Is the BRZ doomed?!?!

[daiheadjai]

Originally Posted by SirBrass

FA20DIT is too tall to fit into the BRZ. You'd have to do significant relocation of parts and then you'd essentially just end up with an FA20 block with lots of custom fabrication to make the DIT model fit into the BRZ.

Power bulge a la 2G Eclipse/Talon?
Hood scoop?

I'm sure most people wouldn't mind it.

[SirBrass]

Originally Posted by daiheadjai

Power bulge a la 2G Eclipse/Talon?
Hood scoop?

I'm sure most people wouldn't mind it.

No, it's too tall, period. Bottom-mount turbo AND TMIC. You'd need a custom made hood to fit a power bulge + scoop to fit on what is otherwise an inefficient setup compared to the current intercooling setups that the bolt-on turbo kits for our FA20's use: (front located turbo and FMIC: better intercooling w/ short piping for faster spool).

Thinking about this, you'd probably be better off getting a stock (turbo & IC-less) FA20DIT block (so you've got the DIT injectors, not the hybrid heads), and FA20DIT ECU, a bolt-on 86 turbo kit tuner version (front-located turbo and FMIC and piping for bolting up to the exhaust system already in place), and taking it to a really good tuner. Probably wait for COBB to come out with the AP for that engine, then taking the Franken-twin to a Cobb tuner for a pro-tune (shouldn't be an issue, since the ECU and block would be supported by then).

The thing is, you're probably going to get better results with lower boost and lower cost if you just bolt-on a turbo kit to your current block ANYWAY. Only reason to go the more complicated route is if you want a more turbo-ready block to begin with or want a project block to put in as a ready backup or for a dedicated race car you might want to return to NA later on and don't want to thrash your stock NA block.

[Deslock]

Originally Posted by Ralph Spoilsport

C&D has always had a case of automotive ADHD. They are correct when they say that the chassis is brilliant and the rest of the car is (mechanically, electronically) very average. This was completely obvious to me in the space of a 15 minute walk around / sit in in the show room and a 30 minute backroads + freeway interchange solo blast in a well broken in (30k miles) used MT6 that happened to be on the lot. I loved it, so I bought it.

What I think of my BRZ Limited 6MT:

• Brilliant: chassis, handling/balance, road feel, shifter, steering feedback, throttle response, seats, driver position, clutch (and position of other pedals and controls), exterior appearance, ease of basic maintenance (best oil filter location ever)
  
  
• Significantly Better Than Average: amenities, price, willingness to rev, utility (for such a small car), real-world fuel efficiency (for a somewhat high revving N/A)
  
  
• Slightly Better Than Average: acceleration, brakes, infotainment, interior appearance
  
  
• Average: grip, engine sound, EPA ratings, build quality

[go2brz]

Average: grip, engine sound, EPA ratings, build quality

Not much to disagree with on you overall ratings except some of the "average" ratings:

Grip is due to tires....change them to get the grip you want. The tires that came on the car were well thought out to give fun to the "average" driver.

Engine sound can be enhanced easily with just STI wide tips, or even more by a Catback system.

I find the build quality to be excellent. Received my car in Nov 2012. I have not had one problem. None of the early problems were present on my model. It is a solidly built car that impresses everyone who drives it or rides in it, especially based on the cost.

I have no problem with the EPA ratings. I have averaged 26.9 miles per gallon since I bought it and I certainly do not hold back on the revs. For me it is the best mileage I have ever gotten out of such a pure handling sports car with 200 HP. (Non-turbo).

If this car was 35-38K I would agree more with your "average" statements, but at the price you can get this car for I find little below average.

The NAV unit may be the weak point, but it still performs as well as my Garmin 5' does in my other car without nav, and at least it is built in and not another device to plug in along with my radar detector (which is hard wired to the plug behind the glove box, and that is a great feature). It is nice to be able to get into my car without a bunch of cords to deal with for multiple plug in units.

I'm not saying the car is perfect, but for the money I paid, I find it to be one heck of a lot of engineering towards making a great sports car that is also packed with all the electronic extras I require. The stereo was the biggest disappointment, until I got the trunk mounted subwoofer and learned how to balance the sound.

[Deslock]

Originally Posted by go2brz

Not much to disagree with on you overall ratings except some of the "average" ratings:

Most of what you wrote is inline with my post:

Originally Posted by go2brz

Grip is due to tires....change them to get the grip you want. The tires that came on the car were well thought out to give fun to the "average" driver.

Personally, I like the amount of grip for daily driving. But it's slightly better than average compared to all cars, and slightly below average for cars that come with Summer tires. So it's reasonable to rate it average. That the tires can be swapped doesn't change that.

Originally Posted by go2brz

Engine sound can be enhanced easily with just STI wide tips, or even more by a Catback system.

Sure. That doesn't change the fact the stock engine sound is average. Perhaps I should've added mod-ability in one of the better than average categories.

Originally Posted by go2brz

I find the build quality to be excellent. Received my car in Nov 2012. I have not had one problem. None of the early problems were present on my model. It is a solidly built car that impresses everyone who drives it or rides in it, especially based on the cost.

Despite a few common minor issues with squeaks, rattles, tail light condensation, etc (search the forums), I consider the FT86's build quality to be pretty solid. But the same is true for most Subarus... and most cars these days, which is why I consider it average.

Originally Posted by go2brz

I have no problem with the EPA ratings. I have averaged 26.9 miles per gallon since I bought it and I certainly do not hold back on the revs. For me it is the best mileage I have ever gotten out of such a pure handling sports car with 200 HP. (Non-turbo).

As I wrote, "real-world fuel efficiency" is better than average. Its EPA ratings are still average.

Originally Posted by go2brz

If this car was 35-38K I would agree more with your "average" statements, but at the price you can get this car for I find little below average.

As I wrote, its price is better than average.

Originally Posted by go2brz

The NAV unit may be the weak point, but it still performs as well as my Garmin 5' does in my other car without nav, and at least it is built in and not another device to plug in along with my radar detector (which is hard wired to the plug behind the glove box, and that is a great feature). It is nice to be able to get into my car without a bunch of cords to deal with for multiple plug in units.

I rated its infotainment as better than average.

Originally Posted by go2brz

I'm not saying the car is perfect, but for the money I paid, I find it to be one heck of a lot of engineering towards making a great sports car that is also packed with all the electronic extras I require. The stereo was the biggest disappointment, until I got the trunk mounted subwoofer and learned how to balance the sound.

Again, I rated its infotainment as better than average.

BTW, I adore the FT86. If something happens to my BRZ 6MT Limited, I'll go out and get another one.