RSR Suspension Available
 

Found this on the RSR website. Looks like these are all ready to go.

http://www.rs-r.co.jp/e/script/items...ZC6&suspension

very awesome!!! great find! the aftermarket companies are really jumping on this car. i feel that was one of the down falls of the rx8.... the aftermarket world just didnt invest.

RS*R Sports-i Coilover system installed (pics)
 

Today, following last Friday's Cusco parts install, my FRS went into the facility of RS*R USA to fit my other purchase, the Sports-i suspension system.

This unit is a variant of the not so well-known RS*R i-Shock, specifically designed for the FRS/BRZ/86.

After a few days of hard, all out track, autocross, and casual canyon drive, as well as driving through downtown Las Vegas last month in the Pre-Production Final Product spec, and also through 8 days of various city traffic and highways in my own 9 day old FRS. I have had plenty of time in the original setup, born of Mr.Tada and his team, of the original suspension.

While I am pretty fond of the FRS's OEM suspension, I asked RSR, my long-time source for the nicest Japanese made custom made suspension firm, to see if they had something I can purchase. A bit of waiting, the president of RS*R, Mr.K.Terai, brought over personally from Japan, a set of customized FRS set.

For those who don't know much about RS-R's i-Shock line, the suspension system can be ordered with custom valving, spring sets, piston lengths, and from a database they have of vehicle specific applications. Their standard product is tailored to your needs, if specified, and if not, they come in RS*R's own well-tested setup. It's a bit more expensive than most of your generic coil-over systems, but it features the patented monotube design with billet alloy parts, along with RSR's patented internal valve. This all translated to increased piston travel over the more common twin tube internals, and adjust-ability range that is quite useful on many street cars, that see track use often.

Because of the mono-tube RSR design, the dampers' initial rate of compression is quick, yet very even through further loads. And what this translates to is the ability to have lower overall damper setting, without sacrificing effectiveness of the full motion damping rate. The damping rate is very uniform, and therefore stiffer springs can be combined but still allow for very compliant ride due to shocks not needing to be very high on compression damping or rebound valving.

One of the constraints for the FRS's original suspension is the costs prohibiting such exotic and expensive damper units. Though the FRS exhibits fine driving attitudes on both road and track, and much more refined than any previous Toyota perhaps, it isn't a $50,000 car either, and can't be equipped with things like this out of the box. High-end cars like the Porsche 911 and many exotics do use similar advanced valve mono-tubes, and for the FRS, I chose to see if RSR can better the already superb but cost-limited production twin-tube FRS setup it came with.

A Japanese mechanic, nicknamed "Steve" Shinichi Yamazaki from RSR-Japan who happened to be in town for Formula D, took great care in installation for me today. Starting with corner weighting, marking alignments, and even weighing me (the driver) to install and carefully adjust the suspension to 32mm drop at front and 28mm at rear. From a previous talk I had with CE, Tada of Toyota, his recommendation for suspension lowering of -20mm+/-15mm for dynamic alignment of the arms, I went on the lower height end of the spectrum just for kicks.

One of my small (tiny) complaint about the FRS was its jittery, easily upset, balance of the car by Los Angeles' rough, less ideal pavement gaps and fillers, which tended to take your steering a bit more than I liked... (Tuned very aggressively for the track, the lower cost factory unit could not cover for both scenarios too perfectly I guess? as OEM is really perfect for the track, amazingly enough for a production car from Toyota)

The RSR's Sport-i, despite the higher spring rate, actually proved to be more compliant for the streets, due to the much more sophisticated damper valves. The car instantly became as comfortable and composed as many, and more expensive European car, and all the precise motions of the car seemed to be intact. I haven't had a chance to put it to the test on the raceway just yet, but with added capability of spring tuning, and fairly useful and wide range of damper settings, I can almost feel that the Sport-i will prove to be just as fun on the track, given I know what the heck I shall be doing. (I have a rough idea but it's not easy to improve on the performance end of the FRS as it came) But at least for now it seems the jitter and tracking of faily stiff city ride OEM damper is now calmed with the expensive damper which the $25,000 MSRP car, originally could not be equipped.

Here's some photos of the install, and I will write more when I get a bit more time behind this on the raceway and other venues or conditions. So far so EXCELLENT. You get what you pay for at RSR.

