Welcome to the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club Thursday March 28, 2024
Home Forums Images WikiNASIOC Products Store Modifications Upgrade Garage
Click here to visit TireRack
Brakes & Suspension Forum sponsored by The Tire Rack

Losing traction? Need new tires?
Click here to visit the NASIOC Upgrade Garage...
Go Back   NASIOC > NASIOC Technical > Brakes, Steering & Suspension

Welcome to NASIOC - The world's largest online community for Subaru enthusiasts!
Welcome to the NASIOC.com Subaru forum.

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, free of charge, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.







* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads. 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-06-2002, 05:06 PM   #1
wrxxtc
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 11556
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: west chester pa
Vehicle:
2002 impreza wrx
blue

Default suspension experts please...thoughts on ways to improve handling...

my buddy, who doesn't have a cpu, is requesting info on improving handling on the rex without having to redo everything (springs, shocks, etc)...he has subzeros and toyo's, but everything else is bone stock...what is the cheapest and best way to make the car handle better (cornering) and get rid of the mushy feeling and increase tightness in steering.

he would consider springs and shocks, but doesn't want to sacrifice ride feeling...i agree that the car feels stock when it comes to ride is nice (not teeth jarring)
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
wrxxtc is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Old 06-06-2002, 05:29 PM   #2
ciper
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 15543
Join Date: Feb 2002
Vehicle:
555 Having a Subaru
shop means too many cars

Default

Well, stiffer bushings on the end links.

Both the ends and the mounts would help. A great way to do this would be whiteline end links. While your at it you could get a larger sway bar and it would come with stiffer mount bushings.

The car would still feel stock in a straight line (a little more vibration that may or may not be felt, most people probably wouldnt notice) but when making turns the car would stay flat and be more predictable.

Id suggest a larger bar in the front and an adjustable bar in the rear so you can tune it for your liking.
ciper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2002, 05:52 PM   #3
wrxxtc
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 11556
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: west chester pa
Vehicle:
2002 impreza wrx
blue

Default ?

what size front sway bar would you suggest?
wrxxtc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2002, 06:10 PM   #4
Zahnster
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 2918
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Simi Valley, CA, USA
Vehicle:
2002 Impreza WRX
Silver Sedan

Default

I really liked with the SPT front sway bar(sedan only) did to my WRX. It's slightly smaller than stock so it removes understeer from the front without making the back too tailhappy.

Granted I can't be sure how much it did alone since I've also got the STi struts/springs/topmount and the Aluminum A-arms and some negative camber dialed in.
Zahnster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2002, 06:59 PM   #5
Concillian
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 4414
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Dublin, CA
Vehicle:
2002 WRX Sedan
Midnight Black

Default

If he has no plans for things that will mess with the alignment like removing the struts would cause, getting a performance alignment early will help.

For best wear, just max out negative camber. For a little better turn in go slightly toe out rear. Toe will affect tire wear, but only slight changes should yield an acceptable balance between performance and wear. You definitely want to make sure you aren't running any rear toe in. Probably for the street you want to keep front toe at zero.

You'd be surprised what a performance oriented alignment can gain you.

This goes right along with the suggestions for sway bars too. They're both for balancing out the car a little better. Either or both will help.
Concillian is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2002, 11:22 PM   #6
BIGSKYWRX
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 7958
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Plains of Eastern Montana
Vehicle:
09 GH B+

Default

he would consider springs and shocks, but doesn't want to sacrifice ride feeling...i agree that the car feels stock when it comes to ride is nice (not teeth jarring)
*
Springs and shocks (struts) upgrades and a comfortable ride are not mutually exclusive. I've been in a rex w/ the STi/SPT setup and rides very comfortably, but also handles very nicely (unlike stock). I'm running DMS golds (180/180) and you would be hard pressed to tell it is not stock (until we get in the twistys).

He's already upgraded the tires so he has taken the first step. Sway bars, sway links (or uprated bushings) and a performance alignment would all help, but the heart and soul of your suspension are your springs/struts. Don't be put off by some of the high (some very high) spring rates offered by many manufacturers as there are alternatives. The high rate springs have there uses but are not the only choice out there.

