Gc8 prodrive bilsteins or coilovers
 

Right guys I've got a sti type ra, that's still in standard suspension, if I'm honest it's all about noisy. So I'm looking for a change. I have been offered a set of prodrive bilsteins, same as what I had on my wr sport years ago and they were great. Now there not cheap and once coupled with some springs I think the set up will be near the £550 mark. Now a set bc's arnt much more so I'm in two minds what to do. My cars is for fast road, I like to get to the ring at least once a year. Amongst this I will be doing a full refresh, bush's the lot. So if anyone could give me some advice that would be great.

Regards joe cross

I've Bilsteins on my Type R and have to say I fecking love them,absolutely fantastic on the poor quality roads we have and if you're only going to do a couple of trackdays (albeit on a very demanding track) I would stick with the Bilsteins.

https://www.scoobynet.com/suspension...ension-gc.html has the suspension mods (and costs) I did at the same time.

I can't hesitate to say how much improvement the steering rack bush makes to the feel of the steering.

Next up is ARBs (22F,24R seems to be popular) and an ALK.

Bilsteins no contest

I will have a set of bilsteins from a prodrive v4 classic coming up for sale soon

I know the bilsteins are good, I've had a set, there proven. Obviously I'd need to pair them with a suitable spring????? But just don't want to feel like I should have gone for the coilovers

For road use, it's got to be fixed perch and the longest travel you can take the looks of IYWIM

Here's some reading for you though on the Bilsteins

Eibach spring works well with bilsteins

The 'only' spring to fit on a classic is the P1 spring. It has a sweet spot of poundage & progression and will make mincemeat of everything a UK rough B-Road can throw at it.

The Eibach is too soft, I don't like its progression and it over-lowers. Ride will be crashy, bouncy and you will loose most of the beautiful Bilstein damper travel. STi springs are better than Eibachs, although a bit hard

Interesting reading seems I need to rethink my coilovers purchase :thumb:

interesting, i love my ebachs, although paired with kyb agx's. also i found going to 18's made a bigg differnce to the ride

coilovers are over rated, if your not gonna change the settings (aka use it for different track setups) then dont bother with them, get some decent shocks (some do have damp adjustment as well anyway) and lowering springs :thumb:

Well my mind has been made up! I won't be going for bilsteins because the sellers now says their £800 plus springs! So ill be going for similar prices coilovers. Any suggestions ?
Joe

You could be patient and wait for a used set to come up, or just go for a set of 'reds' (V4/5 STi) with used P1 springs - plenty about. That arrangement will still be alot better than cheapie coilovers

How much are new reds? Whatever I go for I will be buying new

Joe

Post #42 on.... They'll cost ya £1300 :thumb:

Buying brand new struts can be an expensive hobby - I know. Why the need to buy new?

When I spoke to chevron Motorsport, they stated that every bilstein suspension uses an eibach spring, and believe me they know how to set up a car, IMO they're the best in the business

Well, in a way Chevron are correct, and in so many ways they simply are not...

It comes down to what Eibach spring we are all talking about.

An example,Eibach made the springs which were developed for the P1, so a 'P1' spring really is an Eibach spring.

BUT the readily available Eibach springs now, eg Pro Kit lowering springs are just awful. Those are the soft, crashy over-lowering ones to avoid, if you want performance that is

You can pair a damper with any spring, but certain ones work better than others, and on the Impreza it was the Bilstein/P1 spring which featured on the WR P1 (the P1 Prodrive wanted to sell) which was the set-up Mr Steven's et al always wanted the UK honed Impreza to run, but the KYB reds were the cheaper option so that's what the P1 ended up with

Again £1300 for the reds seems excessive. I wanted good quality OEM suspension really bad. But quality coilovers seem the way to go

Joe

Has anyone had experience of the KYB struts that are available plus you can get then in an adjustable form, if I needed new on mine I think I would be tempted down that route with a nice set of springs.

I also had the BC coilovers fitted on my new age and have to say I really liked the ride they gave and they were fitted with the softer spring but the new age was a heavy car, I'm not sure how a lightweight RA would respond with them fitted?

Hi there

Have look on KYB AGX with right springs will be good combo for any car


Jura

Hi Jura yes that's the one's I could not remember the full product name, it's a lot about finding a compromise with usage and the RA is a "B" road car in many ways.

KYB AGX I've tried only once and I've been impressed with them,if RA is mainly as B-Road car I would don't go route with coilovers,if yes I would choose Nitron or KW,Bilstein and few others

Second option is have look for used Bilstein,sometimes you can find them on eBay or other forums

Or you can have look on the Tokico,they're massively popular in USA and they're have good reviews


Jura

Here is link on Tokico

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_fr...+suabru&_rdc=1


Jura

Interesting link there bud :) I only label it as a "B" road car in the respect of the gearing as it's a devil on the motorway. Some extra info for Joe to digest as well :)

What's the stiffness of the P1 springs?

Ive actually been looking at these too over the past few days. the good thing is they are readily available. Id be interested to see how they differ to the kyb reds.

joe

I have a set of prodrives bilsteins for sale of my wr prodrive car..

£250

To a good home ;)

um, read post 10,,,, lol

Front 215

Rear 195

The main differences between the KYB's is their design - the 'Reds' are a high pressure inverted monotube and the AGX an adjustable twin tube. The inverted monotube is generally considered the superior design/performer and of course is reflected in the price

Generally speaking the twin tube will be more supple over small bumps than the high pressure monotube which can feel a bit nuggety on small bump compliance. With speed and warmth in the damper oil, the monotube is a decent performer with good control. It's only when you try something like the Bilsteins which have better valving and small bump compliance you see the KYB shortcomings, but the KYB is a good performer

The AGX rebound adjustment reduces its control somewhat when warm