Remember that photo from Weapons Grade Performance of a Corvette LS2 motor sitting in the engine bay of a Subaru BRZ? Well it turns out that the all the work is finally done, and the “BRZ06” is alive, and appeared at the WBM (Wicked Big Meet) in Connecticut that recently happened. We can hear all of the JDM forums crying aloud at once in protest. It’s beautiful.
Word is that the BRZ06 is pushing 500 horsepower, which is more than twice the amount the original Boxer engine was putting down, and comes complete with “factory anti-lag.” The most challenging part of the project wasn’t the installation of the 6.0L small-block V8, but fitting in the T56 transmission, as the tunnel had to be customized.
To handle the extra power, the engine and transmission support structure were designed to tie the existing subframes on the car to additional points on the frame in an X-brace fashion to provide additional stiffness. WGP also upgraded all of the rear suspension components and bushings to handle the additional load.
Overall, the LS2 and T56 add approximately 200lbs to the BRZ, with most weight actually coming from the transmission. Â WGP doesn’t feel it to be a significant gain, but still intends to lower it via production version mounts and exhaust over the original version we see here. Just as important, the weight balance now shifts to 56/43, which is just 3% more forward bias than a stock BRZ. Â But to keep the center of gravity in check, the crankshaft centerline is actually lower than stock, and any sort of handling upset is dialed out with KW coilovers, sway bars, adjustable suspensions, and a lighter wheel/tire package. The brakes are also fortified, now being 355 Stoptechs up front. With all the extra mods, handling is not negatively affected at all, with the added benefit of robust Small Block power. The beefier 285-wide tires in the back also provided the needed grip and power delivery that the stock 215 tires just weren’t cut out for.
Best of all, is that the BRZ06 isn’t a one-off. It’s a conversion kit. And it will set you back as little as $3,200 (plus the cost of your Toyoburu test subject) for the basic kit, which features engine and transmission mounts, custom oil pan and driveshaft. But the “complete kit” is a more lofty $9100, which adds custom engine wiring and exhaust work, along with upgraded cooling.  Brake and wheel upgrades are also available.
Comments
For the price of the car and the “kit”, you can buy not just an LS2 but LS3 Corvette, with warranty and without emission laws worries. Nice to see it can be done but in the end, totally pointless. If four seats are needed, there is always plenty of used Pontiac GTO’s with the same LS2 but for about half of the price of this set up.
And that would be missing the point entirely.
And what point would that be? Stuffing a V8 in a car that was not designed for it, throwing its weight balance and handling out the door? Can the chassis take the torsional moment generated by the motor? Does not sound to me like the torque tube was used along with the motor? Surely you must understand the effect of the torque of this motor on the torsional rigidity of the car mentioned here?
@petermj The point is…. a 6.0L Chevy V8 fit where a 2.0L Toyota H4 normally goes. Surely you must understand the effect of the torque of this motor is AWESOME!!! To hell with the torsional rigidity of the car mentioned here. I’m pretty sure in 2013 a Subaru is built with more torsional rigidity than a 1982 Camaro, and an LS2 would fit there too.
Just because it fits, this does not mean it is utilized effectively. No doubt nobody cares about engineering tackling projects like this one. One other thing is the emissions issue. Original motor uses DI while LS motor uses MPI, should be interesting to see how this would play out with the enviro Nazis.
You must remember that small blocks are quite light for V8 engines, and package very well (obviously). According to WGP themselves, the BRZ06 engine and transmission support structure was designed to tie the existing subframes on the car to additional points on the frame in an X-brace fashion to provide additional stiffness, and only adds 200 pounds overall, with a 3% more forward bias than the original version.
Corvette was designed specifically with torque tube to minimize the transfer of torsion from the engine to the chassis and suspension. This design prevents losses and additional load on the suspension. None of this is employed in this Subaru. Is Subaru rigid enough to deal with the effects? That is something to be seen. Not sure why you would insist on defending bad engineering but whatever I guess.
Because there’s always more than one solution to a problem. Just because you don’t see it that way doesn’t make the BRZ06 poorly engineered. And if you’re so doubtful, I suggest you find some seat time in one.
This is a solution for a problem that does not exist.
The corvette has a torque tube because it was equipped with a transaxle at the rear of the vehicle instead of a traditional transmission. The design has nothing to due with flexibility of the chassis, but for direct transfer of rotational force from the engine at the front down the length of the vehicle. Without the tube the driveline would flex. With a normal transmission and rear axle there is no reason for a torque tube setup. The ls2 was used in several vehicles with a standard drivetrain layout including the GTO and CTS-V. This BRZ looks badass. Goddamn internet engineers….
Many things come with LS motors that don’t have torque tubes… the Corvette designers needed a torque tube because the unibody is fiberglass, not metal as in the case of the BRZ. Most of the twisting forces are taken up in the rubber mounts for the rear subframe and lost through slack in the driveline.
As far as emissions, direct injection does not equal low emissions, and our swap maintains EVAP, EGR, catalysts, and all other emissions tests, while producing better fuel economy than stock… even though people who build cars like ours treat fuel economy like golf: Lowest score wins.
