DJ Dunk

iTrader: (5)

Hello,

I'm after some suggestions as to the best (read: cheapest) way of improving the handling on MY03 WRX. It already has the Prodrive spring kit, but still is not as firm on corners as I think it should be.

Solid drop links ? Or would a geometry check help ?

Any suggestions appreciated Are the drop links easy to change for a have-a-go DIYer or best left to the pros ?

Cheers,
Dunk

JIM THEO

Geometry/tyre pressures first, rear adjustable anti roll bar second!

prana

agreed Geomatry

Jiggerypokery

Getting tired of the understeer and rolypolyness are we?

The drop links should be easy enough to change, best to do it with ramps as they need to be done with the weight on the wheels. I got my geometry done in Elite (Rainham, Essex, just inside the M25 and easy enough to find). Phone 01708 525577. They fitted me in early one morning without appointment.

The other geometry place recommended on SIDC was Barratts Rally Department, phone 01227 864 537 and speak to Phil. They don't actually have the equipment themselves, but they use the Rover MOT testing area when it's free, so they said it would be best if they had the car for a whole day and they could get it done if there was any free time.

Either place can fit ARB's drop links, ALK etc.

My settings are currently:

Camber: Front=1 degree. Rear=1.66 degrees (1 degree 40seconds)
Caster: about 3 degrees.
Toe: Front=4 seconds toe-in left and right (8 total).
Rear=4 seconds toe-out left and right.

Oh, and as luck would have it, I have a (new) spare set of Whiteline Solid drop links which will fit your car if you want to try them. I can get them to you in 2 weeks time if you can wait that long.

DJ Dunk

iTrader: (5)

Cheers mate

Any idea on prices for any of this work ?

Will gladly sort you out with some cash for the drop links, no rush lots to do on the car in the meantime !

Cheers,
Dunk

Jiggerypokery

YHPM.

Jiggerypokery

This article explains camber, caster and toe:

http://www.familycar.com/alignment.htm

FLAT ERIC

iTrader: (1)

Were the springs on the car when you got it?

If not its important that the geometry should have been done when you did the springs as all the settings will be out.

Wilson's Chadwell Heath fitted my springs & did the Prodrive settings for my geometry.This improved the ride but the solid drop links will tweak it up a tad more.I used the powerflex ones but Whiteline are fine.

WRX_Rich

iTrader: (5)

if you want to go all out

whiteline anti roll bar
solid drop links
Anti lift kit

and the lads at powerstation know what they are doing, I have the above and it sorts the handling out

boothy

Is ther any where within the Manchester/Lancashire area that carries out these suspension mods i have a wrx 03 and feel that the car could do with a little "tweeking" in the suspenders dept.

If you alter the castor/camber angles won't it make the car tram line or affect tyre wear?

tsl202

Hi,

I'm Daniel from Belgium and I done a grN geometry tarmac to improve the feelings and to have neutral stance and oversteer :-), price si 125pounds with vat.
Bigger anti-roll bars front/rear.
Tyres pression 2.3bars on road/ 2.6bars on track
Do it at TSL MOTORSPORT www.tsl-motorsport.co.uk the very best of UK believe me
As Paul for more infos

Cheers

DJ Dunk

iTrader: (5)

Thanks everyone

Peter Horlock

I had my geometry done on my car at TSL (MY01 WRX). I could not believe the difference.. would definatly go there..
cheers Peter

STIdreamer

Barretts of Canterbury for mine, best £ ive spent. Booked it through normal subaru servicing dept, not rally. They fitted the springs and have always given me a reasonable deal. Vast improvement over normal. (Sti by the way)

Jza

I've had drop links fitted at TSL motorsport.

I dont profess to be a "handling expert" BUT:

Went out in the car for the first time in proper rain since having them fitted. On a nearby roundabout that used to show up masses of understeer, i was amazed that the car was so much better - i really booted it and only felt a tiny bit of understeer - and at a point i wouldn't really want to push any harder.

In the dry the front seems to dig in better - but you notice that the rear seems to go lighter (at least if feels that way) at the same time - so i imagine if i was to push harder - the rear might break away? So its swing and roundabouts.

I also had a geom check done and eihbacs fitted in the past - that made a big difference too.

Jza

Fizz

iTrader: (1)

in addition get some Spec C struts and shocks nice and firm and improce handling a treat got some from powerstation.. Superb guys

JIM THEO

STI spec C struts with Prodrive springs, rear Suretrac differential with 22mm adjustable rear anti roll bar, 18" and a good alignment did a HUGE difference in my WRX03.
Night and day, it handles much better than a STI except that needs (exiting corners) the front STI diff to increase overall corner speed.
Believe me my car is transformed from sluggish old man to a runner!
Worthwhile every penny I spent, don't bother with very high power etc the big difference is from suspension and brakes!
JIM

blip

What sort of cost are we talking there Jim?? Am fed up with wallowy 03WRX PPP wagon handling. It's all badly surfaced narrow twisty lanes where I live and the standard setup gives me little confidence when pressing on!

JIM THEO

Second hand spec C struts+Prodrive springs=500GBP
Rear Suretrac from Rallispec=650GBP
Adjustable rear ARB=100GBP
Total cost about 1300GBP including alignment.
Wheels are a different story and you can buy them later, for now you should have very good tires, good...arms and practice in your favourite road/track!
Just my opinion and our roads aren't far away from what you describe.
JIM

Creepy

Aren't the Spec C shocks even harder then the STI ones ?

Creepy

JIM THEO

I have been told the same but don't think it's true!
The Spec C is lighter than the standard STI and has close to the WRX weight distribution front and rear, probably this is bonus.
The difference between Spec C and normal STI are the front struts and all 4 springs but I have Prodrive springs in mine.
I guess it has softer front struts and stiffer springs than the normal STI.
In every case I say what I feel from my car, much quicker and easier to drive even when it goes 10+ kms faster on corners!
I had previously much aggresive alignment settings (more camber front, more toe out rear - I like oversteer) and now even with "softer" setup I have better feeling and handling.
JIM

DuncanG

Jim, do you know if the Spec-C struts use KYB or Bilstein inserts? I'd suppose they are KYB.
Duncan

JIM THEO

As I opened them myself for fitting some grease nipples and new front Prodrive bump stops I can say for sure they use KYB.
Part numbers are:

JDM MY 03 - GDB(d) STi

Right Front strut - 20311FE300
Left Front strut - 20311FE310
Right Rear strut - 20360FE840
Left Rear strut - 20360FE850

JIM

DuncanG

Thanks Jim. I've been fitting grease nipples too but to the arb bushes. My old 205 had inverted struts and adding nipples with regular greasing helped keep them quiet and smooth. Nipples are good