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BRZ First-Gen (2012+) — General Topics All discussions about the first-gen Subaru BRZ coupe

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Old 05-11-2016, 06:29 AM   #1
SleepingPanda
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Working on the BRZ in general, is it just me or...

Ok so I'm a mechanic. A little background on me. I used to fix cars for a living. I've worked at Volvo , Mercedes, ford, Kia, honda. And now I fix commercial aircraft.

Out of the few things I've done to my car. I've noticed this car is incredibly easy to work on. Interior panels come out with little fuss. There was an EMPTY grommet on the firewall to run wires through. Never seen that before. Running wires from the trunk to the front. There was basically a recessed channel in the rear seat pan to route the wires.

I mean little things like that. It's almost like the car was engineered to be modified. I also have a 98 Mercedes. And good luck taking any of the interior apart. Lol. Hidden screws, clips. I mean there's 6 screws alone holding the glove box in.

Anyways done rambling. Just thought it was cool. I'm sure some things are a PITA to do in the BRZ. But I haven't found it yet.
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Old 05-11-2016, 06:48 AM   #2
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Yea, these cars were made for people to customize. I remember asking on the wrx forum on why there arn't many options for after market tail lights for the 2015 model wrx vs frs/brz. Someone told me toyota had let a few companies see the blue prints and schematics before release so they can start on aftermarkets. I mean for older models, the exhaust opening was made for you to swap out the smaller tips.
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Old 05-11-2016, 07:39 AM   #3
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Its like a giant Meccano set. I had to remove all the boot lining to get at the rear lights and everything was oddly hassle free and easy to remove and put back. Being loaded with hard plastic's you just have to be patient when working with the interior to avoid scratching things.

I did the first oil change and wow that was unexpectedly easy.

From memory Toyota actually handed out pre launch cars to a number of famous after market (Japan based) vendors in order to incentivize them to develop products for the platform, so there was a pretty decent amount of parts ready to go at launch, and a steady stream there after.

I'd have to go digging, but I think even Tada-san himself said he wanted the platform to be a blank canvas for you to modify and make your own.
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Old 05-11-2016, 07:43 AM   #4
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from what I've read changing the spark plug is a 3+ hours job so that's certainly not easy !
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Old 05-11-2016, 08:08 AM   #5
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A G-200 can't be fun to work on!
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Old 05-11-2016, 08:17 AM   #6
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Modifications galore was a thought put into the car. It was made for you to customize it to your liking and your style. You can notice that in several parts.

People always wonder why the exhaust cutoff holes on the rear of the car are so big and the exhaust tips are not. Why there are small 17" wheels for such a wide car and a huge fender opening for those little wheels.

Again, modification was put to thought on this car.
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Old 05-11-2016, 09:08 AM   #7
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A G-200 can't be fun to work on!
I work on big boy planes. The bigger they are. The easier they are. Lol. But still some jobs on planes make you rethink life. Lol
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Old 05-11-2016, 09:26 AM   #8
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Even as a subie tech, I can say that the spark plugs can be a pain in the d**k if you don't have a way figured out.

But yeah, not too bad to work on, except for when the the engine has to come apart. The FA/FB engines are my least favorite to disassemble/reassemble in alllllll the laaaaand.
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Old 05-11-2016, 09:59 AM   #9
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im also an aircraft mechanic! and you and i know its a hell of a different machine to work on. On aircraft, theres essentially zero rust - then working on cars, its everywhere! (at least here in ontario)

I changed out spark plugs on this car, its not too too bad. You just need to have good hands
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Old 05-11-2016, 10:24 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by Lorico View Post
im also an aircraft mechanic! and you and i know its a hell of a different machine to work on. On aircraft, theres essentially zero rust - then working on cars, its everywhere! (at least here in ontario)

I changed out spark plugs on this car, its not too too bad. You just need to have good hands
Yea that's one thing I love. Almost zero corrosion. But aircraft have their own setbacks too lol
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Old 05-11-2016, 10:36 AM   #11
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Originally Posted by Mim View Post

I did the first oil change and wow that was unexpectedly easy.
My BRZ is the easiest oil change I've ever done. Told my wife I was going to change my oil and she usually helps me. She goes in the house for 5 minutes, comes out and I'm done. Love it.
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Old 05-11-2016, 04:12 PM   #12
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I love the oil filter placement on the FA20. my previous car had the oil filter at a 45 degree angle on the bottom of the car. needless to say, changing oil was really messy...

now on the BRZ, with the top placement of the oil filter and my quick valve, changing oil is mess free and fast.
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Old 05-11-2016, 04:14 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xmadror View Post
from what I've read changing the spark plug is a 3+ hours job so that's certainly not easy !
that's Subaru's boxer engine design's fault not so much Toyota's..
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Old 05-11-2016, 09:18 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SleepingPanda View Post
Ok so I'm a mechanic. A little background on me. I used to fix cars for a living. I've worked at Volvo , Mercedes, ford, Kia, honda. And now I fix commercial aircraft.

Out of the few things I've done to my car. I've noticed this car is incredibly easy to work on. Interior panels come out with little fuss. There was an EMPTY grommet on the firewall to run wires through. Never seen that before. Running wires from the trunk to the front. There was basically a recessed channel in the rear seat pan to route the wires.

I mean little things like that. It's almost like the car was engineered to be modified. I also have a 98 Mercedes. And good luck taking any of the interior apart. Lol. Hidden screws, clips. I mean there's 6 screws alone holding the glove box in.

Anyways done rambling. Just thought it was cool. I'm sure some things are a PITA to do in the BRZ. But I haven't found it yet.

Front bumper to fender gap issues is the only thing I've had be a bitch so far, and it's because the body shop did a shitty job of it and when I went back months later to fix it, I find they broke shit...


Air filter change can be a bit of a pain too, easier to just unbolt the whole thing and bolt it back in as an assembly I've found.


I'm sure there's more, but as a general rule, Japanese stuff is very easy to work on.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Antihero983 View Post
Even as a subie tech, I can say that the spark plugs can be a pain in the d**k if you don't have a way figured out.

But yeah, not too bad to work on, except for when the the engine has to come apart. The FA/FB engines are my least favorite to disassemble/reassemble in alllllll the laaaaand.

I assume because there's essentially no gaskets and it's all RTV, right? Lots of bikes have been like that for years, less likely to leak. Makes working on internals or fixing leaks a chore though.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lorico View Post
im also an aircraft mechanic! and you and i know its a hell of a different machine to work on. On aircraft, theres essentially zero rust - then working on cars, its everywhere! (at least here in ontario)

I changed out spark plugs on this car, its not too too bad. You just need to have good hands


...that's what she said
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