2013 VS 2015 BRZ Suspension changes

[fasteddy]

I have heard that there were new suspension changes for 2015. I have yet to find any good solid info so far. I keep coming across references to 2015's having Sachs dampers, or just different dampers.

I bought a full stock suspension from another member out of a 2015 Series Blue. These are Showa units, not Sachs. They do have a different part # than the 2013-2014. I pulled these part #'s off of the web:

SHOCK ABSORBER-REAR .
This genuine part fits your 2013 Subaru BRZ .
Stock Code 20365CA011 ; 20365CA010
SHOCK ABSORBER-REAR .
This genuine part fits your 2015 Subaru BRZ .
Stock Code 20365CA110

STRUT COMPLETE-FRONT LEFT .
This genuine part fits your 2015 Subaru BRZ .
Stock Code 20310CA130
STRUT COMPLETE-FRONT LEFT .
This genuine part fits your 2013 Subaru BRZ .
Stock Code 20310CA031 ; 20310CA030

The spring part #'s appear to be the same.

Anyways I am just throwing this out there for reference. I am pushing on 40,000 miles and figured a new setup out of a 2015 should be an improvement, although how much is yet to be seen.

I will post up my impressions after I put the 2015 stuff in. That won't be for a month or so though. I may wait until after my first track day of the year so I can have a good comparison.

Anyone actually seen any stock Sachs dampers in a US BRZ?

Pat

edit-this is the only real review between the two I have found yet http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...&postcount=432


************************5-14-2015 Edit-update after install!**********************************

I finally got the 2015 suspension installed in my car last week. I have had a chance to put a few hundred miles on it now. All I have to say is. WOW, I cannot believe how nice the car rides now!

The main difference that I noticed is that I do not seem to harshly feel every single bump in the road like I did before. Perhaps they softened up the compression or something? The car feels simply a lot more composed and is not seem to get as upset over bumps.

The car definitely rides a lot nicer than with the 2013 suspension.

I have a track day on Monday so I will see how it really handles then. I do not suspect there will a big difference as far as that is concerned.

Pat

[x1UP]

How much did you buy the Series.Blue stock suspension for?

[N234]

Thanks for the info!

[nikitopo]

I don't think that by changing just the dampers you'll have the best result. The chassis is stiffer in the 2015 models and the dampers were changed because of this. One well known change are the new suspension mounts (new bolts and nuts). You can find the new part numbers here.

The Sachs dampers can be ordered only by Toyota Japan. They are sold as an additional part for Toyota 86. As you said, the new dampers in BRZ are again by Showa.

[Calum]

Guys, I really doubt that a slightly different bolt head could make a noticable difference in the feel of the car. Especially considering where they are. All of them are mainly in shear, not tension where that different head design MIGHT make the assembly stiffer. Even then I highly doubt the new design would make any difference at all. It's probably just a different supplier or, for some reason, the new bolts are cheapers.

[nikitopo]

It is not only the head different and the designers usually do not make anouncements if the change is only the supplier. Anyway, I don't think it is worth to discuss this. The extra cost is just a few dollars and they don't need any extra installation effort. Personally, I wouldn't take the risk not to change them.

[fasteddy]

Originally Posted by x1UP

How much did you buy the Series.Blue stock suspension for?

I got my set for $200 shipped.

Originally Posted by Calum

Guys, I really doubt that a slightly different bolt head could make a noticable difference in the feel of the car. Especially considering where they are. All of them are mainly in shear, not tension where that different head design MIGHT make the assembly stiffer. Even then I highly doubt the new design would make any difference at all. It's probably just a different supplier or, for some reason, the new bolts are cheapers.

I agree with you about the bolts. I am sure they cannot hurt anything, but I would be very surprised if they produced any noticeable difference in handling or ride.

Pat

[fasteddy]

************************5-14-2015 Edit-update after install!**********************************

I finally got the 2015 suspension installed in my car last week. I have had a chance to put a few hundred miles on it now. All I have to say is. WOW, I cannot believe how nice the car rides now!

