Lowering Springs & Alaskan Roads

[insane_one]

For the 02-07 WRX guys & gals ...

I am having a hard time finding/ deciding on lowering springs for my car. My main intention for getting lowering springs is for the look. Less wheel gap while still maintaining a comfy ride. Ive been hearing mixed reviews on many different springs, i.e. S-Techs are trash because they blow your shocks. Best way to find out is to ask you guys who have had experience with springs and how they ride on our Alaskan roads.

What springs are you guys running? How are they holding up in Alaska's roads? Springs you guys would recommend? Post pics if you have them.

Any help is appreciated.

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

[07_STi]

why not shoot for coilovers? just curious.

[aleutdude]

Stock '04 STI springs on the stock '06 2.5i struts. So far, so good. Not too low, no blood in my urine from bruised kidneys.

[akfmx]

ISC N1 coilovers here. I wanted the ability to lower the car to my taste and not be limited to the height of springs. Overall very pleased with them. However, I have debated putting stock springs/struts back on for the winter, as the coilovers are very stiff and I didn't want them rusting up. However, I have kept them on so far, and get around just fine.

When you lower the vehicle, you WILL be plowing more snow in the winter (obviously). Whether you care about that or not is up to.

I'm not sure any other problems you would run into with lowering springs just because it's winter time in Alaska..? More prone to high centering if you're not careful?

[AKSubie]

Personally, I'd recommend splurging and going with a set of coilovers. From my experience, both in installing lowering springs (pinks on the 2nd LGT) on stock struts, and pricing out springs with matching struts, which are highly recommended. The cost difference one might as well go with a coilover setup.

[LiLpNoY]

Ive been rolling on jdm sti 05 springs for a while before I switched to RCE Tarmac 2s. Does fine in the winter. I also was thinking about switching back to the springs for winters.
That being said, I have a set of JDM pinks you might be able talk me out of. Not sure if they will work on a WRX though.

[retrac]

I'm an advocate of a matched strut/spring combo. For the cost of a set of junk coilovers, you can get a strut/spring combo that will easily outperform the cheap coilovers.

My recommendations for Alaska? Feal revalved 04 STI struts with RCE Yellows if you want a progressive rate or Swift Spec-R if you want a straight rate spring.

You'll notice that the RCEs include bump stops, and that Swift instructs you to modify the stockers, no one else addresses this crucial area. The WRX/STI already rides on the bump stop stock (even though it has more than enough strut travel), when you lower it, you're even further into it. A fully compressed bump stop has a spring rate of INFINITY, which certainly doesn't make for the best ride.

Mild drop with both, that doesn't negatively affect the roll center and LCA position, and the revalves are an excellent addition to the already strong inverted STI strut setup.

http://www.swiftsprings.com/file/ss.pdf

http://www.fastwrx.com/rcesprings.html

http://odib.web.officelive.com/Subar...leService.aspx

[ridestreet84]

I had Cobb springs on my 07 wrx, got rid of them to run bc racing coilovers and still running them on my 07 sti, no complaints from the coils, better then the springs IMHO

[07_BluRex]

I've got the Cobb springs designed for the stock struts, no problems and a great ride. I personally didn't think it was too much different from the feel of stock. As for durability, no problem there at all either. I have probably 25k miles on 'em now. I've been down the Alcan to California, then over to New Mexico driving Route 66 most of the way and back to Alaska, all of the way had some pretty rough roads and the Cobbs handled it perfect. I would have liked the back to be a bit higher, but I still think it looks great.

[insane_one]

Thanks for all the recommendations and feed back. I really just wanted springs for temporary set up and go full coilovers down the road but it looks like im just going to have to start saving now. The only springs i would consider are the Cobb springs. Cant find any forsale though. Are they discontinued?

[retrac]

Originally Posted by insane_one

Thanks for all the recommendations and feed back. I really just wanted springs for temporary set up and go full coilovers down the road but it looks like im just going to have to start saving now. The only springs i would consider are the Cobb springs. Cant find any forsale though. Are they discontinued?

