Looking to add some spunk
 

I need to add some spunk to my BRZ. This car is my DD and I'm only looking for something in the $500-600 range or less.

I'm leaning towards an exhaust component. I just feel like the car has no personality and I don't think anything cosmetically will provide that.

However I've got a dilemma, my old Supra had an exhaust and my fiancé as well as myself absolutely hated it. It was loud, obnoxious, and droned like no other right in the 2k-4k rpm range. So she DOES not want me to do it again. I can't decide if a Catted front pipe will give me what I am looking for or if I should go with an axle back. Axle back will be much easier to install than a full CBE and FP but FP is 1/2 the cost and I can buy the Q300 for as hair under $600.

Please help me.

Perrin 2.5" resonated catback. Looks amazing and not too loud.
I got mine for just over $700 though.

If by spunk, you mean straightline speed a catback doesn't do much for HP on this platform. For HP/TQ $500-$600 to get an OpenFlashTablet tune for e85 ($550ish) and a drop-in filter, just about any brand will do ($50). That will net about 25-35 WHP and 20-25 TQ.

If you mean corner speed. New stickier tires in 215-225 width will greatly improve your cornering speed.

Do driver mod and/or these two first, then worry about everything else afterwards.

This guy has the right idea :burnrubber:

Check out the Valenti tail lights or Winjet headlights. Just an idea. 😉

Simple and direct observable improvement is OFT, and right at your requested price range

You've already got some wise ideas (Personally I think if you want personality, a sound change is an easy way to make the car "feel" faster-- exhaust doesn't sound like a bad idea. You may want to spend a little more than $500 on an exhaust, though). I'd add basic suspension stuff to the list-- swaybars, suspension / drivetrain bushings, and a good alignment. These are all pretty cheap items that will really change the overall feel of the car through corners (sways change the balance, bushings change responsiveness, alignment can change both slightly).

For the money, suspension tweaks are probably the best thing you can do to the car to change the overall experience you get when pushing the car hard. An exhaust isn't a bad idea either though, since it changes your perception of speed and can add the personality you want. Save a little more and get a quality piece, though. Don't force yourself to choose a sound based on price.

I have heard that the ISIS exhaust systems are good. Tints are always nice, depending on your state (not sure about price range). I like rice, like a lot, so I would put neon on it (flame suit ready). LEDGlow is the best, but make sure to check local law/call CHP/call local police

What is this?

Just about everything you need to know is here:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67310


http://openflashtablet.com/

Just don't go on the UK forums saying you need some spunk LOL

Seriously, I'd forget engine mods short of forced induction.

If I had $500.00 to spend I'd buy Bilsteins and fit them myself (in reality I have enough to pay someone much more skilled than I to fit them).

I bought new tires first. Knowing what I now know (that Subaru is fitting Sachs dampers to the 2015 cars) and having experienced the transformation my BRZ experienced by fitting Bilstein HD (B6) dampers and struts that's the only mod I would have done. I seriously think I could have tolerated the stock tires longer had I fitted the Bilsteins first.

Oh, yes, and as the rear Bilsteins go in cut one half inch out of the rear bump stops, or cut a bit off the soft end if you don't want to mess around with gluing bits of bump stop back together. A bit more damper travel before the car hits the bump stop would be desirable unless you want to drift regularly.

Get the alignment within spec even if you have to fit camber bolts. My rear axle is now set at 1.9 degrees negative each side with the help of a pair of Subaru factory camber bolts. The front probably won't need camber adjustment but if it does you can get camber bolts for the bottom of the strut to assist.

Catted vs Catless front pipe?
 

I was just about to make a thread on this but noticed I'm looking for a similar set up. The sound in the following video is what I'm going for, however the PERRIN catted front pipe has been discontinued.

Does anyone have any videos of just an aftermarket front pipe on an otherwise stock exhaust? Will there be much of a sound difference between catted and catless front pipes?

Not trying to hijack your thread, but I think we're in the same boat.

*I'm not looking for upgraded performance, mainly just a better sound.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfb9CKLpRoo"]Perrin Catted Front & Over Pipe + Stock Catback - YouTube[/ame]

To the OP:

100% best advice yet. If you're really saying sound is what you're looking for, careful opinions on what's loud differs a ton here lol, take your time when it comes to exhaust choice and hear some in person first. As it's been said no amount of power or spunk will be had with additional noise on this car however.