What's Next for Your Build: Better Handling
30 JUL 2024 - Jeff Willis
When Subaru designed the BRZ, the idea was a traditional front-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car that was attainable by many enthusiasts. The idea derived from lighter equals faster. This could also be the reason why Subaru made the powerplant a naturally aspirated flat four. Prior to the BRZ, what was one of the more affordable sports cars that is also lightweight, and fun? It was the Mazda Miata.
The Miata has been teaching what began as novice track enthusiasts for more than 3 decades, what it really means to really know your car. Most importantly, to also know your driving skills. These cars were very educational for track enthusiasts because they were lightweight, nimble, and with only a little over 130 HP. You were certainly not passing any big V8’s, turbocharged, or Porsche GT vehicles on the straights, however, these cars taught you to maintain the momentum by correctly executing the apexes so that you can carry out the speed while others heavily relied on their brakes to slow down their higher speeds entering the turns.
When Subaru debuted the BRZ in 2013, as well as the Scion with their FR-S, and Toyota later joined US markets with their 86 model, there wasn’t really any other affordable option other than the Miata in terms of buying an affordable brand-new sports car off showroom floors. These cars were attractive and were paired with a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission option. And because the BRZ, FR_S, and 86 are naturally aspirated platforms, it’s not about making the most amount of horsepower in the performance spectrum, but rather, how can we make this a more enjoyable experience? How can we carry more speed? How can we improve feedback and driver confidence?
WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOUR BUILD: BETTER HANDLING
For over a decade now new owners of new and pre-owned Subaru BRZ, Scion FR-S, and Toyota 86 models have competed at the local and abroad weekend track events. From local autocrosses, to sanctioned rally competitions, these cars can handle it all. And if you don’t compete and just like to enjoy your vehicle for daily commutes or even at peace through windy canyon roads, there are awesome suspension upgrades that will make the driving experience better for the street, or more advanced at a competitive level. And of course, we have suspension upgrades that will execute that slammed look for those with weekend show cars. In no particular order, here are some ideas that can improve the handling, tire grip, cornering speed, and the overall stance of your Subaru BRZ, Scion FR-S, or Toyota 86.
STRUT TOWER BARS
These will be the easiest suspension mod that you can perform, as they will bolt to the tops of your strut towers typically with existing hardware. Strut tower bars bridge the strut towers together to reduce chassis flex, and the result is sharper steering response, as well as better cornering handling and speed. A great mod that can be done to the front or rear of your suspension and can be noticed and enjoyed on the daily commute, or on weekend track events.
Cusco Type OS Front Strut Tower Bar 2013-2024 BRZ/FR-S/86
GrimmSpeed Front Strut Tower Bar 2013-2024 BRZ/FR-S/86
PERRIN Front Strut Tower Car 2013-2024 BRZ/FR-S/86
SWAY BARS
Sway bars are one of the best suspension modifications that keep your chassis planted during high-speed cornering. The purpose of sway bars is to reduce the body roll when turning. However, aftermarkets use thicker bars, and some also have adjustment points to increase the overall stiffness. With a front engine and rear-wheel-drive setup like the BRZ, FR-S, 86, or even the A90 Supra, the conventional setup is a thicker front sway bar with a slightly thicker unit for the rear. The purpose of this is to reduce the overall amount of understeer. For track purposes, when entering high-speed corners, the rigidity of the chassis is increased to reduce the flex. This means that your coilovers, lowering springs, or OEM suspension can operate unilaterally. The footprint of your tires will make better contact with the pavement, where otherwise, the weight of the chassis would force the tires to grip on the outer surfaces on OEM sway bars. The result is better driver feedback with better driver confidence.
For the street or daily driving, aftermarket sway bars simply make for a better driving experience. Whether if you are zipping through traffic or enjoying those sweeping turns in the mountains.
Eibach Anti Roll Bar Kit 2013-2017 FRS / 2013-2020 BRZ
Whiteline Front and Rear Sway Bar Kit 2013-2021 BRZ/FR-S/86
Whiteline 24mm Adjustable Front Sway Bar 2020+ A90 Toyota Supra
Whiteline 18mm Adjustable Rear Sway Bar 2020+ A90 Toyota Supra
COILOVERS
Coilovers are hands-down the most popular suspension upgrade among enthusiasts for several reasons. One of the first mods outside of the performance spectrum is a newer set of wheels. Although wheels will customize the exterior, it’s the stance that really executes that aesthetic dynamic. With a proper stance and wider wheels, these exterior enhancements really change the personality of your vehicle especially if it’s the look you’re after. From a performance standpoint, coilovers will come with stiffer springs to compensate for the lowered height. This will also help reduce body roll during cornering, while lowering the overall center of gravity of your vehicle.
The greatest advantage of coilovers is the ability to lower or raise the height of your vehicle with just the wheel removed. For those of you who have experienced installing lowering springs, you’ll know how much of a luxury this is. Lowering springs require you to remove the strut assembly, using a spring clamping tool so you can remove the top hat. Now you must remove the entire strut assembly to install coilovers anyways. However, with lowering springs, you are limited to just the spring height. Now there is nothing wrong with lowering springs in fact many prefer them on vehicles they want to keep relatively stock, but just desire a little more aggressive look. With coilovers, all you have to do to adjust the height is jack up your vehicle on one corner, support the lifted side safely with a jack, when you have the wheel removed you can simply adjust the height by loosening the spring perches and you can twist the strut body into the lower mount.
Now coilovers offer a little harsher ride quality when compared to OEM suspension. But coilovers are not limited to just ride height. Most have damping adjustments to stiffen or soften the ride quality. Besides, who ever said having a race car was comfortable?
Faction Fab FR-Spec V2 Coilovers 2013-2024 BRZ/FR-S/86
BC Racing BR Coilovers w/Default 8k Front and Rear Springs 2013-2021 BRZ/FR-S/86
Ohlins Road and Track Coilovers 2022-2024 BRZ/GR86
LOWERING SPRINGS
Now coilovers can be expensive, especially if you’ve invested in a quality set from Faction Fab, BC Racing, or any other quality brand we carry. Yet even with all the benefits of coilovers, there still remains a high demand for lowering springs. And there are many reasons why enthusiasts opt for lowering springs. The main two reasons are that you don’t lose OEM ride quality. This could be a choice for those of you who just got a brand-new GR86, BRZ, or A90 Supra, and you don’t want to stray too far away from stock. Lowering springs work with OEM or OEM-like struts and offer better handling with a reasonable drop height. The other main reason is cost. For the BRZ, FR-S, and the 86, you can find lowering springs for as little as $170. And any competent mechanic can get them installed in a few hours.
Faction Fab F-Sped Performance Lowering Springs 2013-2021 BRZ/FR-S/86
Eibach Sportline Springs 2013-2021 BRZ/FR-S/86
ISC Triple S Lowering Springs 2013-2021 BRZ/FR-S/86
These are our top suspension mod choices for those who want to improve the handling of your BRZ, FR-S, 86, or A90 Supra. All the mentioned mods are effective for the track and the street, but most importantly they make your awesome driving experience a lot better, at any speed. These cars beg for mods, and on the suspension side of things, we’ve got you covered.