Issues/Problems for early adopters

[Petah78]

Originally Posted by BRZ-G1

I have not posted here for a while. I got my BRZ in Nov 2021 and have done 6k miles and 2 track days. I have upgraded the suspension with Ohlins/6k Swift springs and Ferodo brake pads for the track.

Overall, I’m really impressed with the car and no real issues, except I feel I’m having engine knock. Hearing it when the engine is digging out from low RPM. I don’t know if I’m imagining it or not. This has been present since new. Cannot hear anything wrong when revving in neutral.

Can anyone comment on this, should I be worried?

I can't comment on the FA24 yet as i am still in break in thus i have not been going more than 20% throttle but with the FA20, at low rpm, if i am a little aggressive with the throttle at low revs (like 2000rpm), even in 2nd gear, it will "rattle". It doesn't sound pleasant and but from my readings on this forum, it appears to be normal. I think this is what you are hearing. I will never hear it at the track though because of the higher revs. I have learned to drive around it by applying less throttle in the lower rev range, especially in higher gears. I mean you do not want to lug the engine anyways.

[mycrors7]

Originally Posted by BRZ-G1

I have not posted here for a while. I got my BRZ in Nov 2021 and have done 6k miles and 2 track days. I have upgraded the suspension with Ohlins/6k Swift springs and Ferodo brake pads for the track.

Overall, I’m really impressed with the car and no real issues, except I feel I’m having engine knock. Hearing it when the engine is digging out from low RPM. I don’t know if I’m imagining it or not. This has been present since new. Cannot hear anything wrong when revving in neutral.

Can anyone comment on this, should I be worried?

What brand gas are you using? I noticed a bit of knocking at low rpm and about medium engine load when I filled up with Mobil once. I’ve noticed the car seems like chevron and shell the best. Haven’t tried Arco but so far I’ve only ever heard it when using Mobil.
76, Costco, shell and chevron have all been good.

[BRZ-G1]

Originally Posted by mycrors7

What brand gas are you using? I noticed a bit of knocking at low rpm and about medium engine load when I filled up with Mobil once. I’ve noticed the car seems like chevron and shell the best. Haven’t tried Arco but so far I’ve only ever heard it when using Mobil.
76, Costco, shell and chevron have all been good.

I have tried Costco, Chevron & Shell 91 octane, and the same noise is present with all the brands.

[mycrors7]

Originally Posted by BRZ-G1

I have tried Costco, Chevron & Shell 91 octane, and the same noise is present with all the brands.

Interesting. Try to record the noise if possible? It may very well be the Direct Injection. A lot have mistaken it for knock because of how loud the system is at low rpm.

[BRZ-G1]

Originally Posted by mycrors7

Interesting. Try to record the noise if possible? It may very well be the Direct Injection. A lot have mistaken it for knock because of how loud the system is at low rpm.

I have a feeling you may be correct about this being a prominent normal noise of direct injection.

I love this engine though. Very hard to believe the previous gen BRZ / GT86 engines are related. This unit is a screamer, and it pulls hard all the way to 7.5k RPM. It feels to be pulling harder as the RPMs rise. Without the RPM limiter set, I was constantly hitting the redline. It felt this engine had more to give above 7.5k rpm.

[Chrisz5z]

Originally Posted by BRZ-G1

I have tried Costco, Chevron & Shell 91 octane, and the same noise is present with all the brands.

Could it be the 91 octane?

From the GR86 owners manual:

"unleaded gasoline with an
octane rating of 91 (95 RON)
may be used with no detriment to engine durability or
driveability. However, you
may notice a slight
decrease in maximum
engine performance and
you may hear some knocking (pinging) of an engine
while using an octane rating
of 91 (95 RON) fuel."

[mycrors7]

Originally Posted by Chrisz5z

Could it be the 91 octane?

From the GR86 owners manual:

"unleaded gasoline with an
octane rating of 91 (95 RON)
may be used with no detriment to engine durability or
driveability. However, you
may notice a slight
decrease in maximum
engine performance and
you may hear some knocking (pinging) of an engine
while using an octane rating
of 91 (95 RON) fuel."

im using 91 oct with no issues or odd sounds

[joemysterio]

The only issue I'm facing is a rattling noise somewhere in the dash, but it happens randomly.

