A beautiful BRZ that’s not a Rocket Bunny car. Yes!
"To build these cars is something that I really
do for myself, but at the same time, it's a great tool for the
business," began Greg Lilly, owner of Underground Graphics and this sexy
Subaru BRZ. "People relate the car with the shop, and it's been working
real well. I think it's a blessing. I get to do what I love and make a
living doing it." Greg's statement is simple yet all-encompassing,
showing not just the type of builder and businessman he is, but the type
of person he is. His company specializes in whatever your graphics
needs may be, from banners and signs to liveries and wraps. After
chatting with him, it took only a few moments to realize how much of an
easygoing, well-spoken individual he is. So we'll let him introduce the
story of this awesome BRZ project car: "I was at SEMA 2012 walking
around and, of course, I saw FR-S and BRZs everywhere," he told us. From
the car's popularity, it didn't take much for the BRZ to etch itself in
Greg's head. "There's something about the car, the brand, the people in
the community, and that flat-four boxer engine. Easy decision." 
2013 Subaru BRZ - Out Of The Blue
And so the project began right after SEMA, even
before he had the keys to his own BRZ. "I did something with this build
that I had never done before...I built it before I bought it. I knew I
wanted Subaru's World Rally Blue, so that's what I ordered, but I hadn't
even taken delivery of the car and I was already purchasing parts, for
example the aero. In a sea of manufacturers making products for the
FR-S/BRZ platform, deciding on a kit was actually one of the easier
tasks. I wanted this car to be perfect, different, and subtle," he
explained. What kit comes to mind that is both popular and definitely
not subtle? That's right. And it wasn't for Greg at all. "If I had a
dollar for everyone who said I should have gotten the Rocket Bunny
kit...you get the idea," he laughed. But being able to think outside of
the box is what separates people and helps to easily delineate the tiers
of car builders. Greg has used APR Performance aero products before, so
he called upon the company again for its carbon units for the exterior.
Design-wise, black wheels would complement the rich blue hue of the
chassis, so he ordered a set of SSR SP1s in matte black with anodized
lips. Sitting behind the spokes are a custom pair of blue Futura Design
brake calipers and top hats tying together the exterior of the vehicle.
The results speak for themselves—the car has quite a presence and the
black undertones almost make the car seem to glow. You are drawn to the
vehicle and as you get close, you are presented with the opportunity to
see the clean and detailed interior.
2013 Subaru BRZ - Out Of The Blue
Greg decided early that he wanted to utilize a
set of fresh Bride Stradia II Reims seats. As thrilled as he was when
they arrived, there was one problem he just couldn't get over...they had
blue stitching. That would have been fine and dandy given the exterior
of the car, but with the factory interior of the BRZ having red
stitching, it just didn't match. So Greg hit up JPM Coachworks and made a
special order of its Alcantara interior offerings. "I'll take one of
everything, but with blue stitching," he remembered telling them. He
even went so far as to order a brand-new handbrake assembly to send
along for upholstery—providing the ultimate complement to the
color-matched harness bar and blue Crow harnesses.
2013 Subaru BRZ - Out Of The Blue
For the high-caliber stance, Greg utilized an
airbag setup from Air Lift Suspension using custom dual tanks controlled
by AccuAir management. A color-matched Hotchkis strut bar sits in the
engine bay while duties underneath the chassis are taken care of by
Perrin's sway bars, control arm brace, and bushings. Additionally, SPL
Parts rear adjustable camber and toe arms aid in dialing in the
suspensions settings.
Giving the Subaru power to move from one show to
the next is a Vortech supercharger kit. Throw in a Nameless header, Non
Stop Tuning pulleys, and Perrin bolt-ons and the BRZ threw down 265whp
on the dyno, making this coupe more than capable of smoking the rear
tires.
2013 Subaru BRZ - Out Of The Blue
Some people get wound up and defensive the
second the term "Hardparker" gets thrown in to the mix, but not Greg. He
just smiles and takes it all in stride, hence his custom license plate.
He readily admits that the name is fitting given that the car really
doesn't get driven, but it doesn't bother him. Besides, after falling in
love with the BRZ, he finished the car and was selected to showcase it
at SEMA the following year. He's put together a BRZ that's complete head
to toe and sexy at the same time, and he's done it despite the
criticism of not going Rocket Bunny but by just going with his gut.
Tuning Menu
2013 Subaru BRZ
2013 Subaru BRZ
Owner Greg Lilly
Location Houston, TX
Occupation Owner, Underground Graphics
Power 265whp, 206 lb-ft of torque
Engine Vortech supercharger kit
with 9lb pulley; Nameless v.6 medium tube header; Non Stop Tuning
lightweight pulleys; Perrin over pipe, front pipe, cat-back exhaust, oil
cooler and tranny mount support brace; Crawford air oil separator; APR
radiator shroud; Braille 9lb battery with custom mount; NRG fender
washers
2013 Subaru BRZ - Out Of The Blue
Engine Management ECUtek software
Drivetrain Kartboy short throw shifter and shifter bushing
Footwork & Chassis Air Lift
Performance air bag suspension; AccuAir management with i-Level; dual
5lb VIAIR tanks with hardlines; Hotchkis strut bar; Perrin 22mm front,
16mm rear sway bars, rear end-links, rear urethane bushings, front
control arm brace and PSRS zero offset; SPL Parts rear adjustable camber
arms and adjustable toe arms
Brakes 356mm front, 330mm rear
Futura Design rotors with six-piston front, four-piston rear calipers,
steel braided brake lines; Perrin master cylinder support brace
Wheels & Tires 19x9" +37
front, 19x10" +37 rear SSR SP1 wheels in matte black with anodized lips;
215/35 R19 front, 225/35 R19 rear Hankook EVO Ventus tires; H&R
15mm spacers with extended studs; Gorilla lug nuts
2013 Subaru BRZ - Out Of The Blue
Exterior APR carbon-fiber front
lip, side skirts, rear bumper skirts and rear diffuser; Perrin shorty
antenna; Version Select rear spoiler; Lightwerks painted headlight
housings and STiR lens swap; T1R blue wide mirrors; smoked tail lights,
corner lights and daytime running lights; JDM side markers
Interior Bride Stradia II Reims
seats and seat rails; Crow harnesses; JPM Coachworks alcantara
upholstery on steering wheel, shifter boot, e-brake boot and handle,
center armrest, speaker pods, knee pads, dash panel, gauge hood, lower
door armrest, upper door panel, rear seats and rear seat armrest; ARC
titanium shift knob; Agency Power harness bar; ProSport 60mm Premium EVO
boost gauge; ATI 60mm vPod gauge mount; Sylvania ZEVO LED kit
Thanks You Gillman Subaru
Southwest, Dorbitz Designs, AccuAir, Airlift, Futura Design, JPM
Coachworks, Tanabe USA/SSR Wheels, APR Performance, Sony, Excel
Autobody, Mach V Motorsports, SPL Parts, Nameless, AWD Tuning,
StanceNation, Mayday Garage, Proper Garage, my team of 10+ years, Team
16NiSS, and my understanding and forgiving wife
Web Exclusive Photos
2013 Subaru BRZ Prosport Premium
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