Difference in aftermarket support for FRS and the BRZ.
 

Now that price and options are mostly confirmed, I see a lot of threads and news about aftermarket support (body kits, strut bars, suspension stuff, etc). Thing is, I realize that a lot of them are for the FRS/86, at least for the news that are relevant to north america anyways. I realized stuff like the fiveaxis body kit (especially the wing :wub:) are something i would really like but I am in the BRZ boat as of now. Question is, will these parts be interchangeable between these two cars?

Everything except front lips should be compatible between models.

As old greg mentioned, the only major difference is the front bumper. Outside of that, most everything is the same. What I will find funny is when people start adding TRD accessories to the BRZ...........because they are interchangeable, that's just gonna be FUNNY! :eyebulge:

What makes that FUNNY?

It's funny, because TRD stands for Toyota Racing Development (their in-house tuning shop). While there have been plenty of vehicles released over the years that shared platforms and various components, it is not commonplace to use parts that are branded by a different car manufacturer.

Umm.... we've been told that the suspension tuning is not the same, courtesy of different spring rates and shock valving. Both cars' suspensions are very carefully tuned. It's not clear to me that piecewise suspension component changes will have the same effect on both cars.

Parts compatibility? Yes. Same handling outcome? I'm not so sure...

We've got forum members who've crawled through each car's suspension. Can anyone who's examined both cars shed some light on this?

TRD = A company that contracts other aftermarket companies to build their parts so they can put their branding on it. For example, if I remember correctly, the TRD springs for the 7th gen Celica were made by Eibach.

Seems perfectly sound to put TRD parts on my BRZ to me :thumbsup: *



*Assuming I want to pay the markup for TRD parts

Not completely true. There were TRD Japan springs (aka Toyota Technocraft) for the Celica which were different than TRD USA Celica springs. Same is true for their exhausts and parts for other cars such as the MR2 Spyder. Not sure if TRD Japan parts are developed in-house or also outsourced but from my experience I found TRD Japan parts more reliable/developed than TRD USA parts.

thats only for the stock suspension.

put the same set of Hipermax Pro on either the BRZ or 86, it will end up the same

I think Toyota/BRZ intentionally made parts interchangeable between the twins knowing owners would mix and match. For example, the useless side grill is a customization piece (I expect the aftermarket to jump in on this one) that will be swapped. I'm thinking of putting a Scion front bumper or even NUR-spec or TRD kit on my BRZ (though I prefer keeping everything original). People will be swapping headlights and dashboard panels. I find no shame in it. It's part of the fun of ownership/customization for those who are into that sort of thing which will help this car be a huge success.

The 'T' in TRD stands for Toyota. Regardless of where any of their parts was engineered, it's going to feel tied in to Toyota. Having that slapped onto a car from a competing manufacturer seems funny to me.

It reminds me of the late 90's, seeing GTR badges on Preludes. I sure as hell wouldn't ever buy a keyboard or mouse with the Apple logo, regardless of how nicely it slid into my USB port. Something just feels off when the "wrong" company is attached to the product.

Except in this case, both manufacturers were collaborating. There's a huge Toyota "T" on the BRZ (see: http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/07/t...86-subaru-brz/) which is the same "T" patterned on interior panels and the FR-S front grille. The power steering and auto gearbox are Toyota units as is the D4-S technology. And Subaru-stamped parts are all over the FR-S.

The only difference is in the springs and dampers. If you change them out for aftermarket items you'll have the same handling characteristics. The differences in stock handling are subtle.

I am curious about the differences in shape between the FR-S and BRZ headlights. If the outer contours are the same, then any bodykit that replaces the front bumper should fit both cars with a minimum of fuss (we don't know if the mounting points underneath are the same).

This is correct, TRD USA is often rebranded parts from other manufacturers, or exclusive parts developed/engineered by another company for TRD USA.

TRD Japan on the other hand develops almost all of their parts in-house and they are of higher quality. They are far more "OEM" performance parts than you'll get from TRD USA. You'll get things like engine mounts that were made in the same factory/mould as the factory ones, but with harder rubber, or shocks/springs made by the OEM companies to TRD's engineering specs (versus relabelling Eibach springs, etc.).

