RS*R Sports-i Coilover system installed (pics)

[jedichimp]

Looks awesome. Any idea on cost?

[mines13]

Originally Posted by Matt Andrews

Couple quick questions. Sorry in advance if I missed some of these details in the write up.

1. Do these have independant compression and rebound adjustments? Or are they single adjustables?
2. Will RSR share with you who manufactures their valving? I would be suprised if they make their own considering the volume of dampers they produce. I'm only asking to see if it is a known reputable company.
3. I assume these are aluminum bodied dampers. Did you happen to wiegh them compared to the stock units?
4. Did you change your alignment specs from stock to this? I'd be suprised that steering input would change because of the shock a noticable amount without toe changes.

Are you in SoCal? My car arrives in the next couple weeks. I'd be curious to see how the RSR damper performs on track to other offerings.

Best,
Matt Andrews

Well hello there Mr Andrews. It's Adam.

[Ryephile]

Originally Posted by Moto-P

RSR Sports-i has a recommended range of height from about 15mm to 35mm below stock, and the stroke range is optimum within these parameters. It does have plenty of stroke, despite the lower height as the coil case is double tapped both at the spring perch and the lower mount, so that the piston and shell can always be at optimum range at any preset height within the specs.

The MSRP for the FRS depends on options of internal valving changes or other custom orders. Mine is base setup, tuned by RSR by thier engineers to thier idea of what I might like (which so far has been exemplary).

In Japan, this set is Y207,700, which by today's rate is $2587 + freight. USA prices have not been set yet for this FRS application but likely lower. You can call RSR USA to find out more about custom options, exact prices, and shipping needs.

+1, thanks on the information. I'd love to see some "after" pictures with your new ride height. The pricing sounds reasonable for a custom-spec setup. If you ever come across the damper curves I'd appreciate taking a look at them.

Cheers,
Ryan

[ichitaka05]

Originally Posted by Moto-P

My FRS set is set up with the 6kg/mm F and 7kg/mm rear, standard spec valve, and range adjustments, with rubber bushings rather than ball joints at the top.

Interesting to see that setup F6/R7. iirc HKS test F8/R6 (racing) & F7/R5 (street). It'll interesting to see other companies will setup theirs.

[chulooz]

Wow, thanks for all the great updates. Congrats on the cool coils.

Some wise questions on here;
the dyno plots (wouldnt put anything on my ride without them- another can of worms)
alignment specs (were they originally confirmed at OE spec or were they off any? And what have they been changed too?)
And what were the results and modifications to all the corner weights?

[Moto-P]

Originally Posted by StuttterButtter

Thank Very much Moto for this. RS-R USA has been one of favorite companies for aftermarket performance products for a long time and im very glad to see this product will be available for the FR-S. They make top touch quality product and i highly recommend them to every one.

I never had the intention on buying a coilover setup for my FR-S but after seeing this im very interested and will be on my list of things for this car now.

Iv had the RS-R down springs on my Integra now for 3 years and they have been amazing. I also have the Exmag exhaust on the car as well and its by far my favorite sounding exhaust on the market. So i ma little sad to see no exhausts will be out for the FR-S.

APEXi has a FRS/BRZ muffler system available. It will be on sale starting next week!

[Moto-P]

Originally Posted by chulooz

Wow, thanks for all the great updates. Congrats on the cool coils.

Some wise questions on here;
the dyno plots (wouldnt put anything on my ride without them- another can of worms)
alignment specs (were they originally confirmed at OE spec or were they off any? And what have they been changed too?)
And what were the results and modifications to all the corner weights?

All alignment specs can be set to original specs with mild 20mm drop, though we recommend slightly bit more camber at front if using more aggressive tires and partaking in motorsports (1-2degrees). Just how much depends on stage and road racing conditions, and again, driver skills to actually put that to use effectively.

As for me, I had my car corner- weighted at each end with me in the car, precisely to center the contact patch between left and right. I didn't worry too much about fore/aft adjustments, as that is more inherently dependent on what type of racing, venue, and tires/brakes and adhesion and it can vary greatly, so I just left the overall balance alone from stock, and accepted the change slightly, just to personalize the looks of the car (height fore/aft) as more a priority (Yes I like my fast cars, looking good too, but functional. )

[Moto-P]

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

Interesting to see that setup F6/R7. iirc HKS test F8/R6 (racing) & F7/R5 (street). It'll interesting to see other companies will setup theirs.

I would even consider going to 5kg/mm F and 4kg/mm R just to give it more compliance and get it back near stock, as RSR Super-i seems to have plenty of piston travel at 30mm down, and I am fond of supple compliant suspension even on the track, and prefer to use modest grip tires, rather than higher grip $$ tires for cars like this (unless I am racing for trophies and time)

[ichitaka05]

Originally Posted by Moto-P

I would even consider going to 5kg/mm F and 4kg/mm R just to give it more compliance and get it back near stock, as RSR Super-i seems to have plenty of piston travel at 30mm down, and I am fond of supple compliant suspension even on the track, and prefer to use modest grip tires, rather than higher grip $$ tires for cars like this (unless I am racing for trophies and time)

Yeah, it's interesting to see all the different setup different tuning shops do for 86 and I'm absolutely enjoying reading about it!

Totally agree, this car is nice w modest grip tires... unless going for the gold lol

[Moto-P]

Originally Posted by Pekingduck

Nice writeup and suspension, is your wheel selection going to be HRE? If so do you know what specification they will be giving you or whatever wheel company you decided to use?

