BRZ Aftermarket Sources
 

So, what web sites should I be trolling to catch the first wave of aftermarket items for the BRZ? And who has a reputation for getting it right the first time?

Is there Subaru-oriented a company like Flyin' Miata that makes a business of becoming an authority on parts and mods the hard way... by practicing what they preach and then publishing the results?

Yup, there are many of us who make Subaru specific parts. What components are you looking to pick up? I can point in the right direction...though you won't see anything for a while. Several of us are trying to convince SOA to pre-release a car for dimensioning purposes...and access to the ECU.

Right now only GReddy (blah) and Crawford (only plugged into the ECU) have been able to touch one, so don't expect to see much before the car is released. SOA seems to be pretty up tight on this one.

Boomer's Aftermarket Shopping List
 

I'd like to do some auto crossing at first. From memory, I think that means tires and rims, different compound bushings, and maybe camber plates. And a good data logger.

For track days I think the list becomes more expansive. First on my list is keeping things cool and safe... different compound tires and brake pads, upgraded brake lines, and perhaps an oil cooler. I suspect that the BRZ suspension was, ultimately, built to a price, and so perhaps another combination of bars, shocks and struts, adjustable to be able to do some corner weighting. After that... probably some more power, in a progressive fashion. Without knowing more about the car, I'd start with an exhaust upgrade, move to a reflash, and then consider whether it's possible to reliably produce enough streetable power to evolve the BRZ from a momentum car to a power steered car.

Other than that, I'd be waiting to see what's weak on the production cars. Clutch? synchro cones? suspension tower bracing? I just don't know...

If there were a fun factor gauge, I'd buy one right away to make sure I never lost sight of the most important metric...

I think that's in keeping with a baby boomer who fondly remembers weekends dodging cones and pilgrimages to the regional track to watch the car club members. And I bet there are lots like me.

If the brake speculations are true (using STI) 5X100 components then I am working on a solution for complete kits OEM and aftermarket.

Also, HID kids, and LED lighting (I know exciting stuff)

Importing GT86 parts from the UK

^^brakes are the easy part. They're all off the shelf parts that anyone can source. Front lines may need to be a tad long but I doubt it.

As for suspesion components (bushings, braces and all) check Turn In Concepts. Also follow them for control arms, probably made by MSI but they retail their parts. They'll also be carrying 3MI Racing engine components/parts (as it's finally going public from its former tailored prototype parts past)...but known in circles on NASIOC.

I see Race Comp Engineering is on here and I ought to shoot them a message about guinea pigging their springs (no doubt they'll release those and maybe swaybars too), since I'm local.

I suspect Crawford is going to have reflashes (eh) unless they develop something to compete with the accessport. So watch Cobb there. Being it's a Subaru, I'd really wait to see what open source comes about for it.

I'm still trying to get access to plug into one as I'm really more concerned about how much room the injectors have and whether or not the D4-S runs a pressure sensor on the common rail. Also what Deatchwerks for injectors. I'll be pulling some OEM fuel injector connections for higher flow GDI injectors.

I already plans for NA and FI development for ths platform. I'm heavily leaning towards a Rotrex for packaging and driveability of the car, plus an OEM FAxx turbo setup is going to be released. I suspect FA16DIT for BRZ and FA20DIT for the WRX.

...Your 'local' engine geek ;)

-Micah

You are right brake kits are "off the shelf" but having a "dealer lic./connection" I can work deals and have a comprehensive package for people vs them having to go to A,B,C,D to get all the parts

1 stop shop is key lol another reason I dislike some of the BMW parts guys

I want to see awesome results if and ever Cobb Tuning jumps on this platform. And Robispec for suspension tuning as well.

All they need are STI calipers (new or used) from an 04-07 (or 08? whichever), 04 STI Rotors and pads for the STI caliper. Unless the banjo fitting components (ie, banjo 'housing' differences or bolt diameter, etc) are of a different design then the stock lines will work fine with the setup.

With that much extra fluid moving brake pedal feel might go to shit though, in which case a bigger MC may be needed.

