to coilover or not to coilover

lawn boy · 09-14-2002, 11:18 AM

hey guys! Up until the other day i was planning on buying a set of ground control coilovers for my wrx, but I have started to rethink that. I could get a really good deal on some brand new eibach pro kit springs, so I have decided to rethink my plan.

I wanted the GC coilovers in the first place because I wanted to be able to raise it back to stock ride height and put the stock wheels back on for winter, but now I am wondering if i even need that. First off, my car is all wheel drive, and if i had on my stock rims, I would still be able to drive around in adverse conditions.

What is your experience on the subject? Anybody drive their lowered wrx all year round in the snowbelt? Is it possible?

Also, do you reccomend the eibach pro kit? how much does it lower the car? Will i rub w/ 18" Prodrive P1's w/ 215/35/ZR18 tires?

I have to drive my car every day to school, so please give me some good advice here!

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

BIGSKYWRX · 09-14-2002, 01:45 PM

I believe the Eibach's (after settling) lower ~ 1.5 - 1.75"s, that might be a little low for adverse conditions (deeper snow). The STi sport springs lower in the 1" range, might be a better choice (cost more though).

Before deciding on coilovers insure they are meant to be operated at stock height, the DMS golds are reccomended not to run higher than 20mm below stock (that's where I'm running them).

Lot's of factors go into deciding whether to go w/ coilovers vs strut/spring setups- what kind of driving are you going to do-influences spring rates, damping, height?, how important is adjustability-damping/height?, how important is cost?, how important is installing it and not having to mess w/ it anymore (stut/springs), how important is it to have something rebuildable (coilovers, some stuts)?

Not an easy decision.

Big Sky

lawn boy · 09-14-2002, 04:11 PM

hmm...well I am looknig for cvomfort. tHe main reason i am looknig for springs/coilovers is that my car would look rediculous on 18's withouyt a drop.

Also, are the whiteline springs any good?

suby_dude · 09-14-2002, 08:41 PM

I've tried EIBACH prokit springs.

its lowered about 1 and quarter... ride was almost like stock. but you can definately feel the diff on the turns.

then i switched to the TANABE Racing sustec pro.... STIFF! definately NOT a daily driver anymore.

if you are using your car as a daily driver i wouldn't suggest putting on coil overs (at least not agressive ones).

In my wagon i have the DMS coil overs its on its middle setting and its still capable of a 'comforable ride'.

sd

bobgrice · 09-14-2002, 10:01 PM

That is correct, I also have the DMS Golds and they are not really designed to put the car in the weeds or raise it up to rally height. They actually have a relatively narrow operating height range.

HoRo1 · 09-15-2002, 12:10 AM

I rum DMS 50s (road) on my daily driver and on LA's freeways in traffic - about 20mph - it's absolute hell. Above about 35 the ride smooths out nicely.

Kostamojen · 09-15-2002, 04:13 AM

I think Lawn Boy is talking about the Ground Control coilover "springs" not the full system... Or am I wrong?

dorifto88 · 09-15-2002, 04:38 AM

i had the same question a while back ago, but then i thought about what my plans were. I told myself that this is my only car, and that ride comfort can't be sacrificed. So, i thought about my options. Hmmm. coilovers, or just springs to work with stock shocks, or springs/stuts combo. After a while of debting, i figured out that even if i did get coilovefs, i wouldn't know how to properly "dial them in". As in dampening force, and all those other adjustible setttings that can be altered. I don't know that much about suspension, and i know i wont be able to fine tune it, so, coilovers are not really needed.
Then i thought about springs. Hmmm...There are many types of springs available. Since most aftermarket springs (over time) do cause more harm then good to stock shocks, i decided to pass (even though i know prodrive and those sti springs would have worked great)
My final answer? The STI dealer option, non adjustables. Pretty expensive, but from what i have read, ride quality is awesome, and not harsh, they retain a similar "look" by only lowering the car a bit, and they are also said to be able to tackle the corners very well.