The main difference that I noticed is that I do not seem to harshly feel every single bump in the road like I did before. Perhaps they softened up the compression or something? The car feels simply a lot more composed and is not seem to get as upset over bumps.

The car definitely rides a lot nicer than with the 2013 suspension.

I have a track day on Monday so I will see how it really handles then. I do not suspect there will a big difference as far as that is concerned.

Pat

[Cope52]

Whenever they say "revised" or "retuned" shocks/suspension its almost always softer. If it were firmer, they'd say so. I drove a '15 BRZ it's definitely softer. I think the earlier cars ride just fine, especially for the level of handling.

[Hyper4mance2k]

Originally Posted by fasteddy

************************5-14-2015 Edit-update after install!**********************************

I finally got the 2015 suspension installed in my car last week. I have had a chance to put a few hundred miles on it now. All I have to say is. WOW, I cannot believe how nice the car rides now!

The main difference that I noticed is that I do not seem to harshly feel every single bump in the road like I did before. Perhaps they softened up the compression or something? The car feels simply a lot more composed and is not seem to get as upset over bumps.

The car definitely rides a lot nicer than with the 2013 suspension.

I have a track day on Monday so I will see how it really handles then. I do not suspect there will a big difference as far as that is concerned.

Pat

Confimation of what I have been saying. I don't think it's softer at all, I think they have a batter dampining curve that better matches the spring rates. The old struts had to adapt to a pretty broad rance of spring rates that they were throwing in the 86, FRS, & BRZ.

I can also confirm that the 2015 struts are better valved for Swift Spec R's I run. Rebound control is much better in my 2015 than in my 2014. (though now I have my Bilsteins installed)

edit: I also think it's worth noting that Subaru said in their press release that the 2015 chassis was stiffer to combat the noises from spirited driving. I'm guessing they're talking about the rear deck lid popping noises.

[donoman]

Originally Posted by fasteddy

************************5-14-2015 Edit-update after install!**********************************

I finally got the 2015 suspension installed in my car last week. I have had a chance to put a few hundred miles on it now. All I have to say is. WOW, I cannot believe how nice the car rides now!

The main difference that I noticed is that I do not seem to harshly feel every single bump in the road like I did before. Perhaps they softened up the compression or something? The car feels simply a lot more composed and is not seem to get as upset over bumps.

The car definitely rides a lot nicer than with the 2013 suspension.

I have a track day on Monday so I will see how it really handles then. I do not suspect there will a big difference as far as that is concerned.

Pat

Looking forward to hearing your feedback. I finally got used to my 2013 FR-S suspension but my initial feeling (after almost buying a 2015) was that it was REALLY rough.

I have a set from a 2015 BRZ waiting to go into my car but I was contemplating some lowering springs. However, none of the Bilstein/Eibach/RCE's have specific springs for the 2015+ suspension and I am guessing they were designed with the 2013-2014 car in mind. So now I'm wondering if that will be dumb to put lowering springs from a 2013-2014 on shocks from a 2015. Yes, first world problems.

With that being said, I think the FR-S handles wonderfully in the canyons and I am so amazed by the suspension that I really don't want to screw it up.

[nikitopo]

There were no changes on springs. Old lowering springs are compatible with newer OEM struts.

[donoman]

Update:

Just installed suspension from 2015 Series.Blue BRZ into my 2013 FR-S and there is a noticeable difference. The car handles bumps a lot better and the feeling is that the ass is more planted. Whereas before, I could easily get the back end to step out by simply gassing in 2nd gear around a left-hand turn, that is no longer the case.

Ride quality is marginally improved and it's a worthwhile modification over the 2013 FR-S shocks if you're looking for a calmer ride. For the price I got my suspension ($250) used, it was entirely worth it.

Suspension took approximately 2.5 hours to complete from wheels up to wheels down, and this was the first time I've done it on an '86.

[Teseo]

Acording with op the "new" suspension make the car more soft, i pass
By the way how much cost everything