Since Rotors are easily available for cheap from Napa/Autozone/Advanced and pads are a pretty personal choice depending on needs I really don't see much benefit in bundles with those parts, you'd have to stock so many parts I can't see it being worthwhile, and I certainly wouldn't buy a bundle unless you had exactly every part I wanted for significantly less than I could source the parts myself (and I doubt that, you'd have to buy in massive quantities or just offer a monospec than potentially few people would want).

The only thing I could see being hard to source are good used STI calipers.

You've alluded to this a handful of times in your posts. You've also mentioned you consult with OEM's, which rules out virtually all aftermarket. So who do you work for?

3MI Racing.

OK did some more research.. since this is mostly a WRX system (with Legacy rears..) it LOOKS like 04-11 front STI calipers will work. Stock lines will also work. Not sure about the MC differences (no idea if it's a new part, wrx, legacy, sti, etc MC). We will have to figure that out later when we can check part numbers.

The rear of the car is a little more muddy.. the later WRXes aren't a direct swap, but I'm not sure about the Legacy brakes to STI.. based on MotoIQ they were stressing 04-07 calipers for all and I suspect it's because the Legacy and 04-07 WRX were swappable.. but 08+ rears are not.. for 08+ WRX you need 04-11 front STI calipers and 04 rotors but for the rear you need 08+ gear and redrilled rotors... but based on MotoIQ I'll go with this info on the rear for now.

So this, as far as I can tell, is the actual parts list required.
Front: 04-11 STI Front calipers, 04 STI Rotors, 04-11 STI fit front pads of whatever flavor you want.
Rear: 04-07 STI rear calipers, 04 STI Rotors, 04-07 STI fit rear pads of whatever flavor you want. (and more if you like having a parking brake since the STI uses a drum assembly for the parking brake where the FT86 variants use the sliding calipers for parking brake I'm guessing based on how the legacy/older WRX did)

Since the rotors and pads are easily aquired the only potentially hard bit (used) is the calipers. It looks like you can find them on ebay for 1000-1100 plus 30-135 shipping. If you want to rebuild them, add in the rebuild kit costs (100-150?). Add in however much for whatever pads, plus the rotors (cheap at autozone, 65/front, 40/rear, advance is 100+/front, didn't check rears, napa ultra premium is 154 front, 140 rear, tirerack cyro rotors 80-104 depending on brand for blanks.. and maybe that's same pricing for rears, their website is confused, says front left fitment then NOTE: REAR PLAIN VENTER ROTOR under that..).

So you are easily looking at at least say 1050+200 (OEM pads?, but track pads will be a lot more, around 400-450), rotors figure 200 for the cheap autozones, for anyone else at LEAST 400..

So I'd guess the minimum investment (not including lines since they aren't needed at all and ASSUMING the MC is fine and doesn't result in shitty brake feel) is right around 1400-1500 bucks, but realistically probably close to 1600-1800 depending on pads. If you rebuild the used calipers min 1500-1650 or with non cheapest rotors and better than OEM pads probably 1800-2000. With new calipers I'd bet a couple hundread more depending on what they cost.. I think they are around 1200 for the fronts.. I'd GUESS 600-800 for the rears, so you are quickly getting to 3k with new calipers, track pads, rotors like ultra premiums, etc

Oh yeah I guessed on OEM pad prices.. they might be way around 100 for front and rear sets combined, or maybe 300.. I don't know what dealers sell parts online for cheap to check (I'm assuming some Subaru dealers have caught onto internet sales for parts).

Worth it? Up to the owner I suppose... certainly there is no performance benefit here for street use, but repeated high speed stops on the track MAY be enough to overheat the stock brakes with a lot of power and rubber and in that case the large STI heatsinks will be worth it.

I'd really like Cosworth to make a full NA rebuild to get 260-280 HP with redline at at least 8.000 RPM. This thanks to forged internals, ITB's,... Dry sump would also be nice. The poblem is the price. 10.000 € is the high maximum.

Dave-ROR is right on the money with pricing. At that point, I'd rather just buy a Stoptech 328mm rotor setup which will weigh significantly less than the very heavy STI Brembos, and be brand spanking new.

