Lowering My Toyota GR86!

Today I am installing a set of the new Eibach Pro Kit lowering springs made just for the 2022 Toyota GR86. With the right tools and right process, this is a job most anyone can tackle. I am also installing OEM Toyota mudguards on the car to help protect the rocker panels and rear bumper from rocks. The car looks sick after the upgrades!
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GR86 stock springs:
2.9 kg/mm front (162 lbs/in)
4.0 kg/mm rear (224 lbs/in)
GR86 Eibach pro kit springs:
4.0 kg front (225lbs/in)
4.9 kg rear (279lbs/in)
Tools and parts I use in this video:
► Eibach Pro Kit GR86 : bit.ly/gr86-eibach-springs
► SPC Camber Bolts 81305 : amzn.to/3BpiFij
► Toyota OEM GR86 mudguards : Search eBay! Part PK389-18N00-TP
► Pass-through socket set : amzn.to/3Ymq21N
► Spring compressor tool set : amzn.to/3ZCRfOv
► Craftsman tools I use : amzn.to/3T5t34p
All My GR86 mods:
► Borla cat-back exhaust : amzn.to/3G1iic9
► Cusco pedal cover kit : amzn.to/2lzK4o1
► 70mai M500 Dashcam : amzn.to/3NgAZN0
► K&N air filter : amzn.to/3wUClae
► LED lighting kit GR86 / BRZ (reverse lights) : amzn.to/40wXMeX
► SYLVANIA - 194 T10 LED (dome light) : amzn.to/3RPlm2R
► SYLVANIA - 168 T10 LED (door & trunk lights) : amzn.to/3DIvLHG
► Grimmspeed intake tube : bit.ly/gr86-GS-intake-tube
► Hawk DTC60 front pads (OEM calipers) : amzn.to/2PxYmDo
► Hawk DTC60 rear brake pads (OEM calipers) : amzn.to/2yuxQae
► ATE TYP 200 DOT 4 brake fluid : amzn.to/2sJwe5N
► ARP 3” wheels studs 5 pack (front) : amzn.to/2pMahlf
► ARP 2.5” wheels studs 5 pack (rear) : amzn.to/3VYow5y
► Muteki extended lugnuts : amzn.to/2qHCDB2
► Muteki locking lugnut set : amzn.to/3XpsNjt
► Muteki 12mm wheel spacers : hard to find right now!
► Follow me!
Instagram: thebtrjustin
Website: btrgarage.com
Facebook: / thebtrgarage
00:00 Introduction
00:35 Current GR86 upgrades
01:22 Parts we are installing
02:07 Removing stock suspension
02:49 Removing front OEM springs from shocks
05:25 Modify OEM front bumpstops
06:01 Re-assemble front shock with Eibach lowering springs
07:55 Removing rear OEM springs from shocks
08:35 Re-assemble rear shock with Eibach lowering springs
09:43 Re-install suspension
10:39 Installing front OEM Toyota mudguards
12:33 Installing rear OEM Toyota mudguards
14:10 How does the car look lowered?
15:01 Before and after lowering photos
15:46 Eibach lowering springs test drive
17:59 Closing
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[@tekenator]

Great video! 16,000 subs is criminal. Should have way more!

[@TheBTRGarage]

Hey thanks! Appreciate that 💯

[@tianoyt7005]

awesome video Justin! love the GR86 mod videos! i got the eibach pro kit on my gt86 and absolutely loving them!

[@TheBTRGarage]

Nice, thank you! The Eibach set is definitely great for the $!

[@KonkrRoads]

Fantastic video!!! Thanks for taking the time to add the details like torque numbers. I also appreciate the honesty about the ride quality - rare to find these days on KZbin 🤙

[@TheBTRGarage]

Thanks! Glad it was helpful!

[@tonythemedtravels]

Great video! I really liked how you included the before and after measurements.

[@TheBTRGarage]

Thanks! Hope it was helpful :)

[@dalefarmer4035]

Great video, informative I'm lowering my son's brz tomorrow so it was great to watch and see exactly what I'm getting into .

