GR86/BRZ Comparison Articles

[Stonehorsw]

Originally Posted by ayau

throttle mapping confirmed to be different by the subaru/toyota engineers?

i feel like toyota CEO pressured their engineers to differentiate the GR86 from the BRZ simply for the sake of being different, therefore, they can market their car as being unique.

steel vs aluminum knuckle? come on...

If there is a steel knuckle, i would buy it

[Yoshoobaroo]

Originally Posted by ayau

steel vs aluminum knuckle? come on...

Iron, not steel apparently.

[ayau]

Originally Posted by Yoshoobaroo

Iron, not steel apparently.

yeah my bad. not sure why i typed steel lol.

[C4RBON]

This video clearly shows the difference in rear sway bar mounting. Interesting that they'd make this change, since it complicates manufacturing.

Another advantage for the Subaru method, is that if the sway bar mount/bracket ever rusts, you can replace that separately from the subframe. On my 2015 BRZ, the front sway bar mount/frame is getting rusty (It saw a few salty Iowa winters) but the sub frame is fine.

This advantage would also apply to the aluminum knuckles; they're going to hold up to salt better that ferrous knuckles.

[Pete]

So, if I am understanding correctly, it is looking like the BRZ is more what I am looking for mechanically: driftable but not prone to drift, more stable in the rear end for corner exits, maybe a few pounds lighter.

Now, that's a problem because I like the look of the GR86 a lot more from the front, and I like the neptune blue more than any of the colors subaru is offering. Really wish one of the two would offer a bright orange color, I want mine to look like the toy it is.

[timurrrr]

Originally Posted by Pete

So, if I am understanding correctly, it is looking like the BRZ is more what I am looking for mechanically: driftable but not prone to drift, more stable in the rear end for corner exits, maybe a few pounds lighter.

Now, that's a problem because I like the look of the GR86 a lot more from the front, and I like the neptune blue more than any of the colors subaru is offering. Really wish one of the two would offer a bright orange color, I want mine to look like the toy it is.

Exactly my thoughts.
I'm half-seriously considering buying the BRZ and then doing a bumper swap

[timurrrr]

Can someone explain how different mounting of the rear ARB will affect handling?
I guess attaching it to the car body makes it act like an additional bridge between the suspension/subframe and the body, increasing the overall stiffness?
Whereas if the ARB brackets are mounted on the subframe, the flex in the subframe/frame bushings is basically a spring in series with the effective anti-roll spring of the suspension mounted on the subframe?

Also, wtf is this supposed to mean: (from English subtitles of the DK video at 3:30)

- From Toyota, Subaru adopted an aluminum knuckle, but Toyota did not. I'm asking why.
- Toyota explainer: This is so that the performance of the front tires can be demonstrated accurately.
Everybody nods.

How on Earth is the aluminum knuckle going to demonstrate the performance of the front tires inaccurately?

[Yoshoobaroo]

Originally Posted by timurrrr

How on Earth is the aluminum knuckle going to demonstrate the performance of the front tires inaccurately?

I think that means they wanted more feedback; as in ‘demonstrate tire performance to the driver’

So the knuckles are stiffer

[timurrrr]

Originally Posted by Yoshoobaroo

I think that means they wanted more feedback; ie the knuckles are stiffer

That would make some sense, but does it truly make a difference, given that there's a bunch of bushings in the suspension that also affect the mechanics of how the steering system works?

Also, wouldn't a lighter aluminum knuckle make the rotational inertia of the system lower, thus improving responsiveness?

[C4RBON]

I'm also in the camp that prefers the look of the GR86; both the bumper and the silver/gray interior accents. But I prefer the BRZ mechanically.

Given the knuckles are approximately the same dimensions/geometry, the iron knuckle would be stronger. That could result in better wheel control, but it isn't like Aluminum is flimsy or anything. The compliance in the bushings are going to make far more difference than the knuckle material. The Aluminum knuckle will be lighter and more resistant to salt, that's why I want it. I think drifters prefer iron because it more durable and cheaper.

[Yoshoobaroo]

Originally Posted by timurrrr

That would make some sense, but does it truly make a difference, given that there's a bunch of bushings in the suspension that also affect the mechanics of how the steering system works?

Also, wouldn't a lighter aluminum knuckle make the rotational inertia of the system lower, thus improving responsiveness?

I agree.

I think this is mostly Toyota’s marketing putting a cool spin on it. I think the real reason Toyota doesn’t want aluminum knuckles is because they’re afraid that a less experienced tech would mangle them when doing wheel bearings and suspension arms.

[racingfool]

Originally Posted by timurrrr

I'm half-seriously considering buying the BRZ and then doing a bumper swap

I could live with just switching the 86 headlights into a BRZ.

Originally Posted by Yoshoobaroo

reason Toyota doesn’t want aluminum knuckles...

Perhaps iron knuckles will be easier to get the extreme steering angle that drifters want.
Or maybe that extreme steering angle puts more stress on the knuckle...so aluminum is not such a good idea.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by timurrrr

Exactly my thoughts.
I'm half-seriously considering buying the BRZ and then doing a bumper swap

Hmmm...Maybe a bumper swap and then a bright orange wrap.

I would never get the colors exactly matched if I just swapped the bumper.

In general I am excited about these cars though, I just loved my first one. Looking forward to western reviewers getting some seat time.

[simpleisbest]

Originally Posted by timurrrr

Can someone explain how different mounting of the rear ARB will affect handling?
I guess attaching it to the car body makes it act like an additional bridge between the suspension/subframe and the body, increasing the overall stiffness?
Whereas if the ARB brackets are mounted on the subframe, the flex in the subframe/frame bushings is basically a spring in series with the effective anti-roll spring of the suspension mounted on the subframe?

I wonder about the real benefits of the brz rear arb mounts as well.
It seems like the design would have the arb mount plate basically sandwich the subframe bushing metal inserts to the chassis??? Hard to tell without seeing it on the car.