Upgrade path for Autocross

[mechaghost]

I was wondering what you guys all think to the upgrade path to making the BRZ/FRS into a awesome daily driver and autox machine.

What I currently think:

1. Upgrade the driver with more seat time and skills training
2. Upgrade the tires to the recommended autox tires
3. Upgrade to lighter wheels
4. Upgrade to steel braided lines, rotors, and pads
5. Upgrade to coil overs and sway bars
6. Upgrade Intake + Header + Exhaust + Tune to get more HP and TQ

Of course this all depends on what class you want to be in...

[Vracer111]

1-3 really only needed... with 2 and 3 done at the same time after learning the car stock (which would take several events). All the FR-S/BRZ needs is better tires for competitive autocrossing. Could be at least a year or two's worth of autocrossing in the car before you would even need to consider changing the stock suspension if you are just starting out.

Stock pads, rotors, etc are fine as is for autocrossing...for Tracking/HPDE it's a different story.

[mechaghost]

I do plan on hpdeing the car.

[chulooz]

Brakes are certainly a worth while upgrade at any level, nothing is more important than tires though.

[Scooby South]

my choice in order would be...
-driver enhancement..school,seat time/events,
-Tires/rims
-suspension
-more seat time,more events, more school..
Brakes are important however.. they are decent from the get go... maybe later get better pads/fluid/lines but again..not detrimental..
Seat time and learning the car is probably the most important...Tires are great first mod...then you really can concentrate on driving..

Bill

[Spaceywilly]

I think just wheels/tires and the rest is just getting better as a driver. From what I've seen it's very competitive out of the box in c stock so with just wheels/tires it will be good enough that you can focus on improving yourself as a driver and start getting good results. The driving classes I've taken have made more difference in how my car feels than any mods I've done. Brakes don't need to be upgraded unless you can reach a speed or level of fade where you can't lock up the wheels any more. If you can apply the brakes to the point of locking up the wheels (abs activation) even after repeated runs, there's no reason to upgrade brakes. If you can get to the abs threshold then you've maxed out the stopping force you can get out of your tires so having more powerful brakes won't make any difference. If you get huge tires and can't lock them up anymore, or if you start getting fade and can't lock them up, then it's time to upgrade brakes. On a BRZ on an autocross course I think the stock brakes are fine.

[mrazny]

Even though many of us assume the necessity of a good alignment, but for those that read this with fresh eyes...

Do Not Forget To Get A Good Alignment

[mechaghost]

thanks for the awesome tips guys!