Welcome to the North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club Friday March 29, 2024
Home Forums Images WikiNASIOC Products Store Modifications Upgrade Garage
Click here to visit TireRack
Brakes & Suspension Forum sponsored by The Tire Rack

Losing traction? Need new tires?
Click here to visit the NASIOC Upgrade Garage...
Go Back   NASIOC > NASIOC Technical > Brakes, Steering & Suspension

Welcome to NASIOC - The world's largest online community for Subaru enthusiasts!
Welcome to the NASIOC.com Subaru forum.

You are currently viewing our forum as a guest, which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our community, free of charge, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is free, fast and simple, so please join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.







* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads. 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-15-2019, 02:59 PM   #1
JJ2347
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 505111
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Rhode Island
Vehicle:
2006 Wrx Sti
Silver

Default Alternative to 2006 OEM STI Struts

Ok so I am new to Subaru. Always loved the cars and had been missing wrenching on something for a while so I went out and bought myself a 2006 sti. Its a New England car so it has small amounts of rust in various places (guess you didn't need to know this), but I am looking for some advice as to what would be a good alternative to a OEM strut. I am 35 and not trying to rice the car out or anything, I don't need track stuff, but the car handles nice as it sits on OEM with lowering springs, which I have been debating putting the stock springs back on.
I would like the car to handle as it does stock, slightly better if possible, but I don't want to shell out the $400ish dollars for a strut when I sure there has to be a nice alternative that is not only cheaper but possibly even better.
I have been looking online for used stock struts and also at places like tire rack, auto zone, and what not. I thought about getting some BC's but the dude said they last about 30k miles, but are stiffer than stock and so I am reluctant to buy them because, to be honest they seem "ricey", and I am sure they may not be, and the $99 replacement BR struts seem do able as well, but I want an opinion on some other alternatives, besides $2000-$3000 ohlins and what not.
1) could the auto zone(kyb or duralast) struts work just as good as stock?
2) are there other comparable struts that are similar in price that I can use ie. Koni or something else
3) are BC really good or are they more for lowering and bragging? I won't be trying to prove I can out corner anyone any time soon, and I don't necessarily think stiff struts are what the car needs

so if you've read this far I would like to thank you, in the end I am looking for a comparable to oem strut that is cheaper than oem. Should I put the stock springs (removing the lowering springs) on it? And what other alternatives do I have with a $1200 price cap ( really don't want to spend that much but do realize I may have to). I am not cheap but I am frugal.

Thanks for you time and I hope this reads well and I look forward to you all's responses.
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
JJ2347 is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.
Old 08-19-2019, 09:25 AM   #2
fartbox420
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 483915
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Canada
Vehicle:
2004 wrx
WRB

Default

look for Tokico D-spec's they are pretty good, adjustable compression. You should be able to get them for well under 1000.
fartbox420 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2019, 08:44 AM   #3
JarHarms
Scooby Specialist
 
Member#: 138994
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: apparently I "spread the hate"
Vehicle:
2006 WRX, 6MT, 5x114

Default

I would go with fixed perch struts over coilovers. I would also go with Feal fixed perch struts over effing Tokico D-specs.
https://fealsuspensionstore.com/fixed-perch-struts/
Not sure what lowering springs you have and it's unclear if you have decided lowering springs or OEM springs. Personally I would opt for RCE black springs. Followed by Subaru STI pink springs (wagon version in the rear if you want to offest saggy butt), and then the OEM Subaru STI springs.
https://www.racecompengineering.com/...r-sti-2004-07/
This might put you over your budget but this would be over all better than inexpensive coilovers. You daily in the NE, coilovers are going to suck balls after some use. I would also check out the rest of the rubber suspension bushings, ball joints, rod ends, etc. Good time to address those since you will be alignment bound after a spring/strut install. Good luck

You should recheck the Autozone KYB and Monroe struts you mentioned, those are likely for non-STI (which will not fit on your front knuckles). I do not think KYB offers their Excel-G struts for any STI models.

Last edited by JarHarms; 08-22-2019 at 08:58 AM.
JarHarms is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2019, 11:22 AM   #4
Mike_Feal
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 462296
Join Date: Feb 2017
Chapter/Region: SCIC
Location: Riverside, CA
Vehicle:
2003 Lexus IS300
2JZ 620HP/595TQ

Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by JarHarms View Post
I would go with fixed perch struts over coilovers. I would also go with Feal fixed perch struts over effing Tokico D-specs.
https://fealsuspensionstore.com/fixed-perch-struts/
$1099 and reuses the OE top mounts and spring, fits right in OP's budget
Mike_Feal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2019, 03:52 PM   #5
2pot
Scooby Newbie
 
Member#: 301042
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: UK
Default

Tokico D-spec don't fit the front of the 114.3pcd sti.

Feal fps with Eibach-made WA/A2 springs - 245lb/in front, 223lb/in rear:

2pot is online now   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:51 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Powered by Searchlight © 2024 Axivo Inc.
Copyright ©1999 - 2019, North American Subaru Impreza Owners Club, Inc.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission
Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.