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screw aussie roads. ideas for new shocks and springs?

PostPosted: Thu May 21, 2015 6:55 pm
by SegR
I've read a million suspension threads on here and never have found the answer to the question - what feels better than bilsteins and isn't the kyb stockies?

I have a 2005 3.0R on bilstein shocks and springs with 225/40 tyres. I need my joints pinned so I don't need to carry a bucket around to collect my own parts. The bilsteins replaced the shocks which were on the car when I bought it. They were pretty boaty but didn't seem to have kyb written on them?

Everyone says coilovers are fun but more harsh. Other than going up a tyre profile what other option is there? Will some kind of unicorn jizz filled dampers keep my nuts in their bag? Budget say $2k max.

Re: screw aussie roads. ideas for new shocks and springs?

PostPosted: Mon May 25, 2015 11:53 am
by McDoof
If you want to go softer then you might be best getting something a bit taller like the stock Outback setup. I think you will struggle to find something softer outside of some custom spring rates for the stock struts. You might be able to find a local spring manufacturer to get you sorted.

Re: screw aussie roads. ideas for new shocks and springs?

PostPosted: Mon May 25, 2015 12:26 pm
by shav
I agree with Nikolai. Apart from getting something custom made, finding an off the shelf damper that will be better than the KYB's in handling but less harsh than Billies is a tough ask. I know, I have been looking for ages.

Im running some run of the mill Monroes which do the job but are no better than KYB's and Im on Tein S-Techs so the ride quality is average at best. :?

I was hoping Koni do an adjustable damper for the same coin as Billies. Yet to know for sure.

Re: screw aussie roads. ideas for new shocks and springs?

PostPosted: Mon May 25, 2015 1:43 pm
by McDoof
Seems Koni do a rebound adjustable strut insert for the Lib
http://tinyurl.com/mury9wl

Re: screw aussie roads. ideas for new shocks and springs?

PostPosted: Mon May 25, 2015 1:50 pm
by shav
McDoof wrote:Seems Koni do a rebound adjustable strut insert for the Lib
http://tinyurl.com/mury9wl


So they will rebuild your stock struts to suit Koni specs?

Re: screw aussie roads. ideas for new shocks and springs?

PostPosted: Mon May 25, 2015 1:55 pm
by McDoof
No, your stock shock is 2 pieces. One is a housing (the yellow part on a Bilstein) and the other is the actual inverted strut this is the bit that does the work.
Image
Koni just sells the insert so you can install it into your original housing. The pic is of a BMW Bilstein, but the idea is the same. It just means they can concentrate on making good struts without having to worry about making a million different housings to fit them.

Re: screw aussie roads. ideas for new shocks and springs?

PostPosted: Mon May 25, 2015 2:04 pm
by Robbks
mate,
so much of it is in the tyres,

I went from the stock bridgestones to some Hankook Ventus V12's and it got much stiffer.
Handling was better but much stiffer ride.
I eventually put on the stiffer STi Springs and bilsteins, but went to 17" outback wheels with some Silverstone NS700's and it handled even better, grip was just as good on teh road, better on gravel but softened the ride nicely.

Image

Re: screw aussie roads. ideas for new shocks and springs?

PostPosted: Mon May 25, 2015 2:28 pm
by McDoof
Good point there too Rob

Re: screw aussie roads. ideas for new shocks and springs?

PostPosted: Mon May 25, 2015 2:45 pm
by shav
Yes tyre stiffness can make a difference but some prefer not to change the profile due to looks.

As for the Koni inserts, this is a good idea. Do you know if that site delivers to Australia?

Re: screw aussie roads. ideas for new shocks and springs?

PostPosted: Mon May 25, 2015 3:10 pm
by McDoof
shav wrote:Yes tyre stiffness can make a difference but some prefer not to change the profile due to looks.

As for the Koni inserts, this is a good idea. Do you know if that site delivers to Australia?

Amazon doeshttp://www.amazon.com/Koni-8610-1447Sport-Subaru-Legacy/dp/B00361V446

Re: screw aussie roads. ideas for new shocks and springs?

PostPosted: Mon May 25, 2015 3:24 pm
by shav
Niiice. Just wish I had of seen this option before. Might get this done when these shocks crap themselves.

Re: screw aussie roads. ideas for new shocks and springs?

PostPosted: Mon May 25, 2015 4:01 pm
by kiwigene
McDoof wrote:
shav wrote:Yes tyre stiffness can make a difference but some prefer not to change the profile due to looks.

As for the Koni inserts, this is a good idea. Do you know if that site delivers to Australia?

Amazon doeshttp://www.amazon.com/Koni-8610-1447Sport-Subaru-Legacy/dp/B00361V446


According to the Amazon "fit check" it doesn't fit the 2007 Legacy GT Spec. B.

Re: screw aussie roads. ideas for new shocks and springs?

PostPosted: Mon May 25, 2015 4:03 pm
by shav
kiwigene wrote:
McDoof wrote:
shav wrote:Yes tyre stiffness can make a difference but some prefer not to change the profile due to looks.

As for the Koni inserts, this is a good idea. Do you know if that site delivers to Australia?

Amazon doeshttp://www.amazon.com/Koni-8610-1447Sport-Subaru-Legacy/dp/B00361V446


According to the Amazon "fit check" it doesn't fit the 2007 Legacy GT Spec. B.


*smacks forehead*

Us Post FL guys cant win.

Re: screw aussie roads. ideas for new shocks and springs?

PostPosted: Mon May 25, 2015 5:06 pm
by McDoof
Yea these are for the kyb guys I guess. The fitment check for the normal GT works

Re: screw aussie roads. ideas for new shocks and springs?

PostPosted: Mon May 25, 2015 5:31 pm
by shav
McDoof wrote:Yea these are for the kyb guys I guess. The fitment check for the normal GT works


oh wait, that doesn't include me then. Coz I have the GT Premium not the Spec B. Oh yay!