Suspension upgrade recommendations

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by TLD

Thanks Andrew, my previous owner already have camber plate installed. In your opinion I should revert back to stock top hat? Or just keep them? I'm not upset because of my current setup is harsh, I just don't like how it jumps and that might potentially lead to loss of traction.

Camber plates are usually felt on sharp edged bumps. It sounds like poor rebound damping is the major factor for you, but the camber plates aren't helping. I would just recommend that you use stock top hats with whatever set up you move to in the future.

- Andrew

[Leonardo]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

RCE Yellows and B6 is awesome. Shipping a set of springs to Hong Kong is expensive though.

But yes I recommend RCE Yellow and B6. I will likely eventually do that on my own personal car. The B8s don't give any real advantage.

- Andrew

Been thinking about this... Is there any advantage to using the B8s over B6s with springs that are lower than the RCE Yellows? Thank you.

[TLD]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

Camber plates are usually felt on sharp edged bumps. It sounds like poor rebound damping is the major factor for you, but the camber plates aren't helping. I would just recommend that you use stock top hats with whatever set up you move to in the future.

- Andrew

Thanks man, this is really helpful.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by Leonardo

Been thinking about this... Is there any advantage to using the B8s over B6s with springs that are lower than the RCE Yellows? Thank you.

Very little advantage to B8s. No change in valving, same bump travel, less droop travel. They might have a different internal bumpstop though.

- andrew

[CounterSpace Garage]

Originally Posted by TLD

Thanks everyone for the replies. I'm really sorry that I forgot to mention my budget. But car parts price in Hong Kong is quite different to US/Europe, so my USD2k might not get me the same thing as you can (I think a new set of KW v3 is close to USD3k here). But I'd think in US terms, something ~USD1.5-2k.

I've heard some good words about TEINS, but which model and which spring rate?

Sadly I'm not part of the HK GT86 Club. If you have connections please let them know there's a stranded GT86 owner here in Hong Kong and would like to join their events. And maybe ride with some of their cars so I can feel which suspension I like the most.

Our CSG Spec Flex A are $1400 and will be coming into stock in April. It comes with the pillowball top hats and front camber plates. You can probably check out their GT86 FB page. We can discuss more over PM!

[finch1750]

Originally Posted by TLD

Thanks Andrew, my previous owner already have camber plate installed. In your opinion I should revert back to stock top hat? Or just keep them? I'm not upset because of my current setup is harsh, I just don't like how it jumps and that might potentially lead to loss of traction.

If you want some feedback based on first hand experience I went from coilovers that had plates to coils that use OEM and am extremely happy. I can still get more then -3 camber thanks to slotted struts and camber bolts so there is plenty of adjustment still. Mine was the same thing with harsh valving so changing to a quality coil with good valving helped a lot but the OEM rubber top hats make a difference as well.

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by Azzudien

Why not just get a stock suspension? Sure you could get relatively cheap from someone on these forums that has upgraded suspension for the track.
Seems that would solve most of your issues, and since you do not track is there really a need for more?

This is quite a relevant option.

[TLD]

Originally Posted by finch1750

If you want some feedback based on first hand experience I went from coilovers that had plates to coils that use OEM and am extremely happy. I can still get more then -3 camber thanks to slotted struts and camber bolts so there is plenty of adjustment still. Mine was the same thing with harsh valving so changing to a quality coil with good valving helped a lot but the OEM rubber top hats make a difference as well.

Thanks mate, that's really helpful.

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

This is quite a relevant option.

From all your comment seems going back to stock is a good option for me. I'll see if I can get a used set of stock suspensions. But some of you already know it is not that easy here in Hong Kong.

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by TLD

From all your comment seems going back to stock is a good option for me. I'll see if I can get a used set of stock suspensions. But some of you already know it is not that easy here in Hong Kong.

Story time.
I had after market dampers fitted to my car very soon after purchase 5 years ago. About 6 months ago I had oem suspension put back on the car while the after market dampers were being serviced. I was pleasantly surprised at how good I found the oem units and I am not the only one on these forums who thinks so.

If you can find them I think the oem dampers would meet your criteria.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

Story time.
I had after market dampers fitted to my car very soon after purchase 5 years ago. About 6 months ago I had oem suspension put back on the car while the after market dampers were being serviced. I was pleasantly surprised at how good I found the oem units and I am not the only one on these forums who thinks so.

If you can find them I think the oem dampers would meet your criteria.

Yep. As I have said before and will say again a lot of the hate for OEM parts (including suspension) is simply because they are OEM. The mindset that aftermarket is always "better" or an "upgrade" can be misguided. There are a lot of aftermarket parts out there that are crap and blown right out of the water by the OEM stuff.

[finch1750]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

Story time.
I had after market dampers fitted to my car very soon after purchase 5 years ago. About 6 months ago I had oem suspension put back on the car while the after market dampers were being serviced. I was pleasantly surprised at how good I found the oem units and I am not the only one on these forums who thinks so.

If you can find them I think the oem dampers would meet your criteria.

A local guy reverted his car back to stock before selling it and said the same thing. And he had Ohlins

[Azzudien]

Suggest you just have someone in the states ship to you. You could buy a used OEM suspension on this forum, pay for shipping and still be 1/3 of the cost of aftermarket.

[TLD]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

Story time.
I had after market dampers fitted to my car very soon after purchase 5 years ago. About 6 months ago I had oem suspension put back on the car while the after market dampers were being serviced. I was pleasantly surprised at how good I found the oem units and I am not the only one on these forums who thinks so.

If you can find them I think the oem dampers would meet your criteria.

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Yep. As I have said before and will say again a lot of the hate for OEM parts (including suspension) is simply because they are OEM. The mindset that aftermarket is always "better" or an "upgrade" can be misguided. There are a lot of aftermarket parts out there that are crap and blown right out of the water by the OEM stuff.

Originally Posted by finch1750

A local guy reverted his car back to stock before selling it and said the same thing. And he had Ohlins

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm looking into OEM suspension now. Another question: does the BRZ suspension fit the 2012 86? or does the 2017 model fit the 2012? Thanks.

Originally Posted by Azzudien

Suggest you just have someone in the states ship to you. You could buy a used OEM suspension on this forum, pay for shipping and still be 1/3 of the cost of aftermarket.

I'm checking out the sells posts. Hope to find some good deal there!

[finch1750]

Originally Posted by TLD

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm looking into OEM suspension now. Another question: does the BRZ suspension fit the 2012 86? or does the 2017 model fit the 2012? Thanks.

They all fit. Just different spring rates between them all. And the 2015+ shocks are better valving then the MY12-14 supposedly.