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The Subaru BRZ is an exciting sports car known for its incredible handling and precision steering. Under the hood, it packs a powerful FA20 or FA24 engine mated to a manual transmission for an engaging driving experience. However, to get the most out of your BRZ's performance capabilities on the street or track, upgrading to performance coilovers is a must.
In this article, we'll go over everything you need to know about choosing the right coilovers for your BRZ, whether you use it as a daily driver, for spirited weekend drives, or compete in autocross and track days. Read on to transform your BRZ's ride quality and overall performance capabilities!
Coilovers are a popular suspension upgrade that allows BRZ owners to radically transform handling and ride quality. We’ve gone ahead and made things easy by reviewing some of the top BRZ coilover options based on ride balance, features, durability, and value to determine the best coilovers on the market today.
FEAL's 441 Coilovers are designed for drivers who frequent the track and demand superb handling capabilities. FEAL utilizes high-end components like adjustable aluminum top mounts, 30-way damper adjustability, and 7K/6K Swift spring rates to deliver pro-level performance. The monotube inverted shock design improves heat dissipation and suspension response. FEAL's expertise in professional motorsports resulted in a coilover with incredible cornering grip and responsive turn-in that can fully exploit the BRZ potential. Rebuildable shocks and premium components make the 441 a reliable long-term investment. The FEAL 441 Coilovers are the perfect coilover if you find yourself pushing your BRZ to its limits at the race track.
For BRZ owners seeking an unparalleled blend of street comfort and track precision, KW's Variant 3 Coilovers deliver. KW's innovative twin-tube dampers offer separate compression and rebound tuning, allowing a supple daily ride or firm track setting. The Variant 3 includes KW's intelligent damper design that maintains safety and stability at high speeds. Fully height adjustable with stainless steel construction, the Variant 3 combines the best of KW's road and track experience. Expect OE levels of comfort with substantially improved body control and turn-in response. The KW Variant 3 Coilovers are the choice for BRZ drivers wanting OEM refinement with racecar-like performance.
Ohlins targets hardcore track day and autocross drivers with its Ohlin Road & Track Coilovers. Developed from Ohlins' rich racing experience, these coilovers provide incredible suspension response and feedback at the limit. The smooth-riding DFV dampers absorb bumps and allow quicker turn-in without upsetting the chassis. Massive grip and composure through corners make this kit ideal for competitive driving events. Offering both road and track settings, the Ohlin Road & Track Coilovers is the perfect upgrade for BRZ owners who push hard at the track but want a comfortable suspension during their daily drives. You can expect pinpoint precision and unparalleled performance potential from this premium Swedish-designed coilover setup.
Fortune Auto's 500 Series Coilovers deliver customized performance at an affordable price. Its innovative monotube shocks use digressive valving for a supple ride over small bumps that firm up under aggressive driving. Fully adjustable height, 24-step rebound adjustment, and easy upgradeability provide versatility and the chance to upgrade later on if need be. Top-end components like pillow ball mounts, aluminum construction, and precise dyno testing ensure reliability and longevity. For BRZ owners wanting a balanced, highly-tunable coilover system with comfortable street qualities and racecar-like handling, the Fortune Auto Gen 8 500 Series Coilovers are a top choice.
The ISR Pro Series Coilovers make high-end performance attainable for BRZ owners on a budget. ISR utilizes monotube shocks, 32-way dampening adjustment, and camber-adjustable front mounts for refined handling characteristics. While slightly firmer than stock, the ISR Pro Coilovers retain a comfortable ride quality making them easy to live with daily. For drivers wanting improved grip and response without breaking the bank, the quality and value provided by ISR Performance's Pro Series Coilovers make them a great pick for owners on a budget.
A'PEXi's N1 ExV Coilovers build on their proven street performance design with enhanced components. Threaded height adjustment, solid bushings/mounts, and 32-way dampening give greater Track adaptability. Monotube construction and larger 62mm springs provide a noticeable improvement in handling and control from stock without being too harsh. For BRZ owners wanting a mild drop, better driving dynamics, and trusted quality, the A'PEXi N1 ExV Coilovers delivers great bang for the buck.
