Our brake setup consists of Hawk DTC-60 race pads, along with ATE Super Gold DOT 4 brake fluid. This means we can do some rigorous testing without the worry of brake fade or boiling brake fluid.

The ability to drive fast is limited by the ability to brake fast. That being said, we felt it was imperative to address the factory brake situation before hitting the track in our BRZ. Our setup, while basic, will make all the difference when it comes to putting down some solid lap times without the worry of brake fade. We installed Hawk DTC 60 brake pads all the way around, which has given us consistent stopping power, even in the face of aggressive usage and subsequent higher temperatures. We also swapped the OEM DOT 3 brake fluid for ATE Super Gold DOT 4 brake fluid, which has a higher boiling point, making it ideal for rigorous testing out on the track.

Without traction, our horsepower would be useless, so we equipped our BRZ with a new set of Bridgestone RE 71RS 200 treadwear tires. 200 treadwear tires are extreme performance tires, and while they won’t last as long as a regular commuter tire, their super sticky compound is perfect for the track. Most racing organizations consider 200 treadwear tires to be the lowest treadwear that can still be considered a street tire, as opposed to a full-on racing tire.

The Bridgestone RE 71RS 200 tires were an obvious choice for their solid grip and responsive handling.

The Aim Solo 2 DL uses an internal database that stores thousands of tracks all over the world, and has the ability to learn and memorize new tracks, making it the most precise GPS lap timer on the market. It has the ability to show lap times live, which will help to stay on pace.

If you know us, then you know that we’re firm believers that the proof is in the numbers. To keep track of lap times and data, we’ve installed the Solo 2 DL from Aim. This versatile little device does a lot more than timing, it provides a real-time visual of current lap times versus previous lap times and routes, so there won’t be any guessing when it comes to staying on pace. For our own purposes, this will be super useful as we try to recreate testing conditions and record the data. For consumer purposes, the Solo 2 is a cool product that provides tons of helpful information that will help to improve your track times, as well as give you the option to keep track of brake pressure, G force, throttle and more.

Once we were confident that our BRZ could effectively handle a day out on the track, we moved on to our main objective of putting a few cat-back exhaust systems to the test. Why upgrade the cat-back, you ask? Taking the approach that a new BRZ owner might take, we decided that a cat-back would be an easy bolt-on mod that could potentially improve the car’s performance while making it even better suited for the occasional track day. Generally speaking, replacing the OEM cat-back with an aftermarket performance version both improves the airflow and reduces back pressure, which ultimately means that the car can produce more power. The sound produced by a cat-back also just sounds cooler, giving your car that more aggressive, throaty rumble that is not just a subtle reminder that your car is a force to be reckoned with, but actually serves a purpose; the sound of a stock BRZ can be easily drowned out on a busy track, making it tough to hear when to shift. A cat-back is just the thing to provide the audio queues needed to shift the car at just the right moment.

An aftermarket cat-back exhaust replaces the stock system, giving your car a more aggressive sound while improving airflow and reducing back pressure. This allows the engine to breathe more efficiently, resulting in increased power.