When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
HI I just replaced my front shocks with KYB Excel G shocks purchased from Camskill. I reused my jdm springs that came with the car. However I find the ride very harsh and bouncy on the b roads. Can some one recommend which springs I can use to get a more comfortable ride? I am not really after lowering the car as the stock ride height is ok for me just something more bearable.
Should I change the shocks to another brand?
More info:
Stock '96 jdm wrx springs? Someone put v5/v6 sti springs on it?
Distance from wheel centre, vertically up to arch, front and rear.
Is it worse/same/better since you changed the dampers?
what bump stops did you fit, when you changed the dampers?
wheel/tyre sizes?
front/rear bar sizes?
HI thanks for response.
I think these are stock jdm springs at least I haven't changed since importing from japan. the fronts have the single green dot.
It is worse since I changed the damper. much stiffer.
Fitted non branded bump stops of about 2.5 to 3 inches in length.
I have 215/45R17 wheels.
Please note I only changed the fronts but I know the rear is also KYB Excel g.
Rear is 13.5 inch from wheel center to arch
Front is 14 inch fro wheel center to arch.
On another note a friend is offering me used Subaru bilsteins (yellow) and says they are a more comfortable damper. is this true as I think bilstein is harsher than KYB.
The Excel-Gs are not the issue - they are rated equivalent to or just slightly stiffer than OEM.
I had a 1993 car with standard springs and Excel-Gs that had excellent ride and handling - every bit as good as the P1/Bilstein setup I subsequently owned on a later car.
I'm not sure how much the spring rates changed between 1993 and 1996 but you could consider fitting a set of earlier springs - cars come up for breaking fairly regularly so shouldn't be too hard to source.
The standard bump stop is 2 3/8" (60mm). Is that the one you installed?
As your front ride height is 14" you'd be sitting on 60mm bump stops - your springs have sagged.
You could cut the smallest section off the 60mm stop, making a 42mm stop.
Or, better still, get a pair of Optimal f8-7662 stops, nice soft nose engagement - use dome side up: http://www.spring-loaded.co.uk/prodd...ngle~-~F8-7662
I have got bump stop kits, for lowered Impreza springs, but the above would be a start.
As plenty said, I don't think your problem is the excel-g's.
Twin tube dampers, like the excel-g, are more comfortable at low speed, on uneven surfaces.
Stock bump stop on left. Optimal F8-7662 on right.
Thanks all for your responses.
2pot I will go ahead and try these bump stops. Is this the same for the rear i.e. shouldi buy 4? Should I change the bump stop at the rear as well? I have approx. 2.5 inch bump stop at the rear as well.
Also if these springs have sagged, how can I confirm it? Any test I can perform? Any recommendations on which spring to maintain the same height?
Thanks
Last edited by dmuwanguzi; 10 June 2015 at 06:03 AM.
Thanks all for your responses.
2pot I will go ahead and try these bump stops. Is this the same for the rear i.e. shouldi buy 4? Should I change the bump stop at the rear as well? I have approx. 2.5 inch bump stop at the rear as well.
Also if these springs have sagged, how can I confirm it? Any test I can perform? Any recommendations on which spring to maintain the same height?
The rear stops, in the above kit, are 90mm long.
At your rear ride height; get the bread knife out and cut off the smallest section - making it a 75mm stop.
As long as your springs aren't rusty and you don't want to go lower, stick with what you've got - even if they've sagged, the rate will be the same.
There is a new spring set to match excel-g's.
But, they're 1/2" lower at the front and 1/4" lower at the rear, than what you've got. They're £285 delivered, with matching, shorter, soft-nose bump stops and dust boots.
I'd guess 19mm front, 20mm rear.
Roughly: Got any metric spanners? Put the open end over the bar - the smallest one to fit over the bar, should be the bar size.
HI any idea of another source for these bump stops. I just got an email from the website you recommended and the Optimal bump stops F8-7662 are out of stock.
07 June 2015, 12:52 PM
Impreza GC8 1996 import Harsh ride
