GTWorx Bilsteins struts with RCE Blacks Review (2015+ WRX / STI)

jptothetree · 08-01-2022, 04:54 PM

Sup fam,

I've been driving with the GTWorx Bilsteins with RCE Blacks (with OEM top hats) for a little over a week now and I thought I would throw a review on here for anyone considering this setup. All the reviews I've seen of these are from years ago, so here's one that's more up-to-date.

THE GOAL: So this is a NYC and Tri-State region daily driver. Ordinarily I'm driving around Brooklyn / Queens / Long Island and then out of town on the weekends for mountain bike trips. I really wanted to keep this thing tolerable on these abusive roads--regular coilovers, even expensive ones, were never on the table for me. The idea was a subtle drop to keep ample suspension travel and a sportier feel that was still livable for me around here.

THE DROP: Because of my local roads, I'm running an atypical tire size (225/50/r17) to help make daily driving a less harrowing experience. That being said, my overall tire diameter is .6" greater than stock, taking up some of that initial wheel gap. Before installing these, I was able to get three fingers in between my tire and fender. The RCE Blacks are advertised of having a 10mm drop in ride height and after installation, I can only fit two in that gap (so I guess that's about right). Visually, it's a subtle difference from stock, but one that I certainly notice and appreciate.

THE RIDE: This setup really has changed the whole feeling of the car. The RCE Black spring rates are 350 lb/in front, 340 lb/in rear so they aren't terribly stiff and paired with the Bilstein struts they really perform nicely! For people asking if this setup is "smoother" than stock I would have to describe it like this: roads that were jarring to the car before on stock suspension are still jarring now but now there's this rapid "return to center" feeling that the car has now due to the increased stiffness and improved damping. The stock suspension would feel wishy washy for a second after an impact, whereas this one is immediately settled and ready to go again (that, I love). By that metric, I suppose someone might interpret that as making for a smoother ride, but according to my butt it doesn't feel smoother on the actual impact itself. Overall, it's in the same ballpark for comfort as stock but with a much tighter and more planted feel. This setup has increased my smiles per mile in a pretty major way! Cornering is more fun, braking and acceleration also feel better with less of that rocking effect.

CONSIDERATIONS: These are basically a set it and forget it, especially with the OEM top hats like I'm running. Besides a few different perch locations on the rears for ride height adjustability, there are no other adjustments that can be made--definitely a big negative for people who really want to get picky with their suspension setup. However, for me, not a deal breaker.

THE COST: If bought brand new, this exact setup will run you about $2,000 which is certainly expensive. Luckily, I found these gently used on NASIOC and paid $1,100. Obviously these are not cheap, but these respective companies have great reputations for a reason. (I helped justify the cost by installing them myself on the side of the road, which took me about 3 hours total lol). Every indication that I could find is that these are super durable and good for the long road--perhaps their simplicity helps with that.

OVERALL: I really think this is about as aggressive as I would ever want to go with a daily driver in terms of stiffness and ride height drop. I'm just a regular guy who wants a more sporty feel, a slight drop and something that I can set and forget. If that sounds like you, I would highly recommend this setup! It will change your car in a big way.

Hit me up if you have any questions! Current ride height with these installed right here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/WRX/comment...blacks_review/

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

REX_WGN · 08-03-2022, 10:11 PM

nice review and thanks for keeping the forums alive! I'm also from NYC. Lived in Queens and now I'm in LI. I definitely understand the reason to go with these over coilovers. I have a set of these for the GR STI waiting to go on my FXT. Only reason I haven't put them on is because I'm enjoying stock STI takeoffs currently.

GoFrogs · 08-10-2022, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jptothetree

Sup fam,

I've been driving with the GTWorx Bilstein with RCE Blacks (with OEM top hats) for a little over a week now and I thought I would throw a review on here for anyone considering this setup. All the reviews I've seen of these are from years ago, so here's one that's more up-to-date.

I've seen these and was curious if the 50% increase in initial cost over a standard set of Bilstein B6/B8 is worth it.

yes, I understand that GTWorx redid the internal valving on the Bilstein, but regular yellow bodies have to be close, right?

If I went this route, I was going with the FastWRX/MachVMotorsport (blue) springs for a subtle drop.

If they can handle NYC roads, Ohio roads should be no problem.

fixin_the_wifes_wrx · 02-01-2025, 02:34 PM

But, maybe someone can just help me out here. I'm trying to install a set of Bilstein B6 and RCE black springs on my wife's 2017 Premium. I took out the previous owner's cheap coil overs, so I don't have a good stock comparison. When I went to install the front springs on the bilsteins, it didn't appear that I actually needed compressors to be able to install the top hat and nut. But, when I went to install the strut, it appear to be about 3 inches too long to align the bottom mount. Am I just being dumb? What am I missing?

fixin_the_wifes_wrx · 02-01-2025, 07:45 PM

Replying to myself because I found the answer on another forum and didn't want to leave a question hanging in case google brings another idiot here following me. The answer is that the sway bar is fighting you. Either disconnect it, or lift the other wheel off the ground and find your largest pry bar and maybe a friend. Have fun.

