Interview with Tetsuya Tada - Chief Engineer of the FT-86

[pastuch]

Originally Posted by [es vi: eks]

I agree too.



Im pretty keen for lots off the extras to be removed.
But one thing I would like it to come with is cruze control for driving over long distances.
Modern cars just to easy to go over the speed limit. Limit here is 100kph. Very easy to creap up to 120+ and not even relise that.
And one thing I cant afford to do is lose my licences from speeding.

This is exactly why tiny cars like the Miata are perfect. You FEEL like your breaking the speedlimit. You even look like your going fast because the car is so small and low to the ground but the truth is your driving the speed limit. Plus you don't need to slow down around corners. I just power-slided my Miata half way to work and I was doing the speed limit! It's a 7km commute with no traffic. Lifes good!

[WolfpackS2k]

Reading that article got me very excited! The low CofG comment especially!

Touching on the Manual vs Auto discussion...this is a serious car for serious drivers. Therefore slushboxes need not apply. I've always respected the STI, S2000, Civic Si, Integra Type R and GSR for not offering automatics. It would ruin the entire character of the car.

And to whoever asked the question about if the Camaro, Challenger, Corvette and Mustang never offered an automatic...guess what, if they only came with a manual then more people would learn how to drive a manual.

Besides, I don't want to see an FR-S being driven around by teenage girls. They can keep their automatic transmission V6 Mustangs.


As to heel toe shifting I disagree and find it fairly difficult to perform on my S2000. However I am tall and have big feet so the big feet + lack of leg room may be playing a factor in my difficulties.

[Geard]

^^ I to suffer from this... But there is a silver lining! Just half foot it:P (half foot your brake peddle so you can tap the throttle)
Since this car doesn't come with any big power the whole automatic=win for drag racing thing doesnt apply, is kind of nyce. It's going to be so much more then just punch gas and steer, more finess is gonna be needed making it more enjoyable.

[old greg]

Originally Posted by WingsofWar

I am unaware of any 6spd RWD transmission that will bolt up to a Subaru engine. Can you name any? Not a direct bolt on.

The stock FRS/BRZ transmission. Any recent Subaru manual trans. with a ~$200 piece of steel in the tailhousing.

Originally Posted by WingsofWar

If you plan on using a gearbox from a STI, supra, rx7, or whatever gearbox you can find, your still going to have to find an acceptable transmission case and bellhousing. Just like any other car you would do a similar mod to.

The EJ, FB and the new FRS/BRZ motor use identical bellhousing patterns, this is proven/confirmed. All that is needed to convert a Subaru AWD trans. to RWD is to replace the center diff with a spool (the previously mentioned piece of steel). The front diff and ring gear should be removed to reduce weight and power losses, but that is optional and requires splitting the trans cases. IMO the major obstacle to swapping an STI 6spd into an FRS/BRZ would be mounting the shifter. The Aisin 6spd has its shifter integrated directly into its tail housing where as the Subaru uses a linkage which is connected to both the chassis and the transmission. This linkage would need to be completely re-engineered, as the original would put the shifter several inches too far back and most likely past the chassis cutout.

[Allch Chcar]

Originally Posted by old greg

The stock FRS/BRZ transmission. Any recent Subaru manual trans. with a ~$200 piece of steel in the tailhousing.



The EJ, FB and the new FRS/BRZ motor use identical bellhousing patterns, this is proven/confirmed. All that is needed to convert a Subaru AWD trans. to RWD is to replace the center diff with a spool (the previously mentioned piece of steel). The front diff and ring gear should be removed to reduce weight and power losses, but that is optional and requires splitting the trans cases. IMO the major obstacle to swapping an STI 6spd into an FRS/BRZ would be mounting the shifter. The Aisin 6spd has its shifter integrated directly into its tail housing where as the Subaru uses a linkage which is connected to both the chassis and the transmission. This linkage would need to be completely re-engineered, as the original would put the shifter several inches too far back and most likely past the chassis cutout.

Oh hey welcome back Old Greg.

Originally Posted by aspera

Nekkyousha? Is that what I am? Cool. I want a T-shirt with that on it. I want an army of us wearing those shirts.

