Hi-res pics & list of BRZ JDM model grades from stripped down base model to STI(?)

[serialk11r]

Yea agreed, if it's some nice handy improvements that are easier for the manufacturer to do than for me to do, it would be nice if they could have some upgraded parts installed as a package at a non-rape price (uh 700 dollar diffuser, 500 dollar spoiler, what?) from the factory. Lightweight roof, possibly quarterpanels, some aero bits, brakes in an "STI package" for a reasonable price would be cool. No need to replace the hood/trunk if they're already aluminum. As far as exhaust goes, I think it might even be best if they leave that stock since different people have different goals when it comes to that.

[TheRipler]

Originally Posted by serialk11r

Okay cool thanks. By roof material I was talking about how would it affect torsional rigidity. In the Ken Gushi Greddy FRS build, they had a picture that showed some of the roof, it looks like reinforcements between the B pillars, and a single sheet of metal bent to the roof's shape sitting on top of it. I highly doubt the 2 creases that are there for aero do anything for the chassis.

If they come out with a lightweight roof that would be cool.

In the case of a thin sheet metal roof panel, it's not going to be all that rigid on it's own. That said, when you fasten it to points on the skeleton underneath, it helps to prevent those beams from moving in relation to each other because the panel will not want to stretch. Use a stiffer material like CF, and it becomes even more rigid.

Same thing if you glued together toothpicks to make a skeleton of a cylinder. It wouldn't be all that resistant to twisting on it's own. Take a piece of paper, stretch it around and glue it to the frame. The whole structure becomes more rigid, even though paper isn't that rigid on it's own.

[#87]

What's up with all those stickers? Didn't realize there was a market for that

[WingsofWar]

Originally Posted by TheRipler

In the case of a thin sheet metal roof panel, it's not going to be all that rigid on it's own. That said, when you fasten it to points on the skeleton underneath, it helps to prevent those beams from moving in relation to each other because the panel will not want to stretch. Use a stiffer material like CF, and it becomes even more rigid.

Same thing if you glued together toothpicks to make a skeleton of a cylinder. It wouldn't be all that resistant to twisting on it's own. Take a piece of paper, stretch it around and glue it to the frame. The whole structure becomes more rigid, even though paper isn't that rigid on it's own.

+1 great use of example.

Originally Posted by #87

What's up with all those stickers? Didn't realize there was a market for that

Reminds me of the Nismo brochure for the R32 and R33 with stickers/decals that run along the body.

Originally Posted by lfawishes

How is the TS different from a LIMITED sti???? its 2.0 liter but so are all jdm sti's

Anyways, people talking about the separation of sti from wrx need to remember that is off until at least 2014, I expect to see a hotter brz even if just susp/weight loss before then.

Lets rename the tuning shop STI...to BOB.....

A Impreza WRX STI limited would be the highest trim out of subaru for that particular model. tS (tuned by BOB) would designate that the tuning shop BOB had a go at it to offer a package for the consumer market.

So essentially Impreza WRX STI Limited BOB would be the highest trim with BOB sports package. or WRX STI tS

Confused yet? thats because subaru uses STI as a marketing badge..while their sports division is STI as well. Subaru has 2 STI names that represent 2 different things.

lets get more confusing!
"Limited Trim Production Models" are different from "Limited Production Special Models".

Subaru Limited Trim Production model, is a Production model that has (usually) all the available goodies and option you could want in a high spec subaru of that particular model.

Subaru Limited Production Special model, is a small production of high spec cars that BOB has taken, given free reign on (an important element), and packaged as a Special Model.

Subaru Limited Trim Production models tS, is a production model that has all the goodies and options available, plus BOB has personally added their touch too.

Impreza
Impreza WRX
Impreza WRX STI
Impreza WRX STI Limited
Impreza WRX STI tS
Impreza WRX STI S206

Under all these models...BOB has only touched 2 of them. Among those two models. BOB has only given free reign on 1 model..the S206.


-------------------
in 2014 its likey to look like this...because this year IMPREZA is splitting from WRX. Many articles are saying that the tuning shop STI will no longer touch the Impreza..this is false. Subaru STI will no longer touch Impreza. True. Again it seems awkward ..but (STI) and (Tuned by STI) are different.

Impreza Sport
Impreza G4
Impreza G4 Limited
Impreza G4 tS

WRX
WRX STI
WRX STI LIMITED
WRX STI tS (STI, tuned by STI...seems redundant, but now that you know they are two separate things it makes more sense)

[nrclptcnsmniak]

I'm loving the black mirrors and black wheels on the stripped down version. I really was hoping that'd be purchasable here in the states

[tripjammer]

Originally Posted by KevinDuMa

lol at Subaru engine in a Toyota

Yeah but without this engine we would not have this car...

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by aesthetect

the whole parts bin and sourcing debate is kind of interesting (for once) here just as this car is so focused on a parts-changing, tuner customer. Tetsuya Tada made it clear that was toyotas target and i think the RA pictured on steelies is evidence that this has crossed over to the subaru side. to me this says there will be a lot more OEM tuner parts than we have ever seen...

..maybe things like this come along?

[picture of carbon hood here]

While a dry-carbon hood by STI would be awesome, it would be more expensive than most people would pay. Way more expensive than your average ricer will pay, too. The hood is already aluminum, which is light (check out pre-08 WRX/STI hoods)...the low-dollar FRP hoods that most people buy actually weigh more. I see these as rather convincing arguments against a carbon hood of any type, until money has been better spent elsewhere (see: brakes, suspension, power). Weight reduction is expensive; proper weight reduction (pre-preg dry carbon) is even more expensive.

Originally Posted by WingsofWar

Lets rename the tuning shop STI...to BOB.....

