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JBezugs' 2017 BRZ
2025-11-18 Update:
Sold. 8.5 years, 64,606kms, and lots of milestones in my life, from graduating university and starting my career to now having a family. Got to experience lots of events and adventures, whether it was cars and coffees, road trips, or Auto-X and track days, and met some amazing people along the way because of the incredible community around this platform plus other enthusiasts in general. These cars are truly special. I am sad to see it go, but I’m happy it will be enjoyed by its new owner and be part of another family’s memories as well. Looking forward to whatever’s next, but in the meantime - I'll be forever grateful to have been able to own a BRZ. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2025-10-20 Update: My car is now for sale! Sad to see it go, but with it being driven so sparingly over the last few years (having a child will do that lol), it's time to move on. Sale thread here. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2024-06-18 Update: Pour one out for the green, ye will be missed! Some other minor updates as well, check out the latest post. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2023-05-16 Update: Let the record show that it only took me 1 month of the car being out of storage before getting bored of the OEM exhaust. I've replaced it with the brand new DC Sports Axleback Muffler, and it is perfect! Check the latest post! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2022-10-18 Update: Still enjoying the car, but I wasn't enjoying the R400 anymore with all the highway driving I'm doing now. Kept the JDL 4-2-1 header on and reinstalled the OEM catback. No more drone! Sound clips are in the most recent post :) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020-07-02 Update: Some nice photos now that I've installed my Greddy Oil Cooler and Front Lip. Just have to pick up some pads and fluid then hit the track! https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media...jpxolvfl5x.jpg https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media...qid8cs8crs.jpg --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020-05-14 Update: Exactly one year later, and probably one of my final (?) updates! https://i.redd.it/oqfuy0rclqy41.jpg Tein Flex Z Coilovers, UltraPower adjustable LCAs and H&R DRS 15mm spacers installed, with the car aligned and corner balanced at XIIIMotorsports. Drives absolutely awesome. More info on Page 3! I researched the FT86 platform extensively (lurking this forum since 2012) and planned mods for years in university (lots of daydreaming) before actually buying a BRZ once I graduated. It feels great to almost be at the finish line of my original vision. Now that I've hit this point, here's a full mod list is below for those who are curious (in order). Installed Mods:
What's left to install?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2019-05-14 Update: Another year, more mods. Got a set of Gram Lights 57C's which look fantastic! https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media...o9wdpo9ew6.jpg Also, POWER MODS! https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media...qjpgpyb9ip.png First person in Canada to have JDL's new 4-2-1 EL Header installed and tuned on my car, and what a great header option from them. More info on page 3! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLBbOCJiEug https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XRtw833y3s --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2018-06-26 Update: My car is now green! Thank you to inzen skin for the amazing work! https://i.imgur.com/4NYUUkL.jpg https://i.imgur.com/k2kZirX.jpg More photos in deep in the thread. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hey everyone! After a long wait for me (5 years) and a lot of hard work, I have finally approached graduating university and have purchased that car I've been lusting after for so long; a 2017 BRZ with a 6 speed manual. My current hand-me-down Camry that was given to me by my grandmother that I've gratefully driven since high school (always been thankful and known I was lucky to get a free car) will now be passed along to my sister. A little backstory: ever since watching WRC as a wee kid and playing Gran Turismo, I was a huge fan of Subaru. Seeing Petter Solberg and Richard Burns fly through each rally stage in those blue STI WRC cars got me hooked. As I got older though, my fondness for lightweight RWD cars grew greater, and my interest wained in the newer WRX and STI offerings. But, with Subaru releasing the BRZ, which brought everything I loved about the brand to a light, RWD platform, I was hooked once again. During this time I've also I met my girlfriend of now over 7 years, who initially hated Subarus (was always a domestic car family in her house), but after hanging around me enough, when she was in a position to purchase a new vehicle a few years ago she actually beat me to Subaru ownership and bought a 2015 WRX, which she still loves to this day. Now it's finally my turn to get a crack at it; Super excited to finally be a