There are many options. You say your car is a daily driver, does that mean you want it super low? There are a lot of questions that need answers. Asses your position, and rank what is most important to you.
FWIW-i think prodrive springs would be best in your case (but like i said, ask yourself more questions about what you intend to do with your car)

lawn boy · 09-15-2002, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kostamojen
I think Lawn Boy is talking about the Ground Control coilover "springs" not the full system... Or am I wrong?

no, the coilover set. works with stock shocks, uses eibach springs. About $385 for it.

Kostamojen · 09-16-2002, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by lawn boy

no, the coilover set. works with stock shocks, uses eibach springs. About $385 for it.

Thats what I mean, the perches. I have those on some AGX struts... Stiff as heck (325/250) but car handles like a maniac now.

I dont know if I would get them for the stock struts though, might have a severe over-dampening problem due to the stock struts not being stiff enough to counteract the stiffness of those coilover springs.

N/A01RS · 09-16-2002, 01:28 AM

why would you want to run 215/35-18 tires? Too keep the stock rolling diameter your going to want 225/40-18.

MissMyStook · 09-16-2002, 05:36 PM

After researching for months. I have decided to do the following. Which will cost much less.

Summer
Use Prodrive Springs on stock struts with my 18" P1s. Looks Great with 1.25" drop and feels good for highway and city(chicago) driving. Maybe next summer going to add STI top hats.

Winter
With cost in mind and no coilover. I will be going back to stock height. I have decided to switch back to stock springs (3hrs twice a year since summers are short here) and stock wheels. Also thinking of purchasing someones used WRX suspension (struts, spring and tophats) this will make the swap much easier.

And for alignment, I will purchase a lifetime deal with Firestone.

This solution for me sounds the best. I don't auto cross and more into looks than performance. Plus I just saved myself over $1000 in suspension that I will never utilize to its full potential.

09-14-2002, 11:18 AM	#1
lawn boy Scooby Specialist Member#: 16345 Join Date: Mar 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: WashPA Vehicle: 2003 WRX- Sold E60 BMW 545i	to coilover or not to coilover hey guys! Up until the other day i was planning on buying a set of ground control coilovers for my wrx, but I have started to rethink that. I could get a really good deal on some brand new eibach pro kit springs, so I have decided to rethink my plan. I wanted the GC coilovers in the first place because I wanted to be able to raise it back to stock ride height and put the stock wheels back on for winter, but now I am wondering if i even need that. First off, my car is all wheel drive, and if i had on my stock rims, I would still be able to drive around in adverse conditions. What is your experience on the subject? Anybody drive their lowered wrx all year round in the snowbelt? Is it possible? Also, do you reccomend the eibach pro kit? how much does it lower the car? Will i rub w/ 18" Prodrive P1's w/ 215/35/ZR18 tires? I have to drive my car every day to school, so please give me some good advice here! * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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09-14-2002, 01:45 PM	#2
BIGSKYWRX Scooby Guru Member#: 7958 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Plains of Eastern Montana Vehicle: 09 GH B+	I believe the Eibach's (after settling) lower ~ 1.5 - 1.75"s, that might be a little low for adverse conditions (deeper snow). The STi sport springs lower in the 1" range, might be a better choice (cost more though). Before deciding on coilovers insure they are meant to be operated at stock height, the DMS golds are reccomended not to run higher than 20mm below stock (that's where I'm running them). Lot's of factors go into deciding whether to go w/ coilovers vs strut/spring setups- what kind of driving are you going to do-influences spring rates, damping, height?, how important is adjustability-damping/height?, how important is cost?, how important is installing it and not having to mess w/ it anymore (stut/springs), how important is it to have something rebuildable (coilovers, some stuts)? Not an easy decision. Big Sky

09-14-2002, 04:11 PM	#3
lawn boy Scooby Specialist Member#: 16345 Join Date: Mar 2002 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: WashPA Vehicle: 2003 WRX- Sold E60 BMW 545i	hmm...well I am looknig for cvomfort. tHe main reason i am looknig for springs/coilovers is that my car would look rediculous on 18's withouyt a drop. Also, are the whiteline springs any good?