Big Sky
BIGSKYWRX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2002, 11:26 PM   #7
ColinL
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 114
Join Date: Jul 1999
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Wichita, KS and Whoring, OT
Vehicle:
'03 Evo, Rice White
'01 Erion CBR 929

Default

I agree completely with bigsky.

The stock Impreza suspension in any trim is soft enough to allow for uprated suspensions that are an improvement in tarmac performance but a long ways from brutal.

You can get brutal setups, no doubt. I had one.

DMS Golds would be a good start, small increase over stock spring rates and progressive coils matched with quality struts. Or if you want slightly more aggressive there's M2's version. Neither are remotely near the punishing you'll take with a set of 450lb/in Teins or Cuscos.
ColinL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2002, 03:34 AM   #8
duckboy
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 6243
Join Date: May 2001
Location: torrance, ca
Vehicle:
2004 XT
hi-yo silver

Default spring rates vs dampening rates

keep in mind folks, that the cuscos feel so darn stiff NOT because of their "high" spring rates but because of the high level of high speed compression valving that'd designed into their shocks. this high speed compression dampening is what's utilized when a suspension encounters a sharp bump and needs to suddenly compress. if the high speed compression valving doesn't "blow-off", then the shock simply locks up and you feel a strong shudder in your hiney and dashboard.

the thing to realize is not that the japanese are poor engineers (we all know that's obviously not true) but more that the conditions in japan do not dictate that their shocks be designed to accommodate imperfect conditions. unless you've taken a trip to japan, you won't believe the unbelievable quality of the roads there. the suspension engineers there do NOT have to account for potholes, frost sheave and expansion joints. their roads (country or city) are literally like tennis courts. absolutely perfect. they don't even have random gravel strewn across blind decreasing radius turns. in anycase, their shocks feel stiff because their shocks have not been designed to accommodate imperfect roads like we have here in the states, especially here in los angeles.

fyi

duckboy
duckboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2002, 08:27 AM   #9
Austin
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 7089
Join Date: May 2001
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: Western Wa
Vehicle:
2016 STi

Default

22mm front swaybar, 24mm rear swaybar, and follow Concillian's advice on alignment values.
Austin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2002, 09:17 AM   #10
wrxxtc
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 11556
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: west chester pa
Vehicle:
2002 impreza wrx
blue

Default

the DMS golds, are they the SPI springs?...BIGSKYWRX where is a good place to get the SPI set up you are running?

he may consider springs and shocks and whiteline endlinks and mounts...i see that one vendor has the whole SPI supsension, but it is $1500 (that is springs, shocks, control arms etc.) is this needed?
wrxxtc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2002, 12:42 PM   #11
japriljr
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 12521
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Las Vegas, its a dry heat!
Vehicle:
2003 silver gtp
03 yellow srt-4

Default

Quote:
Originally posted by Austin
22mm front swaybar, 24mm rear swaybar, and follow Concillian's advice on alignment values.
I second that. Cheapest and easies way to go.
japriljr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2002, 01:09 PM   #12
wrxxtc
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 11556
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: west chester pa
Vehicle:
2002 impreza wrx
blue

Default

if he goes with the 22mm front sway bar, do the stock endlinks for the front need to be changed also (i have read that the stock front endlinks are good stock)
wrxxtc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2002, 06:31 PM   #13
Austin
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 7089
Join Date: May 2001
Chapter/Region: NWIC
Location: Western Wa
Vehicle:
2016 STi

Default

Quote:
Originally posted by wrxxtc
if he goes with the 22mm front sway bar, do the stock endlinks for the front need to be changed also (i have read that the stock front endlinks are good stock)
The stock endlinks (sedan, at least) are metal and really don't need to be upgraded, IMHO.
Austin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2002, 11:56 PM   #14
BIGSKYWRX
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 7958
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Plains of Eastern Montana
Vehicle:
09 GH B+

Default

wrxxtc-

I might have confused you. The SPT/STi set up is a srut/spring setup and can be had for ~ $1200 (shop around the price varies). You can also check AV Sports as they sell STi takeoffs (same setup) that are sourced from England?, from an outfit building rally cars. Theirs also include STi top mounts which are a nice addition. I am not running this setup but have driven it. I am running DMS coilovers (golds), unless he needs the adjustability the strut/spring setup would suffice.

