If you're looking to fix that factory wheel gap, picking up a set of tein coilovers frs owners usually recommend is easily one of the best moves you can make. Let's be real, the Scion FR-S (and its BRZ/86 siblings) is pretty much a masterpiece from the factory when it comes to balance, but that stock ride height? It leaves a lot to be desired. It sits a little too high, and while the stock struts are decent, they can feel a bit "boingy" once you start pushing the car on a backroad or a local autocross track.
Upgrading to coilovers isn't just about making the car look meaner—though, let's be honest, that's a huge part of it. It's about getting that "on rails" feeling that this chassis was designed for. Tein has been in the game for a long time, and they've carved out a specific niche for the 86 platform. Whether you're a daily driver who just wants a sleek drop or someone trying to shave seconds off their lap time, they've got something that fits the bill.
Why Everyone Seems to Go for the Green Shocks
If you've ever scrolled through an FRS forum or a Facebook group, you've seen those bright green dampers. Tein has become almost synonymous with Japanese sports cars, and for a good reason. They offer a range of products that actually make sense for different budgets. You aren't forced into buying a $3,000 professional racing setup just to get your car an inch lower.
The cool thing about Tein is that they actually do their homework on the FRS chassis. Some of the cheaper, "no-name" brands you find on auction sites just throw a generic shock body on a bracket and call it a day. That usually results in a ride that feels like you're bouncing on pogo sticks. Tein, on the other hand, balances the spring rates and valving specifically for the weight distribution of the FRS. It keeps that playful rear end alive without making the car feel nervous or unpredictable.
Breaking Down the Tein Lineup for the FRS
Choosing the right model can be a bit overwhelming because they have a few different "flavors." You don't want to accidentally buy a track-stiff setup for a car you have to commute in every day through pothole-filled city streets.
The Street Basis Z: The Budget-Friendly Drop
If you're on a tight budget and honestly don't care about clicking dials to change stiffness, the Street Basis Z is the entry point. These are "height-adjustable only." This means you can get the car sitting perfectly level, but you're stuck with the damping Tein set at the factory.
For most people who just want a clean daily driver, these are great. They're usually softer than the more expensive options, making them very livable. You won't be breaking your back over speed bumps, but you'll definitely notice the car stays flatter when you toss it into a corner.
The Flex Z: The Fan Favorite
This is the sweet spot. If you ask ten FRS owners which coilovers they have, probably seven of them will say Tein Flex Z. Why? Because they're fully adjustable. You get height adjustment, but you also get 16 levels of damping adjustment.
Want the car soft for a long road trip? Click the dials to the left. Heading to a track day on Saturday? Crank them to the right to stiffen things up. Plus, the Flex Z usually comes with top mounts (camber plates) for the front. This is huge because it allows you to dial in some negative camber, which helps the FRS turn in much sharper and saves your front tires from getting eaten up during spirited driving.
The Mono Sport: For the Serious Enthusiasts
If your FRS spends more time at the track than at the grocery store, the Mono Sport is the way to go. These use a mono-tube design, which basically means they can handle more heat and abuse without the shock "fading." They're stiffer and more aggressive. It's probably overkill for a car that never sees a closed course, but if you're chasing lap times, the extra stability is worth the slightly harsher ride on the street.
What the Install is Actually Like
So, you've got your big green boxes in the garage. Now what? The FRS is actually one of the easiest cars to work on when it comes to suspension. Since it's a simple MacPherson strut front and a multi-link rear, you don't have to take half the car apart to get the job done.
That said, don't forget that you're dealing with suspension. You'll need a decent jack, jack stands (don't even think about working under a car held up only by a floor jack), and a good torque wrench. One little tip for the FRS: the rear deck where the top of the shocks bolt in can be a bit of a reach. You'll be leaning into the trunk quite a bit, so maybe put a blanket down so you don't scratch your paint while you're reaching in there.
Another thing people often overlook is the alignment. The second you lower your car, your toe and camber settings are going to be all out of whack. If you skip the alignment, you'll burn through a brand-new set of tires in a couple of months. Let the springs settle for a few days, then take it to a shop that knows how to handle lowered cars.
The Reality of Living with Lowered Suspension
Let's talk about the "daily" struggle. Once you install your tein coilovers frs parts, your life changes a little bit. You'll start looking at driveway entrances like they're mountain ranges. You'll find yourself taking weird angles to get into gas stations so you don't scrape your front lip.
But honestly? It's a small price to pay. The first time you take a freeway on-ramp and realize the car isn't leaning over like a boat, you'll forget all about the driveway scrapes. The steering feels more immediate. There's less "slop" when you change directions quickly. It makes the FRS feel like a much more expensive sports car than it actually is.
One of the best features of the higher-end Tein kits is their compatibility with the EDFC (Electronic Damping Force Control). This is a little controller you mount inside the cabin that lets you change the stiffness of your shocks with the push of a button. It's a bit of a luxury, but if you frequently switch between highway cruising and canyon carving, it's a total game-changer. No more popping the hood in the rain to click your dials.
Maintenance and Longevity
One thing I really like about Tein is their "Z" series design. In the past, if a coilover blew out, you had to ship the whole thing back to a factory to be rebuilt, which could take weeks. With the newer Tein Z lines, they are sealed units. If a shock goes bad after 50,000 miles, you just buy a replacement damper cartridge. It's cheaper, faster, and keeps your car on the road.
To keep them lasting as long as possible, especially if you live somewhere where they salt the roads in winter, give the threads a good cleaning every now and then. Road grime can get stuck in the adjustment perches, making it a nightmare to change the height later on. A little bit of anti-seize or a dedicated coilover spray can save you a massive headache down the line.
Final Thoughts on Upgrading
At the end of the day, the FRS is all about the driving experience. It was never meant to be a drag race king or a highway monster; it's a car built for the corners. Adding a set of Teins just enhances what the engineers at Toyota and Subaru were already trying to do.
It's one of those modifications where the "bang for buck" is incredibly high. You get a better look, better handling, and a more connected feel to the road. Just make sure you pick the model that matches how you actually drive. Don't buy the stiffest ones just for bragging rights if you spend two hours a day in traffic—your lower back will thank you later. But if you want to finally unlock the potential of that chassis, getting some green under those wheel wells is a move you definitely won't regret.