Thanks to APi for BC coilover install
 

Visited Api yesterday for a BC coilover install and set up and was looked after well by David and the boys as usual. :thumb:

I have an 07 STi that, having recently had a forged SC46 conversion, was a bit much for the PPP springs and std dampers. If I'm honest, I was unimpresed with the suspension on the Hawk, which managed to be bouncy (very annoying on the motorway) and crashy, so was glad to see it being taken off.

However, I've been down the coilover route before with a classic impreza (Teins and Eibachs) and to be honest always felt that they lacked bump absorbtion and fluidity for the road, although they improved cornering on smooth surfaces no end! I was hoping that the BCs with comfort springs would sort out my ride and handling woes.

I'll post a full review when I've spent more time with the car, but I have to say that on the trip home I was most impressed with this set up. The car is set to 16 from soft at the front and 8 from soft at the rear and now feels like it has proper bump absorbtion. That irritating bounciness on the motorway is gone and the car's springs feel like that have a proper transition between compression and extension. Along the country lanes around APi the car felt like it was flowing with the road rather than bashing it into submission. Oh joy!! It definately rides expansion joints in the motorway better too. I've got the solid top mounts on the front and NVH doesn't seem to be noticably worse over some of the rubbish roads in SE london! That's impressive!

So it's a tentative thumbs up from me for this kit. Watch this space for more news! :thumb:

I'll be watching as looking at coilovers hopefully early next month. Mine is a daily driver and have heard that some say because of this coilovers might not be good because of ride quality. Any opinions would be helpful, thanks

What model do you have mate?

Ns04

Is a 03 sti ppp

I think there would be a risk of you finding coilovers a bit of a culture shock if coming from a WRX which has a much softer set up than the STi, but I very much doubt it would be a problem coming from an STi. I can confidently say that the BCs with comfort springs are certainly better than the 07 PPP STi suspension in terms of ride comfort, that much is obvious even at this early stage.

The mistake people often make with suspension when ordering kits is assuming harder = better. If you have a track car, fine. If the car spends most/all of the time on the road, you neither need/want hard springs. They will make the car slower in the real world and spoil your enjoyment of the car in everyday driving!

Sounds cool, I was an early adopter of BC's and 2 years later Im still very happy.

Good to hear that mate!

Bc with comfort springs and full se up is looking and sounds good. Better get a proper quote now.

David at APi will give you a quote!

Just returned from a commute involving one road that is awful, poor surface, botched repairs, speed bumps etc and the BCs handled it much better than the stock suspension on 16f 8r. May try and knock the dampers up a notch later and see what happens; think there is a bit of headroom for sharpening things out without affecting comfort unduely. Will try 18f 10r.

What is the spring rate of the comfort setup? 5/4?

im looking at getting these for my 04 sti. did you get the br series coilovers??
are the a lot harder than the original sti set up?
i agree the bouncy nature of the shocks is a bit annoying, makes the front end bob up and down too much

That's right.

I believe an ulta comfort setting (reputedly similar to WRX ride quality) is available with 4/3 springs

I went for 4/3 on my v5 as they're actually closest to the stock classic STi spring rates. Ok its lighter than newage, but its definitely not ultra comfort!

As a coilover for the road I'm impressed, bit crashy at times, but I'll put that down to the solid mounts. I unknowingly caught one of the adjusters in the boot, putting it out by just one click, was quite noticeable when I next drove the car. Can't say that about too many 'budget' coilovers.

Why are u running such a difference in back to front in terms of 16 clicks and 8 clicks?

2 reasons

1) Front springs are harder so require more damping force to control the spings

2) Running harder at the front promotes understeer rather than oversteer, which is my preference in a 470 bhp car! ;)

Ns04

I'm running 6 springs on front and 5 rear on my 03 sti and I would seriously recommend this! Remember newage sti's are heavy compared to classics. Dip.

I see, Mine are 15 clicks from soft back and fron't Im think of trying this combination now, :thumb::thumb:

Hi,i would be intrested in your ppp springs and dampers if you want to sell.:thumb:[/QUOTE]

Is that for me?

Hi,i would be intrested in your ppp springs and dampers if you want to sell.:thumb:

Is that for me?[/quote]

Sorry.not directed at you.Btw,have you got a set? :D

I am looking at getting some bc coilovers in the very near future, hopefully 4 weeks ish. Once fitted I will have my ppp ones up for sale.

Ok cool..any ideas on price? What model do you own?

Why did they make the suspension so bouncy? My wife always takes the piss when mine starts going. I think this might be a future mod for me too!

MY03STI ppp no idea on price yet. Only had my motor 3 weeks so would need to do some digging to see what they are worth. If you pm me I will keep your mess so I can reply when and if I get my bc coilovers to see if you are still looking and are still interested.

I am looking at either bc's or teins on my wrx classic wagon, ut dont want to detract from the ride I currently have so softer springs maybe a good idea.

Will they fit a hawk sti?

That I just don't know. Like I say, had mine 3 weeks and I'm am a newbie. But I'm sure there are lots of people on here who could tell you.

I'd say your fronts could stand to be a bit stiffer and your backs a bit softer, Try 16/8 and see how you get on. Seems to be a good setting for the rough stuff. I reckon there is some more usable adjustment at the stiffer settings to be had if you like things a bit sharper and don't want to kill the ride quality maybe 18/20(f) 8/10 (r)

See what works for you, there are no right or wrong answers! :thumb:

No. The bolt centres where the struts meet the hubs are a different pitch.

David APi

Hmmmmm , Lets see where the recommendation for 16 front 8 rear came from ??? Was it me? I think maybe it was.

Thanks for your custom Paul, glad to know it is doing what I said it would.

Good luck, let me know optimum final setting, so I can eventually claim that as mine too.

David