Big Sky
BIGSKYWRX is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-13-2002, 05:41 PM   #15
wrxxtc
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 11556
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: west chester pa
Vehicle:
2002 impreza wrx
blue

Default i have read mixed things

i have read mixed things about upgrading to front and rear sway bars...is this a good idea?.....is the 22mm front and 24 mm rear the best way to go, any opinions??
wrxxtc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-14-2002, 11:14 AM   #16
wrxxtc
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 11556
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: west chester pa
Vehicle:
2002 impreza wrx
blue

Default

bump
wrxxtc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-14-2002, 11:44 AM   #17
ciper
Scooby Guru
 
Member#: 15543
Join Date: Feb 2002
Vehicle:
555 Having a Subaru
shop means too many cars

Default

Why not get an adjustable one so you arent stuck at one setting you may not like?
ciper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-14-2002, 12:48 PM   #18
Hotchkis
Visiting NASIOC Timeout
 
Member#: 19612
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: So. Cal...
Vehicle:
2000 Celica GTS
White / Purple

Thumbs up First things first...!!!

If you really want to make the biggest improvement on the vehicle, it would be to add a set of swaybars... Granted not just anyone's but Hotchkis' of course..... The spring / strut combo is "NOT" going to make the biggest improvement from stock ride...
I guarantee you guys this... You will suffer nothing in ride quality in just a sway bar install.... And make the most significant gains in handling, beleive me... Now adding a spring / strut combo will add to the handling and will make a difference if you were to do just that on the car instead of sway bars.... But it will "Not" out handle, corner or reduce body roll like a set of our swaybars.....
You wanted an expert or professional opinion..... Here you go...
And our bars have 3 endlink adjustment settings in front and 2 in the rear....and come with polyurethane bushings......
Hotchkis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-14-2002, 12:55 PM   #19
wrxxtc
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 11556
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: west chester pa
Vehicle:
2002 impreza wrx
blue

Default

hotchki, what rear endlinks would you suggest with your sway bars...what makes your that much different then the whitelines?...from your site your set of front and rear is $415??
wrxxtc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-14-2002, 01:05 PM   #20
Hotchkis
Visiting NASIOC Timeout
 
Member#: 19612
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: So. Cal...
Vehicle:
2000 Celica GTS
White / Purple

Default

We tested the bars with stock endlinks.... We felt that they were good enough and that were going to be aftermarket ones available.... And both bars are hollow...!!!! I also have distributors that can get you our bars.... Where are you located??
Hotchkis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-14-2002, 01:11 PM   #21
wrxxtc
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 11556
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: west chester pa
Vehicle:
2002 impreza wrx
blue

Default

PA.....
wrxxtc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-14-2002, 01:30 PM   #22
Hotchkis
Visiting NASIOC Timeout
 
Member#: 19612
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: So. Cal...
Vehicle:
2000 Celica GTS
White / Purple

Thumbs up

East coast..... I would have to say Titan Motorsports in Fla.....
His name is Bottle....# is 407-977-9732...... Tell him J.C. from Hotchkis referred you.... He'll hook you and all you guys on the east coast up...!!!!!
Hotchkis is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Best way to improve handling of '10 WRX Parthew Brakes, Steering & Suspension 32 06-14-2010 12:09 AM
Most effective way to improve stock halogen lighting on a bugeye? sonic03dz Electrical & Lighting 12 08-06-2008 07:26 PM
Way to improve low-end torque on VF34 car? gopsu Newbies & FAQs 22 04-12-2006 01:25 AM
Need your opinion on ways to improve handling - advice please. WRXVII Brakes, Steering & Suspension 7 10-17-2002 10:25 PM
ways to improve handling popnGEAR Newbies & FAQs 5 03-27-2001 06:28 PM

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:01 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Copyright ©1999 - 2019, North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club, Inc.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission
Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.