Lowering Springs

[C_WRX]

Thinking of improving the ride quality and look of my Newage WRX, quickly looking in to it affordable way looks like to go with lowering springs...what begins to confuse me (doesn't take much!) is when other items are mentioned such as droplinks, coilovers.. and so on, which just seem to keep the £pound signs mounting up. Are springs just enough for my day-to-day sensible road use only ?

Looking for the knowledgeable/experienced among you to give a little advice so I know what to go and look for and get it done right first time.

Makes / fitters / etc.

Any before/after pics would also be good. Realise it does lower it (lowering springs name gives it away) but hoping not so much that the multi-storeys / speed bumps catch the front?? or that it becomes an uncomfortable ride on our nice smooth roads ??

[oobster]

I've got a blobeye WRX with the Prodrive springs fitted - Subaru dealer fitted them for me + put the recommended Prodrive geometry settings on the car - total price (including the cost of the springs) was £388 from memory.

They lowered the car approx 25mm at the front and 20mm at the rear, which was fine for me. I have the STI front bumper winglets on my WRX + a Scott Lowe splitter and it doesn't catch on speed bumps. I do need to watch if I go up/down a steep hill onto a flat surface though, and I have damaged my splitter by parking too close to the kerb once.

My car also has 18" wheels on it, which helps fill the arch a bit better.

Handling was definitely improved, but I didn't notice much difference at all in comfort - it's roughly the same as it was before. I don't have any uprated droplinks or uprated ARB's etc - just the springs.

Bear in mind too that the springs may take a few days to 'settle' so don't immediately think your car hasn't been lowered by much as soon as the springs are fitted.

Quite a few people on here have Tein's fitted to their cars, which make your car quite a bit lower than the prodrive ones.

Edited November 8, 2007 by oobster

[~ ~ Cal ~~]

My recommendation :-

• Prodrive Lowering Springs ( reduce roll, slightly stiffer but still allow a very pliant ride) - as per Oobster's post
  
• Prodrive Geometry Settings - as per Oobster's post
  
• Drop Links - Subaru ones are nasty flexible, plastic - get Whiteline solid ones
  
• Adjustbable Anti-roll bar - minimises body roll and understeer - transform the car BIG time - - Geo can supply Whiteline for much cheapness
  

Teins - way too low for me but others are happy with them

Coilovers - will shake yer rasberry ripples off on their lowest setting. Unless you are a serious trackdayer then avoid IMHO

You will not believe the difference that lots makes on a B-road and even more so on a track day

Good luck !

Cal

[~ ~ Cal ~~]

Forgot to say that the drop links and ARB will not cost you much and are easy to fit...........

I dont have a before but here is an after shot with 18's fitted

CGS

[st3ph3n]

Depends which coilovers you get as to the ride quality. Adjustables could be good for road and track.

Teins - lower than a snakes belly, and tightened up the handling quite well. Ride quality certainly diminished though.

[RA Dunk]

ive got cusco coilovers on my uk turbo (still to swap them over to the RA) and there not as hard as everybody seems to think they are

[C_WRX]

  oobster said:

I've got a blobeye WRX with the Prodrive springs fitted - Subaru dealer fitted them for me + put the recommended Prodrive geometry settings on the car - total price (including the cost of the springs) was £388 from memory.

They lowered the car approx 25mm at the front and 20mm at the rear, which was fine for me. I have the STI front bumper winglets on my WRX + a Scott Lowe splitter and it doesn't catch on speed bumps. I do need to watch if I go up/down a steep hill onto a flat surface though, and I have damaged my splitter by parking too close to the kerb once.

My car also has 18" wheels on it, which helps fill the arch a bit better.

Handling was definitely improved, but I didn't notice much difference at all in comfort - it's roughly the same as it was before. I don't have any uprated droplinks or uprated ARB's etc - just the springs.

Bear in mind too that the springs may take a few days to 'settle' so don't immediately think your car hasn't been lowered by much as soon as the springs are fitted.

Quite a few people on here have Tein's fitted to their cars, which make your car quite a bit lower than the prodrive ones.

I've seen people refer to Prodrive and Eibach as much the same, even that Eibach make them for Prodrive. Much difference from peoples experience ?

18's are on the "To Do" list, but a little further down unless sniff out a bargain.

So sounds like I need to price uprated droplinks and ARB's - see whether cash allows for all to get done at same time.

Great advice so far, keep it coming if there's more out there....

[oobster]

I may be talking complete BS on this one, so if anyone reads this & agrees then please correct me.

I've read, and heard, in the past that Eibach DO make the springs for Prodrive, but unlike the springs that Eibach make & sell to other distributors the spec is slightly different for the prodrive ones. I've also heard reports of people having the eibach springs fitted to their cars and then having a knocking noise, possibly because the spring isn't sitting in the cups at the top of the front suspension properly.

