Subaru BRZ different suspension / springs tuning - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

ahausheer · 12-02-2011, 02:01 PM

Any ideas how the different suspension tuning will alter performance handling and daily driving feel?

From this thread, I think the BRZ is firmer in front and softer in the back.

old greg · 12-02-2011, 02:20 PM

Hard to say. I don't think they would go for a softer ride (they tried that with the '08 WRX and learned their lesson). My best guess is they might have traded some of the 86's driftability for improved grip.

Rears will always be more stiffly sprung (in ride frequency, if not spring rate) than fronts. It's a ride comfort thing, helps the car stay more level over bumps in the road.

ryude · 12-02-2011, 02:23 PM

Firmer front and softer rear help with launch traction, pushing the weight down on the rear tires instead of just picking up the front of the car. It also helps keep the rear tires planted during hard turns, but I suspect the trade-off is a little bit more snap-oversteer.

spin9k · 12-02-2011, 03:17 PM

Both adjustments noted add understeer, make the car 'feel' safer, go slower, depending on what it started from before the adjustment. Lawsuits, spins, drifting are all cause for concern to the lawyers, yaknow?

ahausheer · 12-02-2011, 03:32 PM

Just thought of something, perhaps it has to do with the tires. Toyota will have low grip eco tires, I think the Subaru will have higher grip tires. I guess Toyota wants a drifter, and Subaru wants a car with better grip?

ubersoph · 12-02-2011, 04:34 PM

Sounds like more grip vs more drift. Either is probably a fantastic drive, but I'm guessing the subie is going to be ever so slightly faster around a track, though harder to get your drift on.

Ryephile · 12-02-2011, 04:37 PM

I hope a few good magazines do a back-to-back test with both the FR-S and BRZ to highlight the precise changes. The suspension tuning could be Neutral vs. slightly safe, or slightly drift oriented vs. neutral. Where the balance lies will have to wait until some experienced drivers get seat time and can discern the differences....or suspension tuners can take parts off the cars and measure differences.

Levi · 12-02-2011, 04:41 PM

Get Moton/Ohlins coilovers and set them up as you wish: drift or grip. That is why I don't care about factory setup.

blur · 12-02-2011, 04:41 PM

I take it the 86 already has some controllable understeer, so Subaru will just be playing it safe. It's not going to make it any faster around a track, that's for sure.

tranzformer · 12-02-2011, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blur

I take it the 86 already has some controllable understeer, so Subaru will just be playing it safe. It's not going to make it any faster around a track, that's for sure.

Question is whether or not that is even something worth trying to change once we get the car.

blur · 12-02-2011, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranzformer

Question is whether or not that is even something worth trying to change once we get the car.

Likely not, unless you go aftermarket, which will probably offer a drop, lower center of gravity, less body roll and less understeer. I don't think it would be worth it to swap to OEM.

Dave-ROR · 12-02-2011, 10:54 PM

Depending on rates I'd consider getting oem scion rear springs for the brz.

Mr.Jay · 12-02-2011, 10:57 PM

not to mention OEM prices $$$$$$ aftermarket you can get good value or ball outta control

Matador · 12-03-2011, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spin9k

Both adjustments noted add understeer, make the car 'feel' safer, go slower, depending on what it started from before the adjustment. Lawsuits, spins, drifting are all cause for concern to the lawyers, yaknow?

This.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahausheer

Just thought of something, perhaps it has to do with the tires. Toyota will have low grip eco tires, I think the Subaru will have higher grip tires. I guess Toyota wants a drifter, and Subaru wants a car with better grip?

Both Seem to have Michelin Primacy as standard tyres. Perhaps the Bridgestone RE86 may be offered as an "option"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryephile

I hope a few good magazines do a back-to-back test with both the FR-S and BRZ to highlight the precise changes. The suspension tuning could be Neutral vs. slightly safe, or slightly drift oriented vs. neutral. Where the balance lies will have to wait until some experienced drivers get seat time and can discern the differences....or suspension tuners can take parts off the cars and measure differences.

This. To be honest though, I don't think there would be any huge difference.

12-02-2011, 02:01 PM	#1
ahausheer Re-member Join Date: Nov 2011 Drives: Toyota camry Location: S. Cali Posts: 1,001 Thanks: 98 Thanked 292 Times in 152 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Subaru BRZ different suspension / springs tuning Any ideas how the different suspension tuning will alter performance handling and daily driving feel? From this thread, I think the BRZ is firmer in front and softer in the back.

