BRZ or FR-S suspension sucks, but put them together...

[KoolBRZ]

I've been trying to get a decent ride out of this car ever since I got it. I recently drove an FR-S automatic to compare to my BRZ automatic and was surprised how smooth the ride was. So I got a used set of FR-S suspension for $80.
By mixing and matching struts and springs up, by trial and error, I've found that the BRZ suspension does a porpoise-like bounce over bumps, with the front end bouncing up pushing the back end down so it is already compressed by the time it hits the bump, while the FR-S suspension soaks up the bumps in front, then mule-kicks with the rear.
My goal is to find the least expensive way to get a decent ride out of this car, you know, good enough to drink piping hot coffee in, while driving, without sacrificing handling or cornering ability. Well, you can have one or the other, but you can't have both. So, here are my setups.
I have found that the most comfortable ride is by using the FR-S struts and springs in front, and the BRZ struts and springs in back, with the stock rear sway bar, and softer 225/45/17 tires. However, that won't help you much on the track, or in the twisty's.
My track/twisty setup is BRZ front/FR-S rear struts and springs, a 19mm aftermarket rear sway bar, and 215/45/17 Michelin PSS2's. This yields guite a decent ride on the track, or in the twisty's. Bilstein HD struts also work better with this setup, since they are too firm, in my opinion, for the comfortable setup, but firm up the track setup just right, no more bunny hops over the bumps.
In conclusion, I've created two setups, one for street, and one track/twisty's, without spending too much money on them. I have the comfortable setup, FR-S front/BRZ rear struts and springs, stock rear sway bar, and 225/45/17 summer tires, and I have the BRZ front/FR-S rear struts/springs, 19mm rear sway bar, and 215/45/17 Michelin PSS2 tires for a track/twisty setup.

[Kotu100]

Congratulations you've discovered that the FR-S' softer front springs give a smoother ride than the BRZ's fronts coupled with the BRZ's softer rear springs.
Then your track setup you put the stiffer BRZ springs back in front and FR-S' stiffer springs in rear for a stiffer track biased setup.

[FiRStsc10n]

Originally Posted by KoolBRZ

the FR-S suspension soaks up the bumps in front, then mule-kicks with the rear.

laughed pretty hard at this because i find it a spot on description lol

[Captain Snooze]

I was hoping this thread would disappear without comment.

[BlueDubbinTDI]

This dude spent a long time typing out what 9/10 of us already knew

[Poodles]

2015 fixed these issues...

[stockysnail]

Originally Posted by KoolBRZ

I've been trying to get a decent ride out of this car ever since I got it. I recently drove an FR-S automatic to compare to my BRZ automatic and was surprised how smooth the ride was. So I got a used set of FR-S suspension for $80.
By mixing and matching struts and springs up, by trial and error, I've found that the BRZ suspension does a porpoise-like bounce over bumps, with the front end bouncing up pushing the back end down so it is already compressed by the time it hits the bump, while the FR-S suspension soaks up the bumps in front, then mule-kicks with the rear.
My goal is to find the least expensive way to get a decent ride out of this car, you know, good enough to drink piping hot coffee in, while driving, without sacrificing handling or cornering ability. Well, you can have one or the other, but you can't have both. So, here are my setups.
I have found that the most comfortable ride is by using the FR-S struts and springs in front, and the BRZ struts and springs in back, with the stock rear sway bar, and softer 225/45/17 tires. However, that won't help you much on the track, or in the twisty's.
My track/twisty setup is BRZ front/FR-S rear struts and springs, a 19mm aftermarket rear sway bar, and 215/45/17 Michelin PSS2's. This yields guite a decent ride on the track, or in the twisty's. Bilstein HD struts also work better with this setup, since they are too firm, in my opinion, for the comfortable setup, but firm up the track setup just right, no more bunny hops over the bumps.
In conclusion, I've created two setups, one for street, and one track/twisty's, without spending too much money on them. I have the comfortable setup, FR-S front/BRZ rear struts and springs, stock rear sway bar, and 225/45/17 summer tires, and I have the BRZ front/FR-S rear struts/springs, 19mm rear sway bar, and 215/45/17 Michelin PSS2 tires for a track/twisty setup.

The Subaru and Scion shocks and struts are identical. Only the springs are different because of spring rate.

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by BlueDubbinTDI

This dude spent a long time typing out what 9/10 of us already knew

I am suggesting 99.99% of owners don't read this forum and are content with the way their car drives. They don't push,street race or go to the track. The op was not happy with his stock set up. I appreciate that but I don't think he speaks for the majority of owners.

[Kostamojen]

I figured someone eventually would think this was a good idea.

I did it the other way around, like over a year ago, and kind of miss it... The soft route is probably strange, might be fun with a lift kit though.

[Burrcold]

Stupid question but are the stock alignment settings the same for the FRS and BRZ? If they are different, what settings would you dial in with this set up?

[kiichiro]

Originally Posted by Poodles

2015 fixed these issues...

Can a vendor with a spring rate tester chine in with and proof?

[Digitalanalog]

That's a whole lotta alignments you're going to buy/get done weekly

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by Digitalanalog

That's a whole lotta alignments you're going to buy/get done weekly

And this is what I'm wondering about.

[Fizz]

Originally Posted by Digitalanalog

That's a whole lotta alignments you're going to buy/get done weekly

Mystery wheel alignment. You read about it here first.