The Tein's Flex Z Coilovers make high-quality suspension for your BRZ affordable. Linear 16-level damping, ride height adjustment, and precisely matched springs and components optimize handling balance. The Flex Z Coilovers retain Tein's renowned quality and tuning potential at an attractive price. Daily comfort is kept while body roll, dive, and squat are eliminated for improved precision and control when driving spiritedly. The Tein Flex Z Coilovers are an ideal choice for BRZ enthusiasts wanting an entry-level track-capable coilover without sacrificing too much comfort or breaking the bank.
Evolved Autosport designed its coilover system to balance supreme comfort and competent handling. Offering adjustable height and 16-way damping, it transforms everyday driving dynamics while retaining a refined ride. Tested extensively on the street and track, these coilovers are tuned for reliability and longevity. With high-end features at an attractive price, the Evolved Autosport Coilovers provide an excellent daily driving experience that still excels during touge runs on your favorite backroad.
BC Racing's BR Series Coilovers deliver unbeatable value for BRZ owners looking to upgrade their stock suspension. Offering adjustable height and 30-level compression/rebound tuning, the BR Series provides a cost-effective upgrade over stock. Mono-tube shocks, linear pistons, and specially tuned springs improve handling balance and grip while ensuring a comfortable ride. Compatible with camber plates and Swift springs for further tuning, the BC Racing BR Coilovers offer everyday livability and performance at a budget-friendly price.
Silver's NEOMAX Coilovers provide refined street performance and flexibility. Offering 24-way damping adjustment and extended height adjustability, they allow dialing in the perfect balance of handling and ride comfort. The mono-tube shocks outperform twin-tube designs, especially on track. Paired with aggressive spring rates and camber-adjustable front plates, these coilovers transform street driving dynamics and give a commanding track presence without punishing practicality. For BRZ owners wanting a multipurpose coilover option, Silver's NEOMAX Coilovers hits a sweet spot.
Coilovers are a suspension upgrade that replaces the factory shocks and springs with a single, height-adjustable coilover. Coilovers provide much better control over the suspension by allowing you to independently tune the shock damping and run different spring rates. This improves handling by reducing body roll in corners, while still allowing you to have a comfortable ride. For the BRZ, a well-matched set of coilovers can shave seconds off lap times on track and make the car much more agile and responsive on the street too!
For daily driven BRZs, you should consider a street coilover like the BC Racing BR Coilovers or Silver's NEOMAX Coilovers. Both of these coilovers provide adjustable damping and softer spring rates to ensure a more comfortable ride.
If you’re looking to occasionally take your BRZ to the track, consider a set of coilovers with increased damping adjustability and stiffer springs like the Fortune Auto 500 Series Coilovers. These coilovers reduce body roll even more and improve grip for aggressive street driving or light track duty while still maintaining some level of comfort for daily use.
Whether you’re prioritizing a smooth ride or sharper handling on twisty roads, a set of quality coilovers that have adjustable damping paired with properly matched spring rates offer the best combination of comfort and performance for your BRZ.
If you're looking for a solid foundation for your track day or autocross setup, you'll want 3-way adjustable coilovers with stiffer spring rates, damping adjustability, and smooth-riding pillow ball mounts. The KW Variant 3 Coilovers offer significantly improved performance, as do the Ohlin Road & Track or FEAL 441 coilovers. Be prepared for a firmer ride, but with an incredible cornering grip and responsive turn-in whenever you take your BRZ out for a session.
Upgrading your Subaru BRZ with new coilovers is an exciting modification, but there are a few key factors to consider beforehand. Properly setting expectations and choosing the right coilovers for your needs will ensure you get the most performance, handling, and value from your new suspension upgrade.
Coilovers range from affordable entry-level systems between $800-$1200 up to premium track-focused systems over $3000. Entry-level coilovers from ISR Performance, BC Racing, and others offer great bang for the buck, while brands like KW and Ohlins represent the ultimate in performance and quality. Set a budget that matches your goals.
Look for corrosion-resistant steel construction and TIG welded brackets. Premium brands use higher-end components like aluminum bodies and pillow ball mounts for maximum longevity and performance. Always make sure that the coilovers can be rebuilt, ensuring you have a way to service them in the future.
Coilovers allow lowering your BRZ's center of gravity for better handling. Ensure yours offers independent height adjustment to properly dial in ride height, corner balance, and alignment specs. Lowering your car too much can impact drivability and wear tires, so adjust ride height properly.
