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10-12-2006, 01:15 AM | #1 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 127745
Join Date: Oct 2006
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: CA
Vehicle:06 WRX 30r 6 speed 99L EJ255 6 Speed |
04 STI Springs on 06 WRX Struts
OK, so I have been searching for days, and I just get more confused as each thread is read.
I have an 06 WRX, and I want to put USDM STI Pinks on, or 04 STI Springs which I believe are the same. I need to know if I can: Use my 06 struts with the 04 STI springs If I NEED some matching tophats, or if I can use the stock 06 ones. Also, would I benefit from some Group N or STI takeoffs? Please help explain the differences to me, and help me find the best solution. What I want is the stiffer the suspension a little, about the rate of the STI Pinks. I would also like a slight lowering. I just need to know what my options are. Thanks!!
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10-12-2006, 03:04 AM | #2 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 10313
Join Date: Sep 2001
Chapter/Region:
SCIC
Location: Mission Viejo, CA
Vehicle:2002 WRX wagon silver |
Both USDM Pinks and stock USDM STi springs will fit your car just fine with your stock tophats. No fitment issues whatsoever.
Both springs are virtually the same. Finding some used STi stockers will obviously be cheaper than buying new Pinks. Only one little fly in the ointment. Springs that stiff are at the edge of what your stock struts can control, and making your struts work harder will shorten their life. Using stock struts with these springs will work for a while, but will just be a cheap, so-so solution. Buying struts designed to handle a stiffer spring is necessary for optimum handling. |
10-12-2006, 10:06 AM | #3 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 127745
Join Date: Oct 2006
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: CA
Vehicle:06 WRX 30r 6 speed 99L EJ255 6 Speed |
OK, so what wouild be my best bet for struts?Should I try and get some STI struts or...I have heard a lot about Koni struts. ANy other good brands?
Also, where are some good places to get them at a good price? |
10-12-2006, 01:13 PM | #4 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 11343
Join Date: Oct 2001
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Royal Oak, MI
Vehicle:2008 STi DGM |
Mark,
What are the handling issues/traits associated with stiffer springs on stock struts (now under damped) ? Quote:
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10-12-2006, 01:30 PM | #5 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 103385
Join Date: Dec 2005
Chapter/Region:
MAIC
Location: American Legion Bridge
Vehicle:2005 WRX CGM Cobb Stg negative 15 |
Some stuff that I've felt are kidney-jolting bumps whenever I am on uneven roads. Cornering is a little better though. Just my observations with 05 stock struts/sti springs
Ok it's not THAT bad on bumps. It's not super smooth either. |
10-12-2006, 01:53 PM | #6 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 10313
Join Date: Sep 2001
Chapter/Region:
SCIC
Location: Mission Viejo, CA
Vehicle:2002 WRX wagon silver |
Quote:
If your going to invest in new struts, I'd recommend going with adjustable damping. Give yourself some tuning options. All of below are adjustable: The bargain option is KYB AGX - good, but not great, limited adjustability. Not 04+ compatible. Koni inserts - great damper, but not a full strut. You must gut your stock strut to "insert" the Koni cartridge. Fully 04+ compatible. Tokico D-Spec - great midrange choice. Not 04+ compatible. Ohlins - extremely pricey, but in a different league quality wise. Not 04+ compatible, but they come with the proper sized spacer. Subaru redisigned the rear strut/spring/strut top assembly in 04. The 04 style spring is tapered, and must be used with an 04 style strut top. Unfortunately, most strut makers have not updated their product line, and still only offer an 02-03 style rear strut. Mating the older style strut to the newer style strut top is a problem. The theads are longer, so even when you completely tighten the top nut, the assembly is not completely tight. You must add 2.75mm of hardened washer to the assembly to take up the slack. |
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10-13-2006, 06:35 AM | #7 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 11343
Join Date: Oct 2001
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Royal Oak, MI
Vehicle:2008 STi DGM |
Mark,
What are the handling issues/traits associated with stiffer springs on stock struts (now under damped)? |
10-13-2006, 07:43 AM | #8 |
Scooby Newbie
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Join Date: Jan 2004
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MAIC
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Vehicle:2004 RSV 1000 R Red/Silver |
I've got an 04 STi and my wife has an 06 WRX that I've obviously driven quite a bit. I've got JDM pinks on the stock STi struts then they're kind of on their way out at 40k miles (maybe 15k on springs). Clunking, binding, kind of a rough ride, but not worn out as in blown. Cleaning and lubing helps but only for a few days. Typical STi strut issues.
