02 WRX Susp. Upgrade Path Questions

JonR · 09-03-2004, 11:40 PM

Okay, so I have been searching like crazy trying to figure this all out and I think I have a good handle on things...but I want some feedback.

What I want: better damping than the stock WRX with minimal drop and while maintaining a close to stock ride (ie wife-approved). I will not likely be seeing much track time and am looking for better turn in, less body roll, and less squat in turns.
I already have a rear sway and end links and will be installing an ALK. I am leaning more toward a strut/spring package, and from reading the boards for a bit I have come across two setups that seem to satisfy my requirements...

1)STI v7/v8 struts with STI pinks and Group N tophats
2)Konis with Pinks/Prodrives

Both of these appear to offer a fair improvement in handling without sacrificing much comfort, but what are the advantages/disadvantages of these two setups in both ride quality and handling improvement? I have heard a bit about the bounciness of the STI struts...is this a problem with both the v7 and v8? Will using a non-inverted strut solve some of the bounce issue but at the expense of handling?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

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fenders313 · 09-04-2004, 12:40 AM

I'd go with the V8 struts and pinks, personally. There is some bounciness that comes with the STi struts, but most of it is removed with the addition of pink springs, and group N tophats, also. I recently installed the STi struts with 04 STi pink springs and Group N tophats and absolutely love it. I do not find it to be too harsh or too bouncy at all, but that's my opinion. The benefit of having the STi struts is that they are stronger, since they are inverted. I have never ridden in a koni equipped WRX, so as for that ride, I can't tell you.

I have ridden in a koni equipped 2003 M3, but that was also a $4000 suspension kit made by TC Kline that my uncle put on his car...so that's a different story

I'm sure someone else with a bit more knowledge of the two will chime in soon, but hopefully I helped out some.

SUPAREX · 09-04-2004, 08:49 AM

I went from a V8 STI takeoff suspension to a Prodive/Koni/Groupn and am much happier with the ride now.
Though I did not experience the change that the pink springs and groupn mounts would have given to my STI components, I did not like the ride characterics of the regular STI some of the time. The ride was very bouncy and firm on irregular surfaces which would cause my back to hurt after even a very short trip.
This sensation is not present after installing my new suspension components and I am able to modulate the Konis to my liking as well, since they are adjustable.
I think your wife will be happier with this setup as well.

stickman · 09-04-2004, 09:13 AM

ver 7 STi set up has same stock heighth as WRX
ver 8 STi have slight drop.

they are slightly bouncy on slighty bumpy roads but the pay off in absorbing potholes, large bumps, speed bumps, and going into turns is greatly improved over stock WRX setup. i have ver 8 set up on my WRX and they are great. u can pick up a great set used for a decent price like i did.
i have contemplated getting the Grp N mounts for the front only but still deciding if it would really make a difference.

fenders313 · 09-04-2004, 10:34 AM

It'll make some difference, but using the pink springs would make much more of a difference than the tophats IMO.

JonR · 09-07-2004, 08:55 AM

Bump for any more opinions. Thanks...

DrBiggly · 09-07-2004, 09:22 AM

The Koni will give you a smoother highway and around town ride without the overdamped feel of an inverted strut. If you want more performance for track/autox/etc then just get out your little plastic knob and turn the Konis up.

I've ridden in both kinds of setups and Koni has by far the superior ride quality; I really can't think of a downside honestly. The "less unsprung weight" factor is insignificant at this level as if you were truly that competitive and worrying about it, you'd be going for full-blown race coilovers and not a street setup like this anyway.

I also can't think of anyone who has ever gotten Konis and been disappointed; you'll find quite a few folks who have the STi V7/V8 struts and don't like the ride quality.

SUPAREX · 09-07-2004, 04:01 PM

"I've ridden in both kinds of setups and Koni has by far the superior ride quality; I really can't think of a downside honestly. The "less unsprung weight" factor is insignificant at this level as if you were truly that competitive and worrying about it, you'd be going for full-blown race coilovers and not a street setup like this anyway.

