Subaru BRZ different suspension / springs tuning
 

Any ideas how the different suspension tuning will alter performance handling and daily driving feel?

From this thread, I think the BRZ is firmer in front and softer in the back.

Hard to say. I don't think they would go for a softer ride (they tried that with the '08 WRX and learned their lesson). My best guess is they might have traded some of the 86's driftability for improved grip.

Rears will always be more stiffly sprung (in ride frequency, if not spring rate) than fronts. It's a ride comfort thing, helps the car stay more level over bumps in the road.

Firmer front and softer rear help with launch traction, pushing the weight down on the rear tires instead of just picking up the front of the car. It also helps keep the rear tires planted during hard turns, but I suspect the trade-off is a little bit more snap-oversteer.

Both adjustments noted add understeer, make the car 'feel' safer, go slower, depending on what it started from before the adjustment. Lawsuits, spins, drifting are all cause for concern to the lawyers, yaknow?

Just thought of something, perhaps it has to do with the tires. Toyota will have low grip eco tires, I think the Subaru will have higher grip tires. I guess Toyota wants a drifter, and Subaru wants a car with better grip?

Sounds like more grip vs more drift. Either is probably a fantastic drive, but I'm guessing the subie is going to be ever so slightly faster around a track, though harder to get your drift on.

I hope a few good magazines do a back-to-back test with both the FR-S and BRZ to highlight the precise changes. The suspension tuning could be Neutral vs. slightly safe, or slightly drift oriented vs. neutral. Where the balance lies will have to wait until some experienced drivers get seat time and can discern the differences....or suspension tuners can take parts off the cars and measure differences.

Get Moton/Ohlins coilovers and set them up as you wish: drift or grip. That is why I don't care about factory setup.

I take it the 86 already has some controllable understeer, so Subaru will just be playing it safe. It's not going to make it any faster around a track, that's for sure.

Question is whether or not that is even something worth trying to change once we get the car.

Likely not, unless you go aftermarket, which will probably offer a drop, lower center of gravity, less body roll and less understeer. I don't think it would be worth it to swap to OEM.

Depending on rates I'd consider getting oem scion rear springs for the brz.

not to mention OEM prices $$$$$$ aftermarket you can get good value or ball outta control

This.

Both Seem to have Michelin Primacy as standard tyres. Perhaps the Bridgestone RE86 may be offered as an "option"


This. To be honest though, I don't think there would be any huge difference.