Table of Contents
Adjusting the spring rates and dampers on your Subaru BRZ can significantly enhance your vehicle’s performance on the track while ensuring comfort during daily driving. Understanding how to make these adjustments is essential for both enthusiasts and casual drivers alike.
Understanding Spring Rates
Spring rates determine how stiff or soft your suspension is. A higher spring rate means a stiffer suspension, which can improve handling on the track but may sacrifice comfort for daily driving.
Choosing the Right Spring Rate
When selecting the right spring rate for your BRZ, consider the following:
- Track Use: For track days, stiffer springs (typically 6-10% higher than stock) can improve cornering stability.
- Daily Driving: For everyday use, a softer spring rate (closer to stock) provides better comfort and ride quality.
Adjusting Dampers
Dampers, or shock absorbers, control the rate of compression and rebound of your suspension. Proper adjustment of dampers can significantly affect your BRZ’s handling and comfort levels.
Types of Dampers
- Single Adjustable: Allows you to adjust either compression or rebound.
- Double Adjustable: Enables adjustments for both compression and rebound, providing more tuning flexibility.
Setting Up for the Track
For track use, you may want to set your dampers to a firmer setting. This helps reduce body roll and improves responsiveness.
Daily Driving Settings
For daily driving, softer damper settings can provide a more comfortable ride, absorbing bumps and imperfections in the road.
Balancing Performance and Comfort
Finding the right balance between performance on the track and comfort for daily driving is crucial. Here are some tips to achieve this balance:
- Start with a moderate spring rate increase and adjust based on feedback from both track and daily driving.
- Make incremental adjustments to your dampers, testing each setting thoroughly.
- Consider the use of adjustable coilovers for greater flexibility in tuning.
Testing and Fine-Tuning
After making your adjustments, it’s essential to test your BRZ under various conditions. This will help you understand how the changes affect handling and comfort.
Track Testing
During track testing, pay attention to:
- Body roll during cornering.
- Stability under braking.
- Overall responsiveness of the vehicle.
Daily Driving Feedback
For daily driving, assess:
- Ride comfort on various road surfaces.
- Noise levels from the suspension.
- Overall drivability in everyday conditions.
Conclusion
Adjusting the spring rates and dampers on your BRZ is a valuable skill that can enhance both track performance and daily driving comfort. By carefully selecting and tuning these components, you can create a driving experience that meets your specific needs.