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Old 12-25-2012, 05:05 PM   #1
mkvaron
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Default GTWORX/Bilstein Kit w/ RCE Yellows & Blacks (11'+ WRX)

I haven't contributed much besides pictures so I wanted to do a review on the most important mod I have done to my car (in my opinion). I purchased the GTWORX/Bilstein Kit with RCE Yellows for my 2011 WRX a month after buying the car. At the time there weren't many "adjustable" set ups that were proven on a 2011 WRX yet because of the differences between it and the STI & I wanted to keep it around $1K for everything so this was the best choice. The stock suspension was crap for any kind of track work or "spirited driving" so an upgrade was needed.

Of importance to note, the following suspension/transmission/drivetrain related mods were put on throughout me having the Yellows & then were obviously left on since putting the blacks on.

- ISC Rear Adjustable Control Arms
- SPT Front Tower Brace
- SPT Lower Chassis Brace
- Whiteline Adjustable Sway Bars (front 24mm, rear 22mm)
- Whiteline Adjustable Endlinks (front & rear)
- Whiteline Rear Differential Positive Power Kit (Front & Rear)
- Whiteline Rear Subframe Positive Traction Kit
- Whiteline Steering Rack Bushings
- Whiteline Gearbox Positive Shift Kit
- Whiteline Front Lower Control Arm Bushing
- Whiteline Anti Lift Kit
- Whiteline Control Arm Brace
- Kartboy Pitch Stop Mount
- STI Trans Mount

Kit w/ Yellows:


I put 23,000 miles on the car in this configuration & couldn't have been happier! The removal of body roll from the stock setup was amazing and mountain or track driving was a huge improvement. My street/snow sway bar set up was softest on front/rear & then for the track I put them at stiffest on the front & rear. In conjunction with the other suspension related mods, the car turned in far better and cornering hard didn't produce anywhere near as much understeer as the stock setup did. As for daily driving with the Yellows it was good, but not great. I live in Los Angeles and am in Reno frequently for work so I will say on good roads they are perfect, but bumpy and unmaintained roads are fairly bad (more so in the back seat according to my passengers haha). Additionally, in snow they can be a bit harsh depending on whether or not the road is plowed well (or at all). I found them to be a bit of a handfull sometimes when I would encounter a larger bump cornering in the snow & the car would get a little loose (in snow tires too). Overall though, an excellent set up and great for track work or spirited driving.

Kit w/ Blacks:


Knowing that a set of slightly softer springs fit this kit, I had to give them a shot. After 6000 miles on the blacks with snow, track, & daily driving I can say this setup is AMAZING if you need to do it all with 1 car. My street/snow sway bar set up was softest on front/rear & then for the track I put them at stiffest on the front & rear. Its much improved from the Yellows on crappy roads and snow, but at the track I could barely tell the difference between the 2 springs. Obviously a stiffer spring (but not too stiff) is better for the track, but the blacks with the sway bars in their stiffest setting were still great. If there was any time loss it wasn't even noticeable & since having the yellows on I added more power so I can't quote a comparison in lap times on the same track to prove anything .

