Information on Struts, Springs, Coilovers

[ghostfoot7]

Hey guys,

I have been doing a lot of searching regarding whether to get a strut, spring combo or a cheap coilover system such as Megan racing offers.

Seems like a lot of people are a bit confused like myself....

I've found a lot of the information supplied on this site relies on personal impression and pretty much nobody has tried both systems on their car, probably due to costs...

Anyways, I found this write up by whiteline and I found it to be excellent.

Hope some of you find it useful

http://www.whiteline.com.au/faqsprin...elper_springs_

http://www.whiteline.com.au/faqsprin...mers%20example.


PS From what I read, I now believe that the best combination for my personal daily driver with a few track days/ year is a quality strut combined
with a matching progressive rate spring.... and tophats when I can afford them.

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[GlobalWaste]

In my opinion, you should never buy the cheapest of the cheapest for anything, if you can't afford a semi-decent coilover setup, you're probably better off with a higher quality adjustable strut/spring combo... if you can't afford that, look into some OEM take-off stuff (ie. STi for us WRX guys) or other used set-ups... and below that, just a good spring to go with the stock struts.

[crashfx]

^^^ +1 for not buying the cheapest.

Look at your desired ride characteristics first, then decide on a several products that meet those and then worry about price. It is worth doing it right, and also consider the resale value after you are finished with them.

If you aren't happy and have to do the job twice, it will cost you more in the long run.

[Picard]

Originally Posted by ghostfoot7

PS From what I read, I now believe that the best combination for my personal daily driver with a few track days/ year is a quality strut combined
with a matching progressive rate spring.... and tophats when I can afford them.

I came to the same conclusion over the last couple of weeks of reading that I've been doing. My plan is to order RCE springs (done) and get Ohlins fixed perched struts--and maybe camber plates--in the future. The cost would be the same as coilovers, but I don't need coilovers for my daily driver.

[ghostfoot7]

Originally Posted by Picard

I came to the same conclusion over the last couple of weeks of reading that I've been doing. My plan is to order RCE springs (done) and get Ohlins fixed perched struts--and maybe camber plates--in the future. The cost would be the same as coilovers, but I don't need coilovers for my daily driver.

I will probably get the camber plates in the future too!

And the more I read, the more I think coilovers are going to be a bit harsh for a daily driver, whereas with a good spring shock combo, you'll be comfortable on the street and tight on the track.


Question though: How necessary are camber plates if the drop is about 1".? Will a good alignment be enough, or will the drop cause excessive tire wear?

If anyone has a good thread on this I'd like to read it. TY

[crashfx]

I have KW V1s on my 03 WRX, drop in the front of about 1.5", 1" at the back, no camber plates.

This is my daily driver and these are great - comfortable yet sporty. No excessive wear on the tires (even my snow tires). I would very strongly recommend them and a good alignment set up. Jason at Dale's did mine and got my ride perfect. The V3's are the more sporty - don't bother unless you have strong kidneys. Not cheap, but worth every penny, and will retain good resale value when I am done...

[Picard]

I'm thinking that camber plates aren't really that necessary for that kind of drop, nor for a daily driver. I've read of a few people who were able to get enough adjustment through the stock setup. When I was ordering my springs from RaceComp, they didn't think that I needed camber plates either since it was just a daily driver.

It just seems like a lot of people get camber plates and if I were to start taking the car out to the track, maybe that would give me more adjustibility.

I'm still trying to learn about them, though I still have a lot of time....

[semaj]

The camber plates for that amount of drop is to get MORE negative camber, not less

My Swift springs, STi struts, and STi tophats are maxed out at -1.2 camber in the front. I want more like -2.0 for auto-x...but for DD, -1.2 is fine. FYI, I run -1.7 camber in the rear.

If you are happy with about -1.0 camber for DD, then don't worry about camber plates. You wont overly wear your tires.

[05ImprezaRS]

I'm also looking for new springs. I'm getting new wheels in a few months and need to decide on my springs first, so I know what offset/tire size to go with.

I don't plan on getting new struts or anything, I'm just looking to spend around 300-400$ on some good springs. Right now I'm thinking STI pinks or Prodrives. Anyone recommend anything else? Where can I look up the KW V1's?

[KIMUTAKU]

i say go for the KW1.. a lot of ppl like the ride quality for daily use..

a strut and spring combo does not necessarily give you a comfortable ride.. my kyb and rsr springs are some of the worst combo on vancouver streets imo.. lol.. i'm an old man now.. need something more comfortable..

however, they are great on the track.. i would definitely try coilovers next..

[05ImprezaRS]

Oh, didn't realise KW V1's were coilovers. I can't afford those ><. I'm only looking to spend $300-$400.00. Are Prodrives or Pinks my only options? I don't want to slam the car, and I need something that works well with my OEM struts.

[007WRX]

Are you looking for of more looks or performance. I have read good things about RCE springs and Swift. Maybe look into those. Maybe Tanabe GF210's also. I beleive prodrive and pinks barely drop the car however.

-007

[05ImprezaRS]

Prodrives and pinks remove the fender gap and give it that "what-it-should've-looked-like-in-the-first-place" look. They also really tighten up the handling and increase overall performance.

Springs that slam the car (ie. Tien H-techs, possibly Tanabe) can make the handling more sloppy and give you tire rub on low offset wheels.

I'm getting wheels that will be around +42mm to +47mm offsets (17x8). I'm not sure what will work nicely; I really don't want to have to roll my fenders or have any tire rub.

I also have to take spring rates(?) into consideration, because I don't want my OEM struts to get raped.

[buster]

Yep lower and stiffer isn't always the best.

I am running Crucial Springs(Identical to the RCE and Swift) on STI struts and the car is amazing, stiff but still soaks up the bumps. Evens out the look and you can still clear speedbumps etc. Camber plates should be used for more than a 1.2 inch drop and of your doing coilovers you really should.

[semaj]

Originally Posted by buster

I am running Crucial Springs(Identical to the RCE and Swift) on STI struts and the car is amazing, stiff but still soaks up the bumps.

The RCE's are stiffer than the Crucial and Swifts. I have Swifts on V8 STi struts myself.

[tora]

Camber plates are only needed if you want to dial in more than factory camber. I haven't seen a subaru yet that hasn't been able to get factory (or close to) camber settings after lowering. JasonT could give the word on that. I am adding Camber plates, front and rear, to my DMS40's so I can dial in more Camber for track usage. For the street my set up is fine with the factory alignment toolage.

[ShawnRS]

[quote=tora;17547385]Camber plates are only needed if you want to dial in more than factory camber. I haven't seen a subaru yet that hasn't been able to get factory (or close to) camber settings after lowering.


Does this apply to the wagon crowd as well?


Shawnrs

[patr]

Originally Posted by ghostfoot7

I've found a lot of the information supplied on this site relies on personal impression and pretty much nobody has tried both systems on their car, probably due to costs...

many people have tried all of the above, using multiple vendors' products. You get what you pay for, almost literally, with the exception of the '"JDM" 'glamour bling brands' in which case you get less than you pay for.

[jason t]

Originally Posted by patr

many people have tried all of the above, using multiple vendors' products. You get what you pay for, almost literally, with the exception of the '"JDM" 'glamour bling brands' in which case you get less than you pay for.

Very true. "You get what you pay for"