Best Coilovers for the Subaru BRZ & Scion FR-S (2013-2020)

The best coilovers for the Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S turn an already sweet-handling chassis into a genuine track weapon — and few platforms reward a suspension upgrade like the first-generation 86 twins. With just 200 horsepower from the 2.0L FA20 boxer, the BRZ/FR-S was never about straight-line speed; its magic lives in a low 2,806-lb curb weight, a near-53/47 weight balance, and one of the lowest centers of gravity in the segment. Swapping the soft factory dampers for a set of adjustable coilovers is the single most transformative modification you can make. In this guide our Tampa shop breaks down the four best coilover kits for the 2013-2020 BRZ, FR-S, and Toyota 86, with real specs, adjustability, and pricing.

Why the BRZ / FR-S Chassis Loves Coilovers

The Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S respond to coilovers more dramatically than almost any modern sports car because the platform was engineered around balance rather than power. The FA20 flat-four produces 200 hp at 7,000 rpm and 151 lb-ft at 6,400 rpm, mounted low and far back for a center of gravity of roughly 18 inches — lower than a Porsche Cayman. At a curb weight near 2,806 lbs with a 53/47 front-to-rear split, the car is delicate and communicative, but the factory dampers are tuned soft for comfort and allow noticeable body roll, dive, and squat when you push.

A quality coilover kit fixes all three problems at once. Firmer, correctly-valved damping controls weight transfer so the chassis settles faster mid-corner; a lower ride height drops the roll center and sharpens turn-in; and adjustable spring perches let you corner-balance the car for even grip left-to-right. On the FA20 platform, that translates to measurably flatter cornering and quicker, more predictable transitions — the exact traits that make these cars so beloved at HPDE and autocross events.

How We Ranked the Best BRZ / FR-S Coilovers

We ranked these coilovers on the four factors that actually matter for a lightweight rear-drive sports car: damping adjustability, build quality and durability, ride-height and alignment control, and value for the intended use. A dedicated track car benefits from independent compression and rebound adjustment and camber-adjustable top mounts, while a daily-driven BRZ is better served by a set-and-forget kit with excellent factory-tuned valving. Every kit here is a genuine coilover — a combined spring-and-damper unit with a threaded body for ride-height adjustment — not a lowering spring on a stock strut. We also weighted German engineering and TUV-certified adjustment ranges heavily, because a suspension component is only as good as its long-term consistency.

The 4 Best Coilovers for the Subaru BRZ & Scion FR-S

1. KW Clubsport 2-Way (Top Pick, Track-Focused)

The KW Clubsport 2-Way is the most capable coilover you can bolt to a first-gen BRZ or FR-S. It offers independent damping adjustment — 16 clicks of rebound and 12 clicks of compression — using KW's TVR-A and TVC-A valve technology, all developed and validated on the Nurburgring Nordschleife. This "w/ Top Mounts" package includes spherical-bearing aluminum camber plates up front, so you can dial in negative camber for the track without aftermarket adjustment arms. It is street legal and rides on an inox-line stainless body that resists corrosion far better than a painted strut.

2. KW Variant 3 (Best Street-and-Track Value)

The KW Variant 3 (V3) is the sweet spot for most BRZ and FR-S owners at $3,214. It brings the same philosophy of independently adjustable rebound and compression damping to a street-biased package, so you can run a plush setting for the daily commute and firm it up for a weekend track day. Like the Clubsport, it uses a durable inox-line stainless body and is backed by KW North America's limited lifetime warranty on the Variant coilover line. For a driver who wants meaningful adjustability without a race-car price tag, the V3 is the kit we install most often.

3. KW Variant 1 (Best Daily-Driver Coilover)

The KW Variant 1 (V1) is the best set-and-forget coilover for a street-driven BRZ or FR-S at $1,924. Instead of external adjusters, KW's engineers pre-tune the damping for a balanced, sporty ride, so you get the ride-height control and improved body-motion management of a real coilover without any dial-in learning curve. It shares the same INOX-LINE stainless construction and limited lifetime warranty as the V3. If you want a lower, tighter BRZ that still soaks up Florida's expansion joints on the daily commute, the V1 is the value pick.

4. Bilstein B14 PSS (Best Budget Coilover)

The Bilstein B14 (PSS) is the best budget coilover for the platform at $1,339, marked down from $1,935. It pairs Bilstein's legendary monotube gas dampers with application-matched springs in a zinc-coated, ride-height-adjustable body. You do not get external damping adjustment, but Bilstein's monotube valving is firm, fade-resistant, and OE-quality — a big step over the stock struts for street and light track use. This kit fits the 2013-2016 Scion FR-S and 2017-2020 Toyota 86, making it the go-to value option for later first-gen cars.

BRZ / FR-S Coilover Comparison

Here is how the four best Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S coilovers stack up on damping, intended use, fitment, and price. Click any kit to check current stock and fitment at NLP Performance.

How to Choose the Right Coilover for Your Build

Choosing the right coilover for your BRZ or FR-S comes down to how you actually use the car. If you attend HPDE, time attack, or club races and want to tune the car corner by corner, the KW Clubsport 2-Way and its included camber top mounts are worth every dollar of the $4,864 price. If you split your time between the street and occasional track days, the KW Variant 3 at $3,214 gives you 90 percent of the adjustability for far less money. Pure street drivers who simply want a lower, flatter, more responsive car should look at the KW Variant 1 ($1,924) or the Bilstein B14 ($1,339), both of which deliver excellent factory-tuned damping with zero fuss.

One rule holds across every build: budget for the supporting work. Any coilover install on the 86 platform should be followed by a professional four-wheel alignment, and track cars benefit from a corner-balance to equalize weight across all four tires. If you plan to run a lot of negative camber or wide, sticky tires, the adjustable top mounts on the Clubsport kit save you from buying separate camber bolts or plates later.

Installation & Alignment Notes

A coilover install on a Subaru BRZ or Scion FR-S typically takes an experienced shop 3 to 5 hours. The FA20 platform uses a MacPherson-strut front and multi-link rear, and the job requires spring compressors, proper corner support, and torque-to-spec on every fastener. After installation, always set ride height evenly side to side, then get a four-wheel alignment — we target roughly -2.0 to -2.5 degrees of front camber and modest toe for a street-and-track BRZ, adjusting to taste for dedicated track use. Our Tampa shop corner-balances every track-focused Clubsport install so the car carries even weight and rotates predictably at the limit. Whichever kit you choose, buy from a stocking dealer like NLP Performance so warranty support and correct fitment are covered from day one.