comparison of tS suspension

[Aluma007]

I test drove a tS yesterday and noticed a much firmer ride than my normal brz.

What are the specs of stock shocks/springs compared to the tS shocks/springs and compared to say RCE yellows with konis or bilsteins b8's?

trying to figure out if its better to get spring/shock combo or just go for the superstreet 1 Racecomps coilovers or the CSG flex specs.

The body roll on stock suspension is driving me nuts on autocross days.

[cjd]

Body roll itself won't make you slow, it's simply physics in motion... and it indicates suspension that works. What else is happening with the body roll that's actually the problem? That's not to say that reducing it won't help.



Spring rates on the CSG Flex and the RCE SS1 are the same at 6k square. No idea how the damping compares, but also both single adjustable and I'd guess reasonably similar settings are available in the sweet spot. Though bound to be different. Any of your proposed changes will change handling through height reduction, spring rate difference, and damping differences.


Also curious about your alignment. It can make or break the package.



As an aside, don't drive a Miata if you're not fond of body roll.

[nikitopo]

If you have the normal BRZ and not the one with the performance package, then yes there is considerable difference. Different shocks by Sachs and a bit stiffer springs. The springs should not be confused with the JDM STI ones which offer a 15mm height reduction. An additional bracing in the tS like the flexible v-bars and the draw stiffeners help too. If you liked the tS suspension, then go for it. Subaru made an extensive research on it and they said that it outperforms even the previous generation JDM tS suspension which was a custom made Bilstein yellow.

[BlueWhelan]

I just put the performance pack suspension on my ‘13 brz. Noticeable step up. Even more so with additional camber in the front.

You can change the balance quite a lot with alignment changes.

As previously mentioned, having some body roll is not a bad thing. These cars have limited bump travel anyway, so preserving the ride height somewhat can be very beneficial. Body roll is a great medium of communication with your vehicle as well... it’s a great indication of weight transfer.

Are the Bilsteins even available yet? They’ve been unavailable seemingly forever at this point...


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[nikitopo]

Other options for autocross could be the Sachs performance coilovers or if you can spend a bit more then the Ohlins R&T coilovers. I wouldn't consider the Bilstein coilovers (B16 PSS's), because they have too aggressive rear spring rates (~7.0 kg!!).

[gpvecchi]

Keep in mind that tS has not just different suspensions, but all the bushings are different. I actually have an 86 with PP, STi JDM springs and I'm switching all my bushings with STi/TRD. Really another car, but my wallet cries...

[Aluma007]

didn't want a drop since the roads here are pretty bad, thats why i wanted the tS springs/shocks. However, since I can't seem to find any, My only option is a drop spring or coils. :/ But I see so many stories of clunking and rebuilding and what not, that it puts me off to change them out. but black friday deals just make it so tempting...

[BlueWhelan]

Originally Posted by Aluma007

didn't want a drop since the roads here are pretty bad, thats why i wanted the tS springs/shocks. However, since I can't seem to find any, My only option is a drop spring or coils. :/ But I see so many stories of clunking and rebuilding and what not, that it puts me off to change them out. but black friday deals just make it so tempting...

Word around the grapevine is that Bilstein may actually be gearing up to start distributing their B6/8's again. (this has been the case for months though...) Maybe watch the F/S threads for some PP/tS springs and match those to some fresh B6s or Konis when the time comes?

If you really feel that you need to do something about the body roll, a mild sway bar upgrade could be the ticket.

[Vital]

Or you could go for the USDM STI Springs which are only a 10mm drop.
https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124639

[Aluma007]

Originally Posted by BlueWhelan

Word around the grapevine is that Bilstein may actually be gearing up to start distributing their B6/8's again. (this has been the case for months though...) Maybe watch the F/S threads for some PP/tS springs and match those to some fresh B6s or Konis when the time comes?

If you really feel that you need to do something about the body roll, a mild sway bar upgrade could be the ticket.

correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought sways change steady state balance at the limit and are used as a fine tuning. The car rotates a little too well as it is, I'd hate to set it up too stiff and have it just keep coming around on me while I'm out there or on the street. I think a stiffer spring with a matched damper would do a better job. Yellows with konis/bilsteins would be great but if the tS is just as good and OEM, I'd rather go that route to keep it looking clean. However there's hardly any modded 86/brz twins around these parts and the two I've seen, I haven't had a chance to talk to those guys to see what they've done to their cars.

[86MLR]

I had the PP Sachs on my 17, I replaced them with MCA street performance coilovers and the handling improvement is night and day and they are more compliant/comfortable on rough roads as well.

6kg front, 4.5kg rear with valving to match.

I feel no need to swap out the OEM sways as it handles so good now.

I also installed the "MCA traction mod" with great results.

The Sachs dampers were pretty average IMO, better than OEM stockers, but still not what I would call good or compliant.

I would always upgrade my dampers and springs before sways, with bigger sways you are generally sacrificing grip to achieve desired handling characteristics.

Well, thats what I think anyway, opinions are gonna vary.

[monkeybike]

Originally Posted by gpvecchi

Keep in mind that tS has not just different suspensions, but all the bushings are different. I actually have an 86 with PP, STi JDM springs and I'm switching all my bushings with STi/TRD. Really another car, but my wallet cries...

Do you have a picture of how the car sits on the Sachs and STi springs? Is the car firmer or softer than the stock PP springs?

[nikitopo]

Originally Posted by gpvecchi

Keep in mind that tS has not just different suspensions, but all the bushings are different. I actually have an 86 with PP, STi JDM springs and I'm switching all my bushings with STi/TRD. Really another car, but my wallet cries...

What have you changed? Did you solve the issue with the rear subframe lower stopper?

[gpvecchi]

https://imgur.com/WSovKDx
Not the best photo, but this is the look of STi springs.


I used stock springs for just 5 days, so I can't really compare them with STi. My feeling is that front is almost the same, while the back seems a little softer. This could have sense, as STi springs are the same of the previous models, while Toyota and 2017- Subaru have harder rear springs.


I actually replaced top mounts, steering rack and wishbones bushings with TRD, I have the sway bar bushings to fit. Plus, I have STi steering rack bolts, TRD member brace set, TRD strut bar and GR rear lower bar. I have 14R60 trunk bar to fit.

I solved my issue with STi stoppers removing them, I think they are made to work with STi rear bushings (harder), but I still not have them on my car.