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

ajcarson11 · 04-18-2017, 10:08 AM

If you choose a reputable kit, install it carefully, understand all of the pieces and how each functions, and spend a good amount of time reading the forums and recommendations from the manufacturer you should be OK. Your best bet is to buy a used kit in my opinion. I've seen SBD kits go for anywhere from 1.5k to 3.5k used. At ~100 increased wheel horsepower you may need an oil cooler, and potentially clutch. If you don't increase boost more than that you should be OK without additional supporting mods (although things like catch cans or a built engine will always increase engine longevity at any increased power level).

You don't need engine/diff/trans mounts or axles or drive-shafts at the power level you are looking at. You don't need a whole slew of track-ready upgrades (unless you are planning on doing more than daily driving). ~100 extra horsepower isn't going to beat this car up (although there is always risk of failure, even when stock). The problems occur when you get tired of the extra 100 horsepower and want to push the limits more. Then you need to consider Chronology's list of extras.

If you do it right, and are willing to wait for a deal, you can go FI with either a turbo or SC for under 3-4k. Personally, I'm happily boosted at ~100-125 extra wheel horsepower with a total investment of 3k. I was able to do this by selling my OFT (to offset the cost of the ecutek license), borrowing an ecutek cable, buying a used SC kit, installing myself, and making smart choices on aftermarket parts. You don't need to pour tons of money into this car if you try to work from the used market.

The only things I would add:
1. Make SURE you choose a reputable tuner. The tune is the MOST important part of a boosted setup. If the tune is no good, it doesn't matter what other supporting mods you have in place. A good tune can limit risk to the engine and make your experience much better.
2. If you go with a turbo setup, be prepared to add gauges/hard-ware fail-safes. Don't rely solely on software. It takes just a few seconds of overboost to ruin a good time.

04-18-2017, 10:08 AM	#14
ajcarson11 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Drives: 2013 Subaru BRZ Limited (Black) Location: Indianapolis Posts: 511 Thanks: 253 Thanked 206 Times in 149 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	If you choose a reputable kit, install it carefully, understand all of the pieces and how each functions, and spend a good amount of time reading the forums and recommendations from the manufacturer you should be OK. Your best bet is to buy a used kit in my opinion. I've seen SBD kits go for anywhere from 1.5k to 3.5k used. At ~100 increased wheel horsepower you may need an oil cooler, and potentially clutch. If you don't increase boost more than that you should be OK without additional supporting mods (although things like catch cans or a built engine will always increase engine longevity at any increased power level). You don't need engine/diff/trans mounts or axles or drive-shafts at the power level you are looking at. You don't need a whole slew of track-ready upgrades (unless you are planning on doing more than daily driving). ~100 extra horsepower isn't going to beat this car up (although there is always risk of failure, even when stock). The problems occur when you get tired of the extra 100 horsepower and want to push the limits more. Then you need to consider Chronology's list of extras. If you do it right, and are willing to wait for a deal, you can go FI with either a turbo or SC for under 3-4k. Personally, I'm happily boosted at ~100-125 extra wheel horsepower with a total investment of 3k. I was able to do this by selling my OFT (to offset the cost of the ecutek license), borrowing an ecutek cable, buying a used SC kit, installing myself, and making smart choices on aftermarket parts. You don't need to pour tons of money into this car if you try to work from the used market. The only things I would add: 1. Make SURE you choose a reputable tuner. The tune is the MOST important part of a boosted setup. If the tune is no good, it doesn't matter what other supporting mods you have in place. A good tune can limit risk to the engine and make your experience much better. 2. If you go with a turbo setup, be prepared to add gauges/hard-ware fail-safes. Don't rely solely on software. It takes just a few seconds of overboost to ruin a good time.