FSTI suspension for welsh roads
 

Hi There,

I've been running my 04 Forester for around 2 years now and now beginning to hear that unpleasent knocking sound from a rear corner which the mechanic confirmed was the damper.

With the Welsh "roads" around me going from decently laid B-roads to something resembling a farm track and back, i'm looking to keep somewhere near the stock ride that handles the local tarmac well without sending passengers to the chiropractor after a journey.

I'm also with the standard ride height as some of the unavoidable speedbumps locally look more like the lorry tipped off a delivery and they forgot to level it out.

Reading up again on different setups people have tried/currently running and thought it was more sensible ask first before researching a lot of stuff only to find someone else has gone down the exact same route previously.

I don't know whether it is viable to fully renew the standard setup in terms of sourcing or cost, if aftermarket shock/springs would sort it or if jumping up to coilovers is worth doing.

Currently the car has been fully poly-bushed and had rigid collars fitted, which made a huge difference, and adjustable whiteline ARBs.

Any input would be appreciated :)

Chris

I'm fussy and have high standards, but would look at Peddars (sp?). Not personally tried them, but they do come reliably recommended. They're cheap enough too if you don't like them you can off-load them and wont come out too bad

Mine are knocking, but doesn't seem to detract from the performance

I've been looking at Pedders as an option, but not sure how they compare handling-wise to stock?

I'm assuming their "Sportsryder" is a more performance oriented set-up, seeing as they have a photo of an STi and reviewed it saying there was a 30-40mm height drop which wouldn't be too bad.

I would say 30-40mm drop too much for the FSTi

Remember, the FSTi has been dropped (by STi) a fair bit already, and there's really nothing left. Any more and you're going to get into all manner of bad handling issues

I know someone with an SG foz that has my old Pedders Ezifit suspension setup that I had fitted to my 04 FSTI. He'll be selling it soon as it's too soft for his liking (he wants hard coilovers) but will be perfect for your welsh roads. Great setup and this one has done 2-5k max.

I'm a little curious as to how soft a suspension setup we're talking if you've replaced it, and so has the next person.

Also it could just be lack of reference, but looking at the photos in your coilover thread, it looked to ride higher on the pedders than mine does currently on stock suspension?

It was actually your MeisterR thread that got me questioning coilovers again, i'd gone off the idea with the mixed views of BC's coming from several sources.

If you are from Middle Earth :D then forget coilovers.

I had STi red struts and springs on my FSTi and found it worked well around the valley roads, rain, shine or snow just south of you.
:thumb:

Anything other than stock is going to see the ride suffer. Maybe just renew any worn parts and bushes, dial in some more castor/camber at the front with a proper alignment and really good tyres.

I didn't swap out my Pedders kit because it was soft, I swapped it out purely because I wanted coilovers with height adjustment so I could get my car setup just how I wanted. The Pedders were very good and very compliant on my FSTI. Not harsh at all and certainly not wallowey, but yes I'm told they are slightly softer than standard FSTI shocks & springs. The ride height on the Pedders was ok, but just too high for my liking and the back was higher than I would have wanted.


I've got my MeisterR coilovers set to about 1/3 from soft and they are great on my daily FSTI. If you opted for these at least you could dial it down further if required.

Can you get hold of new OEM dampers easily? Or how much they cost?

I've had some parts through Keith Price before but they normally want the part codes.

I've BC Coilovers on mine and find them perfect, I live in west wales and they really suit the roads.

I go to work at 4.00AM and have the roads to myself, so they get a work out every morning!!!

Tyres make a massive difference also, my winter winter have a soft side wall, summer tyres have a very stiff side wall, so bare that in mind as most XL tyres will firm things up also