FR-S, FT-86 & BRZ power output will vary depending on each brands ECU

[FR_S_Fan]

One thing that has been on my mind for a while is what will change the power output on all 3 models. I came across an article today that stated the Subaru BRZ & Toyota FT-86 power outputs will differ with a Subaru-spec ECU. They didn't mention the Scion FR-S but I have no doubts it will get the same or similar treatment.

What are your thoughts on this?

Do you think it will just be the ECU setting the power output apart on each model or could their be more?

Discuss!

Power outputs, however, will differ with a Subaru-spec ECU liberating the BRZ’s power to “less than 300bhp,” compared with the FT-86’s 200bhp figure.

[eightsix]

Does this mean that with a Subaru ECU on the Toyota FT86/Scion FR-S it will potentially be closer to 300hp? ! ?! !?!?!?!

[FT.HachiRoku]

Does this mean that with a Subaru ECU on the Toyota FT86/Scion FR-S it will potentially be closer to 300hp? ! ?! !?!?!?!

300 BHP will be so sick or something close to it! I'm looking forward to a aftermarket ECU mod chip to possibly get this beast driving faster/better.

Something to me says the ECU might not be the only thing that justify's the different horsepower. Anyone feel the same?

[Flat-box]

or also if best, buy a full stand alone and unleash the full power with real tuning!

[JohnnyP]

Something to me says the ECU might not be the only thing that justify's the different horsepower. Anyone feel the same?

I agree, seeing a difference of about 100 hp from the exact same motor by simply changing an ECU seems kinda unlikely. I've heard of companies doing similar things in other countries where vehicle warranties aren't as long or extensive as in the U.S., but to say that the same U.S. Spec car's will make such different numbers doesn't sound right. Maybe a different exhaust and intake setup, along with a different ECU, could make this more feasible.

I guess time will tell...

[dboz]

Am I missing something. How can a 2.0 liter NA engine be making 300HP, when the same company uses the same engine and requires a turbo (WRX,STI) to make 265 and 305 respectively. I think someone is drinking the cool aid here. This will be the most bad ass small NA motor ever built if it can make V6 power in NA form.

To gain 100HP with an intake, exhaust and tune, all on a puny NA motor, is truly smoking the crack pipe.

Hell, my EVO X takes a high flow cat, cat back, intake, UICP, crushed BOV, 3 port boost solenoid and a killer tune on a fully forged stock motor going from 21 PSI stock to 28 PSI tuned to go from 291 HP to 400 HP which is not even a 50% GAIN. And you guys are talking 100HP from a tune and exhaust and intake on a NA motor.......WTF???????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[import_nation]

Well they said less then 300hp. That could be 250hp. It's not impossible to go from 200hpish to 250hp because of the ECU. Plus the FR-S FT86 could be 210hp 220hp. They said 200hpish.

[JohnnyP]

I think you're missing the words "maybe" and "could make this MORE feasible". And with the Subie hp numbers being "less than 300bhp", this could mean just about anything. It might make 275, 250, even 201. My point was that an ECU alone wouldn't make a 100 hp difference, which obviously you agree with. It's not like we're talking power to the wheels here right? You wanna say that I'm smoking crack, but the people that were gonna get 100 hp from an ECU alone..... Nothing? Ok. Until we really know what's going on with this car, what's the point of arguing about it. Let everyone keep believing what they want because we're probably all gonna be wrong anyways.

[JohnnyP]

Well they said less then 300hp. That could be 250hp. It's not impossible to go from 200hpish to 250hp because of the ECU. Plus the FR-S FT86 could be 210hp 220hp. They said 200hpish.

Exactly!

[import_nation]

I think you're missing the words "maybe" and "could make this MORE feasible". And with the Subie hp numbers being "less than 300bhp", this could mean just about anything. It might make 275, 250, even 201. My point was that an ECU alone wouldn't make a 100 hp difference, which obviously you agree with. It's not like we're talking power to the wheels here right? You wanna say that I'm smoking crack, but the people that were gonna get 100 hp from an ECU alone..... Nothing? Ok. Until we really know what's going on with this car, what's the point of arguing about it. Let everyone keep believing what they want because we're probably all gonna be wrong anyways.

For sure on a non turbo engine it is quite hard to gain 100hp from ECU alone. But the BRZ could be 220hp for all we know. And the FT86 could be 200hp.

OR Toyota detuned the car to shit thats why its 200hp and Subaru max tuned the car - more likely to win the Lottery twice but thats a possibility haha.

[FR_S_Fan]

300 BHP will be so sick or something close to it! I'm looking forward to a aftermarket ECU mod chip to possibly get this beast driving faster/better.

Something to me says the ECU might not be the only thing that justify's the different horsepower. Anyone feel the same?

I agree with you too, I would expect a ECU to improve horsepower numbers by no more than around 50 HP, maybe a bit more, but, 100 HP more with just a ECU and no other performance improvements doesn't seem doable to me.

Along with a ECU that unleashes more horsepower, the following might factor into the extra 100 HP....

- better air intake
- better exhaust system & less restrictive
- better fuel system
- better cooling system
- upgraded engine head???

[dboz]

For any chance of gaining 50HP, it would require significant cam and timing changes which also will mean premium fuel.

[AE86]

50-100 hp gains are very do able, where as GTI's and BMW's generally a-lot of the euro spec cars are under tuned, and once tuned to their stock limits they end up producing 50-100 hp gains easily...

the prime example is the bmw 335i' with simple plug and play chips the car can easily obtain from 260hp to 300-330hp.

[FR_S_Fan]

For any chance of gaining 50HP, it would require significant cam and timing changes which also will mean premium fuel.

That too, especially on Toyota engines which have a history of requiring a lot of NA mods to get any good power gains. Usually Toyota engines are boost happy.

50-100 hp gains are very do able, where as GTI's and BMW's generally a-lot of the euro spec cars are under tuned, and once tuned to their stock limits they end up producing 50-100 hp gains easily...

the prime example is the bmw 335i' with simple plug and play chips the car can easily obtain from 260hp to 300-330hp.

Maybe it depends from manufacture to manufacture and the engine spec's.
The 335i does have a big inline 6 engine...... 3.5 Liter inline 6. Somewhere I heard BMW likes to detune their engines so when you do push them, trying to mess one up from factory can be hard. but some people mess them up

[dboz]

I am saying it is not doable, I am just saying I don't think it will be easy to gain 50HP. You are talking a 25% improvement. Why would they leave that much power in an engine when it is only at 200 hp to begin with. After all, they are selling a performance car. Also, this is a competitive market, why not hit the market with your best shot, not seem detuned wheezer.