GR86 Importing my 2023 JDM BRZ

I've just accomplished something quite tricky today, a bit hair-raising as I thought I might end up with a bricked head unit.

I managed to update the firmware in my Japanese Alpine 7DNXF2 head unit to the latest version N2422C1R dated 22/08/2024. I downloaded the firmware from the Japanese website, copied it to an SD card and ran the installation in the head unit, using Google Lens on my phone to translate the screen. Amazingly, after a couple of reboots, it fired into life with Android Auto kicking in as soon as I re-enabled Bluetooth. Phew!

https://secure.alpine.co.jp/urs/ndl/7dnxf2/prog/ct

ninjin said:

Alpine software is quite hackable. In my old MX5 25th Anniversary which came with Mazda skinned software, you could flash it back to Alpine software (which gave you back all the settings that Mazda removed) and also customise the start up screen with your choice of picture.

Click to expand...

Good to know. My Alpine has a setting for car logo start-up so it shows the Subaru logo on engine start. I really needed the new firmware as Android Auto was a bit unpredictable with sudden dropouts and Japanese error messages. The new firmware fixed it as promised.

I've finally had success in cloning my key fob for a 2nd one! I bought the car knowing it had only one key fob as it was exactly the spec I wanted and they rarely come up in manual. They told me it had only one fob and I thought at the time "no problem, I'll get a new one cloned". Now I realised that I got the car at a reduced price with few competitive bids because one fob severely reduces the value in Japan. It's because they have such a higher standard of security on their JDM cars.

I tried four auto locksmiths over the past year, all suggesting they should be able to do it but failing. There are two associated issues: 1) finding a locksmith that can program these 314MHz fobs (a frequency not used in Europe); 2) obtaining the correct blank fob with this frequency. By around October I had obtained the correct part number from Subaru Bulldog Twyford, and ordered it from Impex Japan (Bulldog could not order it as Subaru head office would not allow it). The fourth auto locksmith could not program even this correct blank fob.

Finally, I persuaded Bulldog to please give it a try and they agreed. Cut to yesterday, and they had obtained the correct code file from Subaru Japan. Even then, head office needed the codes etched into all my glass in order to verify that it's not a stolen car. Finally, they got it programmed and everything just worked. These guys really know their stuff and all credit to them for seeing the job through. The spare fob is now safely tucked away at home in a Faraday pouch.

They had never seen a BRZ Gen2 and had a good look around and liked the noise it makes. What a great bunch of chaps

ZN8 said:

Martin, I've been meaning to ask, you mentioned how satisfied you are with the balance of power and handling on the gen2 but what is the performance like between the FA24 and your old supercharged FA20?

Click to expand...

It's really interesting and every time I think of supercharging the new BRZ, I take it for another drive and decide it's not needed.

The FA24 is an excellent engine with quite a different feel compared with the old sluggard FA20. The latter needed a kick up the behind which the Harrop provided and it certainly pulled hard, no question, but it always felt a little bit like boosting a tractor. Not a very refined engine. The FA24 engine, though, is a much more willing and natural spinner which is happy to rev to the red line. Together with the HKS EL catted manifold, HKS catted front pipe, Fujitsubo exhaust and excellent EcuTek tune by Mark at Abbey Motorsport, it always seems to have enough go to keep up the momentum without feeling slow. To be honest, I rarely have trouble getting past people.

As for handling, less is definitely more. The suspension balance of the BRZ is more neutral and less tail-happy than the GR86. Combined with STi springs, it has a damn-nearly perfect balance between turning hard and retaining a decent ride quality. There is no dive and little roll, it's quite fast in its responses to, say, a lane avoidance manoeuvre. The TRD door stiffeners make the chassis feel a little more rigid, too.

I forgot to add, I have the STi v-bars and rear draw stiffener, too.

KobayashiMaru86 said:

The MCA traction mod helps a lot, even in the wet.

Click to expand...

What is this, exactly?

midlife_sportscar said:

MCA Traction Mod

Click to expand...

Thanks, but the Gen2 BRZ handling balance is different from the GR86 and is not tail-happy but rather fully planted. I don't think this kit is for me.

I installed the new horns today, the first decent sunny day this year. Goodness me, they're LOUD! No more meep!

qajteq said:

Wrong approach I should say. Both of them, GR86 and BRZ loses toe-in when rear compresses, so both of them benefits the same, as rear subframe is taken from other Subarus. In other words, issue is with design itself, no matter the car.

Click to expand...

Ok, thanks. I'll take another look and discuss it with Abbey Motorsport.

I finally got my vent-mounted DRLs/indicators installed and working. The bumper-off work was done last week and the wiring, using a long claw grabber to retrieve the cables (harder than it looked), finished today. It all works very well, but worth noting that you need an add-a-fuse adapter in low-profile micro size into the IGN2 circuit, and quite a lot of patience.

Photos later as it's raining!

I may have done a thing...

My HKS GT2 supercharger installation is booked with Fensport for 1st June. I know they've done GR86s but they have never seen a BRZ Gen2. My car already has an EcuTek tune so no problems there. Unusually, they don't dyno tune, they drive-and-update from logging and say it results in a more drivable car. Hoping for around 350nm torque, which should be wild.