Now I need to look for some 18" wheels and tires as recommended for this application by TRD and RSR.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8015/7...06b71ed8_b.jpg
Corner Weight Scale by Moto@Club4AG, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7073/7...665954a5_b.jpg
Untitled by Moto@Club4AG, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8004/7...44a7f397_b.jpg
RS*R Sports-i for Scion FRS/Subaru BRZ by Moto@Club4AG, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8011/7...307114e5_b.jpg
RS*R Sports-i for Scion FRS/Subaru BRZ by Moto@Club4AG, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7082/7...3de69948_b.jpg
Untitled by Moto@Club4AG, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7231/7...0c8bf3d3_b.jpg
RS*R Sports-i for Scion FRS/Subaru BRZ by Moto@Club4AG, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7212/7...67215f39_b.jpg
Corner Weight Scale master display by Moto@Club4AG, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7223/7...2b6299d2_b.jpg
RS*R Sports-i for Scion FRS/Subaru BRZ by Moto@Club4AG, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7237/7...aa490b01_b.jpg
RS*R Sports-i for Scion FRS/Subaru BRZ by Moto@Club4AG, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8012/7...8a9121e2_b.jpg
Untitled by Moto@Club4AG, on Flickr


Oppps, I forgot to take a photo of how the car looks with this chosen height! I'll add that later this evening.

One thing I forgot to note: The FRS/BRZ's OEM suspension arms are really long, which is ideal for lowering by aftermarket applications, as dynamic alignment does not change much over a wide range of articulation. Another nice (and more expensive but sport oriented) method that Chief Tada and his team, from Subaru and Toyota, made sure was incorporated in the FT86 chassis, to allow for various aftermarket firms to play with without ill-effects.

Man I like this car more and more each day!

Will they be available for purchase in the USA?

how dare you tease us and not post up finished pics!!!! LOL It looks absolutely amazing!!! thank you for pioneering so many things for the community!!! :thanks::thumbsup:

Yes, they are special order items, which require your call to RSR USA, and any choices and options (through their recommendations if you don't know enough about specifying details on suspensions, to have them custom configure something that will closely fit your needs/desires)

Because of this, it may take a couple of weeks in configuring, but what you get at the end of this, is a pre-set, customized damper systems that fit exactly your needs, and quality of something made by a firm with lots of passion, a rich history, and pretty big resources and experience in motorsports and automobile user-needs.

Prices depend on these selections/options, and how fast you want it drop shipped to your door, or at your qualified shop for installation. I highly recommend a professional install that includes corner weighting, and alignment recalibration as that will ensure your investment will come to life the best way possible.

hello, are you saying that lowering the car wont negatively effect its handling abilities?

Yes, I am saying that with PROPERLY designed suspension sets that are as worthy or better than OEM parts, the dynamic alignment can and will stay ideal over a wide range of ride-height with stock arms and sub-components. That was one of the design goals built into the car.

However, this is not to say that a cheap "look-at-me" eBay coilover purchased for $1000 or less, will make any improvements... And might sure ruin something if you aren't careful, as coil-overs may seem similar in shape from the outside, it is VERY different in construction, materials, design, application setting, and final configuration by designers/installers/and users.

LOL! Well teasing wasn't my intentions as much as I was just way too thrilled at already curing something that ever so slightly bugged me about the FRS, which is the somewhat harsh city ride, and that politics-legal-PD-induced monster truck ride height....LOL Good thing Tada-san was clever enough to work around it by specifying arms and rods that work over wide range of height, and secure dynamic travel that is consistent through motions. He even touched on the fact that the FRS/BRZ/86 suspension arms are ideal at 20mm drop!!

Is RS*R planning on releasing an exhaust? I had their Ex Mag GT II on my Evo and absolutely loved the design and sound on it. THey had it slip on style with spring fasteners instead of bolting it together.

Thanks for info! I got alot out of it. :w00t:

As of now, RS-R has stopped R&D and manufacturing of exhaust systems due to the overly aggressive ways that competitors copy, clone, and resulting consumers getting short end of the shaft, as well as general consumer trends just not opting for enough of them with the flooded marketplace. This may change in the future, but such is the state of tuner industry today.

They have concentrated resources on advanced suspension designs and RANUP surface modifier that works with lubricants. Both products that are truly beneficial to any owner who wants true quality products.

You're welcome, I hope to bring more in-depth knowledge of how some modifications can be justified with a bit of truth and investment worth your hard earned money.

