All the different springs...
 

I am looking for a set of springs for a mild drop (approx 1") that will not turn the ride harsh, ideally close to stock in firmness (BRZ). I also do not want to cut bumpstops.

There are alot of springs out there with different rates.. can anyone 'in the know' post a list of the available springs with rates, drops and whether they come with bumpstops or if you have to cut the stock ones?

Thanks

The only springs that come with replacement bumpstops are our RCE Yellows and the eibach springs. I'd recommended ours or the eibach pro kit for you.

- Andrew

Ahh thanks I did not look far enough to see that the list had already been done.

Thanks

Want to see some more reviews of the swift brz springs myself.

Noticed on Tirerack that the hotchkis springs also come with bumpstops.

Not 100% sure but I think eibach makes them for hotchkis so probably the same bumpstop if so.

We have had both these kits in and Hotchkis does not include bumpstops.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scSLwPbQcEA"]Eibach Pro Kit vs. Hotchkis Sport Springs - Scion FRS and Subaru BRZ - YouTube[/ame]

Let us know if you have any questions. We offer all these options including RCE springs.

Cheers!
-Yo

Hi JoeBoxer,

Eibach does NOT make anything for Hotchkis.

Hotchkis designs and manufactures their own products.

-Aaron

I have a set of hotchkis that did NOT come with bump stops. So unless that's something they added since early December they are not included.

Tirerack website has this in the text:

"Hotchkis Sport Suspension Sport Springs provide a combination of performance and comfortable ride characteristics for domestic, European and Asian vehicles. The springs feature a linear rate design. For added suspension travel, Hotchkis Sport Suspension includes replacement front and rear bump stops with each set."

And the photo shows them as well.

Checked the hotchkis site and sure enough no mention of bumpstops, so sent hotchkis an email, not buyin any without new bumpstops...

Sorry like I said I wasn't sure but I had heard that, sorry if I caused any confusion!

If that's the case then all 10 Hotchkis sets we have in stock are packaged wrong. They do not include bump stops.

Mebbe tirerack has an agreement with em I dunno, but I will wait for the manufacturer to respond. Or.. mebbe I order em from tirerack and then complain and get a deal because they are missing the bumpstops that they advertise they come with.

He said she said +) Check tirerack's site, you will see the text and photo both claiming the hotchkis kit comes with bumpstops. Mebbe Hotchkis likes Tirerack more?

I'm sure the tire rack pictures and description are not vehicle specific. Most of the pictures i know are not.

Tireracks photo of the Hotchkis springs for the Scion FRS and Subaru BRZ is not a picture of the springs at all.

This is what they look like:

http://ft86speedfactory.com/images/19445-2.JPG

Typical of a web team to copy and paste. Irkitating, but common.

No worries JoeBoxer! We are all here to get great info about our cars! Cheers!

It's not like tire rack is the only ones to do this, it would be asking a lot for them to take a picture of every application and post them. Ft86 speed factory does a great job for us but tirerack carries multiple brands for every car line that would be asking a lot.

Yeah, currently Tirerack uses generic product pictures per manufacturer. They are not actual photos of the intended application. I believe they are working on fixing this problem. Tirerack receives the same product that all the other great vendors here get, so no special treatment or anything like that.

Just to clarify, the Hotchkis coil springs do not provide bumpstops. You will need to trim the OE bumpstops, which is pretty common practice in many other lowering springs in different applications.

-Aaron

Yeah I was aware that trimming bumpstops is common practice (installed Teins on my last 2 Yaris's) This time around when I saw some manu offer springs with bumpstops i decided that was what I wanted. Now this time the dealer is installing the springs for me (even more of a reason to have replacement bumpstops).

The dealer is keeping the primacy's and in exchange installing my lowering springs, wheels and tires.. now I have until March 1 to get them delivered so I can get them up to the dealer before i pick up the car later in March.

Tirerack has come clean and admitted that their site is wrong in stating the springs come with the bumpstops for the BRZ!

Shame I hoped my options were greater than just the RCE and Eibach..

While the number of options are smaller than you anticipated, both options are very high quality and seem to suit what you're looking for. They're also quite different in spring rate approach.

Go RCE if you want the same spring rates front and rear, or Eibach Pro Kit if you want a ratio that's in between the stock FRS and BRZ spring rates. Both are going to be a bit firmer than stock without the significant bump of NVH that cheap coilovers result in.

If it was a choice of 2 shitty brands, I could understand, but you really can't go wrong with either.

And now we've gone WAY off topic. Back to the OP's original post...

1" lowering will require new bump stops or cutting the old ones. Plain and simple, no way around it on this car. Hell, when the 08 STi/WRX came out we found a great improvement by trimming the stock bump stops on a stock setup.

As for springs, and what you are buying I am a STRONG believer in knowing what you spend your money on. In this case, look at springs where they publish data. Even something as simple and spring rates! Many companies do not.

From there use some common sense. For example, on stiffness. Stock dampers are usually good for 15-20% stiffer than stock spring, BUT it will affect longevity of the damper. That's just part of the game.

On top of that with a lower spring you loose compression travel. Compensation is a stiffer spring. I am reminded of a spring that was popular for another make some time ago the had crazy lower, and softer than stock spring rates. They did not publish the rates and the data was not found until someone tested them. People bought them for looks. The end result was dead dampers in a very short order.

Speaking of lowering. Lets talk about that - go too much and you ruin suspension geometry. If you're after looks then go for it. If you're after handling then that's a topic for another thread which we'll address in just a little bit.

Finally heard back from Hotchkis today, they do not think cutting the bumpstops is mandatory with the mild drop... Which is why no bumpstops included I guess, and cutting is optional..

I don't like the idea of the RCE with the equal spring rates so that means I have only one choice... I want as close to stock in balance as I can get.

The same spring rate bias as stock does not mean the same handling balance as stock....things change when you lower the car and increase rates (and also change tires). It's not as simple as increasing the stock rates by 15% in the front and rear. The front and rear are completely different suspensions and react to 1 inch of lowering differently. There are improvements to be made by thinking outside of the box. Many of our customers track and auto-x their cars and are very happy with the balance of the car in those applications.

- Andrew

Yeah I don't track or auto-x the drop is for looks, but I don't want the ride to then be pushed towards harsh or too firm. I want to retain as much of the comfort as i can. I went Teins and tokico blues on the current car and its just a little too firm for my liking. Went GR2's and Teins on the one prior and it was more or less the same as the current.
This time around I want a little drop and a ride as close to oem as I can get.

What did you end up getting?

I have had the same problem choosing. I may end up going with RCE springs and koni shocks later when I have the money.

Anyone know where one could buy the bump stops? I like the RCE springs but I like the hotchkis ones as well and the price is a pretty big difference.

I think if it were me I would be on the RCE's I like their rates...

Yea, decided to go ahead and pull the trigger on them.

The best thing about RCE springs is that their resale value is high. The wagon springs they made for the GD Impreza always sold for ~$270-300 used.

That's good to hear! I have a habit of only owning cars for a short period of time.

So I noticed from your proclamation concerning the new WRX concept on NASIOC. :lol:

:thumbup:

I can't wait to see what those springs look like on your car with your wheel/tire setup.