Lowering springs, what would you choose
 

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.sco...761e17de39.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.sco...8ed62271d3.jpg
I asked the question in the suspension forum recently but I don't think many people use it so I'll ask in here.


I have added some 18" wheels from a hatch to my JDM blob and now want to lower it a little but am unsure on spring choice.

Has anyone had experience of Tein S-Tech or Whiteline springs? Or would it be worth the extra paying for Eibach Pro-Kit springs?

I just don't want a horrible hard and bouncy ride.


Also, what sort of price would be reasonable for a specialist to fit them?


Might also paint the wheels black -but that's for another day.


Thanks :thumb:

Why do you want it lowered?

You bought the car for it's performance, right?

Yet lowering it lowers the roll centre so it will roll MORE, thus destroying the handling?

his car up to him what he does...plenty of people change their suspension without altering the roll centre...it'll only increase roll if the drop is substantial enough to drop it below where wishbones/LCA being level

H&R would be my choice..i would avoid the Eibach they are far too soft a spring imo, had them then removed after 2weeks and fitted the H&R's

my old spec D sat this height on 18's and H&R's

Ask 2pot on here mate he’s the man for all the suspension info and he can supply all bits you need if not the link to get it :thumb:

Very nice example looks nice as is imo

How bout changing tyre wall this will fill arch gaps and alloys look wider

235 45 18 at a guess maybe?

Cheers Zany


The photos make it look a little lower than it looks when you're next to it, I think its the way its parked in one pic as the opposite side is up on the kerb.


Tyres are 245 40 18 and I'd rather not get higher sidewalls and would prefer to bring the car down, even if its only 10 or 15mm. Other problem I am finding is websites show their springs as being suitable for WRX and STI and then show approx. drop of Xmm. Well, the STI is already lower than the WRX so the figures shown won't be right, No idea why they cant just sell a model specific spring and show the amount of drop.


You still got that DV for sale?

Tein S Tech are pretty good, had them on my STI (before i went to coilovers) and have them fitted to my current car.

Thanks Moley. Did they drop the car by much? They state 35mm front and 25mm rear but I reckon that must be on a WRX and not an STI?

The hks one? Yes mate in a box but it’s in the shed :(
Im in and out of hospitals this month so can’t post or do anything
hopefully I’ll get my shed sorted by next month way too much clutter in there I need to sort out take pics and flea bay properly if you see it on there give us a buzz and I’ll sort you scabbynet brotherly discount out :thumb:
Mrs still not seen the bbs alloys yet but I have a plan :lol1:

First thing, is measure your current ride heights - wheel centre vertically up to the metal arch (not the plastic liner).
Your wheel centre is difficult to get at, so do it like this:
Hook the tape on the wheel rim nearest the ground. Measure vertically upwards, across the wheel centre, to the metal arch = x

Then, hook a tape on the wheel rim, measure across the wheel centre to the outer edge of the rim, on the opposite side of the wheel - divide this measurement by 2 = y (y is, obviously, the same on all 4 wheels).

x minus y = ride heights

There will probably be a 5mm, side to side, ride height difference - this is normal.


If you start going under 360mm front height, the front splitter becomes vulnerable and you'll have very limited bump travel.
If you do lower the front, a roll centre kit will help - Whiteline kca313 or Superpro trc0002

If you lower the front, you'll also need to change the front, internal, 60mm bumpstops or you'll be running on them all the time = understeer + poor ride.
You'll probably need Whiteline kca335 off-set front top mounts to run more front camber 1deg 45mins - 2deg.
Changing the soft, rear, bumpstops is also beneficial.
Does the rear need to be lower? 355-365mm is good, as perRB320

Your current spring rates are progressive. Max f223lb/in r195/lb/in. But, at ride-height, they are 217lb/in 171lb/in
Lowering will mean increasing the spring rates.

HTH

:king:

Springs
 

From experience I’ve always found the Eibach springs ‘hard n’ bouncy’ - totally killing off the little bit of comfort you have. Unfortunately often the H&R or Whitelines are worse... 🙃

I think you need a set of the Subaru Prodrive springs or the Tein S ‘road’ springs.

Eibach springs are relatively soft, at ride height. Bouncy is under-damped.

Imo RCE yellow's are too stiff for a road spring - 295/275lb/in.
They were designed as an autox spring and will, understandably, wear stock dampers more quickly.
The version one rce yellow, occasionally, suffered front coil bind, so were re-designed with one less front coil. RCE blacks are slightly higher and softer 285/269lb/in
Spring costs relate to quantity manufactured.

The red S05/D5/001 Prodrive 05-07 sti springs, if you could find a set, would drop 18mm front and 8mm rear - 234/223lb/in. Came with shorter, more progressive, front bump stops.

Or, I've specified an STI set, Eibach-made WA/A2, linear in their operational range 245/223lb/in - 25mm lower at front, no drop at the rear.

Prodrive dropped the P1 30mm at the front, compared to a stock classic and the RB320 is 30mm lower at the front, than a newage STI.

Personally, I would use a roll centre kit.

Guys are we saying for better handling to just change ARBs?


I've just bought a 23k miles Widetrack Blob and was going to lower but after reading this I don't think i'll bother.

Define "better"?

What do you not currently like about the handling? How would you like the handling to be?

For "better", read "different".

Looks for a start. Which is nothing to do with handling I know.


Sharper turn in with slightly less roll.


But overall I don't want to lower it for looks and then disrupt the handling in a negative way.

If you are happy with how the car rides, then to increase turn in, it maybe as simple as tweaking your alignment: adding some more neg camber and castor at the front. Or merely tyre pressures.

Changing springs/shocks/ARBs etc are all going to have effects across the board - what you gain in one area, you may well lose in another.

We are able to supply lowering springs for this model for £184+VAT Delivered.

Attachment 73449

Back in the days the only lowering springs we used were either Prodrive or Eibach pro kit, which are very
similar. These don't lower the car much but give a nice, firmer ride, still with oem feel.

2pot,
I've found a set of red prodrive springs but they are S03/D5/001 and not the newer S05 springs you mention. I believe the S03 is a slightly softer spring but i'm not sure if they fit on widetrack cars. What's your opinion on these?


Thanks to everyone for your input. :thumb:

They'll fit a widetrack - but too soft, to be that low. Even if you changed the internal bump stops, to shorter, stiffer, alternatives.

What are you current wheel centre to arch measurements?

If you're still in the spring market? The wa/a2 springs + bump stops, are now at Eibach UK, just waiting for the protective sheathing for the dead coils.
Same ride height at the rear, as a new '07 STI saloon (5mm lower on a wagon), 25mm lower at the front, than a new '07 STI saloon.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.sco...eb8e515d41.jpg

The rear springs use bug rear top mounts - improves the spring design.

Will they be sold as a kit to fit a blob?

They're made for use with blob and hawk (saloon and wagon). But, because of the rear spring design, you use bug rear top mounts - bug rear top mounts fit the blob/hawk chassis as well.
They use these top rear rubber isolators, with the rear bug top mounts:
Subaru Impreza 92-00 Rear Upper Spring Rubber Isolator