The Subaru BRZ with the FA24 engine (introduced for the 2022+ model years) has quickly become a favorite among driving purists and tuners alike. With a larger displacement and improved torque curve over the previous FA20, the FA24 offers a stronger foundation for modifications. If you're working with a $2,000 budget, you can achieve meaningful gains in both power and reliability without cutting corners. This guide breaks down the best brands and upgrade strategies to get the most out of your FA24 BRZ while keeping the car dependable for daily driving or track use.

Understanding the BRZ FA24 Engine

The FA24 is a 2.4-liter horizontally opposed (boxer) four-cylinder engine found in the second-generation BRZ and Toyota GR86. Factory output sits at 228 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. While the engine is well-built with stronger internals than the FA20, it still benefits from addressing key limitations: restrictive intake and exhaust systems, conservative factory tuning, and a suspension setup that prioritizes comfort over ultimate grip. The FA24's direct injection system and high compression ratio (12.5:1) also mean that careful tuning is essential when adding airflow modifications to avoid knock or lean conditions.

Because the FA24 is relatively new, aftermarket support has grown rapidly. Most reputable brands now offer bolt-on parts designed specifically for this engine. When building on a $2,000 budget, you need to choose upgrades that provide the best power-per-dollar while maintaining long-term reliability. The following sections outline the most impactful categories and the brands that have proven themselves in real-world testing.

Top Performance Upgrades Under $2,000

1. Cold Air Intake Systems

Upgrading the intake is one of the simplest ways to improve throttle response and free up horsepower. The factory airbox is designed for noise reduction, which creates restriction. A cold air intake (CAI) or short ram intake with a high-flow filter can reduce intake restriction and lower intake air temperatures. For the FA24, expect gains of 5–10 horsepower at the wheels on a tuned car, with improved throttle feel even without tuning.

Recommended brands:

  • K&N – A proven name with a washable filter. Their 69-series Typhoon intake provides solid gains and a clean installation.
  • AEM – Known for dry-flow filters that don't require oiling. Their intake system for the FA24 is CARB-compliant and tested for consistent flow.
  • Injen – Their EVO series intakes feature a sealed box to reduce heat soak, making them ideal for warmer climates or track days.
  • Perrin – A favorite in the Subaru community. Their intake for the FA24 is designed with a smooth mandrel-bent tube and a high-flow filter.

Budget: $250–$450. Installation is straightforward with basic hand tools.

2. Cat-Back Exhaust Systems

A cat-back exhaust replaces the system from the catalytic converter back to the tips. This improves exhaust flow, reduces backpressure, and can shed 10–20 pounds of weight from the factory exhaust. The sound change is also more aggressive, which many owners appreciate. On a stock engine, a cat-back alone may only add 3–5 whp, but it becomes critical when combined with an intake and tune.

Recommended brands:

  • GReddy – Their Supreme SP and RS-Race cat-back systems offer deep tones and quality TIG welding. The Supreme SP is quieter for daily use while still flowing well.
  • Borla – The S-Type and ATAK cat-back systems are popular for the BRZ. Borla uses austenitic stainless steel and a patented technology to eliminate drone.
  • HKS – Known for the Legamax Premium and Spec LII, HKS exhausts are lightweight and produce a refined note.
  • MagnaFlow – A budget-friendly option with excellent build quality and a straight-through design. Their Overland series is also available for off-road use.

Budget: $400–$900. Most systems are bolt-on and require no modification.

3. ECU Tuning

This is the single biggest power gain you can achieve under $500. An ECU tune recalibrates fuel maps, ignition timing, and throttle response to take full advantage of any bolt-on mods. On a completely stock FA24, a flash tune can add 15–25 horsepower and noticeably improve the torque curve in the mid-range. When combined with an intake and exhaust, gains can approach 30–35 whp.

Recommended solutions:

  • ECUtek – Professional tuning platform used by most Subaru shops. You'll need to find a qualified tuner or purchase a pre-loaded map from a vendor like Delicious Tuning or Zachary's Tuning.
  • COBB Tuning – Their Accessport V3 is a user-friendly handheld device. COBB offers off-the-shelf (OTS) maps for the FA24, but custom tuning through a COBB pro tuner yields better results.
  • Open Flash Tablet (OFT) – A cost-effective entry point from Shiv Pathak. OFT includes free OTS maps and data logging capabilities. The tablet can be reflashed to any ECU and resold later.

