hi

to start, this title refers to the car!!

When I bought my Blob (WRX 2003), it came with Prodrive springs, STI 17inch wheels, and 225/17 Toyo Proxes. Pretty sure the rest is standard (suspension wise)
When driving normally the car feels perfectly balanced; pretty stiff but still very comfortable and in the corners well planted without too much roll.

Now here's my problems:

- When cornering at a little more speed, the tyres squeal quite a bit.
- When changing direction fairly quickly in s-turns, the back becomes quite unsettled (for example on a roundabout where you go 'straight-on'), and yesterday the backend even broke away in a big wobble.

So i'm suspecting this would be a suspension problem, but have no clue about suspension.

Anybody out there for advise? Ideally first of all what the problem would be and then looking for a solution. I know aswell that if I spend a bucket-load of money, that i will solve the problem!!

Thanx guys,

best rgds Robert

 

What tyre pressures ?

I haven't heard anything good about Proxes C1F....

dunx

 

suppose thats a good place to start!

Just had a look: 30psi front and 25psi on the back.
Suspect that could do with a bit of changing?

btw proxes T1R

rgds Robert

 

Hmmmm...

std STI values are 31 / 28 but I run mine at 35 / 32.

Need more air in for a start.

Then we will see if your dampers are shot ?

Opps !

dunx

P.S. T1R's are o.k.

 

ok i'll put some more air in and see how it goes. thx
rgds Robert

 

When you say changing direction 'fairly quick' do you mean near the limit of how quickly you could physically take the corner or..?? A softer setup (i.e. standard) will tend to do this if you're doing relatively low speed manouvers, as fast as possible, aggressively. If you're throwing all the weight from one direction to the other and lifting at the same time then it could just be pitching onto the front/lifting the rear and provoking oversteer. Stock alignment also runs relatively little camber which will exaggerate it by allowing the tyre to roll over.

However, I'd only expect to see it behave like that when REALLY pressing on and being REALLY aggressive.

 

maybe i just take it REALLY aggressive then. i would expect the car to stay much more flat through the corner tbh. i had an Audi A4 DTM before (quattro tuned s-line suspension) and that one stayed so nice and stable adn flat through any corner at any speed. so i expected the same or better from a scooby, especially with prodrive upgrades. thats the reason i thought maybe something wrong with the dampers orso.
do you reckon with your coilovers this will improve and make the car more 'balanced through a corner (especially in above situations)?

thx rgds Robert

 

STI struts are way stiffer than the WRX ones, and yours are now six years old....
I found the std. STI set-up fine till I reached 400 bhp....

HTH

dunx

 

yeah maybe you're right. maybe i'll try some of them first. do you know if that would be a straight swap?
do they useually come for sale on here?

thx again dunx,

Robert

 

Sometimes, but sadly most have done sky high mileage by now, A pal has fitted BC coil-overs and they are very plush, but also adjustable.

HTH

dunx

P.S. I fitted Teins but they are quite harsh....

 

If its had PD springs fitted, its worth looking at the rear ARB and checking that is standard!

Simon

 

because it IS or ISN'T good if it is standard?

 

I think he is referring to the fact that some people on here consider the standard car understeery. They fit harder rear antiroll bars (whiteline) and drop links to remove rear end grip and encourage the behaviour you have described. Suits some drivers more than others. In the hands of an expert or gifted driver makes for a quick change of direction with a bit of tyre squeal as the added "show" factor. In the hands of the rest of us mere mortals it is more likely to lead to a brown trouser moment



Flame suit on!

 

Not sure I'd go that far, but a stiffer rear ARB makes oversteer more likley, and if its silly stiff it may actually be mismatched to the suspension.

The stock bar is I believe 20mm diameter, whiteline do 22 and 24mm, some are adjustable (have three holes where the droplink mounts).

Simon

 

On std. STI set-up mine was barely "drift-able" on the stiffest setting with a 22mm bar.

My pal KojaK runs his WRX on the middle setting as his was a bit too "slippery".

Now on Teins mine is just planted, too much so on track as it's less fun....

Can't win !

HTH

dunx

 

maybe just to make clear: when the back end went, it was in an unsettled wobble under acceleration. difficult to explain. wasn't (i thought) at the cars limits.

strange thing is, it feels stiff and planted around town and when not going very fast, but when it goes a bit faster it's a bit on the wobbly side.

maybe i should ask somebody to try for a second opinion.

thx for all the replies guys

rgds Robert

 

I could suggest a couple of things to do with changing centre of gravity but I`m no expert on this. Try "cusco kid" George at GP Motorsport, Scotland. (this months Total Impreza Magazine)...

 

was thinking that aswell, since he's only 5 mins away...

 

Missed that bit. From experience most "wobbly" behaviour is down to worn shox, especially when coupled with stiff springs. Cusco kid has good rep and I hope he sorts it for you.

Post back to let us know what he says.

 

rpsxr,,, if george is only 5 minutes away, I promise you that you would get back home in 4 minutes or less..

 

will try and visit him next week then!
will keep you posted!
thanx

rgds Robert