As I say, might be total jobbies.

[iainc]

  oobster said:

I may be talking complete BS on this one, so if anyone reads this & agrees then please correct me.

I've read, and heard, in the past that Eibach DO make the springs for Prodrive, but unlike the springs that Eibach make & sell to other distributors the spec is slightly different for the prodrive ones. I've also heard reports of people having the eibach springs fitted to their cars and then having a knocking noise, possibly because the spring isn't sitting in the cups at the top of the front suspension properly.

As I say, might be total jobbies.

That was what I'd understood happened as well, Eibach make them to a particular spec for Prodrive that isn't available "off the shelf" directly from Eibach. Again, like yourself I may believe the wrong thing though

[cusco kid]

  oobster said:

I may be talking complete BS on this one, so if anyone reads this & agrees then please correct me.

I've read, and heard, in the past that Eibach DO make the springs for Prodrive, but unlike the springs that Eibach make & sell to other distributors the spec is slightly different for the prodrive ones. I've also heard reports of people having the eibach springs fitted to their cars and then having a knocking noise, possibly because the spring isn't sitting in the cups at the top of the front suspension properly.

As I say, might be total jobbies.

i dont know if you are aware that most up rated springs are made in holland in the same factory thats a fact inc prodrive eibach ast etc geo

[Richie Cross]

After speaking with Greers it was Eibach springs for me on my WRX wagon.

No noise from them. Asked Bill Greer about that and he said it wouldn't happen

after he had fitted them!

[Richie Cross]

Meant to say that I also got the Prodrive geometry settings done which is good as well.

[~ ~ Cal ~~]

Difference with Eibachs :- http://bbs.scoobynet.com/suspension-12/403...s-question.html

Good Info :- http://bbs.scoobynet.com/suspension-12/527...ge-springs.html

Prodrive Settings Info :- http://bbs.scoobynet.com/suspension-12/407...y-feedback.html

Fitting Costs :- http://bbs.scoobynet.com/suspension-12/577...tml#post6599163

Info on Ride heights :- http://www.imprezasport.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=8003

Before and after on Mako's old car

Also :-

  corradoboy;6718437 said:

Eibach make the Prodrive spring, but under the manufacturing agreement between the two companies, Eibach are not allowed to market the same specification product as the Prodrive item. They are different and yes, the Prodrive springs are regarded as better. How much better is down to individual opinion, but it is generally agreed they are noticeably better.

[marky.t.s]

was thinking about handling upgrades for next year myself,has anyone fitted the Whiteline springs to a classic??

[gus the bus]

  marky.t.s said:

was thinking about handling upgrades for next year myself,has anyone fitted the Whiteline springs to a classic??

Marky,

Whiteline springs fitted on me old 555. That along with all the other whiteline bits n pieces made the handling superb

[cusco kid]

  C_WRX said:

Thinking of improving the ride quality and look of my Newage WRX, quickly looking in to it affordable way looks like to go with lowering springs...what begins to confuse me (doesn't take much!) is when other items are mentioned such as droplinks, coilovers.. and so on, which just seem to keep the £pound signs mounting up. Are springs just enough for my day-to-day sensible road use only ?

Looking for the knowledgeable/experienced among you to give a little advice so I know what to go and look for and get it done right first time.

Makes / fitters / etc.

Any before/after pics would also be good. Realise it does lower it (lowering springs name gives it away) but hoping not so much that the multi-storeys / speed bumps catch the front?? or that it becomes an uncomfortable ride on our nice smooth roads ??

[/quote

hi m8 contact me for suspension info ask gus the bus geo

[thefastone]

  cusco kid said:

  C_WRX said:

Thinking of improving the ride quality and look of my Newage WRX, quickly looking in to it affordable way looks like to go with lowering springs...what begins to confuse me (doesn't take much!) is when other items are mentioned such as droplinks, coilovers.. and so on, which just seem to keep the £pound signs mounting up. Are springs just enough for my day-to-day sensible road use only ?

Looking for the knowledgeable/experienced among you to give a little advice so I know what to go and look for and get it done right first time.

Makes / fitters / etc.

Any before/after pics would also be good. Realise it does lower it (lowering springs name gives it away) but hoping not so much that the multi-storeys / speed bumps catch the front?? or that it becomes an uncomfortable ride on our nice smooth roads ??

hi m8 contact me for suspension info ask gus the bus geo

hey George,

Would you be kind enough to post something up here, just genneral info like, because I think that theres a few of us here that would appreciate your input...

Personally I'd like to know what the best ideas are for when it comes to a fast road setup... nice and stiff witout killing the ride quality....?

or are you too Bias....

