2022+ Suspension MEGA thread - Shock dynos, suspension frequencies, travel, more!

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

The ride quality is very good, better than OEM 2016 dampers by a significant margin. It's downright comfortable. This is on really awful Baltimore city roads and long trips to the mountains. It's likely better than 2017-2020 dampers too. Better than Bilstein B6, Koni, etc. Almost like a normal car.

Which...I do not love in terms of handling and feel. It's a little sloppy and not very confidence inspiring, especially the rear. This isn't just me going from those 3 ways to an OEM suspension. I would still prefer the 22 dampers to any of the 1st gen OEM dampers and a lightly used set of these would be a good choice for someone looking for more comfort.

Just some quick thoughts.

- Andrew

Yeah I was surprised at how comfortable the oem suspension on the 22 BRZ was compared to my returned-to-stock 13 FR-S. The 2013 feels almost crashy and dare I say overdamped in comparison, but firmer and more responsive when pushed.

I’m constantly tempted to throw my RCE T2’s on my 22 BRZ (they’ll go on eventually), but for now I’m enjoying the comfort level on the oem 22 suspension.

[marco_mc22]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

Random update that may interest someone...

In between testing some 3 way coilovers and other fun stuff, I've put the 2022 BRZ dampers and springs on my 2016 BRZ. Just for kicks. The car is otherwise now almost completely stock suspension wise (boooring) with the exception of OEM crash bolts, my bling STI strut bar, and rear Whiteline subframe + diff bushing inserts.

The ride quality is very good, better than OEM 2016 dampers by a significant margin. It's downright comfortable. This is on really awful Baltimore city roads and long trips to the mountains. It's likely better than 2017-2020 dampers too. Better than Bilstein B6, Koni, etc. Almost like a normal car.

Which...I do not love in terms of handling and feel. It's a little sloppy and not very confidence inspiring, especially the rear. This isn't just me going from those 3 ways to an OEM suspension. I would still prefer the 22 dampers to any of the 1st gen OEM dampers and a lightly used set of these would be a good choice for someone looking for more comfort.

Just some quick thoughts.

- Andrew

When you say 2017-2020 dampers you mean Showa base or PP Sachs?

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by marco_mc22

When you say 2017-2020 dampers you mean Showa base or PP Sachs?

I think it rides better than both.

- Andrew

[EAGLE5]

But does the 22 suspension oversteer when you sneeze like the 13 FRS does stock?

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by EAGLE5

But does the 22 suspension oversteer when you sneeze like the 13 FRS does stock?

It does not lol. I would not describe it as prone to oversteer at all.

- Andrew

[MacSpeed]

Do you know the bar rate on the RSB for the GR86? I found you post elsewhere the 14MM is 113lbs in reference to the old cars but having trouble with googlefoo on the 15MM bar the 17+ cars had.

[Ohio Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by MacSpeed

Do you know the bar rate on the RSB for the GR86? I found you post elsewhere the 14MM is 113lbs in reference to the old cars but having trouble with googlefoo on the 15MM bar the 17+ cars had.

I believe sway bars increase stiffness with the 4th power of thickness, so 15/14 = 1.071 (or 7% increase in diameter) results in a 31.6% stiffer bar.

[Mike Roadway]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

Suspension frequencies:
Using a 55/45 weight split and 3000 lbs with driver, we get roughly:

BRZ – 1.47 Hz front and 1.42 Hz rear.
GR86 – 1.42 Hz front and 1.50 Hz rear.

AWESOME thread and data, thanks @Racecomp Engineering. I started working the frequency ratios on my own and stumbled on this — I appreciate the detail.

[ffh2303]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

Random update that may interest someone...

In between testing some 3 way coilovers and other fun stuff, I've put the 2022 BRZ dampers and springs on my 2016 BRZ. Just for kicks. The car is otherwise now almost completely stock suspension wise (boooring) with the exception of OEM crash bolts, my bling STI strut bar, and rear Whiteline subframe + diff bushing inserts.

The ride quality is very good, better than OEM 2016 dampers by a significant margin. It's downright comfortable. This is on really awful Baltimore city roads and long trips to the mountains. It's likely better than 2017-2020 dampers too. Better than Bilstein B6, Koni, etc. Almost like a normal car.

Which...I do not love in terms of handling and feel. It's a little sloppy and not very confidence inspiring, especially the rear. This isn't just me going from those 3 ways to an OEM suspension. I would still prefer the 22 dampers to any of the 1st gen OEM dampers and a lightly used set of these would be a good choice for someone looking for more comfort.

Just some quick thoughts.

- Andrew

Hi, with the MY22 suspension does the ride height increase or decrease on the MY16 BRZ? Asking this since I read somewhere the MY22 rides 10mm lower.

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by ffh2303

Hi, with the MY22 suspension does the ride height increase or decrease on the MY16 BRZ? Asking this since I read somewhere the MY22 rides 10mm lower.

Hmmm...I didn't measure ride height unfortunately and don't have any pics. It looked "stock."

I may have been overselling the comfort just a tad...it's good and better than anything first gen by a little bit...but not amazing/plush.

I do think it's worth replacing old and tired first gen parts with 2nd gen BRZ parts if you get a good deal and don't want to try anything aftermarket.

- Andrew

[N_Raged]

Andrew I know you said in the other "shared parts" thread that the rear tophats are different, but is there a combination of parts that would allow me to pair gen2 dampers with gen1 tS springs on my 2019 BRZ?

I want to pair the 2024 tS Hitachi dampers with my tS springs - hoping it will be more comfortable than my current Bilstein B6 & tS spring combo which tosses me around quite a bit on broken roads. My buddy and I compared his 2022 BRZ with my car and the new car is definitely more comfortable.

-David

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by N_Raged

Andrew I know you said in the other "shared parts" thread that the rear tophats are different, but is there a combination of parts that would allow me to pair gen2 dampers with gen1 tS springs on my 2019 BRZ?

I want to pair the 2024 tS Hitachi dampers with my tS springs - hoping it will be more comfortable than my current Bilstein B6 & tS spring combo which tosses me around quite a bit on broken roads. My buddy and I compared his 2022 BRZ with my car and the new car is definitely more comfortable.

-David

Hmmm not sure of the exact difference in the rear top hat, but I haven't tried putting a rear 1st gen spring on 2nd gen shocks. It's not "supposed" to work.

We're interested to see how the Hitachi dampers do and how they'll compare to standard and also the GR86 Sachs dampers.

- Andrew

[DocWalt]

I believe the top hat is the same but I know for sure that the perch on the shock is different.

[N_Raged]

Originally Posted by DocWalt

but I know for sure that the perch on the shock is different.

nuts, okay thanks