so...how did you guys decide?

[pmccut]

Originally Posted by Sportsguy83

Do you have the fan shroud? IMHO its required with the FBM kit and aids stop and go traffic cooling incredibly.

I had the crap fans on at that track day. I have the SPAL fans/shrouding in now. LJ@FullBlown sent these to me free of charge, because he's awesome. I just got the car back with the exedy stage 2 clutch a few hours ago, drove home in stop and go for an hour, in 85-90F heat with the AC on. Temps didn't budge. I generally never drive the car on a weekday so it's been awhile since I've attempted stop-n-go with it. Clutch is damn near stock too, super happy with that decision.

This car definitely needs every cooling mod possible (radiator, oil cooler, shrouding/SPAL fans, ceramic coating on everything) to handle the heat. Knowing that I still wouldn't choose the SC, because Turbo. The budget for going turbo just needs to be a bit bigger than the SC route.

[Pete156]

I believe I have the best of both worlds, namely a bottom-mount turbo. Yes it's an AVO, yes, it's one of the first in the country (early 2013), yes, it's only pushing 8 psi, however NO heat issues regardless of outside temps, runs strong in all of the autocrosses it competes in, and gets 35+ mpg when driven tamely with stock OEM cooling system.
These cars were designed to flow air UNDER the motor, which inherently cools the exhaust and hence the bottom mounted Turbocharger. Why do people try to re-invent the wheel? Go with the flow. It is very efficient!

[pmccut]

Originally Posted by Pete156

I believe I have the best of both worlds, namely a bottom-mount turbo. Yes it's an AVO, yes, it's one of the first in the country (early 2013), yes, it's only pushing 8 psi, however NO heat issues regardless of outside temps, runs strong in all of the autocrosses it competes in, and gets 35+ mpg when driven tamely with stock OEM cooling system.
These cars were designed to flow air UNDER the motor, which inherently cools the exhaust and hence the bottom mounted Turbocharger. Why do people try to re-invent the wheel? Go with the flow. It is very efficient!

While I agree that the AVO doesn't really have heat issues compared to the front mounted setups, it's just too limiting for me power wise. I told myself 300whp would be enough, but once you taste 400+ it just doesn't cut it anymore. Different strokes

[King Tut]

Originally Posted by Pete156

I believe I have the best of both worlds, namely a bottom-mount turbo. Yes it's an AVO, yes, it's one of the first in the country (early 2013), yes, it's only pushing 8 psi, however NO heat issues regardless of outside temps, runs strong in all of the autocrosses it competes in, and gets 35+ mpg when driven tamely with stock OEM cooling system.
These cars were designed to flow air UNDER the motor, which inherently cools the exhaust and hence the bottom mounted Turbocharger. Why do people try to re-invent the wheel? Go with the flow. It is very efficient!

Reinvent the wheel? How many OEM cars have a low mounted turbo? How many OEM cars mount the turbo below the oil level and have to use a pump to drain the oil back into the pan?

[Pete156]

Originally Posted by King Tut

Reinvent the wheel? How many OEM cars have a low mounted turbo? How many OEM cars mount the turbo below the oil level and have to use a pump to drain the oil back into the pan?

The Subaru DIT

[Pete156]

Originally Posted by pmccut

While I agree that the AVO doesn't really have heat issues compared to the front mounted setups, it's just too limiting for me power wise. I told myself 300whp would be enough, but once you taste 400+ it just doesn't cut it anymore. Different strokes

400? on pump gas?

[FR-S Matt]

I chose Supercharger after a lot of research and here is why:

1. I daily drive my car and there is always that possibility of traffic at some point. I don't want unnecessary heat under the hood and having to hope a vented hood will dissipate the heat from a hot turbo idling.
2. The kit I chose is daily friendly, meaning if I snapped a belt, I can have a backup in the car ready to install right there, or even drive home without the charger safely.
3. COST. It is a hell of a lot more money to support a turbo build than it is a supercharger and relying on fitting a 3" full exhaust to get the most benefit from a turbo.
4. Cooling. Rotrex chargers run really cool and are very balanced for both street and track driving. Also a very nice linear power band from start to red line.

Those were my reasons. Would I love to do a turbo build? Absolutely. I love the Full Blown Premium kit, but after it's all said and done, I'm looking at $12,000 for everything plus supporting mods/tuning. That's just not feasible for me right now, but it sure would be amazing.

[pmccut]

Originally Posted by Pete156

400? on pump gas?

No sir, mid-300s on pump (91). E85 is way too easy to make >400.

[ZionsWrath]

What's wrong with stock on the street? I already have been pulled 4 times and now find excuses to NOT drive my BRZ daily lol.

What's wrong with stock on the track? Unless you have track time with previous cars you have to start in the beginner group anyway. Spend the time and money learning with stock power and advance the groups.

[King Tut]

Originally Posted by Pete156

The Subaru DIT

So wouldn't Subaru be the one reinventing the wheel then?

[Timmy_Jones]

Originally Posted by JoonPrime

turbo? super? nothing?

Ive had plenty of cars and modified a few of them heavily....at the end of the day, it was fun to add a SC/Nitrous (never did a turbo, myself) but I wish I left the car more 'stock'. Once you cross that first major mod, the car is different, forever. If you aren't sure which one, the best option is really to wait...enjoy the car and see what else comes up in the market. This engine is tough, but if you do one thing wrong and pop a piston, you are going to wish you could have all your $$ back...ive been there, trust me.

With that said, the most fun ive had with a car involved a roots style supercharger, which is the route I would go with this car. Do NOT get caught up on dyno sheets, have fun.

[Fastbrew]

One thing people forget about a turbo - when you are below boost there is no impact on the car. You can choose to drive it in a really conservative fashion and it's pretty much like stock. Just pointing that out. Hit the juice and boom. A SC is always "on".

PS - I went AVO.

[solus]

Linear power isn't necessarily a good thing, I don't drive at 7000 Rpms so have power down low is good for me. Most SCs don't make much more than stock down low... Turbos on the other hand, small ones without a lot of lag make power down low. I spend most of my time around 4k rpms. I want my power there. SC "spool" with engine rpms, they make almost no additional power in the driveable range.

All FI is going to be expensive...

[FR-S Matt]

Originally Posted by solus

Linear power isn't necessarily a good thing, I don't drive at 7000 Rpms so have power down low is good for me. Most SCs don't make much more than stock down low... Turbos on the other hand, small ones without a lot of lag make power down low. I spend most of my time around 4k rpms. I want my power there. SC "spool" with engine rpms, they make almost no additional power in the driveable range.

All FI is going to be expensive...

I wouldn't tell that to the Innovate\Sprintex folks. That's where majority of their power is.