Friday 30th May 2014

Cosworth BRZ/GT86 Power Packages launched

First step in 'scalable performance solutions' available now with 233hp. 325hp on the way...

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Don't expect a Cosworth CS400-style conversion from the BRZ/GT86 Power Packages. Instead the packs are a range of modular tweaks, incrementally adding power through a range of motorsport inspired upgrades.

Standard sound a bit dull? Voila!

According to Cosworth, they represent a new approach for the company with its aftermarket strategy now focusing on complete packages rather than individual parts. The aim is to guarantee reliability, improve performance and support a business aim of becoming an 'approved upgrade partner' for global OEMs. Cosworth as the next Mountune perhaps?

So then, Stage 1 for the BRZ/GT86. It's rather complex with 'up to 230bhp (233hp)' available, so read closely. There's a free flow exhaust developed with Nameless Performance, a 'Power by Cosworth' remap plus a 'performance filtration solution and low temp thermostat'. That takes you to 223hp (220bhp), with the optional combined overpipe front pipe taking that to 228hp (225bhp). A new manifold header is available as well, reducing underbonnet temperatures plus taking power to 233hp (230bhp). Not drastic admittedly, but Cosworth is keen to point out that 330hp (325bhp) and even a 380hp 'race track configuration' are in development.

Rendering a little different to reality right now

It's claimed also that the power packages will be cost-effective, the modular aspect of the upgrades mitigating some of the overall outlay by allowing the work stage by stage. Each successive stage uses the components from the previous one too. There aren't any prices available just yet though.

We'll hope to drive a Power Packaged BRZ/GT86 shortly, and establish prices as soon as possible.

 

 

 

[JT361]

These sound amazing, I'd hate to imagine the cost though, especially in retropect of the gains.

[hondansx]

JT361 said:

These sound amazing, I'd hate to imagine the cost though, especially in retropect of the gains.

That is the reality of any N/A tuning though.

In fairness, if you can keep the warranty, then it is a nice option for the risk adverse.

[Ryvita]

So currently the cheapest BRZ/GT-86's on the classified's are floating around £16.5k... This is going to be, what, a 3-4K package for the stage 1? Starting to look a bit more reasonable as a 20K / 230bhp second hand option? Perhaps this will be what wins over the "too expensive for not enough power" brigade. I suspect there will be a surge in buyers picking up nearly new cars and running them straight into Cosworth for this now, then the forced induction package when it arrives later. Can see these holding value well too, kind of like Litchfield tuned Subaru efforts.

That exhaust manifold is a thing of beauty. Couldn't they have also produced an unequal length option though, to give the BRZ back the Scooby burble? Interested by the comment on reuse of parts - that means this exhaust is also good for the presumable turbo/super-charging option yet to come?

[DeanHelix]

+20bhp with an exhaust and a remap. Hardly earth-shattering is it.

"The aim is to guarantee reliability, improve performance and support a business aim of becoming an 'approved upgrade partner' for global OEMs"
Ok, but that doesn't answer the question of whether the Cosworth packs are approved by Toyota/Subaru, as in doesn't void your 5yr warranty.

Surely that'd be the point of getting the Cosworth power packs over other tuning products as per an aftermarket bolt-on supercharger kit from Litchfield or a turbo kit from Fensport.

[Joeguard1990]

DeanHelix said:

+20bhp with an exhaust and a remap. Hardly earth-shattering is it.

"The aim is to guarantee reliability, improve performance and support a business aim of becoming an 'approved upgrade partner' for global OEMs"
Ok, but that doesn't answer the question of whether the Cosworth packs are approved by Toyota/Subaru, as in doesn't void your 5yr warranty.

Surely that'd be the point of getting the Cosworth power packs over other tuning products as per an aftermarket bolt-on supercharger kit from Litchfield or a turbo kit from Fensport.

I would say a 10% gain on a N/A car is actually quite a lot!

[DeanHelix]

Actually Fensport have the Cosworth pack prices listed already:
http://www.fensport.co.uk/Parts/Model_108/Category...

£2400 for 220bhp
£3238 for 225bhp
£4558 for 230bhp
plus additional £870 and £1500 options for a few more horses.

Seems expensive compared with Fensport Turbo kit or Litchfield SC kit, both of which are around £4k and give 270/280bhp ish
http://www.fensport.co.uk/Parts/Model_108/Category...
&
http://www.litchfieldimports.co.uk/Toyota/BRZ-GT86...

Edited by DeanHelix on Friday 30th May 12:55

[British Beef]

Many would say this is a long overdue power hike that should have been offered by the manufacturers from the outset!!