12-02-2011, 04:37 PM	#7
Ryephile Hot Dog Join Date: Apr 2011 Drives: quicker than arghx7 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 1,316 Thanks: 103 Thanked 173 Times in 83 Posts Mentioned: 6 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I hope a few good magazines do a back-to-back test with both the FR-S and BRZ to highlight the precise changes. The suspension tuning could be Neutral vs. slightly safe, or slightly drift oriented vs. neutral. Where the balance lies will have to wait until some experienced drivers get seat time and can discern the differences....or suspension tuners can take parts off the cars and measure differences. __________________ "Wisdom is a not a function of age, but a function of experience." Just Say No to unqualified aftermarket products.

12-02-2011, 04:41 PM	#9
blur ლ(ಠ益ಠ)ლ Join Date: Apr 2010 Drives: E36 5.7 V8 Location: Bronx, NYC Posts: 1,573 Thanks: 194 Thanked 198 Times in 112 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I take it the 86 already has some controllable understeer, so Subaru will just be playing it safe. It's not going to make it any faster around a track, that's for sure. __________________ I wish I was cool enough to have an FR-S

12-02-2011, 10:54 PM	#12
Dave-ROR Site Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Drives: Stuff Location: Florida Posts: 10,317 Thanks: 955 Thanked 5,965 Times in 2,689 Posts Mentioned: 262 Post(s) Tagged: 8 Thread(s)	Depending on rates I'd consider getting oem scion rear springs for the brz. __________________ -Dave Track cars: 2013 Scion FRS, 1998 Acura Integra Type-R, 1993 Honda Civic Hatchback DD: 2005 Acura TSX Tow: 2022 F-450 Toys: 2001 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, 1993 Toyota MR2 Turbo, 1994 Toyota MR2 Turbo, 1991 Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 Parts: 2015 Subaru BRZ Limited, 2005 Acura TSX Projects: 2013 Subaru BRZ Limited track car build FS: 2004 GMC Sierra 2500 LT CCSB 8.1/Allison with 99k miles

12-02-2011, 10:57 PM	#13
Mr.Jay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Drives: FRS :D Location: Vancouver BC Posts: 2,985 Thanks: 545 Thanked 699 Times in 438 Posts Mentioned: 18 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	not to mention OEM prices $$$$$$ aftermarket you can get good value or ball outta control __________________ Out of the FRS game

12-02-2011, 02:20 PM	#2
old greg Rocket Surgeon Join Date: Apr 2011 Drives: PSM GGA OMG Location: FL Posts: 1,312 Thanks: 10 Thanked 141 Times in 84 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	Hard to say. I don't think they would go for a softer ride (they tried that with the '08 WRX and learned their lesson). My best guess is they might have traded some of the 86's driftability for improved grip. Rears will always be more stiffly sprung (in ride frequency, if not spring rate) than fronts. It's a ride comfort thing, helps the car stay more level over bumps in the road.

12-02-2011, 02:23 PM	#3
ryude Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Drives: Volkswagen GTI Location: Louisiana Posts: 466 Thanks: 6 Thanked 32 Times in 13 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Firmer front and softer rear help with launch traction, pushing the weight down on the rear tires instead of just picking up the front of the car. It also helps keep the rear tires planted during hard turns, but I suspect the trade-off is a little bit more snap-oversteer.

12-02-2011, 03:17 PM	#4
spin9k Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Drives: RX-8 Location: NH Posts: 147 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Both adjustments noted add understeer, make the car 'feel' safer, go slower, depending on what it started from before the adjustment. Lawsuits, spins, drifting are all cause for concern to the lawyers, yaknow?

12-02-2011, 03:32 PM	#5
ahausheer Re-member Join Date: Nov 2011 Drives: Toyota camry Location: S. Cali Posts: 1,001 Thanks: 98 Thanked 292 Times in 152 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Just thought of something, perhaps it has to do with the tires. Toyota will have low grip eco tires, I think the Subaru will have higher grip tires. I guess Toyota wants a drifter, and Subaru wants a car with better grip?

12-02-2011, 04:34 PM	#6
ubersoph Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Drives: 2013 BRZ Location: Madison, WI Posts: 308 Thanks: 67 Thanked 56 Times in 33 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Sounds like more grip vs more drift. Either is probably a fantastic drive, but I'm guessing the subie is going to be ever so slightly faster around a track, though harder to get your drift on.

12-02-2011, 04:41 PM	#8
Levi Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Drives: Toyota Location: Germany Posts: 1,202 Thanks: 134 Thanked 138 Times in 90 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Get Moton/Ohlins coilovers and set them up as you wish: drift or grip. That is why I don't care about factory setup.

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