Pure Motorsport: JDL Turbo BRZ Track Build

[GTHachiRoku]

Originally Posted by ATL BRZ

Once the 2.0T is tuned it becomes a monster and the FWD layout becomes a big burden on the car without a nice electronic LSD like the new GTIs come with. I'd really like to drive one of those since the reviews all say the new diff is amazing.

I'd really like to test out one of the new GTI's as well. Although after owning a GLI and a Turbo Beetle, both which fell apart, I'm unsure I'd ever consider VW/Audi again.


I've been test driving many cars over the past few weeks. My wife will need a new car in a year or two and I was contemplating something more "practical" than the FR-S for myself. Honestly everything I've tested so far is boring compared to my FR-S. Last week I took a brand new EVO X MR for about 25 minutes on some back roads. While it's a fast car, I was extremely happy to get back in my car and drive those same roads on the way home. It just felt so numb. I think adding the JRSC will be my next big step for sure. A bit more torque is really all I'm missing at this point.

I've been eyeing the Forester XT for my wife. Sadly she only drives auto

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by ATL BRZ

@Bg8780 and I were talking about a GTI for his girlfriend yesterday when he came over to pick up the Enkei's from me. They're the best all around hatchback for DD out there IMO, and only an APR tune away from being very fast cars.

There's something special about VW/Audi's 2.0T even in stock form that makes scooting around town so much more effortless and enjoyable than the FA20. It's got a small turbo and great midrange torque that I find perfect for daily driving. It's the opposite of what I'd want at the track, which is why I love the FA20 even naturally aspirated because it makes all it's power up top and loves to rev, where the VW 2.0T falls on its face above 5k rpms when the boost tapers off. Once the 2.0T is tuned it becomes a monster and the FWD layout becomes a big burden on the car without a nice electronic LSD like the new GTIs come with. I'd really like to drive one of those since the reviews all say the new diff is amazing.

Yeah the GTI definitely hits a sweet spot in terms of sporty, practical, and refined. It's not my favorite car for all-out driving, but it does a lot of different things well. And it's got plaid, which women seem to love.

Also agree VAG's 2.0T is smooth and quite good for daily commuting. It makes peak torque at 2000 RPM and holds it until about 5000 RPM, so it's got power whenever you want it. On days when I just want to relax on my commute, I enjoy it.

I'm actually thinking about getting mine tuned (and perhaps stage 2) in the next month or so. Not 100% sold on it, but mulling it over.

[ATL BRZ]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

I'm actually thinking about getting mine tuned (and perhaps stage 2) in the next month or so. Not 100% sold on it, but mulling it over.

APR run sales pretty frequently during the seasonal changes for spring, summer and fall if you tune into the VW Vortex forums for the announcements. I drove my first Tig to APR's headquarters in Alabama and had it done in person for $599 fully loaded with 3 maps, you can get the same price during one of their sales. Their stage 1 ecu tune is the best bang for the buck you can do on a stock GTI and honestly the improvement is so significant that stage 2 seems a little overkill. 250hp and 300lb/ft is quite fun if you can manage the torque steer with the stock tires

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by ATL BRZ

APR run sales pretty frequently during the seasonal changes for spring, summer and fall if you tune into the VW Vortex forums for the announcements. I drove my first Tig to APR's headquarters in Alabama and had it done in person for $599 fully loaded with 3 maps, you can get the same price during one of their sales. Their stage 1 ecu tune is the best bang for the buck you can do on a stock GTI and honestly the improvement is so significant that stage 2 seems a little overkill. 250hp and 300lb/ft is quite fun if you can manage the torque steer with the stock tires

Thanks. I did hear about APR's summer sale. There's also a local company called Revo (~1.5 hrs away) that's offering a ~$400 tune w/free install, but doesn't offer cruise-stalk map switching. If I wanted to re-load the stock map, I would have to drive back.

Do you ever find yourself switching back to the stock map with the APR tune?

[ATL BRZ]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

Thanks. I did hear about APR's summer sale. There's also a local company called Revo (~1.5 hrs away) that's offering a ~$400 tune w/free install, but doesn't offer cruise-stalk map switching. If I wanted to re-load the stock map, I would have to drive back.

Do you ever find yourself switching back to the stock map with the APR tune?

Yep I would always switch back to the stock map for dealership visits. The APR tune allows you to lock it in the stock map with a 3 digit code of your choosing entered via the cruise stalk. Until it's entered in again the car will behave like it's completely stock and no one is the wiser. Very stealth

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by ATL BRZ

Yep I would always switch back to the stock map for dealership visits. The APR tune allows you to lock it in the stock map with a 3 digit code of your choosing entered via the cruise stalk. Until it's entered in again the car will behave like it's completely stock and no one is the wiser. Very stealth

That is pretty stealth.

