Absolute Shower

Anyone fitted the Leda kit to a new age without having it setup by experts. Is it possible to do this and what's the likely difference in handling? This kit would be with the modified rear mounts.

How much lower is it likely to be with fast road setup (5 front 7 rear I've been told is a good figure).

Absolute Shower

Also, is there an advantage in having Leda C instead of B?? For the road mostly, but maybe the odd day on the track.

I like the sound of gas pressure shocks, but don't want real 'bump-bump' jobs.

Pete Croney

AS

We don't recommend C for road use as it is designed for competition and requires more frequent maintenance.

Absolute Shower

Thanks Pete...Leda B it is then.

Deep Singh

Anthony,best to have it set up 'by the experts'.They d'ont charge ridiculous amounts of money.In terms of handling a definate improvement.Even more so for you as you have a WRX.

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

AS

Leda B is "height adjustable" with a C-spanner

PTMW! is about 15mm lower (than standard), though I've seen cars with their rear wheels tucked inside their arches! You could have it the same or poss even a tadge higher than standard - adjust to suit.

As to "pro set up" Elite fitted mine because my install @ Leda had to be cancelled due to time issues. Nothing specialist about them really, glorified Kwik-Fit TBH although I do recommend them for knowledge & ability. They put them on, then did a 4-wheel alignment/geo settings. The only thing missing was the corner-weighting that Leda do on an install, but Leda I don't think do the geo.

Absolute Shower

Thanks guys.

Deep, would you say the Leda kit is 'much' better than the STi7 std kit? Also, where did you buy it from?

Deep Singh

Opinions may differ but I feel it makes a big difference.Things to consider
1)Will make a bigger difference on WRX
2)It depends on how you drive the car.If you only really give it welly in a straight line then probably not worth the money.If you like to find the 'limits' on roundabouts and things like I do then worth it.The STi7 suspension(OEM)is excellent(imho) and for 80% of drivers its more than enough.For me it could hve been that bit better so I went for Ledas.D'ont get me wrong I d'ont think I'm some great driver.I'm not.Its just that I use roundabouts to 'lose' bikes/Porsches/M3 etc.Not very mature I know but hey!
If you d'ont want to go the whole hog with Ledas I know someone with some STi7 suspension to sell(LOL!!!)

Absolute Shower

Hmm, this Leda kit sounds the bizz...

I'm going to try upgraded ARBs and upper and lower front/rear strut braces first and if I'm still not happy, then Leda will be on order!

As long as M3 owners (sorry anyone who's a scoob owner too) see dust, I'll be happy. Makes two under the age of 10!

You've still not sold the STi kit yet...oh well.

Puff The Magic Wagon!

iTrader: (2)

AS

See the thread in Gen Tech with the Prodrive guy. He covers a lot of the issues & questions you have.

IMHO anyway, S/braces will not make that much difference to your r/about handling. The idea of improved suspension is to decrease body roll and have better damping because as you go into a r/about, you need to keep as much tyre contact from all 4 tyres on the road as possible, not allow the ones that aren't working to lose theirs.

ARBs will help, but firmer and more compliant/reactive suspension will be better. S/braces won't do that much.

Dave T-S

Mrs T-S and I have had Leda on two MY01 WRX's, and it's good, but just remember that when the standard WRX or STi suspension has gone out of the other side of the 3 year/60,000 mile warranty intact, the Leda will probably be on its third rebuild.

One of our cars' Leda rattled worse than a Salvation Army collecting tin after just 8000 miles or so.

Absolute Shower

Cheers Puff, I'll have a read of Mr Prodrive's Q&A's...

Dave, it's something I hadn't really thought about...lots of rebuild v's none...

I'm kinda stuck at the moment...I've been thinking of buying uprated ARB's, but Pete Croney's said they don't work well with Leda - a reverse step on suspension upgrade. The problem, or decision I've got now is 'will uprated ARB's and prodrive sports suspension, plus upper/lower strut braces front/rear, and changed links' give the same performance as Leda or do I just buy Leda...

Dave T-S

I'm not knocking (pardon pun) Leda, because it's good, but it is competition suspension adapted for the road, and that gives downsides as well as upsides.

Although it will need rebuilds, and the frequency of those seems to vary from one user to another, it is however done fairly easily and relatively economically. It also helps if you only live 20 mins away from Leda as we do

Deep Singh

All performance upgrades will have some downside and require tlc.
Interesting though DTS that there are at least 20 people on the bbs with rattling standard STi7s that are far from the 3 year/60k miles mark.

Dave T-S

LOL at DS - good point re the STi standard suspension. Does mine rattle? Haven't got a bloody clue, my exhaust is too loud

Deep Singh

PARDON? I C'ANT HEAR YOU,YOUR EXHAUST IS TOO LOUD!

Dave T-S

Big Goon

Dont worry Deep, you have a new secret weapon that will make D-TS's zaust sound like a justy

Deep Singh

Hi Shane,picked it up today.Looks mean.Spent the evening polishing it.I'll be in touch soon

Jza

"My exhausts too loud"

Dave T-S - dont tell me you've fitted a "warrenty voiding" exhaust to your STI ?????

I've always fancied the Leda, but realised very early on that im too crap a driver to get the most out of my std + eibachs.. so i'd rather do the breaks first!

Jza