part of the community. http://i.imgur.com/TcjQKVA.jpg http://i.imgur.com/Ox3wjKL.jpg http://i.imgur.com/Bij4Myu.jpg http://i.imgur.com/tSGnA9V.jpg http://i.imgur.com/y6oD0rN.jpg Was able to pull out the DSLR this morning and take some quick photos. Photo shoot to come. http://i.imgur.com/GfIeykU.jpg http://i.imgur.com/J3LfIUQ.jpg http://i.imgur.com/k6eXRFB.jpg Plans for the car are to keep it competent enough to daily while slowly transforming it into a fun track/auto-x car. I've been sim racing competitively for 10 years, so this car will finally give me the chance to transfer that technique into the real world. Going to keep it stock for this season while I get more comfortable with the car at its limits (driver mod first). Then, suspension, wheels and tires etc will come. For my first bit of track work though, I know a set of pads and fluid as well as an oil cooler are necessary. Anyone have thoughts on the JR Oil cooler/rad combo? EDIT 2017/06/08: Finally, some pretty photos! (Taken in Dorset, Lake of Bays, ON) http://i.imgur.com/CTsreCd.jpg http://i.imgur.com/SOCRXfE.jpg http://i.imgur.com/XjD7R7s.jpg http://i.imgur.com/Mgc14Xn.jpg |
Congrats and welcome...beautiful car.
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awesome dude, congrats! got any plans for it?
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Going to keep it stock for this season while I get more comfortable with the car at its limits (driver mod first). Then, suspension, wheels and tires etc will come. For my first bit of track work though, I know a set of pads and fluid as well as an oil cooler are necessary. Anyone have thoughts on the JR Oil cooler/rad combo? |
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I started out with LFS, rFactor and iRacing back in the day, but now I many participate in league racing within Assetto Corsa. With all the new features I may get back into iRacing but the expense for that compared to other sims is significant. I'd rather spend that towards auto-x and HPDE etc in real life now :bellyroll:. |
Congrats on both the purchase and all the hard work put it in to earn it. It must feel pretty special when you see that beauty sitting in the driveway!
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Congrats on the new car, the wait was definitely worth it :thumbsup:
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Thanks guys! It does feel special, completely surreal in fact as I've been waiting to have my chance to own one for so long... I've been lurking these forums quite regularly since the first deliveries of the twins were happening in spring 2012, no joke! |
Congrats man! Looks great, you're going to enjoy it!
Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk |
After 2 months and 1 wrong shipment later, my Blox reverse lockout adapter finally arrived.
http://i.imgur.com/uqqGZYr.jpg Luckily for me, the adapter is the same diameter as the bottom-stem portion of my shift knob. Loving the look. http://i.imgur.com/wEK9ZuI.jpg http://i.imgur.com/PAxINp5.jpg Interior is all rounded off now! |
JBezugs' 2017 BRZ
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...0269e7b5ca.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...bc0c7de493.jpg The car has been fantastic for the past ~4500kms, and I had the unique opportunity to drive the CTMP (Mosport) GP circuit with it last weekend. Going to be jumping head first into track stuff, now just to get an oil cooler and some pads and fluid... As for what's coming right now: https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...5f09080e2e.jpg Will have videos soon! |
Your car is AMAZING man!! Great shots! I'm so happy for you!!! I was basically in the same situation as you and got my dream car (2017 86). I basically can't stop driving it. Working on mods now.
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That's awesome! Congrats to you as well. |
JBezugs' 2017 BRZ
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...20a78b02b8.jpg
With a little bit of extra hands courtesy of some friends, I was able to install the R400 very easily on Friday. It sounds awesome. Plenty of volume but not too loud (quiets down nicely when cruising on the highway, no drone whatsoever), and has a nice, deep-tone to it which is the furthest thing away from ricey fartcan for me. Definetly louder than the Q300, but not N1-obnoxious. The catback itself looks very well constructed, and although I was worried about possible clearance issues with the rear mufflers (considering how they're positioned), it seems perfectly fine and I shouldn't run into any issues. Only issue which seems to be prevalent with all 86/BRZ owners is some difficulty lining up the tips correctly. For me, after some adjustment, the passenger side still sits ever so slightly closer to the diffuser and inboard compared to the drivers side. I may get a pair of extended hangers which should remedy the issue, but for now, it's fine. I'll get my DSLR, Shure mic and Tripod out later this week and record some sound clips for everyone! |
No DSLR yet (I need to pick up my microphone still from a friend), but for now, an iPhone video shall do.
