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11-02-2007, 08:32 PM | #1 |
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Which struts are best for a 05 WRX Wagon with STi Pink wagon springs?
Which struts are best for a 05 WRX Wagon with STi Pink wagon springs that I solely use as a daily driver for the time being. What are my choices in wagon specific struts, and also are there any struts that simply bolt in without the use of the spacer (washer) mod? Thanks for the help and suggestions.
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11-02-2007, 09:55 PM | #2 |
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You have 2 choices for wagon struts.
KYB GR2: Available in wagon applications, but only 02/03, so you need the spacer. Koni inserts: Available in both 02/03 and 04+, so you don't need the spacer. They do require cutting up a set of struts though. Either would work just fine for a daily driver. The Konis are more expensive, but you can turn down the damping for a more comfortable ride. I've had both installed with springs with the same rates, and they were both good solutions. |
11-03-2007, 12:25 AM | #3 |
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What about KYB AGX?
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11-03-2007, 01:24 AM | #4 |
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gc fronts and gd rears supposedly fit... (with spacers)
but you may still lose some negative camber up front? i forget |
11-03-2007, 08:52 AM | #5 |
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AGXs aren't wagon specifc, so you have the same camber penalty you have with all sedan struts. GC struts have the same camber penalty, a spring perch located in a different location, and different brake line & ABS tabs.
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11-03-2007, 11:47 AM | #6 |
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Tokico D Specs? Also non wagon specific?
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11-03-2007, 01:21 PM | #7 |
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11-03-2007, 04:13 PM | #8 | |
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I also want wagon pink springs and can't decide on struts. Because I rallyx, I'm considering the Tokico D-specs, but wish I coulda gone with Koni's for their valve reputation. I'm considering the wagon pink struts. So I'm wondering: who has a "better" (ie digressive) shock dyno: the sti wagon pink struts or the tokico d-specs? |
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11-03-2007, 11:49 PM | #9 |
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I would go with the D-Specs anyway. After putting on the STi take off springs (equivalent to US Pinks) and the D-Specs, I would never get non-adjustable dampers that weren't matched specifically to the springs I'm running. If I didn't beat on the car, I'd have gone with the Konis (and will be using the Konis on my fiancee's since she only DDs and AXs the car). The D-Specs are nice and all, but the camber loss is a bitch. They do handle abuse well though. They don't mind landing from humps and absorbing big hits. They're pretty well valved, though not as digressive as I'd like.
BTW, at a TSD recently, I got through it all without any damage to the car while guys on lowering springs lost bodywork! Tall, stif springs FTW! |
11-04-2007, 12:05 AM | #10 |
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Would running the GR2 or even AGX require running camber bolts?
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11-04-2007, 12:27 AM | #11 | |
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11-04-2007, 04:29 PM | #12 |
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What's your obsession with the digressive damping curve?
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11-04-2007, 04:35 PM | #13 |
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11-04-2007, 05:22 PM | #14 |
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Its easy to achieve in strut, just throw in a digressive piston...done. An extreme digressive setup slows weight transfer at very low piston speeds but can sacrifice traction as a result. A digressive curve or curve where the "knee" is at low piston speeds feels good (sharp, snappy turn-in response) but has trade-offs such as loss of traction because the wheel can't react quick enough to bumps. there's been quite a few on this board going on and on for years saying that the digressive curve (and an extreme one at that) is the way to go, that anything less is "not motorsports worthy". That's over simplified and ignorant. Take a look at the Öhlins dyno that TIC posted up, hardly an aggressive digressive curve, but few would argue with the performance. as far as costs go, koni's inserts have a very aggressive digressive curve at the upper levels of damper adjustment, just slightly, almost linear through the middle ranges.
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11-04-2007, 05:51 PM | #15 | |
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11-04-2007, 07:14 PM | #16 | |
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11-05-2007, 01:43 PM | #17 | |
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Here's a dyno of STi V8 F/R vs Evo VIII vs STi V7 F: |
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11-05-2007, 01:51 PM | #18 | |
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That being said, I am switching to '04 STi struts this winter to get ready for rally-x season next year. I haven't decided if I will go with a stiffer spring or not yet, but I am guessing the STi struts are going to hold up to rally-x a LOT better. Last edited by Jard; 11-05-2007 at 02:01 PM. |
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11-05-2007, 03:16 PM | #19 |
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absolutely. i've found the sti struts to be much better in gravel. try with a softer spring, i.e. stock wagon first. I've found the stiffer STi spring (ca. 200/190) to be a bit jarring on some impacts and the stock springs to be more supple but still controlled with the STi strut. the lack of camber will be less of an issue on gravel as you only need about -1.
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11-05-2007, 03:56 PM | #20 | |
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I'm running -2.6 F camber and -1.3 R right now. I wasn't planning on going with any less. |
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11-05-2007, 04:40 PM | #21 | |
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Quote:
Can someone explain why with the premium adjustable shocks camber becomes an issue, is it solely because they are non-wagon specific? And also with the GR2, would ones for a 2003 WRX wagon work on an 05 with the spacers, are spacers for the rear and the front? 2002-2003 front strut housing is the same as 2005?? but 2005 rear requires spacers?? Am I understanding this correctly, as for 2003 WRX on the Tire Rack site the GR2 is available, but for an 2005 it only lists the AGX and Koni inserts. Thanks guys! |
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11-05-2007, 04:50 PM | #22 | |
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The sedan has a wider front track than the wagon. Putting a sedan front strut housing on a wagon where the track is narrower cuts out some camber. Most aftermarket strut companies only make a sedan fitment. Spacers are only for the rear. I don't see why an 03 GR-2 with spacers wouldn't fit. |
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11-05-2007, 05:09 PM | #23 |
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I'm currently running GR-2s with the SPT Wagon Pinks and I really am enjoying the setup. IMO, it is a great DD setup. Very comfortable and very composed.
You will need the spacers, but they are a one-time deal. In otherwords, the only time I have EVER dealt with them was A) ordering them and B) bolting everything up. They are a non-issue and do their job perfectly. MT |
11-05-2007, 06:14 PM | #24 |
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I have been debating this same issue of recent (have had wagon pinks on for about 20K miles). There are many people on the board who say that the Tokico's are worlds better than the KYB AGX, however, I am currently leaning towards the AGX's anyway due to cost.
My reading brought me to this conclusion: KYB AGX, GC front, GD rear, TIC spacer, extra eccentric bolts all the way around. Does this make sense? And out of curiosity, while we're on the subject, what is a a good camber angle for the rear? It seems that anything around -1.5 degrees or more in the front is decent. |
11-05-2007, 06:16 PM | #25 | |
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