'13 BRZ USDM vs EU Spec

[leevanf]

Hi guys, our local BRZs in the Philippines are EU spec. Someone here is selling a USDM BRZ and I just wanted to ask some questions.

1. The Odo and Trip meter reads MPH. is there a way to convert this to KPH permanently without a console swap? (not just the speedo..)
2. are USDM amber sidemarkers always on together with the DRLs? or are they just turn signals? I prefer them to function just as turn signals.
3. is it a straight swap if I buy EU spec exhaust tips?
4. Anything key differences I am missing here? It seems all of the posts are usually comparing JDM vs USDM, not EU.
5. Any difference in the actual headlight? HID units?


Thank you!

[pfaffendorn]

Originally Posted by leevanf

Hi guys, our local BRZs in the Philippines are EU spec. Someone here is selling a USDM BRZ and I just wanted to ask some questions.

1. The Odo and Trip meter reads MPH. is there a way to convert this to KPH permanently without a console swap? (not just the speedo..)
2. are USDM amber sidemarkers always on together with the DRLs? or are they just turn signals? I prefer them to function just as turn signals.
3. is it a straight swap if I buy EU spec exhaust tips?
4. Anything key differences I am missing here? It seems all of the posts are usually comparing JDM vs USDM, not EU.
5. Any difference in the actual headlight? HID units?


Thank you!

Many of your questions can be answered by a close comparison of the owner's manuals for the different marketing areas. These are available in many places online, including this forum.

But off the top of my head, I can tell you:

1. Heavens, put your tools away. The speedo/odo can be changed between miles and kilometers by a tap of the button on the dash just to the left of the instrument cluster.

2. The side markers are running lights controlled by the headlights, not the DRLs. In North America it would probably be illegal in many places to wire them as turn signals. Aftermarket companies will sell you lenses so you can change the amber lenses to smoke or clear if you wish, but the lightbulb will have to be amber.

3. I would be surprised if the ends of the exhaust pipes differ between the marketing areas. Your source for buying the tips should be able to tell you if they will fit.

4. Put the two manuals side by side and compare the information.

5. See 4 above.

Happy hunting. I wish I could say the EU spec includes a turbo, but I guess then they couldn't sell any cars without it.

[leevanf]

Originally Posted by pfaffendorn

Many of your questions can be answered by a close comparison of the owner's manuals for the different marketing areas. These are available in many places online, including this forum.

But off the top of my head, I can tell you:

1. Heavens, put your tools away. The speedo/odo can be changed between miles and kilometers by a tap of the button on the dash just to the left of the instrument cluster.

2. The side markers are running lights controlled by the headlights, not the DRLs. In North America it would probably be illegal in many places to wire them as turn signals. Aftermarket companies will sell you lenses so you can change the amber lenses to smoke or clear if you wish, but the lightbulb will have to be amber. Thats interesting! Our old 80 series Land cruiser hand factory amber side lamps that only function as turn signals!


3. I would be surprised if the ends of the exhaust pipes differ between the marketing areas. Your source for buying the tips should be able to tell you if they will fit.

4. Put the two manuals side by side and compare the information.

5. See 4 above.

Happy hunting. I wish I could say the EU spec includes a turbo, but I guess then they couldn't sell any cars without it.
Bummer on the folding power mirrors. Lots of parking lots here are also small that power folders are so handy.

Thanks for the tips!

[Poodles]

Originally Posted by leevanf

Hi guys, our local BRZs in the Philippines are EU spec. Someone here is selling a USDM BRZ and I just wanted to ask some questions.

1. The Odo and Trip meter reads MPH. is there a way to convert this to KPH permanently without a console swap? (not just the speedo..)
2. are USDM amber sidemarkers always on together with the DRLs? or are they just turn signals? I prefer them to function just as turn signals.
3. is it a straight swap if I buy EU spec exhaust tips?
4. Anything key differences I am missing here? It seems all of the posts are usually comparing JDM vs USDM, not EU.
5. Any difference in the actual headlight? HID units?


Thank you!

1. No. Just get used to converting if needed.

2. Only with parking or headlights on.

3. EU and JDM exhaust tips are the same. Yes they'll swap, you just have to push the EU/JDM tips farther on and not align with the dent left by the bolt on the USDM tips.

4. Headunit might have differences. No power folding mirrors for USDM.

5. So long as you guys use left hand drive cars over there, it should be fine. Cutoff is mirrored on right hand drive cars.

Originally Posted by pfaffendorn

Many of your questions can be answered by a close comparison of the owner's manuals for the different marketing areas. These are available in many places online, including this forum.