Overall though, its an amazing kit (minus the lack of adjustability). If you have crappy roads, snow, or just daily drive it with some spirited driving I would recommend the blacks. If you do track work and want a very sport ride get the yellows. If you do everything I highly suggest the blacks, couldn't be happier!!
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Last edited by mkvaron; 02-19-2014 at 01:33 PM.
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Old 01-08-2013, 02:15 AM   #2
Itoen
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Thanks for your review, how much of a difference in height did you notice between the two?
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Old 01-10-2013, 03:47 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Itoen View Post
Thanks for your review, how much of a difference in height did you notice between the two?
Ya no problem! The height in my opinion was unchanged between the 2, but I didn't precisely measure it. My brother is a mechanic/fabricator & he had no idea I swaped springs until he drove the car and the kid is beyond detail oriented when it comes to cars. If it helps, the first picture in the review is with yellows and the second is with the blacks (sorry pictures are at different angles)...
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Old 01-10-2013, 09:37 PM   #4
424wrx
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very good detailed review!! i have this setup on my 08 wrx. i love it. its a little rough on uneven roads at times with the yellow springs. i have rce lowering camber plates waiting to install when warmer weather comes. im at about 2 years since my install, no issues. the camber plates should even out my rise height nicely in the front.
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Old 01-10-2013, 09:39 PM   #5
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op, what are your fender to hubcenter measurements? what setting did you put the rear lower perch on? im on 1 setting lower than center. thanks
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Old 01-16-2013, 12:51 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 424wrx View Post
very good detailed review!! i have this setup on my 08 wrx. i love it. its a little rough on uneven roads at times with the yellow springs. i have rce lowering camber plates waiting to install when warmer weather comes. im at about 2 years since my install, no issues. the camber plates should even out my rise height nicely in the front.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 424wrx View Post
op, what are your fender to hubcenter measurements? what setting did you put the rear lower perch on? im on 1 setting lower than center. thanks
Ya I agree it can be a bit rough at times, really liked the switch to blacks. I don't have camber plates, but have been thinking about them. I will be eager to see what it looks like once you have them in!

I haven't measured the fender to hubcenter since getting everything installed originally and I can't find where I wrote it. Ill be near my car this weekend once I am back from traveling for work so I will get that, but I have my rear perch on one setting higher than center. I put it up for the winter since I tend to get snow built up in the wheel well, but I had it on 1 below the center like you for the summer setup. Really I can barely see any visual difference, but it certainly is there.
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Old 01-26-2013, 09:08 PM   #7
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I'd be interested in the hub to fender measurements as well. I just received my RCE blacks last week and the shocks/struts should be coming soon. I'm a little worried that the drop will be too much now that I'm reading a little more but yours looks pretty good.

I really like your car, the Brembos are sick!
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Old 01-30-2013, 04:39 AM   #8
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Do your flaps touch the ground? Seems like it, although i'm sure they have at least a one inch clearance. I'm thinking of redrilling my flaps to raise them up an inch when I get my Bilsteins installed.
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Old 01-30-2013, 04:46 AM   #9
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There's a difference between the 1rst gen RA UR flaps and the current gen, the previous gen sits about an inch (I'm not exactly sure how much) higher than the current gen.
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Old 01-30-2013, 11:22 AM   #10
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For the 2011+ models, the black springs will drop your car a little more than the 15mm drop from the yellows.
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Old 02-01-2013, 03:33 AM   #11
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thanks for the pictures & write up.

question: did you use your OEM top hats with your set up?
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Old 02-01-2013, 02:00 PM   #12
mkvaron
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flk View Post
Do your flaps touch the ground? Seems like it, although i'm sure they have at least a one inch clearance. I'm thinking of redrilling my flaps to raise them up an inch when I get my Bilsteins installed.
I redrilled the holes a half inch higher because they were basically almost touching the ground once I dropped the car. As they sit now, the mudflaps are about 1 1/4'' off the ground. In parking lots they all hit speed bumps or any kind of drainage ditches, but no major issues with that besides the noise you hear. The pictures above are deceiving because I am not a good photographer and took shots at funny angles to make the car look more aggressive, but don't look at details haha.

Quote:
Originally Posted by garudatwo View Post
There's a difference between the 1rst gen RA UR flaps and the current gen, the previous gen sits about an inch (I'm not exactly sure how much) higher than the current gen.
I didn't even know there were 2 gens. I looked on RallySportDirect and they do look slightly different, now I am curious haha...

