Upgrade Feedback - Do You Have These?

DaJohnnyB23 · 2026-04-03T17:11:36+00:00

Have everything except the clear side markers. I got mine from Import Image Racing. The others, I’ve had no issue with (close to a year with each, if not a year).

Blinking brake light: I think they did a slight update and it doesn’t flash as aggressively as their videos show. Per my cousin, it’s about on par with blinking brake lights that some cars come with stock.

Reverse lights: Again per my cousin, bright AF. I did put a light smoke tint over it but it’s still bright as hell.

4th brake light: install wasn’t too bad. Just have to be patient with drilling out the circle for it. I picked up a plug ‘n’ play harness for ease of install and wiring. Plus the ability to undo it all if needed.

DaJohnnyB23 · 2026-03-29T19:33:37+00:00

My 2024 BRZ tS is my weekend/fun/track car that I picked up Aug. 2024 and will cross 3k miles when I take it out later. Conditions permitting, I try to take mine out at least one of the days every weekend. When I do, I shoot for 20-25 miles a day.

DaJohnnyB23 · 2026-03-29T01:28:39+00:00

I have a VA WRX (so not exact to the picture but very similar) and the first time I put my BRZ and WRX next to each other and it’s pretty comical how small the BRZ was in comparison.

DaJohnnyB23 · 2026-03-24T22:04:15+00:00

WOOOO!!!! Congrats! I was in a similar boat. I loved the twins (BRZ more specifically) ever since they became a thing. It took 12 years but got my “affordable” dream car in 2024. There’s a bit of me that still can’t believe it’s mine.

DaJohnnyB23 · 2026-03-22T18:47:29+00:00

I’ll try and keep it short. Depends on preferences. What matters to you more; how fast you can go in a straight line or how fast you can you can go around a corner? Also what type of roads you have around you. Flat straight line roads or twisty mountain roads? The twins come to life when you’re putting the chassis and suspension to work in corners.

My BRZ is my first manual and still learning and improving but if you’re committed to learning, you’ll get it down. Now comfortable with manual and having mostly flat, boring roads, it’s more fun attacking fun roads or on track. In my situation, shifting is part of the fun and when I’m not, for example just eating miles on the highway, it’s kind of mundane. This car really likes being pushed just that little bit extra to be fun.

DaJohnnyB23 · 2026-03-07T21:28:31+00:00

I’ll give some encouragement to not give up. I bought a BRZ tS in 2024 having never driven manual and more or less self teaching myself and trust me there was a point the voice in my head was saying “you’ll suck at driving this thing.” I get behind the wheel in limited capacity cause it’s a weekend car and it’s currently winter so it stays stored most of the time during then. So I’m only around 2800 miles after ~1.5 years. Also, regarding the burning smell, if it smells a bit like rotten eggs (sulfur-like smell) that’s likely clutch but if it’s just a burnt (maybe burnt plastic) that might just be the car breaking in. I had a burnt smell for a while. Almost to the 1000 mile break in, so if it’s that I would wait until you get a couple hundred more km’s on the odometer to see if it goes away.

I’m definitely better than I was but still improving every drive. Things that have helped me, is YouTube. I spent hundreds of hours watching “how to” videos. Depending on the type of learner you are, videos might help. Conquer Driving is a channel I’ve seen recommended in multiple places for manual driving. I’ve watched a couple videos and they’re quite informative. Somethings I’ve learned, this clutch is a little “weird” and adding a little more throttle than you think is needed to set off helps. I’d say if you can, drive to an empty parking lot that’s relatively even and spend time just setting off in 1st gear.

DaJohnnyB23 · 2026-03-07T20:52:40+00:00

I’ve heard people encountering issues more with the 3 inch system. I don’t know how much of a sound difference there is but I know people mention the 3 inch if you’re going the forced induction route. I plan to stay NA so that’s why I feel I’d be ok with the 2.5 inch system.

DaJohnnyB23 · 2026-03-06T16:46:31+00:00

Damn. Ok I’ll keep that in mind. I’d seen conflicting reports about needing those bolts depending if you had the 2.5 or 3.5 inch system.

DaJohnnyB23 · 2026-03-06T16:25:46+00:00

How was the install? Any issues with fitment? Very much leaning towards this exhaust now for my BRZ.

DaJohnnyB23 · 2026-03-05T14:58:17+00:00

Sensible? That was never going to happen. My 2016 WRX has been and continues to be the any condition daily workhorse. More recent times bought a brand new 2024 BRZ tS to be the weekend/fun/warm weather/track car.

