EOEUMC

iTrader: (5)

Hi folks

I have a set of STi springs and shocks on my WRX but fancy bringing it down a bit more. So what I'm after is any recommendations of spring or spring and shock combinations. I don't have a lot of money but could part ex my set up for something else.
Also I heard something about spring compression. Not sure exactly what's what but apparently the springs are clamped to lower it. Is this true? Is there such a thing? And is it advisable?

Thanks in advance

mickywrx

iTrader: (29)

You use spring compressors when removing and fitting them to the damper, Glen. I wouldn't want to even think about driving with some fitted.

Mine sits quite well, IMO, on 50mm dampers and Tein springs.

EOEUMC

iTrader: (5)

Looks just about the right height I was thinking 40mm as mine sits on 215/45/17 tyres.

The thing about compressors was something along the lines of compress spring and heat them up, but not sure as I can't see it being any good and quite possibly weakening the springs

taylor85

iTrader: (5)

Mines -40mm mate and it shakes me to death lol

EOEUMC

iTrader: (5)

Really, what struts do you have on it? But then our roads are pretty naff to be fair.
I had coil overs on my last wagon on 18" alloys with 35 profile tyres and it was comfortable. I wouldn't mind coil overs again, but not got that sort of money to part with

taylor85

iTrader: (5)

I got bilsteins, can't remember what springs

EOEUMC

iTrader: (5)

Seems a bit strange to me why you bounce around so much then I don't know much about shocks etc but I would of thought there a decent make and should be a good ride.

taylor85

iTrader: (5)

its very harsh mate, but i got front and rear strut braces, Lower H brace and a intermediate tie bar in the back !! Top mounts were brand new in September but i only do 1k a year in it and its set for track / fast road so i just live with it

running 17"s with 215 40 17 Yoko Parada Spec 2 tyres and i can just get my fingers in the arch and tyre

EOEUMC

iTrader: (5)

Bleeding el, that little amount of gap Vertically I can get 2 fingers between arch and back wheels and 3 on front wheels

2pot

iTrader: (3)

Using excessive lowering springs puts you permanently, or more frequently, in contact with the bump stops - hence **** poor ride/understeer.
The bump stops are either hidden/internal - inverted dampers, or external - twin-tube dampers.
The bump stop has got to be soft/progressive enough to cushion the impact, but not change the spring rate and stiff enough to stop the damper bottoming out. Unless the bump stops are designed to change to spring rate, intentionally.
The damper should really be matched to the selected spring.

http://www.superstreetonline.com/how...mp-stops-here/

HTH

myblackwrx

iTrader: (1)

I have Bilsteins and P1 springs (15mm-20mm drop but not sure) and the ride is fine,obviously on bad roads the ride is slightly bouncier.

I would say 40mm is too much hence the bouncy ride.

taylor85

iTrader: (5)

for day to day use i couldnt use it, but i dont do many miles in it so its fine, Took it round rockingham the other week and it was fantastic!

It had blue springs on it when i got it 18 months ago, but sat like a monster truck so got some off a mate just to try it, The P1 splitter catches too easily tho!

EOEUMC

iTrader: (5)

Hmm don't help much with the way my car looks atm It don't sit right and really needs to be sorted. I was always lead to believe that the STi set up is around 25mm lower than standard WRX. So on that thought, either I was lead wrong or the set up I bought isn't STi!

thunder8

iTrader: (1)

i could have some 30mm teins for sale after xmas ,,

there brand new done 200miles on my classic ,, but will sit to low on the new newage i have coming

will be about £100

mickywrx

iTrader: (29)

Mine with the 50mm dampers and Eibach pro springs.



And one similar to my first pics, with the Tein springs, parked on the same bit of road.

EOEUMC

iTrader: (5)

I will keep that in mind mate

Micky is that the same shocks in both pics just different springs?

taylor85

iTrader: (5)

there was someone selling some STi shocks locally a while ago, i went to go pick them up and they were just red shocks

are the springs correct?

EOEUMC

iTrader: (5)

I don't know mate, but there not red shocks I have. Been on car for roughly 10 months now anyway, but when I contacted the seller about them all I got was busy atm with other things and didn't want to know. But I know not to buy from him again

taylor85

iTrader: (5)

what colour where they? thought sti ones were the pinky red ones ? The pic it looks standard!

I nipped home at lunch, under my rear arch i can just stick 2 fingers in but it rubs on the tyre! thats parked flat

I havent got any good pics showing it on my phone should of took a pic

myblackwrx

iTrader: (1)

Version 5 and 6 STI suspension is red. Earlier STI suspension is black.

mickywrx

iTrader: (29)

Yeah Glen, same dampers just refitted my Tein springs.

Pic to show the difference between the 50mm Sti dampers and standard ones.

EOEUMC

iTrader: (5)

As far as I can remember they were black shocks. When I had them fitted I could feel the difference when throwing it in to bends, it was mush more responsive and felt a smoother ride

You can really see the difference between the two and not just how much lower it is but how much thicker too

piehole1983

iTrader: (7)

Earlier STI shocks are indeed black, they're also the "standard" shocks as fitted to the UK turbo. I found out the hard way.

EOEUMC

iTrader: (5)

Right, so does that mean that they don't lower the car at all then?

piehole1983

iTrader: (7)

Early black STI (standard) shocks alone will not lower the car, that's down to the springs. I'm not sure if Subaru put lower springs on the early STI.

MattyB1983

iTrader: (51)

All early wrx and sti use the same shocks and springs. No difference in ride height. The shocks you bought Glen may well of come from an sti, however they won't be any different to the ones you removed. The difference you felt in handling will be because the ones you removed were no doubt past their best. The later sti got the red shocks which were different to non sti models.
Remember, regardless to what shocks you have, if you fit cheap **** springs the car will ride terrible. Anything more than a 20mm drop is too much considering the roads we have.

thunder8

iTrader: (1)

no i see by the pictures the 50mm

the standard shocks are properly 20mm pistons i just got boge and sache gas ones and there 24mm+ as it was tight to get the socket in the gapon top mounts , so a lot thicker than normal..

most subaru`s were fitted with kyb`s so i was told so you could get them at £55+a corner but there oil filled .i paid over £650 for 4 shocks ,springs and top mounts as mine was all worn and shagged

EOEUMC

iTrader: (5)

I'm thinking springs would be the better option for my shocks and get some that are known like Teign, Apex, Spax etc.

I think that's the right option as it goes but nothing going on until late next month unless the car wants for more bits like it doing now anyway

piehole1983

iTrader: (7)

Hi mate, I have some GMAX 35mm springs if you're wanting to lower the car. I bought them off here along with what I thought were STI shocks. They need a clean up and paint if you want them to be perfect.

EOEUMC

iTrader: (5)

Send me a PM how much your looking for with postage please. And a pic if poss