Quote:
Originally Posted by paterick View Post
thanks for the pictures & write up.

question: did you use your OEM top hats with your set up?
No problem! I used my OEM top hats.
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Old 02-01-2013, 03:27 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mkvaron View Post
I redrilled the holes a half inch higher because they were basically almost touching the ground once I dropped the car. As they sit now, the mudflaps are about 1 1/4'' off the ground. In parking lots they all hit speed bumps or any kind of drainage ditches, but no major issues with that besides the noise you hear. The pictures above are deceiving because I am not a good photographer and took shots at funny angles to make the car look more aggressive, but don't look at details haha.
Haha... Thanks!
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Old 12-09-2013, 12:37 AM   #14
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Awesome, thanks for all the info. Super helpful.
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Old 12-09-2013, 09:02 AM   #15
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Thanks for the review. I've been eyeing this kit up, but was always concerned given I'm in the snowbelt and winter driving can be painful on a lowered setup. One question for you: what brand and size of spacers are you running to get those Brembo's to clear? And is it just the front or did you space all 4 wheels?
Cheers
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Old 12-09-2013, 12:12 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Millsie View Post
Thanks for the review. I've been eyeing this kit up, but was always concerned given I'm in the snowbelt and winter driving can be painful on a lowered setup. One question for you: what brand and size of spacers are you running to get those Brembo's to clear? And is it just the front or did you space all 4 wheels? Cheers
Ya no problem! I have 5mm Ichiba spacers on all 4. It leaves about a 3mm gap between the wheel & caliper. I'd highly recommend this for a snow setup if you want a slightly lowered & stiffer setup that isn't unbearable to drive. I've had no issues in snow up to 6" or so, obviously you turn the car into a plow kinda as it gets deeper but unless you get King springs or something that lifts the car height it will always be an issue.
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Old 12-28-2013, 03:39 PM   #17
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Found a pic of my ride height, this should quell any fears of daily/winter driving with the Bilsteins.
You need at least 6" off the ground for a wintered daily imo. I have the Black springs on too.


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Old 01-15-2014, 03:00 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Wrex View Post
For the 2011+ models, the black springs will drop your car a little more than the 15mm drop from the yellows.
I thought the RCE Bilsteins came with clips to adjust the height though? Are you saying the black springs with stock struts would lower the car 15mm?
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Old 01-15-2014, 05:48 PM   #19
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They only come with clips for the rear, the fronts aren't adjustable.
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Old 01-21-2014, 08:45 PM   #20
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Car looks great! Thinking about doing blacks for mine, but thinking of keeping the OEM shocks in the short term
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Old 02-27-2014, 08:34 AM   #21
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What are the different adjustments on the rear with the RCE/Bilstein setup?
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Old 03-09-2014, 09:11 PM   #22
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this is a nice writeup. i have had the bilstein cup kit and yellows for about 3 years.last year i put rce front camber plates too. i find this setup is getting old for a daily driver. the back roads around me are terrible.i got a deal on rce blacks 2 months ago. im gonna throw them on next month. i might even remove my lowering camber plates too and go back to the stock ones. im 40 years old and the ride is just too much for my bad back.
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Old 03-09-2014, 09:36 PM   #23
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Agreed, I'm very glad I went with the black springs! They're still stiff for the roads around be but still liveable.
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Old 03-10-2014, 07:06 AM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jester8798 View Post
Agreed, I'm very glad I went with the black springs! They're still stiff for the roads around be but still liveable.
is it a big enough difference to notice from yellows to blacks? im hoping soo. if not i might even keep the bilsteins and do stock 09-10 wrx springs,idk yet.
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Old 03-10-2014, 12:20 PM   #25
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Quote:
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is it a big enough difference to notice from yellows to blacks? im hoping soo. if not i might even keep the bilsteins and do stock 09-10 wrx springs,idk yet.
I think you would be happier with the blacks esp if you are finding the yellows over a few years to be a bit more harsh and I am sure the weather this year has taken its toll on the roads in the northeast. When I switched I certainly felt a positive change going to the blacks driving on snow/maintained dirt roads/crappy roads, but missed the yellows on the track as there was a tiny bit more body roll. With that being said, it took serious cornering to really feel that which isn't a daily activity so that is why I feel the blacks are more suitable. Nothing is perfect with non-adjustable setups esp when my goals were driving in the snow and on a track (difficult to get 9/10s of what I want for each activity on 1 setup), but the blacks are the most enjoyable for daily duties and the reality of poorly maintained roads.
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