Additionally, a better front brake option may be the 06-07 WRX calipers. They can be cleared by 16" wheels. They're under $700 for the pair ( http://www.gotboostinc.com/su4frbrcasuw.html ), they use the same line fitting as stock sliders. 4 pot monoblock, and it uses the same pad sizes from 02-11 WRX's, huge aftermarket support there. The WRX uses a 295mm vented rotor, and I wouldn't be surprised if the AS1 does as well. I also know that the 4 pots don't suffer from mushy-pedal-syndrome when paired with a stock WRX MC which pushes the same sliding calipers that appear to be on the AS1. To be fair, this does nothing to address rotor size, but if people are all that concerned with actual braking force, this may be a slightly more cost effective option.

True, and yes the AS1 uses the same 295mm rotors.

But I'd only suggest this for looks. As Vito pointed out, you are not increasing the size of the rotors (to some extend they would help with fluid fade.. SLIGHTLY... and only for an extra lap or so..), and the stock sliders will lock up the tires just fine so there is no shortening of the braking distance to be had here with slamming on the brakes.. but you should get better modulation and pad wear. With better modulation comes the ability to more easily find impending lockup which will outbrake ABS (slightly) assuming the ABS system isn't tuned overly agressively.

Perhaps Legacy GT Front rotors and sliders as a more effect option?

Just looking over the OEM Subaru brake options at http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1265631 , and it appears that they mey be the best "bang for your buck" solution. 2005-2009 LGT that is.


Edit:

Possible vented disc solution for the rears, stolen from the same thread:

290x18mm (170mm parking brake)
290x18mm (190mm parking brake)
290x18mm (2010+ Legacy GT)
This is a new rotor size for Subaru (in the US anyway). It uses either a 2-piston opposed caliper or a 1-pot slider. The 2-pot will not bolt up to other Subarus without something like the Kartboy brackets or having a new backing plate pressed onto the spindle. There are three versions of this rotor, one is for the regular 170mm parking brake, the others are for the sti 190mm parking brake in both 5x100 and 5x114.3
Applications:
05+ Legacy GT (1-pot)
06-07 WRX (2-pot)
SVX (5x114.3) (only in JDM-land)
Some older non-us spec-b Legacys and wrx/sti models (see rear brake redux)

Note: The LGT uses a different brake line than older Legacies and Imprezas. So I think you need to grind down part of the caliper where the line mounts to get it to work on an Impreza. The LGT lines are a different shape and mount and a different angle and you can't use them.

I do both. I own 3MI Racing (designing tailored/custom Subie parts since 06) and also consult at Volvo Powertrain in their performance and emissions group.

:thumbsup:


I a long time Subaru head (though use to have an old SR5 too, twas stolen...to those Toyota guys) and know/work with several vendors or give input on ideas and projects. I then do my 3MI Racing stuff which is more engine oriented in block, heads and subsystem design work. But I'm finally coming out of the tailored market and going mainstream with a few engines...hence my website now being under construction.


Still waiting to see if Quirt and Bill will let me know about fueling.

Nice link :thumbup:

Was just going to post that (the LGT rear info) but then I did the quick math.. the 290x18 is stock on the AS1 using the Legacy GT 1 pot slider :) Otherwise that would have been the ideal rear upgrade for cheapness since you wouldn't have to deal with the parking brake crap.

The front LGT upgrade definately sounds interesting although I suspect Subaru would have tried that and found the front bias to be too much.. or maybe originally it was WRX all around and fixed the front bias issue with the LGT rears.. either way just upgrading the fronts to LGT spec may be enough to offset the bias enough on track to hurt braking performance... someone will have to test.

If you are limited by the AS1 stock brakes but want to save some money perhaps STI rears and LGT fronts would balance out pretty nicely..

edit: last sentence was totally wrong, was processing too many things in my head while typing lol

The likelihood of COBB doing anything for this car is pretty slim. They completely back ed out of the non-FI marketplace a couple of years ago and I just spoke with Gary while at SEMA about support for new non-FI cars and he indicated that it would be hard for them to justify getting back into that game. That primarily applies to AccessPORTS, btw...I'm sure that if current WRX/STI hardparts are direct bolt ons, then you'll see some crossover.

