Subaru BRZ / Toyota FRS / FT86 Chassis Related Tech

[Fair!]

Figured I'd update this thread as there have been some behind-the-scenes suspension development on this chassis.

Even though potential customers are still waiting on sticker pricing to be released on the BRZ and FR-S (good grief), as dealers keep stalling, suspension development is still proceeding briskly. With the measurements we took two weeks ago Brian at AST-USA has worked with AST Holland to develop a unique coilover set-up for this FT86 chassis. The front strut drawing for an AST 4150 was completed this week and that have allowed me to share it here:



Unlike on the Subaru platform from which this front McPherson strut suspension was "borrowed", this FT86 chassis has no need to clear a front halfshaft (it will never be AWD or FWD), which normally runs underneath the bottom of the front strut. This means the strut body can be extended below the mounting clamp for additional stroke (bump and rebound travel) even at a lowered ride height. This is a win-win for enthusiasts, autocrossers and track racers that want to buy an FR-S or BRZ and want the performance benefit from a lowered ride height, but don't want to suffer with substantially reduced bump travel.



The OEM FT86's rear shocks are virtually unchanged from a different Subaru chassis, so that won't have to be completely new from AST - other than the update to the new 4150 specs. Vorshlag has ordered a prototype set of these AST 4150 coilovers and we will put them on our BRZ as soon as it arrives. Then we will work with AST-USA on valving for this chassis. We'll add our spherical front camber plates at the same time.



Luckily we already have a camber plate that fits this chassis perfectly. Should be able to make these camber plates work with any coilover set-up on Day 1, with spring diameters of 2.25", 60mm or 2.5". If there is some unforeseen issue with this camber plate on this car (weird caster or camber settings) we will quickly redesign a unique FT86 version. We'll also take apart the OEM suspension, measure the front spring ID, and make the OEM style upper perches to work with our camber plates as soon as the car arrives.



The upper perches we include with all of our camber plates is somewhat unique. This allows for a pressed-in, sealed, radial ball bearing assembly to isolate steering loads and rotation from the spherical bearing. Part of the secrets that make our camber plates last longer than others out there.

Anyway, just thought I'd pass this along. Sorry if this was too "sales-y" but the only other coilovers I've seen being talked about for this chassis are lower-end Chinese fare. I thought some of you looking at the BRZ might like to know about the higher-end suspension parts also being developed.

Cheers,