Did the $15,000 Mods on Our Subaru BRZ Actually Work? Video

We spent $15,000 to make our Subaru BRZ project car faster. Was it worth it?

Photo by: Ralph Hermens | Motor1

Jeff Perez

By: Jeff Perez

Dec 13, 2025 at 10:00am ET

Comment

In episode 1 of our Subaru BRZ project series, we took the BRZ to the track for the first time after installing the initial round of $15,000 worth of upgrades. Spoiler alert: we did make it faster—but not without plenty of trial and error. You can watch episode 1 right here.

This time, we’re testing just how much quicker our BRZ can go around Buttonwillow after the full $15,000 upgrade package and a proper setup. The mods include new wheels, bigger Brembo brakes, stickier tires, upgraded Nitron dampers, and a Recaro racing seat.

What do you think?

View

Comments

After fine-tuning the dampers and taking a few laps with the updated setup, the BRZ showed real promise. The car felt locked in, hitting faster lap times thanks to all the added upgrades. A few more tweaks and some extra laps helped us see just how much more performance we could extract.

In the end, the $15,000 in upgrades made a noticeable difference—even without touching the engine. Upgraded dampers, brakes, and tires proved that a well-rounded setup can dramatically improve track performance. Thanks for watching!