2017+ BRZ Fog Light Bezel Solution - Hinders Stability?
 

Hi all..

So I searched the web and didn't find anyone with this topic...

Problem:

A) I fell in love with the 2018 tS fog light bezels but then realized their not a mesh but a flat piece of plastic with a grille/mesh design on them.

B) I wanted to retain my stock fog lights

Solution:

I cut out the "back" of each stock fog light bezel and added a grill mesh to each, also plasti-dipping the bezels and front bumper insert black. Grille also added behind center bumper insert to match around.

(Side note: I also used some yellow tint and tinted my fog lights)
(Side Side note: I thought the entire foglight illuminates but nope, just the middle section that is exposed by the stock bezel)

Problem/Question:
I feel the car turns different... may I have opened more airflow through the bumper to the wheels that may hinder my stability? It definitely feels a hair less stable.

I figured this is the reason why the tS version, which should be more performance heavy, would not have grille meshes but instead the flat plastic piece in the fog light bezel to block air from entering the bumper in front of the wheels.

Possible next steps:
-Add a splitter to divert more air for more downward pressure?
-Just buy the tS bezels and delete/replace Fogs

Attachment 176636

Attachment 176637

Attachment 176638

Second thought:

Maybe its not the air going through, but since now they are like "cups" in the bumper, there is air turbulence in those areas which may cause what I'm feeling.

I seriously doubt such a small change in the car's aero would result in noticeable instability unless you're driving the absolute piss out of the car at a track.

Looks cool though!

Too small of a aero change to feel by unprecise butt dino. Either you every day drive 200kmh on autobahn for there to be any difference, or it's placebo imagined feel of expected change, or it's something else wrong that was done during process of this mod, or changed with time. For example .. have you changed tires or have grip/tire pressure changed due different season/weather/temps since you did mod, was there even more stuff changed, eg. forgot to bolt back underbody panels, maybe you since then have installed other parts or did different alignment of car but mistakenly attribute their changes to this mod, maybe some trackdays happened since mod and you have noticeably worn tires, maybe you have hit kerb and something got bent or alignment got out of whack, and so on ..
BTW, if you haven't cut/opened also further downstream, then shouldn't that airflow stop at wheel arch liner anyway, without throughout flow, and thus shouldn't there be no impact on aero at all? (if air doesn't freely flow through, just stops further downstream, such dead air pocket is like some air pillow in front, with not much change to drag or downforce)

Fix the problem with the fogs instead of adding a lip/splitter to mask the issue. The grille looks even if your creating a bit of a parachute.

Thanks for the insight all...

Seems it might just be placebo and in my mind. Nothing else out of the ordinary was changed, I replaced the intake hose a few weeks ago and deleted the cabin noise generator and desnorked the oem intake (w/k&n airfilter) a bit. but that just made things a hair louder ha.

I'll keep going with this and then its off to exhaust and suspension!

Tape up the screens, and go for a drive, see if anything changes.

"I replaced the intake hose a few weeks ago and deleted the cabin noise generator and desnorked the oem intake (w/k&n airfilter) a bit. but that just made things a hair louder ha."
- My theory is that due these changes for sound/loudness, your right foot got "heavier" to hear better those changes or enjoy engine sounds more .. more gas/more rpms/lower gears at same roads driven more sedately before, here - your lower traction :). At least this sounds much more possible then very slight aero change with too little if any impact. It's same as with installing some catback .. for aural pleasure one subconsciously pushes car more, thus eg. fuel economy may drop, even if that exhaust part is more efficient/less restrictive :)

I think we have a winner haha!! I have noticed my "avg MPG" dropping a bit since the installs :party0030: