Chassis rigidity improvements

[Superooo]

I just drove a new Porsche Cayman GTS in the back roads and the suspension and chassis was on another level. I then drove my Supra on the same road and noticed the stock suspension felt a bit bouncy over bumps compared to the Cayman, feeling a bit under damped. I could also feel some chassis bending in the Supra over the larger bumps. This has got me thinking of what I can do to approach the dynamics of the Cayman.

Can a set of coilovers get the damping to Cayman levels?

Does chassis bracing help with chassis dynamics? Has anyone done back-to-back driving tests of the CUSCO front struts tower brace? Does it help? How about the rear power brace? I can also bolt in a stiff harness bar, or maybe a half cage. Are these components strong enough to make a difference?

Sponsored

 

[FuzzyRev]

I've driven the 2020, now owned both a 2021 and a 2023, and one thing I can tell you is that the dampers have been changed and/or the AVS re-tuned every single year, and they just keep getting better. My 2023 A91 also came with a Cusco (re-painted & labeled as a GR) factory 3-point front strut tower brace, and that in combination with the new dampers makes the 2023 by far the most solid and composed MKV in terms of chassis dynamics. So a simple swap-out for the 2023 dampers and one or both of the Cusco braces should make a big difference for you, and you should be able to score a take-off set of dampers pretty easily if you keep your eyes peeled.

 

[jtsang25]

I've driven the 2020, now owned both a 2021 and a 2023, and one thing I can tell you is that the dampers have been changed and/or the AVS re-tuned every single year, and they just keep getting better. My 2023 A91 also came with a Cusco (re-painted & labeled as a GR) factory 3-point front strut tower brace, and that in combination with the new dampers makes the 2023 by far the most solid and composed MKV in terms of chassis dynamics. So a simple swap-out for the 2023 dampers and one or both of the Cusco braces should make a big difference for you, and you should be able to score a take-off set of dampers pretty easily if you keep your eyes peeled.

The brace in 2023 is not the cusco bar. The edges are more round on the cusco bar.

 

[FuzzyRev]

The brace in 2023 is not the cusco bar. The edges are more round on the cusco bar.

Well we know it isn't the Blitz either then, as the weld points and mounting eyelets are a bit different...

 

[jtsang25]

Well we know it isn't the Blitz either then, as the weld points and mounting eyelets are a bit different...

It's just a Toyota dupe.

 

[suicidaleggroll]

The full set of SPL arms changes the feel dramatically and removes the slop when hitting bumps. I’ve done springs, F/R sways, and the full set of SPL arms, and the arms made far and away the biggest difference in removing that disconnected/floaty/bouncy feeling of the stock suspension.

 

[MisterSkiz]

You felt the chassis bend, really? lol

 

[Davedaveee]

Stock for stock my 2023 feels much more refined for suspension and steering feel compared to my 2020. 2023 communicates better and doesn't lose contact in the rear wheels over uneven patches of road.

 

[FuzzyRev]

Stock for stock my 2023 feels much more refined for suspension and steering feel compared to my 2020. 2023 communicates better and doesn't lose contact in the rear wheels over uneven patches of road.

The steering has been recalibrated twice now (MY2021 & MY2023), and yeah, the 2020's rear suspension tuning left a lot to be desired, often bucking you out of the seat on bigger bumps.

 

[jtsang25]

You felt the chassis bend, really? lol

That's what thought to. The new bar adds negligible change. They only upgraded to it from the 2021 steal bars because everyone was spending money on aftermarket solutions. So why not get a piece of the pie.

 

[razorlab]

No way he actually felt the chassis bend. If he was driving a 1988 Buick I would say sure, but this is a modern car.

The G series is something like 50% stiffer than even the F series.

https://www.bmwblog.com/2018/10/02/...ograms-lighter-10-millimeters-lower-than-f30/

 

[FuzzyRev]

That's what thought to. The new bar adds negligible change. They only upgraded to it from the 2021 steal bars because everyone was spending money on aftermarket solutions. So why not get a piece of the pie.

The 2021+ bars are aluminum, not steel. Do you have any additional braces on your 2020?

 

[redspencer]

No why he actual felt the chassis bend. If he was driving a 1988 Buick I would say sure, but this is a modern car.

The G series is something like 50% stiffer than even the F series.

https://www.bmwblog.com/2018/10/02/...ograms-lighter-10-millimeters-lower-than-f30/

Yup. The GR Supra chassis has a stiffer torsional rigidity than even the Lexus LFA (which is loaded with carbon fiber)

 

[jtsang25]

The 2021+ bars are aluminum, not steel. Do you have any additional braces on your 2020?

I added the blitz one for purely looks.

 

[s219]

We had a 2016 Cayman GTS and my opinion is that what you felt is characteristic of Porsche and not easily reproduced in a Toyota/BMW platform. The Cayman GTS is a league above the Supra and my M2 Comp. There may also be something about the dynamics of the Cayman's rear-mid engine layout that you'll never experience on a front-engine RWD car, but that's probably a separate discussion. But my honest opinion is that you can surely improve the Supra but don't expect it to feel like a Porsche.

Sponsored