Hi,

What's the best 'bang for the buck' mod for a standard STI5 that will improve the handling/braking? I am after good brakes (akin to brembos if possible) so if I can get a setup to suit the standard 16" wheels all the better ... if not then 17" wheels and some fettling may be required. An all round package that will improve braking/handling is what I am after.

I was initially gonna go for stiffer/lowered springs and I now know that the springs on my car are a lot stiffer than say a WR1 for example so they are actually quite stiff as standard. But now I wonder out of the following, which would give the best result. Have you tried any of these? I don't care about day to day use as the scoob has just given up family duty in favour of the MPV that the missus 'demanded' once number 3 was on its way

Geometry (where can I get the numbers and the HOWTO?)
ARB/links upgrade front or back or both?
Rear Strut brace
17" wheels - for 6 pot brembos
18" wheels
Lowering & stiffer springs?
(Should I even bother about 19" wheels??)
Anything else?

I mainly drive medium speed bumpy twisties ... and I will 'compromise' to get the brakes sorted.

Paul

 

personally Id leave the springs alone. You can get a much more balanced car by going for other suspension mods... (in a kind of order of importance)

1. Bumpsteer mod - excellent
2. 4 wheel alignment - also excellent - powerstation has good rep for both...
3. ALK/caster adjustment
4. stiff rear drop links +whiteline adjustable ARB
5. 17" wheels - will take the 335mm brakes and have lower profile for better turn in - personally I wouldnt go more than this but that's just me...
6. if you're on a budget - godspeed 335mm conversion - does your car have the 4 pots as std? No. of pots not as critical as disc size IMHO

Hope this helps - you can do searches on all of these to get more info..

Mark

 

Just one point to add to Marks excellent lising, buy the very best tyres you can, F1's or Toyo's (sorry, Toyo fan).
The 17's will be a huge move forward, 18/19's? Look cartoonish but you don't see many on the track.
Above mods will move the game on for you.
911