Scion FRS Coilovers: The Ultimate Guide
From its initial release back in 2012, the Scion FRS has been an incredibly popular sports car. Made as a joint effort between Toyota and Subaru, it was designed to be fun, nimble, light, fairly quick and good at sliding. Obviously, this made it a huge hit with car enthusiasts all over the world.
While the FRS does handle well from the factory, one of the best modifications you can do to these cars is to install a set of coilovers, which will really bring the car to life and improve its looks by lowering the ride height.
In this blog post, I’m going to give you the best coilovers for the FRS, so that you can decide on the right kit for your car.
Top 3 FRS Coilover Picks
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The Scion FRS, also known as the Toyota GT86, was a huge hit back in 2012, and has continued to maintain its popularity up to the present day.
The car delivers a perfect blend of good looks, balanced handling and enough power from stock to have fun in. After a number of years of a distinct lack of interesting sports cars being released by almost any manufacturer, the Scion FRS was like an oasis in the desert.
With its 2 liter boxer engine producing 200hp, 6 speed transmission and rear wheel drive configuration, this car was perfect for car enthusiasts of all kinds from circuit racers to drifters and even show car builders, due to its good looks.
Naturally, all the suspension companies hurried to make a kit for this car as soon as it was released, since everyone knew that it was going to be popular. As a result, you are absolutely spoilt for choice when it comes to coilovers.
Whether you are looking to improve the handling and want something that will do well at the track, you are looking to drift the car and need an appropriate setup that you can tweak and customize, or you just want a comfortable daily driver that lets you fine tune the ride, there is a kit out there for you.
In this guide I’m going to give you 10 of the best coilover options at varying price ranges and spec levels to suit the needs of practically anybody, no matter what you are going to be using your FRS for.
Let’s get right into it.
The Best Coilovers For the Scion FRS
Ohlins Road & Track
I’m kicking this list off with the Ohlins Road & Track kit because Ohlins is undisputedly one of the best coilover manufacturers in the world, and luckily for FRS owners they make a kit for your car.
While it’s not cheap, this kit is perfect if you want a setup that will give you a comfortable ride on the road as well as handle regular track use.
Ohlins have been in the game a long time and know what they are doing when it comes to suspension, and they have set this kit up to be the ultimate coilover kit for the FRS.
They feature adjustable dampers which allow you to switch from road to race mode, using Ohlins’ special Dual Flow Valve technology. Ohlins have specifically engineered this kit to give you the best handling possible on the track, and the best ride on the road.
The road and track kit allows you to adjust the ride height by the shock body, which ensures you get full suspension travel at all ride heights, making for a smoother ride, longer lasting dampers and the ability to corner balance the car.
If you want the best coilovers you can get for the FRS, this kit is for you.
Features include:
- Ride height adjustment by the shock body
- Dampening adjustable street and race mode using Ohlins Dual Flow Valve (DFV) technology
- Corrosion salt spray tested to ISO 9227 standard
- Rebuildable
- 2 year warranty
GET OHLINS ROAD AND TRACK FOR THE BEST PRICE HERE
KW V3
Next on the list is the KW V3, which is meant to be a contender with the Ohlins Road and Track.
KW are no stranger to making suspension, having been the first company to get a complete suspension kit approved by the German Technical Control Board back in 1995.
Every since, they have been competing in motorsport successfully and making high quality suspension for both OEMs and for the aftermarket.
Their kits are well known for their incredible resistance to corrosion, with the use of their special “inox-line” stainless steel shock bodies and composite spring perches and locking rings, ensuring they will never seized up or rust.
The V3 kit is perfect for those who want a comfortable ride but will also be doing regular track days, as they are made to handle that.
Now, reportedly they are a bit of the softer side when compared to the Ohlins, but KW do sell stiffer springs if you find that is the case.
They offer individual compression and rebound adjustment, which allows you to fine tune the suspension exactly as you like, and quickly change it for road or track use if you want to.
The only issue I personally have with the V3’s is that ride height adjustment is done by the spring perches, which means that the lower you go, the less travel is left for the shock. KW do have a recommended lowering range, but if you want to go lower, you risk blowing the dampers early.
These coilovers are perfect for people who want to prioritize ride comfort and especially those that live in harsh climates, as these coilovers have proven to be able to withstand those conditions.
