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Old 12-31-2012, 10:42 AM   #4526
soulvaccination
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RaceComp Engineering View Post
Well it is a race part. A race part that YES can be driven on the streets. We put that disclaimer on our site for the select few who feel that they dont need to slow down AT ALL for speed bumps. Or for the group of people who feel that if you hit a pothole that is 8-12inches deep at full speed it should NOT break a pillowball or crack a plate. There are some realities with running camber plates on the street. We had a guy admit to hitting railroad tracks that were (measured) 4inches tall at 55mph and didnt think he should have broken a plate. Yet in a totalled car that was in a head on collision the plate was intact and the shock was snapped in half.

Yes those axial and radial ratings mean these will hold up to street use. But the obvious still applies to potholes, and obvious things in the road.

Myles
424WRX....This quote above was from a half dozen pages back when Myles was asked the same thing. I'm running these top hats with yellows/bils in Canada year round. I have no problem with them as a daily setup. They are a bit too stiff when driving on uneven (bumpy) ice and snow in the winter, but whenever I have smoother pavement I am more than happy with them for street use. I'm running 17's rather than 18's like QwaktastiK so I have more wheel gap for snow clearance but that picture looks accurate for my summer setup.

Just buy them...You'll not regret it!
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Old 01-02-2013, 06:03 PM   #4527
424wrx
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Quote:
Originally Posted by soulvaccination View Post
424WRX....This quote above was from a half dozen pages back when Myles was asked the same thing. I'm running these top hats with yellows/bils in Canada year round. I have no problem with them as a daily setup. They are a bit too stiff when driving on uneven (bumpy) ice and snow in the winter, but whenever I have smoother pavement I am more than happy with them for street use. I'm running 17's rather than 18's like QwaktastiK so I have more wheel gap for snow clearance but that picture looks accurate for my summer setup.

Just buy them...You'll not regret it!
i just bought a set used from a member on here. couldnt pass them up! they are the lowering ones too. no more uneven ride height now.
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Old 01-16-2013, 12:48 PM   #4528
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If any of you guys are interested, I have my RCE Yellows for sale listed in the classifieds.

Edit: My used Yellows went to a good home.

Last edited by QwaktastiK; 02-17-2013 at 09:31 AM.
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Old 02-17-2013, 09:39 AM   #4529
QwaktastiK
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Just wanted to give a shoutout for a great product from a great company. Also, updated pic below...

Here's the best shot I've gotten of my stance:

image by QwaktastiK, on Flickr

And for reference, below is the list of suspension components and wheel/tire specs. I opted for taller tires to get rid of some of the tire to fender gap. If you desire more clearance, just stick with a rolling diameter closer to stock.

Suspension:
GTWORX/Bilstein Impreza Cup Sport Kit
RCE Black (Regular Guy) Springs
RCE Camber Plates (front)
RCE 25mm Hollow adj. Front Sway Bar
RCE 25mm Hollow adj. Rear Sway Bar
Kartboy Front and Rear Endlinks
Whiteline Rear Camber Adjuster Kit
Whiteline Rear Trailing Arm Bushings
Whiteline Front Inner Control Arm Bushings
Wihteline Anti-Lift Kit
Whiteline Steering Rack Bushings
Whiteline Front Differential Positive Power Kit
GTSPEC Strut Bar

Alignment Specs:
Camber: -2.0f, -2.0r
Toe: 0
Caster: 6.5

Winter Wheels/Tires:
XXR 527 17x8.25 +25 (Gold)
Bridgestone Blizzak WS70 215/50/17

Last edited by QwaktastiK; 02-17-2013 at 09:46 AM.
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Old 02-17-2013, 10:11 AM   #4530
AndyRoo
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That looks really good! One of the best looking 08+ WRXs I've seen.

- drew
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Old 02-22-2013, 09:18 PM   #4531
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qwak, the car looks great. i cant wait to get my camber plates on come springtime! mine will be a tad higher with the yellows. im gonna stick with them for now and see what i think with the plates.
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Old 03-15-2013, 12:12 PM   #4532
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Just got my Bilstein + RCE black's installed! Is this the best place to post a review+pics? Where would it be most helpful?

As a heads up, I couldn't be more happy, excited, impressed....with the set-up.

Thanks Myles, and everyone else who was able to make this a reality!
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Old 03-15-2013, 12:39 PM   #4533
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Gratz! I was waiting for that but got Impatient and went with yellows and koni inserts and 08 struts upfront. It's an amazing transformation isn't it.
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Old 03-15-2013, 12:47 PM   #4534
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stoker68 View Post
Just got my Bilstein + RCE black's installed! Is this the best place to post a review+pics? Where would it be most helpful?

As a heads up, I couldn't be more happy, excited, impressed....with the set-up.

Thanks Myles, and everyone else who was able to make this a reality!
glad you like it. Its good to see the WACKED year of 2010 work we did come to fruition.