Budget: $500–$800 for a handheld device with an OTS map, plus $200–$400 for a custom tune from a remote tuner. Total cost can stay under $1,000 if you go the OFT route.

4. Suspension Upgrades

Improving suspension is about more than lowering the car. For a budget of $400–$700, you can dramatically reduce body roll and improve turn-in response. However, within a $2,000 total budget, you may need to choose between an exhaust or suspension. If you prioritize handling, a set of coilovers from a trusted brand transforms the car's character.

Recommended brands:

  • BC Racing – Their BR series coilovers are affordable and adjustable for height and damping. The BR series offers a good street-to-track balance.
  • Tein – The Flex Z and Street Basis Z coilovers are popular for daily driver use. Tein uses durable materials and comes with a reasonable warranty.
  • Fortune Auto – The 500 series coilovers are built to order with digressive valving. They are slightly more expensive but offer excellent ride quality and performance.
  • Whiteline – If you prefer to keep the stock struts but upgrade sway bars and bushings, Whiteline's solid sway bars ($150–$200 each) and bushings provide a noticeable improvement without altering ride height.

Budget: $400–$1,200 for coilovers. Sway bars and bushings are cheaper but still effective.

Prioritizing Reliability Upgrades

Performance is only half the equation. The FA24 is a high-compression direct-injection engine, and certain reliability upgrades should be considered if you plan to drive hard or track the car. These upgrades may not add horsepower, but they prevent costly failures down the road. Within a $2,000 budget, you can include one or two reliability items.

Oil System Upgrades

The FA24 is known for oil temperature sensitivity under sustained high-RPM use. An oil cooler helps maintain consistent oil temps and protects bearings. Setrab and Mocal make quality oil cooler kits that are available from vendors like Jackson Racing or Perrin. Budget around $400–$600 for a complete kit.

Catch Can / AOS

Direct injection engines suffer from carbon buildup on intake valves because there is no fuel washing over them. A catch can (air-oil separator) reduces oil vapor entering the intake track. Radium Engineering and Verus Engineering produce well-reviewed dual catch can systems for the FA24. Budget $250–$400.

Sturdier Mounts

Engine and transmission mounts from Megan Racing or Perrin reduce drivetrain slop and improve shift feel. These are inexpensive (under $150) and easy to install.

Combining Upgrades for Maximum Impact

To maximize your $2,000 budget, prioritize a tune first. Without a tune, horsepower gains from intake and exhaust are marginal. A popular "stage 2" combination is: cold air intake ($350) + cat-back exhaust ($600) + ECU tune ($600) + a set of sway bars and bushings ($300). This leaves about $150 left over for a catch can or a decent oil cooler setup if you shop sales.

Another route if you value handling: skip the exhaust and put that money into BC Racing coilovers ($850) plus an intake ($350) and a tune ($600). The remaining $200 can go toward bushings or an oil cooler cap. This setup yields less peak horsepower but transforms the car's cornering ability.

If you're on a strict $2,000, consider used parts. The FA24 community is active on forums like FT86 Club and Reddit's r/GR86 where many sell gently used intakes and exhausts for 30–40% off retail. Just ensure any ECU tune device is unmarried from the previous vehicle before purchasing.

Budgeting and Prioritization – Sample Builds

Here are two sample builds that stay within $2,000 (including estimated installation if you do it yourself):

Build A: Power Focus

  • Injen EVO cold air intake – $380
  • MagnaFlow cat-back exhaust – $550
  • Open Flash Tablet (OFT) with custom e-tune – $700
  • Radium Engineering catch can – $350
  • Total: $1,980

Build B: Handling and Reliability Focus

  • Tein Flex Z coilovers – $800
  • Whiteline front and rear sway bars – $350
  • COBB Accessport V3 with OTS tune – $650
  • Verus Engineering AOS – $300
  • Total: $2,100 (exceeded slightly, but you can find deals or skip the AOS for now)

Conclusion

Upgrading your BRZ FA24 on a $2,000 budget is not only feasible but can yield a significantly more rewarding driving experience. The key is to choose components that offer the best performance per dollar while ensuring the engine stays happy. Start with an ECU tune—no other modification gives as much power for the price. Then add an intake or exhaust based on your sound and power goals. If you plan to track the car, invest in an oil cooler and catch can early.

By selecting trusted brands like K&N, GReddy, BC Racing, and ECUtek, you can build a car that is both faster and more reliable than the factory setup. The FA24 responds well to thoughtful modification, and with careful planning, you can stretch every dollar of that $2,000 budget to create a truly capable sports car.