Yep, discontinued because they adversely changed the suspension angles and make the car understeer worse than stock, just like Tein S-Techs.

Get RCEs or Swifts. If you give a damn at all about ride quality, you won't buy coilovers.

[coldfiremx]

I have Tein S-Techs. I didnt cut the bump stops and they are pretty harsh. They were free and really the only reason I put them on. Otherwise, as Retrac stated, sruts and springs will most likely keep you happy. Coil overs, unless custom valved and custom spring rates are set correctly will be harsh enough to guarantee kidney failure within a few years. LOL.

[LiLpNoY]

http://www.iwsti.com/forums/gd-suspe...ers-guide.html

^^^^
Read and learn. Tons of research before purchasing my coilovers.
If I were to start over, I would get RCE Yellows or Blacks, stock STi struts revalved by Feals. (which I may still do for a winter setup except with king springs)

[07_BluRex]

Originally Posted by retrac

Yep, discontinued because they adversely changed the suspension angles and make the car understeer worse than stock, just like Tein S-Techs..

Didn't notice any change at all really, it's perfect for daily driving duties. My alignment and suspension was adjusted when installed and has been checked a few times since install and all is well. I don't race though, and the OP stated he was mostly for looks and daily driving too, so he probably doesn't care if they aren't "optimum" for the track.

[LiLpNoY]

Pm sent

[907bob]

I had the feal revalved struts with rce black springs on a 2005 sti, the springs lowered the car the perfect amount I think. Especially if you plan on running the setup all year round on a dd. They stiffened the ride up a ton, the difference was night and day.

[insane_one]

Going to do my research on these setups and see what fits the budget best. Thanks everyone

[kayetealynn]

Originally Posted by LiLpNoY

http://www.iwsti.com/forums/gd-suspe...ers-guide.html

^^^^
Read and learn. Tons of research before purchasing my coilovers.
If I were to start over, I would get RCE Yellows or Blacks, stock STi struts revalved by Feals. (which I may still do for a winter setup except with king springs)

King springs ftw. On the pricy side but well worth the cost.

[P3Auto]

If you are really just going for looks and a decent ride get some BC coilovers. They are fully adjustable, height, stiffness, etc. Cheap as well. Send me a PM if you want a quote. You would be surprised how cheap you can get a full setup for. Yes they are not the best coilovers you can buy BUT for the price they are actually really nice and for your needs I would say they would fit quite well.

Going with something like this will let you raise it up and smooth it out for winter then drop it nice and low for summer.

If your going to drop it a lot I would also look into skid plates to protect the critical parts under the car.

[AKSubie]

Originally Posted by retrac

I'm an advocate of a matched strut/spring combo. For the cost of a set of junk coilovers, you can get a strut/spring combo that will easily outperform the cheap coilovers.

I agree on at least the matched spring/strut combo's. Unfortunately on the German side of things, it wound up being (when I bought my suspensions at least) not too much more for going for a decent coilover system. A good spring/strut combo for the first S4 was ~900-1000, Stasis TrackSports were ~1500. similar with the Corrado. Perhaps some of that is cheaper on Subie's, or maybe I decided WTH, might as well. LOL.

[White_Rice]

Yo, I liked my Tein S-tech/oem strut never had an issue in the winter. Great ride to. And anyone who had a chance to actually drive my rig thought my setup was great........coming from people that have had a chance to drive many other modded subys.

[Lamarre]

Got a pair of front sport spec mono flex teins forsale. Bought KW V3's so no longer need these. 02+imprezas/04 STi

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rd...837785291.html


http://www.streettunedmotorsports.co..._coilovers.htm

[Marlons101]

wtf is he gonna do with JUST the fronts?.... you must be stupid AND dumb...

[chanomatik]

Originally Posted by Marlons101

wtf is he gonna do with JUST the fronts?.... you must be stupid AND dumb...