Myles
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Old 03-15-2013, 01:16 PM   #4535
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If anyone wants I set I have some for sale. To bad they wont work on a STi, cause I loved mine
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Old 03-15-2013, 10:13 PM   #4536
stoker68
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Default Bilstein + RCE black suspension review

* Please share this, or recommend a more appropriate location for this review. This forum has been incredibly helpful for me over the years, and I'd like this information to reach as many relevant people as possible - Thanks!*

I wanted to return the favor to the forum community and give my opinion on the Bilstein + RCE black guy suspension I just installed. The following notes are from a variety of road conditions and speeds over a total of only 85 miles. I will be sure to adjust my impressions as miles are added, but have driven so many types of surfaces and speeds today, I am confident enough to write up this post.

Installed suspension components already on car:
- 24 mm whiteline adjustable swaybar (soft setting)
- 22 mm whiteline adjustable swaybar (middle setting)
- Kartboy endlinks F+R
- Group N/ STI Tranny and Engine mounts
- TIC tranny crossmember mounts
- Whiteline rear diff mounts
- Whiteline rear subframe inserts
- Whiteline steering rack bushing
Wheels + Tires:
- 18x8 +48 Enkei Raijin in Graphite
- 235 40 ZR 18 Michelin Pilot Super Sports

Installation.
I installed the suspension myself along with my brother and his roommate. It was very challenging to get the old rears out, as well as the new ones re-installed. Switching over the top hats was pretty easy. Borrowed a set of spring compressors from Advanced Auto. With the car already on jack stands and wheels off due to regular maintenance work, it took about 3 hours for the suspension-done by complete novice people. I have experience working on cars, but have never done suspension. Everything was torqued to specs noted in installation guide without issue.

Alignment scheduled for Wednesday.

Driving Performance.
Wow. I have nothing but good things to say. Let me go through this in a somewhat structured manner. I have taken my brother and friends along for rides after the install and will try my best to capture their impressions in addition to mine. Keep in mind, I have no real understanding of the mechanics involved - I am merely describing my thoughts and perceptions. I don't mean to refer to things incorrectly.

First off, the car feels "substantial." It has a weighted, solid feel about it. The car follows the road. Bumps are hit without drama. There is minimal rebound. I was expecting more vibration, creaking, and squeaking from a stiffer suspension. This was not the case. The car is noticeably quieter. There seems to be less flex transferred to the chassis. The suspension is taking full responsibility for the road's misfortunes. The ride isn't "harsher" per say, but it is more honest. The bumps are more pronounced, but there are no negative side effects. I cannot get over the solid, perfectly weighted feeling of the car.

Previously, correcting or adjusting steering midterm was a dangerous, cumbersome event. Now, the car responds without argument to greater, or lesser, turn in regardless of speed or turning angle. It is so compliant. There is no sway in the body at all. The car stays exceptionally flat. In the past, a bump in the middle of the turn would propel the car into the air, and it would jump, landing on edge. It was unnerving. For such a "firm" and hard hitting stock suspension, the car was miserable at keeping contact. No more. The suspension is in contact all the time. It is amazing to me the difference. It feels like an entirely different chassis.

The car has transformed itself. My dad has a 2011 Audi S4. I'm not going to claim this car feels like and S4. But, it feels like an S4 had a crazy night with a WRX. The feel over bumps and composure in turns is really incredible to experience in a dramatically more accessible (financially) package. (I realize these are very different cars for different buyers). My main point here is that this car feels much more dynamic, composed, and substantial than one would ever imagine.

Appearance.
The drop is perfect. Anymore, and I would have serious concerns with ground clearance and scraping of the tires. The Perrin exhaust hangs a bit lower than stock by the axle and scares me. I, unfortunately, have no measurements. The rear is mounted on the setting 2nd from top (1 above middle). It has leveled out the stance and wheel gap between the front and rear perfectly, which really adds to the beauty. I could not be more happy with the look and stance. It is a perfect combo of drop, stance, and spacing.

IN SUMMARY.
This suspension has no downsides. It is honestly more comfortable, safer, higher performing***8230;you name it. It is incredible. I have had the luxury to drive in a variety of Porsches' from various decades (2001 Boxster S, 2006 Porsche 911 S, 1995 Carrera 4 to name a few), Audi's, BMW's, Honda S2K's***8230;..enough to have a dose of good and bad handling and riding cars. I can say that this is one of the most balanced (in terms of comfort and performance), rides I have rode in. This car drives on everything from route 1 out of Boston, Pennsylvania turnpike, to gravel roads in NH. As a performance minded daily driver - I cannot think of a better suspension set-up.

I have been waiting for 11 months to get my hands on these. I can say with full confidence that it was worth that wait. I am still in the honeymoon phase (as I'm sure is evident) but, it feels Like I have a completely new, revived, reincarnation of my car.

