DarkSunrise 2022 BRZ

[DarkSunrise]

Well after 10 fun years with my 2013 FR-S, it's time to start a new chapter with a 2022 BRZ. Since I don't have as much time for track days as before, I'm not in a rush to move all the mods over from the old car. Will probably take it slow and see what I really need.

Current Mods:
- STI fender vents
- JDM 151R lightweight battery (carryover)

Mods Planned:
- OEM front crash bolts & whiteline camber bolts (carryover, -2 degrees)
- Whiteline trans bushing (carryover)
- 17x8 +42 Wedssport TC105N (carryover)
- 17x9 +42 Apex ARC-8 (carryover)
- Carbotech XP10 pads (carryover)

Undecided:
- Perrin CBE (carryover)
- 400#/400# RCE T2 coilovers (carryover)
- Pedders camber tophats (-3.6 degrees front)
- RR Racing Stage 2 BBK (carryover)
- Perrin oil cooler (carryover)

[DarkSunrise]

Some pictures with my 2013 FR-S:

[DarkSunrise]

Added STI fender vents. Purely an appearance mod but I love how these look.

[DarkSunrise]

Swapped over the battery from my old FR-S (JDM 151R battery mod). This saves between 6-10 lbs from the OEM group 35 battery, while retaining use of a cheap lead acid battery. Battery specs

CCA: 340
RC: 55 min
Weight: 22.4 lbs

Everything fits (same mounting points remain on the 2nd gen), although the wiring on the positive terminal is stretched a little compared with fitment on the 1st gen. No functional issues though.

[villainous_frx]

Subbed just like the previous thread

[DarkSunrise]

Having driven my 2nd gen for 500 miles, I thought I'd post some thoughts on how it differs from my 2013 FR-S which is now back to stock. Putting aside the power bump, a lot of the changes for the 2nd gen (higher quality interior, lighter steering, less notchy gearshift, softer damped suspension, softer cushioned seats, less thrashy engine sound) seem designed to make the 2nd gen more refined and premium. It's like the 1st gen was built to feel like an old-school Japanese sports car (think S2000 or Miata), whereas the 2nd gen is trying to crib off Porsche. The added low-end torque only adds to the sensation of refinement. Driving around town, this 2nd gen gives me a similar vibe to my old 987.2 Boxster S or mk6 GTI. I'm honestly impressed that Subaru/Toyota were able to add this level of refinement and power to the 2nd gen with minimal weight gain (57 lbs over my 2013 FR-S). These changes significantly increase the versatility/bandwidth of the 2nd gen with minimal downsides. It's a lot more enjoyable driving around town at a relaxed pace and I find myself driving just to relax and check out nice views. The 2nd gen does a good job playing the role of a GT car in a way that my FR-S never could.

That said, I see why 1st gen owners feel the 2nd gen has lost some character. I think it has as well. A lot of the 2nd gen changes follow the evolution of modern sports cars (refinement, insulation, torque). The 1st gen offers more of a unique driving experience given that it's 10 years old now and even when new tried to impart the feel of a bygone era in Japanese cars (fun but torqueless tincans).

Anyway both platforms are great and I wish I could keep them both.

[DarkSunrise]

Bought a little pocket to hold my cell phone. Works great and was cheap! It’s held on by a Velcro backing.

[Wrecky_Flowers_]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

Bought a little pocket to hold my cell phone. Works great and was cheap! It’s held on by a Velcro backing.

Where did you find this? I've been hoping to find something similar for my car.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by Wrecky_Flowers_

Where did you find this? I've been hoping to find something similar for my car.

This is the one I bought

https://www.amazon.com/Organizer-Poc...64279101&psc=1

[DarkSunrise]

Thought this was a funny picture. Did a semi-aggressive canyon run but still in my break-in period. 50% throttle, 5k rev limit, 50% braking.



Since I increased my rev limit to 5000 RPM, I finally heard the amplified intake noise in person. I honestly think it sounds great. Sort of howls through the midrange. Very smooth. I think it fits the character of this 2nd gen. Admittedly I might have strange taste. I also liked the sound of VW's soundaktor device on my mk6 GTI. I'm going to leave ASC on and will probably skip an exhaust (similar to how if I owned an S2000 I wouldn't want an exhaust to mask the intake noise).

Great day for a drive btw. Love this red color.

[DarkSunrise]

Changed the oil with break-in over. It's interesting coming from a 1st gen discovering the changes Subaru/Toyota made, like how the skid plate cover is no longer sealed where the primary cat is. I'm guessing they saw from the 1st gen how much heat was getting trapped in that area (and causing coilpack failures) and decided to vent that area a bit. They seem to have re-used the same skidplate so there's just an empty hole where the plastic push clip used to be haha.

While changing the oil, I installed a Fumoto valve, nipple-less design to maximize clearance with the skidplate. Unlike a lot of the install videos I saw, I had to remove the skidplate to get adequate clearance with my crescent wrench to get a full 1/8 turn tightening the valve but YMMV. I also opted not to use the plastic locking clip since it just reduces clearance with the skidplate and is unnecessary with the way the revised skidplate protects that area on the 2nd gen.

Lastly gave the car its first carwash. It's depressing how fragile the paint on these cars is. I saw a handful of rock chips and the car is only at 1000 miles. It's not going to be pretty after a few years.

Oh almost forgot, father's day present from the wife.

[Petah78]

Nice! @ what mileage did you start to open it up to 5k revs/half throttle?

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by Petah78

Nice! @ what mileage did you start to open it up to 5k revs/half throttle?

Thanks! With the warning that I'm not recommending anyone deviate from the owner's manual, personally I didn't want to wait until 1000 miles to seat the rings and I also didn't want to just flip a switch at 1000 miles and suddenly start ripping to 7400 RPM at full throttle. So this was my break-in:

500 miles: 4500 RPM, 1/2 throttle
600 miles: 5000 RPM, 1/2 throttle
700 miles: 6000 RPM, 2/3 throttle*
800 miles: 6500 RPM, full throttle*
900 miles: 7000 RPM, full throttle*
1000 miles: 7400 RPM, full throttle*

*When I went 2/3 throttle and up, it was only at 3000+ ft elevation where cylinder pressures are lower due to decreased air density.

Lastly I also using engine braking at around 600 miles to try to seat the rings. So I'd gently rev to 6000 or 6500 RPM and then engine brake back down to 2000 RPM.

[Petah78]

Thank you. I was thinking the same thing of not going from sedated driving style to full ham @ 1k miles hence i wanted to slowly increase the revs with partial throttle. I am @ 530miles and have slowly opened her up to 4500rpm on light loads (mostly 1st and 2nd gear). I think i will follow something similar to what you are doing.

When you changed your oil, did you also replace the oil filter? Or a drain and fill? What oil weight did you use? I quickly skimmed the manual but didn't recall seeing a note like the gen1 where 5W-30 can be used for harder driving conditions. What about the trans and diff?