[autosenses]

Originally Posted by Petah78

I can't comment on the FA24 yet as i am still in break in thus i have not been going more than 20% throttle but with the FA20, at low rpm, if i am a little aggressive with the throttle at low revs (like 2000rpm), even in 2nd gear, it will "rattle". It doesn't sound pleasant and but from my readings on this forum, it appears to be normal. I think this is what you are hearing. I will never hear it at the track though because of the higher revs. I have learned to drive around it by applying less throttle in the lower rev range, especially in higher gears. I mean you do not want to lug the engine anyways.

Yes, that noise seems to be normal. I experienced soon as I picked up the car. I would like to believe it's normal.

BTW- Petah, I like your previous cars. I also had a 92 with full GSR swap. One of the most fun cars i've ever experienced. Got a build thread for your s2k?

[Petah78]

Originally Posted by autosenses

Yes, that noise seems to be normal. I experienced soon as I picked up the car. I would like to believe it's normal.

BTW- Petah, I like your previous cars. I also had a 92 with full GSR swap. One of the most fun cars i've ever experienced. Got a build thread for your s2k?

Thanks! Those GSR hatches are a hoot and i will build another street/track car if i can find a decent shell. Actually, no, i lied. I will do a K20 or K24 MRS if i were to go through the trouble again to swap. Same weight as the hatches but MR with zero traction issues. It will be a riot both street and track. I bet that will be terrifying to boot! haha.

No build thread, the AP1 is a very mild car, relatively stock. All i have i have done are wheels and suspension. I have owned it for 12 years and its more of a weekend/sunny car. However, i am thinking of adding more goodies over the winter now that the kids are older. haha.

[AK2112]

Originally Posted by joemysterio

The only issue I'm facing is a rattling noise somewhere in the dash, but it happens randomly.

Does it coincide with the fake engine sound?

[autosenses]

Originally Posted by AK2112

Does it coincide with the fake engine sound?

Maybe, but not convinced. While normal driving my glovebox squeaks. It's hard to replicate but when it becomes noticeable I just press on it and it stops for a while. If you open the glovebox there are little tabs wrapped with tape/insulation foam from factory. They know this is a source of noise...

[joemysterio]

Originally Posted by AK2112

Does it coincide with the fake engine sound?

It doesn't, I have mine disconnected and tied down, and the connector head is wrapped. Not sure what it could be as it's really random.

Originally Posted by autosenses

Maybe, but not convinced. While normal driving my glovebox squeaks. It's hard to replicate but when it becomes noticeable I just press on it and it stops for a while. If you open the glovebox there are little tabs wrapped with tape/insulation foam from factory. They know this is a source of noise...

Mine did, too. I had extra rubber feet from something else and placed that on the glovebox door so it creates a wedge between edge of the glovebox and the opening. That stopped the squeaking I had from my glovebox.

[drift86]

Originally Posted by BRZ-G1

I have not posted here for a while. I got my BRZ in Nov 2021 and have done 6k miles and 2 track days. I have upgraded the suspension with Ohlins/6k Swift springs and Ferodo brake pads for the track.

Overall, I’m really impressed with the car and no real issues, except I feel I’m having engine knock. Hearing it when the engine is digging out from low RPM. I don’t know if I’m imagining it or not. This has been present since new. Cannot hear anything wrong when revving in neutral.

Can anyone comment on this, should I be worried?

Based on my experience with the 2.0, it's pretty normal for these engines to knock a bit in low rpm high load situations.

I used to set an alert on the knock channels on the OFT and it almost always detects a bit of knock if you floor it at less than around 3500rpm unless you are on e85.

If you do it a lot, then the IAM will drop below 1.0, pulling timing across the whole rev range which reduces your power. It takes a bit of knock free driving to bring it back up to 1.0.

So it's best to downshift if you need to pick up some speed if you aren't in the powerband.