For those who are curious how it sounds without all the wub wub from ft86speedfactory's video (love you guys I swear!), here you go: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMIxiSNKsws |
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Have been thoroughly enjoying the car over the last 6 months. This week, the winter setup goes on, which I'm super excited for! I'll need to Krown the car as well. |
Realize I haven't posted an update in a while, but I have to say the car has been fantastic in the snowy winter we've had this year in Toronto.
For my winter setup, my car is sitting on 16x6.5 +55 Subaru OEM BBS RS II's from the 93-95 Subaru Legacy GT Wagon (GD). They're very light (13.5 lbs a piece) and shod with Continental WinterContact Si's, the car has had plenty of grip in the snow. Look great too. https://i.redd.it/2m0cch6crp501.jpg As for things on the way, I have an ft86speedfactory short shifter ordered and a new colour planned for the vehicle that you guys will see soon... Was planning this when I first bought the car but was going to wait a while. However, I got a nasty rock chip on my front bumper that I proceeded to botch the repair of completely, which is now pushing me towards the liquid-wrapping earlier than I expected. |
Long time since I updated you all, but I finally got my BRZ wrapped! British Racing Green is the ultimate expression of classic sports car colours to me, and one that is hugely underrated; you just don't see it anymore. There are many interpretations of the colour from manufacturers that happen to be English of course, but also there are interpretations from the not-so-English as well. Here's my interpretation. #makegreengreatagain
https://i.imgur.com/4NYUUkL.jpg https://i.imgur.com/XEhZyZj.jpg https://i.imgur.com/k2kZirX.jpg Thanks to inzenskin for the amazing work that they did to transform my car into something truly unique. If you need a wrap, tint, ppf or anything else under the sun, check them out. |
The green is very fitting for the car :wub:
What are your thoughts on some bronze wheels? |
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Thank you! Bronze/Gold wheels are definitely next on my list. |
that color looks really good
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Some quick updates!
https://doc-14-7c-docs.googleusercon...Ox66C-8S8q0iuF I installed the Pioneer AVH-ZL5150BT which has CarPlay/Android Auto and all the goodies. Everything works as well, backup camera and steering integration. More info in this thread. https://doc-14-7c-docs.googleusercon...TpZVlPbztQXUj8 Also, picked up a new Purple Heart shift knob from LJ's Wood Shop! Looks rad, and fits well with my ft86speedfactory short shifter. Going to be getting my winters re-finished with gold centres to accent the new green wrap (which has now been glass coated and looks awesome). Should look rad! |
WOW that wrap looks great! If you told me it was paint I would of believed it
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JBezugs' 2017 BRZ
Haven't updated in a while, but figured I would since my flight is delayed (yay snow) and I have some time to kill.