A huge thanks to Myles, RCE, and Bilstein for your relentless effort, talent, and great quality products.

Enjoy the pictures!


[IMG] _DSC0170 by David Burbank, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG] _DSC0157 by David Burbank, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG] _DSC0163 by David Burbank, on Flickr[/IMG]

[IMG] _DSC0166 by David Burbank, on Flickr[/IMG]

Last edited by stoker68; 03-15-2013 at 11:20 PM. Reason: spelling/grammar
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Old 03-17-2013, 12:10 PM   #4537
Breezio
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Great review!
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Old 03-18-2013, 12:42 PM   #4538
RaceComp Engineering
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yeah this suspension with Michelin Super Sports is pretty awesome !

good review !

Myles
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Old 03-18-2013, 09:32 PM   #4539
QwaktastiK
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Great review and great pics.
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Old 03-19-2013, 11:28 AM   #4540
stoker68
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Glad You guys appreciate it! I have put a couple hundred miles on now and have an alignment scheduled for tomorrow morning.

I read through my review and my impressions haven't changed.

I may have to get the rears rolled (not that it's an issue right now, but it would make me feel a bit more comfortable). If anyone knows a good place to do that north of Boston, that would be awesome.
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Old 03-19-2013, 10:00 PM   #4541
Mucho Maas
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RaceComp Engineering View Post
yeah this suspension with Michelin Super Sports is pretty awesome !

good review !

Myles
+1

PSS + Bilsteins (yellows) + camber plates + sways/endlinks + some bushings = MUCH better behaved when pushed. Little rough for my commute, but it's worth it for those few days I get to play. Find ye salvation at RCE!
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Old 06-16-2013, 11:31 AM   #4542
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Update:
I've been running the Bilsteins + RCE Yellows since they first came out. Last weekend, I added the Whiteline Com-C strut tops, which are FINALLY available! Wow, what a difference! The steering is way more responsive and front end bounce is greatly reduced, with little added harshness. These tops use a hardened Group-N type bushing. They are not adjustable per se, but they use an offset to add negative camber and some additional caster. With factory camber bolts, I was able to get -2.0 in the front with 7 degrees of caster (I do have an ALK). Before the Com-Cs, I couldn't get more than -1.2 or so in the front with the factory bolts. In summary, the Com-Cs are a good deal for the money and really complete the Bilstein/RCE package nicely.
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Old 06-17-2013, 08:03 PM   #4543
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I'll have to remember that...
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Old 08-15-2013, 01:16 PM   #4544
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Quote:
Originally Posted by peterex View Post
Update:
I've been running the Bilsteins + RCE Yellows since they first came out. Last weekend, I added the Whiteline Com-C strut tops, which are FINALLY available! Wow, what a difference! The steering is way more responsive and front end bounce is greatly reduced, with little added harshness. These tops use a hardened Group-N type bushing. They are not adjustable per se, but they use an offset to add negative camber and some additional caster. With factory camber bolts, I was able to get -2.0 in the front with 7 degrees of caster (I do have an ALK). Before the Com-Cs, I couldn't get more than -1.2 or so in the front with the factory bolts. In summary, the Com-Cs are a good deal for the money and really complete the Bilstein/RCE package nicely.
Will remember this.

So, it has been a couple years since I have been to this thread and thought I would update. After 70,000 miles on the struts/dampers I have had zero problems. Other than an endlink that gave up for unrelated reasons there has been no appreciable change in performance and zero problems.

Thanks for a great set it and forget it setup Myles.

Last edited by etothen; 08-15-2013 at 01:49 PM.
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Old 08-15-2013, 01:59 PM   #4545
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We are in the preliminary stages of development of a solution for this.

while thats super vague....thats all I can say.

I find it interesting that the rear OEM mounts failed/popped out after 75k.....

If I understood you correctly?

Myles
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Old 08-16-2013, 01:14 AM   #4546
Breezio
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I think he was refering to a swaybar endlink...?
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Old 08-16-2013, 04:07 PM   #4547
RaceComp Engineering
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Breezio View Post
I think he was refering to a swaybar endlink...?
Annnnd I get the FAIL button pressed !

Myles
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Old 08-17-2013, 11:01 AM   #4548
Breezio
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Bah, I'm just guessing, seems somewhat logical.

HOWEVER. What are you working on that is a solution to what??!
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Old 09-02-2013, 06:13 PM   #4549
Arwing19
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I have an 09 wrx an it's my DD. what should I get if I want a lower ride and reliable set up?
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Old 10-02-2013, 07:09 PM   #4550
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Quote:
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I have an 09 wrx an it's my DD. what should I get if I want a lower ride and reliable set up?
My GTWORX/BIilstein Struts and RCE Black Regular Guy Springs are for sale:

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=2556586
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