2013 VS 2015 BRZ Suspension changes

[N234]

So if I understand correctly, the new 2015 Subaru struts are softer than the 2013 Subaru situation, which are softer than the Scion struts, and they are all interchangeable.

It's as if Toyobaru is giving us OEM aftermarket options.

[nikitopo]

I wouldn't say softer, because they didn't change the springs. They just have better damping properties by using revised internals and thinner oil. There were a lot of complains that the earlier struts were giving a harsh ride.

[wparsons]

Originally Posted by N234

So if I understand correctly, the new 2015 Subaru struts are softer than the 2013 Subaru situation, which are softer than the Scion struts, and they are all interchangeable.

It's as if Toyobaru is giving us OEM aftermarket options.

A few shops tested the shocks from FRS' and BRZ's (2013 models at least) and found no difference in the shocks between brands.

[xrs]

Originally Posted by donoman

Update:

Just installed suspension from 2015 Series.Blue BRZ into my 2013 FR-S and there is a noticeable difference. The car handles bumps a lot better and the feeling is that the ass is more planted. Whereas before, I could easily get the back end to step out by simply gassing in 2nd gear around a left-hand turn, that is no longer the case.

Ride quality is marginally improved and it's a worthwhile modification over the 2013 FR-S shocks if you're looking for a calmer ride. For the price I got my suspension ($250) used, it was entirely worth it.

Suspension took approximately 2.5 hours to complete from wheels up to wheels down, and this was the first time I've done it on an '86.

Could part of it be attributed to newer less worn out shocks than the old ones?

[donoman]

Originally Posted by xrs

Could part of it be attributed to newer less worn out shocks than the old ones?

Part of it? Yes
The shocks which I replace were 2013 with about 20K miles... not significant mileage IMO

[KHANrad_SIN]

Originally Posted by fasteddy

I have heard that there were new suspension changes for 2015. I have yet to find any good solid info so far. I keep coming across references to 2015's having Sachs dampers, or just different dampers.

I bought a full stock suspension from another member out of a 2015 Series Blue. These are Showa units, not Sachs. They do have a different part # than the 2013-2014. I pulled these part #'s off of the web:

SHOCK ABSORBER-REAR .
This genuine part fits your 2013 Subaru BRZ .
Stock Code 20365CA011 ; 20365CA010
SHOCK ABSORBER-REAR .
This genuine part fits your 2015 Subaru BRZ .
Stock Code 20365CA110

STRUT COMPLETE-FRONT LEFT .
This genuine part fits your 2015 Subaru BRZ .
Stock Code 20310CA130
STRUT COMPLETE-FRONT LEFT .
This genuine part fits your 2013 Subaru BRZ .
Stock Code 20310CA031 ; 20310CA030

The spring part #'s appear to be the same.

Anyways I am just throwing this out there for reference. I am pushing on 40,000 miles and figured a new setup out of a 2015 should be an improvement, although how much is yet to be seen.

I will post up my impressions after I put the 2015 stuff in. That won't be for a month or so though. I may wait until after my first track day of the year so I can have a good comparison.

Anyone actually seen any stock Sachs dampers in a US BRZ?

Pat

edit-this is the only real review between the two I have found yet http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...&postcount=432


************************5-14-2015 Edit-update after install!**********************************

I finally got the 2015 suspension installed in my car last week. I have had a chance to put a few hundred miles on it now. All I have to say is. WOW, I cannot believe how nice the car rides now!

The main difference that I noticed is that I do not seem to harshly feel every single bump in the road like I did before. Perhaps they softened up the compression or something? The car feels simply a lot more composed and is not seem to get as upset over bumps.

The car definitely rides a lot nicer than with the 2013 suspension.

I have a track day on Monday so I will see how it really handles then. I do not suspect there will a big difference as far as that is concerned.

Pat

So between the 2013 and 2015 model, only the dampers were changed and the springs were left the same?
Because for my situation I currently have the 2013 model with TRD springs. I wanted to keep using the TRD springs but use the 2015 dampers that I can buy used. I've been reading around and some people are saying that it was the springs that were retuned and some say it was the dampers and some say it was both.

[nikitopo]

Originally Posted by KHANrad_SIN

So between the 2013 and 2015 model, only the dampers were changed and the springs were left the same?
Because for my situation I currently have the 2013 model with TRD springs. I wanted to keep using the TRD springs but use the 2015 dampers that I can buy used. I've been reading around and some people are saying that it was the springs that were retuned and some say it was the dampers and some say it was both.

