STi 07 Handling issues...

[Guest v8voodoo]

Hi all,

Now I'm able to give my Spec D a few more beans as the engine loosens up, I've been finding the ride and handling is a bit [+o(].

When pushing through long sweeping bends at speed, the car seems to "corkscrew" and the back end feels like it's bucking around. It also feels like the car is ready to go at any time. [] I'm not at all confident in it yet. Maybe I need to go on the Prodrive driving day so I can find the STi limits safely? [^o)]

Maybe it's becasue I'm just not used to it yet, but sometimes I think my old MY03 WRX was more predictable in corners and gave a better ride. As for the ride "comfort" in the STi, well that's best left unsaid. I nearly bit my tongue the other day going over a pothole..lol!!!  []

So where do I go first. I'm trying to do as much research as I can, I'm leaning more towards comfort and predictability as opposed to stiffness and outright grip...[*-)]

 

I hear the Prodrive springs give a more controlled handling and also a better ride.  Though they must be fitted along with different bumpstops?  Where and who can fit them PROPERLY for me and get the Prodrive geometry settings done..?  I did give the Powerstation AST set up some thought, but felt it a large outlay to cure a problem that shouldn't really be there.

Tyres: Standard RE070's.

Suspension: Factory standard all round.

Geometry: All untouched.

Let's hear your thoughts SIDC Kent.

[Guest v8voodoo]

Anyone..???  [:S]

[mean greenie]

might be worth getting geometry settings checked to make sure they are on a standard setting. read alot of reports about new cars not having the settings done properly from the factory or on the p.d.i and being a mile out when checked. i've got a classic and the pro drive settings on mine made a nice difference. [Y]

[T123VOR]

Nige.

I can't really help you

But I had the prodrive springs on my old one with the correct prodrive geometry= different car handling wise.

I know it's a new car but maybe you should get the existing tracking checked?

[granby]

The RE070 tyres have a very very firm sidewall which makes them great for track days but not very comfortable for everyday use and they tramline quite a bit, would definitely get your geometry checked though

[mick_weatherill]

I have the prodrive springs and the pro drive set up .They transform the car !00% .In my opinion It now sticks to the road makeing it more safer to drive with the family in and a much more responsive when im alone putting my foot on the loud pedal. I got the springs from subaru i think they were around £200 + fitting and i got the pro drive set up done by elites at Rainham essex for about £95 Less the sidc discount . Ive also got the original Reo70s on .Which so far have done 20,000miles. with no wear on the edges and approx 3..4.mm left all round .

[scoobaroo]

I`d get the prodrive settings dialled in first, then get a set of whiteline rear drop links and anti roll bar.

I`ts like night and day [Y]

Marty.

[Pele]

Maybe it's becasue I'm just not used to it yet, but sometimes I think my old MY03 WRX was more predictable in corners and gave a better ride. As for the ride "comfort" in the STi, well that's best left unsaid. I nearly bit my tongue the other day going over a pothole..lol!!!  []

So where do I go first. I'm trying to do as much research as I can, I'm leaning more towards comfort and predictability as opposed to stiffness and outright grip...[*-)]

 

 

My thoughts, lol [] predictable and comfort - the spec D was made to meet demand for a drivers car lol, and not made for predictability and comfort [], if you change things to make it like that you might just have well brought a new wrx and saved yourself some money....  I think it would be well worth your while and money going on a driver training course to take it to its limits before you change anything, there you can explore your limits too - which is always fun []

 

Just my thoughts [] 

[Guest v8voodoo]

RESULT......[]

 

I decided as I left Hayward & Scott with my burble back to find out where this "Eilte" place was in Rainham.  Tomtom told me it was about half an hour away, so off I went for a nose around.  [H]

 

I decided to throw a bit of caution to the wind and enquire about the fabled Prodrive settings.  Lad I spoke to knew what I was talking about, so I took the plunge and had them dialled in to my spec d.  What a f***ing result.  Different car altogether.  They showed me what the factory had done and from my limited knowlegde of geometry settings they were ridiculous.  Both fronts had positive camber as opposed to the degree or so of negative they should have..!!!

 

Anyway, I'm well chuffed now.  Today was a good scooby day for me.  Got my front decat, centre straight through pipe and new backbox sorted at Hayward & Scott (top notch service yet again) and got my dodgy handling sorted out.....  Happy days indeed..!!!  [Y]

Thanks to everyone who offerred me help and advice on this.

Nige.

[<)]

[darryl_martin]

Good to hear mate!! Glad you're happy. I had exactly the same thing with my wrx, not so much the hard suspension but just didn't feel right, especially as I could compare it to my previous classic. Had the geometry done...was miles out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All sorted now[H]. How do they check them before they send them out lol!!