Swift BRZ spec lowering springs reveiw
 

I installed a set of Swift BRZ springs ordered from kami speed. 2 reasons I chose this spring kit over others was the spring rates (3.8k f/4.5k r) seemed like they would reduce some of the oversteer without inducing understeer. Second reason is that the modest 1" drop will retain some effective stroke with the dampers while giving me some much needed negative camber. Oh... and also the sample picture lead me to believe that these springs had less number of total coils. In reality it has the exact same number of coils per spring compared to the factory units. http://www.kamispeed.com/Swift-Sport...FShxQgodn0QAPg

My impressions of these springs is that the spring rates seem better suited for the factory dampers than the stock FR-S springs. Although the front springs would benefit from a bit more rebound damping, the way the front seem to want to push back a bit after going over some larger bumps. Other than that, I'm very happy with this mod. The ride feels slightly better than stock while cruising and the chassis stays flatter under hard cornering. The oversteering tendencies under throttle has been muted and turn in has pretty much stayed the same as with just front camber bolts, as far as I can tell.

In retrospect I think their FR-S spec spring kit (3k f/ 4.5k r) would have worked better with the factory dampers. This is with just spirited driving and commuting on the streets on factory rims/tires. Hopefully I can get back on the track soon and see how I like these springs there with some stickier tires. For the money, I'm happy with the result and I'm one to look for the 'best bang for buck'. Would recommend. :thumbsup:

Awesome to hear that another person on here is liking the only springs we sell! swift springs!

I was just about to mention Hotchkis since I brought up "bang for the buck." The rates on their springs look like they would match the factory dampers quite well. At about $200 MSRP that seems like it would be the ultimate "bang for buck" springs.

Is there a reason that you carry some of their sway bars and strut bar, but not their lowering springs?

thanks for the review, but why dont you go ahead and post some pics...

Thanks for the review!

Cause I forgot to take photos of the springs. Here are some side by side photos of a stock height hotlava and my whiteout with the Swift springs.
Second thought... I will take better photos tomorrow.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w.../IMG_43221.jpg
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w.../IMG_43171.jpg
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w.../IMG_43181.jpg
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w.../IMG_43201.jpg
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w.../IMG_43211.jpg

Absolutely love this pic! :drool:

Here it is with one of my all time favorite cars, Shelby Cobra, at Streets of Willow.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w.../IMG_43251.jpg

245/40/17 Goodyear F1 Asymmetric 2 on RPF1 17x8 +45
SPC camber bolts and Swift BRZ springs.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w.../IMG_43261.jpg

Track impressions of this combo:

There is a touch of understeer while cornering, but if you mash the throttle with the wheels turned it will still easily show you it's back end. I settled on 38psi front and 36psi rear hot pressures toward the end, so that might have also contributed to understeer. Tires had decent grip but unimpressive compared to the 225/45/17 RS3 Hankooks I had on it before. Only tires I had to compare it to was the stocks and the Kooks. With the tires and springs there was barely any clearance between the tire and the lower spring coil/perch. Using my ghetto index finger clearance checker I'm guessing about 3mm of clearance with these tires. the Asymmetric 2's also had rounded shoulders, so tires with more squared off shoulders of this size may rub. Tires were also a bit noisy on the highway drive to Rosamond, much like the RS3.

My lap times were on par with my last visit to streets only this time we were going CCW at night instead of CW in the day. Also, I was not able to get very many laps in. Less than 20 laps for the entire night (4pm to 11:30pm). So I will say this is an improvement considering less grip with the new tires, the lack of visibility, and not having as much time on the track. Also, I hear lap times tend to be higher CCW than CW. Not sure if that is true.

Conclusion? Still recommend. :w00t:

You guys have close up pics of the springs installed? Want to compare to my install and see how springs are sitting.

I will take some photos when I swap my wheels later. yerwelcome :)

I just got done throwing around the car on my "test track." A one way, twisty, chewed up road by my house. Man.. I wish I went with the FR-S spec or Hotchkis. The front end was pogoing a bit. Definitely can use some more damping... definitely... definitely more damping. [Rainman voice] Or less spring...

what the difference between the frs and brz versions of their product?

The front spring rates are different. BRZ spec come with 3.8k/4.5k f/r. The FR-S specs are 3.0k/4.5k.

Thanks