Non-adjustable shocks?

[shawnperolis]

Hello friends, sorry if this question is super n00b, but I've been doing a lot of searching and reading up on the topic and I'm still a little confused. I really want to change the suspension setup on my FRS because I'd be more comfortable with the car if it handled a bit more neutrally at the limit. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying the stock suspension setup is bad or wrong, it's just a preference thing for me.

I have been considering the Hotchkis springs because they have a similar front/rear stiffness ratio as the BRZ but with stiffer spring rates. I've put stiffer aftermarket springs on other cars (Honda CRX, Hyundai Accent, Civic Si) with stock shocks, but the ride is always effected. On this car I want to do it right, so I've been considering buying a set of Koni Yellow struts... But I found out they are adjustable and I'm not exactly sure if I trust myself to set it up correctly, and for street use I am not sure if I even need that anyways. Is there a cheaper alternative for non-adjustable shocks? The Hotchkis website claims their springs are designed for the stock shocks, but I don't really think that would be ideal.

Am I going about this right? Hotchkis springs and new struts to make the car more neutral at the limit, or is there a better tested method? Thanks for the help.

edit: The Konis that I was looking at:
http://ft86speedfactory.com/koni-fro...truts-619.html
http://ft86speedfactory.com/koni-rea...truts-620.html

[Razz]

Why don't you try wider tires first?

You will be surprised at the difference.

[Miniata]

Figuring out where to set standard Koni off the shelf yellow sport struts/shocks isn't that difficult. I've had them on four different cars so far.

[naikaidriver]

Originally Posted by Razz

Why don't you try wider tires first?

You will be surprised at the difference.

Tires first.

Scott

[shawnperolis]

Originally Posted by Razz

Why don't you try wider tires first?

You will be surprised at the difference.

I plan on getting new tires after these ones are burned up, so this is going to happen as well. I do want the added benefits of lowering springs/shocks though.

Originally Posted by Miniata

Figuring out where to set standard Koni off the shelf yellow sport struts/shocks isn't that difficult. I've had them on four different cars so far.

That's good to know. I'm just not sure if I actually need the adjustability for my street car. I don't plan on tracking it, really... I figured if I could save some money and get non-adjustable ones it really wouldn't matter all that much to me.

[shawnperolis]

*bump* for info about a nice set of aftermarket shocks that could handle the 1" drop and stiffer rates of the Hotchkis springs?

[Racecomp Engineering]

Right now the only aftermarket shock available (outside of the big money custom stock auto-x examples) are the Konis. Bilstein will eventually have a non-adjustable option but it will take quite a while (as in not this year).

If you're looking to tame the car a little bit and shift the balance more towards neutral at the limit, you might be interested in our RCE Yellow springs are a good choice. Spring rates are even front and rear...which does not mean understeer, but rather a controlled and balanced chassis with great turn-in. The car does not rely on the bumpstops like the OEM FRS or nearly all aftermarket examples since we have strong front spring rates and include replacement shortened bumpstops. It is fast and confidence inspiring, something we feel is very important.

The stock shocks are pretty good from an OEM and you can tell the engineers paid a little more attention than usual to them. They can take a decent bump in spring rate, but lowering more than an inch is not recommended IMO. They do work well with the Hotchkis springs, which are pretty good springs too.

The Konis will only improve things with our springs or Hotchkis. Koni does a great job and although the install is a little messy with the inserts, it's not too bad.

- Andrew

[GTM_Challenge]

Id try tires first, then sway bar or springs. You might be able to mix and match OEM FR-S and BRZ spring rates to your liking.

[shawnperolis]

Thanks guys!