But off the top of my head, I can tell you:

1. Heavens, put your tools away. The speedo/odo can be changed between miles and kilometers by a tap of the button on the dash just to the left of the instrument cluster.

2. The side markers are running lights controlled by the headlights, not the DRLs. In North America it would probably be illegal in many places to wire them as turn signals. Aftermarket companies will sell you lenses so you can change the amber lenses to smoke or clear if you wish, but the lightbulb will have to be amber.

3. I would be surprised if the ends of the exhaust pipes differ between the marketing areas. Your source for buying the tips should be able to tell you if they will fit.

4. Put the two manuals side by side and compare the information.

5. See 4 above.

Happy hunting. I wish I could say the EU spec includes a turbo, but I guess then they couldn't sell any cars without it.

1. Only the digital speedo display changes, not the odometer or trip meter.

2. Not illegal, but rare. Not a bad mod to do actually...

3. 2013 USDM tips are tiny crap vs the EU and JDM tips being like the 2015+ tips just longer.

[navanodd]

I have a 2013, Canadian not USDM, but we have the same exhaust situation. The JDM/EU tips fit perfectly. The bolt indentations line right up, I put them on my car shortly after purchase.

[pfaffendorn]

Originally Posted by Poodles

1. No. Just get used to converting if needed.

2. Only with parking or headlights on.

3. EU and JDM exhaust tips are the same. Yes they'll swap, you just have to push the EU/JDM tips farther on and not align with the dent left by the bolt on the USDM tips.

4. Headunit might have differences. No power folding mirrors for USDM.

5. So long as you guys use left hand drive cars over there, it should be fine. Cutoff is mirrored on right hand drive cars.



1. Only the digital speedo display changes, not the odometer or trip meter.

2. Not illegal, but rare. Not a bad mod to do actually...

3. 2013 USDM tips are tiny crap vs the EU and JDM tips being like the 2015+ tips just longer.

Caught me talking through my hat . . . I guess I should read the manual? Thanks for the corrections.

[leevanf]

Originally Posted by navanodd

I have a 2013, Canadian not USDM, but we have the same exhaust situation. The JDM/EU tips fit perfectly. The bolt indentations line right up, I put them on my car shortly after purchase.

Would you share where you were able to purchase oem spec exhaust tips? Thank you!

[tobin]

is it a straight swap if I buy EU spec exhaust tips?

Just a quick note here. The USDM muffler is slightly different than EU, and the exhaust pipes stick out slightly farther toward the rear. This means that if you fit EU tips, they will stick out about 1"-2" further than they will on an EU spec car. To get around this, you have to use a Dremel or similar to grind down a few metal ridges on the inside of the tips. Takes less than 30 minutes to do both sides. The tips can then be pushed further onto the pipes, and will have the similar appearance to EU tips.

[leevanf]

Originally Posted by tobin

is it a straight swap if I buy EU spec exhaust tips?

Just a quick note here. The USDM muffler is slightly different than EU, and the exhaust pipes stick out slightly farther toward the rear. This means that if you fit EU tips, they will stick out about 1"-2" further than they will on an EU spec car. To get around this, you have to use a Dremel or similar to grind down a few metal ridges on the inside of the tips. Takes less than 30 minutes to do both sides. The tips can then be pushed further onto the pipes, and will have the similar appearance to EU tips.

Great input sir! Out of curiosity, will there be any structural downsides to leaving the 1-2 inch extension there? Such as (1) more noise/rattling possibilities (2) looser fit/risk losing the actual thing?

[tobin]

Originally Posted by leevanf

Great input sir! Out of curiosity, will there be any structural downsides to leaving the 1-2 inch extension there? Such as (1) more noise/rattling possibilities (2) looser fit/risk losing the actual thing?

No downsides other than aesthetic. Here is some more info with pictures.

[Yoniyama]

For model year 2013, there are a few other differences between US and Euro BRZ models:

(1) Wheels - US:17", Euro:16" (17" optional)
(2) Differential - US:TORSEN, Euro: Open

[krayzie]

EU spec should have power folding side mirrors while the NA spec doesn't.

EU spec should also have rear foglights installed while NA spec doesn't even have the pre-wiring and relays to readily install the light and control stalk.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Yoniyama

For model year 2013, there are a few other differences between US and Euro BRZ models:

(1) Wheels - US:17", Euro:16" (17" optional)
(2) Differential - US:TORSEN, Euro: Open

Pretty sure the Euro spec has the Torsen standard. Could be an option with an open?

@nikitopo @Scrappydoo

[nikitopo]

There was a Euro spec car with an open differential. Final drive ratio was 3.727. In fact, I have this version