The FA, well: I'd take dyno plots with a grain of salt if I were you, though they do get quite a bit more smooth and enjoyable with tuning, and pick up a few ponies even n/a.
I think AOS/Catch can/etc is always a really good idea for any subaru that see's hard cornering. Some of the EJ's Ive seen tracked had serious blowby.

Por que?

Intake, full exhaust + tune seems to be netting some really good gains.

BRZ/FRS = Fat Miata

My girlfriend just picked up an FR-S and its very on par with a miata in terms in feel, though the extra weight can sometimes bring surprises. She got a new 2015 in raven black (not sure if its different than 2014 but this paint color looks super good)

I've been the driver mostly, I've put on about 225miles on the vehicle going back and forth to work. My mazdaspeed miata is getting a lvl 2 happy meal installed currently.

First initial thoughts, Im surprised about the gas mileage from the first tank. Sorry 21.5MPG according to the onboard computer. My untuned miata gets 23MPG steady. In stock form the vehicle balance can be upset easily but nothing a set of 18x8 rims and fatter tires will fix with lowered suspension.

I have an motor issue of some sort. Example: I'm driving 50mph, Go into Neutral, brake to red light. When the mph of the vehicle goes between 35-25mph slowing down the engine rpms will drop to 600 and make a horrible clunk noise from just coming to a stop. Looking into this.

With it being a brand new motor/trans, lots of mechanical noise in the motor and 6spd tranny. Hopefully this will subdue after it's a little more worn in.

All in all, car looks great. Handles almost like a miata. You'll feel that torque dip when you get up to 4k rpm :vash:. UEL Headers sound awesome :makeout: Much want.

And if you've already driven a 6spd, its a crisp dainty gear box. Very easy to drive, gearing is similar to a MSM 6spd IMO

I have had my brz since march, 4500 miles now.
Used it @ 2 autox's and one HPDE due to a flat tire in my miata the day of...

It has been great so far. Stock form is a blast. Well balanced. The gas millage isn't fantastic. I have been averaging 25.4 including the track time. As far as mechanical issues, nothing really. Yes the transmission is clunky when cold, yes the idle can occasionally dip down (even though I have the latest software I think), yes the HPFP chirps like crazy (even though mine is the newer version).

All of the small annoyances aside this car is a great mix between my old S13 from high school crossed with my miata. Comfy, handles great, looks good, and is brand spakin' new. Sure, more power and grip would be fun, but stock isn't half bad either.

P.S. Oh and for track duty... GET SOME PADS. OMG BRAKE FADE!!!!

P.P.S. The brz is tucked away in the garage right now, and the miata is with me at work. Why? BECAUSE THE ANSWER IS ALWAYS A MIATA

I kind of want to trade my Mustang in on a new WRX. I want something that doesnt feel like a boat and has enough room in the back for a big ass octocopter and such.
Big engines are nice, but turbos just feel fun.

Not sure if retarded idea.

WRXs feel huge though, I blame the turning radius but they really feel like they're 6 inches wider than that actually are.

I guess I need to drive one.
The Moostank doesn't feel super big but the hood feels huge and its hard to tell where the corners of the car are. What I hate is how vague everything feels. The steering and suspension are all soft and crappy feeling, yet it still doesn't even ride very well. Worst of both worlds.

if you think your 06 feels huge, drive an 08+ lol

*edit: one thing for sure, it is and feels WAY smaller than a brostang.

Hey, tell me what's up with the FA20 dynos.

I just meant don't get carried away with thinking those cars gain some crazy power with n/a bolt ons and tune, cause many of those dyno's are really optimistic with smoothing set to like 10. I'm of VISCONTI tuning and a couple others.

Stock dyno doesn't lie. . .

That 4k dip bugs the crap out of me when driving this thing :vash:

Who would you consider a reputable tuner?

Moto-East? Perrin? Delicious tuning (claiming 200whp with bolt-ons tune on 91octane)?

There are so many different brands (and tuners) for these cars I have no idea what is good, what is junk, etc.

There's this guy named Buddy who used to love old 300zx's, he sounds like a trust worthy tuner.

I honestly don't know who is good at tuning the BRZ/FRS, sorry. I'm really not into that whole scene. I'll ask around though.

The crazy correction factors don't matter so much when it's the same dyno before and after.

Everything i've seen shows that bolt ons and a tune will give a pretty decent difference worth pursuing.

Worth mentioning what i've seen is the autox dudes messing around. Cars seem to love corm as well.

I have no desire to screw with that.

That would be appreciated.

Yeah, 25-30whp in a 2700 lb car should be noticeable especially fixing the torque dip @ 4k.

yeah but when the before is at smoothing 1 and final at 10 it makes you think your car is now butter smooth and your tuner is a genius

I'm not at all saying tis not worth pursuing, just that many plots posted are by people making money and are "touched up" to look like a gift from heaven

it was just a comment to really do homework on tuner/tune choice, that's all.

Agreed. But so many people have "confirmation bias" they will defend their tuner of choice to the death regardless of what it says.

Perrin is claiming 18whp with their full exhaust with no ECU work.

I'd also like to hear thoughts about the EJ. I had a '98 OBS that I drove from 100-220k with only the basic maintenance and then briefly had an '04 WRX but sold it before I started working on it at all because I commute by bike now, but have kicked around the idea of a Forester XT for funzies--thoughts?

FXT is an excellent scoob. One of my favorite. Make sure to find a clean low mileage one owned by a grandpa and you're set :D