Build - "A more spirited DD in all aspects - with minimal impact to upkeep
 

Hi guys, after a lot of reading and research, I finally figured out a goal build to attain. Primary goal of the car is

"A more spirited DD in all aspects that maintains close to the affordable fun sports car for everyone mantra - with minimal impact to upkeep/maintenance"

Car: 2014 A/T BRZ
Will rarely track, 1-2x/year just for fun, non-competitive
Roads arent great here
Max highway speed is 100kph
City Traffic mostly
97 RON fuel available
No e85 here


Goal build:
1. OFT Stage 1 first, (93 Octane Map) - see how i enjoy it
2. Exhaust + OFT Stage 2 Tune (93 Octane Map)
(a)Catless UEL Header
(b)Retain Stock Overpipe and Stock Front Pipe with Cat
(c)Invidia Q300 Catback (Midpipe+Axle back) to remain civil/droneless DD
3. Once stock tires are dead, Go lightweight, but retain stock diameter Pilot Super Sports + 17x7.5 RPF01s perhaps
4. Toyota OEM FD 4.56
5. Stock Suspension since I cannot afford to lower anymore due to the amount of ramps and speedbumps here.

So there it is! The onces highlighted in BLUE are my worries.

Mainly, will retaining stock overpipe and front pipe dampen the gains of catless header? I also read some stuff about stock pipes degrading due to the increased heat and flow of the catless header.. But im afraid to go aftermarket here because I want it quieter.

Lastly, Should I even be looking at the FD after all of this? or should the FD come first before the header/exhaust stuff?

go TRD Suspension... and TRD intake

Some nice moderate and reasonable plans there Leev.
The stock pipes will reduce the gains a very small amount but I wouldn't worry about them unless going FI.
The FD can be done at any point since it is not really linked to any of your other plans.

Thanks Tcoat. On talking about the pipes, the only reason i want to retain front pipe is to avoid making it even louder. Are there any options that provide the gains but as silent as stock?

On the up-pipe, which is closest to the header where temps matter instead of sound, theres an option for the AVO ceramic one. Though ive read most people say stock up pipe is more than sufficient.

Well done!

All of this will cost me about 3,500 when converted to USD. (Turbo setups here are around 6,000 USD. I think for how I will use the car, and how I want to minimize maintenance, this should do well!

have you achieved your goal(s) since 2017 in making a more spirited DD while keeping it simple to maintain?

Did your final outcome differ from the list posted in the first post?

progress and follow up posts...

Keep in mind that the FD will impact your fuel consumption, noise, the amount of shifting you do, and how jumpy the car is. I'd instead get replacement struts ( Bilstein or Koni) with stock springs if you want to keep the ride height but have better ride control.

EDIT - just realizing that OP posted in 2017. Sorry. I won't retract my statement in case OP has comments to add on my thoughts.

Going for something similar on my 2015! How many miles are on yours?