We will need another that says "Toyota/Subaru 86 Broz." Preferably with a fist bump.

[WingsofWar]

Originally Posted by old greg

The stock FRS/BRZ transmission. Any recent Subaru manual trans. with a ~$200 piece of steel in the tailhousing.

now thats just trolling..the real answer is NONE..

any current subaru transmission is AWD not RWD...
and the Stock FRS/BRZ transmission officially does not exist in our market and when it does guess what...ITS NOT A SWAP! its a factory transmission.

So again, name a 6sp RWD transmission that will bolt up to subaru engine.

Originally Posted by old greg

The EJ, FB and the new FRS/BRZ motor use identical bellhousing patterns, this is proven/confirmed. All that is needed to convert a Subaru AWD trans. to RWD is to replace the center diff with a spool (the previously mentioned piece of steel). The front diff and ring gear should be removed to reduce weight and power losses, but that is optional and requires splitting the trans cases. IMO the major obstacle to swapping an STI 6spd into an FRS/BRZ would be mounting the shifter. The Aisin 6spd has its shifter integrated directly into its tail housing where as the Subaru uses a linkage which is connected to both the chassis and the transmission. This linkage would need to be completely re-engineered, as the original would put the shifter several inches too far back and most likely past the chassis cutout.

**facepalm** Why? why on gods green earth would you even consider this yet? Have you even seen the inside the transmission? Do you know how much rated power it can transfer? Do you even need to modify an AWD transmission into a car you know hardly anything about..and have that statement upon a forum of peers that have never tooled a FRS/BRZ aswell. I know you said nothing about doing this sort of mod yourself, but jesus christ man. The Car hasn't even been released yet.

I wouldn't even dare to talk about or discuss swaps and major mods like altering the powertrain or drivetrain at this point. Let alone HOW do to those mods. Because the real answer to these posts wont appear until 2-4 years from now, when someone who has bought a early model decides they don't want their warranty anymore.

[Dimman]

Originally Posted by WingsofWar

now thats just trolling..the real answer is NONE..

any current subaru transmission is AWD not RWD...
and the Stock FRS/BRZ transmission officially does not exist in our market and when it does guess what...ITS NOT A SWAP! its a factory transmission.

So again, name a 6sp RWD transmission that will bolt up to subaru engine.




**facepalm** Why? why on gods green earth would you even consider this yet? Have you even seen the inside the transmission? Do you know how much rated power it can transfer? Do you even need to modify an AWD transmission into a car you know hardly anything about..and have that statement upon a forum of peers that have never tooled a FRS/BRZ aswell. I know you said nothing about doing this sort of mod yourself, but jesus christ man. The Car hasn't even been released yet.

I wouldn't even dare to talk about or discuss swaps and major mods like altering the powertrain or drivetrain at this point. Let alone HOW do to those mods. Because the real answer to these posts wont appear until 2-4 years from now, when someone who has bought a early model decides they don't want their warranty anymore.

WoW, his other Subaru 6spd point is valid. Assuming what we've heard about bolt patterns is true, the AWD trans will bolt to it. And de-AWDing an STI trans is not complicated.

http://www.rocketrally.com/website/i...ath=40_182_221

[Aki]

Originally Posted by Jordo!

The requirement that three pedals are needed in order to enjoy driving or be proper car enthusaist is a completely subjective opinion.

It's subjective opinion backed by mechanical fact of how manual gives you more control over your car. DSG trannies will automatically shift on you if it deems you're too low in rpm. And I prefer being the one making that decision instead of the computer. DSG is faster and preferable in an upscale car, but a enthusiast-centric car should be manual. That said, I do like them offering an automatic, mainly because it ensures better sales of the FT86.

The only possible downside is if automatics are like 95% of the inventory, and you're scowering dealerships in search of a standard. That'd suck.

Originally Posted by pastuch

This is exactly why tiny cars like the Miata are perfect. You FEEL like your breaking the speedlimit. You even look like your going fast because the car is so small and low to the ground but the truth is your driving the speed limit. Plus you don't need to slow down around corners. I just power-slided my Miata half way to work and I was doing the speed limit! It's a 7km commute with no traffic. Lifes good!

