Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community - FT86CLUB

While driving the super comfy and quasi-sporty lexus is350 Fsport for the last 3 years, I was always looking to get back to more “fun” cars with a manual transmission and an alluring exhaust sound; looking at the BMW M2, BMW 235i, 2-3 yo Cayman, C7, 7th Gen Camaro, even the Ford Focus RS for the last year or so but just did not feel the strong pull towards any of them, although the 2014 Cayman was enticing due to the tight handling, lightweight and boxer engine. Reading the long term reviews in the Road & Track magazine in October, this bright blue with black accent car caught my eye, so i read the review of the beautiful Hyper.Blue series BRZ and right away started the search for one close by, only to realize they were limited in quantity. I found single digit (less than 5 for sale) across the country, 1 in Jacksonville and 1 in Atlanta, so i decided to call the Jacksonville so secure the deal. Next day, my bro and i were boarding a “puddle jumper” to Jacksonville for a 6 hour road trip back to Miami. Bought the car on Oct 22, 2016, and on the drive back on highway and a few stops provided good initial impressions. WOW, this car handles as good as my HPDE/Track built C6 corvette. Its light and nimble, not going to win many races, but for a overpopulated Miami traffic driving it fits the bill, to echo what many others said, it’s just fun. Personally, as many others here, i have tuned ALL my cars, to a different degree, and that’s one of the reasons i bought the BRZ, super tunable. I have built FBO 400+ HP 335i, 500+ HP Cammed Corvette, so i wanted to take a more conservative and scientific approach, one mod at a time to assess the improvement or not. Goals & Objectives of the Build:Precise steering (DD compliance) & Planted Chassis (minimal/No HVN)
Linear Power Delivery; Flat TQ curve with Subie Rumble (Driveable Loud); All the mods to be installed by me.

Here is an overview of the build and i will post install pics, notes and impression individually.

Engine, Exhaust, Transmission

PERRIN Intake Tube (PSP-INT-430BK) + Green Filter USA
Sound Generator Delete + tube port plugged with cigarette lighter cap
JDL HFC UEL Headers + Ceramic Heat Coated (Bronze)
JDL UQFP (HFC + Resonated) & Overpipe + Ceramic Heat Coated (Bronze)
ARK Grip Catback Exhaust with Blue Burned Tips
OFT Stage 1+ UEL 93 (Cold Start Delete)

Suspension, Chassis, Brakes, Wheels

Whiteline Differential Bushing Inserts (Whiteline KDT925)
Whiteline Subframe Bushing Inserts (Whiteline KDT922)
GrimmSpeed Front Strut Tower Brace
Radium Master Cylinder Brace
OEM Camber Bolts Mod (front)
OZ Ultraleggera 17 x 8” ET35
Continental Extreme Contact Summer Tires

Cosmetics (Interior/Exterior/Lighting)

LED Conversion (license plate, doors, side markers, dome, trunk, reverse)
Interior Trim Wrap with 3M Riviera Blue Matte M67
Steering Wheel, Shift Ring, Dash & Radio, Knee Pads, Door Handles
Sound Proofing (Frost King alum + foam layer and Foam Carpet Padding)
Heat Shield under exhaust muffler (Frost King)
Entire Trunk, Trunk Lid, Rear Seats & Back, Rear Wheel Wells, Rear Deck
Toyota FRS All-Weather floor mats
Toyota FRS Arm Rest
JDM Clear Side Markers
JDM Black Shift Knob
JDM AC Vents
JDM Traction Control Buttons
Tail as Turn LEDS + Backup LEDs
TRD Door Stabilizer Kit
STi Gurney Flap
4th brake light delete into a mesh diffuser