I also can't think of anyone who has ever gotten Konis and been disappointed; you'll find quite a few folks who have the STi V7/V8 struts and don't like the ride quality. "

Agreed

09-03-2004, 11:40 PM	#1
JonR Scooby Specialist Member#: 22753 Join Date: Aug 2002 Chapter/Region: South East Location: East TN Vehicle: 2002 PSM WRX +PPG OBXT	02 WRX Susp. Upgrade Path Questions Okay, so I have been searching like crazy trying to figure this all out and I think I have a good handle on things...but I want some feedback. What I want: better damping than the stock WRX with minimal drop and while maintaining a close to stock ride (ie wife-approved). I will not likely be seeing much track time and am looking for better turn in, less body roll, and less squat in turns. I already have a rear sway and end links and will be installing an ALK. I am leaning more toward a strut/spring package, and from reading the boards for a bit I have come across two setups that seem to satisfy my requirements... 1)STI v7/v8 struts with STI pinks and Group N tophats 2)Konis with Pinks/Prodrives Both of these appear to offer a fair improvement in handling without sacrificing much comfort, but what are the advantages/disadvantages of these two setups in both ride quality and handling improvement? I have heard a bit about the bounciness of the STI struts...is this a problem with both the v7 and v8? Will using a non-inverted strut solve some of the bounce issue but at the expense of handling? Thanks in advance for any advice. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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09-04-2004, 12:40 AM	#2
fenders313 Scooby Newbie Member#: 50694 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hilliard, OH Vehicle: 2004 Impreza WRX Silver	I'd go with the V8 struts and pinks, personally. There is some bounciness that comes with the STi struts, but most of it is removed with the addition of pink springs, and group N tophats, also. I recently installed the STi struts with 04 STi pink springs and Group N tophats and absolutely love it. I do not find it to be too harsh or too bouncy at all, but that's my opinion. The benefit of having the STi struts is that they are stronger, since they are inverted. I have never ridden in a koni equipped WRX, so as for that ride, I can't tell you. I have ridden in a koni equipped 2003 M3, but that was also a $4000 suspension kit made by TC Kline that my uncle put on his car...so that's a different story I'm sure someone else with a bit more knowledge of the two will chime in soon, but hopefully I helped out some.

09-04-2004, 08:49 AM	#3
SUPAREX Scooby Specialist Member#: 28278 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Francisco Vehicle: 02 WRX Platinum	I went from a V8 STI takeoff suspension to a Prodive/Koni/Groupn and am much happier with the ride now. Though I did not experience the change that the pink springs and groupn mounts would have given to my STI components, I did not like the ride characterics of the regular STI some of the time. The ride was very bouncy and firm on irregular surfaces which would cause my back to hurt after even a very short trip. This sensation is not present after installing my new suspension components and I am able to modulate the Konis to my liking as well, since they are adjustable. I think your wife will be happier with this setup as well.

09-04-2004, 09:13 AM	#4
stickman Scooby Specialist Member#: 13890 Join Date: Jan 2002 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: DFW Vehicle: 2007 Mazda CX 7 Icy Blew	ver 7 STi set up has same stock heighth as WRX ver 8 STi have slight drop. they are slightly bouncy on slighty bumpy roads but the pay off in absorbing potholes, large bumps, speed bumps, and going into turns is greatly improved over stock WRX setup. i have ver 8 set up on my WRX and they are great. u can pick up a great set used for a decent price like i did. i have contemplated getting the Grp N mounts for the front only but still deciding if it would really make a difference.

09-04-2004, 10:34 AM	#5
fenders313 Scooby Newbie Member#: 50694 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hilliard, OH Vehicle: 2004 Impreza WRX Silver	It'll make some difference, but using the pink springs would make much more of a difference than the tophats IMO.

09-07-2004, 08:55 AM	#6
JonR Scooby Specialist Member#: 22753 Join Date: Aug 2002 Chapter/Region: South East Location: East TN Vehicle: 2002 PSM WRX +PPG OBXT	Bump for any more opinions. Thanks...

09-07-2004, 09:22 AM	#7
DrBiggly Scooby Guru Member#: 11482 Join Date: Oct 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Winston-Salem, NC Vehicle: 02 WRX Acute Stickeritis	The Koni will give you a smoother highway and around town ride without the overdamped feel of an inverted strut. If you want more performance for track/autox/etc then just get out your little plastic knob and turn the Konis up. I've ridden in both kinds of setups and Koni has by far the superior ride quality; I really can't think of a downside honestly. The "less unsprung weight" factor is insignificant at this level as if you were truly that competitive and worrying about it, you'd be going for full-blown race coilovers and not a street setup like this anyway. I also can't think of anyone who has ever gotten Konis and been disappointed; you'll find quite a few folks who have the STi V7/V8 struts and don't like the ride quality.

09-07-2004, 04:01 PM	#8
SUPAREX Scooby Specialist Member#: 28278 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Francisco Vehicle: 02 WRX Platinum	"I've ridden in both kinds of setups and Koni has by far the superior ride quality; I really can't think of a downside honestly. The "less unsprung weight" factor is insignificant at this level as if you were truly that competitive and worrying about it, you'd be going for full-blown race coilovers and not a street setup like this anyway. I also can't think of anyone who has ever gotten Konis and been disappointed; you'll find quite a few folks who have the STi V7/V8 struts and don't like the ride quality. " Agreed