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Old 10-01-2008, 03:39 AM   #1
Alfaneggio
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Default What the 08 STI is missing.

I picked up an STI last week, finally got it settled in for the most part. Today I decided to really get a feel for the car. I used to own an 04, and when I first hopped into the 08 I was kind of fooling myself into thinking that the car has a similar feel to the sedan models. I know the chassis is completely different along with the suspension components, etc, I was kind of trying to mimic the sedans driving characteristics and finally accepted that they are completely different cars and finally appreciated this car for what it is. Starting with the body, I really love it, I can even say it's growing to be something greater than what I felt about the old one. It is just this wide and hefty beast of another sort. Reminds me of a rhino, or maybe it's the weed. haha. But anyway, It seems like this car has the potential to be something really great, but after some stuff is changed.

Things I don't like and would most probably change. There is no feedback in the steering wheel like the older models had. You could feel most bumps and grooves in and on the road even with the stock suspension on the sedans.

I don't like the suspension, although the ride is more comfortable, I don't think too many people buy the STI for it's comfort. THey should have definitely thrown on some stiffer springs.

THe clutch grabs completely different, it almost feels like I'm driving an SUV at times, also is it just me or are the shifts a bit softer than the older models?
It felt like the sedans had stiffer bushings, the shifts felt crisp, where this one feels a little clunky and so does the diff.

And finally, I'm not too satisfied with the low end lag, it just doesn't pick up so sharply low end.

Anyway, I'm really looking forward to stiffening up this mofo.

Have any of you guys had success with these modifications?

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Old 10-01-2008, 10:24 AM   #2
2fas4u
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Still waiting for my 09 to arrive but I am preping myself that it wont be anything like my 05 is. I am going to add new sway bars and tower strut bars right off the bat. Gonnadrive it for a while then and see how it feels. I think I will be adding a CBE as the next step. Cant wait to get it!
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Old 10-01-2008, 10:52 AM   #3
nhat
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sounds like this thread belongs in brakes, steering, & suspension
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Old 10-01-2008, 11:17 AM   #4
onesixnin
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I concur.
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Old 10-01-2008, 11:59 AM   #5
All4bSpinnin
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interesting information... go stage 2 + protune and write an afterthought
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Old 10-01-2008, 12:13 PM   #6
2fas4u
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promised the wife that I would actually let the warranty run out before modding this time.
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Old 10-01-2008, 12:57 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2fas4u View Post
promised the wife that I would actually let the warranty run out before modding this time.
Good Luck w/ that !
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Old 10-01-2008, 08:29 PM   #8
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Sway bars really bring the 08 to life. It makes it so much more fun to drive.

Tony
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Old 10-01-2008, 08:39 PM   #9
blaxon99
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What size are the stock 08 bars?
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Old 10-01-2008, 11:30 PM   #10
RaceComp Engineering
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I will say this. I was NOT really a fan of the 08 STI .................until recently. Until Tuesday. I have a client in NY that I picked up his 08 STi this past weekend and drove it back to Maryland. We installed the following:

RCE prototype T2 Clubsport coilovers. 400/400 rates
Whiteline adj sways front and rear.
Whiteline steering rack bushings.
Cusco lower type 2 brace.
Cusco front strut brace.
Kartboy pitch stop mount.
Kartboy front sway bar links.

Aligned with -2.0 front camber after installing Dunlop Star techs on Prodrive GC010 gizzles.

This car was already a stage 2 tuned car and so power felt crisp and responsive.

I have driven TONS of STi's on the track, street, owned an 04, had a 05 as shop car. PLayed with 08's for parts development and now this car.

I was closed and sold on this car now. Steering input is cerebral. We set the coilovers to a softer setting and only lowered the car 10mm. We used this car to test our new lowering and non lowering camber plates for the 08 STI. We kept it on the softer side because the client drives into the city( NY, NY) daily and the west side highway is nasty in places. Body lean is gone. Overall grip levels are raised ALOT. I can drive a little* and I can tell you, as I told my client.....you can get yourself in trouble with a well set up 08STI.

The car turns now. With -2.0 front camber and 6.5 degrees of caster means this car turns BETTER than the previous generation. PERIOD. This car made me want to autocross again and anyone who knows me, will tell you,...WOW...then it must have handled VERY well.

The car can be transformed easily I feel with rack bushings, grippy tires, good alignment and bars. While stock springs and dampers need some help..I dont think its the end of the world.

Thats my short response. I will write a full review once I deliver it back tomorrow. I have to go to bed to leave at 0600 which is 6.5 hrs away. I will write a full review with pics on the train back.

THANKS TIC for the Whiteline sways. Clint and Tony got me a set back in August when there were none to be found.

Myles
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Old 10-02-2008, 12:14 AM   #11
jamal
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RaceComp Engineering View Post
The car can be transformed easily I feel with rack bushings, grippy tires, good alignment and bars. While stock springs and dampers need some help..I dont think its the end of the world.
Myles
well, Subarus have sort of always been that way.

I drove an almost identically setup car, on 265 width R888s and KWs, along with an ALK and RCA. Wow does that thing turn. It should be really fast now that we replaced the melted stock pistons.
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Old 10-02-2008, 12:29 AM   #12
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I still need to drive a 08 at the track to make my decision. I'm still a bit skeptical.

So far the only good i can see is that the car is slightly wider and can take wider tires straight off the bat. Also that it looks nice.. yes i like the way it looks.
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Old 10-02-2008, 12:53 PM   #13
RaceComp Engineering
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Yeah I know about the skepticism..and trust me I was NOT a fan and yawned at the thought of the new car....BUT..now I am in love again. REALLY !!

Consider I have owned since 2000:

96 OBS
97 OBS ( project grocery getter)
01 2.5 RS

03 WRX
04 STI
05 Legacy GT
06 Legacy Spec-B.

Many were owned at the same time with modded suspensions. At one point it was the OBS, STI and Spec-Bizzle.

ALL had suspensions and ALL were tracked.

The GC's always turned the best. If a car turns for me, its like sex on demand !! GC's have always turned the best...until NOW. The 08 STI with the basic mods of ALK, rack bushings and sways with decent camber is a "turner" and that has changed my opinion over night ( over the last 5 days really).

Anyway, thats my take at least.

I'm sure Tony could jump in here as he has lived with his for many months now. I am taking this car with the client to Limerock next month and cant wait.

Myles(on the train)
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Old 10-02-2008, 01:32 PM   #14
STi-MAN
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^^^
Yeah i really need to drive one. If something happened to my 05 or i was getting a new one.. i'd definitely get the new body.

I'd still like to know what people that track the 08 feel about the rumored slight problem with the rear suspension when driving at the limit?

Love to hear how you like the car around Lime Rock.
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Old 10-02-2008, 03:29 PM   #15
Turn in Concepts
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I really enjoy driving it. I can't wait for our coilovers to get here though as I am to the point with the car where I am really out driving the stock springs/struts/shocks. I have had mine to the track many times and love the way it feels. It has a crazy amount of grip through corners and powers out very well even only at stage 2 power levels.

I reserve further comment for the time when we have coilovers.

Tony
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