This. I think what a lot of people on here who say "zomg FT86 y no u have turbos and 350 whp" don't understand that it's the feeling, not the actual speed that counts. If you can get the feeling at a lower speed, in my opinion that's a more fun car, because the fun is more readily accessible.

Having driven a whole variety of different cars, I can tell you the Miata is more fun than cars with two times the power. Why? Because it's all in the feeling. The only reason why I haven't bought an S2k or Miata is that I've always wanted a lightweight 2+2 coupe, not a 2-seater ragtop. FT86 fits that bill perfectly.

[Allch Chcar]

That's twice WoW. You getting an eye twitch yet?

I really wonder how successful the FRS/BRZ would be as Standard only vs with an automatic. We're not talking about a volume seller here, it could sell out for years worth of production with just a Standard just based on how few they are trying to sell (12k a year). Plus automatics add weight .

What would be worse than watering down this car with a heavier less efficient transmission? Lack of sales would be my bet. This car trades on driving feel and feedback along with a balanced response. I don't know which line they are pushing with this but a cheap automatic will still add $500-$1k easily.

[WingsofWar]

Originally Posted by Dimman

WoW, his other Subaru 6spd point is valid. Assuming what we've heard about bolt patterns is true, the AWD trans will bolt to it. And de-AWDing an STI trans is not complicated.

http://www.rocketrally.com/website/i...ath=40_182_221

I know his point is valid, but he failed to answer the question correctly. Its like one of those tests with multiple right answers but one answer is still more right than others. Don't over think it.

Yes the STI/WRX tranny can bolt up the whatever engine FRS will have, but you still have the DE-awd it. Its not a RWD transmission, you have to make it RWD.

I asked, what 6spd RWD transmission swap is there that can bolt up to a subaru engine?

1. FRS/BRZ transmission - no because its not a swap
2. STI/WRX transmission - no because its awd
3. Custom transmission with bellhousing adapter - no because its defeats the purpose anything we have discussed.
4. none - correct answer

Originally Posted by Allch Chcar

That's twice WoW. You getting an eye twitch yet?

My eye always twitches with lots of the comments i read on here, but thats just life in the forums. I have yet to get really mad, and it takes a lot to get me heated... but when I do...no more WingsofWar art for ft86club.com ever again.

[Spaceywilly]

The STI 6spd is also huge. I doubt it will fit. I don't understand, why you would want to put it in anyways? Assuming the ft86 stock 6spd can handle as much power as the STI 6spd, I don't see any benefit.

[madfast]

Originally Posted by Aki

It's subjective opinion backed by mechanical fact of how manual gives you more control over your car.

to be fair, in normal operation, up to and including road racing a paddle shift auto will give you enough control. anything extra is almost unnecessary. its for fun, but its not as if an auto is at a disadvantage for most situations.

[Allch Chcar]

Originally Posted by WingsofWar

My eye always twitches with lots of the comments i read on here, but thats just life in the forums. I have yet to get really mad, and it takes a lot to get me heated... but when I do...no more WingsofWar art for ft86club.com ever again.

If leave, then who troll?



This conversation is getting out of hand. We already have 10 perfectly good topics for manual vs automatic discussion. Even though only half say versus in the topic title .

This topic isn't about that, it's about how this interview discusses how this car was shaped to be a drivers' car. Especially the part about affordable. There is plenty more talking points besides which gearbox they will offer.

[Giccin]

Originally Posted by Allch Chcar

If leave, then who troll?



This conversation is getting out of hand. We already have 10 perfectly good topics for manual vs automatic discussion. Even though only half say versus in the topic title Attachment 2122.

This topic isn't about that, it's about how this interview discusses how this car was shaped to be a drivers' car. Especially the part about affordable. There is plenty more talking points besides which gearbox they will offer.

Lol.. People don't know how to use the Search feature.. and some people just act like complete trolls. Can't even pick a good debate these days because someone is bound to get offended. Why haven't these guys been banned already? I swear I'm not sure if it's out of pure ignorance or intended trolling.