Interested in comparing the FT86 to the Silvia?

[quik1987]

[Captain Insano]

Originally Posted by regal

In 5 years from now who knows what engine we may be able to drop into these things.

I cannot help thinking about these possibilities - it is what I think started the craze for the 240SX in the USDM - the possibility of an engine swap and turning it into a Silvia. I know things evolved and lots of people ended up liking the KA too, but I don't think the 240SX would have gained near the popularity it did without people looking at that first SR20 swap possibility.

I've been thinking about same thing since before the FR-S/BRZ were even released to the public. I know the engine bay and low engine location may limit some possibilities, but the creative aftermarket is always looking at options so this will be an interesting development for the FR-S/BRZ in my opinion. I'm, sure engins like the EJ207 and EJ257 will find their way into a BRZ at some point...

[regal]

One thing I look at is a "stock" SR20 Silvia had about the same power and "numbers" as this stock FR-S. I guess what I am saying is that this time we are getting what JDM got, not a truck engine.

I could be wrong but I think the FR-S has a stiffer chassis and better suspension.

[Turbowned]

@Max Schnell, you hit the nail on the head. In driving the FR-S I realized it was exactly the way I wanted my MR2 to be all along, and after 5 years of tinkering and over $15,000 I still don't have it as nice as the new car. Sure, my car is a lot lighter, a little faster, and dog-gone reliable, but the creaks, squeaks, rattles, rust, dents, dings, are all still there and driving me nuts.

[regal]

Originally Posted by Turbowned

@Max Schnell, you hit the nail on the head. In driving the FR-S I realized it was exactly the way I wanted my MR2 to be all along, and after 5 years of tinkering and over $15,000 I still don't have it as nice as the new car. Sure, my car is a lot lighter, a little faster, and dog-gone reliable, but the creaks, squeaks, rattles, rust, dents, dings, are all still there and driving me nuts.

Yes the squeaks, rattles, odd vibrations in 90's Japanese cars I think were there pretty much from the new car lot and would get worse with miles.

In 94 I bought a BMW 633 that with 160k miles. Tight as a drum, I paid $3500 for it. Couldn't afford to drive it long because of parts availability/prices.

With the FR-S I feel like the Japanese engineers have figured out how to make a car that is as solid as the old German cars but without the crazy complicated one-off tooled parts, and off course more fun to drive.

Seems like a lot of money buying this FR-S new I have my hopes up that it was the right thing to do. Time will tell.

[bucket]

Originally Posted by regal

One thing I look at is a "stock" SR20 Silvia had about the same power and "numbers" as this stock FR-S. I guess what I am saying is that this time we are getting what JDM got, not a truck engine.

I could be wrong but I think the FR-S has a stiffer chassis and better suspension.

No. The real performance characterstics are pretty different. The swapped 240 will annihilate a stock BRZ, and there is another 3-5lbs/boost of safe headroom on top of that. Turned up, my 240 will make about 260hp with an upgraded fuel pump, but otherwise stock fuel system. At stock boost levels it is still noticeably more powerful.

The suspension on the BRZ is far better though. Stock, it feels like it handles as well on prius tires as my 240 does with fully adjustable suspension (probably need to do some tuning there).

The interior is far nicer in the BRZ, I can listen to music through my phone or USB, and hear what is coming out of the radio. The 240 feels like I am sitting in a truck.

Sorting out the suspension in the 240 and putting good tires on the BRZ, and I think the 240 will be significantly faster in all condiitons, but the 240 is also built more to be fast instead of reliable/comfortable. I will still rather drive the BRZ anywhere.

I would love a modern-day Silvia, but there isn't one. The BRZ is a fairly close approximation, but it really doesn't feel like a Silvia/240. The 17 years of advancement really shows. You're going to be choosing between a new complete product and an endless work in progress.

[AVOturboworld]

Funnily enough, one of the first cars I drove in my start on an automotive career was a brand new Nissan S15 Silvia, on the short track at twin ring motegi as part of a multi-car test.

My memories of the S15 are still fairly vivid, and what I do remember is that it felt a lot heavier than the FR-S/BRZ does. It went fairly well, but it was a bit pokey on the low-end till it got a head of steam going. Sliding it through the corners wasn't nearly as enjoyable as the car I was holding it up against at the time, a 280Z, and if I was to directly compare to it an FR-S now, the FR-S is eminently more chuckable, and has much control at the limit and past the limit. The S15 was probably quicker in a straight line - when rowed through the gears properly - but the FR-S/BRZ *feels* livelier. Steering feel, throttle response, brake response, and gear shift feel are all superior on the FR-S.

The thing that really kicked the S15 in the balls in Japan was that it averaged 2.6-2.8m yen, which was about the same price as the STI and the EVO at that time in Japan. Though to be fair, the combination of low price, 4 doors, and handling/power of the STI and EVO killed off a lot of competitors at that time.

[Smudgeous]

Originally Posted by quik1987

That looks quite a bit like one of my favorite places in Gotemba. T'was quite nice to be there on vacation this summer, especially with all of the extra car enthusiasts in town for the 86 event on August 6th

[regal]

You know the biggest reason I bought the FR-S is its less expensive and all round better than trying to build an S15 Silvia, and for me the package is better. I mean this is a ground up modern rwd chassis. has the torsen lsd, really nice 6 speed gearbox, and the flat-four is smooth. Just a dream to drive.