09-14-2002, 08:41 PM	#4
suby_dude NASIOC Vendor Member#: 17397 Join Date: Apr 2002 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Fremont, CA Vehicle: many '02 Rex,'13 FRS WRB, White	I've tried EIBACH prokit springs. its lowered about 1 and quarter... ride was almost like stock. but you can definately feel the diff on the turns. then i switched to the TANABE Racing sustec pro.... STIFF! definately NOT a daily driver anymore. if you are using your car as a daily driver i wouldn't suggest putting on coil overs (at least not agressive ones). In my wagon i have the DMS coil overs its on its middle setting and its still capable of a 'comforable ride'. sd

09-14-2002, 10:01 PM	#5
bobgrice Scooby Specialist Member#: 10627 Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Charlotte, NC Vehicle: 2002 WRX Sedan Platinum Silver Metallic	That is correct, I also have the DMS Golds and they are not really designed to put the car in the weeds or raise it up to rally height. They actually have a relatively narrow operating height range.

09-15-2002, 12:10 AM	#6
HoRo1 Scooby Specialist Member#: 15618 Join Date: Feb 2002 Chapter/Region: International Location: Zhuhai, China	I rum DMS 50s (road) on my daily driver and on LA's freeways in traffic - about 20mph - it's absolute hell. Above about 35 the ride smooths out nicely.

09-15-2002, 04:13 AM	#7
Kostamojen Scooby Guru Member#: 2272 Join Date: Sep 2000 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: haha XD Vehicle: 95 L AWD LIFTED!!! 1970 Subaru FF-1 Coupe	I think Lawn Boy is talking about the Ground Control coilover "springs" not the full system... Or am I wrong?

09-15-2002, 04:38 AM	#8
dorifto88 Scooby Specialist Member#: 17684 Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Aging, on the verge of Death. Vehicle: 1989 pathfinder rusted red	i had the same question a while back ago, but then i thought about what my plans were. I told myself that this is my only car, and that ride comfort can't be sacrificed. So, i thought about my options. Hmmm. coilovers, or just springs to work with stock shocks, or springs/stuts combo. After a while of debting, i figured out that even if i did get coilovefs, i wouldn't know how to properly "dial them in". As in dampening force, and all those other adjustible setttings that can be altered. I don't know that much about suspension, and i know i wont be able to fine tune it, so, coilovers are not really needed. Then i thought about springs. Hmmm...There are many types of springs available. Since most aftermarket springs (over time) do cause more harm then good to stock shocks, i decided to pass (even though i know prodrive and those sti springs would have worked great) My final answer? The STI dealer option, non adjustables. Pretty expensive, but from what i have read, ride quality is awesome, and not harsh, they retain a similar "look" by only lowering the car a bit, and they are also said to be able to tackle the corners very well. There are many options. You say your car is a daily driver, does that mean you want it super low? There are a lot of questions that need answers. Asses your position, and rank what is most important to you. FWIW-i think prodrive springs would be best in your case (but like i said, ask yourself more questions about what you intend to do with your car)

09-16-2002, 01:28 AM	#11
N/A01RS Scooby Newbie Member#: 22478 Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Kutztown, Pa Vehicle: 2002 WRX Sedan Platinum Silver	why would you want to run 215/35-18 tires? Too keep the stock rolling diameter your going to want 225/40-18.

09-16-2002, 05:36 PM	#12
MissMyStook Scooby Newbie Member#: 10151 Join Date: Sep 2001 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Vehicle: 2002 WRX Sedan Blue	After researching for months. I have decided to do the following. Which will cost much less. Summer Use Prodrive Springs on stock struts with my 18" P1s. Looks Great with 1.25" drop and feels good for highway and city(chicago) driving. Maybe next summer going to add STI top hats. Winter With cost in mind and no coilover. I will be going back to stock height. I have decided to switch back to stock springs (3hrs twice a year since summers are short here) and stock wheels. Also thinking of purchasing someones used WRX suspension (struts, spring and tophats) this will make the swap much easier. And for alignment, I will purchase a lifetime deal with Firestone. This solution for me sounds the best. I don't auto cross and more into looks than performance. Plus I just saved myself over $1000 in suspension that I will never utilize to its full potential.