Features include:
- Low speed compression and rebound dampening individually adjustable
- Made in Germany
- Specifically tuned for each vehicle
- Extremely good corrosion resistance, salt spray tested for 220 hours
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Rebuildable (but must be sent to Germany)
GET THE KW V3 COILOVERS FOR THE BEST PRICE HERE
HKS MAX IV SP
HKS is no stranger to the aftermarket performance parts world, having made the first ever aftermarket turbo kit and many more quality parts since.
Their MAX SP IV coilover kit is their performance oriented setup which is designed to provide maximum handling which still keeping a comfortable ride.
If your FRS is going to be seeing the track a lot, this kit is a great choice. HKS have specifically engineered this keep to pair with high grip tyres and provide maximum feeling and response for the driver to ensure you have complete control over your car.
The dampers are monotube and feature a special needle design to increase the ride comfort at all piston speeds, along with a larger M shaft for improved ride quality.
The ride height adjustment is done by the shock body and the dampers are 30-level adjustable.
If you want coilovers that will handle track use while giving you a great street ride, these coilovers are perfect and have a renowned name behind them.
Features include:
- Ride height adjustment by the shock body
- 30-level dampening adjustment
- PNE anti-corrosion coating
- Monotube dampers with special needle and larger M shaft
- Aluminium brackets and adjusters for unsprung weight reduction
- Rebuildable by HKS
- Pillowball strut mounts with camber adjustment
GET THE HKS MAX IV SP COILOVERS FOR THE BEST PRICE HERE
Fortune Auto 500
The Fortune Auto 500’s are an incredible suspension kit that are designed as “the last coilover kit you will need to buy”.
What makes them so special is the fact that they are modular, meaning you can upgrade them. Fortune Auto has designed them like this so that when the time comes where you need more from your suspension, you don’t have to buy a new kit. Instead, just send yours in and they will upgrade them.
Along with that, Fortune Auto put an incredible amount of effort to ensure every coilover that leaves their facility is absolutely top quality. They dyno test every single damper and match them in pairs to within a 3% tolerance, so you always know you have a matching pair (this is actually a big issue with cheap kits).
Along with that, they also hand assemble every single kit at their facility in Virginia, USA. This means that they can also custom make a kit for you to your specs.
The 500’s are 24-level rebound dampening adjustable and ride height adjustment is done by the shock body. These coilovers are designed to offer a comfortable street ride while being able to handle track use, and they are proven to be able to do this. You’ll find loads of positive reviews about these coilovers online.
If all this wasn’t enough, Fortune Auto also offer a 5 year warranty on these coilovers, proving how sure they are that they make a good kit.
Given that these are significantly cheaper than the two kits listed above, yet offer a high amount of features and are definitely top quality, these coilovers are an excellent purchase for any FRS owner.
Features include:
- Ride height adjustment by the shock body – lowers 1-3 inches on standard kit and 2.5-5 inches on super low kit
- 24-level rebound adjustment
- T6 6061 Aluminium strut mounts with camber adjustment
- FA synthetic shock oil
- Upgradeable to 2-way or 3-way dampening adjustment with external reservoirs
- Swift Spring upgrade available
- Custom spring rates with matching valving available
- Hand assembled and shock dyno tested
- 5 year warranty
- Rebuildable
GET FORTUNE AUTO 500 SERIES AT THE BEST PRICE HERE
Silvers Neomax
The Silvers Neomax are actually very similar to the Fortune Auto 500s but are slightly cheaper.
Like the Fortune Auto’s, they also are designed to be modular and can be upgraded when the times comes.
Also like Fortune Auto, Silvers dyno tests every shock to ensure they are within a 5% tolerance, or they throw out the internals. This ensures only the best quality dampers make it into a coilover kit and out the door.
Silvers will also build you a custom kit to your specifications, and pride themselves on fast turn around times which are 10 days even for custom kits.
While they are made in Taiwan (as are many coilovers these days including BC Racing), Silvers has their own facility where they make their coilovers, they don’t outsource.
The silvers are ride height adjustable by the shock body and also offer dampening adjustment.
Overall, they are very similar to the Fortune Autos, except that they come with a slightly shorter warranty of 18 months (which is still decent).
While the Silvers have less reviews due to less people running them than the Fortune Autos, reviews are overwhelmingly positive for these coilovers making them an excellent buy.
