Quantitative report of BRZ/GT86 suspension differences

[Sport-Tech]

A recent review of the BRZ in Motor Sport passes on some interesting information:

But the big difference – and I know this only because someone in a position to help ferreted the information out of an internal Subaru document – is that the BRZ’s suspension is 20 per cent stiffer at the front and eight per cent softer at the rear. And this alone makes the cars very different to drive.

The author is one of the few to have driven them together:

Having driven both models back to back on road and Silverstone GP circuit, I can report the Subaru is a far better balanced car than the Toyota, replacing the latter’s insistent oversteer when the electronics are disabled with a much more neutral stance. It still doesn’t understeer much but it’s an easier car to guide to the apex and quicker away thanks to superior traction. On the road its ride seems a little firmer but no more harsh.

He has an interesting perspective on how these differences play out subjectively:

This can be seen two ways. The BRZ is less extrovert and, yes, less fun too. You could argue the GT86 is better because when you don’t want to do skids you can just leave the traction control engaged and when you do you can hit the button and drift for Europe. But I still slightly preferred the BRZ’s less frenetic character. Put it this way, as an only car I’d take the Subaru over the Toyota. But for pure recreation, the GT86 is preferable.

[LeeMaster]

Nice find, I like his review, his impressions sounds just like Randy Pobst.

[Giccin]

I love the BRZ's little sinister look.

Mischievous bastard.

[stevesnj]

Why not just put FR-S/GT86 springs on the rear of the BRZ and have the ultimate car? :P

[itzo]

I can attest to the same finds.

Spent few days driving both cars back to back trying to make a pick and ( as the author said - its a personal choice)

For me the BRZ understeered a little to much and I guess from my previous cars I am more comfortable with oversteer ( especially trying to run on performance tires during the winter)

I liked the Fun Factor of the FR-S and if you are used to a car sliding I do not think it is a big problem - I even think it is more fun.

However - Lets be honest 215 are way too narrow for the car and if anyone is interested in tracking the car will be looking into tire upgrade, Suspension and once used to those - POWER

[jeebus]

After competing with a few FR-S' in numerous AutoX events, I can attest that the stock setup of the BRZ is superior...if you care about winning. The BRZ still has plenty of hooligan-riffic oversteer on demand.

[itzo]

Originally Posted by stevesnj

Why not just put FR-S/GT86 springs on the rear of the BRZ and have the ultimate car? :P

I think the problem is more in the front but you are right

Or you can even go Aftermarket and get even better results

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by stevesnj

Why not just put FR-S/GT86 springs on the rear of the BRZ and have the ultimate car? :P

Honestly, this suspension thing is so overblown. Everyone who replaces the suspension on these is altering the handling; you can pick how you want the car to handle. Neutral like the BRZ? RCE Yellows. More exciting like the FR-S? A multitude of other options like the Eibach Pro Kit.

[M-17]

Originally Posted by Giccin

I love the BRZ's little sinister look.

Mischievous bastard.

Like car like owner?

[itzo]

Originally Posted by jeebus

After competing with a few FR-S' in numerous AutoX events, I can attest that the stock setup of the BRZ is superior...if you care about winning. The BRZ still has plenty of hooligan-riffic oversteer on demand.

That's interesting I was at AutoX event few weeks ago in MA and one of the instructors drove my car and a BRZ and we was slightly faster with the FR-S

I believe it depends on course layout and driving style of the drivers ( some like trowing the cars a little more than others and if that's the case )

http://www.onehotlap.com/2013/01/the...-s-or-brz.html

And you can read the same thing here - it's up to the driver and driving style but both cars are great

[jeebus]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

Honestly, this suspension thing is so overblown. Everyone who replaces the suspension on these is altering the handling; you can pick how you want the car to handle. Neutral like the BRZ? RCE Yellows. More exciting like the FR-S? A multitude of other options like the Eibach Pro Kit.

Seriously. Don't buy this car based on the spring rate. Buy the one with the look and options you like. It's a lot easier to swap the springs than it is to swap the bumper, seats, cluster, stereo, etc.

[DarkSunrise]

I can report the Subaru is a far better balanced car than the Toyota, replacing the latter’s insistent oversteer when the electronics are disabled with a much more neutral stance.

I wonder what he'd think of the FR-S, which has even more oversteer than the GT86. Probably call it a lunatic serial axe murderer or something.

[Giccin]

Originally Posted by M-17

Like car like owner?

[BadCompany235]

Originally Posted by itzo

I can attest to the same finds.

Spent few days driving both cars back to back trying to make a pick and ( as the author said - its a personal choice)

For me the BRZ understeered a little to much and I guess from my previous cars I am more comfortable with oversteer ( especially trying to run on performance tires during the winter)

I liked the Fun Factor of the FR-S and if you are used to a car sliding I do not think it is a big problem - I even think it is more fun.

However - Lets be honest 215 are way too narrow for the car and if anyone is interested in tracking the car will be looking into tire upgrade, Suspension and once used to those - POWER

nothing wrong with the 215's trust me. you can drive pretty damn fast on 215's. it's not all about tire width, it's the overall setup. plenty of fast drivers are hanging up numbers on 215 or 225 tires.