KYB's to Bilstein/STI Pink Combo - Now much higher?

[Hybrid]

Just did a stock KYB Strut/Spring change today to Bilsteins (new) and STI Pinks (basically new),

KYB Struts/Springs (44k of use)

Ride Height

Front 338mm
Rear 331mm


New Bilsteins + STI Pinks

Rie Height

Front 373mm
Rear 355 mm


LOL certainly was not the result I expected LOL, I guess they will settle?

Car handles so much better, but didn't think it would raise the car by so much!

[Prezza]

Yeah, im not sure what the deal is, but iv been browsing the US forums, and they are all saying that the Bilstein shocks sit higher than the stock KYB's.

I have a 08 Lib STi, which comes standard with the Bilsteins and STI Pinks, and i measured mine today.
From center of wheel, to lip of the guard, both front and rear are dead on 360mm. Car looks like a Pajero, haha.
Using the 'finger' rule, i can fit 3 full fingers between the tyre and the guard.

I was considering the Eibach 25mm Lowering springs, but these are similar drop to the Pinks, so would net near enough the same results. Looks like we need a set of springs that are a 30mm-35mm drop over 'stock' (Or 20mm-25mm reduction on Bilsteins).

How my car sits on Bilstein and Pinks:

[Dropz]

It could POSSIBLY be the aftermarket bilsteins sit higher? or because they are new they need to be bedded in?

Taylor got the pinks with 5km on them and put maybe 3-500km max. I spoke to him tonight about it.

[Prezza]

^^

But its the same case with mine. I have the factory Bilsteins and pinks, which have had 70k km to settle..

[senator]

For some odd reason the MY 08 TB STI where fitted with sti specific Bilstein…….. you can easily confirm this by the STI sticker on the lower section of the strut.

I found the Tein S-tech purchased through Phat Gt (Specially made by Tein to Phat GT’s spec’s) to provide the best lowered height without the losing the comfort level……or just opt for coilovers

[Hybrid]

I think ill be happy if the front just drops a tad, about an inch would be ideal but yeah.

To clarify, the bilsteins are factory from an MY08 GT Spec.B. Dealer km's only, and yeah STI Pink's are near new.

I know the will sit slightly higher at the front because the of the engine weight difference, but 18mm is more than I expected. Past reading suggests only 10mm which I can live with.

Car is so much more grounded now though even on the open roads. I do now have 2 dash rattles I never knew I had though

[Hybrid]

^^

But its the same case with mine. I have the factory Bilsteins and pinks, which have had 70k km to settle..

Prezza yep mine looks the same as your at the rear, the front is just a bit higher. I do have 17" rims though not 18" so I know it will look slightly higher as a result.

I am pretty sure I recall seeing someone put new Bilsteins in and the front was intially higher but it did lower down over time by about 10mm, I just can't fine the damn tread now ..was a white pre-facelift. I'd be very happy if the front drops by 10mm, I can live with a slight difference front to rear (it was 5mm before anyway and you could not tell anyway).

I would be happy if mine sat close to like yours at the front, I am not really into super low cars anymore anyway.

[Hybrid]

Also,

Does anyone actually know what the weight difference between the 2.5L Turbo Engine is vs the 2.5L N/A engine??

So both 2.5L versions in the MY08 are EJ25 based,

MY08 Turbo = EJ255 DOHC?
MY08 N/A = EJ254 SOHC?

Seriously what causes the extra weight?, and what exactly is it?, last I checked a turbo and camshaft was not that heavy and it is normally the block that is the heavy part and AFAIK it would be the same block cast wise??

People say the N/A is "much" lighter, but I've never seen any actual evidence of this, only hear say

[SegR]

They're probably comparing the 3L H6 (NA only) vs 2-2.5L H4 (NA and turbo).

[Hybrid]

They're probably comparing the 3L H6 vs 2-2.5L H4.

This I would be happy with, as then I can expect to get the same results as prezza

Google suggests the dry weight of an EJ25 is 135kg's, but im not sure if this is base minus accessories etc.

[kiks]

Seriously what causes the extra weight?, and what exactly is it?, last I checked a turbo and camshaft was not that heavy and it is normally the block that is the heavy part and AFAIK it would be the same block cast wise??

People say the N/A is "much" lighter, but I've never seen any actual evidence of this, only hear say

twin cam heads are significantly heavier.
A full 1.5 metres of extra thick walled exhaust piping, an entire turbo made mostly from cast iron.
Intercooler, larger radiator & more coolant capacity in both engine and radiator.

And to compound all this, its INFRONT of the axle line.

As for the original poster.
You have more ground clearance? Better handling? Whats the problem. That's awesome! :p

[t.renshaw34]

Karl and I wer upset for you last night Rob. , next would be to go s techs, I looooove mine now that they are in and settled, wish the rear didn't look like I had a body in the boot, but I'll live.

[Hybrid]

Ok so did a big more digging, referencing the MY09 US Legacy brouchure.

Now these are kerb weights (auto only to give like for like on all models, as 2.5i Limited was auto only)

*Note: Manual vs. Auto transmission = 25kg's only (auto heavier)

2.5i Limited (auto) = 1536 kg's (3388 lbs)
2.5 GT = (auto) = 1588 kg's (3503 lbs)

So as close to like for like, is the 2.5i Limited vs 2.5 GT, as both are spec'd up about the same interior and drivetrain etc.

This shows there is only 52kg's in it between N/A and Turbo.

Only real difference is brakes... everything else is the same...wheels, steering rack, suspension, etc).

Brake discs = 12" Front vs 11.5" Front (GT vs. 2.5i), so maybe that is 5-10kg's per brake rotor?

So based on this, I call the 2.5GT vs 2.5i engine weight issue BUSTED

[Hybrid]

Karl and I wer upset for you last night Rob. , next would be to go s techs, I looooove mine now that they are in and settled, wish the rear didn't look like I had a body in the boot, but I'll live.

haha its all good Taylor, I am happy with the height of the car over all, its more so I am hoping the front will sit down a tad more that is all .

If with 18's it looks like prezza's, I've be a very happy chappy.

[tangcla]

So based on this, I call the 2.5GT vs 2.5i engine weight issue BUSTED

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