My wish is to develop this FRS/BRZ in ways that will add more pleasure to your long term ownership, and hopefully to see this more like a long-term relationship with the car, like the AE86 has been and still is after 27 years...

And to keep people in the loop at the most detailed of knowledge, so as to understand the beauty that is designed into the FRS/BRZ/86 well beyond the surface, specs, and simple, current trends.

The Passion, CE Tada was speaking of, is not shallow at all, and it goes deep into the 6 years of his team's hard work at Subaru and Toyota.

Love it! Can't wait for the After pics and your track impressions!!

You're doing a good service to the forum. I would like to know how you chose RS*R and how did they help you during the process for such a setup? I'm not very familiar with RS*R but I've heard good things.

Do they include shock dynos to prove that the dampers are matched? What spring rates did you go with?

Thanks for the tidbits Moto-P. It's good to hear the RS*R dampers ride better on rough surfaces than stock despite firmer spring rates. This implies a more digressive damper versus stock, which is always good IMO.

Did RS*R spec the damper such that it retains all the factory suspension stroke? Also, is that stroke positioned differently from stock? [i.e. will the car ride lower, have more or less droop and/or compression travel?]

What is the MSRP of the coilover set you have?

Thanks,
Ryan

Love it! Thank you for sharing Moto-san!

Those look awesome and very high quality!

RS*R chose us a long time ago to test suspensions on AE86's and other cars, way back in 2000, and also contracted us for operation and planning of RSR Drift Festival with Orido "MAX" Manabu and his Supra/S15.

So it was only natural, after knowing how good the RSR suspension was (and how expensive) to return to them for my S13 Drift Instructor car, my LS430 sedan project, and now this FRS. :D

RSR Sports-i has a recommended range of height from about 15mm to 35mm below stock, and the stroke range is optimum within these parameters. It does have plenty of stroke, despite the lower height as the coil case is double tapped both at the spring perch and the lower mount, so that the piston and shell can always be at optimum range at any preset height within the specs.

The MSRP for the FRS depends on options of internal valving changes or other custom orders. Mine is base setup, tuned by RSR by thier engineers to thier idea of what I might like (which so far has been exemplary).

In Japan, this set is Y207,700, which by today's rate is $2587 + freight. USA prices have not been set yet for this FRS application but likely lower. You can call RSR USA to find out more about custom options, exact prices, and shipping needs.

They can provide the damper rate sheets from tests if you need them, but does not come with this in the instruction set. They are QC'ed carefully however, and I have not had one unbalanced or malfunction yet, with only service being hairline cracks in the rubber top bushings after 15,000 miles on my LS430 set, that was easily replaceable.

My FRS set is set up with the 6kg/mm F and 7kg/mm rear, standard spec valve, and range adjustments, with rubber bushings rather than ball joints at the top.

Thanks for the info :thumbup:

I really enjoyed reading your review. Thank you!

Also, what is the est. MSRP for these for the USDM folks?

I love that you went with a semi-streetable setup (rubber bushings, soft springs, etc). Interesting that HKS chose to go with 8k rear and 6k fronts as well.

Another question. When Tada-san said the optimal drop should be -20mm/-15mm did he tell you any other reason except that it was optimal for suspension geometry?

Thank Very much Moto for this. RS-R USA has been one of favorite companies for aftermarket performance products for a long time and im very glad to see this product will be available for the FR-S. They make top touch quality product and i highly recommend them to every one.

I never had the intention on buying a coilover setup for my FR-S but after seeing this im very interested and will be on my list of things for this car now.

Iv had the RS-R down springs on my Integra now for 3 years and they have been amazing. I also have the Exmag exhaust on the car as well and its by far my favorite sounding exhaust on the market. So i ma little sad to see no exhausts will be out for the FR-S.

Couple quick questions. Sorry in advance if I missed some of these details in the write up.

1. Do these have independant compression and rebound adjustments? Or are they single adjustables?
2. Will RSR share with you who manufactures their valving? I would be suprised if they make their own considering the volume of dampers they produce. I'm only asking to see if it is a known reputable company.
3. I assume these are aluminum bodied dampers. Did you happen to wiegh them compared to the stock units?
4. Did you change your alignment specs from stock to this? I'd be suprised that steering input would change because of the shock a noticable amount without toe changes.

Are you in SoCal? My car arrives in the next couple weeks. I'd be curious to see how the RSR damper performs on track to other offerings.

