Setting Your Brz Coilovers: Recommended Dampening and Ride Height for Track Days

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Setting up your BRZ coilovers for track days is crucial for maximizing performance and ensuring an enjoyable driving experience. Proper dampening and ride height adjustments can significantly impact your vehicle’s handling, stability, and overall lap times.

Understanding Coilovers

Coilovers are a popular suspension upgrade for performance vehicles like the Subaru BRZ. They allow for adjustable ride height and dampening settings, giving drivers the ability to tailor their suspension setup to specific driving conditions, such as track days.

Finding the right ride height for your BRZ is essential for achieving optimal performance on the track. Here are some general guidelines:

  • Front Ride Height: 1.0 to 1.5 inches lower than stock
  • Rear Ride Height: 0.5 to 1.0 inches lower than stock

Lowering the ride height improves the center of gravity, which enhances cornering stability and reduces body roll. However, be cautious not to lower it excessively, as this can lead to bottoming out and negatively impact handling.

Dampening settings control how quickly your suspension absorbs bumps and rebounds after compression. For track days, achieving the right balance between comfort and performance is key. Here are some recommendations:

  • Front Dampening: 12-16 clicks from soft
  • Rear Dampening: 10-14 clicks from soft

These settings provide a good baseline for track use. Adjustments can be made based on personal preference and track conditions. A stiffer setting will provide better response during cornering, while a softer setting may offer more comfort on uneven surfaces.

Testing and Adjusting Your Setup

Once you have set your ride height and dampening, it’s time to test your setup on the track. Here are some tips for evaluating and adjusting your coilovers:

  • Start with a few laps to get a feel for the car’s handling.
  • Pay attention to body roll, understeer, and oversteer.
  • Make small adjustments to dampening settings and note the changes in handling.
  • Consider the track surface; adjust settings accordingly for smoother or rougher tracks.

After making adjustments, continue testing until you find the optimal balance for your driving style and the specific track conditions.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When setting up your BRZ coilovers, avoid these common pitfalls:

  • Setting ride height too low, leading to bottoming out.
  • Over-adjusting dampening settings without testing.
  • Ignoring tire pressure and alignment, which can affect handling.
  • Failing to account for track conditions when adjusting settings.

By being mindful of these mistakes, you can ensure a smoother and more effective setup process.

Conclusion

Setting your BRZ coilovers for track days requires careful consideration of ride height and dampening settings. By following the recommended guidelines and making adjustments based on testing, you can enhance your vehicle’s performance and enjoy a more exhilarating driving experience on the track.