[@TheBTRGarage]

Awesome, glad to hear the video was helpful! Get the right tools and it is an easy job.

[@nicklauher9323]

Great content and I appreciate the details and work that went into it, kind sir!

[@TheBTRGarage]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@chrisyang3824]

Debating on Eibach Pro Kit or the RSR Superdowns.

[@jamesinoregon1081]

Well done. Fun, quick install. I did some suspension excursion testing. Had car on jack stands, removed coilovers and detached sway bars and moved the suspension to maximum compression. 13 inches F and R from mid hub to fender. Knowing this I raised my car 3/4 inch as it felt like the suspension was getting too close to max excursion on track curbing. Much better now and improved lap times. Possibly helped with roll center as well.

[@TheBTRGarage]

Thanks for the comments! Nice to hear when adjustmetns result in going faster :)

[@outlate247]

I wonder if the reduction in rear static camber ( by raising the rear ride height ) was the source of faster lap times ?

[@dowroa]

I was doing other stuff while watching and listening, so I might have missed it, but I don't think you said at the end that a re-alignment will be required (for others, I am sure you know this)? Just trying to help the toe-out gang / toe-tire wear! Nice vid!

[@TheBTRGarage]

Ideally you would get a basic alignment, especially if you also do the SPC camber bolts. The springs themselves don't change toe much if at all, according to my toe plates (I did check, just in case it was a big deal).

[@moldyrefrigerator]

Great video. Question, I have 2 twins, my FRS is on Eibach Sportline springs, which looks great, but is a pretty rough ride. If I put like BC coilovers on my '23 BRZ instead, would the ride quality soak up bumps better, and feel more OEM than just lowering springs would?

[@TheBTRGarage]

Thanks! I haven't driven on anything with BC coilovers yet, but the price indicates they are a pretty budget setup ($1200 that I saw). They might ride ok, but in my experience that stuff in the $1k range is not great. I'd look at something like a RCE Tarmac 2 or KWv2 setup for good damping that will be close to OEM. Also to note, the older FRS OEM shocks are not nearly as good as the new gen2 cars, I used to have an FRS as well.

[@Alanvictoryoung]

Justin, excellent video as always. Do you know of any stiffer springs that work with stock dampers that don’t lower the height? I’m more on the practical side and want clearance but also want a bit less wallowing for performance driving.

[@TheBTRGarage]

Hmm that's a good question. No I'm not sure of any aftermarket stiffer springs that retain the OEM ride height. That's off the top of my head though, might want to reach out to some vendors and see what they say.

[@MotoMangia]

Looks incredible! I wanna do this too. Is the wheel spacer necessary to get the clearance, or is it more of a looks-upgrade at this point? Also, how much has this changed the ground clearance at the front bumper? Where I live there are a lot of steep entries to driveways/parking lots.. I'm already having to enter/exit at a sharp angle to not scrape the front bumper at stock height. I wonder if lowering it would severely impact this, or just slightly. Thanks!!

[@TheBTRGarage]

Wheel spacer not required, only for looks. If you do spacers you also need ARP extended wheel studs (see you other videos on how to install those). You lose about a 1 1/4" ground clearance on the front. It's not severe, but expect to scrape a little more often. More so if you have the front lip that I now have!

[@MotoMangia]

@@TheBTRGarage gotcha. Thanks for the fast reply and the info!! I love your car's stance.

[@klopsy]

Great review, your car looks perfect. Do you know what is the spring rate of those Eibach ?

[@TheBTRGarage]

Thanks! Yea the rates are in the video, I'll put them in the description as well. GR86 stock springs 2.9 kg/mm front (162 lbs/in) 4.0 kg/mm rear (224 lbs/in) GR86 Eibach Pro kit springs 4.0 kg front (225lbs/in) 4.9 kg rear (279lbs/in)

[@klopsy]

@@TheBTRGarage really appreciate your kind response. Thanks

[@WolF7581]

Hello, informative video. I was wondering, how much did your rear camber change after the spring install?