A Impreza WRX STI limited would be the highest trim out of subaru for that particular model. tS (tuned by BOB) would designate that the tuning shop BOB had a go at it to offer a package for the consumer market.

So essentially Impreza WRX STI Limited BOB would be the highest trim with BOB sports package. or WRX STI tS

[snip]

Subaru Limited Trim Production models tS, is a production model that has all the goodies and options available, plus BOB has personally added their touch too.

Impreza
Impreza WRX
Impreza WRX STI
Impreza WRX STI Limited
Impreza WRX STI tS
Impreza WRX STI S206

Under all these models...BOB has only touched 2 of them. Among those two models. BOB has only given free reign on 1 model..the S206.

To really simplify it to MY understanding of it, tS is a parts-bin catalog. In JDM-land Subaru offers several models in tS form. They just have all the STI catalog options.

[WingsofWar]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

To really simplify it to MY understanding of it, tS is a parts-bin catalog. In JDM-land Subaru offers several models in tS form. They just have all the STI catalog options.

Right on the money! Thats another way of thinking about it. Parts-bin is really all you can say to describe it. But the big difference is where this parts-bin tS items are. Truly from STI from their catalog.

In Japan, theres a WRX tS and a WRX STI. But only 1 is touched by STI.

Q. But wait! they are both WRX STI's then!?
A. No WRX tS is a WRX built with the STI parts catalog.

Q. Isn't the WRX STI also built by the STI parts catalog?
A. No

This is why i get sorta upset when people say STI=turbo or STI=moar power. And when it doesnt deliver their expectations, they bitch! moan! and complain that STI has gone down hill..NO!!! STI has not changed at all in the past decade! Thats where the misconception is!

So when we see a Subaru BRZ STI...we have to look at this!

If STi is given the the BRZ...its going to be a tS. Basic parts catalog.
Like this WRX STI, given to STI
http://speedhunters.com/archive/2011...mpreza-ts.aspx

If Subaru (not STI) makes a BRZ STI, then it may be turbo..it may be anything. Most likely more powerful. who knows.. Thats the BRZ STI everyones waiting for.

[DIG1992]

Originally Posted by WingsofWar

Right on the money! Thats another way of thinking about it. Parts-bin is really all you can say to describe it. But the big difference is where this parts-bin tS items are. Truly from STI from their catalog.

In Japan, theres a WRX tS and a WRX STI. But only 1 is touched by STI.

Q. But wait! they are both WRX STI's then!?
A. No WRX tS is a WRX built with the STI parts catalog.

Q. Isn't the WRX STI also built by the STI parts catalog?
A. No

This is why i get sorta upset when people say STI=turbo or STI=moar power. And when it doesnt deliver their expectations, they bitch! moan! and complain that STI has gone down hill..NO!!! STI has not changed at all in the past decade! Thats where the misconception is!

So when we see a Subaru BRZ STI...we have to look at this!

If STi is given the the BRZ...its going to be a tS. Basic parts catalog.
Like this WRX STI, given to STI
http://speedhunters.com/archive/2011...mpreza-ts.aspx

If Subaru (not STI) makes a BRZ STI, then it may be turbo..it may be anything. Most likely more powerful. who knows.. Thats the BRZ STI everyones waiting for.

I like how you explained it cause i always had that problem figuring out the differences.

[tachi1247]

Originally Posted by serialk11r

I apologize if I'm being stupid, but I see the pictures of the metal under the roof...
I see a piece of sheet metal bent in the shape of the roof, that will basically not resist torsion. I see 2 steel reinforcements running across it that probably will.
Can someone tell me why swapping in a fiberglass part for the metal panel on top will change anything?

The reason is diaphragm action. although the metal is very thin, it still has a great deal of strength in its own plane. It is the same as trying to bend a ruler. If you bend it flat wise it will easily break, but try to bend it the other way and it will be significantly more difficult.

As long as the roof panel is attached (welded) to the sides of the car it will work like the ruler. with a CFRP roof you can't weld it so you are either relying on some kind of mechanical attachment (screw) or glue. it is highly unlikely they would use screws which leaves you with glue which isn't nearly as strong as a weld. With that stated, a CFRP roof would still add something to the torsional rigidity, just not as much as a metal roof.

[Stigmaru]

those matte black handles look pretty good

[serialk11r]

Originally Posted by tachi1247

The reason is diaphragm action. although the metal is very thin, it still has a great deal of strength in its own plane. It is the same as trying to bend a ruler. If you bend it flat wise it will easily break, but try to bend it the other way and it will be significantly more difficult.

As long as the roof panel is attached (welded) to the sides of the car it will work like the ruler. with a CFRP roof you can't weld it so you are either relying on some kind of mechanical attachment (screw) or glue. it is highly unlikely they would use screws which leaves you with glue which isn't nearly as strong as a weld. With that stated, a CFRP roof would still add something to the torsional rigidity, just not as much as a metal roof.

Hmmm okay seeing as they used straight steel on it instead of a lighter but weaker material, I guess it must have some use. Then I'm all for a carbon fiber one then. Epoxy joints are pretty strong.

[brzmaybe]

The WRX tS is very intriguing. Applying the tS concept to the BRZ would be an interesting exercise. Two scenarios: the tS concept applied to a normally aspirated BRZ, and to a forced induction BRZ.

The normally aspirated version might concentrate on weight reduction and balance:

carbon fiber roof
lightweight battery moved to the trunk
lightweight (forged?) 17x8 inch rims w/ summer performance tires
lightweight single tip exhaust

and.... maybe a reflashed chipset?

Together, might save 90 lbs over stock and add 15-20 hp but probably wouldn't shift weight balance.