The Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ‘s shared powerplant, the Subaru FA20 engine, leaves a lot to be desired. Luckily the ZN6 and ZC6 chassis are among the best supported cars for modding ever. There are several performance intake options for FR-S and intake options for BRZ, but if you’re not familiar with intakes or how they work, figuring out what’s going to be best for your needs and budget can be a bit confusing to a newcomer.

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Fortunately we’ve put together this straightforward guide to the different intake options for the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ to make it a bit easier to cut through the clutter.

Let’s start with the simplest mod for your intake system – a drop in performance filter that fits in your stock airbox. This is the best option if you’re extremely concerned about your warranty and a replacement filter isn’t going to redflag you at the dealer. These filters offer a minor improvement in performance and throttle response and you may hear a slightly more pronounced engine note. All of these are minor gains, but something you’ll notice a subtle difference with. Here are some of your options for drop in filters for FR-S/BRZ.


aFe Drop In Air Filter for FR-S/BRZ

  • Washable/reusable non-oiled cotton gauze filter

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perrin Drop In Air Filter for FR-S/BRZ

  • Dual Stage Open Foam Filter

K&N Drop In Air Filter for FR-S/BRZ

  • Cotton Gauze Filter Element

 

From here, now we get into modifying the intake system itself. There are two styles of intake available – systems that replace everything ahead of the MAF and systems that replace everything from filter to throttle-body. We’ll start with two systems that replace everything ahead of the MAF sensor. There are two systems we want to talk about here that are set up this way – Perrin Performance Cold Air Intake for FR-S/BRZ and the Mishimoto Cold Air Intake for FR-S/BRZ. Both of these systems relocate the air filter ahead of the radiator to draw in cooler air.

Note that both of these systems stop ahead of the Mass Air sensor – more on that in a moment. The Mishimoto design features a heat shield integrated into its design, which works in its favor. The Mishimoto Cold Air Intake for FR-S/BRZ yielded a +10whp/+8wtq gain, and it’s reasonable to say the Perrin system would offer similar gains.

Where things get fun is that you can pair this with Mishimoto’s Scion FR-S/BRZ Induction Hose, which replaces the section of intake between the mass air sensor and throttle body inlet. This inocous looking piece of tube adds an extra 5whp to these intake systems.
Then we have systems that replace the intake from throttle body to filter. Injen Technology offers a SP Air Intake for FR-S/BRZ which features a heat-shielded semi-sealed airbox, located in the same position as the OEM airbox and makes use of the OEM air inlet.

Injen Technology offers a SP Air Intake for FR-S/BRZ which features a heat-shielded semi-sealed airbox, located in the same position as the OEM airbox and makes use of the OEM air inlet.

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The heat shielding also helps minimize the potential for hot air ingestion. The Injen Intake is the best intake that doesn’t require the removal of the front bumper fascia, but if you are after the coldest air, moving the point of ingestion as far forward into the airstream makes sense.

On the dyno, the Injen Intake (SP1230) yielded a gain of +12whp and +9wtq, as well as letting you hear your Flat Four sing when you get on it. The heat shielding also helps minimize the potential for hot air ingestion.

 

At the top of the heap as far as development is concerned is the Takeda Sealed-Airbox Cold Air Intake for FR-S/BRZ. This system yields a gain of +9whp and +10wtq, and manages to outflow the OEM intake by 54%. Plus its rotomolded construction gives it a like-factory appearance.

All of the intake systems we’ve discussed offer a small but modest power increase and work best when combined with other mods for the greatest power gains. We hope that this guide has given you a good idea of what intakes are on the market for the FA20 and what the pros and cons of the different designs are.

If you’re interested in getting an intake for your FR-S/BRZ, we invite you to chat with our friendly and Knowledgeable Modification Experts by calling 714-582-3330 today, or chat live on www.modbargains.com

Thanks for reading and we’ll see you next time!

Story by Nicholas Gregson