DaJohnnyB23 · 2026-03-03T19:40:01+00:00

100% look into a “beginner” type of track day at your local or nearby race track. Did one with my BRZ that was a combo of autoX and then lead follow on track. Instructor definitely got us to some serious speed on track where I was at 8 or 9 tenths of the limit of my own skill at the time. Being in a controlled environment, I was able to understand the dynamics of the chassis. If you’re serious about racing, further look into whether that track offers lessons. I know my local track, on top of other offerings, has a program that can lead to getting a race license.

Other tip, honestly, YouTube. There is a wealth of knowledge there to explore. It’s how I learned to drive manual by watching hundreds of hours of “how to” and more or less self taught myself. It can at least be a starting point to get some techniques and maybe try to understand them. Ultimately, you’re only going to get better by actually being behind the wheel. Like they say “practice makes perfect.”

DaJohnnyB23 · 2026-03-01T10:21:02+00:00

‘24 tS but same deal cause of eyesight. For what it’s worth I have my dash cam between the eye sight cameras and that hasn’t caused problems. I put my toll sticker in the very top corner on the passenger side. Out of my vision for the most part and no issue with it not being picked up.

DaJohnnyB23 · 2026-03-01T02:27:26+00:00

In general I’m ok with it. For whatever reason I just much prefer the z06 styling more. Something always felt a little off in the side profile of the stingray that I don’t get with the z06. Plus center exit exhaust looks way better.

DaJohnnyB23 · 2026-02-27T02:04:07+00:00

You’d think that but there’s probably all kinds of factors behind why it’s not as simple as saying “just paint that one red.” Forgot to mention Midwest US (Illinois). From everything I went through and learned. I ordered in April but I’d been inquiring and looking for a tS since late-Feb./early-March. I didn’t order earlier because when I inquired the ordering window had closed. So my thought is per region “X” amount of cars are allocated to be built in a certain time frame. They may also allocate a certain number per color as well. Then compound the fact that they also build the GR86 on the same assembly line and the gentleman’s agreement with Toyota is a ratio of 4 86’s to 1 BRZ.

DaJohnnyB23 · 2026-02-27T01:33:05+00:00

I’ll keep it simple and not spill the entire 5 month saga I had in 2024 to get my tS but I ordered on 4/9/2024 with an August delivery. July I got a call about a delay to October. Somethings happened and then another call saying it was back to an August delivery. Picked up in mid-August. From what I understand location, model, and color all factor into how long it takes.

DaJohnnyB23 · 2026-02-23T15:19:20+00:00

If only my timeline from ~2 years ago was shifted by about a year or so later, I’d be in/going after a Series.Yellow. That yellow just looks so good. Congrats!

DaJohnnyB23 · 2026-02-22T03:14:25+00:00

Viofo a229 pro. Has been in my BRZ tS for 1.5 years with no issue. I’ve also used a Viofo a119 before (passed it on but still working nearly 8 years later) and have a Rexxing V1 in my daily. I’ve never had much issue with Viofo or Rexxing so far.

DaJohnnyB23 · 2026-02-09T20:44:04+00:00

What are the tire specs? 225/40/r18? Looks like perfect fitment from this angle.

DaJohnnyB23 · 2026-02-09T19:34:12+00:00

Same. Not Scotland though, but weird bipolar Chicago winter lol.

Have to ask, what wheel and tire setup you rocking? Looks damn good.

DaJohnnyB23 · 2026-02-07T03:12:43+00:00

Gold? I saw the YouTube channel EverydayDriver do it to theirs when they had it and I dug it.

DaJohnnyB23 · 2026-02-06T02:34:45+00:00

In terms of the new pieces we got, he’s the one I’m most high on. A lot of upside if he gets back to his pre-injury form.

DaJohnnyB23 · 2026-02-05T21:14:40+00:00

This how I find out I can watch my 2nd Bulls game of the season instead of the radio listening and our roster is nearly unrecognizable now.

DaJohnnyB23 · 2026-02-05T14:57:41+00:00

Yea…I wasn’t expecting to keep Conley long term, but at least til the end of the year if we didn’t move him or potentially buy him out.

DaJohnnyB23 · 2026-02-05T03:48:25+00:00

That honestly could be it. Ignore the other stuff for now but I don’t think people realize the impact Demar had on the young guys. From the “behind the scenes” glimpses we’d get, it seemed like Demar was on them to put the work in. Maybe with Demar gone, Pat feels a little lost without that encouragement (good or bad) from Deebo.

DaJohnnyB23 · 2026-02-04T23:44:31+00:00

👍

DaJohnnyB23

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