Features include:
- Ride height adjustment by the shock body – lowers 1-3 inches on the standard kit and 2.5-5 inches on super low kit
- 24-level dampening adjustment
- Upgradeable to 2-way with external reservoir
- Hand assembled and dyno tested
- High viscosity IP F.A. 5W damper oil
- Monotube dampers
- Linear piston for maximum response
- Pillowball aluminium strut mounts with camber adjustment
- Unique non-slip locking collars
- 18 month warranty
GET THE SILVERS NEOMAX AT THE BEST PRICE HERE
BC Racing BR Series
Ah, the good ol’ BC’s. I don’t think anyone in the car world hasn’t heard of these coilovers, and for good reason.
The BR Series coilovers are possibly the most popular coilover of the planet, and the reason why is because they offer a great ride, fantastic performance, a wide range of customization options and all for a price barely above $1000.
The only thing they don’t have that the two kits above do is the ability to upgrade them if you decide you need more features.
Other than that, it’s really hard to beat the BR Series kit. There are so many people running these coilovers worldwide and the reviews are overwhelmingly positive, from daily drivers to track and drift cars and even slammed show cars.
Whether you want to race, ride in comfort on the road of get your car laying frame, BC Racing will customize the kit to your liking to make it happen.
They offer ride height adjustment by the shock body, 30-level dampening adjustment (compression/rebound simultaneous), camber plates on applicable models, extreme low option to go super low, Swift Spring upgrade and more.
Taking all into consideration such as the price, customization options and the fact that so many people run these coilovers and they get so much praise, it’s hard to get another kit that offers better value for money.
Unless you need a track specific kit or want the option to upgrade, there is really no reason not to buy these coilovers.
Features include:
- Ride height adjustable by the shock body (FRS kit is Extreme Low by default)
- 30-level dampening adjustable (compression/rebound simultaneous)
- Monotube dampers with linear valving
- Aluminium pillowball strut mounts with camber adjustment
- Custom spring rates and matching valving available
- Swift Spring upgrade available
- Fully rebuildable
- 1 year warranty
GET BC RACING BR SERIES COILOVERS FOR THE BEST PRICE HERE
TEIN FLEX Z
Getting into the Sub $1000 category now, the TEIN Flex Z is at the top of the list.
TEIN has put an unbelievable amount of engineering into this kit, making these coilovers offer an incredibly good value for money.
What’s special about this kit is that they are designed and made in Japan, at TEIN’s Yokohama facility, and TEIN actually makes each kit specific to the location it is going, to ensure the buyer gets the best kit possible for the conditions their car will see.
TEIN has gone with a twin tube damper for this kit to give it a more comfortable street ride, but have also included special damper oil designed to withstand intensive driving so that you can still use them at the track.
They have also used their special patented green powder coat and ZT coating on these coilovers to ensure corrosion resistance in any weather.
While these coilovers are not rebuildable, TEIN has made the damper inserts interchangeable, which means if you blow your dampers and need to replace them, you just order new dampers and swap them in. This means you don’t need to send your kit in and wait for it to be returned in order to drive your car. They will also custom valve the dampers to your specs if you ask them to.
This is one of the best kits you are going to find for under $1000, and if you car is going to be primarily a road car with occasional track use then Flex Z’s are the way to go.
Features include:
- Ride height adjustable by the shock body – lowers front 0-2.3 inches and rear 0.2-3.4 inches
- 16-level dampening adjustment
- Twin-tube dampers for more street comfort
- Special damper oil with anti-foaming properties to withstand intensive driving
- No-sag springs
- Special TEIN powder coat and ZT coating for maximum corrosion resistance
- Pillowball strut mounts with camber adjustment
- Specifically engineered for specific location being sold to
- Damper inserts replaceable
- 1 year warranty
GET TEIN FLEX Z FOR THE BEST PRICE HERE
Megan Racing EZ
Another excellent budget coilover kit is the Megan Racing EZ.
Even cheaper than the TEIN Flex Z, these coilovers have an incredible amount of happy customers despite the low price tag.
These are designed primarily as a street coilover, however I have found many reports of people using these on the track and for autocross events who were very happy with their performance.
Having proven themselves on both street and track, these coilovers are a fantastic budget build option which have a wide range of features including ride height adjustment by the shock body, dampening adjustment, aluminium strut mounts and more.
They also come with a 1 year warranty so you can be sure you won’t have any issues any time soon.
If you are looking for coilovers for your FRS and budget is a priority, then you can’t do much better than the Megan Racing EZ kit.
Features include:
- Ride height adjustment by the shock body
- 15-level dampening adjustment
- Aluminium strut mounts
- Monotube dampers
- 1 year warranty
GET MEGAN RACING EZ HERE FOR THE BEST PRICE HERE
Godspeed MonoSS
Another excellent budget option, the Godspeed MonoSS are a good choice for budget builds if you don’t mind having pink coilovers on your car.
