Quote:
Originally Posted by sly
I went with a Cosworth supercharger using the smaller drive pulley and Cosworth 3" exhaust. This takes the car to somewhere around 300bhp. One of the first things I noticed was that the Prius tires would break traction rather easily. Turning at an intersection and being in second gear, I could break the rear end loose, sometimes on accident. I knew I would need more traction so I went with some Michelin Pilot Sport 4s tires. MUCH better. I feel that this alone brought most of the balance back to the car. I can still break the rear loose, but only when I want to. It's predictable on wet roads and still handles like a dream.
The suspension handles the increased power quite well. However the OEM clutch didn't. In 5 or 6th gear at mid rpms, I could get the clutch disc to slip just by hitting the gas pedal. So I swapped out the clutch for a Southbend stage 2 daily clutch. Perfect...
I feel that this car can easily handle more power. It doesn't feel unpredictable, nose heavy or any less of what it originally was. In fact, it feels all around a better car. The extra power makes the car feel even lighter and more nimble. I feel I am in control of it better. Every characteristic of the BRZ that I liked originally is now only better. It is easy to drive around town and is amazing going up mountain roads.
I had to make 2 major changes to restore the "balance". Tires and a clutch. I have made some other modifications as well, but these two were a necessity. Other mods include a lightweight flywheel, a rear shifter bushing, transmission bushing insert, shifter springs and soon to be added, rear differential bushing inserts. These add-ons have really helped make the car feel more solid and even more predictable. I have gained a minimal amount of noise in the cabin. But have gained even more in terms of putting the power to the ground... The car feels even stronger after adding the bushings. They weren't added because of a perceived lack of balance. But because I wanted to help the car be even more of what it was intended to be. An excellent rear wheel drive sports car.
I drove 30,000 miles before I went forced induction. The last 20,000 have been with the supercharger. I would never go back to stock from the setup I have now. Adding 100hp did not hurt the balance or the nature of the car in any way for me. Instead, it has made it even more of a drift car, more of a mountain road carving sports car. I don't feel I have to work the car as hard anymore. If I want to just sit back and enjoy driving it, it will do most of the work. But if I want to really hammer through the gears and take it to 9/10's through the mountains, it will still take all I can give it. This car craves more power. And if you do it properly, it will reward you with a truly remarkable driving experience.
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Thanks for your feedback. I feel like everyone that's against more power for this car should read this. Sounds like you went from a b-cup to a solid c-cup,instead of just going double d's,so to speak.
Driving around,I feel like this car is working harder than it probably needs to and going FI with not too crazy amount of boost just makes the car better than what it is. And you did exactly what I figured what needs to be done. Wider tires are an absolute must,and I didn't even think about the clutch.Do you think a short shifter would improve driving even more?
Anyway,I'll never understand why people are against more power,especially considering that even though the car is 200 hp,it's not putting that to the wheels. 186~ish to the wheels isn't very awe inspiring for this car,imo,but what the hell do I know? I just daily it every single day,for the past 4 1/2 years.