$1200 to spend on suspension...

[hamish_023]

I have a budget of around $1,200 inc installing.

Aim: To improve the pillowy handling on the GT but not compromise the ride quality too much to the point of it's isnt comfortable. I want a lower look (just so the guards aren't as noticeable) especially the front that points to the sky yet not heaps low that sti lip scraps on every bump. The ride will be also on 18x8's not 17x7's.

A- New Bilstein struts + Tein S-tech springs
B- Stock Struts with Eibach or HR? springs with rear sway bar, Whiteline or Cusco for bling
C- Cheaper Coilovers
D- Other

So what would you do?

[drndrn]

If you're picky about ride height. I'd definitely pick coilovers.

Other than that, the tein s-techs seem to be the best/most popular.

[Adrian2627]

The difference springs and shocks will make is huge and probably the best bang for buck option. Springs on the standard shocks will kill the shocks and you won't get a decent set of coilovers for $1200. In my opinion it's pointless going with coilovers unless you are prepared to go with the supporting mods like ALK, Roll Centre Adj, bushes, links, bars etc. I went the Bilstein/Whiteline route with my Gen3 Liberty as well as an ALK and it completely transformed the car. Later on down the track as the budget allows you can then upgrade the bars/links. One thing though is make sure you get ADM Bilsteins as the JDM ones have firmer damping and on our less than buttery roads the MRS with bitch.

[Q]

Save a little more and buy some decent coilovers. Damping matched to springs and u are able to choose the height you want. Or I can sell you my revalved Bilsteins

[senator]

I have a budget of around $1,200 inc installing.

Aim: To improve the pillowy handling on the GT but not compromise the ride quality too much to the point of it's isnt comfortable. I want a lower look (just so the guards aren't as noticeable) especially the front that points to the sky yet not heaps low that sti lip scraps on every bump. The ride will be also on 18x8's not 17x7's.

A- New Bilstein struts + Tein S-tech springs
B- Stock Struts with Eibach or HR? springs with rear sway bar, Whiteline or Cusco for bling
C- Cheaper Coilovers
D- Other

So what would you do?

i wouldn't call cusco bling....... they are worth the extra coin for sway bars that will not knock around like whitelines do

[swingn]

A = If you can pick up new Billies & Tein springs for that price installed I'd be rather impressed... I'd say you'd be looking closer to 2K + for the above including install... However finding good 2nd hand Billies & new Tein's would be achievable at that price IMO.

B = Probably the best way to go IMO... Get some good sways & some lowered springs (Truthfully don't know how well the standard struts would like the lowered springs though...) & your budget should allow for it with no dramas.

C = Wouldn't touch cheap coil overs, but that's just my 2 cents... Personally I believe you get what you pay for.

D = If you really want to do it right, I'd put up with the standard suspension for a little while & save yours pennies & look at something like the Tein Flex coil over set up... Many of our members are running them & have nothing but good things to report

[hamish_023]

Senator I didnt know they were any different. But will definitely look into the Cusco

Swinging. Can pick up new bilsteins for 600. New Teins for 455 both inc. Delivery. So installation hopefully wont push it to much higher then budgeted.

thanks again for the feedback.

[swingn]

Swinging. Can pick up new bilsteins for 600. New Teins for 455 both inc. Delivery. So installation hopefully wont push it to much higher then budgeted.

That's cheap! I know my MPS 3 driving mate paid just shy of 2K for Billies & Eibach springs.

Install shouldn't be too much... I would estimate anywhere from $200-$400 inc a wheel alignment.

[Hotwire]

Hamish,
can you please dirct me to where to get new bilsteins for $600 for all four. I am in need of new shocks and want to go to bilstiens.

Thanks
Lee

[teK--]

Isn't that $600.00 deal from Wheelpower; I thought everyone would have known it by now after the very active group buy thread? They are takeoffs from GTB conversions to STI.

But yes, the regular price for OEM and indeed aftermarket Bilsteins is around $1500 a set just for struts no springs.

[Laps]

my coilovers were 1700, installation / wheel allignments was 400 roughly

[Hotwire]

Just found the thread Jim.

I haven't been on the forums much at all lately. Since June my wife has had the liberty full time and I only drive it maybe once a fortnight now, so stopped looking into modifications. The car now has 98k on the clock, and the susp is starting to feel rather floating and unsettled on larger bumps / through the hills.

Anyway, enough of my issues, back to Hamish's question - personally, its Bilsteins + springs for me - that's definitely the path I'll be taking with the Liberty.

[Jimmy S]

I've ordered HSD HR Coilovers for my Liberty... I've run the same setup in 2 of my previous Subaru's and been very happy with them! Also a number of mates run them, predominantly issue free, and have done for a number of years!

They aren't going to fit into your $1200 budget, even before fitting, but well worth the extra few hundred for them IMO and fitting isn't that hard to do yourself!

[hamish_023]

How was your Bilstein/Tein combo Jimmy? even with the 19's was it still comfortable?

Do you find your sti lip scraps alot?

[Sheik Jabooti]

I just redid the suspension on my MY07 GT Wagon as I couldn't handle the ride anymore. Felt like I was on the Royal Show bouncy castle!

So I spent:
$600 Bilstein Struts and Springs from the Wheelpower deal on the for sale forum
$50 delivery to Perth
~$300 Front and Rear Whiteline adjustable Sway Bars
~$300 installation and wheel alignment

That's ~$1250 all up. Right in your budget sweet spot.

I can't recommend this low cost setup enough. All made possible with the cheap deal on the Bilsteins.

The ride is great...sway bars make a big difference...I can't get enough corners in my daily drive now...particularly love the rail crossing next to work that requires a serious left / right combo with max power coming out of the chicane

Ride height didn't change much at all so you might want to consider changing springs but that'll cost you another few hundred. On the comfort side...it's still much the same if not better with specB's. I found the GT OEM setup to be quite bouncy. The most noticeable difference is at very low speed. The original setup was a much softer on speed humps than the specB kit. At speed though, I find the specB more comfortable as it absorbs large bumps easily without the bouncy ride after the bump.