Coilovers from Gen1 Don't fit on GR86?
 

I contacted KW directly to ask if they have anything for the GR86 and this is the response I received:

Has anyone attempted to install coilovers or suspension mods on the GR86 yet and do Gen 1 parts fit?

1st gen coilovers do indeed fit. KW has to be concerned about European TUV certification so they have a few more hoops to jump through.

We are partnering with KW to develop a couple new parts for the 1st and 2nd gen concurrently, but our existing RCE SS1 and RCE Tarmac 2 coilovers (made by KW) work great on the new cars. We've got a bunch of them out there already.

There are some minor differences in the rear in terms of geometry...but overall weight and weight distribution is extremely close.

- Andrew

What about the rear lca? We know aftermarket ones will bolt up but the damper mounts about a half inch more inward if you use a 1st gen lca on the new gen. Do you think that is a huge deal or just causes some loss of negative camber?


Edit: nevermind. i'm dumb haha

Andrew, since you mentioned you are developing a couple new parts for the 1st and 2nd gen concurrently,
1. When do you think you will have coilovers for for the GR86?
2. If the current RCE SS1s fit, wheat would you change/tweak to make the new one for 2022?

Thanks
Omer

Do the SS1 fit with the stock front top hats?
If so, can you comment on the OEM top hat vs the camber plate regarding NVH?

I know it’s very subjective but I’m worried about how harsh the solid camber plate is. I had ST XTA’s on my E46 and those were a bit harsh for daily driving.

Can you provide any details on the new parts for Gen 2? And will there be any updates to the SS1 for gen 2 as well? Interested in purchasing, but would love to be able to make a more informed decision. Thanks!

It's a metric car :)
Measured in mm's, the mount was moved by 10 mm.

What does it have to do with camber?
The angle between the damper and the arm has changed slightly, as well as the leverage, changing the motion ratio; but I don't see what it has to do with camber.
Camber depends only on the distances between extreme ends of the arms, not anything in the middle.

Yeah, idk what I was thinking actually haha. Maybe I had front camber on my mind where strut angle matters lol.

I had a feeling that would get a lot of questions!

1. No ETA just yet. We've been lucky with supply chain issues thus far for our coilovers but it's always tricky to make guesses in this environment. I feel safe saying that we'll have them in the first half of this year.
2. No change. Maybe add a click or 2 more damping in the rear if at the track.

To be clear, the new parts we are developing are in addition to our existing lineup and will be for both 1st and 2nd gen. They are not replacing the SS1s or Tarmac 2s. :)

Yes, OEM top mounts fit on SS1s...I've done it on my own car. Requires a Subaru conical washer. We do not sell the SS1s without the camber plates though. I daily drove SS1s with the camber plates in Baltimore city and it's good. OEM top mounts slightly smoother, but also keep in mind that the SS1 camber plates add some bump travel which helps.

I can't say too much yet about the new parts, but we will be teasing them soon. Two of them are more on the track side of things than SS1s, one of them is something completely different.

We aren't planning any updates to SS1s.

- Andrew

I'm planning on posting up some math stuff in another thread talking about some of the rear changes, which are minor but sort of interesting. Lots going on here these days though!

- Andrew

That would be greatly appreciated. Finally getting around to understanding suspension dynamics and am trying to apply it with the new generation if I can.

What's the difference between the KW products and the SS1 and and Tarmac 2?

We've been working with KW since 2006, starting with the Subaru STI platform. KW is awesome...they make a lot of very good parts for a lot of applications. We specialize in Subarus and have our own goals with our parts. Working with KW gives us access to a great platform to build from and resources to make cool stuff.

So our Tarmac 2s are based on KW Clubsport 2 ways (not V3s, which are quite a bit softer). The valving and spring rates are customized to our specs and that's based on our testing and experience. This means a firmer front spring for our T2s and overall a little more track focused valving. We do not include camber plates, but we can add them on as an option. Our T2s have a lifetime warranty vs 90 day for the KW clubsport line.

Our SS1s are similar to the ST XTA coilover and are our interpretation of a "road & track" type coilover. Single damping adjustable (T2s are 2 way) with an adjustment range that is actually usable. Our spring rates are actually a little softer in the rear than the XTAs, as we find that makes a noticeable difference as to how these cars ride on the street. So these are meant to be a daily driveable coilover (which I actually do on my own 1st gen) that is still up for track time.

We like KW because they tend to have a lot of travel, great build quality, and they do a lot of the little fitment details really well.

- Andrew