In short, and generally speaking (tldr): TRD Japan is very high quality stuff, but it's going to cost you. TRD USA sells parts made for them by other companies, so they're basically aftermarket parts distributed and supported by Toyota and Toyota's warranty.

Jeff

Thanks for answering this for me during my absence. The reason I find this "funny" is because there are "many", not all, of BRZ owners who are already hating on the FR-S calling it cheap and ricey but I feel pretty confident that there will be many BRZ owners who will install TRD components on their BRZ.

Do I care if they do, NOT AT ALL, but it's still funny. For me, I'll likely buy the Whiteout FR-S and swap some of the BRZ parts like headlights and push button start since those are the only items the BRZ has that I prefer (unless I can't live w/o the rally blue color).

Not to cause controversy, more just gauging my own curiousity, but how would you feel if someone bought a rally blue BRZ and swapped out the Subaru emblems with Scion or Toyota emblems?

Look under the hood of your Subaru BRZ. Right on top the plemun it says Toyota!!! It also says Subaru on top the FR-S motor!

People hating on the sister version of this car. Now that is FUNNY!

I agree and couldn't care less but you have to admit the bashing will be even funnier when people start swapping TRD parts on a Subaru. :w00t:

Guys... this is the same car. As already mentioned, the only difference in fit is gonna be front bumper lips. Jeez.

TRD Technocraft Japan != TRD USA

Hilarious.

Hey no controversy from me, this here is the internets!

I think I'd be kind of confused by it. The color is iconic because of Subaru's history of using WRB (although I realize the BRZ is WRBII) and I would figure they would probably already be Subaru fans and would just keep the badges.



But in the end I don't think I'd care at all, I'd just be really confused. Like another user stated, pop the hood and you'll see Subaru and Toyota's brand names stamped right there in plain site.

I'd like to point out that I have no disdain for any variant of the car (to be honest, it reminds me quite a bit of the old DSM trio of the Eagle Talon [my previous car], Plymouth Laser, and Mitsubishi Eclipse). I had actually been planning on picking up the FRS until I saw the world rally blue (and then figured I may as well splurge on the Limited's comfort features if I was going Subaru).

What I was doing was answering the question as to why I believed TOYSTRY found TRD parts on a Subaru as funny (which is also my own opinion as well).

I had assumed everyone was aware of all of the collaborated parts of these vehicles. Much like the trio of cars I mentioned above, several parts can be outfitted to one another, but at the same time, each variant is branded as its own unique make and model.

Regardless of how many parts are actually fabricated, designed, built, or whatever by company X, if the car is sold under the company Y brand name, it strikes me as funny to promote company X.

I'd even go so far as saying the same holds true for the subsidiary luxury companies that the big import manufacturers created to sell cars in America in the 80's (Lexus, Accura, Infiniti, etc.). If I owned a Lexus LFA, for example, I'd feel mighty odd displaying any components for it that are branded as Toyota, regardless of whether they're elven-built in Santa's workshop.

I just visited the Subaru website that allows you to build the BRZ. My question is do all BRZ/FRS come with a rear diffuser or is the one offered for the BRZ exclusive?

WRBII was the color of the BRZ STI Concept. Production BRZ has the same WRB(02C) as the WRX and WRX STI.

I'm not seeing the humor in people wanting to put TRD parts on the BRZ as there will also be those that put STI parts on their FRS. I'll find it perfectly normal since they're basically the same car build by both companies.

Guess it depends on what you're accustomed to seeing; I've seen off-branded parts all my life come from the same OEM as the cars: NISMO (Nissan Motorsports) offers parts/packages for Infiniti. TRD offers parts for Lexus.

I'd rather have TRD Japan parts on a BRZ or STI parts on an FR-S than TRD USA parts on an FR-S (because TRD USA contracts out to 3rd parties). Past the branding, they are direct fit OEM quality parts (Toyota/Subaru share OEM status yet some people still refuse to acknowledge this truth). I don't care which label the OEMs stamp on parts; it's just an identifier (like a part number, all transparent to me). I'm only concerned with where the design came from and its integrity. Now mismatching hood/trunk emblems or decals - that's different.
I see what you're saying but, to me, it's not about promoting a brand. Perhaps HKS or Eibach are more traditional brands to "promote" but I'd rather have off-brand OEM-approved parts. What matters at the end of the day is a quality upgrade that enhances your driving experience. I once bought bright green Bilstein shocks for my MR2 which were the same model/part number as a discontinued dual-branded TRD Japan/Bilstein shock. The color bothered me more than the lack of TRD branding but all that didn't matter; the suspension upgrade did.