BS, Corvette uses a frame, just like Viper. Subaru/Toyota econo box is not designed for a V8 motor.
How about an LS3 in a 2013 Malibu. Rear wheel drive for your next project.
This Peter guy just doesn’t get it. This is hot rodding at its best. I’m glad Mr. Carroll Shelby didn’t listen to people like peter. The cobra is exactly the same concept. He put a v8 in a small 4 cylinder car. Made sense then and still makes sense today .
Ignorance at its best. Check again regarding original AC Cobra and its frame. Somehow Shelby did not try to stuff a V8 in a Mini, although according to people like you, maybe he should.
AC Ace was (is) a weak and flexible chassis. Shelby didn’t care. He was just trying to win. He even laughed about how chassis flex acted like suspension and kept tires on ground.
Ive seen this “Miata driving” Peter guy trolling on several other posts too and its starting to get old… That being said i think this is awesome craftsmanship! A japanese car im usually not too fond of, but since it had an american heart transplant it was well worth the read. Kuddos to the WGP guys!
Uhm numbnut, I drive a LS3 Corvette and Gen 4 Viper, cars designed to use big motors. If you want to dispute facts I gave, feel free. Ignorant people calling others trolls in lieu of making valid counterpoints-now, this is what gets old.
perfect fit i say, we used to always put chevy V/8s in everything, they just worked good and was fun for the owner and that was before the wonderful LS engines , with light weight and real power, i remember doing a 400 with 700r in a jag. with an installation kit from johns cars in texas, nice kit and now you have a real fun jag, i bet the owner of this BRZ can’t wait to push down the go pedal, nothing but fun.
So Peter, have you ever driven a monster miata. Same idea with a Ford 5.0 motor. Just add the chassis braces to stiffen things up and you have one hot ride Charlie! They are a blast to drive and still handle like a champ!
The BRZ06 is truly a hot rod from the old school of hot rodding. You stuff the biggest, baddest motor you can find into the smallest light car you can find. You guys rock, way to keep the faith!!!!
I think we’re all over-analyzing the badassery of cramming an LS motor into a small, Japanese sports car. All arguing aside, I’d make this my weekend hoonmobile.
One Word: AWESOME!
I was wondering how long this would take. I figured at least a year.
Damn, this was barely 6 months!!
Well Alex, all arguing aside, the stock car runs on 215 tires, have there been any significant upgrades in this department? Power is one thing but ability to hook it up is another. The heavy front bias will give front brakes extra work out, any upgrades with regards to the brakes? Finally, why use obsolete and inferior tranny when T6060 is available, this tranny was specifically designed to handle higher hp.
285 rear tires now. Brakes were upgraded, too. And the T56 is a reliable unit that was designed for the LS2. Maybe you should open up a performance tuning shop, and let us all know how you’ll run things.
Good thing petermj wasn’t around when people were shoving 175 horse V8s in a 1923 Ford. How would the frame not twist up like a pretzel with three times the power? How would the tires put all those ponies down? How would the brakes hold it at a stop sign? …. Can we all agree? Just because it doesn’t make any sense doesn’t mean it’s not a great achievement in itself.
We used 355mm stoptech brakes and 285 series tires in response to those issues ;). I also owned a 2011 z06, and its chassis rigidity was far worse than the BRZ.
This seems like a pretty ignorant statement actually… Frame or chassis rigidity does not directly translate into roadholding characteristics. If this was the case, Dodge Viper would not be holding the time it does at the ring. I had 09 Z06, if you can best Z06 in this Subaru, post some actual results.
BTW, how much does this thing really weigh? Between the motor, tranny, brakes, wheels and tires and structural reinforcements, I seriously doubt there is only 200 pounds gain.
utter nonsense. You must have been born in an environment full of businessmen. Has your father or friends ever told you that awesomeness has no rules? Dear scientist, you must not look at this topic like its going to be a weapon of mass destruction. If ever it fails, well then fix it make it better but don’t ever say it wont work because sooner or later, you’ll be in your super car listening to The Beatles and the BRZ06 shows up in the spotlight and smokes you… you will be… i don’t know what you be.
@Peter the scale tickets and corner balance result photos are on our instagram @wgperformance. The car weighed 2850lbs stock, and 3020lbs with the new swap including a 180lb weight in the driver’s seat for corner balancing.
And the Ban Hammer has been swung on petermj’s surly head. Enough.
As the adage goes: “it could be the sweetest, best tasting peach in the world, and there’s still going to be somebody out there who hates peaches. Or is a troll.”
the zo6 engine is a 7l. ls7, if im not mistaken. I think this is an astonishing feat of mechanical ingenuity but i don’t quite get the name. someone explain? please and thanks 🙂
I have 2004 wrecked Silverado
It got the Left Front Wheel bent the Frame raised the Floor !
The Motor was Running when the paramedic trying to get off
V8 6.0L with complete harness !
And Still sitting on 3
Texas Lone Star Wheels and tires
If the Price is Right I Will Sell it !
it would need a Roll back truck to move it as Steering is Knocked loose !