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classic sti lowering spring options

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Old 09 July 2011, 10:23 PM
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powerwrx
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Default classic sti lowering spring options

anyone got any suggestions on which springs to go for on my v2 sti type ra. i want a nice stance with a noticable drop but no issues with rubbing etc.. ill be fitting 215/40/17 tyres too
Old 10 July 2011, 01:30 AM
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midnight
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Std Prodrive springs as a recommendation ,also designed with uk roads in mind.
Old 10 July 2011, 02:47 AM
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Forget the look / stance i have a type r and i think the standard jdm sti springs are perfect for the car.

Some will say different but subaru put a lot of r+d into the standard set up and o think it works really well, it has a good ballance between firmness and drivability and unless you are going to track it or there is somthing wrong with the springs i suggest you look at antiroll bars drop links and antilift kits as well as a good geo set up before you change the springs because of the look / ride .

Handling is king and when you get used to it the suspension works quite well out of the box for normal day to day driving as well as the odd spritted weekend blast.
Old 28 May 2017, 06:01 PM
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elvis100
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Where can I buy the standard spring lengths and rates for a classic MY 99 Type RA? It has shorter springs on with 17 wheels and tyres. Too hard for me and it touched down a few times. I just got it
Old 28 May 2017, 07:26 PM
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Eibach P11L
Eibach WR15R/T

https://www.scoobynet.com/991887-pro...tunity-19.html
Old 28 May 2017, 08:09 PM
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2pot
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Originally Posted by elvis100
Where can I buy the standard spring lengths and rates for a classic MY 99 Type RA? It has shorter springs on with 17 wheels and tyres. Too hard for me and it touched down a few times. I just got it
Measure your wheel centre to metal arch distances.
It's often the lowering of the car onto its bump stops, that causes the problems.
I assume you've got inverted struts?
The lowered WR15R/T springs are the correct spring rates and come with matching bump stops.
Old 28 May 2017, 10:47 PM
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elvis100
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I'm not sure where to start. The car is on 17 inch wheels from a 2007 Impreza I think. The shocks are KYB. Does this P1 spring kit work with bigger 17 wheels? The cars new to me so i dont know what's been around on offer for Scoobies. Can I still buy this spring kit? Is it basically a standard P1 spring kit/ride height/rate? D
Old 28 May 2017, 11:21 PM
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elvis100
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Ok scratch that... Just read till the end. 2pot is our guy! Is there an image of strut types on the forum? I'm not sure what type of struts I'll have fitted to mine?? The guy I bought it from says it's all 'standard'.Drop links/roll bars are standard. It's a 1999 Type RA JDM. It's not an STI. I'll measure up and take it from there
Old 29 May 2017, 09:28 AM
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Inverted v non-inverted
39mm dia damper rod v 22mm dia damper rod
Internal bump stops v external bump stops

The P11L springs are 6mm lower at the front than the P1 (same as Prodrive WR97/98) - ride heights: 335mm front, 340mm rear (+/- 5mm depending on fuel level). Inverted struts have a higher static gas pressure, if new, might be 5mm higher.

The matching bump stops will depend on which struts you have.

Last edited by 2pot; 29 May 2017 at 09:38 AM.
Old 30 May 2017, 09:35 AM
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elvis100
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Ok 2pot. I cant quite see them on the ground but the fronts are red in colour.
Measurements from wheel centre:
FRONTS 335mm
REAR 320. Tyres are 205/50 17's. I have vibration on left side front at 80, looking at the tyre it looks to be worn on the edges. I'm not sure if it's from rubbing or that it's an older one that he has swapped from the rear/another side. Probably need them all balanced. I didnt explain but the car is too stiff on these rough Welsh roads and I'm driving around pot holes to save damage. I wouldnt be able to drive with 4 people and luggage without tyre rub. It's better with a bit more air. I'm at 36 psi now front and rear. Is this the best pressure? Is it different front to back for best ride in your experience? Suspension is all standard drop links/arms and bushes. It's got potential....
Old 30 May 2017, 11:15 AM
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Front:
33-36psi
Rear:
31-34psi
Keep the rear 2,3 or 4psi lower than the front

Is there a nut on the base of the struts?


335mm at the front is OK, but the front bump stops will have to be changed.
320mm at the rear is too low.

Last edited by 2pot; 30 May 2017 at 12:08 PM.
Old 30 May 2017, 05:23 PM
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Ok. I think there is a nut. Just back from tyre shop but didnt watch them work. All balanced now and tracking off. No vibes at 80 and feels fast in the bends but not totally stable for me. Will try the tyre pressure drop at rear. Nut at bottom is for fitting the damper or does a new damper come fitted with a strut for Scoobies?
Old 30 May 2017, 06:27 PM
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Nut at the base indicates an inverted strut - which dictates the bump stops you need.
Old 04 June 2017, 09:21 AM
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elvis100
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2 pot. Still looking at some new springs. Hitting stops as soon as she sniffs a pothole.
In summary, whats the difference in ride and stance compared with the standard Subaru RA springs I could buy from Import car pars for my red shocks. Are they harder or softer but longer. Interested in getting the standard firmness or more flexible spring for these really rough roads. I carry passengers as well in the rear from time to time and dont track it.
Old 04 June 2017, 12:22 PM
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plenty
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I have tried both the OEM red springs and P1 springs on a MY99 WRX RA. The OEM items will be a lot better than what you have now, but the P1 springs are on another level. Ride height is roughly similar but the compliance they bring will transform the way your car drives, while still feeling controlled and not overly "soft".
Old 04 June 2017, 07:54 PM
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Originally Posted by elvis100
2 pot. Still looking at some new springs. Hitting stops as soon as she sniffs a pothole.
In summary, whats the difference in ride and stance compared with the standard Subaru RA springs I could buy from Import car pars for my red shocks. Are they harder or softer but longer. Interested in getting the standard firmness or more flexible spring for these really rough roads. I carry passengers as well in the rear from time to time and dont track it.
What are the spring part numbers?
Old 05 June 2017, 11:12 AM
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elvis100
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Thanks a Plenty! Got under it yesterday. Not easy as its low. The front springs I have are black and branded 'Prova'. Both lower ball joint boots are split so this could be the source of my vibration under braking and what sounds/feels like bottoming out on hard bumps? I'm not sure if its anything to do with my high speed vibes though. Will change. I have the red shocks, are the bump stops inside the body as I couldnt feel them at the top of the damper rod? I also have a 'Cusco' branded blue alloy brace between the lower control arms. Any good?
Old 05 June 2017, 11:38 AM
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elvis100
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Plenty, When you say 'compliance' what do you mean? You mean good all all situations? Soft when needed and firm when needed ,if that makes sense?
Old 05 June 2017, 03:55 PM
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It's likely you'll have the OEM KYB inverted dampers with the internal bump stops.

By compliance I mean composure over imperfect roads. My old MY99 WRX RA with P1 springs, Prodrive Bilstein dampers, standard ARBs and drop links and 50 section tyres was *the best* setup I have ever owned on any car for hooning down a typical bumpy, pockmarked British B-road. It would stay ruthlessly planted, absorbing the bumps while staying totally controlled and inspiring a massive amount of confidence. The P1 spring was actually designed for the OEM KYB damper so you should experience a huge improvement. It is slightly softer than the JDM spring but not too soft as to ever feel wallowy.
Old 12 June 2017, 03:41 PM
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elvis100
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Thanks. I have the red thicker dampers upfront (original spec??). Should the rears also be red?
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