 rpm. The engine could always be tuned to reduce the torque below 3500 rpm. Then there would be no 'dip', and it would be linear all the way up. But then people would howl about too little torque down low.

No engine is perfect. No engine can deliver ideal power delivery throughout the rev range (at least not anywhere near this price). Every (reasonably priced) engine has compromises, peaks and valleys somewhere in the power or torque curves. Quite honestly, I think it's impressive what they were able to accomplish for the cost of this car. One can always want 'more powah' in any car, including this one, but then it wouldn't cost $25k new.