Track / AutoX Suspension. Suggestions?
 

Hey guys. Very new to BRZ, coming from an Acura RSX-S.

I tracked my RSX for the last few years with Progress Coilovers and loved them. However, they don't have a kit for BRZ yet.

So, for the purposes of AutoX and full track use, what are your recommendations?

I don't care about street comfort, I know very little about spring rates, and I'd like to keep it around $1500.

I know i'll probably hear that KW V3 is the way to go, but gawd they are spendy.

I appreciate your help in advance.

Thanks!

What kind and what size tire do you plan on running?

- Andrew

Well, I plan on jumping into STX, so probably a 235/40 on 17x8's

If you could stretch your budget a little bit, you could get on the RCE Tarmac II coilover preorder deal. Based on KW clubsports, but with a warranty and a much better price. Focused on track and auto-x performance but still very much streetable.

At the 1500 mark you have a few options. Koni yellows with a good set of springs, some bushings, swaybars, all the toppings, etc., will take you pretty darn far. It's worthwhile to budget the bushings and camber adjustment into your buy...they make a big difference. There may be some coilovers in the future worth buying in that price range if you're patient.

- andrew

So that being said, I have a few questions and statements:

How much are we looking at for the Tarmac II?

What do you mean when you say 'based on kw clubsports'?

I would like to try to avoid doing separate springs/shocks in favor of ready to go coilovers.

I'm not sure I'm allowed to post pricing here so I'll PM you.

They are built by KW in Germany to our specs. The starting point is their KW clubsport line of coilovers, which are a step more aggressive then their KW Variant 3 coilovers. We worked with them to develop our own spring rates and modified valving, and we get a warranty.

- Andrew

If your planning on running your car in STX, then take a look at the Ground Control Complete system for your car. This system is complete (to include top mount camber/caster plates, stress bar, custom made and powdercoated front strut housings, rear shock mounts, Koni adjustable dampers Eibach springs, and Ground Control coilover hardware) and custom tailored to you, your driving style, and the environment you will be driving in. Our systems are not just some run of the mill suspension siting on a shelf waiting to ship. We have all components in stock and ready to build a system for you.

All of our products also carry a lifetime warranty.

I know you said you where looking for something around $1500- but if you want to be competitive in STX then you need to take advantage of what you are allowed to use.

Good point. Lots of solid advice here so far. So now it's just price vs benefits...

Standard KW V3 spring rates are going to be a bit soft for your needs IMO.

Definitely agree here.

Ok, thanks for the advice guys. What do you recommend instead?

My advice is to do one thing, and one thing only to start.

Get a good performance alignment on it.

THEN go track and autocross it.
Make a list of shortcomings you would like to address, THEN research who can help you fix those issues.
THEN spend some money.

Seconding TiC's comment. There's alot of good stuff about the suspension as-is.

If there's too much body roll, get stiffer springs.
If there's too much oversteer, get stiffer front sway bar.
If there's too much understeer, get stiffer rear sway bar.
If there's not enough grip, get wider tires.
If your tires wear unevenly, get camber plates/LCA's.
If the car is too unstable, get toe and caster links/plates.
If there's too much chassis flex, get strut and chassis braces.

Man... and here i was thinking i'd get a bunch of "Suspension X IS DA BOMB" answers.

Lots of good thoughts.

Well, part of my quest for suspension as a starting point is i HATE wheel gap. I know i will have 235/40/17's, i know they will be Dunlop ZII's. I probably track twice a summer, and autox 5 or so times.

So, i guess I'd just like to start somewhere with coilovers and work things out from there.