[@TheBTRGarage]

I didn't have it checked, but roughly -2°. When I had it aligned, after installing rear LCA's, it was a similar fit dialed to -2.5°.

[@WolF7581]

Thank you for the reply. Much appreciated 😊

[@ravenstylea2]

Awesome. How does it drive now? Do you recommend them?

[@TheBTRGarage]

It drives pretty good, with some caveats. I talk about it later in the video. Basically, near OEM ride quality on good roads, gets worse on bad roads.

[@nodrogkam]

Is there a particular reason you have to have to use the spring compressor with the longer shaft facing upwards at the top hats? Seems like you would have a lot more free range of motion for a ratchet or otherwise if the spring compressors were flipped 180.

[@TheBTRGarage]

It is usually easier to get an impact driver socket on the spring compressor bolts from the bottom, as the top hat is wider. Other than that, no particular reason, either way should work.

[@nodrogkam]

@@TheBTRGarage makes sense, thank you!

[@salmonjerky]

thinking about picking up an 86 myself - is the color of the car true to life in the video?

[@TheBTRGarage]

Awesome! Yes the Trueno Blue color is pretty accurate in the video, no filters or anything on the still shots (or video for that matter). It is a pretty amazing color actually, really pops in the sunshine but can also look dark, almost purple'y, in overcast or dark conditions. I love it.

[@GP-fc7jv]

I know that you done a lot with your older BRZ I have a 2013 I haven’t done much to it yet I was thinking coil overs sway bars got any recommendations I did want to do some auto cross.

[@TheBTRGarage]

Do you have any specific goals in mind, casual autocross, competitive? Just want to lower the car for looks? I would hold off on sway bars unless you know what you want to get out of it. I like the Racecomp stuff like SS1's or Tarmac 2 for budget to mid-range coilovers. You need to know a little bit about shock setup though for that, but RCe has good customer support to help out.

[@GP-fc7jv]

@@TheBTRGarage thanks

[@patrickhingston]

Hi Justin, thank you so much for all the wonderful informative videos. You make the most detailed videos. My question for you is how do you like the Eibach springs on the racetrack. How is the handling and responsiveness compares to the stock springs. If you have to do things over again, would you stay with the stock springs or install the eibach springs again, or install the springs with new lowering shocks? Any feedback is highly appreciated.

[@TheBTRGarage]

Hey thanks for watching! The handling is very much like stock with the Eibach springs, with a bit less body roll and maybe a tad bit more responsive. I would definitely do the springs again as they are a great, inexpensive alternative to going to a full coilover.

[@patrickhingston]

@@TheBTRGarage thank you so much for the reply. I really enjoyed watching your videos. You really do a great job explaining things to non mechanically inclined folks like me.

[@TheBTRGarage]

@@patrickhingston Awesome! That's why I make the videos so great to hear the feedback!

[@rhkean]

How does it handle speed bumps after being lowered an 1-1/4"? That's exactly the amount I want to lower mine, but I've been hesitant due to the speed bumps in my neighborhood

[@TheBTRGarage]

It will clear most common speed bumps in my area going straight over. Some of the larger ones and driveway curbs I'll have to go over at an angle, or the front will scrape a tad. It's much easier to get around with this car than it was with my old BRZ, but I also had an STi lip on that car which reduced the front clearance by another 1" or so.

[@rhkean]

@@TheBTRGarage thank you for the info! Now I'm off to work on my budget! 🤣🤣🤣

[@TheBTRGarage]

@@rhkean Hah! Thankfully the Eibach springs are pretty budget friendly :)

[@guitarrise4523]

Good Video, Personally i would have got MudFlaps instead of the OEM mudguards because you wouldn’t have to drill holes.

[@TheBTRGarage]

I prefer the looks of the OEM ones, holes aren't that big of a deal.

[@MarkJCarruthers]

Once you got an alignment did your opinion of the springs change?

[@TheBTRGarage]

All manual home alignment still!

