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Old 08-23-2014, 05:45 PM   #1
rubrduk
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Default 06 wagon: time for new struts or coilovers - need some help with the decision

06 wagon @ 81k miles
stock struts with prodrive springs
Hotchkis sways and billet endlinks

daily driver/family truckster/war wagon/occasional track days

i was planning on Tokico D Specs/Group N tophats for the last couple season knowing my struts would be needing swapped and good for a nice upgrade,...but i'm finding out that Tokico is out of business

fast forward:

option 1:
Feal 441's for a coilover option...i'm told they ride great for a coilover and even better than stock STi by 2 people. They come with camber plates and everything needed to bolt in and drive

option 2:
04' STi struts, rebuilt by Feal, with RCE or Swift springs, and Whiteline Com C top hats - i like this option on paper, but it seems fiddly trying to track down 04 STi struts that aren't trashed

option 3:
KYB, Koni inserts, or other strut with RCE or Swift springs, and Whiteline Com C or Group N top hats


i'd love to just get the Feal 441's but i'm afraid of them being overly harsh...i don't mind it a bit stiffer, but i don't want it to ride like a truck
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Old 08-23-2014, 11:45 PM   #2
Bikelok
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Default 06 wagon: time for new struts or coilovers - need some help with the decision

Any of the 3 options will be much firmer than what you have now. Firmer does not mean harsher though, but some people just never get used to it.

Any of the three options will work out fine. For option 3 I'd go with Koni over KYB.

The D-Specs are hard to find, but they can still be found out there. They are also coming back into production (no one knows when though).

I'd suggest rethinking coilovers. I'm not saying they are bad, but they need additional set up, periodic maintenance and the reduced stroke of them might leave you wanting more. The 441 are supposed to be very good though, but they do have a reduced stroke.

The 04 STI struts will be as good as new when Feal is done with them so I would not worry about that.


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Old 08-23-2014, 11:48 PM   #3
Uncle Scotty
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TOCIKO IS OUT OF BUSINESS??????

where did you hear that???

post up a link to that.....i wanna see it
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Old 08-24-2014, 01:39 AM   #4
rubrduk
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Scotty View Post
TOCIKO IS OUT OF BUSINESS??????

where did you hear that???

post up a link to that.....i wanna see it

i had to research it since i was speaking from my ass a bit,...however after much blog reading and a single press release it appears that Tokico/Hitachi broke contract with their US distributor early 2013 and just reestablished with a new North American distributor in Nov 2013.

Quote:
The all-new Tokico inventory should be up to normal distribution levels in Q2 2014, with some backorders being filled by the end of 2013. All previous issues with obsolete inventory have been resolved, Ziozios added. ***8232;
http://www.performanceracing.com/new...n-agreement-us

Considering we are mid way through Q2 and none of the previous dealers have received any Tokico supply since late 2013, it would appear their delivery schedule is running a behind, but it does warrant a closer look
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Old 08-24-2014, 09:07 AM   #5
Big-E
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If your strut-housings are clean (no real rust or rust-through issues), then get the Koni adjustable inserts, Swift Wagon Springs, and the Group-N top-hats.

My recommendation is based in-part on the fact that I like to "set-it and forget-it". Meaning, I would not want a set of true adjustable camber-plates that I would have to eventually remove for servicing. I too have a multi-use daily-driver, not a race-car, and so less-is-more, if you know what I mean.

I have the Whiteline Com-C top-hats and am on the second-set and would recommend them, but: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...ighlight=com-c

Firm does not necessarily equate to a harsh ride. Adjustable dampers and adjusting tire-pressure will allow for you to effectively tune your ride-feel as you see fit.

If you want to really firm-up your ride and control suspension deflection, change the control arm bushings and the trailing link bushings.
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Old 08-24-2014, 07:37 PM   #6
rubrduk
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Good info on the Com C's,...thanks for that

Question is, should I just just HVT plates like others mentioned or stick with Group N
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Old 08-24-2014, 07:49 PM   #7
Big-E
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Read and then call TiC and discuss your needs: http://turninconcepts.com/5x100.html
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Old 08-25-2014, 02:58 PM   #8
rubrduk
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Big-E View Post
Read and then call TiC and discuss your needs: http://turninconcepts.com/5x100.html


that's some good reading...

i'm biased (or was biased before this reading) towards Feal 441's as a possible coilover choice...but after giving the HVT's some research, i'm learning a few new things that are helping with the decision process

thanks!!
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Old 08-25-2014, 10:58 PM   #9
Wolficus
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i ended up with kyb excel g, group n top hats and usdm pinks from subaru. ended up really well in the end firm ride.
i will warn though... my stock bushings could not take it. blew one of my outriggers to hell and caused me to eat tires like crazy.
definitly change the outriggers and control arm bushings.
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Old 08-26-2014, 11:12 AM   #10
mrsaturn7085
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Option 1 if it's in your budget (based on reviews only); as an alternate option, call RCE or TiC and talk about coil-over options.
Option 2 if it isn't (and go with Gr.N top hats)

Do NOT buy the Com-C mounts right now unless you want to be the guinea pig that let's NASIOC know if Whiteline has fixed the bearing issue. It will end in a 2-3+ month headache if they haven't.
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Old 08-26-2014, 08:48 PM   #11
Ernest
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wolficus View Post
i ended up with kyb excel g, group n top hats and usdm pinks from subaru. ended up really well in the end firm ride.
i will warn though... my stock bushings could not take it. blew one of my outriggers to hell and caused me to eat tires like crazy.
definitly change the outriggers and control arm bushings.
That's my setup for about 3 years now. A little bouncy cause the excel g are just a little weak for the pinks. Car handles great, I also have an alk, multiple braces, almost all bushings, etc. I also have sedan STI control arms that widened the track a bit.
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Old 08-26-2014, 10:35 PM   #12
Wolficus
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ernest View Post
That's my setup for about 3 years now. A little bouncy cause the excel g are just a little weak for the pinks. Car handles great, I also have an alk, multiple braces, almost all bushings, etc. I also have sedan STI control arms that widened the track a bit.
i have noticed the back was a little bouncy. when the excel's wear out.. i am going with konis and dms camber places. springs seem to be stiff enough also if they wear out.. ill use my soobi bucks from chase and get another set from the dealer. the yellows had a bit to much drop for me. i still use it as a wagon after all.
i will be finishing the back end bushings next week. leaving just a couple in the front.
i've thought about the control arms... would kick me out of the stx class though.
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