Newbie Subie questions
 

Hello FT86Club.
I recently got 2017 PP BRZ and would like to give it some upgrades in order to make it a little bit faster and alive.

My current plan is:

1 step. Intake hose (delete noize maker) + drop in filter
Question1: What drop in filter to take? K&N? do you have better alternatives in mind?

2 step: Catless EL Header + tune.
Question2: budget for Header is not more than 1000. I do not want to spend another $1k or so for +5whp. Am I right here? Or better sell the kidney and by ACE?
Question3: OFT or ecuteck? I do not want to go into too much tuning but I'm in Michigan and it'll be hard to find good tuner for me. I'm new to States, don't have friends and have no idea where to go for tune.
Also I'm planning to get Flex fuel on Step 3 - this should affect my tune selection. Please advise.

3 step. Flex fuel.
Question4: Can I really get good reliable flex fuel tune? I really like the idea of not changing maps if I can't get e85. I'd even prefer to have adaptive map for 91,93,e85 and all possible blends of them. Is it even possible and what flex fuel kit to choose?
I like Zeitronix kits but maybe I should go DeliciousTuning route in general?

Please advise

1. Don't need to delete the noize maker as you won't hear it over the catless header anyway, Why go through the trouble to install a tube that adds zero power. I would get the long metal Perrin intake if you want some sound.

2. For header I would suggest you go to 86 meet and listen all different ones in person...I like the HKS BOXER or JDL Long Tube the best but that's just me..... I'm not sure how much they are now.

3. Definitely Get Flex Fuel, Just one thing Thou. Flex Fuel is Flex Fuel, I don't think you can get a selectable map for multiable octane. It will be pick one between 91 & e85 or 93 & e85.

Oft and good header should work just fine for you. Wont be optimum but it will be noticeable. 17 and up have shown higher baselines on dyno so the difference wont be as profound as on earlier cars.

I'd go with ecutek. I have OFT now and kinda have regrets. Doing custom tuning and it's taking a long time (i'm about 2 months in now and about 2 weeks in between getting new datalog/instructions).


Too late for me to get a refund and get ecutek.

HKS and Tomei are great budget headers or find a useful JDL. I personally dont see the cost in the ACE.

If you want a flex fuel system ie no reflashing to change fuels from patrol to e85 and you have a 2017+ car then you will need to use ecutek. OFT doesnt support full lfex fuel systems on 2017+ cars.


On 2017+ cars you need a slighly different flex kit wiring to earlier cars. So make sure you get a 2017+ compatable flex kit.


Yez you can have a tune that supports 91 and 93 petrol and also flex fuel for e85.


You will however need to switch maps in ecutek (via cruise control stalk, not reflashing) to select correct map for 91 or 93 petrol. Flex sensors only detect ethanol content, they dont detect octane rating of fuel.




The flex fuel kit\tune will automaticly adjist for any mix of petrol and ethanol. But it jist cannot detect difference between 91/93 petrol.



Ive donetunes like that before map 1 is 91-flex fuel, map2 is 93 flex fuel.


Thte remaing two maps you can add ecutek features or pops or whatever you want like valet map.

Openflash tablet will be your best bet if you're staying naturally aspirated. Not only does it have a lot of support, it's an interactive, simple tool that doubles as a datalogger and monitor.

I'm with @chaoskaze about the sound of the header, you need to hear them in person. I had a $250 eBay UEL header by CNT and it sounded great, ran perfect, and provided the sound I was looking for with a little bump in power. https://youtu.be/MIlEz3V4rag?t=173 Here is what my car sounded like with stock catback.

1) Delete sound tube and throw it away! I used the Perrin intake tube. K&N is a good replacement filter.



2) Get flex fuel kit and tune with EcuTek.


3) On 17+ if you do not have money for a good quality header do not get one. You can gut your cat and be within a couple of HP of a cheep header.