Quote:
Originally Posted by NOHOME
Long winded answer:
More power would ruin the car because it would need to be accompanied by more of everything.
The engine in this car is unique in that it has had every ounce possible cut out of the parts. You add power to this engine at your own risk. So more power is going to need a heavier engine.
More power from engine is going to need more robustness to every single component down the drivetrain right down to the brakes. So more weight. Since the FRS's one and only superpower is the handling that is possible with low weight, any dulling of this atribute would be like Kryptonite to Superman.
Then lets look at other consequences. Cost. The FRS is priced to be sold to either a young crowd who is pre-family or an old fart who is past kids and pre retirement. Neither is a very rich market. More power increases the cost exponentially, puts the car in competition with more cars, and lowers sales because it really has nothing to offer in the Pony Car market after it gives away the light weight.
A limited edition with more power is possible, but it would be just that, Limited and expensive both to buy and maintain. Talk to any Subaru Sti owner about maintenance cost.
You and I can drop a LSx into the car and only increase the weight by a small percentage. The results are entertaining to watch and arguably safe enough. However, the factory would have to do a LOT of due diligence to protect the driver and themselves against the liabilities of more power. Can you say more insurance $$$ all around?
The FRS is a niche product, niches are great places to sell stuff if you are the first in cause you take up the whole niche. However all niche products, when you take them out of their intended niche, they look kinda silly. If you fix that, you give up the safety of the niche.
Toyobaru did their research, discovered a niche and the math said they could live there comfortably. I expect that any changes to the twins will be to reflect evolution of the niche and not any attempt to break out.
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I could see this argument holding up if you were wanting 300hp from the car, but I would be willing to bet that the current components on this car could handle 200whp without any sacrifice to reliability.
I think a modest increase of 25whp would give the 86 enough power to feel quick in all situations. Most of the time the 175hp is enough in this car, but there are rare instances where this car seems to fall flat on its face.