I stored my car for the first time this year! I got my old Camry back from my brother so it is now serving my winter beater duties in spades. I miss driving my BRZ every day though. To store the BRZ, I did the following: - Full tank of gas with Stabil, added at the Gas station so I could have a good 10 min drive before storage. I refrained from an oil change since I did one a couple of weeks before storing the car and I wasn’t expecting to put her away. - Washed at my local touchless (underbody spray was the key here) with QuikDetailer to handle the waterspots and remaining latent dirt. Interior was cleaned the week before storage. - Windows cracked, dryer sheets and baking soda left in the car for moisture absorption and freshness - metal scotch pads in the exhaust tips to prevent any unwanted guests - car parked on two gym mats per tire, aired up to 40psi; in neutral and no handbrake, wheels chocked. - battery tender JR plugged in (grounded it to one of the bolts on the strut tower) - and my improvised car cover, just to keep the dust off. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...466066f1ef.jpg https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...1ef63bb800.jpg https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ed98782544.jpg https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...32761ba247.jpg In other exciting news, I have a few goodies planned for the spring that are very exciting. I picked up a set of JDL's new 4-2-1 equal length headers, cerakoted in Titanium from AlphaMotorsports. I think I'm the first person in Canada to have a set. I'll be getting them installed and tuned by Touge Tuning and Sasha at OnPoint dyno once the car is out of storage! I am beyond excited to see what gains these headers offer, considering that they are a much more reasonable price than the equivalent ACE offering. I didn't unwrap it all the way since I want to keep them tip top while being stored, but here's a little taste: https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...212016fff9.jpg https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...02533ca24a.jpg Additionally, some wheels! I scored an amazing deal on a set of Gram Lights 57C's, in gold of course. Finding center caps was tricky as Rays doesn’t make the original style anymore, but some eBay caps fit the bill nicely. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...75c9a3c3d6.jpg https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...5aa5349d55.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...5f4c667555.jpg I'll be taking my OEM Michelins and putting them on the Gram Lights, and then take the worn/old Falkens and throw em on my OEM wheels to store the car in the winter on. My BBSes with WinterContactSi's will be for sale soon if anyone is interested! |
JBezugs' 2017 BRZ
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...7c98e9b00d.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...7d750d27d6.jpg https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...59b6d74a5e.jpg https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a3979e824b.jpg And just like that my car is officially out of storage! 5 months is a long time to wait, but it was worth it. The Gram Lights looks awesome, and the header gets installed and tuned on Tuesday. Beyond excited! |
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So to backtrack a bit on the JDL 4-2-1 header from a purchasing decision and onward from there: When I bought this car, my original plan was to eventually upgrade the header to try to eliminate the torque dip when I could justify it and was comfortable with foregoing some warranty. I was after the highest possible gains, and I'm not a fan of the UEL sound on the Toyobaru twins (with classic WRXes it's a different story), so naturally that lead me to the ACE A350. However, in Canada, where the weaker Canadian dollar, shipping fees and taxes/duties are the enemy, the ACE A350 was really cost prohibitive compared to other, more common options. When JDL released their 4-2-1 EL header, I was definitely intrigued given their reputation of offering very high quality parts that provide some of the best gains in their class at very reasonable prices. I was hoping that the 4-2-1 EL header would be more similar in price (in Canada) to their UEL or 4-1 EL offering compared to the ACE, and I was not disappointed. Compared to the ACE A350 (non-coated) and a Delicious Tuning remote ECUTek tune, it cost me over $1000 less to get the JDL 4-2-1 (w/ full cerakoting) and a custom dyno tune with OnPoint Dyno. https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media...b0l21rgwxe.jpg https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media...qjpgpyb9ip.png Sasha said that it’s one of the highest HP NA BRZ’s he’s ever had. Car pulls strong right to redline and the torque dip is all but gone. These numbers are with the stock intake, stock overpipe and stock front pipe still in place. For reference, this dyno is a bit of a heartbreaker... stock BRZ’s typically make anywhere from 140 to 155hp on this dyno. For more reference a 2014 FRS with a catless JDL UEL header made 166whp on the same dyno. Do I think that the Ace A350 could have provided even bigger gains? A little bit more most likely, but I don't know for sure at this point, at least without seeing the results back to back on the same dyno. Also, for the extra cost, would it have been worth it? I personally don't think so based on my experience. Beyond the comparisons, how does the car feel? Well, the car feels completely transformed. I was never one to complain about the power of the Toyobaru twins, but the extra power along with the linearity of the power band without the dip is truly, truly life changing; the car feels so much faster now. If you have a BRZ/86 and have been on the fence about doing this, do it. You won’t regret it. And now, sound clips! Here's a quick rev I had my buddy record with my iPhone 6S while washing the cars. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpDfS6Gbmig I also compiled some driving clips as well. Shot with my Nikon D3300 and Nikkor 35mm f1.8 lens, on a mount no where near stable enough. Car was mic’d up with a cheap amazon lavalier mic placed on the bumper about 8" above the exhaust tips. In-car DSLR mounting solution will need to get better to curb the shakies, but the audio from that mic on the rear bumper? Ace (heh). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVJKu51NSto UPDATED with some better video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XRtw833y3s |
