Subaru ROOKIE
 

Hello all,


I am completely new to the Subaru world and just got my first BRZ the other day which is the limited, performance package trim. I've been browsing around some threads and have read some of the basic information but if anybody can spare a few wise recommendations. Feel free to help out with anything that comes to mind if you have the time.


Goals (nothing too severe)
-Suspension (What's best for just street driving? I've read Eibach is great. Coilovers for a lower look?)
-I.E.H (What all is of quality and reputation, HP gains? *California Resident*)
-Supercharger (A few years later, I'd like to try F.I. What is reputable?)


Thanks for all of your input.


-Paris

You should partner with Williams like Singer have done for the DLS car.

The PP suspension is very well sorted for a daily driven street car. I wouldn't touch it until you know exactly what you're looking for.

Intakes and headers will need to be CARB EOed to be legal in California. However, the tune to make them work properly is not CARB approved so it's kinda catch 22 situation there. The exhaust behind the last catalytic converter is free.

Only the Edelbrock and Jackson Racing superchargers are CARB approved. And only with the provided canned tunes. Harrop has promised CARB approval, but it has not appeared as of yet.

Welcome to the Forum!


The only mods I feel are 100% Necessary are: Tint & a better stereo. (the base stereo in the 13' Sucks!) Though you probably already have the nicer stereo since you have a Limited with the Performance Package.

Now, If you actually plan on going FI in the future, I would get H/E/I at the same time. That way you get parts that all work together, and don't have to buy different parts if they don't work with the Supercharger. Additionally, because you are in CA, it may be simpler to just leave your engine stock for now... I still feel that the car has enough power to enjoy as a DD, even after 76000 miles.

What is the best suspension for DD? This is a highly subjective question. I have had Eibach prokit springs and OEM shocks for 70k miles. They are a great cost effective combo that lowers the car 1" and still ride nicely.

Any set of 1" drop springs will work pretty well with your shocks. Which are slightly better than the older shocks that came on my 13. RCE yellows, Eibach prokit, STI, TRD, are just a few of the options. IMO, springs that lower more than 1" degrade the OEM shocks at an advanced rate compared to springs that only lower 1" or less.


Coilovers will give you height adjustment. Some coilovers also offer dampening adjustment and camber adjustment. When considering which coilovers to get, the saying "you get what you pay for" is more true than with other parts. It took me 6 years to decide which ones to order. Which I just did, so can't give a review on them yet...






Good Luck!

Welcome

Can you elaborate? Is Williams like Singer a screenname?


Thanks

Thanks for the input! I will keep in mind that each part if CARB approved before I decide on something internally.

Welcome.... Remove torque dip, the ridiculous ride height... Oh, and, get some sound through the exhaust..and remove sound tube..... And, if you do drop it then push wheels out... And if you dropping get some camber...and, and....and....and...

Thanks for all your detailed input. If I/H/E is recommended with a Supercharger at the same time. I will hold on to those mods until last minute. For now, I will focus on the aesthetics of the vehicle then since those are simpler. Suspension, window tinting and a stereo system would be good enough for now.

Thanks

Thanks for the input

I can’t wait for this hideous, handling and ride quality ruining, chassis scraping “hellaflush” trend to end :barf:

To the OP, learn to drive the car and decide as your skills improve if and what you really need to “upgrade”. As mentioned, the performance package suspension is pretty well sorted for a good balance of handling and every day street use.

besides the aesthetics of a lowered car, the suspension really depends on how much you care for a stiffer ride & less ground clearance...the most basic suspension for the twins will satisfy most people for DD duty if you don't care about the fender/wheel gap ^^ I like the stock low grip & resistance tire for street use...makes the car feel livelier and you get very good MPG especially on the highway..

OP doesn't have any goals set, just asking about reliable power and a supercharger...sounds like he doesn't know what he wants or he wants power without working for it. Driver mod until you can drive 10/10 on some twisties

Watch oil consumption, avoid loading at high rpm in high G to avoid oil pressure losses / lack of emulsion. That is, doing a bunch of donuts, drifting too hard etc. Fresh oil = better emulsion. My car at >95k miles consumes a quart of oil over this summer daily driving / spirited driving. Seems a common theme for motors gone wrong is they didn't top off the oil.

The stock wheel studs are not very good. ARP chromoly wheel studs should be necessary for future wheel or big brake upgrades you might plan.

You don't need to spend big bucks on tires to get great performance / quality. Firestone Firehawk Indy 500's / RE003 are a great summer tire at an affordable price.

I found the stock transmission mount to be much too soft and cause drivetrain lash after things have worn. Adding a whiteline poly insert or an STi group-n transmission mount will improve response on/off throttle.