They offer very similar specs to the Megan Racing kit, and also have many positive reviews.
They use 52mm dampers with a performance internal piston and racing grade shock oil with a high viscosity index, and are rebuildable or replaceable. The shock bodies made from seamless carbon steel.
The ride height adjustment on these is done by the shock body, giving you full suspension travel at all ride heights.
They also come with a 1 year warranty, which is pretty impressive given the low price.
Overall, these are another good budget option that have proven to last and have many happy customers.
Features include:
- Ride height adjustment by the shock body
- 16-level dampening adjustment
- Aluminium pillowball strut mounts with camber adjustment and Koyo Japan 6204z bearings
- Monotube dampers
- Performance internal piston and race grade shock oil
- Anodized shock bodies made from seamless carbon steel
- 1 year warranty
GET GODSPEED MONOSS HERE FOR THE BEST PRICE HERE
Solo-Werks S1
If you are really on a tight budget but you must have coilovers on your car, these are going to be your best bet.
While these don’t have a lot of the features that the other kits on this list do, such as dampening adjustment and strut mounts, they make up for it with their seriously impressive quality at am almost laughably low price.
Selling for only $499 (at the time of this writing), you would not expect much from these, but the truth is these are a fantastic coilover kit that will offer a comfortable street ride and even handle occasion track use.
What’s even more impressive is that they come with a 3 year warranty, which is unheard of at this price level.
What a lot of people don’t know is that Solo-Werks was founded by ex-KW engineers, who used their knowledge and experience to make an incredibly impressive coilover kit for a ridiculously low price.
If you are looking for the cheapest possible coilovers for your FRS, you are going to struggle to find anything better than the Solo-Werks S1’s.
Features include:
- Ride height lowering 1-2 inches (done by spring perch)
- Heavy gold zinc plated for maximum corrosion protection
- Larger 20mm damper shaft
- Vehicle specific springs with matching valving
- Bottle of lubricant for adjustment threads
- 3 year warranty
GET THE SOLO-WERKS S1 FOR THE BEST PRICE HERE
Top 3 Scion FRS Coilover Picks
While every coilover on this list is a good choice at their respective levels, I wanted to narrow it down to the top 3 to make things easier.
I’m going to give you my choice for the best budget coilover, the best overall and the best value for money.
Best Budget Coilover: TEIN Flex Z
My budget coilover pick goes to the TEIN Flex Z. These are few other kits that offer same amount of attention to details and engineering like these have, even at higher price points.
TEIN have really put a lot of effort to make this a fantastic kit, and this is reflected in the great reputation these coilovers have.
As a budget option, these are going to give you a comfortable ride, come packed with features and even handle track use. What’s not to like? You really can’t go wrong with a set of Flex Z’s for your FRS.
GET TEIN FLEX Z FOR THE BEST PRICE HERE
Best Value For Money: BC Racing BR Series
My best value for money choice goes to the BC Racing BR Series due to their great reputation, huge list of features, amount of customization and excellent performance.
BC Racing have really done their best to make a coilover to meet everyone’s needs, and they succeeded. No matter what you are looking to get out of your coilover kit, the BR Series are going to get it done. From street to track to show, you cannot go wrong buying a set of BC Racing BR Series.
GET BC RACING BR SERIES COILOVERS FOR THE BEST PRICE HERE
Best Overall: Fortune Auto 500 Series
I gave the overall choice to the Fortune Auto’s because they tick a number of boxes that most other coilovers don’t.
I like the fact that they are upgradable, which few other coilovers are, and I like that fact that they offer a 5 year warranty showing they stand behind their product.
I also like that you can get a huge amount of information about these coilovers from Fortune Auto, they don’t hide anything.
Combine that all with the many positive reviews about these and you end up with a really good set of coilovers that is hard to say no to.
GET FORTUNE AUTO 500 SERIES AT THE BEST PRICE HERE
Conclusion
I really hope this post has helped you select a coilover kit for your FRS. I have done my best to include a kit that would meet everyone’s needs, regardless of budget or what you intend to use the car for.
If you have any questions or would like to suggest another coilover for this list, feel free to comment below.
Cars owned: Mk2 Golf with 1.8T swap, BMW E28 with M30B35 swap, BMW E36 328I Mtech, BMW 750IL, Nissan 300ZX, Honda Civic EF
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