So do you think it's funny that people put TRD (Toyota) branded parts on a Scion (a subsidiary of Toyota)? Who cares what brand logo is stamped on something, especially if the brands are owned by the same company. Many of the interior parts on my WRX have Lexus logos stamped on the back. It's all coming from same parts bin, the only difference is what sticker they put on it before it rolls out the door.

This is mainly what I was referring to when I was thinking of visual components. A small NISMO or TRD stamp on a performance part that you have to open the hood or lay on the ground to show off is understandable. However, having a large vinyl "Toyota Racing" or the Toyota logo on easily viewable areas gets a knee-jerk negative reaction.

This, quite frankly, is exactly my sentiment. The fact that something strikes me as funny is purely the first reaction I have to something. If the explanation that TRD is making a supercharger while STI is making a turbocharger and the BRZ owner explains that he hates turbos with a passion, I'd undertand. For parts that are going to be nearly identical and produced by both TRD and STI (sway bars, etc), it just seems odd to cross-shop. Kind of like when my buddy found low tread Hyundai wheels in a junk yard that wound up becoming his 240SX wheels of choice. There was a reason for it, but eyebrows still were raised when eyes were laid upon it.

Personally, I love the fact that so many aftermarket tuning shops were able to get advanced measurement data for the vehicles. I rarely upgrade my new vehicles early, as I prefer to review different manufacturer' products, and make my decision fairly unbiased (I still generally prefer unaffiliated companies over the big in-house tuning shops, unless there's a clear performance difference. If TRD makes the BEST damned cold-air intake of the ~15 tuning shops I look at for intakes, then it'll be in my BRZ within a year. I just won't be slapping and TRD stickers anywhere visible if that happens.

:dnftt:

This post is going no where......, but it's entertaining :popcorn:

I prefer to do all of my Scion aftermarket parts from their in-house Intrepid Scion Uber Celerity Know-how (ISUCK). I go to great lengths to keep all of the parts matching, and love the logo.

Doesn't matter to me as long as the part is either functional or aesthetically pleasing; but, this doesn't concern me because I think I'm gonna keep it fairly stock.

Parts are parts. If they fit and they work well I'd consider using them. It is widely recognized this car is a co developed by both manufacturers. I wouldn't find it particularly odd to see a BRZ with a TRD exhaust, or an FR-S with STi suspension components. Certain false badging I'd still find in poor taste, an FR-S shouldn't sport an STi badge, but no more than a standard BRZ for instance.

We already know that Toyota is researching a supercharger, possibly as a TRD accessory similar to the tC. My main concern would be whether a Subaru owner could purchase and have it installed with the factory warranty for instance. All parts can be installed by the owner, and a supercharger is no exception, however if you wanted to stay be official about it I would imagine you need to get a new flash from a dealer, and I wonder if there will be an proprietary shenanigans in such factory parts. Though I would have to imagine if they went through all the trouble to produce a kit, they would make a Subaru counterpart or offer the flash to the whole lineup at the very least.

I dont think it really matters either, parts ARE parts its as simple as that, to be honest I plan on removing the badges anyway, so it doesnt matter what ones i use

If TRD comes out with a nice supercharger kit i would definitely consider putting it on my BRZ

How come no one is talking about putting STi parts on their Scion? Especially if Subaru come out with a turbo.

What is the difference between STi and SPT?

I'd use some STi bits on an FRS if they're lighter or whatnot.

This

STI = actually makes performance parts
SPT = only makes "visual" parts, not much of performance parts

This.

While I still wouldn't entertain the thought of swapping an engine from a different manufacturer into my car (i.e. Chevy LS1 into a Nissan), I see no problem in cross-shopping parts from TRD and STi. I can't imagine there being too many parts that each manufacturer won't have other than the possible TRD S/C kit and different aero, but I already have plans of putting a TRD duckbill spoiler on my BRZ, along with the STi diffuser and front splitter. When it all boils down, they're just pieces of metal, rubber, and plastic that you're bolting to your car to increase performance. If you don't like the different brand name, peel the sticker off!