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How reliable is the FA20 motor when boosted?

Hay'all,

as the title states, how reliable is the FA20 motor when boosted?

Why am I asking this?

So, I've been planning for next build. And I narrowed down my options to 2 cars that I am gonna but one of them and build.

1- '11-'15 STi
2- '14-'15 BRZ

Basically, what I am looking for is a fun fast* car, that has to be boosted. I just love the feel of the surge and the turbo spool early in the PRM.

* Fast: as in 400whp kind of fast. Some thing that can beat lightly modded V8's any day of the week.

I did my homework with the STi, and even visited IAG Performance and planed it all. And I am almost sold.

I just need to do the same with the BRZ and know if it is the right car out of the two.

Little History

I have a '07 Land Cruiser that I drive daily. And will surely keep it for many years to come. It is completely stock.

I also had a '12 WRX (Stage 2+) that made 298 WHP and 340 bft.

I ended up selling the WRX and regretting it later. I miss it. :(

Next Build

As, mentioned above, I've been planning for my next build. And the BRZ seems to lack the power that I am looking for. but it surely has the fun in it.

So, I knew already that if I were to go the BRZ I'll surely add a Turbo to it.

It seems like everybody is doing 400 WHP and some even go beyond 500 WHP, with stock motors !!!, and that is my question.

Can FA20 Stock Internals take that much power ? Or should I build the motor as well? I only saw one BRZ/FRS that is boosted and built as well. The rest only boost with stock motors.

I have emailed IAG Performance and Ptuning. and asked them if the stock motor can take this much power. and they said:

IAG Performance:

Quote:

The stock BRZ motor was not designed for big power. Furthermore, short of basic intake and exhaust modifications there are not many power options available for the BRZ

Quote:

Some companies have attempted forced induction efforts (including our own) but the engine was never configured to handle boost

Ptuning:

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f you’re concerned about the capabilities of the stock motor, it’s completely understandable. Actually, we’ve gone all the way to 450whp on the stock block, and raced it at that power level, and the engine is still kicking!

Quote:

500whp is certainly too much.

So, What do you think? Is it capable ? or should I stick to the STi ?

- Sam

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoooom (Post 2114064)

[COLOR="Indigo"]Hay'all,
Fast: as in 400whp kind of fast. Some thing that can beat lightly modded V8's any day of the week.

beat in what? 1/4 mile? rolling?
from a launch 4wd is hard to beat.
lightly modded v8? what do you mean? like a mustang?
exhaust/shorter rear end/tires, most v8's would be deep into the 13's in the 1/4 mile.

Get a STI.

It depends entirely on you. If you don't mind waiting for the amount of R&D to be done with the BRZ as has already been done with the STi then I say get a BRZ. If you're the "gotta have it now" type then go STi. Sounds like IAG has more experience with the STi and is trying to push you that way.

As far as reliable boosted FA20, what are your parameters for reliable? Make it down the strip with 500whp more than once, or drive 100,000 miles with 400whp?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk

Mines boosted with 11psi I have 3k miles on the kit so far without a issue and I drive it every day on the highway racing everything in my path. This car is strong imo

It's not a given that internals start to go at 400+ for the FA20... the transmission definitely does. @Reaper

Quote:

Originally Posted by swarb (Post 2114073)

beat in what? 1/4 mile? rolling?
lightly modded v8? like a mustang?

Thanx for reminding me, I don't do Drag racing, It'll havd to be rolling.

And yes Mustang's, C63's and Camaros.
We havd a lot of those here in the city, And it'd nice to beat them with either and STi or BRZ.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freeman (Post 2114082)

Sounds like IAG has more experience with the STi

As far as reliable boosted FA20, what are your parameters for reliable? Make it down the strip with 500whp more than once, or drive 100,000 miles with 400whp?

Well, I want to do 360whp or so on boost, I would also do Meth injection because I'll live in a very hot climate. I guess the meth can push it to 400WHP.

And yes, I want to live for 100,000 miles with no problems.

I look after my cars, and would be very nice to my next build. I am not the WOT 24/7 type of guy. I like to cruise most of the time, And only go WOT for maybe a maximum of 20 minutes in one day.

and as for 500whp, Yah, That's too much for the FA20 indeed.

Does IAG Performance know anything about the FRS/BRZ? Lol. Jeez, their reply sure doesn't seem to indicate so...

There are close to 30 forced induction kits/variations out there for the twins, from superchargers to turbos to electric superchargers.

Further, there is a cam and stroker kit from HKS, and a twin with header/E85 tune and 4.55+ gears is peppy, but not anywhere near the power level you want.

The big power boosted guys whose cars seem to be thriving are tuned by people who know what they are doing (Delicious Tuning/HRI Tuning, etc.) have several supplemental cooling mods (intercooler, oil cooler, venting, ducting, etc.), and built motors (at least rods/pistons).

It's going to take a sizeable sum to do the FRS/BRZ how you want it, you are probably better off just buying a WRX...

Quote:

Originally Posted by trsiidno (Post 2114085)

Mines boosted with 11psi I have 3k miles on the kit so far without a issue and I drive it every day on the highway racing everything in my path. This car is strong imo

That's good, what kind of power are you making? how do you like the power?

is it crazy power, or just ok?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koa (Post 2114089)

It's not a given that internals start to go at 400+ for the FA20... the transmission definitely does. @Reaper

as for the Tranny, I thought of upgrading the Clutch to ACT HDSS Streetlite Clutch Kit.

Do I need to upgrade anything ales with the tranny?

This motor is good for OVER NINE THOUSAND whp!!!!!

You can smoke all v8s in the country!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lonewolf (Post 2114106)

Further, there is a cam and stroker kit from HKS, and a twin with header/E85 tune and 4.55+ gears is peppy, but not anywhere near the power level you want.

The big power boosted guys, have several supplemental cooling mods (oil cooler, venting, ducting, etc.), and built motors (at least rods/pistons).

probably better off just buying a WRX...

I would call my self a "Bolt-ons" guy. I really no little about engine building.

I don't enough about stroker kits or the cams.

I'd do a turbo and lightly build the engine to support it.

And would defiantly go with a good oil cooler kit, koyo radiator and would power coat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sw20kosh (Post 2114113)

This motor is good for OVER NINE THOUSAND whp!!!!!

Stock motor? Are you sure about this :eyebulge:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoooom (Post 2114107)

as for the Tranny, I thought of upgrading the Clutch to ACT HDSS Streetlite Clutch Kit.

Do I need to upgrade anything ales with the tranny?

He's not talking about the clutch. The clutch is the very least of your concerns at that power level (because it needs to be done). The trans itself is not known to hold power too well. Let me rephrase that: the trans itself is known to not hold power too well. No, there are currently no "reasonable" options to upgrade/replace the manual trans...which is the sole reason a lot of us stay at/under the 400rwhp level.

Where are you located? There's a lot of variables but it seems to me that 400-450whp is safe on E85 with a good tuner. Expect to spend around $10-12k for a reliable setup having a shop do all the work. That includes labor and parts.

You would probably spend less doing it with an STi, but do what you wish. They're completely different kinds of cars. The BRZ is a 2-seater (yes, it is, don't argue with me) and the STi is a 4-seater. You say you miss your WRX... seems this would be a no brainer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by slicktop (Post 2114131)

blah blah

Off topic: Are you the same slicktop on tt.NET?