Bilsteins & Tein S Techs - Sick of harsh ride - Options?

[AndrewCowley]

I have Bilstein shocks (from WheelPower) and Tein S Tech Springs. Am totally over the harsh ride. I'd like to keep the Billies and change the springs. STi pinks are an option, but hard to find since it depends on finding a seller. What are the other options? Am happy to purchase something new. At the moment it feels like my car is going to fall to pieces. Thanks!

[Manaz]

I have Bilstein shocks (from WheelPower) and Tein S Tech Springs. Am totally over the harsh ride. I'd like to keep the Billies and change the springs. STi pinks are an option, but hard to find since it depends on finding a seller. What are the other options? Am happy to purchase something new. At the moment it feels like my car is going to fall to pieces. Thanks!

Is it the compression or the rebound you're unhappy with?

[AndrewCowley]

I have Bilstein shocks (from WheelPower) and Tein S Tech Springs. Am totally over the harsh ride. I'd like to keep the Billies and change the springs. STi pinks are an option, but hard to find since it depends on finding a seller. What are the other options? Am happy to purchase something new. At the moment it feels like my car is going to fall to pieces. Thanks!

Is it the compression or the rebound you're unhappy with?

Unhappy with bottoming out (= compression I suppose) but not just that, the overall harshness. e.g. Changing lanes and driving over the lane reflectors and it being like a bomb going off.

I am not an expert sorry... It seems to me that the Teins dont allow the Bilsteins to operate at their full range. There seems to be very little travel. On smooth roads the handling is great. But after nearly 2 years I am over it!

Am thinking that the STi pinks surely can't have this problem. They were factory designed by Subaru for the Bilsteins.

I did some research and Swift springs may also be ok, but I'm wary...

[Boostaddict]

What part of Sydney are in mate??

Next time there is a meet up on and I'm there. I am more then happy for you to come for a drive to feel the factory billies and Sti pinks.

My thoughts are, its the way they set the dampers up in the billies as I think that this factory setup is some what harsh. My wife complains a little as she prefers her S Edition foresters setup. Another member on here and a mate of mine has the pedders sports rider shock/spring combo and I believe it rides nicer then mine and the way the factory "should" have done it.

Personally I love a solid / hard ride and want coil overs. But it's also so when the missis gets in I can dial the damper down to soft and keep her happy.!! Then turn it back to my setting for the correct feeling!! Oh and the minor thing of a nice dumped ride height.!!

But serious next meet up that I'm at jump in for a ride and see what it's like.

[mynameisdaniel]

A few people have cut the bump stops in the billies to get a bit more travel which will help with bottoming out. I'd personally consider the STi springs to still be 'harsh', I certainly wouldn't consider anything harder.

Coilovers might be an option if you're willing to sell your current setup to recoup the costs?

[AndrewCowley]

Hey guys... Thanks. Options are -

STi Pinks (front ST2033021010, rear ST203802100)
Pedders Sports Ryder (front 2672, rear 2657)
Swift (4f008)

And the winner is? Don't know yet.

I am the worst keyboard warrior for over-analysing all the forum threads on matters such as these.

My research suggests that the STi Pinks and the Swifts are similar. But the Pedders are the most comfort oriented of the 3 but still a nice match for the Bilsteins.

Sound right?

[seanmau5]

I have Teins on Billies.. I hate it..

If I don't have a break after 1.5-2 hours of driving I get a sore neck, back & head..

[senator]

What are you trying to achieve???

Any spring with Bilstein will result in a harsh ride, unless you have re-valved the shock to suit the shorter spring.

[Robbks]

just swapped out normal SpecB billies and dropped in TB STi billies and springs.
neither of them are a harsh ride

A mates stock 2.5i is more harsh than my car, and i'm someone who has rarely found any car with coilovers to be comfortable

[jacks-GTB]

get some ohlins....more comfy than billies with stock black springs...

[markii]

I'm in that pickle too, I've got new enkei's coming in. Need new springs, Thinking of H&R / Swift / S-Techs.
I haven't seen how the H&R's sit with the billies, But have seen how the s-techs and swifts sit on libs & was impressed.

Still deciding, got quoted $480 next day delivery for H&R-35mm drop.

[Robbks]

note that the "drop" is usually quoted on non-specB heights.
SpecB's are already about 15mm down on the "standard" models

[markii]

I don't wanna go more then -30mm really, Not sure what to do. Anyone know a contact for swift springs?
Or got a review for them?

[Robbks]

you'll only drop 15mm from where you're at now

[markii]

you'll only drop 15mm from where you're at now

With the H&R's or Swifts?