[@MarkJCarruthers]

@@TheBTRGarage Nothing wrong with strings and plates.

[@udeshhhhhh]

Is it essential to have camber bolts to match the OEM alignment specs? I'm still confused whether or not we need camber bolts for this kit

[@TheBTRGarage]

No, you don't need camber bolts at all. It just helps with tire wear.

[@udeshhhhhh]

@@TheBTRGarage Hmm so does that mean I won't be able to be within OEM wheel alignment specs without camber bolts if I install these springs?

[@TheBTRGarage]

@@udeshhhhhh if you want to maintain OEM alignment specs, you would need the camber bolts to adjust it back. Lowering the car will increase negative camber slightly, but nothing that will do any harm or excessive tire wear.

[@udeshhhhhh]

@@TheBTRGarage thank you! Appreciate your help. I'll run without camber bolts and see how I go then with the Eibach pro kit 🤞

[@1Solace]

Why not use coilovers instead? Also, did you have to roll the fenders? Does it rub at all?

[@TheBTRGarage]

The Eibach springs are a fraction of the cost of a decent coilover. Plus, right now I was just wanted to improve the looks. Next phase of my development will be a full coilover system. My fenders have been shaved, but there is no clearance issues with stock wheels if not. When you go to wider wheels you might have to shave to fit.

[@1Solace]

@@TheBTRGarage K, thanks

[@dirkvantroyen9170]

Why add camber? Just for looks or does it have an advantage on the road? You'll wear out your tires on one side more than on the other.

[@TheBTRGarage]

I race the car a lot in time attack and autocross. It's primarily for grip and even tire wear from racing. Right now the outside edges of my OEM PS4 tires are bald.

[@dirkvantroyen9170]

@@TheBTRGarage Alrighty thank you

[@wangspeed]

No race suspension?! Sad

[@TheBTRGarage]

Not yet, but eventually! Taking the slow roll mod route with this car and doing a lot of testing/data collection during the process.

[@MadelnMachines]

Does the handling change?

[@TheBTRGarage]

Not really, other than it's a little more bumpy on imperfect roads. I talk about it later in the video.

[@jl5731]

Would coilovers be more comfy?

[@TheBTRGarage]

A better damper, could be a Koni or Bilstein, or something in a more expensive coilovers kit. There are plenty of coilover kits out there that are crap though, so be cautious of that as well (most of the junk in the

[@jl5731]

@@TheBTRGarage Which would get between the two. HKS Hypermax S or RCE SS1? I was leaning more towards the HKS since those are developed specific to the GR86, while the RCE SS1 was setup for Gen1 BRZ.

[@TheBTRGarage]

@@jl5731 I don't think you could go wrong with either of those. You might get better support from the RCE side for install, setup, etc.

[@surfacecreations]

Do you have a rough guess that it took to install all 4 springs? Dealer is giving me 9.5 hrs labor...so well over $1000 to install.

[@TheBTRGarage]

It is a few hours with the right tools and if you know what you are doing. It's not trivial, but also not terribly difficult, definitely not 9.5 hours of work though. Maybe try a local performance type shop?

[@jaybutterfield1281]

Yeah, I just gave up on any place around here and did it myself. I went with the no spring compressor method and also I didn't have to remove the struts out from the steering knuckle​. It took about 1.5 hrs of actusl labor time. That was using a low profile jack, just two jack stands and a couple tools and torque wrench.@@TheBTRGarage

[@TheBTRGarage]

Nice work!@@jaybutterfield1281

[@subfloor2022]

17:05 and for that reason, I'm out. New England roads have never been worse

[@TheBTRGarage]

Yea, these springs would be rough back in Denver when I lived there. It was fine with a good coilover system.

[@boost331]

No fancy tools needed. Just zip that top nut on\off with that impact gun on the lowest power setting. Nothin to it.

[@TheBTRGarage]

That might work for some shocks, but it doesn't on these (I tried), the shaft will spin. I prefer the manual way anyways, less impact trauma to the shaft/seals.