Best,
Matt Andrews

Nice writeup and suspension, is your wheel selection going to be HRE? If so do you know what specification they will be giving you or whatever wheel company you decided to use?

Looks awesome. Any idea on cost?

Well hello there Mr Andrews. It's Adam. :D

+1, thanks on the information. I'd love to see some "after" pictures with your new ride height. :) The pricing sounds reasonable for a custom-spec setup. If you ever come across the damper curves I'd appreciate taking a look at them.

Cheers,
Ryan

Interesting to see that setup F6/R7. iirc HKS test F8/R6 (racing) & F7/R5 (street). It'll interesting to see other companies will setup theirs. :thumbsup:

Wow, thanks for all the great updates. Congrats on the cool coils.

Some wise questions on here;
the dyno plots (wouldnt put anything on my ride without them- another can of worms)
alignment specs (were they originally confirmed at OE spec or were they off any? And what have they been changed too?)
And what were the results and modifications to all the corner weights?

APEXi has a FRS/BRZ muffler system available. :D It will be on sale starting next week!

All alignment specs can be set to original specs with mild 20mm drop, though we recommend slightly bit more camber at front if using more aggressive tires and partaking in motorsports (1-2degrees). Just how much depends on stage and road racing conditions, and again, driver skills to actually put that to use effectively.

As for me, I had my car corner- weighted at each end with me in the car, precisely to center the contact patch between left and right. I didn't worry too much about fore/aft adjustments, as that is more inherently dependent on what type of racing, venue, and tires/brakes and adhesion and it can vary greatly, so I just left the overall balance alone from stock, and accepted the change slightly, just to personalize the looks of the car (height fore/aft) as more a priority (Yes I like my fast cars, looking good too, but functional. )

I would even consider going to 5kg/mm F and 4kg/mm R just to give it more compliance and get it back near stock, as RSR Super-i seems to have plenty of piston travel at 30mm down, and I am fond of supple compliant suspension even on the track, and prefer to use modest grip tires, rather than higher grip $$ tires for cars like this (unless I am racing for trophies and time)

Yeah, it's interesting to see all the different setup different tuning shops do for 86 and I'm absolutely enjoying reading about it!

Totally agree, this car is nice w modest grip tires... unless going for the gold lol

I can't disclose what's in plan at HRE yet, but something VERY nice for the FRS/BRZ is coming yes :D

Ideally though, for race track use, I like to use probably something like 18x8.0 or 8.5, with TRD N1/Taikyu- specified tire size of 225/40ZR18 +45~48 on all four to keep the inherent balance and alignment data.

For street, just about anything goes as I am of the 80's tuner mentality, and I like them low, flush, and functional... The last word 'functional' being the key word though. not mad camber and not hellaflush widebody ride on sidewall craziness...no.. LOL! So perhaps a 18x9? 19x9? slightly pulled tire and agressive offset of about +30 on deep rim 3 piece? I dunno. I'm curious what HRE will pull out of the bag (though they are not casually affordable by any means), as well as new line from Volk, Work, SRR, and Enkei as well for this car rumored. Pro-Drive in white would be nice and racy too though!

1. Single adjustable, but they do custom design each application to the cars, so the balance of how they change in relation to the requirements are pretty spot-on in my previous 4 sets I used on each car.

2. RS-R manufactures and designs the case, piston, valves and all hardware components in-house, and I've visited the manufacturing facilities near Osaka, Japan, so I trust them that much.

3. These are aircraft grade aluminum shell cases and ends, (I forgot that the actual T rating of the alloy). For the FRS set, the suspension coil and shock assembly with mounts, weighed 3lbs less than OEM parts removed to replace (total of all four ends). While the OEM's weight is mainly in the large coil springs, the majority of weight on the RSR Sports-i is in the case shell and valve/piston which seems much more strong than OE internals and shell case.

4. Due to the very long lower arms and steering rack pivots as well as toe-locator rods, the FRS needed minimal correction of 0.4 mm at both ends of the rack-ends, to bring the toe back to where it was originally with OE height, this, at 32mm drop. I'd need to re-check after a few dozen miles to see if any settling of bushings or springs caused any changes, but that's what I see at this time, 1 day after installation.

Yes, I am in Los Angeles/South Bay area and hope to meet you soon for a cup of coffee or snacks~!

Rebound only or rebound and compression together?