Quote:
Originally Posted by humfrz
Sounds like you best just leave the suspension alone .... 
humfrz |
+1, you do not NEED to touch a single thing on the suspension; it's a pure-bred sports car from the factory, just like a Porsche Cayman, which was the target vehicle for the GT86/FR-S/BRZ. Sign up at a performance driving school and drive it stock. Once you get used to the car and actually push it you will see how incredible it is BONE STOCK; turn off the traction/stability control and the car comes alive while still being easily controllable.
There are a few changes I'd recommend for anyone though:
#1. Aluminum steering rack bushings. This is how the car should have come from the factory - compared to the soft stock rubber ones there is a big improvement in steering feel and driving precision for very little money invested ($30-$50). The weird hesitation of the chassis around midway through turning in is eliminated and replaced with direct, immediate, linear responsiveness. No way you'll want to go back to the stock bushings. Best bang for the buck if you want to improve the driving feel of the FR-S.
#2. Lighter weight wider wheels with stock sized tires. 17x7.5 or 17x8 wheels that weight less than 17lbs on 215/45-17 tires that weight no more than the stock Primacy HPs really improves the ride quality and handling. I'm running 17x7.5 17lb +40mm offset wheels on the stock tires and it is a very noticeable difference over the stock wheels. The car will be it's most responsive due to less weight and the wheel width maximizing the tire sidewall support. Best to get a tire with a tread width that matches the wheel width. Less unsprung mass = less upsetting of the chassis. A 2lb reduction in unsprung mass is a noticeable difference...but get as light a wheel as you can afford!
#3. Drop in air filter. stock paper one is a PAIN to get in/out the air box with a slicone intake tube (no flexibility) so I bought the K&N and Perrin foam one. I really like the Perrin one over the K & N for better filtration and less flow restriction as it accumulates dirt.
#4. Catback/axleback exhuast system... car needs a non-stock exhaust system, stock just doesn't cut it at all under 5krpm. Tons of options...almost every single one better than stock.
#5. Nice solidly designed one-piece front strut tower brace. The Grimmspeed one has made a noticeable difference over the previous 1 piece bar I had from another manufacturer - ride is improved with the welded .125" thick wall tube steel straight as an arrow design helping reduce harshness and crash over bumps and seams/dips/holes.
People take out the intake noise generator because it is a gimmick which installing a proper intake and exhaust system fixes. And taking it out really cleans up the engine bay nicely as well.
Also if you want something in the interior that really makes a big difference look into getting better shift boots and handbrake boots...the stock FR-S one's are horribly cheap looking and it's amazing how big a difference just changing out those 2 pieces to genuine Alcantara material ones makes:
