We're looking to do some hillclimbing next year in an '02 WRX and I was wondering what the best suspension modifications would be. I dont particularly want to change the springs, just look at ARBs etc.

So, which out of the following are likely to make a decent difference?

ARBs front and rear (diameters?)
Droplinks
Poly bushes
Strut Braces front and rear.

Adam

IMHO (I hill climb a Classic)
22mm for 1 above
Solid links with 1 above

Forget 3 and 4 until you get serious.
You will need far more than 1 and 2 to get a good hill climb chassis as opposed to a nice road car (world of a difference)

Think about this (and what fun too!):
http://www.dropshots.com/daymainframe.php?userid=30239&currentDate=20030102&imageNum=0

Graham.

Ahh prescott I go there alot. I'm only 15 and I know all the lines already :p

Whats the best way to get rid of the horrible understeer the WRX is blessed with?

Adam

Stacks of caster
Stacks of neg camber
Correct toe-in
Good driving.

I have probs with the last bit.

Yep. Prescott the second best hill climb track in the Midlands (IMHO)
First is Loton Park.

Graham

Adam, the upgrade path is (cost wise):

Rear adjustable anti roll bar plus drop links
Bumpsteer and alignment (not sure if you need bump)
Anti lift kit
Springs
Dampers
Wheels and tyres, make sure pressures work well

The wheels and tyres are last becasue they can be expensive and I think its best to get the max grip from std set before upgrade.

After that there will be coil overs, bushes, braces, R rated tyres, top mounts, spherical bearing and adjustable links etc.

IMO
F

I have no experience with hillclimbing but for circuit use you really need to be changing both the front and rear bars, if you do make the change, change the drop links at the same time.

Removing the understeer requires positive castor, the anti lift kit will help a little but you'd be better off putting this expense towards adjustable top mounts like those available from Noltec. These will let you run far more castor and give you the flexibility of adding negative camber on arrival at the event, and removing it for the journey home, this can help save your tyres from premature wear on the insides like you'd see from running too much negative camber in general road usage.

Playing with tyre pressures will help and removing as much weight as possible but you really do need to be looking at tyre compounds and/or a better suspension set-up, the WRX is far too softly set-up as standard.

Wheres the best place to buy ARBs and Droplinks from? I'm capable of fitting myself so thats not a problem.

Adam

Powerstation, sponsors of this page.
Speak to Rich.
Graham.

Adam, shop around and when you've found the best price let me know too! :D

Demon Tweeks, Scoobymania etc etc.

F

I can get a discount from Demon Tweeks which could make them a decent price!

I'll have a look.

Adam

What diameter ARB is best for the rear? From the Demon Tweeks website it looks like its either 24mm or 27mm.

Adam

24mm IIRC. What discount? I've heard people getting a discount but I don't know how?

F

I can get a discount through the 750mc although i've heard of people quoting scoobynet when ordering whiteline products and getting a 15% discount.....

EDIT: Aha! http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/showthread.php?t=479722

Adam

You stand a better chance of DT's discounts if you are with a motoring clug/organisation and you ask at the START of the month when the sales guys can be more 'generous'.
Spend a lot helps too, but that is easy at DT..:norty:

Graham

Best place that I have found for ajustable ARB s and solid droplinks is Jap Innovations

I got mine from Revolution, good price - DT didn't have what I wanted in stock and were quite arsey when I mentioned the discount

speak to dave featherstone from DT , , mention scoobynet ;)