[strat61caster]

There's a shitstorm of debate just a few clicks away about how in autocross the street class FR-S are allowed to use TRD springs and the BRZ's are stuck on OEM because it's a noticeable advantage.

Some people claim the TRD springs (and swaybars, FR-S can use OE sway, TRD sway, and one aftermarket sway, BRZ only get one aftermarket sway) give the FR-S as much as a 1 second advantage over a ~50s course.

Personally I'd try quality lowering springs and OE replacement dampers over most <$2k coilovers. Shit parts are shit parts, everybody is trying to make a buck and you can get shafted by a shift knob or a header or by the biggest names in the business.

On an 86 there's a couple options with good reputations for lowering springs, a couple bad ones, and a few in between. This is lucky, some cars only have one or two options with nothing standout and OE springs are actually more valuable than the aftermarket after the car is a few years out of production.

Dampers wear out, period. For the most part the OE units seem up to the task, only a few cases of early blowout. If you want to do it then do it, it won't blow your car up if you take your time and have it done right. And it's reversible, the best quality to look for in most mods.