Ok APR it is. I'll probably get it done during Dub Deliverance in a few weeks. Will also give me an excuse to bring the GTI to the track, which I rarely do now that I bought the FR-S.

Thanks for the info!

[unsurety]

I know you're happy with your Tarmac 2s, but I don't know what spring rate I should get. What rates did you get and how does it do on the track and street?

Originally Posted by ATL BRZ

Got the car on the lift on Sunday morning and and first removed my Touge Factory brake cooling kit since the backing plates aren't compatible with the BBK.

I got to work and finished installing:
-@Racecomp Engineering Tarmac 2 coilovers

-@Raceseng CasCam top mounts and 2" bump rear shock tops

-Whiteline adjustable sway bar end links

-Essex/AP Racing Sprint big brake kit

-Porsche 911 GT3 brake air guides.

I haven't had time to really dial in the ride height aside from just eyeballing thread counts on the coils yet but I will do it later along with an alignment. The install was pretty straight forward for everything, just took my time and did things at an easy pace. The shop with lift, air conditioning and every tool imaginable are a tremendous luxury and helped everything come together more efficiently. Many thanks to @buddy32 for his help installing my coilovers! I owe you a beer!

The ride home was just as expected. Firm but very responsive and forgiving while not feeling bouncy or too stiff. Haven't done any significant corner carving yet, but I will soon enough. I also made a few shitty attempts to bed the brakes in and failed to do so effectively. They are working fine but need to bleed them again and then take them on a late night bedding romp to really get a good transfer layer before I can really say anything justifiable about them.

More to come later...

[ATL BRZ]

Originally Posted by unsurety

I know you're happy with your Tarmac 2s, but I don't know what spring rate I should get. What rates did you get and how does it do on the track and street?

I got the standard 400lb springs all around on mine. Nice balance for street and track driving. Firm but forgiving and with the right damper settings the ride quality can be better than stock even when lowered. I recommend sticking with those until you get R compound tires and notice the springs getting worked too hard. Even then I'd be working on a more aggressive alignment and possibly tweaking the damper settings before putting on stiffer springs assuming the car gets driven on the street regularly. @Racecomp Engineering may want to jump on here and clarify the typical use cases for their stiffer spring choices.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by ATL BRZ

I got the standard 400lb springs all around on mine. Nice balance for street and track driving. Firm but forgiving and with the right damper settings the ride quality can be better than stock even when lowered. I recommend sticking with those until you get R compound tires and notice the springs getting worked too hard. Even then I'd be working on a more aggressive alignment and possibly tweaking the damper settings before putting on stiffer springs assuming the car gets driven on the street regularly. @Racecomp Engineering may want to jump on here and clarify the typical use cases for their stiffer spring choices.

400/400 is our recommendation for most users on sticky street tires. ATL BRZ is right on that you'll benefit from firmer rates more with r comps but even then the 400s are pretty good.

- Andy

[Lawn_Mower]

Originally Posted by ATL BRZ

APR run sales pretty frequently during the seasonal changes for spring, summer and fall if you tune into the VW Vortex forums for the announcements. I drove my first Tig to APR's headquarters in Alabama and had it done in person for $599 fully loaded with 3 maps, you can get the same price during one of their sales. Their stage 1 ecu tune is the best bang for the buck you can do on a stock GTI and honestly the improvement is so significant that stage 2 seems a little overkill. 250hp and 300lb/ft is quite fun if you can manage the torque steer with the stock tires

Have you happened to see the numbers they're putting out on the MK7 with the newer engine? Crazy numbers with just a tune.

[buddy32]

Ended up buying a 14 Jetta TDI this past Sunday. Test drove both it and the golf, but more space in the jetta + 0% financing was too good for me to pass up. Averaged 50 mpg otw home from work... lol!

[ATL BRZ]

Originally Posted by Lawn_Mower

Have you happened to see the numbers they're putting out on the MK7 with the newer engine? Crazy numbers with just a tune.

Wow that's crazy

Originally Posted by buddy32

Ended up buying a 14 Jetta TDI this past Sunday. Test drove both it and the golf, but more space in the jetta + 0% financing was too good for me to pass up. Averaged 50 mpg otw home from work... lol!

Congrats! Sounds like a great deal. I bet you'll get over 50mpg once you perfect the hypermiling techniques on your commute.

[TWMPerformance]

This car is gorgeous!

Renato
Team TWM Performance

[ATL BRZ]

Originally Posted by TWMPerformance

This car is gorgeous!

Renato
Team TWM Performance