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

- Engine, Exhaust, Transmission (https://www.ft86club.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=8)

- - Is my motor built? (https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131589)

Quote:

Originally Posted by DillonJay (Post 3158218)

I just bought a turbo BRZ. No papers but the price was too good to pass up. It has the SBD 500x kit and the install is super clean. I looked over every inch of this car and all the work (suspension, gauges, exhaust. etc.) is all done really well with nice brand name parts.

For my question....it has an ethanol gauge which leads me to believe it has an 85 tune (has an OFT) and it’s running about 12psi. I am pretty sure it’s been ran this way for the last 10k miles. (Car has 19k). It all seems unsafe for the stock motor but the car runs great and it’s FAST. I’m not too familiar with the FA20. Are there any key things to look for to figure if the motor has aftermarket internals? Will I see anything if I pop the valve covers?

Edit: It’s not running the 85 tune now but it is an option just to be more clear.
Any help is appreciated.

I would turn down the PSI to be safe, try to track down the original owner and find out exactly whats been done to the car. Who knows if this guy tracked the car and beat the living crap out of it, if that's the case I would change out all your fluids asap. These engines weren't made to be turbo'ed so you need to extra careful, sorry to be a buzz killer but Ive seen buddies blow engines left, right and center. For now just enjoy the car for what it is and if worse comes to worse and you do blow the engine do a swap :iono:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tcoat (Post 3158670)

And look for what? How would one go about telling upgraded parts from stock with an endoscope?

Piston tops

Credits to R. Randels and Revvolution.com

Looking for differences, OEM on the left

See there @Tcoat , the built one is shiny - :D

humfrz
:scared0016:

It should be red. Coz da red goez fasta!

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86MLR (Post 3158691)

Credits to R. Randels and Revvolution.com

Looking for differences, OEM on the left

Perfect. So anything that differs from the stock profile (once you know what the stock looks like). I had no idea the upgraded were so radically different in appearance. Could easily be seen with an endoscope.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonrogs (Post 3158282)

Pull fuel rail cover and check fuel injectors. If they have swapped those out, then it's more likely that you keep looking into the motor itself. If they have not been, then you most likely have a stock motor with a bolt on turbo kit.
Also, most built motors will be tuned via EcuTek.

I see you are in WI..... Whereabouts?

Yeah injectors are swapped. And I’m in Madison.

Thanks for the help everyone.

I managed to track down the original owner. He owns a shop. Has some pretty wicked builds. Twin turbo Supra, Fox body mustang. Drives a 911 GT3....lol

So that makes sense why it’s so cleanly done.

I’ve reached out to him. Just waiting to hear back.

BRZ is put away for the winter.