08-01-2022, 04:54 PM	#1
jptothetree Scooby Newbie Member Sales Rating: (1) Member#: 530054 Join Date: May 2022 Location: Queens Vehicle: 2020 WRX \| JRTuned	GTWorx Bilsteins struts with RCE Blacks Review (2015+ WRX / STI) Sup fam, I've been driving with the GTWorx Bilsteins with RCE Blacks (with OEM top hats) for a little over a week now and I thought I would throw a review on here for anyone considering this setup. All the reviews I've seen of these are from years ago, so here's one that's more up-to-date. THE GOAL: So this is a NYC and Tri-State region daily driver. Ordinarily I'm driving around Brooklyn / Queens / Long Island and then out of town on the weekends for mountain bike trips. I really wanted to keep this thing tolerable on these abusive roads--regular coilovers, even expensive ones, were never on the table for me. The idea was a subtle drop to keep ample suspension travel and a sportier feel that was still livable for me around here. THE DROP: Because of my local roads, I'm running an atypical tire size (225/50/r17) to help make daily driving a less harrowing experience. That being said, my overall tire diameter is .6" greater than stock, taking up some of that initial wheel gap. Before installing these, I was able to get three fingers in between my tire and fender. The RCE Blacks are advertised of having a 10mm drop in ride height and after installation, I can only fit two in that gap (so I guess that's about right). Visually, it's a subtle difference from stock, but one that I certainly notice and appreciate. THE RIDE: This setup really has changed the whole feeling of the car. The RCE Black spring rates are 350 lb/in front, 340 lb/in rear so they aren't terribly stiff and paired with the Bilstein struts they really perform nicely! For people asking if this setup is "smoother" than stock I would have to describe it like this: roads that were jarring to the car before on stock suspension are still jarring now but now there's this rapid "return to center" feeling that the car has now due to the increased stiffness and improved damping. The stock suspension would feel wishy washy for a second after an impact, whereas this one is immediately settled and ready to go again (that, I love). By that metric, I suppose someone might interpret that as making for a smoother ride, but according to my butt it doesn't feel smoother on the actual impact itself. Overall, it's in the same ballpark for comfort as stock but with a much tighter and more planted feel. This setup has increased my smiles per mile in a pretty major way! Cornering is more fun, braking and acceleration also feel better with less of that rocking effect. CONSIDERATIONS: These are basically a set it and forget it, especially with the OEM top hats like I'm running. Besides a few different perch locations on the rears for ride height adjustability, there are no other adjustments that can be made--definitely a big negative for people who really want to get picky with their suspension setup. However, for me, not a deal breaker. THE COST: If bought brand new, this exact setup will run you about $2,000 which is certainly expensive. Luckily, I found these gently used on NASIOC and paid $1,100. Obviously these are not cheap, but these respective companies have great reputations for a reason. (I helped justify the cost by installing them myself on the side of the road, which took me about 3 hours total lol). Every indication that I could find is that these are super durable and good for the long road--perhaps their simplicity helps with that. OVERALL: I really think this is about as aggressive as I would ever want to go with a daily driver in terms of stiffness and ride height drop. I'm just a regular guy who wants a more sporty feel, a slight drop and something that I can set and forget. If that sounds like you, I would highly recommend this setup! It will change your car in a big way. Hit me up if you have any questions! Current ride height with these installed right here: https://www.reddit.com/r/WRX/comment...blacks_review/ * Registered users of the site do not see these ads. Last edited by jptothetree; 08-01-2022 at 04:59 PM.

02-01-2025, 02:34 PM	#4
fixin_the_wifes_wrx Scooby Newbie Member Sales Rating: (0) Member#: 540188 Join Date: Feb 2025 Vehicle: 2017 WRX	First post of three so I can ask a question in my own thread But, maybe someone can just help me out here. I'm trying to install a set of Bilstein B6 and RCE black springs on my wife's 2017 Premium. I took out the previous owner's cheap coil overs, so I don't have a good stock comparison. When I went to install the front springs on the bilsteins, it didn't appear that I actually needed compressors to be able to install the top hat and nut. But, when I went to install the strut, it appear to be about 3 inches too long to align the bottom mount. Am I just being dumb? What am I missing?

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08-03-2022, 10:11 PM	#2
REX_WGN Scooby Guru Member Sales Rating: (82) Member#: 107618 Join Date: Feb 2006 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: NY Vehicle: 06 GG WRX / 09 FXT @florencedestinedfxt	nice review and thanks for keeping the forums alive! I'm also from NYC. Lived in Queens and now I'm in LI. I definitely understand the reason to go with these over coilovers. I have a set of these for the GR STI waiting to go on my FXT. Only reason I haven't put them on is because I'm enjoying stock STI takeoffs currently.

02-01-2025, 07:45 PM	#5
fixin_the_wifes_wrx Scooby Newbie Member Sales Rating: (0) Member#: 540188 Join Date: Feb 2025 Vehicle: 2017 WRX	Replying to myself because I found the answer on another forum and didn't want to leave a question hanging in case google brings another idiot here following me. The answer is that the sway bar is fighting you. Either disconnect it, or lift the other wheel off the ground and find your largest pry bar and maybe a friend. Have fun.