First test drive. Feeling disappointed.

[86TOYO2k17]

Originally Posted by imprezive

Back to the original question...how much of a difference can you "feel" with a header/tune?

How much a difference you "feel" is entirely personal, some people claim they can feel a major difference on mods XYZ but dynos, ETs, 0-60s etc show zero improvement, other peoples butt dynos are less sensitive and dont notice much of a different adding 20hp or taking .5sec off a 1/4th mile. I lean closer to the latter vs the former.

I would look at raw data to see the difference, and decide yourself if you think that's enough for yourself and or if you would "feel" a difference.

Full bolt ons, custom tune, 100lbs weight reduction, 5.56FD swap, and some aero got me 1.2sec off 0-60 and 1.7sec off 1/4mile on my AUTO 2017. only thing missing really was E85. Should see similar results with a MT maybe less from a FD swap though.

But Yes I felt a big noticeable difference for sure no question, going WOT in 1st or 2nd would toss you back in the seat and it still pulled hard to the top of 4th (114mph) fell on its face in 5th though. Just wasn't enough for me personally to consider it "Fast" but maybe to many others it would be.

[86TOYO2k17]

I should add header/tune probably attributed to maybe 60% of that improvement.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by imprezive

Back to the original question...how much of a difference can you "feel" with a header/tune?

You will feel the difference but it's not going to suddenly feel like the swell from a small turbo or anything.

- Stock: feel torque dip

- JDL catless uel header + 93 Oct + tune: Great top end but still feel torque dip. Works well for track.

- FT86SF catted header + 93 Oct + tune: Less top end, but torque dip is gone. Pulls linearly through torque dip.

- Stock header + e85 + tune: Very slight torque dip, but almost unnoticeable because the whole torque curve has been increased. You really have to be looking for it to feel it. Top end feels about on par with the JDL header.

If you're really concerned about the torque dip, I'd try the FT86SF catted header or e85 first and see if you're satisfied. If not, FI will take care of it.

[Mr_Eyo]

Originally Posted by imprezive

I drove a 19' but this is actually a concern of mine. While gearing feels great in lower gears, I do a lot of my driving at odd hours on low traffic highways, so I spend a lot of time on cruise control between 80-85mph. I'd prefer not to be sitting at 3800 RPM for an hour straight.

Honestly, after I got my Edelbrock SC, my mpgs went up slightly. Cruising at just under 2500 rpm around 65mph I was getting over 30 mpg, close to 35.

On E85, my range/mpg went down about 30%, but E85 costs about 30% less too, so cost per mile is either the same or better on E85. It burns cleaner and generates more power, so I don't see any issues with it other than availability. If you get a flex fuel kit, then you can fill up on both gas and E85 at will, and even mix them.

[R_E_L]

Originally Posted by imprezive

Yeah, on/off ramps are the only real curves we get around here.

I would say this is the problem. I don't think these cars fit your environment. My thrills are finding empty canyon roads and running the engine to redline, heel-toeing into the bends without loosing too much speed on corner entry and feeling the tires give a little slip.

I would also give the new Miata a chance, as it has a peppier engine and even less weight. If you are not happy with that then maybe this type of car just isn't for you. Check out the V6 Camaro, makes good power and has a great (albeit heavier) chassis. That might be up your alley.

That said, if you're still curious about feeling a car with header and tune I would find a local meet and get a ride a long. That's your best bet.

[GrantedTaken]

Only a clown buys a car and then adds $10k of mods.
Here is an idea. Buy a car that suits your needs.
This car is not for you. Check out Mustangs.

[HaXx]

Dude, do NOT buy an 86 if you test drove it and left a bad taste in your mouth. Something else will excite you, go get that instead...

[e_lunatic]

I have had my 2015 for coming up on 4 years now. I love it. I have had everything from a prerunner style truck to a 70 camaro back in high school. the 86 isn't fast but its such a fun car to drive. it gets plenty of looks and thumbs up.
i still love walking towards it and always look back after parking it.

i would love to put a 2j in it and call it a day but i very much enjoy the car in a non FI setup. get some good tires, a header/tune, and go spank some much "faster" cars on the canyon roads.

[imprezive]

Originally Posted by GrantedTaken

Only a clown buys a car and then adds $10k of mods.
Here is an idea. Buy a car that suits your needs.
This car is not for you. Check out Mustangs.

What a ridiculous statement, especially in a sub-forum dedicated specifically to modifying this car's powertrain.

Why is "go buy a Mustang" such a common response here when some expresses anything but adoration for every single aspect of the BRZ?

I'm not hating on the BRZ, quite the opposite. I like it so much that I'm still considering it even though it doesn't check one of my main boxes.

[humfrz]

You may consider driving your present car for a few more months until the Supra comes out. It sounds like it would check all your boxes -


humfrz

[HKz]

dealership test drives are a joke if you are truly trying to measure out the car. you can't get the tires squealing and bang the rev limiter with a salesperson tagging along..

tbh this feels like another "i don't care about power/torque dip but i still gotta question the power" thread -.- get a mustang

Originally Posted by imprezive

What a ridiculous statement, especially in a sub-forum dedicated specifically to modifying this car's powertrain.

Why is "go buy a Mustang" such a common response here when some expresses anything but adoration for every single aspect of the BRZ?

I'm not hating in the BRZ, quite the opposite. I like it so much that I'm still considering it even though it doesn't check one of my main boxes.

...because everyone who has brought up power with the twins always makes it a big deal only to eventually get rid of it and chastise the rest of us for loving 130 wtq. You don't see a trillion threads on Mustang forums asking why they don't handle like the twins yet so many people want the twins to have Ecoboost torque levels of power!

[imprezive]

Originally Posted by HKz

...because everyone who has brought up power with the twins always makes it a big deal only to eventually get rid of it and chastise the rest of us for loving 130 wtq. You don't see a trillion threads on Mustang forums asking why they don't handle like the twins yet so many people want the twins to have Ecoboost torque levels of power!

Gotcha. I guess it is a bit of a sore subject around here. I don't want a Mustang. I appreciate a well balanced, exceptional handling car, not particularly fast car. I respect everyone who looks past the HP numbers and can appreciate what the twins bring to the table.

The handling is what drew me to my old 2.5RS. Maybe I didn't get to wring it out enough at the test drive. Maybe my expectations were a little too high. Maybe I'm not in the right physical location for this car. Maybe I'm not at a place in my life to get a pure drivers car right now. Idk...

[Decep]

this is a twisty roads car. it has *plenty* of power to get into trouble on a tight windy road. Windy road, windows down, 2nd or 3rd gear, its so much fun as long as you're not being held up by a minivan or RV. Should be worlds better than a corolla.

on the interstate its another story or even a mild test drive.. i wouldn't call it slow (my first car was 3700 lbs with 120 hp.. this is a rocketship compared to that) but it's not effortless.

[Snake]

Summary, amazing track car with a set of semis on it, terrible road car. Can't wipe the grin off my face at the track, as boring as a corolla on the street.

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