Which lowering springs (below or otherwise) would best suit 2017+ 86 stock shocks?
 

To start, I am new to modifying suspension. I am currently on stock suspension on my 2017 Toyota 86. I have 17x8 wheels with 225/45R17 tires (slightly taller than stock). I want to lower my car with springs for the cost and because I do not drive competitively. I also have a front lip that I want to minimize potential scraping long-term. Since I only do daily driving (at most canyon cruises), I am primarily looking for aesthetics and comfort; but I still value functionality and performance. I do not need the adjustability of coilovers. I plan on getting front camber bolts and perhaps rear LCAs for alignment if the need arises.

The two sets of springs that I am looking at are the RCE Yellows and the RS-R Down Sus 2017+ (SKU: T066D in particular) Links:
- https://www.racecompengineering.com/...rings-2013-brz
- https://www.rs-r.com/product/toyota-...-springs-2017/

I've read a number of threads and reviews of the RCE Yellow springs and they seem to be a good match with the kouki 86 shocks. The drop is a modest 20 mm all around which I appreciate. The spring rates are square but not too stiff with (converted) 4.46 kg/mm front and rear. Overall they seem great for my needs.

I have found nothing about the RS-R Down Sus 2017+ anywhere online, though RS-R is still reputable for their suspension. The RS-R's have listed Front 3.37kg/mm and Rear 4.18kg/mm rates, not square, with an advertised (-0.8in to -1.0in) drop all around. These springs are also cheaper at retail, though this might not matter if I can find a good deal around Black Friday or something.

If anyone more experienced in suspension could give their input I would greatly appreciate it! Feel free to make other product recommendations (springs or camber mods) as well.

Go for Yellows or Swift springs. Yellows will pair nicely.

Yellows.

Get stock OEM crash bolts for sure and take it to a shop that do performance alignments.

My votes for the Yellows

I ran yellows with stock 2017 dampers until I eventually paired with B6s. Stock dampers work pretty well until you wear them out.

I’d choose Yellows as well, for two reasons: they lower the car just 20mm and they use squared rates which is ideal for our strut limited travel shocks. Then you can always upgrade to B6 or Koni In the future to get even more travel and a more refined shock.

Either Yellows (0.8" lower) or RSR Down (0.5" lower) should be fine.
I wouldn't go any lower than that on stock struts! I ran Swift BRZ Sport springs (supposedly -1.1" lower than stock but I wound up -1.25" to -1.5") with factory PP Sachs and the car was on the front bump stops. TERRIBLE ride over even the smallest bumps, until I got Bilsteins which have a TON more bump travel.

You might look for people who have run either the RCE Yellows or RSR Down to see what their actual lowered ride heights wound up being.

subbing because I also want to know this.

I really like that the RSR is not that much lower. I don't like scraping on speed bumps or unseen shitty road parts. I also don't like wearing out the stock shocks too fast if its too low and out of the shocks range of motion.

But on the other hand the RCE is a nice set with good use and support and we know it works.

I don't want to make my car tail happy, I want it neutral and to handle better, grip better, not be a drift car so I want proper front/rear balance. I know the BRZ has already done this a bit better than the Toyota but I want to keep or slightly improve on that rather than make it more like the Toyota

Here are some visuals of what RCE Yellows look like on stock dampers and wheels/tires.

https://i.ibb.co/VvsNkgd/20210305-173242.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/SPM4SZR/20210605-172434.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/3mFZFq6/20210814-094351.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/G95rNCw/20210821-102720-1.jpg

I wonder what would the RSR 3.3kg F and 4.1kg R springs feel like on the Bilstein B6?

Anyone tried the Bilstein B6 with stock springs?

THanks.

I have. They're nice. :)

- Andrew

In trying to achieve a nice fast road/ spirited driving style and budget friendly package, I have reached this combo of Bilstein B6 with RSR springs.

Lowered by around 20mm and F 3.3KG / R 4.1KG springs.

I was wondering if this would be able to strike a nice balance.

Logic says that if people have liked the RCE yellows [ which are 4.5 KG square ] then the RSR springs rates will be fine?

Now that Andrew says the B6 with the stock springs are nice, then I deduce that they are comfortable....but are they adequate for some canyon spirited drives?
Or some stiffer springs are needed?

@ Racecomp Engineering. What do you say?


The shipping rates are killing during these times and the above package will be achievable sometime very soon.

RSR down + B6 would be a very fun combo. It sounds very similar to my STi + B6 setup which was so comfy yet really sporty. It’s a very “this is how the car should’ve came” feeling. Stock springs + B6 will also have a similar feeling but I fear you may kick yourself for not upping the spring rates by such a slight but noticeable amount for the canyon runs.