Simplest Bestest Mods to tighten up steering, turn in and body flex

[Broz]

Hi guys,

After 4 long years in storage, super stoked to have my 2013 FRS back on the road. The steering input/response and oversteer/tail happiness are what I love most about the car.

I’d like to make it even better.
Any suggestions for the first mods to tighten up the steering feel and turn in alittle more.
With moderate expectations
Avoiding any additional jarring or bouncing around. A little more NVH is understandable.
Keeping in mind I'm now switching from stock 215/17s to 245/18s (either Yokohama Advan Sport A/S+or Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ Tire).

I’m cautious to overdo things. Based on previous experience (overly) modifying a 2003 WRX with every item in the Whiteline catalog… which in the end would tramline, bump steer/wheel hop and chip teeth crossing any highway/bridge seams.

Thanks for any advice/input/experiences!

BBroz

[grumpysnapper]

Quality dampers are your very best friends.

Personally, I would then simply renew your primary bushes throughout with new standard items.

Then take some thinking and driving time and work from there.

I honestly don't believe body flex is an issue in our cars for road use (or even hard road use).

Have fun!

[RToyo86]

Camber bolts up front.

If you want crisp front end turn in a summer tire may be a better choice. Stiffer sidewall will flex less.

[TommyW]

Don't run front tire pressure too low

[Capt Spaulding]

I'm in the new shocks - poly bushing/insert camp personally. If my car had more miles on it I'd probably have done the dampers first. You can go whole hog and jump into coilovers, but my preference is a set of Bilstein B6s with springs of your choice. OEM, RCE Yellows, or the forthcoming RCE Rally-Xs depending on your desired ride height. AS noted, I haven't done the shocks yet - that's for the coming year.

On the bushing/insert front, I suggest the steering rack, front and rear sway bars, and differential. FWIW mine are all Whitelines. I also have a set of rear subframe bushing inserts, a shifter bushing and a rear trans mount bushing sitting in my parts box. The shifter and trans mount I'm putting off until I need to pull the transmission. The subframe, I'm on the fence about. I'm trying to balance NVH and handling precision and think I may have found my personal sweet spot where I am. Not sure yet. It feels substantially more crisp (if that makes sense) without the jarring you seem to have experienced with your WRX.
.
Edit - And camber bolts.

[NoHaveMSG]

There are a lot more functional and cost effective mods to tighten up the car then braces.


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[strat61caster]

Front sway bar, maybe a pair of you feel like it.
I like rear subframe bushings

I didn't notice switching to delrin steering rack bushings,

[marco_mc22]

My 2 cents: upper and lower strut bars make both a noticeable difference, not huge but you can feel the difference; steering rack bushings aren't useless but very little difference, I'd skip them as first for sure.
Best first mods are IMO a good alignment, front lower control arm bushings and rear subframe inserts, then a stiffer front bar.
Bumpsteer isn't a big issue on these cars even when lowered while tramline is strictly dependent on your setup, tires and wheel offset choice, if you don't like it well negative camber is your first enemy, do not exceed with it.

[Capt Spaulding]

I'm a little surprised that rack bushings don't get more love. Mine were my first install and those seemed to make a noticeable difference. Adding a degree and and a half of camber to them was just short of transformational. Guess I'm the sensitive type.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by Capt Spaulding

I'm a little surprised that rack bushings don't get more love. Mine were my first install and those seemed to make a noticeable difference. Adding a degree and and a half of camber to them was just short of transformational. Guess I'm the sensitive type.

I really like them


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[Racecomp Engineering]

I like the Perrin Steering Rack Lockdown a lot for the money and ease of install.

How many miles on your car?

- Andrew

[ThatYeti]

I'd start with a better tire choice, you're in Canada so all seasons aren't exactly going to cut it in the winter and are just robbing you of capability in the summer.

[wparsons]

If feel and turn in are your priority, tires will make the most difference.

[bfrank1972]

Originally Posted by RToyo86

Camber bolts up front.



If you want crisp front end turn in a summer tire may be a better choice. Stiffer sidewall will flex less.

Incremental changes. Do this first, negative front camber + alignment after mounting some good quality tires with a more rigid sidewall.

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