Suggest Me a Spring/Coilover Setup - MY08 TBSTI

[miller0]

Hey guys,

First time poster here, looking to pick up my MY08 Tuned by STI Liberty next week.
Up until two weeks ago, I owned a mildly modified MY05 Club Spec Evo 8 WRX.

One of the first mods i plan to do on the Liberty will be a suspension change.
I found the stock setup very soft, however was a shedload more comfortable and relaxing than my WRX which was really quite stiff.

I do want the Lib to sit a little lower to fill the guards up a bit more, but would like to keep some comfortability about the car also.

What's everyone suggest here? Change the springs only and leave the Bilstein shocks in, or go for a coilover setup?
Any brands in particular to recommend?

Cheers

[stew07gt]

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=14522&p=200679&hilit=springs#p200679

viewtopic.php?f=38&t=14533&p=194748&hilit=springs#p194748

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=14376&p=196760&hilit=springs#p196760

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=14673&p=197050&hilit=springs#p197050

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=13901&p=188362&hilit=springs#p188362

Try search, these are a few that pop up, one has the most popular spring setup for sale. His name is PHAT. Once you have learnt these two things you are on your way to a modded lib and an empty wallet. Welcome!

[senator]

Cusco Zero 2E's with Econ.....from Phat GT.

I'm running 10 and 11kg spring rating and pending on the dampener setting they ride alot smoother then the standard set up, a few minor adjusts and the car turns into are go kart....

[miller0]

Thanks guys. I'll check out the suggestions and start some research once I get home from holidays.

I killed my WRX shocks using H&R springs, hence why I was now considering coilovers.

Will lowering springs like Tein's reduce the lifespan of the stock Bilsteins also?

[senator]

Will lowering springs like Tein's reduce the lifespan of the stock Bilsteins also?

any lowered spring will reduce the life of the OE Bilstein

[miller0]

Thanks Senator... Sort of what I had predicted.

In that case, I think I will just do it once and do it properly, and only look into coilovers.

Will do some research and read some reviews by other GT-B owners.

[miller0]

I've sent an email through to PHAT asking for what he stocks, and what he recommends.

I plan to do the occasional track day with the car, but not many - maybe 2 or 3 a year.
The car is primarily used as a daily commuter to work, and a bit of highway travel on weekends - so I'm definitely not wanting a bumpy or harsh ride.

While I wait for a reply from PHAT, how do BC BR coilovers rate on the GT-B's?
Looking for opinions on the ride quality, harshness, and overall build quality of the product.

[coyote]

In my opinion, you do not want to lower the car. I've done it and have decided it doesn't work for two reasons. Firstly, there is insufficient travel and secondly, the geometry works better around the height your car is now.

Unless you want to spend the money on something like Ohlins, the best result you'll get is by upping the springs rates (particularly the rear) and revalving your Billies accordingly.

Of course if you just want it low, cut your pinks.

[miller0]

Cutting the springs on my new car is not something I'll be doing.

Any feedback or suggestions on coilover brands would be greatly appreciated

[bosc0]

Close eye on this thread, same boat here.

[bass_straitener]

I am in the same boat due to a knocking noise coming from the front. Has been diagnosed as a the front shocks.

Spoke to an ex Subaru mechanic who advised this is very common due to the lowered STI springs and very ordinary OEM Bilstein setup.

Did the research and am getting my Bilsteins rebuilt and revalved to suit. I'm happy with the current height and by all accounts a rebuilt Bilstein will be the best bang for buck solution than buying cheaper coil overs.

Thanks 'coyote' for helping me make the decision.

[Prezza]

Just be wary of published spring drop's.

I came very close to forking out for some Eibach springs for a 15mm drop, but after some research, the 15mm drop is for the stock GT. With the pinks already being 10-15mm lower, there would be no difference what so ever.

The Teins S-Tech's that Phat sells are by far the best looking spring (height wise), but after coming from an STi with RCE yellows, i sat down and really considered lowering my GT. I decided i was sick of having to take driveways and speed humps side ways at 1km/h, and decided i will not be changing the suspension.

For the road, the pinks + billies are awesome. Sure, if your tracking, your going to want coilovers, but be prepared for loss of daily driver comforts - something that was #1 on my list.

[Q]

I agree and disagree with alot of the posts here. I totally agree with the comments on the Liberty being travel challenged in the suspension department and anything more than a mild drop just doesn't work.

I disagree with all the comments about ride comfort when using coilovers. (I have had oem suspension, then Bilsteins, revalved Bilsteins, Ohlins fixed perch and now Racecomp Tarmac 1 coilovers).

The bilsteins I found to be harsh even after revalving them and trying with several rates of springs. Could never find a happy medium with these struts.

The Ohlins gave absolutely brilliant ride quality but were valved way too softly for any quick driving and at the time I couldn't get anyone to revalve them for less than extortionate money.

The racecomp coilovers are set at a minimun drop and I find them to be excellent. Way more controlled damping compared to the Bilsteins and much more comfortable on the road. Spring rates are 7kg front and 9kg rear.

I spent a few thousand on suspension before I bit the bullet on coilovers because of all the comments about harshness, bottoming out etc. After buying them I wish I had not listened to it all and just went and bought them to begin with as it would have saved alot of messing around and $$$. They way the car handles makes me smile each day and thats the bottom line. The car also does family duties with kids and dogs, goes quite happily along dirt roads and when I go to the track the damping gets cranked and even more fun is had. Coilovers rock.....but only if you choose the right ones.

[rooby]

Make note though that your racecomp coilovers aren't el-cheapo ones and buying the cheapest coilovers you can find likely wouldn't give you the same positive outlook.
As with most things you get what you pay for.

[bosc0]

^ Usually and most likely true, but I've heard a lot of good things about the ride and quality of BC coilovers.
Obviously everything you read on the Internet isn't gospel, but can that many people be wrong?