I can't disclose what's in plan at HRE yet, but something VERY nice for the FRS/BRZ is coming yes

Ideally though, for race track use, I like to use probably something like 18x8.0 or 8.5, with TRD N1/Taikyu- specified tire size of 225/40ZR18 +45~48 on all four to keep the inherent balance and alignment data.

For street, just about anything goes as I am of the 80's tuner mentality, and I like them low, flush, and functional... The last word 'functional' being the key word though. not mad camber and not hellaflush widebody ride on sidewall craziness...no.. LOL! So perhaps a 18x9? 19x9? slightly pulled tire and agressive offset of about +30 on deep rim 3 piece? I dunno. I'm curious what HRE will pull out of the bag (though they are not casually affordable by any means), as well as new line from Volk, Work, SRR, and Enkei as well for this car rumored. Pro-Drive in white would be nice and racy too though!

[Moto-P]

Originally Posted by Matt Andrews

Couple quick questions. Sorry in advance if I missed some of these details in the write up.

1. Do these have independant compression and rebound adjustments? Or are they single adjustables?
2. Will RSR share with you who manufactures their valving? I would be suprised if they make their own considering the volume of dampers they produce. I'm only asking to see if it is a known reputable company.
3. I assume these are aluminum bodied dampers. Did you happen to wiegh them compared to the stock units?
4. Did you change your alignment specs from stock to this? I'd be suprised that steering input would change because of the shock a noticable amount without toe changes.

Are you in SoCal? My car arrives in the next couple weeks. I'd be curious to see how the RSR damper performs on track to other offerings.

Best,
Matt Andrews

1. Single adjustable, but they do custom design each application to the cars, so the balance of how they change in relation to the requirements are pretty spot-on in my previous 4 sets I used on each car.

2. RS-R manufactures and designs the case, piston, valves and all hardware components in-house, and I've visited the manufacturing facilities near Osaka, Japan, so I trust them that much.

3. These are aircraft grade aluminum shell cases and ends, (I forgot that the actual T rating of the alloy). For the FRS set, the suspension coil and shock assembly with mounts, weighed 3lbs less than OEM parts removed to replace (total of all four ends). While the OEM's weight is mainly in the large coil springs, the majority of weight on the RSR Sports-i is in the case shell and valve/piston which seems much more strong than OE internals and shell case.

4. Due to the very long lower arms and steering rack pivots as well as toe-locator rods, the FRS needed minimal correction of 0.4 mm at both ends of the rack-ends, to bring the toe back to where it was originally with OE height, this, at 32mm drop. I'd need to re-check after a few dozen miles to see if any settling of bushings or springs caused any changes, but that's what I see at this time, 1 day after installation.

Yes, I am in Los Angeles/South Bay area and hope to meet you soon for a cup of coffee or snacks~!

[Dimman]

Originally Posted by Moto-P

1. Single adjustable, but they do custom design each application to the cars, so the balance of how they change in relation to the requirements are pretty spot-on in my previous 4 sets I used on each car.

2. RS-R manufactures and designs the case, piston, valves and all hardware components in-house, and I've visited the manufacturing facilities near Osaka, Japan, so I trust them that much.

3. These are aircraft grade aluminum shell cases and ends, (I forgot that the actual T rating of the alloy). For the FRS set, the suspension coil and shock assembly with mounts, weighed 3lbs less than OEM parts removed to replace (total of all four ends). While the OEM's weight is mainly in the large coil springs, the majority of weight on the RSR Sports-i is in the case shell and valve/piston which seems much more strong than OE internals and shell case.

4. Due to the very long lower arms and steering rack pivots as well as toe-locator rods, the FRS needed minimal correction of 0.4 mm at both ends of the rack-ends, to bring the toe back to where it was originally with OE height, this, at 32mm drop. I'd need to re-check after a few dozen miles to see if any settling of bushings or springs caused any changes, but that's what I see at this time, 1 day after installation.

Yes, I am in Los Angeles/South Bay area and hope to meet you soon for a cup of coffee or snacks~!

Rebound only or rebound and compression together?

[Moto-P]

Originally Posted by RYU

I really enjoyed reading your review. Thank you!

Also, what is the est. MSRP for these for the USDM folks?

I love that you went with a semi-streetable setup (rubber bushings, soft springs, etc). Interesting that HKS chose to go with 8k rear and 6k fronts as well.

Another question. When Tada-san said the optimal drop should be -20mm/-15mm did he tell you any other reason except that it was optimal for suspension geometry?

He designed with his team, a suspension system that works with 20mm drop, ideally, so that it is the middle ground for normal stock height, and extreme low (useful) height of minus 40 or so. Which means within this range the arms pivots and load points are ideal for most tuners, who prefer them lower, and not catering soley to the OEM performance, but with tuning in mind, by the aftermarket, race teams, and users.

Isn't that amazing? Porsche, BMW, and recent MB also does this, because they have firms like AMG, and M Sport consulting in the same way the FRS teams were influenced by inputs from many aftermarket and in-house, as well as the more sophisticated tuner industry and amateur and pro private racing operations.

[Moto-P]

Originally Posted by Ryephile

+1, thanks on the information. I'd love to see some "after" pictures with your new ride height. The pricing sounds reasonable for a custom-spec setup. If you ever come across the damper curves I'd appreciate taking a look at them.

Cheers,
Ryan

Sure, I'll be visiting RSR often just as in the past, and I will try to get a damper data for standard RSR application for the FRS/BRZ units. I'll have a pic of AFTER shots, when I have time, on stock wheels, so there is a good visual reference.