Scion tC, xB and FR-S Coilovers: Daily, Stance and Front-Drive Setup
A tC, an xB and an FR-S ask very different things of a coilover kit. This guide covers front-drive setup on the tC and xB, how a daily build differs from a stance build, and how to set any Scion up once the kit is on.
The year-by-year kit lists for each Scion are on our car pages. What follows is the setup side.
Scion kit lists
Pick your car:
- Scion xB, tC and xA coilovers: both tC and xB generations
- Toyota GR86, 86, Subaru BRZ and Scion FR-S coilovers: the FR-S and its twins
- Scion xD, iQ and iM coilovers: the smaller Scions
The BC Racing coilover kit listed for the 2011 to 2016 Scion tC. Photo: BC Racing.
Which Brand Fits Your Scion Build
Each brand here suits a different kind of build. Here is how the series we carry for these cars line up.
BC Racing uses nitrogen-charged monotube dampers in every series. The BR, DS and RM have 30-click simultaneous compression and rebound. The RM uses an inverted monotube for MacPherson strut cars. The ZR, on the FR-S, has 30-click rebound, 15-click low-speed compression and 12-click high-speed compression. Swift Springs SPEC-R upgrade springs are an option, front only where the product page says so.
KW V1 has preset damping. KW V2 adds rebound adjustment, and KW V3 adjusts rebound and compression separately. All three use twin-tube dampers in stainless steel bodies.
TEIN Street Basis Z has fixed damping with adjustable ride height. Street Advance Z and Flex Z give you 16-click damping. The Mono Sport is a monotube design. Our TEIN coilovers review covers the range in more depth.
Solo-Werks S1 coilovers have adjustable ride height and factory-calibrated fixed damping. If you want a simple kit at a lower price, our look at value coilovers compares the options.
Front-Drive Setup Notes for the tC and xB
The tC and xB are front-drive cars. The front tires steer, put the power down and do most of the braking. That puts the front end to work, so a front-drive coilover kit depends most on front damping and alignment.
Lower the car and the front camber goes more negative. A little helps grip. Too much wears the inside edge of the tires. Toe moves too, and toe wear eats tires fast. That is why the coilover alignment after the install is not optional.
Several of the BC Racing Scion kits show rear extenders as an add-on. Whether you need them depends on how low you go and what you want from the rear. Ask us before you add them.
If the car pushes wide in corners after the install, check the alignment and tire pressures first. Then look at damping. Change one thing at a time so you know what worked.
Daily Driver or Stance Build
Most Scion tC coilovers end up on daily drivers. Some end up on stance builds that sit on the ground. Both work if you are honest about what you want.
Daily Driver
Keep the drop modest so the car never rides on its bump stops. Start damping from the kit's manual setting. A fixed-damping kit like the TEIN Street Basis Z keeps life simple. So does a KW V2 with the rebound set soft.
Stance Build
Low means less suspension travel and more chance of hitting the bump stops. Check for tire rubbing on the coilover and fender at full lock and with passengers aboard. Expect to trade ride comfort for the look.
FR-S Track Days
Look at the adjustable kits. A three-way kit like the BC Racing ZR gives you more room to tune for the track. So do KW V3 coilovers, with separate rebound and compression adjustment.
Wheels and tires decide how low you can actually go. A wider tire or a lower offset pushes the tire toward the fender lip. More negative offset or spacers also increase scrub radius, which changes how the steering feels. Our guide to wheel and tire combinations covers the trade-offs.
Big wheels add unsprung weight, the mass the springs do not carry: wheel, tire, hub and brakes. Heavy wheels make the dampers work harder over bumps. A coilover does not reduce that mass by itself.
Setting Up Your Scion
Lower in steps. Use our guide to set ride height on coilovers, then tighten every locking collar. Torque every fastener to the spec in the kit's manual, and recheck the collars after the first few hundred miles. Get an alignment after any height change, because camber and toe both move. If you are new to all this, start with what are coilovers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are good coilovers for a Scion tC daily driver?
A kit with a sensible spring rate and simple damping. The KW V2, BC Racing BR Series and TEIN Street Basis Z all fit that on the years they cover. Call 1-800-460-9106 to talk through your car.
What does "Extreme Low" mean on a BC Racing kit?
BC Extreme Low coilovers are a lower-riding BC Racing version, sold separately for some cars and ordered as a custom build on others. The FR-S product name says 'Extreme by Default', so call us before you order and we will confirm the ride height range for your car.
How low can I go on a Scion xB?
There is no single number. It depends on your wheels, tires and how you use the car. Leave enough travel that the car does not ride on its bump stops.
Do I need an alignment after installing coilovers?
Yes. Any ride height change moves camber and toe. Align the car after the install and after any later height change.
Can I add Swift Springs to Scion tC coilovers?
On BC Racing kits, Swift Springs SPEC-R upgrade springs are an option. The 2011-2016 tC kit says "Swift Front Only", so the upgrade applies to the front springs there.
Questions About Your Scion?
Tell us the model, year and how you use the car. We will match it to a kit that fits and rides the way you want.
Call 1-800-460-9106 with your VIN handy. Free shipping on BC Racing kits in the continental US. Shipping for other brands is shown at checkout.
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