Another year, another update!
As some of you may know, I researched the FT86 platform extensively and planned mods for years in university (lots of daydreaming) before actually buying a BRZ once I graduated. Once I bought the car, I’ve incrementally modified and upgraded items on the car in accordance to these plans. Over the past 3 years, some things went to plan and some things didn’t, but overall it’s been a really fun process. This year has been no different, even with the circumstances that the world finds itself in.
Big upgrades to the car this year. First thing was a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4Ses in the factory size to replace my OEM Primacy HPs. What a huge improvement of grip in all aspects. I can actually put the extra power of that header down properly without spinning through 1st and even a bit of second in the dry, which is laughable for an NA car. Cornering grip is something I haven’t really been able to properly test on the street since no tracks are open yet, but I haven’t hit the limit of the PS4S yet, thats for sure. Also, they ride better and are quieter on the highway than the OEM tires, so that’s a huge win.
I also finally got a set of Tein Flex Z’s over the winter for a song and installed them on the car a couple of weeks back. To go with the coilover upgrade, I also installed a set of UltraPower LCA’s (RockAuto’s SPC equivalent, basically the same thing for less than one-third of the cost) and a set of H&R DRS 15mm spacers that come with extended wheel studs to push those Gram Lights out a bit, while still being safe for track use vs. bolt on spacers, which I honestly don’t trust.
The car drives absolutely awesome. Had it aligned and corner balanced by the guys at XIIIMotorsports and the car feels dialed in. Insane amounts of grip and really great balance.
The Teins ride really well as well. They’re quiet like the factory suspension with no weird clunks or noises even with the pillowball mounts. Due to the higher spring rate than factory, you do feel a bit more of the dots in the road (asphalt joints, etc) but it never upsets the car or feels jarring - it’s actually nice to have that extra road feel through the steering wheel. However, over larger shocks and bumps I actually feel the Teins absorb them better than stock at 7 clicks from full stiff, while still cornering flatter. Keep in mind the OEM 2017 suspension rides pretty well as it is, leagues ahead of my girlfriend’s 2015 WRX.
I’m running the coilovers at the forum-recommended settings of 5 clicks for a sporty street setting, and it feels perfect. I’ll have more impressions once I get them on a windy road/track which will hopefully be soon, but for now, I am completely impressed.
This past weekend, I finally installed my cheap Racingbees STI-style front lip to keep me from destroying the bottom of my front bumper. Looks good for not much money to really round out the look of the car. Only sat under my bed for a year and a half...
All that’s left to install on my end is my Greddy Oil Cooler, and honestly, that’s pretty much it for the car for a long while. As a bonus, here’s a full mod list is below for those who are curious (in order), along with some notes on what was planned and what wasn’t and rationale where applicable.
Mod List:
- Invidia R400 Catback (June 2017)
After looking for tons of different options, this option came out just before I bought the car and it sounded perfect for my ears. Planned for it and bought it right after I got the car. Still enjoying it even with the header. - ft86speedfactory short shifter (February 2018)
Was originally planning on the Kartboy or Torque Solutions (TS) shifter but the rattles had me nervous. Kartboy shifter was discontinued, so I went with the ft86 version because of the ball bearing bushing and the supposed “higher build” than the TS shifter which promised less rattles. Welp, the shifter still rattles! Only mild regrets here, but the shifter feel is nice so it is what it is. Had I done it again, I probably would have went with the TS shifter and saved a bit. - Green Wrap by InzenSkin (June 2018)
Was not planned until after I bought the car... the car was originally white, and I loved white on Japanese sports cars. However, in a family full of white SUVs and the realization that every car on the road is white, black or grey, I knew I wanted something different. I’ve always loved green on sports cars (my favourite colour) so the choice was natural. Went after a similar colour to the NSX Estoril Turqoise Pearl/Supra Deep Jewel Green Pearl, and I absolutely love it. Hard to imagine my car was white now. 2 years on, Toyota makes a green 86 and green is making a full on resurgence right now! - Pioneer AVH-ZL5150BT (July 2018)
Planned just before I got the car, although I was looking at the Kenwood DDX-918WS first. The AVH-ZL5150BT was similar but with LHD buttons, so I jumped on it. Not performance related, but holy hell what a quality of life improvement, and one of the best mods on my car. Apple CarPlay is a godsend, and sounds a hell of a lot better than the factory unit, especially with AutoEQing and Time Alignment, plus the Dayton RS180P-4 woofers I stuffed in the doors. Everything works like factory, including the backup camera and the steering wheel controls. - Gram Lights 57Cs (17x7.5 +48) (April 2019)
Was originally planning for a pair of 57DR’s in 17x9 with a 245 tire, but I found these OG 57Cs for a good price and couldn’t say no. I’m glad I stayed with a narrower wheel and tire to keep the great steering feel these cars have. - JDL 4-2-1 EL Header w/ Titanium Cerakote and OnPoint Dyno Tune (April 2019)
I was originally planning on the ACE A350 but when the JDL was released I was amazed at its reasonable price compared to the ACE with similar performance, so I jumped at the chance to get one. I think I was the first in Canada. OnPoint Dyno Tune with Sasha was just as planned. This mod completely transformed the car, giving me a solid power bump (~17% over stock), obliterating the torque dip and I wish I did it earlier. - Michelin Pilot Sport 4S 215/45R17 (April 2020)
The extra power from the JDL header and tune meant I really needed to do something about the stock tires. PS4Ses were as planned (the best high performance street tire there is, bar none) but in the OEM size rather than the wider 245 setup for the 57C’s. The extra grip is insane. Can’t wait to really explore their limits on track. - Tein Flex Z Coilovers (April 2020)
As planned after reading CSGMike’s review on ft86club, save for the fact I scored a basically new set for a song rather than buying brand new. These coils are flippin’ awesome. - UltraPower (Rock Auto) LCAs (April 2020)
Originally planned on the SPCs, but based on thread feedback the UltraPower LCAs were the same quality for less than 1/3'd of the price. - H&R 15mm DRS Spacers (April 2020)
Not planned, but a side effect of having the 57Cs which are higher offset. Went with the DRS (15mm with extended studs) rather than a larger bolt on spacer because I just don’t trust bolt on spacers, especially for track use. Really happy with the fitment now with these on. - Racingbees STI Replica Front Lip (May 2020)
Not as planned, but after scraping the bottom of my bumper many times I figured a front lip would be a good way to cover it up. Ordered an Ikon one from ft86motorsports, arrived to my doorstep with no box completely warped and FUBAR’d. Tried to install it but to no avail. After 3 months of back and forth I finally got a refund for it (that’s the last time I ever ordered from them). Ended up picking up the Racingbees unit locally which looks like it’ll fit up perfect. I had it under my bed for over a year before I installed it.
What’s left to install?
- Greddy Limited Edition Oil Cooler (Unit 25/50) (Purchased March 2020)
Was planning on the Jackson Racing unit, but got a brand new one for STOOPID cheap (~900CAD or 650ish USD). Will need to trim the ducting to fit my 2017 bumper, but no big deal. Plus, the red core means it’ll make my car faster.
I’m at the point where I feel comfortable in saying that I’m basically at the finish line of my original vision for the car, which is an awesome feeling. All that’s left to do is enjoy it. I hope you are all keeping well and staying safe during these tough times.