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Old 12-01-2004, 01:25 PM   #1
rickeolis
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Subaru Stars Suspension setup help (have f&r bars and springs now)

I'm setting up my '05 wagon for autocrossing, and I have just bought a set of Cobb front and rear sway bars, but I also have a new set of Tien H-springs too.
This setup will be on new 225\45\17 tires (Azeins sports), and I'm wondering what else I should do as far as suspension work.
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Old 12-01-2004, 01:41 PM   #2
quikSTi
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Depends on what class you plan to run in.
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Old 12-01-2004, 02:05 PM   #3
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definitely put in the sways. huge improvement. i usually recommend that if you are changing the springs, you should change the struts as well, unless it's just for looks.
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Old 12-01-2004, 02:24 PM   #4
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Tein H-tech springs? Not sure about those, but the S-techs will cause you serious problems for autox; horrible positive camber under load. (I've watched this more than once.) The bars will help you more than the springs quite honestly. Hopefully you got a nice big front bar and not a wimpy one; this will aid in transitions (which is most of autox) and mid-corner camber control a lot.

It sounds like you want to run STX, unless you have done any ECU mods, in which case you are going to be in SM (aka Street Modified.)

Note: If you want to be competitive, don't get an ALK; just the offset caster bushing. There is a technicality about it changing the suspension mount point that puts you in a ridiculous class, while the offset caster bushing is legal in anything but stock class. (I highly recommend camber/caster plates depending on your setup.)

I also recommend doing a search in the Motorsports forum for setups from the National-level drivers that they have used or done or are doing on their cars. If you would like further advice, feel free to ask.
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Old 12-01-2004, 02:31 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DrBiggly
It sounds like you want to run STX, unless you have done any ECU mods, in which case you are going to be in SM (aka Street Modified.)
Have the STX rules changed recently to disallow reprogrammed ECUs? The rules I have, which are admittedly a couple years old, allow you to reprogram your ECU in STS and STX classes, as long as the ECU stays in the standard housing and traction control parameters are not altered. I swear I also read Tom Hoppe had the ECU program altered to raise the rev limit on that STX national championship WRX you're now autocrossing.
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Old 12-01-2004, 02:42 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by quikSTi
Have the STX rules changed recently to disallow reprogrammed ECUs? The rules I have, which are admittedly a couple years old, allow you to reprogram your ECU in STS and STX classes, as long as the ECU stays in the standard housing and traction control parameters are not altered. I swear I also read Tom Hoppe had the ECU program altered to raise the rev limit on that STX national championship WRX you're now autocrossing.
You can specifically alter timing, fueling (A/F), and things like the rev limiter. Other STS/STX cars can also do things like change the 2nd camshaft timing (Celica GT-S) to come on sooner. No boost modifications are allowed and the VAST majority of ECU upgrades/programs/reflashes/add-ons, etc alter boost from the stock specifications.

This is the suspension forum, and not Motorsports so I wasn't going to delve into being that specific for someone that appears to be relatively new to autox. But since you asked, there is your answer.

There is still some ongoing debate about even deeper specifics within the ECU programming that I care not to delve into as I just don't care to open an even bigger can of worms.
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Old 12-01-2004, 02:48 PM   #7
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Understood, I had no intention of turning this into an autocross thread, just to point out that your statement about ECU mods is incorrect and might have mislead an AX newbie into believing he would be pushed up to SM if he has a reprogrammed ECU.
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Old 12-01-2004, 04:14 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by quikSTi
Understood, I had no intention of turning this into an autocross thread, just to point out that your statement about ECU mods is incorrect and might have mislead an AX newbie into believing he would be pushed up to SM if he has a reprogrammed ECU.
In 99 cases out of 100, this would be true.
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Old 12-02-2004, 07:06 PM   #9
rickeolis
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Subaru Stars

Thanks for the input...
I'm probably going to start out in street mod class, but then later, ???

I guess the next real handling question is: How important is changing out the stock strut cartridges? I've heard pros and cons, but will this setup (new springs, sway bars) simply make mine go out sooner than normal?

Thanks-
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Old 12-02-2004, 07:31 PM   #10
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The '02/'03 struts did not last long with harder springs, and really didn't last very long with stock springs. The '04s have some improvements; I haven't had the chance to gauge their wear but from the initial impressions I've had they are quite a bit better shock than the previous bugeye shocks. I say do the bars first, then worry about the springs. Seriously, don't do them in one step. Take the time to do 1 mod, and then learn the changes.

Heck, even just do the front bar. Drive. Then add rear bar. Drive. Then add springs. Drive.

Lots more learning to be had rather than slapping on a lot of things at once.
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Old 12-03-2004, 12:30 PM   #11
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You are gonna like the COBB sway bars. I have the COBB rear sway bar and Perrin endlinks and love it. Also, since you have an '05, let me know if the front sway bar fits. I have an '04 and they said the COBB front bar wouldn't fit becuase it had an '05 something or other under there. I talked to a tech at Perrin about my endlinks and mentioned the front and he said that whoever installed it was blowing smoke up my azz. So if you get the COBB front sway bar on the front of your '05 and it fits, let me know, because then I will know that what the installer told me was BS !! I originally bought the COBB sway bar kit, but they swaped out the front bar with the STI bar since the STI bar had a bigger curve so it would fit. So please let me know if they fit ok on the '05. Thanks !!
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Old 12-03-2004, 01:00 PM   #12
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rickeolis

I just got off the phone with a tech over at COBB and they did say that
the '05s have a deferent sub-frame in the front, and that the sway bar kit wouldn't be available for the 05's for a couple more months ??

So my question is, how did you get a COBB sway bar kit for your '05 ??
I hope I am wrong, but if you did get the kit, it is for the '04 and the front COBB bar won't fit due to the redesigned sub-frame. Just thought you might want to know. I called COBB mainly to see about when they were going to
be releasing thier endlinks and asked about the issue I had mentioned above.
So you might want to check that out. But at least now I know that it's true and that the installer of my sway bars didn't lie to my face. And if you do run into that issue with the front bar, the STI front bar fits perfectly and is very nice....a little more expensive, but it will fit if you run into any issues.
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Old 12-03-2004, 06:55 PM   #13
rickeolis
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Subaru Stars

Antidote: Yes you are correct. I got a reply from COBB about 3 days ago stating that my order was placed on backorder to the tune of about 7 weeks. They did not say anything more about it, so I am sure that what you're saying may be correct. Thanks-

If and when I get them, I will try installing them myself and will get back to you about it! TTYL-

Last edited by rickeolis; 01-10-2005 at 06:46 PM.
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Old 12-04-2004, 10:10 AM   #14
antidote11
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Well, be assured, when you get them, you will be very happy with the quality of them and how they make your car handle. It is a great set. I only wish I could have gotten both front and rear COBB bars, but so far, I really dig the STI front bar. Kinds weird though, that my '04 has '05 parts.
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