Improve Ride on 2013 BRZ

[Sasquachulator]

According to these guys the refresh cars are less choppy than the refresh and that actually makes it more comfortable in day to day driving.

Even Savagegeese mentions it being alot more comfortable than when it started.

So to what extent that means to anybody, its up to you to find out.

Mine being a 2020, i dont find it particularly jarring at all. Its comfy, it is stiff and I can feel bumps in the road but its well damped imo. But i cant compare to a pre-refresh as i never really drove one of those before beyond a 5min test drive in 2013.

[Racecomp Engineering]

The other thing is if your shocks are 8 years old with a bunch of miles on them, they're due to be replaced. The 2017+ shocks are smoother new vs new 2013 shocks, and they are another step smoother vs old/crusty 2013 shocks.

If I just picked up a 2013 used, I'd also inspect all the bushings and do a rundown on what still looks good and what's not so good.

The #1 song in 2013 was Thrift Shop by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. That's a long time ago.

Bilstein B6 are an upgrade as well if you're looking for something aftermarket. I like them a lot.

- Andrew

[Hypnotoad]

I recently bought a 2013 BRZ with only 34,000 miles on it so of course it’s my project car! How does any of u guys recommend I drop it 1” to 1-1/2” the cheapest but without future problems? I have a set of unopened spring compression clamps and could use them, with a follow up alignment of course! But… I’m new to this car and love it!… therefore don’t want to go cheap if it’s gonna be at the future expense of the integrity of my baby!! Hehe I just want it to sit a little lower.

[sygfrid]

I used to have a 2013 FRS with Bilstein B6 + TRD springs (approx. 1.1" drop). Ride was significantly sportier & more comfortable than stock. However, with the different (Verus & the JDM) underpanels I added for drag reduction & downforce, I was scraping the underbody on slightly higher ramps & humps whenever I was loaded with other passengers & luggage.

Now on my `17 BRZ, I have Bilstein B6+ RCE Yellows that are about 0.8" drop. Though I also reinstalled all those underpanel covers, that 0.2" height increase makes a huge difference as I no longer scrape & the ride is even sportier than with the TRD springs. IMO, this is the perfect DAILY setup. It's a little investment to last the car's lifetime.

Check racecomengineering.com if they're still selling the Bilstein B6+RCE Yellows combo to save some money than buying them separately. Perhaps you can ask them if they can assemble the shocks & springs before delivery. Another option is to get RCE coilovers.

Originally Posted by Hypnotoad

I recently bought a 2013 BRZ with only 34,000 miles on it so of course it’s my project car! How does any of u guys recommend I drop it 1” to 1-1/2” the cheapest but without future problems? I have a set of unopened spring compression clamps and could use them, with a follow up alignment of course! But… I’m new to this car and love it!… therefore don’t want to go cheap if it’s gonna be at the future expense of the integrity of my baby!! Hehe I just want it to sit a little lower.

[Yoniyama]

(1) Lighter wheels, if you can afford them, will make a noticeable difference. I run 16-inch wheels that weigh only 11.5lb each, saving almost 10lb per corner, against OEM 17-inch wheels.

(2) Lighter anti-roll bars. You can save about 1ib off each end, against OEM bars.

(3) Light weight wheel lug nuts. Mine weighs only about 40g each, about half the weight of OEM.

(4) Two-piece front brake rotors, saving another 7 lb per corner.

I run these mods on my 2018 model, while keeping OEM springs or shocks, and the ride appears firm but not crashy.

[Ernest72]

Originally Posted by Racecomp Engineering

The other thing is if your shocks are 8 years old with a bunch of miles on them, they're due to be replaced. The 2017+ shocks are smoother new vs new 2013 shocks, and they are another step smoother vs old/crusty 2013 shocks.

If I just picked up a 2013 used, I'd also inspect all the bushings and do a rundown on what still looks good and what's not so good.

The #1 song in 2013 was Thrift Shop by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. That's a long time ago.

Bilstein B6 are an upgrade as well if you're looking for something aftermarket. I like them a lot.

- Andrew

I second B6. If you are gonna go through the work get new shocks. I would get new springs as well. Maybe top hats too, but I know it gets pricey.

[CedN]

Interesting, one of few thing a im not happy with is the damping characteristics, its way worse than it need to be. Ive driven cars with 4 times the spring rate that runs smoother, just to much high speed damping. Will look at bilsteins when its time for a change.