Later model-year differences?
 

I bought a '14 Monogram because I needed something fast, it was here and in good condition and I liked the BRZ-like electronics. It will be a DD with occasional track days. Were there any significant mechanical changes/improvements in later years that I should have looked for? I know '15 BRZs had upgraded rear suspension, but I've heard it wasn't a big deal. My principal concern is what I hear about spun bearings. It'll probably get to my home track of Sebring most, and those two long straights wind up the motor pretty good. I'll install an oil cooler before tracking it. I'm leaning toward the JR combo radiator and cooler, but haven't decided yet.

You bought a 14 monogram because you needed something fast?
how slow was your previous car lol?

Starting sometime in MY15 they updated the coil packs, valves, and rockers.

You got one with the better options and a 2014. Most issues were with the 13, and usually early builds at that. Enjoy.

the 5 HP increase, more aggressive FD and engine updates are the most notable updates with the '17s+ but whether those changes lesson the likelihood of a spun bearing remains to be seen..

I don't think you should be worrying about the bearings as it seems like the chances of it happening are still relatively low. I haven't read too many bad stories about any of the monograms as they were nearly in the 2nd year of production by then.

I meant I needed something in a hurry.

Most would say the 86/FRS/BRZ is not a car you would say that is "in a hurry".

Then say I needed to buy transportation without delay.
.

Yeah, you should have waited. The 2018 got a turbo.

Most would say however there is delay in it.

Probably the number one thing I would be mindful of is the throw out bearing. The grease in the earlier (2013-2016?) 86s is not good and can lead to costly repairs if it fails.

Are you trying to be funny?

I guess the only way to avoid that would be to drop the tranny and replace the bearing. But then I could just wait for it to go and replace it then. In my experience, they usually give you some warning and don't normally destroy anything else when they go.

Of course I drive with the clutch in mind by not launching and not keeping the bearing engaged for long periods.

Ya want me ta :slap: some of these guys fer ya ..??

As far as a bearing spinning …. my take is that if it's gonna go, it's gonna go .. just keep oil in the machine. If you have someone take the engine apart now and replace the bearings … the rebuild may set the engine up for a bearing failure sometime in the future.

As far as the TOB (oh, BTW, the TOB on this machine is always turning, as long as the engine is running, however, it's only "working" while the clutch is pushed in). As far as replacement, as you said, one going bad will usually give you a "sign", like whining or screaming.

Hell, I say just drive the car and enjoy it …. :burnrubber:

Like they say in the old country .. if it ain't broke ….


humfrz

I've heard people complaining of broken clutch forks and shredded clutches after the tob went out.

I mean, just drive and enjoy it. You can never predict what is going to break.
If something is broken, then it is broken.
If you maintain it well but spun bearing still happens then there is nothing you can do but fix it.

There is one time my throw out bearing is cooked while I was driving on the freeway. I tow and replace whole new stage 2 clutch and now I am happy.

Off the top of my head

Late MY13 Made after April 2013
-Has new tune to prevent DI failure

MY14
-FRS comes with touch screen radio stock
-Knee cushions for driver

MY15
-Shark fin antenna replaces old black one
-New exhaust tips (Original JDM ones on 13, however they are recessed for probably NHTSA compliance and not flush with the bumper like the JDM ones)
-New colours replacing old ones (Halo replacing whiteout, I think there was another one)
-Different springs
-Engine slightly changed, different part #s, reinforced along certain areas of the cast

MY16
-back up camera standard

MY17
-Got uglier
-Updated TOB
-Red Aluminum intake manifold instead of plastic
-Buttons on steering wheel
-G sensor on BRZ (Not sure if on 86)
- +5 hp for the manual

Looks like I'm in pretty good shape. Mine has a Borla muffler, premium audio with navigation and I put a backup cam in it. I'm about to change to a shark-fin antenna.

:lol: I can't stop laughing

Navigation module is kinda lame, I put a post in the electronics forum once showing how to add it to the stock head unit. The map updates are expensive and the entune update is iffy, but it is ok to have.

On that note, there was a TSB and an updated part number for the throwout bearing. Not sure if it was updated yet again. See thread:

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=117440

Agree about the Nav unit.. big disappointment. The premium audio works well though.. At least for me.