It depends of what is your car. If it is a BRZ, then they changed only the dampers. If it is a Scion, then they they changed the dampers + the springs. However, don't expect big differences on the spring rates. Your TRD springs are compatible with the newer dampers.

[solidONE]

Originally Posted by Hyper4mance2k

Confimation of what I have been saying. I don't think it's softer at all, I think they have a batter dampining curve that better matches the spring rates. The old struts had to adapt to a pretty broad rance of spring rates that they were throwing in the 86, FRS, & BRZ.

I can also confirm that the 2015 struts are better valved for Swift Spec R's I run. Rebound control is much better in my 2015 than in my 2014. (though now I have my Bilsteins installed)

edit: I also think it's worth noting that Subaru said in their press release that the 2015 chassis was stiffer to combat the noises from spirited driving. I'm guessing they're talking about the rear deck lid popping noises.

That's good to know. I got a set of MY15's thats been sitting here waiting to be mounted eventually. I recall seeing some comparison charts of the damping changes on the '15 compared to the '13-'14's. slightly less compression damping with slightly more rebound on all 4 corners.

Also, anecdotally a local BRZ owner who's tested MY15 and MY16 dampers on the same car reports an improvement in the MY16 coilovers off a BRZ over a the MY15 on the same car. But that just from subjective on track butt dyno analysis.

Changes to MY15's rebound top, compression bottom. Front struts left, rear shocks right.:

[NLSP]

Originally Posted by nikitopo

It depends of what is your car. If it is a BRZ, then they changed only the dampers. If it is a Scion, then they they changed the dampers + the springs. However, don't expect big differences on the spring rates. Your TRD springs are compatible with the newer dampers.

Hmm, I was under the impression only the dampers changed for the FR-S as well. Where did you hear/read about the spring rate change? And any idea what the revised rates are?

[Hyper4mance2k]

Originally Posted by solidONE

That's good to know. I got a set of MY15's thats been sitting here waiting to be mounted eventually. I recall seeing some comparison charts of the damping changes on the '15 compared to the '13-'14's. slightly less compression damping with slightly more rebound on all 4 corners.

Also, anecdotally a local BRZ owner who's tested MY15 and MY16 dampers on the same car reports an improvement in the MY16 coilovers off a BRZ over a the MY15 on the same car. But that just from subjective on track butt dyno analysis.

Changes to MY15's rebound top, compression bottom. Front struts left, rear shocks right.:

Wow my post was a long time ago. Just a point worth noting, the 2015MY struts didn't last very long on my Swift Spec R's. They didn't blow, but it was clear to me that they were getting rapidly softer. I swapped them out for Bilsteins, and have never looked back. The Bilsteins are lightyears ahead of either the MY13 or MY15 struts.

[solidONE]

Originally Posted by Hyper4mance2k

Wow my post was a long time ago. Just a point worth noting, the 2015MY struts didn't last very long on my Swift Spec R's. They did n't blow, but it was clear to me that they were getting rapidly softer. I swapped them out for Bilsteins, and have never looked back. The Bilsteins are lightyears ahead of either the MY13 or MY15 struts.

That's good to know as well. How long before you swapped them out for the bilsteins? I intend on using OE springs, but I did purchase the dampers with lowering springs installed that I removed. Supposedly only a couple thousand miles were put on them, so hopefully they still provide decent damping.

[Hyper4mance2k]

Originally Posted by solidONE

That's good to know as well. How long before you swapped them out for the bilsteins? I intend on using OE springs, but I did purchase the dampers with lowering springs installed that I removed. Supposedly only a couple thousand miles were put on them, so hopefully they still provide decent damping.

Just a few months.

[solidONE]

I recall when I was running Swift sport BRZ spec spring on my stock '13 dampers, the front felt a bit under damped while rears were pretty on point right off the bat as well. But later on the rears started to feel a bit under damped as well. It was noticeably different after a few thousand miles and a couple of trackdays, but not horrible.

[KHANrad_SIN]

So I did the switch as well, switched out my MY13 dampers for MY15 ones (but I kept using my TRD springs) and it is quite different. After an alignment I noticed that the car was less "tail happy" in turns. It felt more balanced in the corner and it didn't feel like I was about to start drifting at every turn like it did with the MY13 dampers. The MY13 dampers felt soft in the front and stiff in the rear. The MY15 dampers almost feel like the opposite IMO; the front is stiff and the rear is soft. It does understeer a bit more now compared to the MY13 dampers but not too much. In terms of ride quality it feels a bit less harsh on the road, bumps are soaked up better and is a more comfortable ride. Although it is a more comfortable ride, somehow there's less body roll in corners compared to the old ones. Overall I think it's worth it if you can find a used set for cheap.