All of the usual suspects will have parts out quickly...AEM/K&N, Perrin, Whiteline, Cusco, GTSPEC, Invidia, HKS, Greddy (obviously), Brian Crower, KW, Tein, Eibach, and Hotchkis.

And Robispec? Really, how is that guy still relevant? He was terrible to deal with seven years ago when my friend and I were giving him feedback on his early KW spec Evo kits.

^^^I was figuring with how the market is so hyped about his car, that Cobb would be back into the NA market...sounds like I was wrong.

perrin and ams please!!!

Yea, I was hoping they would be able to apply their skills to this platform too. Maybe there will be enough call for an AP, but I doubt they will be able to make more than 5-10hp from a tune and that is hard to justify charging the $495-595 MSRP that they would need to charge for the AP to cover expenses.

I hope Cosworth is planning on doing some n/a parts and even full packages for this car, they have worked alot with subaru recently on the wrx STI. They have built some great n/a motors.

Thanks on Aftermarket Suppliers
 

Thanks. That's the list I was looking for. Greddy's already shown a modified FT86... does that mean that frontline suppliers might find themselves in receipt of preproduction BRZ' before too long? Or is Subaru not so inclined to front load the aftermarket?

Thanks on Aftermarket Suppliers
 

Thanks. That's the list I was looking for. Greddy's already shown a modified FT86... does that mean that frontline suppliers might find themselves in receipt of preproduction BRZ' before too long? Or is Subaru not so inclined to front load the aftermarket?

Same car man. Any parts developed for the 86 will work on the brz

GT86/FR-S/BRZ


Same car different bumpers (and cosmetic crap)

This will be the first setup I test, as everything needed is sitting in my garage.

Good thread.

The same now... I'd be surprised if that were true by summer 2014, when I'd expect to see a supercharged Scion and a turbocharged BRZ with different ECu's, suspension setup... etc.

Once the brand markets become more clear, I'd expect Toyota and Subaru to start differentiating to satisfy those markets.

I think the underlying economics focus is retaining buildability on the same production line and 80% (not 95%) parts commonality to keep the loading docks smooth and kanban ticket system intact.

Crawford..

i wouldnt go that far. especially since this car doesnt have a turbo

"THE ecu software company"? I think that's a bit of a stretch.

The AccessPort is a great product, no doubt, but I wouldn't say that Cobb is simply the best EMS company.

Cobb access port relies on the fact that modern OBDII ecus are un-encrypted and have certain accessible parameters. Which is their biggest downfall among the wide spread of tuners. AKA they limited in what cars they can tune due to their own software and ECU limitations. which hardly makes them THE ems company. (maybe in north america they are on the top of the list)

THE big ems companies are comprised of a small list, Haltec, Megasquirt, and some would argue that Greddy Emanage, Apexi Power FC, AEM, and HKS f-con are among them too. (basically standalone ECUs)

Cobb AP also becomes a blur when majority of turners guys are reaching nearly 100%-200% more than stock. Iv seen some of subaru guys switch to hydra from Cobb AP.

Cobb AP is a good product, but it does make some compromises for the sake of user comfort. Im not saying its inferior, im saying its not the best the market has to offer.

Ive heard great things about hydra, especially in the NC Miata

Hyda is a decent product, but their US support and delivery chain is wretched. AEM's next generation EMS is by far the single most awesome EMS/stand-alone I've ever seen...but not cheap (though not MoTeC expensive--though more robust than the MoTeC).

Though it's less well known Wolf EMS makes some GREAT stand alone systems ( http://www.wolfems.com/ ). I'm a big fan of the Apex'I Power FC due to its ease of installation, but a lot of other EMS companies are moving into plug and play harnesses or at leas sub-harnesses.

If anyone is "the ECU company" it's Motec. They certainly have the prices for it. :lol:

On a more accessible level, I'm a big fan of DTAfast.