BRZ and the WRX everyday driver video

[TylerLieberman]

Reviews like this make me want to boost mine or sell it lol.

That extra 50-60hp would be amazing in the car. No doubt about it

[Ganthrithor]

I wonder if Todd(?) will end up getting a BRZ. It sounds like he's obsessed with the Elise but can only have one car (and DDing an Elise would be very difficult if you ever needed to move more than one passenger and a briefcase simultaneously). I think the BRZ does an admirable job of being a fat, DD-able, kind-of-Elise-like car for ten grand less than the cost of the Lotus (if you compare used to used, since you can't buy new Elises here anymore). A CARB-legal supercharger kit would give you a similar power-to-weight ratio and preserve throttle response too...

Clearly Todd should buy a used BRZ and supercharge it.

[Kostamojen]

Originally Posted by thill

No crickets

The swap is not that easy. I believe this was discussed with the Forester XT (which is the same engine that is in the 15 WRX) and the issue would be the low mount turbo being too low for the BRZ. They would most likely need to modify the FA20 to get the turbo to fit properly.

Actually the biggest problem is the starter location. Completely different location on the BRZ vs WRX which means the bellhousing location is completely different, the engine won't bolt to the trans.

You MIGHT be able to use the shortblock housing from the FA20 on the FA20DIT... But of course turbo location is the second issue, and the ECU being the third issue.

[DAEMANO]

That's why the Phantom Electric Supercharger makes so much sense. For 2k you get roughly the same performance and torque characteristics of that WRX with little to no hassle. Get a header and e85 and you will walk that WRX all day.

[Ganthrithor]

Honestly if you were going to swap engines anyway why stop at the FA20DIT? Stick a water-cooled 911 engine in there :P

[jflogerzi]

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

That's why the Phantom Electric Supercharger makes so much sense. For 2k you get roughly the same performance and torque characteristics of that WRX with little to no hassle. Get a header and e85 and you will walk that WRX all day.

walk hardly. Stay pretty even yes. But then Tune and give the WRX E85 and watch any ESC twin get stomped on badly.

[DAEMANO]

Originally Posted by jflogerzi

walk hardly. Stay pretty even yes. But then Tune and give the WRX E85 and watch any ESC twin get stomped on badly.

Did you duck when the point flew right over?

I kid...

Wasn't comparing performance with equivalent upgrades. I'm highlighting a simple, relatively inexpensive upgrade that gives and even exceeds the WRX type performance many are yearning for. An ESC on e85 should hit about 235-240 WHP / 215-220 WTQ. That's right in line with the WRX while be how many hundred pounds lighter?

[thill]

Originally Posted by jflogerzi

walk hardly. Stay pretty even yes. But then Tune and give the WRX E85 and watch any ESC twin get stomped on badly.

Perrin is expecting 40whp (and I am guessing 30-40lbs ft torque) with just a simple stage 1 tune on the 2015 WRX. I suspect Subaru was very conservative with the tune because the STI is still on the old engine and it would have been hard to sell an STI for $8k more if the WRX was faster and got better MPG

And of course the WRX still has the AWD advantage for launching and power in the corners.

[radroach]

I was watching a video with test drivers driving the 2015 WRX Sti at Laguna Seca and you could observe the movements of the car and easily see that the handling dynamics were nothing like the BRZ's. Sure it was good, super direct in it's steering and the VDC was readily keeping the car straight, but it's noticeable how the BRZ gives you much more room for steering with all the oversteer you want. Wasn't ready to make the switch in handling dynamics, but the whole new WRX is very nice.

[krayzie]

Originally Posted by thill

I am glad they mentioned the riding height in the 2015 WRX. The seats are too tall IMHO. I wish they were lower like the BRZ. Overall, I find the BRZ seats to be a better seat (better bolstering, more comfortable, not as tall, etc).

Both cars have the same ground clearance, and although visibility is really good in the WRX, you feel like you are sitting up too high...

I also think the comment in the video that without the BRZ they doubt the 2015 WRX would be as good as it is. I agree. Clearly Subaru took some lessons learned from the BRZ and applied them to the WRX. Kudos for that.

I also think the previous gen WRX hatchback is a better looking car than the new one (external)... They really should have done more with the exterior styling..

I think it's the overall high hoodline and beltline of the car that dictates the high seating position. This is my beef with cars in general for the last decade and a half. I feel disconnected with the road sitting so high up. The twins is refreshing but the hoodline is still a tad high. The regulators seem to think it's safer for the pedestrian that wanders aimlessly into traffic, in which you get a higher chance of hitting anyway now that forward visibility is compromised with that gap under the hood.

Every generation of Subaru cars get progressively more ugly, making the last generation easier on the eyes.

Still can't believe how good this first gen looks 20 some years later:

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Hk9HNK7J9Y"]SUBARU IMPREZA WRX(GC) 1992 ス�ル インプレッサ WRX - YouTube[/ame]

[Sport-Tech]

Originally Posted by krayzie

This is my beef with cars in general for the last decade and a half. I feel disconnected with the road sitting so high up. The twins is refreshing but the hoodline is still a tad high.

Completely agree with you. Part of that disconnect is due to the fact that the further your eyeballs are from the pavement the slower the car seems to be going. Add in a high dash and side sills and you get that lovely "bathtub" ambiance.

Twins are not bad on hood height IMO but my Tiburon (1st gen) is even better - it has the same hip point as the twins but a lower cowl and hood, giving it amazing front sightlines.

[Griever423]

Originally Posted by mokinbird87

I`m gonna get flamed for saying this but, I kind of like the fact that the twins dont have a turbo. it takes a certain person to choose chassis balance over power, and makes the owners truly unique.

If I had to own only one car, WRX makes a lot of sense since it is a very good all around car. however, I bought the BRZ thinking that I will also buy a 2nd car that is only meant for comfort and long distance travels. by separating the two means you get an absolutely uncompromising character in a car. For example, an M3 is a great all around, daily sports car, but it gives up so much in the name of comfort and luxury features vs a car like an elise. that is why, to me, a wrx is a good "sporty" car, but a BRZ is a true "sports" car. both are perfectly fine in their own ways, it`s just about what you need/prefer in a car.

The RX-7 was a true "sports car" and it had a turbo. A "sports car" doesn't have to be slow to live up to the name. I love my BRZ and think it's an amazing car, but it is SLOW.

[mokinbird87]

Originally Posted by Sport-Tech

Completely agree with you. Part of that disconnect is due to the fact that the further your eyeballs are from the pavement the slower the car seems to be going. Add in a high dash and side sills and you get that lovely "bathtub" ambiance.

Twins are not bad on hood height IMO but my Tiburon (1st gen) is even better - it has the same hip point as the twins but a lower cowl and hood, giving it amazing front sightlines.

recently drove an NSX and thought... man now no one can make a car this low because of all the stupid safety regulations, pedestrian safety, yada yada yada...

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by Griever423

The RX-7 was a true "sports car" and it had a turbo. A "sports car" doesn't have to be slow to live up to the name. I love my BRZ and think it's an amazing car, but it is SLOW.

I think it depends how you define slow. If you use the ever-popular "can it beat a V6 Accord in a straight line" standard, nearly everything in the sub-$30k category will be slow. Focus/Fiesta ST, MS3, GTI, Civic SI, Twins, Miata, Veloster Turbo, etc.

The only non-slow cars would be muscle cars -- Mustang/Camaro, 370z, Gen Coupe 3.8 -- which are essentially the same concept as a V6 Accord (big corporate V6 + heavy corporate sedan chassis).