Thanks to APi for BC coilover install
17 August 2011, 11:15 AM
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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. 
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!
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!
17 August 2011, 11:31 AM
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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
17 August 2011, 11:41 AM
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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!
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!
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17 August 2011, 01:46 PM
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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.
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.
17 August 2011, 03:47 PM
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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.
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.
17 August 2011, 04:46 PM
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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
17 August 2011, 10:20 PM
#19
Visited Api yesterday for a BC coilover install and set up and was looked after well by David and the boys as usual.
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!
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!
Hi,i would be intrested in your ppp springs and dampers if you want to sell.
17 August 2011, 10:21 PM
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17 August 2011, 10:27 PM
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17 August 2011, 10:39 PM
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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.
17 August 2011, 10:45 PM
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Will they fit a hawk sti?
17 August 2011, 11:14 PM
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See what works for you, there are no right or wrong answers!
18 August 2011, 10:06 AM
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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
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