Please critique my suspension mod list
 

Hi all, never really got into the modding scene with my cars but plan to with the 86/FRS, however I don't have a big budget so I've done a bit of research into some cheaper stuff I can get to improve the car without spending too much straight away.

Basically, I don't really intend to track my car, maybe the very rare once in a blue moon autokhana event and general spirited daily driving.

Having said that, I still want a really refined, but precise handling machine and I can understand that it will increase NVH, but hopefully not too much.

I've listed below the mods I intend to purchase, with an explanation (wrong or right) for my reasons for doing so. I've only started to scratch the surface on understanding suspension modding so feel free to correct my reasoning.

"Stage 1" suspension mod list:

• Whiteline or equivalent front sway bar 20 mm adjustable (less oversteer)
• Whiteline or equivalent rear sway bar 16 mm adjustable (less understeer, coupled with front sway bar above should produce less overall body roll and weight transfer in general. Looks like there might be a tendency to shift towards slightly more oversteer with both ARBs)
• Whiteline front camber adjusting bolt kit (to adjust front camber)
• Whiteline front LCA inner front bushing (increases castor and anti-dive - less toe in during braking and initial turn in, more castor and hence dynamic negative camber during cornering)
• Whiteline rear UCA inner bushing (camber adjustment for the rear)
• TiC solid aluminim steering rack bushings (improved steering responsiveness)

Total cost = approx. $1,200 AUD excl. shipping and install.

"Stage 2" suspension mod list:

• Weddsport TC105N 17x8, ~6.7 kg (stock is ~9 kg wheels) - lower rotational moment of inertia should give slightly better acceleration)
• Yokahama Advan Neova AD08s or equivalent (really not sure on what tyres - want something slightly more grippy in the dry and much grippier in the wet)
• RCE Tarmac ZERO's or equivalent (I'd set it about 15 mm drop to avoid messing up suspension geometry - roll couples etc)

Total cost = approx. $5,000 AUD excl. shipping and install.

I would probably leave it there, to keep the car still daily drivable without needing expensive coilovers.

What's your goal? To lower the car? To improve grip? The car handles fine for daily driving. If you want grip, sticky tires should be your first priority.

Improving grip and handling sharpness/responsiveness is probably the two main aims I'm after. Lowering isn't a priority, just a nice bonus. Don't care about being flush or the wheelgap etc.

My reasoning for not going for the wheels and tyres straight away, other than cost since I have to budget for some other expenses like opticoating and some additional parts, is firstly to get an understanding of how the factory car behaves with the suspension/tyres and starting to tweak away from it based on preference.

I haven't taken delivery of the vehicle yet, so I'm still planning out how I should approach it.

Wheels and tires first, and THEN, use the other parts to fine tune to taste.

Tires are simply the best bang/buck in terms of handling. You can stick with oem wheels if you're on a budget.

Wait until you get to drive the car and determine what you like and don't like. Then you can compile a list of parts to change the handling characteristics.

Save yourself the money of Opticoat and learn how to clean and wax your car yourself.

As said a good set of wheels and tyres will transform the car. I dont think it really needs sway bars added. Better to first spend the money on shocks and lowered springs and then see if you need the sway bars.

Spending some money on driver training when you get the car with stock tyres and a time on a skid pan is worthwhile. The stock tyres are great for learning to drift at a drift school.