Perform annual checks on the coilovers to look for leaks, loose bolts, or any damage from road debris. Keep the shock bodies clean and use compressed air to remove dirt buildup. If you live in an area where rust is common consider greasing your coilovers to ensure nothing seizes up over time.
Squeaking or knocking noises indicate loose, worn, or damaged components - inspect bushings, top mounts, springs, and dampers. Some companies offer rebuild kits or full rebuild services to refurbish worn shocks. If ride height differs significantly side-to-side, adjust each corner to level the vehicle.
Upgrading other areas of your BRZ can complement your new coilover suspension and take the performance to the next level. Let's look at some other worthwhile mods to consider.
For budget-minded BRZ owners not ready to invest in a complete coilover system, installing lowering springs with the stock shocks is an easy and affordable option. Quality lowering springs like the Eibach Pro-Kit and H&R swiftly drop the BRZ's ride height by 1-2 inches for a more aggressive stance and lower center of gravity that instantly improves cornering sharpness. Lowering springs tuned specifically for the BRZ offer noticeable handling gains and can tide enthusiasts over until they choose to upgrade to more advanced coilover suspension in the future. While not as adjustable or performance-oriented as coilovers, lowering springs provide a simple bolt-on solution for cost-conscious owners to lower their BRZ and enjoy sharper turn-in and improved grip.
Replacing the factory exhaust with a performance catback exhaust system is one of the best ways to unlock more horsepower and give your BRZ an aggressive exhaust note. Catback exhausts for the BRZ from brands like Invidia, Borla, and GReddy reduce restrictive backpressure, add some extra horsepower through the powerband, and improve how your engine sounds. A quality BRZ catback exhaust paired with a tune can take your BRZ's performance to the next level.
Lastly, a cold air intake is another relatively simple bolt-on upgrade that works hand in hand with your new coilover suspension. A performance air intake optimizes the engine's ability to breathe, increasing throttle response and low-end torque. Options from AEM, Injen, and Perrin use a high-flow air filter to feed more cool air to the engine. Most aftermarket intakes simply bolt in without any tuning required and give your BRZ a nice bit more power to match the improved handling from coilovers.
Installing a set of performance coilovers for your Subaru BRZ and dialing in the proper suspension settings is one of the most impactful upgrades you can make to transform your car's handling characteristics and ride quality. Whether you use your Subaru BRZ as a daily driver or like to push to the limit at the track, a coilover upgrade lets you fully realize your BRZ's incredible performance potential.
Thank you for reading our definitive BRZ coilover guide, we hope it helps you find the best coilovers for your Subaru BRZ! Don't forget to also check out our other BRZ mod overviews covering catback exhausts, lowering springs, air intakes, and more to fully optimize your vehicle. Your perfectly dialed BRZ awaits!
For the BRZ, quality entry-level coilovers that won't break the bank include options from BC Racing, ISR Performance, and Evolved Autosport, typically priced at $800-$1200.
With proper tools and patience, coilovers can be DIY installed. However, it helps to have experience with suspension work. Seek assistance if you are not confident.
Most quality coilovers will last tens of thousands of miles with proper care and maintenance. Rebuild kits can refresh worn components. Expect to replace budget coilovers sooner. Inspect and service annually.
High-performance coilover systems like the Ohlins Road & Track, Fortune Auto 500 Series, and BC Racing BR Series are engineered specifically to bolt directly onto the Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S suspension. These coilovers and others featured in this guide are designed to seamlessly replace the factory BRZ shocks and struts for a performance-oriented fit and ride. Carefully selecting coilovers made for the BRZ ensures optimal handling and adjustability.
The Subaru BRZ comes from the factory equipped with basic shock absorbers and springs, not true performance coilovers. While capable of regular driving, the stock suspension limits handling performance, adjustability, and lowered ride height potential. Aftermarket BRZ coilovers significantly upgrade over the factory setup.
For a daily driven BRZ, prioritize comfort while still improving handling precision. The KW Variant 3, Evolved Autosport and Tein Flex Z coilovers balance great ride quality and improved dynamics for comfortable daily use. Moderate spring rates paired with adjustable damping allow dialing in the perfect balance of compliance and control.
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