[Fire99]

DeanHelix said:

Actually Fensport have the Cosworth pack prices listed already:
http://www.fensport.co.uk/Parts/Model_108/Category...

£2400 for 220bhp
£3238 for 225bhp
£4558 for 230bhp
plus additional £870 and £1500 options for a few more horses.

Seems expensive compared with Fensport Turbo kit or Litchfield SC kit, both of which are around £4k and give 270/280bhp ish
http://www.fensport.co.uk/Parts/Model_108/Category...
&
http://www.litchfieldimports.co.uk/Toyota/BRZ-GT86...

Edited by DeanHelix on Friday 30th May 12:55

Doesn't look cost effective to me. An extra £800 to take 220-225? Blimey a couple of psi missing in the tyres or a few bags of shopping in the boot is likely to make more impact.

[IvanSTi]

British Beef said:

Many would say this is a long overdue power hike that should have been offered by the manufacturers from the outset!!

It'll become part of a package from the main stealers soon (Prodrive don't do Subaru upgrades anymore) and it won't void your warranty, which will be why they can charge the earth for it and get away with it, compared to buying an induction kit & exhaust from HKS (£1000 max) then taking the car to see Andy Forrest or such like for a remap (£550)

[GFWilliams]

Remember most have about 175hp when standard, not the claimed 200hp...

[thatdude]

DeanHelix said:

+20bhp with an exhaust and a remap. Hardly earth-shattering is it.

20 bhp at peak. Without a dynometer output, one cant say what the gains are through the range - it should be beneficial accross the whole of the usable rev range, equalling benefits where most drivers reside; in the mid range

[Art0ir]

Fire99 said:

Doesn't look cost effective to me. An extra £800 to take 220-225? Blimey a couple of psi missing in the tyres or a few bags of shopping in the boot is likely to make more impact.

Honda owners happily spend 2-3 times that for the same gains.

Personally I'd go straight to FI if I was going to mod one.

[NISaxoVTR]

N/A road car tuning is a mugs game. The price of these parts would have you well on your way to a nice turbo setup.

[IvanSTi]

Just quickly priced up and for £3000 you could have the following (Including labour);

Invidia High Flow Cat and cat back system
Stage 2 Cams
HKS/K&N Induction Kit
EcuTek Remap
Porting of OEM Headers

Not sure of exact output, but it'll sure as hell beat that of Cosworth's and for £1500 less, get some tubular headers made up for another £500? Bob's your mothers brother.

[GravelBen]

NISaxoVTR said:

N/A road car tuning is a mugs game. The price of these parts would have you well on your way to a nice turbo setup.

Not everyone likes turbos - if you want naturally aspirated throttle response etc then spending your money on a turbo setup instead is a mugs game. But yes, its always going to be easier to get big power gains with forced induction.

[Fire99]

Art0ir said:

Honda owners happily spend 2-3 times that for the same gains.

Personally I'd go straight to FI if I was going to mod one.

£1600 - £2400 for an extra 5 bhp?? Madness.

Personally I'd be straight down the F.I route too..

[IvanSTi]

GravelBen said:

NISaxoVTR said:

N/A road car tuning is a mugs game. The price of these parts would have you well on your way to a nice turbo setup.

Not everyone likes turbos - if you want naturally aspirated throttle response etc then spending your money on a turbo setup instead is a mugs game. But yes, its always going to be easier to get big power gains with forced induction.

Then go for a supercharger

[anonymous-user]

Whats with the hp != bhp stuff in the article? I think they might be thinking PS != BHP ??


And Prodrive got out of the aftermarket (ok, dealer fit, manufacturer approved (ish)) aftermarket game because there's no money in it, even for turbo cars where you'll actually be able to tell the difference..........

And finally, "low temperature thermostat" Please, just how desperate are they for every last watt?

[Art0ir]

Fire99 said:

Art0ir said:

Honda owners happily spend 2-3 times that for the same gains.

Personally I'd go straight to FI if I was going to mod one.

£1600 - £2400 for an extra 5 bhp?? Madness.

Personally I'd be straight down the F.I route too..

Proper Honda tuning parts are crazy, crazy money.

[Neil G60]

People who buy these cars aren't chasing BHP to begin with, if they were they would have bought a turbo-charged hot hatch with about 250-300bhp. If these bolt-ons make the the a bit faster and more characterful in terms of noise i.e adding to the good bits of the car without taking away form the core essence of an NA, RWD car then fair enough. It is a lot of wedge but all the components will be designed to work with each other and come re-sale time the car will probably command a bit more money in the knowledge that it's been thoroughly designed and factory approved.