Her WRX is still pretty new (7k miles) but driving it around it feels like the stock struts aren't really doing their job even on the stock springs. I don't think I'd want to use stiffer springs on those struts. I had KYB AGXs on my 03 WRX with Eibach springs. I thought they were junk, even when brand new. Mediocre quality and basically like the stock strut but with stiffer valving and adjustability. The stock STi struts are made by KYB which may explain the issues we've been having with them. Sounds like Koni inserts might be the best bet. Really high quality and a lifetime warranty. I've heard a lot of good reviews of them. I'm considering using these on both of our cars seeing as the Ohlins are a little pricey for me right now. They'd be an evolutionary step backwards on the STi but I think they might make up for technology with quality. For her car I think they would be ideal. Last edited by benton0311; 10-13-2006 at 07:56 AM. |
10-13-2006, 03:34 PM | #9 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 10313
Join Date: Sep 2001
Chapter/Region:
SCIC
Location: Mission Viejo, CA
Vehicle:2002 WRX wagon silver |
Quote:
That's a description of one bump. In the real world you hit a jillion bumps of all sizes on your way to work each day, and what's going on down there in suspensionland is extremely complicated. If your car has inadequate dampers, there are loads of extra shimmies and shivers that quake through the suspension that wouldn't be there with the right dampers. That extra energy that's not being controlled properly effects your comfort, your feeling of control, and the grip of your tires. Bottom line: dampers that are designed to handle the energy from your springs are the best at keeping your tires firmly in contact with the road. |
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10-13-2006, 03:50 PM | #10 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 11343
Join Date: Oct 2001
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Royal Oak, MI
Vehicle:2008 STi DGM |
Thanks,
I thought I'd ask the question since I currently have an 06 WRX wagon on STi/SPT pink wagon springs and stock struts. IMO, the car handles like crap (wallow's, out of control, etc). I've checked everything and have come to the conclusion that it's the stock dampers. I've not seen a bad report other than mine when running this combo. Why nobody else has this issue I don't know. I guess I'll have to save up for some Koni's or Tokico's. Thanks, Brian ( Quote:
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10-14-2006, 02:45 AM | #11 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 127745
Join Date: Oct 2006
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: CA
Vehicle:06 WRX 30r 6 speed 99L EJ255 6 Speed |
thanks for the info...I had lost this thread until just now lol.
I am thinking that some Konis are the way to go as well, or maybe the Tokicos. Where are some good places to buy these on the cheap, especially the Konis? |
10-14-2006, 12:48 PM | #12 |
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Join Date: May 2006
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Vehicle:06 protuned vf-34 wagon |
I also have an 06 wagon with the SPT pimks and although it isn't as tight as I would like it is certainly better than it was when it was stock. I am definitely going to upgrade dampers but not for a while. How big of a PITA is the Koni insert install?
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10-17-2006, 09:29 AM | #13 | |
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11-02-2006, 01:48 PM | #14 |
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Vehicle:'o8 5.7 Tundra '07 sv650s |
are the rear strut tops the same for all 'o4 and up WRX and STi?
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11-02-2006, 04:27 PM | #15 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 10313
Join Date: Sep 2001
Chapter/Region:
SCIC
Location: Mission Viejo, CA
Vehicle:2002 WRX wagon silver |
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11-02-2006, 04:37 PM | #16 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 10313
Join Date: Sep 2001
Chapter/Region:
SCIC
Location: Mission Viejo, CA
Vehicle:2002 WRX wagon silver |
Quote:
When to make your mods is up to you. Some mods can cause warranty problems, so you may choose to wait until the warrenty period is up. Then again, it's your car, do what you want. I personally recommend making modifications in stages, and learning from how the car feels different after each successive change. Here are the best first WRX suspension mods: - good tires (stock tires are crap) - stiffer swaybars and solid endlinks (rear is good, front AND rear is better) - anti-lift kit - steering rack bushings - good alignment (stock specs are crap) Do these before you think about upgrading springs and struts. For some this was all that was needed to create a fun daily driver. On the subject of autocross, read the rules and make sure the mods you are planning are legal in the class you want to race in. |
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