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I was just going to get the FT86SF catted UEL header for the sound and the smell control but now I’m super conflicted. Are you happy with the sound? |
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There is however definitely more volume on throttle with the JDL header compared to the stock unit, which isn't a bad thing. I personally love the smooth sound that the 4-2-1 EL header brings compared to the stock headers' not quite EL, not quite UEL sound signature. If you prefer UEL (which a lot of people do), well as long as you keep your front pipe in place like I did, I don't think you'll have a hard time going with a catless UEL with solid gains like the JDL or Tomei/Gruppe-S etc. It's all preference at that point. |
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Did you get it cerakoted locally or did it come that way from JDL? |
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No problem, someone had to do it! :lol: The Cerakote was done by JDL when I ordered the header. It’s an optional extra when you order, but definitely recommended for heat management and to keep the finish on the header looking nice. |
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Since you ordered directly from JDL, how much was shipping and did they ship through USPS or Fedex/UPS? Any duties? Are they friendly about declaring creative values on the customs form? |
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I actually ordered through AlphaMotorsports, I’ll pm you more info. |
That green is amazing! I just picked up a Silver 2017 BRZ Limited with Performance Package a couple weekends ago. I love the car, but the silver is so boring compared to this!
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Another year, another update!
I researched the FT86 platform extensively and planned mods for years in university (lots of daydreaming) before actually buying a BRZ once I graduated. It feels great to almost be at the finish line of my original vision. Big upgrades to the car this year. First thing was a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4Ses in the factory size to replace my OEM Primacy HPs. What a huge improvement of grip in all aspects. I can actually put the extra power of that header down properly without spinning through 1st and even a bit of second in the dry, which is laughable for an NA car. Cornering grip I haven't really been able to compare on the street since no tracks are open yet, but I haven't hit the limit of the PS4S yet, thats for sure. Also, they ride better and are quieter on the highway than the OEM tires, so win win? I also finally got a set of Tein Flex Z's over the winter for a song and installed them on the car a couple of weeks back. To go with the coilover upgrade, I also installed a set of UltraPower LCA's (RockAuto's SPC equivalent, basically the same thing for less than 1/3'd the cost) and a set of H&R DRS 15mm spacers that come with extended wheel studs to push those Gram Lights out a bit, while still being safe for track use vs. bolt on spacers, which I honestly don't trust. https://i.redd.it/oqfuy0rclqy41.jpg The car drives absolutely awesome. Had it aligned and corner balanced by the guys at XIIIMotorsports and the car feels dialed in. Insane amounts of grip and really great balance. The Teins ride really well as well. They're quiet like the factory suspension with no weird clunks or noises even with the pillowball mounts. Due to the higher spring rate than factory, you do feel a bit more of the dots in the road (asphalt joints, etc) but it never upsets the car or feels jarring - it's actually nice to have that extra road feel through the steering wheel. However, over larger shocks and bumps I actually feel the Teins absorb them better than stock at 7 clicks from full stiff, while still cornering flatter. Keep in mind the OEM 2017 suspension rides pretty well as it is, leagues ahead of my girlfriend's 2015 WRX. I'm running CSG Mike's recommended settings of 5 clicks for a sporty street setting, and it feels perfect. I'll have more impressions once I get them on a windy road/track which will hopefully be soon, but for now, I am completely impressed. |
As a bonus, here's a full mod list is below for those who are curious (in order), along with some notes on what was planned and what wasn't.
Mod List:
What's left to install?
Any items left on my list? Basically, pads and fluid for HPDE/Lapping whenever the tracks open up again and that's it! |
I appreciate your exhaust videos on YouTube.
I'm debating the JDL EL Header. What % of volume increase do you think the Header accounted for? From my research the R400 is pretty loud by itself, but your combo didn't come across as loud in the videos. |
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When cruising around in light throttle, maybe a 5-10% increase? Minor enough that it’s reasonable on the highway with minimal drone. The real difference is in heavy throttle application. I’d say close to a 30% increase in volume at WOT. I’ll try to take some interior video soon so you can her what it’s like inside the car. |
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