Edited November 11, 2007 by thefastone

[cusco kid]

  thefastone said:

hi m8 contact me for suspension info ask gus the bus geo

hey George,

Would you be kind enough to post something up here, just genneral info like, because I think that theres a few of us here that would appreciate your input...

Personally I'd like to know what the best ideas are for when it comes to a fast road setup... nice and stiff witout killing the ride quality....?

or are you too Bias....

hi m8 here is the science bit (HANDLING)its mostly down to personal choise what suits one guy may not suit another.

rule of thumb ,increase roll stiffness and you will see great difference in handling .

all cars are set up at the factory to understeer( FACT) u/steer is when you steer onto a corner and the car wont continue on that course causing the front end to wash out .you as the driver need to add more steering to maintain the course picked it can become so bad that you loose the front end altogether. the impreza suffers from mild to exessive understeer depending on the way its being driven, for example the hairpin at knockhill .go in too fast and and you will experience lots of u/steer back off the throttle and the car will tend to follow the line you want .to counter act this problem is simple 1) fit stronger rear anti-roll bar and alloy drop links this will multiply roll stiffness and tighten the front end giving more grip and better steering feel.2) by fitting an anti-lift kit you can almost cancell out u/steer as it ads 0.5 degrees of caster to the front wishbones by relocating them at the rear pick up points on the chassis. increasing this lightens steering , and gives more grip on the front end .there and are many ways that you can alter the handling on the impreza but remember that grip levels are only as good as tyre to road adhesion .suspension tunning is an art and all cars handle differently just as different drivers capabilities are. if there is enough interest i will do the impreza handling parts and explain what they do just as i am doing with BUILDING A TRACK CAR posts geo

Edited November 11, 2007 by cusco kid

[marky.t.s]

Geo ,mine is a bog standard 00 m/y uk turbo,i had f&r droplinks done about 2 yrs ago cos the originals were done ,i think it was the Powerflex ones,dont know if their any good,but after fitting and getting geometry done it certainly handled better than before.

Question is ,would you recommend f & r ARB's first or should i fit lowered/uprated springs? i'm not looking for anything o t t like adjustable gear,just want to stiffen it up a bit for road use only,i dont mind a firm ride as its mostly a weekend car ,but at the same time it has to be something that wont knock my false teeth out

Ant advice most welcome.

[cusco kid]

  marky.t.s said:

Geo ,mine is a bog standard 00 m/y uk turbo,i had f&r droplinks done about 2 yrs ago cos the originals were done ,i think it was the Powerflex ones,dont know if their any good,but after fitting and getting geometry done it certainly handled better than before.

Question is ,would you recommend f & r ARB's first or should i fit lowered/uprated springs? i'm not looking for anything o t t like adjustable gear,just want to stiffen it up a bit for road use only,i dont mind a firm ride as its mostly a weekend car ,but at the same time it has to be something that wont knock my false teeth out

Ant advice most welcome.

hi marky go for front and rear anti-roll bars first 24 mm rear 22mm front check that your d/links are ok after 2 years running they do wear out m8 then go for lowered springs i can recomend control type pm me for info geo

[marky.t.s]

  cusco kid said:

hi marky go for front and rear anti-roll bars first 24 mm rear 22mm front check that your d/links are ok after 2 years running they do wear out m8 then go for lowered springs i can recomend control type pm me for info geo

ARB's coming soon then,i'll give you a shout Geo.

[thefastone]

Nice one George,

I for one am interested to learn more, Certainly I am really enjoying reading your building a track car threads that are very interesting, but I wold also Like to know how this can be used on the road, you know, with the crap road quality, and beign able to keep some of the ride quality...

as it is, (a I think Ive said before) its somthing that I am looking to do to my car next...

Another question that I have though, is that Ive heard that you only need the ARB on the back, and theres no point to fitting the fron tone, I'm sure I heard that last year sometime, how true is that mate?

[cusco kid]

  thefastone said:

Nice one George,

I for one am interested to learn more, Certainly I am really enjoying reading your building a track car threads that are very interesting, but I wold also Like to know how this can be used on the road, you know, with the crap road quality, and beign able to keep some of the ride quality...

as it is, (a I think Ive said before) its somthing that I am looking to do to my car next...

Another question that I have though, is that Ive heard that you only need the ARB on the back, and theres no point to fitting the fron tone, I'm sure I heard that last year sometime, how true is that mate?

not so m8 you can start with the rear and d/links then fit front to balance it up always have the bigger bar on the rear .by changing the bars you maintain ride quality for road use some people want the car slammed and very firm remember its a trade off ,for every thing you gain you loose something firm ride handle well, rattle your false teeth lol geo

[thefastone]

nice one geo, thats cleard that up for me mate!